International & Public Affairs Research Guide: Find U.S. Government Information

This research guide identifies some of the major databases and library services that support research at the School of International Affairs at Columbia University.

Using Government Information

For more see the Government Information portal at Columbia. If you are unfamiliar with how the American Government is set up (it's confusing!) please consult this fabulous set of resources from USA.gov

15 U.S. Departments Under the Executive Branch

 

  1. U.S. Department of Agriculture 
  2. U.S. Department of Commerce 
  3. U.S Department of Defense
  4. U.S. Department of Education 
  5. U.S. Department of Energy
  6. U.S. Department of Health & Human ServicesOversees the following agencies, among others:
    • Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation: The principal advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on policy development, and is responsible for major activities in policy coordination, legislation development, strategic planning, policy research, evaluation, and economic analysis.
    • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administers the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which provide health care to America's aged and indigent populations. CMS also administers the new Children's Health Insurance Program through approved state plans that cover more than 2.2 million children.
  7. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  8. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  9. U.S. Department of Justice
  10. U.S. Department of Labor
  11. Department of State: The Department of State is the primary source of foreign affairs information for the U.S. Government and is responsible for implementing the President's foreign policies.
    • Don't forget that the State Department has had many versions of their website that can be accessed at their web-archive. 
    • Background Notes - U.S. Department of State: Brief profiles of most countries of the world. Includes information on government type and structure, names of major government officials, and an overview of foreign relations.
  12. U.S. Department of the Interior
  13. U.S. Department of the Treasury 
  14. U.S. Department of Transportation 
  15. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

U.S. Government Websites

  • National Archives: Links and indexes to government publications in the National Archives.
  • Science.gov : Provide users with access to more than 200 million pages of authoritative federal science information including research and development results.
  • USA.gov: Official guide to government information and services

International Government Information