Homeland Security Digital Library

Homeland Security Digital Library

SEARCH THE HSDL

Advanced search Help

Resource Type or Special Collection is CRS Reports

Set an Alert to get future results

Results 181 - 210 (of 29,332) sort by relevance sorted by date

Clear all search criteria

Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).

World Trade Organization Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations [Updated June 24, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "On June 17, 2022, World Trade Organization (WTO) members finalized a limited agreement on long-running negotiations aimed at curbing fisheries subsidies that lead to excess capacity and may contribute to overfishing (fishing at a rate that a species cannot replenish its population.), and those that support illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Subsidies are defined as a financial contribution made by a government or any public body that confers a benefit, and are generally considered to be trade distorting. They provide cost advantages to subsidized fisheries and disadvantage those unsubsidized. Negotiations began in 2001 Ministerial Conference and the negotiation mandate was renewed at the 11th Ministerial Conference in 2017. The 2022 Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies prohibits subsidies to fisheries engaged in IUU fishing and fishing of already overfished stocks. However, it does not address other key issues in the 2017 Ministerial mandate (i.e., subsidies contributing to overcapacity and special and differential treatment (SDT) for developing country members). The agreement will enter into force after it is ratified by two-thirds of WTO members. Members will continue negotiations on outstanding issues in the run-up to the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13, date to be determined). Notably, the new agreement includes a sunset provision and will automatically terminate if members fail to agree on 'comprehensive disciplines' within four years after entry into force."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Wong, Liana

2022-06-24
Previewing NATO's Madrid Summit [June 24, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "Heads of state and government from NATO's 30 member states [...] are scheduled to hold a summit in Madrid, Spain, on June 29-30, 2022. The summit is expected to address five main agenda items [hyperlink] that relate to key congressional concerns about Russia's war in Ukraine, alliance force posture and defense spending, and NATO enlargement: [1] A bolstered defense posture in response to Russia's war in Ukraine; [2] A new Strategic Concept outlining NATO's purpose and core tasks; [3] Increased support for aspiring NATO members Ukraine, Georgia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina; [4] Proposed NATO enlargement to Finland and Sweden; [and 5] Renewed commitment to NATO defense spending goals[.]"

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Belkin, Paul

2022-06-24
2022 Summit of the Americas [Updated June 24, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "The United States hosted the Ninth Summit of the Americas [hyperlink] in Los Angeles on June 6-10, 2022. The Summits of the Americas, held roughly every three years since 1994, serve as opportunities for the Western Hemisphere's heads of government to engage directly with one another and address issues of collective concern. The official theme of the summit was 'Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future.' However, much of the media attention in the lead-up to the meeting focused on which leaders would attend. As the summit was about to start, the Biden Administration announced the authoritarian governments of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela would be excluded [hyperlink], leading Mexico and a few other countries to send lower-level delegations and St. Vincent and the Grenadines to boycott the meeting. Ultimately, 23 of the hemisphere's 35 heads of government [hyperlink] participated in the summit, along with representatives of eight other countries. Three official stakeholder forums occurred alongside the summit, bringing together civil society [hyperlink], youth [hyperlink], and private sector [hyperlink] representatives to discuss regional challenges and interact with the assembled leaders. Many in Congress have expressed interest in the Los Angeles summit and in efforts to strengthen hemispheric ties. The Senate adopted a resolution (S.Res. 120) recognizing the summit and reaffirming the U.S. commitment to the hemisphere; the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing [hyperlink] to assess the prospects for enhanced cooperation; and Members [hyperlink] of both houses, including the Speaker [hyperlink], traveled to Los Angeles to observe the proceedings and meet with regional leaders.[...] Moving forward, Congress may consider those measures and/or other legislation, including appropriations, to support the multilateral commitments and U.S. policy initiatives announced in Los Angeles."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Meyer, Peter J.

