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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 18, 2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR contains the following: "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Fetal Deaths -- United States, 2015-2017"; "Cancers Associated with Human Papillomavirus in American Indian and Alaska Native Populations -- United States, 2013-2017"; "Serial Testing for SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] and Virus Whole Genome Sequencing Inform Infection Risk at Two Skilled Nursing Facilities with COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Outbreaks -- Minnesota, April June 2020"; "Preventing COVID-19 Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Facilities Through Preemptive Testing of Residents and Staff Members -- Fulton County, Georgia, March-May 2020"; "Association Between CMS [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] Quality Ratings and COVID-19 Outbreaks in Nursing Homes -- West Virginia, March 17-June 11, 2020"; "Decreased Influenza Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic -- United States, Australia, Chile, and South Africa, 2020"; "E-cigarette Use Among Middle and High School Students -- United States, 2020"; "E-cigarette Unit Sales, by Product and Flavor Type -- United States, 2014-2020"; "Transmission Dynamics of COVID-19 Outbreaks Associated with Child Care Facilities -- Salt Lake City, Utah, April-July 2020"; "SARS-CoV-2-Associated Deaths Among Persons Aged
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-09-18
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EMR-ISAC: Infogram, Volume 20 Issue 38, September 17, 2020
The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following sections: "NFFF [National Fallen Firefighter Foundation] produces new LODD [line-of-duty death] course for incident commanders"; "Evaluating your department's COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] response"; "How near-misses affect personal preparedness"; "Countering false information on social media in disasters"; "How cybercriminals attack SLTT [state, local, tribal and territorial] organizations"; "US court documents published in ransomware attack"; and "ProLock ransomware - everything you need to know."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2020-09-17
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VA Acquisition Management: COVID-19 Response Strains Supply Chain While Modernization Delays Continue, Statement of Shelby S. Oakley, Director, Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] spends hundreds of millions of dollars annually to meet the health care needs of about 9 million veterans. As of June 30, 2020, VA received about $19.6 billion in supplemental appropriations for COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]-related needs. Due to longstanding issues with VA acquisition management, GAO [Government Accountability Office] added it to its High Risk List in 2019. This statement discusses how VA is meeting its needs for medical and surgical supplies during the pandemic and the status of ongoing efforts to modernize its supply chain. This statement is based on information from three reports issued from 2017-2020, a draft report on the MSPV [Medical-Surgical Prime Vendor] program currently with VA for comment, and preliminary observations from an ongoing review of VA's COVID-19 procurements."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Oakley, Shelby S.
2020-09-16
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Agriculture Spending: Opportunities Exist for USDA to Identify Successes and Challenges of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program to Inform Future Efforts
From the Document: "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused disruptions in the U.S. food supply chain, from the farms where raw agricultural commodities are produced to the food processing and distribution network that enables these commodities to be used by consumers. The closure of institutions (e.g., schools, restaurants, and hotels) made it difficult for agricultural producers to market their commodities, leading to the spoilage of crops, dumping of milk, and euthanization of livestock. As part of its response to the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. Through this program, USDA plans to purchase up to $3 billion in fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and meat products; contract with distributors to package these products into family-sized boxes; and transport these boxes to food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other nonprofits that will then provide the food boxes to persons in need. The program is implemented through USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service and involves about 200 contractors."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Morris, Stephen D.
2020-09-16
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 16, 2020: Characteristics and Maternal and Birth Outcomes of Hospitalized Pregnant Women with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 -- COVID-Net, 13 States, March 1-August 22, 2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Characteristics and Maternal and Birth Outcomes of Hospitalized Pregnant Women with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] -- COVID-Net [COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network], 13 States, March 1-August 22, 2020."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-09-16
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 16, 2020: SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Hospitalized Pregnant Women: Reasons for Admission and Pregnancy Characteristics -- Eight U.S. Health Care Centers, March 1-May 30, 2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] Infection Among Hospitalized Pregnant Women: Reasons for Admission and Pregnancy Characteristics -- Eight U.S. Health Care Centers, March 1-May 30, 2020."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-09-16
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Trump Administration Releases COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Strategy
From the Webpage: "The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Defense (DoD) today released two documents outlining the Trump Administration's detailed strategy to deliver safe and effective COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccine doses to the American people as quickly and reliably as possible. The documents, developed by HHS in coordination with DoD and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provide a strategic distribution overview along with an interim playbook for state, tribal, territorial, and local public health programs and their partners on how to plan and operationalize a vaccination response to COVID-19 within their respective jurisdictions."
