- TARP Transaction Reports provides tables containing details about companies that have received loans from the Troubled Asset Relief Program.
- Quarterly Report to Congress Pursuant to Section 104(g) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 evaluates the effects of EESA programs and describes actions the Treasury Department has taken with respect to EESA.
- U.S. Treasury Department 100 Days Progress Report Many news media outlets are devoting space to Barack Obama's first 100 days as president, but this report specifically focuses on the first 100 days of the Obama administration's Treasury Department.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Current Resources Available on FinancialStability.gov
In February we wrote a blog post on the U.S. Treasury Department's new Financial Stability Plan and its associated website, FinancialStability.gov. Unfortunately, this site, intended to provide oversight on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA) programs, contained very little information when it was first constructed. Now, however, you can find some interesting documents:
Tags:
United States
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
North Korea Threatens Nuclear Missile Test
North Korea is threatening to test nuclear missiles, BBC News reports, unless the UN Security Council apologizes for condemning the Asian republic's April 5 rocket launch and calling for stronger sanctions against it. The launch had been perceived by many as a disguised missile test.
North Korea has insisted it would ignore the UN sanctions and has called them "a wanton violation of the UN charter." The republic's first nuclear missile test took place in October 2006. One BBC reporter states that a second missile test by North Korea would indicate that it is no longer participating in the six-party talks, which are international nuclear disarmament negotiations. You can find the outcome of latest six-party talks on this web page.
For additional resources, see our guides to Foreign Relations and Energy.
North Korea has insisted it would ignore the UN sanctions and has called them "a wanton violation of the UN charter." The republic's first nuclear missile test took place in October 2006. One BBC reporter states that a second missile test by North Korea would indicate that it is no longer participating in the six-party talks, which are international nuclear disarmament negotiations. You can find the outcome of latest six-party talks on this web page.
For additional resources, see our guides to Foreign Relations and Energy.
Tags:
Foreign/International
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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 piracy, organized crime, federal advisory committees, and more. 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 Secrecy News:
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.
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.
Tags:
CRS Reports,
United States
Monday, April 27, 2009
Swine Flu Provokes Action by U.S. and World Agencies
As news sources reported that swine influenza cases have been confirmed in the U.S. and Canada and may have caused as many as 103 deaths in Mexico, the U.S. declared a "public health emergency." The U.S. is stockpiling civilian and military antiviral drugs for possible distribution, and the World Health Organization (WHO) is working on a vaccine against the virus. Read the Washington Post's report on the flu outbreak or view the most current updates on these U.S. and international agency websites:
- Press Briefing on Swine Influenza, April 26, 2009 In this briefing by heads of several U.S. agencies, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano declares a public health emergency in the United States.
- PandemicFlu.gov This is the U.S. government's "one-stop" website for information on swine, avian, and pandemic flu.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Swine Flu A table at the top of this web page shows the number of laboratory-confirmed swine flu cases in U.S. states.
- World Health Organization (WHO): Swine Influenza Here you can find international updates on the outbreak.
- Pan American Health Organization: Swine Influenza This web page provides links to Spanish-language publications.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
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 Afghanistan, the auto industry, Iraqi refugee assistance, and transportation security. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.
