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Informing Public Debate

RAND Congressional Resources offers an easy way for policymakers to access research and analysis that is relevant to current Congressional agendas. You will find:

Upcoming Events

THE FOLLOWING EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER:

BRIEFING
Anita Chandra will present "Children on the Homefront: The Experience of Children from Military Families" on February 8, 2010.
New date and time TBD. For more information contact Kurt Card at kurt_card@rand.org or at (703) 413-1100, ext. 5259.

New This Month

National Security Newsletter
January Contents: Reconstructing Haiti; Untying Gulliver: Taking Risks to Acquire Novel Weapon Systems; Improving Acquisition Outcomes: Organizational and Management Issues; and more.

Hot on the Hill

The State of the Union, 2010

U.S. Capitol Building

For more than 60 years, RAND has conducted research and analysis on topics that are often at the center of debate in Washington, D.C. In his first State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama spoke about key policy issues that are on the minds of many Americans: the need for health care reform; U.S. troops in the Middle East; terrorist threats; disaster recovery planning; improving the lives of children; and "green jobs" investments.

RAND Focuses on Health Reform

tired doctor

Health care reform is one of the top legislative priorities for the 111th Congress. Efforts to improve the system are complex and policymakers are being inundated with information. RAND has a wealth of expertise and knowledge in the key areas Congress is examining, such as coverage, access, financing, quality improvements, and prevention/wellness. Below are various on-line resources to help policymakers as they work through the debate.

Withdrawing from Iraq: Alternative Schedules, Associated Risks, and Mitigating Strategies

U.S. soldier salutes Iraqi flag

In response to tasking from the U.S. Congress, RAND researchers conducted an independent study to examine drawdown schedules, risks, and mitigating strategies of withdrawing from Iraq. This report presents alternative drawdown schedules—one consistent with the Obama administration’s stated intentions and two others, one somewhat slower and another faster—that are responsive to these factors. It also recommends steps that the United States can take to alleviate anticipated constraints, overcome likely resistance, and reduce the potential risks associated with a drawdown.

RAND Focuses on Climate Change

smokestacks

Policymakers continue to grapple with making the United States less reliant on foreign energy while at the same time moving toward a national climate change policy. One specific issue with climate change is that it interconnects with policy issues regarding various sectors of our nation's industries, transportation, energy, and water issues. It is critical for officials to keep this in mind as Congress begins work on a transportation reauthorization and water resource development reauthorization legislation. RAND has conducted extensive research on all of these issues and their interaction including three workshops on the interaction of climate change, transportation, and energy policies.

Leadership Dynamics Behind Iranian Policy Formulation — Jan. 5, 2010

Iran's leaders

When crafting policy decisions about Iran, the U.S. should take a nuanced view of its complex system of government and politics. Although Iran is a rising Middle East power, there has been no official diplomatic relations between the two nations since 1980, and Iran's decisionmaking process is far from transparent.

The Long March: Building an Afghan National Army — Jun. 2, 2009

soldiers walk in line through Afghan countryside

The Afghan National Army (ANA) is critical to the success of achieving a stable Afghanistan. This monograph assesses the ANA's progress and finds that though it has come a long way since the outset of the recent conflict in the country, the United States will play a crucial role in Afghanistan for the foreseeable future.

Multimedia

The Impact of Deployment on the Post-Deployment Labor Market Earnings of Reservists — Nov. 9, 2009

U.S. Army reservists taking re-enlistment oath, photo courtesy of U.S. Army/Staff Sgt. M. Alices

In this Congressional Briefing held on November 9, 2009, senior economist David Loughran presents findings about whether reservists who served in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer economic hardship in their post-deployment years because of lost civilian work experience, injury, and other difficulties adjusting to civilian work life.

Ending Social Promotion: Examining the Effects of NYC's 5th-Grade Promotion Policy — Oct. 19, 2009

a girl in a library

In this Congressional Briefing held on October 19, 2009, researchers Jennifer McCombs and Lou Mariano discuss RAND's recently published evaluation of a test-based promotion policy implemented by the New York City Department of Education. The findings will be of interest as many states and school districts are implementing test-based requirements for promotion at key transitional points in students' schooling careers, thus ending the practice of promoting students who have failed to meet academic standards and requirements for that grade.

The H1N1 Pandemic: Lessons Learned from the Cities Readiness Initiative — Sep. 14, 2009

pedestrians in city street

In this Congressional Briefing held on September 14, 2009, researchers Christopher Nelson and Edward Chan discuss RAND's recently published evaluation of the Cities Readiness Initiative, which helps the nation's largest metropolitan areas develop the ability to rapidly deliver life-saving medications and other medical supplies to their populations. The study has implications for pandemic influenza and other federal public health preparedness programs.

Options for Controlling Health Care Spending in Massachusetts — Aug. 17, 2009

surgeon removes coin from piggy bank

In this Congressional Briefing held on August 17, 2009, economist Christine Eibner presents findings about which strategies to reduce health care spending in Massachusetts are most (and least) promising. Lessons learned in this Massachusetts study are broadly applicable and could help Congress navigate cost containment proposals in the ongoing health reform debate.

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