GAO Releases this week

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as Social Security reform, steroid use and homeland security. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Anabolic Steroid Abuse: Federal Efforts to Prevent and Reduce Anabolic Steroid Abuse among Teenagers. GAO-08-15, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-15
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0815high.pdf
• Homeland Security: Federal Efforts Are Helping to Alleviate Some Challenges Encountered by State and Local Information Fusion Centers. GAO-08-35, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-35
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0835high.pdf
  
• NASA: Agency Has Taken Steps Toward Making Sound Investment Decisions for Ares I but Still Faces Challenging Knowledge Gaps. GAO-08-51, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-51
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0851high.pdf
• Nuclear and Worker Safety: Actions Needed to Determine the Effectiveness of Safety Improvement Efforts at NNSA's Weapons Laboratories. GAO-08-73, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-73
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0873high.pdf
• Social Security Reform: Issues for Disability and Dependent Benefits. GAO-08-26, October 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-26
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0826high.pdf
  

Correspondence

• Digital Television Transition: Questions on the DTV Converter Box Subsidy Program and a DTV Inter-Agency Task Force. GAO-08-297R, November 19.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-297R
• Potential Effect of Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act on Child Support Payments Cannot Be Determined because Data Needed for Study Are Not Available. GAO-08-148R, October 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-148R
  

Presentation By The Comptroller General

• "DOD Transformation Challenges and Opportunities," by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Department of Defense FY 2008 Managers' Internal Control Program Conference, in Washington, DC. GAO-08-323CG, November 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d08323cg.pdf

World AIDS Day 2007

World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1. It was established in 1988 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic. The World AIDS Day theme for 2007 is strong, committed leadership and builds upon the 2006 theme of accountability. The slogan for 2001-2010 is "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise."

Check out these World Aids Day sites:

• CDC World AIDS Day
• National Aids Trust World AIDS Day (United Kingdom)
• United Nations World AIDS Day
  
• World AIDS Campaign (WHO)
  

Read "Bush Urges Congress to Approve Additional AIDS Funds" from the Washington Post. You might also want to check out the press release from the White House, "President Bush Discusses World AIDS Day."

For more information on HIV and AIDS worldwide, check out the websites from the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and UNAIDS.

Want more health and medical information? Check out the library's guide.

2007/08 Human Development Report

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has just released the most recent edition of the Human Development Report. This year the report focuses on the issue of climate change (last year brought us an examination of water).

The UNDP is the UN's global development arm, which means that they work to promote development in a number of areas, focusing on Democratic governance, poverty reduction, crisis prevention and recovery, energy and the environment, and HIV/AIDS. Each year, they put out the human development report focusing on a particular area of concern in development.

In addition to the standard collection of statistics and country reports, this year's report also contains carbon footprint features.

Interested in more development resources? Check out the library's guide.

Interested in more resources on climate change? Check out the library's guide.

U.S. obesity rates leveling -- but still high

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that obesity rates among adults in the United States have not significantly changed between 2003-04 and 2005-06. Around one third of Americans over the age of twenty were obese in 2005-06 (33.3 percent of men and 35.3 percent of women). These rates show no statistically significant change from 2003-04, when 31.1 percent of men and 33.2 percent of women were obese. However, more than 72 million Americans are counted as obese and obesity rates have been rising since 1980, when only 15 percent of Americans were termed obese.

Read the full report, "Obesity Among Adults in the United States--No Change Since 2003-2004" from the CDC National Center for Health Statistics. You might also want to check out the CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity for more information on obesity and related programs, news, and publications. Check out your state's obesity levels between 1985-2006 with CDC's nifty animated map.

Read "US Obesity Rates Seem to Have Leveled" from the Washington Post and "CDC: U.S. obesity rates leveling off" from CNN.

Want more information on health and medical information? Check out the library's guide.

