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Reference files consists of card file index plus a series of subject files (much reduced in size). The files are arranged by a numbering sequence devised by the Hoffman office. The files consisted of a scattering of correspondence, articles, clippings, pamphlets, bills, mass mailings from various groups, etc. The files have been reduced to include only material specifically related to Hoffman or to his Congressional and/or political interests.

The Committee Files, 1947-1962, consist of administrative and investigative records from Hoffman's service on the House Committee on Government Operations (formerly called the Committee on Expenditures in Executive Departments). The committee's chief responsibility was to oversee the operation of the executive departments and propose legislative or other methods to control departmental expenditures and increase efficiency. The Committee had broad investigative powers. Hoffman was the senior Republican member of the Committee from 1947 to 1962 and served as chairman in the 80th and 83rd Congresses.

The files have been arranged by Congress and thereunder by committee and subcommittee. The records include correspondence, minutes, press releases, reports, and topical investigative material. The bulk of the material is from the 83rd Congress, in particular the special Anti-Racketeering Subcommittee. The Anti-Racketeering series is a combined file of three subcommittees on which Hoffman served, a joint subcommittee of the Government Operations and the Labor and Education Committees, a special subcommittee of the Government Operation Committee, chaired by Hoffman, and another subcommittee, chaired by George Bender. These subcommittees conducted a number of investigations on labor union racketeering and corruption, including Teamsters insurance and health and welfare funds, the juke box industry, Washington, D.C. painters union and racketeer-influenced unions in a number of cities.

Several of the subseries in the Committee files series include photographic exhibits resulting from various labor investigations, primarily of companies on strike. There are also photos illustrating erosion of the Lake Michigan shoreline, 1947-1952, photos of the Hamilton Farm Bureau, Hamilton, Michigan, produce plant and related operation, and photo of the Ford Motor strike of 1941.