History of Executive Privilege, and More from CRS
A 2008 report by the Congressional Research Service discussed the history of claims of executive privilege, including various unresolved questions surrounding its use. The Obama Administration asserted executive privilege today in connection with records sought by a House Committee. See Presidential Claims of Executive Privilege: History, Law, Practice and Recent Developments, updated August 21, 2008.
Newly updated reports from the Congressional Research Service that Congress has not made publicly available include the following.
U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress, June 19, 2012
Free Trade Agreements: Impact on U.S. Trade and Implications for U.S. Trade Policy, June 18, 2012
Madagascar’s Political Crisis, June 18, 2012
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests, June 15, 2012
U.S. Trade Deficit and the Impact of Changing Oil Prices, June 18, 2012
Unauthorized Alien Students: Issues and “DREAM Act” Legislation, June 19, 2012
Federal Taxation of Aliens Working in the United States, May 18, 2012
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.