<P> The Congressional Research Service provides detailed, up - to - date and non-partisan research for senators, representatives, and their staff to help them carry out their official duties . It provides ideas for legislation, helps members analyze a bill, facilitates public hearings, makes reports, consults on matters such as parliamentary procedure, and helps the two chambers resolve disagreements . It has been called the "House's think tank" and has a staff of about 900 employees . </P> <P> The Congressional Budget Office or CBO is a federal agency which provides economic data to Congress . </P> <P> It was created as an independent nonpartisan agency by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 . It helps Congress estimate revenue inflows from taxes and helps the budgeting process . It makes projections about such matters as the national debt as well as likely costs of legislation . It prepares an annual Economic and Budget Outlook with a mid-year update and writes An Analysis of the President's Budgetary Proposals for the Senate's Appropriations Committee . The Speaker of the House and the Senate's President pro tempore jointly appoint the CBO Director for a four - year term . </P> <P> Lobbyists represent diverse interests and often seek to influence congressional decisions to reflect their clients' needs . Lobby groups and their members sometimes write legislation and whip bills . In 2007, there were approximately 17,000 federal lobbyists in Washington . They explain to legislators the goals of their organizations . Some lobbyists represent non-profit organizations and work pro bono for issues in which they are personally interested . </P>

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