ALA-backed bill to make CRS reports publicly available introduced - District Dispatch

"Today, after months of behind-the-scenes stage-setting, the bipartisan 'Equal Access to Congressional Research Service Reports Act of 2016' was introduced in the House and Senate. The two identical bills (numbers pending) direct the US Government Publishing Office to release CRS reports online, allowing the public virtually the same free access to these high-quality reports on an enormous range of subjects that Members of ­Congress and their staffs have enjoyed for decades. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) sponsored the bill in the Senate, while Representatives Leonard Lance (R-NJ) and Mike Quigley (D-IL) introduced the bill jointly in the House, starting the celebration of Sunshine Week a few days early. ALA worked closely with more than 40 other organizations to reach this milestone, including particularly Demand Progress.  The coalition’s statement on introduction of the bill, as well as the press statements released by all four of its authors, are available on the Demand Progress website ..."