Congressional Research Service

Below are reports from the Congressional Research Service (CRS).  The CRS is supposed to provide non-partisan information to members of Congress.  It is useful to read these reports because the reports reveal what members of Congress receive on any particular issue.  These reports can sometimes be hard to find, but the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) are a cool group of scientists who provide the reports on their website. For more information about the FAS and the CRS click below.

Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Home Page for Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

The reports below are in date order followed by the title and the author(s).

September 25, 2013
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Background and Legislative Issues
Shayerah Ilias Akhtar, Specialist in International Trade and Finance

September 24, 2013
Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables
Ida A. Brudnick, Specialist on the Congress

September 20, 2013
The State of Campaign Finance Policy: Recent Developments and Issues for Congress
R. Sam Garrett, Specialist in American National Government

September 19, 2013
Medicare Financing
Patricia A. Davis, Specialist in Health Care Financing

September 13, 2013
Rebuilding Household Wealth: Implications for Economic Recovery
Craig K. Elwell, Specialist in Macroeconomic Policy

August 30, 2013
Congressional Redistricting and the Voting Rights Act: A Legal Overview
L. Paige Whitaker, Legislative Attorney

July 24, 2013
The U.S. Postal Service’s Financial Condition: A Primer
Kevin R. Kosar, Analyst in American and National Government

July 17, 2013
Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide: Federal Assistance Programs
Lennard G. Kruger, Specialist in Science and Technology Policy
Angele A. Gilroy, Specialist in Telecommunications Policy

June 21, 2013
Inflation and the Real Minimum Wage: A Fact Sheet
Craig K. Elwell, Specialist in Macroeconomic Policy

June 17, 2013
Social Security Primer
Dawn Nuschler, Specialist in Income Security

June 12, 2013
The Chained Consumer Price Index: What Is It and Would It Be Appropriate for Cost-of-Living Adjustments?
Julie M. Whittaker, Specialist in Income Security

June 7, 2013
Social Security Reform: Legal Analysis of Social Security Benefit Entitlement Issues
Kathleen S. Swendiman, Legislative Attorney
Thomas J. Nicola, Legislative Attorney

June 4, 2013
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): An Overview
Gerald Mayer, Analyst in Labor Policy
Benjamin Collins, Analyst in Labor Policy
David H. Bradley, Specialist in Labor Economics

May 30, 2013
The Federal Minimum Wage: In Brief
David H. Bradley, Specialist in Labor Economics

May 23, 2013
Unemployment Insurance: Legislative Issues in the 113th Congress
Julie M. Whittaker, Specialist in Income Security
Katelin P. Isaacs, Analyst in Income Security

April 19, 2013
Common Questions About Postage and Stamps
Kevin R. Kosar, Analyst in American and National Government

March 8, 2013
Federal Employees’ Retirement System: The Role of the Thrift Savings Plan 
Katelin P. Isaacs, Analyst in Income Security

February 5, 2013
Increasing the Social Security Payroll Tax Base: Options and Effects on Tax Burdens
Thomas L. Hungerford, Specialist in Public Finance

February 4, 2013
Veterans and Homelessness
Libby Perl, Specialist in Housing Policy

January 18, 2013
An Analysis of Where American Companies Report Profits: Indications of Profit Shifting
Mark P. Keightley, Specialist in Economics

December 31, 2012
Unemployment Insurance: Programs and Benefits
Julie M. Whittaker, Specialist in Income Security
Katelin P. Isaacs, Analyst in Income Security

November 30, 2012
Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress
Katelin P. Isaacs, Analyst in Income Security

December 6, 2012
Right to Work Laws: Legislative Background and Empirical Research
Benjamin Collins, Analyst in Labor Policy

November 29, 2012
The U.S. Income Distribution and Mobility: Trends and International Comparisons
Linda Levine, Specialist in Labor Economics

November 28, 2012
Social Security Reform: Current Issues and Legislation
Dawn Nuschler, Specialist in Income Security

November 8, 2012
Social Security: Cost-of-Living Adjustments
Gary Sidor, Information Research Specialist

September 13, 2012
Post-Employment, “Revolving Door,” Laws for Federal Personnel 
Jack Maskell, Legislative Attorney

September 7, 2012
The National Labor Relations Act: Background and Selected Topics
Jon O. Shimabukuro, Legislative Attorney

July 9, 2012
U.S. Postal Service: Background and Analysis of H.R. 2309 and S. 1789 in the 112th Congress
Kevin R. Kosar, Analyst in American and National Government

June 13, 2012
The U.S. Postal Service: Common Questions About Post Office Closures
Kevin R. Kosar, Analyst in American National Government

May 29, 2012
The U.S. Postal Service’s Use of Contractors to Deliver Mail: Background and Recent Developments
Kevin R. Kosar, Analyst in American National Government

April 16, 2012
Private Health Insurance Market Reforms in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Annie L. Mach, Analyst in Health Care Financing
Bernadette Fernandez, Specialist in Health Care Financing

May 10, 2012
Federal Employees’ Retirement System: Benefits and Financing
Katelin P. Isaacs, Analyst in Income Security

January 27, 2012
The U.S. Postal Service’s Financial Condition: Overview and Issues for Congress
Kevin R. Kosar, Analyst in American National Government

January 4, 2012
U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Labor Issues
Mary Jane Bolle, Specialist in International Trade and Finance

January 3, 2012
Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Federal Civil Service Annuities
Katelin P. Isaacs, Analyst in Income Security

December 29, 2011
Continuing Resolutions: Latest Action and Brief Overview of Recent Practices
Sandy Streeter, Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process

November 8, 2011
Financial Services and General Government: FY2012 Appropriations
Garrett Hatch, Analyst in American National Government

July 1, 2011
Selected Characteristics of Private and Public Sector Workers
Gerald Mayer, Analyst in Labor Policy

April 4, 2011
U.S. Postal Service Workforce Size and Employment Categories, 1990-2010
Wendy R. Ginsberg, Analyst in Government Organization and Management

December 7, 2010
Federal Employees: Pension COLAs and Pay Adjustments Since 1969
Katelin P. Isaacs, Analyst in Income Security

December 14, 2009
The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act: Overview and Issues for Congress
Kevin R. Kosar, Analyst in American National Government

August 7, 2009
Post Office and Retail Postal Facility Closures: Overview and Issues for Congress
Kevin R. Kosar, Analyst in American National Government

June 9, 2009
The U.S. Postal Service and Six-Day Delivery: Issues for Congress
Wendy R. Ginsberg, Analyst in Government Organization and Management

January 22, 2009
Postage Subsidies for Periodicals: History and Recent Developments
Kevin R. Kosar, Analyst in American National Government