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Tribal Broadband: National Strategy and Coordination Framework Needed to Increase Access, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Broadband is critical to modern life. Despite federal efforts, broadband access on tribal lands has traditionally lagged behind the rest of the country. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review federal efforts for improving broadband on tribal lands. This report examines: (1) the extent to which federal funding programs have supported the deployment of broadband infrastructure on tribal lands; (2) barriers tribes and providers face in accessing federally funded programs to serve tribal lands; and (3) the extent to which federal agencies focus on tribal issues related to broadband access."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Maritime Cargo Security: CBP Should Provide Additional Guidance for Certain Non-Containerized Cargo Inspections, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "In 2020, non-containerized cargo accounted for about 32 percent of the $1.5 trillion total maritime cargo value. Non-containerized cargo includes goods, such as liquids, grains, and those transported individually or packaged and shipped on pallets or crates. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review CBP's [U.S. Customs and Border Protection 's] policies and procedures for securing non-containerized maritime cargo. This report examines the extent to which CBP's inspections of inbound non-containerized maritime cargo vary across selected U.S. seaports. GAO reviewed CBP policies, procedures, and documentation for inspecting inbound non-containerized maritime cargo. GAO also interviewed CBP headquarters and field officials to gather information about how the agency implemented the policies and procedures. This included interviewing officials from a non-generalizable sample of 11 U.S. seaports and four field offices. GAO selected seaports that varied based on port size (i.e. total volume of cargo processed), types of non-containerized maritime cargo processed, and geographic location. [...] GAO recommends that CBP (1) identify additional actions that CBP personnel at seaports should take to address the identified risks of crated cargo and (2) update national maritime cargo processing guidance to reflect the identified actions. The Department of Homeland Security concurred with these recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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COVID-19 -- Food and Nutrition Service's Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer -- Interim Report
From the What OIG [Office of the Inspector General] Found: "The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT), administered by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), provided benefits loaded on EBT cards for the purchase of food in lieu of the meals that the children would have received in school. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) authorized the establishment of P-EBT temporary assistance for households with children affected by school closures due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Secretary authorized $37.1 billion to the States from P-EBT's March 18, 2020, inception through March 31, 2021, with the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval. We also found that during the period reviewed, FNS conducted outreach activities--such as webinars, phone calls, and written documentation--to maximize State participation in P-EBT assistance. Finally, FNS did not develop formal procedures to distribute P�'EBT funds because P-EBT provided temporary emergency assistance benefits. Instead, FNS used the legislative eligibility requirements to develop State plan templates and released guidance for State agencies to submit their proposed plans to FNS for approval. We did not identify any issues that would warrant recommendations; therefore, we are not making any recommendations in this report."
United States. Department of Agriculture. Office of the Inspector General
2022-06
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Free Speech Challenges to Florida and Texas Social Media Laws [Updated June 1, 2022]
From the Document: "Two U.S. Courts of Appeals recently took different positions on the validity of state laws that restrict internet services' ability to moderate user content, although the Supreme Court has vacated the ruling of one of those courts. Almost a year after Florida enacted Senate Bill 7072 [hyperlink], the Eleventh Circuit largely upheld [hyperlink] a preliminary injunction ruling the law likely unconstitutional, preventing Florida's law from taking effect. This ruling contrasts with a Fifth Circuit order [hyperlink] staying a preliminary injunction against a somewhat similar Texas law, H.B. 20 [hyperlink], and allowing that Texas law to take effect. As explained in more detail in this Legal Sidebar, these two courts' actions appeared to be based on different views of whether these laws likely violate the constitutional free speech rights of online platforms. The Supreme Court vacated the Fifth Circuit's stay, but the Fifth Circuit could still reach the same outcome in a future ruling on the merits. This Legal Sidebar begins by reviewing the relevant constitutional background, then explains both states' laws and the First Amendment aspects of the legal challenges to those laws."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brannon, Valerie C.
