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• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 1729, Post Terrorism Mental Health Improvement Act

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  From the Summary: "The Post Terrorism Mental Health Improvement Act would amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to engage in a number of activities to improve resources pertaining to mental health needs in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. The act would provide grants to enable state and local governments and other public entities to respond to the long-term mental health needs arising from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It also would require establishment of a mental health disaster response clearinghouse, development of coordinated response plans to respond to the mental health needs that arise from a disaster, and specialized training of mental health professionals with regard to the treatment of victims of disaster."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2002-01-08
• Preventing Waste, Fraud, Abuse, and Mismanagement in Homeland Security--A GAO High-Risk List Review, Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, May 7, 2014

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  This is the May 7, 2014 hearing on "Preventing Waste, Fraud, Abuse and Mismanagement in Homeland Security--A GAO High-Risk List Review," held before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Michael McCaul: "While the Department of Homeland Security's mission is critical, it is also critical that it keeps its finances in check, because in order to protect the homeland we must maximize every dollar spent. Almost as soon as the Department's creation, the Government Accountability Office [GAO] placed some of DHS's programs on its high-risk list, and today many remain. This list is developed every two years by the watchdogs at GAO to identify areas in the federal government that are at high risk to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement or are in most need of broad reform. It is intended to draw attention to these areas to force agency leaders to improve. Unfortunately, some of the programs identified include some of the Department's core functions such as acquisition management, financial management, information technology, human capital, and management integration, as well as multi-agency challenges such as information sharing and cybersecurity." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Michael McCaul, Alejandro Mayorkas, Gene L. Dodaro, and John Roth.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2014
• Budget Hearing-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hearing Before the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, One Hundred and Fourteenth Congress, March 18, 2015

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  This March 18, 2015 hearing titled, "Budget Hearing-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration" was held before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, and Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. The following is taken from the opening statement of Kathryn Sullivan: "The environmental intelligence and the services NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] provides are in higher demand today than ever before. The increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events means that NOAA must forecast and respond to these events with improved skill and accuracy. But the greater demand for our services goes beyond just extreme weather. Our marine transportation system must be more efficient to accommodate growing volume of commerce at our ports. NOAA provides the positioning data, tide and currents information, and nautical charts that ensure safe navigation and keeps commerce flowing. Furthermore, changes in marine ecosystems due to climate and other stressors are increasing the need for a greater number of advanced scientific assessments to sustain and promote economically viable commercial and recreational fisheries, and to ensure that threatened and endangered species are protected. NOAA's integrated response to extreme events such as droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, and heat waves demonstrates how our agency leverages its diverse capabilities to support the nation from preparedness to response to recovery: data collected from a spectrum of platforms enables the development of environmental intelligence from science-based models to support a suite of products to provide decision support to individuals, communities, and governments. I thank you for recognizing NOAA as a key agency supporting the preparedness, response, and recovery efforts surrounding extreme events." Statements, letters, and other materials submitted for the record can be found from the following: Kathryn Sullivan.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations

  2015-03-18
• Investigating VA's Management of Veterans' Paper Records, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, June 15, 2016

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  This is the June 15, 2016 hearing, "Investigating VA's [United States Department of Veterans Affairs] Management of Veterans' Paper Records," held before the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, of the U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. From the opening statement of Ralph Abraham: "This hearing will focus on the troubling allegation of the destruction of veterans claims documents. [...] These mistakes may ultimately cost veterans their lives. Each lost document represents a veteran who may have been injured while serving our country, and therefore may be entitled to medical care and other benefits. Veterans have the right to expect that the VA will carefully consider all the evidence, including paper documents before granting or denying a claim. A lost document may result in a denied claim, which may have serious financial and emotional costs to that veteran." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Brent Arronte, Dana Sullivan, Beth McCoy, and Brad Houston.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2017
• Flood Insurance Reform: A Taxpayer's Perspective, Hearing before the Committee on Financial Services, United States House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, June 7, 2017

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  This is the June 7, 2017 hearing on "Flood Insurance Reform: A Taxpayer's Perspective," held before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services. From the hearing memorandum: "This hearing will examine the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and six legislative concepts to reform the program. Accordingly, witnesses will discuss how the reforms would strengthen taxpayer protections; provide greater private market access, competition, and consumer choice; enhance mitigation efforts; encourage flood mapping fairness; address consumer costs and affordability; and incorporate NFIP claims processing reforms." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Steve Ellis, Caitlin Berni, Josh Saks, Rebecca Kagan Sternhell, R.J. Lehmann.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Financial Services

