TOPN: Table of Popular Names


What's in a popular name?

Laws acquire popular names as they make their way through Congress. Sometimes these names say something about the substance of the law (as with the '2002 Winter Olympic Commemorative Coin Act'). Sometimes they are a way of recognizing or honoring the sponsor or creator of a particular law (as with the 'Taft-Hartley Act'). And sometimes they are meant to garner political support for a law by giving it a catchy name (as with the 'USA Patriot Act' or the 'Take Pride in America Act') or by invoking public outrage or sympathy (as with any number of laws named for victims of crimes). History books, newspapers, and other sources use the popular name to refer to these laws. Why can't these popular names easily be found in the US Code?

How the US Code is built.

The United States Code is meant to be an organized, logical compilation of the laws passed by Congress. At its top level, it divides the world of legislation into fifty topically-organized Titles, and each Title is further subdivided into any number of logical subtopics. In theory, any law -- or individual provisions within any law -- passed by Congress should be classifiable into one or more slots in the framework of the Code. On the other hand, legislation often contains bundles of topically unrelated provisions that collectively respond to a particular public need or problem. A farm bill, for instance, might contain provisions that affect the tax status of farmers, their management of land or treatment of the environment, a system of price limits or supports, and so on. Each of these individual provisions would, logically, belong in a different place in the Code. (Of course, this isn't always the case; some legislation deals with a fairly narrow range of related concerns.) The process of incorporating a newly-passed piece of legislation into the Code is known as "classification" -- essentially a process of deciding where in the logical organization of the Code the various parts of the particular law belong. Sometimes classification is easy; the law could be written with the Code in mind, and might specifically amend, extend, or repeal particular chunks of the existing Code, making it no great challenge to figure out how to classify its various parts. And as we said before, a particular law might be narrow in focus, making it both simple and sensible to move it wholesale into a particular slot in the Code. But this is not normally the case, and often different provisions of the law will logically belong in different, scattered locations in the Code. As a result, often the law will not be found in one place neatly identified by its popular name. Nor will a full-text search of the Code necessarily reveal where all the pieces have been scattered. Instead, those who classify laws into the Code typically leave a note explaining how a particular law has been classified into the Code. It is usually found in the Note section attached to a relevant section of the Code, usually under a paragraph identified as the "Short Title".

How the LII Table of Popular Names works.

Our Table of Popular Names is organized alphabetically by popular name. You'll find three types of link associated with each popular name (though each law may not have all three types). One, a reference to a Public Law number, is a link to the bill as it was originally passed by Congress, and will take you to the LRC THOMAS legislative system, or GPO FDSYS site. So-called "Short Title" links, and links to particular sections of the Code, will lead you to a textual roadmap (the section notes) describing how the particular law was incorporated into the Code. Finally, acts may be referred to by a different name, or may have been renamed, the links will take you to the appropriate listing in the table.

U.S. Capitol Police and Library of Congress Police Merger Implementation Act of 2007

U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000

U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Authorization Act

U.S. Holocaust Assets Commission Act of 1998

U.S. Holocaust Assets Commission Extension Act of 1999

U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day Act of 2023

U.S. SAFE WEB Act of 2006

U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans&apos Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007

U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act

Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2024

Uintah and Ouray Reservation Termination Act of 1954

Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022

Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014

Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence and Accountability Act

Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024

Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022

Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023

Ultralight Aircraft Smuggling Prevention Act of 2012

Umatilla Basin Project Act

Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004

Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act

Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers beyond Borders Act of 2006

Underwood Tariff Act

Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988

Unemployment Benefits Extension Act of 2012

Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1976

Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1992

Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1993

Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 2003

Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008

Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010

Unemployment Relief Act

Unfair Competition Act

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005

Uniform Act on Fresh Pursuit

Uniform Code of Military Justice

Uniform Cotton Classing Fees Act of 1987

Uniform Federal Crime Reporting Act of 1988

Uniform Fiduciaries Act

Uniform Limited Partnership Act

Uniform Narcotic Drug Act

Uniform Partnership Act

Uniform Regulatory Jurisdiction Act of 1988

Uniform Relocation Act Amendments of 1987

Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970

Uniform Retirement Date Act

Uniform Time Act of 1966

Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act

Uniformed Services Contingency Option Act of 1953

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994

Uniformed Services Former Spouses&apos Protection Act

Uniformed Services Health Professionals Special Pay Act of 1980

Uniformed Services Health Professions Revitalization Act of 1972

Uniformed Services Pay Act of 1963

Uniformed Services Pay Act of 1981

Uniformed Services Survivor Benefits Amendments of 1980

Uniformed Services Survivors&apos Benefits Amendments of 1978

Uninterrupted Scholars Act (USA)

Union Pacific Railroad Charter

Union Station Redevelopment Act of 1981

Union Station Tracks Act

Unitary Wind Tunnel Plan Act of 1949

United Nations Environment Program Participation Act of 1973

United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act

United Nations Palestine Refugee Aid Act of 1950

United Nations Participation Act of 1945

United Nations Reform Act of 1999

United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration Participation Act, 1946

United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration Participation Appropriation Act, 1945

United Services Organization&aposs 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act

United States $1 Coin Act of 1997

United States Additional Protocol Implementation Act

United States Anti-Doping Agency Reauthorization Act

United States Anti-Doping Agency Reauthorization Act of 2022

United States Appreciation for Olympians and Paralympians Act of 2016

United States Arbitration Act

United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008

United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act

United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

United States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement Implementation Act of 1988

