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• Emergency CDBG Funds in the Gulf Coast: Uses, Challenges, and Lessons for the Future, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity of the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Second Session, May 8, 2008

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  From the opening statement of Maxine Waters: "As a national advocate for the Gulf Coast, I was quick to push for emergency appropriations to help the States affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma to recover from the devastation caused by those storms. The 2005 hurricanes were the deadliest and most expensive storms on record. Over one million housing units were damaged along the Gulf Coast as a result of the hurricanes in 2005. But half of the damaged units in Louisiana, which bore the brunt of Hurricane Katrina-total catastrophic losses from Hurricane Katrina were estimated at $40.6 billion with uninsured losses much higher. Although the Federal Government has provided $123 billion for hurricane relief, $19.7 billion of this amount was provided through the Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, program. Congress has historically appropriated supplemental CDBG funds to respond to natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornados. In addition, CDBG funds supported recovery efforts in New York City following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, in Oklahoma City following the bombing of the Alfred Murrah Building in 1995, and in the City and County of Los Angeles following the riots of 1992. However, the severity of the damage inflicted by the 2005 hurricanes and the slow responses of some of the States to get these funds out of the door has put the program into question." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Craig H. Baab, David J. Bowman, William C. Daly, Stanley Gimont, John Henneberger, Bill Johnson, Derrick Johnson, Reilly Morse, Jack Norris, James Perry, Leslie L. Powell, Gail D. Stafford, Maxine Waters, and Al Green.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2008
• Saving Lives and Money through the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Programs, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Second Session, April 30, 2008

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  From the opening statement of Eleanor Holmes Norton: "Today's hearing will focus on the reauthorization of the Predisaster Mitigation Program authorized by section 203 of the Stafford Act, which is due to sunset on September 30th of this year. The Predisaster Mitigation Program was first authorized by this Committee in the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. The title of today's hearing, Saving Lives and Money Through the Predisaster Mitigation Program, perfectly describes a program that saves far more than is invested. The Predisaster Mitigation Program is a companion for the Postdisaster Hazards Grant Mitigation Program, also authorized by this Committee in section 404 of the Stafford Act. The vast predominance of disasters in the country, of course, are from natural disasters. Examples of mitigation for such disasters include elevating or buying out structures in a floodplain and strengthening buildings to better withstand earthquakes or hurricanes. This program provides cost-effective technical and financial assistance to State and local governments to reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage to property that might otherwise be caused by natural disasters." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Robert C. Bohlmann, David I. Maurstad, James Mullen, Brent Woodworth, Jason Altmire, Eleanor Holmes Norton, James L. Oberstar, and Betty Knight.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2008
• EPA's Role in Emergency Planning and Notification at Chemical Facilities [September 18, 2017]

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  "Chemicals and the facilities that manufacture, store, distribute, and use them are essential to the U.S. economy. However, incidents occasioned by natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes, floods), unintentional events (e.g., fire, accidents), or security threats (e.g., terrorism) show that the handling and storage of chemicals are not without risk. Incidents such as the 2017 fire at the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas, the 2013 explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in West, Texas, and the 1984 release of methyl isocyanate at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India, have motivated many in federal, state, and local governments to back efforts to reduce the risk of chemical accidents in the United States."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lattanzio, Richard K.; Bearden, David M.

  2017-09-18
• Haiti's Political and Economic Conditions [Updated March 5, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "Since the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986, Haiti has struggled to overcome its centuries-long legacy of authoritarianism, disrespect for human rights, underdevelopment, and extreme poverty. Widespread corruption remains an impediment to changing that legacy. Haiti made significant progress in improving governance prior to the 2010 earthquake, but recovery since then has been slow. Democratic institutions remain weak and stability fragile. Poverty remains massive and deep, and economic disparity is wide. Due to its proximity to the United States and its chronically unstable political environment and fragile economy, Haiti has been an ongoing policy issue for the United States. Many in the U.S. Congress view Haiti's increasing instability with concern and have shown a commitment to improving conditions in the country through continued support for U.S. foreign aid."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Taft-Morales, Maureen

  2020-03-05
• Trafficking in Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean [July 15, 2013]

