A Memory Hole Exclusive! Minutes of the Legislative Reference Service, 1947-1953

Last year, researcher Michael Ravnitzky reviewed and obtained copies of selected minutes from staff meetings of the CRS’s predecessor, the Legislative Reference Service, from 1947 to 1953. Interestingly, these meeting notes show the organization wrestling with the same problems over 50 years ago – distribution of the reports; avoidance of controversy; whether the reports should contain analysis and recommendations or simply state facts; whether reports should arrive at conclusions; etc. We also see issues that likely are still cropping up behind the scenes at the tightlipped agency – whether other governmental bodies should be allowed to clear reports before they’re presented; how to handle classified material; and so on.

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