Election speeches, inaugural addresses, and State of the Union addresses at The American Presidency Project.
"Inside Congress", Chapter 1 of CQ Almanac (online, 1945-2020)
Govt Index JK1 .C66 (print, 1948-2020)
CQ Magazine (formerly CQ Weekly) (online, 1983-present) Best Bet
Govt Index JK1 .C15 (print, 1964-2012)
Search for articles on the House Speaker's or the Senate Majority Leader's agenda or priorities, published beginning just after the congressional elections. Example: "116th Congress: With an Ambitious Policy Agenda, Pelosi is Poised to Lead the House Again," CQ Magazine (November 12, 2018).
Almanac of American Politics (online, 2000-; print, 1974-) Best Bet
Main Ref JK 1012 .A44 or Main Libr JK 1012 .A44
A volume is issued for each Congress. Organized by state. It includes for each member: biography, political activities, committees, key votes, group ratings, National Journal ratings, election results, and for members of the House, description of the district and demographics. Also includes leadership, state profiles, campaign finance, etc. The entries for the chairs and committee members may include discussion of those individuals' roles and activities on the committees.
"Inside Congress", Chapter 1 of CQ Almanac (online, 1945-present)
Govt Index JK1 .C66 (print, 1948-present)
C-SPAN Video Library and other sources for video and transcripts contain news conferences of and interviews with congressional leaders and committee chairs.
In November of even numbered years, CQ Magazine (formerly CQ Weekly) publishes a series of articles on the agendas of House and Senate committees for the next Congress. For example: "115th Congress: House Budget Committee" (November 10, 2016). Since ca. 2015, CQ Magazine has published "Legislative Previews", for example, Fall Legislative Preview: Immigration (Sept. 5, 2017).
C-SPAN Video Library and other sources for video and transcripts contain news conferences of and interviews with congressional leaders and committee chairs.
The opening statements of the committee chair and the ranking member in committee Hearings might provide clues as to their interests and priorities.
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform issues a House Report summarizing each House committee's plans for oversight for the coming congress. Earlier reports may include a summary of oversight activities for the preceding congress. To find these House Reports, search on "oversight plans" in one of the sources for or indexes to Congressional Reports & Documents. Example: Oversight plans for all House committees, H.Rpt. 113-23
The House Budget Committee publishes an annual Committee Print that summarizes the views and estimates of each of the House committees regarding the budget for the next fiscal year. An individual committee might also publish its own "views and estimates". Examples:
Green Book, "background material and statistical data on the major entitlement programs and other activities within the [...] jurisdiction [of the House Committee on Ways and Means-BL]. Over the decades, the Green Book has become a valuable resource and standard reference on American social policy"
