Fisheries in the United States: 2011

"This publication is a preliminary report for 2011 on commercial and a final report for recreational fisheries of the United States with landings from the U.S. territorial seas, the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and on the high seas. This annual report provides timely answers to frequently asked questions.

Fisheries in the United States: 2011

Reports on Cigarette and Smokeless Tobacco Advertising and Promotion

"The amount spent on cigarette advertising and promotion by the largest cigarette companies in the United States declined from $9.94 billion in 2008 to $8.53 billion in 2009, and again to $8.05 billion in 2010, according to a report released today by the Federal Trade Commission.
The Commission has issued the Cigarette Report periodically since 1967, and another one, the Smokeless Tobacco Report, periodically since 1987...
http://ftc.gov/opa/2012/09/tobacco.shtm

View full reports: Federal Trade Commission Cigarette Report for 2009 and 2010
Federal Trade Commission Smokeless Tobacco Report for 2009 and 2010
 

Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798-2012

"This report lists hundreds of instances in which the United States has used its armed forces abroad in situations of military conflict or potential conflict or for other than normal peacetime purposes. It was compiled in part from various older lists and is intended primarily to provide a rough survey of past U.S. military ventures abroad, without reference to the magnitude of the given instance noted. The listing often contains references, especially from 1980 forward, to continuing military deployments especially U.S. military participation in multinational operations associated with NATO or the United Nations. Most of these post-1980 instances are summaries based on Presidential reports to Congress related to the War Powers Resolution..."
https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R42738.pdf

The Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF): State Insolvency and Federal Loans to States

" During some recessions, current taxes and reserve balances were insufficient to cover state expenditures for unemployment compensation (UC) benefits. UC benefits are an entitlement, and states are legally required to pay benefits even if the state account is insolvent. Some states may borrow funds from the Federal Unemployment Account (FUA) within the Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF) to meet UC benefit obligations. The 2009 stimulus package (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, P.L. 111-5 §2004) temporarily waives interest payments and the accrual of interest on these loans to states from the FUA.

This report summarizes how insolvent states may borrow funds from the federal account within the UTF to meet their UC benefit obligations. Outstanding loans listed by state may be found at the Department of Labor’s website: http://www.workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/ budget.asp#tfloans..."

The Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF): State Insolvency and Federal Loans to States

Results from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings

"This report presents a first look at results from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an annual survey of the civilian, noninstitutionalized population of the United States aged 12 years old or older. The report presents national estimates of rates of use, numbers of users, and other measures related to illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products. The report focuses on trends between 2010 and 2011 and from 2002 to 2011, as well as differences across population subgroups in 2011. NSDUH estimates related to mental health, which were included in national findings reports prior to 2009, are not included in this 2011 report..."
http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2k11Results/NSDUHresults2011.pdf

The Emergency and Transitional Shelter Population:2010

"Studying the population in emergency and transitional shelters for people experiencing homelessness provides information about one segment of the group quarters population in the United States. This special report focuses on the 209,000 people enumerated in the 2010 Census at emergency and transitional shelters and their demographic characteristics and geographic distribution. Although this population accounted for
only 2.6 percent of the nearly 8 million people in group quarters, examining this group provides information on the portion of the population experiencing homelessness that is valuable to federal, state, and local agencies for a variety of reasons such as program planning and implementation..."
The Emergency and Transitional Shelter Population: 2010 
(2010 Census Special Report)

The Two or More Races Population: 2010

 "Data from the 2010 Census and Census 2000 present information on the population reporting more than one race and enable comparisons of this population from two major data points for the first time in U.S. decennial census history. Overall, the population reporting more than one race grew from about 6.8 million
people to 9.0 million people. One of the most effective ways to compare the 2000 and 2010 data is to  examine changes in specific race combination groups, such as people who reported White as well as Black or African American—a population that grew by over one million people, increasing by 134 percent—and people who reported White as well as Asian—a population that grew by about three-quarters of a million people, increasing by 87 percent..."

