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Insurrection Bar to Holding Office: Appeals Court Issues Decision on Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment [June 1, 2022]
From the Document: "On May 24, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued a decision in 'Cawthorn v. Amalfi,' [hyperlink] a case involving Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment [hyperlink] (Section 3). That constitutional provision bars certain people who have 'engaged in insurrection or rebellion against' the United States from holding specified state and federal government offices. The specific question in the case was whether a Reconstruction-era statute granting amnesty to former Confederates barred application of Section 3 to persons who engage in any future rebellion or insurrection. The Fourth Circuit held that the 1872 statute did not have that effect and instead lifted the constitutional disqualification only for acts that had already occurred. The decision is relevant to Congress, both because Section 3 has been invoked against several legislators who allegedly participated in or supported the January 6, 2021, unrest at the Capitol and because the case raises broader constitutional considerations about what role state officials, federal courts, and Congress can play in determining the eligibility of congressional candidates."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lampe, Joanna R.
2022-06-01
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Army Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFABs) [Updated June 1, 2022]
From the Document: "Security Force Assistance (SFA) is defined as 'unified action to generate, employ, and sustain local, host nation or regional security forces in support of a legitimate authority.' By definition 'security forces include not only military forces, but also police, border forces, and other paramilitary organizations, as well as other local and regional forces.' SFA involves organizing, training, equipping, rebuilding, and advising foreign security forces (FSF). Title 10, U.S. Code, Chapter 16, governs the Department of Defense's (DOD's) SFA activities. Each year, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) modifies, eliminates, or creates new SFA authorities and authorizes funding for Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs) to conduct SFA activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2022-06-01
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Areas of Economic Distress for EDA Activities and Programs [Updated June 1, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress has used program criteria to direct federal assistance to areas that are economically distressed or comparatively disadvantaged. Place-based measures frequently associated with economic distress include indicators such as poverty, unemployment rates, and income levels. The term 'economically distressed area' lacks a standardized definition and may vary by agency, program, or executive branch initiative. This In Focus summarizes the criteria as well as the data sources and mapping tools used for determining economic distress for activities and programs administered by the Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA). It also includes considerations for Congress regarding the EDA's criteria."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lawhorn, Julie M.
2022-06-01
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Discretionary Waivers of Criminal Grounds of Inadmissibility Under INA § 212(h) [Updated June 1, 2022]
From the Document: "Federal immigration laws provide for the exclusion and removal of non-U.S. nationals ('aliens,' as the term is used in the Immigration and Nationality Act [hyperlink] [INA]) who lack authorization to enter or remain in the United States. The grounds for removal differ depending on whether an alien has already been lawfully admitted into the country. Those who have not yet been admitted--whether applying for a visa from abroad to come to the United States, initially presenting themselves at a U.S. port of entry, or found in the country after entering surreptitiously--may be removed if they fall within any of the grounds of inadmissibility listed under INA § 212(a) [hyperlink], including on account of committing enumerated criminal offenses. These inadmissibility grounds--particularly those relating to criminal activity--are cross-referenced by a host of other INA provisions relevant to unadmitted 'and' admitted aliens alike, including provisions establishing aliens' eligibility for relief from removal (e.g., asylum) and their ability to adjust to lawful permanent resident [hyperlink] (LPR) status. INA § 212(h) [hyperlink] enables immigration authorities to waive many criminal grounds of inadmissibility in some circumstances, but a waiver applicant must meet various eligibility requirements, must not be subject to certain bars to relief, and, ultimately, must show that relief is warranted as a matter of discretion. This Legal Sidebar discusses the scope of waiver authority under INA § 212(h)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Hillel R.