Annapolis Conference Round-up

The Annapolis Conference for peace in the Middle East has finished up and while there is no explicit peace treaty coming out of the conference there are promises for continuation of the discussion. Want to learn more? Here are some of the various government sites:

• Annapolis Conference Page This the main site for the conference, but it is more for media and getting to the conference, etc. then actual news on the conference itself.
• Middle East Peace This page from the Department of State links to the various press releases, statements, etc. to come out of the conference.
• Joint Understanding from the White House This is the understanding reached by Israel and Palestine in regards to going forth in the peace process.
• "Mideast Talks Yield Promises To Press On: Israelis, Palestinians Will Restart Peace Negotiations" article from the Washington Post

Want more information on the Arab-Israeli conflict? Check out the library's guide.

CRS reports

It is Tuesday and despite the holidays a few CRS reports have made it out into the public domain. CRS is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress's request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports on tax reform, street gangs, Iraq, and much more. While these reports are in the public domain there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your Senator or Representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by Secrecy News and OpenCRS:

• U.S. Arms Sales to Pakistan
• Nuclear Weapons: The Reliable Replacement Warhead Program
  
• Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests
• China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues
• The Iran Sanctions Act (ISA)
• NATO in Afghanistan: A Test of the Transatlantic Alliance
• China's Economic Conditions
• Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy
• Weak and Failing States: Evolving Security Threats and U.S. Policy
• Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation and Security Issues
• The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11
• Judicial Security: Responsibilities and Current Issues
• Pandemic Influenza: An Analysis of State Preparedness and Response Plans
• The Public Health and Medical Response to Disasters: Federal Authority and Funding
  

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

GAO Releases this week

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. In this shortened holiday week they investigated a variety of issues, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and immigration. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Financial Audit: Securities and Exchange Commission's Financial Statements for Fiscal Years 2007 and 2006. GAO-08-167, November 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-167
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08167high.pdf

Presentation by the Comptroller General

• "Making Human Capital Transformation a Reality: Lessons Learned from GAO's Experience," by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before Human Capital Management Federal 2007, in Washington, D.C. GAO-08-299CG, November 15. [slides]
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d08299cg.pdf

Correspondence

• Immigration Benefits: Seventeenth Report Required by the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998. GAO-08-267R, November 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-267R
• Management Letter: Recommendations for Improvements to USDA's Internal Controls and Policies on Premium Class Air Travel. GAO-08-85R, November 19.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-85R

Senate remains in session?

In a showdown between Congress and the President the Senate is remaining in session over the traditional Thanksgiving break. According to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's web site: "The Senate will convene for pro forma sessions during the recess period on the following dates and times: Tuesday, November 20th at 9:00 a.m.; Friday, November 23rd at 10:00 a.m.; Tuesday, November 27th at 9:00 a.m.; and Thursday, November 29th at 9:30 a.m."

What do these pro forma sessions consist of you ask? Well, yesterday the Senate convened at 9:00:07 am and then recessed at 9:00:37 (according to the daily digest). Curious about why the Senate would meet for 30 seconds? This is all because the constitution in Article II, Section 3 gives the president the "Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session." So if the Senate doesn't go into recess (which it normally does over Thanksgiving for 2 weeks), the president can't appoint nominees without Senate approval.

Want to know the nominees under consideration? Check out page six of the Senate Executive Calendar.

Want to read a bit more about this showdown? Check out the Washington Post's "Senate Stays In Session to Block Recess Appointments."

Want more information on this topic? Check out the library's guides to Congress and Presidents.

Some Thanksgiving pardons and history

On the left here you can see a picture of President Bush and either May or Flower the two turkeys he pardoned for Thanksgiving this year. These two turkeys are now off to be marshals in the Disney Thanksgiving parade and then will live their lives out at Disney World.

You can see the turkeys for the past few years and get a history of the pardoning of turkey's on the White House's web site. This year happens to be the sixtieth anniversary of the first turkey pardon by President Truman (check out this photo essay of the event).

