As a matter of policy, the Congressional Research Service does not make its products directly available to the public. Recent reports from CRS on climate change and related topics obtained by Secrecy News include these (all pdf).
“Global Climate Change: Three Policy Perspectives,” updated November 26, 2008.
“Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Perspectives on the Top 20 Emitters and Developed Versus Developing Nations,” updated November 28, 2008.
“Climate Change: Design Approaches for a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program,” updated November 24, 2008.
“Climate Change and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS): Kyoto and Beyond,” updated November 24, 2008.
“Are Carbon Dioxide Emissions Rising More Rapidly Than Expected?,” October 17, 2008.
“Capturing CO2 from Coal-Fired Power Plants: Challenges for a Comprehensive Strategy,” August 15, 2008.
“The Carbon Cycle: Implications for Climate Change and Congress,” updated March 13, 2008.
“Climate Change: Federal Laws and Policies Related to Greenhouse Gas Reductions,” updated January 28, 2008.
“U.S. Global Climate Change Policy: Evolving Views on Cost, Competitiveness, and Comprehensiveness,” updated January 28, 2008.
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.