Some notable recent reports of the Congressional Research Service that have not been readily available to the public include the following:
“China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues” (pdf), updated April 6, 2006.
“Protection of Classified Information by Congress: Practices and Proposals” (pdf), updated April 5, 2006.
“Navy Ship Propulsion Technologies: Options for Reducing Oil Use — Background for Congress” (pdf), April 12, 2006.
“FY2006 Supplemental Appropriations: Iraq and Other International Activities; Additional Katrina Hurricane Relief” (pdf), updated April 14, 2006.
“Immigration Enforcement Within the United States” (pdf), April 6, 2006.
“Patent Reform: Issues in the Biomedical and Software Industries” (pdf), April 7, 2006.
“Oil Shale: History, Incentives, and Policy” (pdf), April 13, 2006.
This report serves as a landscape assessment and toolbox from which local governments can negotiate an informed position when it comes to the levers available to them and includes a first-of-its kind analysis of eight executed community benefits agreements.
When a hurricane hits, it’s all hands on deck – that goes for federal data, too. Pulling back from our investments in timely, accurate, and accessible public data will only make us less prepared and put us all at greater risk.
This is bigger than a singular elimination of race and ethnicity questions. It could accelerate the second wave of widespread reductions to demographic data, leaving public health officials with even less information to deliver better health outcomes for all Americans.
Soft law was never meant to be a permanent solution. Treating it as one, and letting the sandcastle stand in for the skyscraper indefinitely, is how we end up with a decade of voluntary commitments and no enforceable accountability to show for it.