2022-06-01
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Economic Development Administration: An Overview of Programs and Appropriations (FY2011-FY2022) [Updated June 1, 2022]
From the Summary: "Today, EDA [Economic Development Administration] administers nine core programs that fund a range of construction and non-construction activities in both urban and rural areas--primarily through competitive processes that solicit community-directed proposals aligned with the agency's investment priorities. EDA administers both flexible and targeted programs focused on innovation, technical assistance, and support for long-term, regional economic development planning. [...] Congress approves annual appropriations for EDA programs as well as administration expenses, and occasionally approves supplemental appropriations for economic recovery purposes. Since FY2011, annual appropriations average approximately $288 million. Annual appropriations decreased each year between FY2011 and FY2013, and have increased slightly each year since FY2014. In FY2022, Congress approved $373.5 million in annual appropriations for the agency's programs and administration. In FY2020 and FY2021, Congress also provided a total of $4.5 billion in supplemental appropriations for EDA programs in response to the economic impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. For FY2023, the Biden Administration requested funding increases for several EDA programs and for salaries and expenses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lawhorn, Julie M.
2022-06-01
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U.S. Space Command: Air Force Should Develop Guidance for Strengthening Future Basing Decisions, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The then President directed the establishment of U.S. Space Command in December 2018. The Department of Defense (DOD) views the advent of U.S. Space Command as a critical step to accelerate the nation's ability to defend its vital interests and deter adversaries in space. U.S. Space Command is responsible for planning and executing offensive and defensive space operations with the military services, other combatant commands, DOD agencies, and other partners. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the Air Force's process and methodology to select the permanent location for U.S. Space Command headquarters. This report (1) examines how the U.S. Space Command basing process compared with the established Air Force basing process and describes the steps the Air Force took to identify a headquarters location, and (2) evaluates the extent to which the Air Force's revised selection process for determining the U.S. Space Command headquarters conformed to GAO best practices for analyzing alternatives. GAO reviewed documentation, interviewed knowledgeable officials, and assessed related information using GAO's best practices for a high-quality AOA [Analysis of Alternatives] process. This is a public version of a sensitive report issued in May 2022. Information that DOD has deemed sensitive has been omitted. [...] GAO recommends that the Air Force develop guidance for future strategic basing decisions that is consistent with GAO's AOA best practices, and determine the basing actions to which it should apply. The Air Force neither agreed nor disagreed."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Oman: Politics, Security, and U.S. Policy [Updated June 1, 2022]
From the Summary: "In January 2020, the Sultanate of Oman's long-time leader, Sultan Qaboos bin Sa'id Al Said, passed away and was succeeded by Haythim bin Tariq Al Said, a cousin selected by Oman's royal family immediately upon Qaboos's death. Sultan Haythim espouses policies similar to those of Qaboos and has not altered U.S.-Oman ties or Oman's regional policies. Oman, a longtime U.S. strategic partner, was the first Persian Gulf state to sign a formal accord permitting the U.S. military to use its facilities. Oman has hosted U.S. forces during every U.S. military operation in the region since then, and it assists U.S. efforts to counter terrorist groups and other regional threats. Oman has generally avoided joining other countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman) in regional military interventions, instead seeking to mediate their resolution. Oman's leaders have consistently asserted that engaging Iran is preferable to confrontation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2022-06-01
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ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System and the Federal Role [June 1, 2022]
From the Summary: "Portions of all 50 states, as well as U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, are vulnerable to earthquake hazards and associated risks to varying degrees. Among the costliest U.S. earthquake disasters was the 1994 magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake in California, which caused 60 fatalities and more than 7,000 injuries; left about 20,000 homeless; damaged more than 40,000 buildings; and caused an estimated $13-$20 billion in economic losses. 'Earthquake early warning' (EEW) is one way to reduce earthquake risks (i.e., fatalities and injuries, as well as damage to structures and operations). EEW refers to sending a warning to areas that may experience the highest intensity shaking; the EEW is sent after an earthquake is detected, but before damaging ground-shaking reaches the areas. An EEW received in tens of seconds to minutes before shaking allows institutions and individuals to take protective actions (e.g., an institution can automatically stop a train to prevent derailment or an individual can avoid getting into an elevator to avoid harm)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rowan, Linda R.
