Government Documents in the News (February 26, 2009)

These are some government reports and other publications that you may have heard mentioned recently on television or on the radio, or read about in the newspapers. Many of these documents are in PDF format and require the Adobe Reader. For older items, see the 2008 Archive.

Economic Recovery

H.R. 1, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

This is the major economic stimulus package that was developed by House Democratic leadership and the Obama Administration. The Senate is considering its own version (S. 1), with the goal of having a finished bill for President Obama to sign into effect by mid-Feb at the latest. For progress on the bill, see OpenCongress and GovTrack.

EconomicRecovery.gov (U.S. Department of Commerce)

Resource for the American people to find help to keep their homes, find jobs and protect their savings.

FinancialStability.gov (U.S. Department of the Treasury)

On Tuesday, February 10th, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner outlined a comprehensive plan to restore stability to our financial system. In the address, Secretary Geithner discussed the Obama Administration’s strategy to strengthen our economy by getting credit flowing again to families and businesses, while imposing new measures and conditions to strengthen accountability, oversight and transparency in how taxpayer dollars are spent. And Secretary Geithner explained how the financial stability plan will be critical in supporting an effective and lasting economic recovery.

A New Era of Responsibility: Renewing America’s Promise (GPO Access)

Provides a description of the Obama Administration’s fiscal policies and major budgetary initiatives. This document is an overview of the full Fiscal Year 2010 Budget expected to be released this spring. Paper copies are available for purchase from the U.S. Government Bookstore.

Obama Inauguration

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (U.S. Senate Rules Committee)

 This interactive Web site provides information on the inauguration schedule of activities and historical information on previous inaugurations.

Inauguration of Barack Obama (Wikipedia)

Detailed account of Obama's inauguration, with extensive links to related resources.

President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address (White House)

Watch a video or read the text of Obama's inaugural address.

Presidential Transition

Change.gov (Office of the President-Elect)

The Presidential Transition Act of 1963, as amended (3 U.S.C. 102 note) authorizes the Administrator of GSA to provide services and support to the Office of the president-elect from the day after the election until 30 days after the inauguration, to support the orderly transfer of executive power after a general election. This site provides information to the public in support of this important public purpose.

 Presidential Transition Resources (U.S. General Services Administration)

The Presidential Transition Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-293) authorizes the General Services Administration (GSA) to develop a transition directory in consultation with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The Act provides that the transition directory "shall be a compilation of Federal publications and materials with supplementary materials developed by the Administrator that provides information on the officers, organization, and statutory and administrative authorities, functions, duties, responsibilities, and mission of each department and agency." Senate Report 106-348 clarifies that the directory is intended to "assist in navigating the many responsibilities that fall on a new administration" that is "confronted by an overwhelming amount of material."   

Serving the Congress and the Nation (U.S. Government Accountability Office)

Following each presidential election, GAO serves as a resource to assist with the transition to a new Congress and administration. On this Web site, using its institutional knowledge and broad-based, nonpartisan work on matters across the government spectrum, GAO provides insight into, and recommendations for addressing, the nation’s major issues, risks and challenges. Also located throughout the site are key reports for further research, as well as contact information for and video messages from GAO experts.

The Presidential Transition (IBM Center for the Business of Government)

This blog provides information on the 2008–2009 Presidential Transition and identifies the toughest management decisions facing the future government leaders.