Car Allowance Rebate System
"President Obama signed into law a program NHTSA is calling the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). This is a government program that helps you purchase a new, more fuel efficient vehicle when you trade in a less fuel efficient vehicle. See the Frequently Asked Questions for more details.

While the CARS Act makes transactions on and after July 1 potentially eligible for credits under the CARS program, interested dealers and consumers may want to wait until all of the detailed issues that must be addressed in the implementing regulations are resolved and the final rule is issued. Issuance will occur around July 23..."

Obama Administration Launches New Energy Efficiency Efforts
"Building on the action by the U.S. House of Representatives in passing historic legislation that will pave the way for the transition to a clean energy economy, President Barack Obama and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced aggressive actions to promote energy efficiency and save American consumers billions of dollars per year. Today’s announcement underscores how the clean energy revolution not only makes environmental sense, but it also makes economic sense – creating jobs and saving money...
Today’s announcement includes major changes to energy conservation standards for numerous household and commercial lamps and lighting equipment. Seven percent of all energy consumed in the U.S. is for lighting.

The final rule has numerous benefits, including:

* Avoiding the emission of up to 594 million tons of CO2 from 2012 through 2042 – roughly equivalent to removing 166 million cars from the road for a year;
* Saving consumers $1 to $4 billion annually from 2012 through 2042;
* Saving enough electricity from 2012 through 2042 to power every home in the U.S. for up to 10 months;
* Eliminating the need for up to 7.3 gigawatts of new generating capacity by 2042 – equivalent to as many as 14 500MW coal-fired power plants;
* Decreasing the electricity used in GSFLs by 15%, saving consumers up to $8.66 per lamp over its lifetime; decreasing electricity used by IRLs by 25%, saving consumers $7.95 per lamp over its lifetime."

FTC Issues Interim Report on "Authorized Generic" Drugs
"The Federal Trade Commission today issued “Authorized Generics: An Interim Report,” which presents the first set of results from a study conducted to examine the short-term and long-term effects of “authorized generics” on competition in the prescription drug marketplace. An authorized generic exists when a pharmaceutical manufacturer sells a drug under both a brand-name and generic label. The FTC conducted the study in response to requests from Congress. Issues related to generic drug competition are relevant to current legislative debates and health care reform.

The FTC Interim Report examines the short-term effects of authorized generics during an initial period of generic competition. In certain circumstances, the first generic competitor of a branded drug is awarded a 180-day period of marketing exclusivity under the Hatch-Waxman Act. This marketing exclusivity period granted to certain generic “first filers,” however, does not preclude competition from authorized generics. It has become increasingly common for brand-name drug makers to begin marketing authorized generics at the same time the generic firm is beginning its 180-day marketing exclusivity period, leading to questions about the effects of authorized generics on pharmaceutical competition..."

U.S. Department of Education Study Finds that Good Teaching can be Enhanced with New Technology
"Providing further evidence of the tremendous opportunity to use technology to improve teaching and learning, the U.S. Department of Education today released an analysis of controlled studies comparing online and face-to-face instruction.

A systematic search of the research literature from 1996 through July 2008 identified over 1,000 empirical studies of online learning. Of these, 46 met the high bar for quality that was required for the studies to be included in the analysis. The meta analysis showed that “blended” instruction – combining elements of online and face-to-face instruction – had a larger advantage relative to purely face to face instruction or instruction conducted wholly online. The analysis also showed that the instruction conducted wholly on line was more effective in improving student achievement than the purely face to face instruction. In addition, the report noted that the blended conditions often included additional learning time and instructional elements not received by students in control conditions..."

Census Bureau Reports Increase of Nearly 1 Million Nonemployer Businesses
"The United States added nearly 1 million nonemployer businesses between 2006 and 2007, bringing the total to 21.7 million, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This 4.5 percent growth rate is detailed in Nonemployer Statistics: 2007, an annual data series on businesses without paid employees.

“These statistics allow users to track annual trends in nonemployer businesses down to the local level,” said C. Harvey Monk Jr., Associate Director for Economic Programs at the U.S. Census Bureau. “Businesses can use this data to help analyze market potential, to measure the effectiveness of sales and advertising programs and to develop their budgets.”

Total receipts for nonemployer businesses were $992 billion in 2007, up from $970 billion in 2006, a 2.2 percent increase. Of the total nonemployer businesses, 19.1 million were sole proprietorships, 1.4 million were corporations and 1.2 million were partnerships.

Most nonemployers are self-employed individuals operating very small unincorporated businesses, which may or may not be the owner’s principal source of income. Classified in nearly 300 industries, data is available for the nation, states, counties and metropolitan areas."

The Long-Term Budget Outlook
"Under current law, the federal budget is on an unsustainable path—meaning that federal debt will continue to grow much faster than the economy over the long run. Although great uncertainty surrounds longterm fiscal projections, rising costs for health care and the aging of the U.S. population will cause federal spending to increase rapidly under any plausible scenario for current law. Unless revenues increase just as rapidly, the rise in spending will produce growing budget deficits and accumulating debt. Keeping deficits and debt from reaching levels that would cause substantial harm to the economy would require increasing revenues significantly
as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), decreasing projected spending sharply, or some combination of the two..."