Reports
Reports
- Army Health Care: Progress Made in Staffing and Monitoring Units that Provide Outpatient Case Management, but Additional Steps Needed. GAO-09-357, April 20.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-357
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09357high.pdf - Auto Industry: Summary of Government Efforts and Automakers' Restructuring to Date. GAO-09-553, April 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-553
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09553high.pdf - Commercial Aviation: Airline Industry Contraction Due to Volatile Fuel Prices and Falling Demand Affects Airports, Passengers, and Federal Government Revenues. GAO-09-393, April 21.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-393
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09393high.pdf - Defense Management: DOD Needs to Improve Program Management, Policy, and Testing to Enhance Ability to Field Operationally Useful Non-lethal Weapons. GAO-09-344, April 21.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-344
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09344high.pdf - Drug Control: Better Coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and an Updated Accountability Framework Can Further Enhance DEA's Efforts to Meet Post-9/11 Responsibilities. GAO-09-63, March 20.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-63
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0963high.pdf - Financial Audit: Material Weaknesses in Internal Control Continue to Impact Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements of the U.S. Government. GAO-09-387, April 21.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-387
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09387high.pdf - Foreign Aid Reform: Comprehensive Strategy, Interagency Coordination, and Operational Improvements Would Bolster Current Efforts. GAO-09-192, April 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-192
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09192high.pdf - Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites: Acquisition Is Under Way, but Improvements Needed in Management and Oversight. GAO-09-323, April 2.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-323
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09323high.pdf - Iraqi Refugee Assistance: Improvements Needed in Measuring Progress, Assessing Needs, Tracking Funds, and Developing an International Strategic Plan. GAO-09-120, April 21.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-120
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09120high.pdf - Office of Personnel Management: Retirement Modernization Planning and Management Shortcomings Need to Be Addressed. GAO-09-529, April 21.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-529
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09529high.pdf - Recovery Act: As Initial Implementation Unfolds in States and Localities, Continued Attention to Accountability Issues Is Essential. GAO-09-580, April 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-580
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09580high.pdf - Transportation Security: Comprehensive Risk Assessments and Stronger Internal Controls Needed to Help Inform TSA Resource Allocation. GAO-09-492, March 27.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-492
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09492high.pdf
- Afghanistan: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight. GAO-09-473SP, April 21.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-473SP - Afghanistan: U.S.- and Internationally-Funded Roads (GAO-09-626SP), an E-supplement to GAO-09-473SP. GAO-09-626SP, April 21.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-626SP - Feasibility of Requiring Financial Assurances for the Recall or Destruction of Unsafe Consumer Products. GAO-09-512R, April 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-512R - Hazardous Materials: EPA's Assessment of Sites That May Have Received Asbestos-Contaminated Ore from Libby, Montana (GAO-09-7SP, March 2009), an E-supplement to GAO-09-6R. GAO-09-7SP, March 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-7SP
- Hazardous Materials: Status of EPA's Efforts to Assess Sites That May Have Received Asbestos-Contaminated Ore from Libby, Montana. GAO-09-6R, March 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-6R
- Aviation Safety: Potential Strategies to Address Air Ambulance Safety Concerns, by Gerald L. Dillingham, Ph.D., director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Aviation, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-09-627T, April 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-627T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09627thigh.pdf - Coast Guard: Update on Deepwater Program Management, Cost, and Acquisition Workforce, by John P. Hutton, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-09-620T, April 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-620T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09620thigh.pdf - Defense Acquisitions: Actions Needed to Ensure Value for Service Contracts, by John Hutton, director, acquisition and sourcing management, and William Solis, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Defense Acquisition Reform Panel, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-09-643T, April 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-643T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09643thigh.pdf - Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites: Acquisition Has Increased Costs, Reduced Capabilities, and Delayed Schedules, by David A. Powner, director, information technology management issues, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, House Committee on Science and Technology. GAO-09-596T, April 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-596T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09596thigh.pdf - Homeland Defense: Actions Needed to Address Management of Air Sovereignty Alert Operations to Protect U.S. Airspace, by Davi D'Agostino, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Readiness, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-09-612T, April 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-612T - Human Capital: Sustained Attention to Strategic Human Capital Management Needed, by Yvonne D. Jones, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-09-632T, April 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-632T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09632thigh.pdf - Improper Payments: Progress Made but Challenges Remain in Estimating and Reducing Improper Payments, by Kay L. Daly, director, financial management and assurance, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-09-628T, April 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-628T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09628thigh.pdf - Recovery Act: As Initial Implementation Unfolds in States and Localities, Continued Attention to Accountability Issues Is Essential, by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-09-631T, April 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-631T
Tags:
GAO Reports,
United States
Friday, April 24, 2009
When Illegal Immigrants Are Separated from Their U.S. Citizen Children
Recently the New York Times brought up the issue of U.S. citizen children being separated from parents who are undocumented immigrants in this country. The article recounts the story of one Guatemalan immigrant who lost custody of her child following her incarceration for illegal immigration. The boy was adopted by U.S. citizens.
