Congressional Commissions: Overview and Considerations for Congress

February 3, 2023 R47407

Congressional Commissions:
February 3, 2023
Overview and Considerations for Congress
Jacob R. Straus
Congressional advisory commissions are formal groups established to provide independent
Specialist on the Congress
advice; to make recommendations for changes in public policy; to study or investigate a

particular problem, issue, or event; or to commemorate an individual, group, or event. While no
legal definition exists for what constitutes a congressional commission, this report defines a

congressional commission as a multimember independent entity that (1) is established by
Congress, (2) exists temporarily, (3) serves in an advisory capacity, (4) is appointed in whole or in part by Members of
Congress, and (5) reports to Congress. These five characteristics differentiate a congressional commission from a presidential
commission, an executive branch commission, or other bodies with “commission” in their names. Since the 101st Congress
(1989-1990), Congress has established over 160 congressional commissions.
Throughout American history, Congress has found commissions to be useful entities in the legislative process. By
establishing a commission, Congress can potentially provide a highly visible forum for important issues and assemble greater
expertise than may be readily available within the legislature. Commissions can allow for the examination of complex policy
issues over a longer period and in greater depth than may be practical for legislators. Finally, the nonpartisan or bipartisan
character of most congressional commissions may make their findings and recommendations more politically acceptable,
both in Congress and among the public. Critics argue that many congressional commissions are expensive, that they are often
formed to take difficult decisions out of the hands of Congress, and that their recommendations are mostly ignored by
decisionmakers.
The temporary status of congressional commissions, and short time they are often given to complete their work product,
makes it important that legislators construct commission statutes with care. Legislators have a wide variety of options to
tailor a commission’s composition, organization, and working arrangements, based on Congress’s particular goals. As a
result, individual congressional commissions often have organizational structures and powers quite different from one
another.
This report provides an overview and analysis of congressional advisory commissions, information on the general statutory
structure of a congressional commission, and a catalog of congressional commissions created since the 101st Congress.
For additional information on congressional advisory commissions, see CRS Report R45328, Designing Congressional
Commissions: Background and Considerations for Congress, by Jacob R. Straus; CRS Report RL33313, Congressional
Membership and Appointment Authority to Advisory Commissions, Boards, and Groups, by Jacob R. Straus; CRS Report
R41425, Commemorative Commissions: Overview, Structure, and Funding, by Jacob R. Straus; and CRS Report R45826,
Congressional Commissions: Funding and Expenditures, coordinated by Jacob R. Straus.

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Congressional Commissions: Overview and Considerations for Congress

Introduction
Congressional commissions are formal groups established by Congress to provide independent
advice, to make recommendations for changes in public policy, to study or investigate a particular
problem or event, or to commemorate an individual, group, or event. Usually composed of policy
experts chosen by Members of Congress and/or officials in the executive branch, commissions
may hold hearings, conduct research, analyze data, investigate policy areas, or make field visits as
they perform their duties. Most commissions complete their work by delivering their findings,
recommendations, or advice in the form of a written report to Congress. Occasionally, legislation
submitted by commissions will be given “fast track” authority in Congress.
Although no legal definition exists for what constitutes a “congressional commission,” this report
defines a congressional commission as a multimember independent entity that (1) is established
by Congress, (2) exists temporarily, (3) serves in an advisory capacity, (4) is appointed in part or
whole by Members of Congress, and (5) reports to Congress. These five characteristics
effectively serve to differentiate a congressional commission from a presidential commission, an
executive branch commission, or other bodies with “commission” in their names. Since 1989,
Congress has authorized over 160 congressional commissions.
Throughout American history, Congress has found commissions to be useful tools in the
legislative process,1 and legislators continue to use them today. By establishing a commission,
Congress can potentially provide a highly visible forum for important issues and assemble greater
expertise than may be readily available within the legislature. Complex policy issues can be
examined over a longer period and in greater depth than may be practical for legislators. The
nonpartisan or bipartisan character of most congressional commissions may make their findings
and recommendations more politically acceptable, both in Congress and among the public.
Conversely, some have expressed concerns that congressional commissions can be expensive,
might be created to take difficult decisions out of the hands of Congress, and are mostly ignored
when they report their findings and recommendations.
Two broad types of congressional commissions exist: policy commissions and commemorative
commissions. Policy commissions generally study a particular public policy problem (e.g., the
United States Commission on North American Energy Freedom),2 or investigate a particular
event (e.g., the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States).3 Policy
commissions typically report their findings to Congress along with recommendations for
legislative or executive action. Commemorative commissions, such as the Abraham Lincoln
Bicentennial Commission,4 are often tasked with planning, coordinating, and overseeing
celebrations of people or events, often in conjunction with milestone anniversaries.5
The temporary status of congressional commissions and their often short time horizons make it
important that legislators construct statutes with care. Statutes establishing congressional
commissions generally include language that states the mandate of the commission, provides a
membership structure and appointment scheme, defines member compensation and other benefits,

1 Colton Campbell, Discharging Congress: Government by Commission (Westport, CT: Praeger, 2002); Jordan Tama,
Terrorism and National Security Reforms: How Commissions Can Drive Change During Crisis (New York:
Cambridge University Press, 2011).
2 P.L. 109-58, 119 Stat 1064 (2005).
3 P.L. 107-306, 116 Stat. 2408 (2002).
4 P.L. 106-173, 114 Stat. 14 (2000).
5 For more information on commemorative commissions, see CRS Report R41425, Commemorative Commissions:
Overview, Structure, and Funding, by Jacob R. Straus.
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outlines the commission’s duties and powers, authorizes funding, and sets a termination date for
the commission.
Each organizational choice has a variety of options. Legislators can tailor a commission’s
composition, organization, and arrangements, based on particular goals. As a result, individual
commissions often have organizational structures and powers quite different from one another.
Defining Congressional Commission
In the past, confusion has arisen over whether particular entities are “congressional
commissions.” There are several reasons for this confusion. First, the law does not define the term
congressional commission; observers might disagree as to whether an individual entity is a
congressional commission. Second, the federal government has many entities with the word
“commission” in their names, such as regulatory commissions, presidential advisory
commissions, and advisory commissions established in executive agencies.6 Conversely, some
congressional commissions do not have the word “commission” in their name; instead, they
might be called boards, advisory panels, advisory committees, task forces, or other terms.
This report defines a congressional commission as a multimember independent entity that (1) is
established by Congress, (2) exists temporarily, (3) serves in an advisory capacity, (4) is
appointed in part or whole by Members of Congress, and (5) reports to Congress. This definition
differentiates a congressional commission from a presidential commission, an executive branch
commission, or other bodies with “commission” in their names, while including most entities that
fulfill the role commonly perceived for commissions: studying policy problems and reporting
findings to Congress.7 Each of these characteristics is discussed below.
Independent Establishment by Congress
Congress usually creates congressional commissions by statute.8 Not all statutorily established
advisory commissions, however, are congressional commissions. Congress may also statutorily
establish executive branch advisory commissions. Conversely, Congress does not establish all
federal advisory commissions. The President, department heads, or individual agencies may also
establish commissions under various authorities.9

