RAND Congressional Briefing Series

By RAND Corporation

What's RAND Congressional Briefing Series about?

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decision making through research and analysis. RAND Congressional Briefings connect RAND experts with lawmakers, legislative staff, and respected opinion leaders on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to present findings and recommendations on issues relevant to the current policy debate. For more about RAND, visit www.rand.org.

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RAND Congressional Briefing Series episodes:

12.17.2019
Built to Last: Planning and Funding Resilient Infrastructure
Debra Knopman and Sarah Weilant provide an overview of a December 6th congressional briefing on how federal transportation projects can incorporate resilience into infrastructure planning.
09.26.2019
Preparing for the Future of Fentanyl
Bryce Pardo and Beau Kilmer provide an overview of a September 13th congressional briefing. They discuss the various factors contributing to opioid overdose crisis in the United States.
06.06.2019
How Do We Prevent the Next Homegrown Terrorist?
Brian Jackson provides an overview of an May 3rd congressional briefing. He discusses terrorism prevention strategies for the federal government, the nature of the homeland terrorist threat, past and current terrorism prevention policies, and gives recommendations for policymakers.
03.28.2019
Approaches to Counter Russian Social Media Influence
Elizabeth Bodine-Baron discusses the challenges facing current measures underway by Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to combat this threat; proposed approaches, as well as unintended consequences and drawbacks; and recommendations for policymakers.
02.01.2019
What Are the Potential Impacts of Single-Payer Health Care?
Jodi Liu discusses key characteristics of single-payer health care proposals and their potential impact; common misconceptions and areas of uncertainty; and plan details and implementation decisions that would affect impacts, including the cost of care, changes in total spending, and...
06.08.2018
Protecting Consumer Data: Considerations for Congress
Rebecca Balebako and John S. Davis discuss the benefits and risks of data sharing, opportunities for protecting privacy at both the personal and industry level, current U.S. laws and how they compare to European laws, and policy options for Congress.
03.27.2018
Overcoming the Threats of Our Strategic Competitors
David Ochmanek discusses challenges posed to U.S. force planning by China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and Salafist-Jihadi groups; and weapon systems and posture enhancements that could potentially overcome those challenges.
01.24.2018
Fixing What's Broken with Infrastructure Policy: Options for Congress
An infrastructure bill is on the agenda for Congress, but what problems would it fix? In this RAND Congressional Briefing, Debra Knopman discusses policies that promote and deter investment and maintenance of water and transportation infrastructure.
10.26.2017
Equifax and the Data-Breach Era: How Worried Should We Be?
Large-scale data breaches like those of Equifax and OPM compromised the personal data of millions of people. What can be done to improve the response to such breaches?
07.17.2017
North Korea's Continuous Provocations
In this July 17th, 2017 congressional briefing, Bruce W. Bennett, Senior International/Defense Researcher, discusses North Korea's nuclear missile programs, its changing relationship with China, and implications for U.S. policy.
06.09.2017
States vs. the Federal Government: Marijuana Legalization in the United States
In this June 9th, 2017 congressional briefing, Beau Kilmer, codirector of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center, provides an overview of recent changes in marijuana policies as well as options for the federal government.
05.05.2017
Informing Investments in High-Quality Preschool
Lynn Karoly presents findings from her research, which compiles the most reliable evidence concerning the effects of high-quality preschool programs on participating children and the associated costs, benefits, and economic returns.
03.17.2017
Repeal, Replace, Repair, or Improve? The Future of the ACA
RAND senior economist Christine Eibner discusses the use of economic modeling to predict how individuals and employers will respond to major health care policy changes as the new administration reassesses the Affordable Care Act.
05.12.2016
Getting to Yes with China in Cyberspace: Is It Possible?
In this May 2016 congressional briefing, RAND experts Scott W. Harold and Martin Libicki discuss the differing perspectives and interests of the United States and China in cyberspace.
02.18.2016
Meeting the Health Care Needs of America's Veterans: A Summary of Three RAND Assessments Conducted Under the Veterans Choice Act
Senior policy researcher Carrie Farmer discusses RAND's findings from three assessments conducted under the Veterans Choice Act.
02.16.2016
Lessening the Risk of Refugee Radicalization