Now many of you probably believe the first thanksgiving was held by the pilgrims. What you may not be aware of, and President Bush hinted at this in his official Thanksgiving Greetings, was that on December 4, 1619 a group of settlers landed at Berkley Plantation (where Bush gave his greetings) and gave thanks and if they hadn't all died in battle that year were supposed to "be yearly and perpetually keept holy as a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God."

Want to know more about this and the call for an official pardoning of a pig (since the VA settlers probably had ham)? Check out the Washington Post article "For Va., Half a Holiday Loaf: Bush Acknowledges Thanksgiving Claim but Won't Pardon Pig."

Want to learn some more, maybe less silly, information on presidents? Check out the library's guide.

West-wide Energy Corridor

Thanks to the Government News for Montana blog I learned about the draft environmental impact statement for the West-wide Energy corridor. This EIS was brought about in part by language in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This act in section 368 "[d]irects the Secretaries of Agriculture, of Commerce, of Defense, of Energy, and of the Interior (the Secretaries), in consultation with FERC, states, tribal or local governmental entities, affected utility industries, and other interested persons, are directed to consult with each other and to: (1) designate corridors for oil, gas, and hydrogen pipelines and electricity transmission and distribution facilities on federal land in the 11 contiguous Western States; (2) incorporate the designated corridors into the relevant agency land use and resource management or equivalent plans; and (3) ensure that additional corridors are promptly identified and designated."

Since this act covers multiple states it takes up three volumes. To see where these corridors will be you can look at volume 3 (here is a direct link to CO's map).

Everyone can comment on this proposal and you can do this using an easy form online. If you are interested in the comments given during the scoping (preparation) phase, check out this search engine.

Want a little bit of the media perspective? Check out Denver Post's "Feds to designate energy corridors."

Want more environment and energy resources? Check out the library's guides.

GAO Releases this week

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as Medicaid, security and terrorism. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Defense Acquisitions: Overcoming Challenges Key to Capitalizing on Mine Countermeasures Capabilities. GAO-08-13, October 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-13
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0813high.pdf
• Hazardous Waste: Information on How DOD and Federal and State Regulators Oversee the Off-Site Disposal of Waste from DOD Installations. GAO-08-74, November 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-74
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0874high.pdf
• Hurricane Katrina: Ineffective FEMA Oversight of Housing Maintenance Contracts in Mississippi Resulted in Millions of Dollars of Waste and Potential Fraud. GAO-08-106, November 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-106
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08106high.pdf
• Influenza Vaccine: Issues Related to Production, Distribution, and Public Health Messages. GAO-08-27, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-27
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0827high.pdf
  
• Medicaid: Thousands of Medicaid Providers Abuse the Federal Tax System. GAO-08-17, November 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-17
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0817high.pdf
• Small Business Administration: Opportunities Exist to Improve Oversight of Women's Business Centers and Coordination among SBA's Business Assistance Programs. GAO-08-49, November 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-49
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0849high.pdf
  
• United Nations: Progress on Management Reform Efforts Has Varied. GAO-08-84, November 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-84
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0884high.pdf
• U.S. Government Accountability Office: Performance and Accountability Report, Fiscal Year 2007. GAO-08-1SP, November 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1SP

