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 the foreign relations, veterans affairs, immigration, 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. These reports were discovered by Open CRS and Secrecy News:

• Project Bioshield: Authorities, Appropriations, Acquisitions, and Issues for Congress
• Department of Defense Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan: Background and Analysis
• U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress
• Costs of Major U.S. Wars
• Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians
• Afghanistan: U.S. Foreign Assistance
• Argentina's Defaulted Sovereign Debt: Dealing with the "Holdouts"
• Brazil's WTO Case Against the U.S. Cotton Program
• China-U.S. Trade Issues
• Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
• Conversion from the National Security Personnel System to Other Pay Schedules: Issues for Congress
• Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive
• Financing the U.S. Trade Deficit
• Foreign Investment in U.S. Securities
• From Solicitor General to Supreme Court Nominee: Responsibilities, History, and the Nomination of Elena Kagan
• Guantanamo Detention Center: Legislative Activity in the 111th Congress
• Honduran-U.S. Relations
• Instability and Humanitarian Conditions in Chad
• Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks
• Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress
• Organized Retail Crime
• Security Assistance Reform: "Section 1206" Background and Issues for Congress
• Spectrum Policy in the Age of Broadband: Issues for Congress
• State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2011 Budget and Appropriations
• Thailand: Background and U.S. Relations
• The "Volcker Rule": Proposals to Limit "Speculative" Proprietary Trading by Banks
• The 2010 Oil Spill: Criminal Liability Under Wildlife Laws
• The Americans with Disabilities Act and Emergency Preparedness and Response
• The New START Treaty: Central Limits and Key Provisions
• The SBA Disaster Loan Program: Overview and Possible Issues for Congress
• The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S. Policy
• Trade Law: An Introduction to Selected International Agreements and U.S. Laws
• U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress
• U.S.-Latin America Trade: Recent Trends and Policy Issues
• Veterans Affairs: "Gray Area Retirees"--Issues and Related Legislation
• Veterans Affairs: Benefits for Service-Connected Disabilities

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.

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 the military, foreign affairs, budget, 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. These reports were discovered by Open CRS:

• China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress
• Comparison of the Current World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program and the World Trade Center Health Program Proposed by Title I of H.R. 847
• Critical Infrastructures: Background, Policy, and Implementation
• Disability Benefits Available Under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Veterans Disability Compensation (VDC) Programs
• DOD Leases of Foreign-Built Ships: Background for Congress
• Foreign Assistance Act of 1961: Authorizations and Corresponding Appropriations
• Intelligence Issues for Congress
• Iraq Casualties: U.S. Military Forces and Iraqi Civilians, Police, and Security Forces
• Item Veto and Expanded Impoundment Proposals: History and Current Status
• Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress
• Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy Aegis Cruiser and Destroyer Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy CG(X) Cruiser Program: Background for Congress
• Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
• Navy LPD-17 Amphibious Ship Procurement: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
• Navy Nuclear Aircraft Carrier (CVN) Homeporting at Mayport: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy Nuclear-Powered Surface Ships: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
• Spectrum Policy in the Age of Broadband: Issues for Congress
• Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales Since 1990
• The Army's M-4 Carbine: Background and Issues for Congress
• The Budget Reconciliation Process: The Senate's "Byrd Rule"
• The FY2011 Federal Budget
• The Haitian Economy and the HOPE Act
• The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010: Summary and Legislative History
• Trade Remedies and the WTO Rules Negotiations
• U.S. Trade Policy and the Caribbean: From Trade Preferences to Free Trade Agreements
• War in Afghanistan: Strategy, Military Operations, and Issues for Congress
• World Trade Organization (WTO): Issues in the Debate on Continued U.S. Participation

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 and Releases

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) which is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week GAO investigated the transit, stimulus funds, various governmental agencies, and other issues. If you would like to know more about GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Cybersecurity: Key Challenges Need to Be Addressed to Improve Research and Development. GAO-10-466, June 3.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-466
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10466high.pdf

Correspondences

• GAO Review of LEA Controls over and Uses of Recovery Act Education Funds (Avery County Schools). GAO-10-746R, July 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-746R
• GAO Review of LEA Controls over and Uses of Recovery Act Education Funds (Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools). GAO-10-747R, July 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-747R
• Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) Program Faces Cost, Schedule, and Performance Risks. GAO-10-758R, July 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-758R
• Overseas Contingency Operations: Comparison of the Department of Defense's Overseas Contingency Operations Funding Requests for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011. GAO-10-889R, July 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-889R
  

UFOs and the European Union

Mario Borghezio a member of the European Parliament from Italy has proposed the consideration of declassification of all materials dealing with UFOs be declassified in European Union member states. If you would like to see the declaration (0057/2010) that is gathering signatures (30 as of this posting) you can view it from the European Union Parliament. If you want to see all the written declarations that are under consideration or adopted in this section check out the European Parliament site. It is here you can learn more about written declarations, which are used to start (or restart) a debate on an issue. If the declaration passes, the parliament will then have a debate, but in order for this action to take place it needs to be taken up European Commission or Council of the European Union.

