Library Guides: Law and Public Policy Research: Government Resources and Think Tanks

Government Resources

The Congressional Research Service (CRS)

Often referred to as Congress' think tank, CRS provides nonpartisan legal analysis to committees and members of the House and Senate. CRS is a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress. As of 2018 CRS makes their reports directly available to the public on their website. In addition, some of the reports are available via the resources below.

CRS Reports
CRS reports provide Congress with both anticipatory and on-demand research and analysis to support their legislative, oversight, and representational duties. All reports adhere to the core values of CRS; they are authoritative, objective and nonpartisan.

ProQuest Congressional This link opens in a new window
To search CRS Reports, deselect all document types and then select CRS Reports.

U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)

Often called the "congressional watchdog," GAO investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars. GAO issues reports on government programs and policies, and performs policy analyses.

GAO Reports and Testimony

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

The CBO provides nonpartisan analyses of budgetary and economic issues related to Congressional legislation.The CBO produces a variety of products, including analytic reports for particular federal spending programs, and cost estimates on all legislation.

Congressional Budget Office

Think Tanks

Broadly stated, think tanks are non-profit organizations which perform public policy analysis and research.

American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) was founded in 1938 for the purpose of "bringing about a greater public knowledge and understanding of the social and economic advantages accruing to the American people through the maintenance of the system of free, competitive enterprise." A public policy think tank based in Washington, D.C., AEI scholars conduct original research that advocates for free enterprise and focuses on the world economy, U.S. foreign policy and international security, and domestic political and social issues. Available via HeinOnline
American Policy Directory - University of Oregon
This searchable think tank directory is grouped by topic.
Think Tank Search - Harvard University
A Google custom search of more than 590 think tanks and research centers.
Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP) - University of Pennsylvania
TTCSP conducts research on the relationship between think tanks, politics, and public policy, produces the annual Global Go To Think Tank Index, develops capacity-building resources and programs, supports a global network of close to 7,000 think tanks, and trains future think tank scholars and executives.
Brennan Center for Justice - New York University School of Law
Publications available via HeinOnline.
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The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. The Center's work focuses on a wide range of issues, such as voting rights, campaign finance reform, racial justice in criminal law, and Constitutional protection in the fight against terrorism.