Two or More Races Population: 2010

Library of Congress Magazine

"Library of Congress Magazine (LCM) is published bimonthly to tell the Library’s stories, to showcase its many talented staff, and to share and promote the use of the resources of the world’s largest library..."Library of Congress Magazine

ClinicalTrails

"A service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov is a registry and results database of publicly and privately supported clinical studies of human participants conducted around the world. Learn more About Clinical Studies and About This Site, including relevant History, Policies, and Laws..."ClinicalTrials

Fast Facts & Figures About Social Security, 2012

Find the latest facts about the social security program.

Taxes and the Economy: An Economic Analysis of the Top Tax Rates Since 1945

"Throughout the late-1940s and 1950s, the top marginal tax rate was typically above 90%; today it is 35%. Additionally, the top capital gains tax rate was 25% in the 1950s and 1960s, 35% in the 1970s; today it is 15%. The real GDP growth rate averaged 4.2% and real per capita GDP
increased annually by 2.4% in the 1950s. In the 2000s, the average real GDP growth rate was
1.7% and real per capita GDP increased annually by less than 1%. There is not conclusive
evidence, however, to substantiate a clear relationship between the 65-year steady reduction in the top tax rates and economic growth. Analysis of such data suggests the reduction in the top tax rates have had little association with saving, investment, or productivity growth. However, the top tax rate reductions appear to be associated with the increasing concentration of income at the top of the income distribution. The share of income accruing to the top 0.1% of U.S. families
increased from 4.2% in 1945 to 12.3% by 2007 before falling to 9.2% due to the 2007-2009
recession. The evidence does not suggest necessarily a relationship between tax policy with
regard to the top tax rates and the size of the economic pie, but there may be a relationship to how the economic pie is slice.."

West Nile Virus and Preventing Mosquito Bites

"Update on the 2012 West Nile Virus outbreak

• West Nile Virus Activity
• West Nile Virus: What You Need to Know (Fact Sheet)

Many people who are bitten by an infected mosquito won't get sick—many others aren't as lucky. Since 1999, more than 30,000 people in the United States have been reported as getting sick with West Nile virus. Occasionally, an infected person may develop more severe disease such as “West Nile encephalitis,” “West Nile meningitis” or “West Nile meningoencephalitis.”.."

EPA Adds 12 Hazardous Waste Sites to Superfund’s National Priorities List

"The following 12 sites have been added to the National Priorities List: 

• Alabama Plating Company, Inc. (former electroplater) in Vincent, Ala.
• Cedar Chemical Corporation (former chemical manufacturer) in West Helena, Ark.
• Fairfax St. Wood Treaters (former wood treating operation) in Jacksonville, Fla.
• Bautsch-Gray Mine (former lead and zinc mine) in Galena, Ill.
• EVR-Wood Treating/Evangeline Refining Company (former wood treating operation) in Jennings, La.
• Leeds Metal (abandoned scrap metal facility) in Leeds, Maine
• Holcomb Creosote Co (former wood treating operation) in Yadkinville, N.C.
• Orange Valley Regional Ground Water Contamination (contaminated ground water plume) in Orange/West Orange, N.J.
• Peters Cartridge Factory (former ammunition manufacturer) in Kings Mills, Ohio
• West Troy Contaminated Aquifer (contaminated ground water plume) in Troy, Ohio
• Circle Court Ground Water Plume (contaminated ground water plume) in Willow Park, Texas
• U.S. Oil Recovery (former used oil recovery operation) in Pasadena, Texas.."

Whistleblower Protections Under Federal Law: An Overview

"This report provides an overview of key aspects of the 18 selected federal statutes applicable to individuals in certain private-sector industries. It focuses on the protections provided to employees who believe they have been subject to retaliation, rather than on how or where alleged misconduct should be disclosed. In addition, the report also includes an overview of the Whistleblower Protection Act. While state law may also provide whistleblower protections for employees, this report focuses only on the aforementioned federal statutory provisions..."