  2017-06-07
• S. Hrg. 107-147: S. 803--E-Government Act of 2001: Hearing before the Committee on Governmental Affairs United States Senate One Hundred Seventh Congress First Session, July 11, 2001

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  S. Hrg. 107-148: The purpose of this hearing is to discuss S. 803, the E-Government Act of 2001. The purpose of S. 803 is stated as: "To enhance the management and promotion of electronic government services and processes by establishing a government services and processes by establishing a Federal Chief Information Officer within the office of management and budget, and by establishing a broad framework of measures that require using Internet-based information technology to enhance citizen access to government information and services..." In his opening statement, Senator Lieberman explained that the goal of this legislation is to "use information technology to bring about a revolution in current bureaucratic structures so that we can engage the public, restore its trust, and ultimately increase participation in the democratic process." Statements, witnesses and submissions: Joseph Lieberman, Fred Thompson, Thomas Carper, Ted Stevens, Robert Bennet, George Voinovich, Jean Carnahan, Max Cleland, Conrad Burns, Sean O'Keefe, Anne Altman, Costis Toregas, Aldona Valicenti, Greg Woods, Sharon Hogan, Barry Ingram, Patricia McGinnis, Joseph Wright, Booby Harnage, Attilla Pavlath, Marc Strassman, Robert Carlitz, Barbara Brandon, Beverly Sheppard, John Weiler, Patrice McDermott, David McClure, and Martha Gould.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2001-07-11
• FCC Overreach: Examining the Proposed Privacy Rules, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, June 14, 2016

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  This is the June 14, 2016 hearing, "FCC [Federal Communications Commission] Overreach: Examining the Proposed Privacy Rules," held before the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce. From the opening statement of Greg Walden: "Today's hearing is a direct result of the FCC's premeditated efforts to supersede the Federal Trade Commission's successful, enforcement-based approach to consumer privacy with its own predetermined vision of what consumers want and how the Internet should function. The hearing title aptly sums up this approach up as an ''overreach,'' but fails to convey the scope of the damage the Commission's actions could have on consumers. The Commission shortsightedly looks at one just piece of the Internet and despite evidence to the contrary assumes that regulating it will improve privacy. The Commission shortsightedly overlooks the history of this industry and the value of innovation in ISP [internet service provider] service offerings." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Doug Brake, Jon Leibowitz, and Paul Ohm.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2016
• U.S. Humanitarian Assistance to Syria: Minimizing Risks and Improving Oversight, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, July 14, 2016

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  This is the July 14, 2016 hearing on "U.S. Humanitarian Assistance to Syria: Minimizing Risks and Improving Oversight," held before the Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs. From the opening statement of Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: "Today's hearing is the subcommittee's fourth hearing that focuses specifically on the Syrian humanitarian crisis. It has been an issue we have been following closely since the fighting in Syria began over 5 years ago. And until the administration gets serious about developing a comprehensive plan to end the conflict, it will, unfortunately, be an issue we will continue to revisit. The numbers are truly staggering. By most estimates, there have been at least 1⁄4 million Syrians killed and possibly as much as nearly 1⁄2 million. Nearly 5 million Syrians have fled to neighboring countries like Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. There are nearly 7 million internally displaced Syrians and more than 131⁄2 million people are in need of assistance, with about 51⁄2 million people in besieged and hard-to-reach areas. We have convened this hearing today to see how we can maximize our efforts and limit risks when providing humanitarian assistance." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Thomas Melito and Ann Calvaresi Barr.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2016
• California Water Security: Oversight Field Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Water and Power of the Committee on Resources, U.S. House of Representatives One Hundred Seventh Congress First Session, June 18, 30 and July 2, 2001