2022-06-24
U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine [Updated June 24, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "The United States has been a leading provider of security assistance to Ukraine, both before and after Russia renewed its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. From 2014, when Russia first invaded Ukraine, through June 23, 2022, the United States has provided more than $8.7 billion in security assistance 'to help Ukraine preserve its territorial integrity, secure its borders, and improve interoperability with NATO.' Since the start of the 2022 war, the Biden Administration has committed a total of more than $6.1 billion in security assistance to 'provide Ukraine the equipment it needs to defend itself.' FY2022 security assistance packages are being funded via more than $23 billion in regular and supplemental appropriations, including the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. [Public Law] 117-103, Division N), and the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-128). In total, FY2022 appropriations include $12.55 billion to replenish Department of Defense (DOD) equipment stocks sent to Ukraine via presidential drawdown authority; $6.3 billion for DOD's Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI); and $4.65 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Ukraine and 'countries impacted by the situation in Ukraine.' FY2022 supplemental appropriations also have included funds for additional U.S. troop deployments to Europe."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Arabia, Christina; Bowen, Andrew S.; Welt, Cory

2022-06-24
Five-Year Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program: Status and Issues in Brief [Updated June 23, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "Under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), as amended, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) within the Department of the Interior (DOI) must prepare and maintain forward-looking five-year plans--referred to by BOEM as 'national programs' or 'five-year programs'--to schedule proposed oil and gas lease sales on the U.S. outer continental shelf (OCS). Currently, offshore leasing is taking place under a program for mid-2017 through mid-2022 developed by the Obama Administration. The current program expires on June 30, 2022. [...] The leasing decisions in BOEM's five-year programs may affect the economy and environment of individual coastal states and of the nation as a whole. Accordingly, Congress has expressed ongoing interest in the planning and implementation of the five-year programs. The following discussion summarizes developments regarding the next leasing program and analyzes selected issues for congressional consideration."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Comay, Laura B.

2022-06-23
Congress's Foreign Commerce Clause Power Questioned [June 23, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "On May 5, 2022, a divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (the panel) held [hyperlink] that the federal sex tourism statute, 18 U.S.C. [United States Code] § 2423(c) [hyperlink], outlawing overseas child molestation, exceeds Congress's legislative authority under the Constitution's Foreign Commerce Clause, but remains viable under treaty-implementing constitutional provisions. The opinion is at odds with those of other federal appellate decisions. It is also cast in language that invites the Supreme Court to revisit its treaty-implementing and Interstate Commerce Clause 'substantial effect' jurisprudence."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Doyle, Charles

2022-06-23
Federal Civil Aviation Programs: In Brief [Updated June 23, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Introduction: "Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs are funded under four broad budget accounts: operations and maintenance (such as air traffic control and aviation safety functions); facilities and equipment (such as control towers and navigation beacons); grants for airports under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP); and civil aviation research conducted or sponsored by FAA. Additionally, certain aviation programs are administered by the Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of the Secretary, including the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which subsidizes airline service to certain small or isolated communities. Civil aviation programs are funded primarily through a special trust fund, the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF), and, in part, through general fund contributions. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L. 115- 254) authorizes AATF taxes and revenue collections and civil aviation program expenditures through FY2023. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) provided loans, loan guarantees, and payroll support programs, as well as emergency program funding, to help the aviation sector during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Additional funding to the aviation sector was provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260) and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. [Public Law] 117-2). Furthermore, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; P.L. 117-58) appropriated an additional $25 billion for airport and air traffic control projects through FY2026. This report offers an overview of FAA programs and discusses the supplemental relief and assistance provided by these laws."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Elias, Bartholomew; Tang, Rachel Y.

2022-06-23
Election Worker Safety and Privacy [Updated June 23, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "Concerns about election workers' safety and privacy have been reported following the 2020 election [hyperlink], in news reports and testimony before House and Senate committees. Some election workers have raised concerns about physical safety while performing official duties, as well as more general threats outside the workplace or related psychological effects. These threats, along with a perceived increase in politically motivated job scrutiny, have led some to leave, or consider leaving, their roles. This Insight provides a brief overview of recent developments, legislative proposals, and policy considerations related to election worker safety and privacy."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Eckman, Sarah J.; Shanton, Karen L.