The Right Seat

"Car crashes are the number one killer of children 1 to 12 years old in the United States. The best way to protect them in the car is to put them in the right seat, at the right time, and use it the right way.

There are so many car seat types and models, how do you know which one is right for your child? The right car seat or booster fits your child and your car, and is one you will use correctly every time you travel. Not only will your child ride as safely as possible, you will be establishing the foundation for a lifelong habit of seat belt use every time your child travels..."

Unemployment Compensation (UC): Eligibility for Students Under State and Federal Laws

"Most states disqualify students from UC benefits while they are in school or disqualify individuals from UC benefits if they leave work to attend school. This is typically due to the presumption that students would be unavailable for work during the time that they are in school. However, exceptions and variations exist from state to state. Many workers who lost their jobs and remain in school may be eligible for UC benefits depending on their circumstances and how their respective states treats students.

This report describes these state variations in further detail and how states consider students within the framework of their own unique UC programs."

Drones in Domestic Surveillance Operations: Fourth Amendment Implications and Legislative Responses

"This report assesses the use of drones under the Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. The touchstone of the Fourth Amendment is reasonableness. A reviewing court’s determination of the reasonableness of drone surveillance would likely be informed by location of the search, the sophistication of the technology used, and society’s conception of privacy in an age of rapid technological advancement. While individuals can expect substantial protections against warrantless government intrusions into their homes, the Fourth Amendment offers less robust restrictions upon government surveillance occurring in public places and perhaps even less in areas immediately outside the home, such as in driveways or backyards. Concomitantly, as technology advances, the contours of what is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment may adjust as people’s expectations of privacy evolve..."

The National Labor Relations Act: Background and Selected Topics

"The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA or “the Act”) recognizes the right of employees to engage in collective bargaining through representatives of their own choosing. By “encouraging the practice and procedure of collective bargaining,” the Act attempts to mitigate and eliminate labor-related obstructions to the free flow of commerce. Although union membership has declined dramatically since the 1950s, congressional interest in the NLRA remains significant. In the 112th Congress, over 30 bills have been introduced to amend the NLRA. Some of these bills address the timing of union representation elections, while others are concerned with varying
aspects of the NLRA, such as the activities of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which implements and administers the Act..."

Global Access to Clean Drinking Water and Sanitation: U.S. and International Programs

"The President requested $302 million for USAID’s water activities for FY2012 and Congress appropriated not less than $315 million for international water and sanitation programs through the FY2012 Consolidated Appropriations. The FY2013 request for USAID’s water and sanitation efforts was slightly lower at $299.1 million. This report addresses congressional efforts to address limited access to clean drinking water and sanitation, outlines related programs implemented by USAID and MCC, and analyzes issues related to U.S. and international drinking water and sanitation programs that the 112th Congress might consider..."

Diabetes and Hispanic Americans

"According to national examination surveys, Mexican Americans are almost twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with diabetes by a physician.  They have higher rates of end-stage renal disease, caused by diabetes, and they are 50% more likely to die from diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.

• Mexican American adults are 1.8 times more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to have been diagnosed with diabetes by a physician.
• In 2008, Hispanics were 1.6 times as likely to start treatment for end-stage renal disease related to diabetes, compared to non-Hispanic white men.
• In 2008, Hispanics were 1.5 times as likely as non-Hispanic Whites to die from diabetes..." 

Prevalence of Cholesterol Screening and High Blood Cholesterol Among Adults — United States, 2005, 2007, and 2009

"High blood cholesterol is a leading risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD) (1,2). The risks associated with high blood cholesterol can be reduced by screening and early intervention (3). Current clinical practice guidelines provide evidenced-based standards for detection, treatment, and control of high blood cholesterol.."

