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Ransomware Attacks Renew Focus on HIPAA Security Standards [June 5, 2017]
"Health care facilities increasingly are coming under cyberattack. This trend has raised concerns about the vulnerability of electronic health information, which often includes multiple personal identifiers. These can be used by hackers to create false identities for illegal purposes such as creating fraudulent insurance claims. But health care cybersecurity involves more than just safeguarding patient data from identity theft. Hackers are now using ransomware to attack hospitals and other health care facilities in an effort to extort money by disrupting their operations. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that prevents victims from accessing their data-typically by encrypting the data using a key known only to the hacker-unless a ransom is paid in cryptocurrency (bitcoins). By denying a health care facility access to its data, ransomware attacks may put patients' lives at risk."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Redhead, C. Stephen
2017-06-05
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Implementation of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Amendments (P.L. 114-182) [June 7, 2017]
"Since President Obama signed the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (P.L. 114-182) on June 22, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been implementing the act's amendments to Title I of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA; 15 U.S.C. 2601-2629). TSCA as amended establishes a framework to identify commercial chemicals that present unreasonable risks and to regulate the product life cycle of a chemical (i.e., manufacture or importation, processing, distribution, use, and disposal) so that it no longer presents unreasonable risk. Nearly one year after the enactment of P.L. 114-182, EPA continues to take steps toward potential regulation of existing chemicals under the amended statute, though it has not promulgated any regulation that restricts activities associated with the existing use of any chemical. This CRS ( Congressional Research Service) Insight summarizes select EPA actions to implement the TSCA amendments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Yen, Jerry H.
2017-06-07
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When an Agency's Budget Request Does Not Match the President's Request: The FY2018 CFTC Request and 'Budget Bypass' [June 7, 2017]
"The Trump Administration released its first full budget request on May 23, 2017, for FY2018. Like other recent presidential budget requests, it includes an Appendix chapter for independent agencies such as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Notably, the Trump Administration's budget request for CFTC does not equal the amount requested directly by the agency in its budget justification submitted to Congress. Specifically: [1] The Trump Administration's FY2018 request for CFTC is $250 million, [2] CFTC's Budget Justification submitted to Congress requests $281.5 million."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Monke, James; Miller, Rena S.
2017-06-07
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Unmanned and Unregulated? Court of Appeals Rejects FAA Regulation of Many Drones [June 06, 2017]
"In 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) attempted to address the proliferation of drones and some of the hazards associated with their operation with a rule requiring that all 'small unmanned aircraft' register with the FAA. The online registration process created by the 2015 rule, which the FAA says is intended to allow owners of small unmanned aircraft to comply with a statutory registration requirement, was designed to be less onerous than existing regulatory requirements in order to accommodate owners of these aircraft. Registration requires owners to file online and pay a $5 fee per small unmanned aircraft, or a $5 fee to register a 'fleet' of such aircraft, with mandatory renewal every three years. According to the Rule, failure to comply may result in administrative or legal action to gain compliance as well as the imposition of civil or criminal penalties. However, a recent decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit casts considerable doubt on the viability of this 'Registration Rule' as a uniform system for tracking drones and other small unmanned aircraft and contacting their owners and operators."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2017-06-06
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U.S. Strategy for Engagement in Central America: Policy Issues for Congress [June 8, 2017]
"Central America has received renewed attention from U.S. policymakers over the past few years as the region has become a major transit corridor for illicit drugs and a significant source of irregular migration to the United States. These narcotics and migrant flows are the latest symptoms of deep-rooted challenges in several countries in the region, including widespread insecurity, fragile political and judicial systems, and high levels of poverty and unemployment. Although the Obama Administration and governments in the region launched new initiatives designed to improve conditions in Central America, the future of those efforts will depend on the decisions of the Trump Administration and the 115th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.