2022-06-01
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Wildfire Statistics [Updated June 1, 2022]
From the Document: "Wildfires are unplanned fires, including lightning-caused fires, unauthorized human-caused fires, and escaped prescribed fire projects. States are responsible for responding to wildfires that begin on nonfederal (state, local, and private) lands, except for lands protected by federal agencies under cooperative agreements. The federal government is responsible for responding to wildfires that begin on federal lands. The Forest Service (FS)--within the U.S. Department of Agriculture--carries out wildfire management and response across the 193 million acres of the National Forest System (NFS). The Department of the Interior (DOI) manages wildfire response for more than 400 million acres of national parks, wildlife refuges and preserves, other public lands, and Indian reservations. Wildfire statistics help to illustrate past U.S. wildfire activity."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hanson, Laura A.; Hoover, Katie
2022-06-01
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U.S. Electricity Sector: Summer 2022 Outlook [May 31, 2022]
From the Document: "Ahead of summer 2022, federal officials have released several warnings about anticipated reliability risks and higher electricity prices compared to 2021. This analysis summarizes these warnings and provides additional information, should Congress consider oversight or other actions in response to these warnings. Demand for electricity peaks in much of the country during the summer, as air conditioning use increases. Losing access to electricity--either from power outages or affordability challenges--may be especially impactful (and potentially life threatening) during the hotter times of the year. In part, officials' warnings stem from ongoing trends, such as energy commodity price increases, retirement of coal-fired power plants, increased use of natural gas and renewable energy sources, and drought conditions in the West. Other contributing factors are relatively new, including Russia's war in Ukraine."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lawson, Ashley J.
2022-05-31
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Venezuela: Overview of U.S. Sanctions [Updated May 31, 2022]
From the Document: "For over 15 years, the United States has imposed sanctions in response to activities of the Venezuelan government and Venezuelan individuals. The earliest sanctions imposed related to Venezuela's lack of cooperation on antidrug and counterterrorism efforts. The Obama Administration imposed targeted sanctions against individuals for human rights abuses, corruption, and antidemocratic actions. The Trump Administration expanded economic sanctions in response to the increasing authoritarianism of President Nicolás Maduro (in power since 2013)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2022-05-31
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Army's Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) [Updated May 31, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress has expressed concern about the threat to U.S. national security posed by Russia and China. The Army contends in order to address the threat, it must be able to operate in a multi-domain (air, land, water, space, cyber, information) environment, requiring new operational concepts, technologies, weapons, and units. The Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) is the Army's self-described 'organizational centerpiece' of this effort."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2022-05-31
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Department of Defense Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems [Updated May 31, 2022]
From the Document: "Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly called drones, have proliferated rapidly and are available to nation states and to nonstate actors and individuals. These systems could provide U.S. adversaries with a low-cost means of conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions against--or attacking--U.S. forces. Furthermore, many smaller UASs cannot be detected by traditional air defense systems due to their size, construction material, and flight altitude. As a result, in FY2023, the Department of Defense (DOD) plans to spend at least $668 million on counter-UAS (C-UAS) research and development and at least $78 million on C-UAS procurement. As DOD continues to develop, procure, and deploy these systems, congressional oversight of their use may increase, and Congress may have to make decisions about future authorizations, appropriations, and other legislative actions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.; Sayler, Kelley M.
2022-05-31
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COVID-19 Relief Assistance to Small Businesses: Issues and Policy Options [Updated May 31, 2022]
From the Summary: "The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several types of programs to support small businesses, including direct disaster loan programs for businesses, homeowners, and renters; loan guaranty and venture capital programs; management and technical assistance training programs; and contracting programs. Congressional interest in these programs has become especially acute in the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's widespread adverse economic impact on the national economy. This report provides a brief description of the SBA's programs and examines congressional action to assist small businesses during and immediately following the Great Recession (2007- 2009) and during the COVID-19 pandemic[.]"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lindsay, Bruce R.
2022-05-31
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U.S. Economic Recovery in the Wake of COVID-19: Successes and Challenges [May 31, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic caused an unprecedented disruption to the basic functioning of the economy in spring 2020. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), an independent, nonprofit research group, the U.S. economy experienced a two-month recession in March and April of 2020. The recession was the deepest since the Great Depression, with gross domestic product (GDP) falling by the largest percentage in one quarter in the history of the data series and unemployment rising to its highest monthly rate in the history of that series. Just as economic activity had declined at a historically fast pace, it also started to recover at a historically fast pace. In May 2020, a new economic expansion began, spurred in large part by the historic nature of both fiscal and monetary stimulus throughout the initial months of the pandemic. The recovery continued throughout 2020 and 2021, bolstered by additional stimulus, the gradual loosening of travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders, and the eventual rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. [...] This report details the initial economic impact of the pandemic and the ways in which the economy has recovered and continues to recover. This report further explores the ways in which this shock and recovery have been unusual and what this all might mean for the economy in the coming months and years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc; Weinstock, Lida R.
