RAND Congressional Briefing Series

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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…

RAND Corporation

  • Dec 17, 2019 LATEST EPISODE
  • infrequent NEW EPISODES
  • 31m AVG DURATION
  • 75 EPISODES


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Latest episodes from RAND Congressional Briefing Series

Built to Last: Planning and Funding Resilient Infrastructure

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2019 27:40


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.

Preparing for the Future of Fentanyl

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2019 26:25


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.

Principal Pipelines: A Feasible, Affordable, and Effective Way to Improve Schools

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2019 27:35


A recent RAND report found that implementing "principal pipelines"—a strategic approach to the hiring, preparation, evaluation, and support of school leaders—can improve schools. In this congressional briefing, Susan Gates discusses the feasibility, effectiveness, and affordability of principal pipelines.

Approaches to Counter Russian Social Media Influence

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2019 23:28


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2019 22:39


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 provider payment.

Protecting Consumer Data: Considerations for Congress

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2018 25:22


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.

Overcoming the Threats of Our Strategic Competitors

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2018 31:03


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2018 30:11


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2017 31:37


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?

North Korea's Continuous Provocations

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2017 31:33


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2017 20:35


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.

Informing Investments in High-Quality Preschool

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2017 35:30


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2017 30:34


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2016 31:13


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2016 23:45


Senior policy researcher Carrie Farmer discusses RAND's findings from three assessments conducted under the Veterans Choice Act.

Lessening the Risk of Refugee Radicalization

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2016 23:50


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.

United States and China: Trends in Military Competition

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2015 30:16


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.

Lessons from a Hacker: Cyber Concepts for Policymakers

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2015 36:01


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.

Strategic Rethink: Choices for America in a Turbulent World

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2015 27:08


Ambassador James Dobbins discusses the report he coauthored with Howard Shatz and David Ochmanek, Choices for America in a Turbulent World.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2015 26:15


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2015 29:28


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2015 20:51


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.

Insights About Marijuana Legalization in the United States

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2015 34:51


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2014 31:19


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2014 53:16


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2014 43:05


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.

Hidden Heroes: America's Military Caregivers

Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2014 35:14


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.

Do Joint Fighter Programs Save Money?

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2014 22:28


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2014 22:28


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2014 26:06


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2014 48:23


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.

The Future of Mobility: Transportation 2030

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2013 29:23


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.

Preparing for North Korean Regime Collapse

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2013 38:28


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.

Egypt and the Question of U.S. Assistance

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2013 53:25


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2013 52:51


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2013 25:34


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2012 29:26


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.

What Are the Prospects for Democratization in the Arab World?

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2012 32:41


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2012 33:10


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.

Prisoner Reentry and Public Health: Is Your State Ready?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2012 33:14


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2012 34:06


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

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

Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2012 39:41


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.

Information Sharing for Cyber-Security: Evidence from Europe

Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2012 28:50


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2012 36:02


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.

Defense Spending Efficiencies

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2012 26:19


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.

Cyberdeterrence and Cyberwar

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2012 38:56


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2011 20:11


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2011 23:54


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2011 48:39


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.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2011 36:46


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.

The Long Shadow of 9/11: America's Response to Terrorism

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2011 83:52


On July 26, 2010, RAND experts discussed the military, political, fiscal, social, cultural, psychological, and moral implications of U.S. policymaking since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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