Environmental Justice Resource Guide
"Minority and low-income communities are often disproportionately exposed to environmental harm and risks. EPA has programs and projects to protect these communities from adverse effects on human health and the environment. The Agency is committed to the fair treatment of these communities. This includes the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. This participation requires access to the wide variety of resources available from EPA.
In light of this commitment, EPA’s Pacific Southwest Regional Office has developed this Resource Guide as a tool for individuals, non-governmental organizations, community groups, and local officials. The goal is to provide information and access to EPA’s funding sources, training opportunities, and technical and program assistance. The guide highlights recent successes in communities affected by environmental injustices and references some of the tools these communities have used to achieve results."

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE PROGRAM SUCCEEDS IN REDUCING VIOLENT CRIME
"The Department of Justice today announced research findings showing that the Project Safe Neighborhoods program (PSN) has been successful in reducing violent crime. An evaluation of the nation-wide program found a statistically significant decline in violent crime in cities where PSN existed or where the program — which targets gun crime, in particular — is vigorously implemented.

“These findings are important information for everyone working to keep our communities safe,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Laurie Robinson. “The evidence of success with the PSN framework underscores the importance of continuing to develop crime and violence reduction approaches centered on cooperation and coordination.”

Project Safe Neighborhoods is an initiative to reduce gun and gang crime in America by networking existing local programs that target gun and gang crime and providing these programs with additional tools necessary to be successful. The program focuses on hiring new federal and state prosecutors, supporting investigators, providing training, distributing gun lock safety kits, deterring juvenile gun crime, and promoting community outreach efforts as well as supporting other gun and gang violence reduction strategies. The enhanced use of crime analysis and tactical intelligence supports the program’s core strategies of targeted enforcement and deterrence. Additional program information is available

EPA Releases third National Assessment of Toxic Air Pollutants
"EPA has released the latest version of a state-of-the-science tool that estimates health risks from breathing air toxics in the United States. The National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA), based on 2002 air emissions data, helps federal, state, local and tribal governments identify areas and specific pollutants for further evaluation to better understand risks they may pose.

Air toxics are of concern because they are known to or are suspected of causing cancer and other serious health problems, including birth defects. The report assessed 180 air toxics plus diesel particulate matter from stationary sources of all sizes and from mobile sources such as cars, trucks, buses and construction equipment.

The 2002 NATA estimates that most people in the United States have an average cancer risk of 36 in 1 million if exposed to 2002 emissions levels over the course of their lifetime. In addition, 2 million people—less than one percent of the total U.S. population—have an increased cancer risk of greater than 100 in 1 million. Benzene was the largest contributor to the increased cancer risks..."

USAspending.gov
"Have you ever wanted to find more information on government spending? Have you ever wondered where Federal contracting dollars and grant awards go? Or perhaps you would just like to know, as a citizen, what the Government is really doing with your money. The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Transparency Act) requires a single searchable website, accessible by the public for free that includes for each Federal award:

1. The name of the entity receiving the award;
2. The amount of the award;
3. Information on the award including transaction type, funding agency, etc;
4. The location of the entity receiving the award;
5. A unique identifier of the entity receiving the award.

Welcome to www.USAspending.gov, a relaunch of www.fedspending.org, that provides citizens with easy access to Government contract, grant and other award data..."

The Role of the Department of Defense During A Flu Pandemic
"A flu pandemic is a worldwide epidemic of an influenza virus. As such, the United States’ response to a flu pandemic would have both international and domestic components. Additionally, the domestic response effort would include contributions from every governmental level (local, state, tribal, and federal), non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. This report will focus largely on the role of the Department of Defense (DOD) in supporting the nation’s domestic response effort, although it will also touch on DOD’s international role.

The Department of State would lead the federal government’s international response efforts, while the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human Services would lead the federal government’s domestic response. The Department of Defense would likely be called upon to support both the international and domestic efforts. An analysis of the tasks assigned by the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan indicates that DOD’s role during a flu pandemic would center on the following objectives: assisting in disease
surveillance; assisting partner nations, particularly through military-to-military assistance; protecting and treating US forces and dependents; and providing support to civil authorities in the United States.."

Age and Sex in the United States: 2007 and 2008
"A series of detailed tables with data on a wide range of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics by five-year age groups and sex. Topics covered include marital status, educational attainment, nativity and citizenship status, labor force and employment status, occupation, earnings, poverty and housing tenure. The data come from the Current Population Survey.
Internet addresses: 2007 < and 2008

Churches at Risk in Bogus Opportunity Scam
"Con artists are hawking what they claim is a golden opportunity for churches: Free equipment or services. Often targeting African American churches, these scammers may profess a shared faith, culture, or concern for the community to gain the trust of the church staff.