2022-05-31
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Export-Import Bank: New Domestic Financing Initiative [May 31, 2022]
From the Document: "The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank or the Bank) [hyperlink] has launched a 'Make More in America Initiative' [hyperlink] to support 'export-oriented domestic manufacturing projects.' The initiative extends some of the Bank's existing demand-driven, export-contingent financing programs to a more domestic focus (see 'Table 1'). The Biden Administration [hyperlink] states that the initiative will help in 'revitalizing American manufacturing, improving the resiliency of our supply chains, and leveling the playing field for American companies competing in overseas markets.' The initiative raises issues for Congress regarding the Bank's authorities, operations, and effectiveness."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias
2022-05-31
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2022 Hurricane Outlooks and 2021 Hurricane Season Review [May 31, 2022]
From the Document: "Many in Congress have expressed interest in increasing scientific understanding of tropical cyclones and improving forecasts to help their constituents prepare for the yearly hurricane season and potentially decrease a storm's impact on an individual or community. The Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is responsible for issuing tropical cyclone forecasts, including track, intensity, storm surge, and rainfall. [...] In May 2022, NOAA issued its initial 2022 Atlantic hurricane outlook [hyperlink], indicating a 65% likelihood of an above-normal season rather than a near- (25%) or below-normal season (10%). The predicted number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes was similar to the number predicted in August 2021 for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. NOAA indicated that the higher level of activity is attributed to climate factors [hyperlink], such as the ongoing periodic cooling of sea surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific (La Niña phenomenon), warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds, and an enhanced West African monsoon system."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2022-05-31
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World Trade Organization [Updated May 27, 2022]
From the Document: "The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established on January 1, 1995, following the ratification of the Uruguay Round Agreements, and today includes 164 members. It succeeded the 1947 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), created as part of the post-WWII effort to build a stable, open international trading system. The WTO has three basic functions: (1) administering its agreements; (2) serving as a negotiating forum for new trade liberalization and rules; and (3) providing a mechanism to settle disputes. [...] The GATT/WTO system over time has led to a significant reduction of trade barriers, supported trade expansion and economic growth, and helped manage trade frictions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D.; Fefer, Rachel F.
2022-05-27
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U.S.-Kenya FTA Negotiations [Updated May 27, 2022]
From the Document: "The United States and Kenya began free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations in 2020 under then-President Trump and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya. The Biden Administration has not resumed the FTA talks, but has stated its interest in deepening bilateral trade relations and sent a high-level U.S. delegation to Kenya in May 2022 to discuss trade issues. Some Members of Congress, including the chair of the Ways and Means committee, and U.S. business groups have pressed the Administration to resume and conclude the FTA. The 2015 grant of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), under which President Trump initiated the FTA talks, expired in July 2021, potentially complicating congressional consideration of the proposed FTA. A U.S.-Kenya FTA would be the first U.S. FTA with a country in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Congressional interest may include (1) Congress's constitutional authority to regulate foreign commerce; (2) the FTA's potential effects on the U.S. economy, and trade and foreign policy implications; and (3) statutory mandates in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA, P.L. [Public Law] 106-200, as amended) directing the President to seek FTAs in Africa."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Williams, Brock R.; Blanchard, Lauren Ploch
2022-05-27
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Artificial Intelligence-enabled Social Media Analysis for Pharmacovigilance of COVID-19 Vaccinations in the United Kingdom: Observational Study
From the Abstract: "The rollout of vaccines for COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] in the United Kingdom started in December 2020. Uptake has been high, and there has been a subsequent reduction in infections, hospitalizations, and deaths among vaccinated individuals. However, vaccine hesitancy remains a concern, in particular relating to adverse effects following immunization (AEFIs). Social media analysis has the potential to inform policy makers about AEFIs being discussed by the public as well as public attitudes toward the national immunization campaign. [...] We sought to assess the frequency and nature of AEFI-related mentions on social media in the United Kingdom and to provide insights on public sentiments toward COVID-19 vaccines. [...] We extracted and analyzed over 121,406 relevant Twitter and Facebook posts, from December 8, 2020, to April 30, 2021. These were thematically filtered using a 2-step approach, initially using COVID-19-related keywords and then using vaccine- and manufacturer-related keywords. We identified AEFI-related keywords and modeled their word frequency to monitor their trends over 2-week periods. We also adapted and utilized our recently developed hybrid ensemble model, which combines state-of-the-art lexicon rule-based and deep learning-based approaches, to analyze sentiment trends relating to the main vaccines available in the United Kingdom. [...] The most frequently discussed COVID-19 AEFIs on social media were found to be broadly consistent with those reported in the literature and by government pharmacovigilance. We also detected potential safety signals from our analysis that have been detected elsewhere and are currently being investigated. As such, we believe our findings support the use of social media analysis to provide a complementary data source to conventional knowledge sources being used for pharmacovigilance purposes." This article was originally published on the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Public Health and Surveillance website: [https://publichealth.jmir.org/2022/5/e32543].