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  "Trafficking in persons (TIP) is considered to be one of today's leading criminal enterprises and is believed to affect virtually all countries around the globe. Despite limited data on the nature and severity of the problem, the U.S. government has cited estimates that some 27 million men, women, and children may be victims of trafficking at any given time. In 2012, the International Labor Organization (ILO) estimated that there were some 20.9 million victims of forced labor at any given point in the period 2002-2011, including trafficking victims. The accuracy of these and other estimates, however, is difficult to assess given the clandestine nature of the crime. Internal trafficking generally flows from rural to urban or tourist centers within a given country, while trafficking across international borders generally flows from developing to developed nations. Countries are generally described as source, transit, or destination countries for TIP victims. Many experts conclude that a country is more likely to become a source of human trafficking if it has recently experienced political upheaval, armed conflict, economic crisis, or natural disaster. For example, the hundreds of thousands of Haitian children who were orphaned or abandoned after a catastrophic earthquake hit that country in January 2010 proved vulnerable to trafficking. […] This report describes the nature and scope of the problem of trafficking in persons in Latin America and the Caribbean. It then describes U.S. efforts to deal with trafficking in persons in the region, as well as discusses the successes and failures of some recent country and regional anti-trafficking efforts. The report concludes by raising issues that may be helpful for the 113th Congress to consider as it continues to address human trafficking as part of its authorization, appropriations, and oversight activities."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seelke, Clare Ribando

  2013-07-15
• Trafficking in Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean [September 9, 2011]

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  "Trafficking in persons (TIP) for the purpose of exploitation is a lucrative criminal activity that is of major concern to the United States and the international community. According to the most recent U.S. State Department estimates, roughly 800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year. If trafficking within countries is included in the total world figures, official U.S. estimates are that some 2 million to 4 million people are trafficked annually. While most trafficking victims still appear to originate from South and Southeast Asia or the former Soviet Union, human trafficking is also a growing problem in Latin America. […] Activity on combating TIP has continued into the 112th Congress, particularly related to efforts to reauthorize the TVPA and oversee TIP programs and operations, including U.S.-funded programs in Latin America. Congress may also consider increasing funding for anti-TIP programs in the region, possibly through the Mérida Initiative for Mexico, the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) or through other assistance programs. Congress is likely to monitor new trends in human trafficking in the region, such as the increasing involvement of Mexican drug trafficking organizations in TIP and the problem of child trafficking in Haiti, which has worsened since that country experienced a devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010. For more general information on human trafficking and a discussion of TIP-related legislation in the 112th Congress, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL34317, 'Trafficking in Persons: U.S. Policy and Issues for Congress', by Alison Siskin and Liana Sun Wyler."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seelke, Clare Ribando

  2011-09-09
• Tsunamis: Monitoring, Detection, and Early Warning Systems [Updated March 15, 2005]

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  "Recently, some in Congress have become concerned about the possible vulnerability of U.S. coastal areas to tsunamis, and about the adequacy of early warning for coastal areas of the western Atlantic Ocean. Those concerns stem from the December 26, 2004, tsunami that devastated many coastal areas around the northern Indian Ocean, where few tsunami early warning systems currently operate. Caused by a strong underwater earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, the tsunami disaster is estimated to have claimed as many as 300,000 lives. Affected nations, assisted by others, are pursuing a multilateral effort through the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to develop an international tsunami detection and warning network that would guard coastal populations in the greater region of the Indian Ocean. Those efforts would coincide with the United States' effort to upgrade and expand its tsunami detection and warning network."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Morrissey, Wayne A.

  2005-03-15
• Tsunamis: Monitoring, Detection, and Early Warning Systems [Updated February 18, 2005]

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  "Recently, some in Congress have become concerned about the possible vulnerability of U.S. coastal areas to tsunamis, and about the adequacy of early warning for coastal areas of the western Atlantic Ocean. Those concerns stem from the December 26, 2004, tsunami that devastated many coastal areas around the northern Indian Ocean, where few tsunami early warning systems currently operate. Caused by a strong underwater earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, the tsunami disaster is estimated to have claimed as many as 300,000 lives. Affected nations, assisted by others, are pursuing a multilateral effort through the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to develop an international tsunami detection and warning network that would guard coastal populations in the greater region of the Indian Ocean. Those efforts would coincide with the United States' effort to upgrade and expand its tsunami detection and warning network."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Morrissey, Wayne A.