Want to learn more? We have two have two guides to consider, the European Union and UFOs.

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 only a few reports, 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 Secrecy News:

• Pakistan: Key Current Issues and Developments
• Intelligence Reform After Five Years: The Role of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI)
• Questioning Supreme Court Nominees About Their Views on Legal or Constitutional Issues: A Recurring Issue
• The ‘Volcker Rule’: Proposals to Limit ‘Speculative’ Proprietary Trading by Banks
• The Nunn-McCurdy Act: Background, Analysis, and Issues for Congress
• Environmental Considerations in Federal Procurement: An Overview of the Legal Authorities and Their Implementation
• EPA Regulation of Greenhouse Gases: Congressional Responses and Options

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 and Releases

Sorry, I was on vacation, so today will be an update on all the various reports that I didn't get reported in the last two weeks. First, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) which is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week GAO investigated the transit, stimulus funds, various governmental agencies, and other issues. If you would like to know more about GAO, check out the library's guide.
Reports

• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program: Greater Fraud Prevention Controls Are Needed. GAO-10-621, June 18.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-621
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10621high.pdf
• Department of Homeland Security: Assessments of Selected Complex Acquisitions. GAO-10-588SP, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-588SP
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10588sphigh.pdf
• Biosurveillance: Efforts to Develop a National Biosurveillance Capability Need a National Strategy and a Designated Leader. GAO-10-645, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-645
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10645high.pdf
  Podcast - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_24.html
• Border Security: Improvements in the Department of State's Development Process Could Increase the Security of Passport Cards and Border Crossing Cards. GAO-10-589, June 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-589
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10589high.pdf
• Information Security: Federal Guidance Needed to Address Control Issues with Implementing Cloud Computing. GAO-10-513, May 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-513
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10513high.pdf
• Warfighter Support: Actions Needed to Improve the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization's System of Internal Control. GAO-10-660, July 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-660
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10660high.pdf
• Troubled Asset Relief Program: Treasury's Framework for Deciding to Extend TARP Was Sufficient, but Could be Strengthened for Future Decisions. GAO-10-531, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-531
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10531high.pdf
• Aviation Security: TSA Has Made Progress but Faces Challenges in Meeting the Statutory Mandate for Screening Air Cargo on Passenger Aircraft. GAO-10-446, June 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-446
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10446high.pdf
• Transit Rail: Potential Rail Car Cost-Saving Strategies Exist. GAO-10-730, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-730
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10730high.pdf
• Foreign Assistance: USAID Needs to Improve Its Strategic Planning to Address Current and Future Workforce Needs. GAO-10-496, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-496
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10496high.pdf
• Homelessness: A Common Vocabulary Could Help Agencies Collaborate and Collect More Consistent Data. GAO-10-702, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-702
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10702high.pdf
• Internal Revenue Service: Status of GAO Financial Audit and Related Financial Management Report Recommendations. GAO-10-597, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-597
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10597high.pdf
• Secret Service: Additional Guidance Would Enhance Financial Management and Communication of Candidate Protection Spending to Congress. GAO-10-762, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-762
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10762high.pdf
• Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellites: Agencies Must Act Quickly to Address Risks That Jeopardize the Continuity of Weather and Climate Data. GAO-10-558, May 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-558
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10558high.pdf
  Podcast - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_23.html
• Personnel Practices: Conversions of Employees from Political to Career Positions May 2005-May 2009. GAO-10-688, June 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-688
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10688high.pdf
• Recovery Act: Increasing the Public's Understanding of What Funds Are Being Spent on and What Outcomes Are Expected. GAO-10-581, May 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-581
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10581high.pdf
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: Implications of Recent Legislative and Economic Changes for State Programs and Work Participation Rates. GAO-10-525, May 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-525
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10525high.pdf
• Foreign Medical Schools: Education Should Improve Monitoring of Schools That Participate in the Federal Student Loan Program. GAO-10-412, June 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-412
• Information Technology: Management Improvements Are Essential to VA's Second Effort to Replace Its Outpatient Scheduling System. GAO-10-579, May 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-579
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10579high.pdf
• Export Controls: Observations on Selected Countries' Systems and Proposed Treaties. GAO-10-557, May 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-557
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10557high.pdf
  
