Public Trust Through Public Access to CRS Reports by Rep. Mike Quigley.
Rep. Quigley addresses Congress to urge support for House Resolution 34 saying in part:
When the average American wants to learn about a policy, where do they turn for information?
Often, the answer is the 24-hour news cycle. Often filled by talking heads and sensationalism,
Or social media and message boards, where anyone can post anything – credible or completely misinformed.
The American public is no longer being informed by the likes of Cronkite and Murrow, and it is making our public debate increasingly partisan, polarized and misinformed.
What few realize, or like to admit, is that there is a way Congress can help elevate the debate and educate our constituents with neutral, unbiased, non-partisan information from the Congressional Research Service, or CRS.
For over 100 years, CRS has served Congress’ publicly-funded think tank.
Because they serve policy-makers on both sides of the aisle, CRS researchers produce exemplary work that is accurate, non-partisan, and easy to understand.
Despite the fact that CRS receives over $100 million from taxpayers each year, its reports are not made available to the public.
Instead, constituents must request individual reports through a Congressional office.
…
Rep. Quigley goes on to make several public policy point in favor of House Resolution 34 but he had me at:
- Citizens pay for it.
- Citizens can’t access it online.
Citizens of the United States are paying for some the best research in the world but can’t access it online.
That is wrong on so many levels that I don’t think it needs much discussion or debate.
All U.S. citizens need to contact their representative to urge support for House Resolution 34.
Today!
PS: Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports don’t look like coiffed news anchors but then you won’t find rank speculation, rumor and falsehoods reported as facts. It’s a trade-off I’m willing to make.