Noteworthy new reports from the Congressional Research Service obtained by Secrecy News include the following (all pdf).
“Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798-2007,” updated September 12, 2007.
“The Military Commissions Act of 2006: Analysis of Procedural Rules and Comparison with Previous DOD Rules and the Uniform Code of Military Justice,” updated September 27, 2007.
“Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, 1999-2006,” September 26, 2007.
“Afghanistan: Narcotics and U.S. Policy,” updated September 14, 2007.
“Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues,” updated September 19, 2007.
“Iraq: Regional Perspectives and U.S. Policy,” updated September 12, 2007.
“Presidential Signing Statements: Constitutional and Institutional Implications,” updated September 17, 2007.
We came out of the longest shutdown in history and we are all worse for it. Who won the shutdown fight? It doesn’t matter – Americans lost. And there is a chance we run it all back again in a few short months.
Promising examples of progress are emerging from the Boston metropolitan area that show the power of partnership between researchers, government officials, practitioners, and community-based organizations.
Americans trade stocks instantly, but spend 13 hours on tax forms. They send cash by text, but wait weeks for IRS responses. The nation’s revenue collector ranks dead last in citizen satisfaction. The problem isn’t just paperwork — it’s how the government builds.
In a new report, we begin to address these fundamental implementation questions based on discussions with over 80 individuals – from senior political staff to individual project managers – involved in the execution of major clean energy programs through the Department of Energy (DOE).