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H. Rept. 116-674, Part 1: Western Water Security Act of 2020, Report Together with Dissenting Views, to Accompany H.R. 4891, December 18, 2020
From the Purpose: "The purpose of H.R. 4891 is to provide for the conduct of certain water security measures in the western United States."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-18
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H. Rept. 116-667: Water Recycling Investment and Improvement Act, Report Together with Dissenting Views, To Accompany H.R. 1162, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, December 18, 2020
From the Document: "The purpose of H.R. 1162 is to establish a grant program for the funding of water recycling and reuse projects. [...] Water recycling and reuse projects recover and treat wastewater and impaired ground and surface water to repurpose it for a new intended use. In regions frequently affected by drought, water recycling and reuse projects can provide new, virtually drought-proof local water supplies for a variety of uses. The arid western states, and California in particular, have significantly increased recycled water use in recent years."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-18
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H. Rept. 116-673: Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act of 2020, Report Together with Additional Views, To Accompany H.R. 644, December 18, 2020
From the Document: "The purpose of H.R. 644 is to ratify and modify the Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Agreement negotiated between the State of Utah, the Navajo Nation, and the United States. [...] The Navajo Nation Reservation consists of approximately 26,600 square miles in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. According to the Department of the Interior, approximately 1.6 percent of the total Navajo Nation membership reside within the Utah portion of the Navajo Reservation, or 5,029 of the Navajo Nation's current total membership of 300,048.1 H.R. 644 would ratify an Indian water rights settlement agreement for the Utah portion of the Navajo Reservation, recognizing a reserved water right for the Navajo Nation totaling 81,500 acre-feet of depletion per year. H.R. 644 would also authorize $198 million for a water development fund to be transferred to the Navajo Nation approximately four to five fiscal years following bill enactment for water-related expenses."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-18
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H. Rept. 116-671, Part 1: Disadvantaged Community Drinking Water Assistance Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 5347, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, December 18, 2020
From the Document: "The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 5347) to require the Secretary of the Interior to establish a grant program to close gaps in access to safe drinking water in disadvantaged communities, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-18
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National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan for the National Strategy for Maritime Security [December 2020]
From the Executive Summary: "'Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)' is the effective understanding of anything associated with the maritime domain that could impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of the United States. The 'Maritime Domain' is all areas and things of, on, under, relating to, adjacent to, or bordering on a sea, ocean, or other navigable waterway, including all maritime-related activities, infrastructure, people, cargo, vessels, and other conveyances. This Plan provides the context to understand the importance of MDA to maritime security and why it is imperative to enhance MDA. It will empower the U.S. Government to understand the characteristics of the current maritime domain, identify the strategic approach we seek to employ, clarify our strategic and foundational priorities, and develop an implementation plan to improve MDA that enables decision-makers to perform their responsibilities consistent with Presidential Policy Directive 18 (PPD-18) and the National Strategy for Maritime Security (NSMS). This Plan promotes sustaining favorable conditions for global maritime security and prosperity. This is accomplished through the effective understanding of the maritime domain and by improving our ability to appropriately share maritime information, including intelligence, law enforcement information, and all-source data from the public and private sectors. The concept of maritime intelligence integration serves as a foundational and, therefore, necessary priority for the effective understanding of the maritime domain."
National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office (U.S.)