United States. Department of Defense; United States. Department of Health and Human Services
2020-09-16
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COVID-19 Vaccination Program Interim Playbook for Jurisdiction Operations
From the Executive Summary: "Immunization with a safe and effective COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccine is a critical component of the United States strategy to reduce COVID-19-related illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths and to help restore societal functioning. The goal of the U.S. government is to have enough COVID-19 vaccine for all people in the United States who wish to be vaccinated. [...] This document serves as an interim playbook for state, territorial (including the US-affiliated Pacific Islands [USAPI] of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau), and local public health programs and their partners on how to plan and operationalize a vaccination response to COVID-19 within their jurisdictions. The document's sections cover specific areas of COVID-19 vaccination program planning and implementation and provide key guidance documents and links to resources to assist those efforts. Many, but not all, of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program activities described may overlap with routine activities; routine immunization and pandemic influenza program activities can serve as a foundation for COVID-19 vaccination planning."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-09-16
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Veterans Affairs: VA Needs to Address Persistent IT Modernization and Cybersecurity Challenges, Statement of Carol C. Harris, Director, Information Technology Management Issues, Testimony Before the Subcommittees on Economic Opportunity and Technology Modernization, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives
From the Document: "The use of IT [information technology] is crucial to helping VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] effectively serve the nation's veterans. The department annually spends billions of dollars on its information systems and assets--VA's budget for IT now exceeds $4 billion annually. However, over many years, VA has experienced challenges in managing its IT projects and programs, which could jeopardize its ability to effectively support key programs such as the Forever GI Bill. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has previously reported on these IT management challenges at VA. GAO was asked to testify on its prior IT work at VA. Specifically, this testimony summarizes results and recommendations from GAO's issued reports that examined VA's efforts in (1) modernizing VistA [Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture], a system for the Family Caregiver Program, and VBMS [Veterans Benefits Management System]; (2) implementing FITARA [Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act]; and (3) addressing cybersecurity issues. In developing this testimony, GAO reviewed its recently issued reports that addressed IT management issues at VA and GAO's biannual high-risk series. GAO also incorporated information on the department's actions in response to recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Harris, Carol C.
2020-09-16
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Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress [September 15, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report presents background information and issues for Congress concerning the Navy's force structure and shipbuilding plans. The current and planned size and composition of the Navy, the annual rate of Navy ship procurement, the capacity of the naval shipbuilding industry, and the prospective affordability of the Navy's shipbuilding plans have been oversight matters for the congressional defense committees for many years. The Navy states that its proposed FY2021 budget requests the procurement of eight new ships, but this figure includes LPD-31, an LPD-17 Flight II amphibious ship that Congress procured (i.e., authorized and appropriated procurement funding for) in FY2020. Excluding this ship, the Navy's proposed FY2021 budget requests the procurement of seven new ships rather than eight, including one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), one Virginia-class attack submarine (SSN), two DDG-51 destroyers, one FFG(X) frigate, and two TATS towing, salvage, and rescue ships. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's proposed FY2021 shipbuilding program and the Navy's longer-term shipbuilding plans. Decisions that Congress makes on this issue can substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-09-15
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FEMA Should Recover $216.2 Million Awarded to the Recovery School District in Louisiana for Hurricane Katrina
From the Document: "In some instances, the Recovery School District in Louisiana (RSD) accounted for and expended portions of the $1.3 billion in Public Assistance grant funds we reviewed according to Federal regulations. However, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) improperly awarded $216.2 million to repair or replace more than 292 Orleans Parish school facilities in RSD. Specifically: [1] FEMA used a cost estimate rather than actual costs to determine how much to award RSD for schools that were already completed, thus improperly awarding $156.6 million to RSD. [2] FEMA duplicated benefits by not reducing the amount of the award by $57 million to account for other Federal grant funds RSD received. [3] FEMA improperly awarded $2.6 million to replace portable school buildings that were not RSD's legal responsibility at the time of the hurricane. The improper awards occurred primarily because FEMA did not follow Federal regulations and its own guidance for awarding Federal funds."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2020-09-15
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Indicators for Dynamic School Decision-Making
From the Document: "It is critical for schools to open as safely and as quickly as possible for in-person learning. To enable schools to open and remain open, it is important to adopt and correctly and consistently implement actions to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], the virus that causes COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], not only inside the school, but also in the community. This means that students, families, teachers, school staff, and all community members should take actions to protect themselves and others where they live, work, learn, and play. In short, success in preventing the introduction and subsequent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in schools is connected to and dependent upon preventing transmission in communities."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-09-15
