Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, July 30, 2008 Quarterly Report and Semiannual Report to Congress
"This 18th Quarterly Report to the Congress provides a new look at the relief and reconstruction effort in Iraq, presenting a province–by–province review of progress on reconstruction and capacity–building in four key areas of concern�economics, essential services, governance, and security. This new review catalogues a series of informative snapshots on the achievements and challenges affecting each of Iraq's 18 provinces."

President Bush Signs Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 Into Law
"On Wednesday, July 30, 2008, the President signed into law:

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, which authorizes the Department of the Treasury to purchase obligations of housing Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs); reforms the regulatory supervision of the housing GSEs; provides reform of the Federal Housing Administration; provides homeownership assistance and reforms to mitigate recent increases in foreclosures; and contains housing-related tax incentives and other tax provisions."

Speculation and Energy Prices: Legislative Responses
"While most observers recognize that the fundamentals of supply and demand have contributed to record energy prices in 2008, many also believe that the price of oil and other commodities includes a "speculative premium." In other words, speculators who seek to profit by forecasting price trends are blamed for driving prices higher than is justified by fundamentals. In theory, this should not happen. Speculation is not a new phenomenon in futures markets -- the futures exchanges are essentially associations of professional speculators...

This report provides basic information and analysis on the issue of commodity speculation and summarizes the numerous legislative proposals for controlling excessive speculation."

A Brief History of Veterans' Education Benefits and Their Value
"...This report reviews the evolution of veterans' education benefit programs prior to the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. It also examines how changes in the estimated value of those benefits compares with changes in average college prices, and provides a discussion of the interaction between veterans' education benefits and federal student aid benefits made available under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended."

50 Million Children Lived with Married Parents in 2007
" In an expanded look at the structure of the American family, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 2007, 50 million children in the United States lived with married parents and 2.2 million children lived with two unmarried parents.

According to Families and Living Arrangements: 2007, some 73.7 million children younger than 18 lived in the United States. Of these, 67.8 percent lived with married parents, 2.9 percent lived with two unmarried parents, 25.8 percent lived with one parent and 3.5 percent lived with no parent present.

These data come from the 2007 Current Population Survey. This survey, which has been continuously conducted since 1940, has been expanded to include two new questions that allow tabulation about unmarried partner couples and their children."

Bombers, Bank Accounts, and Bleedout: al-Qa'ida's Road in and Out of Iraq
"The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point (CTC) launched the Harmony Project in order to release and analyze documents from the Department of Defense’s classified Harmony Datbase.  The Harmony Project unearths and releases documents that reveal the inner‐functioning of al‐Qa`ida, its associated movements, and other security threats.  Harmony documents released by the CTC are always accompanied by an analytical report, but the primary purpose of this process is to make these primary sources available to other scholars.  Rather than the final word, CTC Harmony reports should be considered an invitation to further scholarship."
 

HE20.9202:B 74/kit
The Business Case for Breastfeeding: Steps for Creating a Breastfeeding
Friendly Worksite.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008
658.314082
B968b

A federal government publication in the form of a toolkit consisting of a series of pamphlets and 2 cd-rom disks. Among the pamphlets are:
Toolkit: Resources for Building a Lactation Support Program
The Business Case for Breastfeeding
Easy Steps for Supporting Breastfeeding Employees
Employees Guide to Breastfeeding and Working
Outreach Marketing Guide

The cd-rom are:
Outreach Marketing Guide.
Tool Kit: Resources for Buidling a Lactation Support Program.

Foreign Investment and National Security: Economic Considerations
"...This report assesses recent international developments as the leaders from a number of nations work to reach a consensus on an informal set of best practices regarding national restrictions on foreign investment for national security purposes. This report also provides one possible approach for assessing the costs and benefits involved in using national policies to direct or to restrict foreign direct investment for national security reasons. Within the United States, there is no consensus yet among Members of Congress or between the Congress and the Administration over a working set of parameters that establishes a functional definition of the national economic security implications of foreign direct investment..."

