Notable new reports from the Congressional Research Service that have not been made widely available to the public include the following (all pdf).
“Covert Action: Legislative Background and Possible Policy Questions,” updated October 11, 2007.
“U.S.-China Counterterrorism Cooperation: Issues for U.S. Policy,” updated October 10, 2007.
“Mexico’s Drug Cartels,” October 16, 2007.
“Burma-U.S. Relations,” updated October 4, 2007.
“The Export Administration Act: Evolution, Provisions, and Debate,” updated September 28, 2007.
“Status of a Member of the House Who Has Been Indicted for or Convicted of a Felony,” updated October 5, 2007:
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.