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Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management: An Introduction [Updated December 15, 2020]
From the Introduction: "A supply chain consists of the system of organizations, people, activities, information, and resources that provide products or services to consumers. Like other types of goods, a global supply chain exists for the development, manufacture, and distribution of information technology (IT) products (i.e., hardware and software) and information communications technology (ICT). As with other goods and services, risks exist to this cyber supply chain. This field is known as cyber supply chain risk management (C-SCRM or Cyber SCRM). Congress and federal agencies have taken actions to bolster cyber supply chain security. [...] This In Focus reviews C-SCRM, discusses ways in which it is currently managed, and highlights issues that Congress may consider for federal agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jaikaran, Chris
2020-12-15
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Cybersecurity: A Primer [Updated December 15, 2020]
From the Introduction: "There is a continued increase in both the utility and risk from networked devices. The very tools Americans use to chat with loved ones and make purchases are the same tools which can be turned against them to deny access to services, steal their information, or compromise the digital system they trust. These tools exist in cyberspace, and the security of that environment is a large endeavor involving government, the private sector, international partners, and others. This In Focus provides an overview of cybersecurity for policymaking purposes, describes issues that cybersecurity affects, and discusses potential actions Congress could take."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jaikaran, Chris
2020-12-15
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Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Target Nigeria's Highways [infographic]
From the Infographic: "Violent events linked to Boko Haram and its offshoot the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) on Borno State's main roadways have spiked almost sixfold (to 67 episodes) in the past year. Reported fatalities linked to highway attacks rose more than fourfold during this time (to 259 deaths)."
National Defense University. Africa Center for Strategic Studies
2020-12-15
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Opioid-Involved Emergency Department Visits in the National Hospital Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey
From the Abstract: "This report compares 2014 National Hospital Care Survey (NHCS) emergency department (ED) data with national estimates of ED visits due to opioid use (i.e., 'opioid-involved visits') from the 2013-2015 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) to determine the potential of researching the impact and outcomes of opioid use on hospital EDs with non-nationally representative NHCS data. The 2014 NHCS data are also linked to records in the 2014 and 2015 National Death Index (NDI) to examine mortality after the opioid-involved ED visit. [...] The percentage of opioid-involved ED visits from NHCS fell within measures of statistical variation from NHAMCS by sex and several age groups. Less consistency of NHCS results compared with NHAMCS was seen for sex-specific age groups. NHCS has a higher percentage of opioid-involved ED visits and a higher percentage of opioid-involved ED visits for those aged 25-34, but a lower percentage for those aged 25 and under. NHCS data show that 19.2% of patients with any opioid-involved ED visit made two or more such visits, and 1.2% died within 30 days post-discharge."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); National Center for Health Statistics (U.S.)
Jackson, Geoff; Brown, Amy M.; DeFrances, Carol J.
2020-12-15
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, December 15, 2020: Factors Associated with Positive SARS-CoV-2 Test Results in Outpatient Health Facilities and Emergency Departments Among Children and Adolescents Aged <18 Years -- Mississippi, September-November 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 early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "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.)
2020-12-15
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S. Rept. 116-326: Harmless Error Lesser Penalty for Small Businesses Act, Report to Accompany S. 2757, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, December 15, 2020
From the Purpose and Summary: "S. 2757, the Harmless Error Lesser Penalty for Small Businesses Act, or the HELP for Small Businesses Act, would prohibit an agency from imposing a civil fine for certain first-time paperwork violations committed by a small business."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-15
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First Responder's Toolbox: Plant-Derived Toxins: Identification, Indicators of Acquisition and Manufacture, and Considerations for Response
From the Scope: "First responders may encounter dangerous PDTs [plant-derived toxins] or their precursors during service calls, emergency response, or investigations. Their awareness and recognition of PDTs and their precursors may improve public safety. This product focuses on three PDTs: abrin, oleander, and ricin, which first responders are most likely to encounter during the course of their routine duties."
