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Category Archives: Congress

DOJ – Trump officials can testify in inquiries into efforts to subvert election outcome

The New York Times: “The Justice Department notified former officials this week that they could testify to the various committees investigating the Trump administration’s efforts to subvert the results of the presidential election and the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, according to a letter obtained by The New York Times. Witnesses can give “unrestricted… Continue Reading

House Bill Would Create Long-Awaited Software and Data Roles at Federal Agencies

NextGov: “The federal government would finally be able to hire specifically for “software development,” “software engineering,” “data management,” and “knowledge management” positions under new legislation before the House. Over multiple administrations, the federal government has tried to get better at hiring and retaining tech-savvy employees but continues to meet challenges, including the lack of specific… Continue Reading

Artificial Intelligence: An Accountability Framework for Federal Agencies and Other Entities

Artificial Intelligence: An Accountability Framework for Federal Agencies and Other Entities GAO-21-519SP Published: Jun 30, 2021. “As a nation, we have yet to grasp the full benefits or unwanted effects of artificial intelligence. AI is widely used, but how do we know it’s working appropriately? This report identifies key accountability practices—centered around the principles of… Continue Reading

A Low Carbon Fuel Standard: In Brief

CRS: A Low Carbon Fuel Standard: In Brief July 7, 2021: “One policy option Congress may examine is a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS). An LCFS is a policy that requires transportation fuels to meet a certain energy-related GHG target (e.g., a specific carbon intensity) within a specified jurisdiction and time frame. Some states have… Continue Reading

Free Webinar – Foundations: Finding Resources on LOC.gov

“The Library of Congress web site  contains millions of digitized primary sources that are free to use with your students, along with many free teacher resources. In this webinar [July 13, 2-3pm ET], Library of Congress education specialists will share tips and strategies for finding resources in the Library’s extensive digitized collections by navigating the… Continue Reading

Library of Congress Adds ‘A Century of Lawmaking’ to Congress.gov

Update Increases Accessibility, Readability of Bills and Resolutions Dating from 1799 – “The Library of Congress announced today that U.S. congressional records dating back to the days of printing presses and the telegraph are now easily accessible on mobile devices. With this latest update of Congress.gov — the official website for U.S. federal legislative information… Continue Reading

Domestic Terrorism: Overview of Federal Criminal Law and Constitutional Issues

CRS Report – Domestic Terrorism: Overview of Federal Criminal Law and Constitutional Issues, July 2, 2021: “Federal statute defines domestic terrorism to include dangerous criminal acts intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or to influence or affect government policy or conduct within the jurisdiction of the United States. Despite the federal statutory definition,… Continue Reading

Day of Rage: An In-Depth Look at How a Mob Stormed the Capitol

The New York Times – By Dmitriy Khavin, Haley Willis, Evan Hill, Natalie Reneau, Drew Jordan, Cora Engelbrecht, Christiaan Triebert, Stella Cooper, Malachy Browne and David Botti. June 30, 2021. “A six-month Times investigation has synchronized and mapped out thousands of videos and police radio communications from the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, providing the most… Continue Reading

Law Library Launches Refreshed Website, Law.gov

In Custodia Legis – “The Law Library of Congress is proud to announce that we have refreshed our website, as of today, June 30, 2021. Our new, cleaner look should help you find the resources you are looking for in a more modern and streamlined way. Our homepage will take you to the most used… Continue Reading

The Library of Congress is a surprising lesson in digital government

Washington Post Editorial Board – “One of the country’s oldest cultural institutions is now writing the book on how to adapt to a brave new world. Only a few years after being labeled a digital laggard, the Library of Congress is bringing its hundreds of millions of documents’ worth of history to citizens across the… Continue Reading