2017-06-08
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Air Force B-21 Raider Long-Range Strike Bomber [June 7, 2017]
"The Department of Defense is developing a new long-range bomber aircraft, the B-21 Raider (previously known as LRS-B), and proposes to acquire at least 100 of them. B-21s would initially replace aging B-1 and B-52 bombers, and would possibly replace B-2s in the future. B-21 development was highly classified until the summer of 2015, when the Air Force revealed initial details of the aircraft and the program. Although technical specifications and other data remain out of public view, many details of the budget, acquisition strategy, procurement quantities, and other aspects of the B-21 program are now in the public arena. The Administration's FY2018 budget request includes $2.0 billion for further development of the B-21. As a new and large defense program that involves issues of defense and nuclear policy, as well as substantial expenditures, the B-21 is likely to be subject to significant congressional interest."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gertler, Jeremiah
2017-06-07
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ACA Prevention and Public Health Fund: In Brief [June 9, 2017]
"Section 4002 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111-148, as amended) established the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF, or 'the Fund') and funded it with a permanent annual appropriation to be administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The PPHF authority directs the HHS Secretary to transfer amounts from the Fund to HHS agencies for prevention, wellness, and public health activities. [...] The Trump Administration budget proposal for FY2018 would transfer $841 million of the $900 million available to the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]. The remaining $60 million reflects sequestration. No additional HHS agencies are proposed to receive PPHF funds for FY2018. If PPHF funds were to become unavailable, additional appropriations would be needed to sustain programmatic activities at the levels provided in recent Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations acts. [...] The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated the budgetary effects of PPHF repeal as proposed by House-passed H.R. 1628.14 CBO estimated budget authority over the 10-year period of FY2017-FY2026 at $12.0 billion, the sum of annual appropriations to the Fund for those years. It estimated outlays (i.e., the amount that would potentially be saved by the repeal) of $8.8 billion for the same period."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.
2017-06-09
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Finding Medicare Enrollment Statistics [June 15, 2017]
"There is no single source for Medicare enrollment statistics. Various sources described in this report present different breakdowns of enrollment data, including coverage type (Parts A, B, C, and D), beneficiary type (aged, disabled), and geographic area. This report provides guidance in determining the most current sources for different categories of enrollment data. The report presents basic categories and definitions for terms related to Medicare enrollment data, a quick reference table that summarizes key data available in selected resources, and a more detailed overview of core resources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Malloy, Michele L.
2017-06-15
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Comparing DHS Component Funding, FY2017: Fact Sheet [June 14, 2017]
"Generally, the homeland security appropriations bill includes all annual appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), providing resources to every departmental component. The following figures show two perspectives on the budget authority for DHS enacted for FY2016 and requested by the Barack Obama Administration for FY2017, as well as the funding levels provided in the Senate-reported and House-reported homeland security appropriations bills and the first five titles of the FY2017 DHS appropriations act. On March 16, 2017, the Donald J. Trump Administration submitted an amendment to the FY2017 budget request, which included a request for $3 billion in additional funding for DHS. The appropriations committees responded to this request for additional funding in a sixth title of the DHS appropriations act. This fact sheet reflects this supplemental funding separately from the annual appropriations in the first five titles, and presents the original FY2017 budget request unamended, as that was the basis for the annual appropriations reflected in the FY2017 measure."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Painter, William L.
2017-06-14
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Broadband Data Privacy and Security: What's Net Neutrality Got to Do With It? [June 8, 2017]
From the Document: "This Sidebar is the third in a series discussing the potential impact of the Federal Communications Commission's proposal to reclassify broadband Internet access services (BIAS). This Sidebar focuses on the proposal's possible effect on the regulation of BIAS providers' privacy practices."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2017-06-08
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Saudi Arabia: Background and U.S. Relations [June 13, 2017]
"U.S. policymakers have sought to coordinate with Saudi leaders on regional issues and help them respond to domestic economic and security challenges. Saudi authorities are attempting to reorient and revitalize the nation's economy, while streamlining public expenditure. Shared security challenges have long defined U.S.-Saudi relations, and questions about Saudi domestic and foreign policy may become more pertinent as leadership changes occur in the kingdom and as conflicts and competition continue in the Middle East region. Saudi leaders' assertiveness in confronting perceived threats and the effects of their sharpening tensions with Iran could affect U.S. security interests, including with regard to Yemen, Egypt, Bahrain, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. Congress may examine these developments when considering the scope, terms, and merits of ongoing U.S.-Saudi partnership, proposed arms sales, and security commitments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Christopher M.
