Major Recent Developments
Congress has recently voted on the following issues: troops in Libya, extension of Patriot Act provisions, offshore oil leases, tax breaks for oil companies, and federal funding for abortions.
See Newsbatch review of the voting
In May 2011, U.S. special forces launched a stealth attack on a Pakistani compound housing Osama Bin Laden. The attack resulted in Bin Laden's death. The future of Al Queda terrorism in the wake of this development is uncertain. See Summary on Terrorism
As the federal debt increases, it is again approaching the Congressionally-imposed maximum. In the past, Congress has raised such debt limits but according to some economists, the debt level is now approaching an amount that jeopardizes the solvency of the securities that are sold. The debt is directly related to the Bush-era tax policies which have reduced revenues to a modern low in comparison to the GPD without making any corresponding changes in federal spending. The problem has been exacerbated by exceptional military expenditures associated with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the government bailout which occurred during the recent financial crisis. See Summary on Budget and Taxes
The high levels of illegal immigration continue to generate public concern. President Obama has not prioritized the issue and the status of the millions of undocumented residents, many who have now resided in the U.S. for more than a decade, remains unclear. In the absence of federal action some states, notably Arizona, have begun to address the issue. See Summary on Immigration
