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 month brings us reports on the defense, oil pipelines, economics 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 Secrecy News:

• U.S. Arms Sales: Agreements with and Deliveries to Major Clients, 2003-2010 
• Pakistan: U.S. Foreign Aid Conditions, Restrictions, and Reporting Requirements
• Changes in the Distribution of Income Among Tax Filers Between 1996 and 2006: The Role of Labor Income, Capital Income, and Tax Policy
• U.S. Periods of War and Dates of Current Conflicts 
• Director of National Intelligence Statutory Authorities: Status and Proposals 
• The National Security Council: An Organizational Assessment
• Terrorism Information Sharing and the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Report Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress
• The Army’s Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) and Early Infantry Brigade Combat Team (E-IBCT) Programs: Background and Issues for Congress
• National Infrastructure Bank: Overview and Current Legislation
• Drug Offenses: Maximum Fines and Terms of Imprisonment for Violation of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and Related Laws
• Keystone XL Pipeline Project: Key Issues
• Recess Appointments: Frequently Asked Questions
• “Super PACs” in Federal Elections: Overview and Issues for Congress
• Legal Issues Associated with the Proposed Keystone XL Pipeline
• Contemporary Developments in Presidential Elections
• “Surge Recovery” and Next Steps in the War in Afghanistan: In Brief
• U.S. Assistance Programs in China
• Border Security: Immigration Enforcement Between Ports of Entry
• U.S. Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress
• Kim Jong-il’s Death: Implications for North Korea’s Stability and U.S. Policy
• The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2012: Detainee Matters
• F-35 Alternate Engine Program: Background and Issues for Congress
• Horn of Africa Region: The Humanitarian Crisis and International Response
• Building Civilian Interagency Capacity for Missions Abroad: Key Proposals and Issues for Congress

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out our 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.    

Patrolling the Skies for Dangerous Reindeer

As some of you may be aware late on December 24th the skies of North America will be invaded by a jolly man dressed in a red suit with a few flying reindeer. In case you were worried that this nefarious man might invade our territory without anyone noticing I direct you to NORAD's Santa site.

First, you might want to check out this video on how this worked last year:

Then, you might want to stroll over to the Countdown Village to while away some precious hours until he arrives and the jets come out.

Jets? Who said anything about jets? Well, Santa does not file a flight plan ahead of time, so the following protocol is followed: "Canadian NORAD fighter pilots flying the CF-18 intercept and welcome Santa to North America. In the United States, American NORAD fighter pilots in either the F-15, F-16 or the F-22 get the thrill of flying alongside Santa and his famous reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and, of course, Rudolph."

Finally, when the time arrives for the big flight, you can use Google Earth to track Santa's movements so you don't have to worry about him catching you unprepared. If you want to learn how or just want to watch Santa's movements on a web page, check out NORAD's tracking page.

Now for those adults who want to know more about NORAD I encourage you to check out their web site. If you want to know the technical details on this project, such as how many tax dollars are used, check out the FAQ. Finally, if you want to learn a bit more about Homeland Security, check out the library's guide.