2017-06-13
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Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) [June 13, 2017]
"The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is an interagency body comprised of nine Cabinet members, two ex officio members, and other members as appointed by the President, that assists the President in overseeing the national security aspects of foreign direct investment in the U.S. economy. [...] The U.S. policy approach to international investment traditionally has been to establish and support an open and rules-based system that is in line with U.S. economic and national security interests. The current debate over CFIUS reflects long standing concerns about the impact of foreign investment on the economy and the role of economics as a component of national security. [...] Changes in U.S. foreign investment policy have potentially large economy-wide implications, since the United States is the largest recipient and the largest overseas investor of foreign direct investment. To date, only three investments have been blocked by previous Presidents, although proposed transactions may have been terminated by the firms involved in lieu of having a transaction blocked. President Obama used the FINSA [Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007] authority in 2012 to block an American firm, Ralls Corporation, owned by Chinese nationals, from acquiring a U.S. wind farm energy firm located near a DOD facility and to block a Chinese investment firm in 2016 from acquiring Aixtron, a Germany-based firm with assets in the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K., 1949-
2017-06-13
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Malawi: Key Developments and U.S. Relations [June 2, 2017]
"U.S.-Malawi ties warmed following Malawi's democratic transition but faced strains during the 2004-2012 tenure of President Bingu wa Mutharika, whose administration was marred by semi-authoritarian leadership and human rights concerns. Relations improved markedly under Joyce Banda and have remained positive under President Peter Mutharika. U.S. development assistance has long been the main focus of U.S.-Malawian relations. Congressional interest has traditionally centered on such assistance, notably in the health sector, and on governance concerns. In recent years, State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) bilateral assistance to Malawi has ranged between $196 million (FY2014) and $261 million (FY2016). This was supplemented in FY2016 with an additional $102.6 million in disaster response funding, primarily for emergency food aid. The Obama Administration requested $195.6 million for FY2017, and Congress mandated that at least $56 million be allocated to Malawi, and that up to $10 million of this funding be made available for higher education programs. The Trump Administration requested $161.3 million for Malawi in FY2018, centered almost exclusively on health system aid."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cook, Nicolas
2017-06-02
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Defining Readiness: Background and Issues for Congress [June 14, 2017]
"Many defense observers and government officials, including some Members of Congress, are concerned that the U.S. military faces a readiness crisis. The Department of Defense has used readiness as a central justification for its FY2017 and FY2018 funding requests. Yet what makes the U.S. military ready is debated. This report explains how differing uses of the term readiness cloud the debate on whether a readiness crisis exists and, if so, what funding effort would best address it. CRS [Congressional Research Service] has identified two principal uses of the term readiness. One, readiness is used in a broad sense to describe whether military forces are able to do what the nation asks of them. In this sense, readiness encompasses almost every aspect of the military. Two, readiness is used more narrowly to mean only one component of what makes military forces able. In this second sense, readiness is parallel to other military considerations, like force structure and modernization, which usually refer to the size of the military and the sophistication of its weaponry. Both uses embody accepted concepts: the broader use capturing the military's ability to accomplish its overall goals and the narrower use capturing the military's ability when its size and type of weaponry are held steady."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rumbaugh, Russell
2017-06-14
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Special Counsels, Independent Counsels, and Special Prosecutors: Options for Independent Executive Investigations [June 1, 2017]
"Under the Constitution, Congress has no direct role in federal law enforcement and its ability to initiate appointments of any prosecutors to address alleged wrongdoings by executive officials is limited. While Congress retains broad oversight and investigatory powers under Article I of the Constitution, criminal investigations and prosecutions have generally been viewed as a core executive function and a responsibility of the executive branch. Historically, however, because of the potential conflicts of interest that may arise when the executive branch investigates itself (e.g., the Watergate investigation), there have been calls for an independently led inquiry to determine whether officials have violated criminal law. In response, Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have used both statutory and regulatory mechanisms to establish a process for such inquiries. These responses have attempted, in different ways, to balance the competing goals of independence and accountability with respect to inquiries of executive branch officials. [...] Ultimately, under the previous statutory authorization for independent counsel appointments or under the existing regulatory authority to appoint special counsels, the Attorney General holds the sole authority to initiate the appointment for such investigations and prosecutions. However, other alternatives of investigation and oversight of actions by federal officials--whose methods are beyond the scope of this report--are available, such as inspector general investigations and congressional oversight investigations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brown, Cynthia
