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 sexual assault prevention in the military, FAA airspace redesign, and Medicare. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• FAA Airspace Redesign: An Analysis of the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia Project. GAO-08-786, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-786
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08786high.pdf
• Grants Management: Attention Needed to Address Undisbursed Balances in Expired Grant Accounts. GAO-08-432, August 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-432
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08432high.pdf
• Medicare Part D: Some Plan Sponsors Have Not Completely Implemented Fraud and Abuse Programs, and CMS Oversight Has Been Limited. GAO-08-760, July 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-760
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08760high.pdf
• Military Personnel: DOD's and the Coast Guard's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Programs Face Implementation and Oversight Challenges. GAO-08-924, August 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-924
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08924high.pdf
• Supply Chain Security: CBP Works with International Entities to Promote Global Customs Security Standards and Initiatives, but Challenges Remain. GAO-08-538, August 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-538
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08538high.pdf

Correspondence

• Hurricane Katrina: Continuing Debris Removal and Disposal Issues. GAO-08-985R, August 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-985R

UN Finds Airstrikes Killed Afghan Civilians

An article in the Washington Post today reports that United Nations officials found "convincing evidence" that at least 90 civilians--two-thirds of them children--were killed in last week's U.S.-led airstrike that prompted the Afghan government to call for a review of U.S. and NATO military operations in the country.

Kai Eide, Afghanistan's Special Representative for the UN Secretary-General, said witnesses in the western province of Herat corroborated claims that 60 children and 30 adults had been killed in an August 21 military operation. You can read Eide's official statement on the website of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The UN also provides an account of its investigative findings at the UN News Centre.

For links to Afghanistan's government web pages, see our own country page on Afghanistan. If you'd like more online resources from the UN, see our web page devoted to this organization. We also encourage you to check out our numerous subject guides, which include resources on such topics as human rights and foreign relations.

Congressional Research Service Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on presidential claims of executive privilege; Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's financial problems; AIDs funding; nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and missiles; and other topics. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to distribute CRS reports 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 reports discovered by Open CRS.

• Federalism, State Sovereignty and the Constitution: Basis and Limits of Congressional Power


• The Social Security Number: Legal Developments Affecting Its Collection, Disclosure, and Confidentiality


• Presidential Claims of Executive Privilege: History, Law, Practice and Recent Developments


• GAO: Government Accountability Office and General Accounting Office


• Federal Government Corporations: An Overview


• The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: An Overview of the Statutory Framework and U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review Decisions
  


• Advanced Vehicle Technologies: Energy, Environment, and Development Issues


• The National Debt: Who Bears Its Burden?


• The Quasi Government: Hybrid Organizations with Both Government and Private Sector Legal Characteristics


• United Nations Regular Budget Contributions: Members Compared, 1989-2006


• EU-U.S. Economic Ties: Framework, Scope, and Magnitude


• Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Security Issues and Implications for U.S. Interests


• Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons and Missiles: Status and Trends


• Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide: Federal Assistance Programs


• AIDS Funding for Federal Government Programs: FY1981-FY2009


• Presidential Transitions


• Reserve Component Personnel Issues: Questions and Answers


• Title X (Public Health Service Act) Family Planning Program


• Enrollment of Legislation: Relevant Congressional Procedures


• U.S. Army's Modular Redesign: Issues for Congress


• Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's Financial Problems: Frequently Asked Questions


• Federal Lands Managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service (FS): Issues for the 110th Congress


• Animal Drug User Fee Programs


• Rejection of Collective Bargaining Agreements in Chapter 11 Bankruptcies: Legal Analysis of Changes to 11 U.S.C. Section 1113 Proposed in H.R. 3652 — The Protecting Employees and Retirees Act of 2007


• NATO in Afghanistan: A Test of the Transatlantic Alliance

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

Democratic National Convention Descends on Denver

Many eyes are on Colorado this week as the Democratic National Convention takes place in Denver. According to the City of Denver's website on DNC information, 35,000 are expected to visit the Mile High City for this event, and featured speakers include a host of political luminaries such as Hillary Clinton, Joseph Biden, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and, of course, presumed presidential nominee Barack Obama. The Denver Post's Politics West website also provides a variety of information on the DNC, including the podium schedule, a map of Denver, breaking news, and links to articles about party insiders as well as demonstrators.

