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Screening Partnership Program: TSA Should Issue More Guidance to Airports and Monitor Private versus Federal Screener Performance, Report to the Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives

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From the Highlights: "TSA [Transportation Security Administration] maintains a federal workforce to screen passengers and baggage at the majority of the nation's commercial airports, but also oversees a workforce of private screeners at airports who participate in the SPP [Screening Partnership Program]. The SPP allows commercial airports to use private screeners, provided that the level of screening matches or exceeds that of federal screeners. In recent years, TSA's SPP has evolved to incorporate changes in policy and federal law, prompting enhanced interest in measuring screener performance. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to examine the (1) status of SPP applications and airport operators', aviation stakeholders', and TSA's reported advantages and disadvantages of participating in the SPP; (2) extent to which TSA has provided airports guidance to govern the SPP application process; and (3) extent to which TSA assesses and monitors the performance of private and federal screeners. GAO surveyed 28 airport operators that had applied to the SPP as of April 2012, and interviewed 5 airport operators who have not applied and 1 airport operator who applied to the SPP after GAO's survey. Although not generalizable, these interviews provided insights. GAO also analyzed screener performance data from fiscal years 2009-2011. This is a public version of a sensitive report that GAO issued in November 2012. Information that TSA deemed sensitive has been redacted. […] GAO recommends that the TSA Administrator develop guidance for SPP applicants and a mechanism to monitor private versus federal screener performance. TSA concurred with the recommendations."

United States. Government Accountability Office

2012-12
Next Generation Air Transportation System: FAA Faces Implementation Challenges, Statement of Gerald L. Dillingham, Ph.D., Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives

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From the Highlights: "To prepare for forecasted air traffic growth, FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] is planning for and implementing NextGen in partnership with other federal agencies and the aviation industry. NextGen is a complex undertaking that requires acquiring new integrated air traffic control systems; developing new flight procedures, standards, and regulations; and creating and maintaining supporting infrastructure to create a more automated aircraft-centered, satellite-based air transportation system. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has made recommendations to address delays in NextGen's acquisitions, improve FAA's processes, and focus on accountability and performance, which FAA is implementing. This statement discusses five key challenges that GAO and others have previously identified that affect NextGen implementation, as well as steps FAA has taken to address these challenges. These challenges are (1) delivering and demonstrating NextGen's near-term benefits; (2) developing a cost-effective mechanism to encourage operators to equip with NextGen technologies; (3) maintaining timely delivery of acquisitions; (4) clearly defining NextGen leadership roles and responsibilities; and (5) balancing the needs of the current radar-based systems and NextGen systems through the transition. This statement is based on GAO's previous reports and testimonies, ongoing work for the committee, and updates on FAA's responses to these challenges through a review of FAA documents and interviews with FAA officials."

United States. Government Accountability Office

Dillingham, Gerald L.

2012-09-12
Fund for Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness

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From the Background: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] crisis has served as a painful demonstration that no country is fully prepared for a pandemic and that the existing global health architecture remains ill-equipped to finance pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR). The rationale for preventing and containing pandemics is self-evident: the price of preparedness is a fraction of the cost of responding to catastrophic outbreaks, both in terms of human and economic well-being. In the aftermath of the 2003 SARS [Severe acute respiratory syndrome] outbreak, 2009 H1N1 [influenza A virus subtype] pandemic, and the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, experts called for scaling up sustainable financing to ensure the world was better prepared to face that next global health threat. But even amid efforts to better understand and measure preparedness gaps, little action was taken to mobilize financing and incentivize investments in strengthening detection, prevention, and response capabilities. As global health threats evolve, countries' capacity to prepare for and respond to disease outbreaks is increasingly a global imperative. Now is the time to take concrete steps toward establishing sustained financing for pandemic PPR to help bring an end to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, combat future health security threats, and break the costly cycle of neglect."

