http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL31351.pdf

Explores the tension between presidential claims of privilege and congressional prerogatives of oversight and investigation of executive branch actions. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.

http://www.llsdc.org/attachments/wysiwyg/544/Cong-Cmte-Overview.pdf

Discusses the history and development of the congressional committee system including the different types of committees, the emergence of standing committees, the connection between budgetary and committee reforms, and post 9/11 changes to congressional committees. From the Law Librarians Society of Washington

http://www.fas.org/sgp/congress/2008/index.html#ipad

An archive of statements at hearings before congressional committees by a variety of speakers on the broad topic of secrecy, access to government information, and national security. From the Federation of American Scientists.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/secrecy/RS20748.pdf

Reviews current practices and procedures by the Senate and House for handling classified information and proposals for change. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

http://www.dodig.osd.mil/Audit/reports/fy08/08-073.pdf

The first of two reports on congressional earmarks and defense procurement, this report discusses the results of an audit of earmarks exceeding $15 million dollars. From the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense

http://www.fec.gov/press/press2008/20080407candidate/20080407candidate.shtml

Provides details about House and Senate campaign fund committees, Democratic Party versus Republican Party fund raising, and some historic trend detail back to the mid-1990s. From the Federal Election Commission.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL30315.pdf

Discusses the balance between state and federal power in general and reviews how some recent Supreme Court decisions have revised this historical relationship in reinterpreting certain amendments and clauses of the Constitution. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/97-1011.pdf

Reviews the methods used historically to raise congressional pay and describes current pay levels. Also offers a table with payable salary, effective date of change in pay level, and statutory authority for congressional pay 1789-2008. From the Congressional Research Service via Senate.gov.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL31685.pdf

Holds are an informal senate custom unrecognized in rules or precedents that allow individual senators to block measures from advancing to the floor. This report examines the wide range of proposals over a 30 year period which have attempted to reform the holds process. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

http://opencrs.cdt.org/rpts/RS22732_20070928.pdf

Provides an overview and analysis of campaign finance legislation in the current congress and discusses two other developments: nominations for the Federal Election Commission and a recent Supreme Court ruling that could affect future political advertising. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/secrecy/RL30319.pdf

Reviews past incidents where presidential claims of a right to preserve confidentiality of information have collided with legislative demands for access to such information. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.