Older Americans 2012 Key Indicators of Well-Being

"Older Americans 2012: Key Indicators of Well-Being (Older Americans 2012) provides a comprehensive, easy-to-understand picture of our older population’s health, finances, and well-being. It is the sixth such chartbook prepared by the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics (Forum). Readers will
find here an accessible compendium of indicators drawn from the most reliable official statistics. The indicators are again categorized into five broad groups: population, economics, health status, health risks and behaviors, and health care. In addition, the report contains a special feature on end-of-life care and place of death..."

Overview of the Federal Procurement Process and Resources

"In the basic federal procurement process, acquisition personnel, after determining their agency’s requirements (that is, the goods and services the agency needs), post a solicitation on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. Interested companies prepare their offers in response to the solicitation, and, in accordance with applicable provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), agency personnel evaluate the offers. Another type of procurement opportunity for a company is to serve as a subcontractor for a government contractor. To be eligible to compete for government contracts, a company must obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and register with the federal government’s System for
Award Management (SAM). Several agencies, such as the General Services Administration (GSA), provide assistance and services to existing and potential government contractors...

America’s Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2012

"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. Pending data availability, the Forum updates all 41 indicators annually on its Web site (http://childstats.gov) and alternates publishing a detailed report, America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, with a summary version that highlights selected indicators. The America’s Children series makes Federal data on children and families available in a nontechnical, easy-to-use format in order
to stimulate discussion among data providers, policymakers, and the public..."

The Plan to Help Homeowners Refinance

A Whitehouse infographic describing current legislation in Congress design to help millions of homeowners refinance their mortgages.

CPI for all items rises 0.6% in August as gasoline index rises 9.0%

"The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.6 percent in August on a
seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months,
the all items index increased 1.7 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The seasonally adjusted increase in the all items index was the largest since June 2009. About 80 percent
of the increase was accounted for by the gasoline index, which rose 9.0 percent and was the major factor
in the energy index rising sharply in August after declining in each of the four previous months..."

Uninsured Rate for Young Adults Drops Sharply

"Every year, the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey asks respondents whether they had any health insurance coverage during the previous calendar year. Collected since 1987, these statistics are the longest series that measure health insurance coverage for our nation.


Today, we released statistics pertaining to the 2011 calendar year. Segmented by a range of demographic characteristics, they show that 17.9 percent of people under age 65 were uninsured in 2011. That overall percentage, however, masks a great deal of variation among age groups..."

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011

"The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that in 2011, median household income declined, the poverty rate was not statistically different from the previous year and the percentage of people without health insurance coverage decreased.

Real median household income in the United States in 2011 was $50,054, a 1.5 percent decline from the 2010 median and the second consecutive annual drop.

The nation's official poverty rate in 2011 was 15.0 percent, with 46.2 million people in poverty. After three consecutive years of increases, neither the poverty rate nor the number of people in poverty were statistically different from the 2010 estimates.

The number of people without health insurance coverage declined from 50.0 million in 2010 to 48.6 million in 2011, as did the percentage without coverage - from 16.3 percent in 2010 to 15.7 percent in 2011.

These findings are contained in the report Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011.."

The “Fiscal Cliff”: Macroeconomic Consequences of Tax Increases and Spending Cuts

"A major policy concern for Congress is when and whether to address the “fiscal cliff,” a set of tax
increases and spending cuts that would substantially reduce the deficit in 2013. In projections
made in March 2012 by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), this fiscal restraint, constituting
5.1% of output in 2013, would reduce growth to 0.5% from 4.4%. Unemployment would increase
by two million. In August, updated estimates projected growth at a negative 0.5%.

Policy choices with respect to the fiscal cliff are difficult because of the conflict between shortrun
and long-run economic and budgetary objectives. In the short run, the reduction in demand
from the reduced budget deficits could damage an already fragile recovery. In the longer run,
however, deficit reduction is needed to address a projected unsustainable debt level.."