In a common scheme, scammers may offer computer equipment to the staff of a church, claiming the cost will be covered by a “sponsor,” who later turns out to be phony. In the meantime, the staff simply has to sign an agreement to lease the equipment, make a regular payment, and deposit checks from the “sponsor” to cover the checks written by the church. While this is going on, the scammers can gain access to the church’s bank accounts and withdraw funds.

The FTC has issued a new consumer alert to help consumers steer clear of this scam. To learn more, go to "Churches Cheated in Opportunity Scam

Census Bureau Reports World’s Older Population Projected to Triple by 2050
"The world’s 65-and-older population is projected to triple by midcentury, from 516 million in 2009 to 1.53 billion in 2050, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In contrast, the population under 15 is expected to increase by only 6 percent during the same period, from 1.83 billion to 1.93 billion.

In the United States, the population 65 and older will more than double by 2050, rising from 39 million today to 89 million. While children are projected to still outnumber the older population worldwide in 2050, the under 15 population in the United States is expected to fall below the older population by that date, increasing from 62 million today to 85 million.

These figures come from the world population estimates and projections released today through the Census Bureau’s International Data Base. This latest update includes projections by age, including people 100 and older, for 227 countries and areas.

Less than 8 percent of the world’s population is 65 and older. By 2030, the world’s population 65 and older is expected to reach 12 percent, and by 2050, that share is expected to grow to 16 percent..."

Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infections Among Health-Care Personnel --- United States, April--May 2009
"Soon after identification of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infections in the United States in mid-April 2009, CDC provided interim recommendations to reduce the risk for transmission in health-care settings. These included recommendations on use of personal protective equipment (PPE), management of health-care personnel (HCP) after unprotected exposures, and instruction of ill HCP not to report to work (1). To better understand the risk for acquiring infection with the virus among HCP and the impact of infection-control recommendations, CDC solicited reports of infected HCP from state health departments. As of May 13, CDC had received 48 reports of confirmed or probable infections with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus* (2); of these, 26 reports included detailed case reports with information regarding risk factors that might have led to infection. Of the 26 cases, 13 (50%) HCP were deemed to have acquired infection in a health-care setting, including one instance of probable HCP to HCP transmission and 12 instances of probable or possible patient to HCP transmission. Eleven HCP had probable or possible acquisition in the community, and two had no reported exposures in either health-care or community settings. Among 11 HCP with probable or possible patient to HCP acquisition and available information on PPE use, only three reported always using either a surgical mask or an N95 respirator. These findings suggest that transmission of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus to HCP is occurring in both health-care and community settings and that additional messages aimed at reinforcing current infection-control recommendations are needed..."

Vision of High-Speed Rail in America
" President Obama proposes to help address the nation's transportation challenges by launching a new and efficient high-speed passenger rail network in 100-600 mile corridors that connect communities across America. The Strategic Plan outlines the President’s vision that would transform the nation’s transportation system by rebuilding existing rail infrastructure while developing a comprehensive high-speed intercity passenger rail network through a long-term commitment at both the federal and state levels. This plan draws from the successful highway and aviation development models with a 21st century solution that focuses on clean, energy-efficient rail transportation. Building on the plan, the FRA has prepared Interim Program Guidance that makes grant funds available for the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program.

High-speed rail (HSR) is a family of transportation options that address longer-distance passenger transport needs in heavily populated corridors. Implementing HSR will promote economic expansion (including new manufacturing jobs), create new choices for travelers in addition to flying or driving, reduce national dependence on oil, and foster urban and rural livable communities. With the successful completion of the original phases of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) Transportation Project offering Amtrak's 150 mph train service, known as “Acela,” between Washington, New York, and Boston, efforts have expanded beyond the NEC. A number of high-speed rail corridors are being planned by States that range from upgrades to existing rail lines to entirely new rail lines exclusively devoted to 150 to 250 mph trains..."

EPA Issues Clean Energy Guidebook To Help States Save Money, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
"EPA today released a first-of-its-kind guide to help states save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by adopting clean energy practices in their facilities, operations and vehicle fleets.

States spend about 10 percent of their operating budgets on energy bills, yet these costs can be greatly reduced by implementing well-designed energy management and greenhouse gas reduction programs. For example, in New York, where a 2001 executive order directed state agencies to reduce energy consumption by 35 percent by 2010 relative to 1990 levels, the state saved $54.4 million in energy costs from energy efficiency improvements between fiscal years 2001-2002 and 2003-2004.

EPA’s Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide helps states identify key strategies, resources and tools best-suited to their energy needs. Each strategy has been tested and is proven to be cost effective..."
View the full report and related documentation.

Measuring the Effects of the Business Cycle on the Federal Budget
"This report offers an alternative measure of the budget that incorporates adjustments for the effects of the business cycle. It is one of a series of reports that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issues each year to fulfill the requirement of section 202(e) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 that CBO submit to the Committees on the Budget periodic reports about fiscal policy and provide baseline projections of the federal budget. This report is based on information presented in A Preliminary Analysis of the President’s
Budget and an Update of CBO’s Budget and Economic Outlook, released in March 2009."

