The Review Office is responsible for the final agency review and approval of all CRS written and recorded research products, including reports, confidential memoranda, congressional testimony, and seminars, briefings, and presentations prepared exclusively for Members of Congress and congressional committees and staff. Each Review Specialist is responsible for reviewing up to two dozen CRS products daily, often under tight deadlines, in response to congressional demands, and in anticipation of pending issues before Congress.

The Review Specialist is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and clearing written and recorded research products prepared by staff within all six CRS research divisions. These products may involve issues addressing constitutional law and other legal matters; domestic social policy; foreign affairs, defense, and trade; federal government operations and finance; and natural resources management, science, and industry.

The Review Specialist interacts with CRS research division Assistant Directors and research managers, analysts, legislative attorneys and information professionals to ensure that CRS products meet the organization’s strict quality and policy standards for authoritativeness, objectivity, accuracy, and nonpartisanship. The Review Specialist provides advice and guidance to CRS research staff on the preparation of written research work, is responsible for explaining review policies to CRS research staff and managers and recommends or introduces edits or other changes to such products typically via use of common editing software.