Costs of Major U.S. Wars
"This CRS report provides estimates of the costs of major U.S. wars from the
American Revolution through current conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. It
gives figures both in “current year dollars,” that is, in prices in effect at the time of each war, and in inflation-adjusted “constant dollars” updated to the most recently available estimates of FY2008 prices. All estimates are of the costs of military operations only and do not include costs of veterans benefits, interest paid for borrowing money to finance wars, or assistance to allies. The report also provides estimates of the cost of each war as a share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the peak year of each conflict and of overall defense spending as a share of GDP at the peak. This report will be updated periodically to reflect additional appropriations for ongoing conflicts and to adjust constant dollar figures to prices of the current fiscal year."

HHS and DHS Announce Guidance on Pandemic Vaccination Allocation
"The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Homeland Security (DHS) released today guidance on allocating and targeting pandemic influenza vaccine. The guidance provides a planning framework to help state, tribal, local and community leaders ensure that vaccine allocation and use will reduce the impact of a pandemic on public health and minimize disruption to society and the economy

Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs Have Limited Potential
"The set of voluntary GHG programs we reviewed use outreach efforts to recruit program partners and reduce GHG emissions. We found the greatest barriers to participation were the perceived emission reduction costs and reporting requirements. We also found that it is unlikely these voluntary programs can reduce more than 19 percent of the projected 2010 GHG emissions for their industry sectors. From this, we determined that if EPA wishes to reduce GHG emissions beyond this point, it needs to consider additional policy options..."

Ensuring a Sustainable Future: An Energy Management Guidebook for Wastewater and Water Utilities
"Providing wastewater and drinking water service to citizens requires energy—and a lot of it. The twin problems of steadily rising energy costs and climate change have therefore made the issue of energy management one of the most salient issues facing wastewater and water utilities today. Energy management is also at the heart of efforts across the entire sector to ensure that utility operations are sustainable in the future. More and more utilities are realizing that a systematic approach for managing the full range of energy challenges they face is the best way to ensure that these issues are addressed on an ongoing basis in order to reduce climate impacts, save money, and remain sustainable. Working closely with a number of utilities and others, the Office of Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proactively addressing this issue by developing this Energy Management Guidebook for Wastewater and Water Utilities that provides a systematic approach to reducing energy consumption and energy cost.

This Guidebook was specifically written to provide water and wastewater utility managers with a step-by-step method, based on a Plan-Do-Check-Act management system approach, to identify, implement, measure, and improve energy efficiency and renewable opportunities at their utilities."

Career and Technical Education in the United States: 1990–2005
"This report is the fourth in a series of volumes published periodically by NCES to describe the condition of vocational education (now called “career and technical education” or CTE) in the United States. Based on data from 11 NCES surveys, the report describes CTE providers, offerings, participants, faculty, and associated outcomes, focusing on secondary, postsecondary, and adult education. Findings indicate that against a backdrop of increasing academic coursetaking in high school, no measurable changes were detected between 1990 and 2005 in the number of CTE credits earned by public high school graduates..."

Emergency Unemployment Compensation
"The Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program was created by P.L. 110-252. This new temporary unemployment insurance program provides up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits to certain workers who have exhausted their rights to regular unemployment compensation (UC) benefits. The program effectively begins July 6, 2008, and will terminate on March 28, 2009. No EUC benefit will be paid beyond the week ending July 4, 2009. This report will be updated to reflect congressional action or programmatic changes. Individuals should contact their state's unemployment agency to obtain information on how to apply for and receive EUC benefits. The U.S. Department of Labor maintains a website with links to each state's gency."

