• DATA
  • FORMATS
  • METADATA
  • HUMAN

How to retrieve government document content with your AI

Connect to GovInfo to give your agent direct access to the GPO legislative database. Once connected, you can pull specific files or summaries using natural language.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I get legislative text and files using my AI?

Your AI uses the GovInfo MCP to fetch specific legislative packages, metadata, and file formats like XML or PDF. You can request everything from high-level summaries to the full text of a specific document.

The results you get

What you can do with this data

The AI handles the heavy lifting of searching and fetching, leaving you to analyze the results.

DATA

Extract full text

The AI pulls the complete text of legislative documents. You get the raw content without manual searching.

FORMATS

Get specific files

Request documents in PDF or XML formats. Your agent fetches the exact file type you need for your work.

METADATA

Retrieve package details

Get the metadata associated with legislative packages. This includes essential context about the documents.

HUMAN

Verify legal accuracy

You must review the retrieved text against official records. The AI fetches the data, but you confirm its application.

The workflow

What your AI does when a request arrives.

The AI moves from identifying a legislative package to delivering the specific content you asked for.

  1. Locate the package

    The AI identifies the correct legislative package based on your description or ID.

    get_package_summary

  2. Fetch content

    The AI pulls the actual text or specific file formats from the package.

    get_package_content

  3. Format the data

    The AI organizes the metadata and text into a readable format for your chat.

    get_package_summary

  4. Deliver files

    The AI provides the specific XML or PDF content requested.

    get_package_content

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to begin interacting with GovInfo.

Starting points

Swap the bracketed text for the specific legislative package or document ID you are looking for.

GovInfo Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_tFkBmgOqtniED0wn5R7IDpnQfdgQcGmdD6bR708I/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — GovInfo capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "govinfo-gpo-legislative-docs-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_tFkBmgOqtniED0wn5R7IDpnQfdgQcGmdD6bR708I/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Get a summary of the legislative package [ID].

  • Find the full text for the document in package [ID].

  • Retrieve the XML version of the content from package [ID].

  • What is the metadata for the legislative package [ID]?

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect GovInfo once, then ask.

One click connects this MCP to your client. Your credentials stay encrypted, and you can start querying the GPO immediately.

Connect GovInfo to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves

  • 01

    Can the AI edit government documents?

    No. The AI can only retrieve existing content from the GPO database.

  • 02

    Can I get PDF files through my AI?

    Yes, the AI can fetch specific file formats like PDF or XML from the packages.

  • 03

    Does the AI decide which documents are important?

    No. You direct the AI to specific packages or tell it what to look for.

  • 04

    Can the AI upload files to the GPO?

    No. This MCP is for retrieving data, not for submitting or changing government records.

  • 05

    What happens if a package ID is wrong?

    The AI will report that it cannot find the package and will ask you for the correct ID.

  • More questions about GovInfo? The Connector page answers them. See everything the GovInfo Connector can do

Connect GovInfo to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more