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DHS Office of Inspector General: Preliminary Observations on Long-Standing Management and Operational Challenges, Statement of Chris Currie, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the Testimony: "Thank you for the opportunity to discuss preliminary observations from our work on the management and operations of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG). DHS OIG has a critical role in strengthening accountability throughout DHS and a responsibility to provide independent and objective oversight of the department and its 15 operational and support components, approximately 240,000 staff, and tens of billions of dollars in budgetary resources. However, in the past 6 years, DHS OIG has faced a number of challenges that have affected its ability to carry out its oversight mission effectively."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Currie, Chris
2021-04-21
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Modeling COVID-19 Nonpharmaceutical Interventions: Exploring Periodic NPI Strategies
From the Webpage: "We developed a COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] transmission model used as part of RAND's web-based COVID-19 decision support tool that compares the effects of nonpharmaceutical public health interventions (NPIs) on health and economic outcomes. An interdisciplinary approach informed the selection and use of multiple NPIs, combining quantitative modeling of the health/economic impacts of interventions with qualitative assessments of other important considerations (e.g., cost, ease of implementation, equity). This paper provides further details of our model, describes extensions, presents sensitivity analyses, and analyzes strategies that periodically switch between a base NPI level and a higher NPI level. We find that a periodic strategy, if implemented with perfect compliance, could have produced similar health outcomes as static strategies but might have produced better outcomes when considering other measures of social welfare. Our findings suggest that there are opportunities to shape the tradeoffs between economic and health outcomes by carefully evaluating a more comprehensive range of reopening policies."
RAND Corporation
Vardavas, Raffaele; Nascimento de Lima, Pedro; Baker, Lawrence
2021-04
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1765, Washington Channel Public Access Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on March 24, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 1765 would prohibit the Army Corps of Engineers from finalizing and implementing a proposed rule, 'Washington Channel, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.; Restricted Area,' which was published in the 'Federal Register' on December 29, 2020. The rule would permanently establish a restricted area that would allow watercraft to pass through the channel but not to remain in the area except with prior approval from the Commander of Fort McNair. Using information from the Corps, CBO estimates that discontinuing the rulemaking would have no significant effect on spending subject to appropriation."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-04-21
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State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2015 Budget and Appropriations [December 8, 2014]
"On March 4, 2014, the Obama Administration submitted to Congress its budget request for FY2015. The original request for State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs totaled $48.62 billion, including $5.91 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding. The Administration amended this request on June 27, 2014, by increasing OCO funds and updating export assistance estimates, thus raising the overall total to $50.08 billion. The Administration further amended the request in November 2014, for emergency funding to address the Ebola crisis in Africa and for civilian activities to counter the threat posed by the Islamic State (IS). The amended FY2015 request totals $53.47 billion, or 8.8% more than the FY2014-enacted level. Of the total FY2015 request, as amended, about 14.6% is designate as OCO (compared to 13.3% in FY2014) and about 5% is designated as emergency funding. About $17.18 billion is for State Department Operations and related agencies, an 8.3% increase from the FY2014 funding estimate of $15.86 billion. For Foreign Operations, the Administration requested $36.32 billion, a 7.7% increase from the FY2014 estimate of $33.72 billion. […]This report tracks the FY2015 State Department, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations process. It will be updated to reflect congressional action."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.; Tiersky, Alex L.; Lawson, Marian Leonardo
2014-12-08
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Trade Promotion Authority (TPA): Frequently Asked Questions [January 2, 2015]
"Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), formerly called fast track, likely will be considered in the 114th Congress. TPA is the authority Congress has granted to the President for limited periods of time to enter into reciprocal trade agreements. The authority lays out U.S. trade negotiating objectives, procedures for congressional-executive notification and consultation, and expedited legislative procedures under which bills implementing trade agreements negotiated by the executive branch are to be considered. The most recent authority was enacted in December 2002 and expired as of July 1, 2007. Legislation to reauthorize TPA was introduced, but not considered, in the 113th Congress. The United States is engaged in several sets of trade agreement negotiations. The issue of TPA reauthorization has raised a number of questions regarding TPA itself and the pending legislation. This report addresses a number of those questions that are frequently asked, including the following: [1] What is trade promotion authority? [2] Is TPA necessary? [3] What are trade negotiating objectives and how are they reflected in TPA statutes? [4] What requirements does Congress impose on the President under TPA? [5] Does TPA affect congressional authority on trade policy? This report describes aspects of the legislation introduced in the 113th Congress as an example of potential provisions of a TPA bill."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fergusson, Ian F.; Beth, Richard S.
