Secrecy News is a publication of the Federation of American Scientists. It reports on new developments in government secrecy and provides public access to documentary resources on secrecy, intelligence and national security policy. It is written by Steven Aftergood.
One of the best resources provided by this blog are the analyses & reports from the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS is primarily known for “analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective and nonpartisan.” Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has 24/7 access to the nations best thinking. As a taxpayer-funded organization within the Library of Congress, it’s certainly appropriate that ‘taxpayers’ should have access to these analyses and reports. (We ‘taxpayers’ might as well read these, as it seems fairly apparent that few – if any – in Congress spend much time reading them)
Here’s just a small sampling of CRS reports over the past few months:
- Representatives & Senators: Trends in Member Characteristics Since 1945 (2/17/12)
- The Federal Budget: Issues for FY2013 and Beyond (2/17/12)
- Reducing the Budget Deficit: Policy Issues (2/15/12)
- Previewing the Next Farm Bill (2/15/12)
- The Role of Local Food Systems in U.S. Farm Policy (1/24/12)
- Internet Governance and the Domain Name System: Issues for Congress (2/9/12)
- Federal Land Ownership: Overview and Data (2/8/12)
- Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress (2/7/12)
- Smart Meter Data: Privacy and Cybersecurity (2/3/12)
- Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress (1/7/11)
- Economic Downturns and Crime (12/19/11)
- U.S. Periods of War and Dates of Current Conflicts (12/29/11)
- Gun Control Legislation (11/7/2011)
- Military Retirement Reform: A Review of Proposals and Options for Congress (11/17/11)
- 2012 edition of the U.S. Army Weapon Systems handbook
You can subscribe to Secrecy News here.
Cheers!