National Counterterrorism Center (U.S.)
Joint Counterterrorism Assessment Team
2020-12-15
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H. Rept. 116-653: Consumer Protection for Medical Debt Collections Act, Report Together with Minority Views, to Accompany H.R. 5330, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, December 15, 2020
From the Purpose and Summary: "On December 5, 2019, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib introduced H.R. 5330, the 'Consumer Protection for Medical Debt Collections Act,' which would bar entities from collecting medical debt or reporting it to a consumer reporting agency without giving a consumer notice about their rights under Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) related to that debt, including a minimum one-year delay before adverse information is reported to a consumer reporting agency. This legislation outright bans the reporting of medical debt arising from medically necessary procedures."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-15
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H. Rept. 116-654: Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act of 2019, Together with Minority Views, Report to Accompany H.R. 4403, December 15, 2020
From the Purpose and Summary: "On September 19, 2019, Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D- MO [Democrat-Missouri]) introduced H.R. 4403, the 'Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act of 2019,' which extends the protections in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) as it relates to debt owed to a federal agency, and limits the fees debt collectors can charge. The legislation clarifies that debt buyers are subject to FDCPA and requires a GAO [Government Accountability Office] study on the use of debt collectors by state and local government agencies. Representative French Hill (R-AK [Republican-Alaska]) was the Republican sponsor of the bill."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-15
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S. Rept. 116-325: The Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act, Together with Additional Views, Report to Accompany S. 2765, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, December 15, 2020
From the Purpose: "The purpose of S. 2765, the Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act, is to provide a more deliberative and transparent budget process focused on long-term fiscal planning. The legislation would transition the congressional budget process to a biennial cycle, improve procedures for Senate consideration and enforcement of budget resolutions, enhance fiscal transparency, and help end the brinksmanship surrounding the debt limit."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-15
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Trump Administration Tariff Actions: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated December 15, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to regulate foreign commerce and therefore impose tariffs, but through various trade laws, Congress has delegated authority to the President to modify tariffs and other trade restrictions under certain circumstances. [...] The Trump Administration's tariff actions raise a number of issues for Congress and have been the focus of congressional debate. Such issues include the effect of the tariffs on U.S. economic activity, such as increases in the price of imported goods, affecting both U.S. consumers and producers, as well as diminished competitiveness of U.S. exports in foreign markets as a result of tariff retaliation. The tariff actions, their frequent modifications, and the exemption application process have also created uncertainty for U.S. businesses. In addition, questions over whether the Trump Administration's tariff actions adhere to congressional intent for the use of delegated tariff authority, in part due to broadly defined statutory criteria, have led to debate in Congress over potential legislative reforms. Congress may also consider how these tariff actions affect the multilateral trading system and the U.S. role and leadership in that system, U.S. bilateral trade relations, and whether tariff increases are an appropriate tool in the negotiation of broader trade reforms."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Williams, Brock R.; Casey, Christopher A.; Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D. . . .
2020-12-15
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'CARES Act Flash Report': October 2020: Where's the Money?
From the Document: "On March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). To date, the CARES Act has provided the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) with $909.7 million, which includes direct apportionments of $756 million to support the needs of DOI [Department of the Interior] programs, bureaus, Indian Country, and the Insular Areas, and a $153.7 million transfer from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to the BIE [Bureau of Indian Education]. This report includes the DOI's progress as of October 31, 2020, a new highlighted vendor, and updated information on the DOI's accomplishment of CARES Act milestones."
