Congressional Research Service (CRS) 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 a comparative analysis of provisions in different versions of the health reform bill making its way through Congress. Other reports cover topics such as Latin American and Caribbean leaders, financial market supervision, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Although 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. These reports were discovered by OpenCRS:

• China's Assistance and Government-Sponsored Investment Activities in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia
• A Comparative Analysis of Private Health Insurance Provisions of H.R. 3962 and S.Amdt. 2786 to H.R. 3590
  
• The Federal Budget: Current and Upcoming Issues
  
• Financial Market Supervision: Canada's Perspective
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections
  
• The Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Background and Legislative Issues
  
• Tactical Aircraft Modernization: Issues for Congress
• Veterans Affairs: Basic Eligibility for Disability Benefit Programs
• V-22 Osprey Tilt-Rotor Aircraft: Background and Issues for Congress
  
• VH-71/VXX Presidential Helicopter Program: Background and Issues for Congress

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.

GAO Reports

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. Last week GAO investigated Medicaid, the International Space Station, managing sensitive information, and other topics. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

Medicaid: Ongoing Federal Oversight of Payments to Offset Uncompensated Hospital Care Costs Is Warranted. GAO-10-69, November 20.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-69
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1069high.pdf

International Space Station: Significant Challenges May Limit Onboard Research. GAO-10-9, November 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-9
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d109high.pdf

State and Local Government Retiree Health Benefits: Liabilities Are Largely Unfunded, but Some Governments Are Taking Action. GAO-10-61, November 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-61
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1061high.pdf

Managing Sensitive Information: Actions Needed to Prevent Unintended Public Disclosures of U.S. Nuclear Sites and Activities. GAO-10-251, December 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-251
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10251high.pdf


Correspondence

Nursing Homes: Opportunities Exist to Facilitate the Use of the Temporary Management Sanction. GAO-10-37R, November 20.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-37R


Press Release

GAO Announces Appointments to New
Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
http://www.gao.gov/press/macpac_2009dec23.html

GAO Reports

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week GAO investigated the flu, money laundering, juvenile justice, and other topics. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

Influenza Pandemic: Monitoring and Assessing the Status of the National Pandemic Implementation Plan Needs Improvement. GAO-10-73, November 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-73
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1073high.pdf

Anti-Money Laundering: Improved Communication Could Enhance the Support FinCEN Provides to Law Enforcement. GAO-10-141, December 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-141
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10141high.pdf

U.S. Postal Service: The Program for Reassessing Work Provided to Injured Employees Is Under Way, but Actions Are Needed to Improve Program Management. GAO-10-78, December 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-78
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1078high.pdf

VA Construction: VA is Working to Improve Initial Project Cost Estimates, but Should Analyze Cost and Schedule Risks. GAO-10-189, December 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-189
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10189high.pdf

Department of Homeland Security: Actions Taken Toward Management Integration, but a Comprehensive Strategy Is Still Needed. GAO-10-131, November 20.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-131
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10131high.pdf

Formula Grants: Funding for the Largest Federal Assistance Programs Is Based on Census-Related Data and Other Factors. GAO-10-263, December 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-263
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10263high.pdf

UN Office for Project Services: Management Reforms Proceeding but Effectiveness Not Assessed, and USAID's Oversight of Grants Has Weaknesses. GAO-10-168, November 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-168
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10168high.pdf

Juvenile Justice: DOJ Is Enhancing Information on Effective Programs, but Could Better Assess the Utility of This Information. GAO-10-125, December 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-125
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10125high.pdf

DOD Civilian Personnel: Intelligence Personnel System Incorporates Safeguards, but Opportunities Exist for Improvement. GAO-10-134, December 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-134
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10134high.pdf

Biosurveillance: Developing a Collaboration Strategy Is Essential to Fostering Interagency Data and Resource Sharing. GAO-10-171, December 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-171
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10171high.pdf

Softwood Lumber Act of 2008: Customs and Border Protection Established Required Procedures, but Agencies Report Little Benefit from New Requirements. GAO-10-220, December 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-220
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10220high.pdf


Correspondences

Status of GAO Recommendations to the Department of Defense (Fiscal Years 2001-2008). GAO-10-211R, December 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-211R

Overseas Contingency Operations: Funding and Cost Reporting for the Department of Defense. GAO-10-288R, December 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-288R

Department of Veterans Affairs' Implementation of Information Security Education Assistance Program. GAO-10-170R, December 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-170R


Testimonies

Troubled Asset Relief Program: The U.S. Government Role as Shareholder in AIG, Citigroup, Chrysler, and General Motors and Preliminary Views on its Investment Management Activities, by Orice Williams Brown, director, financial markets and community investment, and A. Nicole Clowers, acting director, physical infrastructure, before the Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-325T, December 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-325T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10325thigh.pdf

Veterans Health Administration: Inadequate Controls over Miscellaneous Obligations Increase Risk over Procurement Transactions, by Kay L. Daly, director, financial management and assurance, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. GAO-10-307T, December 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-307T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10307thigh.pdf

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program: Case Studies Show Fraud and Abuse Allowed Ineligible Firms to Obtain Millions of Dollars in Contracts, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. GAO-10-306T, December 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-306T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10306thigh.pdf

