Requesting reports from Congress

CRS reports are not available in the public domain until they are released by one or more members of Congress. Sometimes this is done when the member wants to highlight a certain political issue but more often than not, reports are released as citizens request them.

How to request a report from Congress

1. Decide which report you would like to receive.

2. Call or write your member of Congress and request the report
Contact information for members of Congress can be found here.

On the phone, politely introduce yourself as a constituent and tell the staffer that you would like a copy of a Congressional Research Service report. Most congressional staffers will know what you are talking about and ask you for the report's order code and title.

Be sure to specify that you would like your report in a digital format (PDF.) By default, many congressional offices will send out hard copies of CRS reports. This is both a waste of your time, and taxpayers money. Instead of having a congressional staffer find the report, print it out, stuff it in an envelope, and send it to you, ask that the representative simply email you a digital copy (preferrably a .pdf file.) You will receive your report much quicker and the staffer will have saved time in honoring your request.

3. Receive report
Within a few days your report should appear in the inbox of the email account you provided. Be sure to write back with a "Thank You" to the staffer who sent the report. Remember, this is something they do not have to do.

4. Contribute to Open CRS
Don't forget to share! The Open CRS library depends on reports from citizens like you. Once you receive your report please consider sharing with other interested citizens by adding it to the Open CRS library.