  2005-02-18
• Tsunamis: Monitoring, Detection, and Early Warning Systems [Updated December 12, 2006]

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  "Congress is concerned about the possible vulnerability of U.S. coastal areas to tsunamis and the adequacy of early warning for coastal areas. This stems from a December 26, 2004 tsunami that devastated many coastal areas around the northern Indian Ocean, where few tsunami early warning systems currently operate. Caused by a strong underwater earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, the tsunami claimed an estimated 220,000 lives. In December 2005, President Bush's plan for expanding U.S. tsunami detection and early warning coverage was released. Nations affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami, assisted by other counties, are pursuing multilateral efforts to develop a regional tsunami detection and warning network for coastal populations around the Indian Ocean (IOTWS). The U.N. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is leading that international effort. To leverage costs of the IOTWS, IOC members suggested "piggy backing" on existing distributive ocean observation and monitoring networks, data collection systems, marine buoys and tide gage networks, and global telecommunications systems, which may pose technical challenges in standardizing communications protocols and ensuring interoperability of systems. The Bush Administration and congressional supporters consider a fully deployed U.S. network an important component of a future global tsunami warning capability. Some developed countries bordering on the Indian Ocean currently operate tsunami warnings systems, but guarding their Pacific shores. Disaster management experts contend that a global tsunami early warning system capability is most useful in countries that have expansive regionally/locally based emergency management capabilities."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Morrissey, Wayne A.

  2006-12-12
• Tsunamis: Monitoring, Detection, and Early Warning Systems [January 24, 2005]

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  "Recently, some in Congress have become concerned about the possible vulnerability of U.S. coastal areas to tsunamis, and about the adequacy of early warning for coastal areas of the western Atlantic Ocean. Those concerns stem from the December 26, 2004, tsunami that devastated many coastal areas around the northern Indian Ocean, where few tsunami early warning systems currently operate. Caused by a strong underwater earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, the tsunami disaster is estimated to have claimed at least 150,000 lives. Affected nations, assisted by others, are pursuing a multilateral effort to develop a detection and warning network for the Indian Ocean. Also, some Members of Congress and the Bush Administration have proposed a tsunami warning network for the U.S. Atlantic seaboard. Although instrumentation costs could run into the millions of dollars, existing weather buoys and state and local coastal and ocean observation networks might serve as possible platforms for the instrumentation. The European Union, Canada, and the United States may consider multilateral efforts to establish coverage for the North Atlantic. This report will be updated as warranted."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Morrissey, Wayne A.

  2005-01-24
• Community Development Block Grant Funds in Disaster Relief and Recovery [September 1, 2010]

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  From the Summary: "In the aftermath of presidentially declared disasters, Congress has used a variety of programs to help states and local governments finance recovery efforts, among them the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Over the years, Congress has appropriated supplemental CDBG funds to assist states and communities recover from such natural disasters as hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes. In addition, CDBG funds supported recovery efforts in New York City following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; in Oklahoma City following the bombing of the Alfred Murrah Building in 1995; and in the city and county of Los Angeles following the riots of 1992. In response to those calamities, CDBG funds were made available for short-term relief efforts, mitigation actions, and long-term recovery, and to provide housing and business assistance, infrastructure reconstruction, and public services. The Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005 (Katrina, Rita, and Wilma) resulted in the largest appropriation of CDBG funds for disaster relief and recovery in the program's history. Since December 2005, Congress has provided $19.85 billion in CDBG disaster-related assistance to the five states (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas) affected by the Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005. This included $11.5 billion in CDBG assistance appropriated in the Defense Appropriations Act for FY2006, P.L. 109-148; $5.2 billion in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery Act of 2006, P.L. 109-234; and $3 billion (exclusively for Louisiana's Road Home Program) appropriated in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY2008, P.L. 110-116."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Boyd, Eugene

  2010-09-01
• Dominican Republic: Background and U.S. Relations [January 3, 2011]

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  From the Summary: "The Dominican Republic, a country of roughly 9.7 million people that shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti, is a key U.S. trade partner and political ally in the region. The United States is the Dominican Republic's main trading partner, with two-way trade totaling more than $10.6 billion in 2008 before falling to $8.6 billion in 2009. In addition to trade, U.S. interest in the Dominican Republic has focused on anti-drug cooperation and governance/human rights issues, as well as the country's role in helping resolve regional conflicts. After a July 12, 2010, official meeting, President Barack Obama praised Dominican President Leonel Fernández's regional leadership, particularly the role he and his government have played in the aftermath of the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti and in helping to resolve the political crisis in Honduras. President Fernández of the center-left Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) took office for his third term in August 2008. Fernández previously served as President from 1996-2000 and 2004-2008. In 2009, President Fernández achieved one of his primary political goals: securing congressional approval of a new constitution. The new constitution, which took effect in January 2010, allows presidents to complete one term and then serve again after sitting out of office for four years, making President Fernández eligible to run again in 2016. Few have criticized Fernández for changing the constitution to allow himself to run for another term, but some have spoken out against calls from the PLD for further changes that would enable him to run in 2012. Despite some lingering economic and security challenges that have yet to be resolved and concerns about corruption in his Administration, President Fernández has remained popular. His party dominated legislative elections held on May 16, 2010."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seelke, Clare Ribando

