The Congressional Research Service Issues New Primers
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) works exclusively for the United States Congress. According to its web site http://www.loc.gov/crsinfo/ the CRS provides policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for nearly a century.
CRS is well-known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has 24/7 access to the nation’s best thinking.
Below are two of the “Primers” issued by the CRS that may be of interest:
Congressional Research Service Report for Congress—Social Security-Primer, April 30, 2012 (PDF)