Congressional Research Service
Source: Copley News Service
“Ney draws line at public access to research”
More on the fate of public access to CRS reports. From the article, Ohio Rep. Bob Ney, R-St. Clairsville, has played a decisive role in the argument by potentially expanding access to some degree while leaving the basic restrictive policy unchanged. As chairman of the House Administration Committee, which has jurisdiction over the CRS, Ney launched a new service that allows lawmakers to make reports of their choosing available via a link in their congressional Web sites. �It used to be nothing went up online� for the public to see, Ney said. �Now we�re telling members if you want to do a work product and put it online, that�s fine.� At the same time, Ney called a halt to efforts to provide greater public access to the research. He ended a two-year pilot project, which allowed the public to search through the otherwise inaccessible CRS database via links on the Web sites of participating congressmen. Some lawmakers believe the public is entitled to all or most of the reports. �It seems to me that (CRS) work ought to be available to whoever might find it to be helpful or useful,� said Ohio Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Lucasville, who favors complete disclosure. �This work is being done at taxpayers� expense. What we�re talking about is just research.� Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Reps. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., and Jay Inslee, D-Wash., have introduced legislation that would make most of the reports available on congressional Web sites, while excluding research requested by individual lawmakers. Btw, access to CRS material on the House.Gov via Congressman Chris Shay’s and other members of Congress remains unavailable. A note explaining the situation has been posted.
See Also: More in this November 2003 ResourceShelf E-Mail Reminder Post
See Also: A List of CRS Sources Still Offering Some Content is at the Bottom of this October 2003 Post

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