Funding Overseas Contingency Ops, and More from CRS
The use of the “overseas contingency operations” budget construct to circumvent limits on discretionary spending was examined in a report from the Congressional Research Service published yesterday.
“Some DOD officials argue that this funding approach is essential to enable a timely military response to a dynamic enemy operating in a complex battlespace,” the CRS report said. “Critics however, have described the DOD’s continued use of the OCO/GWOT account as creating a ‘slush fund’ for military spending.” See Overseas Contingency Operations Funding: Background and Status, June 13, 2016.
Other new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following.
Athletic Footwear for the Military: The Berry Amendment Controversy, CRS Insight, June 10, 2016
The Open Skies Treaty: Issues in the Current Debate, CRS Insight, June 10, 2016
FY2017 Appropriations for the Department of Justice, updated June 9, 2016
Membership of the 114th Congress: A Profile, updated June 10, 2016
Mass Shootings and Terrorism: CRS Products, June 13, 2016
When a hurricane hits, it’s all hands on deck – that goes for federal data, too. Pulling back from our investments in timely, accurate, and accessible public data will only make us less prepared and put us all at greater risk.
This is bigger than a singular elimination of race and ethnicity questions. It could accelerate the second wave of widespread reductions to demographic data, leaving public health officials with even less information to deliver better health outcomes for all Americans.
Soft law was never meant to be a permanent solution. Treating it as one, and letting the sandcastle stand in for the skyscraper indefinitely, is how we end up with a decade of voluntary commitments and no enforceable accountability to show for it.
FAS has partnered with ICLEI USA to launch the CRI Local Advisory Council.