Other custody situations like this one are taking place across the country. An adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is described as saying that her department is seeking ways to deal with family separations in the face of new immigration enforcement guidelines. Department of Homeland Security information about this issue is not easy to find on its website, but these resources provide some interesting information:
Other custody situations like this one are taking place across the country. An adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is described as saying that her department is seeking ways to deal with family separations in the face of new immigration enforcement guidelines. Department of Homeland Security information about this issue is not easy to find on its website, but these resources provide some interesting information:
- "Immigrant-Orphans Adopted by U.S. Citizens by State or Territory of Residence, Gender, and Age: Fiscal Year 2008" Scroll down to Supplemental Table 4 on this page for access to these stats.
- U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement Family Residential Standards
And two reports from the Homeland Security Department's Office of Inspector General: - Removals Involving Illegal Alien Parents of United States Citizen Children
- Fiscal Year 2009 Annual Performance Plan See "Detentions and Deportations Involving the Parents of U.S. Citizen Children"
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Find Earth Day Resources from the EPA
Today is Earth Day, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has created an Earth Day web page featuring a message from EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, tips on environmental protection, an Earth Day "Take-Home Kit," and information about Earth Day events and volunteer opportunities happening across the country. You can find similar links at EarthDay.gov. Learn about Earth Day's history here.
In addition to its Earth Day page, the EPA website provides some useful tools that can help you find more comprehensive information about environmental topics:
In addition to its Earth Day page, the EPA website provides some useful tools that can help you find more comprehensive information about environmental topics:
- A-Z Index This is the topics page for the EPA; you can use this list to find resources on a specific topic.
- Where You Live Learn about environmental conditions in your community or link to your state environmental agency.
- Laws, Regulations, Guidance and Dockets Learn about environmental law enforcement, proposed EPA regulations, and how you can comment on such rulings.
Tags:
United States
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
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 foreign relations, economic issues, renewable energy, and much more. 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:
Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
- The National Intelligence Council: Issues and Options for Congress
- Pakistan’s Capital Crisis: Implications for U.S. Policy
- Direct Overt U.S. Aid and Military Reimbursements to Pakistan, FY2002-FY2009
- China-U.S. Relations: Current Issues and Implications for U.S. Policy
- Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Set to Expire in 2009
- Authority of State Legislatures to Accept Funds Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC): Transfer and Disposal of Military Property
- Bosnia: Current Issues and U.S. Policy
- Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide: Federal Assistance Programs
- Budget Reconciliation Measures Enacted Into Law: 1980-2008
- Business Tax Issues in 2009
- China and the Global Financial Crisis: Implications for the United States
- Department of Defense Fuel Spending, Supply, Acquisition, and Policy
- Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification
- Fairness Doctrine: History and Constitutional Issues
- Immigration of Foreign Workers: Labor Market Tests and Protections
- Job Loss and Infrastructure Job Creation During the Recession
- Medicare's Hospice Benefit
- Natural Gas Markets: An Overview of 2008
- Net Neutrality: Background and Issues
- Nuclear Power Plant Security and Vulnerabilities
- Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Tax Incentive Resources
- Retirement Savings and Household Wealth: A Summary of Recent Data
- Rwanda: Background and Current Developments
- Setting and Valuing Health Insurance Benefits
- State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP): A Brief Overview
- Taiwan-U.S. Relations: Developments and Policy Implications
- The Budget Resolution and Spending Legislation
- The Democratic Republic of Congo: Background and Current Developments
- The Global Economic Downturn and Protectionism
- The U.S. Financial Crisis: The Global Dimension with Implications for U.S. Policy
- U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress
- Veterans' Benefits
- What's the Difference? -- Comparing U.S. and Chinese Trade Data
Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
Tags:
CRS Reports,
United States
Monday, April 20, 2009
UN World Library
Tomorrow marks the official launch of the World Digital Library, but why wait until then to check it out? For those of us who love American Memory, much of the US content may look familiar, but this library contains much more. Here are some of my personal favorites:
Want to know more about how this was created and future plans for additional resources? Check out the UNESCO press release and the Washington Post's "U.N.'s World Digital Library Goes Online."
