What are the three main support services available to members of Congress?

The three main support services available to members of Congress are the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the General Accountability Office (GAO), and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

1. Congressional Research Service (CRS): The CRS is a division of the Library of Congress, and it works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. CRS offers a variety of services including reports on major policy issues, briefings on current legislation, and customized research.

2. General Accountability Office (GAO): The GAO is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. GAO investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars and provides Congress and federal agencies with objective, reliable information to help the government save money and work more efficiently. Among its duties, GAO audits government programs and operations, evaluates the effectiveness of government policies, and provides legal opinions and policy recommendations.

3. Congressional Budget Office (CBO): The CBO provides Congress with nonpartisan analyses for economic and budget decisions and with estimates required for the Congressional budget process. The CBO's mandate is to provide budgetary and economic information in a way that is balanced, authoritative, and accessible to policymakers. The CBO analyzes the potential financial impact of proposed legislation, providing cost estimates for nearly every bill that is reported by Congressional committees.

These support services play crucial roles in the functioning of Congress, providing research, information, and guidance that help members of Congress make informed decisions about legislation, oversight, and budgetary allocations.

Extra: Each of these services serves a unique purpose in assisting Congress:

- The Congressional Research Service acts as something akin to a think tank or research university for Congress. It has experts in many fields who can delve deeply into complex policy issues and give summaries or detailed reports, which can be essential when Congress members or committees are dealing with subjects outside their expertise or need analytical support for legislative drafting.

- The General Accountability Office's work is critical for ensuring accountability and transparency in the federal government. It provides audit and investigative services, which can uncover problems or inefficiencies in government programs and operations. It also helps to ensure that government spending aligns with legislative intent, which is vital for maintaining the trust of the American people in their government.

- The Congressional Budget Office is key to the legislative budgetary process. Given that all legislation can have financial implications, the CBO's cost estimates (often referred to as "scores") are instrumental in assessing the potential economic impact of proposed legislation and understanding how bills, if enacted, would affect federal spending and revenue. The work of the CBO is crucial for maintaining fiscal discipline and informing policy debates related to the budget, taxation, and economic policy.

Together, CRS, GAO, and CBO provide Congress with the comprehensive information needed to craft legislation, make policy decisions, and ensure government programs are effectively serving the public. These services are staffed by experts in various fields, which enables Congress to access specialized knowledge and maintain an informed legislative process.