Advanced search Help
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
COVID-19 Contracting: Actions Needed to Enhance Transparency and Oversight of Selected Awards, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "In March 2020, Congress passed the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act as part of the federal response to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. The act had certain provisions for federal contracting, including providing additional flexibilities. Contracting plays a critical role in the pandemic response as agencies obligate billions of dollars for goods and services. The act also included a provision for GAO [U.S. Government Accountability Office] to review federal contracting in response to COVID-19. This report examines, among other objectives, the extent to which the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security--the only agencies that reported using other transaction agreements in response to COVID-19 in the federal procurement database--used such agreements, including awards to consortia, and oversight of such use. GAO analyzed federal procurement data as of March 2021; reviewed a nongeneralizable sample of 15 agreements selected based on high dollar amounts, agency, a mix of products and services, among other criteria; reviewed agency policies; and interviewed agency officials. GAO is making 14 recommendations to selected agencies, to improve the transparency of agreement awards in the federal procurement database and update policies to improve the oversight of agreements awarded through consortium management firms. The agencies agreed with 11 of the recommendations and did not agree with three of them. GAO continues to believe the recommendations are valid, as discussed in the report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07-26
-
Wildfire Smoke Factsheet: Indoor Air Filtration
From the Document: "When wildfire smoke gets inside your home it can make your indoor air unhealthy, but there are steps you can take to protect your health and improve the air quality in your home. Reducing indoor sources of pollution is a major step toward lowering the concentrations of particles indoors. For example, avoid burning candles, smoking tobacco products, using aerosol products, and avoid using a gas or wood-burning stove or fireplace. Another step is air filtration. This fact sheet discusses effective options for filtering your home's indoor air to reduce indoor air pollution."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
2020-05-28
-
Wildfire Smoke Factsheet: Protect Your Lungs from Wildfire Smoke or Ash
This factsheet describes safety methods to protect your lungs from wildfire smoke and ash. From the document: "Wildfire smoke and ash can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. They can make you cough or wheeze, and can make it hard to breathe. A respirator is a device (mask) that covers your nose and mouth, fits tightly to your face, and can filter out smoke or ash particles before you breathe them in. Respirators are not sized for children. The most effective way to protect yourself during wildfire emergencies is to stay indoors or limit your time outdoors when there is smoke in the air. This is especially important if you have heart or lung disease and are at higher risk for adverse health effects. Reducing physical activity and using HEPA [high efficiency particulate air]-filtered air cleaners indoors are other ways to reduce your smoke exposure. Consider temporary relocation out of the smoky area if possible. By limiting your exposure one of these ways, you may not need to wear a respirator."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
2021-07?
-
Wildfire Smoke Factsheet: Protect Your Large Animals and Livestock from Wildfire Smoke
From the Document: "Your animals can be affected by wildfire smoke. If you feel the effects of smoke, they probably do too! High levels of smoke are harmful. Long exposure to lower levels of smoke can also irritate animals' eyes and respiratory tract and make it hard for them to breathe. Reduce your animals' exposure to smoke the same way you reduce your own: spend less time in smoky areas and limit physical activity. Animals with heart or lung disease and older animals are especially at risk from smoke and should be closely watched during all periods of poor air quality. Take the following actions to protect your large animals and livestock against wildfire smoke."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
2019-03?
-
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 1471, Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on May 26, 2021. From the Document: "S. 1471 would make it a federal crime to export Native American cultural items, archaeological resources, and objects of antiquity without proper authorization and would require exporters to obtain an export certification. Federal agencies would need to convene working groups to reduce trafficking and encourage repatriation of cultural heritage items. The bill also would direct the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of State to designate liaisons to facilitate voluntary returns of unlawfully acquired items. Those agencies would provide training to tribal organizations, collectors, and dealers concerning the new prohibitions."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-07-27
-
Wildfire Smoke Factsheet: Protect Your Pets from Wildfire Smoke
From the Document: "Your pets can be affected by wildfire smoke. If you feel the effects of smoke, they probably do, too! Smoke can irritate your pet's eyes and respiratory tract. Animals with heart or lung disease and older pets are especially at risk from smoke and should be closely watched during all periods of poor air quality"
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
2019-03?
