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COVID-19 Relief Assistance to Small Businesses: Issues and Policy Options [Updated January 15, 2021]
From the Summary: "The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several types of programs to support small businesses, including direct disaster loan programs for businesses, homeowners, and renters; loan guaranty and venture capital programs; management and technical assistance training programs; and contracting programs. Congressional interest in these programs has always been high, primarily because small businesses are viewed as a means to stimulate economic activity and create jobs, but it has become especially acute in the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's widespread adverse economic impact on the national economy. This report provides a brief description of the SBA's programs and examines congressional action to assist small businesses during and immediately following the Great Recession (2007- 2009) and during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Lowry, Sean
2021-01-15
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Executive Order 13976: Establishing the Wildland Fire Management Policy Committee
From the Purpose: "Federal wildland fire management lacks a single focal point of responsibility for policy leadership and accountability for cost controls. While executive departments and agencies (agencies) have implemented Executive Order 13855 of December 21, 2018 (Promoting Active Management of America's Forests, Rangelands, and Other Federal Lands To Improve Conditions and Reduce Wildfire Risk), and similar Administration efforts, more must be done to continue to improve interagency coordination. In contrast to effective ground-level coordination with States, including at the National Interagency Fire Center on suppression activity and the Wildland Fire Leadership Council (WFLC) on Federal-State policy coordination, agencies do not adequately or effectively coordinate with each other at the policy level to reduce hazardous fuels and wildfire severity. This order will ensure that agencies effectively work together in coordinating Federal wildland fire management policy to improve funding allocations for hazardous fuel projects, performance measures for suppression operations and hazardous fuels mitigation, procurement, Federal-State cooperation and cost sharing, cross-jurisdictional post-wildfire rehabilitation, monitoring of electric transmission lines and other critical infrastructure, and other functions."
United States. Office of the Federal Register
Trump, Donald, 1946-
2021-01-14
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Covid-19 and Cyber Risk in the Financial Sector
From the Document: "During the Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, financial institutions have been at the leading edge of the response to cyber risk. Their already large exposure to cyber risk has been further accentuated by the move towards more working from home (WFH) and other operational challenges. This Bulletin serves as a primer on cyber risk and presents initial findings on how the financial sector has met the challenges of the pandemic. We draw on new data to assess changes in the threat landscape for financial institutions in the pandemic."
Bank for International Settlements
Aldasoro, Iñaki; Frost, Jon; Gambacorta, Leonardo . . .
2021-01-14
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DHS Strategic Action Plan to Counter the Threat Posed by the People's Republic of China: Defending the Homeland in the Era of Great Power Competition
From the Executive Summary: "Though the global security environment has evolved considerably since the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) founding, its fundamental mission has endured: To safeguard the Homeland, its values, and the American way of life. The changing geopolitical landscape, led by the return of great power competition, is nowhere more evident than in the People's Republic of China's (PRC) ascension to the world-stage. [...] As denoted in the 2017 National Security Strategy of the United States (NSS) and 2020 United States Strategic Approach to the PRC (Strategic Approach), DHS and the broader United States Government (USG) have entered into a period of sustained competition against the PRC, requiring continued attention, adaptation, and resourcing to safeguard the American people and Homeland. The American people rely on DHS to play an integral role in the USG's competition with the PRC. The more than 240,000 men and women of the Department stand ready to curb malign PRC activity and the myriad of other challenges. This study, which seeks to more strategically identify, assess, and leverage the Department's unique resources and authorities, reflects these efforts. The DHS China Strategic Action Plan (SAP) is informed by and nests within the NSS and the Strategic Approach, which delineate the United States' strategic approach to PRC through the pursuit of four goals: (1) protecting the American people, the Homeland, and the American way of life; (2) promoting American prosperity; (3) preserving peace through strength; and (4) advancing American interests."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans
2021-01-13?
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Stafford Act Emergency Declarations for Attacks on Federal Property [January 12, 2021]
From the Document: "In response to an attack (or other exigency) on federal property, the President may issue a declaration of an emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 93-288, Stafford Act; 42 U.S.C. §§5121 et seq.). This Insight describes the types of federal assistance that may be provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under an emergency declaration to support response and recovery efforts following an attack on federal property and includes historical examples of such declarations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lindsay, Bruce R.; Webster, Elizabeth M.; Lee, Erica A.