2015-01-02
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Congressional Primer on Responding to Major Disasters and Emergencies [May 19, 2015]
"The principles of disaster management assume a leadership role by the local, tribal, and state governments with the federal government providing coordinated supplemental resources and assistance, if requested and approved. The immediate response to a disaster is guided by the National Response Framework (NRF), which details roles and responsibilities at various levels of government, along with cooperation from the private and nonprofit sectors, for differing incidents and support functions. A declaration of a major disaster or emergency under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, P.L. 93-288, as amended, must, in almost all cases, be requested by the governor of a state or the chief executive of an affected Indian tribal government, who at that point has declared that the situation is beyond the capacity of the state or tribe to respond. The governor/chief also determines which parts of the state/tribal territory they will request assistance for and suggests the types of assistance programs that may be needed. The President considers the request, in consultation with officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and makes the initial decisions on the areas to be included as well as the programs that are implemented."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.; Brown, Jared T.
2015-05-19
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Key Issues for the 113th Congress [February 15, 2014]
"Geographic proximity has ensured strong linkages between the United States and the Latin American and Caribbean region, with diverse U.S. interests, including economic, political, and security concerns. U.S. policy toward the region under the Obama Administration has focused on four priorities: promoting economic and social opportunity; ensuring citizen security; strengthening effective democratic institutions; and securing a clean energy future. There has been substantial continuity in U.S. policy toward the region under the Obama Administration, which has pursued some of the same basic policy approaches as the Bush Administration. Nevertheless, the Obama Administration has made several significant policy changes, including an overall emphasis on partnership and shared responsibility. U.S. policy toward the region is conducted in the context of a Latin America that is becoming increasingly independent from the United States. The region has diversified its economic and diplomatic ties with countries outside the region. Over the past few years, several Latin American regional organizations have been established that do not include the United States, including the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) designed to boost regional integration and cooperation. While to some extent CELAC's establishment reflects declining U.S. influence in Latin America, the United States still remains very much engaged in the region bilaterally and multilaterally. A looming challenge for the United States, however, is how to deal with the next Summit of the Americas, scheduled to be hosted by Panama in 2015. Several Latin American leaders have pledged that they will not attend if Cuba is not invited."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2014-02-15
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Shift in the International Security Environment: Potential Implications for Defense - Issues for Congress [January 21, 2015]
"World events since late 2013 have led some observers to conclude that the international security environment is undergoing a shift from the familiar post-Cold War era of the last 20-25 years, also sometimes known as the unipolar moment (with the United States as the unipolar power), to a new and different strategic situation that features, among other things, renewed great power competition and challenges to elements of the U.S.-led international order that has operated since World War II. A shift in the international security environment could have significant implications for U.S. defense plans and programs. A previous shift in the international security environment--from the Cold War to the post-Cold War era--prompted a broad reassessment by the Department of Defense (DOD) and Congress of defense funding levels, strategy, and missions that led to numerous changes in DOD plans and programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2015-01-21
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Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): Answers to Frequently Asked Questions [February 3, 2015]
"The FAR is a regulation, codified in Parts 1 through 53 of Title 48 of the 'Code of Federal Regulations,' which generally governs acquisitions of goods and services by executive branch agencies. It addresses various aspects of the acquisition process, from acquisition planning to contract formation, to contract management. Depending upon the topic, the FAR may provide contracting officers with (1) the government's basic policy (e.g., small businesses are to be given the 'maximum practicable opportunity' to participate in acquisitions); (2) any requirements agencies must meet (e.g., obtain full and open competition through the use of competitive procedures); (3) any exceptions to the requirements (e.g., when and how agencies may waive a contractor's exclusion); and (4) any required or optional clauses to be included, or incorporated by reference, in the solicitation or contract (e.g., termination for convenience). The FAR also articulates the guiding principles for the federal acquisition system, which include satisfying the customer in terms of cost, quality, and timeliness of the delivered goods and services; minimizing operating costs; conducting business with integrity, fairness, and openness; and fulfilling public policy objectives. In addition, the FAR identifies members and roles of the 'acquisition team.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manuel, Kate; Halchin, L. Elaine; Lunder, Erika . . .