JMIR Publications
Hussain, Zain; Sheikh, Zakariya; Tahir, Ahsen . . .
2022-05-27
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2022 Invocation of the Defense Production Act for Large-Capacity Batteries: In Brief [May 27, 2022]
From the Introduction: "On March 31, 2022, President Joseph R. Biden issued Presidential Determination No. 2022-11, invoking authorities in Section 303 of the Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950 (P.L. 81-774, 50 U.S.C. §4501 et seq.) and directing the Department of Defense (DOD) to strengthen the U.S. domestic industrial base for large-capacity batteries (i.e., those used in electric vehicles and for grid-connected electricity storage). As justification, the President cited the need to ensure 'a robust, resilient, sustainable, and environmentally responsible domestic industrial base to meet the requirements of the clean energy economy.' The President noted that 'the United States depends on unreliable foreign sources for many of the strategic and critical materials necessary for the clean energy transition.... Demand for such materials is projected to increase exponentially as the world transitions to a clean energy economy' and to reduce reliance on foreign sources of critical materials, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and manganese. This In Brief provides an overview of the DPA and presidential delegations of its authorities; discusses actions authorized by the March 2022 Presidential Determination (hereinafter the Presidential Determination); examines potential limitations associated with these authorizations; and provides an overview of recent executive and congressional actions relevant to the invocation of the DPA for critical minerals necessary for large-capacity battery production. It also explores considerations for Congress regarding the implementation, limitation, or expansion of the Presidential Determination."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Peters, Heidi M.; Lee, Erica A.; Hart, Nina M. . . .
2022-05-27
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Automation, Worker Training, and Federal Tax Policy [May 27, 2022]
From the Document: "Technologies that partly or fully automate a variety of tasks are being used with increasing frequency in a range of industries and occupations. These technologies include robotics, machine learning, and other forms of artificial intelligence (AI). This increasing use of automation has fueled the concern that the substitution of machines for humans in a growing number of workplaces will result in massive job losses, especially for unskilled or low-skilled workers. Some predict that if such a scenario were to arise, many displaced workers would face a bleak future marked by fewer job opportunities at lower wages, long-term earnings losses, and poor health. The worker-displacing potential of automation has given rise to a debate over what steps firms, governments, postsecondary schools, and other entities should take, if any, to help displaced workers find well-paying jobs that may or may not be linked to automation. This In Focus looks at how federal tax policy might be used for that purpose. Specifically, it addresses the pros and cons of possible new business tax incentives to encourage employers to invest more in training their employees and to dissuade them from increasing automation investment. This overview does not address possible new tax incentives for individuals to acquire on their own the skills and knowledge they would need to find well-paying jobs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Guenther, Gary L.
2022-05-27
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Costa Rica: An Overview [Updated May 27, 2022]
From the Document: "Costa Rica historically has been a bastion of political and economic stability in an often-turbulent region. The United States has worked closely with Costa Rica to address challenges in Central America and to advance shared values, such as democracy and human rights, worldwide. [...] The Biden Administration has sought to bolster ties with Costa Rica. In April 2022, the State Department congratulated Chaves on his election and expressed interest in working with the new government to advance common interests, including humane migration management and environmental protection. The Biden Administration also has expressed support for the Alliance for Development in Democracy--an informal arrangement among Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic intended to accelerate post-pandemic economic recovery, foster sustainable development, and defend democracy and human rights throughout the region. The United States has donated 1.5 million COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccine doses and more than $4 million in other pandemic-related aid to Costa Rica."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.; Klein, Joshua
2022-05-27
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Permitting for Pesticide Discharges into Navigable Waters: Issues and Legislation in the 117th Congress [Updated May 27, 2022]
From the Document: "Permitting requirements for using registered pesticides in or around the nation's waters has been a long-standing issue. Under the Clean Water Act (CWA; 33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq.), discharges of pollutants into navigable waters are unlawful unless specifically authorized by a permit. For decades following the enactment of the CWA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did not consider registered pesticides used in compliance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA; 7 U.S.C. §136 et seq.) as pollutants that required permitting for their discharge into waters. However, in 2009, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that (1) the statutory definition of 'pollutant' in the CWA encompasses biological pesticides and chemical pesticides that leave a residue in navigable waters, and (2) discharges of such pollutants require permitting. In response to the ruling, EPA issued a general discharge permit to cover the majority of pesticide applications resulting in point source discharges. States with delegated authority to issue their own discharge permits issued similar general discharge permits."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gatz, Laura; Yen, Jerry H.