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2981, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2019
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on December 11, 2019. From the Bill Summary: "S. 2981 would authorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to enter into long-term leases and colocation agreements with government and nonprofit entities without a fiscal year limitation. The bill also would modify personnel policies for NOAA's commissioned officer corps."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2020-09-15
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MMWR Early Release, September 15, 2020: SARS-CoV-2-Associated Deaths Among Persons Aged <21 Years -- United States, February 12-July 31, 2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of early release MMWR contains the following article: "SARS-CoV-2 [Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2]-Associated Deaths Among Persons Aged
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-09-15
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 5586, Haiti Development, Accountability, and Institutional Transparency Initiative Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on July 29, 2020. From the Document: "H.R. 5586 would direct the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to prioritize support for human rights, anti-corruption, free press, civil liberties, reconstruction, and development in their engagement with Haiti. It also would require the agencies to develop a strategy to support those efforts and report to the Congress on their progress. Finally, the bill would require the department to report to the Congress on a mass killing in Haiti in 2018."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2020-09-15
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 3891, Advancing Artificial Intelligence Research Act of 2020
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 22, 2020. From the Bill Summary: "S. 3891 would authorize the annual appropriation of $250 million over the 2021-2025 period for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) research program. The bill also would direct the National Science Foundation (NSF) to designate up to six centers for AI research and, subject to the availability of appropriations, to obligate up to $50 million annually over the same period for each center. Finally, S. 3891 would authorize the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the NSF to award grants and scholarships to increase enrollment in AI degree programs."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2020-09-15
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 8089, Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act, Estimated Budgetary Effects
From the Document: "H.R. 8089 would change some of the fees that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) charges individuals and employers to expedite its processing of certain petitions and applications. Current law directs those fees to be deposited as offsetting collections into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account and spent by USCIS. The act would increase the premium processing fees that are allowed under current law and would permit USCIS to charge new, specified premium processing fees for additional petitions. CBO [Congressional Budget Office] believes that the new premium processing fees should be recorded in the budget as revenues, because they are new and an exercise of the government's sovereign power over immigration matters. (Those additional revenues would be available for USCIS to spend.) The collection of those revenues would be offset by a decline in other revenues of approximately 22 percent to account for indirect tax effects."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2020-09-14
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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 11, 2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR contains the following: "Hurricane Evacuation Laws in Eight Southern U.S. Coastal States - December 2018"; "Frequent Mental Distress Among Adults, by Disability Status, Disability Type, and Selected Characteristics - United States, 2018"; "Prevalence of Underlying Medical Conditions Among Selected Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers - Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 31 States, 2017-2018"; "Delay or Avoidance of Medical Care Because of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]-Related Concerns - United States, June 2020"; "Community and Close Contact Exposures Associated with COVID-19 Among Symptomatic Adults ≥18 Years in 11 Outpatient Health Care Facilities - United States, July 2020"; "Infants with Congenital Disorders Identified Through Newborn Screening - United States, 2015-2017"; "Newborn Screening Practices and Alpha-Thalassemia Detection - United States, 2016"; and "'QuickStats': Age-Adjusted Lung Cancer Death* Rates,† by State - National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2018." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2020.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-09-11
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MMWR Early Release, September 11, 2020: Transmission Dynamics of COVID-19 Outbreaks Associated with Child Care Facilities -- Salt Lake City, Utah, April-July 2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of early release MMWR contains the following article:"Transmission Dynamics of COVID-19 Outbreaks Associated with Child Care Facilities -- Salt Lake City, Utah, April-July 2020." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2020.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-09-11
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Afghan Women and Girls: Status and Congressional Action [September 11, 2020]
From the Document: "The status of Afghan women and girls has improved since 2001 by some metrics, but arguably remains precarious. Given the formerly ruling Taliban's views on women's rights, and entrenched cultural attitudes (particularly in rural areas), the status of Afghan women and girls has long been a topic of congressional concern and action. Concern among some Members of Congress has increased in light of the ongoing withdrawal of U.S. troops, scheduled to be completed by spring 2021. Some experts warn that a full U.S. military withdrawal could pave the way for the Taliban to return to power--either by military force or through a political settlement--and that women's rights could be compromised. Since 2001, Members of Congress have used a number of oversight and funding-related legislative measures to promote and safeguard the rights of Afghan women, and may consider the efficacy and sustainability of such approaches as the U.S. reduces its military footprint and as the Afghan conflict and political dynamic evolve."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs); Collins, Sarah R.