-
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 3599, Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on June 29, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 3599 would direct the Office of Personnel Management to create policies and procedures to allow federal cybersecurity professionals to temporarily work for another agency for up to one year. That requirement would expire five years following enactment. In addition, the bill would require the Government Accountability Office to report to the Congress on the effectiveness of the rotational program. CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 3599 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2021-2026 period to issue regulations, train staff, and prepare the required report."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-07-21
-
Federal Contracting: Senior Leaders Should Use Leading Companies' Key Practices to Improve Performance, Report to the Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Federal agencies face significant, longstanding procurement challenges that increase the risk of waste and mismanagement. GAO [U.S. Government Accountability Office] was asked to review key procurement practices in the private sector and assess whether federal agencies could adopt them. This report examines key practices that leading companies use to improve the performance of their procurement organizations, and the extent to which procurement leaders at selected federal agencies use those practices. GAO interviewed senior procurement leaders at seven leading companies, and experts from four professional associations and five academic institutions. GAO selected these individuals based on literature reviews and conversations with knowledgeable officials. GAO compared key practices they identified to those used at six federal agencies selected based on the dollar value and number of their procurement actions, among other factors. GAO analyzed documentation on each agency's procurement management practices, and interviewed the agencies' senior procurement leaders. The federal government does not have generally accepted definitions for outcome-oriented and process-oriented metrics. For the purposes of this report, GAO defined outcome-oriented metrics as those metrics that measure the results of organizations' procurement activities. GAO defined process-oriented metrics as those metrics that measure the type or level of procurement activities conducted."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07-27
-
Aviation Services: Information on Airports Exercising Their Right as the Sole Provider of Fuel, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "FAA [Federal Aviation Administration], through federal airport grants, helps fund airports' capital development and is responsible for overseeing airports' compliance with federal requirements incorporated in airport grant agreements. Under these agreements, airports are generally not allowed to grant exclusive rights to any person or entity to provide aeronautical services--such as fuel--on airport grounds. FAA has determined, however, that airports themselves can opt to be the exclusive provider of such services by exercising their proprietary exclusive right. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to examine airports that have exercised their proprietary exclusive right. This report addresses what is known about the number and characteristics of airports that are currently exercising their proprietary exclusive right to provide fuel and the factors airports consider when deciding whether to exercise this right to provide fuel. GAO reviewed relevant federal statutes, FAA policies and guidance, airport documents and websites, and conducted a web survey of all 3,010 public use airports in the contiguous United States. GAO interviewed officials at a non-generalizable sample of 26 airports that self-identified as exercising their proprietary exclusive right and at 10 airports that are not exercising their proprietary exclusive right, selected based on a mix of characteristics, including the amount of fuel sales. GAO also interviewed FAA compliance staff at headquarters and regional offices."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
-
Evidence-Based Policymaking: Survey Data Identify Opportunities to Strengthen Capacity Across Federal Agencies, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The Evidence Act created a framework for enhancing the federal government's capacity to build and use evidence in decision-making. The Evidence Act includes provisions for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review its implementation. This report (1) describes federal managers' reported availability and use of evidence in decision-making activities, and (2) assesses federal managers' reported views on their agencies' capacity for evidence-building activities. To conduct its work, GAO analyzed results from a survey it administered from July to December 2020 to a stratified random sample of about 4,000 managers at 24 major federal agencies. The survey had a 56 percent response rate. Results can be generalized to the population of managers government-wide and at each agency. GAO also reviewed documents from OMB [Office of Management and Budget], OPM [Office of Personnel Management], and relevant interagency councils, and interviewed federal officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
