Congress

Search Bills

search_bills

Read-onlyIdempotent

ANSWERS "what bills about X has Congress introduced" / "recent congressional bills on X" / "federal legislation about X" — searches US FEDERAL congressional bills (US House & Senate, national laws) BY SUBJECT OR KEYWORD, including recently introduced ones. Prefer this over a date-sorted recent-bills listing whenever the question names a topic, since only this tool can filter by it. Returns bill type, number, title, status, sponsor, and introduction date. Use get_bill with the ID for full details. NOTE: this is the US Congress (federal) ONLY — for STATE legislature bills (e.g. California, Texas, New York, or any US state legislation) use legiscan or openstates instead, not this tool.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
`limit`	No	Number of results to return (default: 10, max: 100)
`query`	Yes	Keywords to search for in bill titles

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description
`bills`	Yes
`query`	Yes	Search query used
`total`	Yes	Total matching bills available
`returned`	Yes	Number of bills returned

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.

Changed2 schema fields changedMay 24, 2026

addedInput schema / examples

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "query": "climate change"
+  },
+  {
+    "limit": 25,
+    "query": "healthcare reform"
+  }
+]

changedOutput schema / (root)

Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+  "properties": {
+    "bills": {
+      "items": {
+        "properties": {
+          "bill_type": {
+            "description": "Bill type code",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "bill_type_label": {
+            "description": "Bill type label",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "congress": {
+            "description": "Congress number",
+            "type": [
+              "number",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "id": {
+            "description": "Bill ID",
+            "type": "number"
+          },
+          "introduced_date": {
+            "description": "Bill introduction date",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "link": {
+            "description": "GovTrack bill URL",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "number": {
+            "description": "Bill number",
+            "type": [
+              "number",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "sponsor_name": {
+            "description": "Primary sponsor name",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "status": {
+            "description": "Current status code",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "status_date": {
+            "description": "Date of current status",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "status_label": {
+            "description": "Current status label",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "title": {
+            "description": "Full bill title",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "title_without_number": {
+            "description": "Bill title without number prefix",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "id"
+        ],
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "query": {
+      "description": "Search query used",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "returned": {
+      "description": "Number of bills returned",
+      "type": "number"
+    },
+    "total": {
+      "description": "Total matching bills available",
+      "type": "number"
+    }
+  },
+  "required": [
+    "query",
+    "total",
+    "returned",
+    "bills"
+  ],
+  "type": "object"
+}

Changed2 schema fields changedMay 12, 2026

removedInput schema / examples

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "_apiKey": "your-propublica-congress-api-key",
-    "congress": 118,
-    "query": "climate change"
-  },
-  {
-    "_apiKey": "your-propublica-congress-api-key",
-    "query": "infrastructure"
-  }
-]

changedOutput schema / (root)

Previous value: -{
-  "properties": {
-    "bills": {
-      "description": "List of bills (up to 20)",
-      "items": {
-        "properties": {
-          "active": {
-            "description": "Currently active",
-            "type": [
-              "boolean",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "bill_id": {
-            "description": "Bill ID",
-            "type": [
-              "string",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "bill_type": {
-            "description": "Bill type (H.R., S., etc.)",
-            "type": [
-              "string",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "introduced_date": {
-            "description": "Introduction date",
-            "type": [
-              "string",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "latest_action": {
-            "description": "Latest major action",
-            "type": [
-              "string",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "latest_action_date": {
-            "description": "Latest major action date",
-            "type": [
-              "string",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "number": {
-            "description": "Bill number",
-            "type": [
-              "string",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "primary_subject": {
-            "description": "Primary subject",
-            "type": [
-              "string",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "sponsor_name": {
-            "description": "Sponsor name",
-            "type": [
-              "string",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "sponsor_party": {
-            "description": "Sponsor party",
-            "type": [
-              "string",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "sponsor_state": {
-            "description": "Sponsor state",
-            "type": [
-              "string",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "summary": {
-            "description": "Bill summary",
-            "type": [
-              "string",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "title": {
-            "description": "Bill title",
-            "type": [
-              "string",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          }
-        },
-        "type": "object"
-      },
-      "type": "array"
-    },
-    "congress": {
-      "description": "Congress number",
-      "type": "number"
-    },
-    "count": {
-      "description": "Number of results found",
-      "type": "number"
-    },
-    "query": {
-      "description": "Search query",
-      "type": "string"
-    }
-  },
-  "required": [
-    "query",
-    "congress",
-    "count",
-    "bills"
-  ],
-  "type": "object"
-}New value: +null