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  On July 2, 2001, the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Water and Power of the Committee on Resources convenes to discuss and hear testimony on California Water Security. Testifying are Richard Atwater of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, Christopher Davis of the City or Norwalk, Conner Everts of the Southern California Watershed Alliance, Art Gallucci of the City Cerritos, Ronald Gastelum of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Joseph Grindstaff of the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, Steve Koffroth of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1902, Tom Levy of Coachella Valley Water District, Lawrence Libeu of Eastern Municipal Water District, Ronald Linsky of the National Water Research Institute, Darryl Miller of the West Basin Municipal Water District and Central Basin Municipal Water District, Ta'Shara Murray of the County of Los Angeles, Mark Pisano of the Southern California Association of Governments, and John Stovall of the Kern County Water Agency. Additional material submitted by Jan Breidenbach of the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing, Martha Guzman of the United Farm Workers of America and the AFL-CIO, Richard Lambro of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, Robert Reeves of AFSCME Local 1902, and Todd Spitzer of Orange County, California.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2001-07-02
• Hydroelectric Relicensing and Nuclear Energy: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventh Congress, First Session, June 27, 2001

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  On June 27, 2001, the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality of the Committee on Energy and Commerce convenes to discuss and hear testimony regarding Hydroelectric Relicensing and Nuclear Energy. Testifying is a very wide array of industry, government, public interest, and policy entities. Chairman Barton explains that the hearing is important because "the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is about to be inundated with license renewal applications from many of our Nation's nuclear power plants." He asks "is the NRC ready for new applications? What laws will affect our ability to get a fair, science-based, and timely answer to those permit applications if they do come?" and suggests that they Nuclear Waste Fund off budget. Price-Anderson Act reauthorization is a topic of discussion, as well as environmental concerns. Congressman Markey from Massachusetts argues that "we must take this once-in-a-lifetime chance to set conditions that require hydro operators to modernize the way they operate their dams on our rivers. Other topics in the extensive hearing include FERC management and policy, energy policy, recommendations for relicensing in terms of time and cost effectiveness, and general changes to the nuclear power industry.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2001-06-27
• Regional Security Crisis in the Andes: Patterns of State Response

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  In this document, "Dr. Judith Gentleman, outlines some of the detail and implications of the regional security crisis in the Andes and makes recommendations for U.S. civil-military involvement in the hemispheric security arena. She argues for the United States to lead in the articulation of strategic objectives, while designing a defensible and feasible policy that critical elements in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and Japan can understand and support. She specifically argues for the U.S. military to build stronger and more cooperative security relationships within the circle of affected states around Colombia. […]Colombia is a paradigm of the failing state that has enormous implications for American foreign policy and the adaptation of U.S. air and landpower to the hemispheric threat environment. The instability, corruption, displacement of people, and violence generated by Colombia's unholy trinity of narcotics traffickers, insurgents, and paramilitaries are spilling over into virtually all of northern South America and Panama. Thus, the stability and political sovereignty of the region are being compromised. And, at the same time, progress toward achieving the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and the economic integration of the Western Hemisphere by 2005 are being severely threatened."

  United States. Government Printing Office

  Gentleman, Judith A.

  2001-07
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 3983, Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act of 2002

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  From the Summary: "H.R. 3983 would establish a federal program to protect U.S. ports from terrorism. In addition, the bill would authorize the appropriation of $75 million for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2005 for grants to help port facilities implement antiterrorism efforts. Assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing H.R. 3983 would cost $240 million over the 2003-2007 period and $3 million a year thereafter. Most of the funds that would be spent through 2007 would be used to implement the grant provisions of the legislation. Other than a new grant program, most of the activities mandated by the legislation are currently being carried out under the Coast Guard's existing authority. H.R. 3983 could increase federal receipts by establishing new civil penalties; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would apply to the legislation. CBO estimates, however, that any such increase would be less than $500,000 annually. H.R. 3983 contains both intergovernmental and private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). Because of uncertainties about which ports, facilities, and vessels would be affected and how certain regulations and performance standards would be implemented, CBO cannot determine whether the costs of all of the mandates contained in H.R. 3983 would exceed the thresholds established by UMRA ($58 million for intergovernmental mandates and $115 million for private-sector mandates in 2002, adjusted annually for inflation). The bill also would authorize appropriations for grants to help port facilities to implement antiterrorism efforts."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2002-04-11
• Serial No. 107-37: On-Line Fraud and Crime: Are Consumers Safe?: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventh Congress, First Session, May 23, 2001

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  From the opening statement of Cliff Stearns: "Today's hearing is an important step in informing the American consumer as to what is transpiring on-line. The the types of fraud being propagated without the fanfare which some of the media outlet provide and this is good. The testimony today is a good source of straight facts. And finally, my colleagues, industry has an important role in undertaking security measures to protect their on-line systems from fraudulent and criminal activities. Today's testimony merely highlights a snapshot of all efforts undertaken by industry to protect and make secure their on-line system. They clearly recognize that preservation and enhancement of on-line security is good for business." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Scott Charney, Susan Grant, Eileen Harrington, Thomas Kubic, Mark MacCarthy, Bruce Swartz, Bruce Townsend, and Vincent Sollitto.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2001-05-23
• National Energy Policy Report of the National Energy Policy Development Group: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventh Congress, First Session, June 13, 2001

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  On June 13, 2001, the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality of the Committee on Energy and Commerce convenes to discuss and hear testimony regarding the National Energy Policy Report of the National Energy Policy Development Group. Testifying is Spencer Abraham, the Secretary of the US Department of Energy. Chairman Barton lauds the President's energy plan as "balanced", including "conservation, energy efficiency, renewables and other alternative sources of energy." He notes that America is a net importer of energy. Congressman Dingell sets out the myriad energy problems in the United States, most clearly developed in California where "consumers face astronomical prices, rolling blackouts and an dysfunctional market". He asks "is there a new way to ensure capacity without trampling on the environment, the rights of the State, (or) the rights of private property owners?" and laments that the President's energy plan was developed in secret. Congressman Markey labels "the administration's proposal to go to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (and) to go to other environmentally sensitive lands as...morally wrong, ethically wrong, generationally wrong." Secretary Abraham sets forth facts about America's energy economy and the steps the administration is suggesting to alleviate energy problems and plan for the future. He states, "our policy balances the need for increased supplies of energy with the need to modernize our conservation efforts by employing cutting edge technology. He answers questions on Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) and sets forth a plan for dealing with this issue. He also speaks on infrastructure problems in America's energy system.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2001-06-13
• Investigating the Culture of Corruption at the Department of the Interior, Oversight Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Natural Resources, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, May 24, 2016

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  This is the May 24, 2016 hearing, "Oversight Hearing on Investigating the Culture of Corruption at the Department of the Interior," held before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources. From the opening statement of Louie Gohmert: "This committee has, time and again, received reports about employees at the Department of the Interior acting in an unethical manner, including astounding violations on the part of high-ranking officials in the National Park Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. We are meeting today to hear testimony about these incidents, and to learn more about how the Ethics Office operates at the Department of the Interior. Employees of the U.S. Government are bound by the highest standards of ethical conduct, and this Administration has painted itself as one that discourages unethical conduct, even requiring its employees to take an ethics oath. However, in practice, ethical misconduct, in what was supposed to be the most transparent administration in history, has been treated with a lack of accountability." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Edward Keable and Mary Kendall.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2017
• S. Hrg. 107-55: U.N. Human Rights Commission: The Road Ahead: Hearing before the Subcommittee on International Operations and Terrorism of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Seventh Congress First Session, May 24, 2001

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  S. Hrg. 107-55: This hearing today is clearly on the subject of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and in the vote for the Commission members in 2002 which took place in the U.N.'s Economic and Social Council just a few weeks ago the United States lost its seat on the Commission for the first time since 1947. In this occasion, we want to look at several important issues. Initially, we first need to assess how useful is the United Nations body, especially since it is supposed to be a voice for the world on human rights, but it is full of undemocratic members. Mr. Malinowski will make the case why the United States membership on the Commission is vital to both the Commission and to the United States policy.Statements, witnesses and submissions for the record include those of: Paula Dobrianski, Tom Malinowski, Nina Shea, Goerge Allen and Barbara Boxer.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2001-05-24
• Serial No. 107-30: Continuing Concerns over Imported Pharmaceuticals: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventh Congress, First Session, June 7, 2001