United States. Department of the Interior. Office of Inspector General
2020-12-15
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Roots of the COVID-19 Pandemic
From the Document: "The question of the genomic origin and direct source of the virus that set off the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic is being addressed in parallel by both science and intelligence agencies, with each using its own tools to compile hypotheses and draw conclusions. The genomic origin of the index virus (the strain that infected Patient Zero) has been determined to be a Chinese bat virus that underwent extensive pre-adaptation to humans, including continual transmissibility, prior to infecting Patient Zero. The open question is how, where, and when such exceptional genomic pre-adaptation took place. On the surface, it appears that in this instance the probability of human intervention (of whatever kind) is higher than naturally occurring, spontaneous evolutionary adaptation, though it is difficult to comparatively quantify those two probabilities. Another critical issue concerns significant mismatches and errors that occurred at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and collateral Chinese institutions both in Wuhan and elsewhere in China during the decade preceding the onset of the pandemic, as well as thereafter. A question arising from that inquiry is whether those mismatches and errors were cases of negligence or deliberate obfuscation. The latter unfortunately appears to be predominant."
Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA Center)
Shoham, Dany
2020-12-14
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Kyrgyz Republic Set to Hold Snap Presidential Election and Constitutional Referendum After Parliamentary Elections Annulled [Updated December 14, 2020]
From the Document: "The Kyrgyz Republic (commonly known as Kyrgyzstan) faces political upheaval following the annulment of disputed parliamentary elections that heavily favored pro-government parties. Opposition parties alleged widespread irregularities in the October 4, 2020, vote, including vote-buying and voter intimidation; these assertions were deemed credible by international election observers. While no date has been set for new parliamentary elections, a snap presidential election and a controversial constitutional referendum, both scheduled for January 10, 2021, are raising concerns among some observers about democracy and rule of law in the country. As a parliamentary republic that holds contested elections, Kyrgyzstan has long been considered the most democratic country in Central Asia, with a vibrant civil society and a higher degree of press freedom than found elsewhere in the region. Promoting a more inclusive and accountable democracy is a stated goal of U.S. foreign policy in Kyrgyzstan, and Kyrgyzstan is one of 21 countries worldwide that participate in the House Democracy Partnership. Many Members of Congress and other U.S. policymakers have long voiced support for consolidating Kyrgyzstan's gains as Central Asia's only parliamentary democracy. Corruption is pervasive, however, and political institutions remain weak. In light of recent developments, U.S. officials have expressed concerns about the influence of organized crime in Kyrgyz politics."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blackwood, Maria A.
2020-12-14
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Defense Primer: Military Health System [Updated December 14, 2020]
From the Document: "The Department of Defense (DOD) administers a statutory health entitlement (under Chapter 55 of Title 10, U.S. Code) through the Military Health System (MHS). The MHS offers health care benefits and services through its TRICARE program to approximately 9.5 million beneficiaries composed of servicemembers, military retirees, and family members. Health care services are available through DOD-operated hospitals and clinics, referred to collectively as 'military treatment facilities' (MTFs), or through civilian health care providers participating in the TRICARE program. The fundamental reason for an MHS is to support medical readiness. The medical readiness mission involves promoting 'a healthy and fit fighting force that is medically prepared to provide the Military Departments with the maximum ability to accomplish their deployment missions throughout the spectrum of military operations.' The MHS also serves to 'create and maintain high morale in the uniformed services by providing an improved and uniform program of medical and dental care for members and certain former members of those services, and for their dependents' (10 U.S.C. §1071). In addition, the resources of the MHS may be used to provide humanitarian assistance (10 U.S.C. §401) and to perform medical research (10 U.S.C. §2358)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mendez, Bryce H. P.
