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Superstorm Sandy: The Devastating Impact on the Nation's Largest Transportation Systems, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, United States Senate, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, December 6, 2012
This is the December 6, 2012 hearing on "Superstorm Sandy: The Devastating Impact on the Nation's Largest Transportation Systems," held before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security. From the opening statement of Senator Lautenberg, the hearing "address[es] the devastating impact that the Superstorm Sandy had on our region's transportation systems. It hit squarely in our nation's most densely populated area, home to the largest and most widely used public transportation network in the country. The storm did unprecedented damage to our transportation system. Estimates of the damage have reached more than $7 billion [...] As we devote resources to recovering from this storm, we have got to invest so we are better prepared for the future ones as well. And if we make these smarter investments on the front end, we can save a lot of money and heartache in the future." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Charles E. Schumer, Robert Menendez, Kirsten Gillibrand, Joseph H. Boardman, Joseph J. Lhota, Patrick J. Foye, James Weinstein and James P. Redeker.
United States. Government Printing Office
2013
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Political Strategy in Unconventional Warfare: Opportunities Lost in Eastern Syria and Preparing for the Future
From the Introduction: "Despite extraordinary tactical and operational military success by U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) in Syria, the U.S. once again stands on the precipice of strategic political defeat as the Assad regime, backed by the governments of Iran and Russia, positions itself to assume authority over the territory retaken by U.S. partner forces from ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] and other militant Islamists. The unfortunate refrain since the 9/11 attacks has been precisely that--tactical success not translating into sustainable strategic effect. While SOF have demonstrated yet again a high degree of proficiency in linking up with partner forces, brokering politics among disparate military elements, and devastating an enemy's military capability, navigating the higher order political calculations and nuances of foreign sociopolitical systems still appears to be an area for improvement. The objective of this text is threefold. First, it is a sincere attempt to utilize the Syrian Civil War starting in 2011 as a relevant case study for the types of sociocultural and political factors that should inform intelligence, plans, and strategy in a civil conflict. [...] Second, it forecasts the stressors contributing to likely future Syrian-- indeed regional--conflict so that Indicators and Warning can be developed. [...] Third, but perhaps belatedly, it offers ideas on how to make the most of the strategic opportunity still available to the United States with the territory remaining under the authority and influence of its partner forces in Syria."
Joint Special Operations University (U.S.)
O'Leary, Carol; Heras, Nicholas A.
2019-03
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Federal Information Technology (IT) Budgeting Process in the Executive Branch: An Overview [August 17, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Federal spending on information technology (IT) for executive branch agencies and activities totaled an estimated $92 billion in FY2021. The effective and efficient use of IT may play a key role in policy implementation across the federal government's diverse activities. The use of IT as an implementation tool may also inform deliberations on policy design, as Congress, agency officials, and the President consider policy options and corresponding opportunities and risks. IT systems also facilitate congressional oversight of policy areas and executive agencies. [...] This report is intended to assist Members, committees, and congressional staff with questions about selected aspects of IT management in the executive branch. In particular, the report covers key milestones in the executive budget process for IT investments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fiorentino, Dominick A.
2021-08-17
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Military Service Records, Awards, and Unit Histories: A Guide to Locating Sources [Updated August 17, 2021]
From the Summary: "This guide provides information on locating military unit histories and individual service records of discharged, retired, and deceased military personnel. It also provides information on locating and replacing military awards and medals. Included is contact information for military history centers, websites for additional sources of research, and a bibliography of other publications, including related CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Torreon, Barbara Salazar
2021-08-17
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International Financial Institutions: FY2022 Budget Request [August 16, 2021]
From the Document: "For FY2022, the Biden Administration is requesting $3.28 billion for the international financial institutions (IFIs). The IFIs include the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the multilateral development banks (MDBs), and associated multilateral trust funds focused on climate change and food security. The FY2022 request for the IFIs would be a 73% increase from the amount enacted in FY2021 ($1.89 billion, Figure 1), and accounts for about 5% of the total FY2022 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs budget request."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nelson, Rebecca M.; Weiss, Martin A.