-
Critical Infrastructure Protection: TSA is Taking Steps to Address Some Pipeline Security Program Weaknesses, Statement of Leslie V. Gordon, Acting Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Statement Before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "The nation's pipelines are vulnerable to cyber-based attacks due to increased reliance on computerized systems. In May 2021 malicious cyber actors deployed ransomware against Colonial Pipeline's business systems. The company subsequently disconnected certain systems that monitor and control physical pipeline functions so that they would not be compromised. This statement discusses TSA's [Transportation Security Administration] actions to address previous GAO findings related to weaknesses in its pipeline security program and TSA's guidance to pipeline owner/operators. It is based on prior GAO products issued in December 2018, June 2019, and March 2021, along with updates on actions TSA has taken to address GAO's recommendations as of June 2021. To conduct the prior work, GAO analyzed TSA documents; interviewed TSA officials, industry association representatives, and a sample of pipeline operators selected based on type of commodity transported and other factors; and observed TSA security reviews. GAO also reviewed TSA's May and July 2021 Pipeline Security Directives, TSA's Pipeline Security Guidelines, and three federal security alerts issued in July 2020, May 2021, and June 2021."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07-27
-
Guide for Community Partners: 'Increasing COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Members of Racial and Ethnic Minority Communities'
From the Document: "In January 2021, the federal government funded 64 state, territorial, and local immunization programs for COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccination efforts and required 10% of funding to support groups at higher risk of COVID-19 and under-resourced communities. As immunization programs continue to get funding to support COVID-19 vaccination uptake, the Guide for Community Partners can be used to 'support organizations with community-level reach--who play a critical role in increasing vaccine confidence and access in their communities--with delivering or supporting COVID-19 vaccination efforts.'"
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-04-06
-
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 1037, Manufacturing.gov Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on May 12, 2021. From the Document: "S. 1037 would require the Department of Commerce to establish a section on its manufacturing.gov website that contains information about federal manufacturing programs. That new section would include contact information for relevant federal programs, an avenue for public feedback, and issue-area webpages. CBO [Congressional Budget Office] expects that the department would carry out most of the activities required under S. 1037 as part of its normal duties to update and maintain the manufacturing.gov website. Any additional costs would be insignificant and subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-07-27
-
FEMA Reauthorization: Recovering Quicker and Smarter, Hearing Before U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session, September 18, 2013
This is the September 18, 2013 hearing on "FEMA Reauthorization" before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. From the opening statement of Lou Barletta: "We know even after the [2013 Colorado] storms have passed and the rescue and response operations are completed, these communities will continue to face a devastating situation. They will be tasked to try and put their lives back together again and rebuild their homes, businesses and communities: a process that has been bogged down with red-tape, creating a bureaucratic nightmare for communities already devastated by the loss of loved ones and by the disaster itself. It is for this reason, earlier this year, we enacted the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act. That Act included key provisions to streamline the rebuilding process following disasters. The purpose of the hearing today is to review how those reforms are being applied and implemented and how they can help communities like those in Colorado rebuild faster. We will examine how these reforms are currently being used in the recovery efforts to Hurricane Sandy, the tornadoes in Oklahoma and other recent disasters. We will also examine how we ensure effective coordination among federal, state, tribal, and local agencies in helping communities recover quicker and smarter." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Lou Barletta, Joseph L. Nimmich, Yolanda Chavez, James Rivera, Glenn M. Cannon, Gayland Kitch, and Michael Finely.
