“The beta site is the first step in a phased process that will incorporate all of the information available on THOMAS.gov and more. Below is a timeline of releases that incorporated new content and improved features to the site. February 2014 – This release focuses on two new features – Advanced Search and Browse, while making improvements to facets and the Actions tab.
New feature – Advanced Search
Implemented the first iteration of advanced search with a focus on bills, resolutions, and amendments. Items include:
- Twenty-two legislative data fields, each with support for contextually appropriate operators;
- A graphical user interface supports grouped and/or/not fielded searches;
- An entry box is available for users who prefer to learn and use the Solr syntax to compose and execute a command line search;
- Contextual help including pop-up “cheat-sheet” listing fields for command line search;
- Integration of the advanced search link into the global search box; and
- Integration of the advanced search into the search result display.
New feature – Browse
Implemented the first iteration of browsing, including browse lists for laws, bills, resolutions, and amendments; bills by subject; vetoed legislation; and legislation with committee or conference reports. All browse lists link to standard search result lists, including facets.
Improvements – Action Tab
- Added check all, uncheck all functionality
- Chamber column for All Actions clearly distinguishes between House and Senate actions
- Various labeling changes to improve readability of the tab
- Added intro text that shows number of items (faceted and total)
Improvements – Facets
- Status of Legislation facet spans across all available content, 1973-present
- Chamber column for All Actions clearly distinguishes between House and Senate actions
- Renamed “Legislation Type” to “Bill Type”
- Removed “Law” as a facet value (this information is available via the “Status of Legislation” facet)
- Added Expand All / Collapse All functionality to multi-select facets.”
- See also Advanced Search, Browse, and Appropriations Tables Added to Congress.gov – by Andrew Weber