2015-02-03
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Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress [July 29, 2015]
"Names for Navy ships traditionally have been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President and in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress. Rules for giving certain types of names to certain types of Navy ships have evolved over time. There have been exceptions to the Navy's ship-naming rules, particularly for the purpose of naming a ship for a person when the rule for that type of ship would have called for it to be named for something else. Some observers have perceived a breakdown in, or corruption of, the rules for naming Navy ships. On July 13, 2012, the Navy submitted to Congress a 73-page report on the Navy's policies and practices for naming ships. […] The Navy historically has only rarely named ships for living persons. Since 1973, at least 15 U.S. military ships have been named for persons who were living at the time the name was announced. Members of the public are sometimes interested in having Navy ships named for their own states or cities, for older U.S. Navy ships (particularly those on which they or their relatives served), for battles in which they or their relatives participated, or for people they admire. Congress has long maintained an interest in how Navy ships are named, and has influenced the naming of certain Navy ships. The Navy suggests that congressional offices wishing to express support for proposals to name a Navy ship for a specific person, place, or thing contact the office of the Secretary of the Navy to make their support known. Congress may also pass legislation relating to ship names. Measures passed by Congress in recent years regarding Navy ship names have all been sense-of-the-Congress provisions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2015-07-29
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Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress [June 16, 2016]
"Names for Navy ships traditionally have been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President and in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress. Rules for giving certain types of names to certain types of Navy ships have evolved over time. There have been exceptions to the Navy's ship-naming rules, particularly for the purpose of naming a ship for a person when the rule for that type of ship would have called for it to be named for something else. Some observers have perceived a breakdown in, or corruption of, the rules for naming Navy ships. On July 13, 2012, the Navy submitted to Congress a 73-page report on the Navy's policies and practices for naming ships. […] The Navy historically has only rarely named ships for living persons. Since 1973, at least 18 U.S. military ships have been named for persons who were living at the time the name was announced. Seven of the 18 have been announced since January 2012; three of the 18 have been announced in 2016. […] Congress has long maintained an interest in how Navy ships are named, and has influenced the naming of certain Navy ships. The Navy suggests that congressional offices wishing to express support for proposals to name a Navy ship for a specific person, place, or thing contact the office of the Secretary of the Navy to make their support known. Congress may also pass legislation relating to ship names. Measures passed by Congress in recent years regarding Navy ship names have all been sense-of-the-Congress provisions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2016-06-16
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FY2017 Defense Appropriations Fact Sheet: Selected Highlights of H.R. 5293 and S. 3000 [June 17, 2016]
"This Fact Sheet summarizes selected highlights of the FY2017 Defense Appropriations Act passed by the House on June 16, 2016 (H.R. 5293), and the version reported by the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 26, 2016 (S. 3000). Congressional action on the FY2017 defense appropriations act has been fundamentally shaped by the legally binding caps on discretionary spending for defense programs and for non-defense programs, which were established by P.L. 114-74, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (BBA). A central issue before Congress is the extent to which Congress and the President approve Department of Defense (DOD) funding for FY2017 that (1) exceeds the relevant BBA cap; and (2) is also exempt from that spending cap because it is classified as funding for so-called Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO). The 2015 BBA increased binding caps on defense and non-defense discretionary appropriations for FY2016 and FY2017, which originally had been codified by the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011 (P.L. 112-25). Those spending caps are enforced by a process of 'sequestration.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Towell, Pat; Williams, Lynn M.
