Recent CRS Reports – November 2021

“Lobbying Registration and Disclosure: The Role of the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate,” CRS Report RL34377, November 29, 2021 (17-page PDF) “The Debt Limit in 2021,” CRS Insight IN11702, November 24, 2021 (7-page PDF) “Cybersecurity: Selected Cyberattacks, 2012-2021,” CRS Report R46974, November 22, 2021 (28-page PDF) “Apportionment and Redistricting Process … Read more

Selected Privileges and Courtesies Extended to Former Members of Congress (CRS R41121)

After Members of the House or Senate leave office, they are afforded certain courtesies and privileges. Some are derived from law and chamber rules, but others are courtesies that have been extended as a matter of custom. Some of these privileges and courtesies include the following: – access to the floor of the chamber in … Read more

STOCK Act / Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge Act (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms STOCK Act / Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge Act Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 or STOCK Act – (Sec. 3) Requires the congressional ethics committees to issue interpretive guidance of the rules of each chamber, including rules on conflicts of interest and … Read more

Recent CRS Reports – Sept. 1, 2013

Government Assistance for AIG: Summary and Cost, CRS Report R42953, August 14, 2013 (25-page PDF) Reauthorizing the Office of National Drug Control Policy: Issues for Consideration, CRS Report R41535, August 13, 2013 (19-page PDF) Bee Health: Background and Issues for Congress, CRS Report R43191, August 27, 2013 (33-page PDF) The Debt Limit: History and Recent … Read more

Members Representational Allowance (MRA) / Legislative Assistant / Legislative Correspondent / Legislative Director (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA) / Legislative Assistant / Legislative Correspondent / Legislative Director   Employment Summit – Three Skills You Can’t Do Without – Stacy Cervenka   The first paid staff on Capitol Hill were hired by committees before the Civil War. By World War … Read more

CODEL / Congressional Delegation / Junket (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms CODEL / Congressional Delegation / Junket   Introduction of the U.S. Congressional Delegation   A trip abroad by a group of members of Congress, usually bi-partisan. Committees sponsor fact finding travel to countries or regions to obtain first-hand information on foreign policy issues. These missions … Read more

Frank / Franking Privilege (Congressional Glossary)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Frank / Franking Privilege A member’s facsimile signature, which is used on envelopes in lieu of stamps, for the member’s official outgoing mail. The “franking privilege” is the right to send mail postage-free. The congressional franking privilege, which dates from 1775, allows Members of Congress … Read more

Recent CRS Reports on Congressional Pay and Perks

From our web site: Pay and Perquisites of Members of Congress, Including A History of House and Senate Salaries (CongressPay.com) photo credit: mootown “Federal Employees: Pension COLAs and Pay Adjustments Since 1969,” by Katelin P. Isaacs, CRS Report 94-971 (13-page PDF ) “Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2011,” by Ida A. Brudnick, CRS … Read more