At the direction of Congress, the Congressional Research Service does not make its products directly available to the public. Recent CRS reports obtained by Secrecy News include the following (all pdf).
“Legal Analysis of Religious Exemptions for Photo Identification Requirements,” April 13, 2009.
“Federal Advisory Committees: An Overview,” April 16, 2009.
“Piracy Off the Horn of Africa,” April 21, 2009.
“FY2009 Spring Supplemental Appropriations for Overseas Contingency Operations,” April 17, 2009.
“Organized Crime in the United States: Trends and Issues for Congress,” April 16, 2009.
“Disconnected Youth: A Look at 16- to 24-Year Olds Who Are Not Working or In School,” April 22, 2009.
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.