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 aboveground oil storage, prison construction, and international food security. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Aboveground Oil Storage Tanks: More Complete Facility Data Could Improve Implementation of EPA's Spill Prevention Program. GAO-08-482, April 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-482
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08482high.pdf
• DOD Health Care: Mental Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Screening Efforts Implemented, but Consistent Pre-Deployment Medical Record Review Policies Needed. GAO-08-615, May 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-615
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08615high.pdf
• Federal Disability Programs: More Strategic Coordination Could Help Overcome Challenges to Needed Transformation. GAO-08-635, May 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-635
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08635high.pdf
• Federal User Fees: A Design Guide. GAO-08-386SP, May 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-386SP
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08386sphigh.pdf
• Force Structure: Ship Rotational Crewing Initiatives Would Benefit from Top-Level Leadership, Navy-wide Guidance, Comprehensive Analysis, and Improved Lessons-Learned Sharing. GAO-08-418, May 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-418
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08418high.pdf
• Information Security: FDIC Sustains Progress but Needs to Improve Configuration Management of Key Financial Systems. GAO-08-564, May 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-564
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08564high.pdf
• International Food Security: Insufficient Efforts by Host Governments and Donors Threaten Progress to Halve Hunger in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2015. GAO-08-680, May 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-680
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08680high.pdf
• Military Readiness: Joint Policy Needed to Better Manage the Training and Use of Certain Forces to Meet Operational Demands. GAO-08-670, May 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-670
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08670high.pdf
• Prison Construction: Clear Communication on the Accuracy of Cost Estimates and Project Changes Is Needed. GAO-08-634, May 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-634
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08634high.pdf
• Supply Chain Security: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Has Enhanced Its Partnership with Import Trade Sectors, but Challenges Remain in Verifying Security Practices. GAO-08-240, April 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-240
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08240high.pdf
• Veterans' Benefits: Increased Focus on Evaluation and Accountability Would Enhance Training and Performance Management for Claims Processors. GAO-08-561, May 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-561
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08561high.pdf

Correspondence

• Bureau of the Public Debt: Areas for Improvement in Information Security Controls. GAO-08-625R, May 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-625R
• Department of Defense Pilot Authority for Acquiring Information Technology Services under OMB Circular A-76. GAO-08-753R, May 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-753R
• Food and Drug Administration: Agency Complied with Statutory Requirement to Reexamine Condom Labels. GAO-08-565R, April 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-565R
• Military Personnel: DOD Needs Data to Determine if Active Duty Service Has an Impact on the Ability of Guard and Reservists to Maintain Their Civilian Professional Licenses or Certificates. GAO-08-790R, May 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-790R
• Review of the President's Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request for the Defense Health Program's Private Sector Care Budget Activity Group. GAO-08-721R, May 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-721R

The Scott McClellan Flap

Scot McClellan, former White House press secretary, will release a new book in June in which he alleges that the White House "manipulated intelligence to justify the war in Iran" (May 30, 2008, NY Times). While current and former administration officials deny this and other allegations, the White House itself remains largely silent. At a "press gaggle on May 28" current press secretary Dana Perino declared that the White House would not prepare a line-by-line refutation of Mr. McClellan's book and that it wasn't in the business of "fact-checking" a memoir.

To learn more about the President and the White House, check out the Government Publication's guide to the presidents.

Congressional Research Service Reports

Congressional Research Service (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 CRS reports on the Syria, national security, health, 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:

• Defense Contracting in Iraq: Issues and Options for Congress
• The National Security Council: An Organizational Assessment
• Homeland Security Department: FY2009 Request for Appropriations
• Japan’s Nuclear Future: Policy Debate, Prospects, and U.S. Interests
• Does Price Transparency Improve Market Efficiency? Implications of Empirical Evidence in Other Markets for the Health Sector
• The “Red-Dead” Canal: Israeli-Arab Efforts to Restore the Dead Sea
• U.S. Nuclear Cooperation With India: Issues for Congress
• Nuclear Weapons: The Reliable Replacement Warhead Program
• Suits Against Terrorist States By Victims of Terrorism
• Syria: Background and U.S. Relations
• China’s Economic Conditions

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.

Phoenix Mars Lander

The Phoenix Mars lander (see image to the left) successfully landed on Mars Sunday evening. The hope is that the lander will be able to examine frozen water. Want to see some pictures and learn all about the work? Check out the NASA web site on the Phoenix.

