Science & Technology Issues Facing Congress, & More from CRS
Science and technology policy issues that may soon come before Congress were surveyed in a new report from the Congressional Research Service.
Overarching issues include the impact of recent reductions in federal spending for research and development.
“Concerns about reductions in federal R&D funding have been exacerbated by increases in the R&D investments of other nations (China, in particular); globalization of R&D and manufacturing activities; and trade deficits in advanced technology products, an area in which the United States previously ran trade surpluses. At the same time, some Members of Congress have expressed concerns about the level of federal funding in light of the current federal fiscal condition. In addition, R&D funding decisions may be affected by differing perspectives on the appropriate role of the federal government in advancing science and technology.”
See Science and Technology Issues in the 115th Congress, March 14, 2017.
Other new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following.
The American Health Care Act, March 14, 2017
Previewing a 2018 Farm Bill, March 15, 2017
EPA Policies Concerning Integrated Planning and Affordability of Water Infrastructure, updated March 14, 2017
National Park Service: FY2017 Appropriations and Ten-Year Trends, updated March 14, 2017
Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy, updated March 15, 2017
Northern Ireland: Current Issues and Ongoing Challenges in the Peace Process, updated March 14, 2017
Navy LX(R) Amphibious Ship Program: Background and Issues for Congress, updated March 14, 2017
Life-extending the existing Minuteman III missiles is the best way to field an ICBM force without sacrificing funding for other priorities.
To improve program outcomes, federal evaluation officers should conduct “unmet desire surveys” to advance federal learning agendas and built agency buy-in.
A federal agency takes over 100 days on average to hire a new employee — with significantly longer time frames for some positions — compared to 36 days in the private sector.
At least 40% of Medicare beneficiaries do not have a documented AHCD. In the absence of one, medical professionals may perform major and costly interventions unknowingly against a patient’s wishes.