Center for Global Development

Glassman, Amanda, 1970-; Smitham, Eleni; Collinson, Erin

2022-05
Maritime Infrastructure: Opportunities Exist to Improve the Effectiveness of Federal Efforts to Support the Marine Transportation System

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From the Highlights: "The MTS [Maritime Transportation System] is integral to the efficient movement of the nation's freight. The MTS includes navigable waterways, ports, and port connectors, such as roads and railways that provide access to the Interstate highway system and the national rail network. According to DOT [Department of Transportation], approximately 90 percent of America's overseas imports and exports by tonnage move by ship. Consequently, the continued maintenance and improvement of the MTS is essential to sustaining the nation's competitive position in the global economy. This report examines (1) Corps and DOT programs that can be used to maintain or improve the MTS, (2) key challenges to maintaining and improving the MTS, and (3) opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the federal role in the MTS. GAO analyzed information from the Corps and DOT, interviewed relevant agency officials and industry associations, and conducted site visits to six ports--selected based on tonnage, geographic representation, and other factors--to discuss federal, state, and local investment in MTS infrastructure. [...] DOT should (1) inform the development of the 'National Freight Strategic Plan' with the Corps' planned investments in the nation's navigable waterways and (2) ensure the review and update of the 'National Strategy for the MTS' to include accountability mechanisms for the Strategy's recommended actions. DOT agreed to consider the report's recommendations."

United States. Government Accountability Office

2012-11
Aviation Safety: Additional FAA Efforts Could Enhance Safety Risk Management, Report to Congressional Committees

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From the Highlights: "The nation's aviation system is one of the safest in the world, but with air travel projected to increase over the next 20 years, efforts to ensure the continued safety of aviation are increasingly important. The FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] is seeking to further enhance safety by shifting to a data-driven, risk-based safety oversight approach--referred to as SMS [Safety Management Systems]. SMS implementation is required for FAA and several of its business lines and the agency is taking steps to require industry implementation. As requested, this report addresses (1) the status of FAA's implementation of SMS, (2) the extent to which FAA's SMS efforts have been consistent with key practices for successful planning and implementation of a new program, and (3) challenges FAA faces in implementing SMS. To address these issues, GAO [Government Accountability Office] reviewed FAA SMS documents, compared FAA efforts to key practices, and interviewed agency and industry officials. GAO recommends that FAA develop systems to: track SMS implementation, evaluate employee performance as it relates to SMS, and assess whether SMS meets its goals and objectives; conduct a workforce analysis for SMS; and consider strategies to address airports' data concerns. The Department of Transportation agreed to consider the recommendations and provided clarifying information about SMS, which GAO incorporated."

United States. Government Accountability Office

2012-09
Passenger Rail Security: Consistent Incident Reporting and Analysis Needed to Achieve Program Objectives, Report to Congressional Committees

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From the Highlights: "Terrorist attacks on foreign passenger rail systems, which include rail transit and intercity rail, have underscored the importance of collecting and analyzing security incident information to identify potential vulnerabilities. Within the federal government, TSA [Transportation Security Administration] is the primary agency responsible for overseeing and enhancing passenger rail security, and has several programs to fulfill this responsibility. In 2008, TSA issued a regulation requiring U.S. passenger rail agencies to report all potential threats and significant security concerns to TSA, among other things. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to assess the extent to which (1) TSA has overseen and enforced this reporting requirement and (2) TSA has analyzed passenger rail security incident information to identify security trends. GAO reviewed TSA policy documents, guidance, and incident data from January 2011 through June 2012, and interviewed federal officials and security officials from 19 passenger rail agencies. GAO selected these agencies, in part, because of their ridership volume. The results of these interviews are not generalizable but provide insights. [...] GAO recommends, among other things, that TSA (1) develop guidance on the types of incidents that should be reported, (2) enhance existing oversight mechanisms for compliance inspections and enforcement actions, (3) develop guidance to reduce errors from data entry problems, and (4) establish a process for regularly conducting trend analysis of incident data. TSA concurred and is taking actions in response."

United States. Government Accountability Office

2012-12
Commercial Space Launches: FAA Should Update How it Assesses Federal Liability Risk, Report to Congressional Committees

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From the Highlights: "A catastrophic commercial launch accident could result in injuries or property damage to the uninvolved public, or 'third parties.' In anticipation of such an event, a launch company must purchase a fixed amount of insurance for each launch and reentry, per calculation by FAA [Federal Aviation Administration]; the federal government is potentially liable for claims above that amount up to an additional $1.5 billion, adjusted for inflation and subject to congressional appropriations. As of 2012, the inflation-adjusted amount is about $2.7 billion. CSLAA [Commercial Space Launch Act Amendments of 1988] provides for this payment, called indemnification. The indemnification provision, unless reauthorized, expires this year. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to address, among other things, (1) the U.S. government's indemnification policy compared to policies of other countries, (2) the federal government's potential costs for indemnification, (3) the ability and willingness of the insurance market to provide additional coverage, and (4) the effects of ending indemnification on the competitiveness of U.S. launch companies. GAO reviewed FAA data and documents and relevant literature and conducted interviews with officials from FAA and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, insurers, brokers, launch companies, launch customers, risk modelers, and experts. GAO recommends that FAA periodically review and update as appropriate its methodology for calculating launch providers' insurance requirements. The Department of Transportation provided technical clarifications, which GAO incorporated."