Department of Homeland Security: A Comprehensive Strategy Is Still Needed to Achieve Management Integration Departmentwide, by Bernice Steinhardt, 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-10-318T, December 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-318T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10318thigh.pdf

Impoundment Control Act: Use and Impact of Rescission Procedures, by Susan A. Poling, managing associate general counsel, office of general counsel, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-10-320T, December 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-320T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10320thigh.pdf


Reissued Product

Emergency Management: Preliminary Observations on FEMA's Community Preparedness Programs Related to the National Preparedness System, by William O. Jenkins, Jr., director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-10-105T, October 1.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-105T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10105thigh.pdf

Some Want Census to Count Prisoners in Home Towns

Some African American leaders, worried that minorities will be undercounted in the 2010 Census, are insisting that inmates at federal and state prisons be counted in their home communities rather than the towns where they are incarcerated. In this article in the Washington Post, Marc H. Morial, president of the National Urban League, is reported to claim that "the practice now shortchanges communities in money and democratic representation." The article cites a 2006 report on the issue, Tabulating Prisoners at Their "Permanent Home of Record" Address.

Here are some other resources relevant to the subject:

• The 2010 Statistical Abstract--Law Enforcement, Courts, and Prisons: Correctional Facilities, Prisoners
• The 2009 Statistical Abstract--Law Enforcement, Courts, and Prisons: Correctional Facilities, Prisoners
• Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses from 1790 to 2000 (search the PDF for the term "prisoners")

For additional resources about this subject, take a look at our guide to Census information.

Public Access to CRS Reports

In its December 14 blog post, Secrecy News mentions that the 2010 Branch Appropriations Act (Public Law 111-68), states that the CRS budget can not be used to pay any salary or expense that would make CRS reports available to the public. Secrecy News--one of our sources for uncovering CRS reports--contends that this mandate was intended to block public access to CRS documents. If you search for "congressional research service" within the PDF document, you find this:

"For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of section
203 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 166)
and to revise and extend the Annotated Constitution of the United
States of America, $112,490,000: Provided, That no part of such
amount may be used to pay any salary or expense in connection
with any publication, or preparation of material therefor (except
the Digest of Public General Bills), to be issued by the Library
of Congress unless such publication has obtained prior approval
of either the Committee on House Administration of the House
of Representatives or the Committee on Rules and Administration
of the Senate."

So it's not clear from this paragraph that the law intends to block public access to CRS reports. It just states that payment for such distribution has to be approved by the Committee on House Administration or the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate. I decided to search within these two committee sites to determine if I could find any interesting information about CRS reports. This page from the Senate Committee provides the public with access to CRS reports about Senate procedures and administration, which may not prove terribly interesting or useful to the general public researcher. I found this statement by Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) to be more interesting: "the public does not have direct access to CRS products due to concerns that the nonpartisan nature of CRS work might be compromised." Nevertheless, on his web site Moran provides access to a handful of CRS reports. Also interesting is that Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), who used to provide access to CRS reports on his web site, no longer does so.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) 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 derivatives reform, cars and climate, high speed rail, the war in Afghanistan, and other topics. Although 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. These reports were discovered by OpenCRS and Secrecy News:

• Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
  
• Broadband Infrastructure Programs in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
• Cars and Climate: What Can EPA Do to Control Greenhouse Gases from Mobile Sources?
  
• China’s Assistance and Government-Sponsored Investment Activities in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia
• The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)
  
• Comparison of Rights in Military Commission Trials and Trials in Federal Criminal Court
• The Copyright Registration Requirement and Federal Court Jurisdiction: A Legal Analysis of Reed Elsevier, Inc. v. Muchnick
  
• Foreign Direct Investment in the United States: An Economic Analysis
  
• Foreign Investment, CFIUS, and Homeland Security: An Overview
• FY2010 Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities
  
• The German Economy and U.S.-German Economic Relations
• High Speed Rail (HSR) in the United States
• Industrial Competitiveness and Technological Advancement: Debate Over Government Policy
• Journalists' Privilege: Overview of the Law and Legislation in the 110th and 111th Congresses
  
• Key Issues in Derivatives Reform
  
• The Market Structure of the Health Insurance Industry
• An Overview of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Control Policies in Various Countries
• Privacy: An Overview of Federal Statutes Governing Wiretapping and Electronic Eavesdropping
  
• The Rise of China’s Auto Industry and Its Impact on the U.S. Motor Vehicle Industry
• Sexual Violence in African Conflicts
• Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
• Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation: A Possible Role for Congress
  
• Traumatic Brain Injury: Care and Treatment of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans
• Unemployment and Economic Recovery
  
• United States Relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
  
• U.S. Aerospace Manufacturing: Industry Overview and Prospects
  
• U.S. Arms Sales: Agreements with and Deliveries to Major Clients, 2001-2008
• U.S. Direct Investment Abroad: Trends and Current Issues
• U.S. Economy in Recession: Similarities To and Differences From the Past
• U.S. Trade Deficit and the Impact of Changing Oil Prices
  
• War in Afghanistan: Strategy, Military Operations, and Issues for Congress
  

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.

What Is the Value of That Donation?

