FAS

Odds and Ends from CRS

12.12.06 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

A recent Congressional Research Service report observed irregularities in government spending on military space.

“Tracking the DOD space budget is extremely difficult since space is not identified as a separate line item in the DOD budget. Additionally, DOD sometimes releases only partial information (omitting funding for classified programs) or will suddenly release without explanation new figures for prior years that are quite different from what was previously reported.”

See “U.S. Military Space Programs: An Overview of Appropriations and Current Issues” (pdf), updated August 7, 2006.

Pending proposals to restructure Foreign Service personnel compensation policy are described in “The Foreign Service and a New Worldwide Compensation System” (pdf), updated November 16, 2006.

U.S. economic sanctions that are currently imposed against North Korea and the potential application of additional restrictions are addressed in another recent CRS report, provided courtesy of the National Committee on North Korea. See “North Korea: Economic Sanctions” (pdf), updated October 17, 2006.

publications
See all publications
Government Capacity
Press release
Federation of American Scientists and Environmental Policy Innovation Center Unveil Permitting Tech and Talent Policy Recommendations to Support Deployment of Crucial Energy, Environmental, and Infrastructure Projects

FAS today released permitting policy recommendations to improve talent and technology in the federal permitting process. These recommendations will address the sometimes years-long bottlenecks that prevent implementation of crucial projects, from energy to transportation.

02.05.25 | 4 min read
read more
Government Capacity
Report
Solutions for an Efficient and Effective Federal Permitting Workforce

The United States faces urgent challenges related to aging infrastructure, vulnerable energy systems, and economic competitiveness. But the permitting workforce is unprepared to implement changes. Here’s how they can improve.

02.04.25 | 14 min read
read more
Environment
Press release
Position on S.325 – establishing the National Integrated Heat Health Information System

S.325 would establish a clear, sustained federal governance structure for extreme heat by bringing all responsible agencies together to coordinate planning, preparedness, and response, a key recommendation of FAS’ 2025 Heat Policy Agenda.

02.04.25 | 1 min read
read more
Emerging Technology
day one project
Policy Memo
Using Targeted Industrial Policy to Address National Security Implications of Chinese Chips

In an industry with such high fixed costs, the Chinese state’s subsidization gives such firms a great advantage and imperils U.S. competitiveness and national security. To curtail Chinese legacy chip dominance, the United States should weaponize its monopoly on electronic design automation software.

02.04.25 | 17 min read
read more