Want more online collections like this? Check out the library's guide.
- Plan of Alaya "John Womack, historian of the Mexican Revolution, has called the Plan of Ayala the "Sacred Scripture" of the Zapatistas.
- A new, authentic, and complete collection of voyages round the world: undertaken and performed by royal authority: containing a new, authentic, entertaining, instructive, full, and complete historical account of Captain Cook’s first, second, third, and last voyages, undertaken by order of His present Majesty. This is the book of Cook's journeys, all 655 pages with the beautiful maps and illustrations.
- Gulzar Calligraphic Panel Not only can you view this calligraphic panel, but you can also view a video of the panel with description by a curator at the Library of Congress.
Want to know more about how this was created and future plans for additional resources? Check out the UNESCO press release and the Washington Post's "U.N.'s World Digital Library Goes Online."
Want more online collections like this? Check out the library's guide.
Tags:
Foreign/International
Friday, April 17, 2009
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 nuclear security. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.
Reports
Reports
- Defined Benefit Plans: Proposed Plan Buyouts by Financial Firms Pose Potential Risks and Benefits. GAO-09-207, March 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-207
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09207high.pdf - Maritime Security: Vessel Tracking Systems Provide Key Information, but the Need for Duplicate Data Should Be Reviewed. GAO-09-337, March 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-337
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09337high.pdf - Military Disability Retirement: Closer Monitoring Would Improve the Temporary Retirement Process. GAO-09-289, April 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-289
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09289high.pdf - Military Personnel: Status of Accession, Retention, and End Strength for Military Medical Officers and Preliminary Observations Regarding Accession and Retention Challenges. GAO-09-469R, April 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-469R - Nuclear Security: Better Oversight Needed to Ensure That Security Improvements at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Are Fully Implemented and Sustained. GAO-09-321, March 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-321
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09321high.pdf - Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding: Perspectives and Observations. GAO-09-411R, April 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-411R - Superfund: Greater EPA Enforcement and Reporting Are Needed to Enhance Cleanup at DOD Sites. GAO-09-278, March 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-278
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09278high.pdf
- United States Government Accountability Office Fiscal Year 2010 Performance Plan. GAO-09-304SP, April 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-304SP
- Addressing Significant Vulnerabilities in the Department of State's Passport Issuance Process. GAO-09-583R, April 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-583R - Small Business Administration's Implementation of Administrative Provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. GAO-09-507R, April 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-507R
Tags:
GAO Reports,
United States
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Stricter Standards in Store for Education Funding?
The New York Times reports that the Obama administration may be rewriting the No Child Left Behind law to incorporate stricter standards. Signs of this, the Times claims, are evidenced by "assurances" governors must sign in order to receive funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 [see Section 14005 (d) of the ARRA].
What does U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan have to say about the $44 billion available for education reform through the ARRA? View his April 3 webcast on the Department of Education's website. You can also find some guidelines for distribution and use of funds on the fact sheet of the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, which is part of ARRA.
For further information, see our guide to Education.
What does U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan have to say about the $44 billion available for education reform through the ARRA? View his April 3 webcast on the Department of Education's website. You can also find some guidelines for distribution and use of funds on the fact sheet of the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, which is part of ARRA.
For further information, see our guide to Education.
Tags:
United States
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
CRS Reports Are Back!