'Tis the season when many people are making donations to non-profit organizations. That means tax season is right around the corner. Donors may be wondering how to itemize their donations, particularly if they're in-kind donations such as clothing, books, or vehicles, and it's possible that the recipients are questioning whether they need to appraise the items donated. Where can you find the answers to these holiday quandaries? The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) web site is a good place to start. Take a look at these publications and forms:

• "Determining the Value of Donated Property" (Pub. 561) One important piece of information to glean from the publication is that "[a]ppraisals are not necessary for items of property for which you claim a deduction of $5,000 or less."
  

• "Charitable Contributions" (Pub. 526)

• "Noncash Charitable Contributions" (Form 8283)
  

• "Donee Information Return" (Form 8282)

Some of these documents haven't been revised in a few years. To check for the latest versions, go to the page "Charitable Organizations - Substantiating Noncash Contributions" of the IRS web site. For help navigating this web site or finding related information outside the IRS web site, see our guide to tax information.

U.S. Holiday Sales Better Than Expected

Today the New York Times reported that November retail sales in the U.S. were almost twice as high as expected. November retail sales rose 1.3 percent over those in October. Furthermore, November 2009 sales were 1.9 percent higher than those in November 2008. These statistics come from the U.S. Census Bureau, and you can find additional details in today's release, "Advance Monthly Sales for Food and Retail Services, November 2009." To compare retail sales for other years dating back to 1992, and to find sales broken down into different categories, you can select tables from this Time Series Data web page.

The Census Bureau provides other quick facts and numbers about the holiday on its fact sheet, "Facts for Features: The 2009 Holiday Season." To find additional online sources of statistics on the U.S. economy, please see our guide to business and economics.

GAO Reports

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week GAO investigated the Small Business Administration, labor statistics, Medicare, drug safety, the Recovery Act, and other topics. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

Small Business Administration: Actions Needed to Improve the Usefulness of the Agency's Lender Risk Rating System. GAO-10-53, November 6.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-53
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1053high.pdf

Private Pensions: Additional Changes Could Improve Employee Benefit Plan Financial Reporting. GAO-10-54, November 5.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-54
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1054high.pdf

U.S. Labor Force Statistics: Illustrative Simulations of the Likely Effects of Underrepresenting Unauthorized Residents. GAO-10-99, November 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-99

Medicare: CMS Working to Address Problems from Round 1 of the Durable Medical Equipment Competitive Bidding Program. GAO-10-27, November 6.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-27
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1027high.pdf

Financial Management Systems: DHS Faces Challenges to Successfully Consolidating Its Existing Disparate Systems. GAO-10-76, December 4.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-76
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1076high.pdf

Financial Audit: Office of Financial Stability (Troubled Asset Relief Program) Fiscal Year 2009 Financial Statements. GAO-10-301, December 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-301
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10301high.pdf

Drug Safety: FDA Has Begun Efforts to Enhance Postmarket Safety, but Additional Actions Are Needed. GAO-10-68, November 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-68
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1068high.pdf

Surface Coal Mining: Characteristics of Mining in Mountainous Areas of Kentucky and West Virginia. GAO-10-21, December 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-21
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1021high.pdf

Recovery Act: Status of States' and Localities' Use of Funds and Efforts to Ensure Accountability. GAO-10-231, December 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-231
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10231high.pdf


Related Product

Recovery Act: Status of States' and Localities' Use of Funds and Efforts to Ensure Accountability (Appendixes). GAO-10-232SP, December 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-232SP

Telecommunications: FCC Needs to Improve Oversight of Wireless Phone Service. GAO-10-34, November 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-34
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1034high.pdf

Telecommunications: Surveys of Consumers and of State Utility Commissions about Wireless Phone Service (GAO-10-35SP, November 2009), an E-supplement to GAO-10-34.
http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/gao-10-35sp/index.html

Transportation Worker Identification Credential: Progress Made in Enrolling Workers and Activating Credentials but Evaluation Plan Needed to Help Inform the Implementation of Card Readers. GAO-10-43, November 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-43
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1043high.pdf


Correspondence

Smithsonian Institution: Implementation of Governance Reforms Is Progressing, but Work Remains. GAO-10-190R, December 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-190R
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10190rhigh.pdf


Testimony

Rail Transit: Observations on FTA's State Safety Oversight Program and Potential Change in Oversight Role, by Katherine Siggerud, managing director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-10-293T, December 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-293T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10293thigh.pdf

Intellectual Property: Enhancements to Coordinating U.S. Enforcement Efforts, by Loren Yager, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-219T, December 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-219T

Recovery Act: States' Use of Highway and Transit Funds and Efforts to Meet the Act's Requirements, by Katherine A. Siggerud, managing director, physical infrastructure issues, before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-10-312T, December 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-312T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10312thigh.pdf

Rail Transit: Observations on FTA's State Safety Oversight Program and Potential Change in Its Oversight Role, by David J. Wise, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. GAO-10-314T, December 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-314T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10314thigh.pdf

International Trade: Observations on U.S. and Foreign Countries' Export Promotion Activities, by Loren Yager, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, Senate Committee on Finance. GAO-10-310T, December 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-310T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10310thigh.pdf

State Department: Challenges Facing the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, by Jess T. Ford, director, international affairs and trade, 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-10-290T, December 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-290T

Smithsonian Institution: Governance and Facilities Reforms Progressing, but Work Remains, by Mark L. Goldstein, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-10-297T, December 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-297T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10297thigh.pdf


Reissued Product

Higher Education: Issues Related to Law School Cost and Access. GAO-10-20, October 26.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-20

Driving in Colorado

Since the snow seems to have arrived to stay I thought it might be time to remind everyone of some of the sources for Colorado travel information with our very varied weather.

• Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) When you think of CDOT you may think about cones on the side of the road, but their web site contains a lot more. You can find tips on winter driving, snow removal FAQs, and much more.
• Cotrip.org This site is brought to you in part by CDOT and has all sorts of information on traveling in Colorado. You can find the latest road conditions (which show only a few roads in the whole state not in icy spots color), live speed and travel times maps (despite the icy spots most of the roads are still moving at high speeds), road work and more. I have often looked at the web cams on the first page to see what excitement I am going to find on US 36 between here and Denver.

I hope that everyone stays warm and safe through these cold days! If you still want more transportation information, check out the library's guide.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) 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 China, lobbying, and other topics. Although 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 and Secrecy News:

• Lobbying the Executive Branch: Current Practices and Options for Change
• The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA): Background, Programs, and Funding
• China’s Assistance and Government-Sponsored Investment Activities in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia
• Venezuela: Issues in the 111th Congress

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.

GAO Reports

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week GAO investigated NASA, nuclear waste management, elderly voters, and other topics. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

U.S. Department of Justice: Information on Employment Litigation, Housing and Civil Enforcement, Voting, and Special Litigation Sections'
Enforcement Efforts from Fiscal Years 2001 through 2007. GAO-10-75, October 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-75
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1075high.pdf

Federal Research: NASA Should Better Inform Researchers about How to Appeal Dissemination
Decisions. GAO-10-200, December 3.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-200
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10200high.pdf

Nuclear Waste Management: Key Attributes, Challenges, and Costs for the Yucca Mountain Repository and Two Potential Alternatives.
GAO-10-48, November 4.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-48
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1048high.pdf

Supply Chain Security: Feasibility and Cost-Benefit Analysis Would Assist DHS and Congress in Assessing and Implementing the Requirement to Scan 100 Percent of U.S.-Bound Containers. GAO-10-12, October 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-12
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1012high.pdf

Federally Created Entities: An Overview of Key Attributes. GAO-10-97, October 29.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-97
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1097high.pdf

Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: Performance Measurement Would Strengthen Accountability and Enhance Awareness among Potential Claimants. GAO-10-5, October 29.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-5
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d105high.pdf

Information Technology: Actions Needed to Fully Establish Program Management Capability for VA's Financial and Logistics Initiative. GAO-10-40, October 26.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-40
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1040high.pdf

Elderly Voters: Information on Promising Practices Could Strengthen the Integrity of the Voting Process in Long-term Care Facilities. GAO-10-6, November 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-6
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d106high.pdf

Energy-Water Nexus: Many Uncertainties Remain about National and Regional Effects of Increased Biofuel Production on Water Resources.
GAO-10-116, November 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-116
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10116high.pdf

Federal Aviation Administration: Human Capital System Incorporates Many Leading Practices, but Improving Employees' Satisfaction with Their Workplace Remains a Challenge. GAO-10-89, October 28.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-89
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1089high.pdf

Household Goods Moving Industry: Progress Has Been Made in Enforcement, but Increased Focus on Consumer Protection Is Needed.
GAO-10-38, October 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-38
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1038high.pdf

Information Technology: U.S. Postal Service Needs to Strengthen System Acquisition and Management Capabilities to Improve Its Intelligent Mail® Full Service Program. GAO-10-145, October 29.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-145
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10145high.pdf


Correspondences

Status of Funds for the Mérida Initiative. GAO-10-253R, December 3.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-253R

DOJ's Civil Rights Division: Opportunities Exist to Improve Its Case Management System and Better Meet Its Reporting Needs.
GAO-09-938R, September 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-938R

Recovery Act: Contract Oversight Activities of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board and Observations on Contract Spending in Selected States. GAO-10-216R, November 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-216R

Surface Transportation: Efforts to Address Highway Congestion through Real-Time Traffic Information Systems Are Expanding but Face Implementation Challenges. GAO-10-121R, November 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-121R
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10121rhigh.pdf


Testimonies

U.S. Department of Justice: Opportunities Exist to Strengthen the Civil Rights Division's Ability to Manage and Report on Its Enforcement Efforts, by Eileen R. Larence, director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, House Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-10-256T, December 3.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-256T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10256thigh.pdf

Hurricane Katrina: Federal Grants Have Helped Health Care Organizations Provide Primary Care, but Sustaining Services Will Be a Challenge, by Cynthia A. Bascetta, director, health care, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-273T, December 3.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-273T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10273thigh.pdf

Chemical Regulation: Observations on Improving the Toxic Substances Control Act, by John Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. GAO-10-292T, December 2.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-292T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10292thigh.pdf

Disaster Assistance: Improvements in Providing Federal Disaster Case Management Services Could Help Agencies Better Assist Victims, by Kay E. Brown, director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-10-278T, December 2.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-278T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10278thigh.pdf