2021-08-16
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Financial Disclosure: Identifying and Remediating Conflicts of Interest in the Executive Branch [August 17, 2021]
From the Document: "When taking an official action (e.g., making decisions or recommendations), American public servants are expected to put the government's interests ahead of their own. The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. Appendix), as amended, is based upon this principle and requires certain employees to file annual financial disclosure statements. Federal agencies use the disclosed information to identify and remediate real or perceived conflicts of interest, as necessary."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straus, Jacob R.
2021-08-17
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Management of the Colorado River: Water Allocations, Drought, and the Federal Role [Updated August 16, 2021]
From the Introduction: "From its headwaters in Colorado and Wyoming to its terminus in the Gulf of California, the Colorado River Basin covers more than 246,000 square miles. The river runs through seven U.S. states (Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California) and Mexico. [...] Colorado River water is used primarily for agricultural irrigation and municipal and industrial (M&I) purposes. [...] This report provides background on management of the Colorado River, with a focus on recent developments. It also discusses the congressional role in the management of basin waters."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stern, Charles V.; Sheikh, Pervaze A.
2021-08-16
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Naturalization: The Process of Becoming a U.S. Citizen [August 17, 2021] [infographic]
This report from the Congressional Research Service gives a quick view of the naturalization process in the United States, including the eligibility requirements and application process.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straut-Eppsteiner, Holly
2021-08-17
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'Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management: Implications for the SOF Future Operating Environment'
From the Audience and Objectives: "The authors will use the following framework to address issues regarding supply chain threats and mitigation strategies, focusing on its effects on Special Operations Forces (SOF) mission readiness and capabilities: 'Chapter 1.' Characterizes the modernization of warfighting and increased use of ICT [Information communications technology], and the attendant changes in supply chains; 'Chapter 2.' Introduces the subject of supply chains, threats, and threat mitigation strategies, including the notion of C-SCRM [cyber supply chain risk management]; 'Chapter 3.' Analyzes the supply chain from a SOF perspective--threats to the SOF supply chain, including historical threats and attacks on supply chains, as well as ramifications of cyber compromise in the supply chain; 'Chapter 4.' Describes existing government regulations, as well as emergent guidelines and regulations regarding government acquisition and procurement as a means of mitigating threats; 'Chapter 5.' Presents a hypothetical scenario of a warfighter as part of a larger system of smart, portable, and network-connected devices on the battlefield, and potential cyber threats at each stage of the life cycle of the warfighting systems; 'Chapter 6.' The authors discuss current SOF acquisition entities and practices, as well as other tools and emergent processes that can assist in securing the supply chain, as well as educating those involved in acquisition and procurement; Conclusions. The authors then conclude with a discussion of the future of SOF acquisition."
Joint Special Operations University (U.S.)
Craiger, J. Philip (John Philip); Zorri, Diane Maye
2021-04
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Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated August 17, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program--the Coast Guard's program for acquiring new PSCs (i.e., heavy polar icebreakers). The Coast Guard's proposed FY2022 budget requests $170.0 million in procurement funding for the PSC program. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Administration's FY2022 procurement funding request for the PSC program, and, more generally, whether to approve, reject, or modify the Coast Guard's overall plan for procuring new polar icebreakers. Congress's decisions on this issue could affect Coast Guard funding requirements, the Coast Guard's ability to perform its polar missions, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-08-17
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U.S. Military Withdrawal and Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan: Frequently Asked Questions [August 20, 2021]
From the Summary: "On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered the Afghan capital of Kabul, completing a rapid takeover over the country that surprised many Afghans and Americans alike. The Taliban's advance came as the United States was completing the military withdrawal to which it agreed in the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban accord. The fall of the elected Afghan government, supported by billions of dollars in U.S. assistance over the course of nearly two decades, raises significant questions about past, present, and future U.S. policy for Members of Congress. This report provides material related to select questions associated with U.S. policy in Afghanistan, including [1] Background information useful for understanding the current situation in Afghanistan; [2] The Taliban takeover and Afghan government's collapse; [3] U.S. policy implications of the Taliban takeover; [4] Social and economic implications of the Taliban takeover; [5] Regional reactions to the Taliban's takeover; [6] U.S. military operations; and [7] Budgetary implications of the U.S. withdrawal. Some additional lines of inquiry that Congress may wish to explore with the Executive Branch are included alongside specific topics as appropriate. The report concludes with some strategic considerations Congress may wish to contemplate as it assesses the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for the future."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs); McGarry, Brendan W.; McInnis, Kathleen J. . . .
