Congressional Research Service

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research and analysis unit that works exclusively for the United States Congress. It prepares nonpartisan studies, reports, and briefings on a wide range of public policy issues at the request of members, committees, and congressional staff. Its output is intended to inform legislative deliberations and is kept confidential to the requesting offices. CRS does not publish its work for the general public; its products are distributed only within the legislative branch.

As a component of the Library of Congress, CRS serves the entire U.S. Congress, which comprises 535 voting members in the House of Representatives and Senate. Its reach extends to all congressional offices and committees, providing tailored analysis that supports both routine oversight and major legislative initiatives. The organization’s client base is limited to the legislative branch, distinguishing it from other federal research entities that serve executive agencies or the public.

CRS is noted for its strictly nonpartisan stance, ensuring that its analysis is free from political bias and suitable for use by members of any party. The confidentiality of its reports allows lawmakers to seek sensitive information without concern for public disclosure. These attributes, combined with the depth of expertise across domestic and foreign policy, economics, and national security, position CRS as a trusted internal advisory resource for Congress.

Structurally, CRS is an agency of the Legislative Branch and operates as a division of the Library of Congress, which itself is under the jurisdiction of Congress. It has no private owners or shareholders and does not maintain subsidiaries; its funding and oversight come directly from congressional appropriations.