1. Homeland Security: DHS's Progress and Challenges in Key Areas of Maritime, Aviation, and Cybersecurity, Statement for the Record by Cathleen A. Berrick, managing director, homeland security and justice, before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. GAO-10-106, December 2.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-106
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10106high.pdf

Commercial Space Transportation: Development of the Commercial Space Launch Industry Presents Safety Oversight Challenges for FAA and Raises Issues Affecting Federal Roles, Statement of Gerald L. Dillingham, Ph. D., director, physical infrastructure issues before the Subcommittee on Aviation, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-10-286T, December 2.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-286T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10286thigh.pdf


Reissued Product

Federal Student Aid: Highlights of a Study Group on Simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. GAO-10-29, October 29.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-29
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1029high.pdf

32 More Charges of Murder for Fort Hood Shooter

Major Nidal Hassan, the Army psychiatrist already charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder after the November 5 shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, was yesterday charged with another 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder. According to this Department of Defense news release, Hassan was charged under Article 80 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The UCMJ is the U.S. military’s legal system for service members.

Here are some additional U.S. military documents about the shooting and its aftermath:

• DOD Special Report: Tragedy at Fort Hood
• DOD Press Release from November 12 2009

To find additional military resources about the shootings at Fort Hood, please see our guide.

U.S. Relations with Afghanistan

If you missed President Obama's speech last night in which he outlined his strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, you can watch it here at whitehouse.gov. This strategy includes sending an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan before beginning to withdraw troops in July 2011. If you'd like to find online information about relations between the U.S. and Afghanistan, take a look at some of these resources:

• Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  
• Embassy of the United States in Afghanistan
• U.S. Department of State: Afghanistan
• National Security Archive September 11 Sourcebooks Volume II examines the experiences of the former Soviet Union in Afghanistan and the history of U.S. policy towards Afghanistan.

You can find additional resources on our country guide to Afghanistan and in our subject guide on terrorism.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) 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 climate change, advertising, the economy, and other topics. Although 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:

• 501(c)(3) Hospitals and the Community Benefit Standard
• An Overview of the Nonprofit and Charitable Sector
• Comparison of Climate Change Adaptation Provisions in S. 1733 and H.R. 2454
• Net Operating Losses: Proposed Extension of Carryback Period
• Private Health Insurance Provisions of S. 1796, America's Healthy Future Act of 2009

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.

Second Largest Fine Ever for Safety Violations in Colo.

One week ago, on November 23, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) fined Colorado company Tempel Grain Elevators $1.6 million for safety and labor violations. The fine--the second largest in Colorado history for safety and labor--was assessed following the May 29 death of 17-year-old Cody Rigsby in a grain elevator. According to this article in the Denver Post, "teens as young as 14 drove front-end loaders, forklifts or other dangerous equipment. A 13-year-old had a job working alongside adults. And a lack of safety equipment made falls into the elevators a constant threat, according to a federal investigation." The largest fine levied by OSHA in Colorado was $1.8 million against Samsonite Corp. (the luggage-maker) in 1991.

DOL agencies Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Wage and Hour Division both fined the grain storage company. See the DOL news release for further details. You can find regulatory information about youth employment (child labor laws) here.

For additional government resources about labor and employment, see our guide.

Thanksgiving is Tomorrow!

Tomorrow brings turkey and mashed potatoes and pie and oh so many good things to eat. In celebration of the day I thought I would highlight a few government resources on Thanksgiving.

• Facts for Features: Thanksgiving I know not everyone shares my love of numbers, but don't you want to know the average amount of turkey consumed by Americans in a given year? (13.8 pounds in case your curious)
• Turkey Pardoning Preview It has become a holiday tradition for president's to pardon a turkey, leaving it to live a life that doesn't end on a dinner table. This year, the White House put out a turkey pardoning preview video! I am hoping this link will stay up even after the pardoning at 10:28 MST today.
• Thanksgiving History This page from the Library of Congress traces the history through primary source materials of the Thanksgiving holiday.

I hope that everyone has a great holiday with tons of food!

Congressional Research Service (CRS) 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 climate change, advertising, the economy, and other topics. Although 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 and Secrecy News:

• Status of the Copenhagen Climate Change Negotiations
• An Overview of the Nonprofit and Charitable Sector
• Advertising Industry in the Digital Age
• Temporary Extension of Unemployment Benefits: Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08)

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.

DNA and Privacy: The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act

There's much media discussion about the health insurance reform bill making its way through Congress right now. One topic related to health reform is discrimination based on DNA samples. Today National Public Radio reported on a University of Akron policy, currently under review, that allows the school to request DNA samples from new employees in order to conduct background checks. This genetic information has the potential to provide the university with private information such as a person's risk for disease. Does an employee have a right to keep this information private? The NPR article suggests that the University of Akron's policy possibly violates the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which forbids health insurers and employers from using your genetic information against you.

The legislation became Public Law 110-233 in May 2008 but didn't go into full effect until November 21 of 2009. To read some of the federal regulations associated with this law, see the Federal Register from October 7, 2009.

To find additional regulatory information associated with workplace discrimination and health, take a look at our guides to labor and health.