Changed1 schema field changedMay 8, 2026

changedOutput schema / (root)

Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+  "properties": {
+    "bills": {
+      "description": "List of bills (up to 20)",
+      "items": {
+        "properties": {
+          "active": {
+            "description": "Currently active",
+            "type": [
+              "boolean",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "bill_id": {
+            "description": "Bill ID",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "bill_type": {
+            "description": "Bill type (H.R., S., etc.)",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "introduced_date": {
+            "description": "Introduction date",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "latest_action": {
+            "description": "Latest major action",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "latest_action_date": {
+            "description": "Latest major action date",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "number": {
+            "description": "Bill number",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "primary_subject": {
+            "description": "Primary subject",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "sponsor_name": {
+            "description": "Sponsor name",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "sponsor_party": {
+            "description": "Sponsor party",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "sponsor_state": {
+            "description": "Sponsor state",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "summary": {
+            "description": "Bill summary",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "title": {
+            "description": "Bill title",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          }
+        },
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "congress": {
+      "description": "Congress number",
+      "type": "number"
+    },
+    "count": {
+      "description": "Number of results found",
+      "type": "number"
+    },
+    "query": {
+      "description": "Search query",
+      "type": "string"
+    }
+  },
+  "required": [
+    "query",
+    "congress",
+    "count",
+    "bills"
+  ],
+  "type": "object"
+}

Changed1 schema field changedMay 6, 2026

addedInput schema / examples

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "_apiKey": "your-propublica-congress-api-key",
+    "congress": 118,
+    "query": "climate change"
+  },
+  {
+    "_apiKey": "your-propublica-congress-api-key",
+    "query": "infrastructure"
+  }
+]

First observedApr 22, 2026

TDQS

A4.4/5.0

Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare readOnly, openWorld, idempotent, and not destructive. The description adds valuable context: federal-only scope, search method (by subject or keyword), inclusion of recently introduced bills, and the specific return fields. It does not contradict annotations.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is fairly long but well-structured, with a clear front-loading of purpose, then usage guidance, return fields, and scope limitations. Every sentence contributes actionable information, though it could be tightened slightly.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the presence of an output schema and rich annotations, the description covers all necessary context: purpose, usage, alternatives, expected return fields, and jurisdictional limits. It is fully sufficient for an agent to select and invoke the tool correctly.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100% for both parameters (query and limit). The description adds slight nuance ('by subject or keyword') and notes that it includes recently introduced bills, but does not fundamentally extend beyond what the schema already documents.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states a specific verb+resource ('searches US FEDERAL congressional bills') and explicitly distinguishes from siblings by noting that only this tool can filter by topic, while get_bill provides full details and get_recent_bills offers date-sorted listings.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

It provides explicit when-to-use guidance ('Prefer this over a date-sorted recent-bills listing whenever the question names a topic') and when-not-to-use with alternatives ('for STATE legislature bills... use legiscan or openstates instead'). This is comprehensive.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

All Congress tools Inspect

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TDQS

A3.9/5.0

Disambiguation2/5

Multiple tools occupy the same functional space: ask_pipeworx, ask_pipeworx_beta, ask_ipeworx_grounded, and deep_research all answer questions; disover_tools, suggest_questions, and pipeworx_trending all serve discovery; and five polymarket_* tools plus bet_research overlap heavily on prediction-market opportunity detection. The descriptions are detailed, but the boundaries are subtle enough that an agent can easily pick the wrong tool.

Naming Consistency4/5

The set is uniformly lowercase snake_case and uses recognizable prefixes such as ask_pipeworx, polymarket_, pipeworx_, and get_, which makes the naming fairly predictable. It is not a strict verb_noun convention — some names are noun phrases like entity_profile or ai_visility_check — but the overall style is consistent.

Tool Count2/5

With 36 tools, the surface is far heavier than the 'Congress' name suggests: only five tools are actually about congressional data, while the rest are general research, memory, subscription, and meta utilities. Many of these overlap, so the count feels bloated rather than well-scoped.

Completeness3/5

For Congress-specific work, the core needs are covered: search bills, get bill details, list members, and retrieve recent votes. However, deeper legislative operations like member voting records, committee actions, and amendments are missing, and the surrounding Pipeworx tools do nothing to close that gap. As a general data-research platform it is broad, but its actual 'Congress' identity feels incompletely realized.

Search Bills

Input Schema

Output Schema

Schema Changelog

TDQS

Glama MCP Gateway

TDQS

Resources