2016-06-17
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Russia [Updated May 4, 2006]
"After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States sought a cooperative relationship with Moscow and supplied over $4 billion in grant aid to encourage democracy, market reform, and WMD threat reduction in Russia. Early hopes for a close partnership waned however, due to mutual disillusionment. Direct U.S. foreign aid to Russia, under congressional pressure, fell over the past decade. Indirect U.S. assistance, however, through institutions such as the IMF, was substantial. The United States has imposed economic sanctions on Russian organizations for exporting military technology and equipment to Iran and Syria. There are more restrictions on aid to Russia in the FY2005 foreign aid bill. In the spirit of cooperation after September 11, however, the two sides agreed on a strategic nuclear force reduction treaty and a strategic framework for bilateral relations, signed at the Bush-Putin summit in May 2002."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Goldman, Stuart D. (Stuart Douglas), 1943-
2006-05-04
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Vietnam-U.S. Normalization Process [Updated January 3, 2006]
"After communist North Vietnam's victory over U.S.-backed South Vietnam in 1975, U.S.-Vietnam relations remained essentially frozen for over 15 years. Since then, bilateral ties have expanded remarkably, to the point where the relationship in many ways has been virtually normalized. Congress has played a significant role in this process. Each step in improving bilateral ties has brought controversy, albeit at diminishing levels. U.S. opponents in Congress and elsewhere have argued that Vietnam maintains a poor record on human and religious rights, particularly in the Central Highlands region. Opposition has also come from groups arguing that Vietnam has not done enough to account for U.S. Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIAs) from the Vietnam War, though this argument has diminished markedly in recent years. Forces favoring normalization have included those reflecting a strong U.S. business interest in Vietnam's reforming economy and American strategic interests in integrating Vietnam more fully into East Asia and in expanding cooperation with a country that has an ambivalent relationship with China."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manyin, Mark E.
2006-01-03
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Saudi Arabia: Current Issues and U.S. Relations [Updated May 24, 2002]
"Saudi Arabia, a monarchy ruled by the Saudi dynasty, enjoys special importance in the international community because of its unique association with the Islamic religion and its oil wealth. Since the establishment of the modern Saudi kingdom in 1932, it has benefitted from a stable political system based on a smooth process of succession to the throne and an increasingly prosperous economy dominated by the oil sector. Decrees by King Fahd in March 1992 establishing an appointive consultative council and provincial councils and promulgating a basic law providing for certain citizens' rights could signal a gradual trend toward a more open political system. […] The United States and Saudi Arabia have long-standing economic and defense ties. Between World War II and 1975, the United States provided a total of $328.4 million in economic and military aid to Saudi Arabia, reducing and ultimately terminating these programs as Saudi oil derived income burgeoned in the 1960s and 1970s. A series of informal agreements, statements by successive U.S. administrations, and military deployments have demonstrated a strong U.S. security commitment to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia was a key member of the allied coalition that expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991, and approximately 5,000 U.S. troops remain in the country. […] Principal issues of bilateral interest include the Saudi position on the Arab-Israeli conflict, security in the post-war Gulf region, arms transfers to Saudi Arabia, Saudi external aid programs, bilateral trade relationships, and Saudi policies involving human rights and democracy. In early 2002, Crown Prince Abdullah proposed a peace initiative based on Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories in return for normal relations between Arab states and Israel."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Prados, Alfred B.