Senior political scientist Barbara H. Sude discusses historical examples of radicalization among refugee groups, factors that can increase the risk of radicalization, measures to reduce the risk, and considerations for policymakers and legislators.
10.14.2015
United States and China: Trends in Military Competition
Eric Heginbotham discusses relative U.S. and Chinese military capabilities, including the evolution of Chinese military capabilities and steps the United States can take to limit the impact of a growing Chinese military on deterrence.
10.01.2015
Lessons from a Hacker: Cyber Concepts for Policymakers
In this September 2015 congressional briefing, RAND's Lillian Ablon discusses the basics of cyber and information security and provides insights into some of the complexities of cybersecurity policymaking.
08.06.2015
Strategic Rethink: Choices for America in a Turbulent World
Ambassador James Dobbins discusses the report he coauthored with Howard Shatz and David Ochmanek, Choices for America in a Turbulent World.
03.10.2015
The Use of Long-Range Armed Drones: Fact v. Myth
A panel of RAND experts discuss the effect of armed drones on global warfare, whether U.S. policy on armed drones shapes the way other nations deploy them, and the sale of armed drones to allies.
02.18.2015
Reauthorizing ESEA: Congress' Role in Improving Assessments, Accountability, and Teaching Effectiveness
Education experts at RAND discuss the limitations of current accountability policies and how a reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act could promote more effective policies.
02.03.2015
Premium Tax Credits and the Affordable Care Act: The Potential Ramifications of King v. Burwell
Christine Eibner discusses the role of premium tax credits in ensuring stability in the individual health insurance marketplace and the ramifications of King v. Burwell on the Affordable Care Act.
01.21.2015
Insights About Marijuana Legalization in the United States
In this January 2015 Congressional Briefing, RAND researchers Beau Kilmer and Jonathan Caulkins present an overview of their new report, Considering Marijuana Legalization: Insights for Vermont and Other Jurisdictions.
12.16.2014
Congressional Options and Their Likely Consequences for a Nuclear Deal with Iran
In this December 2014 Congressional Briefing, Larry Hanauer identifies and assesses eight potential courses of action that Congress could take that might either facilitate, hinder, or block implementation of a nuclear deal with Iran.
06.11.2014
The Future of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act: Expiration, Reauthorization, Modification
In this June 2014 Congressional Briefing, RAND experts presented findings from their recent work on the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) and discuss the different outcomes if TRIA were to be reauthorized, modified, or allowed to expire.
06.04.2014
Israeli, Saudi, and Iranian Responses in the Days After a Deal With Iran: What Are the U.S. Options?
A panel of Middle East experts discuss concerns about Iran of two key U.S. partners; the internal dynamics and motivations of the Iranian government; and U.S. policy options to craft a sustainable nuclear agreement with Iran.
05.15.2014
Hidden Heroes: America's Military Caregivers
In this May 15th Congressional Briefing, Terri Tanielian and Rajeev Ramchand present the challenges today's military caregivers face, and what Congress and others can do to support them.
03.28.2014
Do Joint Fighter Programs Save Money?
In this March 28th Congressional Briefing, Mark Lorell discusses how the need to accommodate different service requirements into a single jet fighter design or common design family leads to increased program complexity and cost growth.
03.24.2014
"Self Driving" Vehicles: Great Benefits, but Barriers to Widespread Adoption
In this March 24th 2014 Congressional Briefing, James Anderson discusses the advantages and disadvantages of autonomous vehicles, current obstacles with adoption, and actions policymakers can take.
02.18.2014
Correctional Education: How Effective Is It and What Can We Do to Make It Better?
In this February 2014 Congressional Briefing, Lois M. Davis shares results from a new RAND study on correctional education, conducted for the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice and funded under the Second Chance Act of 2007.
01.22.2014
Making Sense of Nuclear Negotiations with Iran: A Good Deal or a Bad Deal?
In this January 2014 Congressional Briefing, a panel of experts discusses the negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 that have resulted in a first-step agreement of a possible comprehensive deal on the Iranian nuclear program.
12.03.2013
The Future of Mobility: Transportation 2030
In this December 2013 Congressional Briefing, Johanna Zmud and Peter Phleps illustrate two distinct scenarios for the future of mobility 17 years from now and how choices that policymakers make today will affect the future of mobility in America.
10.16.2013
Preparing for North Korean Regime Collapse
Bruce Bennett discusses the possible consequences of a North Korean government collapse, including civil war in the north, a humanitarian crisis, and the potential use and proliferation of the nation's chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons.
