Money and Computing
The Federal Open Market Committee Statement: The Path of the Economy Continues to Depend On The Course Of The Virus
"The path of the economy continues to depend on the course of the virus. Progress on vaccinations and an easing of supply constraints are expected to support continued gains in economic activity and employment as well as a reduction in inflation. Risks to the economic outlook remain.The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. With inflation having run persistently below this longer-run goal, the Committee will aim to achieve inflation moderately above 2 percent for some time so that inflation averages 2 percent over time and longer‑term inflation expectations remain well anchored at 2 percent." more »
GAO, COVID-19: State [Department] Carried Out Historic Repatriation Effort but Should Strengthen Its Preparedness for Future Crises
"Despite acting swiftly to assist Americans abroad, State did not follow some of its policies and lacked guidance for certain aspects of its repatriation effort. For example, as of May 2021, an interagency group State established to coordinate plans to evacuate U.S. citizens abroad in emergencies had not met since April 2019, hampering interagency communication early in the crisis. Also, incomplete guidance for calculating and documenting actual costs of State-chartered flights led to missing or inconsistent documentation and limited State's ability to show that the prices it charged passengers complied with its fare policy." more »
Ferida Wolff's Backyard: Creepy Spider Webs
Ferida Wolff Writes: "Creepy as they may be, spider webs are pretty amazing. They have an artistic quality about them, and a variety of purposes. Not only do they catch insects for food but they provide help for the spider to travel from one place to another, they protect a spider’s dwelling space and also provide safety for an egg sac. Hopefully, not near my garage." more »
Congressional Schedule: October 25 -29, 2021: Hearings: Combatting Global Human Trafficking; Women Entrepreneurs: An Economic Growth Engine for America; A Whole of Government Approach in Support of Servicewomen
Hearings: Health — On Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing, “Caring for America: Legislation to Support Patients, Caregivers, and Providers,” to discuss several bills, including H.R. 1474, the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act. Human Trafficking — On Wednesday, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights will hold a hearing, “Combatting Global Human Trafficking.” Small Business — On Wednesday, the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee will hold a hearing, “Women Entrepreneurs: An Economic Growth Engine for America.” Veterans — On Tuesday, the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity will hold a hearing, “A Whole of Government Approach in Support of Servicewomen.” more »