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  On June 7th, 2001, the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce convenes to discuss Imported Pharmaceuticals. Testifying are James Christian of Novartis International, Donald deKieffer of deKieffer & Horgan, Elizabeth Durant of the US Customs Service, Landon Gibbs of the Virginia State Police, John Glover of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Gene Haislip, William Hubbard of the Food and Drug Administration, Alan Leshner of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Laura Nagel of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Reverend Edwin and Helen Rode, Marvin Shepherd of the University of Texas, William Trundley of GlaxoSmithKline, and Donald Vereen of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Chairman Greenwood explains the problem, "there is no magic force-field that protects the US from imported counterfeit or diverted products" and states that "the subcommittee is particularly concerned about the dangers of personal importation". The context of the hearing includes implementation of the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of the last decade, which "was specifically designed to prevent the kinds of activities that we are reading about today". The FDA admits that about "2 million parcels containing FDA regulated products are entering the United States each year through international mail facilities, and most of these appear to have received no review by FDA, and are simply released by Customs." Witnesses testify to the extent of this problem and to the various programs and methods for combating it.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2001-06-07
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 1974, Federal Bureau of Investigation Reform Act of 2002

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  From the Summary: "S. 1974 would direct the Attorney General and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to implement certain management reforms and take other measures to improve oversight and security at the FBI. The bill would upgrade the pay and benefits of the FBI police force to equal the compensation package of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division, beginning January 1, 2003. S. 1974 also would require the General Accounting Office and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prepare several reports, mostly relating to security and management issues. Finally, the bill would authorize the appropriation of: [1] A total of $52 million over the 2003-2005 period for DOJ's Security and Emergency Planning Staff to improve security in the agency's physical plant and computer systems and to prepare for terrorist threats and other emergencies; and [2] A total of $23 million over the 2003-2005 period for DOJ's Office of Intelligence Policy and Review to combat terrorism and espionage, analyze national security policy, and improve its security. Assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing S. 1974 would cost $90 million over the 2003-2007 period. This legislation would not affect direct spending or receipts, so pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply. S. 1974 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2002-05-06
• Serial No. 107-30: Short-Term Solutions for Increasing Energy Supply from the Public Lands: Oversight Field Hearing before the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources of the Committee on Resources, U.S. House of Representatives One Hundred Seventh Congress First Session, May 22, 2001

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  On May 22, 2001, the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources of the Committee on Resources convenes to discuss and hear testimony regarding Short-Term Solutions for Increasing Energy Supply from the Public Lands. Witnesses are Tom Fry of the National Ocean Industries Association, Terry O'Connor of the Arch Coal Company and on behalf of the National Mining Association, Mark Rubin of the American Petroleum Institute, and Earl Sims of Sims Consulting and on behalf of the Independent Petroleum Association of America. Additional materials are submitted by the Geothermal Energy Association and by William Whitsitt of the Domestic Petroleum Council. Chairman Jim Gibbons explains how "the President's (energy) plan envisions reductions in energy demands and increases in supply over the long term, a very sensible approach." He also argues that "renewables can provide but a tiny fraction of our needs any time soon, with geothermal energy providing the lion's share when it comes to public lands. By necessity, we must rely upon fossil fuels and existing nuclear power to alleviate power shortages." Edward Markey from Massachusetts points out that the energy crisis is regional rather than national and that "what happened was, without question, the industry has been caught sleeping." He calls the President's energy plan a "a Trojan horse aimed at environmental and health laws, which the energy industry has always opposed, vigorously tried to keep off of the books."

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2001-05-22
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 186, A Bill to Establish the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, and for Other Purposes

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  "S. 1867 would establish the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. The commission would be made up of 14 members appointed by the President and the Congress, and charged with analyzing the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It would evaluate the evidence developed by government agencies regarding the attacks, detail the circumstances surrounding the attacks, and report its finding to the President and the Congress, including recommendations for corrective measures to prevent future acts of terrorism. S. 1867 would authorize the appropriation of $3 million for the commission to carry out its duties. CBO [Congressional Budget Office ] estimates that implementing S. 1867 would cost about $3 million over the 2002-2004 period, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Because S. 1867 would authorize the commission to accept and spend gifts, which could affect both governmental receipts and direct spending, pay-as-you-go procedures would apply. CBO estimates that any effect on receipts or direct spending would be insignificant. S. 1867 would require state, local, or tribal governments and entities in the private sector, if subpoenaed, to provide testimony and evidence related to matters the commission determines to be advisable. Such a requirement would be both an intergovernmental and private-sector mandate under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). CBO estimates that the intergovernmental and private-sector costs of the mandate would be below the relevant thresholds established by UMRA ($58 million for intergovernmental mandates and $115 million for private-sector mandates in 2002, adjusted annually for inflation)."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2002-04-03
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 3253, Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Preparedness Research, Education, and Bio-Terrorism Prevention Act of 2002