United States Capitol Police Administrative Technical Corrections Act of 2009

United States Capitol Visitor Center Commemorative Coin Act of 1999

United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act

United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016

United States Chief Technology Officer Act

United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission

United States Coast Guard Bicentennial Medal Act

United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act

United States Commemorative Coin Act of 1996

United States Commission on Civil Rights Authorization Act of 1992

United States Commission on Civil Rights Reauthorization Act of 1991

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2015

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2019

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2022

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2011

United States Commissioners Act

United States cotton futures Act

United States Cotton Standards Act

United States-Ecuador Partnership Act of 2022

United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007

United States Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER Program Reauthorization Act of 2017

United States Fire Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999

United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2003

United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008

United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2012

United States Fishing Fleet Improvement Act

United States Grain Standards Act

United States Grain Standards Act Amendments of 1988

United States Grain Standards Act Amendments of 1993

United States Grain Standards Act of 1976

United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2020

United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992

United States Housing Act Amendments of 1938

United States Housing Act of 1937

United States-India Fund for Cultural, Educational, and Scientific Cooperation Act

United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act

United States Information Agency Appropriations Authorization Act of 1973

United States Information Agency Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1976

United States Information Agency Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1982 and 1983

United States Information Agency Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985

United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948

United States Institute of Peace Act

United States Insular Areas Drug Abuse Act of 1986

United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994

United States-Israel Advanced Research Partnership Act of 2016

United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012

United States-Israel Free Trade Area Implementation Act of 1985

United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2020

United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014

United States-Japan Fishery Agreement Approval Act of 1987

United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015

United States-Jordan Free Trade Area Implementation Act

United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003

United States-Macau Policy Act of 2000

United States Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010

United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act

United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act

United States-Mexico Economic Partnership Act

United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act

United States Mint Numismatic Coin Clarification Act of 2000

United States Mint Reauthorization and Reform Act of 1992

United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

United States National Tourism Organization Act of 1996

United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act

United States Parole Commission Additional Extension Act of 2022

United States Parole Commission Additional Extension Act of 2024

United States Parole Commission Extension Act of 2008

United States Parole Commission Extension Act of 2011

United States Parole Commission Extension Act of 2013

United States Parole Commission Extension Act of 2018

United States Parole Commission Extension Act of 2020

United States Parole Commission Extension Act of 2022

United States Parole Commission Extension and Sentencing Commission Authority Act of 2005

United States Parole Commission Further Additional Extension Act of 2022

United States Parole Commission Further Extension Act of 2022

United States Patent and Trademark Office Reauthorization Act, Fiscal Year 1999

United States Patent and Trademark Office Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010

United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act

United States-Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange Program Act of 2007

United States Policy in Iraq Act

United States Ports of Entry Threat and Operational Review Act

United States Public Vessel Medical Waste Anti-Dumping Act of 1988

United States Railway Association Amendments Act of 1978

United States-Russia Polar Bear Conservation and Management Act of 2006

United States Secret Service Uniformed Division Modernization Act of 2010

United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016

United States Semiquincentennial Commission Amendments Act of 2020

United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

United States Space Force Act

United States Synthetic Fuels Corporation Act of 1980

United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act

United States-Taiwan Public Health Protection Act

United States Veterans&apos Bureau Act

United States Veterans Commemorative Coin Act of 1993

United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund Clarification Act

United States Warehouse Act

Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015

Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001

Unity in the Spirit of America Act

Universal Service Antideficiency Temporary Suspension Act

University and Small Business Patent Procedures Act of 1980

Unjust Conviction Law

Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006

Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022

Unlisted Securities Trading Act

Unlisted Trading Privileges Act of 1994

Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act

Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basin Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Reauthorization Act of 2005

Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Mongaup Visitor Center Act of 1999

Upper Housatonic National Heritage Area Study Act of 2000

Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Act

Upper Mississippi River Management Act of 1986

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Act

Upper White Salmon Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978

Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Amendments Act of 1988

Urban Mass Transportation Assistance Act of 1970

Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978

Urban Property Protection and Reinsurance Act of 1968

Urgent Assistance for Democracy in Panama Act of 1990

Urgent Deficiency and Supplemental Appropriation Act, fiscal years 1939 and 1940

Urgent Deficiency Appropriation Act, 1940

Urgent Deficiency Appropriation Act, 1943

Urgent Deficiency Appropriation Act, 1947

Urgent Deficiency Appropriation Act, 1948

Urgent Deficiency Appropriation Act, 1950

Urgent Deficiency Appropriation Act, 1952

Urgent Deficiency Appropriation Act, 1955

Urgent Deficiency Appropriation Act, 1956

Urgent Deficiency Appropriation Act, 1958

Urgent Relief for the Homeless Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1987

Urgent Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1982

Urgent Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1986

Urgent Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1989 to Meet the Dire Emergency Created by the Crisis of Drug Abuse

Uruguay Round Agreements Act

USA Act

USA FREEDOM Act of 2015

USA PATRIOT Act

USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006

USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005

USAID Branding Modernization Act

USE IT Act

Use of Assisted Housing by Aliens Act of 1996

USEC Privatization Act

Used Oil Recycling Act of 1980

Using Data To Prevent Opioid Diversion Act of 2018

USMCA Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019

USPS Fairness Act

USS Indianapolis Congressional Gold Medal Act

Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2009

Utah Schools and Lands Exchange Act of 1998

Utah Schools and Lands Improvement Act of 1993

Utah West Desert Land Exchange Act of 2000

Utah Wilderness Act of 1984

Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies Act

Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020