2022-06-23
Air Force Next-Generation Air Dominance Program [Updated June 23, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "According to the Air Force, the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is intended to develop 'a portfolio of technologies enabling air superiority' [...]. The Air Force intends for NGAD to replace the F-22 fighter jet beginning in 2030, possibly including a combination of crewed and uncrewed aircraft, with other systems and sensors. NGAD began as a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency project. Since 2015, Congress has appropriated approximately $4.2 billion for NGAD. [...] NGAD is a classified aircraft development program, but the Air Force has released a few details. On September 15, 2020, then-U.S. Air Force acquisition executive Dr. Will Roper announced that the Air Force had flown a full-scale flight demonstrator as part of the NGAD program. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall announced on June 1, 2022 that NGAD program technologies have matured enough to allow the program to move to the engineering, manufacture, and design phase of development."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Hoehn, John R.

2022-06-23
Afghanistan: Background and U.S. Policy: In Brief [Updated June 22, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Introduction: "The aftershocks of the Taliban's August 2021 return to power continue to reverberate in Afghanistan and the United States alike. This report provides background information and analysis on developments in Afghanistan and implications for U.S. policy, including [1] the Taliban's government and the impact of their rule on terrorist groups, human rights, and the ability of U.S. Afghan partners to leave the country; [2] regional dynamics; and [3] the intersecting humanitarian and economic crises facing the country. The report also provides information on legislation and other congressional action related to Afghanistan. The challenge at the heart of many U.S. policy debates over which Congress has influence (including humanitarian assistance, U.S. sanctions, and the status of U.S.-based central bank assets) is how to prioritize and, if possible, reconcile two U.S. interests: supporting the Afghan people and refraining from bolstering the Taliban's rule."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs)

2022-06-22
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Environmental Infrastructure (EI) Assistance: Authorities, Appropriations, and Issues for Congress [June 22, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Summary: "Congress has authorized and appropriated funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 'environmental infrastructure (EI) assistance.' EI assistance is authorized and appropriated for the design and construction of certain infrastructure in specified municipalities, counties, and states. This assistance supports publicly owned and operated facilities, such as water distribution works, stormwater collection, surface water protection projects, and environmental restoration projects, among others. EI assistance generally falls into one of three authorization categories: [1] 'Section 219 EI.' Projects and activities (e.g., design assistance) at specific geographic locations (e.g., city, county, multiple counties) authorized through Section 219 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (WRDA 1992; P.L. 102-580), as amended. [2] 'Non-Section 219 EI Projects.' Projects authorized in provisions other than Section 219 of WRDA 1992. [3] 'EI Programs.' EI programs authorized for broader geographic areas (e.g., states or regions of states), with eligible types of assistance authorized in various provisions. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) reviewed enacted legislation likely to include EI assistance authorities and deauthorization lists to identify over 280 EI assistance authorities with cumulative authorizations of appropriations totaling around $6.18 billion. The authorizations of appropriations for these activities vary widely, from $100,000 for a water monitoring station to $585 million for a seven-state EI program. CRS identified authorized EI assistance in at least 42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. CRS did not identify authorities for EI assistance in Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Washington, and other territories"

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Normand, Anna E.

2022-06-22
LNG Exports to Europe: What Are Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs)? [June 22, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "On March 25, 2022, as part of the U.S. response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Biden announced an initiative [hyperlink] to help Europe reduce dependence on Russian natural gas supplies by increasing U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the European Union. U.S. gas exporters already were moving in this direction, as exports to Europe accounted for 74% of total U.S. LNG exports in the first quarter of 2022, compared to 34% in the first quarter of 2021. However, Europe's total LNG imports would need to increase substantially beyond current levels to replace all Russian natural gas imported to the EU by pipeline [hyperlink]. Europe's ability to import more LNG, and the United States' ability to supply it, are physically constrained [hyperlink]. The existing LNG terminals and associated infrastructure on both sides of the Atlantic already are operating at full capacity, and one U.S. LNG terminal has been temporarily shut down [hyperlink] due to an accident. To increase trans-Atlantic LNG supplies, developers in the United States have begun constructing [hyperlink] new onshore export terminals and expanding existing terminals, while plans for at least one onshore import terminal have been announced in Europe [hyperlink]. Onshore LNG terminals can take several years to design and construct, so European companies are turning toward floating storage regasification units (FSRUs) as a means of increasing imports more quickly. In recent testimony before Congress [hyperlink], a U.S. Department of State official highlighted the importance of FSRUs to expanding bilateral energy trade. However, although FSRUs are an established technology [hyperlink], their availability may largely determine how much more LNG Europe can ultimately import from the United States."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Parfomak, Paul W.; Frittelli, John