  2011-01-03
• Dominican Republic: Background and U.S. Relations [November 1, 2010]

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  From the Summary: "The Dominican Republic, a country of roughly 9.7 million people that shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti, is a key U.S. trade partner and political ally in the region. The United States is the Dominican Republic's main trading partner, with two-way trade totaling more than $10.6 billion in 2008 before falling to $8.6 billion in 2009. In addition to trade, U.S. interest in the Dominican Republic has focused on anti-drug cooperation and governance/human rights issues, as well as the country's role in helping resolve regional conflicts. After a July 12, 2010, official meeting, President Barack Obama praised Dominican President Leonel Fernández's regional leadership, particularly the role he and his government have played in the aftermath of the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti and in helping to resolve the political crisis in Honduras. [...] In recent years, U.S. interest in the Dominican Republic has focused on trade, security, and human rights issues. Trade and investment flows have expanded since the Dominican RepublicCentral America-United States free trade agreement (CAFTA-DR) entered into force for the Dominican Republic on March 1, 2007. U.S. trade capacity building assistance has also reportedly helped boost Dominican competitiveness in some sectors. The United States is the largest bilateral donor to the Dominican Republic, with U.S. assistance totaling an estimated $49 million in FY2010. [...] This report provides background information on current political and economic conditions in the Dominican Republic, as well as an overview of some of the key issues in U.S.-Dominican relations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seelke, Clare Ribando

  2010-11-01
• Community Development Block Grant Funds in Disaster Relief and Recovery [October 19, 2005]

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  From the Summary: "In the aftermath of previous, presidentially-declared disasters, Congress has used the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to help states and local governments finance recovery efforts, whether from natural or man-made disasters. Congress has appropriated supplemental CDBG funds to assist states and communities recover from such natural disasters as hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes. In addition, CDBG funds have supported recovery efforts of New York City following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Oklahoma City following the bombing of the Alfred Murrah Building in 1995, and the city and county of Los Angeles following the riots of 1992. In response to these calamities, CDBG funds have been made available for short-term relief efforts, mitigation actions, and long-term recovery, and have been used to provide housing and business assistance, infrastructure reconstruction, and public services. This report will provide a general overview of the CDBG program and its use in disaster relief. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Boyd, Eugene

  2005-10-19
• U.S. Energy: Overview and Key Statistics [July 29, 2011]

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  "Energy supplies and prices are major economic factors in the United States, and energy markets are volatile and unpredictable. Thus, energy policy has been a recurring issue for Congress since the first major crisis in the 1970s. As an aid in policy making, this report presents a current and historical view of the supply and consumption of various forms of energy. The historical trends show petroleum as the major source of energy, rising from about 38% in 1950 to 45% in 1975, then declining to about 40% in response to the energy crisis of the 1970s. [...] Natural gas followed a long-term pattern of consumption similar to that of oil, at a lower level. Its share of total energy increased from about 17% in 1950 to more than 30% in 1970, then declined to about 20%. [...] Consumption of coal in 1950 was 35% of the total, almost equal to oil, but it declined to about 20% a decade later and has remained at about that proportion since then. [...] Nuclear power started coming online in significant amounts in the late 1960s. By 1975, in the midst of the oil crisis, it was supplying 9% of total electricity generation. However, increases in capital costs, construction delays, and public opposition to nuclear power following the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 curtailed expansion of the technology, and many construction projects were cancelled. [...] The accident at Japan's Fukushima station following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami raised further questions about future construction of nuclear powerplants. [...] Renewable energy sources (except hydropower) continue to offer more potential than actual energy production, although fuel ethanol has become a significant factor in transportation fuel, and wind power has recently grown rapidly. Conservation and energy efficiency have shown significant gains over the past three decades and offer encouraging potential to relieve some of the dependence on oil imports."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Behrens, Carl E.; Glover, Carol F.