2022-06-01
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Sifting Domestic Terrorism from Domestic Violent Extremism and Hate Crime Updated [June 1, 2022]
From the Document: "Domestic terrorism (DT) differs from other criminal activity in key ways. Importantly, unlike most offenders--who may be driven by self-centered motives--domestic terrorists are driven by a cause or ideology. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the agency with lead responsibility for terrorism investigations at the federal level, generally relies on two definitions of DT. First, the Code of Federal Regulations [hyperlink] characterizes 'terrorism' as including 'the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.' Second, 18 U.S.C. [United States Code] §2331(5) [hyperlink] more narrowly defines 'domestic terrorism' as occurring primarily within U.S. territorial jurisdiction, and involving acts (A) ... dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State; (B) [that] appear to be intended-- (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping…[.] Domestic terrorists draw from many philosophies and worldviews [hyperlink] to justify their illegal acts. They can be motivated to commit crimes in the name of ideas such as animal rights, environmental rights, racially or ethnically based ideological objectives, anti-government or anti-authority beliefs, abortion-related beliefs, and anarchism [hyperlink], for example. Expression of these ideas--absent the commission of crimes--may involve constitutionally protected activity."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2022-06-01
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Authorities and Procedures [Updated June 1, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress has specified the conditions [hyperlink] under which non-U.S. nationals ('aliens' [hyperlink], as the term is used in the Immigration and Nationality Act [INA]) may lawfully enter or remain in the United States. Under this framework, aliens who satisfy applicable requirements may qualify for certain types of immigration benefits, such as adjustment to lawful permanent resident [hyperlink] (LPR) status. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [hyperlink] (USCIS), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is tasked with adjudicating immigration benefit applications. This Legal Sidebar provides a brief overview of USCIS's authorities and procedures."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Hillel R.
2022-06-01
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Hanford Cleanup: DOE Has Opportunities to Better Ensure Effective Startup and Sustained Low-Activity Waste Operations, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "DOE [Department of Energy] created the DFLAW [Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste] program to treat part of the least radioactive portion of the 54 million gallons of radioactive liquid waste held in 177 aging and leak-prone underground storage tanks at the Hanford Site in Washington State. DOE estimates that the DFLAW program will cost $8.3 billion when complete and begin treating waste in December 2023. DOE is currently in negotiations with the contractor on a possible contract extension for certain DFLAW facilities that may require additional work. Senate Report 116-236 accompanying S. 4049, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review the DFLAW program. Among other things, GAO's report describes the status of facilities needed to start DFLAW operations and examines the challenges DOE faces in starting and sustaining DFLAW operations. GAO reviewed agency documents and DFLAW program data from December 2020 through May 2021; analyzed DOE documents on DFLAW starting and operating challenges and risks, including DOE plans to manage them; and interviewed DOE officials. [...] GAO is making four recommendations, including that DOE ensures that existing challenges and problems in facilities, systems, and components related to DFLAW are resolved by the end of hot commissioning and the start of normal operations. DOE agreed with GAO's recommendations and stated that it is taking steps to implement them by December 31, 2022."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Los Alamos National Laboratory: Contractor Improving in Safety and Other Areas but Still Faces Challenges, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "NNSA [National Nuclear Security Administration] relies heavily on an M&O [management and operating] contractor to carry out complex and dangerous work related to nuclear weapons production at LANL [Los Alamos National Laboratory]. Following substantial operational interruptions due to safety lapses, in 2018, NNSA awarded a new contract to manage and operate LANL to Triad. NNSA made changes to the contract with the intent over 10 years to improve safety performance, realize cost savings, and achieve other benefits. NNSA is now seeking to expand plutonium pit production and other missions at LANL and, in turn, increase the laboratory's workforce. The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2019 includes a provision for NNSA to report on the costs and benefits of competing any new M&O contract, and for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to issue two associated reviews. This is GAO's second review on NNSA's contract with Triad (for GAO's first review, see GAO-20-292R [hyperlink]). In this review, GAO examines (1) steps Triad has taken to improve safety performance at LANL, and how NNSA and other organizations have assessed these steps; and (2) the extent to which anticipated cost savings and other benefits have been realized under the current contract thus far. GAO reviewed NNSA performance evaluations, policies, and regulations, and interviewed DOE and NNSA officials and Triad representatives."