GAO Reports and Releases

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

Reports

• Budget Issues: Electronic Processing of Non-IRS Collections Has Increased but Better Understanding of Cost Structure Is Needed. GAO-10-11, November 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-11
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1011high.pdf
• Defense Acquisitions: Further Actions Needed to Address Weaknesses in DOD's Management of Professional and Management Support Contracts. GAO-10-39, November 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-39
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1039high.pdf
• Recovery Act: Recipient Reported Jobs Data Provide Insight into Use of Recovery Act Funding, but Data Quality and Reporting Issues Need Attention. GAO-10-223, November 19.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-223
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10223high.pdf
• Credit Cards: Rising Interchange Fees Have Increased Costs for Merchants, but Options for Reducing Fees Pose Challenges. GAO-10-45, November 19.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-45
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1045high.pdf
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program: Case Studies Show Fraud and Abuse Allowed Ineligible Firms to Obtain Millions of Dollars in Contracts. GAO-10-108, October 23.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-108
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10108high.pdf
• Defense Health Care: Post-Deployment Health Reassessment Documentation Needs Improvement. GAO-10-56, November 19.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-56
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1056high.pdf
• Private Pensions: Sponsors of 10 Underfunded Plans Paid Executives Approximately $350 Million in Compensation Shortly Before Termination. GAO-10-77, October 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-77
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1077high.pdf
• Homeland Security: Key US-VISIT Components at Varying Stages of Completion, but Integrated and Reliable Schedule Needed. GAO-10-13, November 19.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-13
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1013high.pdf
• Grant Monitoring: Department of Education Could Improve Its Processes with Greater Focus on Assessing Risks, Acquiring Financial Skills, and Sharing Information. GAO-10-57, November 19.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-57
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1057high.pdf
• Homeland Security: Greater Attention to Key Practices Would Improve the Federal Protective Service's Approach to Facility Protection. GAO-10-142, October 23.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-142
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10142high.pdf
• Financial Audit: Securities and Exchange Commission's Financial Statements for Fiscal Years 2009 and 2008. GAO-10-250, November 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-250
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10250high.pdf
• Recovery Act: Agencies Are Addressing Broadband Program Challenges, but Actions Are Needed to Improve Implementation. GAO-10-80, November 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-80
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1080high.pdf
• Workplace Safety and Health: Enhancing OSHA's Records Audit Process Could Improve the Accuracy of Worker Injury and Illness Data. GAO-10-10, October 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-10
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1010high.pdf
• Student Achievement: Schools Use Multiple Strategies to Help Students Meet Academic Standards, Especially Schools with Higher Proportions of Low-Income and Minority Students. GAO-10-18, November 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-18
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1018high.pdf
• Critical Infrastructure Protection: OMB Leadership Needed to Strengthen Agency Planning Efforts to Protect Federal Cyber Assets. GAO-10-148, October 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-148
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10148high.pdf
• Department of Veterans Affairs: Improvements Needed in Corrective Action Plans to Remediate Financial Reporting Material Weaknesses. GAO-10-65, November 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-65
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1065high.pdf
• Financial Audit: Federal Housing Finance Agency's Fiscal Year 2009 Financial Statements. GAO-10-218, November 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-218
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10218high.pdf

Testimonies

• Recovery Act: Recipient Reported Jobs Data Provide Some Insight into Use of Recovery Act Funding, but Data Quality and Reporting Issues Need Attention, by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-224T, November 19.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-224T
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program: Case Studies Show Fraud and Abuse Allowed Ineligible Firms to Obtain Millions of Dollars in Contracts, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the House Committee on Small Business. GAO-10-255T, November 19.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-255T
• Corporate Crime: Prosecutors Adhered to Guidance for Selecting Monitors for Deferred Prosecution and Non-Prosecution Agreements, but DOJ Could Better Communicate Its Role in Resolving Conflicts, by Eileen R. Larence, director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, House Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-10-260T, November 19.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-260T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10260thigh.pdf
• Homeland Security: Greater Attention to Key Practices Would Help Address Security Vulnerabilities at Federal Buildings, by Mark L. Goldstein, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-10-236T, November 18.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-236T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10236thigh.pdf
• Federal Land Management: Challenges to Implementing the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act, by Robin M. Nazzaro, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, House Committee on Natural Resources. GAO-10-259T, November 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-259T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10259thigh.pdf
• International Trade: Options for Congressional Consideration to Improve U.S. Trade Preference Programs, by Loren Yager, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on Trade, House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-10-262T, November 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-262T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10262thigh.pdf
• Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Recent Testing Raises Issues about the Potential Effectiveness of Advanced Radiation Detection Portal Monitors, by Gene Aloise, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, House Committee on Science and Technology. GAO-10-252T, November 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-252T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10252thigh.pdf
• Cybersecurity: Continued Efforts Are Needed to Protect Information Systems from Evolving Threats, statement for the record by David Powner and Gregory Wilshusen, directors, information technology, before the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, Senate Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-10-230T, November 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-230T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10230thigh.pdf

Correspondences

• Higher Education: Factors Lenders Consider in Making Lending Decisions for Private Education Loans. GAO-10-86R, November 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-86R
• Integrity Committee's Process to Address Allegations of Wrongdoing by Inspectors General. GAO-10-63R, October 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-63R