6 For more information on executive branch advisory commissions, see CRS Report R44232, Creating a Federal
Advisory Committee in the Executive Branch, by Meghan M. Stuessy; and CRS Report R44253, Federal Advisory
Committees: An Introduction and Overview, by Meghan M. Stuessy.
7 Alternative definitions might be equally appealing. The wide variety of boards, task forces, panels, and commissions
created by Congress, coupled with the lack of a legal definition for “congressional commission,” results in many gray
areas. Consequently, some observers might consider an entity created by Congress but that does not meet all five
characteristics a congressional commission. For example, in the 110th Congress, Congress authorized the Committee on
Levee Safety (P.L. 110-114, §9003, 121 Stat. 1288 [2007]). The committee was a temporary advisory body created by
statutory authority, but the executive branch and state officials determined its membership. Further, and it reported to
both Congress and the Secretary of the Army. While it is not included in this report, some observers might consider it a
congressional commission.
8 Entities that are widely considered a congressional commission could be established outside of Congress. For
example, the U.S. Institute of Peace established the Iraq Study Group. After its creation, Congress appropriated money
to the U.S. Institute of Peace and informally arranged for the selection of the panel’s chairs. For more information on
the Iraq Study Group, see U.S. Institute of Peace, “Iraq Study Group,” at https://www.usip.org/programs/iraq-study-
group.
9 For more information on establishing an advisory commission in the executive branch, see CRS Report R44232,
Creating a Federal Advisory Committee in the Executive Branch, by Meghan M. Stuessy. Many well-known advisory
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Congressional commissions are also generally independent of Congress. This characteristic
excludes commission-like entities established within Congress, such as congressional observer
groups, working groups, and advisory groups created by individual committees of Congress under
their general authority to procure the “temporary services” of consultants to “make studies and
advise the committee,” pursuant to 2 U.S.C. §4301.10
Temporary Existence
Congressional commissions are established to perform specific duties, with statutory termination
dates linked to task completion. This restriction excludes entities that typically serve an ongoing
administrative purpose, do not have statutory termination dates, and do not produce regular
reports, such as the House Office Building Commission11 or Senate Commission on Fine Art.12
Also excluded are entities that serve ongoing diplomatic or interparliamentary functions, such as
the U.S. Group to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly,13 or the Canada-United States
Interparliamentary Group.14 Finally, Congress has created a number of boards to oversee
government entities, such as the United States Holocaust Memorial Council,15 and the John F.
Kennedy Center Board of Trustees.16 Although some might consider these entities congressional
commissions, their lifespan, purpose, and function differ from temporary congressional
commissions, as defined above.
Advisory Role
Congressional commissions typically produce reports that present findings and offer
recommendations for either legislative or executive action. Congressional commissions also
usually lack the power to implement their findings or recommendations. These powers contrast
with regulatory commissions, which are typically granted administrative authority.
Inclusion of Members in the Appointment Process
Congressional commissions provide that Members of Congress, particularly the leadership, be
intimately involved in the appointment process, either through direct service on a commission, or
by appointing or recommending candidates for membership.17

commissions have been established by the President or by an agency. For example, the U.S. Commission on National
Security/21st Century (the Hart-Rudman Commission) and the National Commission on Social Security Reform
(Greenspan Commission) were both established by executive order of the President.
10 For example, in June 1995, the Senate Committee on Finance created the Advisory Commission to Study the
Consumer Price Index. The Advisory Commission submitted its final report to the committee in December 1996. See
U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Finance, Final Report of the Advisory Commission to Study the Consumer Price
Index, committee print, 104th Cong., 2nd sess., S.Prt. 104-72 (Washington: GPO, 1996).
11 2 U.S.C. §2001; P.L. 59-253; 34 Stat. 1365 (1907).
12 2 U.S.C. §2101; P.L. 100-696; 102 Stat. 4610 (1988).
13 22 U.S.C. §1928a; P.L. 84-689; 70 Stat. 523 (1956).
14 22 U.S.C. §276d; P.L. 86-42, 73 Stat. 72 (1959).
15 36 U.S.C. §2302; P.L. 106-292, 114 Stat. 1031 (2000).
16 20 U.S.C. §76h; P.L. 85-874; 72 Stat. 1698 (1958).
17 For more information on the inclusion of Members of Congress in the commission appointment process, see CRS
Report RL33313, Congressional Membership and Appointment Authority to Advisory Commissions, Boards, and
Groups, by Jacob R. Straus.
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Reporting Requirements
Congressional commissions are usually required to submit their reports to Congress, or to
Congress and the President. Other advisory commissions, such as presidential or executive branch
commissions, typically submit their reports only to the President or an agency head.
Types of Congressional Commissions
Generally, two types of congressional commissions exist: policy commissions and
commemorative commissions. Most congressional commissions are policy commissions,
temporary bodies that study particular policy problems and report their findings to Congress or
review a specific event. Other commissions are commemorative commissions, entities established
to commemorate a person or event, often to mark an anniversary. These categories are not
mutually exclusive. A commission can perform policy and commemorative functions in tandem.
Policy Commissions
Congress establishes the vast majority of congressional commissions to study, examine,
investigate, or review a particular policy problem or event. For example, policy commissions
have focused on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,18 motor fuel tax enforcement,19
threats to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) attacks,20 and the September 11,
2001, terrorist attacks.21
Commemorative Commissions
Congress also creates commemorative commissions. Commemorative commissions most often
commemorate or celebrate an individual, group, or event. In some circumstances, Congress has
assigned administrative activities to commemorative commissions, such as the creation of
national memorials in the District of Columbia. For example, Congress authorized the World War
I Centennial Commission to coordinate the 100th Anniversary of World War I and to establish the
National World War I Memorial in Washington, DC.22
For more information on commemorative commissions, see CRS Report R41425,
Commemorative Commissions: Overview, Structure, and Funding, by Jacob R. Straus.
Potential Value of Congressional Commissions
Throughout American history, Congress has found commissions to be useful tools in the
legislative process. Commissions may be established to, among other things, cope with increases
in the scope and complexity of legislation, forge consensus, draft bills, promote inter-party