2017-06-01
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FY2018 Defense Budget Request: The Basics [June 9, 2017]
"On May 23, 2017 the Trump Administration released its federal budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2018. The Administration proposed a total budget of $677.1 billion for national defense-related activities of the federal government (budget function 050). Of the national defense total, $667.6 billion is discretionary spending provided, for the most part, by the annual appropriations bill drafted by the Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate. The remaining $9.6 billion is mandatory spending, that is, spending for entitlement programs and certain other payments. Mandatory spending is generally governed by statutory criteria and it is not provided by annual appropriation acts. As has been typical in recent years, about 95% of that total ($646.9 billion) is for military activities of the Department of Defense (DOD)--referred to as subfunction 051. The balance of the function 050 request comprises $21.8 billion for defense-related atomic energy-defense activities of the Department of Energy (designated subfunction 053) and $8.4 billion for defense-related activities of other agencies (designated subfunction 054) of which about two-thirds is allocated to the Federal Bureau of Investigation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Williams, Lynn M.; Towell, Pat
2017-06-09
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Availability of Legislative Measures in the House of Representatives (The 'Three-Day Rule') [June 12, 2017]
"House rules govern the length of time legislative measures must be available to Members before being considered on the floor. For measures reported from committee, the committee report must have been available for three calendar days, excluding weekends and legal holidays unless the House is in session on such days. Conference reports must also have been available for three calendar days, and special rules for considering measures for one legislative day. Bills and joint resolutions that have not been reported by committee, and therefore are not accompanied by a written report, also may not be considered on the House floor unless the measure has been available for at least three calendar days, again excluding weekends and legal holidays unless the House is in session on such days. [...] The House has several means by which it can choose to waive these availability requirements and call up, debate, and vote on a measure in a single calendar day, even if the text of the measure was not made available prior to consideration. These include (1) adopting a special rule that waives the three-day requirement; (2) adopting a special rule that waives the one-day requirement for another special rule; and (3) convening a second legislative day on the same calendar day. Waiving availability requirements allows the House to act quickly when necessary, such as near the end of a session."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rybicki, Elizabeth
2017-06-12
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Juneteenth: Fact Sheet [June 9, 2017]
"Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It is also known as Emancipation Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, and Black Independence Day. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the end of the civil war and the end of slavery. Although the Emancipation Proclamation came 2½ years earlier on January 1, 1863, and many slave owners continued to hold their slaves captive after the announcement, Juneteenth became a symbolic date representing African American freedom. Juneteenth is not a federal holiday. Forty-five states and the District of Columbia celebrate Juneteenth as a state holiday. This fact sheet assists congressional offices with work related to Juneteenth."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Higgins, Molly
2017-06-09
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North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and U.S. Agriculture [June 22, 2017]
"The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) entered into force on January 1, 1994, establishing a free trade area as part of a comprehensive economic and trade agreement among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. President Trump has repeatedly stated that he intends to either renegotiate or withdraw from NAFTA. In May 2017, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) formally notified Congress of the Administration's intent to renegotiate NAFTA. Reactions to the announcement have been mixed, with some industries supporting NAFTA "modernization" as a way to address a range of trade concerns, while others are urging the need to proceed more cautiously so as to not destabilize current U.S. export markets."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Johnson, Renée
2017-06-22
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Political Status of Puerto Rico: Brief Background and Recent Developments for Congress [June 12, 2017]