2020-12-18
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Drinking Water: EPA Could Use Available Data to Better Identify Neighborhoods at Risk of Lead Exposure, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "Lead in drinking water comes primarily from corrosion of service lines connecting the water main to a house or building, pipes inside a building, or plumbing fixtures. As GAO reported in September 2018, the total number of lead service lines in drinking water systems is unknown, and less than 20 of the 100 largest water systems have such data publicly available. GAO was asked to examine the actions EPA and water systems are taking to educate the public on the risks of lead in drinking water. This report examines, among other things: (1) the extent to which neighborhood data on cities served by lead service lines can be used to focus lead reduction efforts; and (2) actions EPA has taken to address WIIN [Water Infrastructure Improvements
for the Nation] Act requirements, and EPA's risk communication documents. GAO conducted a statistical analysis combining geospatial lead service line and ACS [U.S. Census Bureau's American Community
Survey] data to identify characteristics of selected communities; reviewed legal requirements and EPA documents; and interviewed EPA officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-18
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Automated Technologies: DOT Should Take Steps to Ensure Its Workforce Has Skills Needed to Oversee Safety, Report to the Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "Automated technologies in planes, trains, and passenger vehicles are in use today and likely to become increasingly widespread. While these technologies hold promise, accidents involving them demonstrate potential safety challenges. DOT [U.S. Department of Transportation] is responsible for overseeing the safety of all modes of transportation. This report addresses: (1) stakeholders' perspectives on the skills required to oversee automated technologies; (2) the extent to which DOT has identified and assessed the skills it needs to oversee these technologies; and (3) the extent to which DOT has developed strategies to address any gaps in skills. GAO reviewed relevant literature and DOT workforce planning documents, and interviewed DOT human capital officials, selected modal administrations, and stakeholders, including transportation associations and technology developers. GAO selected modal administrations based in part on the prevalence of automated technologies."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-18
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Recycling: Building on Existing Federal Efforts Could Help Address Cross-Cutting Challenges, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "In 1976, Congress sought to reduce solid waste and encourage recycling as part of RCRA [Resource Conservation and Recovery Act], which gave primary responsibility for recycling to states and municipalities but requires EPA and Commerce to take specific actions. The United States generated almost 1,800 pounds of waste per capita in 2018. Recycling rates for common recyclables, such as paper, plastics, glass, and some metals, remain low. Furthermore, recent international import restrictions have reduced demand for U.S. exports of recyclables. GAO [United States Government Accountability Office] was asked to review federal efforts that advance recycling in the United States. This report examines (1) cross-cutting challenges affecting recycling in the United States, (2) actions that selected federal agencies have taken that advance recycling, and (3) actions EPA has taken to plan and coordinate national efforts to advance recycling. GAO reviewed laws and agency documents; and interviewed federal officials and nonfederal stakeholders, such as states, municipalities, and industry representatives, selected for their expertise and efforts to advance recycling."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-18
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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, December 18, 2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR contains the following: "Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students -- United States, 2020"; "Surveillance for Harmful Algal Bloom Events and Associated Human and Animal Illnesses -- One Health Harmful Algal Bloom System, United States, 2016-2018"; "Health Center Testing for SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] During the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Pandemic -- United States, June 5- October 2, 2020"; "Telehealth Practice Among Health Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic -- United States, July 11-17, 2020"; "Factors That Might Affect SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Among Foreign-Born and U.S.-Born Poultry Facility Workers -- Maryland, May 2020"; "Update to CDC's Treatment Guidelines for Gonococcal Infection, 2020"; "Estimated Resource Costs for Implementation of CDC's Recommended COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 Public Schools -- United States, 2020-21 School Year"; "The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' Interim Recommendation for Use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine -- United States, December 2020"; "Factors Associated with Positive SARS-CoV-2 Test Results in Outpatient Health Facilities and Emergency Departments Among Children and Adolescents Aged
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-12-18
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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Surveillance Summaries, December 18, 2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR Surveillance Summaries contains the following: "Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance -United States, 2017." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2020.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-12-18
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Roles of Mobility and Masks in the Spread of COVID-19
From the Document: "This policy brief analyzes the effects of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] mitigation policies, those that restrict movement and activity and those that advocate public health best practices. The analysis uses US state-level data to estimate the effects of mobility, mask mandates, and compliance with these mandates on the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. A one-standard-deviation increase in mobility is associated with an 11 to 20 basis points greater rate of growth in case counts; a mask mandate can offset about half of this increase. Slower growth in case counts ultimately translates into slower growth in death counts. Mask mandates are more effective in states where compliance with those mandates is higher. Our estimates imply that total infections in the United States would have been 46.5 to 66.2 percent lower than they were on November 15 if mobility had remained fixed at its May 15 level. Given the actual mobility level, if a national mask mandate had been enacted on May 15, the case count would have been 26.4 to 34.3 percent lower than it was on November 15. This means that a national mask mandate potentially could have offset as many as 74 percent of the additional COVID-19 cases associated with increases in mobility"
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Cooper, Daniel H.; Garga, Vaishali; Luengo-Prado, Maria José, 1972- . . .