United States. Government Printing Office
2014
-
Hearing to Receive Testimony on Opportunities to Improve and Expand Infrastructure Important to Federal Lands, Recreation, Water, and Resources, Hearing Before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, March 21, 2017
This testimony compilation made by the HSDL staff is from the March 21, 2017 hearing, "Hearing to Receive Testimony on Opportunities to Improve and Expand Infrastructure Important to Federal Lands, Recreation, Water, and Resources," before the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The purpose of this hearing was to, "receive testimony on opportunities to improve and expand infrastructure important to federal lands, recreation, water, and resources." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Marcia Argust, Bob Bonar, Jill Simmons, David B. Spears, Chris Treese, and Brad Worsley.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
2017-03-21
-
Hearing to Examine the United States' Increasing Dependence on Foreign Sources of Minerals and Opportunities to Rebuild and Improve the Supply Chain in the United States, Hearing Before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, March 28, 2017
This testimony compilation made by the HSDL staff is from the March 28, 2017 hearing, "Hearing to Examine the United States' Increasing Dependence on Foreign Sources of Minerals and Opportunities to Rebuild and Improve the Supply Chain in the United States," before the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The purpose of this hearing was to, "examine the United States' increasing dependence on foreign sources of minerals and opportunities to rebuild and improve the supply chain in the United States." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Murray Hitzman, Alf Barrios, Chris Hinde, Randy MacGillivray, Kevin J. Cosgriff, and Roderick G. Eggert.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
2017-03-28
-
Emergency Management in Indian Country: Improving FEMA's Federal-Tribal Relationship with Indian Tribes, Hearing Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, U.S. Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, February 8, 2017
This testimony compilation is from the February 8, 2017 hearing on "Emergency Management in Indian Country: Improving FEMA's Federal-Tribal Relationship with Indian Tribes" held before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. From the testimony of Alex Amparo: "FEMA is committed to our partnership and collaboration with federally recognized Indian tribes, and to providing support in their preparation for, protection against, mitigation of, response to, and recovery from all hazards and disasters. FEMA has a strong tradition of engagement with federally recognized Indian tribal governments (tribal governments). However, since the passage of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act (SRIA) in 2013, the agency has dedicated additional resources to ensuring that tribal governments are fully woven into the fabric of our mission. Today, I can tell you that FEMA recognizes the unique relationship between Indian Country and the Federal Government, and the unique conditions that affect Indian Country. We work sideby-side with our tribal partners on all aspects of our mission, and we continue to posture ourselves to better support our tribal partners at any time. To reinforce how we recognize these important relationships, I would like to specifically outline FEMA's approach as described in: 1) FEMA's Tribal Policy; 2) FEMA's Tribal Consultation Policy; and, 3) FEMA's Tribal Declaration Pilot Guidance." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Alex Amparo, Milo Booth, Russell Begaye, Michael Chavarria, and Cody Desautel.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Indian Affairs
2017-02-08
-
Future of FEMA: Recommendations of Former Administrators, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications of the Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, February 28, 2017
This testimony compilation is from the February 28, 2017 hearing, "Future of FEMA: Recommendations of Former Administrators" before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Dan Donovan: "Today's hearing is the second in a series of hearings on the future of FEMA and an effort to help set the next Administrator up for success. Earlier this month, the Subcommittee received testimony from FEMA's stakeholders to hear first-hand about the critical relationship between FEMA and first responders at the state and local level. FEMA's success is directly related to the relationships the agency has with state and local partners to promote a culture of preparedness within communities. Part one of this series of hearings reinforced the need for an experienced emergency manager to lead FEMA. Today's distinguished and weather-tested witnesses know better than anyone the significant transformation FEMA has made in achieving and maintaining national preparedness and response capabilities over the past 12 years. Both administrators were responsible for implementing about 350 individual requirements enacted by Congress in the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act. With the tools Congress gave them, they took steps to ensure FEMA developed and implemented the complex National Preparedness System made up of federal, state, local, private, and non-profit emergency management partners. Significant resources have been invested at all levels of government to reach the current level of national preparedness. As we move forward, those in positions of authority have an obligation to build on the critical progress that has been made. This Subcommittee has consistently followed FEMA's progress. Without strong leadership in place, FEMA would not have achieved the level of transformation currently in place.". Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: W. Craig Fugate and R. David Paulison.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2017-02-28