2021-08-20
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Selective Service System and Draft Registration: Issues for Congress [Updated August 18, 2021]
From the Overview: "The United States has not used conscription to fill manpower requirements for over four decades; however, the Selective Service System and the requirement for young men to register for the draft remain today. Men who fail to register are subject to penalties in the form of lost benefits and criminal action. Some have questioned the need to maintain this agency and the registration requirements. Others have questioned whether the current requirements for registration are fair and equitable. This report provides Congress with information about how the Military Selective Service Act (MSSA), the Selective Service System (SSS), and associated requirements for registration have evolved over time. It explains why the United States developed the SSS, what the system looks like today, how constituents are affected by the MSSA requirements, and what the options and considerations may be for the future of the Selective Service. The first section of the report provides background and history on the Military Selective Service Act, the Selective Service System, and the implementation of the draft in the United States. The second section discusses statutory registration requirements, processes for registering, and penalties for failing to register. The third section discusses the current organization, roles, and resourcing of the Selective Service System. The final section discusses policy options and consideration for Congress for the future of the MSSA and the Selective Service System."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kamarck, Kristy N.
2021-08-18
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Permissible and Prohibited Uses of Campaign Funds: Frequently Asked Questions and Policy Overview [August 18, 2021]
From the Summary: "Many frequently asked questions about permissible and prohibited uses of campaign funds are relatively straightforward. The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) generally permits spending campaign funds for campaign expenses; certain officeholder expenses; charitable contributions; and contributions or transfers, within specified limits, to other political committees. Conversely, FECA prohibits spending campaign funds on items that would constitute personal use, such as mortgage or tuition payments. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) relies on a standard known as the 'irrespective test' to determine permissibility of using campaign funds. If the expense would exist in the absence of the campaign, it generally is impermissible. These issues are central to frequent constituent questions for Members of Congress and staff."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-
2021-08-18
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Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency: Overview and Issues for Congress [Updated August 19, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The Department of Defense (DOD) created the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in 1958. 1 Originally called the Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA was established partly in response to the launch of the first Sputnik satellite by the former Soviet Union and partly in recognition of the need to invest resources toward promising concepts requiring a longer timeframe for development.2 In 1972, 'defense' was added to the agency's name to emphasize its mission of making 'pivotal investments in breakthrough technologies for national security.' 3 This report provides an overview of DARPA, including the agency's organizational structure, characteristics (i.e., the 'DARPA model'), and strategic priorities. The report also describes funding trends at DARPA and discusses select issues for possible congressional consideration, including the appropriate level of funding for the agency, technology transfer, and the potential role of DARPA in maintaining the technological superiority of the U.S. military."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gallo, Marcy E.
2021-08-19
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JSOU Quick Look: Cyber Fundamentals for SOF
From the Document: "Variations of the word cyber can describe both things and activities. In terms of things, joint doctrine identifies cyberspace as 'the domain within the information environment that consists of the interdependent network of information technology infrastructures and resident data.' Conversely, cyber activities include cyberspace operations (CO) which are 'the employment of cyberspace capabilities where the primary purpose is to achieve objectives in or through cyberspace.' These terms appear clear, but practical use can be difficult when commanders and planners are seeking approvals or authorizations as the distinction between the domain (cyberspace) and the activity (CO) will result in differences for operational considerations and processes. In fact, disagreement remains regarding CO, information operations, and a variety of overlapping disciplines. The after-action reviews from Joint Task Force (JTF)-ARES Operation Glowing Symphony (OGS), discussed below, indicate that even though it was a successful operation, military and interagency planners disagreed on terms, authorities, and processes. Yet, doctrinal or operational disagreements should not prevent the rest of Special Operations Forces (SOF) from gaining a usable framework to understand cyber. In 2018, Congress clarified the authority for U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) to operate in cyberspace and for the military to execute cyberspace operations as a traditional military activity. Accordingly, CYBERCOM uses a concept of persistent engagement to guide U.S. military actions in cyberspace. Under this concept, cyber capabilities are no longer only employed under certain circumstances. The U.S. is prepared to engage adversaries with constant contact, rather than waiting to defend against attacks, and U.S. military forces are prepared both to act themselves and enable actions by interagency and international partners."