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Export Controls: Enforcement Agencies Should Better Leverage Information to Target Efforts Involving U.S. Universities, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Over 2 million foreign students and scholars studied at U.S. universities in 2019, in many cases contributing to U.S. research. The U.S. government implements export controls to, among other things, mitigate the risk of foreign students' and scholars' obtaining controlled and sensitive information that could benefit foreign adversaries. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review agencies' efforts to address risks associated with foreign students and scholars who may seek to evade export control regulations. This report examines the extent to which agencies are assessing universities' risk of unauthorized deemed exports to prioritize outreach. GAO reviewed related laws and regulations; analyzed agency data; and interviewed agency officials in Washington, D.C., and 15 U.S. field offices. GAO based its selection of these offices on their proximity to research universities, their geographic dispersion, and other agencies' field office locations. This is a public version of a sensitive report issued in March 2022 that included additional information on (1) challenges agencies face in efforts to enforce export control regulations, particularly for deemed exports at universities, and (2) the extent to which agencies coordinate their efforts and share information. Information that agencies deemed sensitive has been removed. [...] GAO is making eight recommendations to strengthen Commerce's, DHS's, and FBI's ability to prioritize outreach to at-risk universities. All three agencies concurred with the recommendations"
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Business Systems: DOD Needs to Improve Performance Reporting and Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Planning, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "For fiscal year 2022, DOD requested approximately $38.6 billion for its unclassified IT [Information technology] investments. These investments included programs such as communications and command and control systems. They also included major IT business programs, which are intended to help the department carry out key functions, such as financial management and health care. The NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act] for FY 2019 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to assess selected DOD IT programs annually through March 2023. GAO's objectives for this review were to (1) examine how DOD's portfolio of major IT acquisition business programs has performed; (2) determine the extent to which the department has implemented software development, cybersecurity, and supply chain risk management practices; and (3) describe actions DOD has taken to implement legislative and policy changes that could affect its IT acquisitions. To address these objectives, GAO determined that DOD's major IT business programs were the 25 that DOD reported to the federal IT Dashboard as of December 2021 (The IT Dashboard is a public website that includes information on the performance of IT investments). GAO examined DOD's planned expenditures for these programs from fiscal years 2020 through 2022, as reported in the department's FY 2022 submission to the Dashboard."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Yemen: State and DOD Need Better Information on Civilian Impacts of U.S. Military Support to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The United Nations has characterized the conflict in Yemen as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The U.S. has long-standing security relationships with Saudi Arabia and UAE [United Arab Emirates]--two primary actors in the conflict--and has continued to provide them military support, including for operations in Yemen since 2015. Public law 116-283 calls for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review U.S. military support to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. This report examines the (1) total financial value of military support provided by DOD to Saudi Arabia and UAE in fiscal years 2015-2021, (2) extent to which DOD and State have assessed the use of U.S. military support in Yemen and to which this support contributed to or reduced civilian harm, and (3) extent to which State certifications and a DOD report submitted in response to two congressional mandates were timely and complete."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Water Quality: Agencies Should Take More Actions to Manage Risks from Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Harmful algal blooms--overgrowths of algae in water bodies--can produce toxins that harm humans and animals. These blooms are an environmental problem in all 50 states, according to EPA. Harmful algal blooms are also associated with some occurrences of hypoxia--depleted oxygen levels in a water body in which most animals cannot survive. Hypoxia can harm fisheries and disrupt ecosystems. Under the act, the interagency working group, with NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] and EPA leadership, is to maintain and enhance a national harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program, develop a comprehensive research plan and action strategy, and submit various reports to Congress. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review federal efforts to manage harmful algal bloom and hypoxia risks. This report examines, among other things, (1) working group efforts to implement a national program; (2) agencies' actions to monitor and forecast harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; and (3) agencies' actions to help state, local, and tribal governments respond to these events."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Air Force and Navy Aviation: Actions Needed to Address Persistent Sustainment Risks, Report to the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The Air Force and Navy spend billions of dollars annually to maintain their aircraft. The ability of the Air Force and Navy to complete aircraft maintenance directly affects military readiness, as maintenance delays reduce the time during which aircraft are available for operations and training. House Report 116-442 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to examine unit-level aviation maintenance. Among other things, this report assesses (1) trends in mission capability rates and related maintenance metrics for selected aircraft since fiscal year 2015 (2) the extent to which the Air Force and Navy have mitigated sustainment risks."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Congressional Budget Office Analysis: Wildfires
From the Document: "The average annual acreage burned by wildfires in the United States has increased over the past 30 years, affecting both federal and nonfederal lands. In this report, the Congressional Budget Office analyzes trends in wildfire activity; considers the effects of wildfires on the federal budget, the environment, people's health, and the economy; and reviews forest-management practices meant to reduce the likelihood and seriousness of fire-related disasters. These are the major findings from the analysis: [1] About 8 million acres, on average, burned each year in wildfires between 2017 and 2021, more than double the average amount from 1987 to 1991. On average, a fire on federal lands is five times the size of one on nonfederal lands. [2] Average annual federal spending on fire suppression totaled $2.5 billion (in 2020 dollars) between 2016 and 2020. Other federal fire-related spending includes disaster assistance (which totaled $5 billion of obligations for disasters declared over those five years) and some indirect costs (such as spending on health care following smoke exposure and the potential loss of revenues from federal timber sales). [3] Environmental, health-related, and economic effects of wildfires are felt most acutely in the immediate area. Smoke and air pollution from wildfires spread widely and can exacerbate many health conditions. Wildfires also tend to have negative effects on watersheds. [4] Managing forests can reduce the risk and severity of wildfires, according to research. Techniques to do so include setting prescribed fires, managing wildfires in remote areas, and mechanically thinning forests to reduce the density of vegetation and different types of fuel in a forest. The cost to implement those strategies varies by landscape and by treatment required."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-06
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Communications Dependencies Case Study: Nashville 'Christmas Day' Bombing
From the Document: "In the early morning hours of December 25, 2020, residents of downtown Nashville, Tenn., began calling 911 to report the sound of gun shots. When officers arrived, they located a recreational vehicle (RV) parked in front of a commercial communications building playing a pre-recorded message for residents to evacuate the area with a countdown to an explosion. As officers began to evacuate the area, the RV exploded. The explosion caused a fire within the building, as well as flooding on the first and second floors following two water main breaks. According to a source familiar with the incident, it disrupted about 170 public safety answering points (PSAPs) in the immediate and neighboring areas, and as far as Kentucky and Alabama. Telephone, data, and internet outages were seen as far as Atlanta, Ga. [...] The response to this explosion required partnerships from local utility companies, local-level public safety agencies including PSAPs, local and federal law enforcement agencies, multiple communications service providers, local government representatives and county code enforcement, and regional healthcare facilities.[...] The impacted service provider produced much of the voice, data, and internet service in the region. The outage impacted local and regional PSAP operations, impacted hospital communications, civilian communications, and even commercial business operations."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. SAFECOM; National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators
2022-06
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Alternatives to Detention: ICE Needs to Better Assess Program Performance and Improve Contract Oversight, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] has wide discretion to detain or release individuals of foreign nationality awaiting resolution of their immigration court proceedings, except for individuals subject to mandatory detention. The ATD [Alternatives to Detention] program, which ICE administers through a $2.2 billion contract, uses electronic monitoring and case management to help ensure that individuals enrolled comply with release conditions, such as appearing at immigration court hearings. The explanatory statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review the ATD program. This report examines, among other objectives, (1) what data show about participation in the ATD program, (2) the extent to which ICE has assessed ATD performance, and (3) how ICE manages and oversees the ATD contractor."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Network Infrastructure Security Guide
From the Purpose: "This document was developed in furtherance of NSA's [National Security Agency's] cybersecurity missions. This includes its responsibilities to identify and disseminate threats to National Security Systems, Department of Defense information systems, and the Defense Industrial Base, and to develop and issue cybersecurity specifications and mitigations. This information may be shared broadly to reach all appropriate stakeholders."