United States. Government Accountability Office

2012-07
General Aviation Security: TSA's Process for Ensuring Foreign Flight Students Do Not Pose a Security Risk Has Weaknesses, Statement of Stephen M. Lord, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives

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From the statement of Stephen M. Lord: "I am pleased to be here to discuss the findings of our report assessing the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) efforts to address general aviation security. Altogether, more than 200,000 general aviation aircraft--from small aircraft with minimal load capacities to business jets and larger aircraft such as privately operated Boeing 747s--operate at more than 19,000 facilities. U.S. government threat assessments have discussed plans by terrorists to use general aviation aircraft to conduct attacks. Further, analysis conducted on behalf of TSA has indicated that larger general aviation aircraft, such as midsized and larger jets often used for business purposes, may be able to cause significant damage to buildings and other structures. Also, the terrorists responsible for the September 11, 2001, attacks learned to fly at flight schools in Florida, Arizona, and Minnesota. TSA, within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has responsibilities for general aviation security, and developed the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) to help determine whether foreign students enrolling at flight schools pose a security threat. My testimony this morning will address the key findings from the general aviation security report that we are issuing today. Specifically, my statement will address (1) TSA and general aviation industry actions to enhance security and TSA efforts to obtain information on these actions and (2) TSA efforts to ensure foreign flight students do not pose a security threat."

United States. Government Accountability Office

Lord, Stephen M.

2012-07-18
Review of FAA's Collegiate Training Initiative as Mandated in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012

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From the Document: "Section 603 of the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 required us to review, within 180 days of the enactment of the act, the effect of providing a specified alternative to the current air traffic controller training approach. Currently, one path toward becoming an air traffic controller is by attending a college or university that offers aviation degrees and partners with FAA in the agency's Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). The current training for CTI program graduates, who have completed the basic air traffic curriculum at their college or university, continues with initial specialization courses at the FAA Academy (Academy), and subsequent air traffic training at their assigned duty station. The proposed alternative training for those graduates keeps basic air traffic curriculum the same, but would shift instruction of initial specialization courses from the Academy to the 36 CTI schools. It would also include a new air traffic controller orientation session at the Academy, followed by on-the-job training at the assigned duty station. The mandate requires us to analyze (1) the cost effectiveness of the alternative training approach and (2) the effect that the alternative training approach would have on the overall quality of the training received by graduates of CTI programs."

United States. Government Accountability Office

2012-08-24
General Aviation Security: Weaknesses Exist in TSA's Process for Ensuring Foreign Flight Students Do Not Pose a Security Threat, Report to Congressional Requesters

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From the Highlights: "U.S. government threat assessments have discussed plans by terrorists to use general aviation aircraft--generally, aircraft not available to the public for transport--to conduct attacks. Also, the September 11, 2001, terrorists learned to fly at flight schools, which are within the general aviation community. TSA [Transportation Security Administration], within DHS, has responsibilities for general aviation security, and developed AFSP [Alien Flight Student Program] to ensure that foreign students enrolling at flight schools do not pose a security threat. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to assess (1) TSA and general aviation industry actions to enhance security and TSA efforts to obtain information on these actions and (2) TSA efforts to ensure foreign flight students do not pose a security threat. GAO reviewed TSA analysis comparing FAA data from January 2006 to September 2011 on foreign nationals applying for airman certificates with AFSP data, and interviewed 22 general aviation operators at eight airports selected to reflect geographic diversity and variations in types of operators. This is a public version of a sensitive security report GAO issued in June 2012. Information TSA deemed sensitive has been omitted, including two recommendations on TSA's vetting of foreign nationals. [...] GAO recommends that TSA identify how often and why foreign nationals are not vetted under AFSP and develop a plan for assessing the results of efforts to identify AFSP-approved foreign flight students who entered the country illegally. DHS concurred with GAO's recommendations and indicated actions it is taking in response."

United States. Government Accountability Office

2012-07
EMS Safety Practices [April 2022]

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From the Document: "Merriam-Webster defines safety as 'the condition of being safe from undergoing or causing hurt, injury, or loss' (n.d.). Safety is important to all aspects of life to reduce risk of injury and death, but it is especially important for first responders. EMS [emergency medical services] practitioners work on the frontlines of emergencies and disasters where situations change quickly and an element of danger or uncertainty is already present. As a result, it is crucial that EMS providers think of safety frequently and plan in advance to handle various situations. [...] Many organizations and regulatory agencies develop and provide guidelines, standards and protocols for EMS safety. Some of these agencies include the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), as well as many others. Some of the policies developed by these organizations are guidelines, while others are legally binding. It is important that EMS department leaders follow changes in safety standards and requirements closely. Potential areas for change may include updating protocols, providing newly required equipment or delivering required training for personnel."

United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

2022-04
National Hurricane Center Forecast Verification Report: 2021 Hurricane Season

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From the Abstract: "There were 394 official forecasts issued during the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, which is above the long-term average number of forecasts and a similar level of activity as the 2016-2018 seasons. The mean NHC official track forecast errors in the Atlantic basin were close to or below their previous 5-yr means. Records for track accuracy were set from 48-72 h in 2021. Track forecast errors have decreased significantly over the long term, but there has been less improvement during the past several years. [...] A three-year evaluation from 2019-21 in the eastern North Pacific indicates that the official track forecasts were very skillful, and had skill levels close to the consensus models. Regarding intensity, the official forecasts during the 3-yr sample performed as good as or better than the consensus aids. HMNI [Previous cycle HMON, adjusted] was the best individual model for the short lead times, and DSHP [SHIPS with inland decay] was best at 96 and 120 h. Quantitative probabilistic forecasts of tropical cyclogenesis are expressed in 48 and 120 h time frames in 10% increments and in terms of categories ('low', 'medium', or 'high'). In the Atlantic basin, results from 2021 indicate that the probabilistic forecasts were generally well calibrated at most probabilities for both the 48- and 120-h forecasts. In the eastern North Pacific basin, a slight low bias existed at most ranges for the 120-h probabilistic forecasts."

National Hurricane Center (2012- ); United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Cangialosi, John P.

2022-04-25
Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States: Annual Report to Congress, Report Period: CY 2018

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From the Document: "The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is a government body authorized by law to review certain transactions involving foreign investment in the United States. The review is solely to determine the effect of the transaction on the national security of the United States. [...] On August 13, 2018, the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (FIRRMA) was enacted. FIRRMA made various amendments and changes to the CFIUS review process and jurisdiction. Certain of the amendments and changes made by FIRRMA took effect immediately upon enactment; the remainder of the law took effect on February 13, 2020. This CFIUS Annual Report (also 'Annual Report' or 'Report') covers transactions filed in calendar year 2018, and thus describes the CFIUS process as it existed both prior to, and in part after, certain provisions of FIRRMA became effective."

United States. Department of the Treasury

2020-05-11?
Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States: Annual Report to Congress, Report Period: CY 2012

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From the Introduction: "Section 721(m)(2) [of the Defense Production Act of 1950] requires the [Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States] annual report on covered transactions to provide: '(A) A list of all notices filed and all reviews or investigations completed during the period, with basic information on each party to the transaction, the nature of the business activities or products of all pertinent persons, along with information about any withdrawal from the process, and any decision or action by the President under this section. (B) Specific, cumulative, and, as appropriate, trend information on the numbers of filings, investigations, withdrawals, and decisions or actions by the President under this section. (C) Cumulative and, as appropriate, trend information on the business sectors involved in the filings which have been made, and the countries from which the investments have originated. (D) Information on whether companies that withdrew notices to the Committee in accordance with subsection (b)(1)(C)(ii) have later re-filed such notices, or, alternatively, abandoned the transaction. (E) The types of security arrangements and conditions the Committee has used to mitigate national security concerns about a transaction, including a discussion of the methods that the Committee and any lead agency are using to determine compliance with such arrangements or conditions. (F) A detailed discussion of all perceived adverse effects of covered transactions on the national security or critical infrastructure of the United States that the Committee will take into account in its deliberations during the period before delivery of the next report, to the extent possible.'"

United States. Department of the Treasury

2013-12
Ransomware Trends in the HPH Sector (Q1 2022) [presentation]

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This Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) document is a May 5, 2022 presentation on "Ransomware Trends in the HPH [Healthcare and Public Health] Sector" for the first quarter of 2022.

United States. Department of Health and Human Services. Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3)

2022-05-05
Washington Metro System: Safety, Service, and Stability, Hearing Before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, Second Session, April 21, 2010

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From the opening statement of Edolphus Towns: "The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates the second-largest rail transit system in the country, second only to New York's subway system. It also runs the fifth largest bus system. For a long time now, it has been a clean, reliable, and safe system, but there are indications that the system is deteriorating. On June 22, 2009, a Metro rail train slammed into another train near Fort Totten Station. Nine people were killed and 80 were injured. It was the worst accident in Metro's history. In January of this year two maintenance workers were killed as they worked on the tracks. In total, 15 people have lost their lives on the Metro rail system over the past year. Something clearly is wrong. Earlier this year, Senator Mikulski asked the Federal Transit Administration [FTA] to audit its safety system. The Tri-State Oversight Committee [TOC], the FTA found serious shortcomings in the safety culture. To me, the most surprising thing was this: even though the TOC has the responsibility to oversee safety on the Metro system, the TOC has no full-time staff. It has no inspectors, no auditors. It has no enforcement power. The FTA has no enforcement power over Metro, either. In other words, the Metro rail is pretty much on the honor system when it comes to safety. That is why it is extremely important for Metro to have top-notch management. I think the safety problems we are seeing now at Metro are symptomatic of a larger problem, particularly on the rail system. Years of deferred maintenance and management problems are taking their toll." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: David Alpert, Matt Bassett, Peter Benjamin, Gerald E. Connolly, Darrell E. Issa, Jackie Jeter, John L. Mica, Mike Quigley, Peter Rogoff, Richard Sarles, and Edolphus Towns.

United States. Government Printing Office

2011
'Unrestricted Warfare' is Not China's Master Plan

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From the Introduction: "The book 'Unrestricted Warfare' (UW), published in 1999 by People's Liberation Army officers Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui has been thoroughly discussed and lauded by many in the West as an important document for understanding the Chinese strategic perspective. An article published in 'War on the Rocks' went as far as to say the authors, 'were about a decade and a half before their time.' In many universities and other higher learning institutions excerpts from the book are assigned and studied. NewsMax Media, Medina University Press International and Natraj Publishers even added 'China's Master Plan to Destroy America' as a subtitle. Shadow Lawn Press' 2017 publication of UW depicted a woman representing the U.S. sleeping with the words, 'Wake Up, America! China's Master Plan to Destroy America'. Overall, since UW's publication in English, the book has been used and cited many times as an important work in understanding China's military strategy. The narrative that UW represents an authoritative source that provides valuable insight the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) follows is extremely problematic. The book is unoriginal, not authoritative, both the authors themselves and examples from history contradict their thesis and much of the writing is designed to sound profound, but falls flat under closer examination. Moreover, the authors do not provide an applicable plan for a military to follow. While the book has certainly been popular and widely cited, this does not validate it. Understanding the PLA's strategic thinking is complicated and continues to evolve. A book written in the 90s does not hold the answers to China's 'Master Plan'."

China Aerospace Studies Institute (U.S.)

Baughman, Joshua

2022-04-25
Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States: Annual Report to Congress, Report Period: CY 2020

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From the Document: "The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS or the 'Committee') is an interagency body of the U.S. Government that is authorized by law to review certain transactions involving foreign investment in the United States. The review is solely to determine the effect of the transaction on the national security of the United States. [...] On August 13, 2018, the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (FIRRMA) was enacted, which, among other things, amended Section 721. FIRRMA strengthened and modernized CFIUS to enhance its ability to address national security concerns, including by broadening the authorities of the President and CFIUS to review and take action to address any national security concerns arising from certain non-controlling investments and real estate transactions involving foreign persons. FIRRMA also made various amendments and changes to the CFIUS review process. [...] This CFIUS Annual Report ('Annual Report' or 'Report') covers transactions filed with CFIUS in calendar year 2020, and describes the CFIUS process after full implementation of FIRRMA. Among other things, FIRRMA includes new reporting requirements that became effective 18 months after the enactment of FIRRMA (i.e., on February 13, 2020)."