2020-12-18
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Resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Conformance Framework
From the Executive Summary: "The Global Positioning System (GPS) and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have enabled widespread adoption of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services in many applications across modern society. [...] This Resilient PNT Conformance Framework was sponsored by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate and developed in coordination with industry and federal agency partners. It provides guidance for defining expected behaviors in resilient PNT user equipment (UE), with the goal of facilitating development and adoption of those behaviors through a common framework that enables improved risk management, determination of appropriate mitigations, and decision making by PNT end-users. To encourage industry innovation, this framework is PNT source agnostic and outcome based. It also contains four levels of resilience so that end-users can select a level that is appropriate based on their risk tolerance, budget, and application criticality. Therefore, a lower level receiver is not necessarily better or worse; instead, it simply reflects a level that meets the user's particular needs. This framework focuses on resilience and applies to UE that outputs PNT solutions, including PNT systems of systems, integrated PNT receivers, and PNT source components (such as GNSS chipsets)."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Science and Technology Directorate
2020-12-18?
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First Responder's Toolbox: Vehicle-Borne Attacks: Tactics and Mitigation
From the Scope: "This product encourages discussion and creativity among intergovernmental and private sector stakeholders for integrating protective security measures into public and private places to reduce vehicle-borne threats."
National Counterterrorism Center (U.S.)
Joint Counterterrorism Assessment Team
2020-12-18
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Review of Veterans Health Administration's Emergency Department and Urgent Care Center Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
From the Executive Summary: "The VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a review of the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) response to anticipated demand and use of emergency department and urgent care center services when faced with an influx of patients needing evaluation during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. A survey questionnaire was deployed to selected emergency department and urgent care center directors to learn what steps VHA emergency medicine leaders took from March to July 2020, as well as plans they intend to take should a future need arise. COVID-19 is a multifaceted infectious disease that can cause a wide spectrum of presentations ranging from asymptomatic (without symptoms) to displaying severe multisystem illness. Beyond the flu-like symptoms that may characterize early presentation with COVID-19, patients can develop serious systemic problems. Making a diagnosis of COVID-19 in the emergency department or urgent care center setting may provide critical information to practitioners on the management of patient symptoms. OIG staff conducted virtual interviews with 63 directors from 49 emergency departments and 14 urgent care centers from July 13 through July 28, 2020, to collect the directors' survey responses on various COVID-19-related topics."
United States. Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Inspector General
2020-12-18
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Added Measures Could Reduce Veterans' Risk of COVID-19 Exposure in Transitional Housing
From the Executive Summary: "Individuals experiencing or at risk for homelessness are particularly vulnerable to the transmission of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] because of limited access to health care and to facilities that help them maintain hygiene and basic sanitation. People living in settings such as homeless shelters and other communal living spaces can experience rapid spread of the virus. Therefore, it is critical that VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] and its transitional housing service providers implement measures to reduce veterans' risk of exposure to COVID-19. The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted this review to assess the measures taken by the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) Homeless Program Office, medical facilities, and service providers to mitigate veterans' risks of COVID-19 exposure while in transitional housing. This review focused on two transitional housing service programs administered by the Homeless Program Office--the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) and Grant and Per Diem (GPD) programs."
