Keystone XL Pipeline Legal Issues, and More from CRS
Some noteworthy new reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following (all pdf):
Legal Issues Associated with the Proposed Keystone XL Pipeline, December 16, 2011
Contemporary Developments in Presidential Elections, January 9, 2012
“Surge Recovery” and Next Steps in the War in Afghanistan: In Brief, January 6, 2011
U.S. Assistance Programs in China, January 6, 2012
Border Security: Immigration Enforcement Between Ports of Entry, January 6, 2011
U.S. Unmanned Aerial Systems, January 3, 2011
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress, January 3, 2012
Kim Jong-il’s Death: Implications for North Korea’s Stability and U.S. Policy, December 22, 2011
DNA synthesis and export controls remain the primary regulatory safeguards against de novo production of harmful biological agents, yet governance frameworks lack the situational awareness and enforcement capacity to keep pace with rapidly falling technical barriers.
Called today to speak on behalf of U.S. science and technology, Dr. Jedidah Isler, astrophysicist, educator, strategist, policy-maker, and science communicator, will provide constructive, nonpartisan feedback to the House Committee’s hearing “American Global Competitiveness at 250: Legislative Proposals to Secure U.S. Technology Leadership.”
“Federal data and access to it is not a partisan issue. It is a people issue. Our country cannot achieve greatness without access to the data that measure what we value, who we are, and where we’re heading.”
The United States’ biosecurity governance system is structurally incapable of detecting and responding to certain classes of threats. U.S. biosecurity tools have not kept pace with technological advancements or a changing threat landscape.