United States. Department of the Treasury

2021-07-23?
Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States: Annual Report to Congress, Report Period: CY 2019

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From the Document: "The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS or the Committee) is an interagency body of the U.S. Government that is authorized by law to review certain transactions involving foreign investment in the United States. The review is solely to determine the effect of the transaction on the national security of the United States. [...] On August 13, 2018, the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (FIRRMA) was enacted. FIRRMA strengthens and modernizes CFIUS to address national security concerns more effectively, including by broadening the authorities of the President and CFIUS to review and take action to address any national security concerns arising from certain non-controlling investments and real estate transactions involving foreign persons. FIRRMA also made various amendments and changes to the CFIUS review process. [...] This CFIUS Annual Report (Annual Report or Report) covers transactions filed with CFIUS in calendar year 2019, and thus describes the CFIUS process after certain provisions of FIRRMA became effective. FIRRMA includes new reporting requirements that became effective 18 months after the enactment of FIRRMA ('i.e.,' on February 13, 2020)."

United States. Department of the Treasury

2020-08-07?
Qualitative Study of COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions and Mistrust in Black Americans: Recommendations for Vaccine Dissemination and Uptake

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From the Document: "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccination rates among Black Americans have been lower than White Americans and are disproportionate to their population size and COVID-19 impact. This study examined reasons for low vaccination intentions and preferred strategies to promote COVID-19 vaccination. [...] Between November 2020 and March 2021, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 participants who expressed low vaccination intentions in a RAND American Life Panel survey; we also interviewed five stakeholders who represent organizations or subgroups in Black communities that have been highly affected by COVID-19. [...] Many interviewees discussed the 'wait-and-see' approach, citing that more time and evidence for vaccine side effects and efficacy are needed. Perceived barriers to COVID-19 vaccination included structural barriers to access (e.g., transportation, technology) and medical mistrust (e.g., towards the vaccines themselves, the government, healthcare providers and healthcare systems, and pharmaceutical companies) stemming from historical and contemporary systematic racism against Black communities. Interviewees also discussed strategies to promote COVID-19 vaccines, including acknowledging systemic racism as the root cause for mistrust, preferred messaging content (e.g., transparent messages about side effects), modes, and access points (e.g., a variety of medical and non-medical sites), and trusted information sources (e.g., trusted leaders, Black doctors and researchers)."

PLoS ONE

Dong, Lu; Bogart, Laura M.; Gandhi, Priya . . .

2022-05-03
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Emergency Response to Hurricane Ida, Hearing Before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, October 6, 2021

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This is the October 6, 2021 hearing on "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Emergency Response to Hurricane Ida," held before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice and Regulatory Oversight of the Committee on Environment and Public Works. From the opening statement of Thomas R. Carper: "Thank you for joining us for what, sadly, has become an all too frequent issue over that last couple of years, and that is providing emergency response in the aftermath of extreme weather. Each of our witnesses comes from a different position within the Corps, and actually from different parts of the country, that we were just talking about. They all are going to be able to share with us their points of view on the Corps' response to Hurricane Ida, as well as their thoughts on investing in more resilient water resources infrastructure or building back better, as our President likes to say. As we all know, since 1980, North Atlantic hurricanes have become more intense, and unfortunately, more frequent. This trend is projected to continue in the years ahead as our planet continues to warm. Accordingly, the importance of the Corps' emergency response services will grow, as well. That is why we must ensure that all parts of our government, that includes Federal, local, and State, are all working together in lockstep to improve the resiliency of our infrastructure so it can withstand these extreme storms." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: William "Butch" Graham, Thomas Tickner, and Stephen Murphy.

United States. Government Publishing Office

2022
PLA Air Force: Bomber Force Organization

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From the Document: "This report provides an overview of the organization of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force (PLAAF) Bomber force. According to the Office of the Secretary of Defense's 'Annual Report to Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2021': 'The PRC's bomber force is currently composed of H-6 Badger variants, which are domestically produced versions of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 (Badger) bomber. Despite the relative age of its bomber force, the PLAAF has worked to maintain and enhance the operational effectiveness of these aircraft. In recent years, the PRC has fielded greater numbers of the H-6K, a modernized H-6 variant that integrates standoff weapons and features more-efficient turbofan engines for extended-range. The H-6K can carry six land-attack cruise missiles (LACMs), giving the PLA a long-range standoff precision strike capability that can range targets in the Second Island Chain from home airfields in mainland China."

