Although published in close proximity to the sessions of Congress, the accounts in the Register of Debates do not pretend to constitute a verbatim record of proceedings of the House of Representatives and of the Senate. The debates are not in all cases literally reported, but their substantial accuracy may be entirely relied upon. The indexes were also later cumulated and republished. Congress through 3rd Session of the 42nd Congress. The first five volumes' coverage overlaps with that of the Register of Debates .
Appendices also have separate indexes.
In subjects covered and consistency of terms, the indexes are far superior to those of the Annals and the Register of Debates . The Globe was supplied to Congress under resolutions of each house for its purchase and use by the Senators and Representatives. The Record contains the verbatim speeches and proceedings on the floor of the United States Senate and House of Representatives. The text was originally printed from stenographic reports compiled by official reporters to the House and Senate until more recent recording methods were adopted. All extraneous matter is excluded from the Record with its contents limited to the proceedings of Congress.