Discusses recent budget actions including the release of the adminstration’s FY2014 budget and the passage of budget resolutions by the House and Senate.  Also discusses spending and revenue trends and the unsustainability of those trends. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

The April 2013 explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in Texas has led to questions about the regulation of agricultural fertilizer.  This report discusses policy issues relating to fertilizer regulation that Congress might deal with, including the inadequacies of industry self-reporting, long intervals between inspections, and public access to critical information.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Offers recommendations for alleviating the problem of substance-impaired driving, including reducing the blood alcohol concentration level for all drivers, conducting high-visibility enforcement of impaired driving laws, and incorporating passive alcohol sensing technology into enforcement efforts.  From the National Transportation Safety Board

Provides year by year estimates of the number of uninsured by category.  Foresees insured share of the nonelderly population (excluding unauthorized immigrants) rising to 92%.  From the Congressional Budget Office

Explains in detail the principles that federal statistical agencies should adhere to, including independence from political influence.  Also covers organization of the federal statistical system and laws/regulations that govern federal statistics.  From the National Research Council

Updates information from a June 2011 report on A Description of the Immigrant Population: An Update in response to a congressional question relating to proposed immigrant legislation.  From the Congressional Budget Office.

Examines alternative approaches to cleaning up hazardous waste sites by the Environmental Protection Agency, by using the Superfund approach or by placing them on the National Priorities List, and how they compare in completing the cleanup process.  From the Government Accountability Office

Reports results of a federal government study into which regulatory requirements relating to federal higher education student financial aid programs were regarded as burdensome, the types of burdens and benefits the requirements create, and how the Education Department solicits feedback from stakeholders on regulatory burden.  From the Government Accountability Office

Discusses discussion drafts, policy papers, and legislation introduced in Congress to create a simpler and fairer tax system.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Policy memorandum directed to federal agencies to consider government information an asset which must be managed throughout its life cycle to promote openness and interoperability and properly safeguard systems and information.  Requires agencies to create information in a way that supports downstream information processing and dissemination activities.  From the Office of Management and Budget

Presidential executive order stating that newly generated government data will be required to be available in open, machine-readable format by default, enhancing accessibility and usefulness while ensuring privacy and security.  From the White House

Interactive database which provides information on trade measures implemented by WTO members since October 2008.  From the World Trade Organization

Describes the difficulties of trying to analyze the economic effects of major immigration law change, especially because such legislation would increase the potential size of the U.S. labor force.  From the Congressional Budget Office

Press release which announces agency approval of the application to market Plan B without prescription for women 15+.  The FDA action follows an April 2013 ruling by a New York Federal District judge that the product should be available without age or point of sale restrictions.  From the Food and Drug Administration

Explains the federal regulations by which Indian tribes can be recognized and the benefits that derive from such recognition.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses how units are added through legislation by Congress or proclamation by the President.  Also discusses how areas are considered for inclusion and the controversies that can arise. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses special contracting mechanisms that the Defense Department is allowed to use for a limited number of acquisition programs and whether more such exceptions to regular contracting procedures should be allowed in the interest of saving money.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes federal tax collection programs designed to capture tax owed by Americans with offshore accounts by means of reduced penalties and risk of criminal prosecution if voluntarily disclosed.  Also assesses Internal Revenue Service efforts to detect noncompliance with tax laws.  From the Government Accountability Office

Examines a variety of initiatives and measures within the Unemployment Compensation program that might reduce long-term unemployment for Americans.  Includes an overview of the unemployment insurance programs.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Provides an overview of such laws including the activities that are protected, how the law’s protections are enforced, whether the law provides a private right of action, the remedies prescribed by the law, and the year the law’s provisions were adopted or amended.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes confusion that resulted from unregulated distribution of mining rights in South Sudan and the effort to establish orderly regulation for equitable economic development of the nation’s mineral wealth.  From the United States Institute of Peace

Discusses the scope and efficacy of the background checks for gun buyers and whether regulations relating to privacy under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act are an obstacle to inclusion of mental health records in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

This report provides an overview of the changing residential mortgage market, focusing on trends in housing prices, homeownership, mortgage characteristics, and financing.  It also examines legislation and regulations designed to promote the efficient functioning of the mortgage market.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Provides an overview of the debt law and discusses issues relating to debt collection which have arisen since the fiscal crisis of 2008-2009 including debt buying, the use of litigation as a collection strategy, and the impact of technology on the debt collection industry.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes what the board is, how and why it was created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and how it works to control the growth of Medicare costs per beneficiary.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Covers the reasons for adoption incentives programs, the trends in adoptions out of foster care, and selected reauthorization issues such as the need for incentives and permanence for older children.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Reviews the details of the meningitis outbreak caused by contaminated drugs from a New England compounding pharmacy and the results of a congressional investigation into state regulation of such pharmacies.  This report analyzes the information received from state boards and includes summaries of all state board responses.   From the House Committee on Energy and Commerce

The 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak called attention to the regulation of human drug compounding.  State governments have historically been the regulators of drug compounding firms, but now questions have arisen about the extent to which the federal government should be involved.  This report examines the role of the Food and Drug Administration and the limits to its authority in this area. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the controversy about the benefits and questions about fluoride, whether the addition of fluoride to other products may lead to overexposure, and EPA’s review of fluoride standards.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Summarizes the Washington and Colorado marijuana legalization laws and evaluates whether they may be preempted by the federal Controlled Substances Act or international agreements. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists