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Covid Economics Vetted and Real-Time Papers: Issue 62, 18 December 2020
This December 18, 2020 edition of 'Covid Economics Vetted and Real-Time Papers' contains the following articles: "Real-time real economic activity entering the pandemic recession" by Francis X. Diebold; "Buying the vote? The economics of electoral politics and small business loans" by Ran Duchin and John Hackney;"Growth forecasts and the Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] recession they convey: End-2020 update" by Javier G. Gómez-Pineda; "The economics of stop-and-go epidemic control" by Claudius Gros and Daniel Gros; "Consumption responses to COVID-19 payments: Evidence from a natural experiment and bank account data" by So Kubota, Koichiro Onishi, and Yuta Toyama; "The effect of mandatory child care center closures on women's labor market outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic" by Lauren Russell and Chuxuan Sun;Rightly blamed the 'bad guy'? Grandparental child care and Covid-19" by Christina Boll and Till Nikolka.
Centre for Economic Policy Research
2020-12-18
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Defense Acquisitions: DOD's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Framework [December 18, 2020]
From the Introduction: "In recent years, cybersecurity threats and attacks have become a key issue for the Department of Defense (DOD). At present an estimated 300,000 companies supply products and services to the nation's defense industrial base (DIB). Concerns have been raised that some of these U.S. military contractors may pose a substantial cybersecurity risk because they currently operate with limited oversight of their internal cybersecurity controls. One effort to address cybersecurity attacks and the associated economic and national security costs to the DOD supply chain is the department's ongoing work to implement its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework. This initiative is designed to provide a scalable cybersecurity standard for the full spectrum of defense acquisitions. Once fully implemented, with a current target date of fiscal year (FY) 2026, the framework would require all DOD prime contractors and subcontractors to receive verification through accredited third-party certification organizations that an individual organization's internal cybersecurity practices and processes meet certain standards. This report offers an overview and analysis of issues for Congress associated with the CMMC framework. This report also discusses congressional considerations related to the Defense Department's efforts to mitigate cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities within the DIB in the performance of DOD's government contract work."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Peters, Heidi M.
2020-12-18
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Justice Department's Role in Cyber Incident Response [Updated December 18, 2020]
From the Document: "Criminals and other malicious actors rely on the internet and evolving technology to further their operations. They exploit cyberspace, where they can mask their identities and motivations. In this domain, criminals can compromise financial assets, hacktivists can flood websites with traffic--effectively shutting them down, and spies can steal intellectual property and government secrets. When such cyber incidents occur, a number of questions arise, including how the federal government will react and which agencies will respond. These questions have been raised following a number of high-profile breaches such as those against the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Democratic National Committee, as well as intrusions into a number of federal agencies and other organizations via network management software produced by SolarWinds. Federal law enforcement has taken the lead in investigating cyber incidents, attributing certain malicious activities to specific perpetrators, and prosecuting cyber threat actors. This report outlines the federal framework for cyber incident response, highlighting the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) role in this response. It also discusses challenges for federal law enforcement and potential policy issues for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Finklea, Kristin M.
2020-12-18
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U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement Negotiations [Updated December 18, 2020]
From the Overview: "On October 7, 2019, after six months of formal negotiations, the United States and Japan signed two agreements to liberalize bilateral trade. The U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA) provides for limited tariff reductions and quota expansions to improve market access. The U.S.-Japan Digital Trade Agreement covers rules on digital aspects of international commerce. The agreements, which took effect on January 1, 2020, without formal action by Congress, constitute what the Trump and Abe Administrations described as 'stage one' of a broader U.S.- Japan trade agreement, but further talks have yet to materialize. The Trump Administration used delegated tariff authorities in Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to proclaim the USJTA provisions, while the digital trade agreement, which did not require changes to U.S. law, was treated as an Executive Agreement. The status of the pending second stage bilateral talks remains of interest to Congress but is uncertain under both Japan's new Suga Administration and the incoming Biden Administration. As the fourth-largest U.S. trade partner, Japan has been a high priority for U.S. trade negotiations, especially as recent Japanese free trade agreements (FTAs), including with the European Union (EU) and the TPP-11 (successor to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) following U.S. withdrawal), lower Japan's tariffs on imports from several countries, placing U.S. exporters at a disadvantage."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D.; Williams, Brock R.