The 35,000 figure mentioned on the City's website probably doesn't include the array of demonstrators who have planned various protests during the DNC. Fourteen entities sued the City and County of Denver, the U.S. Secret Service, Denver Police Department Deputy Chief of Operations Michael Battista, and Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan, claiming that convention security restrictions violated their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and assembly.

The City of Denver website provides a summary detailing how U.S. District Court Judge Marcia Krieger upheld Denver security plans in her August 6 ruling. The Rocky Mountain News provides a link to Judge Krieger's court opinion, in which you can read about specific details of parade routes as well as the concrete-barrier-enclosed, chain-link-fence-topped Public Demonstration Zone specially designated by the City for demonstrators to "freely exercise their First Amendment rights."

Need more information related to the DNC? Check out our long list of subject guides for resources on such topics as politics and homeland security.

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 FDA and Mifeprex, supply chain security, and hardrock mining. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Food and Drug Administration: Approval and Oversight of the Drug Mifeprex. GAO-08-751, August 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-751
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08751high.pdf
• PBGC Assets: Implementation of New Investment Policy Will Need Stronger Board Oversight. GAO-08-667, July 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-667
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08667high.pdf
• Supply Chain Security: CBP Works with International Entities to Promote Global Customs Security Standards and Initiatives, but Challenges Remain. GAO-08-538, August 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-538
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08538high.pdf

Correspondence

• Chemical Safety Board: Improvements in Management and Oversight Are Needed. GAO-08-864R, August 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-864R
• Hardrock Mining: Information on State Royalties and Trends in Mineral Imports and Exports. GAO-08-849R, July 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-849R
• Superfund: Funding and Reported Costs of Enforcement and Administration Activities. GAO-08-841R, July 18.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-841R

FDA Allows Irradiation of Lettuce and Spinach

Today the Food and Drug Administration is amending its food additives regulations to allow food producers to irradiate fresh spinach and iceberg lettuce. The New York Times reports that this is the first time the FDA has allowed for the irradiation of produce at levels that will protect against illness.

You can read the FDA's Main Consumer Health Information Page for the agency's summary of its ruling. The ruling appears today in the Federal Register, which states that ionizing radiation will not only control food-borne pathogens but will also extend the shelf life of fresh spinach and iceberg lettuce. Anyone can send objections or requests for hearings on the ruling (Docket No. FDA–1999–F–2405) by September 22, 2008. To do this online, go to Regulations.gov.

If you would like to find more government and non-government resources dealing with the subject of food irradiation or food safety, see our Food Supply subject guide, which provides both national and international sources of information.

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 reports on Russia, Georgia, energy 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:

• Russia-Georgia Conflict in South Ossetia: Context and Implications for U.S. Interests
• Stability in Russia’s Chechnya and Other Regions of the North Caucasus: Recent Developments
• Russian Political, Economic, and Security Issues and U.S. Interests
• Enemy Combatant Detainees: Habeas Corpus Challenges in Federal Court
• Journalists’ Privilege: Overview of the Law and Legislation in the 109th and 110th Congresses
• U.S.-China Counterterrorism Cooperation: Issues for U.S. Policy
• National Security Strategy: Legislative Mandates, Execution to Date, and Considerations for Congress
• Nanotechnology and Environmental, Health, and Safety: Issues for Consideration
• Nuclear Cooperation with Other Countries: A Primer

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.

Congress Reauthorizes Higher Education Act

Both houses of the U.S. congress approved a reauthorization of the Higher Education Act on July 31. The Higher Education Opportunities Act requires colleges and universities to report more details about costs, prices, and tuition increases to the Department of Education. The bill also simplifies Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms and increases the availability of Pell grants. You can read about the legislation in the New York Times.

The Bill Summary & Status page for this legislation, available through the Library of Congress' website THOMAS, indicates that the approved bill became Public Law 110-315 on August 14. This bill summary and status page also contains links to related bills, amendments, congressional actions, and other useful information that can help you trace the bill from its inception to its current status as a law.

To read the Department of Education's response to the new legislation, see the press release statement by Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. For additional government resources on education, see the Government Publications Library's Educational Resources web page.

President Pervez Musharraf Resigns in Pakistan

Pakistani President Pervez Musharrafv resigned this morning under the threat of impeachment. You can find information from the resignation at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. There is both the resignation and reaction on the site. Interestingly, the Presidential web site has already been updated.

Want some media reaction? Check out the Washington Post's "Musharraf Resigns as President of Pakistan."