2020-09-11
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During COVID-19 in Low Resource, Non-US Settings Sharing and Shifting Tasks to Maintain Essential Healthcare
From the Purpose: "The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed a substantial burden on many healthcare systems worldwide as they struggle to treat both COVID-19 patients and maintain essential primary care services. The burden may be even greater in low-resource non-US settings, where healthcare systems are often already overtaxed and struggling to provide services to patients in need due to a shortage in the healthcare workforce. The World Health Organization (WTO) outlines two approaches to expand and ensure access to essential health services by optimizing the use of existing healthcare workforce: task shifting and task sharing. Task shifting and task sharing allow for the shifting of tasks from highly qualified healthcare workers (HCWs) to HCWs with less training and less qualifications and the sharing of tasks with an equally qualified cadre of HCWs, respectively. This allows for more efficient use of available human resources working in overburdened health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-09-11
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Staff Pay Levels for Selected Positions in House Member Offices, 2001-2019 [Updated September 11, 2020]
From the Summary: "Levels of pay for congressional staff are a source of recurring questions among Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the public. There may be interest in congressional pay data from multiple perspectives, including assessment of the costs of congressional operations, guidance in setting pay levels for staff in Member offices, or comparison of congressional staff pay levels with those of other federal government pay systems. This report provides pay data for 16staff position titles that are typically used in House Members' offices. The positions include the following: Caseworker, Chief of Staff, Communications Director, Constituent Services Representative, Counsel (2010-2018), District Director, Executive Assistant, Field Representative, Legislative Assistant, Legislative Correspondent, Legislative Director, Office Manager, Press Secretary, Scheduler, Senior Legislative Assistant (2018-2019), and Staff Assistant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Petersen, R. Eric
2020-09-11
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2020 Census: Key Areas for Attention Raised by Compressed Timeframes, Statement of J. Christopher Mihm, Managing Director, Strategic Issues, Testimony Before the Committee on Oversight and Reform, U.S. House of Representatives
From the Testimony: "I am pleased to be here today to discuss the U.S. Census Bureau's (Bureau) progress in preparing for the 2020 Decennial Census. The Census is mandated by the Constitution and provides vital data for the nation. Census data are used, among other purposes, to apportion the seats of the U.S. House of Representatives; redraw congressional districts in each state; and allocate billions of dollars each year in federal financial assistance. Like the rest of the country, the Bureau has been required to respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) national emergency. Resulting delays, compressed timeframes, implementation of untested procedures, and continuing challenges could undermine the overall quality of the count and escalate census costs. Further, compounding factors in some areas, including high rates of COVID-19 and weather events such as Hurricane Laura and wildfires, affect the Bureau's ability to use in-person methods for obtaining responses."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Mihm, J. Christopher
2020-09-10
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Natural Disasters: Economic Effects of Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, Harvey, and Irma
From the Document: "This report examines (1) estimates of the costs of damages caused by hurricanes and hurricanes' effects on overall economic activity and employment in the areas they affected, and (2) actions subsequently taken in those areas to improve resilience to future natural disasters."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-09-10
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EMR-ISAC: Infogram, Volume 20 Issue 37, September 10, 2020
The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] responsible for most line of duty deaths so far in 2020"; "NACCHO [National Association of County and City Health Officials] releases 2019 National Profile of Local Health Departments"; "PHMSA [Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration] amends rules allowing transport of bulk methane"; "Webinars: fire response & unrest; responding to 2 disasters at once"; "Ransomware Red Flags: 7 Signs You're About to Get Hit"; "Local government most frequently targeted by ransomware"; and "US agencies must adopt vulnerability-disclosure policies by 2021."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2020-09-10
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Federal Reserve's Revised Monetary Policy Strategy Statement [September 10, 2020]