07.25.2013
Egypt and the Question of U.S. Assistance
In this July 2013 Congressional Briefing, Jeffrey Martini, Middle East analyst for the RAND Corporation, moderates a panel of experts to discuss what role U.S. assistance should play in the future of Egypt.
03.22.2013
Mapping Egyptian Politics: Where Is Egypt Heading and What Does That Mean for the United States?
Jeffrey Martini discusses data from Egyptian elections in the post-Mubarak era. After his presentation, he is joined for a panel discussion by Michele Dunn from the Atlantic Council and Samer S. Shehata from Georgetown University.
01.23.2013
Adapting to Climate Change on the Coast: Lessons from Louisiana for Federal Policy
In this January 2013 Congressional Briefing, Jordan Fischbach discusses how RAND helped Louisiana develop its 2012 Coastal Master Plan and key lessons that can make other communities more resilient in the face of natural disasters.
12.10.2012
Skin in the Game: How Consumer-Directed Health Plans Can Affect the Cost and Use of Health Care
In this December 2012 Congressional Briefing, Amelia Haviland presents the results of several RAND studies on cost and quality in consumer-directed health plans, and explores how switching plans affects the quality of care.
10.10.2012
What Are the Prospects for Democratization in the Arab World?
In this October 2012 Congressional Briefing, Laurel Miller and Jeffrey Martini discuss the challenges to democratization that Arab countries are likely to face in coming years and how the international community can help overcome such challenges.
07.17.2012
Marijuana Legalization: What We Know and What We Don't
In this July 2012 Congressional Briefing, researchers from the RAND Drug Policy Research Center discuss marijuana legalization, how it differs from decriminalization, its possible consequences, and federal response to state initiatives.
06.21.2012
Prisoner Reentry and Public Health: Is Your State Ready?
Lois Davis discusses the health care needs of prisoners who reenter the general population and the roles that health care providers, other social services, and family members play in successful reentry.
06.07.2012
How to Defuse Iran's Nuclear Threat: Bolster Diplomacy, Israeli Security, and the Iranian Citizenry
In this June 2012 Congressional Briefing, a panel of RAND experts -- Lynn Davis, James Dobbins, and Alireza Nader -- discuss nuclear negotiations and the long-term prospects for Iranian relations with Israel and the United States
05.22.2012
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act: Maintaining Accountability and Nurturing Innovation Through a Reauthorized ESEA
In this May 2012 briefing, RAND experts offer recommendations on ways to strengthen the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in light of a renewed push in Congress for reauthorization.
05.07.2012
Information Sharing for Cyber-Security: Evidence from Europe
Neil Robinson presents evidence from studies conducted in Europe regarding cyber-security and information exchange, specifically between information sharing and analysis centers, computer emergency response teams, and cyber-crime police.
04.11.2012
The Outlook for U.S.-Russian Relations in Putin's Third Term
In this April 2012 Congressional Panel Briefing, Andrew Weiss, director of the RAND Center for Russia and Eurasia, moderates a discussion on the future of U.S. - Russian relationships during Putin's third term.
03.29.2012
Defense Spending Efficiencies
On March 29, Congressman Adam Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, discussed the federal budget deficit and its likely impact on national security programs.
02.22.2012
Cyberdeterrence and Cyberwar
In this February 2012 Congressional Briefing, Martin Libicki discusses why traditional warfighting techniques cannot be blindly applied to cyberspace, and actions the United States can take to protect itself in the event of a cyberattack.
12.20.2011
Global HIV Programs at the Crossroads: How Can Donor Funding Be Optimized?
In this December 2011 Congressional Briefing, Gery Ryan discusses policy options and recommendations on how to most effectively fund HIV treatment initiatives throughout the world.
12.05.2011
VA Mental Health Care: How Good Is It and How Can We Make It Better?
Katherine Watkins discusses the VA's capacity to deliver care to veterans with mental health and substance use disorders and the quality of the care that is delivered.
10.04.2011
How Does Growth in Health Care Costs Affect the American Family?
In this October 2011 Congressional Briefing, Art Kellermann presents a breakdown of how U.S. health care cost growth directly affects the finances of a typical American family.
08.24.2011
The Public Health System Since 9/11: Progress Made and Challenges Remaining
In light of Congress's upcoming discussion about reauthorizating the Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Act, five RAND experts discuss the significant ways in which the U.S. public health system has improved since 9/11 and also list areas for improvement.