United States. Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Inspector General
2020-12-18
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When the Great Equalizer Shuts Down: Schools, Peers, and Parents in Pandemic Times
From the Abstract: "What are the effects of school closures during the Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic on children's education? Online education is an imperfect substitute for in-person learning, particularly for children from low-income families. Peer effects also change: Schools allow children from different socioeconomic backgrounds to mix together, and this effect is lost when schools are closed. Another factor is the response of parents, some of whom compensate for the changed environment through their own efforts, while others are unable to do so. The researchers examine the interaction of these factors with the aid of a structural model of skill formation. They find that school closures have a large and persistent effect on educational outcomes that is highly unequal. High school students from poor neighborhoods suffer a learning loss of 0.4 standard deviations, whereas children from rich neighborhoods remain unscathed. The channels operating through schools, peers, and parents all contribute to growing educational inequality during the pandemic."
Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.). Institute for Policy Research
Agostinelli, Francesco; Doepke, Matthias; Sorrenti, Giuseppe, 1985- . . .
2020-12-18
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [Updated December 17, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean, a region with strong congressional interest because of deep U.S. linkages. As of December 15, 2020, the region had over 14.1million confirmed cases(19.4% of cases worldwide) and almost 473,000 deaths(29.2% of deaths worldwide). Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru have the highest numbers of deaths in the region, and Brazil has the highest death toll worldwide after the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2020-12-17
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Pandemic-Related Statutory Provisions Expiring in 2020 [Updated December 17, 2020]
From the Document: "Beginning in March 2020, several laws were enacted to provide temporary economic and regulatory relief to individuals and businesses affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. These include the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA; P.L. 116-127), the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136), and the Emergency Aid for Returning Americans Affected by Coronavirus Act (P.L. 116-148). Many of the provisions enacted in these laws remain in effect; some have expired. The dates on which provisions in these laws expire vary by provision. [...] This report identifies provisions enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that have already expired or are set to expire by the end of calendar year 2020. It also includes provisions that expired, but that were administratively extended until December 31, 2020, or an earlier date. For the purposes of this report, expiring provisions are defined as provisions of law that are time-limited and lapse upon a statutory deadline being reached, absent further legislative or administrative action. This report excludes provisions with an expiration that coincides entirely with the ending date of a declared public health emergency or other qualifying emergency in the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Scott, Andrew P.; Smole, David P.
2020-12-17
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Renewed Great Power Competition: Implications for Defense--Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides a brief overview of implications for U.S. defense of renewed great power competition with China and Russia. The issue for Congress is how U.S. defense planning should respond to renewed great power competition, and whether to approve, reject, or modify the Trump Administration's proposed defense funding levels, strategy, plans, and programs for addressing renewed great power competition. Congress's decisions on these issues could have significant implications for U.S. defense capabilities and funding requirements. This report focuses on defense-related issues and does not discuss potential implications of renewed great power competition for other policy areas, such as foreign policy and diplomacy, trade and finance, energy, and foreign assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-17
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China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on China's naval modernization effort and its implications for U.S. Navy capabilities. In an era of renewed great power competition, China's military modernization effort, including its naval modernization effort, has become the top focus of U.S. defense planning and budgeting. The issue for Congress for this CRS [Congressional Research Service] report is whether the U.S. Navy is responding appropriately to China's naval modernization effort. Decisions that Congress reaches on this issue could affect U.S. and allied security, Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the defense industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-17
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Defense Primer: Department of the Navy [Updated December 17, 2020]
From the Document: "The Department of the Navy (DON) is a single military department that includes two military services--the Navy and the Marine Corps. As such, DON has a single civilian leader, the Secretary of the Navy, and two four-star military service chiefs--an admiral whose title is the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), and a general whose title is the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Although the title 'Secretary of the Navy' includes only the term 'Navy,' the secretary serves as the civilian leader for both the Navy and Marine Corps. The CNO and the Commandant of the Marine Corps are members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-17
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Defense Primer: Geography, Strategy, and U.S. Force Design [Updated December 17, 2020]
From the Document: "World geography is an influence on U.S. strategy, which in turn helps shape the design of U.S. military forces."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-17
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Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [Updated December 17, 2020]
From the Summary: "Restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba have constituted a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba's communist government since the early 1960s. Such restrictions are largely part of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR), the overall embargo regulations administered by the Department of the Treasury's Office ofForeign Assets Control (OFAC), as well as certain parts of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), administered by the Department of Commerce. Various Administrations have eased and tightened these restrictions over the years as U.S. policy toward Cuba has changed. [...] This report examines developments in U.S. policy restricting travel and remittances to Cuba, particularly changes under the Obama and Trump Administrations, current permissible travel to Cuba and current policy on remittances, and debate on lifting the travel restrictions. Appendix provides a history of legislative action related to the restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba from 1999 through 2018."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2020-12-17
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Coronavirus Relief Fund: Local Government Spending Report
From the Document: "On June 25, 2020, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced a plan, which was largely based on a previous legislative proposal, to distribute $841 million of the state's federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) allotment to local governments to support COVID-19 relief efforts. [...] The following is aggregate spending data for the 1,413 counties, cities, and towns who submitted an accepted final spending report as of 5 p.m. on December 15, 2020, as well as 30 local governments who previously submitted interim reports."
