Government Documents

15th Anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon Disaster

On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon mobile drilling unit suffered a catastrophic blowout in the Gulf of Mexico.  Every day, over the next 87 days, approximately 4.9 million barrels of oil were released into the Gulf making the Deepwater Horizon disaster the largest oil spill in the history of the U.S.  In addition, 11 workers were killed and 17 critically injured by the explosion and resulting fire.  After several unsuccessful attempts to contain the spill, on July 15th a “capping stack” was finally installed on the Macondo well which stopped the release of oil.  The cleanup lasted several years.  On April 4, 2016, the court approved an $8.8 billion settlement with British Petroleum (BP) for natural resource injuries caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, concluding the largest natural resource damage assessment ever undertaken.   

There is currently a display of a few of the materials available on the topic on 2nd Floor South at Marx Library, along with a companion 6-page bibliography.  For more extensive information on the topic, see the LibGuide:  Gov Docs: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Incident (2010)

Happy Star Wars Day & May the 4th Be With You! 

To celebrate, we’re taking a look at our very own space cadets.  Did you know the term “astronaut” derives from the Greek words meaning “star sailor” and refers to all who have been launched as crew members aboard NASA spacecraft bound for orbit and beyond? The term has been maintained as the title for all those selected to join the NASA corps of astronauts who make “star sailing” their career profession.

Since inception, NASA has selected 360 astronaut candidates: 299 men and 61 women - 212 military and 138 civilians - 191 pilots and 159 non-pilots [Data comes directly from NASA]. In 2025, there are 47 active astronauts who are eligible for flight assignments.

We invite you now to browse some of our department’s informative display to better learn about America’s expanding endeavors into space. The display can be found at Marx Library on 2nd Floor South with a 5-page bibliography for more information.

Topics in the News

J.G.G. v. Trump: Supreme Court’s Initial Review of Actions Taken Under the Alien Enemy Act

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 04/28/25 (LEGAL SIDEBAR, LSB11295)

Ethics Pledges and Other Executive Branch Appointee Restrictions Since 1993: Historical Perspective, Current Practices, and Options for Change

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 04/28/25 (CRS REPORT, R44974)

Executive Clemency and Judicial Power: Legal Overview and Recent Caselaw

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 04/25/25 (LEGAL SIDEBAR, LSB11294)

Supreme Court Considers Emergency Motion on President’s Removal Power

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 04/24/25 (LEGAL SIDEBAR, LSB11292)

Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities: Structural Features and Function

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 04/24/25 (CRS REPORT, R45997)

The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and Reduction of the Voting Age (Part 1): Introduction

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 4/23/25 (LEGAL SIDEBAR, LSB11286)

The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and Reduction of the Voting Age (Part 2): History of Voter Age Qualifications

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 4/23/25 (LEGAL SIDEBAR, LSB11287)

The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and Reduction of the Voting Age (Part 3): The Vietnam War and Oregon v. Mitchell

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 4/23/25 (LEGAL SIDEBAR, LSB11288)

The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and Reduction of the Voting Age (Part 4): Early Congressional Action

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 4/23/25 (LEGAL SIDEBAR, LSB11289)

The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and Reduction of the Voting Age (Part 5): Congressional Debates

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 4/23/25 (LEGAL SIDEBAR, LSB11290)

The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and Reduction of the Voting Age (Part 6): Unresolved Issues

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 4/23/25 (LEGAL SIDEBAR, LSB11291)

Teen Births in the United States: Overview and Recent Trends

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 04/17/25 (CRS REPORT, R45184)

Compensation for COVID-19 Vaccine Injuries

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 04/16/25 (CRS REPORT, R46982)

The Golden Dome (Iron Dome) for America: Overview and Issues for Congressional Consideration

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 04/16/25 (CRS INSIGHT, IN12544)

The Palestinians: Overview, Aid, and U.S. Policy Issues

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 04/15/25 (CRS IN FOCUS, IF10644

Absentee Voting for Uniformed Services and Overseas Citizens: Roles and Process, In Brief

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 04/11/25 (CRS IN FOCUS, IF11642

Legal Authority for the President to Impose Tariffs Under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 04/07/25 (LEGAL SIDEBAR, LSB11281)

The Appointments Clause: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 04/02/25 (CRS REPORT, R48481)

Generative Artificial Intelligence: Overview, Issues, and Considerations for Congress

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 04/02/25 (CRS IN FOCUS, IF12426)

The Alien Enemy Act: History and Potential Use to Remove Members of International Criminal Cartels

U.S. Congressional Research Service, 04/02/25 (LEGAL SIDEBAR, LSB11269)