Want some press reaction? Why not check out the Washington Post's "Mars Craft Succeeds in Soft Landing: Phoenix to Begin Search for Signs of Life Beyond Earth."

Want more space resources? 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 the combating terrorism, digital television transition, and information security. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Defense Contracting: Post-Government Employment of Former DOD Officials Needs Greater Transparency. GAO-08-485, May 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-485
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08485high.pdf
• Digital Television Transition: Majority of Broadcasters Are Prepared for the DTV Transition, but Some Technical and Coordination Issues Remain. GAO-08-510, April 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-510
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08510high.pdf
• Global Nuclear Energy Partnership: DOE Should Reassess Its Approach to Designing and Building Spent Nuclear Fuel Recycling Facilities. GAO-08-483, April 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-483
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08483high.pdf
• Information Security: TVA Needs to Address Weaknesses in Control Systems and Networks. GAO-08-526, May 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-526
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08526high.pdf
• Motor Carrier Safety: Improvements to Drug Testing Programs Could Better Identify Illegal Drug Users and Keep Them off the Road. GAO-08-600, May 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-600
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08600high.pdf
• Organ Transplant Programs: Federal Agencies Have Acted to Improve Oversight, but Implementation Issues Remain. GAO-08-412, April 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-412
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08412high.pdf

Related Product

• Digital Television Transition: GAO DTV Broadcaster Survey, (GAO-08-528SP, April 2008), an E-Supplement to GAO-08-510. GAO-08-528SP, April 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-528SP

Correspondence

• Governmentwide Accounts Payable. GAO-08-711R, May 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-711R

Testimonies

• Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of May 22, 2008, by Terrell G. Dorn, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-08-811T, May 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-811T
• Chemical Assessments: EPA's New Assessment Process Will Further Limit the Productivity and Credibility of Its Integrated Risk Information System, by John B. Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, House Committee on Science and Technology. GAO-08-810T, May 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-810T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08810thigh.pdf
• Combating Terrorism: U.S. Efforts to Address the Terrorist Threat in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas Require a Comprehensive Plan and Continued Oversight, by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. GAO-08-820T, May 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-820T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08820thigh.pdf
• High-Containment Biosafety Laboratories: DHS Lacks Evidence to Conclude That Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Can Be Done Safely on the U.S. Mainland, by Nancy R. Kingsbury, managing director, applied research and methods, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-08-821T, May 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-821T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08821thigh.pdf
• Human Capital: Workforce Diversity Governmentwide and at the Department of Homeland Security, by George H. Stalcup, director, strategic issues, before the House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-08-815T, May 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-815T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08815thigh.pdf
• Information Security: TVA Needs to Enhance Security of Critical Infrastructure Control Systems and Networks, by Gregory C. Wilshusen, director, information security issues, and Nabajyoti Barkakati, acting chief technologist, before the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-08-775T, May 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-775T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08775thigh.pdf
• Legal Services Corporation: Improvements Needed in Governance, Accountability, and Grants Management and Oversight, by Jeanette M. Franzel, director, financial management and assurance, before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-08-833T, May 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-833T
• Low-Level Radioactive Waste: Status of Disposal Availability in the United States and Other Countries, by Gene Aloise, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-08-813T, May 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-813T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08813thigh.pdf
• Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy: SSA Continues to Approve Applicants, but Millions of Individuals Have Not Yet Applied, by Barbara D. Bovbjerg, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. GAO-08-812T, May 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-812T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08812thigh.pdf
• Personnel Clearances: Key Factors for Reforming the Security Clearance Process, by Brenda S. Farrell, director, defense capabilities and management, 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-08-776T, May 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-776T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08776thigh.pdf
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Endangered Species Act Decision Making, by Robin M. Nazzaro, director, natural resources and environment, before the House Committee on Natural Resources. GAO-08-688T, May 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-688T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08688thigh.pdf

Presentation by the Acting Comptroller General

• "Auditing and Advising in a Time of Transition," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the United States, before the 17th Biennial Forum of Government Auditors, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. GAO-08-842CG, May 21, 2008
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d08842cg.pdf

Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan interrogations and the FBI

The Department of Justice Inspector General released an audit of the FBI's involvement in interrogations at Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, and Iraq. This 438 page report, "A Review of the FBI's Involvement in and Observations of Detainee Interrogations in Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, and Iraq," outlines the actions of the FBI in regards to detainee interrogations. It details practices, discussions and much more.

