FAS

Army Work on Border Barrier Construction Advances

05.29.19 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

At the request of the Department of Homeland Security, the Army Corps of Engineers has undertaken numerous barrier construction projects along the border with Mexico in California, Arizona and New Mexico.

The latest projects were itemized by the Congressional Research Service in Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Southern Border Barriers, CRS In Focus, May 22, 2019.

Some other noteworthy new publications from the Congressional Research Service include the following.

Defense Primer: Acquiring Specialty Metals, Rare Earth Magnets, and Tungsten, CRS In Focus, May 24, 2019

The Economic Effects of the 2017 Tax Revision: Preliminary Observations, May 22, 2019

Legislative Purpose and Adviser Immunity in Congressional Investigations, CRS Legal Sidebar, May 24, 2019

An Overview of State and Federal Authority to Impose Vaccination Requirements, CRS Legal Sidebar, May 22, 2019

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Government Capacity
Press release
Federation of American Scientists and Environmental Policy Innovation Center Unveil Permitting Tech and Talent Policy Recommendations to Support Deployment of Crucial Energy, Environmental, and Infrastructure Projects

FAS today released permitting policy recommendations to improve talent and technology in the federal permitting process. These recommendations will address the sometimes years-long bottlenecks that prevent implementation of crucial projects, from energy to transportation.

02.05.25 | 4 min read
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Government Capacity
Report
Solutions for an Efficient and Effective Federal Permitting Workforce

The United States faces urgent challenges related to aging infrastructure, vulnerable energy systems, and economic competitiveness. But the permitting workforce is unprepared to implement changes. Here’s how they can improve.

02.04.25 | 14 min read
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Environment
Press release
Position on S.325 – establishing the National Integrated Heat Health Information System

S.325 would establish a clear, sustained federal governance structure for extreme heat by bringing all responsible agencies together to coordinate planning, preparedness, and response, a key recommendation of FAS’ 2025 Heat Policy Agenda.

02.04.25 | 1 min read
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Emerging Technology
day one project
Policy Memo
Using Targeted Industrial Policy to Address National Security Implications of Chinese Chips

In an industry with such high fixed costs, the Chinese state’s subsidization gives such firms a great advantage and imperils U.S. competitiveness and national security. To curtail Chinese legacy chip dominance, the United States should weaponize its monopoly on electronic design automation software.

02.04.25 | 17 min read
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