Drought in California, Democracy in Hong Kong (CRS)
Noteworthy new Congressional Research Service reports obtained by Secrecy News include the following (all pdf).
“Military Service Records and Unit Histories: A Guide to Locating Sources,” December 16, 2009.
“California Drought: Hydrological and Regulatory Water Supply Issues,” December 7, 2009.
“Government Collection of Private Information: Background and Issues Related to the USA PATRTIOT Act Reauthorization,” December 9, 2009.
“Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Set to Expire February 28, 2010,” December 23, 2009.
“Homeland Security Department: FY2010 Appropriations,” December 14, 2009.
“Private Security Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan: Legal Issues,” December 22, 2009.
“International Terrorism and Transnational Crime: Security Threats, U.S. Policy, and Considerations for Congress,” January 5, 2010.
“U.S. Public Diplomacy: Background and Current Issues,” December 18, 2009.
“Prospects for Democracy in Hong Kong: The 2012 Election Reforms,” December 10, 2009.
The public rarely sees the quiet, often messy work that goes into creating, passing, and implementing a major piece of legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act.
If this proposed rule were enacted it would have deleterious effects on government workers in general and federal researchers and scientists, specifically.
When we introduce “at-will” employment to government employees, we also introduce the potential for environments where people are more concerned about self-preservation than service to others.
There is no better time to re-invigorate America’s innovation edge by investing in R&D to create and capture “industries of the future,” re-shoring capital and expertise, and working closely with allies to expand our capabilities while safeguarding those technologies that are critical to our security.