Don't want to read 438 pages? Why not read a media summary, "Audit Finds FBI Reports Of Detainee Abuse Ignored: Tactics Continued Against Detainees" from the Washington Post or "Detainee Report Findings Detailed" from the Wall Street Journal.

Want more crime and justice resources? Check out the library guides.

Congressional Research Service Reports this week

Congressional Research Service (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 CRS reports on the Iran, recession, climate change, 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:

• Defense Contracting in Iraq: Issues and Options for Congress
• The National Security Council: An Organizational Assessment
• Homeland Security Department: FY2009 Request for Appropriations
• Japan’s Nuclear Future: Policy Debate, Prospects, and U.S. Interests
• Does Price Transparency Improve Market Efficiency? Implications of Empirical Evidence in Other Markets for the Health Sector
• The “Red-Dead” Canal: Israeli-Arab Efforts to Restore the Dead Sea
• Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses
• Community Development Block Grant Funds in Disaster Relief and Recovery
• NATO in Afghanistan: A Test of the Transatlantic Alliance
• Suspension of Budget Enforcement Procedures During Low Economic Growth
• Revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Lead
• Cyclone Nargis and Burma's Constitutional Referendum
• Navy-Marine Corps Strike-Fighter Shortfall: Background and Options for Congress
• Evaluating the Potential for a Recession in 2008
• The "Red-Dead" Canal: Israeli-Arab Efforts to Restore the Dead Sea
• Basel II in the United States: Progress Toward a Workable Framework
• Climate Change: Costs and Benefits of S. 2191
• Section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2006: A Fact Sheet on Department of Defense Authority to Train and Equip Foreign Military Forces

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.

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

For all of you who are big statistics fans out there, one of the nice sources for economic data is the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). I haven't done an explanation of a what an international organization does in an embarrassingly long time, so today I am going to make up for that.

The OECD is made up of thirty countries, representing the largest economies in the world. Their purpose is to "support sustainable economic growth, boost employment, raise living standards, maintain financial stability, assist other countries' economic development, and contribute to growth in world trade" (from the about page).

So what? Well, what this means is they gather data and statistics on all of these things and report that information out to the rest of the world. They right in-depth reports and provide access to a variety of databases. Now if you are here on Boulder's campus we have access to their nice subscription database SourceOECD, but if you are not a student don't despair. The library has a guide linking to a variety of free sources of information from this group.

While the main focus of the OECD work is on the developed world, they do developing countries research and for a sample of that, check out the African Economic Outlook for 2008 for free online.

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 the 20110 Census, unmanned aircraft systems, nursing homes problems, and US-China trade. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• 2010 Census: Bureau Needs to Specify How It Will Access Coverage Follow-up Techniques and When It Will Produce Coverage Measurement Results. GAO-08-414, April 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-414
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08414high.pdf
• Credit and Debit Cards: Federal Entities Are Taking Actions to Limit Their Interchange Fees, but Additional Revenue Collection Cost Savings May Exist. GAO-08-558, May 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-558
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08558high.pdf
• Defense Logistics: Navy Needs to Develop and Implement a Plan to Ensure That Voyage Repairs Are Available to Ships Operating near Guam when Needed. GAO-08-427, May 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-427
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08427high.pdf
• DOD Business Systems Modernization: Military Departments Need to Strengthen Management of Enterprise Architecture Programs. GAO-08-519, May 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-519
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08519high.pdf
• DOD Business Systems Modernization: Progress in Establishing Corporate Management Controls Needs to Be Replicated Within Military Departments. GAO-08-705, May 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-705
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08705high.pdf
• Financial Audit: Congressional Award Foundation's Fiscal Years 2007 and 2006 Financial Statements. GAO-08-715, May 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-715
• Information Technology: Agriculture Needs to Strengthen Management Practices for Stabilizing and Modernizing Its Farm Program Delivery Systems. GAO-08-657, May 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-657
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08657high.pdf
• Nursing Homes: Federal Monitoring Surveys Demonstrate Continued Understatement of Serious Care Problems and CMS Oversight Weaknesses. GAO-08-517, May 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-517
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08517high.pdf
• Residential Facilities: Improved Data and Enhanced Oversight Would Help Safeguard the Well-Being of Youth with Behavioral and Emotional Challenges. GAO-08-346, May 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-346
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08346high.pdf
  