Government Accountability Office (GAO) Reports and Releases

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) which is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This set of publications from GAO investigates the housing, fire, health care, and many other issues. If you would like to know more about GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Pediatric Medical Devices: Provisions Support Development, but Better Data Needed for Required Reporting. GAO-12-225, December 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-225
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/587163.pdf 
• DOD Financial Management: Ongoing Challenges with Reconciling Navy and Marine Corps Fund Balance with Treasury. GAO-12-132, December 20
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-132
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/587214.pdf 
• International Climate Change Assessments: Federal Agencies Should Improve Reporting and Oversight of U.S. Funding. GAO-12-43, November 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-43
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/587131.pdf 
• Coast Guard: Security Risk Model Meets DHS Criteria, but More Training Could Enhance its Use for Managing Programs and Operations. GAO-12-14, November 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-14
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/587145.pdf 
• Port Security Grant Program: Risk Model, Grant Management, and Effectiveness Measures Could Be Strengthened. GAO-12-47, November 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-47
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/587143.pdf 
• Station Fire: Forest Service's Response Offers Potential Lessons for Future Wildland Fire Management. GAO-12-155, December 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-155
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/587074.pdf 
• Recovery Act: Progress and Challenges in Spending Weatherization Funds. GAO-12-195, December 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-195
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/587063.pdf
  Podcast - http://www.gao.gov/multimedia/podcasts/587106 
• Medicaid: Health Opportunity Accounts Demonstration Program. GAO-12-221R, December 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-221R
• Arlington National Cemetery: Management Improvements Made, but a Strategy Is Needed to Address Remaining Challenges. GAO-12-105, December 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-105
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/587016.pdf 
• Arlington National Cemetery: Additional Actions Needed to Continue Improvements in Contract Management. GAO-12-99, December 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-99
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/586983.pdf 
• Drug Shortages: FDA's Ability to Respond Should Be Strengthened. GAO-12-116, November 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-116
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/586999.pdf 
• Delphi Pension Plans: GM Agreements with Unions Give Rise to Unique Differences in Participant Benefits. GAO-12-168, December 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-168
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/587046.pdf 
• Coast Guard: Communication of Post-Government Employment Restrictions Can Be Strengthened. GAO-12-174, December 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-174
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/587041.pdf 
• DOD Health Care: Actions Needed to Help Ensure Full Compliance and Complete Documentation for Physician Credentialing and Privileging. GAO-12-31, December 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-31
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/586995.pdf 
• Medicare: Many Factors, Including Administrative Challenges, Affect Access to Part D Vaccinations. GAO-12-61, December 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-61
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/587010.pdf 
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Acquisition Approach for Commercial Crew Transportation Includes Good Practices, but Faces Significant Challenges. GAO-12-282, December 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-282
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/587023.pdf 
• International Space Station: Approaches for Ensuring Utilization through 2020 Are Reasonable but Should Be Revisited as NASA Gains More Knowledge of On-Orbit Performance. GAO-12-162,December 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-162
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/587030.pdf 
• Health Care Coverage: Job Lock and the Potential Impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. GAO-12-166R, December 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-166R 
• Foster Children: HHS Guidance Could Help States Improve Oversight of Psychotropic Prescriptions. GAO-12-201, December 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-201
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/586907.pdf 
• Small Business Lending Fund: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Transparency and Accountability. GAO-12-183, December 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-183
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/586883.pdf 
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Action Needed to Address NNSA's Program Management and Coordination Challenges. GAO-12-71, December 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-71
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/586893.pdf
• Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan: Comparison of Implementation and Early Enrollment with the Children's Health Insurance Program. GAO-12-62R, November 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-62R 
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: Additional Actions Needed to Strengthen Grants Management. GAO-12-158, December 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-158
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12158high.pdf 
• Broadcasting Board of Governors Should Provide Additional Information to Congress Regarding Broadcasting to Cuba. GAO-12-243R, December 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-243R 
• Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Retirement Benefit and Retained Asset Account Disclosures Could Be Improved. GAO-12-94, November 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-94
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1294high.pdf 
• National Institutes of Health: Employment and Other Impacts Reported by NIH Recovery Act Grantees. GAO-12-32, November 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-32
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1232high.pdf
• Mississippi River: Actions Are Needed to Help Resolve Environmental and Flooding Concerns about the Use of River Training Structures. GAO-12-41, December 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-41
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1241high.pdf 
• Managing for Results: Opportunities for Congress to Address Government Performance Issues. GAO-12-215R, December 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-215R 
• Adult Drug Courts: Studies Show Courts Reduce Recidivism, but DOJ Could Enhance Future Performance Measure Revision Efforts. GAO-12-53, December 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-53
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1253high.pdf 
• Highway Emergency Relief: Strengthened Oversight of Project Eligibility Decisions Needed. GAO-12-45, November 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-45
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1245high.pdf 
• Defense Contract Audits: Actions Needed to Improve DCAA's Access to and Use of Defense Company Internal Audit Reports. GAO-12-88, December 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-88
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1288high.pdf 
• Transportation Security: Actions Needed to Address Limitations in TSA's Transportation Worker Security Threat Assessments and Growing Workload. GAO-12-60, December 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-60
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1260high.pdf 
• Transportation Security Infrastructure Modernization May Enhance DHS Screening Capabilities, but It Is Too Early to Assess Results. GAO-12-192R, December 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-192R
• IT Dashboard: Accuracy Has Improved, and Additional Efforts Are Under Way to Better Inform Decision Making. GAO-12-210, November 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-210
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12210high.pdf 
• Homeland Defense and Weapons of Mass Destruction: Additional Steps Could Enhance the Effectiveness of the National Guard's Life-Saving Response Forces. GAO-12-114, December 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-114
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12114high.pdf 
• State Small Business Credit Initiative: Opportunities Exist to Improve Program Oversight. GAO-12-173, December 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-173
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12173high.pdf 
• Postsecondary Education: Student Outcomes Vary at For-Profit, Nonprofit, and Public Schools. GAO-12-143, December 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-143 
• Vacant Properties: Growing Number Increases Communities' Costs and Challenges. GAO-12-34, November 4. 
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-34
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1234high.pdf
• Green Building: Federal Initiatives for the Nonfederal Sector Could Benefit from More Interagency Collaboration. GAO-12-79, November 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-79
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1279high.pdf 
• Tennessee Valley Authority: Full Consideration of Energy Efficiency and Better Capital Expenditures Planning Are Needed. GAO-12-107, October 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-107
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12107high.pdf 
• Ginnie Mae: Risk Management and Cost Modeling Require Continuing Attention. GAO-12-49, November 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-49
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1249high.pdf

