Current Issues
US Supreme Court
Supreme Court Code-of-Conduct
A key bipartisan bill was introduced (April 26) in the Senate by Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) that requires adoption by the Supreme Court ...
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President's Budget Request
FY 2024 Budget Request
President Biden's full annual budget request to Congress for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2024) is not expected to be released until March, but no ...
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Federal Government Management
Major VA Electronic Records System On Hold
The Veterans Administration (VA) decided (April 6) to further delay additional deployments of its electronic record-keeping system. System deployment ...
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Pandemics, Vaccinations, & Research
Vaccination Requirements End
The Biden Administration lifted its remaining key COVID-19 vaccination requirements, announcing (May 1) that the mandates will end on the same day of the official end ...
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Havana Syndrome
Latest Havana Syndrome Report
The Office of the Director for National Intelligence (ONDI) issued its latest report on health incidents overseas that have become known collectively as “Havana ...
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Research & Analysis
Havana Syndrome: Updated Assessment of Anomalous Health Incidents
ODNI
This is an update report (March 2023) of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence concerning its latest findings and conclusions on seemingly-related health incidents that have been labled as "Havana Syndrome," as they are first reported with diplomatic staff stationed in Havana, Cuba.
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Final Report Of The Select Committee To Investigate The January 6th Attack On The United States
January6th Committee
This is the final report (December 22) of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.
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FDA Evaluation of Infant Formula Response
Food & Drug Administration
This internal FDA report (September 2022) reviews how the FDA believes it handled its response to the 2022 infant formula crisis. The report details five areas of need in the FDA given its response: (1) modern information technology that allows for the access and exchange of data in real time to all the people involved in response; (2) sufficient staffing, training, equipment, and regulatory authorities; (3) updated emergency response systems that are capable of handling multiple public health emergencies occurring simultaneously; (4) increased scientific understanding about Cronobacter; and (4) assessment of the infant formula industry, its preventive controls, food safety culture and preparedness to respond to events.
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National Emergency Powers
Congressional Research Service
This CRS report (February 2021) summarizes the basis for, and specifics of, Presidential emergency powers.
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Legal Framework for Protecting Classified Information
Congressional Research Service
This report (May 2017) provides detail on the legal framework guiding the protection and management of classified information in the Federal Government.
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Delivering for America
U.S. Postal Service
This is a 10-year plan of the Postal Service that includes analysis which form the basis for operational, service, and price changes in the coming years.
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American Pandemic Preparedness: Transforming Our Capabilities
White House - Office of Science & Technology and Office of National Security Affairs
This is a White House plan on U.S. preparation for future pandemics (September 2021).
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An Assessment of Illnesses Among U.S. Government Personnel and Their Families at Overseas Embassies
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine
This is the initial study of Havana Syndrome conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The study was limited to employees and families located in Havana, Cuba, and Guangzhou, China, some of whom experienced symptoms such as a perceived loud noise, ear pain, intense head pressure or vibration, dizziness, visual problems, and cognitive difficulties.
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A Plan to Reform U.S. Security Assistance
Center for American Progress
This article outlines a proposal for reforming U.S. security assistance (i.e., military assistance) to other countries that centers on consolidating assistance into the diplomatic realm of the State Department and out of DOD.
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U.S. Postal Service Primer
General Accountability Office (GAO)
This GAO report (September 2021) provides the background and basis for the U.S. Postal Service's financial and operational challenges, and includes options for addressing the challenges.
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U.S. Government Global Nutrition Coordination Plan 2021-2026
U.S. Aid for International Development (USAID)
This USAID plan (November 2021) describes how the U.S. government will strengthen the focus of, and coordination among, seven Federal Government agencies to help guide improvements in world nutrition outcomes.
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Key Federal Programs
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$116,000,000
$128,000,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
General Services Administration (GSA)
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$267,840,000
$957,651,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$3,418,008,000
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$372,881,000
$456,297,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
Embassy Security [State]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$1,983,149,000
$1,957,821,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