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  From the Summary: "H.R. 3253 would establish at least four medical emergency centers that would carry out research and development, provide education and training, and provide assistance in the case of a national emergency with regard to chemical, biological, and radiological threats. These emergency centers would be located in hospitals operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). H.R. 3253 would authorize appropriations of $20 million a year over the 2003-2007 period to operate these centers. As part of the requirement to provide education and training, the bill would require VA to carry out a joint program with the Department of Defense (DoD) to develop and disseminate a series of training programs on the medical responses to terrorist activities. Finally, H.R. 3253 would increase the number of Assistant Secretaries within the VA from six to seven with the new assistant secretary being responsible for operations, preparedness, security, and law enforcement functions."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2002-05-10
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 4598, Homeland Security Information Sharing Act

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  "CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing H.R. 4598 within the Department of Justice (DOJ) would cost less than $500,000 annually, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. CBO cannot determine the cost to implement the bill's provisions for federal intelligence agencies. The bill would not affect direct spending or receipts, so pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply. H.R. 4598 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. The bill would benefit state and local governments by allowing these levels of government better access to homeland security information. H.R. 4598 would direct the President to establish guidelines for federal agencies to share homeland security information with state and local personnel. Based on information from DOJ about the current and anticipated levels of information sharing, we do not expect that the bill would have a significant effect on federal spending for these activities."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2002-06-25
• Congressional Budget Office Pay-As-You-Go Estimate: H.R. 3275, An Act to Implement the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings to Strengthen Criminal Laws Relating to Attacks on Places of Public Use, to Implement the International Convention of the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, to Combat Terrorism and Defend the Nation Against Terrorist Acts

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  "H.R. 3275 would implement two international treaties: the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings and the International Convention of the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. The act would establish a sentence of life in prison or death for those who are convicted of participating in bombings in public places, government facilities, public transportation systems, or infrastructure facilities. In addition, the act would establish minimum prison sentences and criminal fines for those who provide or collect funds with the intent that such funds be used to carry out terrorism. CBO expects that most such cases would likely be pursued under current law. H.R. 3275 could affect direct spending and receipts because criminal fines are recorded in the budget as revenues (i.e., governmental receipts), and are deposited in the Crime Victims Fund and later spent. CBO [Congressional Budget Office] expects that any changes in direct spending or receipts would be insignificant because of the small number of cases that are likely to be involved."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2002-06-24
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 5132, A Bill to Express the Sense of Congress Concerning the Fiscal Year 2003 End Strengths Needed for the Armed Forces to Fight the War on Terrorism

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  "H.R. 5132 would express the sense of the Congress that the increases in end-strength authorizations for the armed forces for fiscal year 2003 recommended by the Senate and House of Representatives in their respective versions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 are wholly appropriate and justified by the increased missions and tempo of operations associated with prosecution of the war against terrorism. In addition, the bill would express the sense of the Congress that the President and the Secretary of Defense should not reduce, or seek to reduce, the number of members of the armed forces, and that the President should support the increase in end-strength levels for the armed forces recommended by the Senate and House of Representatives for fiscal year 2003 because of the demands of the war against terrorism."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2002-07-19
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 5005, Homeland Security Act of 2002

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  From the Summary: "H.R. 5005 would establish the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce the United States' vulnerability to terrorism, minimize the damages from attacks that occur, and help to recover from any attacks. The new department would consist of 30 existing federal agencies or portions of agencies. Each of these agencies would continue to be responsible for carrying out its other, non homeland-security functions. Enacting H.R. 5005 would increase direct spending from federal retirement funds by about $1 million in 2003 and by $5 million over the 2003-2012 period. Therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would apply. The bill also could affect governmental receipts from import duties and from employee contributions to federal retirement funds, but CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that the amounts would be less than $500,000 annually. H.R. 5005 contains intergovernmental mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA), but CBO estimates that the costs to comply with the mandates would not exceed the threshold established in that act ($58 million in 2002, adjusted annually for inflation). The bill contains no new private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2002-07-23
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 4864, Anti-Terrorism Explosives Act of 2002