Testimonies

• Drug Shortages: FDA's Ability to Respond Should Be Strengthened, by Marcia Crosse, Director of Health Care Issues, before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. GAO-12-315T, December 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-315T 
• Homelessness: To Improve Data and Programs, Agencies Have Taken Steps to Develop a Common Vocabulary, by Alicia Puente Cackley, Director of Financial Markets and Community Investment, before the Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing, and Community Opportunity, House Committee on Financial Services. GAO-12-302T, December 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-302T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/586997.pdf 
• Medicaid Program Integrity: Expanded Federal Role Presents Challenges to and Opportunities for Assisting States, by Carolyn L. Yocom, director, health care, before the Subcommittees on Government Organization, Efficiency and Financial Management and Health Care, District of Columbia, Census and the National Archives, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-12-288T, December 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-288T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12288thigh.pdf 
• Fraud Detection Systems: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Needs to Expand Efforts to Support Program Integrity Initiatives, by Valerie C. Melvin, director, information management and technology resources issues, before the Subcommittees on Government Organization, Efficiency and Financial Management; and Health Care, District of Columbia, Census and the National Archives; House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-12-292T, December 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-292T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12292thigh.pdf 
• Visa Waiver Program: Additional Actions Needed to Address Risks and Strengthen Overstay Enforcement, by Richard M. Stana, director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement, House Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-12-287T, December 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-287T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12287thigh.pdf 
• National Capital Region: 2010 Strategic Plan is Generally Consistent with Characteristics of Effective Strategies, by William O. Jenkins, Jr., director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittees on Disaster Recovery and Intergovernmental Affairs and Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia; Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Oversight Committee. GAO-12-276T, December 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-276T
• Foster Children: HHS Guidance Could Help States Improve Oversight of Psychotropic Prescriptions, by Greg Kutz, FAIS, before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security. GAO-12-270T, December 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-270T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12270thigh.pdf
  Podcast available - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_84.html 
• Federal Housing Administration: Risks to the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund and the Agency's Operations, by Mathew Scire, FMCI, before the House Committee on Financial Services. GAO-12-277T, December 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-277T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12277thigh.pdf 
• Coast Guard: Observations on Arctic Requirements, Icebreakers, and Coordination with Stakeholders, by Stephen Caldwell, HSJ, before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. GAO-12-254T, December 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-254T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12254thigh.pdf

No Texting While Driving??? Why Not???

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an independent federal agency charged with determining the probable cause of transportation accidents, promoting transportation safety, and assisting victims, has voted unanimously to recommend a ban on non-emergency use of portable electronic devices (aka cell phones) while driving.  The decision followed on heels of the discussion into the causes of an accident involving two school buses, a GMC pickup, and a Volvo tractor.  The board concluded that the most likely cause of the accident, which killed two and injured many others, was probably inattentiveness on by the pickup driver who was text messaging at or near the time of the accident. 

It's a big problem.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  "in 2009, more than 5,400 people were killed and an additional 448,000 were injured in crashes that were reported to involve driving while distracted. Among those killed or injured in these crashes, nearly 1,000 deaths and 24,000 injuries included cell phone use as the major distraction (Distracted Driving in the United States and Europe)  It's considered such a serious problem that the U.S. Department of Transportation has a website (www.distraction.gov) devoted to the issue.  The site includes fact sheets, summaries of state laws, and links to research reports. 

Chart from Distracted Driving in the
United States and Europe

Take a look at this chart. Only about 1/3 of us "never" use a cell phone while driving.  We sincerely hope that you are not reading this blog post while driving.

Drive safely 

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 month brings us reports on the federal laws, secrecy and tracking. 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:

• Federal Laws Relating to Cybersecurity: Discussion of Proposed Revisions
• Governmental Tracking of Cell Phones and Vehicles: The Confluence of Privacy, Technology, and Law
• Congressional Lawmaking: A Perspective On Secrecy and Transparency

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the 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.