The last few weeks have not given us any CRS reports, but this week we seem to back with a nice new pile! 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 foreign relations, budget deficits, military, and much more. 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:
Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
- The Global Financial Crisis: Analysis and Policy Implications
- Central Asia's Security: Issues and Implications for U.S. Interests
- Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities: A Summary and Issues for the 111th Congress
- District of Columbia Appropriations for FY2004
- El Salvador: Political, Economic, and Social Conditions and Relations with the United States
- Energy Provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5)
- F/A-22 Raptor
- Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2009
- Federalism Issues in Surface Transportation Policy: Past and Present
- International Trade: Rules of Origin
- Iraq: Recent Developments in Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance
- Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections
- Latin America: Terrorism Issues
- Madagascar's 2009 Political Crisis
- Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program: An Overview
- Military Funeral Honors and Military Cemeteries: Frequently Asked Questions
- NATO's 60th Anniversary Summit
- Public Health and Medical Preparedness and Response: Issues in the 111th Congress
- Rothe Development Corporation v. Department of Defense: The Constitutionality of Federal Contracting Programs for Minority-Owned and Other Small Businesses
- Section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2006: A Fact Sheet on Department of Defense Authority to Train and Equip Foreign Military Forces
- The Advanced Spectroscopic Portal Program: Background and Issues for Congress
- The Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory
- The Army's Future Combat System (FCS): Background and Issues for Congress
- The Economics of the Federal Budget Deficit
- The Global Peace Operations Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress
- The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): Does it Provide for a Private Cause of Action?
- The Technology Innovation Program
- The Tibetan Policy Act of 2002: Background and Implementation
- The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: Background and Policy Issues
- Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy
- Veterans' Benefits: The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program
Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
Tags:
CRS Reports,
United States
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter Egg Roll
Let's skip over any economic, foreign policy or other news for the day and enjoy the fact that today's news can be all about Easter Eggs. The icon to the left is the White House's Easter Egg Roll for 2009 official seal.
If you are one of the lucky ticket holders, your kid gets to roll an egg around the White House a tradition 131 years old (according the Washington Post). For those of us stuck in areas where you still need a jacket, you can enjoy the festivities via live stream on the Easter Egg Roll web site.
Still want more fun stuff? Well, then go and check out some of the government's kids pages.
If you are one of the lucky ticket holders, your kid gets to roll an egg around the White House a tradition 131 years old (according the Washington Post). For those of us stuck in areas where you still need a jacket, you can enjoy the festivities via live stream on the Easter Egg Roll web site.
Still want more fun stuff? Well, then go and check out some of the government's kids pages.
Tags:
White House
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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 aviation safety. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.
Reports
Reports
- Aviation Safety: NASA's National Aviation Operations Monitoring Service Project Was Designed Appropriately, but Sampling and Other Issues Complicate Data Analysis. GAO-09-112, March 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-112
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09112high.pdf
- "GAO: Promoting Accountability and Transparency in Government," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the United States, before the James Harding Executive Speaker Program at Lycoming College, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. GAO-09-441CG, March 23, 2009
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d09441cg.pdf - "GAO: Promoting Accountability and Transparency in Government," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the United States, before the Women's Philanthropy Board 7th Annual Spring Symposium, Auburn University, in Auburn, Alabama. GAO-09-572CG, April 6, 2009
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d09572cg.pdf - "Key Fiscal Challenges Facing the Accountability Community," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the United States, before the 2009 AGA Southeast Region Professional Development Conference, in Nashville, Tennessee. GAO-09-505CG, April 2, 2009
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d09505cg.pdf
- High-Level Leadership Needed to Help Guam Address Challenges Caused by DOD-Related Growth. GAO-09-500R, April 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-500R - Single Audit: Opportunities Exist to Improve the Single Audit Process and Oversight. GAO-09-307R, March 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-307R
Tags:
GAO Reports,
United States
Friday, April 10, 2009
CIA to Close Secret Prisons
On Thursday, Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panetta stated that the CIA would decommission secret overseas prisons where it had used harsh interrogation tactics on Al Quaeda prisoners. Read the New York Times article about the statement or take a look at Panetta's actual statement on the CIA's website.
The Times article mentions that the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence had begun an investigation of the CIA's detention and interrogation program. You can find the press release about this review on the committee's website. On the website you can also find a full report of the committee's activities from January 4, 2007, to January 2, 2009.