Testimonies

• Aviation Security: Vulnerabilities Exposed Through Covert Testing of TSA's Passenger Screening Process, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, and John W. Cooney, assistant director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-48T, November 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-48T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0848thigh.pdf
• Border Security: Despite Progress, Weaknesses in Traveler Inspections Exist at Our Nation's Ports of Entry, by Richard M. Stana, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-08-192T, November 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-192T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08192thigh.pdf
• Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of October 31, 2007, by Terrell G. Dorn, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-08-227T, November 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-227T
• Combating Nuclear Terrorism: Federal Efforts to Respond to Nuclear and Radiological Threats and to Protect Key Emergency Response Facilities Could Be Strengthened, by Gene Aloise, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-08-285T, November 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-285T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08285thigh.pdf
• Congressional Review Act, statement for the record by Gary Kepplinger, general counsel, before the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, House Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-08-268T, November 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-268T
• Human Capital: Building Diversity in GAO's Senior Executive Service, by Ronald A. Stroman, managing director for the office of opportunity and inclusiveness, before the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-275T, November 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-275T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08275thigh.pdf
• Investigative Operations: Use of Covert Testing to Identify Security Vulnerabilities and Fraud, Waste, and Abuse, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-08-286T, November 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-286T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08286thigh.pdf
• Medicaid: Thousands of Medicaid Providers Abuse the Federal Tax System, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations before the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-08-239T, November 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-239T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08239thigh.pdf
• Small Business Administration: Preliminary Views on Increasing Collaboration with Department of Agriculture Rural Development Offices, by William B. Shear, director, financial markets and community investment, before the Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship, House Committee on Small Business. GAO-08-278T, November 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-278T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08278thigh.pdf
• Uranium Enrichment: Extension of Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund May Be Needed to Cover Projected Cleanup Costs, by Robin M. Nazzaro, director, natural resources and environment, before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. GAO-08-277T, November 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-277T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08277thigh.pdf

Correspondence

• Department of Energy: Oil and Natural Gas Research and Development Activities. GAO-08-190R, November 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-190R

From the CRS this week

CRS is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress's request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports on tax reform, street gangs, Iraq, and much more. While these reports are in the public domain there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your Senator or Representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by Secrecy News and OpenCRS:

• Corporate Tax Reform: Issues for Congress
• Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and Regulations Proposed for Its Implementation
• The MS-13 and 18th Street Gangs: Emerging Transnational Gang Threats?
• Understanding Mortgage Foreclosure: Recent Events, the Process, and Costs
• Renditions: Constraints Imposed by Laws on Torture
• Director of National Intelligence Statutory Authorities: Status and Proposals
• Burma and Transnational Crime
• The Army's Future Combat System (FCS): Background and Issues for Congress
• Coast Guard Deepwater Program: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress
• Managing the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Policy Implications of Expanding Global Access to Nuclear Power
• F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program: Background, Status, and Issues
• Navy DDG-1000 Destroyer Program: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress
• Operation Iraqi Freedom and Detainee Issues: Major Votes from the 110th Congress
• Journalists' Privilege: Overview of the Law and Legislation in the 109th and 110th Congresses
• Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress
• National Emergency Powers
  

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Native American Heritage Month

At this close to halfway point on the month I thought it might be time to highlight some of the government resources available for Native American Heritage Month.

First, check out the Library of Congress's web site. Here you can find links to collections, images, and Audio/Video. You can also read profiles, such as this one of Sacajawea one of my favorite individuals in the story of exploration of the American West. I ask how many of you could give birth, then carrying your baby hike from St. Louis Missouri to the Pacific Ocean and back? Check out the national park on the WA/OR border.

Second, check out the Smithsonian's American Indian History and Culture web site. This site is a treasure trove of resources from genealogical information to spirituality.

Want current information or statistics? Check out the Census Bureau's Facts for Features page, which contains such gems of information as the American Indians and Alaskan Natives make up the largest minority group in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Still need more? Check out the library's Native American Treaties and Information guide.

Avian Influenza Confirmed in the UK

Great Britain's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed that the highly virulent H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus has been confirmed in poultry (mostly free-range turkeys) in Suffolk. Strains of the H5N1 virus can infect and cause death in wild birds, animals and humans. Bird flu was first detected in Asia in 1997 and has spread into parts of Africa and Europe. Read Defra's news release on the outbreak.

Want more information on bird flu? Check out the information pages from these agencies:

• AvianFlu.gov (avian & pandemic flu information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  
• Defra (United Kingdom)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
  

Read "Suffolk bird flu is H5N1 strain" from BBC News, "New case of deadly bird flu in UK" from CNN, and "Deadly Bird Flu Virus Found in UK Birds" from the Washington Post.

For more information on health and medical information, check out the library's guide.

Veterans Day Observed

This year Veterans Day fell on Sunday, so it is observed by government offices, the U.S. Postal Service, banks and schools today. Historically, Veterans Day falls on the 11th day of the 11th month of every year and honors veterans of all U.S. wars.

Find more about the history of Veterans Day from:

• Commemorate Veterans Day (National Register of Historic Places)
  
• Honoring Our Veterans (White House)
• Veterans Day - November 11 (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
  
• Veterans Day - November 11 (The Library of Congress, America's Library)
  
• The Veterans History Project (The Library of Congress, American Folklife Center)
• Veterans Honored, Nationwide (The National Archives)
  

Want more information on the military? Check out the library's subject guide.

Senate Confirms Mukasey as New Attorney General

The U.S. Senate confirmed former federal judge Michael B. Mukasey by a 53-40 vote as the 81st attorney general. Mukasey replaces Alberto Gonzales, who resigned in September (read about the resignation in our blog). Read President Bush's press release about Mukasey's confirmation on the White House web site.

Want to read more on the confirmation and the Senate's debates about Mukasey? Check out the Washington Post's "Senate Confirms Mukasey By 53-40: Historically Low Tally for New Attorney General" and "Senate Confirms Mukasey as Attorney General" from FOX News.

Want more information on Congress? Check out the library's guide.

GAO Releases this week

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as housing, oil and railroads. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Financial Audit: IRS's Fiscal Years 2007 and 2006 Financial Statements. GAO-08-166, November 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-166
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08166high.pdf
• Financial Audit: Bureau of the Public Debt's Fiscal Years 2007 and 2006 Schedules of Federal Debt. GAO-08-168, November 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-168
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08168high.pdf
• Global War on Terrorism: DOD Needs to Take Action to Encourage Fiscal Discipline and Optimize the Use of Tools Intended to Improve GWOT Cost Reporting. GAO-08-68, November 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-68
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0868high.pdf
• Border Security: Despite Progress, Weaknesses in Traveler Inspections Exist at Our Nation's Ports of Entry. GAO-08-219, November 5.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-219
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08219high.pdf
• Securing U.S. Nuclear Material: DOE Has Made Little Progress Consolidating and Disposing of Special Nuclear Material. GAO-08-72, October 4.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-72
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0872high.pdf

Testimonies

• Terrorist Watch List Screening: Recommendations to Promote a Comprehensive and Coordinated Approach to Terrorist-Related Screening, by Eileen R. Larence, director, homeland security and justice, before the House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-08-253T, November 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-253T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08253thigh.pdf
• Military Personnel: Federal Agencies Have Taken Actions to Address Servicemembers' Employment Rights, but a Single Entity Needs to Maintain Visibility to Improve Focus on Overall Program Results, by George H. Stalcup, director, strategic issues, and Brenda S. Farrell, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. GAO-08-254T, November 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-254T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08254thigh.pdf
• Social Security: Issues Regarding the Coverage of Public Employees, by Barbara D. Bovbjerg, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, before the Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy, Senate Committee on Finance. GAO-08-248T, November 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-248T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08248thigh.pdf
• Human Capital: Telework Programs Need Clear Goals and Reliable Data, by Bernice Steinhardt, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-261T, November 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-261T
• VA Health Care: Improvements Made in Physician Privileging Policies, but Medical Facility Compliance Has Not Been Assessed, by Randall B. Williamson, acting director, health care, before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. GAO-08-271T, November 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-271T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08271thigh.pdf

Correspondence

• Defense Acquisitions: Department of Defense Actions on Program Manager Empowerment and Accountability. GAO-08-62R, November 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-62R
• School Mental Health: Role of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Factors Affecting Service Provision. GAO-08-19R, October 5.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-19R

Senate Overrides Presidential Veto in Water Resources Bill

President Bush received the first veto override of his presidency today when the Senate approved the $23 million Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (H.R. 1495). The Senate voted to reject the President's veto 79-14 (with 7 not voting). The House voted on Tuesday to override the veto 361-54 (with 17 not voting). Both votes exceed the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto. View the press release from the White House on the November 2nd veto of the water resources bill.