2002-05-24
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Jordan: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues [Updated April 26, 2006]
"Several issues in U.S.-Jordanian relations are likely to figure in decisions by Congress and the Administration on future aid to and cooperation with Jordan. These include the stability of the Jordanian regime, democratic reform under way in Jordan, the role of Jordan in the Arab-Israeli peace process, Jordan's concerns over the U.S.-led campaign against Iraq in 2003, and its relations with other regional states. Following the 9/11 attacks, Jordan issued bans on banking operations linked to terrorist activities and pursued individuals linked to Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda organization. Jordan also sent military medical and mine clearing units to Afghanistan in December 2001 to support the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism, and a field hospital to Iraq in April 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jordan is also helping train Iraqi police and military personnel in Iraq's newly organized security forces. Jordan has been targeted on several occasions by Al Qaeda affiliates, most recently on November 9, 2005, when near simultaneous explosions at three western-owned hotels in the Jordanian capital of Amman killed 58 persons. A group allied with bin Laden and known as 'Al Qaeda in Iraq', headed by Jordanian-born Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, claimed responsibility."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Prados, Alfred B.
2006-04-26
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Democratic Republic of Congo: Background and Current Developments [February 17, 2011]
"In October 2008, the forces of the National Congress for the Defense of the Congolese People (CNDP), under the command of General Laurent Nkunda, launched a major offensive against the Democratic Republic of Congo Armed Forces (FARDC) in eastern Congo. Within days, the CNDP captured a number of small towns and Congolese forces retreated in large numbers. Eastern Congo has been in a state of chaos for over a decade. The first rebellion to oust the late President Mobutu Sese Seko began in the city of Goma in the mid-1990s. The second rebellion in the late 1990s began also in eastern Congo. The root causes of the current crisis are the presence of over a dozen militia and extremist groups, both foreign and Congolese, in eastern Congo, and the failure to fully implement peace agreements signed by the parties. Over the past 14 years, the former Rwandese armed forces and the Interhamwe militia have been given a safe haven in eastern Congo and have carried out many attacks inside Rwanda and against Congolese civilians. A Ugandan rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), is also in Congo, despite an agreement reached between the LRA and the government of Uganda. […] The United States has been actively engaged in facilitating the Tripartite Plus talks among the four key players in the Great Lakes region: Rwanda, DRC, Burundi, and Uganda. The Tripartite Plus process has led to a number of agreements over the past several years, including the creation of a Joint Verification Mechanism (JVM) to address cross-border issues. The United States provided $205.1 million in FY2008 and $111.6 million in FY2009. The DRC received a total of $296.5 million in FY2009 and an estimated $183 million in FY2010. The Obama Administration has requested $213.2 million for FY2011."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dagne, Theodore S.
2011-02-17
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Chile: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations [January 10, 2014]
"Chile has maintained friendly relations with the United States since its transition back to civilian democratic rule in 1990. The Obama Administration has sought to build on these traditionally close ties and encourage Chile's leadership in the Western Hemisphere. Bilateral commercial relations are particularly strong; total trade in goods and services has nearly tripled since the implementation of a free trade agreement in 2004. Additional areas of cooperation include supporting regional stability and promoting clean energy development. [...] Congress has expressed interest in a variety of issues in U.S.-Chilean relations over the years. The 113th Congress could take up matters such as the U.S.-Chile bilateral income tax treaty, which was signed in 2010 and was submitted to the U.S. Senate for ratification on May 17, 2012 (Treaty Doc. 112-8). Ongoing negotiations over the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, which includes Chile, the United States, and at least 10 other nations in the Asia- Pacific region, may also attract congressional attention."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.