The Future Role of U.S. Trade Policy: An Overview
"The United States has become increasingly integrated with the rest of the world economy. This integration has offered benefits and presented challenges to U.S. business, agriculture, labor, and consumers. Those who can compete in the more integrated economy have enjoyed opportunities to broaden their success, while those who are challenged by increased foreign competition have been forced to adjust and some have exited the market or relocated overseas. Some observers contend that, in order to remain globally competitive, the United States must continue to support trade liberalization policies, while assisting those hurt by trade. Others have raised doubts over whether free trade policies benefit the U.S. economy (e.g., some blame such policies for the large U.S. trade deficit, declining wages, and growing income disparity). Many contend that trade liberalization works only when everyone plays by the rules and have urged the aggressive enforcement of U.S. trade laws to address unfair trade practices. Still others maintain that such issues as labor rights, the environment, and climate change should be linked to trade policies. These competing views are often reflected in the struggle between Congress and the Executive branch in shaping U.S. trade policy."

Western Oil Shale Potential:800 Billion Barrels of Recoverable Oil
"The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management today published proposed regulations to establish a commercial oil shale program that could result in the addition of up to 800 billion barrels of recoverable oil from lands in the western United States.

In keeping with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, the BLM is proposing regulations that would provide the critical “rules of the road” on which private investors will rely in determining whether to make future financial commitments to prospective oil shale projects..."

EEOC ISSUES COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE ON RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION
"The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today issued a new Compliance Manual Section regarding workplace discrimination on the basis of religion.

The Section includes a comprehensive review of the relevant provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the EEOC’s policies regarding religious discrimination, harassment and accommodation. The EEOC also issued a companion question-and-answer fact sheet and best practices booklet. All three documents are available on the agency’s web site at www.eeoc.gov."

THE FBI: A Centennial History, 1908-2008
"To help commemorate its 100th anniversary, the FBI has produced its first coffee-table history, The FBI: A Centennial History, 1908-2008. The 132-page book traces the FBI’s journey from fledgling startup to one of the most respected names in national security, taking you on a walk through the seven key chapters in Bureau history. It features overviews of more than 40 famous cases and an extensive collection of photographs. You can purchase hardcover or paperback copies of the book from the Government Printing Office and from various online booksellers. It is also available here free of charge, either as a printable pdf or in a text-only format."

TOP ONE PERCENT OF TAX FILERS PAY HIGHEST SHARE IN DECADES
"The share of total federal income taxes paid by the top 1 percent of tax filers increased to 39.89 percent in 2006, while the tax share of the top 5 percent climbed to 60.14 percent. The income tax share of the top half rose to 97.01 percent, according to recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data. The tax shares are the highest on record for these groups based on comparable IRS data going back to 1986.

The share of adjusted gross income generated by the top 1 percent has also increased. This share was 22.06 percent in 2006, relative to a level of 20.81 percent reached during the height of the stock market bubble in 2000 (when the income tax share of the top 1 percent was 37.42 percent)..."

Analyses and Effects of Global Change on Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems (SAP 4.6)
"EPA is announcing the final report entitled, Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.6: Analyses and Effects of Global Change on Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems. This Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.6 (SAP 4.6) focuses on impacts of global climate change, especially impacts on three broad dimensions of the human condition: human health, human settlements, and human welfare."

Serial Murders: Multi-disciplinary Perspectives for Investigators
"This monograph presents the findings and collective wisdom of a multidisciplinary group of experts, who brought their individual experience and insights to the same table. Our hope is that it will give you new ideas and new resources as you continue your important work.

The FBI is committed to contributing to the understanding of these horrifi c acts. The FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime stands ready to assist our state, local, and international partners. We believe the best way to combat any threat — be it terrorism, gang violence, or serial murder — is to combine our knowledge and resources with those of our partners, and to work as a team. I am grateful for the partnerships that helped spur this symposium, and for the partnerships that were formed as a result..."