For more information? Read "Congress Hands Bush First Veto Override" from the Washington Post and "Senate Overrides Veto on Water Resources Bill, Joins House" from FOX News.

Still want more? Check out the library's guides on Congress, Presidents, and Water Resources.

More from the Federal Reserve

It has been a week since my last post on the economy, so at the risk of scaring everyone off I am going to post another report. Yesterday brought the US and Asian markets down. Today brings us Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernake's report to the Joint Economic Committee on the economic outlook.

If you are reading this right now you can actually watch the hearing live. For the rest of us (or those who read this after the hearing ends) who just want to know the story, check out the prepared testimony from Bernake.

Want analysis, not the primary source material? Check out the Washington Post's "Bernanke Sees Slow Growth, Urges Congress to Act" or Fox News' "Bernanke: Financial Markets 'Significantly Affected' Outlook for Broader Economy."

Still need more? Why not check out the library's business and economics guides..

Toys Containing Date Rape Drug Recalled

Toy beads have been pulled off shelves in North America and Australia after scientists discovered that the Chinese-made toys contain a chemical coating that when ingested metabolizes into the date rape drug gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB). Five children in the U.S. and Australia were hospitalized after swallowing the beads. The beads are sold as Aqua Dots in the U.S. and Bindeez Beads in Australia. You can read the product recall from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website and from Product Recalls Australia's website.

Want more information on what prompted this recall? Read "Toy Containing Date-Rape Drug Pulled" from the Washington Post, "Report: AquaDots Recalled for Containing Date Rape Drug" from FOX News, and "Drug beads off our shelves" from Australia's Herald Sun.

Want more consumer information? Check out the library's guide.

Election Results in Boulder and Denver

Did everyone mail in their ballots or drop them off yesterday? If you did and want to know the results here are the locations for the Boulder and Denver communities:

• Boulder (including the city and county results): 2007 preliminary results
• Denver (city and county): 2007 preliminary results
• Find everyone else: Colorado County Clerks and Recorders

Still want more? Read the analysis of the Denver vote in the Denver Post's "Voters give Denver red-letter day." For information on the Boulder vote check out the Daily Camera's Election page (requires free registration).

Need more Boulder community information? Maybe you want to check out where that open space funding is going. You can find all that and more on the library's guide.

Congressional Research Service reports

This week brings us Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports on presidential politics, China, terrorism, and much more. CRS is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress's request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. While these reports are in the public domain there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your Senator or Representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by Secrecy News and OpenCRS:

• Nuclear Weapons in U.S. National Security Policy: Past, Present, and Prospects
• National Strategy for Combating Terrorism: Background and Issues for Congress
• China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities -- Background and Issues for Congress
• Renditions: Constraints Imposed by Laws on Torture
• The United States as a Net Debtor Nation: Overview of the International Investment Position
• Medicare Program Integrity: Activities to Protect Medicare from Payment Errors, Fraud, and Abuse
• Presidential Nominating Process: Current Issues
• Burma and Transnational Crime
• Federal Income Taxation of Indian Tribes and Members
• The Law of Church and State: U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Since 2002
• Director of National Intelligence Statutory Authorities: Status and Proposals

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

State of Emergency in Pakistan

On Saturday, November 3, President General Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan. You can view this proclamation on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs page. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site actually has a number of press releases on the media response and links to the various orders. The President's web site only has two brief press releases on this action. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has suspended its caseload this week due to this order.

For additional information from the Pakistani government check out their information gateway. If you would like some independent media, check out the Washington Post's "In Pakistan, Thousands Protest Emergency Rule: Lawyers, Police Battle at High Court Complex" or the BBC's Pakistan web site.

Still want more? Check out the library's Pakistan guide.