Weather-Related Power Outages and Electric System Resiliency

"High winds, especially when combined with precipitation from seasonal storms, can cause damage to electricity utility systems, resulting in service interruptions to large numbers of electricity customers. While most such power outages are caused by damage from trees and tree limbs falling on local electricity distribution lines and poles, major power outages tend to be caused by damage to electricity transmission lines which carry bulk power long distances. Depending on the severity of the storm and resulting impairment, power outages can last a few
hours or extend to periods of several days, and have real economic effects. Power outages can impact businesses (primarily through lost orders and damage to perishable goods and inventories), and manufacturers (mainly through downtime and lost production, or equipment damage). Data from various studies lead to cost estimates from storm-related outages to the U.S. economy at between $20 billion and $55 billion annually..."

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act

"Enacted by the 100th Congress, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act
requires qualified employers that intend to carry out plant closings or mass layoffs to provide 60
days’ notice to affected employees, states, and localities. The purpose of the notice to workers is
to allow them to seek alternative employment, arrange for retraining, and otherwise adjust to
employment loss. The purpose of notifying states and localities is to allow them to promptly
provide services to the dislocated workers and otherwise prepare for changes in the local
labor market..."

U.S. Farm Income

"According to USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS), national net farm income—a key
indicator of U.S. farm well-being—is forecast at a record $122.2 billion in 2012, up 3.7% from
last year’s record. Record gross revenues from crop sales (forecast at $222.1 billion), coupled
with record revenues (forecast at $34.1 billion) from farm-related income—a category that
includes crop insurance indemnity payments as well as income from custom work, machine hire,
etc.—pushed total gross cash income to a record $433.6 billion (up 5.5%). This more than offset
flat revenues from livestock markets ($165.8 billion), and a 6.6% increase in input costs (forecast
at $294.2 billion) to account for the record forecast for overall net returns..."

How We Measure Poverty and Income

"Income, poverty and health insurance estimates for 2011 from the Current Population Survey (CPS) will be released Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012. One-year estimates from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS) will be released on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012.

In all likelihood, the national estimates from these two sources will not be identical. Why not? Which is correct? Well, it’s complicated.

The Current Population Survey serves as the nation’s primary source of statistics on labor force characteristics. A supplement to the survey provides the official annual statistics on the nation’s income and poverty levels as well as statistics on age, sex, race, marital status, educational attainment, employee benefits, work schedules, school enrollment, health insurance, noncash benefits and migration..."

Hispanic Heritage Month: Sept. 15 — Oct. 15, 2012

"In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, which was observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. The observance was expanded in 1988 by Congress to a monthlong celebration (Sept. 15 — Oct. 15), effective the following year. America celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively..."

Getting Blood Pressure Under Control

"High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, both of which are leading causes of death in the US. Nearly one-third of all American adults have high blood pressure and more than half of them don’t have it under control.* Many with uncontrolled high blood pressure don’t know they have it. Millions are taking blood pressure medicines, but their blood pressure is still not under control. There are many missed opportunities for people with high blood pressure to gain control. Doctors, nurses and others in health care systems should identify and treat high blood pressure at every visit..."

White House Apps

New apps from the WhiteHouse.gov for iphone and ipad,  and android apps for phone and tablets incluudes:

Some of the apps' features include:

• Live video streams of White House events
• Access to WhiteHouse.gov's incomparable photo and video archives
• High resolution photos using iPad's Retina display
• The latest news from the White House blog and press Briefing Room
• Tools to search WhiteHouse.gov, save your favorite items, and share them via Facebook and Twitter
• Notifications of breaking news and opportunities to take action

Researching Current Federal Legislation and Regulations: A Guide to Resources for Congressional Staff

"This report is designed to introduce congressional staff to selected governmental and
nongovernmental sources that are useful in tracking and obtaining information federal legislation
and regulations. It includes governmental sources such as the Legislative Information System
(LIS), THOMAS, the Government Printing Office’s Federal Digital System (FDsys), and U.S.
Senate and House websites. Nongovernmental or commercial sources include resources such as
HeinOnline and the Congressional Quarterly (CQ) websites. It also highlights classes offered by
the Congressional Research Service (CRS) and the Library of Congress Law Library..."