2020-12-14
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Issues Raised by a Federal Government Shutdown: Grants to State and Local Governments and the COVID-19 Pandemic [December 14, 2020]
From the Document: "At the end of the day on December 18, 2020, the second continuing appropriations measure for FY2021, Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 (Division A of H.R. 8900, signed into law December 11, 2020) will expire. If additional funding is not provided, funding for federal agencies and activities funded through all 12 of the regular annual appropriations acts will lapse on December 19. The resulting lapse in appropriations will require a shutdown of most federal agency operations, including those necessary to administer federal aid to state and local governments. [...] The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136) provided additional funding to states and local governments to address needs arising from the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, including $150 billion for the Coronavirus Relief Fund, and $5 billion for the Community Development Fund for grants provided under the Community Development Block Grant program. A federal government shutdown may cause disruption to, or may result in the cessation of, grant administration activities depending on the following factors: [1] the timing and duration of a federal government shutdown; and [2] the choices made by federal, state, and local officials in anticipation of, or during, a shutdown regarding grant program administration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keegan, Natalie
2020-12-14
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High Court to Review Tribal Police Search and Seizure Case [December 14, 2020]
From the Document: "On November 20, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court added 'United States v. Cooley' to the cases it will hear this term. 'Cooley' brings into focus the jurisdictional maze complicating criminal law enforcement on Indian reservations. The Court is to evaluate whether (or to what extent) a tribal police officer may detain and search a non-Indian on a public highway running through an Indian reservation. More specifically, the parties disagree about the scope of a tribal police officer's authority to investigate--through questioning or search--when criminal behavior is reasonably suspected, but is not 'apparent' or 'obvious.' This case implicates the constitutional right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, but it also raises questions about the scope of tribal sovereignty and tribes' authority to protect their lands and members from criminal activity. Congress may wish to consider legislation to clarify the rights and responsibilities of tribal and non-Indian parties when conflicts like this arise. [...] Before discussing the lower court decisions and Supreme Court petition, this Sidebar will briefly describe how the courts have distinguished tribal authority for conducting investigations of non-Indians within an Indian reservation from general non-tribal police authority to conduct searches and seizures."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Murphy, M. Maureen; Schwartz, Mainon A.
2020-12-14
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Department of Veterans Affairs FY2021 Appropriations [Updated December 14, 2020]
From the Summary: "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers numerous programs that provide benefits and services to eligible veterans and their families. These benefits include medical care; disability compensation and pensions; education; vocational rehabilitation and employment services; assistance to homeless veterans; home loan guarantees; administration of life insurance, as well as traumatic injury protection insurance for servicemembers; and death benefits that cover burial expenses. President Trump submitted his budget proposal for FY2021 on February 10, 2020. The President's budget is requesting $240.2 billion for the VA. This amount includes $135.4 billion in mandatory benefits funding and $104.8 billion in discretionary funding. When compared with the FY2020-enacted amount for the VA of $237.5 billion--which includes regular appropriations provided by the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-94), and supplemental funding provided by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (P.L. 116-136)--this is an increase of $2.752 billion. Additionally, the budget request includes an advance appropriation request of $239.5 billion for FY2022 to fund the seven advance appropriations accounts--compensation and pensions, readjustment benefits, insurance and indemnities, medical services, medical community care, medical support and compliance, and medical facilities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Panangala, Sidath Viranga; Sussman, Jared S.; Salazar, Heather M.
2020-12-14
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'Court Packing': Legislative Control Over the Size of the Supreme Court [December 14, 2020]
From the Document: "In the past year, legal commentators, policymakers, and the national press have devoted significant attention to proposals to increase the size of the Supreme Court, sometimes colloquially called 'court packing.' Many recent court expansion proposals are premised on the belief that, if more seats were added to the Supreme Court, it would give the President who nominates the new Justices significant power to shape the Court in a way that aligns with the policy preferences of the President and the controlling political party. The Constitution generally grants Congress control over the size and structure of the federal courts and, during the first century of the Republic, Congress enacted multiple statutes changing the size of the Supreme Court. However, since the Reconstruction era, the Court's size has been set at nine Justices. [...] This Legal Sidebar provides an overview of the legal issues surrounding Supreme Court expansion. It first briefly discusses Congress's constitutional power to structure the federal courts, then surveys past legislation changing the size of the Supreme Court. The Sidebar next considers constitutional constraints on Congress's power to change the size and structure of the Supreme Court, including both express textual limits and implied limits that may restrict Congress's ability to alter the Court's makeup. Finally, the Sidebar surveys selected proposals to modify the size or composition of the Court through legislation or constitutional amendment."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lampe, Joanna R.