CBO: The Overuse, Underuse, and Misuse of Health Care
[Testimony. Peter R. Orszag,Director. July 17,2008]
"The most important factor influencing the federal government’s long-term fiscal balance is the rate of growth in health care costs. CBO projects that, without any changes in federal law, total spending on health care will rise from 16 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2007 to 25 percent in 2025 and 49 percent in 2082; net federal spending on Medicare and Medicaid will rise from 4 percent of GDP to almost 20 percent over the same period.1 Many of the other factors that will play a role in determining future fiscal conditions over the long term—including the actuarial deficit in Social Security and a decision about extending the 2001 and 2003 tax laws past their scheduled expiration in 2010—pale by comparison with the impact and challenges of containing growth in the cost of federal health insurance programs."

Profile of Hired Farmworkers, A 2008 Update
"Hired farmworkers make up a third of the total agricultural labor force and are critical to U.S. agricultural production, particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as fruits and vegetables. The hired farmworker labor market is unique because it includes a large population of relatively disadvantaged and often unauthorized workers, a portion of whom migrate to, and within, the United States. Recent economic and demographic trends, such as changing agricultural production methods that permit year-round employment, expanding immigrant populations in nonmetropolitan counties, and growing concerns over U.S. immigration policies, have elicited increased interest in hired farmworkers. This 2008 profile serves as an update to the 2000 Economic Research Service analysis of the 1998 Current Population Survey using current data with expanded sections on legal status, poverty, housing, and use of social services."

Soaring Food Prices Are Making it Harder for Schools and Child Nutrition Programs to Provide Healthy Meals to Children, Witnesses Tell House Education Committee
[Hearing. July 9, 2008]
"With Americans already feeling the strain of higher grocery costs, soaring food prices are making it more difficult for schools, child care programs, and summer food service programs to provide healthy, low-cost meals for children, witnesses told the House Education and Labor Committee today. Today’s hearing was the first held by Congress to examine how rising food costs are affecting U.S. child nutrition programs and the millions of families who rely on them."

Community Water Fluoridation Now Reaches Nearly 70 percent of U.S. Population
"Nearly 70 percent of U.S. residents who get water from community water systems now receive fluoridated water, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The proportion of the U.S. population receiving fluoridated water, about 184 million people, increased from 62.1 percent in 1992 to 69.2 percent in 2006, said the study in this week′s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports."

The Roots of Violent Islamist Extremism and Efforts to Counter It
"Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., Thursday[July 10] heard testimony about the ideological roots that lead to violent Islamist extremism and what the U.S. can do to diminish the influence of the ideology here at home.

At the Committee’s seventh hearing in a series on Islamist radicalization and homegrown terrorism, witnesses distinguished between Islamist ideology – which has a political agenda – and Islam the religion, and outlined steps that should be taken to identify, isolate and ultimately eliminate the threat of homegrown terrorism and the ideology that supports it..."
“

America's Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2008
"Each year since 1997, the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics has published a report on the well-being of children and families. The Forum alternates publishing a detailed report, America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, with a summary version that highlights selected indicators. This year, the Forum is publishing America's Children in Brief; it will publish the more detailed report in 2009. The Forum updates all indicators and background data on its website (http://childstats.gov) every year."

Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S.
"U.S. farmers have adopted genetically engineered (GE) crops widely since their introduction in 1996, notwithstanding uncertainty about consumer acceptance and economic and environmental impacts. Soybeans and cotton genetically engineered with herbicide-tolerant traits have been the most widely and rapidly adopted GE crops in the U.S., followed by insect-resistant cotton and corn. This product summarizes the extent of adoption of herbicide-tolerant and insect–resistant crops since their introduction in 1996."

Funerals: A Consumer Guide
"Funerals rank among the most expensive purchases many consumers will ever make. A traditional funeral, including a casket and vault, costs about $6,000, although "extras" like flowers, obituary notices, acknowledgment cards or limousines can add thousands of dollars to the bottom line. Many funerals run well over $10,000.

Yet even if you're the kind of person who might haggle with a dozen dealers to get the best price on a new car, you're likely to feel uncomfortable comparing prices or negotiating over the details and cost of a funeral, pre-need or at need. Compounding this discomfort is the fact that some people "overspend" on a funeral or burial because they think of it as a reflection of their feelings for the deceased..."

