For over a hundred years federal legislators have been ordering research from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) on public policy issues only to keep it secret. That practice is now under challenge as the CRS is establishing a new website to publish the reports. The rationale for secrecy is to protect lawmakers from criticism while they investigate controversial issues. (The Washington Post, December 14, 2015, by Lisa Rein)
Secrecy News has been publishing leaked reports from CRS for some time. Environmental watchdogs think part of the motive for retaining the reports is to attempt to change reports that interests groups find detrimental to their business or cause. (Society of Environmental Journalists, January 2, 2013)