ABSTRACT
The current sources of independent, balanced analytical support that Congress can routinely command do not span the full range of response times. Analysis performed by universities and think tanks can be extremely valuable, but it can be uneven in coverage, balance, and responsiveness to congressional needs, and it is often not available on topics or at times that meet congressional needs. The organization could operate effectively with various mixtures of in-house and external expertise, but at least some in-house substantive and analytical expertise is highly desirable. Americans are typically reluctant to look abroad for institutional inspiration. Furthermore, institutions that work well in one national and cultural setting can rarely be transplanted without change to another. The former Office of Technology Assessment (OTA)'s official function was to do analysis for committees, but it actually played a more complex role. Its reports were widely used by interest groups, academics, and the general public.