Joint Special Operations University (U.S.)
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Philippines [Updated August 17, 2021]
From the Document: "On July 30, 2021, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana announced that the Philippines had agreed to re-commit to the Philippines-U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which governs the legal status of U.S. military forces operating in the Philippines and establishes rules by which U.S. troops, vessels, and aircraft may enter the country. The move reversed a February 2020 decision in which the Philippines sought to terminate the agreement. The Philippine Constitution limits the President to one, six-year term. Preparations for the next Presidential election, scheduled for May 2022, have begun. In July 2021, Duterte said he is 'seriously thinking' of running for Vice-President, sparking speculation he could be part of a future administration. (The Philippine President and Vice-President are elected separately and may be from different political parties.) A wide range of presidential candidates have expressed interest in running. As of mid-August 2021, the World Health Organization reported approximately 1.6 million COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] cases in the Philippines, and 28,000 deaths. About 11% of the population was fully vaccinated. On July 30, the government reimposed lockdown measures in the Manila metropolitan area. Most vaccines, both purchased and donated, have come from China and the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Dolven, Ben
2021-08-17
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Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress [Updated August 18, 2021]
From the Summary: "Names for Navy ships traditionally have been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President and in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress. Rules for giving certain types of names to certain types of Navy ships have evolved over time. There have been exceptions to the Navy's ship-naming rules, particularly for the purpose of naming a ship for a person when the rule for that type of ship would have called for it to be named for something else. Some observers have perceived a breakdown in, or corruption of, the rules for naming Navy ships. Section 370 of the FY2021 NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act] (H.R. 6395/P.L. 116-283 of January 1, 2021) establishes a commission regarding the removal and renaming of certain assets of the Department of Defense (including ships) that commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-08-18
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Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated August 17, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's programs for procuring 8 National Security Cutters (NSCs), 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), and 58 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs). The Coast Guard's proposed FY2022 budget requests a total of $695 million in procurement funding for the NSC, OPC, and FRC programs. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Coast Guard's funding requests and acquisition strategies for the NSC, OPC, and FRC programs. Congress's decisions on these three programs could substantially affect Coast Guard capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-08-17
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Fire Management Assistance Grants: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated August 17, 2021]
From the Summary: "Section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 93-288, hereinafter the Stafford Act) authorizes the President to 'declare' a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). In the interest of saving time, the authority to make the declaration has been delegated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Regional Administrators. Once issued, the FMAG declaration authorizes various forms of federal fire suppression assistance such as the provision of equipment, personnel, and grants to state, local, and tribal governments for the control, management, and mitigation of any fire on certain public or private forest land or grassland that might become a major disaster. This federal assistance requires a cost-sharing component such that state, local, and tribal governments are responsible for 25% of the expenses. This report answers frequently asked questions about FMAGs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.; Hoover, Katie; Lindsay, Bruce R.
