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S. Rept. 117-113: Air America Act of 2021, Report to Accompany S. 407, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, May 19, 2022
From the Purpose and Summary: "S. 407, the Air America Act of 2022, would qualify the service of employees of Air America, Inc., between 1950 and 1976 as creditable for retirement benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Employees of Air America served the U.S. government in a covert capacity to help achieve foreign policy objectives during this time period, throughout the Cold War, Korean War, and Vietnam War. The employees lost access to retirement in 1985 when the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) made a change to the Federal Personnel Manual impacting federal contractors, which is how Air America operated publicly. The bill provides a two-year window for Air America employees or their survivors to apply for retirement benefits, including retroactive benefits."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-19
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Individual-Level Evaluation of the Exposure Notification Cascade in the SwissCovid Digital Proximity Tracing App: Observational Study
From the Abstract: "Digital proximity tracing (DPT) aims to complement manual contact tracing (MCT) in identifying exposed contacts and preventing further transmission of SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] in the population. Although several DPT apps, including SwissCovid, have shown to have promising effects on mitigating the pandemic, several challenges have impeded them from fully achieving the desired results. A key question now relates to how the effectiveness of DPT can be improved, which requires a better understanding of factors influencing its processes. [...] In this study, we aim to provide a detailed examination of the exposure notification (EN) cascade and to evaluate potential contextual influences for successful receipt of an EN and subsequent actions taken by cases and contacts in different exposure settings.[...] We used data from 285 pairs of SARS-CoV-2-infected cases and their contacts within an observational cohort study of cases and contacts identified by MCT and enrolled between August 6, 2020, and January 17, 2021, in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland. We surveyed participants with electronic questionnaires. Data were summarized descriptively and stratified by exposure setting. [...] Our descriptive evaluation of the DPT notification cascade provides further evidence that DPT is an important complementary tool in pandemic mitigation, especially in nonhousehold exposure settings. However, the effect of DPT apps can only be exerted if code generation processes are efficient and exposed contacts are willing to undertake preventive actions. This highlights the need to focus efforts on keeping barriers to efficient code generation as low as possible and promoting not only app adoption but also compliance with the recommended measures upon an EN." This article was originally published on the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Public Health and Surveillance website: [https://publichealth.jmir.org/2022/5/e35653].
JMIR Publications
Ballouz, Tala; Menges, Dominik; Aschmann, Hélène E. . . .
2022-05-19
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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Technical Assistance Guide
From the Document: "President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law unlocks billions of dollars in opportunity for states, territories, Tribes, and local governments to make a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation's infrastructure. Over 90% of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's historic funding will be deployed by non-federal partners. The Biden Administration has put together this technical assistance guide to help make it easier for communities across the country to navigate, access, and deploy infrastructure funding that will build a better America. In the past, too many communities have lacked the resources to apply for and deliver transformative infrastructure opportunities. While there are many programs across the federal government dedicated to technical assistance, navigating the vast landscape of programs and resources can be challenging for communities. To ease this burden, the Biden Administration is committed to closing access gaps and making these opportunities transparent and available. The Biden Administration has identified at least $700 million in dedicated funding across more than 65 federal technical assistance programs, focused on helping communities apply for and deploy federal infrastructure funding. This guide will help communities navigate programs and resources that can help them deliver transformative infrastructure projects, using the historic funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Specifically, this guide provides a list of over 65 technical assistance resources and programs across the federal government to help communities deliver infrastructure projects."