"Puerto Rico lies approximately 1,000 miles southeast of Miami and 1,500 miles from Washington, DC. Despite being far outside the continental United States, the island has played a significant role in American politics and policy since the United States acquired Puerto Rico from Spain in 1898. Puerto Rico's political status-referring to the relationship between the federal government and a territorial one-is an undercurrent in virtually every policy matter on the island. In a June 11, 2017, plebiscite (popular vote), 97.2% of voters chose statehood when presented with three options on the ballot. Turnout for the plebiscite was 23.0% of eligible voters. Some parties and other groups opposing the plebiscite had urged their bases to boycott the vote. (These data are based on 99.5% of precincts reporting results.) After initially including only statehood and free association/independence options, an amended territorial law ultimately permitted three options on the plebiscite ballot: statehood, free association/independence, or current territorial status."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-
2017-06-12
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Budget Control Act: Frequently Asked Questions [June 22, 2017]
"When there is concern with deficit or debt levels, Congress will sometimes implement budget enforcement mechanisms to mandate specific budgetary policies or fiscal outcomes. The Budget Control Act of 2011(BCA; P.L. 112-25), which was signed into law on August 2, 2011, includes several such mechanisms. The BCA as amended has three main components that currently affect the annual budget. One component imposes annual statutory discretionary spending limits for defense and non-defense spending. A second component requires annual reductions to the initial discretionary spending limits triggered by the absence of a deficit reduction agreement from a committee formed by the BCA. Third are annual automatic mandatory spending reductions triggered by the same absence of a deficit reduction agreement. Each of those components is described in further detail in this report. The discretionary spending limits (and annual reductions) are currently scheduled to remain in effect through FY2021, while the mandatory spending reductions are scheduled to remain in effect through FY2025."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Driessen, Grant A.; Lynch, Megan Suzanne
2017-06-22
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Burma's Political Prisoners and U.S. Policy: In Brief [June 6, 2017]
From the Document: "With Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD) in control of Burma's Union Parliament and the government's executive branch, prospects may have improved for ending the arrest, detention, prosecution, and imprisonment of political prisoners in Burma, a reality which has overshadowed U.S. policy toward Burma for more than 25 years. Burma's military, or Tatmadaw, however, may not support the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Burma, and potentially has the power to block such an effort. The 115th Congress may have an opportunity to influence Burma's future efforts to address political prisoner issues. Whether by providing technical or other forms of assistance to address the underlying causes of political imprisonment, or by restricting relations with Burma until political prisoners have been released, Congress potentially could influence the behavior of the NLD-led government and the Tatmadaw with respect to political prisoners."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Martin, Michael F.
2017-06-06
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Qatar and its Neighbors: Disputes and Possible Implications [June 26, 2017]
"On June 5, the governments of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Egypt severed diplomatic relations with Qatar, moved to expel Qatari diplomats, recalled their ambassadors from the Qatari capital, Doha, and imposed limits on the entry and transit of Qatari nationals and vessels in their territories, waters, and airspace. Qataris currently in these countries were given 14 days to leave. Qatar's Foreign Ministry expressed 'deep regret' at these steps, calling them 'unjustified' and an attempt to impose 'guardianship' and thus violate Qatari sovereignty. The sanction announcements rippled through energy and financial markets and caused fears of food and import shortages in Qatar during observance of Ramadan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth; Blanchard, Christopher M.
2017-06-26
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Cuba: President Trump Partially Rolls Back Obama Engagement Policy [June 21, 2017]
"The most significant policy changes include [1] restrictions on financial transactions with companies controlled by the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services or personnel and [2] the elimination of individual people-to-people travel. President Trump's memorandum directed the heads of departments (Treasury and Commerce, in coordination with the State Department) to initiate a process within 30 days to adjust current regulations. The policy changes will not take place until the amended regulations are issued; the Treasury Department, for example, indicated that it expects to issue its regulatory amendments in the coming months."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-06-21
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U.S. Beef: It's What's for China [June 22, 2017]
"In June 2017 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the United States and China had reached an agreement resolving technical issues that would allow U.S. beef exports to China to resume, thus resolving a longstanding dispute between the two countries. China had banned imports of U.S. beef immediately after bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was discovered in the United States in December 2003. In 2006, China unilaterally announced that it would lift its ban on some U.S. beef products contingent on certain age requirements and the removal of specified risk material (e.g., spinal cord, eyes). The United States rejected China's conditions, arguing that they ran counter to World Organization for Animal Health BSE guidelines for trade in beef. Talks continued between the two countries, but there was little headway on reopening the China market until 2016."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Greene, Joel L.