18 The Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism: P.L. 110-53, 121
Stat. 501 (2007).
19 Motor Fuel Tax Enforcement Advisory Committee: P.L. 109-59, 119 Stat. 1959 (2005).
20 Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attacks: P.L. 106-398, 114 Stat.
1654A-345 (2000).
21 National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the 9/11 Commission): P.L. 107-306, 116 Stat.
2408 (2002).
22 World War I Centennial Commission: P.L. 112-272; 126 Stat. 2449 (2013).
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communication, address issues that do not fall neatly within the jurisdictional boundaries of
congressional committees, and bring together recommendations.23 These goals can be grouped
into five categories: expertise, political complexity, consensus building, solving collective action
problems, and visibility.
Obtaining Expertise
Congress may choose to establish a commission when legislators and their staffs do not currently
have sufficient knowledge or expertise in a complex policy area,24 or when an issue area is
sufficiently complex that engaging noncongressional experts could aid in policy development.25
By assembling experts in particular policy areas to focus on a specific mission, legislators might
efficiently obtain insight into complex public policy problems.26 Further, a commission can
devote itself to a particular issue full time, and can focus on an individual problem without
distraction.27
Overcoming Political Complexity
Complex policy issues may also create institutional problems because they do not fall neatly
within the jurisdiction of any particular committee in Congress.28 By virtue of their ad hoc status,
commissions may circumvent such issues. Similarly, a commission may allow particular
legislation or policy solutions to bypass the traditional development process in Congress,
potentially removing some of the impediments inherent in a decentralized legislature.29
Consensus Building
An array of political interests may confront legislators seeking policy changes or requesting a
congressional investigation. The normal legislative or oversight process may sometimes suffer
politically from charges of partisanship.30 By contrast, the nonpartisan or bipartisan character of
most congressional commissions may make their findings and recommendations less susceptible
to such charges and result in further credibility both in Congress and among the public.31
Commissions may also give competing viewpoints space to negotiate compromises, bypassing
the short-term tactical political maneuvers that may accompany public negotiations in a

23 Colton Campbell, “Creating an Angel: Congressional Delegation to Ad Hoc Commissions,” Congress and the
Presidency, vol. 25, no. 2 (Autumn 1998), p. 162.
24 Campbell, “Creating an Angel,” p. 174. See also Robert L. Chartrand, Jane Bortnick, and James R. Price, Legislator
as User of Information (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 1987), pp. 11-15.
25 Campbell, Discharging Congress, pp. 55-59.
26 Campbell, Discharging Congress, p. 51.
27 Morris P. Fiorina, “Group Concentration and the Delegation of Legislative Authority,” in Roger G. Noll, ed.,
Regulatory Policy and the Social Sciences (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1985), p. 184. See also James E.
Katz, “Science, Technology, and Congress,” Science vol. 30, no. 4 (May 1993), pp. 41-44.
28 George T. Sulzner, “The Policy Process and the Uses of National Governmental Study Commissions,” Western
Political Quarterly, vol. 24, no. 3 (September 1971), pp. 438-448.
29 Kenneth R. Mayer, “Closing Military Bases (Finally): Solving Collective Dilemmas Through Delegation,”
Legislative Studies Quarterly, vol. 20, no. 3 (August 1995), pp. 395-397.
30 Campbell, Discharging Congress, pp. 9-10.
31 Sulzner, “The Policy Process and the Uses of National Governmental Study Commissions,” pp. 443-445.
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congressional markup or oversight session.32 Similarly, because commission members are often
not elected officials, they may be better suited to suggest unpopular, but arguably necessary,
policy solutions.33
Solving Collective Action Problems
A commission may allow legislators to solve collective action problems, situations in which all
legislators individually seek to protect the interests of their own district, despite widespread
agreement that the collective result of such interests is something none of them prefers.
Legislators can use a commission to jointly “tie their hands” in such circumstances, allowing
consensus about a particular policy solution to avoid being impeded by individual concerns about
the effect or implementation of the solution.34
For example, in 1988 Congress established the Base Closure and Realignment Commission
(BRAC) as a politically and geographically neutral body to make independent decisions about
closures of military bases.35 The BRAC produced a list of bases slated for closure, which
Congress was required to either accept or reject as a whole, bypassing internal congressional
politics over which individual bases would be closed, and protecting individual Members from
political charges that they did not “save” their district’s base.36
Raising Visibility
By establishing a commission, Congress can often provide a highly visible forum for important
issues that might otherwise receive scant attention from the public.37 Commissions often are
composed of notable public figures, allowing the transfer of personal prestige to recommended
policy solutions.38 Meetings and press releases from a commission may receive significantly more
attention in the media than corresponding information coming directly from members of
congressional committees. Upon completion of a commission’s work product, public attention
may be temporarily focused on a topic that otherwise would receive scant attention, thus
increasing the probability of congressional action within the policy area.39
Criticism of Commissions
Some political and scholarly observers have criticized congressional commissions. These
criticisms chiefly fall into three groups. First, critics often charge that commissions are an