• Residential Facilities: Surveys of State Child Welfare, Health and Mental Health, and Juvenile Justice Directors (GAO-08-631SP, May 2008), an E-Supplement to GAO-08-346. GAO-08-631SP, May 13. [Internet only]
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-631SP
• Smithsonian Institution: Board of Regents Has Implemented Many Governance Reforms, but Ensuring Accountability and Oversight Will Require Ongoing Action. GAO-08-632, May 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-632
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08632high.pdf
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Federal Actions Needed to Ensure Safety and Expand Their Potential Uses within the National Airspace System. GAO-08-511, May 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-511
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08511high.pdf
• U.S.-China Trade: USTR's China Compliance Reports and Plans Could Be Improved. GAO-08-405, April 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-405
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08405high.pdf
• Workforce Development: Community Colleges and One-Stop Centers Collaborate to Meet 21st Century Workforce Needs. GAO-08-547, May 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-547
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08547high.pdf

Correspondence

• Depot Maintenance: Issues and Options for Reporting on Military Depots. GAO-08-761R, May 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-761R
• The Nation's Long-Term Fiscal Outlook: April 2008 Update. GAO-08-783R, May 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-783R

Testimonies

• Congressional Review Act: Applicability to CMS Letter on State Children's Health Insurance Program, by Dayna K. Shah, managing associate general counsel, before the Subcommittee on Health, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-08-785T, May 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-785T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08785thigh.pdf
• Defense Contracting: Progress Made in Implementing Defense Base Act Requirements, but Complete Information on Costs Is Lacking, by John K. Needham, director, acquisition and sourcing management issues, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-772T, May 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-772T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08772thigh.pdf
• Health Savings Accounts: Participation Grew, and Many HSA-Eligible Plan Enrollees Did Not Open HSAs while Individuals Who Did Had Higher Incomes, by John E. Dicken, director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Health, House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-08-802T, May 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-802T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08802thigh.pdf
• Information Management: Challenges in Implementing an Electronic Records Archive, by Linda D. Koontz, director, information management issues, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-08-738T, May 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-738T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08738thigh.pdf
• Medical Devices: FDA Faces Challenges in Conducting Inspections of Foreign Manufacturing Establishments, by Marcia G. Crosse, director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Health, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-08-780T, May 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-780T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08780thigh.pdf
• Transportation Security: Transportation Security Administration Has Strengthened Planning to Guide Investments in Key Aviation and Surface Transportation Security Programs, but More Work Remains, by Cathleen A. Berrick, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. GAO-08-487T, May 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-487T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08487thigh.pdf
• U.S. Department of Agriculture: Management of Civil Rights Efforts Continues to Be Deficient Despite Years of Attention, by Lisa R. Shames, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-755T, May 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-755T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08755thigh.pdf

Reposted Product

• No Child Left Behind Act: Education Actions Could Improve the Targeting of School Improvement Funds to Schools Most in Need of Assistance. GAO-08-380, February 29. [Reposted to correct maps on pages 21 and 28, which were reversed.]
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-380
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08380high.pdf

New reports from Britain on UFOs

It is Friday and I love it when the government provides me with perfect material for a Friday. This week the British Government released some new reports on UFOs. These reports will only be available for free for a month, so check 'em out at these sites:

• Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) in the UK Air Defence Region
• UFO Files at the National Archives (not all these are freely available)
• "Files released on UFO sitings" from BBC news

Need more or want some reports from the US? Check out the library's guide.

Polar Bear listed as a "threatened" species

The Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Polar Bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (see the press release). For more information and pictures and additional information, check out the Polar Bear Information site.

Want to read some discussion of the steps that lead to this decision in the media? Check out the Washington Post's "Polar Bear Is Named 'Threatened' Species: U.S. Cites Shrinking Arctic Ice."

Want more information on endangered species? Check out the library guide.

Congressional Research Service Reports

Congressional Research Service (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 CRS reports on the Latvia, wireless technology, the Navy, 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:

• Defense: FY2009 Authorization and Appropriations
• Second FY2008 Supplemental Appropriations for Military Operations, International Affairs, and Other Purposes
• Director of National Intelligence Statutory Authorities: Status and Proposals
• Congress’s Contempt Power: Law, History, Practice, and Procedure
• Navy LPD-17 Amphibious Ship Procurement: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
• U.S.-French Commercial Ties
• Strategic Airlift Modernization: Analysis of C-5 Modernization and C-17 Acquisition Issues
• The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria: Progress Report and Issues for Congress
• Wireless Technology and Spectrum Demand: Third Generation (3G) and Beyond
• Extending NASA's Exemption from the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act
• Rising Food Prices and Global Food Needs: The U.S. Response
• Latvia: Current Issues and U.S. Policy
• Islam in Africa

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.

