A campaign by citizens’ groups in Germany last month persuaded the Bundestag (the German parliament) to authorize the release of thousands of research reports prepared by the Wissenschaftlicher Dienst, the German equivalent of the Congressional Research Service.
“But not only that: The Parliament also changed its publication policy regarding all new reports. In the future, they will be released by the Parliament after a protective period of four weeks,” according to a blog post on the campaign from FragDenStaat.
Our own Congress is still not quite ready to follow suit.
For now, the latest products of the Congressional Research Service must be obtained through alternate channels:
Nigeria: Current Issues and U.S. Policy, March 11, 2016
Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) Program: Frequently Asked Questions, March 11, 2016
Legal Issues with Federal Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food: In Brief, updated March 11, 2016
Veterans’ Benefits: Burial Benefits and National Cemeteries, updated March 11, 2016
FY2017 Budget Documents: Internet and GPO Availability, updated March 10, 2016
Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress, updated March 10, 2016
U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues, updated March 10, 2016
As humans expand our geographic reach, encroach on untouched natural territories, and interact more with animal populations, we will encounter novel zoonotic diseases that threaten the human body. The sooner we act to address these risks, the better.
This report serves as a landscape assessment and toolbox from which local governments can negotiate an informed position when it comes to the levers available to them and includes a first-of-its kind analysis of eight executed community benefits agreements.
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.