2017-06-22
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Federal Grants to State and Local Governments: A Historical Perspective on Contemporary Issues [June 22, 2017]
"Over the years, the federal intergovernmental system of governance has been characterized by many as becoming increasingly centralized and coercive, with the federal government using federal grants, federal mandates, and federal preemption of state authority to expand its influence in many policy areas previously viewed as being primarily state and local government responsibilities. In FY2018, the federal government is expected to provide state and local governments more than $703 billion in federal grants encompassing a wide range of public policy areas, such as health care, transportation, income security, education, job training, social services, community development, and environmental protection. Federal grants account for just under one-third of total state government funding, and more than half of state government funding for health care and public assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-
2017-06-22
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Argentina: Background and U.S. Relations [June 16, 2017]
"Argentina, a South American country with a population of almost 44 million, has had a vibrant democratic tradition since its military relinquished power in 1983. Current President Mauricio Macri-the leader of the center-right Republican Proposal and the candidate of the Let's Change coalition representing center-right and center-left parties-won the 2015 presidential race. He succeeded two-term President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, from the center-left faction of the Peronist party known as the Front for Victory, who in turn had succeeded her husband, Néstor Kirchner, in 2007. Macri's election ended the Kirchners' 12-year rule, which helped Argentina emerge from a severe economic crisis in 2001-2002 but also was characterized by protectionist and unorthodox economic policies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Nelson, Rebecca M.
2017-06-16
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Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms: Causes, Challenges, and Policy Considerations [June 20, 2017]
"Scientific research indicates that in recent years, the frequency and geographic distribution of harmful algal blooms (HABs) have been increasing nationally and globally. Because the impacts of HABs can be severe and widespread-often with interstate implications-these issues have been a perennial interest for Congress. While algal communities are natural components of healthy aquatic ecosystems, under certain conditions (e.g., increased temperatures and nutrient concentrations), algae may grow excessively, or 'bloom,' and produce toxins that can harm human health, animals, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy. […] Congress, federal agencies, and states have taken steps to address HABs and nutrients that contribute to their occurrence. The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (HABHRCA), as amended, established an interagency task force, required the task force to prepare reports and plans addressing marine and freshwater HABs, and authorized funding for research, education, monitoring activities, etc. […] Congress continues to show interest in addressing HABs. This interest has largely focused on funding research to close research gaps identified by scientists and decisionmakers and to coordinate the efforts of federal agencies and their partners to study and address HABs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gatz, Laura
2017-06-20
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Cybersecurity: Legislation, Hearings, and Executive Branch Documents [June 23, 2017]
"Cybersecurity vulnerabilities challenge governments, businesses, and individuals worldwide. Attacks have been initiated against individuals, corporations, and countries. Targets have included government networks, companies, and political organizations, depending upon whether the attacker was seeking military intelligence, conducting diplomatic or industrial espionage, engaging in cybercrime, or intimidating political activists. In addition, national borders mean little or nothing to cyberattackers, and attributing an attack to a specific location can be difficult, which may make responding problematic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tehan, Rita
2017-06-23
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Deeming Resolutions: Budget Enforcement in the Absence of a Budget Resolution [June 26, 2017]
From the Summary: "The budget resolution reflects an agreement between the House and Senate on a budgetary plan for the upcoming fiscal year. When the House and Senate do not reach final agreement on this plan, it may be more difficult for Congress to reach agreement on subsequent budgetary legislation, both within each chamber and between the chambers. In the absence of agreement on a budget resolution, Congress may employ alternative legislative tools to serve as a substitute for a budget resolution. These substitutes are typically referred to as 'deeming resolutions,' because they are deemed to serve in place of an annual budget resolution for the purposes of establishing enforceable budget levels for the upcoming fiscal year."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lynch, Megan Suzanne
2017-06-26