GAO Releases this week

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as housing, oil and railroads. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• State Department: Transparent Cost Estimates Needed to Support Passport Execution Fee Decisions. GAO-08-63, October 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-63
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0863high.pdf
• Trade Adjustment Assistance: States Have Fewer Training Funds Available than Labor Estimates When Both Expenditures and Obligations Are Considered. GAO-08-165, November 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-165
• District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program: Additional Policies and Procedures Would Improve Internal Controls and Program Operations. GAO-08-9, November 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-9
• Office of Personnel Management: Opportunities Exist to Build on Recent Progress in Internal Human Capital Capacity. GAO-08-11, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-11
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0811high.pdf
• Nonproliferation: U.S. Efforts to Combat Nuclear Networks Need Better Data on Proliferation Risks and Program Results. GAO-08-21, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-21
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0821high.pdf
• Influenza Pandemic: Opportunities Exist to Address Critical Infrastructure Protection Challenges That Require Federal and Private Sector Coordination. GAO-08-36, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-36
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0836high.pdf
• Defense Contracts: Contracting for Military Food Services under the Randolph-Sheppard and Javits-Wagner-O'Day Programs. GAO-08-3, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-3
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d083high.pdf
• Critical Infrastructure Protection: Sector-Specific Plans' Coverage of Key Cyber Security Elements Varies. GAO-08-113, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-113
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08113high.pdf
• Business Systems Modernization: Air Force Needs to Fully Define Policies and Procedures for Institutionally Managing Investments. GAO-08-52, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-52
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0852high.pdf
• Business Systems Modernization: Department of the Navy Needs to Establish Management Structure and Fully Define Policies and Procedures for Institutionally Managing Investments. GAO-08-53, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-53
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0853high.pdf
• U.S. Postal Service: Agencies Distribute Fund-raising Stamp Proceeds and Improve Reporting. GAO-08-45, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-45
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0845high.pdf
• Intellectual Property: U.S. Trade Policy Guidance on WTO Declaration on Access to Medicines May Need Clarification. GAO-07-1198, September 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1198
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071198high.pdf
• International Trade: An Overview of Use of U.S. Trade Preference Programs by Beneficiaries and U.S. Administrative Reviews. GAO-07-1209, September 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1209
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071209high.pdf
• End-Stage Renal Disease: Characteristics of Kidney Transplant Recipients, Frequency of Transplant Failures, and Cost to Medicare. GAO-07-1117, September 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1117
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071117high.pdf
  

