The Congressional Research Service, at congressional direction, does not permit direct public access to its products. Members of the public must connive or contrive to gain such access. So we do.
Some recent CRS reports that caught our eye include these (all pdf).
“Presidential Claims of Executive Privilege: History, Law, Practice and Recent Developments,” updated July 5, 2007.
“The Palestinian Territories: Background and U.S. Relations,” July 5, 2007.
“Restructuring EPA’s Libraries: Background and Issues for Congress,” updated June 15, 2007.
“U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress,” updated June 28, 2007.
“Airborne Laser (ABL): Issues for Congress,” updated July 9, 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.