Congressional Research Service Reports (CRS Reports)

LexisNexis Congressional contains CRS reports in full text from 1916 - 2003 contained in hearings, committee prints, and other congressional publications and provides full text access to CRS reports issued as official congressional publications.

For maximum search results, a Basic or Advanced Search should be conducted searching all available publication types. Some CRS reports have been issued as House or Senate documents, reports, or committee prints, while others are available as attachments to various types of publications. In addition to providing access to versions of "official" CRS reports, LexisNexis Congressional provides access to numerous memos and witness submitted statements authored by CRS staff.

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is the department within the Library of Congress that, under its statutory charter, works exclusively as a reference and research arm for members, committees, and staff of the United States Congress. CRS, which consists of approximately 600 research and information specialists, supported by an additional 300 clerical and administrative staff, currently responds to nearly a half-million inquiries each year.

Currently, the CRS research divisions are: American Law; Domestic Social Policy; Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade; Government and Finance; Knowledge Services; and Resources, Science and Industry. Many CRS reports are updated at varying intervals, so it is always important to note the exact date of issuance rather than just the title and the year of publication.

There are several very important characteristics about the work CRS does for Congress. The information provided must be accurate, objective, and nonpartisan and must be delivered in a timely and responsive way. It is direct and personalized (i.e., CRS responds to inquiries from all members, all committees and subcommittees, and staff in the Washington as well as the district or state offices of the members); and congressional inquiries are treated confidentially.

An inquiry may be as simple as a question on the population of California or as complex as a study of the possible ways to provide medical care to the aged. The one would require a few seconds of attention; the other would occupy three analysts within one to three days, and research studies are delivered within two to four weeks.

About two-thirds of the congressional inquiries received are for basic, factual information. However, CRS also provides a variety of in-depth policy analysis and research on every subject of interest to Congress, including background analyses; pro and con arguments; scientific, economic, and legislative analyses; legal research; and legislative histories.