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2022-05-18
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CBO Estimate for H.R. 7790, the Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022, as Introduced on May 17, 2022
This Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate provides discretionary spending estimates for H.R. 7790, Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022. From the Document: "H.R. 7790 would provide supplemental funding for fiscal year 2022 for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to address the current shortage of FDA-regulated infant formula and medical foods in the United States. The legislation would designate that funding as an emergency requirement in keeping with section 4001(a)(1) and section 4001(b) of S. Con. Res. 14 (117th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2022."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-05-18
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H. Rept. 117-336, P.1: Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Law Enforcement Training Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 2992, May 18, 2022
From the Document: "The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 2992) to direct the Attorney General to develop crisis intervention training tools for use by first responders related to interacting with persons who have a traumatic brain injury, another form of acquired brain injury, or post-traumatic stress disorder, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass. [...] H.R. 2992, the ''Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Law Enforcement Training Act'' or the ''TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act,'' would require the Bureau of Justice Assistance to establish crisis intervention training tools for first responders to recognize and assist individuals with traumatic brain injuries, acquired brain injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The bill would also require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to study the prevalence of TBI and concussion among first responders."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-18
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S. Rept. 117-112: Protecting Indian Tribes from Scams Act, Report to Accompany S. 1880, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, May 18, 2022
From the Document: "The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to which was referred the bill (S. 1880) to direct the Federal Trade Commission to submit to Congress a report on unfair or deceptive acts or practices targeted at Indian Tribes or members of Indian Tribes, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment (in the nature of a substitute) and recommends that the bill (as amended) do pass. [...] The purpose of S. 1880 is to direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) to submit to Congress a report on unfair or deceptive acts or practices targeted at Indian Tribes or members of Indian Tribes and to include information about identifying and avoiding such acts or practices on its website."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-18
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H. Rept. 117-335: Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022, Report to Accompany H.R. 6943, May 18, 2022
From the Document: "The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 6943) to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize public safety officer death benefits to officers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or acute stress disorder, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass. [...] H.R. 6943, the ''Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022,'' expands the eligibility of certain officers or their surviving family for death and disability benefits as provided for by the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program to include coverage for public safety officers who die by suicide or are disabled as a result of traumatic experiences."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-18
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Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) Program [Updated May 18, 2022]
From the Background: "The RCV [Robotic Combat Vehicle] is a vehicle being developed as part of the Army's Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) family of vehicles. The Army plans to develop three RCV variants: Light, Medium, and Heavy. The Army reportedly envisions employing RCVs as 'scouts' and 'escorts' for manned fighting vehicles to deter ambushes and to guard the flanks of mechanized formations. As originally planned, RCVs are to be controlled by operators riding in NGCVs [Next Generation Combat Vehicles], but the Army hopes that improved ground navigation technology and artificial intelligence (AI) might eventually permit a single operator to control multiple RCVs or for RCVs to operate in a more autonomous mode."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2022-05-18
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Army's Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) System [Updated May 18, 2022]
From the Document: "The Army's MPF [Mobile Protected Firepower] system is intended to address an operational shortfall: Currently the Army's Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCT) do not have a combat vehicle assigned that is capable of providing mobile, protected, direct, offensive fire capability.... The MPF solution is an integration of existing mature technologies and components that avoids development which would lengthen the program schedule. Operationally, the Army wants the MPF to be able to Neutralize enemy prepared positions and bunkers and defeat heavy machine guns and armored vehicle threats during offensive operations or when conducting defensive operations against attacking enemies. In terms of the Army's overall procurement plans for MPF, The Army Acquisition Objective (AAO) for MPF is 504 vehicles, with 14 MPFs per IBCT. The targeted fielding for the First Unit Equipped (FUE) is Fiscal Year (FY) 2025."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2022-05-18
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated May 18, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, a program carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy that gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition strategies and proposed funding levels for the Aegis BMD program. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-05-18
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Iraq and U.S. Policy [Updated May 18, 2022]
From the Document: "Iraq held a national election on October 10, 2021, with voters selecting 329 members for the unicameral legislature, the Council of Representatives (COR). [...] An impasse between competing blocs has delayed the COR's selection of the president since January 2022. [...] It remains to be seen whether the election result and formation talks will reduce the formal influence of Iran-aligned groups who seek to revise or rescind Iraq's invitation to U.S. military advisors to remain in Iraq. A compromise coalition government could emerge that includes or reflects the interests of Iran-backed groups alongside their rivals. Such a government could lower the risk of political violence, but also may make systemic reforms less likely. In assessing the government that emerges in Iraq, Congress and the Biden Administration may weigh the benefits of continued security cooperation and other bilateral ties against risks to Iraq's stability posed by the persistence of patronage politics, corruption, oil dependence, and armed non-state actors."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Christopher M.
