About CRS Summary

Upon introduction of a bill or resolution in the House or Senate, legislative analysts in the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress write an abstract that objectively describes the measure's most significant provisions in approximately 250 words or fewer.

When a measure receives action (i.e., it is reported from a committee or passed by the House or Senate), the analysts then write a fuller digest, detailing the measure's effect upon programs and current law. Additional digests are prepared for each major action. A final Public Law summary is prepared upon enactment into law.

Each summary is identified with the date and version of the measure it describes (e.g., "7/26/2002 – Passed House, amended"). The CRS Summary will always present the most recent summary available. (To see whether further major actions were taken after the date of action of that summary, check the Bill Status.)