Congressional Newsletters

RAND Congressional newsletters and alerts highlight our research on the most relevant issues in the public policy debate. See the most recent issues below.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
In Case You Missed It: The Strategic National Stockpile and COVID-19
Jul 8, 2020

COVID-19 has exposed serious weaknesses in our national preparedness for a global pandemic, including with the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Daniel Gerstein provides recommendations for rethinking the SNS to help prepare for future emergencies.
Military Strategy
The Future of Warfare in 2030
Jun 26, 2020

What will future conflicts look like in 2030? A new RAND series seeks to answer this question by examining the factors that shape conflict, including trends in geopolitics, the global economy, and even climate change.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
COVID-19 and Education: RAND Resources
Jun 11, 2020

RAND researchers have examined several aspects of pandemics, including COVID-19, in relation to education issues. Policymakers may find some recent examples helpful as they continue to look into policy responses to COVID-19.
Medicare
Public Options for Individual Health Insurance
Jun 1, 2020

There has been growing interest at the state and federal levels in a "public option" for individual market insurance. According to a new report, offering a public option for people who buy their own insurance could lower the cost of premiums, but on its own it is unlikely to substantially increase the overall number of people with coverage.
Military Strategy
Establishing an Enduring Commitment in Iraq
May 29, 2020

Recent events have caused uncertainty about the future of the U.S. military's presence in Iraq. However, these setbacks should be viewed in a larger context: U.S. interests could suffer if strategic competition in Iraq is abandoned.
Return-to-Work Programs and Policies
PPP Changes: Insights from RAND
May 26, 2020

As Congress prepares to vote to amend the Paycheck Protection Program, a new RAND paper highlights changes that small business owners say may help them survive during the COVID-19 pandemic and thrive after reopening.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
COVID-19 Decision-Support Tool for Policymakers
May 4, 2020

To slow the spread of COVID-19, state and local leaders have implemented a range of non-pharmaceutical interventions to protect communities. Now, policymakers face tough questions about when to relax or lift interventions, and how to weigh the economic cost of prolonged mitigation measures against the risk of a second wave of the crisis.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
What Does the COVID-19 Pandemic Mean for the Defense Budget?
Apr 30, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a dramatic toll on the economy, and government relief efforts have increased the federal deficit. What could this crisis mean for defense spending?
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
COVID-19 and Education: RAND Resources
Apr 9, 2020

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is disrupting nearly every facet of daily life--including education. The nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation has examined several aspects of pandemics, including COVID-19, in relation to education issues.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Critical Care Surge Response Strategies for the COVID-19 Outbreak
Apr 7, 2020

U.S. hospitals can prepare for a surge of patients critically ill with COVID-19, but it will require hospital leaders, practitioners and regional officials to adopt drastic measures that challenge the standard way of providing care.
Russia
Why Should the New START Agreement Be Extended?
Mar 31, 2020

Only one nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia remains: the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). But that agreement expires next year.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
In Case You Missed It: How Does COVID-19 Impact Small and Medium-Sized Businesses?
Mar 24, 2020

Social distancing is the only current public health tool to contain the spread of COVID-19, but it will negatively impact small and medium-sized businesses. RAND's Jennifer Bouey shares some policy options to support these businesses and their employees.
Pandemic
RAND COVID-19 Resources
Mar 13, 2020

As nationwide community spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) increases, policymakers are grappling with what actions are appropriate and necessary to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on communities, the economy, the nation's health, and the U.S. health care system.
Russia
What Provokes Putin's Russia?
Feb 27, 2020

Deterring Russia without provoking it requires an understanding of what Russia considers to be redlines. A deterrent that is too heavy-handed might prompt the precise response that it sought to avoid.
Pandemic
In Case You Missed It: From SARS to the Coronavirus
Feb 18, 2020

China's battle against the coronavirus highlights the importance of transparency and open collaboration among scientists globally. RAND's Jennifer Bouey shares some ways the United States can help China manage the pandemic.
Iran
In Case You Missed It: Escalation with Iran
Feb 13, 2020

In response to the killing of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iran is likely to continue to take action against the United States. RAND's Ariane Tabatabai describes some of the tools Iran could use to challenge the United States.
Military Strategy
Competing against Russia in the Gray Zone
Jan 30, 2020

RAND researchers ran a series of war games to explore Russian gray zone aggression--ranging from disinformation to electoral interference to little green men--in Europe.
Homeland Security
Countering Coercion in Cyberspace, Terrorism Prevention, Opioids at the Border, and More
Jan 17, 2020

RAND experts have testified and answered questions for staff on a variety of homeland security topics in recent years, including terrorism prevention, fentanyl flows into the United States, and Coast Guard workforce issues.
Public Health
Health Care Issues in 2020
Jan 14, 2020

What are some of the health care issues at the forefront of the congressional agenda in 2020? RAND experts offer up insight on a variety of topics, including the opioid crisis, drug pricing, delivery of care, and more.
Opioids
In Case You Missed It: Approaching the U.S. Opioid Crisis as an Ecosystem
Jan 9, 2020

RAND's Bradley Stein explains why we should approach the opioid crisis as an ecosystem instead of focusing on individual areas. He says employing a broader view of the crisis will help those confronting it better prepare for the challenges ahead.
Military Compensation
How Can Imminent Danger Pay and Hostile Fire Pay Be Improved?
Dec 19, 2019

RAND examined HFP and IDP and assessed whether a different approach might be more effective. While the current process is generally effective, it could be improved by allowing IDP rates to vary with the severity of threat in a location.
Infrastructure
Planning and Funding Resilient Infrastructure
Dec 18, 2019

RAND's Debra Knopman and Sarah Weilant discuss the importance of incorporating resilience in infrastructure planning. They outline three areas where the federal government could be making a difference.
Medicare
What are the Potential Effects of Medicare Buy-In?
Dec 5, 2019

Using RAND's COMPARE microsimulation model, researchers found that a Medicare buy-in proposal could offer significantly more-affordable coverage to older adults but might also lead to higher premiums for some people remaining on the individual market.
Military Families
What Are the Biggest Challenges Facing Army Families?
Nov 21, 2019

RAND surveyed more than 8,500 Army spouses on common military service challenges and their solutions. The analysis found that spouses most frequently rate work-life balance, military practices and culture, and their own well-being as their top problem areas.
Cyber Warfare
How Do Russia and China Engage in Social Manipulation?
Oct 29, 2019

U.S. competitors such as Russia and China engage in hostile social manipulation—the use of informational means to manipulate political, social, and economic conditions.