2022-05-18
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Marine Corps' Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) [Updated May 18, 2022]
From the Background: "According to the Marine Corps: The Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) is the Corps' next-generation vehicle designed to move Marines from ship to shore ('Figure 1'). Designed to replace the Corps' aging Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV - in service since 1972), the ACV will be the primary means of tactical mobility for the Marine infantry battalion at sea and ashore (Figure 2). The ACV will possess ground mobility and speed similar to the M1A1 tank during sustained operations ashore and have the capability to provide organic, direct fire support to dismounted infantry in the attack. The ACV will support expeditionary mobility capability and capacity with balanced levels of performance, protection and payload. There are currently four ACV variants planned: (1) a Personnel Variant (ACV-P), which can carry three crew members with 13 Marines and two days of combat equipment and supplies; (2) a Command and Control Variant (ACV-C); (3) a Recovery Variant; and (4) a 30-mm [millimeter] Gun Variant. The Marines intend for the ACV to provide effective land and tactical water mobility (ship-to-shore and shore-to-shore), precise supporting fires, and high levels of force protection intended to protect against blasts, fragmentation, and kinetic energy threats. The ACV program delivered initial ACV-P variants in November 2020 and delivered initial ACV-C variants in FY2022. Plans call for delivery of Improved Lethality 30- mm Gun Variants in FY2025 and Recovery Variants in FY2026."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2022-05-18
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S. Rept. 117-111: COVID-19 Home Safety Act of 2021, Report to Accompany S. 116, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, May 18, 2022
From the Document: "The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to which was referred the bill (S. 116) to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to study the effect of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic on injuries and deaths associated with consumer products, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill (as amended) do pass.[...] The purpose of the bill is to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to submit to Congress and make publicly available, within 3 months of the bill's enactment and every 3 months thereafter while the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency continues, a report on the effect of the COVID-19 public health emergency on injuries and deaths from consumer products. The CPSC must also collaborate with public media outlets to distribute resource information for increasing home safety during the COVID-19 public health emergency, based on the contents of the report."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-18
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Bridging the Digital Divide: Broadband Workforce Considerations for the 117th Congress [May 18, 2022]
From the Document: "As classrooms, workplaces, and social activities migrated online during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the digital divide--the gap between those who have access to broadband (i.e., high-speed internet) and those who do not--highlighted the importance of broadband availability. The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) Fourteenth Broadband Deployment Report released in January 2021 estimates that 14.5 million Americans lack access to broadband--which the FCC defines as a connection that provides speeds of at least 25/3 megabits per second (Mbps). Since March 2020, Congress has provided $78 billion to address the digital divide and broadband availability."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rachfal, Colby Leigh
2022-05-18
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Statutory Interpretation: Theories, Tools, and Trends [Updated May 18, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Understanding the theories that govern how judges read statutes can help Congress legislate more effectively. As a practical matter, judicial opinions interpreting statutes necessarily shape the way in which those statutes are implemented. If Congress knows how courts ascribe meaning to statutory text, it might be able to eliminate some ambiguity regarding its meaning by drafting according to the predominant legal theories. [...] To help provide Congress with a general understanding of how courts interpret statutory language, this report begins by discussing the general goals of statutory interpretation, reviewing a variety of contemporary and historical approaches. The report then describes the two primary theories of interpretation employed today, before examining the main types of tools that courts use to determine statutory meaning. The report concludes by exploring developing issues in statutory interpretation. A separate CRS [Congressional Research Service] report explores in more detail the rules and presumptions that govern the construction of common components of federal legislation, such as legislative findings or severability clauses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brannon, Valerie C.
2022-05-18
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Federal Financial Assistance and Civil Rights Requirements [May 18, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress has authorized federal agencies to distribute federal funding to aid a wide range of industries and entities. [...] The recipients of federal financial assistance are obligated to comply with various laws and regulations, including the requirements of four major civil rights laws[.] [...] As explored in more detail below, these civil rights laws are generally enforced in two ways. First, when an agency distributes financial assistance, it is responsible for ensuring recipients' compliance with the relevant civil rights laws in the funding programs it administers. [...] Second, private litigants harmed by a violation of these laws can sue in federal court to enforce relevant requirements against recipients directly. [...] This report opens with a brief discussion of the Supreme Court's treatment of Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and the Age Discrimination Act as legislation enacted pursuant to Congress's authority under the Spending Clause before turning to an examination of these statutes' requirements, which apply to recipients of federal financial assistance. The report then notes how federal agencies and federal courts enforce these statutory and regulatory requirements. Given the legal obligations that come with the receipt of federal financial assistance, this report also explores questions regarding which types of federal aid qualify as federal financial assistance for the purposes of these civil rights spending laws, and which entities constitute recipients of such assistance. This report closes with potential legislative considerations, including a discussion of the unique aspects of legislation enacted pursuant to Congress's Spending Clause authority."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Back, Christine J.; Cole, Jared P.