Want more information on Pakistan? 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 private pensions and military base realignments and closures. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Drug Control: Cooperation with Many Major Drug Transit Countries Has Improved, but Better Performance Reporting and Sustainability Plans Are Needed. GAO-08-784, July 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-784
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08784high.pdf
• International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005: Agencies Have Implemented Some, but Not All of the Act's Requirements. GAO-08-862, August 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-862
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08862high.pdf
• Private Pensions: Fulfilling Fiduciary Obligations Can Present Challenges for 401(k) Plan Sponsors. GAO-08-774, July 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-774
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08774high.pdf
• Tax Administration: Comparison of the Reported Tax Liabilities of Foreign- and U.S.-Controlled Corporations, 1998-2005. GAO-08-957, July 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-957
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08957high.pdf
• Transportation Security: TSA Has Developed a Risk-Based Covert Testing Program, but Could Better Mitigate Aviation Security Vulnerabilities Identified Through Covert Tests. GAO-08-958, August 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-958
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08958high.pdf

Correspondence

• Military Base Realignments and Closures: Army Is Developing Plans to Transfer Functions from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, but Challenges Remain. GAO-08-1010R, August 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1010R
• Military Personnel: Improvements Needed to Increase Effectiveness of DOD's Programs to Promote Positive Working Relationships between Reservists and Their Employers. GAO-08-981R, August 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-981R
• Review of Transportation Security Administration's Air Cargo Screening Exemptions Report. GAO-08-1055R, August 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1055R
• Schedule and Timing Issues Complicate Withholding Premiums for Medicare Parts C and D from Social Security Payments. GAO-08-816R, July 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-816R

Related Products

• Private Pensions: GAO Survey of 401(k) Plan Sponsor Practices (GAO-08-870SP, July 2008), an E-supplement to GAO-08-774. GAO-08-870SP, July 16. [Internet only]
  http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/gao-08-870sp
• Defense Acquisitions: Department of Defense Needs Framework for Balancing Investments in Tactical Radios. GAO-08-877, August 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-877
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08877high.pdf
• Defense Critical Infrastructure: Adherence to Guidance Would Improve DOD's Approach to Identifying and Assuring the Availability of Critical Transportation Assets. GAO-08-851, August 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-851
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08851high.pdf

Endangered Species Act Regulatory Changes Proposed

On Monday Dick Kempthorne, Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, announced that the department would be proposing changes to the way the Endangered Species Act is regulated. An article in the New York Times stated that "the draft rules would bar federal agencies from assessing the emissions from projects that contribute to global warming and its effect on species and habitats."

The Interior Department's August 11 press release about the proposal calls the changes "narrow," but an August 13 blog entry by the New York Times editorial board raises concerns that it would be a "major gutting of the act." Decide for yourself when the proposed changes appear in the Federal Register on Friday, August 15.

You can read the full text of the ESA at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's website. Need more resources on or related to the ESA? For U.S. and international government as well as nongovernmental resources, check out our subject guide devoted to this particular topic.

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 Taiwan, terrorism, finance, 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 OpenCRS:

• The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC): An Overview
• China's "Hot Money" Problems
• Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods
• Retroactive Immunity Provided by the FISA Amendments Act of 2008
• Intelligence Reform at the Department of Energy: Policy Issues and Organizational Alternatives
• Community Acceptance of Carbon Capture and Sequestration Infrastructure: Siting Challenges
• Islamic Finance: Overview and Policy Concerns
• H.R. 6500, The Thrift Savings Plan Enhancement Act of 2008
• Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Legislative Initiatives
• Misuse of Government Purchase Cards
• Credit Default Swaps: Frequently Asked Questions
• Panama: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations
• Suits against Terrorist States by Victims of Terrorism
• The U.S. Secret Service: An Examination and Analysis of Its Evolving Missions
• Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales Since 1990
• The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan and Enhanced Base Security Since 9/11
• Foreign Science and Engineering Presence in U.S. Institutions and the Labor Force
• Tajikistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests
• U.S.-Latin American Trade: Recent Trends
• Homosexuals and U.S. Military Policy: Current Issues
• North Korea: Terrorism List Removal?
• Violence Against Women Act: History, Federal Funding, and Reauthorizing Legislation
• Kosovo and U.S. Policy
• Financing Issues and Economic Effects of Past American Wars
• Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-War Governance
• Presidential Advisers'' Testimony Before Congressional Committees: A Brief Overview

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.

Violence Escalates in Georgia

Heavy fighting broke out in the Republic of Georgia on Friday, August 8, as Georgia and Russia clashed over the region of South Ossetia. This BBC News article describes some of the issues of conflict between the two former Soviet republics.