2022-05-27
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Prior Converted Cropland Under the Clean Water Act [Updated May 27, 2022]
From the Document: "For decades, the value of wetlands and efforts to protect them have been recognized in different ways through national policies, federal laws, and regulations. The central federal regulatory program, authorized in Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 in 1972, requires permits for discharges of dredged or fill material (e.g., sand, soil, excavated material) into wetlands that are considered 'waters of the United States' (WOTUS). Also, the Food Security Act (FSA) of 1985--enacted on December 23, 1985--included a wetland conservation provision (Swampbuster) that indirectly protects wetlands by making producers who farm or convert wetlands to agricultural production ineligible for selected federal farm program benefits. Both FSA and CWA Section 404 regulations include exceptions to their requirements for 'prior converted cropland' (PCC). While both include exceptions for PCC, determinations are made under separate authorities and for different programmatic purposes. This has created confusion for some affected landowners, who argue for greater consistency among PCC determinations. It has also generated some congressional interest in aligning the requirements for PCC."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gatz, Laura; Stubbs, Megan
2022-05-27
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Why the World Should Care About the COVID Outbreak in North Korea
From the Document: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] outbreak in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) is an immediate global concern. The country's healthcare infrastructure, which the Global Health Index has ranked 193rd out of 195, is not equipped to handle a pandemic, especially not one that transmits as quickly as the Omicron variant. Without proper treatments and vaccines, the virus threatens to run rampant in the country. This would create the perfect conditions for new variants to arise, which is a threat to the rest of the world. Many will rightfully point out here that the US, South Korea and multilateral initiatives like COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) have expressed a willingness to provide COVID [coronavirus disease] aid, which North Korea has not accepted to date. Extending beyond the likely frustrations in Washington and Seoul, it's crucial to underscore that the rapid spread of Omicron and other emerging variants are not just about North Korea--these issues are a global security threat. As such, assistance efforts should be pursued as an urgent common objective. Moreover, it's necessary to understand the recent history of humanitarian cooperation in the country to know why North Koreans may be hesitant to accept aid, and what policy shifts might make them more amenable to receiving assistance."
38 North
Jasper, Daniel
2022-05-27
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Marine Corps Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) [Updated May 27, 2022]
From the Document: "According to the Marine Corps, the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) aims to be a new armored vehicle family to replace the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV)[.] [...] The ARV is to be the primary combat system in Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. The mission of the LAR Battalion is to [1] Conduct mounted and dismounted reconnaissance, surveillance, and security operations in support of maneuver. [2] Conduct offensive and defensive actions, deception, and raids to create decisive conditions for the Marine Division and the supported unit commander."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2022-05-27
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Net Neutrality Law: An Overview [Updated May 27, 2022]
From the Summary: "While there is general support for the basic concept of the open internet, net neutrality has been a perennially difficult subject for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission). The complexity lies, in part, in the fact that the FCC's ability to adopt net neutrality rules depends on the legal classification it gives to broadband internet access service under the Communications Act of 1934. As amended, the Act defines two mutually exclusive categories of services: telecommunications services and information services. While telecommunications service providers are treated as highly regulated common carriers under Title II of the Communications Act, the FCC has much more limited regulatory authority over information service providers. The FCC has alternated between classifying broadband as a telecommunications service and an information service. The U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts have affirmed the FCC's discretion to make this classification decision, but courts have also established that the FCC's ability to adopt net neutrality regulations is contingent on its classification choice."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Linebaugh, Chris D.