What's RAND Congressional Briefing Series about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

RAND Congressional Briefing Series episodes:

Built to Last: Planning and Funding Resilient Infrastructure

Preparing for the Future of Fentanyl

How Do We Prevent the Next Homegrown Terrorist?

Approaches to Counter Russian Social Media Influence

What Are the Potential Impacts of Single-Payer Health Care?

Protecting Consumer Data: Considerations for Congress

Overcoming the Threats of Our Strategic Competitors

Fixing What's Broken with Infrastructure Policy: Options for Congress

Equifax and the Data-Breach Era: How Worried Should We Be?

North Korea's Continuous Provocations

States vs. the Federal Government: Marijuana Legalization in the United States

Informing Investments in High-Quality Preschool

Repeal, Replace, Repair, or Improve? The Future of the ACA

Getting to Yes with China in Cyberspace: Is It Possible?

Meeting the Health Care Needs of America's Veterans: A Summary of Three RAND Assessments Conducted Under the Veterans Choice Act

Lessening the Risk of Refugee Radicalization

United States and China: Trends in Military Competition

Lessons from a Hacker: Cyber Concepts for Policymakers

Strategic Rethink: Choices for America in a Turbulent World

The Use of Long-Range Armed Drones: Fact v. Myth

Reauthorizing ESEA: Congress' Role in Improving Assessments, Accountability, and Teaching Effectiveness

Premium Tax Credits and the Affordable Care Act: The Potential Ramifications of King v. Burwell

Insights About Marijuana Legalization in the United States

Congressional Options and Their Likely Consequences for a Nuclear Deal with Iran

The Future of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act: Expiration, Reauthorization, Modification

Israeli, Saudi, and Iranian Responses in the Days After a Deal With Iran: What Are the U.S. Options?

Hidden Heroes: America's Military Caregivers

Do Joint Fighter Programs Save Money?

"Self Driving" Vehicles: Great Benefits, but Barriers to Widespread Adoption

Correctional Education: How Effective Is It and What Can We Do to Make It Better?

Making Sense of Nuclear Negotiations with Iran: A Good Deal or a Bad Deal?

The Future of Mobility: Transportation 2030

Preparing for North Korean Regime Collapse

Egypt and the Question of U.S. Assistance

Mapping Egyptian Politics: Where Is Egypt Heading and What Does That Mean for the United States?

Adapting to Climate Change on the Coast: Lessons from Louisiana for Federal Policy

Skin in the Game: How Consumer-Directed Health Plans Can Affect the Cost and Use of Health Care

What Are the Prospects for Democratization in the Arab World?

Marijuana Legalization: What We Know and What We Don't

Prisoner Reentry and Public Health: Is Your State Ready?

How to Defuse Iran's Nuclear Threat: Bolster Diplomacy, Israeli Security, and the Iranian Citizenry

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act: Maintaining Accountability and Nurturing Innovation Through a Reauthorized ESEA

Information Sharing for Cyber-Security: Evidence from Europe

The Outlook for U.S.-Russian Relations in Putin's Third Term

Defense Spending Efficiencies

Cyberdeterrence and Cyberwar

Global HIV Programs at the Crossroads: How Can Donor Funding Be Optimized?

VA Mental Health Care: How Good Is It and How Can We Make It Better?

How Does Growth in Health Care Costs Affect the American Family?

The Public Health System Since 9/11: Progress Made and Challenges Remaining