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:

• China and the United States—A Comparison of Green Energy Programs and Policies
• Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Acquisition: Issues for Congress
• Securing America’s Borders: The Role of the Military
• Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan: Presidential Authority and the Separation of Powers
• Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan: Defamation and the First Amendment
• The Jurisprudence of Justice John Paul Stevens: Selected Opinions on the Jury’s Role in Criminal Sentencing
• Israel’s Blockade of Gaza and the Mavi Marmara Incident

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.

Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico

There are a number of government resources on the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon spill and I thought today I would take the opportunity to highlight just a few:

• Maps It used to be that to see the various maps for the Oil spill and response you needed to go to a number of different pages, but NOAA has released a GeoPlatform that integrates all the various data points together into one map.
• Responding:
  Unified Command for the BP Oil Spill This is the home page for the all the responses to the oil spill. From here you can file a claim, report incidents and oiled wildlife.
  NOAA The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) page focuses on where the oil is going, weather forecasts, and fishery closures. One of their major contributions is the map listed above.
  EPA The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focuses on the effects of the spill on the human and aquatic population. They are the group that examines the samples and authorizes the use of various dispersants on the oil.
  US Fish and Wildlife The US Fish and Wildlife Service is the group that currently is coordinating the wildlife and habitat recovery efforts. It is here that you can find the depressing numbers of how many wildlife of various types have been found.

If you still want to learn more, there are a couple guides that can help out. The library has guides to the environment and energy and alternative fuels.

GAO Reports

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week GAO investigated the Department of Hoeland Security, the U.S. Postal Service, high-speed rail, and other issues. If you would like to know more about GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

High Speed Rail: Learning from Service Start-ups, Prospects for Increased Industry Investment, and Federal Oversight Plans. GAO-10-625, June 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-625
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10625high.pdf

International Trade: Exporters' Use of the Earned Import Allowance Program for Haiti Is Negligible because They Favor Other Trade Provisions. GAO-10-654, June 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-654
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10654high.pdf

U.S. Postal Service: Mail Processing Network Initiatives Progressing, and Guidance for Consolidating Area Mail Processing Operations Being Followed. GAO-10-731, June 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-731
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10731high.pdf

Federal Energy Management: GSA's Recovery Act Program Is on Track, but Opportunities Exist to Improve Transparency, Performance Criteria, and Risk Management. GAO-10-630, June 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-630
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10630high.pdf

U.S. Postal Service: Mail Processing Network Initiatives Progressing, and Guidance for Consolidating Area Mail Processing Operations Being Followed. GAO-10-731, June 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-731
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10731high.pdf

Home Infusion Therapy: Differences between Medicare and Private Insurers' Coverage. GAO-10-426, June 7.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-426
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10426high.pdf

Secure Border Initiative: DHS Needs to Reconsider Its Proposed Investment in Key Technology Program. GAO-10-340, May 5.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-340
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10340high.pdf


Correspondences

Natural Catastrophe Insurance Coverage Remains a Challenge for State Programs. GAO-10-568R, May 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-568R

Federal Funds: Fiscal Years 2002-2009 Obligations, Disbursements, and Expenditures for Selected Organizations Involved in Health-Related Activities. GAO-10-533R, May 28.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-533R

The Strategic Framework for U.S. Efforts in Afghanistan. GAO-10-655R, June 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-655R

GAO Proactive Testing of ARRA Tax Credits for COBRA Premium Payments. GAO-10-804R, June 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-804R

State-Level Information on Negative Home Equity and Loan Performance in the Nonprime Mortgage Market. GAO-10-633R, May 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-633R

Preliminary Observations on Funding, Oversight, and Investigations and Prosecutions of ACORN or Potentially Related Organizations. GAO-10-648R, June 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-648R

Homeland Security: Preliminary Observations on the Federal Protective Service's Workforce Analysis and Planning Efforts. GAO-10-802R, June 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-802R

Defense Infrastructure: Observations on the Department of the Navy's Depot Capital Investment Program. GAO-10-726R, June 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-726R