2022-06-22
U.S. Proposals to Amend the International Health Regulations [June 22, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Background: "Since 1980, outbreaks of new and long-standing infectious diseases have been occurring with greater frequency and causing higher numbers of human infections. The World Health Assembly (WHA), the governing body of the World Health Organization (WHO), has occasionally amended a long-standing set of rules called the International Health Regulations (IHR) to address this growing global threat. In January 2022, the United States introduced amendments to the Regulations that sought to broaden the ways in which WHO could respond to public health threats and increase the pace of such responses. Congressional deliberations of these amendments focused on the potential implications of implementation and whether adoption of the amendments would require congressional consent since the United States consented to be legally bound by the Regulations through an executive agreement. This In Focus addresses common questions regarding the IHR, including the role of Congress and the status of U.S.-proposed amendments to the Regulations."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji; Hart, Nina M.

2022-06-22
U.S. Employment-Based Immigration Policy [June 22, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Introduction: "Each year, the United States grants lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, or 'green cards,' to 140,000 'employment-based (EB) immigrants' and their family members. LPRs can live and work permanently in the United States and can become U.S. citizens through the naturalization process. This pathway is part of a broader permanent immigration system established by federal law--as part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)--that limits annual worldwide permanent immigration to 675,000 persons. Exemptions from this limit and the granting of LPR status to qualified refugees, asylees, and others results in roughly 1 million foreign nationals receiving green cards each year. [...] This report begins by explaining the permanent employment-based immigration system, its numerical limits, and its processes. It next describes key employment-based immigration trends, including a brief review of relevant economic and demographic trends. The report then discusses several categories of nonimmigrant (temporary) workers that are intertwined with the permanent immigration system. It continues with a review of policy proposals for revising employment-based immigration, including the key findings of a 1997 congressional commission on immigration reform. The report then discusses key elements of prominent immigration reform bills introduced since 2000 that pertain to employment-based immigration. It ends with concluding observations."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Kandel, William; Wilson, Jill, 1974-; Donovan, Sarah A.

2022-06-22
Department of Veterans Affairs: Claims Process and Compensation and Pension Exams by Contracted Physicians [June 22, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Introduction: "The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a wide range of benefits and programs for veterans and their families. Some of these benefits and programs include disability compensation, pension and fiduciary services, education assistance, vocational and employment training, and survivor benefits. Two divisions within VBA specifically address monetary benefits for disabled veterans: The Compensation Service oversees disability compensation for veterans who have disabilities, illnesses, or conditions that resulted from military service, and the Pension and Fiduciary Service oversees the needs-based benefit program for wartime veterans such as veterans' pensions. To apply for these benefits, specifically disability compensation or a pension, the veteran submits an application, either via paper or electronically, to his or her local VA Regional Office (VARO). The application then goes through VA's adjudication process, and at that point VA has a 'duty to assist' the veteran through the claims process. VA's 'duty to assist' ranges from informing the veteran of missing information from the application to assisting the veteran in gathering evidence from private and federal entities to providing the veteran with a compensation and pension (C&P) exam when necessary. [...] A C&P exam is a medical examination conducted by a licensed physician to evaluate the veteran's disability, illness, or condition and determine the level of severity [...] This report provides an overview of both VA's claims process and C&P exams, as well as other topics of interest to congressional staff and constituents."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Salazar, Heather M.; Breslauer, Tamar B.; Davis, Carol D. . . .

2022-06-22
Global Trends in Democracy and Authoritarianism: Challenges to Press Freedom [June 21, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "Some Members of Congress have expressed concern over global challenges to press freedom. According to a recent United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report, approximately 85% of the world's population experienced a decline in press freedom in their country between 2016 and 2020. Some Members of the 117th Congress have proposed legislation seeking to bolster U.S. foreign policy responses to this trend."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Weber, Michael A.

