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
The transition to a clean energy future and diversified sources of energy requires a fundamental shift in how we produce and consume energy across all sectors of the U.S. economy.
A deeper understanding of methane could help scientists better address these impacts – including potentially through methane removal.
While it is reasonable for governments to keep the most sensitive aspects of nuclear policies secret, the rights of their citizens to have access to general knowledge about these issues is equally valid so they may know about the consequences to themselves and their country.
Advancing the U.S. leadership in emerging biotechnology is a strategic imperative, one that will shape regional development within the U.S., economic competitiveness abroad, and our national security for decades to come.