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PLCY 201:Public Leaders and Active Citizens

Guide to resources for PLCY 201

CRS Reports

CRS Reports are produced by the Congressional Research Service, the public policy research arm of Congress and are heavily researched and written by experts in the field on legislative issues. CRS Reports are available fulltext from 1916 to the present.
From the Congressional Research Service homepage:

Congressional Research Service Report Cover

 

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) serves as shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. CRS experts assist at every stage of the legislative process — from the early considerations that precede bill drafting, through committee hearings and floor debate, to the oversight of enacted laws and various agency activities.

CRS approaches complex topics from a variety of perspectives and examines all sides of an issue. Staff members analyze current policies and present the impact of proposed policy alternatives.

CRS services come in many forms:

  • reports on major policy issues
  • tailored confidential memoranda, briefings and consultations
  • seminars and workshops
  • expert congressional testimony
  • responses to individual inquiries


Note: there might not be a CRS report for every topic - but do try and see if there is!


Follow these steps:

1. Choose content types to search
Either keep Search All Content Types, or deselect and choose CRS Reports.
(If you keep Search All Content Types, you will have the opportunity to limit document type within results)

2. Keep the search field to:  Anywhere except full text

3. Enter Search Terms = keywords. Some examples:
Place quotes around phases

"gun control"
"voting rights"
"mental illness"
"affordable housing"
reparations and "African American*"
"opioid epidemic" or "opioid overdose"
"e cigarette*" or e-cigarette*
michigan water flint



Search Example: "gun control" or "gun policy"
CRS Reports Gun Control Results