For additional resources, see our guides to Intelligence and Terrorism.
The Times article mentions that the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence had begun an investigation of the CIA's detention and interrogation program. You can find the press release about this review on the committee's website. On the website you can also find a full report of the committee's activities from January 4, 2007, to January 2, 2009.
For additional resources, see our guides to Intelligence and Terrorism.
Tags:
United States
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Economists Offer Latest Forecasts on GDP and Unemployment
In their most recent forecasting survey, Wall Street Journal economists predict that the recession will end in September, but they don't believe that the unemployment rate will decrease until the second half of 2010. You can find the article here.
The economists forecast that GDP will contract in the first and second quarters of 2009 by 5.0% and 1.8%, respectively, but that GDP will grow by 0.4% in the third quarter. GDP had contracted by 6.3% in the fourth quarter of 2008. But the labor outlook will take longer to recover, and one economist claims "the economy would have to grow an average of about 4% for six years to get back to the sub-5% unemployment rates seen in 2007."
Where can you conduct your own search for statistics on GDP and unemployment? GDP and other economic data are available on the website of the Bureau of Economic Analysis. For statistics on unemployment, pay, and other labor factors, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To find out how the Department of Labor is using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to stimulate the economy through its labor programs, check out its web page on Implementing the Recovery Act.
To help you find additional resources on the economic downturn and government stimulus programs, we've created this new guide.
The economists forecast that GDP will contract in the first and second quarters of 2009 by 5.0% and 1.8%, respectively, but that GDP will grow by 0.4% in the third quarter. GDP had contracted by 6.3% in the fourth quarter of 2008. But the labor outlook will take longer to recover, and one economist claims "the economy would have to grow an average of about 4% for six years to get back to the sub-5% unemployment rates seen in 2007."
Where can you conduct your own search for statistics on GDP and unemployment? GDP and other economic data are available on the website of the Bureau of Economic Analysis. For statistics on unemployment, pay, and other labor factors, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To find out how the Department of Labor is using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to stimulate the economy through its labor programs, check out its web page on Implementing the Recovery Act.
To help you find additional resources on the economic downturn and government stimulus programs, we've created this new guide.
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United States
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Campaign on HIV/AIDS Awareness Begins
Yesterday the Obama administration commenced a five-year, $45 million communications campaign to promote awareness about HIV infection and AIDS. The campaign, Act Against AIDS, will feature public service announcements, advertising on public transportation, text messages, and a Website.
You can read more about the campaign in the Washington Post. You can find more online government resources through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
For additional national and international resources about the AIDS epidemic, see our guide to Health and Medical Information.
You can read more about the campaign in the Washington Post. You can find more online government resources through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
For additional national and international resources about the AIDS epidemic, see our guide to Health and Medical Information.
Tags:
United States
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Arctic Sea Ice Melting Faster than Expected
Today's Washington Post reports that Arctic sea ice is melting more quickly than scientists had anticipated. Satellite data from NASA and the National Snow and Ice Center show that sea ice cover in the Arctic continues to shrink, and the ice cap is also thinning.
The same day that the ice data were revealed, international leaders had convened in Washington to issues affecting the Earth's polar regions. On the State Department's website you can read a transcript of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech made to the Joint Session of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and the Arctic Council.
For additional resources, see our guide to Climate Change.
The same day that the ice data were revealed, international leaders had convened in Washington to issues affecting the Earth's polar regions. On the State Department's website you can read a transcript of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech made to the Joint Session of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and the Arctic Council.
For additional resources, see our guide to Climate Change.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Defense releases new buget recommendations
Defense Secretary Gates released budget recommendations for the Department of Defense which will "profoundly reform how this department does business." You can read a transcript of the remarks on this budget from the Department of Defense web site, which has already issued two press articles (Budget Recommendations and People take top priority) on these recommendations.
For more information on these recommendations check out the Washington Post "Big cuts seen for F-22, other big weapon programs" or "U.S. to Shake Up Big Weapons Programs" from the Wall Street Journal.