Minnesota Management & Budget (Agency)
2020-12-17
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After-Action Report/Improvement Plan: COVID-19 Response Real World Event, Florida, March 2020-September 2020
This After-Action Report/Improvement Plan includes the exercise objectives, aligned core capabilities, and performance ratings for each core capability as observed during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Real World Event. From the Document: "The Region 3 Healthcare Coalition Alliance (Alliance) began monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak since it was first reported in China in December 2019. Alliance member organizations began to implement preparedness measures for the eventual impacts to the healthcare sector in Florida. As Florida began to report increasing cases of COVID-19 in March 2020, healthcare systems escalated response to manage the surge of patients and fatalities resulting from the virus. The Alliance activated their Operational Plan which included communication with the state of Florida, local government agencies and healthcare organizations to determine available resources and needed support."
Region 3 Florida Healthcare Coalition; Coalition for Health and Medical Preparedness (Marion County, FL); North Central Florida HealthCare Coalition . . .
2020-12-17?
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Emergency Responder Safety: States and DOT Are Implementing Actions to Reduce Roadside Crashes, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "Police, fire, medical, towing, and other responders risk being killed or injured by passing vehicles when responding to a roadside emergency. To protect these vulnerable workers and improve highway safety, all states and the District of Columbia have enacted Move Over laws. GAO was asked to review issues related to Move Over laws and emergency responder roadside safety. This report: (1) examines data NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] collects on crashes involving violations of Move Over laws, (2) describes selected states' actions and challenges related to Move Over laws, and (3) describes DOT [U.S. Department of Transportation] efforts to improve emergency responder roadside safety. GAO analyzed NHTSA's 2018 crash data, which were the latest data available; reviewed federal and state laws and regulations, and DOT initiatives to improve emergency responder roadside safety; reviewed state reports to DOT; and interviewed NHTSA and FHWA [Federal Highway Administration] officials, traffic safely and law enforcement officials in seven selected states, and stakeholders from traffic safety organizations and occupational groups, such as the Emergency Responder Safety Institute and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. GAO selected states based on a variety of factors, including traffic fatality rates per vehicle mile traveled and recommendations from stakeholders."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-17
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Center for Homeland Defense and Security Commencement Remarks as Prepared by Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf [December 17, 2020]
From the Commencement Speech: "Good morning, graduates. It is an honor to join you virtually to celebrate this momentous occasion and to congratulate each of you for your dedication and hard work. Today's event is a celebration of your commitment and tenacity, and each of you should take pride in this achievement. It's important to remember that no one reaches this type of accomplishment alone, so it is only proper that we also recognize your family members, loved ones, mentors, and colleagues who have made up your support system. Let me give a special thanks to the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security for inviting me to speak to you all today. I'll state the obvious and say that 2020 has been a challenging year, but it's important that we have all come together today for this important milestone in your careers. CHDS [Center for Homeland Defense and Security] has existed in parallel with the Department since its very inception. For 17 years, CHDS has provided leaders like yourselves the opportunity to obtain an advanced degree in the field of homeland security. Having been around the Department since its inception in 2003, I can tell you firsthand that the Department is one of the most complex organizations within the federal government. Our diverse mission set alone covers a wide variety of homeland security challenges."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office
Wolf, Chad Fredrick, 1976-
2020-12-17