32 John B. Gilmour, “Summits and Stalemates: Bipartisan Negotiations in the Postreform Era,” in Roger H. Davidson,
ed., The Postreform Congress (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1993), pp. 247-248.
33 Daniel Bell, “Government by Commission,” Public Interest, vol. 1, no. 3 (Spring 1966), p. 7; Campbell, Discharging
Congress, p. 70; Campbell, Discharging Congress, p. 13; Newt Gingrich, “Leadership Task Forces: The ‘Third Wave’
Way to Consider Legislation,” Roll Call, November 16, 1995, p. 5.
34 Gary W. Cox and Matthew D. McCubbins, Legislative Leviathan: Party Government in the House (Berkeley:
University of California Press, 1993), p. 80.
35 Mayer, “Closing Military Bases,” pp. 398-399.
36 Charles E. Cook, “Base Closing Furor: Minimal Political Impact for Members,” Roll Call, March 18, 1993, p. 1.
37 David S. Brown, “The Public Advisory Board as an Instrument of Government,” Public Administration Review, vol.
15, no. 3 (Summer 1955), pp. 197-199.
38 Charles J. Hanser, Guide to Decision: The Royal Commission (Totowa, New Jersey: Bedminster Press, 1965), pp.
222-225.
39 Sulzner, “The Policy Process and the Uses of National Governmental Study Commissions,” p. 444.
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“abdication of responsibility” on the part of legislators.40 Second, some criticize commissions as
undemocratic, replacing elected legislators with appointed decisionmakers. Third, critics also
argue that commissions are financially inefficient, suggesting that they are expensive and
Congress can ignore or decline to implement their recommendations.
Abdicated Responsibility
Critics of commissions argue that legislators may create commissions specifically for “blame
avoidance.”41 In this view, Congress uses commissions to distance itself from risky decisions
when confronted with controversial issues. By creating a commission, legislators can take credit
for addressing a topic of controversy without having to take a substantive position on the topic. If
the commission’s work is ultimately popular, legislators can take credit for the work. If the
commission’s work product is unpopular, legislators can shift responsibility to the commission
itself.42
Reduced Democratic Accountability
Some critics contend that commissions are not democratic. This criticism takes three forms. First,
commissions may be unrepresentative of the general population and may not reflect the variety of
public opinion on an issue.43 Second, commissions lack public accountability. Unlike Members of
Congress, commission members are often not elected officials and therefore are often insulated
from electoral pressures or popular opinion. Finally, commissions may not operate in public.
Unlike Congress, commission meetings, hearings, and investigations may be held in private.44
Financial Inefficiency
A third criticism of commissions is that they have high costs and low returns. Congressional
commission costs vary widely, ranging from several hundred thousand dollars to over $10
million. Coupled with this objection is the problem of congressional response to commission
work; in most cases, Congress is under no obligation to act, or even respond to the work of a
commission. If legislators disagree with the results or recommendations of a commission’s work,
they may simply ignore it. In addition, there is no guarantee that any commission will produce a
balanced product; commission members may have their own agendas, biases, and pressures. In
some cases, they may simply produce a mediocre work product.45 Finally, advisory boards create

40 Sen. Trent Lott, “Special Commissions,” Remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 148
(September 23, 2002), p. S9050. See also David Schoenbrod, Power Without Responsibility: How Congress Abuses the
People Through Delegation (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1993), p. 100; R.W. Apple, “Keeping Hot
Potatoes Out of the Kitchen,” New York Times, February 2, 1989, D20.
41 R. Kent Weaver, “The Politics of Blame Avoidance,” Journal of Public Policy, vol. 6, no. 4 (October-December
1986), pp. 373-374. See also Douglas Arnold, The Logic of Congressional Action (New Haven: Yale University Press,
1990), p. 101.
42 Campbell, Discharging Congress, pp. 68-69; Arnold, The Logic of Congressional Action, p. 101.
43 R. Kent Weaver, “Is Congress Abdicating Power to Commissions?” Roll Call, February 12, 1989, pp. 5, 25.
44 Natalie Hanlon, “Military Base Closures: A Study of Government by Commission,” Colorado Law Review, vol. 62,
no. 2 (1991), pp. 331-364.
45 James Q. Wilson, “A Reader’s Guide to the Crime Commission’s Report,” Public Interest, no. 9 (Fall 1967), pp. 64,
82.
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economic and legislative inefficiency if they function as patronage devices, with Members of
Congress using commission positions to pay off political debts.46
Selected Considerations for Congress
Statutes establishing congressional advisory commissions generally provide the scope of a
commission’s mission, its structure, and its rules of procedures. Legislators can tailor the
composition, organization, and working arrangements of a commission, based on the particular
goals of Congress. As a result, individual congressional commissions often have an organizational
structure and powers quite different from one another.47
This section provides an overview of certain features commonly found in commission statutes.
For a more detailed and comprehensive description of legislative language and features that are
often included in congressional advisory commission statutes, see CRS Report R45328,
Designing Congressional Commissions: Background and Considerations for Congress, by Jacob
R. Straus.
Membership and Appointment Authority
Congressional commissions use a wide variety of membership framework and appointment
structures. The statute may require that membership of a commission be made up in whole or in
part of specifically designated Members of Congress, typically Members in congressional or
committee leadership positions. In other cases, selected leaders, often with balance between the
parties, appoint commission members, who may or may not be Members of Congress. A third
common statutory framework is to have selected leaders, again often with balance between the
parties, recommend members, who may or may not be Members of Congress, for appointment to
a commission. These leaders may act either in parallel or jointly, and the recommendation may be
made either to other congressional leaders, such as the Speaker of the House and President pro
tempore of the Senate, or to the President.
Reporting Requirements
Congressional commission statutes usually direct the commission to carry out specific tasks. One
of the primary functions of most congressional commissions is to produce a final report for
Congress outlining their activities, findings, and legislative recommendations.48 These reports can
be sent to Congress generally, to specific congressional committees, to the President, to executive
agencies, or to a combination of entities. Recommendations contained in a commission report are
only advisory. The potential implementation of such recommendations is dependent upon future
congressional or executive branch action.
Report Destination
Most commissions submit their work product to both Congress and the President. A smaller
number submit their work to Congress only, and others have submitted their work to both
Congress and a specified executive branch agency. The report’s destination might matter for the

46 Brown, “The Public Advisory Board as an Instrument of Government,” p. 199.
47 These considerations are based, in part, on Campbell, Discharging Congress, p. 7, Table 1.3.
48 Some commissions, such as the Motor Fuel Tax Enforcement Advisory Commission (P.L. 109-59; 119 Stat. 2941
[2005]) are not required to submit a final report, but instead make annual reports to Congress during the specified
lifespan of the commission.
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type of future action taken on a topic. If a commission sends its report to both Congress and the
President, potential exists for either legislative or executive action in that policy area. If the
commission sends its report to only one entity, the chance of action by other actors might be
reduced.
Deadlines
Most commission statutes give a deadline for the submission of a final report. The final report
deadline varies from commission to commission. Some commissions, such as the National
Commission on the Cost of Higher Education,49 had less than six months to submit their final
report to Congress. Other commissions, such as the Antitrust Modernization Commission,50 had
three or more years to complete their work product.
Commission Expenses
Congressional commission costs vary widely, and Congress has funded them in a variety of ways.
Overall expenses for any individual commission are dependent on a variety of factors, including
whether commissioners are paid, the number of potential staff and their pay levels, and the
duration of the commission.
Many commissions have few or no full-time staff; others employ large numbers, such as the
National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States,51 which had a full-time paid
staff of 80. Additionally, some commissions provide compensation to members; others only
reimburse members for travel expenses. Many commissions finish their work and terminate
within a year of creation; in other cases, work may not be completed for several years.
Secondary factors that can affect commission costs include the number of commissioners, how
often the commission meets or holds hearings, and the number and size of publications the
commission produces. For a more detailed analysis of commission funding and expenditures, see
CRS Report R45826, Congressional Commissions: Funding and Expenditures, coordinated by
Jacob R. Straus.
Commission Member Pay
Most statutorily created congressional commissions do not compensate their members, except to
reimburse members for expenses directly related to their service, such as travel costs.52 Among
congressional commissions that compensate their members, the statute almost always specifies
the level of compensation. Typically, commission pay is set in accordance with one of the federal
pay scales, prorated to the number of days of service.53 The most common level of compensation