2022-06-21
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) [Updated June 21, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the first international financial institution of post-Cold War Europe, was founded in 1991 to ease the path of the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the former Soviet Union from planned to free-market economies. Its geographic area has expanded over time and, today, the EBRD finances projects in 37 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. In October 2021, Algeria became the 73rd member of the EBRD. The United States is a founding member of the EBRD and is the single largest shareholder with a 10% share of the Bank's capital. U.S. membership in the EBRD is authorized by P.L. [Public Law] 101-513, the 'European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Act' (22 U.S.C. [United States Code] §290l et seq.). The EBRD is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The Bank was originally designed to function differently than other multilateral development banks in two key ways: first, it was given a political mandate to support democracy; and second, it was designed to support the development of the private sector in the former communist countries. Changes in Europe over the past two decades were viewed to make both mandates less pressing, leading the Bank to expand its membership. Russia's expanded war on Ukraine, some argue however, underscores the importance of the EBRD maintaining robust operations in Eastern and Central Europe. EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, former Director General of the French Treasury, was elected in October 2020 for a four-year term."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Weiss, Martin A.

2022-06-21
Student Loans: A Timeline of Actions Taken in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic [June 21, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "Since the onset of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] national emergency, lawmakers and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) have made available a number of waivers and flexibilities for federal student loan borrowers. For most borrowers, these flexibilities include the suspension of (1) interest accrual, (2) the requirement that borrowers make monthly payments on their loans, and (3) involuntary collections activities, as well as waivers of requirements to qualify for various student loan forgiveness or discharge benefits. While Congress authorized a subset of these flexibilities for a temporary period, ED has extended those flexibilities numerous times since their initial expiration and has effectuated other flexibilities. This In Focus provides an overview of the Higher Education Act (HEA; P.L. 89-329, as amended) Title IV federal student loan programs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic-related flexibilities and a timeline of actions taken by lawmakers or ED authorizing, effectuating, or extending such flexibilities."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Hegji, Alexandra

2022-06-21
Permanent Immigration Options for Afghans with Immigration Parole [June 21, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Introduction: "Since late July 2021, tens of thousands of Afghan nationals whose evacuation from Afghanistan was facilitated by the U.S. government have been relocated to the United States. These evacuations were prompted by the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in the spring and summer of 2021. Some of the Afghan evacuees who were relocated to the United States were U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and, as such, can reside permanently in the United States. Others had been issued special immigrant visas (SIVs) based on their work for the U.S. government during the war in Afghanistan and became LPRs upon admission to the United States. Still others held valid nonimmigrant (temporary) visas. The overwhelming majority (numbering more than 70,000), however, did not have a U.S. immigration status or visa and were granted immigration parole at their U.S. port of entry by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A person granted immigration parole (parolee) can temporarily remain in the United States but does not have a set pathway to LPR status. [...] Reportedly, policymakers are engaged in discussions about the future immigration status of Afghan parolees. To assist Congress in considering these issues, this report focuses on one key question: What are the options for Afghan parolees to obtain permanent immigration status? The report begins with an overview of the immigration circumstances of Afghan nationals in the United States, focusing in particular on immigration parole. It then turns to available immigration mechanisms for Afghans to potentially obtain LPR status, such as the Afghan SIV programs and asylum. Finally, it considers proposals to establish a new statutory mechanism to enable Afghan nationals in the United States to obtain LPR status."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Bruno, Andorra

2022-06-21
Security of the Federal Judiciary: Background and Recent Congressional Legislation [Updated June 17, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "The July 2020 fatal attack [hyperlink] of a family member at the home of a federal judge in New Jersey has continued to prompt calls for enhanced security for federal judges and their families. This attack underscored ongoing concerns related to judicial security, particularly given the increase in the number of threats against federal judges and other judiciary personnel. Specifically, according to the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) [hyperlink], there were 4,511 threats and inappropriate communications against federal judges, other federal court employees, and jurors during FY2021. This represented a 387% increase over threats and inappropriate communications that occurred during 2015 (when there were 926 such incidents [hyperlink]). Most recently, in May 2022, following the unauthorized release of a controversial draft opinion [hyperlink] for a case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court [hyperlink] and protests [hyperlink] related to the draft opinion, an 8-foot 'nonscalable' fence was erected around the Supreme Court building [hyperlink]. Attorney General Merrick Garland also directed the USMS to provide 'around-the-clock security' [hyperlink] for the Court's Justices, including at their private residences. These measures were not taken to prevent peaceful protests, but to deter what Attorney General Garland described as 'violence or threats of violence against judges' [hyperlink] and other public servants."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

McMillion, Barry J.