2021-08-17
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Taliban Establish Control Over Afghanistan Amid Government Collapse and U.S. Withdrawal [August 16, 2021]
From the Document: "On August 15, 2021, Taliban fighters entered Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, effectively reestablishing the group's rule over the country after a nearly two-decade-long insurgency against U.S. and international forces and the former Afghan government. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and many other senior Afghan leaders have fled the country, though as of August 16 Ghani has not resigned. The collapse of the Afghan government comes as the U.S. military withdrawal, started under President Donald Trump, was nearing completion at the direction of President Joseph Biden. The Taliban's victory in Afghanistan, the speed of which has shocked many Afghans and other observers, has political, security, and humanitarian implications. The evacuation of U.S. citizens and Afghan partners is seen as of particular urgency."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs)
2021-08-16
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Defense Primer: Naval Forces [Updated August 18, 2021]
From the Document: "U.S. naval forces give the United States the ability to convert the world's oceans--a global commons that covers more than two-thirds of the planet's surface--into a medium of maneuver and operations for projecting U.S. power ashore and otherwise defending U.S. interests around the world. The ability to use the world's oceans in this manner--and to deny other countries the use of the world's oceans for taking actions against U.S. interests--constitutes an immense asymmetric advantage for the United States. As discussed elsewhere (see 'Defense Primer: Geography, Strategy, and U.S. Force Design), the size and composition of U.S. naval forces reflect the position of the United States as a Western Hemisphere power with a goal of preventing the emergence of regional hegemons in Eurasia."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-08-18
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Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations [Updated August 18, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Iran ratified the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1970. Article III of the treaty requires nonnuclear-weapon states-parties to accept comprehensive International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards; Tehran concluded a comprehensive safeguards agreement with the IAEA in 1974. In 2002, the agency began investigating allegations that Iran had conducted clandestine nuclear activities; the IAEA ultimately reported that some of these activities had violated Tehran's safeguards agreement. Following more than three years of investigation, the IAEA Board of Governors reported the matter to the U.N. Security Council in February 2006. Since then, the council adopted six resolutions requiring Iran to take steps to alleviate international concerns about its nuclear program. This report provides a brief overview of Iran's nuclear program and describes the legal basis for the actions taken by the IAEA board and the Security Council."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.
2021-08-18
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Unemployment Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic [Updated August 20, 2021]
From the Summary: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has had a significant effect on labor market metrics for every state, economic sector, and major demographic group in the United States. This report provides information on unemployment rates, labor force participation rates, and nonfarm payrolls in the United States during the ongoing pandemic. It presents CRS [Congressional Research Service] analysis of overall unemployment rate trends during the pandemic. The report first examines these trends nationally, and then at the state and industrial levels. Next, it examines how unemployment rates varied across demographic groups. The report then repeats this analysis, where appropriate, for the labor force participation rate, which sheds light on the size of the workforce willing and available for work. The final portion of the report analyzes the impact the pandemic has had on overall employment and by sector."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Falk, Gene; Romero, Paul D.; Nicchitta, Isaac A. . . .
2021-08-20
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Afghanistan Withdrawal: Military and Defense Implications [August 17, 2021]
From the Document: "After a rapid Taliban campaign to capture cities and territories formerly controlled by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA), on August 15, 2021, the Taliban took Kabul and the President of GIRoA, Ashraf Ghani, fled the country. Information regarding the situation on the ground in Afghanistan and U.S. troop numbers is fluid and should be treated with caution. This Insight, which may be updated as circumstances warrant, is intended to assist Congress as it considers the military and defense implications of the withdrawal while events unfold."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McInnis, Kathleen J.; Feickert, Andrew
2021-08-17
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Debt Limit in 2021 [Updated August 17, 2021]