49 National Commission on the Cost of Higher Education: P.L. 105-18; 111 Stat. 207 (1997).
50 Antitrust Modernization Commission: P.L. 107-273; 116 Stat. 1856 (2002).
51 National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission): P.L. 107-306; 116 Stat. 2408
[2002]).
52 For example, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom’s statute (P.L. 105-292; 112 Stat.
2787 [1998]) stated, “(i) Funding.—Members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem
in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code,
while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission.”
53 For example, the Antitrust Modernization Commission’s statute stated, “(a) Pay.—(1) Nongovernment employees.—
Each member of the Commission who is not otherwise employed by a government shall be entitled to receive the daily
equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5
United States Code, as in effect from time to time, for each day (including travel time) during which such member is
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is the daily equivalent of Level IV of the Executive Schedule (EX), which has a basic annual rate
of pay of $183,500 in 2023.54
Staffing
Advisory commissions are usually authorized to hire a staff. Many of these commissions are
specifically authorized to appoint a staff director and other personnel as necessary. The size of the
staff is not generally specified, allowing the commission flexibility in judging its own staffing
requirements. Typically, maximum pay rates will be specified, but the commission will be granted
authority to set actual pay rates within those guidelines.
Most of these congressional commissions are also authorized to hire consultants and procure
intermittent services. Many commissions are statutorily authorized to request that federal
agencies detail personnel to assist the commission. Some commissions are also authorized to
accept voluntary services.
Cataloging Congressional Commissions
This report attempts to identify all congressional commissions enacted into law between the 101st
Congress and the end of the 117th Congress.
Methodology
To identify congressional commissions, CRS searched Congress.gov for terms and phrases
related to commissions within the text of laws enacted between the 101st Congress (1989-1990)
and the end of the 117th Congress (2021-2022).55 Each piece of legislation returned was examined
to determine if (1) the legislation established a commission, and (2) the commission met the five
criteria outlined above. If the commission met the criteria, its name, public law number, Statutes-
at-Large citation, date of enactment, and other information were recorded.
Results
A total of 170 congressional commissions were identified through this search. Figure 1 shows the
number of commissions enacted in each Congress between the 101st Congress and the 117th
Congress.

engaged in the actual performance of duties of the Commission. (2) Government employees.—A member of the
Commission who is an officer or employee of a government shall serve without additional pay (or benefits in the nature
of compensation) for service as a member of the Commission. (b) Travel Expenses.—Members of the Commission
shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of
title 5, United States Code.” P.L. 107-273, 116 Stat. 1768, 1858 (2002).
54 U.S. Office of Personnel Management, “Salary Table No. 2023-EX: Rates of Basic Pay for the Executive Schedule
(EX),” at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2023/EX.pdf.
Although Level IV of the Executive Schedule is the most common compensation level, commission members could be
compensated at other levels of the Executive Schedule or at particular levels of the General Schedule. Members of
congressional commissions that fall under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (P.L. 92-463), however, are prohibited
from receiving compensation in excess of the rate specified for Executive Schedule Level IV.
55 The search included such terms as commission, task force, advisory, board, panel, independent establishment,
coordinating committee, study group, and working group.
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Congressional Commissions: Overview and Considerations for Congress

Figure 1. Number of Congressional Commissions Created by Congress
101st Congress to 117th Congress

Source: CRS search of public laws enacted between the 101st Congress and the 117th Congress.
Two caveats accompany these results. As stated above, identifying congressional commissions
involves making judgment calls about particular characteristics. Second, tracking provisions of
law that create congressional commissions is an inherently inexact exercise. Although many such
bodies are created in easily identifiable freestanding statutes, others are contained within the
statutory language of lengthy omnibus legislation.56 Consequently, individual commissions may
have been missed by the search methodology.
Congressional Commissions, 101st to the 117th
Congress
The tables that follow provide information on the 170 congressional commissions CRS identified
through a search of Congress.gov for legislation enacted between the 101st Congress and the 117th
Congresses. Not included are commissions that were reauthorized during a given Congress.57
Each table contains one Congress. For each newly created commission, the tables provide the
following information, in alphabetical order: the name of the commission, the public law creating
the commission, and the date of enactment.

56 For example, provisions for the establishment of 12 separate advisory bodies were included in the text of the FY1999
Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L. 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681 (1998)).
57 For example, in the 117th Congress, Congress extended the Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking
(P.L. 117-51, 135 Stat. 408 (2021)). It was initially authorized in the 116th Congress (see Table 2).
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Table 1. Congressional Commissions Created During the 117th Congress
Commission
Authority
Afghanistan War Commission
P.L. 117-81, §1094, December 27, 2021
Commission on the National Defense Strategy
P.L. 117-81, §1095, December 27, 2021
Commission on Planning, Programing, Budgeting, and
P.L. 117-81, §1004, December 27, 2021
Execution Reform
Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of
P.L. 117-81, §1687, December 27, 2021
the United States
National Security Commission on Emerging
P.L. 117-81, §1091, December 27, 2021
Biotechnology
Medical Advisory Board of Central Intelligence Agency
P.L. 117-103, §602, 136 Stat. 992, March 15, 2022
Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a
P.L. 117-140, 136 Stat. 1259, June 13, 2022
National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and
Culture
National Commission on the Future of the Navy
P.L. 117-263, §1092, December 23, 2022
Commission on Reform and Modernization of the
P.L. 117-263, §9803, December 23, 2022
Department of State
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.

Table 2. Congressional Commissions Created During the 116th Congress
Commission
Authority
Adams Memorial Commission
P.L. 116-9, §2406, 133 Stat. 749, March 12, 2019
CARES Act Congressional Oversight Commission
P.L. 116-136, §4020, 134 Stat. 486, March 27, 2020
Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking P.L. 116-92, §7221, 133 Stat. 2270, December 20, 2019
Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and
P.L. 116-156, 134 Stat. 700, August 14, 2020
Boys
Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and
P.L. 116-189, §11, 134 Stat. 970, October 30, 2020
Paralympics
Route 66 Centennial Commission
P.L. 116-256, 134 Stat. 1142, December 23, 2020
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.