2022-06-17
Selected Federal Financial Assistance for Emergency Response to Extreme Heat [Updated June 17, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Introduction: "Summer 2021 brought extreme heat to many areas of the United States,1 with a historic 'heat dome' setting temperature records in multiple states.2 As of May 2022, the National Weather Service's 'Seasonal Temperature Outlook' for summer 2022 'favors above normal temperatures' for much of the country. [...] This report provides a brief overview of existing federal resources available to respond to the impacts of extreme heat on humans and communities."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Lee, Erica A.; Wyatt, Taylor R.; Horn, Diane P. . . .

2022-06-17
Colombia: Presidential Elections in 2022 [June 16, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "On June 19, 2022, Colombia, long a close U.S. ally in Latin America, is scheduled to hold a presidential runoff vote. Whatever the outcome of the election, the new government may seek to reshape [hyperlink] Colombia's relations with the United States; both candidates favor policies very different from those of previous administrations. Congress maintains a keen interest in several issues regarding Colombia, including narcotics, responses to neighboring Venezuela, trade, human rights, and the ongoing peace process [hyperlink]."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Beittel, June S.

2022-06-16
North Korea: Legislative Basis for U.S. Economic Sanctions [Updated June 16, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Summary: "U.S. economic sanctions imposed on North Korea are instigated by that country's activities related to weapons proliferation, especially its tests since 2006 of nuclear weapons and missile technology; regional disruptions; international terrorism; narcotics trafficking; undemocratic governance; and illicit activities in international markets, including money laundering, counterfeiting of goods and currency, and bulk cash smuggling. [...] In addition to economic and diplomatic restrictions on the U.S.-North Korea bilateral relationship, other states' failure or resistance to comply with Security Council requirements, sanctions evasion, and transactions with persons and entities subject to U.S. sanctions as part of the United States' policy toward North Korea invites the United States to impose 'secondary sanctions'. Third parties--individuals, entities, or governments--may find their U.S.-based assets blocked, transactions and contracts with U.S. persons prohibited, use of the U.S. financial system denied, and U.S. support in the international financial institutions curtailed."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Rennack, Dianne E.

2022-06-16
Double Jeopardy, Dual Sovereignty, and Enforcement of Tribal Laws [June 16, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "On June 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision upheld [hyperlink] the federal prosecution of a man who had already been convicted of, and punished for, a lesser-included offense by a Court of Indian Offenses. Merle Denezpi argued that the U.S. Constitution's Double Jeopardy Clause should bar the second prosecution, but the Supreme Court disagreed, holding that the second prosecution was for a separate offense and thus not constitutionally barred."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

2022-06-16
U.S. Army's Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Weapon System [June 16, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "'What Is the Army's Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Weapon System?' Reported improvements to Russian and Chinese artillery systems present a challenge to the U.S. Army. Russia's and China's improved, longer-ranged artillery systems, new employment techniques leveraging unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for target acquisition, and the proliferation of special munitions--such as precision, thermobaric, loitering, and top-attack munitions--have renewed concerns about the potential impact of Russian and Chinese artillery on U.S. combat operations and ground combat systems. In response to this challenge, the U.S. Army is seeking to improve its ability to deliver what it refers to as long-range precision fires (LRPF) by upgrading current artillery and missile systems, developing new longer-ranged cannons and hypersonic weapons, and modifying existing air- and sea-launched missiles for ground launch. Army leadership has stated LRPF is its number one modernization priority. The MRC Weapon System is part of the Army's LRPF modernization portfolio. It is intended to hit targets at ranges between the Army's Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) (about 300 miles maximum range) and the developmental Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system (about 1,725 miles maximum range)."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Feickert, Andrew

2022-06-16
Funding for Wildfire Management: FY2022 Appropriations for the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior [Updated June 16, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service (FS) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) are responsible for wildfire response and management across the federal lands within their respective jurisdictions. Both FS and DOI generally receive annual discretionary appropriations for wildfire management activities through Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations laws. Wildfire management funding for DOI is provided to the department-level Office of Wildland Fire. Wildfire management appropriations fluctuate annually but overall have risen markedly since FY2000[.]"