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Intelligence Community: Additional Actions Needed to Strengthen Workforce Diversity Planning and Oversight, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "The '2019 National Intelligence Strategy' states that the IC [Intelligence Community] will recruit, develop, and retain a diverse, inclusive, and expert workforce to enable mission success. ODNI [Office of the Director of National Intelligence] reports that the IC is taking steps to increase the representation of diverse groups, such as issuing new strategies to enhance workforce planning. However, barriers to establishing a diverse workforce exist across the IC, according to an ODNI 2017 analysis. GAO was asked to review the IC's progress in enhancing workforce diversity. This report (1) summarizes ODNI annual demographic reports on the proportion of women, racial or ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities; and assesses the extent to which (2) IC elements report taking steps to address leading practices for managing workforce diversity and to identify potential barriers to maintaining a diverse workforce; and (3) ODNI is addressing leading practices for coordinating IC workforce diversity initiatives. GAO reviewed IC-wide and IC element specific policies and guidance; interviewed ODNI, and other IC officials; and administered a questionnaire to all 17 IC elements to obtain information on diversity strategies and challenges."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-17
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Federal Research: Agencies Need to Enhance Policies to Address Foreign Influence, Report to the Chairman, Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "The federal government reportedly expended about $42 billion on science and engineering research at universities in fiscal year 2018. Safeguarding the U.S. research enterprise from threats of foreign influence is of critical importance. Recent reports by GAO and others have noted challenges faced by the research community to combat undue foreign influence, while maintaining an open research environment that fosters collaboration, transparency, and the free exchange of ideas. GAO was asked to review federal agency and university COI [conflict of interest] policies and disclosure requirements. In this report, GAO examines (1) COI policies and disclosure requirements at selected agencies and universities that address potential foreign threats, (2) mechanisms to monitor and enforce policies and requirements, and (3) the views of selected stakeholders on how to better address foreign threats to federally funded research. GAO reviewed laws, regulations, federal guidance, and agency and university COI policies and requirements. GAO also interviewed agency officials, university officials, and researchers."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-17
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Federal Rulemaking: Selected EPA and HHS Regulatory Analyses Met Several Best Practices, but CMS Should Take Steps to Strengthen Its Analyses, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "EO [Executive Order] 13771 generally requires executive agencies to identify two rules for repeal for each new rule issued. Since EO 13771 went into effect in 2017, executive agencies have taken regulatory actions expected to generate over $50 billion in savings to society. Quality regulatory analysis provides agency decision makers and the public with a thorough assessment of the benefits and costs of different regulatory options. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review regulatory analyses for rules finalized under EO 13771. For selected agencies, this report examines (1) how the calculated economic effects of selected rules differed, if at all, from those of rules they modified; and (2) the extent to which agencies met best practices in analyzing the economic effects of selected rules for which monetized costs exceed monetized benefits. GAO reviewed analyses for 11 rules-- and the rules they modified-- finalized by EPA and HHS [Department of Health and Human Services], the two agencies that finalized the most economically significant EO 13771 rules through fiscal year 2019. GAO compared analyses to selected best practices in GAO's Assessment Methodology for Economic Analysis. GAO recommends that CMS [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] take steps to ensure its future regulatory analyses are consistent with best practices for analyzing alternatives, assessing important effects, and providing transparency. EPA said it appreciated GAO's findings. HHS generally agreed with the report, and CMS agreed with the recommendation directed to it."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-17