From the Document: "Debt limit episodes [hyperlink]--which can be defined as starting when the statutory limit on federal debt restricts some of the U.S. Treasury's normal debt operations and ending when new legislation to modify the limit is enacted--have been a recurrent federal fiscal feature in the past two decades. Since 2002, the debt limit has been modified 18 times [hyperlink]. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 (BBA 2019; P.L. 116-37), enacted in August 2019, had suspended the debt limit through July 31, 2021. The limit was reset at just over $28.4 trillion [hyperlink] at the beginning of August 2021. Recent debt limit episodes share similarities, although the issue in 2021 has a few unique characteristics. First, the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic remains a source of economic uncertainty, and the fiscal responses it spurred have accelerated the pace of federal debt accumulation. Second, the U.S. Treasury sharply increased its cash balances in 2020 to accommodate those fiscal responses. Third, since 2015, Bipartisan Budget Acts that adjusted statutory caps on discretionary spending imposed by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA; P.L. 112-25) also suspended the debt limit. The expiration of those discretionary spending caps at the end of FY2021 rendered moot the need for legislation to modify them. Thus, the legislative vehicle used for the past few debt limit modifications is unavailable in 2021."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Austin, D. Andrew
2021-08-17
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VA Now Processing Gulf War Veterans' Disability Claims for New Respiratory Presumptive Conditions [August 16, 2021]
From the Background: "On August 2, 2021, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced [hyperlink] it will begin processing disability claims for asthma [hyperlink], rhinitis [hyperlink], and sinusitis [hyperlink] on a presumptive basis due to presumed exposure to particulate matter (such as burn pit emissions) during servicemembers' deployment to Southwest Asia and certain other countries. This update in presumptive conditions comes after VA Secretary Denis McDonough informed Congress on June 16, 2021 [hyperlink], that he has 'recommended initiation of rulemaking to establish a presumption of service connection for respiratory conditions related to exposure to particulate matter and other airborne hazards, which may conclude [sic] such conditions as asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis for Gulf War Veterans [hyperlink]. This decision was based on the first iteration of a newly formed internal VA process to review scientific evidence relating to exposures.' Less than two months later, on August 5, 2021, VA began to adjudicate veterans' claims for the aforementioned conditions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Salazar, Heather M.
2021-08-16
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U.S. Senate Vacancies: How Are They Filled? [August 20, 2021]
From the Document: "Vacancies in the membership of the U.S. Senate can occur as the result of the resignation, death, or expulsion of a Member, or the refusal of the Senate to seat a Senator-elect. Article I, Section 3, clause 2 of the Constitution originally vested the power of appointment to fill Senate vacancies exclusively with the state governors when the legislatures were in recess, with the state legislatures authorized to elect replacements to serve the balance of the term at their next session. The Seventeenth Amendment, ratified in 1913, provided for direct election of Senators and directed governors to issue writs of election to fill vacancies. It also authorized state legislatures to empower governors to make temporary appointments until successors can be elected. At present, 45 states authorize their governors to appoint a Senator to fill a vacancy until a replacement is elected. Five states, however, provide that Senate vacancies may be filled only by election."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Neale, Thomas H.
2021-08-20
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JSOU Quick Look: Cryptocurrency
This Joint Special Operations University "Quick Look" delves into the issues surrounding cryptocurrency and also includes a detailed description on blockchain technology.
Joint Special Operations University (U.S.)
2021-06-30?
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Left Behind: How Facebook is Neglecting Europe's Infodemic
From the Document: "As Europe enters a third COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] wave, our research finds that Facebook is failing to protect Europeans from dangerous misinformation. Facebook promised to do more to protect its users, but a year after the start of the pandemic, our findings suggest it has not improved its ability to detect dangerous misinformation, emphasising the need for urgent EU regulations."
Avaaz
2021-04-20
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Blurred Battlefield: The Perplexing Conflation of Humanitarian and Criminal Law in Contemporary Conflicts
From the Document: "This monograph is a serious and well-researched investigation into crucial factors of contemporary warfare. Readers will learn lessons on the distinctions between the Law of Armed Conflict and criminal law, particularly on important issues like lethal force, escalation of force tactics, and security detention. Professor Paterson makes a strong argument that the stated policy of respect and promotion of human rights (HR)--that has long been a guiding principle of the U.S. military--does not translate into specific and mandatory directives at the tactical and operational levels. Indeed, he asserts that at those levels there is no formal attention to HR, only ad hoc efforts by operational units that don't receive guiding policy. This monograph will be essential reading for policymakers and those whose task is the development of granular precepts to guide implementation and execution of policy on the ground."
Joint Special Operations University (U.S.)
Paterson, Patrick J.
2021-03
