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S.Res.118 / 111th Congress

A resolution to provide Internet access to certain Congressional Research Service publications.

Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4900)

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Apr 29, 2009

Directs the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate, in consultation with the the Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS), to make publicly available through a centralized electronic system the following CRS-produced information (plus an index of such information that is available through the CRS website): (1) Issue Briefs; (2) CRS Reports that are available to Members of Congress through the CRS website; and (3) Authorization of Appropriations and Appropriations Products.

Exempts from such requirements: (1) any information determined to be confidential by the CRS Director or the head of a department or agency that provided the information to CRS; and (2) documents, other than those described in clauses (1) through (3), that are the product of a congressional research request.

Allows the Sergeant at Arms, in consultation with the CRS Director, to revise the information made publicly available by removing information concerning CRS employees, removing material that may infringe copyright protection, and making necessary changes to ensure accuracy and currency.

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Requires access to the information made available pursuant to this resolution through Senate committee and Member websites. Directs the Sergeant-at-Arms to ensure that such websites provide the same capability to find the cited CRS information as the CRS website.

Makes the Sergeant at Arms responsible for maintaining and updating the information and for establishing a database within six months after adoption of this resolution.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [ID-CT] · ID–CT

Committees

  • Rules and Administration Committee
6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4900)

  2. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.118 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.Res.118 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.Res.118 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.Res.118 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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