Hidden Costs of Health Care: Why Americans are Paying More but Getting Less
"With each passing year, Americans are paying more for health care coverage. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages.1 In 2008, the average premium for a family plan purchased through an employer was $12,680, nearly the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage job.2 Americans pay more than ever for health insurance, but get less coverage..."

FDA Issues Safety Communication about an Ongoing Review of Stimulant Medications Used in Children with ADHD
"There may be an association between the use of stimulant medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, known as ADHD, and sudden cardiac death in healthy children, according to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that, because of the study’s limitations, parents should not stop a child’s stimulant medication based on the study. The FDA recommends that parents should discuss concerns about the use of these medications with the prescribing health care professional.

The FDA can not conclude that the data in the study affect the overall risk-benefit profile of stimulant medications used to treat ADHD in children.

The study’s limitations include:

--a significant time lag between the dates when the deaths occurred and collection of the data;
--the difference in circumstance of death may have accounted for a difference in family or caregiver recall of information relating to medication use at the time of death;
--sudden unexplained death in a child would be more likely to trigger a post-mortem inquiry into the cause of death than death due to blunt force trauma as a result of a motor vehicle collision; and
--there was a low frequency of stimulant use reported in both the study group and the control group..."

Health Care Reform and the Federal Budget
"Today CBO delivered letters to Senators Kent Conrad and Judd Gregg that respond to their request for information about the features of health care reform proposals that would affect federal spending on health care over the long term. In the absence of significant changes in policy, rising costs for health care will cause federal spending to grow much faster than the economy, putting the federal budget on an unsustainable path. To elucidate the possible effects of major legislation affecting health care and health insurance on the federal budget, CBO’s analysis examines the budget outlook under current law; the likely budgetary effect of efforts to expand the scope of insurance coverage; the potential for reducing health care spending; the likely impact of specific changes in the health system; and mechanisms for engendering efficiency gains in health care over time..."

Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States
"This web page will introduce and lead you through the content of the most comprehensive and authoritative report of its kind. The report summarizes the science and the impacts of climate change on the United States, now and in the future. It focuses on climate change impacts in different regions of the U.S. and on various aspects of society and the economy such as energy, water, agriculture, and health. It’s also a report written in plain language, with the goal of better informing public and private decision making at all levels.

In addition to discussing the impacts of climate change in the U.S., the report also highlights the choices we face in response to human-induced climate change. It is clear that impacts in the United States are already occurring and are projected to increase in the future, particularly if the concentration of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continues to rise. So, choices about how we manage greenhouse gas emissions will have far-reaching consequences for climate change impacts. Similarly, there are choices to be made about adaptation strategies than can help to reduce or avoid some of the undesirable impacts of climate change. This report provides many of the scientific underpinnings for effective decisions to be made – at the national and at the regional level."
View full report

DEATHS IN CUSTODY: STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT RREST - RELATED DEATHS, 2003-2006
"The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) released Deaths in Custody: Arrest-Related Deaths, 2003-2006 – Statistical Tables on the BJS website. The tables present findings from the law enforcement collection of the Deaths in Custody Reporting Program (DCRP), a national resource of information collected on arrest-related deaths. The report provides counts of all arrest-related deaths reported by state authorities in more than 40 states, spanning a four-year period (2003-2006). It reports on all manners of death during an arrest, including homicides (both those by officers and other persons), suicides, alcohol or drug intoxication deaths, accidental injuries, and fatal medical problems, as well as characteristics of the deceased and circumstances of the fatal events."

An Analysis of the President’s Budgetary Proposals for Fiscal Year 2010
"This report follows up on the document that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
released in March 2009 titled A Preliminary Analysis of the President’s Budget and an Update of CBO’s Budget and Economic Outlook, which was based on the President’s preliminary budget submission. Estimates in this report, which was prepared at the request of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, reflect the final set of proposals included in the Budget of the United States Government: Fiscal Year 2010 (May 2009)..."

Healthcare Inspection Evaluation of the Veterans Health Administration’s National Patient Safety Program
"The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG), Office of Healthcare Inspections (OHI) completed an evaluation of the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA’s) National Patient Safety (NPS) Program. The purposes of the evaluation were to determine whether VHA’s NPS Program (1) has been effective in accomplishing its stated goal of preventing inadvertent harm to patients receiving VHA care and (2) has provided efficient and effective coordination, oversight, and continuous improvement.

Results and Recommendations
We concluded that VHA took important, positive steps in 1998 when it expanded existing patient safety activities and created the National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS). VHA’s NPS Program has been the foundation for many national and international patient safety initiatives. We noted several opportunities to strengthen the NPS Program’s effectiveness, oversight, and continuous improvement..."

Revitalizing Mothballed Properties: Challenges, Success Stories, and Solutions.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, November 2008
EP10.2:M 85/CD

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched an effort to foster the revitalization of mothballed properties at the EPA National Brownfields Conference in Boston, Massachusetts in 2006. In October 2007, EPA convened more than 75 property
owners, redevelopers, community leaders, and federal, state, and local officials in Washington, DC to discuss tools and resources needed for successful mothball revitalization.