Testimonies

Secure Border Initiative: DHS Needs to Follow Through on Plans to Reassess and Better Manage Key Technology Program, by Randolph C. Hite, director, information technology architecture and system issues, before a joint hearing of the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism and the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-10-840T, June 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-840T

Information Management: The Challenges of Managing Electronic Records, by Valerie C. Melvin, director, information management and human capital issues, before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-838T, June 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-838T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10838thigh.pdf

Oil Spills: Cost of Major Spills May Impact Viability of Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, by Susan A. Fleming, director, physical infrastructure, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-10-795T, June 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-795T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10795thigh.pdf

Oil and Gas Management: Key Elements to Consider for Providing Assurance of Effective Independent Oversight, by Franklin Rusco, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, House Committee on Natural Resources. GAO-10-852T, June 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-852T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10852thigh.pdf

5. Credit and Debit Cards: Federal Agencies Benefit from Card Acceptance, but Have Limited Ability to Control Interchange Fee Costs, by Alicia Puente Cackley, director, financial markets and community investment, before the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, Senate Committee on Appropriations. GAO-10-821T, June 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-821T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10821thigh.pdf

Medicare Fraud, Waste, and Abuse: Challenges and Strategies for Preventing Improper Payments, by Kathleen M. King, director, health care, before a joint hearing of the Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Oversight, House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-10-844T, June 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-844T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10844thigh.pdf

Cameron Issues Apology for Bloody Sunday Killings

Yesterday, British Prime Minister David Cameron issued a formal apology on behalf of the UK government for the "unjustified and unjustifiable" killings that took place in 1972 in Derry, Northern Ireland, on what is known as Bloody Sunday. His apology was in response to the Report of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry (also referred to as the Saville Report) just released by the British Parliament. A video clip of Cameron's statement is available on the Prime Minster's official web site (make sure you have selected the Commons Statements tab). Ireland's President Mary McAleese has also issued a statement on the Bloody Sunday Report.

British and Irish media accounts of the Bloody Sunday Report are available from the Guardian and the Irish Times. For additional resources, take a look at our country guides to Ireland and the United Kingdom.

GAO Reports

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week GAO investigated electronic records, aviation safety, defense, and other issues. If you would like to know more about GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

Depot Maintenance: Improved Strategic Planning Needed to Ensure That Navy Depots Can Meet Future Maintenance Requirements. GAO-10-585, June 11.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-585
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10585high.pdf

Electronic Records Archives: Status Update on the National Archives and Records Administration's Fiscal Year 2010 Expenditure Plan. GAO-10-657, June 11.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-657
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10657high.pdf

Aviation Safety: Improved Data Quality and Analysis Capabilities Are Needed as FAA Plans a Risk-Based Approach to Safety Oversight. GAO-10-414, May 6.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-414
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10414high.pdf

Defense Inventory: Defense Logistics Agency Needs to Expand on Efforts to More Effectively Manage Spare Parts. GAO-10-469, May 11.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-469
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10469high.pdf

Military Readiness: Navy Needs to Reassess Its Metrics and Assumptions for Ship Crewing Requirements and Training. GAO-10-592, June 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-592
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10592high.pdf


Correspondence

Selected Federal Agencies' Policies for Choosing Conference Locations. GAO-10-677R, June 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-677R

Preliminary Observations on the Potential Effects of the Proposed Performance Rights Act on the Recording and Broadcast Radio Industries. GAO-10-428R, February 26.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-428R

Related Product

Comments From The Copyright Office On GAO-10-428R (GAO-10-707SP), an E-supplement to GAO-10-428R. GAO-10-707SP, June 7.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-707SP


Testimony

National Security: Key Challenges and Solutions to Strengthen Interagency Collaboration, by John H. Pendleton, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-10-822T, June 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-822T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10822thigh.pdf

National Security: Key Challenges and Solutions to Strengthen Interagency Collaboration, by John H. Pendleton, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-10-822T, June 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-822T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10822thigh.pdf