From the Document: "After a two-year 'Review of Monetary Policy Strategy, Tools, and Communications', the Federal Reserve (Fed) announced on August 27, 2020, revisions to its 'Statement on Longer-Run Goals and Monetary Policy Strategy'. This statement, initially published in 2012, explains the Fed's monetary policy strategy for achieving its statutory mandate of maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates. The original statement had two key features. First, it set a long-run inflation goal of 2%, the first time the Fed formally specified a numerical goal. Second, it asserted that a similar numerical goal could not be set for maximum employment because of uncertainty surrounding full employment. The 2020 revision retains both features. Overall, the 2012 statement was concise and did not provide details on how the Fed would react to specific economic situations. The 2020 statement is more detailed, and it marks a shift on how monetary policy will respond to inflation and unemployment in light of recent macroeconomic developments. Specifically, since the 2007-2009 financial crisis, the federal funds rate has been close to zero, [...] and inflation has been mostly below 2% and relatively unresponsive to changes in the unemployment rate. Because the Fed cannot reduce rates below zero, its primary challenge since the crisis has been to provide adequate monetary stimulus to achieve its mandate. The 2020 statement articulates a strategy to provide greater stimulus."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2020-09-10
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COVID-19 Impact on the Banking Industry: Lag Between Recession and Bank Distress [September 10, 2020]
From the Document: "Economic recessions and financial crises can cause distress in the banking industry. Typically, there is a lag between the onset of a recession and the peak of bank industry distress. The economic effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic could similarly stress the banking industry, perhaps acutely, given the sudden and unprecedented nature of the economic contraction. Even though this contraction is severe, a lag is expected, and certain provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Recovery Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) may lengthen it."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Scott, Andrew P.; Perkins, David W.
2020-09-10
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COVID-19: Selected Financial and Social Service Resources for Older Americans [Updated September 10, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused economic distress to many older Americans due to job loss, business closings, and financial market conditions. This Insight provides links to selected CRS [Congressional Research Service] products and related resources that address some issues for older populations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Breslauer, Tamar B.; Overbay, Abigail R.; Napili, Angela
2020-09-10
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Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 10, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region's future. Issues such as geopolitical competition in the region between the United States, Russia, and China; increased military operations in the region by the United States, Russia, and other Arctic countries; growth in commercial shipping through the Arctic; and oil, gas, and mineral exploration in the Arctic could cause the region in coming years to become an arena of international cooperation, tension, and/or competition. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial political, economic, energy, environmental, and other interests in the region. Decisions that Congress makes on Arctic-related issues could significantly affect these interests. This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress, and refers readers to more in-depth CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports on specific Arctic-related issues. Congressional readers with questions about an issue discussed in this report should contact the author or authors of the section discussing that issue. The authors are identified by footnote at the start of each section. This report does not track legislation on specific Arctic-related issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; Comay, Laura B.; Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin) . . .
2020-09-10
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Distribution of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Expenditures [September 10, 2020]
From the Document: "As Congress deliberates on authorization legislation for Army Corps of Engineers water resource projects (House-passed H.R. 7575, Senate-reported S. 3591), it is considering how to direct the use of funding available for harbor maintenance. [...] The policy choices offered by these bills will have consequences for navigation efficiency and safety, recreation uses, and the levels of state and private investment in port infrastructure. They may also affect competition among U.S. ports to capture import and export cargo and the associated logistics-industry jobs. At the center of these policy decisions is the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF), created by Congress in 1986 and funded primarily by receipts from a tax on importers of waterborne cargo (assessed at a rate of $1.25 per $1,000 worth of cargo).In FY2019, harbor maintenance tax collections totaled $1.6 billion, investment earnings totaled $214 million, and expenditures from the fund through annual appropriations totaled $1.6 billion. The amount of maintenance required to keep channels open varies considerably among harbors. Some of the ports that draw large flows of imports, and therefore generate a large portion of harbor maintenance tax revenue, are naturally deep and require relatively little maintenance dredging. While channels at other major commercial ports are generally adequately maintained, some harbors with lower volumes of commercial cargo have maintenance backlogs, potentially affecting fishing and recreational boat traffic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Frittelli, John; Carter, Nicole T.
2020-09-10