Earthquake in China

As many of you have no doubt read, yesterday China had an earthquake measuring 7.9 in magnitude strike near the city of Chengdu. These are a few resources to check out on this disaster:

• Strong Earthquake Jolts SW China This compiles government articles, response, videos, and additional details on this earthquake.
• USGS record of the Earthquake This page links to USGS information (including maps and technical data) from the Earthquake Hazards Program on the earthquake.
• "Death Toll From Chinese Earthquake Exceeds 12,000: 7.9-Magnitude Temblor, Centered in Sichuan, Is Country's Worst in Decades" further details from the Washington Post.
• Library guides: China and Emergencies, conflicts and disasters
  

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 value added taxes, social security and baby boomers, prescription drugs, aviation and the environment, and flood and wind insurance. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Department of Homeland Security: Better Planning and Assessment Needed to Improve Outcomes for Complex Service Acquisitions. GAO-08-263, April 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-263
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08263high.pdf
• Employment and Training Program Grants: Evaluating Impact and Enhancing Monitoring Would Improve Accountability. GAO-08-486, May 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-486
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08486high.pdf
  
• Federal Real Property: Corps of Engineers Needs to Improve the Reliability of Its Real Property Disposal Data. GAO-08-349, May 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-349
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08349high.pdf
• Human Capital: Corps of Engineers Needs to Update Its Workforce Planning Process to More Effectively Address Its Current and Future Workforce Needs. GAO-08-596, May 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-596
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08596high.pdf
• Interagency Contracting: Need for Improved Information and Policy Implementation at the Department of State. GAO-08-578, May 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-578
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08578high.pdf
• Natural Catastrophe Insurance: Analysis of a Proposed Combined Federal Flood and Wind Insurance Program. GAO-08-504, April 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-504
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08504high.pdf
  
• Offshore Marine Aquaculture: Multiple Administrative and Environmental Issues Need to Be Addressed in Establishing a U.S. Regulatory Framework. GAO-08-594, May 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-594
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08594high.pdf
• Value-Added Taxes: Lessons Learned from Other Countries on Compliance Risks, Administrative Costs, Compliance Burden, and Transition. GAO-08-566, April 4.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-566
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08566high.pdf

Correspondence

• Preliminary Observations on the Use and Oversight of U.S. Coalition Support Funds Provided to Pakistan. GAO-08-735R, May 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-735R

Testimonies

• Aviation and the Environment: NextGen and Research and Development Are Keys to Reducing Emissions and Their Impact on Health and Climate, by Gerald L. Dillingham, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Aviation, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-08-706T, May 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-706T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08706thigh.pdf
• Department of Homeland Security: Better Planning and Oversight Needed to Improve Complex Service Acquisition Outcomes, by John P. Hutton, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-08-765T, May 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-765T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08765thigh.pdf
• Employment Verification: Challenges Exist in Implementing a Mandatory Electronic Employment Verification System, by Richard M. Stana, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Social Security, House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-08-729T, May 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-729T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08729thigh.pdf
• Human Capital: Transforming Federal Recruiting and Hiring Efforts, by Robert N. Goldenkoff, director, strategic 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-08-762T, May 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-762T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08762thigh.pdf
• Medicare: Competitive Bidding for Medical Equipment and Supplies Could Reduce Program Payments, but Adequate Oversight Is Critical, by Kathleen M. King, director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Health, House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-08-767T, May 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-767T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08767thigh.pdf
• Physical Infrastructure: Challenges and Investment Options for the Nation's Infrastructure, by Patricia A. Dalton, managing director, physical infrastructure issues, before the House Committee on the Budget and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-08-763T, May 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-763T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08763thigh.pdf
• Prescription Drugs: Trends in FDA's Oversight of Direct-to-Consumer Advertising, by Marcia G. Crosse, director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-08-758T, May 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-758T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08758thigh.pdf
  
• Social Security Administration Field Offices: Reduced Workforce Faces Challenges as Baby Boomers Retire, by Barbara D. Bovbjerg, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, before the Senate Committee on Finance. GAO-08-737T, May 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-737T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08737thigh.pdf