This report builds on the ongoing EPA effort to provide assistance on this important issue. This report highlights innovative approaches and real success stories in the revitalization of mothballed properties. The highlighted projects include just a few of the many examples of successful revitalization projects underway across the country."

Enforcing Religious Freedom in Prisons.
U.S. Commission on Civil Right,Sept. 2008
CR1.2:R 27/4/CD
"This report focuses on the government’s efforts to enforce federal civil rights laws
prohibiting religious discrimination in the administration and management of federal and state prisons. Prisoners in federal and state institutions retain certain religious exercise rights under the Constitution and statutes including the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), and the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA). Many states have similar provisions in their state constitutions and in state law modeled on RFRA. These rights must be balanced with the legitimate concerns of prison officials, including cost, staffing, and, most importantly,
prison safety and security. Reconciling these rights and concerns can be a significant challenge for penal institutions, as well as the courts..."

U.S. Army Field Manuals, Training Circulars, Technical Manuals, War Department/Department of the Army Pamphlets
"The full text of selected U.S. Army Field Manuals (FMs), Training Circulars (TCs), and Technical Manuals (TMs), War Department Pamphlets (WD PAMs) and Department of the Army Pamphlets (DA PAMs), which particularly address some of the current research needs and interests of The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center & School Library, U.S. Army, Charlottesville, Virginia, will be added regularly to this site."

Surveillance for Foodborne Disease Outbreaks --- United States, 2006
"Foodborne illnesses are a major health burden in the United States (1). Most of these illnesses are preventable, and analysis of outbreaks helps identify control measures. Although most cases are sporadic, investigation of the portion that occur as part of recognized outbreaks can provide insights into the pathogens, food vehicles, and food-handling practices associated with foodborne infections. CDC collects data on foodborne disease outbreaks (FBDOs) from all states and territories through the Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System (FBDSS). This report summarizes epidemiologic data on FBDOs reported during 2006 (the most recent year for which data have been analyzed). A total of 1,270 FBDOs were reported, resulting in 27,634 cases and 11 deaths. Among the 624 FBDOs with a confirmed etiology, norovirus was the most common cause, accounting for 54% of outbreaks and 11,879 cases, followed by Salmonella (18% of outbreaks and 3,252 cases). Among the 11 reported deaths, 10 were attributed to bacterial etiologies (six Escherichia coli O157:H7, two Listeria monocytogenes, one Salmonella serotype Enteritidis, and one Clostridium botulinum), and one was attributed to a chemical (mushroom toxin). Among outbreaks caused by a single food vehicle, the most common food commodities to which outbreak-related cases were attributed were poultry (21%), leafy vegetables (17%), and fruits/nuts (16%). Public health professionals can use this information to 1) target control strategies for specific pathogens in particular foods along the farm-to-table continuum and 2) support good food-handling practices among restaurant workers and the public..."

Refugees and Asylees: 2008
"...A total of 60,108 persons were admitted to the United States as refugees during 2008 (see Figure 1). The leading countries of nationality for refugees were Burma, Iraq, and Bhutan. During 2008, 22,930 individuals were granted asylum, including 12,187 who were granted asylum affirmatively by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and 10,743 who were granted asylum defensively by an immigration judge during removal proceedings. The leading countries of nationality for persons granted asylum were China, Colombia, and Haiti...

Did the 2008 Tax Rebates Stimulate Short-Term Growth?
"In preparing its economic forecast published in September 2008, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that 40 percent of the tax rebates issued in the
spring and summer under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-185) would be spent within six months––raising the growth of consumption in the second and third quarters of 2008 by 2.3 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively, and reducing it by 1.0 percent in the fourth quarter, when the distribution of the rebates was expected to end.1 However, analysts disagree about the economic impact of tax rebates. This brief examines the issue in light of the evidence currently available..."

Health Disparities: A Case for Closing the Gap
"Despite consistent increases in spending, disparities among demographic groups persist. Low-income Americans and racial and ethnic minorities experience disproportionately higher rates of disease, fewer treatment options, and reduced access to care. With unemployment on the rise, the disparities already apparent among these groups will continue to increase. A new report Health Disparities: A Case for Closing the Gap demonstrates the need for reform..."

Agencies Issue Frequently Asked Questions on Identity Theft Rules
"Six federal agencies issued a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) today to help financial institutions, creditors, users of consumer reports, and issuers of credit cards and debit cards comply with federal regulations on identity theft and discrepancies in changes of address. The “Red Flags and Address Discrepancy Rules,” which implement sections of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, were issued jointly on November 9, 2007, by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC)..."

Responses to Questions About the Cost of a Cap-and-Trade Program, June 12, 2009
"I am writing in response to your questions about an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that I discussed in my May 7 testimony before the Senate Finance Committee.