Testimonies

• Drug Testing: Undercover Tests Reveal Significant Vulnerabilities in DOT's Drug Testing Program, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-08-225T, November 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-225T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08225thigh.pdf
• Motor Carrier Safety: Preliminary Information on Challenges to Ensuring the Integrity of Drug Testing Programs, by Katherine A. Siggerud, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-08-220T, November 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-220T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08220thigh.pdf
• Drug Safety: Preliminary Findings Suggest Weaknesses in FDA's Program for Inspecting Foreign Drug Manufacturers, by Marcia G. Crosse, director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-08-224T, November 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-224T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08224thigh.pdf
• Medicaid Financing: Long-Standing Concerns about Inappropriate State Arrangements Support Need for Improved Federal Oversight, by Dr. Marjorie Kanof, managing director, health care, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-255T, November 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-255T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08255thigh.pdf
• Small Business Administration: 7(a) Loan Program Needs Additional Performance Measures, by William B. Shear, director, financial markets and community investment, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-08-226T, November 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-226T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08226thigh.pdf
• Indian Issues: Damages and Compensation for Tribes at Seven Reservations Affected by Dams on the Missouri River, by Robin M. Nazzaro, director, natural resources and environment, before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. GAO-08-249T, November 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-249T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08249thigh.pdf
• Long-Term Fiscal Challenge: Comments on the Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action Act, by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Senate Committee on the Budget. GAO-08-238T, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-238T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08238thigh.pdf
• Critical Infrastructure Protection: Sector-Specific Plans' Coverage of Key Cyber Security Elements Varies, by David A. Powner, director, information technology management issues, before the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology and the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-08-64T, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-64T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0864thigh.pdf
• Inspectors General: Limitations of IG Oversight at the Department of State, by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, House Committee on Foreign Affairs. GAO-08-135T, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-135T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08135thigh.pdf
• Military Personnel: Considerations Related to Extending Demonstration Project on Servicemembers' Employment Rights Claims, by George H. Stalcup, director, strategic issues, before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. GAO-08-229T, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-229T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08229thigh.pdf
• Transportation Security: TSA Has Made Progress in Implementing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential Program, but Challenges Remain, by Cathleen A. Berrick, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-08-133T, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-133T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08133thigh.pdf
• Private Pensions: Information That Sponsors and Participants Need to Understand 401(k) Plan Fees, by Barbara D. Bovbjerg, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, before the House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-08-222T, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-222T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08222thigh.pdf
• Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: GAO Audits and Key Oversight Issues, by Joseph A. Christoff, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-08-231T, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-231T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08231thigh.pdf
• Stabilization and Reconstruction: Actions Needed to Improve Governmentwide Planning and Capabilities for Future Operations, by Janet A. St. Laurent, director, defense capabilities and management; and Joseph A. Christoff, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-08-228T, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-228T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08228thigh.pdf
• Maritime Security: The SAFE Port Act: Status and Implementation One Year Later, by Stephen L. Caldwell, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-08-126T, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-126T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08126thigh.pdf
• Minority Banks: Regulators' Assessments of the Effectiveness of Their Support Efforts Have Been Limited, by George A. Scott, director, financial markets and community investment, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Financial Services. GAO-08-233T, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-233T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08233thigh.pdf
• 2010 Census: Population Measures Are Important for Federal Funding Allocations, by Mathew J. Scire, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, in Dayton, Ohio GAO-08-230T, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-230T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08230thigh.pdf
  

Correspondence

• Applying Agreed-Upon Procedures: Highway Trust Fund Excise Taxes. GAO-08-202R, November 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-202R
• Applying Agreed-Upon Procedures: Airport and Airway Trust Fund Excise Taxes. GAO-08-203R, November 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-203R
• DOD Pharmacy Benefits Program: Reduced Pharmacy Costs Resulting from the Uniform Formulary and Manufacturer Rebates. GAO-08-172R, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-172R
• VA Health Care: Status of Inspector General Recommendations for Health Care Services Contracting. GAO-08-61R, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-61R
• Prescription Drugs: FDA Guidance and Regulations Related to Data on Elderly Persons in Clinical Drug Trials. GAO-07-47R, September 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-47R
  

Presentation by the Comptroller General

• "Saving Our Future Requires Tough Choices Today," by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, on the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in Baltimore, Maryland. GAO-08-241CG, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d08241cg.pdf
• "21st Century Transformation Challenges and Opportunities," by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Coast Guard Innovation Expo, in New Orleans, Louisiana. GAO-08-260CG, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d08260cg.pdf
• "America's Fiscal Future," by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Breakbulk Trade and Transportation Exhibition and Conference, in New Orleans. GAO-08-217CG, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d08217cg.pdf

More economics news as the stock market falls

Yes, yesterday was economic news as well, but when the Dow Jones Industrial Index goes down 362.12 points in one day you get more economics information.

First, yesterday the Federal Reserve Board announced a drop a 25 basis point drop in the federal funds rate to 4.5 percent (see press release). Second, in those GDP figures we discussed yesterday some people noticed what appeared to be a decrease/slowdown/who knows in the consumer spending rate.

Want to learn more? If you are lucky and the article hasn't gone into the paid site, check out the Wall Street Journal's "Stocks Tumble a Day After Rate Cut As Financials Strain Dow Industrials." For longer, more stable access, check out the New York Times' "Stocks fall on Exxon Earnings and Citi Woes."

Still want more? Check out the library's Business and Economics guides.