CRS reports available

Congressional Research Service (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 CRS reports on the Post Office, gas tax, student loans, 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:

• China’s Foreign Policy and ‘Soft Power’ in South America, Asia, and Africa
• Removing Aliens from the United States: Judicial Review of Removal Orders
• Churches and Campaign Activity: Analysis Under Tax and Campaign Finance Laws
• Second FY2008 Supplemental Appropriations for Military Operations, International Affairs, and Other Purposes
• Proposals to Ensure the Availability of Federal Student Loans During an Economic Downturn: A Brief Overview of H.R. 5715 and S. 2815
• Cleanup of U.S. Military Munitions: Authorities, Status, and Costs
• Foreign Investment, CFIUS, and Homeland Security: An Overview
• Organizing the U.S. Government for National Security: Overview of the Interagency Reform Debates
• 2008-2009 Presidential Transition: National Security Considerations and Options
• U.S. Postal Service Workforce Size and Employment Categories, 1987-2007
• Current Law and Selected Proposals Extending Unemployment Compensation
• H.R. 3185: The 401(k) Fair Disclosure for Retirement Security Act of 2007
• The Small Business Innovation Research Program: Reauthorization Efforts
• U.S. Airline Industry: Issues and Role of Congress
• The U.S. Trade Situation for Fruit and Vegetable Products
• The Strategic Petroleum Reserve: History, Perspectives, and Issues
• Suicide Prevention Among Veterans
• High Agricultural Commodity Prices: What Are the Issues?
• Transportation Fuel Taxes: Impacts of a Repeal or Moratorium

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.

Burma/Myanmar Cyclone

Cyclone Nargis hit the country of Myanmar (known as Burma by the US government) on May 3, 2008. This cyclone has devastated the area of Burma home to the previous capital of Rangoon. Currently 60,000 people are estimated missing or dead in the region. To learn more check out these resources:

• President Bush's statement on US Aid being offered and how more would be available in Burma let the disaster assessment teams into the country.
• First Lady Laura Bush's statement on the tragedy and aid (much more detail)
• UN news release with links to groups offering assistance
• NASA web imagery of the cyclone and the aftermath
• Mynamar/Burma guide (provides links to the government web pages, where there is little discussion of what is happening
• "60,000 Dead or Missing in Burma: Bush Offers Navy Units as Aid Begins to Reach Rangoon" from the Washington Post
  

Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Watching

Did you know the Census Bureau conducts a survey of people who go fishing, hunting or wildlife watching in the United States? Well, every five years since 1991, in combination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, they conduct this survey to see how often and how much money is spent.

The main site for all the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-associated recreation contains the survey reports back to 1991 for the full US, selected reports are available back to 1996 discussing an individual state. Turns out that in 2006 2.2 million Colorado residents participated in one of these activities (see full report). I guess it helps that some days you can help but see the wildlife out your window.

A lot of this activity has taken place at various national parks? So feel free to check out the library guide on parks.

Debate on whether McCain is a natural-born citizen

For those of you who aren't addicted to politics you might not know that there is a debate going on in some areas on whether or not John McCain (assumed Republican nominee for President) is a natural born citizen of the United States. The Senate stepped into the fray yesterday passing a non-binding resolution "Recognizing that John Sidney McCain, III, is a natural born citizen" (S.Res.511).

This debate has come about due to the phrase "No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States" (clause 2 of Section 1 of the Constitution). Since McCain was born on a base in Panama there is some debate on whether he meets this qualification.

Want to read a discussion of this issue? Check out the Washington Post's "McCain's Birth Abroad Stirs Legal Debate: His Eligibility for Presidency Is Questioned."

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 health savings accounts. , global HIV/AIDS, and defense infrastructure. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Chemical Assessments: Low Productivity and New Interagency Review Process Limit the Usefulness and Credibility of EPA's Integrated Risk Information System. GAO-08-440, March 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-440
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08440high.pdf
• Global HIV/AIDS: A More Country-Based Approach Could Improve Allocation of PEPFAR Funding. GAO-08-480, April 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-480
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08480high.pdf
• Health and Safety Information: EPA and OSHA Could Improve Their Processes for Preparing Communication Products. GAO-08-265, March 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-265
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08265high.pdf
• Military Transformation: DOD Needs to Strengthen Implementation of Its Global Strike Concept and Provide a Comprehensive Investment Approach for Acquiring Needed Capabilities. GAO-08-325, April 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-325
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08325high.pdf

