Current Issues
Transportation Safety
Rail Safety Legislation
Rail safety legislation is advancing in the Senate on a bipartisan basis. The Railway Safety Act of 2023 is sponsored primarily by two Ohio Senators–Sherrod Brown ...
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Disasters Risk & Response
Disasters Results - 2022
NOAA announced (January 10) that the U.S. experienced 18 separate weather and climate-related events during 2022, each costing at least $1 billion. These events ...
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Nuclear Energy
Consolidated Nuclear Waste-Holding Facilities
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued (May 9) a license to Holtec International to build and operate ...
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Food Safety
Made-In-The-USA Food Labeling
The USDA/Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing a rule (March 7) intended to improve consumer understanding about ‘what is’ US-produced food ...
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Travel & Airlines
Future Rule on Expenses for Stranded Passengers
The Department of Transportation announced (May 8) that it plans to start a process for a rule, without issuing an actual proposed rule, that will require airlines ...
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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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Motor Vehicle Fatality Statistics - 2022: First Nine Months
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
This report (January 2023) provides the latest data on highway traffic fatalities for 2022 through September. Data indicate that 31,785 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, a small of about 0.2 percent as compared the first 9 months of 2021.
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PFAS Contamination in U.S. Waterways
Waterkeeper Alliance
This announcement (October 2022) presents the results of U.S. waterways testing which found levels of one or more PFAS–a.k.a. "forever chemicals"–present in 93% of tested waters. Most samples had more than one chemical. One type of PFAS chemical (PFOS) was detected above the EPA’s interim health advisory level of 0.02 parts per trillion at 159 of the 228 sampling sites
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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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Improved Processing Needed for Veterans’ Claims of Contaminated Water Exposure at Camp Lejeune
OIG/Veterans Administration
This report (August 2022) of the Inspector General of the Veterans Administration provides the results of a review of the processing and deciding of claims tied to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The OIG fuound that of 57,500 Camp Lejeune-related claims for VA disability compensation benefits reviewed, Veterans Benefits Administration staff incorrectly processed 21K claims. The largest error was prematurely denying more than 17K claims by not sending required letters to veterans requesting evidence needed to document exposure.
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Hot Yoga Tallahassee: A Case Study in Misogynistic Extremism
U.S. Secret
This report by the U.S. Secret Service, provides a "case study" of the threat posed by misogynistic extremism, and lays out a multidisciplinary threat assessment that could reduce the risk of future tragedies.
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Civilian Nuclear Waste Disposal
Congressional Research Service
This report (September 17, 2021) provides the current status of nuclear waste disposal in the United States, including law, regulation, and current policy matters.
U.S. coastline to see up to a foot of sea level rise by 2050
NOAA
This report (February 2022) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that the United States could see a rise in sea levels within 30 years (by 2050), as it has already seen occur over the previous 100 years.
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2022 Bridge Report
American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA)
This ARTBA report provides a current summary of bridge conditions in the United States. Among the key data points are that more than 43,500 bridges are rated in poor condition and classified as “structurally deficient,” and that 78,800 bridges should be replaced.
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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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State of the Air - 2022
American Lung Association
This report rovides the latest data of air quality conditions for Americans by county (for those that have monitoring in place.). The key findings include that about 40% of Americans (137 million) live in places with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution, 2.1 million more than last year’s report card. Nearly 9 million more people are impacted by daily spikes in potentially deadly particle pollution.
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Tap Water Database
Environmental Working Group
This website provides a detailed breakdown of tap water pollutant conditions in covered locations – more than 32 million water quality test results from more than 50,000 community water systems in all 50 states. The data depict regulated and unregulated contaminants present in each water system, and whether the pollutants exceed science-based guidelines to protect public health.
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National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism
National Security Council of the White House
This strategy (June 2021) details the Biden Administration's approach for addressing domestic terrorism in the United States.
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Alternatives to Radioactive Materials
General Accountability Officer (GAO)
This GAO report (October 2021) describes the potential of alternatives to certain radioactive materials common in medical and industrial applications that could help reduce the risk of "dirty bombs".
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Look out below: What will happen to the space debris in orbit?
McKinsey & Company
This article (October 2021) summarizes the current status of space debris, policy considerations, and potential actions to mitigate risks.
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Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
This ODNI report (June 2021) provides a comprehensive assessment of "unidentified aerial phenomena" (UAP) covering data that crosses roughly a 17-year period (2004-2021). The report concludes that based on available data, UAPs largely cannot be explained and also that the Federal Government has no data to indicate "any UAP are part of a foreign collection program or indicative of a major technological advancement by a potential adversary."
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World Drug Report 2021
United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime
This Annual Report (June 2021) provides comprehensive data and analysis of drugs and drug abuse trends around the world. A key conclusion: while the potency of cannabis has increased over the last 24 years by about four times, the perception of the harmfulness has declined among youth by as much as 40% in the United States.
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Drug Fact Sheet: Fentanyl
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
This DEA fact sheet (April 2020) provides background and basic information about Fentanyl, which is currently primary drivers of increased drug overdoses in the United States.
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The Controlled Substances Act: A Legal Overview for the 117th Congress
Congressional Research Service (CRS)
This CRS report (February 2021) provides detail on the legal basis for the management of drugs via the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The CSA provides a legal framework to regulate certain drugs that are deemed to pose a risk of abuse and dependence.
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Cybersecurity: Federal Actions Urgently Needed to Better Protect the Nation's Critical Infrastructure
General Accountability Office
This GAO report (December 2021) summarizes current and past actions by the Federal Government to improve cybersecurity. The key future actions GAO identifies as needed include developing and executing a comprehensive national cyber strategy, and strengthening the federal role in protecting the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure.
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Key Federal Programs
Lead Hazard Reduction [HUD]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$415,000,000
$400,000,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$121,400,000
$129,300,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
Aeronautics [NASA]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$880,700,000
$971,500,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
Army Corps of Engineers - civil program
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$8,343,000,000
$6,601,730,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$22,810,000,000
Cybersecurity, Energy Security, Emergency Response [DOE]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$185,804,000
$202,143,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$150,000,000
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$8,091,193,000
$9,695,602,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
U.S. Coast Guard [DHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$10,964,273,000
$11,535,242,000
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Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$434,000,000
Wildfire Management/Supression [Interior]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$1,356,097,000
$1,800,917,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$100,000,000
Clean Air Programs [EPA]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$424,642,000
$705,571,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
Environmental Compliance & Enforcement [EPA]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$439,434,000
$436,075,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$612,015,000
$591,787,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [HHS - CDC]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$7,498,546,000
$9,620,961,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$18,079,500,000
Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund [HHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$3,199,678,000
$3,815,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$10,000,000,000
School Safety National Activities [Education]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$201,000,000
$129,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
Air Traffic Control [DOT]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$14,406,988,000
$14,948,821,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$1,100,000,000
Safe Streets for All Grant Program [DOT]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$0
$0
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$1,000,000,000
Motor Carrier Safety Administration [DOT]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$856,000,000
$873,650,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$134,500,000
Highway Traffic Safety Grants [DOT]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$774,300,000
$795,220,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$321,700,000
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [DOT]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$1,167,100,000
$1,264,870,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$321,700,000
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [DOT]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$306,897,000
$338,986,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$200,000,000
