Category «Legislation»

A Sustainable Path Forward Report from the Task Force on US Postal System

United States Postal Service: A Sustainable Path Forward Report from the Task Force on the United States Postal System. December 4, 2018 – “On April 12, 2018, you [President Trump] signed Executive Order 13829, which established the Task Force on the United States Postal System to evaluate the operations and finances of the United States …

Subjects: Congress, E-Commerce, Economy, Government Documents, Legislation

GPO Makes Documents Easy to Download and Repurpose in New XML Format

GPO news release: “The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) makes available a subset of enrolled bills, public and private laws, and the Statutes at Large in Beta United States Legislative Markup (USLM) XML, a format that makes documents easier to download and repurpose. The documents available in the Beta USLM XML format include enrolled bills …

Subjects: E-Government, Government Documents, Internet, Knowledge Management, Legal Research, Legislation

GPO to Retire the Federal Digital System Website 11/29/18

“The U.S. Government Publishing Office will officially retire its Federal Digital System (FDsys) website on December 14. The retirement will complete the transition to govinfo (www.govinfo.gov), the user-friendly, modernized site that offers a dynamic way for the public to discover and access information on the three branches of the Federal Government. “With the official transition …

Subjects: Congress, E-Government, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation

How to Get Your Lawmakers to Listen

ProPublica – “In our final installment of the User’s Guide to Democracy, we asked a live panel of congressional experts to help you stay engaged in politics after the midterms have ended. Congress Works For You. Here’s How to Be a Better Boss.” [h/t Pete Weiss] “You did it! In this month’s midterm election, you …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation

15 state attorneys general back Maryland in challenging Whitaker’s appointment

The Hill: “The attorneys general from 14 states and Washington, D.C., are urging a federal district court judge to block Matthew Whitaker from continuing to serve as Acting U.S. attorney general. The state attorneys general filed a friend of the court brief in support of Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh’s request on Nov. 13 for …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Courts, Government Documents, Health Care, Legal Research, Legislation

New 136-page guide to House members

Via Axios – “Phil Singer and his team at Marathon Strategies are quick out of the gate with a 136-page guide to the House members, including these talkers: Katie Hill (R-CA-25): Rock climbing enthusiast Gil Cisneros (R-CA-39): Won $266 million in Mega Millions lottery Donna Shalala (R-FL-27): Former HHS Secretary Sharice Davids (R-KS-03): Former MMA …

Subjects: Congress, Legislation

Introduction to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress

Every CRS Report – Introduction to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress, November 15, 2018. “This report introduces the main steps through which a bill (or other item of business) may travel in the legislative process—from introduction to committee and floor consideration to possible presidential consideration. However, the process by which a bill can …

Subjects: Congress, Government Documents, Legislation

CRS Report – Types of Committee Hearings

Every CRS Report – Types of Committee Hearings, November 15, 2018 “Congressional committee hearings may be broadly classified into four types: legislative, oversight, investigative, and confirmation. Hearings may be held on Capitol Hill or elsewhere (e.g., a committee member’s district or state, or a site related to the subject of the hearing). These latter hearings …

Subjects: Congress, Government Documents, Legislation

The Pentagon’s Getting More Secretive and It’s Hurting National Security

Defense One: “At a time of rampant executive branch corruption and large increases in defense spending, Americans are rightly concerned about the need for governmental transparency. People deserve to know how their money is being used, and what life-or-death decisions the Pentagon bureaucracy is making in their names. As President Trump asks for more defense …

Subjects: Congress, Defense, Economy, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation

A Great Economy Will Not Guarantee Reelection

Axios – What the 2018 Midterms Mean for Succeeding in Washington: “Last week’s election participation by eligible voters was 49.2%, according to the latest available figures — the highest for a midterm election in 104 years (since 50.4% in 1914), according to figures analyzed by lobbyist Bruce Mehlman. Mehlman says the last time turnout approached …

Subjects: Congress, Financial System, Legislation

How to Track Specific Changes to Legislation with Email Alerts

In Custodia Legis – Congress.gov Search Tip – How to Track Specific Changes to Legislation with Email Alerts: “The Congress.gov team recently improved saved search alerts for legislation. This improvement applies to searches that are performed from the legislation homepage search form and the advanced search form. Initially, saved search alerts for legislation provided you with a …

Subjects: Congress, E-Mail, Legal Research, Legislation

Wyden Releases Discussion Draft of Legislation to Provide Real Protections for Americans’ Privacy

Bill Requires Radical Transparency About How Corporations Share, Sell and Use Your Data; Creates Tough Penalties and Jail Time for Executives – “Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released a discussion draft of sweeping new legislation that would empower consumers to control their personal information, create radical transparency into how corporations use and share their data, and …

Subjects: Congress, Economy, Legal Research, Legislation, Privacy