New and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service on nuclear weapons policy and other issues of topical interest include the following.
Russian Compliance with the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty: Background and Issues for Congress, updated June 2, 2015 (See also the 2015 State Department compliance report released June 5, and reported in the New York Times on June 6.)
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Background and Current Developments, updated June 2, 2015
Arms Control and Nonproliferation: A Catalog of Treaties and Agreements, updated May 11, 2015
Iran-North Korea-Syria Ballistic Missile and Nuclear Cooperation, updated May 11, 2015
Energy and Water Development: FY2016 Appropriations for Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Stewardship, May 6, 2015
U.S.-China Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, updated June 4, 2015
Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress, updated June 1, 2015 (and see, relatedly, the profile of SEAL Team 6 in the New York Times on June 6)
Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress, updated June 2, 2015
Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress, updated June 1, 2015
Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress, updated June 2, 2015
Navy Shipboard Lasers for Surface, Air, and Missile Defense: Background and Issues for Congress, updated June 1, 2015
Senate to Mull Potential Endgame for Guantanamo, CRS Legal Sidebar, June 5, 2015 (and see also The Senate’s Guantanamo Bill: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, Just Security, June 8)
Fact Sheet: Selected Highlights of the FY2016 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1735 and S. 1376), June 3, 2015
A Shift in the International Security Environment: Potential Implications for Defense–Issues for Congress, updated June 1, 2015
The 2015 National Security Strategy: Authorities, Changes, Issues for Congress, May 11, 2015
Israel: Background and U.S. Relations, updated June 1, 2015
Honduras: Background and U.S. Relations, updated May 20, 2015
Maritime Territorial and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Disputes Involving China: Issues for Congress, updated June 1, 2015
China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities — Background and Issues for Congress, updated June 1, 2015
Supreme Court Ruling Affects the Future of Whistleblower Suits Against Government Contractors, CRS Legal Sidebar, June 5, 2015
Congressional Action on FY2016 Appropriations Measures, June 5, 2015
Supreme Court Issues Rare Unanimous Opinion in Religious Freedom Case, CRS Legal Sidebar, June 4, 2015
Reported Office of Congressional Ethics Investigation Highlights Range of Ethics Considerations Surrounding Foreign Gifts Under Congressional Rules, CRS Legal Sidebar, June 4, 2015
NFL Gives Up its Tax-Exempt Status, CRS Legal Sidebar, June 4, 2015
FY2016 NDAA: A Comparison of House and Senate Provisions for Military Retirement Reform, CRS Insights, June 4, 2015
Reform of U.S. International Taxation: Alternatives, updated June 3, 2015
The Budget Reconciliation Process: Stages of Consideration, June 2, 2015
Federal Securities Law: Insider Trading, updated June 1, 2015
U.S. Trade Deficit and the Impact of Changing Oil Prices, updated June 1, 2015
USA FREEDOM Act Reinstates Expired USA PATRIOT Act Provisions but Limits Bulk Collection, CRS Legal Sidebar, June 4, 2015
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.