China Aerospace Studies Institute (U.S.)

Allen, Kenneth W.

2022-05-02
IRS Security of Taxpayer Information: Characteristics of Employee Unauthorized Access and Disclosure Cases

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From the Document: "This report describes IRS's [Internal Revenue Service's] processes for safeguarding federal tax information as well as what is known about cases of willful unauthorized access, attempted access, or inspection of federal tax information (UNAX) and unauthorized disclosure of federal tax information by IRS employees, with the exception of IRS Chief Counsel employees. Our report is presented in a question-and-answer format. The first half of the questions describe IRS's processes for safeguarding federal tax information. Our analysis of what is known about cases of UNAX and unauthorized disclosure by IRS employees follows that part. To describe IRS's processes for safeguarding federal tax information, we reviewed relevant statutes and IRS documentation to understand IRS's protections of federal tax information, who is allowed to access and disclose federal tax information, the circumstances under which access and disclosure is allowed, and the potential penalties for accessing and disclosing this information inappropriately."

United States. Government Accountability Office
Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States: Annual Report to Congress, Report Period: CY 2014

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"In the years 2008 through 2014, companies filed 627 notices of transactions that CFIUS [Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States] determined to be covered transactions under section 721. About three percent (20 notices) of such notices were withdrawn during the review stage, eight percent (47 notices) were withdrawn during the investigation stage, and 39 percent (244 notices) resulted in an investigation. Withdrawals of notices are a function of the specific facts and circumstances of the particular transactions reviewed by the committee and are not indicative of a trend. There continues to be a general upward trend between 2009 and 2014 in the number of notices filed with CFIUS."

United States. Department of the Treasury

2016-02
Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States: Annual Report to Congress, Report Period: CY 2013

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From the Document: "In the years 2009 through 2013, companies filed 480 notices of transactions that CFIUS [Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States] determined to be covered transactions under section 721. Forty percent (193 notices) resulted in an investigation. About three percent (17 notices) of all notices were withdrawn during the review stage and eight percent (38 notices) were withdrawn during the investigation stage. Withdrawals of notices are a function of the specific facts and circumstances of the particular transactions reviewed by the committee and are not indicative of a trend."

United States. Department of the Treasury

2015-02
Pipeline Safety: Better Data and Guidance Needed to Improve Pipeline Operator Incident Response, Report to Congressional Committees

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From the Highlights: "The nation's 2.5 million mile network of hazardous liquid and natural gas pipelines includes more than 400,000 miles of 'transmission' pipelines, which transport products from processing facilities to communities and large-volume users. To minimize the risk of leaks and ruptures, PHMSA [Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration] requires pipeline operators to develop incident response plans. Pipeline operators with pipelines in highly populated and environmentally sensitive areas ('high-consequence areas') are also required to consider installing automated valves. The Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 directed GAO [Government Accountability Office] to examine the ability of transmission pipeline operators to respond to a product release. Accordingly, GAO examined (1) opportunities to improve the ability of transmission pipeline operators to respond to incidents and (2) the advantages and disadvantages of installing automated valves in high-consequence areas and ways that PHMSA can assist operators in deciding whether to install valves in these areas. GAO examined incident data; conducted a literature review; and interviewed selected operators, industry stakeholders, state pipeline safety offices, and PHMSA officials. […] DOT [Department of Transportation] should (1) improve incident response data and use these data to evaluate whether to implement a performance-based framework for incident response times and (2) share guidance and information on evaluation approaches to inform operators' decisions. DOT agreed to consider these recommendations."