FTC Submits Do Not Call Report to Congress for FY 2007
"...The report – the fourth and final submission required by the Act – contains information on the following topics: 1) the effectiveness of the Registry; 2) the number of consumers who have placed their telephone numbers on the Registry; 3) the number of entities paying fees to access the Registry and the amount of the fees; 4) the progress of coordinating the operation and enforcement of the Registry with similar registries maintained by the states; 5) the progress of coordinating the operation and enforcement of the Registry with enforcement activities of the Federal Communications Commission under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act; and
6) FTC enforcement of the Registry under the Telemarketing Sales Rule."

Naturalizations in the United States: 2007
"Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is conferred upon foreign citizens or nationals after fulfilling the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). After naturalization, foreign-born citizens enjoy nearly all the same benefits, rights and responsibilities that the Constitution gives to native born U.S. citizens, including the right to vote. Naturalized citizens can also apply for a U.S. passport to travel overseas and receive U.S. government protection and assistance when abroad. This Office of Immigration Statistics Annual Flow Report presents information on the number and characteristics of foreign nationals aged 18 years and over who were naturalized during 2007."

EPA Releases Greenhouse Gas Document for Public Comment
"Today EPA released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) soliciting public input on the effects of climate change and the potential ramifications of the Clean Air Act in relation to greenhouse gas emissions.

"The ANPR reflects the complexity and the magnitude of the question of whether and how greenhouse gases could be effectively controlled under the Clean Air Act," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.

Today's action is in response to the April 2, 2007 Supreme Court decision in Massachusetts v. EPA, which found that greenhouse gas emissions could be regulated if EPA determines they cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. With the ANPR, EPA is evaluating the broader ramifications of the decision throughout the Clean Air Act, which covers air pollution from both stationary and mobile sources."

FTC Guide to the Antitrust Laws
"The Bureau of Competition has developed a variety of resources to help explain its work. For an overview of the types of matters investigated by the Bureau, read Competition Counts. This Guide to the Antitrust Laws contains a more in-depth discussion of competition issues for those with specific questions about the antitrust laws. From the menu on the left, you will find Fact Sheets on a variety of competition topics, with examples of cases and Frequently Asked Questions. Within each topic you will find links to more detailed guidance materials developed by the FTC and the U.S. Department of Justice."

Press Conference by the President on the Economy
"To help address challenges in the housing and financial markets, we announced temporary steps to help stabilize them and increase confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These two enterprises play a central role in our housing finance system, so Treasury Paulson has worked with the Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke so that the companies and the government regulators -- put the companies and the government regulators on a plan to strengthen these enterprises. We must ensure they can continue providing access to mortgage credit during this time of financial stress.

I appreciate the positive reaction this plan has received from many members of Congress. I urge members to move quickly to enact the plan in its entirety, along with the good oversight legislation that we have recommended for both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This is a part of a -- should be part of the housing package that is moving its way through the Congress. And I hope they move quickly. The newly proposed authorities will be temporary and used only if needed. And as we work to maintain the health of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, we'll work to ensure that they remain shareholder-owned companies..."

FDIC Statistics at a Glance: Historical Trends As of March 31, 2008
Federal Deposit Insurance Corportion historical statistics, 1990- March 31, 2008.

EPA Releases Science Assessment on Health Effects of Nitrogen Oxides
"EPA has released the final “Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen—Health Criteria.” This is EPA’s latest evaluation of the scientific literature on the potential adverse human health effects resulting from exposures to oxides of nitrogen, particularly nitrogen dioxide or NO2. There are significant new health data, particularly epidemiological studies, since the last scientific review document released in 1993."

Red Flag’ Regulations Require Financial Institutions and Creditors to Have Identity Theft Prevention Programs
"Financial institutions and creditors are now required to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs under the new "Red Flags Rules."

The Red Flags Rules are part of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act of 2003. Under these Rules, financial institutions and creditors with covered accounts must have identity theft prevention programs in place by November 1, 2008, to identify, detect, and respond to patterns, practices, or specific activities that could indicate identity theft..."