Want more military information? Check out the library's guide.
For more information on these recommendations check out the Washington Post "Big cuts seen for F-22, other big weapon programs" or "U.S. to Shake Up Big Weapons Programs" from the Wall Street Journal.
Want more military information? Check out the library's guide.
Tags:
United States
Government Resources on Intercountry Adoption
As I was skimming the daily news headlines, I noticed an article about a Malawi court's rejection of pop star Madonna's attempt to adopt a Malawian child. Though initially irritated to see a celebrity mentioned among the daily news headlines, I thought it would be interesting to provide our readers with some governmental and intergovernmental resources about adoption.
Malawi's Ministry of Gender, Child Welfare and Community Services establishes policies on intercountry adoption of Malawi children. Here you can find Malawi's National Policy on Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children.
In the U.S., the Department of State's Office of Children's Issues provides information and statistics on intercountry adoption. In 1994 the U.S. signed the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-Country Adoption, which provides international standards for intercountry adoptions. Malawi has not signed the convention.
You can find more resources on the Malawian government in our guide to this country. Further resources on adoption can be found in our guide to Children and Youth.
Malawi's Ministry of Gender, Child Welfare and Community Services establishes policies on intercountry adoption of Malawi children. Here you can find Malawi's National Policy on Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children.
In the U.S., the Department of State's Office of Children's Issues provides information and statistics on intercountry adoption. In 1994 the U.S. signed the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-Country Adoption, which provides international standards for intercountry adoptions. Malawi has not signed the convention.
You can find more resources on the Malawian government in our guide to this country. Further resources on adoption can be found in our guide to Children and Youth.
Friday, April 03, 2009
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 risks of tax software, the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), methadone overdose deaths, and defense acquisitions and infrastructure . If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.
Reports
Reports
- 2008 Lobbying Disclosure: Observations on Lobbyists' Compliance with Disclosure Requirements. GAO-09-487, April 1.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-487
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09487high.pdf - Bank Secrecy Act: Suspicious Activity Report Use Is Increasing, but FinCEN Needs to Further Develop and Document Its Form Revision Process. GAO-09-226, February 27.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-226
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09226high.pdf - Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs. GAO-09-326SP, March 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-326SP
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09326sphigh.pdf - Defense Infrastructure: DOD Needs to Periodically Review Support Standards and Costs at Joint Bases and Better Inform Congress of Facility Sustainment Funding Uses. GAO-09-336, March 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-336
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09336high.pdf - Defined Benefit Pensions: Survey Results of the Nation's Largest Private Defined Benefit Plan Sponsors. GAO-09-291, March 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-291
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09291high.pdf - Export Promotion: Commerce Needs Better Information to Evaluate Its Fee-Based Programs and Customers. GAO-09-144, March 4.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-144
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09144high.pdf - Health-Care-Associated Infections: HHS Action Needed to Obtain Nationally Representative Data on Risks in Ambulatory Surgical Centers. GAO-09-213, February 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-213
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09213high.pdf - Methadone-Associated Overdose Deaths: Factors Contributing to Increased Deaths and Efforts to Prevent Them. GAO-09-341, March 26.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-341
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09341high.pdf - Nuclear Nonproliferation: Strengthened Oversight Needed to Address Proliferation and Management Challenges in IAEA's Technical Cooperation Program. GAO-09-275, March 5.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-275
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09275high.pdf - Tax Administration: Many Taxpayers Rely on Tax Software and IRS Needs to Assess Associated Risks. GAO-09-297, February 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-297
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09297high.pdf - Troubled Asset Relief Program: March 2009 Status of Efforts to Address Transparency and Accountability Issues. GAO-09-504, March 31.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-504
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09504high.pdf
- Export Promotion: States' Export Promotion Agency Survey (GAO-09-148SP), an E-supplement to GAO-09-144. GAO-09-148SP, March 4.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-148SP - Troubled Asset Relief Program: Capital Purchase Program Transactions for the Period October 28, 2008 through March 20, 2009 and Information on Financial Agency Agreements, Contracts, and Blanket Purchase Agreements Awarded as of March 13, 2009 (GAO-09-522SP, March 2009), an E-supplement to GAO-09-504. GAO-09-522SP, March 31.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-522SP