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Hoover, Katie

2022-06-16
Abu Zubaydah and the State Secrets Doctrine [June 16, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "Zayn Al-Abidin Muhammad Husayn (also known as Abu Zubaydah) is a detainee at the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was also the first suspected Al Qaeda detainee rendered [hyperlink] into Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) custody at various 'black sites' abroad for interrogation, including 'Detention Site Blue,' allegedly in Poland, from December 2002 to September 2003. He sought depositions from two former CIA contractors who helped devise the CIA's 'Enhanced Interrogation Program,' for submission to prosecutors in Krakow, Poland, to use in a criminal investigation of Polish officials' alleged complicity in the claimed unlawful detention and torture of Abu Zubaydah. The district court granted the application, and the United States filed a motion to intervene and to quash the subpoenas, citing, among other things, the state secrets privilege. On March 3, 2022, the Supreme Court upheld [hyperlink] the government's assertion of the state secrets privilege and dismissed Abu Zubaydah's suit."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Elsea, Jennifer

2022-06-16
Federal Support for School Safety and Security [Updated June 15, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Introduction: "In the United States, more than 50 million students are enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools that educate children from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade; nearly 20 million more students attend degree-granting postsecondary institutions. Students' safety and security is a paramount concern of federal, state, and local governments, as well as for school districts, institutions of higher education (IHEs), students' families, and Members of Congress. [...] The ED [U.S. Department of Education ], HHS [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services], DOJ [U.S. Department of Justice], and DHS programs discussed in this report encompass prevention, mitigation and response, or recovery efforts that provide direct or indirect funding for school and campus safety and security initiatives. The program summaries in this report are not comprehensive. In many cases, other Congressional Research Service (CRS) products are referenced as sources for more detailed information about individual programs. This report also provides an overview of federal programs and initiatives that support school safety and security efforts in other ways, such as data collection and technical assistance."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dragoo, Kyrie E.; James, Nathan; Duff, Johnathan H. . . .

2022-06-15
Middle East and North Africa: Implications of 2022 Russia-Ukraine War [June 15, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Summary: "The 117th Congress is examining the global implications of Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing war while considering Ukraine-related legislation and FY2023 authorization and appropriations proposals, and conducting oversight of Biden Administration policies. This report provides information and analysis on the effects that Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing war are having on the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), a region of continuing strategic and foreign policy salience to Congress and to U.S. strategic interests. Russia's war against Ukraine has both direct and indirect effects on the countries of the MENA region, imposing costs on the region's populations and posing dilemmas for its leaders. The Russia-Ukraine war and its side effects amplify the risk of instability in the MENA region and introduce new complexities to some regional relationships. The most practical and immediate implications may come as a result of fiscal, societal, and humanitarian effects in the MENA region, particularly through energy and food commodity market changes."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Blanchard, Christopher M.

2022-06-15
Federal Role in Orphan Oil and Gas Well Reclamation [June 15, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "Production of oil and gas in the United States began in the late 19th century and continues to contribute to meeting U.S. fuel and petrochemical demands. Over time, federal and state requirements were put in place to manage such aspects of oil and gas development as siting, safety, emissions, and reclamation. Prior to federal and state regulations, many oil and gas wells were 'orphaned,' or left unreclaimed. In many cases, particularly for early oil and gas development, little is known about the status, location, and depth of those wells. Additionally, more recent oil and gas wells, operating subject to federal or state regulation, could become orphaned if a well operator is unwilling or financially unable to complete reclamation of a well site that has ceased production operations. The federal role in reclaiming orphan oil and gas wells has been limited to wells located on federal lands. In the 117th Congress, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; P.L. 117-58) expanded the federal role in reclaiming orphan oil and gas wells by increasing funding for the federal reclamation program and establishing a grant program to assist state and tribal orphan well programs. This In Focus discusses the federal and state roles in permitting wells, background of orphan oil and gas wells, potential environmental impacts, and related provisions in the IIJA."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Larson, Lance N.

2022-06-15

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12