The United Nations Security Council held its fourth meeting in three days to discuss the conflict. You can learn more about the meeting via the UN News Centre or read the UN Secretary-General's statement calling for an end to the violence.

The BBC News article mentions Georgia's aims for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Go directly to NATO's website to learn more about NATO's relations with Georgia.

The Government Publications Library provides many helpful links to web pages for the UN, NATO, and other international organizations via its International Organizations web page. For links to the government web pages of foreign countries, such as Russia and Georgia, check out our country 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 stabilizing and rebuilding Iraq, Medicare and Medicaid, and the role of the U.S. Government Accountability Office. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Managing Potential Economic Impact of Applying U.S. Immigration Law Requires Coordinated Federal Decisions and Additional Data. GAO-08-791, August 4.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-791
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08791high.pdf
• DOD Business Systems Modernization: Key Navy Programs' Compliance with DOD's Federated Business Enterprise Architecture Needs to Be Adequately Demonstrated. GAO-08-972, August 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-972
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08972high.pdf
• DOD Business Transformation: Air Force's Current Approach Increases Risk That Asset Visibility Goals and Transformation Priorities Will Not Be Achieved. GAO-08-866, August 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-866
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08866high.pdf
• Medicare and Medicaid: CMS and State Efforts to Interact with the Indian Health Service and Indian Tribes. GAO-08-724, July 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-724
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08724high.pdf
• Medicare: Covert Testing Exposes Weaknesses in the Durable Medical Equipment Supplier Screening Process. GAO-08-955, July 3.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-955
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08955high.pdf
  
• Stabilizing and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Revenues, Expenditures, and Surplus. GAO-08-1031, August 5.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1031
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081031high.pdf

Presentation by the Acting Comptroller General

• "The Role of the U.S. Government Accountability Office," a presentation by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the United States, before the House Democracy Assistance Commission, in Washington, D.C. GAO-08-1089CG, July 31, 2008.
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d081089cg.pdf

Reposted Products

• "The Role of the U.S. Government Accountability Office," a presentation by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the United States, before the House Democracy Assistance Commission, in Washington, D.C. GAO-08-1089CG, July 31, 2008. [Reposted to correct several slides with corrupted or missing text.]
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d081089cg.pdf

Bin Laden's Driver Sentenced by Military Panel

Salim Ahmed Hamdan, who was Osama bin Laden's driver, was sentenced to 66 months in prison by a military panel under the Military Commissions Act of 2006. Want to read more about this decision? Check out these sources:

• Bin Laden Driver Sentenced to 66 Months in Prison This is the Department of Defense press release on the decision.
• "Bin Laden Driver Gets 5 1/2 Years" This is an article from the Washington Post on the Hamdan sentencing.
• "Bin Laden Driver's Sentence Signals Doubts About Cases" This Wall Street Journal article offers another perspective on the Hamdan ruling.

Still not enough resources? Why not check out the library's guides to Crime and Justice.

CRS 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 reports on defense, FISA, appropriations 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:

• Department of Defense Fuel Costs in Iraq
• The Global Nuclear Detection Architecture: Issues for Congress
• Foreign Science and Engineering Presence in U.S. Institutions and the Labor Force
• Intelligence Reform at the Department of Energy: Policy Issues and Organizational Alternatives
• Retroactive Immunity Provided by the FISA Amendments Act of 2008
• Islamic Finance: Overview and Policy Concerns
• Presidential Advisers’ Testimony Before Congressional Committees: An Overview
• China’s Foreign Policy: What Does It Mean for U.S. Global Interests?
• Navy DDG-1000 Destroyer Program: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress
• A Parliamentary-Style Question Period: Proposals and Issues for Congress
• The U.S. Secret Service: An Examination and Analysis of Its Evolving Missions
• Terrorism and Security Issues Facing the Water Infrastructure Sector
• FY2009 National Defense Authorization Act: Selected Military Personnel Policy Issues
• Veterans Medical Care: FY2009 Appropriations
• Annual Appropriations Acts: Consideration During Lame-Duck Sessions

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.

International AIDS conference

The International AIDS conference is occurring in Mexico City this week. This conference is sponsored by the International AIDS society, but is also co-sponsored a variety of international organizations. In honor of the conference I thought people might like to also have some links to resources for this area:

• UNAIDS is the joint organization bringing together all the various UN groups associated with HIV/AIDS. This is the biggest source of information on an international level.
  
