The U.S. Congress has access to many sources of science and technology policy information and analysis. Currently, two of these sources housed within the Legislative Branch include: 1) the Congressional Research Service, established in 1914 within the Library of Congress, which works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation, and 2) the U.S. Government Accountability Office, an independent, nonpartisan agency, which examines how taxpayer dollars are spent and provides Congress and federal agencies with objective, reliable information to help the government save money and work more efficiently.
In the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 5895, Congress directed the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to contract with the National Academy of Public Administration (the Academy) to conduct a review detailing the current resources within the Legislative Branch that are available to Members of Congress regarding science and technology policy. These resources include the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).
As mandated by the Conference Report language, the Academy’s study will accomplish the following:
Based on its assessment of three options, the Panel recommends Option 3: Enhance Existing Entities and Create an Advisory Office.
This option has four key components.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Roger Kodat, Senior Project Director, at 202-204-3610, or rkodat@napawash.org.