Reissues

• U.S. Government Accountability Office: Performance and Accountability Report, Fiscal Year 2009. GAO-10-234SP, November 13, 2009
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-234SP

Follow-up on Obama's Visit to Myanmar

A little over a week ago, we published a blog post on President Obama's upcoming meeting with Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein. That meeting took place on Sunday, November 15, as part of Obama's visit to Asia and meeting with ASEAN. There's been a lot of media coverage about the U.S. president's meeting with Chinese leader Hu Jintao, but it's a little trickier to find news articles about Obama's visit to Myanmar. We've pulled together some online resources describing the outcome of Obama's talks with Myanmar's prime minister:

• "Obama Meets Leaders of Asean, Myanmar to Counter Chinese Clout" (Bloomberg.com, Nov. 16 2009)
• "Obama Meets Myanmar PM, Calls For Suu Kyi's Release" (New York Times, Nov. 15 2009)
• "Suu Kyi Seeks Meeting With Myanmar Junta Leader" (New York Times, Nov. 16 2009)
• "Myanmar's Suu Kyi Proposes Cooperation With Junta" (New York Times, Nov. 17 2009)

I can't find anything current about Myanmar on the whitehouse.gov web site. However, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton does offer some comments about Myanmar in this November 12 statement (she remarks on U.S. sanctions against the country).

Want more resources about Myanmar/Burma? (It could be referred to by either of the two names, depending on which country is creating the resource and its position on military rule by the Myanmar junta). Take a look at our country guide to this nation.

New Pennies!

I am sure I am not the only person who doesn't pay a lot of attention to the pennies in my pocket, other then to wish I had one more or less when trying to pay for something. This may be why it has taken me until this month to notice the new Lincoln One-Cent redesigns "in recognition of the bicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln's birth and the 100th anniversary of the first issuance of the Lincoln cent." (US mint One-Cent redesign page).

After this year the penny will no longer show the Lincoln Memorial on the back, instead it will show a union shield, commemorating Lincoln's work to preserve the Union during the civil war. You can read more about the new design on the US mint's web site.

Still not tired of reading about the penny? Check out the One-cent history at the US mint

Congressional Research Service (CRS) 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 Medicaid and Medicare, vaccinations, cap-and-trade, FISA, freedom of speech and press, and other topics. Although 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. These reports were discovered by OpenCRS:

• Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance
  
• Air Force KC-X Tanker Aircraft Program: Background and Issues for Congress
• Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Set to Expire in 2009
• Climate Change: Comparison of the Cap-and-Trade Provisions in H.R. 2454 and S. 1733
• Federal Employees' Retirement System: Legislation Enacted in the 111th Congress
  
• Freedom of Speech and Press: Exceptions to the First Amendment
• Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks
• Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations
  
• Mandatory Vaccinations: Precedent and Current Laws
• Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Provisions in Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962)
  
• Medicare Physician Payment Updates and the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) System
• Medicare Program Changes in H.R. 3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act
  
• Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
• Noncitizen Eligibility and Verification Issues in the Health Care Reform Legislation
• Sea-Based Ballistic Missile Defense--Background and Issues for Congress
• Tanzania: Background and Current Conditions
• Terrorism Information Sharing and the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Report Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress
  
• Text and Multimedia Messaging: Emerging Issues for Congress
• The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act: Overview and Issues
  
• U.S. Accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC)
• U.S. Nuclear Cooperation with India: Issues for Congress
  
• The U.S. Secret Service: An Examination and Analysis of Its Evolving Missions
• U.S.-Vietnam Economic and Trade Relations: Issues for the 111th Congress
• Veterans Affairs: Health Care and Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange
  
• Zimbabwe: The Power Sharing Agreement and Implications for U.S. Policy
  

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.

UN Launches UN Member States: On the Record

Navigating the United Nations' web presence can be a daunting task. This is evidenced by the number of links listed on our United Nations guide alone. There are various web sites associated with different types of documents and data, but what if you are searching for UN documents associated with a specific UN member state? The UN has launched a new web site that allows you to do this. UN Member States: On the Record provides online access to documents that provide the views of Member States. Each Member State page contains the same basic searches. The web site contains the following types of documents from UN Member States (use this page to search by member state):

• Meeting records
• Draft resolutions
• States parties reports
• Press releases

The UN Member States web site does not provide access to letters, regional or other intergovernmental documents, voting information, statistics, treaties, and documents from specialized UN agencies. If this web section won't lead you to the type of document you're seeking, check our United Nations or International Organizations guides for tips on finding these types of documents.

