Report predicts Taliban’s influence will grow, even if small troop presence remains and aid continues – By Ernesto Londoño, Karen DeYoung and Greg Miller “A new American intelligence assessment on the Afghan war predicts that the gains the United States and its allies have made during the past three years are likely to have been significantly eroded by 2017, even if… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Legislation
Federal Reserve Board issues final rule on treatment of uninsured U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks
“The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday approved a final rule clarifying the treatment of uninsured U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks under section 716 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, commonly known as the swaps push out provision. The final rule adopts without change the interim final rule issued by… Continue Reading
Commentary – Social media: The next generation of archiving
Social media: The next generation of archiving, by John Moore: “Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube have become commonplace tools for government outreach. Agencies tweet about everything from developments in medical research to public safety information. Federal Facebook pages offer a similar scope of government missives, while YouTube provides a collection of… Continue Reading
DNI Announces the Declassification of the Existence of Collection Activities Authorized by President Bush Shortly After Attacks of September 11, 2001
News release, December 21, 2013: “Yesterday, the Director of National Intelligence (“DNI”) announced the declassification of the existence of collection activities authorized by President George W. Bush shortly after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Starting on October 4, 2001, President Bush authorized the Secretary of Defense to employ the capabilities of the Department of Defense,… Continue Reading
FDA proposes new food defense rule
Proposed rule marks the 6th issued under FDA Food Safety Modernization Act this year: “As required by the bipartisan FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed a rule [Focused Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration] that would require the largest food businesses in the United States and abroad to take steps… Continue Reading
Infographic Provides a State-by-State Look at How Uninsured People Will Fare Under the Affordable Care Act
“A new interactive infographic from the Kaiser Family Foundation presents a comprehensive look at how the uninsured are expected to fare in each state next year after the Affordable Care Act (ACA) takes full effect on Jan. 1. The ACA provides new coverage options for many of the nation’s 47 million nonelderly uninsured people across the income spectrum,… Continue Reading
A Review of the Data Broker Industry: Collection, Use, and Sale of Consumer Data for Marketing Purposes
“Consumers are conducting more and more of their daily business online and through their mobile devices. They use the Internet and their smart phones and tablets to make purchases, research medical conditions, plan vacations, interact with friends and relatives, do their jobs, map travel routes, and otherwise pursue their interests. With these activities, consumers are… Continue Reading
FDA proposes new food defense rule
“As required by the bipartisan FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today proposed a rule that would require the largest food businesses in the United States and abroad to take steps to prevent facilities from being the target of intentional attempts to contaminate the food supply. The FDA is unaware… Continue Reading
2013 Status of Telework in the Federal Government
2013 Status of Telework in the Federal Government – Report to the Congress. United States Office of Personnel Management, December 2013 “As demonstrated in this second U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) status report under the Telework Enhancement Act (the Act), the utility of telework as a strategic organizational change program is increasingly appreciated within the Federal Government. Reported results… Continue Reading
Agencies Issue FAQ on Collateralized Debt Obligations Backed by Trust Preferred Securities under Final Rules Implementing “Volcker Rule”
“Three federal financial institution regulatory agencies today issued a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document to provide clarification and guidance to banking entities regarding investments in “Covered Funds” and whether collateralized debt obligations backed by trust preferred securities (TruPS CDOs) could be determined to be Covered Funds under the final rules to implement section 619 of… Continue Reading
Women in the United States Congress: Historical Overview, Tables, and Discussion
CRS – Women in the United States Congress: Historical Overview, Tables, and Discussion, Jennifer E. Manning, Information Research Specialist; Colleen J. Shogan, Deputy Director CRS; Ida A. Brudnick, Specialist on the Congress. December 16, 2013. “A record 102 women currently serve in the 113th Congress: 82 in the House (63 Democrats and 19 Republicans) and 20 in the Senate (16 Democrats… Continue Reading
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Available Health Insurance Options
CRS – Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP): Available Health Insurance Options – Annie L. Mach, Analyst in Health Care Financing; Ada S. Cornell, Information Research Specialist. November 13, 2013 “The statute governing the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) is found in Title 5 of the U.S. Code, Chapter 89. The program is administered by the Office of Personnel Management… Continue Reading
