Identify your issue's Government Agencies

To Determine which government agency has jurisdiction over your issue, start by asking yourself Who Cares about this topic? One way to answer this question is to use a government focused search engine like usa.gov

Use USA.GOV
1. Enter a few terms that best describe your topic
2. In the results list, look at the summary menu on the left side. Note across the top there are three tabs: Topic, Agency, and Source.
3. Click on Agency to get a quick overview of the government agencies who provide information about your topic on their websites.

4. Use the links in the results list to get more information about the agency

OTHER SOURCES:
These sources identify responsible agencies, discuss laws, legislation, and regulations (past, current, and proposed)

Visit the GAO (Government Accountability Office) at GAO.gov to find:

• Audit reports for specific programs or issues
  
• Reports of investigations
• Testimony to Congress regarding government programs and agencies
• List of recommendations regarding a program or issue
  

[GAO is often called the "Congressional Watchdog" and is responsible for investigating how the Federal government spends taxpayer dollars.]

Congressional Hearings via Lexis Nexis Congressional.
Congressional hearings assemble legislators, agency representatives, business leaders and lobbyists. Hearings provide:

• Congress with testimony regarding specific issues, actions, and programs
• Reports and correspondence submitted by witnesses and the organizations they represent
  
• Transcripts of the questions and answer session of the hearing

Need more? Visit McHenry Library Government Publications and Law website