That testimony addressed the impacts of a possible cap-and-trade program for reducing U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2). In that testimony, I indicated that the price increases associated with an illustrative cap-and-trade program that CBO considered would result in an average cost per household of $1,600 a year. That figure is an estimate of the gross perhousehold cost due to the imposition of a price on emissions; the net per-household cost, which accounts for other features of the program that would reduce households’ costs or raise their income, would be substantially lower. In addition, the $1,600 cost estimate derives from the
particular cap-and-trade program that CBO examined. The cost of cap-and-trade programs that have significantly different design features, such as the one that would be established under the bill recently approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee (H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009), could be significantly different..."

Paying for Health Care Reform - $313 Billion in Additional Savings to Create a Deficit Neutral Plan
"We have the most expensive health care system in the world, but do not get the best results. The rising costs of health care are a burden on our families and a drain on our long-term economic growth. If we continue on the course we are on, health care expenditures will reach 20 percent of GDP within a decade. Rapidly rising health care costs are leading our nation down a fiscally unsustainable path.

For the health of the American people and the health of our economy, we must act now to bring down health care costs and reform the health care system. It is central to the long-term prosperity of the United States. That is why the President is committed to passing health care reform this year. Guided by the principle that we should fix what’s broken and build on what already works, the President wants to pass health care reform that allows one to keep their health insurance and choose their health care providers, expands coverage to the millions without, and brings down the cost of coverage.

The President is committed to undertaking reform that is completely paid for and deficit neutral over the next decade. That is why he put forward in his FY 2010 Budget an historic $635 billion down payment on reform. Roughly half of this amount comes from revenue proposals, including limiting the value of itemized deductions for families making over a quarter-million dollars a year to the rates they were during the Reagan years, and about half comes from savings from Medicare and Medicaid..."

Foreign Direct Investors’ Outlays to Acquire or Establish U.S. Businesses Increased in 2008
"Outlays by foreign direct investors to acquire or establish U.S. businesses increased 3 percent in 2008, to $260.4 billion. Outlays in 2008 were the third-largest on record and the sixth consecutive increase since a falloff in outlays in 2001-2002."

Health Care Reform: An Introduction
"Health care reform has emerged as an issue in the 111th Congress, driven by growing concern about widely discussed problems. Three predominant concerns involve coverage, cost and spending, and quality. Commonly cited figures indicate that more than 45 million people have no insurance, which can limit their access to care and their ability to pay for the care they receive. Costs are rising for nearly everyone, and the country now spends over $2.2 trillion, more than 16% of gross domestic product (GDP), on health care services and products, far more than other industrialized countries. For all this spending, the country scores but average or somewhat worse on many indicators of health care quality.

These concerns raise significant challenges. Each of the concerns is more complex than might first appear, which increases the difficulty of finding solutions. For example, by one statistical measure, far more than 45 million people face the risk of being uninsured for short time periods, yet by another, substantially fewer have no insurance for long periods. Insurance coverage and access to health care are not the same, and it is possible to have one without the other. Having coverage does not ensure that one can pay for care, nor does it always shield one from significant
financial loss in the case of serious illness. Similarly, high levels of spending may be partly attributable to the country’s wealth, while rising costs, though difficult for many, may primarily mean that less money is available for other things..."

Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court - Sonia Sotomayor - Questionnaire
"Judicial nominees, including nominees to vacancies on the United States Supreme Court, are required to complete a bipartisan questionnaire compiled by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Judge Sonia Sotomayor's questionnaire and related attachment available below.

* Committee Questionnaire
*
o Committee Questionnaire - Appendix o Question 12A
o Question 12B
Question 12C
o Question 12D
o Question 12E
o Question 12F
o Question 13D
o Question 13G
o Question 19

Medical Marijuana: Review and Analyis of Federal and State Policies
"The issue before Congress is whether to continue the federal prosecution of medical marijuana patients and their providers, in accordance with the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), or whether to relax federal marijuana prohibition enough to permit the medicinal use of botanical cannabis products when recommended by a physician, especially where permitted under state law.

Bills that would make medical marijuana available under federal law for medical use in the states with medical marijuana programs and that would make it possible for defendants in federal court to reveal to juries that their marijuana activity was medically related and legal under state law have been introduced in recent Congresses and are likely to be reintroduced in the 111th Congress.

Past proposals to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II of the CSA might also resurface in the current Congress. The Obama Administration’s Attorney General has signaled an end to federal raids by the Drug Enforcement Administration of medical marijuana dispensaries that are operating in accordance with state laws, in fulfillment of a pledge to end such actions that was made by candidate Obama
during the presidential campaign. .."

Emerging Issues in the U.S. Organic Industry
"Consumer demand for organic products has widened over the last decade. While new producers have emerged to help meet demand, market participants report that a supply squeeze is constraining growth for both individual firms and the organic sector overall. Partly in response to shortages in organic supply, Congress in 2008 included provisions in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (2008 Farm Act) that, for the first time, provide direct financial support to farmers to convert to organic production. This report examines recent economic research on the adoption of organic farming systems, organic production costs and returns, and market conditions to gain a better understanding of the organic supply squeeze and other emerging issues in this rapidly changing industry..."