Table 3. Congressional Commissions Created During the 115th Congress
Commission
Authority
400 Years of African-American History Commission
P.L. 115-102, 131 Stat. 2248, January 8, 2018
Commission on Farm Transactions-Needs for 2050
P.L. 115-334, 132 Stat. 5009, December 20, 2018
Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States
P.L. 115-91; 131 Stat. 1786; December 12, 2017
from Electromagnetic Pulse Attacks and Similar Eventsa
Commission on Military Aviation Safety
P.L. 115-232, 132 Stat. 1992, August 13, 2018
Cyberspace Solarium Commission
P.L. 115-232, 132 Stat. 2140, August 13, 2018
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Commission
Authority
Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission
P.L. 115-77, 131 Stat. 1251, November 2, 2017
National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence
P.L. 115-232, 132 Stat. 192, August 13, 2018
Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End
P.L. 115-393, 132 Stat. 5278, December 21, 2018
Human Trafficking
Syria Study Group
P.L. 115-254, 132 Stat. 3519, October 5, 2018
Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commissionb
P.L. 115-31, 131 Stat. 502, May 5, 2017
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.
Notes:
a. The Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attacks and Similar
Events is a distinct commission from the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack that was created by P.L. 106-398, Title XIV. This legislation authorizing
the new Electromagnetic Pulse Commission repealed P.L. 106-398, Title XIV, which authorized the original
commission.
b. The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission was incorporated by reference in P.L. 115-31. Text of the
bil can be found in S. 847 (115th Congress), and in Appendix C of P.L. 115-31 (131 Stat. 842A-17).

Table 4. Congressional Commissions Created During the 114th Congress
Commission
Authority
Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission
P.L. 114-244; 130 Stat. 981; October 14, 2016
on Native Children
Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking
P.L. 114-140; 130 Stat. 317; March 30, 2016
Commission on the National Defense Strategy of the
P.L. 114-328; 130 Stat. 2367; December 23, 2016
United States
Congressional Task Force on Economic Growth in
P.L. 114-187; 130 Stat. 593; June 30, 2016
Puerto Rico
Creating Options for Veterans’ Expedited Recovery
P.L. 114-198; 130 Stat. 769; July 22, 2016
Commission
National Commission on Military, National and Public
P.L. 114-328; 130 Stat. 2131; December 23, 2016
Service
John F. Kennedy Centennial Commission
P.L. 114-215; 130 Stat. 830; July 29, 2016
United States Semiquincentennial Commission
P.L. 114-196; 130 Stat. 685; July 22, 2016
Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial
P.L. 114-224; 130 Stat. 921, September 29, 2016
Commission
Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission
P.L. 114-323; 130 Stat. 1936; December 16, 2016
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.

Table 5. Congressional Commissions Created During the 113th Congress
Commission
Authority
Commission on Care
P.L. 113-146; 128 Stat. 1773; August 7, 2014
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Commission
Authority
Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a
P.L. 113-291; 128 Stat. 3810; December 19, 2014
National Women’s History Museum
National Commission on the Future of the Army
P.L. 113-291; 128 Stat. 3664; December 19, 2014
National Commission on Hunger
P.L. 113-76; 128 Stat. 41; January 17, 2014
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.

Table 6. Congressional Commissions Created During the 112th Congress
Commission
Authority
Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect
P.L. 112-275; 126 Stat. 2461; January 14, 2013
Fatalities
Commission on Long-Term Care
P.L. 112-240; 126 Stat. 2358; January 2, 2013
Congressional Advisory Panel on the Governance of
P.L. 112-239; 126 Stat. 2208; January 2, 2013
the Nuclear Security Enterprise
Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization
P.L. 112-239; 126 Stat. 1787; January 2, 2013
Commission
National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force P.L. 112-239; 126 Stat. 1703; January 2, 2013
World War I Centennial Commission
P.L. 112-272; 126 Stat. 2449; January 15, 2013
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.

Table 7. Congressional Commissions Created During the 111th Congress
Commission
Authority
Independent Panel to Assess the Quadrennial Defense
P.L. 111-84; 123 Stat. 2467; October 28, 2010
Review
Indian Law and Order Commission
P.L. 111-211; 124 Stat. 2282; July 29, 2010
Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission
P.L. 111-21; 123 Stat. 1625; May 20, 2009
Foreign Intelligence and Information Commission
P.L. 111-259; 124 Stat. 2739; October 7, 2010
Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission
P.L. 111-25; 123 Stat. 1767; June 2, 2009
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.

Table 8. Congressional Commissions Created During the 110th Congress
Commission
Authority
Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave
P.L. 110-183; 122 Stat. 606; February 5, 2008
Trade
Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass
P.L. 110-53; 121 Stat. 501; August 3, 2007
Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism
Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a
P.L. 110-229; 122 Stat. 784; May 8, 2008
National Museum of the American Latino
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Commission
Authority
Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and
P.L. 110-181; 122 Stat. 230; January 28, 2008
Afghanistan
Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of
P.L. 110-181; 122 Stat. 319; January 28, 2008
the United States
Congressional Oversight Panel (Emergency Economic
P.L. 110-343; 122 Stat. 3791; October 3, 2008
Stabilization Act)
Genetic Nondiscrimination Study Commission
P.L. 110-233; 122 Stat. 917; October 3, 2008
National Commission on Children and Disasters
P.L. 110-161; 121 Stat. 2213; December 26, 2007
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.

Table 9. Congressional Commissions Created During the 109th Congress
Commission
Authority
Commission on the Implementation of the New
P.L. 109-163; 119 Stat. 3431; January 6, 2006
Strategic Posture of the United States
Human Space Flight Independent Investigation
P.L. 109-155; 119 Stat. 2941; December 30, 2005
Commission
Motor Fuel Tax Enforcement Advisory Commission
P.L. 109-59; 119 Stat. 1959; August 10, 2005
National Surface Transportation Infrastructure
P.L. 109-59; 119 Stat. 1962; August 10, 2005
Financing Commission
National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue
P.L. 109-59; 119 Stat. 1471; August 10, 2005
Commission
Technical Study Panel
P.L. 109-236; 120 Stat. 501; June 15, 2006
United States Commission on North American Energy
P.L. 109-58; 119 Stat. 1064; August 8, 2005
Freedom
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.