-
Flood Insurance Reform: FEMA's Perspective, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, March 9, 2017
This testimony compilation is from the March 9, 2017 hearing, "Flood Insurance Reform: FEMA's Perspective" before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the Committee on Financial Services. From the statement of Roy Wright: "Flooding continues to be the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States, with the greatest damage potential of all natural disasters worldwide. Over the past 50 years, the NFIP [National Flood Insurance Program] has helped communities, households, and businesses reduce flood risk, supported flood risk analysis and mapping projects, expanded sound floodplain management practices across the country, and reduced the financial burden to survivors when floods occur. We recognize that the nation faces broad public policy questions around flood insurance affordability, continued development in flood-prone areas, the soundness of the NFIP's financial framework, and greater private sector participation in flood insurance markets. Through all of this, FEMA's priority is to increase flood insurance coverage so that disaster survivors can recover more quickly and fully after flood events. Through a timely, multi-year reauthorization, Congress would enable FEMA to continue supporting those who take steps to protect their homes and businesses." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Roy Wright.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Financial Services
2017-03-09
-
Future of FEMA, Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, February 14, 2017 and February 28, 2017
These are the February 14, 2017 and February 28, 2017 hearings on "The Future of FEMA," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Dan Donovan: "This hearing is the first in a series the Subcommittee will hold to consider the future of FEMA. We will use what we learn at these hearings, along with the findings from past Subcommittee work, to make recommendations for the next FEMA Administrator - a roadmap for success of sorts. [...] We have already had seven major disaster declarations this year. There is no doubt that FEMA has disaster-tested officials in place to get the job done, but it is important to install permanent leadership as soon as possible. The job requires an experienced emergency manager capable of navigating the National Preparedness System. For more than a decade, billions have been invested across the United States to enhance capabilities and achieve the National Preparedness Goal. It is to FEMA's credit that such investments are making the United States stronger and safer in the face of emergencies". Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Chris A. Kelenske, John Sinclair, and Richard F. Bland.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2017
-
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes: United States, 2019
From the Executive Summary: "This is the third annual drug surveillance report summarizing the latest data at the national level for opioid prescribing patterns, drug use, nonfatal overdoses, and fatal overdoses related to the current drug overdose epidemic in the United States. This report is intended to serve as a resource for 1) people charged with addressing this ongoing national crisis, 2) members of the public who want to stay informed about the most recently available data, and 3) people who are interested in learning about the current drug overdose landscape and developing innovative and evidence-based solutions to address this crisis."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (U.S.)
Roehler, Douglas R.
2019-11-01
-
Overview of Department of Defense Use of the Electromagnetic Spectrum [Updated July 16, 2021]
From the Document: "The Department of Defense (DOD) is the largest federal user of the electromagnetic spectrum ('the spectrum'). It holds frequencies across multiple bands to support a number of technologies and uses. DOD utilizes spectrum on a day-to-day basis, for training, and for military operations. Thus, any changes to spectrum could affect DOD operations, both domestically and with allies abroad. Further, DOD has invested significantly in spectrum-dependent technologies. A summary of some of these technologies, including wireless communications, satellites, radar technologies that support situational awareness, signal intelligence and electronic warfare technologies, is provided [herein]. Changes in spectrum may affect how DOD can use, manipulate, or develop these technologies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.; Sayler, Kelley M.; Gallagher, Jill C.
2021-07-16
-
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA): A Summary of the Act and Its Major Requirements [Updated July 1, 2021]
From the Summary: "This report provides a summary of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and its major programs and regulatory requirements. It reviews revisions to the act since its enactment in 1974, including the drinking water security provisions added to SDWA by the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-188), and provisions to further reduce lead in plumbing materials and drinking water (P.L. 111-380, P.L. 113-64, and P.L. 114- 322). It also identifies changes made to the act in P.L. 114-45, regarding algal toxins in public water supplies; the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act (P.L. 114-98); the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act (P.L. 114-322); and America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA; P.L. 115-270), which constituted the most comprehensive revisions to SDWA since 1996. It also discusses SDWA-related provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 (P.L. 116-92) regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary; Humphreys, Elena H.