2022-05-18
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Women in Congress, 1917-2022: Service Dates and Committee Assignments by Member, and Lists by State and Congress [Updated May 18, 2022]
From the Summary: "In total 397 women have been elected or appointed to Congress, 259 Democrats and 138 Republicans. These figures include six nonvoting Delegates, one each from Guam, Hawaii, the District of Columbia, and American Samoa, and two from the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as one Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico. [...] A record 148 women were initially sworn in for the 117th Congress. Since then, two House Members have resigned, four new House Members have been sworn in, one Senator resigned, and one Senator's appointed term expired. [...] This report includes brief biographical information, committee assignments, dates of service, district information, and listings by Congress and state, and (for Representatives) congressional districts of the 397 women who have been elected or appointed to Congress. It will be updated when there are relevant changes in the makeup of Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manning, Jennifer E.; Brudnick, Ida A.; Shogan, Colleen J., 1975- . . .
2022-05-18
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Whistleblower Reprisal Investigation: Colonel Yevgeny S. Vindman, U.S. Army [redacted]
From the Executive Summary: "We conducted this investigation in response to a complaint filed with the DoD Hotline on August 18, 2020, alleging that various administration officials, including former President Donald J. Trump, took actions against Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Yevgeny Vindman (the Complainant), U.S. Army, while he was serving at the National Security Council (NSC), Washington, D.C., in reprisal for his protected communications. [...] While serving at the NSC, the Complainant made protected communications alleging that former President Trump violated U.S. laws when President Trump asked a foreign government to investigate allegations against former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Joseph R. Biden Jr., his political opponent. The Complainant made additional protected communications when he reported that NSC officials engaged in sexist behavior, misused their positions, and misused NSC staff by asking them to perform personal errands. Finally, the Complainant made protected communications when he reported that NSC officials violated the Antideficiency Act. The Complainant's protected communications included several to his chain of command. We found, based on a preponderance of the evidence, that the Complainant was the subject of unfavorable personnel actions from administration officials, as defined by section 1034, title 10, United States Code (10 U.S.C. § 1034), 'Protected communications; prohibition of retaliatory personnel actions.' Furthermore, we concluded based on a preponderance of the evidence, that these actions would not have occurred or been withheld absent the Complainant's protected communications."
United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Inspector General
2022-05-18
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ICE Did Not Follow Policies, Guidance, or Recommendations to Ensure Migrants Were Tested for COVID-19 Before Transport on Domestic Commercial Flights
From the "What We Found": "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) policy requires coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing of migrants before transfer, transport, or release from ICE detention facilities. These policies do not include requirements to test family units or noncitizen unaccompanied children (UC) before transfer from U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody. ERO has a process for escorting UCs, but the process does not include requirements to ensure UCs are tested for COVID-19 before transport to the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement. The Department of Homeland Security Chief Medical Officer recommended UCs receive a COVID-19 test before transport. However, ICE has not implemented this recommendation. We identified numerous instances where ERO could not provide evidence that single adults, family units, and UCs were tested for COVID-19 before transport on domestic commercial flights. It is important for DHS and all its components to detect and slow the spread of COVID-19, and ICE is responsible for transporting migrants domestically to ICE facilities and other locations. Therefore, to reduce the spread of COVID-19, ICE should ensure migrants in its care are COVID-19-negative before they board domestic commercial flights. Without ensuring all migrants are COVID-19-negative and without complete records, ERO could risk exposing other migrants, ERO staff, and the general public to COVID-19 on domestic commercial flights."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2022-05-18
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Alaska Native Issues: Federal Agencies Could Enhance Support for Native Village Efforts to Address Environmental Threats, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "Erosion, flooding, and thawing permafrost can pose environmental threats to lives and infrastructure in Alaska Native villages. According to the United States Global Change Research Program, climate change is expected to exacerbate these threats. GAO identified 10 federal agencies that administer programs that support Alaska Native village efforts to address and build resilience to environmental threats. GAO was asked to review federal efforts to help Alaska Native villages address environmental threats. This report examines (1) information about environmental threats to Native villages; (2) federal funding provided to address such threats, and actions supported by that funding; and (3) opportunities to better support efforts to build resilience to such threats. GAO analyzed federal risk information and obligations data from 10 federal agencies for fiscal years 2016 through 2020; reviewed agency documents and other relevant reports; and interviewed agency officials and representatives from selected Alaska Native villages and tribal organizations. [...] Congress should consider establishing a coordinating entity to assist Native villages facing environmental threats. GAO is also making eight recommendations, including that seven agencies change programs to reduce barriers that hinder Native villages' accessing federal assistance. Six of these agencies agreed with GAO's recommendations, and the seventh agency stated it agreed with the report's findings."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-05-18