United States. National Security Agency
2022-06
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Cyber Insurance: Action Needed to Assess Potential Federal Response to Catastrophic Attacks, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Cyber threats to critical infrastructure represent a significant economic challenge. Although cyber incident costs are paid in part by the private cyber insurance market, growing cyber threats have created uncertainty in this evolving market. The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to study cyber risks to U.S. critical infrastructure and available insurance for these risks. This report examines the extent to which (1) cyber risks for critical infrastructure exist; (2) private insurance covers catastrophic cyber losses and TRIP [Terrorism Risk Insurance Program] provides a backstop for such losses; and (3) cognizant federal agencies have assessed a potential federal response for cyberattacks."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Wildland Urban Interface: A Look at Issues and Resolutions: A Report of Recommendations for Elected Officials, Policymakers and All Levels of Government, Tribal and Response Agencies
From the Executive Summary: "'Wildland Urban Interface: A Look at Issues and Resolutions' [was developed] to stimulate action by raising awareness of the crisis that our nation faces related to wildfire in the WUI [wildland urban interface] and lay out a unified, strategic approach to risk reduction at the national, state, regional and local levels. In developing this report, a cross-functional group of stakeholders and subject matter experts (SMEs) from across the nation convened to identify 33 challenges within 13 key WUI issues and develop recommendations to address each challenge. In total, 112 recommendations are presented. These recommendations address challenges in firefighter health and safety, public health and safety, evacuations, forest and rangeland health and resiliency, climate change, community planning and resiliency, infrastructure and utilities, communication strategy and engagement operations, socioeconomic impacts, recovery, emerging technology, data use and modeling, and risk management in wildland fire. The recommendations should be pursued together, forming a system of strategies that require urgent, sustained and actionable implementations. These recommendations are not quick fixes, but solutions for the long term. Leadership on and commitment to the implementation of these recommendations results in a safer America."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States Fire Administration
Karels, Jim
2022-06
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Violent Victimization by Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, 2017-2020
From the Document: "During the 4-year aggregate period of 2017 to 2020, the rates of violent victimization were significantly higher for persons age 16 or older who self-identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual than for those who identified as straight, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). Persons who identified as lesbian or gay experienced 43.5 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 16 or older, more than twice the rate among persons who identified as straight (19.0 per 1,000) [...]). Violent victimization includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. Based on 2017-20 population data from the NCVS, 1.4% of persons age 16 or older self-identified as being lesbian or gay and 0.7% identified as being bisexual. [...] The rate of violent victimization was significantly higher among bisexual persons (129.1 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 16 or older) than lesbian or gay persons (43.5 per 1,000) or persons who identified as straight (19.0 per 1,000) during 2017-20. Persons who identified as 'something else' experienced violent victimization at a higher rate (106.2 per 1,000) than lesbian or gay persons."