GAO Reports

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week GAO investigated information technology, the Bureau of Prisons, the IRS, and other topics. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

Information Technology: Agencies Need to Improve the Implementation and Use of Earned Value Techniques to Help Manage Major System Acquisitions. GAO-10-2, October 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-2
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d102high.pdf

Bureau of Prisons: Methods for Cost Estimation Largely Reflect Best Practices, but Quantifying Risks Would Enhance Decision Making. GAO-10-94, November 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-94
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1094high.pdf

Financial Audit: IRS's Fiscal Years 2009 and 2008 Financial Statements. GAO-10-176, November 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-176
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10176high.pdf

Financial Audit: Bureau of the Public Debt's Fiscal Years 2009 and 2008 Schedules of Federal Debt. GAO-10-88, November 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-88
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1088high.pdf

Defense Acquisitions: Strategic Airlift Gap Has Been Addressed, but Tactical Airlift Plans Are Evolving as Key Issues Have Not Been Resolved. GAO-10-67, November 12.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-67
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1067high.pdf

International Monetary Fund: Lending Programs Allow for Negotiations and Are Consistent with Economic Literature. GAO-10-44, November 12.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-44
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1044high.pdf


Correspondence

Poverty Determination in U.S. Insular Areas. GAO-10-240R, November 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-240R

UNICEF Issues New Report on Child Undernutrition

Today's Denver Post gave a brief mention of a new report by UNICEF showing that almost 200 million children in developing countries have stunted growth because of poor nutrition. This new report, accessible from UNICEF's web site, is Tracking Progress on Child and Maternal Nutrition: A Survival and Development Policy. The 124-page report, which contains a large number of charts and statistics, states among its key messages:

• A child’s future nutrition status is affected before conception . . . . A chronically undernourished woman will give birth to a baby who is likely to be undernourished as a child, causing the cycle of undernutrition to be repeated over generations.
  
• Twenty-four countries bear 80 per cent of the developing world burden of undernutrition as measured by stunting.
• More than 90 per cent of the developing world’s stunted children live in Africa and Asia.
• Marked reductions in child undernutrition can be achieved through improvements in women’s nutrition before and during pregnancy, early and exclusive breastfeeding, and good-quality complementary feeding for infants and young children, with appropriate micronutrient interventions.
• Improving child and maternal nutrition is not only entirely feasible but also affordable and cost-effective. Nutrition interventions are among the best investments in development that countries can undertake.
  

Additional reports by UNICEF can be found on its Publications page. For information about how UNICEF is tackling undernutrition and other problems plaguing children around the world, select a topic under the What We Do tab.

For links to resources from other international organizations and NGOs tackling nutrition issues, take a look at our guides to development, food supply, and health.

Cash for Clunkers Efficiency Impact Comes into Question

On August 25 the U.S. Department of Transportation wrapped up its Cash for Clunkers automobile rebate program, declaring it "wildly successful" (we put a link to the press release in our August 27 blog post). The program's reported statistics indicated that the average improvement in fuel economy was about 9 miles per gallon. The stats page also states, "Cars purchased under the program are, on average, 19% above the average fuel economy of all new cars currently available, and 59% above the average fuel economy of cars that were traded in."

These glowing wrap-up results contrast with an Associated Press analysis of new federal data. According to this analysis, as described in the Boston Globe article, the vehicle traded in most often in the Cash for Clunkers program was the Ford F-150 pickup, and owners of the vehicles "were 17 times more likely to buy a new F-150 than, say, a Toyota Prius." The fuel economy for these new F-150s ranged from 15 to 17 miles per gallon, leading to an improvement of just 1 to 3 miles per gallon over their "clunker" predecessors.

So was Cash for Clunkers "wildly successful" in terms of energy efficiency, the overall economy, or for the auto industry? An Edmunds.com analysis claims that Cash for Clunkers cost taxpayers $24,000 per vehicle sold (read the Edmunds.com press release). The Globe article says that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is still reviewing the AP's analysis.

Want more resources about economic stimulus programs? Take a look at our guide.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) 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 health care, presidential powers, income, and other topics. Although 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 and Secrecy News:

• National Security Letters: Proposed Amendments in the 111th Congress
• U.S. Fossil Fuel Resources: Terminology, Reporting, and Summary
• Unconventional Gas Shales: Development, Technology, and Policy Issues
• Electoral College Reform: 111th Congress Proposals and Other Current Developments
• Congressional Printing: Background and Issues for Congress
• Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2009
• Income of Americans Aged 65 and Older, 1968 to 2008
• Afghanistan: Narcotics and U.S. Policy
• Economic Stimulus: Issues and Policies
• F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization: An Overview of Legislative Action in the 111th Congress
• Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2010
• Greece Update
• Health Reform and the 111th Congress
• Improper Payments Information Act of 2002: Background, Implementation, and Assessment
• Iran: Regional Perspectives and U.S. Policy
• Israel and the Palestinians: Prospects for a Two-State Solution
• Kenya: Current Conditions and the Challenges Ahead
• Madagascar's 2009 Political Crisis
• Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress
• Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76 and the Proposed Moratorium on Future DOD Competitions: Background and Issues for Congress
• Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation and Security Issues
• Private Health Insurance Provisions of H.R. 3962
• Reauthorizing the Satellite Home Viewing Provisions in the Communications Act and the Copyright Act: Issues for Congress
• Russian Political, Economic, and Security Issues and U.S. Interests
• Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response: The SAFER Grant Program
• Strategic Arms Control After START: Issues and Options
• Systemic Risk and the Federal Reserve
• Tactical Aircraft Modernization: Issues for Congress
• The 2009 Influenza Pandemic: An Overview
• The 2009 Influenza Pandemic: Selected Legal Issues
• The Impact of Medicare Premiums on Social Security Beneficiaries
• The Proposed U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement
• The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): Does It Provide for a Private Cause of Action?
• Trafficking in Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean

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.