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H. Rept. 117-333: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 350) to Authorize Dedicated Domestic Terrorism Offices Within the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to Analyze and Monitor Domestic Terrorist Activity and Require the Federal Government to Take Steps to Prevent Domestic Terrorism; Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 7688) to Protect Consumers from Price-Gouging of Consumer Fuels, and for Other Purposes; and Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 7790) Making Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address the Shortage of Infant Formula in the United States for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2022, and for Other Purposes, Report to Accompany H. Res. 1124, May 17, 2022
From the Summary of Provisions of the Resolution: "The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 350, the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022, under a closed rule. [...] The resolution further provides for consideration of H.R. 7688, the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act, under a structured rule. [...] The resolution further provides for consideration of H.R. 7790, the Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022, under a closed rule."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-17
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Disaster Resilience: Opportunities to Improve National Preparedness, Statement of Chris P. Currie, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, Committee on Homeland Security House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Each year, disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires affect hundreds of American communities. The federal government provides billions of dollars to individuals and communities that have suffered damages. According to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, extreme weather events are projected to become more frequent and intense in parts of the U.S. as a result of changes in the climate. Investments in disaster resilience can reduce the overall impact of future disasters and costs. This testimony discusses GAO [Government Accountability Office] reports issued from 2015 through 2021 on disaster preparedness and resilience. This includes FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency]'s National Preparedness System and associated grants; hazard mitigation grant programs; and GAO's Disaster Resilience Framework for identifying opportunities to enhance resilience. The statement also describes actions taken to address GAO's prior recommendations through March 2022."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Currie, Chris P.
2022-05-17
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2135, Identifying and Eliminating Wasteful Programs Act
From the Document: "S. 2135 would require the Office of Management and Budget to provide guidance to federal agencies for identifying programs and activities for elimination or consolidation, within the current budget process. The federal government currently reviews different ways to reduce, eliminate, or manage the overlap and duplication within its agencies. Because of that ongoing activity, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] expects that implementing the bill would not significantly increase or reduce federal spending over the 2022-2027 period. Additionally, CBO estimates that the administrative costs to implement the bill would be less than $500,000 over the same period. Any effect on spending would be subject to future appropriation action."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-05-17
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 3462, SBA Cyber Awareness Act [May 17, 2022]
From the Document: "H.R. 3462 would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to report annually to the Congress on the state of its information technology (IT) and cybersecurity systems, the methods it could use to improve cybersecurity, any of its IT equipment or systems that were produced by an entity doing business principally in China, and any recent cybersecurity risks or incidents and subsequent responses. The act also would require the SBA to report all cybersecurity risks or incidents to the Congress as they occur and to notify the affected individuals and small businesses. Under current law, the SBA is required to submit an annual performance report to the Congress that includes information concerning agency cybersecurity efforts. In addition, the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 requires federal agencies, including the SBA, to report on the effectiveness of their information security policies and practices each year. Although H.R. 3462 would impose new reporting requirements upon the SBA, the work required to fulfill most of those requirements would not be significant because the SBA already collects most of the information needed in those reports."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-05-17
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2429, Administrative False Claims Act of 2021
From the Bill Summary: "The Program Fraud and Civil Remedies Act (PFCRA) allows federal agencies to use administrative procedures to pursue cases against individuals and entities that are suspected of making false claims and statements against the government that lead to fraud of up to $150,000. Individuals and entities that are found to have violated federal fraud statutes are subject to civil penalties of $5,000 (adjusted yearly for inflation) and up to double the assessed value of the fraud. S. 2429 would amend PFCRA in several ways: by raising the maximum amount of fraud that agencies can pursue under the statute to $1 million (adjusted in future years for inflation), allowing agencies to recover costs from the penalties collected, and reducing the administrative burden for agencies that pursue PFCRA cases."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-05-17
