Bin Laden's Driver Sentenced by Military Panel

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

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

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

CRS Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress's request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on defense, FISA, appropriations and much more. While these reports are in the public domain there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your Senator or Representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by Secrecy News:

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

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

International AIDS conference

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

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

FCC Rules that Comcast Violates Federal Policy

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

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

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

GAO Releases this week

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as African American children in foster care, the food stamp program, Veterans Affairs, bankruptcy reform, and tax compliance by businesses. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

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

Testimonies

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

Correspondence

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

Comptroller General Forum

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

Reposted Products

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

Guidances

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