  2011-07-29
• U.S. Energy: Overview and Key Statistics [April 11, 2012]

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  "Energy supplies and prices are major economic factors in the United States, and energy markets are volatile and unpredictable. Thus, energy policy has been a recurring issue for Congress since the first major crisis in the 1970s. As an aid in policy making, this report presents a current and historical view of the supply and consumption of various forms of energy. The historical trends show petroleum as the major source of energy, rising from about 38% in 1950 to 45% in 1975, then declining to about 40% in response to the energy crisis of the 1970s. [...] Natural gas followed a long-term pattern of consumption similar to that of oil, at a lower level. Its share of total energy increased from about 17% in 1950 to more than 30% in 1970, then declined to about 20%. [...] Consumption of coal in 1950 was 35% of the total, almost equal to oil, but it declined to about 20% a decade later and has remained at about that proportion since then. [...] Nuclear power started coming online in significant amounts in the late 1960s. By 1975, in the midst of the oil crisis, it was supplying 9% of total electricity generation. However, increases in capital costs, construction delays, and public opposition to nuclear power following the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 curtailed expansion of the technology, and many construction projects were cancelled. [...] The accident at Japan's Fukushima station following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami raised further questions about future construction of nuclear powerplants. [...] Renewable energy sources (except hydropower) continue to offer more potential than actual energy production, although fuel ethanol has become a significant factor in transportation fuel, and wind power has recently grown rapidly. Conservation and energy efficiency have shown significant gains over the past three decades and offer encouraging potential to relieve some of the dependence on oil imports."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Behrens, Carl E.; Glover, Carol F.

  2012-04-11
• U.S.-Japan Economic Relations: Significance, Prospects, and Policy Options [February 20, 2013]

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  "Japan and the United States are among the world's largest economic powers. Together they account for over 30% of world domestic product (2012 estimate). This economic clout makes the United States and Japan powerful forces that influence each other's economies and those of other countries. Economic conditions in the United States and Japan also have a significant impact on the rest of the world. Furthermore, the U.S.-Japan bilateral economic relationship itself can influence economic conditions in other countries. The two countries remain very important economic partners, accounting for significant shares of each other's foreign trade and investment, even though their relative significance has declined. The global financial crisis and economic downturn added another dimension to the relationship as the two countries have grappled with the severe impact of the crisis on their respective economies and simultaneously have worked with their partners in the G-20 to coordinate a multilateral response. The impact of the March 11, 2011, earthquake and subsequent tsunami and nuclear plant accidents in northern Japan added still another factor to the bilateral economic relationship. The U.S.-Japan economic relationship is important to U.S. national interests and to the U.S. Congress. It has been the subject of oversight hearings and trade legislation, and Congress plays a critical role in shaping U.S. economic policy toward Japan. To assist the 113th Congress in fulfilling its responsibilities, this report explores the significance and state of U.S.-Japan economic ties, major issues in the relationship, and the possible options for managing the relationship."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Cooper, William H., 1949-

  2013-02-20
• Temporary Protected Status: Current Immigration Policy and Issues [July 1, 2015]

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  "When civil unrest, violence, or natural disasters erupt in spots around the world, concerns arise over the safety of foreign nationals from these troubled places who are in the United States. Provisions exist in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to offer temporary protected status (TPS) or relief from removal under specified circumstances. A foreign national who is granted TPS receives a registration document and an employment authorization for the duration of TPS. The United States currently provides TPS to over 300,000 foreign nationals from a total of 12 countries: El Salvador, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Liberia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. Liberians have had relief from removal for the longest period, first receiving TPS in March 1991 following the outbreak of civil war, and again in 2014 due to the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease. The Administration recently designated Nepal for TPS due to the devastation caused by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Under the INA, the executive branch grants TPS or relief from removal. The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, has the discretion to issue TPS for periods of 6 to 18 months and can extend these periods if conditions do not change in the designated country. Congress, however, has also provided TPS legislatively."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seghetti, Lisa M.; Ester, Karma; Wasem, Ruth Ellen

  2015-07-01
• Temporary Protected Status: Current Immigration Policy and Issues [September 2, 2015]

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  "When civil unrest, violence, or natural disasters erupt in spots around the world, concerns arise over the safety of foreign nationals from these troubled places who are in the United States. Provisions exist in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to offer temporary protected status (TPS) or relief from removal under specified circumstances. A foreign national who is granted TPS receives a registration document and an employment authorization for the duration of TPS. The United States currently provides TPS to over 300,000 foreign nationals from a total of 12 countries: El Salvador, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Liberia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. Liberians have had relief from removal for the longest period, first receiving TPS in March 1991 following the outbreak of civil war, and again in 2014 due to the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease. The Administration recently designated Nepal for TPS due to the devastation caused by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seghetti, Lisa M.; Ester, Karma; Wasem, Ruth Ellen

