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man reading book at a deskIs it true that . . .

There are many colorful stories circulating about laws and actions by Congress. Here are some frequently asked questions and their well-researched answers. You may also wish to contact your Senator's office with other questions you may have.

 
Is it true that  Congress passed the "Sullivan Act" to prohibit family members from serving together on the same ship or in the same unit in the military?

Is it true that  The Voting Rights Act of 1965 will expire in 2007 and African Americans and other ethnic minorities will lose the right to vote?

Is it true that  The Senate passed a resolution on September 16, 1987 stating that the U.S. Constitution was explicitly modeled upon the Iroquois Constitution?

Is it true that  There is a bill in Congress to impose a 5-cent tax on e-mails?

Is it true that  Members of Congress do not pay into Social Security and when they retire they receive a pension equal to their congressional salary for the rest of their life?

Is it true that  Oliver North said during the 1987 Iran-Contra hearings that Osama bin Laden had threatened his life?

 

If you are seeking general information on the Senate, the legislative branch and process, or on the federal government, the Virtual Reference Desk is a good place to begin. Links are arranged broadly by subject and may take you to PDF documents, useful sources on the Web, or other Senate Web pages.


Follow this guide on how to contact your Senators by phone, postal mail, or on the Web.


Historical information provided by the Senate Historical Office.


This list will link you to the full text of several popular acts of law as they have been amended over the years.

Compilations of Law


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