The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is celebrating 100 years of service this year.
In 1914, the Library of Congress established the Legislative Reference Service (LRS). As its name implies, the purpose of the LRS was to provide reference information to assist Members of Congress in their legislative work. Over 100 years, LRS evolved into today’s Congressional Research Service (CRS), with a staff of 600 that exclusively provides Congress with authoritative, confidential, objective and nonpartisan policy analysis.
CRS is known for its reports, but what makes CRS is its people—analysts, attorneys, information professionals, and management and infrastructure support staff. These staff members carry out services in support of the modern mission: to provide objective, authoritative and confidential legislative research and analysis, thereby contributing to an informed national legislature.
In recent years there has been a push to make these CRS reports freely available to the American public. Thanks to several organizations , departments and libraries many of these detailed reports are now available electronically.
Below are some recent reports on topical issues.
Nigeria’s Boko Haram: Frequently Asked Questions
Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy
Marijuana: Medical and Retail—Selected Legal Issues
Abortion: Judicial History and Legislative Response