2014-01-10
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Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations [January 30, 2014]
"Congress has maintained a strong interest in Mexico, a top trade partner and energy supplier, with which the United States shares a nearly 2,000 mile border and strong cultural and historical ties. Economically, the United States and Mexico are heavily interdependent, and the U.S. economy could benefit if Mexico is able to boost its growth rates by successfully implementing the historic reforms enacted in 2013. Similarly, security conditions in Mexico affect U.S. national security, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border. Congress may closely monitor whether the reduction in organized-crime related violence that Mexico has experienced since 2012 can be sustained without jeopardizing bilateral efforts against transnational organized crime. Maintaining strong bilateral cooperation on these and other issues, while also ensuring that U.S. interests are protected, are likely to be of interest during the second session of the 113th Congress. This report provides an overview of political and economic conditions in Mexico followed by assessments of some key issues of congressional interest in Mexico: migration, trade, security, human rights, energy, and water issues. The report summarizes legislative action that has occurred related to these topics and refers to other CRS [Congressional Research Service] products and experts that can be consulted for further information. It will be updated to address major developments in Mexico and in Mexican-U.S. relations that are of interest to Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2014-01-30
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Lord's Resistance Army: The U.S. Response [May 15, 2014]
"The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), led by Joseph Kony, is a small, dispersed armed group active in remote areas of Central Africa. The LRA's infliction of widespread human suffering and its potential threat to regional stability have drawn significant attention in recent years, including in Congress. Campaigns by U.S.-based advocacy groups have contributed to policy makers' interest. Since 2008, the United States has provided support to Ugandan-led military operations to capture or kill LRA commanders, which since 2012 have been integrated into an African Union (AU) 'Regional Task Force' against the LRA. The Obama Administration expanded U.S. support for these operations in 2011 by deploying U.S. military advisors to the field. In March 2014, the Administration notified Congress of the deployment of U.S. military aircraft and more personnel to provide episodic 'enhanced air mobility support' to African forces. The United States has also provided humanitarian aid, pursued regional diplomacy, helped to fund 'early-warning' systems, and supported multilateral programs to demobilize and reintegrate ex-LRA combatants. The Administration has referred to these efforts as part of its broader commitment to preventing and mitigating mass atrocities. Growing U.S. involvement may also be viewed in the context of Uganda's role as a key U.S. security partner in East and Central Africa. U.S. security assistance to Uganda, including for counter-LRA efforts, has continued despite policy makers' criticism of the Ugandan government's decision in early 2014 to enact a law criminalizing homosexuality."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Arieff, Alexis; Blanchard, Lauren Ploch
2014-05-15
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Iran's 2009 Presidential Elections [July 6, 2009]
"On June 12, 2009, following a heated campaign between reformist candidate Mir Hussein Musavi and incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranians turned out in record numbers to vote in the presidential election. Shortly after the polls closed, the Interior Minister announced that President Ahmadinejad had been reelected by a 62% margin. The announcement was followed by allegations of vote rigging and election fraud and prompted supporters of leading reformist candidate Mir Hussein Musavi and others to hold public demonstrations in several major cities of a size and intensity unprecedented since the Iranian Revolution of 1979. [...]. The government crackdown on protestors appears to be effective, even as smaller gatherings have continued in Tehran and other major cities. Attention has now focused on the potential long-term effects of the post-election unrest on Iranian government and society, and what the outcome might mean for U.S. efforts to resolve the issues of Iran's nuclear program, its support for terrorism, and other national security concerns. [...]. Many observers believe that President Obama is attempting to balance the need to condemn the violence against the protestors with the need to avoid the perception of U.S. interference, which some worry could prompt the Iranian government to clamp down further on freedom of expression or jeopardize U.S. efforts to engage Iran on the issue of its nuclear program. For more information and background on Iran, see CRS Report RL32048, Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses, by Kenneth Katzman."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Addis, Casey L.
