COVID-19: Brief Update on Initial Federal Response to the Pandemic. GAO-20-708: Published: Aug 31, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 31, 2020. “This report updates our oversight of some aspects of the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings include: Spending. Federal obligations totaled $1.5 trillion and expenditures totaled $1.3 trillion, as of June 30. Public health.… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Congress
Responding to a Contested Election, Step by Step
Bloomberg (Part 1 of 2 articles) – The Electoral Count Act of 1887 was designed to avert constitutional chaos. That’s the hope anyway. “Election Day — there is a chance of constitutional chaos. It could take the form of acute uncertainty, not only about who won the election but also about the process by which that… Continue Reading
Senate Democrats’ Climate Committee Releases New Report On Climate Action
“Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Special Committee on the Climate Crisis Chair Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), and U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released a comprehensive report on the climate… Continue Reading
Here’s how to make sure your mail-in ballot actually counts
Fast Company – “Millions of Americans, far more than ever before, will cast their ballots by mail in the November election. For many it’ll be a first. Given that, and the huge stakes of this election, there’s plenty of worry to go around over whether all those mail-in ballots will find their way to being… Continue Reading
The demographics of the U.S. Congress
Via Reddit / Data is Beautiful – How representative are the representatives? The demographics of the U.S. Congress, broken down by party in comparison with the US population. Enlarge this graphic for a clearer view. View the author’s citations Continue Reading
Resources on Deep Fakes and National Security
Deep Fakes and National Security, August 26, 2020. “Deep fakes”—a term that first emerged in 2017 to describe realistic photo, audio, video, and other forgeries generated with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies—could present a variety of national security challenges in the years to come.As these technologies continue to mature, they could hold significant implications for congressional… Continue Reading
CRS – The Federal Reserve’s Main Street Lending Program
The Federal Reserve’s Main Street Lending Program, August 27, 2020. IF11632, Marc Labonte, Lida R. Weinstock. “In response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Federal Reserve (Fed) created a series of emergency lending programs, including the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP). The MSLP supports lending to eligible businesses and nonprofits and marks the first time… Continue Reading
Postal Service delays of prescription drugs put thousands of American lives at risk
NBC News: “…The Postal Service manages 1.2 billion prescription drug shipments a year — or about 4 million each day, six days a week — the National Association of Letter Carriers reported earlier this year. That number has grown during the pandemic, and many recipients are accusing President Donald Trump and the White House of… Continue Reading
Chief Actuary Warns Terminating payroll tax could end Social Security benefits in 2023
NBC News – “The federal government’s ability to pay Social Security benefits could stop by mid-2023 if President Donald Trump were to permanently terminate the payroll tax and not offer another revenue source, the chief actuary of the Social Security Administration said Monday. The chief actuary, Stephen Goss, offered the prediction in a letter to… Continue Reading
Internal USPS Documents Show Declines in Performance and Delays in Service
Gizmodo: “Documents displayed during Monday’s House Oversight Committee hearing with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy show just how far behind the Postal Service has fallen since DeJoy took over in June. DeJoy spent the morning defending his brief, scandal-ridden time as postmaster general before the committee. Citing complaints from constituents and postal workers across the country,… Continue Reading
Fourth Report of Congressional Oversight Commission on CARES Act
“The members of the bipartisan Congressional Oversight Commission have published their fourth report. It is available for review here. The Commission’s three previous reports are also available for review at the Congressional Oversight Commission’s website. Earlier this month, the Congressional Oversight Commission hosted its first public hearing, examining the Main Street Lending Program. You may… Continue Reading
How to Vote by Mail in Every State
WSJ.com – Many states are set to allow voters to take part in the 2020 presidential election by mail amid the coronavirus pandemic: More Americans than ever are expected to vote by mail in this year’s presidential election as states attempt to make voting safer amid the global pandemic. Five states—Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and… Continue Reading
