Kevin R. Kosar
Analyst in American National Government
A congressional or federal charter is a federal statute that establishes a corporation. Congress has issued charters since 1791, although most charters were issued after the start of the 20th century. Congress has used charters to create a variety of corporate entities, such as banks, governmentsponsored enterprises, commercial corporations, venture capital funds, and quasi governmental entities. Congressionally chartered corporations have raised diverse issues for Congress, including (1) Title 36 corporations’ membership practices; (2) prohibitions on Title 36 corporations engaging in “political activities”; (3) confusion over which corporations are governmental and which are private; and (4) federal management of these corporations. This report will be updated annually.
Readers seeking additional information about congressionally chartered organizations may consult:
- CRS Report RL30365, Federal Government Corporations: An Overview, by Kevin R. Kosar;
- CRS Report RL30533, The Quasi Government: Hybrid Organizations with Both Government and Private Sector Legal Characteristics, by Kevin R. Kosar; and
- CRS Report RL30340, Congressionally Chartered Nonprofit Organizations (“Title 36 Corporations”): What They Are and How Congress Treats Them, by Kevin R. Kosar.
Date of Report: April 19, 2013
Number of Pages: 9
Order Number: RS22230
Price: $19.95
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