---
kind: "section"
citation: "2 U.S.C. § 183a"
title: "2"
title_heading: "The Congress"
number: "183a"
heading: "Oral history of the House of Representatives"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/2/183a"
units:
  - "Chapter 5 — Library of Congress"
---

# §183a. Oral history of the House of Representatives

- (a) **In general—** The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) of Congress shall accept for deposit, preserve, maintain, and make accessible an oral history of the House of Representatives, as told by its [Members](/usc/2/4556.md?p=2) and former [Members](/usc/2/4556.md?p=2), compiled and updated (on a voluntary or contract basis) by the United States Association of Former [Members](/usc/2/4556.md?p=2) of Congress or other private organization. In carrying out this section, the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) of Congress may enlist the voluntary aid or assistance of such organization, or may contract with it for such services as may be necessary.
- (b) **Definition of oral history—** In this section, the term “oral history” means a story or history consisting of personal recollection as recorded by any one or more of the following means:
  - (1) Interviews.
  - (2) Transcripts.
  - (3) Audio recordings.
  - (4) Video recordings.
  - (5) Such other form or means as may be suitable for the recording and preservation of such information.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–99, § 3, Nov. 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1331.)