2009-07-06
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Tajikistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests [Updated April 25, 2006]
"This report outlines the transformational challenges faced by Tajikistan since its five-year civil war ended in 1997. It discusses U.S. policy and assistance. Basic facts and biographical information are provided."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2006-04-25
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Kazakhstan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests [Updated April 21, 2006]
"Kazakhstan is an important power in Central Asia by virtue of its geographic location, large territory, ample natural resources, and economic growth, but it faces ethnic, political, and other challenges to stability. This report discusses U.S. policy and assistance. Basic facts and biographical data are provided."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2006-04-21
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Key Issues and Actions in the 114th Congress [January 4, 2017]
"U.S. policy toward [the Latin American and Caribbean region] under the Obama Administration focused on four priorities: promoting economic and social opportunity; ensuring citizen security; strengthening effective democratic institutions; and securing a clean energy future. [...] U.S. policy toward the region is conducted in the context of an increasingly independent Latin America, which has diversified its economic and diplomatic ties with countries outside the region. [...] Congress traditionally has played an active role in policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean in terms of both legislation and oversight. [...] As the 114th Congress neared its end in December 2016, Congress completed action on several measures with provisions related to the region. [...] This report, which will not be updated, provides an overview of U.S. policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean during the 114th Congress in 2015 and 2016. It begins with an overview of the political and economic environment affecting U.S. relations and then examines the Obama Administration's policy toward the region. The report then examines congressional interests in the region and legislative action, looking at selected regional and country issues. An Appendix provides links to hearings on the region in the 114th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-01-04
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Implementation of Title IV of the Cares Act, Hearing Before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Second Session on Examining Title IV of the Cares Act, June 2, 2020
This is the June 2, 2020 hearing on "Implementation of Title IV of the Cares Act" held before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. From the opening statement of Mike Crapo: "Congress and the Administration have taken extraordinary actions to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 19] pandemic and provide conditions that will lead to a forceful economic recovery. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, has been central to that effort. Today we will focus on Title IV of the CARES Act, which provided a $500 billion infusion into the Exchange Stabilization Fund, and the Department of Treasury to assist that fund, the bulk of which is being used to support the Federal Reserve's emergency lending facilities." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Thomas Quaadman, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, and Heidi Shierholz.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020
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Violence Against Women Act: Overview, Legislation, and Federal Funding [March 6, 2014]
"The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has been of ongoing interest to Congress since its enactment in 1994 (P.L. 103-322). The original act was intended to change attitudes toward domestic violence, foster awareness of domestic violence, improve services and provisions for victims, and revise the manner in which the criminal justice system responds to domestic violence and sex crimes. The legislation created new programs within the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Health and Human Services (HHS) that aimed to reduce domestic violence and improve response to and recovery from domestic violence incidents. VAWA primarily addresses certain types of violent crime through grant programs to state, tribal, and local governments; nonprofit organizations; and universities. VAWA programs target the crimes of intimate partner violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. […] In February 2013, Congress passed legislation (Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013; P.L. 113-4) that reauthorized most of the programs under VAWA, among other things. The VAWA reauthorization also amended and authorized appropriations for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, enhanced measures to combat trafficking in persons, and amended some VAWA grant purpose areas to include sex trafficking. Moreover, VAWA 2013 gave Indian tribes authority to enforce domestic violence laws and related crimes against non-Indian individuals, and established a nondiscrimination provision for VAWA grant programs. The reauthorization also included new provisions to address the rape kit backlog in states. A description of the reauthorization is provided in this report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2014-03-06
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Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy [March 24, 2014]
"After a failed effort to violently disperse pro-European Union protests, the government of President Viktor Yanukovych collapsed on February 21, 2014. He fled from Kyiv, as did many of his supporters, and protestors took over Kyiv. The Ukrainian parliament approved a new pro-reform, pro-Western government on February 27. The parliament has scheduled new presidential elections for May 25, 2014. Russia has condemned the new government in Kyiv as illegitimate and responded by sending troops to seize Ukraine's Crimea region. Ignoring U.S. and international condemnation, Russia annexed Crimea on March 18. Ukrainian officials charge that Russia is also trying to stir unrest in eastern and southern Ukraine, where many Russian-speakers live, perhaps in order to provide a pretext for an invasion of those regions. Ukraine's new government faces serious economic problems. Ukraine has long-standing problems in attracting foreign investment, in part due to rampant corruption and other shortcomings in the rule of law. In the near term, the government's dwindling foreign exchange reserves have raised the prospect of a default on sovereign debt later this year, unless the government can secure new loans quickly."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woehrel, Steven J.