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  From the Summary: "H.R. 4864 would require all purchasers of explosives to obtain permits from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and would direct that agency to perform background checks on persons who work with explosives. The bill also would require manufacturers and importers of explosive materials or ammonium nitrate to furnish samples and other information to the ATF. Finally, H.R. 4864 would expand the current prohibitions on possession of explosives and would establish new federal crimes for offenses relating to misuse of explosives. CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing H.R. 4864 would cost about $190 million over H.R. 4864 would require all purchasers of explosives to obtain permits from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and would direct that agency to perform background checks on persons who work with explosives. The bill also would require manufacturers and importers of explosive materials or ammonium nitrate to furnish samples and other information to the ATF. Finally, H.R. 4864 would expand the current prohibitions on possession of explosives and would establish new federal crimes for offenses relating to misuse of explosives."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2002-08-09
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2037, Science and Technology Emergency Mobilization Act

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  From the Summary: "S. 2037 would authorize the President to establish a national emergency technology guard and a national clearinghouse for emergency prevention and response technology. In addition, the bill would authorize the implementation of a pilot program in seven states to make the communications systems used by fire, law enforcement, and emergency preparedness and response agencies compatible. Assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing the bill would cost $70 million over the 2003-2007 period. S. 2037 would not affect direct spending or receipts; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply. S. 2037 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would provide $35 million in grants to states in fiscal year 2003 for pilot programs designed to plan and implement interoperable communications systems."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2002-05-29
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2452, National Homeland Security and Combating Terrorism Act of 2002

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  From the Summary: "S. 2452 would establish a new cabinet department, the Department of National Homeland Security, to plan, coordinate, and integrate the government's activities relating to homeland security, including border security, the protection of critical infrastructure, and emergency preparedness. The legislation would combine several existing agencies to form the new department. S. 2452 also would establish a National Office for Combating Terrorism within the Executive Office of the President to coordinate threat assessments, to craft and oversee a National Strategy to Combat Terrorism, and to plan and coordinate the budget to combat terrorism. Finally, the legislation would authorize the appropriation of $200 million for fiscal year 2003 to develop technology to combat terrorism and $5 million annually over the 2003-2005 period for emergency preparedness pilot programs."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2002-06-17
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 4635, Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act

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  From the Summary: "H.R. 4635 would direct the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to establish a program for training and equipping commercial aviation pilots as federal flight deck officers. The Under Secretary would authorize the officers to carry firearms. H.R. 4635 also contains a private-sector mandate as defined in UMRA. The bill would require air carriers to provide additional training, including self-defense training, to their crews. Because the new training requirements would depend on specific regulations that would be established by the Under Secretary, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] cannot determine whether the direct cost to the private sector would exceed the annual threshold specified in UMRA ($115 million in 2002, adjusted annually for inflation)."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2002-07-08
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 3173, Servicemembers and Military Families Financial Protection Act of 2001

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  "H.R. 3173 would increase the maximum amount of insurance coverage available to members of the armed services, and would amend the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 (SSCRA) by increasing the maximum rent payment that active-duty servicemembers can make and still be protected from eviction. CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that enacting this bill could increase direct spending for insurance payments, but CBO cannot provide a specific estimate. Because this bill could affect direct spending, pay-as-you-go procedures would apply. H.R. 3173 would increase the maximum amount of insurance coverage available to members of the armed forces under the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program. The SGLI program is wholly funded by premiums paid by servicemembers but current law provides for reimbursements to the SGLI trust fund by the armed services should mortality rates exceed certain levels that are based on the mortality rates from the previous three years. 3173 also would amend the SSCRA by increasing the maximum rent payment that active-duty servicemembers can make and still be protected from eviction. Under current law, active-duty servicemembers and their dependents have a temporary reprieve from eviction for nonpayment of rent. To proceed with an eviction, a landlord must obtain a court order authorizing the eviction. Section 2 of this bill would increase to $1,950 the maximum monthly rent a servicemember can pay and still be afforded this protection. CBO estimates that implementing this section would have no impact on federal spending. H.R. 3173 contains a private-sector mandate as defined by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2002-06-10