2020-12-14
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Defense Primer: Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) [Updated December 14, 2020]
From the Background: "The Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) is a projection of the forces, resources, and programs to support Department of Defense (DOD) operations. The FYDP is compiled every year and typically completed during the programming phase of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process. The projection is updated during the budgeting phase to reflect DOD's final funding decisions presented in the annual President's budget request. The FYDP reflects the planned allocation of DOD resources to major strategic efforts over a multiyear period. According to the department's Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) Structure Handbook, the FYDP is intended in part to link DOD's internal review structure for programs with Congress's review structure for resources, including funding. The FYDP projects DOD funding, manpower, and force structure needs over a five-year period. The projection is typically depicted with defense resources for the two previous fiscal years and force structure estimates for the three subsequent fiscal years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McGarry, Brendan W.; Peters, Heidi M.
2020-12-14
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U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 14, 2020]
From the Summary: "Special Operations Forces (SOF) play a significant role in U.S. military operations and, in recent years, have been given greater responsibility for planning and conducting worldwide counterterrorism operations. U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has about 70,000 Active Duty, National Guard, and reserve personnel from all four services and Department of Defense (DOD) civilians assigned to its headquarters, its four service component commands, and eight sub-unified commands. [...] On November 18, 2020, Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller announced that he was implementing the reforms outlined in Section 922 of the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act by 'elevating Special Operations forces to a level on par with military departments as authorized and directed by Congress.' Potential issues for Congress include policy concerns relating to Acting Secretary of Defense Miller's decision to elevate the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (ASD [SOLIC]) within DOD and DOD's review of DOD and USSOCOM support to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2020-12-14
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S. Rept. 116-321: Securing Healthcare and Response Equipment Act of 2020, Report to Accompany S. 4210, December 14, 2020
From the Purpose and Summary: "The purpose of S. 4210, the Securing Healthcare and Response Equipment (SHARE) Act, is to provide the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department) with explicit authority to transfer excess personal protective equipment (PPE) or other supplies, on a reimbursable basis, to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the event the Secretary of HHS declares a public health emergency and initiates a transfer request. In addition, this bill authorizes the Secretary of HHS, in coordination with the DHS Secretary, to sell medical supplies that meet specific criteria from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-14
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S. Rept. 116-323: Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 1313, December 14, 2020
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 1313, the Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act, amends the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Implementing 9/11 Recommendations Act) to extend the period of time that public transportation security assistance grant awards are available to grant recipients. Specifically, this Act allows these grants to remain available up to 36 months and grants for construction of security improvements to public transportation systems or improvements to public transportation infrastructure to remain available for up to 48 months. It also allows grant funds to be used to backfill for staff during security trainings. Finally, the Act requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to complete an assessment of the types of projects funded by public transportation security assistance grants, how these projects address security threats, the impact of this Act on these projects, the management and administration of the grants, as well as provide recommendations to improve how these grants address public transportation vulnerabilities and recommendations on ways to improve management of these grants."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-14
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S. Rept. 116-318: National Response Framework Improvement Act of 2020, Report to Accompany S. 4153, December 14, 2020
From the Purpose and Summary: "S. 4153, the National Response Framework Improvement Act of 2020, requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide continuous summaries on any gaps and inefficiencies of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS or the Department) National Response Framework (NRF) based on any lessons learned from the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. Specifically, as part of the COVID-19 after-action review, FEMA must evaluate the NRF and include updates and recommendations based on the findings. FEMA is required to provide appropriate congressional committees a copy of, and a briefing on, each summary. This bill also requires DHS to conduct biennial evaluations of the NRF, to assess any gaps and inefficiencies. Specifically, the evaluations must also assess processes for interagency information-sharing and training programs. A notification will be provided to appropriate congressional committees after each evaluation."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-14