2014-03-24
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Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy [February 26, 2014]
"Many observers have expressed concern about Ukraine's democratic development, including the government's use of the courts to neutralize opposition leaders, most notably former Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko, who was sentenced to a seven-year prison term in 2011. The government's effort in November 2013 to violently disperse pro-European Union protests backfired, resulting in mass demonstrations in Kyiv and elsewhere in Ukraine. For over two months, the government alternated between attempted crackdowns against the protestors and conciliatory gestures. The most serious violence has occurred during and after a massive government crackdown on February 18-20, resulting in at least 88 deaths, mainly among protestors but also including some police officers. The violence led to a collapse in support for the government of President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled from Kyiv, as did many of his supporters, and the seizure of power by opposition parties, with the support of the protestors. […] On February 10, 2014, the House approved H.Res. 447. The resolution is broadly similar to S.Res. 319. The resolution expresses support for the visa bans that the United States has already imposed on Ukrainian officials responsible for violence against protestors, and urges the Administration to consider additional sanctions against those responsible for the use of force. After the collapse of the Yanukovych regime in February 2014, congressional action may shift from a focus on possible sanctions to how the United States should aid the new Ukrainian government to achieve stability and conduct reforms."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woehrel, Steven J.
2014-02-26
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U.S. Farm Income [February 28, 2014]
"According to USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS), national net farm income--a key indicator of U.S. farm well-being--is forecast at $95.8 billion in 2014, down 27% from last year's record $130.5 billion. The 2014 forecast would be the lowest since 2010, but would remain $8 billion above the previous 10-year average. The forecast for lower net farm income and net cash income is primarily a result of the outlook for lower crop receipts and government payments. In contrast, livestock returns are forecast to be steady to slightly higher. The 2014 farm bill […] eliminated direct payments of nearly $5 billion per year, while market prices for program crops--despite their plunge since late 2013--are expected to remain above trigger levels for price-contingent programs, thus keeping government program support at historically low levels in 2014. […]These data suggest a strong financial position heading into 2014 for the agricultural sector as a whole relative to the rest of the U.S. economy, but with substantial regional variation. Declining prices for most major program crops signal tougher times ahead. Eventual 2014 agricultural economic well-being will hinge greatly on the final crop harvests and harvest-time prices, as well as both domestic and international macroeconomic factors, including economic growth and consumer demand."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schnepf, Randall Dean, 1954-
2014-02-28
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U.S.-Vietnam Nuclear Cooperation Agreement: Issues for Congress [March 24, 2014]
"U.S.-Vietnamese cooperation on nuclear energy and nonproliferation has grown in recent years along with closer bilateral economic, military, and diplomatic ties. In 2010, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding that Obama Administration officials said would be a 'stepping stone' to a bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement. This agreement was signed by the two countries in December 2013. Under section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (as amended), this agreement is subject to congressional review. The nuclear cooperation agreement is expected to comply with all the terms of the Atomic Energy Act as amended and therefore will be a 'non-exempt' agreement. This means that it will enter into force upon the 90th day of continuous session after its submittal to Congress (a period of 30 plus 60 days of review) unless Congress enacts a Joint Resolution disapproving the agreement. Vietnam would be the first country in Southeast Asia to operate a nuclear power plant. Vietnam has announced a nuclear energy plan that envisions installing several nuclear plants, capable of producing up to 14,800 megawatts of electric power (MWe), by 2030. Nuclear power is projected to provide 20%-30% of the country's electricity by 2050. Significant work remains, however, to develop Vietnam's nuclear energy infrastructure and regulatory framework."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham; Holt, Mark; Manyin, Mark E.
2014-03-24