2020-12-18
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U.S. Dollar as the World's Dominant Reserve Currency [December 18, 2020]
From the Document: "The U.S. dollar is the world's dominant reserve currency, among other such currencies including the euro, the yen, the pound, the renminbi (RMB), the Canadian dollar, the Swiss franc, and the Australian dollar. A reserve currency is a currency held by central banks in significant quantities. It is widely used to conduct international trade and financial transactions, eliminating the costs of settling transactions involving different currencies. The dollar has functioned as the world's dominant reserve currency since World War II. Today, central banks hold about 60% of their foreign exchange reserves in dollars. About half of international trade is invoiced in dollars, and about half of all international loans and global debt securities are denominated in dollars. In foreign exchange markets, where currencies are traded, dollars are involved in nearly 90% of all transactions. The dollar is the preferred currency for investors during major economic crises, as a 'safe haven' currency. During the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, for example, and amidst the economic turmoil associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic in 2020, investors sought U.S. dollars, expecting the dollar to retain its value. In both crises, the U.S. Federal Reserve adopted extraordinary monetary authorities and currency swap lines with other central banks to provide liquidity and dollars."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nelson, Rebecca M.; Jackson, James K., 1949-; Weiss, Martin A.
2020-12-18
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Office of National Laboratories: Harnessing a Network of Laboratories to Meet Tomorrow's Homeland Security Challenges
From the Introduction: "Whether operating in times of calm, preparedness, crisis or response, our new reality is that American scientific and technological know-how must exist on the cutting edge of innovation and produce capabilities that match current and future needs. ONL [Office of National Laboratories] embraces its centralized role with all laboratories that provide developmental assistance for products and solutions to support the homeland security community and keep our country safe. ONL is arranged into two branches that work collaboratively with the laboratories and key stakeholders to deliver vital science and technology capabilities. Our Utilization Branch facilitates the effective use of our five in-house RDT&E [Research, Development, Test & Evaluation] laboratories and their capabilities located across seven sites, the Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories and other auxiliary RDT&E capabilities and technology transition activities. [...] Our Operations Branch provides oversight for the five S&T [Science & Technology] laboratories and sites to make sure they remain primed and equipped to fulfill mission needs."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Science and Technology Directorate. Office of National Laboratories
2020-12-18?
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ICE Needs to Address Prolonged Administrative Segregation and Other Violations at the Imperial Regional Detention Facility
From the Highlights: "Treatment and care of detainees at facilities can be challenging and vary greatly. In accordance with the 'Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019', we conduct annual unannounced inspections of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities to ensure compliance with detention standards. In February 2020, we inspected the Imperial Regional Detention Facility (IRDF) to evaluate compliance with ICE detention standards. We made six recommendations to improve ICE's oversight of detention facility management and operations at IRDF."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
Shiffer, John D.; Burns, Amy; Christian, Stephanie . . .
2020-12-18
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Declassified: Summary of the Reengagement of Detainees Formerly Held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba [As of August 31, 2020]
From the Document: "The Director of National Intelligence submits this summary consistent with direction in Section 506I of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. [United States Code] § 3105), which provides: (a) In General.--The Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, shall make publicly available an unclassified summary of-- (1) intelligence relating to recidivism of detainees currently or formerly held at the Naval Detention Facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by the Department of Defense; and (2) an assessment of the likelihood that such detainees will engage in terrorism or communicate with persons in terrorist organizations. (b) Updates.--Not less frequently than annually, the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Secretary of Defense, shall update and make publicly available an unclassified summary consisting of the information required by subsection (a) and the number of individuals formerly detained at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who are confirmed or suspected of returning to terrorist activities after release or transfer from such Naval Station."
United States. Office of the Director of National Intelligence
2020-12-18
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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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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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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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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