  2015-09-02
• Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces: Facts and Issues [April 24, 2006]

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  "Since the early 1990s, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Task Forces have been certified, trained, and funded by the federal government. Twenty-eight task forces are located in 19 states. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials may call out the task force (or forces) in closest proximity to the disaster to help locate and extricate victims from collapsed buildings and structures. The task forces represent a partnership involving federal, local government, and private sector experts. Most recently, USAR teams received considerable publicity, and reportedly achieved life-saving results, in their mission to Haiti after the earthquakes of early 2010. Legislation pending before Congress would affect the USAR system in two ways. First, H.R. 119 would designate a New Jersey task force to be part of the system. Other legislation (H.R. 706 and H.R. 3377) would establish statutory authority and federal funding for a USAR response system. Members of Congress will consider FY2011 funding for the task forces during the second session of the 111th Congress, and may elect to debate issues associated with the deployment of USAR task forces to foreign countries."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bea, Keith

  2006-04-24
• Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces: Facts and Issues [March 16, 2010]

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  "Since the early 1990s, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Task Forces have been certified, trained, and funded by the federal government. Twenty-eight task forces are located in 19 states. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials may call out the task force (or forces) in closest proximity to the disaster to help locate and extricate victims from collapsed buildings and structures. The task forces represent a partnership involving federal, local government, and private sector experts. Most recently, USAR teams received considerable publicity, and reportedly achieved life-saving results, in their mission to Haiti after the earthquakes of early 2010. Legislation pending before Congress would affect the USAR system in two ways. First, H.R. 119 would designate a New Jersey task force to be part of the system. Other legislation (H.R. 706 and H.R. 3377) would establish statutory authority and federal funding for a USAR response system. Members of Congress will consider FY2011 funding for the task forces during the second session of the 111th Congress, and may elect to debate issues associated with the deployment of USAR task forces to foreign countries."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bea, Keith

  2010-03-16
• Chile: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations [June 1, 2011]

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  From the Summary: "Since its transition back to democracy in 1990, Chile has consistently maintained friendly relations with the United States. Serving as a reliable but independent ally, Chile has worked with the United States to advance democracy, human rights, and free trade in the Western Hemisphere. Chile and the United States also maintain strong commercial ties. Total trade has nearly tripled to over $17.9 billion since the implementation of a bilateral free trade agreement in 2004, and the countries signed an income tax treaty designed to boost private sector investment in February 2010. Additional areas of cooperation between the United States and Chile include investigating dictatorship-era human rights abuses, promoting clean energy technologies, and supporting regional security and stability. […] Congress has expressed interest in a number of issues in U.S.-Chile relations in recent years. During the 111th Congress, both houses passed resolutions (S. Res. 431 and H. Res. 1144) expressing sympathy for the victims of the Chilean earthquake, and the House passed a resolution (H. Res. 1662) commending the rescue of the country's trapped miners. The 112th Congress could take up issues such as the U.S.-Chile bilateral income tax treaty that was signed in 2010 and is awaiting submission to the U.S. Senate for ratification. This report provides a brief historical background of Chile, examines recent political and economic developments, and considers current issues in U.S.-Chilean relations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Meyer, Peter J.

  2011-06-01
• Civilian Nuclear Waste Disposal [October 23, 2017]

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  "Management of civilian radioactive waste has posed difficult issues for Congress since the beginning of the nuclear power industry in the 1950s. Federal policy is based on the premise that nuclear waste can be disposed of safely, but proposed storage and disposal facilities have frequently been challenged on safety, health, and environmental grounds. Although civilian radioactive waste encompasses a wide range of materials, most of the current debate focuses on highly radioactive spent fuel from nuclear power plants. The United States currently has no disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel. The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (NWPA) calls for disposal of spent nuclear fuel in a deep geologic repository. NWPA established the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM) in the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop such a repository, which would be licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Amendments to NWPA in 1987 restricted DOE's repository site studies to Yucca Mountain in Nevada. DOE submitted a license application for the proposed Yucca Mountain repository to NRC on June 3, 2008. The state of Nevada strongly opposes the Yucca Mountain project, citing excessive water infiltration, earthquakes, volcanoes, human intrusion, and other technical issues. Licensing and design work for the proposed Yucca Mountain repository was halted under the Obama Administration, which cited continued opposition from Nevada. However, the Trump Administration included funds to restart Yucca Mountain licensing in its FY2018 budget submission to Congress on March 16, 2017."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Holt, Mark

