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Teams of official reporters of debates attend chamber meetings of the Senate and House to transcribe debate and legislative business. The Congressional Record is the result of their work. It is distributed the following day to more than 20,000 subscribers in legislative offices, government agencies, and depository libraries. The Congressional Record research guide further explains use of the Record. Members of Congress and their staffs rely upon the Record to provide an accurate, comprehensive, and unbiased account of floor activities. Prior to 1873, several publications recorded (or failed to record) the words of senators and representatives. The Daily Digest helps to locate information within each issue. The Résumé of Congressional Activity summarizes legislative activity. Indexes to the Congressional Record consist of two parts: an index to the proceedings and a history of bills and resolutions. The Congressional Record Index provides page number references to the Record, and is arranged alphabetically by subject or by name of the senator or representative.