Special/Related Product

• Global HIV/AIDS: Survey of PEPFAR Country Team Officials (GAO-08-534SP), an E-supplement to GAO-08-480. GAO-08-534SP, April 2. [Internet only]
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-534SP

Correspondence

• Defense Transportation: DOD Should Ensure that the Final Size and Mix of Airlift Force Study Plan Includes Sufficient Detail to Meet the Terms of the Law and Inform Decision Makers. GAO-08-704R, April 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-704R
• Economic and Other Implications of Switching from Coal to Natural Gas at the Capitol Power Plant and at Electricity-Generating Units Nationwide. GAO-08-601R, May 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-601R
• Status of Implementation of GAO Recommendations on Evacuation of Transportation-Disadvantaged Populations and Patients and Residents of Health Care Facilities. GAO-08-544R, April 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-544R
  
• VA and DOD Health Care: Progress Made on Implementation of 2003 President's Task Force Recommendations on Collaboration and Coordination, but More Remains to Be Done. GAO-08-495R, April 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-495R

Testimonies

• Defense Acquisitions: Results of Annual Assessment of DOD Weapon Programs, by Michael J. Sullivan, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-674T, April 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-674T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08674thigh.pdf
• Defense Infrastructure: Planning Efforts for the Proposed Military Buildup on Guam Are in Their Initial Stages, with Many Challenges Yet to Be Addressed, by Brian J. Lepore, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. GAO-08-722T, May 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-722T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08722thigh.pdf
• Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request: U.S. Government Accountability Office, statement for the record by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the United States, before the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Senate Committee on Appropriations. GAO-08-707T, April 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-707T
• Higher Education: Multiple Higher Education Tax Incentives Create Opportunities for Taxpayers to Make Costly Mistakes, by Michael Brostek, director, tax issues, strategic issues, and George A. Scott, director, higher education issues, education, workforce, and income security, before the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-08-717T, May 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-717T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08717thigh.pdf
• Older Workers: Federal Agencies Face Challenges, but Have Opportunities to Hire and Retain Experienced Employees, by Barbara D. Bovbjerg, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, and Robert N. Goldenkoff, director, strategic issues, before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. GAO-08-630T, April 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-630T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08630thigh.pdf
• Toxic Chemicals: EPA's New Assessment Process Will Increase Challenges EPA Faces in Evaluating and Regulating Chemicals, by John B. Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. GAO-08-743T, April 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-743T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08743thigh.pdf
• U.S. Capitol Police: Status of Efforts to Address Prior GAO Recommendations on Administrative and Management Operations, by Richard M. Stana, director, homeland security and justice, and other GAO officials, before the Subcommittee on Capitol Security, House Committee on House Administration. GAO-08-540T, May 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-540T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08540thigh.pdf
• Utility Regulation: Opportunities Exist to Improve Oversight, by Mark E. Gaffigan, director, natural resources and environment, before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. GAO-08-752T, May 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-752T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08752thigh.pdf

Country Reports on Terrorism

The U.S. State Department has just released the Country Reports on Terrorism for 2007. These reports examine both individual countries as well as particular areas of concern in regards to terrorism. These reports have been being issued in some form (the older version under the title Patterns of Global Terrorism) since 1968. If you would like to view them online they are available back to 1995.

Want to read some media reaction? There isn't a lot yet, but the New York Times has written "Attacks in Pakistan Rising, State Department Reports."

Want more on terrorism? Check out the library guide.

Congressional Research Service Reports

Well, I waited a few extra days, but it appears wither Congress isn't releasing or we are all tired at the end of the semester and there aren't as many Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports 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 CRS reports on the Iraq, presidential privilege, military, 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:

• Africa Command: U.S. Strategic Interests and the Role of the U.S. Military in Africa
• High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) and High Power Microwave (HPM) Devices: Threat Assessments
• Second FY2008 Supplemental Appropriations for Military Operations, International Affairs, and Other Purposes
  
• Iraq: Regional Perspectives and U.S. Policy
• Operation Iraqi Freedom: Strategies, Approaches, Results, and Issues for Congress
• Major U.S. Arms Sales and Grants to Pakistan Since 2001″ (fact sheet)
• Pakistan-U.S. Relations
• Presidential Claims of Executive Privilege: History, Law, Practice and Recent Developments

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.