United States. Bureau of Justice Statistics; United States. Office of Justice Programs; United States. Department of Justice
2022-06
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Biden's Border Crisis: Examining Policies That Encourage Illegal Migration
From the Introduction: "The illegal migration crisis at the U.S. southern border presents a grave security threat to the United States and a humanitarian catastrophe for the vulnerable people involved. Illegal migration to the United States has reached astronomical levels since the Biden Administration entered office in January 2021. The sheer number of illegal migrants, combined with the evolving tactics that transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) employ to smuggle and traffic individuals, presents an untenable security and humanitarian situation. Weak U.S. border security and enforcement of immigration laws undermines U.S. efforts to improve the rule of law and humanitarian conditions in the region, takes a mental and physical toll on U.S. law enforcement personnel, and challenges their ability to defend our nation's borders. The prevailing conditions benefit dangerous criminals and expose vulnerable populations to unspeakable dangers and abuse. The Biden Administration's failure to secure our nation's borders is worsening this crisis. Further, it undermines efforts to address inadequate law enforcement as well as asylum processing policies and capabilities in Mexico and the northern Central American countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. This report puts forward concrete ideas to: [1] Establish effective migration controls in the United States; [2] Strengthen border security and migration management capacities in the region; and [3] Target TCOs smuggling and trafficking migrants."
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations
2022-06
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COVID-19: Pandemic Lessons Highlight Need for Public Health Situational Awareness Network, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has drawn attention to the urgent need for public health officials to access realtime information about emerging threats to enable them to make timely, responsive decisions. For over a decade, federal law has mandated that HHS [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] improve the nation's situational awareness of these threats. The most recent mandate, enacted in 2019, included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on HHS's efforts to implement these improvements. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act also included a provision for GAO to conduct monitoring and oversight of the federal response to the pandemic. This report examines (1) the extent to which HHS has made progress toward implementing the requirements in the 2019 act; and (2) the challenges and lessons learned from COVID-19 that HHS could incorporate in planning for a situational awareness and biosurveillance network."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Interagency Council on Homelessness: Written Policies for Implementing Statutory Requirements Are Needed, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The mission of USICH [United States Interagency Council on Homelessness] is to coordinate the federal response to homelessness and partner with the private sector and state and local governments to prevent and end homelessness. Under its governing statute, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, USICH must perform certain duties and functions, such as annually updating its national strategic plan to end homelessness, providing technical assistance to state and local governments and nonprofit organizations, and recommending improvements to programs that assist homeless individuals. House Report No. 116-452 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review USICH's policies and procedures to ensure compliance with certain statutory requirements. This report addresses policies and procedures USICH used in fiscal years 2017-2021 to perform duties and functions under its governing statute and comply with certain appropriations requirements."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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COVID-19: Agencies Increased Use of Some Regulatory Flexibilities and Are Taking Steps to Assess Them, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Federal regulations can generate substantial benefits to society, but benefits can diminish if regulations are not adapted to meet emerging public needs. Federal agencies have implemented regulatory flexibilities to address the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic's substantial effect. Regulatory flexibilities are actions taken, at least in part, to temporarily reduce regulatory burdens or constraints imposed on regulated entities. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on its COVID-19 pandemic oversight efforts. GAO was also asked to look at regulatory flexibilities available to agencies in responding to COVID-19. For this report, GAO examines (1) agencies' implementation of regulatory flexibilities in response to the pandemic; (2) the plans, policies, and other tools selected agencies used to identify and design regulatory flexibilities; and (3) efforts these selected agencies took to assess the impacts of regulatory flexibilities."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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NASA: Assessments of Major Projects, Report to Congressional Committees [June 2022]
From the Highlights: "NASA plans to invest at least $80 billion in its major projects to continue exploring Earth, the moon, and the solar system. Major projects are those with costs of over $250 million. An explanatory statement included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to prepare status reports on NASA's major projects. This is GAO's 14th annual assessment. This report describes the cost and schedule performance of NASA's major projects and GAO's assessment of these projects' technology development and design stability. The report also includes individual assessments of the major projects."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Fair Lending: Opportunities Exist to Enhance OCC's Oversight of Banks' Lending Practices, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibit discrimination in access to most forms of credit transactions based on race, national origin, and other characteristics. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review OCC's [Office of the Comptroller of the Currency] oversight of fair lending laws. This report examines (1) how OCC identifies and addresses any deficient fair lending practices at supervised banks and refers potential violations to DOJ, (2) the extent to which OCC examiners followed policies and procedures in selected fair lending examinations, and (3) how changes to examination selection processes have affected oversight."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
