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.