Country Analysis Briefs: Iraq
"Iraq was the world’s 13th largest oil producer in 2008, and has the world’s third largest proven petroleum reserves after Saudi Arabia and Canada. Just a fraction of Iraq’s known fields are in development, and Iraq may be one of the few places left where vast reserves, proven and unknown, have barely been exploited. Iraq’s energy sector is heavily based upon oil, with approximately 94 percent of its energy needs met with petroleum. According to the International Monetary Fund, crude oil export revenues represented over 75 percent of GDP and 86 percent of government revenues in 2008..."

Immigration: the Changing Face of America
"This feature presentation introduces teachers and students to the topic of Immigration. In this section, the introduction, you will find an overview of the feature, a guide to navigation, and credits."

Obama Administration Auto Restructuring Initiative General Motors Restructuring
"On March 30, 2009, President Obama laid out a framework for General Motors to achieve viability that required the Company to rework its business plan, accelerate its operational restructuring and make far greater reductions in its outstanding liabilities.After two months of significant management engagement, General Motors has developed such a plan and has already begun to make progress toward its achievement. The Company has also secured commitments of meaningful sacrifice from all of its major stakeholder groups , sacrifices sufficient for this plan to proceed forward. As a result, the President has deemed GM’s plan viable and will be making available about $30 billion of additional federal assistance to support GM’s restructuring plan . To effectuate its plan, General Motors will use Section 363 of the bankruptcy code to clear away the remaining impediments to its successful re-launch.

For the better part of a century, The General Motors Corporation has been one of the most recognizable and largest businesses in the world. Today will rank as another historic day for the company —the end of an old General Motors, and the beginning of a new one..."

National Geological Carbon Capture Program Can Help Develop Cleaner Energy, Reduce Greenhouse Gases
" Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today sent Congress his recommendations for a national program to help reduce greenhouse gases by selecting appropriate underground geological formations on public lands to inject and store carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants and other carbon-dioxide producing facilities.

The Interior report, prepared by the Bureau of Land Management with assistance from the U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy, recommends criteria for identifying potential sites for geological carbon sequestration and a proposed regulatory framework for leasing these public lands. It also discusses an array of issues that are being addressed, including environmental protection, public participation, rights-of-way and federal liability..."

View full report,Framework for Geological Carbon Sequestration on Public Land,

Economic Slowdown Widespread Among States in 2008
"New statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis show that economic growth slowed in most states and regions of the U.S. in 2008 as economic growth overall slowed. Real GDP growth slowed in 38 states, with downturns in construction, manufacturing, and finance and insurance restraining growth in many states.1 Growth in real U.S. GDP by state slowed from 2.0 percent in 2007 to 0.7 percent in 2008."

EMPLOYMENT CHARACTERISTICS OF FAMILIES IN 2008
" The share of families with an unemployed member rose from 6.3 percent
in 2007 to 7.8 percent in 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Labor reported today. The proportion of families with an
unemployed member in 2008 neared the recent peak of 8.1 percent in 2003.
Of the nation's 77.9 million families, 82.2 percent had at least one em-
ployed member in 2008, down by 0.4 percentage point from 2007.

These data on employment, unemployment, and family relationships are
collected as part of the Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly sam-
ple survey of approximately 60,000 households. Families include married-
couple families, as well as families maintained by a man or woman with no
spouse present.."

PARTY FINANCIAL ACTIVITY SUMMARIZED FOR THE 2008 ELECTION CYCLE: PARTY SUPPORT FOR CANDIDATES INCREASES
"The Democratic and Republican parties raised nearly $1.6 billion and spent more than $1.5 billion between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2008, according to a Federal Election Commission (FEC) compilation of information from reports submitted by federally registered party committees at the national, state and local levels.

Republican national, state and local party committees that report to the FEC raised $792.9 million during 2007-2008 in federally permissible funds, or “hard money.” Democratic party committees raised $763.3 million during the same period.Democratic party receipts for the 2008 election cycle represent a 58% increase over the 2006 cycle and a 10.8% increase over the 2004 presidential election cycle. Republican party receipts grew 32.4% from 2006, and 1.3% from 2004.The limits on contributions from individuals to national party committees are indexed for inflation. For the 2008 cycle, individuals could contribute as much as $28,500 to a national party committee, while political action committees (PACs) could contribute up to $15,000. No direct contributions from corporations or labor organizations are permitted..."

Chairman Rockefeller Launches Investigation Into Deceptive Online “Mystery Charges"
"John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today announced a Senate Commerce Committee investigation into certain e-commerce marketing practices that generate thousands of mysterious monthly charges to consumer credit cards.

KEY BACKGROUND INFORMATION

• The source of these puzzling monthly fees appears to be from a group of marketing companies that acquire consumers’ billing information through agreements with popular online retail sites.

• On many well-known websites, including Fandango.com and Orbitz.com, after consumers make a purchase, a hyperlink or “pop up” window appears and offers consumers a cash back reward if they sign up for a company’s online membership service. If consumers accept the offer by providing an e-mail address and clicking a “yes” button, their credit card or debit card account information is automatically forwarded to the company and they are automatically enrolled in the service. And unless the consumer cancels this online membership service, their credit card or debit card is indefinitely charged $9-$12 on a monthly basis..."

