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Congressional Reports now Available Online
(By Lesley K. McCullough)
Some of the most coveted research on Capitol Hill has long been available only to members of Congress. But now, thanks to a project led by the Center for Democracy and Technology, reports on anything from Internet identity theft to spyware, and more, are now accessible to all with a click of a mouse.
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The new Web site supplies a searchable database of more than 8000 reports produced by the Congressional Research Service. The CRS, also known as the public-policy think tank of Congress, was created in 1914 to provide nonpartisan, objective analysis and research on all legislative issues. Congressional members and their staffs utilize this resource to learn more about political issues of interest and to develop legislation.
However, the CRS is not required by law to release the reports. In fact, reports are distributed solely to members of Congress and can be made public only if a member chooses to release them. Therefore, the new Web site makes only those CRS reports that are already in the public domain available through its searchable database.
According to David McGuire, spokesperson for the Center for Democracy and Technology, the creation of the site serves a dual purpose: to make the information public and to encourage Congress to build its own comprehensive site.
Do-It-Yourself Project
Because the CRS is federally funded, with a yearly budget of approximately US$100 million, McGuire says that reports should be free, since the public has paid for them through tax dollars. He says the reports are not copyrighted, and they are already being sold to the public through private supplier Penny Hill Press. Its a slap in the face that people essentially have to pay twice, he says.
McGuire says that various lawmakers have shown support over the last several years, including Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), who introduced a bill in January 1998 that would have made all CRS reports available to the public online.
Ultimately, the center got tired of waiting for Congress, so the staff simply did it themselves.
We are not really certain what the real opposition is to putting the reports online, McGuire says. Past arguments include cost, but the [General Accountability Office] went online and saved tons of money. Another objection is that it tips Congress hand as to what they are interested in researching. We dont think the arguments outweigh the reason to make the information widely available to the public.
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