  2017-10-23
• National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System Legislation in the 116th Congress [Updated February 20, 2019]

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  "In 2018, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS, a bureau within the Department of the Interior) published a volcanic threat assessment that assigned five threat levels (very high, high, moderate, low, and very low) to 161 volcanoes in 14 states and U.S. territories (Figure 1). The assessment ranked 18 volcanoes as very high and 39 as high. Eleven of the 18 very high-threat volcanoes are in Washington, Oregon, or California; five are in Alaska; and two are in Hawaii. The study notes that the high- and moderate-threat volcanoes are mostly in Alaska and that the more explosive Alaskan volcanoes can affect national and international aviation. The volcano ranked as the highest threat is Kilauea, the Hawaiian volcano whose 2018 eruptions were accompanied by destructive lava flows and frequent earthquakes, including one of magnitude 6.9. Kilauea is the youngest and southeastern-most volcano on the island of Hawaii."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin); Sheikh, Pervaze A.

  2019-02-20
• National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System Enacted in the 116th Congress [Updated May 28, 2019]

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  From the Document: "In 2018, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS, a bureau within the Department of the Interior) published a volcanic threat assessment that assigned five threat levels (very high, high, moderate, low, and very low) to 161 volcanoes in 14 states and U.S. territories (Figure 1). The assessment ranked 18 volcanoes as very high and 39 as high. Eleven of the 18 very-high-threat volcanoes are in Washington, Oregon, or California; five are in Alaska; and two are in Hawaii. The study notes that the high- and moderate-threat volcanoes are mostly in Alaska and that the more explosive Alaskan volcanoes can affect national and international aviation. The volcano ranked as the highest threat is Kilauea, the Hawaiian volcano whose 2018 eruptions were accompanied by destructive lava flows and frequent earthquakes, including one of magnitude 6.9. Kilauea is the youngest and southeastern-most volcano on the island of Hawaii."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin); Sheikh, Pervaze A.

  2019-05-28
• Effects of Radiation from Fukushima Daiichi on the U.S. Marine Environment [April 15, 2011]

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  "The massive Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011, caused extensive damage in northeastern Japan, including damage to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power installation, which resulted in the release of radiation. Some have called this incident the biggest manmade release ever of radioactive material into the oceans. Concerns have arisen about the potential effects of this released radiation on the U.S. marine environment and resources. Both ocean currents and atmospheric winds have the potential to transport radiation over and into marine waters under U.S. jurisdiction. It is unknown whether marine organisms that migrate through or near Japanese waters to locations where they might subsequently be harvested by U.S. fishermen (possibly some tuna in the western Pacific and, less likely, salmon in the North Pacific) might be exposed to radiation in or near Japanese waters, or might consume prey that have accumulated radioactive contaminants. High levels of radioactive iodine-131 (with a half-life of about 8 days), cesium-137 (with a halflife of about 30 years), and cesium-134 (with a half-life of about 2 years) have been measured in seawater adjacent to the Fukushima Daiichi site. EPA rainfall monitors in California, Idaho, and Minnesota have detected trace amounts of radioactive iodine, cesium, and tellurium consistent with the Japanese nuclear incident, with current concentrations below any level of concern. It is uncertain how precipitation of radioactive elements from the atmosphere may affect radiation levels in the marine environment. Scientists have stated that radiation in the ocean will very quickly become diluted and should not be a problem beyond the coast of Japan. The same is true of radiation carried by winds. Barring a major unanticipated release, radioactive contaminants from Fukushima Daiichi should become sufficiently dispersed over time that they will not prove to be a serious health threat elsewhere, unless they bioaccumulate in migratory fish or find their way directly to another part of the world through food or other commercial products."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Buck, Eugene H.; Upton, Harold F. (Harold Frank)

  2011-04-15
• 2018 Pacific Island Disasters: Federal Actions Helped Facilitate the Response, but FEMA Needs to Address Long-Term Recovery Challenges, Report to Congressional Committees