Crime in the United States: Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report
"Preliminary figures indicate that, as a whole, law enforcement agencies throughout the Nation reported a decrease of 2.5 percent in the number of violent crimes brought to their attention in 2008 when compared to figures reported for 2007. The violent crime category includes murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The number of property crimes in the United States from January to December of 2008 decreased 1.6 percent when compared to data from the same time period in 2007. Property crimes include burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. Arson is also a property crime, but data for arson are not included in property crime totals. Figures for 2008 indicated that arson decreased 3.9 percent when compared to 2007 figures..."

Cyberspace Policy Review
"The President directed a 60-day, comprehensive, “clean-slate” review to assess U.S. policies and structures for cybersecurity. Cybersecurity policy includes strategy, policy, and standards regarding the security of and operations in cyberspace, and encompasses the full range of threat reduction, vulnerability reduction, deterrence, international engagement, incident response, resiliency, and recovery policies and activities, including computer network operations, information assurance, law enforcement, diplomacy, military, and intelligence missions as they relate to the security and stability of the global information and communications infrastructure. The scope does not include other information and communications policy unrelated to national security or securing the infrastructure. The review team of government cybersecurity experts engaged and received input from a broad cross-section of industry, academia, the civil liberties and privacy communities, State governments, international partners, and the Legislative and Executive Branches. This paper summarizes the review team’s conclusions and outlines the beginning of the way forward towards a reliable, resilient, trustworthy digital infrastructure for the future..."

Federal Agencies Propose Rule to Implement S.A.F.E. Act Mortgage Loan Originator Registration Requirements
"The Federal financial institution regulatory agencies are together issuing for public comment proposed rules requiring mortgage loan originators who are employees of agency-regulated institutions to meet the registration requirements of the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (S.A.F.E. Act).

The S.A.F.E. Act requires the agencies to jointly develop and maintain a system for registering residential mortgage loan originators who are employees of agency-regulated institutions, including national and State banks, savings associations, credit unions, and Farm Credit System institutions, and certain of their subsidiaries. These mortgage loan originators must be registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (Registry), a database established by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators to support the licensing of mortgage loan originators by the States. As part of this registration process, mortgage loan originators must furnish to the Registry background information and fingerprints for a background check. The S.A.F.E. Act generally prohibits employees of an agency-regulated institution from originating residential mortgage loans without first registering with the Registry..."

New Travel Requirements (Western Hemisphere Initiaive)
"AIR TRAVEL

* All U.S. citizens traveling by air are required to present a passport book to enter or re-enter the United States.

LAND AND SEA TRAVEL

The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.

* CURRENTLY:
All U.S. citizens must show proof of identity and proof of U.S. citizenship when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the countries of the Caribbean by land or sea.

Acceptable documents include: U.S. Passport Book, U.S. Passport Card, or other document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. citizens who do not have a single document verifying identity and citizenship must present both an identification and citizenship document; for example, a driver’s license and a copy of a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.

* LATER:
On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

o CHILDREN: U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card.

Groups of U.S. citizen children ages 16 through 18, when traveling with a school or religious group, social organization, or sports team, will be able to enter under adult supervision with originals or copies of their birth certificates or other proof of citizenship. See the Department of Homeland Security's GetYouHome.gov for more information on the changing travel requirements..."

National Intelligence: A Consumer Guide, 2009
"Keeping our country safe means more than protecting people and property – it also means remaining true to the principles on which this country was founded. Protecting privacy and civil liberties is part of the fabric of the IC and it helps define who we are. In order to effectively use the tools and information we need to keep our country safe, we must have the trust of the American people and demonstrate that we are worthy of that trust.

The Director of National Intelligence’s Civil Liberties and Privacy Office is charged with ensuring that civil liberties and privacy protections are incorporated into policies and procedures at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and other IC elements. If you have concerns or questions about how the IC respects and protects privacy and civil liberties, we encourage you to contact this office..."

The End of an Old GM, and the Beginning of a New GM”
"This morning marked a significant moment in history for a mainstay of the American economy, and an important move by President Obama to act in the best interests of all the stakeholders in the American auto industry, the American taxpayer, and the economy at large.

He began by discussing Chrysler, which just successfully emerged from bankruptcy:
When my administration took office and began going over Chrysler's books, the future of this great American car company was uncertain. In fact, it was not clear whether it had any future at all. But after consulting with my Auto Task Force, industry experts, and financial advisors, and after asking many tough questions, I became convinced that if Chrysler were willing to undergo a restructuring, and if it were able to form a partnership with a viable global car company, then Chrysler could get a new lease on life.

Well, that more promising scenario has now come to pass. Today, after taking a number of painful steps, and moving through a quick, efficient, and fair bankruptcy process, a new, stronger Chrysler is poised to complete its alliance with Fiat. Just 31 days after Chrysler's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, a court has approved the Chrysler-Fiat alliance, paving the way for a new Chrysler to emerge from bankruptcy in the next few days..."

Access video of announcement