United States. Government Accountability Office

2013-01
Acquisition Workforce: DOT Lacks Data, Oversight, and Strategic Focus Needed to Address Significant Workforce Challenges, Report to Congressional Committees

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From the Highlights: "With $5.6 billion in procurement spending in fiscal year 2011, DOT [Department of Transportation] relies on its acquisition workforce--including contracting and program management staff--to negotiate and administer contracts and manage large-scale acquisition programs. Having sufficient numbers of adequately trained acquisition professionals is critical to ensuring maximum value and benefit to the department. In a fiscal year 2012 Senate appropriations bill report, GAO [Government Accountability Office] was directed to assess (1) DOT's efforts to identify acquisition workforce needs, and (2) the Office of the Secretary of Transportation's role in providing oversight and support for acquisition workforce planning and management. GAO reviewed DOT's acquisition workforce plans for 2010, 2011, and 2012 along with supporting documentation, and interviewed agency officials on how the data were collected and used. The primary focus was on five OAs [operating administration] that accounted for 92 percent of DOT procurement spending in fiscal year 2011. […] GAO recommends that the Secretary of Transportation take steps to improve DOT's ability to address workforce needs, such as improving internal controls for acquisition workforce data and providing guidance to ensure that the OAs collect and report workforce data consistently. DOT acknowledged past data and coordination challenges and generally concurred with our recommendations. DOT also stated it now has the management framework needed to effectively monitor and develop the acquisition workforce."

United States. Government Accountability Office

2013-01
Movement and Maneuver: Culture and the Competition for Influence Among the U.S. Military Services

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"This report analyzes the current character of competition between the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and examines how culture impacts the ways the services posture themselves to gain resources, authorities, access, and influence. The report identifies cultural characteristics, primary goals, and competitive strategies exhibited by the military services and USSOCOM. Further, it explores the current modalities of competition and tactics of competition employed by each service. The authors evaluate whether the cultures of the services have changed substantively over time and whether the services wield as much influence as they did before the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986. Finally, the authors assess how each service might adapt and respond if it faced major policy shifts in the future, focusing specifically on contingencies in China and North Korea."

RAND Corporation

Zimmerman, S. Rebecca; Jackson, Kimberly; Lander, Natasha . . .

2019
Identifying Future Disease Hot Spots: Infectious Disease Vulnerability Index

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"Recent high-profile outbreaks, such as Ebola and Zika, have illustrated the transnational nature of infectious diseases. Countries that are most vulnerable to such outbreaks might be higher priorities for technical support. RAND created the Infectious Disease Vulnerability Index to help U.S. government and international agencies identify these countries and thereby inform programming to preemptively help mitigate the spread and effects of potential transnational outbreaks. The authors employed a rigorous methodology to identify the countries most vulnerable to disease outbreaks. They conducted a comprehensive review of relevant literature to identify factors influencing infectious disease vulnerability. Using widely available data, the authors created an index for identifying potentially vulnerable countries and then ranked countries by overall vulnerability score. Policymakers should focus on the 25 most-vulnerable countries with an eye toward a potential 'disease belt' in the Sahel region of Africa. The infectious disease vulnerability scores for several countries were better than what would have been predicted on the basis of economic status alone. This suggests that low-income countries can overcome economic challenges and become more resilient to public health challenges, such as infectious disease outbreaks."

RAND Corporation

Moore, Melinda; Gelfeld, Bill; Paul, Christopher, 1971- . . .

2016
Aviation Safety: FAA Is Taking Steps to Improve Data, but Challenges for Managing Safety Risks Remain, Statement of Gerald L. Dillingham, Ph.D., Director Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives

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From the Highlights: "The U.S. aviation system is one of the safest in the world, but fatal accidents, though rare, continue to occur. As a result of recent accidents and related NTSB [National Transportation Safety Board] findings, FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] announced a Call to Action Plan in June 2009 to, among other things, increase air carrier participation in voluntary safety programs. In 2010, Congress passed the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act, which, in part, called for FAA to better manage safety risks. As a result, FAA developed a concerted strategy to implement new safety programs, including increasing air carrier use of voluntary safety programs and advancing the use of SMS [Short Message Service]. FAA is implementing SMS--a data-driven, risk-based safety approach that involves establishing the necessary organizational structures, accountabilities, policies, and procedures. The implementation of SMS heightens the importance of obtaining and using high-quality aviation safety data. This statement is based on GAO's [Government Accountability Office] previous work and focuses on (1) how FAA uses data to manage safety risks, (2) how FAA ensures it has quality data to manage risk, and (3) the challenges FAA faces in using data to better manage safety risks. GAO has made a number of recommendations to address data quality weaknesses. FAA concurred with most of these recommendations and in some cases has taken steps toward addressing them."

United States. Government Accountability Office

Dillingham, Gerald L.

2012-04-25

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