FAS

Economic Impacts of Prison Growth, and More from CRS

04.15.10 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

“The historic, sustained rise in [the U.S. prison population] has broad implications, not just for the criminal justice system, but for the larger economy. About 770,000 people worked in the corrections sector in 2008 [and this number is expected to grow]…. By comparison, in 2008 there were 880,000 workers in the entire U.S. auto manufacturing sector.”  See “Economic Impacts of Prison Growth” (pdf), April 13, 2010.

Other noteworthy new CRS reports obtained by Secrecy News that Congress has not made readily available to the public include the following (all pdf).

“The Role of the Senate in Judicial Impeachment Proceedings: Procedure, Practice, and Data,” April 9, 2010.

“Military Personnel and Freedom of Religious Expression: Selected Legal Issues,” April 8, 2010.

“Multilateral Development Banks: Overview and Issues for Congress,” April 9, 2010.

“Foreign Aid Reform, National Strategy, and the Quadrennial Review,” April 12, 2010.

“Supreme Court Appointment Process: Roles of the President, Judiciary Committee, and Senate,” February 19, 2010.

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Education & Workforce
day one project
Policy Memo
Moving Federal Postsecondary Education Data to the States

Moving postsecondary education data collection to the states is the best way to ensure that the U.S. Department of Education can meet its legislative mandates in an era of constrained federal resources.

10.24.25 | 6 min read
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Education & Workforce
day one project
Policy Memo
Investing in Young Children Strengthens America’s Global Leadership

Supporting children’s development through health, nutrition, education, and protection programs helps the U.S. achieve its national security and economic interests, including the Administration’s priorities to make America “safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”

10.23.25 | 9 min read
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Education & Workforce
day one project
Policy Memo
AI Implementation is Essential Education Infrastructure

To strengthen federal–state alignment, upcoming AI initiatives should include three practical measures: readiness assessments before fund distribution, outcomes-based contracting tied to student progress, and tiered implementation support reflecting district capacity.

10.22.25 | 9 min read
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Environment
Press release
Bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act (S. 1462) Clears Senate Committee, a Crucial Step Forward for Wildfire Resilience

“FAS is very pleased to see the Fix Our Forests Act, S. 1426, advance out of Committee. We urge the Senate to act quickly to pass this legislation and to ensure that federal agencies have the capacity and resourcing they need to carry out its provisions.”

10.22.25 | 2 min read
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