National War Powers Commission Report
"The Miller Center's National War Powers Commission, co-chaired by former Secretaries of State James A. Baker, III and Warren Christopher, Tuesday recommended that Congress repeal the War Powers Resolution of 1973 and substitute a new statute that would provide for more meaningful consultation between the president and Congress on matters of war.

In a report released Tuesday after 13 months of study, the Commission concluded that the War Powers Resolution of 1973 has failed to promote cooperation between the two branches of government and recommended that Congress pass a new statute – the War Powers Consultation Act of 2009 – that would establish a clear process on decisions to go to war. The Miller Center impaneled the National War Powers Commission in February 2007. This bipartisan commission met seven times, interviewing more than 40 witnesses about the respective war powers of the president and Congress..."

SEC Examinations Find Shortcomings in Credit Rating Agencies' Practices and Disclosure to Investors
"The Securities and Exchange Commission today released findings from extensive 10-month examinations of three major credit rating agencies that uncovered significant weaknesses in ratings practices and the need for remedial action by the firms to provide meaningful ratings and the necessary levels of disclosure to investors..."

Committee[House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform] Holds Hearing on Manufacturers of FEMA’s Toxic Trailers
"As part of its continuing investigation into the FEMA’s toxic trailers, the Committee held a hearing on July 9, 2008, in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing examined the role of four manufacturers who provided trailers with dangerous levels of formaldehyde to victims of the Gulf Cost hurricanes in 2005.

The Committee’s investigation and hearing in 2007 revealed that FEMA failed to adequately respond to reports of problems with the trailers, and the CDC recently announced that flawed manufacturing practices and lax government oversight were key factors in the production of the toxic trailers."

H.R. 5811: The Electronic Message Preservation Act
[Bill Summary]"Investigations by the Oversight Committee have revealed significant deficiencies in the preservation of e-mail by the White House and federal agencies. H.R. 5811, the Electronic Message Preservation Act, introduced on April 15, 2008, by Reps. Waxman, Clay, and Hodes, modernizes the requirements of the Presidential Records Act and the Federal Records Act to ensure that these vital records are preserved for historians."

2007 Report to Congress on the Benefits and Costs of Federal Regulations and Unfunded Mandates
"This Report to Congress on the Benefits and Costs of Federal Regulations (Report) was prepared to implement Section 624 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act of 2001 (Pub. L. No. 106-554, 31 U.S.C. § 1105 note), commonly known as the “Regulatory Right-to-Know Act.” This is the tenth annual Report since the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) began issuing this Report in 1997.

A key feature of this Report is the estimates of the total benefits and costs of regulations reviewed by OMB. Similar to previous Reports, the Report includes a ten-year look-back of major Federal regulations reviewed by OMB to examine their quantified and monetized benefits and costs.."

Recent Trends in the Variability of Individual Earnings and Household Income
"Changes in earnings and income are characteristic of a dynamic labor market, as people change jobs or careers, move between part-time and full-time work, or start or stop working. Having that flexibility in the labor market is generally considered a source of strength of the U.S. economy overall. Nonetheless, that variability causes true economic hardship for some people.

This Congressional Budget Office (CBO) paper, prepared at the request of Senator Charles E. Schumer and Senator Jim Webb, uses administrative and survey data to examine year-to-year changes in individual earnings and household income since 1984. It also examines variability in earnings and income by factors such as age, sex, and education. In keeping with CBO’s mandate to provide objective, impartial analysis, the paper makes no recommendations.

Next Stop for Oil Prices: $100 or $150?
"This presentation provides an analysis of the various factors behind a six year, six-folding in oil prices and the market conditions likely to either accelerate that rise or result in a significant downturn."