- Management Report: Improvements Needed in SEC's Internal Controls and Accounting Procedures. GAO-09-376R, April 2.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-376R - Review of Special Counsel Expenses for the 6 Months Ended September 30, 2008. GAO-09-367R, March 31.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-367R
- Contingency Contracting: DOD, State, and USAID Are Taking Actions to Track Contracts and Contractor Personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan, by John P. Hutton, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-09-538T, April 1.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-538T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09538thigh.pdf - Defense Acquisitions: Measuring the Value of DOD's Weapon Programs Requires Starting with Realistic Baselines, by Michael J. Sullivan, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Panel on Defense Acquisition Reform, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-09-543T, April 1.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-543T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09543thigh.pdf - Global War on Terrorism: Reported Obligations for the Department of Defense. GAO-09-449R, March 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-449R - High Speed Passenger Rail: Future Development Will Depend on Addressing Financial and Other Challenges and Establishing a Clear Federal Role, by Susan A. Fleming, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-09-560T, April 1.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-560T - Human Capital: Improved Implementation of Safeguards and an Action Plan to Address Employee Concerns Could Increase Employee Acceptance of the National Security Personnel System, by Brenda S. Farrell, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Readiness, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-09-464T, April 1.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-464T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09464thigh.pdf - Information on Proposed Changes to the National Flood Insurance Program. GAO-09-420R, February 27.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-420R - Oil and Gas Management: Federal Oil and Gas Resource Management and Revenue Collection in Need of Stronger Oversight and Comprehensive Reassessment, by Franklin Rusco, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-09-556T, April 2.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-556T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09556thigh.pdf - Troubled Asset Relief Program: Status of Efforts to Address Transparency and Accountability Issues, by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the United States, before the Senate Committee on Finance. GAO-09-539T, March 31.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-539T - Wildland Fire Management: Actions by Federal Agencies and Congress Could Mitigate Rising Fire Costs and Their Effects on Other Agency Programs, by Robin M.Nazzaro, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-09-444T, April 1.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-444T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09444thigh.pdf
Tags:
GAO Reports,
United States
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Federal Court Rules in Favor of Afghanistan Detainees
Today U.S. District Judge John D. Bates ruled that some prisoners held by the United States military at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, have a right to contest their imprisonment. You can find an article on the ruling in the New York Times. The court opinion is available on the DC District Court's website.
Judge Bates states that the three detainees in the case have the same legal rights that the Supreme Court last year afforded to prisoners held at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. For comparison, see the District Court's web page devoted to Guantánamo Bay Case Information.
For additional U.S. Court resources, see our guide.
Judge Bates states that the three detainees in the case have the same legal rights that the Supreme Court last year afforded to prisoners held at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. For comparison, see the District Court's web page devoted to Guantánamo Bay Case Information.
For additional U.S. Court resources, see our guide.
Tags:
United States
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
G-20 Meets in London
On April 2 the G-20 meets in London to discuss the troubling state of the global economy. The Guardian provides a portal with links to the latest news, blog posts, and images related to the meeting.
The G-20, or Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, formed in 1999 to bring industrialized and developing economies together to discuss the global economy. Its members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, the U.S., and the European Union. You can learn more about the G-20 on its official website.
There are a few more primary resources on the G-20 and the London Summit that might interest you:
The G-20, or Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, formed in 1999 to bring industrialized and developing economies together to discuss the global economy. Its members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, the U.S., and the European Union. You can learn more about the G-20 on its official website.
There are a few more primary resources on the G-20 and the London Summit that might interest you:
- The London Summit 2009 This website is dedicated to the London Summit taking place right now. Here you can find live webcasts, a list of the summit's aims, and position papers.
- G-20 Publications Here you can download communiques, case studies, work programs, and other documents.
Tags:
Foreign/International
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