• Global Health Atlas This is a database with sheet of information on HIV/AIDS on the country level.
• Health and Medical Information This is the library guide to Health and Medical Information.
• A Virus Without Borders This is a collection of articles from the Washington Post on HIV/AIDS.

FCC Rules that Comcast Violates Federal Policy

The Federal Communications Commission has ruled that telecommunications provider Comcast violated federal policy by selectively blocking customers' peer-to-peer connections on the Internet. The FCC has ordered Comcast to submit a compliance plan by the end of 2008 that describes how it intends to eliminate these practices.

The media is reporting that the FCC's ruling sets a precedent for Internet neutrality in the United States. You can read an article about this ruling in the Washington Post. You can also access the FCC's news release by going to the agency's home page, which features links to statements by the three commissioners who voted in favor of the ruling and the two who voted against it.

The Government Publications Library provides access to web pages for the FCC and numerous other federal government agencies. From the Government Publications Library's home page click on the U.S., State, and Local Governments heading and then click on the U.S. Government Agencies subheading below it. You can also check out our Telecommunications subject guide for additional links to U.S. and international resources about telecommunications laws, policies, and standards.

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 African American children in foster care, the food stamp program, Veterans Affairs, bankruptcy reform, and tax compliance by businesses. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Airline Industry: Potential Mergers and Acquisitions Driven by Financial and Competitive Pressures. GAO-08-845, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-845
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08845high.pdf
• Ballistic Missile Defense: Actions Needed to Improve Process for Identifying and Addressing Combatant Command Priorities. GAO-08-740, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-740
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08740high.pdf
• Bankruptcy Reform: Dollar Costs Associated with the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. GAO-08-697, June 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-697
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08697high.pdf
  
• Border Security: State Department Is Taking Steps to Meet Projected Surge in Demand for Visas and Passports in Mexico. GAO-08-1006, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1006
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081006high.pdf
• Combating Terrorism: Action Needed to Enhance Implementation of Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership. GAO-08-860, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-860
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08860high.pdf
• Defense Acquisitions: Cost to Deliver Zumwalt-Class Destroyers Likely to Exceed Budget. GAO-08-804, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-804
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08804high.pdf
• DOD Business Systems Modernization: Key Marine Corps System Acquisition Needs to Be Better Justified, Defined, and Managed. GAO-08-822, July 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-822
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08822high.pdf
  
• Electronic Health Records: DOD and VA Have Increased Their Sharing of Health Information, but More Work Remains. GAO-08-954, July 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-954
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08954high.pdf
• Food Stamp Program: Options for Delivering Financial Incentives to Participants for Purchasing Targeted Foods. GAO-08-415, July 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-415
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08415high.pdf
• Human Rights: U.S. Government's Efforts to Address Alleged Abuse of Household Workers by Foreign Diplomats with Immunity Could Be Strengthened. GAO-08-892, July 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-892
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08892high.pdf
• Information Security: Federal Agency Efforts to Encrypt Sensitive Information Are Under Way, but Work Remains. GAO-08-525, June 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-525
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08525high.pdf
• Information Technology: Agencies Need to Establish Comprehensive Policies to Address Changes to Projects' Cost, Schedule, and Performance Goals. GAO-08-925, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-925
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08925high.pdf
• Medicare Part D: Complaint Rates Are Declining, but Operational and Oversight Challenges Remain. GAO-08-719, June 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-719
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08719high.pdf
• Post-Government Employment Restrictions and Foreign Agent Registration: Additional Action Needed to Enhance Implementation of Requirements. GAO-08-855, July 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-855
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08855high.pdf
• Prescription Drugs: FDA's Oversight of the Promotion of Drugs for Off-Label Uses. GAO-08-835, July 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-835
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08835high.pdf
  