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  From the Highlights: "The CNMI [Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands], Guam, and Hawaii experienced an unprecedented number of natural disasters in 2018-- including typhoons, earthquakes, mudslides, and volcanic eruptions. FEMA is the lead federal agency responsible for helping states and territories prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters. Due to the remoteness of Hawaii and the Pacific territories, disaster response and recovery can be challenging. Title IX of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review FEMA's response and recovery efforts for 2018 natural disasters, including those in the Pacific region. This report examines (1) how FEMA and its federal partners prepared for and responded to the 2018 disasters in the CNMI, Guam, and Hawaii; and (2) the extent to which FEMA assisted the CNMI, Guam, and Hawaii in recovering from the 2018 natural disasters."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2021-02
• Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress [September 23, 2011]

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  "Japan is one of the United States' most important economic partners. Outside of North America, it is the United States' second-largest export market and second-largest source of imports. Japanese firms are the United States' second-largest source of foreign direct investment, and Japanese investors are the second-largest foreign holders of U.S. treasuries, helping to finance the U.S. deficit and reduce upward pressure on U.S. interest rates. Bilateral trade friction has decreased in recent years, partly because U.S. concern about the trade deficit with Japan has been replaced by concern about a much larger deficit with China. One exception was U.S. criticism over Japan's decision in 2003 to ban imports of U.S. beef, which have since resumed, but on a limited basis. However, the economic problems in Japan and the United States associated with the credit crisis and the related economic recession, together with the impact of the March 11 disasters, will likely dominate the bilateral economic agenda for the foreseeable future. Japan has been hit particularly hard by the financial crisis and the subsequent economic downturn. Japan's gross domestic product (GDP) declined 1.2% in 2008 and 5.3% in 2009 but grew 4.0% in 2010. It is expected to increase only 1.0% in 2011 as a result of the March 11 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident. The value of the yen has appreciated and has hit 15-year highs against the U.S. dollar, which could adversely affect Japanese exports to the United States and other countries, contributing to the downturn in Japanese economic growth."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Cooper, William H., 1949-; Manyin, Mark E.

  2011-09-23
• Nuclear Energy Policy [May 10, 2011]

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  "Nuclear energy issues facing Congress include federal incentives for new commercial reactors, power plant safety and regulation, radioactive waste management policy, research and development priorities, nuclear weapons proliferation, and security against terrorist attacks. Significant incentives for new commercial reactors were included in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT05, P.L. 109-58). These include production tax credits, loan guarantees, insurance against regulatory delays, and extension of the Price-Anderson Act nuclear liability system. Together with volatile fossil fuel prices and the possibility of greenhouse gas controls, the federal incentives for nuclear power have helped spur renewed interest by utilities and other potential reactor developers. Plans for as many as 31 reactor license applications have been announced, although only a handful of those projects currently appear to be moving toward construction. The earthquake and resulting tsunami that severely damaged Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on March 11, 2011, raised questions in Congress about the accident's possible implications for nuclear safety regulation, U.S. nuclear energy expansion, and radioactive waste policy. The tsunami blacked out all electric power at the six-reactor plant, resulting in the overheating of several reactor cores and spent fuel storage pools, major hydrogen explosions, and releases of radioactive material to the environment. Several House and Senate hearings have been held on the accident, and several bills on nuclear safety have been introduced."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Holt, Mark

  2011-05-10
• Nuclear Energy Policy [June 20, 2012]

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  "Nuclear energy issues facing Congress include power plant safety and regulation, radioactive waste management, research and development priorities, federal incentives for new commercial reactors, nuclear weapons proliferation, and security against terrorist attacks. The earthquake and resulting tsunami that severely damaged Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on March 11, 2011, raised questions in Congress about the disaster's possible implications for nuclear safety regulation, U.S. nuclear energy expansion, and radioactive waste policy. The tsunami knocked out all electric power at the six-reactor plant, resulting in the overheating of several reactor cores, loss of cooling in spent fuel storage pools, major hydrogen explosions, and releases of radioactive material to the environment. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued orders to U.S. nuclear plants March 12, 2012, to begin implementing safety improvements in response to Fukushima. Significant incentives for new commercial reactors were included in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT05, P.L. 109-58), such as tax credits and loan guarantees. Together with volatile fossil fuel prices and the possibility of greenhouse gas controls, the federal incentives for nuclear power helped spur renewed interest by utilities and other potential reactor developers. License applications for as many as 31 new reactors have been announced, and NRC issued licenses for four reactors at two plant sites in early 2012. However, falling natural gas prices and other circumstances have made it unlikely that many more of the proposed nuclear projects will move toward construction in the near term."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Holt, Mark

  2012-06-20