Why Does Congress Keep CRS Reports Secret? One Possible Answer

The Congressional Research Service is a nonpartisan arm of the Library of Congress whose job is to compile research reports giving Congress background information on the important issues of the day. While the reports are paid for by taxpayers, Congress does not allow them to be published. They are freely leaked and republished by watchdog groups, like the Federation of American Scientists' Government Secrecy Project. We are grateful to FAS for the reports below.

Congress' motives for the nondisclosure bear scrutiny. Is it merely to sound smart or hog the glory of releasing them? A recent report by Manuel Quinones in E&E Daily suggests another motive: fiddling with inconvenient truths (or untruths). Supporters of legislation to keep EPA from regulating coal ash, Quinones reported December 19, 2012, objected to the way a CRS analyst characterized their bill, and were considering trying to change CRS' findings.

• "Coal Ash: Congress, Research Agency May Be on Collision Course over Report," Environment & Energy Daily, December 19, 2012, by Manuel Quinones (subscription only).
• "Proposals to Amend RCRA: Analysis of Pending Legislation Applicable to the Management of Coal Combustion Residuals," Congressional Research Service (R42570), June 19, 2012, by Linda Luther.
• "Regulating Coal Combustion Waste Disposal: Issues for Congress," Congressional Research Service (R41341), September 21, 2010, by Linda Luther.
• "Maritime Territorial and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Disputes Involving China: Issues for Congress," Congressional Research Service (R42784), December 10, 2012, by Ronald O'Rourke.
• "DOD Alternative Fuels: Policy, Initiatives and Legislative Activity," Congressional Research Service (R42859), December 14, 2012, by Katherine Blakeley.
• "Federal Land Ownership: Current Acquisition and Disposal Authorities," Congressional Research Service (RL34273), December 13, 2012 by Carol Hardy Vincent, Laura B. Comay, M. Lynne Corn, and Katie Hoover.
• "Nuclear Energy: Overview of Congressional Issues," Congressional Research Service (R42853), December 11, 2012 by Mark Holt.
• "Emergency Assistance for Agricultural Land Rehabilitation," Congressional Research Service (R42854), December 11, 2012, by Megan Stubbs.
• "U.S. Farm Income," Congressional Research Service (R40152), December 10, 2012, by Randy Schnepf.
• "The National Flood Insurance Program: Status and Remaining Issues for Congress," Congressional Research Service (R42850), December 10, 2012, by Rawle O. King.
• "Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress," Congressional Research Service (RL34391), December 10, 2012, by Ronald O'Rourke.
• "Syria’s Chemical Weapons: Issues for Congress," Congressional Research Service (R42848), December 5, 2012, by Mary Beth Nikitin, Andrew Feickert, and Paul K. Kerr.
• "Federal Emergency Management: A Brief Introduction," Congressional Research Service (R42845), November 30, 2012 by Bruce R. Lindsay.
• "Army Corps Supplemental Appropriations: Recent History, Trends, and Policy Issues," Congressional Research Service (R42841), November 29, 2012, by Charles V. Stern and Nicole T. Carter.