Wind Power in the United States: Technology, Economic, and Policy Issues
"Rising energy prices and concern over greenhouse gas emissions have focused
congressional attention on energy alternatives, including wind power. Although wind
power currently provides only about 1% of U.S. electricity needs, it is growing more
rapidly than any other energy source. In 2007, over 5,000 megawatts of new wind
generating capacity were installed in the United States, second only to new natural
gas-fired generating capacity. Wind power has become “mainstream” in many
regions of the country, and is no longer considered an “alternative” energy source.

Wind energy has become increasingly competitive with other power generation
options. Wind technology has improved significantly over the past two decades.
CRS analysis presented here shows that wind energy still depends on federal tax
incentives to compete, but that key uncertainties like climate policy, fossil fuel prices, and technology progress could dominate future cost competitiveness.

Veterans Benefits: An Overview
"The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wide range of benefits and
services to eligible veterans, members of their families, and survivors of deceased
veterans. VA programs include disability compensation and pensions, readjustment
benefits, and health care programs. The VA also provides life insurance, burial benefits, housing and other loan guaranty programs, and special counseling and outreach programs. While eligibility for specific benefits varies, veterans generally must meet requirements related to discharge type and length of active duty military service. This report provides an overview of major VA benefits and the VA budget. It will be updated as events warrant."

White House Fact Sheet: Helping Responsible Homeowners Across America, July 1, 2008
"Today, President Bush will visit North Little Rock, Arkansas, and participate in a roundtable discussion with counselors and individuals who have been helped by the Family Service Agency's Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS). CCCS is a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved not-for-profit counseling agency that provides both pre-purchase and post-purchase home counseling to individuals and families. The CCCS works to keep struggling families in their homes."

United States Copyright Office Releases Section 109 Report
Study Examines the Cable and Satellite Statutory Licenses in the Copyright Act
"After more than a year of intensive study, the U.S. Copyright Office issued its report on whether to maintain, modify or eliminate Sections 111, 119 and 122 of the Copyright Act. It will serve as the basis for discussion for possible changes to the statutory licenses.

Section 109 of the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act (SHVERA) of 2004 requires the Copyright Office to examine and compare the statutory licensing systems for the cable and satellite television industries under Sections 111, 119 and 122 of the Copyright Act and recommend any necessary legislative changes no later than June 30, 2008..."

DOJ ANNOUNCES FINAL NATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND NOTIFICATION
"The Department of Justice today announced the final guidelines for Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). The Guidelines provide necessary tools for states, the District of Columbia, territories and certain federally recognized Indian tribes to incorporate SORNA minimum requirements into their sex offender registration and notification programs...

Today's final guidelines provide direction and assistance to all jurisdictions in their efforts to meet the minimum standards of the Adam Walsh Act. Since the enactment of the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act in 1994, all states, the District of Columbia and two territories currently have some form of a sex offender registration and notification program. On July 27, 2006, President Bush signed into law the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act which dramatically enhanced the effectiveness of current programs by establishing a new comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification throughout the United States..."

FTC Will Study Experiences of Identity Theft Victims
"The Federal Trade Commission plans to study the experiences of identity theft victims by conducting a survey of consumers who contacted the FTC after they were victimized.

The proposed survey will examine the remedies available to victims under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act). Among other things, the FACT Act gave consumers the right to place fraud alerts on their credit files if they are, or suspect they may become, victims of identity theft; block information on their credit reports that resulted from identity theft; and obtain copies of their credit reports free of charge. The survey will seek information from identity theft victims who contacted the FTC between January 1 and May 30, 2008, and will inquire about their experiences when they contacted one or more credit reporting agencies and when they sought to use their FACT Act rights..."

Google: 2008 US Election Trends
"Track the most searched elections-related terms below, and find out which candidates are hot in different cities. Find out how other Americans stay politically engaged online."

FDA Update on Salmonellosis Outbreak in Certain Types of Tomatoes
"July 5, 2008: At this time, FDA recommends consuming raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw red round tomatoes only if grown and harvested from the following areas that HAVE NOT BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE OUTBREAK:..."