Table 10. Congressional Commissions Created During the 108th Congress
Commission
Authority
Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad
P.L. 108-199; 118 Stat. 435; January 23, 2003
Fellowship Program
Commission on the National Guard and Reserve
P.L. 108-375; 118 Stat. 1880; October 28, 2004
Commission on Review the Overseas Military Facility
P.L. 108-132; 117 Stat. 1382; November 22, 2003
Structure of the United States
Helping to Enhance the Livelihood of People (HELP)
P.L. 108-199; 118 Stat. 101; January 23, 2003
Around the Globe Commission
National Commission on Small Community Air Service
P.L. 108-176; 117 Stat. 2549; October 18, 2003
National Prison Rape Reduction Commission
P.L. 108-79; 117 Stat. 980; September 4, 2003
Panel to Review Sexual Misconduct Allegations at
P.L. 108-11; 117 Stat. 609; April 16, 2003
United States Air Force Academy
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Commission
Authority
Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission
P.L. 108-136; 117 Stat. 1676; November 24, 2003
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.

Table 11. Congressional Commissions Created During the 107th Congress
Commission
Authority
Antitrust Modernization Commission
P.L. 107-273; 116 Stat. 1856; November 2, 2002
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission
P.L. 107-202; 116 Stat. 739; July 24, 2002
Brown v. Board of Education 50th Anniversary
P.L. 107-41; 115 Stat. 226; September 18, 2001
Commission
Commission on the Application of Payment Limitations
P.L. 107-171; 116 Stat. 216; May 13, 2002
for Agriculture
Guam War Claims Review Commission
P.L. 107-333; 116 Stat. 2873; December 12, 2002
National Commission for the Review of the Research
P.L. 107-306; 116 Stat. 2437; November 27, 2002
and Development Programs of the United States
Intelligence Community
National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the
P.L. 107-306; 116 Stat. 2408; November 27, 2002
United States
National Museum of African American History and
P.L. 107-106; 115 Stat. 1009; December 28, 2001
Culture Plan for Action Presidential Commission
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.

Table 12. Congressional Commissions Created During the 106th Congress
Commission
Authority
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
P.L. 106-173; 114 Stat. 14; February 25, 2000
Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Care
P.L. 106-74; 113 Stat. 1106; October 20, 1999
Facility Needs in the 21st Century
Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States
P.L. 106-398, 114 Stat. 1645A-345; October 30, 2000
from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attacks
Commission on Indian and Native Alaskan Health Care
P.L. 106-310; 114 Stat. 1216; October 17, 2000
Commission on Ocean Policy
P.L. 106-256; 114 Stat. 645; October 7, 2000
Commission on the Future of the United States
P.L. 106-398; 114 Stat. 1654A-301; October 30, 2000
Aerospace Industry
Commission on the National Military Museum
P.L. 106-65; 113 Stat. 880; October 5, 1999
Commission on Victory in the Cold War
P.L. 106-65; 113 Stat. 765; October 5, 1999
Commission to Assess United States National Security
P.L. 106-65; 113 Stat. 813; October 5, 1999
Space Management and Organization
Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission
P.L. 106-79; 113 Stat. 1274; October 25, 1999
Forest Counties Payments Committee
P.L. 106-291; 114 Stat. 991; October 11, 2000
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Commission
Authority
James Madison Commemoration Commission
P.L. 106-550; 114 Stat. 2745; December 19, 2000
Judicial Review Commission on Foreign Asset Control
P.L. 106-120; 113 Stat. 1633; December 3, 1999
Lands Title Report Commission
P.L. 106-568; 114 Stat. 2923; December 27, 2000
P.L. 106-569; 114 Stat. 2959; December 27, 2000
Mil ennial Housing Commission
P.L. 106-74; 113 Stat. 1070; October 20, 1999
National Commission for the Review of the National
P.L. 106-120; 113 Stat. 1620; December 3, 1999
Reconnaissance Office
National Commission on the Use of Offsets in Defense
P.L. 106-113; 113 Stat. 1501A-502; November 29, 1999
Trade
National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information P.L. 106-181; 114 Stat. 105; April 15, 2000
and Choice in the Airline Industry
National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial
P.L. 106-408; 114 Stat. 1783; November 1, 2000
Commission
Public Interest Declassification Board
P.L. 106-567; 114 Stat. 2856; December 27, 2000
Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel
P.L. 106-170; 113 Stat. 1887; December 17, 1999
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.

Table 13. Congressional Commissions Created During the 105th Congress
Commission
Authority
Advisory Committee on Electronic Commerce
P.L. 105-277; 112 Stat. 2681-722; October 21, 1998
Amtrak Reform Council
P.L. 105-134; 111 Stat. 2579; December 2, 1997
Census Monitoring Board
P.L. 105-119; 111 Stat. 2483; November 26, 1997
Commission on the Advancement of Women and
P.L. 105-255; 112 Stat. 1889; October 14, 1998
Minorities in Science, Engineering, and Technology
Development
Commission on Military Training and Gender-Related
P.L. 105-85; 111 Stat. 1750; November 18, 1997
Issues
Commission on Online Child Protection
P.L. 105-277; 112 Stat. 2681-739; October 21, 1998
Independent Panel to Evaluate the Adequacy of Current P.L. 105-56; 111 Stat. 1249; October 8, 1997
Planning for United States Long-Range Air Power and
the Requirement for Continued Low-Rate Production
of B-2 Stealth Bombers
National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of
P.L. 105-33; 111 Stat. 347; October 5, 1997
Medicare
National Commission on the Cost of Higher Education
P.L. 105-18; 111 Stat. 207; June 12, 1997
National Commission on Terrorism
P.L. 105-277; 112 Stat. 2681-210; October 21, 1998
National Health Museum Commission
P.L. 105-78; 111 Stat. 1525; November 13, 1997
Parents Advisory Council on Youth Drug Abuse
P.L. 105-277; 112 Stat. 2681-690; October 21, 1998
Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets
P.L. 105-186; 112 Stat. 611; June 23, 1998
in the United States
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Commission
Authority
Twenty-First Century Workforce Commission
P.L. 105-220; 112 Stat. 1087; October 7, 1998
Trade Deficit Review Commission
P.L. 105-277; 112 Stat. 2681-547; October 21, 1998
United States Commission on International Religious
P.L. 105-292; 112 Stat. 2797; October 27, 1998
Freedom
Web-Based Education Commission
P.L. 105-244; 112 Stat. 1822; October 7, 1998
Women’s Progress Commemoration Commission
P.L. 105-341; 112 Stat. 3196; October 31, 1998
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.
Table 14. Congressional Commissions Created During the 104th Congress
Commission
Authority
Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture
P.L. 104-127; 110 Stat. 938; April 4, 1996
Commission on Consensus Reform in the District of
P.L. 104-134; 110 Stat. 1321-151; April 26, 1996
Columbia Public Schools
Commission on Maintaining United States Nuclear
P.L. 104-201; 110 Stat. 2843; September 23, 1996
Weapons Expertise
Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans
P.L. 104-275; 110 Stat. 3346; October 9, 1996
Transition Assistance
Commission on the Advancement of Federal Law
P.L. 104-132; 110 Stat. 1305; April 24, 1996
Enforcement
Commission to Assess the Ballistic Missile Threat to
P.L. 104-201; 110 Stat. 2711; September 23, 1996
the United States
Commission to Assess the Organization of the Federal
P.L. 104-293; 110 Stat. 3470; October 11, 1996
Government to Combat the Proliferation of Weapons
of Mass Destruction
National Civil Aviation Review Commission
P.L. 104-264; 110 Stat. 3241; October 9, 1996
National Commission on Restructuring the Internal
P.L. 104-52; 110 Stat. 509; November 19, 1995
Revenue Service
National Gambling Impact Study Commission
P.L. 104-169; 110 Stat. 1482; October 3, 1996
Water Rights Task Force
P.L. 104-127; 110 Stat. 1021; April 4, 1996
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.

Table 15. Congressional Commissions Created During the 103rd Congress
Commission
Authority
Advisory Board on Welfare Indicators
P.L. 103-432; 108 Stat. 4463; October 31, 1994
Commission on Leave
P.L. 103-3; 107 Stat. 23; February 5, 1993
Commission on Protecting and Reducing Government
P.L. 103-236; 108 Stat. 525; April 30, 1994
Secrecy
Commission on the Roles and Capabilities of the
P.L. 103-359; 108 Stat. 3456; October 14, 1994
United States Intelligence Community
National Bankruptcy Review Commission
P.L. 103-394; 108 Stat. 4147; October 22, 1994
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Commission
Authority
National Commission on Crime Control and
P.L. 103-322; 108 Stat. 2089; September 13, 1994
Prevention
National Skil Standards Board
P.L. 103-227; 108 Stat. 191; March 31, 1994
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.
Table 16. Congressional Commissions Created During the 102nd Congress
Commission
Authority
Commission on Broadcasting to the People’s Republic
P.L. 102-138; 105 Stat. 705; October 28, 1991
of China
Commission on Child and Family Welfare
P.L. 102-521; 106 Stat. 3406; October 25, 1992
Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States
P.L. 102-392; 106 Stat. 1726; October 6, 1992
Capitol
Commission on the Social Security “Notch” Issue
P.L. 102-393; 106 Stat. 1777; October 6, 1992
Commission to Protect Investment in America’s
P.L. 102-240; 105 Stat. 2020; December 18, 1991
Infrastructure
Congressional Commission on the Evaluation of
P.L. 102-558; 106 Stat. 4220; October 28, 1992
Defense Industry Base Policy
Glass Ceiling Commission
P.L. 102-166; 105 Stat. 1082; November 21, 1991
National Commission on Intermodal Transportation
P.L. 102-240; 105 Stat. 2160; December 18, 1991
National Commission on Reducing Capital Gains for
P.L. 102-245; 106 Stat. 21; February 14, 1992
Emerging Technology
National Commission on Rehabilitation Services
P.L. 102-569; 105 Stat. 4473; October 29, 1992
National Commission on the Future Role of United
P.L. 102-172; 105 Stat. 1208; November 26, 1991
States Nuclear Weapons
National Commission to Promote a Strong
P.L. 102-581; 106 Stat. 4891; October 31, 1992
Competitive Airline Industry
National Education Commission on Time and Learning
P.L. 102-62; 105 Stat. 306; June 27, 1991
Thomas Jefferson Commemoration Commission
P.L. 102-343; 106 Stat. 915; October 17, 1992
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.

Table 17. Congressional Commissions Created During the 101st Congress
Commission
Authority
Civil War Sites Advisory Commission
P.L. 101-628; 104 Stat. 4504; November 28, 1990
Commission on Legal Immigration Reform
P.L. 101-649; 104 Stat. 5001; November 29, 1990
Commission on Management of the Agency for
P.L. 101-513; 104 Stat. 2022; November 5, 1990
International Development Programs
Commission on State and Private Forests
P.L. 101-624; 104 Stat. 3548; November 28, 1990
Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission
P.L. 101-510; 104 Stat. 1808; November 5, 1990
Independent Commissiona
P.L. 101-121; 103 Stat. 742; October 23, 1989
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Congressional Commissions: Overview and Considerations for Congress

Commission
Authority
Joint Federal-State Commission on Policies and
P.L. 101-379; 104 Stat. 478; October 18, 1990
Programs Affecting Alaska Natives
National Advisory Council on the Public Service
P.L. 101-363; 104 Stat. 424; August 14, 1990
National Commission on American Indian, Alaska
P.L. 101-235; 103 Stat. 2052; December 15, 1989
Native, and Native Hawaiian Housing
National Commission on Defense and National Security P.L. 101-511; 104 Stat. 1899; November 5, 1990
National Commission on Financial Institution Reform,
P.L. 101-647; 104 Stat. 4889; November 29, 1990
Recovery, and Enforcement
National Commission on Judicial Discipline and
P.L. 101-650; 104 Stat. 5124; December 1, 1990
Removal
National Commission on Manufactured Housing
P.L. 101-625; 104 Stat. 4413; November 28, 1990
National Commission on Severely Distressed Public
P.L. 101-235; 103 Stat. 2048; December 15, 1989
Housing
National Commission on Wildfire Disasters
P.L. 101-286; 104 Stat. 171; May 9, 1990
National Commission to Support Law Enforcement
P.L. 101-515; 104 Stat. 2122; November 5, 1990
Preservation of Jazz Advisory Commission
P.L. 101-499; 104 Stat. 1210; November 2, 1990
Risk Assessment and Management Commission
P.L. 101-549; 104 Stat. 2574; November 15, 1990
Source: CRS analysis of commission legislation from Congress.gov.
a. The Independent Commission was created to review the National Endowment for the Arts grant-making
procedures.

Author Information

Jacob R. Straus

Specialist on the Congress

Acknowledgments
Tyler Wolanin, research assistant, contributed to this report. This report was originally coauthored with
former CRS Analyst Matthew E. Glassman. Raymond T. Williams, former Research Assistant, and
William T. Egar, former Analyst in American National Government, also contributed to this report
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Congressional Commissions: Overview and Considerations for Congress

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