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H. Rept. 117-327: COVID-19 EIDL Fraud Statute of Limitations Act of 2022, Report to Accompany H.R. 7334, May 17, 2022
From the Document: "The Committee on Small Business, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 7334) to extend the statute of limitations for fraud by borrowers under certain COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] economic injury disaster loan programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the bill do pass. [...] The purpose of H.R. 7334, the 'COVID-19 EIDL Fraud Statute of Limitations Act of 2022', is to establish a statute of limitations of ten years for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) fraud cases."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-17
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H. Rept. 117-334: Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act of 2021, Report Together with Minority vi ews to Accompany H.R. 2988, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, May 17, 2022
From the Document: "The Committee on Oversight and Reform, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 2988) to amend title 5, United States Code, to modify and enhance protections for Federal Government whistleblowers, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass. [...] The Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act of 2021, H.R. 2988, would create new federal whistleblower protections, including strengthened protections against retaliatory investigations and protections for disclosures to Congress; expand and clarify existing protections, including protections against the disclosure of a whistleblower's identity; establish new procedures to ensure that employees receive timely relief for their retaliation claims; and extend protections to noncareer Senior Executive Service employees, Public Health Service officers or applicants, and the Commissioned Officer Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-17
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S. Rept. 117-109: Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act of 2021, Report to Accompany S. 3309, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, May 17, 2022
From the Document: "The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to which was referred the bill (S. 3309) to require SelectUSA to coordinate with State-level economic development organizations to increase foreign direct investment in semiconductor-related manufacturing and production, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment (in the nature of a substitute) and recommends that the bill (as amended) do pass. [...] The purpose of S. 3309, the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act of 2021, is to direct the Executive Director of the SelectUSA program of the Department of Commerce (Executive Director) to gather and analyze information for a report to Congress about leveraging foreign direct investment (FDI) to bolster domestic supply chains for semiconductors."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-17
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State and Federal Authority to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccination [Updated May 17, 2022]
From the Summary: "This report provides an overview of state and federal authority to mandate vaccination. The first part of the report provides background on state and local authority to mandate vaccination under the states' general police power. It discusses the Supreme Court's long-standing recognition of state and local authority to mandate vaccination as an exercise of their police power, and modern courts' analyses of more recent challenges to state vaccination mandates based on the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause. The report then analyzes the Supreme Court's evolving free exercise jurisprudence and the questions it raises regarding whether and when governments must provide for or grant religious exemptions to vaccination requirements. It then looks at how courts have addressed challenges to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccination requirements imposed by states and state entities. The second part of the report provides an overview of federal authority to mandate vaccination. It discusses several sources of existing federal statutory authority that could serve, or have been invoked, as the basis for federal COVID-19 vaccination mandates. [...] This part also reviews the extent of Congress's constitutional authority under the Constitution's Spending and Commerce Clauses to mandate vaccination. The report concludes with a brief discussion of a legal issue specific to COVID-19 vaccination mandates, particularly before FDA's licensure of Comirnaty. Namely, it reviews how courts have addressed some litigants' argument that the Emergency Use Authorization status of COVID-19 vaccines preclude entities from mandating COVID-19 vaccination."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shen, Wen W.
2022-05-17
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Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program [Updated May 17, 2022]
From the Background: "Under the initial authorization for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program (Title I of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, P.L. 103-322, 'the 1994 Crime Act'), grants could be awarded for (1) hiring new police officers or rehiring police officers who have been laid off to engage in community policing, (2) hiring former members of the armed services to serve as career law enforcement officers engaged in community policing, and (3) supporting community policing nonhiring initiatives, such as training law enforcement officers in crime prevention and community policing techniques or developing technologies that support crime prevention strategies. The COPS program was reauthorized by the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-162). The act changed the COPS program from a multi-grant program to a single-grant program under which DOJ [Department of Justice] can make grants to state, local, and tribal governments, and other public and private entities for a variety of enumerated purposes (see 34 U.S.C. §10381(b)). Congress has continued to appropriate funding for the COPS program even though authorized appropriations for the program expired in FY2009."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan
2022-05-17
