Noteworthy new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following (all pdf).
“Piracy: A Legal Definition,” October 19, 2010.
“Proliferation Control Regimes: Background and Status,” October 18, 2010.
“Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress,” October 15, 2010.
“Armed Career Criminal Act (18 U.S.C. 924(e)): An Overview,” October 13, 2010.
“Homeland Security Department: FY2011 Appropriations,” October 13, 2010.
Datasets and variables that do not align with Administration priorities, or might reflect poorly on Administration policy impacts, seem to be especially in the cross-hairs.
One month of a government shutdown is in the books, but how many more months will (or can) it go? Congress is paralyzed, but there are a few spasms of activity around healthcare and the prospects of a continuing resolution to punt this fight out until January or later.
At a period where the federal government is undergoing significant changes in how it hires, buys, collects and organizes data, and delivers, deeper exploration of trust in these facets as worthwhile.
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.