2022-05-27
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Russia's 2022 Invasion of Ukraine: Related CRS Products [Updated May 27, 2022]
From the Document: "On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, with wide-ranging implications for U.S. national security and an array of global geopolitical and economic issues. This report compiles CRS [Congressional Research Service] products on various aspects of this conflict, and will be updated regularly as new products are developed. It also includes some products published before the invasion that offer relevant background and context."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Danon, Zoe; Blum, David A.
2022-05-27
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U.S.-China Phase One Trade Deal [May 27, 2022]
From the Document: "On January 15, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed a trade agreement with Vice Premier Liu He of the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) that sought to resolve some long-standing U.S. government and business concerns about China's unfair trade, investment, and technology practices. The negotiations were conducted in response to actions, including imposing tariffs, that the U.S. government took under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. [United States Code] §2411). The deal is called the 'Phase One' agreement because it was to be the first of subsequent agreements to address key U.S. concerns. Many experts assess that PRC negotiators pushed most issues identified by USTR [U.S. Trade Representative] to future talks, but the deal has several commitments from China that were difficult to secure and could help shape U.S. trade policy going forward."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sutter, Karen M.
2022-05-27
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Federal Support for School Safety and Security [Updated May 27, 2022]
From the Summary: "In the United States, more than 70 million students are enrolled in public elementary and secondary (K-12) schools or degree-granting postsecondary institutions. School and campus safety and security for these students encompasses many issues, including violence prevention and response, school climate, and the physical and mental health of the school community. Students' safety and security while in school is an area of concern for the federal government and state and local governments, as well as school districts, institutions of higher education, students' families, and Members of Congress. [...] State and local governments oversee K-12 education in public schools. Colleges and universities are a mix of public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit entities with varying governance structures. The federal government's main avenue for supporting schools in general and school and campus safety specifically is through grant programs. This report provides an overview of grant programs at the U.S. Department of Education (ED), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that provide direct or indirect funding for school and campus safety and security initiatives. The report also provides an overview of programs and initiatives administered by these departments that support school safety and security efforts in other ways, such as through data collection and reporting and technical assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dragoo, Kyrie E.; James, Nathan; Duff, Johnathan H. . . .
2022-05-27
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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 27, 2022
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: "Barriers to and Disparities in Access to Health Care Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years with Epilepsy -- United States, 2015 and 2017"; "Seizure- or Epilepsy-Related Emergency Department Visits Before and During the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Pandemic -- United States, 2019-2021"; "Multistate Outbreak of 'Listeria monocytogenes' Infections Linked to Fresh, Soft Hispanic-Style Cheese -- United States, 2021"; "Post-COVID Conditions Among Adult COVID-19 Survivors Aged 18-64 and ≥65 Years -- United States, March 2020-November 2021"; "'Notes from the Field': Self-Reported Health Symptoms Following Petroleum Contamination of a Drinking Water System -- Oahu, Hawaii, November 2021- February 2022"; and "'QuickStats': Percentage Distribution of Deaths Involving Injuries from Recreational and Nonrecreational Use of Watercraft, by Month -- United States, 2018-2020." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2022.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2022-05-27
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 27, 2022: Use of JYNNEOS (Smallpox and Monkeypox Vaccine, Live, Nonreplicating) for Preexposure Vaccination of Persons at Risk for Occupational Exposure to Orthopoxviruses: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices -- United States, 2022
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This Early Release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Use of JYNNEOS (Smallpox and Monkeypox Vaccine, Live, Nonreplicating) for Preexposure Vaccination of Persons at Risk for Occupational Exposure to Orthopoxviruses: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices -- United States, 2022." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from MMWR can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2022.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2022-05-27
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 138, Wildland Firefighter Fair Pay Act
From the Document: "S. 138 would exempt wildland firefighters, meteorologists, and incident management teams working in the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the National Weather Service from premium pay limitations for work related to wildfire emergencies conducted in calendar year 2022. That is, the bill would increase the pay those federal employees could receive. S. 138 also would direct the affected agencies to submit a plan to the Congress that addresses the hiring and training of wildland firefighters. For this estimate, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] assumes that the legislation will be enacted near the end of fiscal year 2022. As a result, any additional pay under this bill would be disbursed in fiscal year 2023. Public Law 117-103, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, increased the pay cap for firefighters within the Forest Service and Department of the Interior for calendar year 2022. Because of the small number of employees that would be affected, CBO estimates that extending the waiver to eligible National Weather Service employees and completing the required plan would have insignificant costs; any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-05-27