• Financial Audit: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Funds' 2009 and 2008 Financial Statements. GAO-10-705, June 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-705
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10705high.pdf
• Nanotechnology: Nanomaterials Are Widely Used in Commerce, but EPA Faces Challenges in Regulating Risk. GAO-10-549, May 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-549
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10549high.pdf
• Troubled Asset Relief Program: Further Actions Needed to Fully and Equitably Implement Foreclosure Mitigation Programs. GAO-10-634, June 24
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-634
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10634high.pdf
• Defense Infrastructure: Army Needs to Improve Its Facility Planning Systems to Better Support Installations Experiencing Significant Growth. GAO-10-602, June 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-602
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10602high.pdf
• Humanitarian Assistance: Status of North Korean Refugee Resettlement and Asylum in the United States. GAO-10-691, June 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-691
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10691high.pdf
• Students with Disabilities: More Information and Guidance Could Improve Opportunities in Physical Education and Athletics. GAO-10-519, June 23.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-519
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10519high.pdf
• Former Federal Trade Officials: Laws on Post-Employment Activities, Foreign Representation, and Lobbying. GAO-10-766, June 23.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-766
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10766high.pdf
• Superfund: EPA's Estimated Costs to Remediate Existing Sites Exceed Current Funding Levels, and More Sites Are Expected to Be Added to the National Priorities List. GAO-10-380, May 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-380
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10380high.pdf
• Federal Courthouse Construction: Better Planning, Oversight, and Courtroom Sharing Needed to Address Future Costs. GAO-10-417, June 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-417
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10417high.pdf
• Army Working Capital Fund: Army Faces Challenges in Managing Working Capital Fund Cash Balance during Wartime Environment. GAO-10-480, June 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-480
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10480high.pdf
• Nuclear Weapons: Actions Needed to Identify Total Costs of Weapons Complex Infrastructure and Research and Production Capabilities. GAO-10-582, June 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-582
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10582high.pdf
  

Correspondence

• Independent Oversight of Recovery Act Funding for Mississippi's Weatherization Assistance Program. GAO-10-796R, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-796R
• Management Report: Improvements Are Needed in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting for the Troubled Asset Relief Program. GAO-10-743R, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-743R
• Management Report: Improvements Are Needed in IRS's Internal Controls and Compliance with Laws and Regulations. GAO-10-565R, June 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-565R
• Transportation Security: Additional Actions Could Strengthen the Security of Intermodal Transportation Facilities. GAO-10-435R, May 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-435R
  

Testimonies

• Information Security: Governmentwide Guidance Needed to Assist Agencies in Implementing Cloud Computing, by Gregory C. Wilshusen, director, information security issues, before the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-855T, July 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-855T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10855thigh.pdf
• Contracting Strategies: Better Data and Management Needed to Leverage Value of Interagency and Enterprisewide Contracts, by John K. Needham, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-10-862T, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-862T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10862thigh.pdf
• Aviation Security: Progress Made but Actions Needed to Address Challenges in Meeting the Air Cargo Screening Mandate, by Stephen Lord, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-10-880T, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-880T
• Combating Nuclear Smuggling: DHS Has Made Some Progress but Not Yet Completed a Strategic Plan for Its Global Nuclear Detection Efforts or Closed Identified Gaps, by Gene Aloise, director, natural resources and environment, before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-10-883T, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-883T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10883thigh.pdf
  
• Environmental Satellites: Planning Required to Mitigate Near-term Risks and Ensure Long-term Continuity, by David A. Powner, director, information technology management issues, before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, House Committee on Science and Technology. GAO-10-858T, June 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-858T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10858thigh.pdf
  Podcast - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_23.html
• Warfighter Support: Cultural Change Needed to Improve How DOD Plans for and Manages Operational Contract Support, by William M. Solis, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-829T, June 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-829T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10829thigh.pdf
• Military Training: Continued Actions Needed to Guide DOD's Efforts to Improve Language Skills and Regional Proficiency, by Sharon L. Pickup, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-10-879T, June 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-879T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10879thigh.pdf
• Warfighter Support: Preliminary Observations on DOD's Progress and Challenges in Distributing Supplies and Equipment in Afghanistan, by William M. Solis, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Defense, House Committee on Appropriations (Unclassified version of a classified statement delivered March 4, 2010.) GAO-10-842T, June 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-842T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10842thigh.pdf
• Superfund: EPA's Costs to Remediate Existing and Future Sites Will Likely Exceed Current Funding Levels, by John B. Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. GAO-10-857T, June 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-857T

Presentation by Acting Comptroller General

• "Anticipating and Meeting Accountability Challenges in a Dynamic Environment," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before the annual conference of the National State Auditors Association, in Phoenix, Arizona. GAO-10-866CG, June 16, 2010.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-866CG