Okay, let’s break down what the United States Statutes at Large, Volume 110, from the 104th Congress, 2nd Session, represents and what you can generally expect to find within it. I can’t access the specific content of that volume through the provided URL, but I can give you a comprehensive overview of its purpose, structure, and significance within the U.S. legal framework, along with information about the 104th Congress.
Understanding the United States Statutes at Large
Think of the Statutes at Large as the official chronological record of laws passed by the U.S. Congress. It’s not an interpretive document like the U.S. Code; it’s a straightforward compilation of the text of each law as it was originally enacted.
- What it is: A permanent collection of all Public Laws passed by the U.S. Congress during a specific session. It’s the official source for the text of these laws.
- Organization: Organized chronologically by the date the laws were passed. Each law is assigned a Public Law (Pub. L.) number (e.g., Pub. L. 104-xxx), which indicates the Congress number (104th in this case) and the sequential number of the law passed during that Congress. Within each volume, laws are typically arranged in the order they were approved.
- Content:
- Public Laws: The main focus. These are laws that affect the general public.
- Private Laws: Laws that affect specific individuals, entities, or matters. These are much less common than public laws.
- Concurrent Resolutions: Formal actions by Congress that do not require the President’s signature.
- Proclamations: Official announcements made by the President.
- Key Features:
- Official Source: It’s the official, permanent record. If there’s a question about the exact wording of a law, the Statutes at Large is the document to consult.
- No Interpretation: It presents the laws as they were passed, without any commentary or analysis.
- Historical Record: It’s a valuable historical document showing the legislative actions of a particular Congress.
Significance of Volume 110 (104th Congress, 2nd Session)
Volume 110 contains all the laws passed during the second session of the 104th Congress, which convened in 1996. To understand the potential content, let’s look at the context of that Congress:
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The 104th Congress (1995-1996): This was a significant Congress because it marked the first time in 40 years that the Republican Party controlled both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It was a period of intense political activity and efforts to enact a “Contract with America,” a set of conservative policy proposals.
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General Policy Areas Likely Covered: Given the political climate, Volume 110 likely includes laws related to:
- Budget and Appropriations: Significant debates and legislation regarding the federal budget were common during this period. Expect to find laws related to funding various government programs and agencies.
- Welfare Reform: The 1996 Welfare Reform Act (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act) was a landmark piece of legislation from this Congress.
- Telecommunications: The Telecommunications Act of 1996 also occurred during this session, which significantly reshaped the telecommunications industry.
- Immigration: Changes to immigration laws may be present.
- Crime and Law Enforcement: Criminal justice issues were often a focus.
- Environmental Regulations: Changes to environmental policy were sometimes considered.
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Specific Examples (Based on historical context – needs verification from the actual document):
- The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996: This act dramatically changed the welfare system in the United States, imposing time limits on benefits and requiring recipients to work.
- The Telecommunications Act of 1996: This act deregulated the telecommunications industry, promoting competition and opening up new opportunities for businesses and consumers.
- Appropriations bills: Laws that allocated funds to various federal agencies and programs.
How to Use the Statutes at Large
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Find the Law: To find a specific law within Volume 110, you typically need to know either the Public Law number (e.g., Pub. L. 104-xxx) or the date it was enacted.
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Locate the Volume: Access the volume through a library with a government documents collection, a law library, or online through resources like GovInfo.gov (as you provided) or legal databases.
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Read Carefully: The Statutes at Large presents the law’s exact wording. Pay attention to definitions, effective dates, and any amendments to existing laws.
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Research the Law’s History and Interpretation: The Statutes at Large only provides the text of the law. To understand how the law has been interpreted and applied, you need to consult court cases, legal scholarship, and legislative history materials.
Why It Matters
- Legal Research: Essential for lawyers, legal scholars, and anyone researching the history of U.S. law.
- Government Transparency: Provides a public record of the laws enacted by Congress.
- Historical Significance: Offers insights into the political and social issues of a particular era.
Important Considerations
- Laws are Amended: Keep in mind that laws passed in 1996 may have been amended or repealed since then. The Statutes at Large only shows the law as it was originally enacted. You need to consult the U.S. Code and legal databases to determine the current status of a law.
- The U.S. Code: The U.S. Code is a subject-matter arrangement of the general and permanent laws of the United States. It organizes laws by topic, making it easier to find all the laws related to a particular subject. However, the U.S. Code is an edited version of the laws, while the Statutes at Large is the original version.
- Legislative History: To fully understand a law, you often need to research its legislative history (committee reports, debates, etc.). This can provide insights into the intent of Congress when it passed the law.
In Summary
United States Statutes at Large, Volume 110, is a primary source document containing the full text of laws passed during the second session of the 104th Congress (1996). Given the political climate of the time, it likely includes significant legislation related to welfare reform, telecommunications deregulation, and budget matters. While it’s an essential resource for legal research, it’s important to remember that laws can be amended, and understanding a law requires further research beyond the Statutes at Large itself. To get the specific content and precise details, you’d need to consult the volume directly on GovInfo.gov or a similar repository.
United States Statutes at Large, Volume 110, 104th Congress, 2nd Session
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At 2025-05-09 14:07, ‘United States Statutes at Large, Volu me 110, 104th Congress, 2nd Session’ was published according to Statutes at Large. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.
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