• Rebuilding Iraq: DOD and State Department Have Improved Oversight and Coordination of Private Security Contractors in Iraq, but Further Actions Are Needed to Sustain Improvements. GAO-08-966, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-966
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08966high.pdf
• Safe Routes to School: Progress in Implementing the Program, but a Comprehensive Plan to Evaluate Program Outcomes Is Needed. GAO-08-789, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-789
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08789high.pdf
• Tax Compliance: Businesses Owe Billions in Federal Payroll Taxes. GAO-08-617, July 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-617
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08617high.pdf
• Tax Expenditures: Available Data Are Insufficient to Determine the Use and Impact of Indian Reservation Depreciation. GAO-08-731, June 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-731
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08731high.pdf
• Telecommunications: Agencies Are Generally Following Sound Transition Planning Practices, and GSA Is Taking Action to Resolve Challenges. GAO-08-759, June 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-759
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08759high.pdf
• Veterans Affairs: Continued Action Needed to Reduce IT Equipment Losses and Correct Control Weaknesses. GAO-08-918, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-918
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08918high.pdf
• Veterans Affairs: Health Information System Modernization Far from Complete; Improved Project Planning and Oversight Needed. GAO-08-805, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-805
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08805high.pdf

Testimonies

• African American Children in Foster Care: HHS and Congressional Actions Could Help Reduce Proportion in Care, by Kay Brown, director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-08-1064T, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1064T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081064thigh.pdf
• Chesapeake Bay Program: Recent Actions Are Positive Steps Toward More Effectively Guiding the Restoration Effort, by Anu K. Mittal, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-08-1033T, July 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1033T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081033thigh.pdf
• Defense Acquisitions: Zumwalt-Class Destroyer Program Emblematic of Challenges Facing Navy Shipbuilding, by Paul L. Francis, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-08-1061T, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1061T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081061thigh.pdf
• Indian Health Service: Mismanagement Led to Millions of Dollars in Lost or Stolen Property and Wasteful Spending, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. GAO-08-1069T, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1069T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081069thigh.pdf
• Information Technology: OMB and Agencies Need to Improve Planning, Management, and Oversight of Projects Totaling Billions of Dollars, by David A. Powner, director, information technology 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-08-1051T, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1051T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081051thigh.pdf
• Military Personnel: Preliminary Observations on DOD's and the Coast Guard's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Programs, by Brenda S. Farrell, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-1013T, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1013T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081013thigh.pdf
• Personnel Security Clearances: Preliminary Observations on Joint Reform Efforts to Improve the Governmentwide Clearance Eligibility Process, by Brenda S. Farrell, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. GAO-08-1050T, July 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1050T
• Tax Compliance: Businesses Owe Billions in Federal Payroll Taxes, by Steven J. Sebastian, director, financial management and assurance, before the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-08-1034T, July 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1034T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081034thigh.pdf
  
• Veterans Health Administration: Improvements Needed in Design of Controls over Miscellaneous Obligations, by Kay L. Daly, acting director, financial management and assurance, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. GAO-08-1056T, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1056T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081056thigh.pdf

Correspondence

• DOD Financial Management: Adjudication of Butterbaugh Claims for the Restoration of Annual Leave or Pay. GAO-08-948R, July 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-948R
• Examples of Job Hopping by Commercial Drivers after Failing Drug Tests. GAO-08-829R, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-829R
• Financial Management: DOD's Ability to Prevent, Identify, Investigate, and Report on Antideficiency Act Violations. GAO-08-941R, July 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-941R
• Surface Transportation Programs: Proposals Highlight Key Issues and Challenges in Restructuring the Programs. GAO-08-843R, July 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-843R
• TSA's Explosives Detection Canine Program: Status of Increasing Number of Explosives Detection Canine Teams. GAO-08-933R, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-933R
• United States Postal Service: Information on the Irradiation of Federal Mail in the Washington, D.C., Area. GAO-08-938R, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-938R

Comptroller General Forum

• Highlights of a Forum Convened by the Comptroller General of the United States: Enhancing U.S. Partnerships in Countering Transnational Terrorism. GAO-08-887SP, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-887SP
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08887sphigh.pdf

Reposted Products

• State Department: Comprehensive Strategy Needed to Improve Passport Operations. GAO-08-891, July 25. [File revised to insert correct graphic for figure 2 on page 10.]
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-891
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08891high.pdf
• Federal Records: National Archives and Selected Agencies Need to Strengthen E-Mail Management.GAO-08-742, June 13. [File revised to correct figure 1 on page 13.]
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-742
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08742high.pdf
  

Guidances

• Federal Information System Controls Audit Manual (FISCAM): Exposure Draft. GAO-08-1029G, July 2008. [Internet only]
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1029G
• Financial Audit Manual. (Issued jointly by GAO and the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency.) Vol. 1 (Audit Methodology). GAO-08-585G, July 2008.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-585G
• Financial Audit Manual. (Issued jointly by GAO and the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency.) Vol. 2 (Audit Tools). GAO-08-586G, July 2008.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-586G