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S. Rept. 116-314: Restore the Partnership Act, Report to Accompany S. 2967, December 14, 2020
From the Purpose and Summary: "The purpose of S. 2967, the Restore the Partnership Act, is to establish a bipartisan, intergovernmental commission with representatives from the Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments. The purpose of the commission is to facilitate coordination among the different levels of government and have them collectively address issues that affect the government at a Federal, state, tribal, and local level."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-14
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S. Rept. 116-315: Promoting Rigorous and Innovative Cost Efficiencies for Federal Procurement and Acquisitions Act of 2019, Report to Accompany S. 3038, December 14, 2020
From the Purpose and Summary: "The purpose of S. 3038, Promoting Rigorous and Innovative Cost Efficiencies for Federal Procurement and Acquisitions Act of 2019, or the PRICE Act of 2019, is to encourage innovation in Federal procurement. The PRICE Act encourages reform by identifying and promoting best practices to modernize how the Federal Government operates, including with regard to small business participation in the Federal marketplace. S. 3038 does this by requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop guidance and training to improve procurement methods based on the experience of its Procurement Innovation Lab (PIL). Additionally, S. 3038 requires the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) to convene the Chief Acquisition Officers Council (CAO Council) to identify and widely disseminate best practices in modernizing Federal contracting, including utilizing small businesses."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-14
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S. Rept. 116-311: Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2019, Report to Accompany S. 92, December 14, 2020
From the Purpose and Summary: "The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2019 (REINS Act) revises the Congressional Review Act of 1996 (CRA) to increase accountability and transparency in the Federal regulatory process. The CRA, which originated from a desire to instill more active congressional control over a rapidly growing body of Federal regulation, created an expedited process for Congress to review and disapprove any rule after it is issued by a Federal agency. The REINS Act would amend the CRA by adding a mandatory congressional approval procedure for major agency rules before they can go into effect. By requiring prior congressional approval for major rules, regulations will be more carefully crafted and the regulatory process will be more accountable to the American people."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-14
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S. Rept. 116-316: Achieving Racial and Ethnic Equity in Disaster Response, Recovery, and Resilience Act of 2020, Report to Accompany S. 3658, December 14, 2020
From the Purpose and Summary: "S. 3658, the Achieving Racial and Ethnic Equity in Disaster Response, Recovery, and Resilience Act of 2020, codifies and renames the existing Office of Equal Rights within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the Office of Equal Rights and Community Inclusion. The purpose of the office is to reduce disparities in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The bill clarifies and better defines the leadership and responsibilities for the office, and requires the Administrator of FEMA to review the agency's current programs and activities to ensure they align with its purpose. In addition, the bill requires that any future allegations of inequitable preparedness, response, or recovery activities as a result of the race or ethnic origins of historically underserved communities are reported to the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department), as well as to Congress on a biennial basis."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-14
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S. Rept. 116-322: Southwest Border Security Technology Improvement Act of 2020, Report to Accompany S. 4224, December 14, 2020
From the Purpose and Summary: "The purpose of S. 4224, the Southwest Border Security Technology Improvement Act of 2020, is to analyze the technology used along the southwest border and provide Congress a better understanding of how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department) makes technology decisions and what other technological solutions may be needed to improve border security, both at ports of entry and between ports of entry. If enacted, this bill will provide a comprehensive assessment of available technological advancements and how they can be better leveraged to address DHS' needs with respect to combating illegal activity and facilitating lawful trade and travel."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-14
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S. Rept. 116-319: PPE Supply Chain Transparency Act of 2020, Report to Accompany S. 4158, December 14, 2020
From the Purpose and Summary: "The purpose of S. 4158, PPE [personal protective equipment] Supply Chain Transparency Act, is to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to produce a report that assesses the supply chain for personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID- 19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. Following enactment of this bill, the report must be made available within 90 days to the appropriate congressional committees and the public. The contents of the report must include the amount and variation of PPE procured by FEMA from foreign manufacturers, U.S. manufacturers, and manufacturers from the People's Republic of China. In addition, the report must also include legislative recommendations to improve the domestic supply chain of PPE."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-14