2021-07-01
-
Counter-Drug Operations (Fiscal Year 2020 Report to Congress)
From the Legislative Language: "This document responds to direction in House Report 116-180 accompanying the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act (P.L. 116-93). House Report 116-180 states: Counter-Drug Operations.--The Committee directs the Department to provide a report, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, on its counter-drug operations and efforts to address operational needs in the transit zone and throughout the Caribbean basin, specifically in and around Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2020-08-14
-
U.S.-Kenya FTA Negotiations [Updated July 7, 2021]
From the Document: "The United States and Kenya began free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations in 2020 under then-President Trump and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya. Negotiations are currently on hold as the Biden Administration reviews its trade policy priorities. Some Members of Congress have pressed the Administration to proceed with the talks, but the July 1 expiration of U.S. Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), under which President Trump had notified Congress of his intent to enter into the bilateral FTA negotiations, and the planned 2022 presidential elections in Kenya may complicate the path forward. A U.S.-Kenya FTA would be the first U.S. FTA with a country in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Congressional interest may include (1) Congress's constitutional authority to regulate foreign commerce; (2) the FTA's potential effects on the U.S. economy, and trade and foreign policy implications; and (3) statutory mandates in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA, P.L. 106-200, as amended), which among other things directs the President to seek African FTA partners."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Williams, Brock R.; Blanchard, Lauren Ploch
2021-07-07
-
Climate and Security in the Middle East and North Africa [July 15, 2021]
From the Document: "The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is among the world's most water-stressed and vulnerable to climate change. Policymakers' concerns about a changing MENA climate include not only physical and economic impacts but also the potential implications for political stability and security in a volatile region. [...] Projections of various effects of climate change on the largely arid and semi-arid MENA region are available, although regional analyses are often constrained by limited data for MENA and downscaling from global models. Given MENA's geographic span--from Morocco to Iran-- and topographic variation (e.g., mountains, deserts, and deltas), local effects may differ from regional trends."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell; Carter, Nicole T.; Procita, Kezee
2021-07-15
-
Countering Violent Extremism: DHS Can Further Enhance Its Strategic Planning and Data Governance Efforts, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "Data collected through the Extremist Crime Database show that there were 81 fatal violent extremist attacks in the United States from 2010 through 2020, resulting in 240 deaths. Since 2010, DHS has developed strategic initiatives that address targeted violence and terrorism prevention, which include efforts to counter violent extremism, among other things. GAO was asked to review DHS's longer-term efforts to prevent terrorism and targeted violence. This report examines the extent to which (1) DHS's 2019 strategy to address targeted violence and terrorism prevention includes key elements of a comprehensive strategy, and (2) DHS has developed a data governance framework to help implement its strategy. GAO reviewed DHS documentation and compared DHS's strategy to identified elements of a comprehensive strategy, and compared DHS's efforts to develop a data governance framework to federal requirements for implementing data governance."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
-
CBP Has Placed Travelers' PII at Risk of Exploitation
From the Highlights: "U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for securing travelers' data from cybersecurity threats. CBP's Mobile Passport Control (MPC) applications (app) -- used by more than 10 million travelers from July 2017 through December 2019 -- contained the travelers' personally identifiable information (PII) used to expedite them through CBP's inspection process. Our audit objective was to determine to what extent CBP protects its MPC apps from cybersecurity threats. [...] We made eight recommendations to improve the security of CBP's MPC program."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2021-07-15
-
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 65, Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as passed by the Senate on July 14, 2021. From the Document: "Under S. 65, goods from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China would be presumed to be made using forced labor, and their importation would be banned. The bill also would impose sanctions on people or entities that contribute to forced-labor practices in that region. Those actions would have insignificant effects on direct spending and revenues. The bill also would require the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), and the Department of Treasury to report to the Congress on their efforts to address forced labor in the Xinjiang region. Satisfying those requirements would each cost less than $500,000 and total $1 million over the 2021-2026 period. Such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-07-26
-
Future of Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Update
From the Introduction: "In 2014, the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction at National Defense University published a paper on the future of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). It projected WMD-relevant geopolitical and technological trends and made judgments as to how those trends would shape the nature and role of WMD in 2030. Those projections and judgments, summarized in the next section, largely remain viable. Since 2014, however, significant developments bearing on the future of WMD have occurred, which this paper explores."
National Intelligence University (U.S.); National Defense University. Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Caves, John P.; Carus, W. Seth
2021-02