2021-01-12
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Funding for COVID-19 Vaccines: An Overview [Updated January 11, 2021]
From the Document: "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized for emergency use Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines sponsored by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. Several other COVID-19 vaccines are currently in clinical trials; additional vaccines may become available within months. Operation Warp Speed (OWS)--the COVID-19 medical countermeasure initiative led by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD)--has contracted with manufacturers to purchase hundreds of millions of doses (including Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna's vaccines) and related supplies. OWS is also planning and implementing a nationwide vaccine program. OWS has thus far been financed largely by emergency funding provided in the coronavirus supplemental appropriations acts. [...] This Insight provides overviews of supplemental appropriations for selected vaccine-related activities and available information on allocations and obligations. It does not address health care financing issues related to vaccine administration or regular appropriations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sekar, Kavya
2021-01-11
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CMS Pandemic Plan v. 3.1 Public Release
From the Purpose: "In conjunction with the 'CMS [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] Continuity of Operations Plan' (COOP Plan), this Pandemic Plan represents policies and actions that are specific to novel virus pandemics. The procedures outlined in this Plan can also be extrapolated, where appropriate, for other highly contagious pathogens or biological events. This Plan: [1] Serves as a tool and reference guide in communicating CMS pandemic preparedness, pandemic response, illness mitigation, and recovery strategy. [2] Assists CMS leadership in decision-making before, during, and after a pandemic. [3] Ensures compliance with CMS, HHS [Department of Health and Human Services], Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Federal regulations, guidance, and directives. [4] Adheres to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and White House continuity planning mandates and directives."
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (U.S.)
2021-01-11
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EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 21 Issue 1, January 8, 2021
The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "DHS S&T's [Science and Technology Directorate] Master Question List for COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] offers scientifically informed guidance for government decision-makers"; "First Responder's Toolbox on VBIED [Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device] Preparedness, Recognition and Response"; "DHS's Blue Campaign recognizes National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11"; "National 911 Annual Report released"; "Latest CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency] guidance and directives on SolarWinds Orion software supply chain compromise"; "Recent swatting attacks target residents with camera and voice-capable smart devices"; "Ten benefits of running cybersecurity exercises"; and "Declaring war against cyber negligence."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2021-01-08
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Global Economic Effects of COVID-19 [Updated January 8, 2021]
From the Summary: "In the months since the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] outbreak was first diagnosed, it has spread to over 200 countries and all U.S. states. The pandemic has negatively affected global economic growth beyond anything experienced in nearly a century. Estimates so far indicate the virus could reduce global economic growth to an annualized rate of -4.5% to -6.0% in 2020, with a partial recovery of a rate of 2.5% to 5.2% in 2021. [...] The full economic impact of the pandemic likely will remain unclear until the negative health effects peak. This report provides an overview of the global economic costs to date and the response by governments and international institutions to address these effects."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K., 1949-; Weiss, Martin A.; Schwarzenberg, Andres B. . . .
2021-01-08
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Major Agricultural Trade Issues in the 117th Congress [January 8, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report identifies selected current major trade issues for U.S. agriculture that may be of interest in the 117th Congress. It begins by examining a series of overarching issues. These include U.S. agricultural trade and its importance to the sector, a brief description of the trade policy pursued by the Trump Administration and its implications for U.S. agricultural exports, a discussion of the ongoing and proposed new trade negotiations, and an update on World Trade Organization (WTO) agricultural issues related to the United States. The report then reviews a number of ongoing trade policy concerns to U.S. agriculture, including nontariff measures and trade barriers and disputes involving specialty crops, livestock, and dairy. The format for all issues is similar, consisting of background and perspective on the issue at hand and an assessment of its current status."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Regmi, Anita; Croft, Genevieve K.; Greene, Joel L. . . .
2021-01-08
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Inauguration Security and Operations [Updated January 8, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Since the 20th Amendment was ratified, the oath of office for President of the United States has been administered every four years at noon on January 20. In 2021, the President-elect Joseph R. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris are to be officially sworn in at noon on Wednesday, January 20. Planning for the 2021 inauguration is being challenged by the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic and the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, during Congress's counting and certification of the November 2020 presidential election electoral votes. Inauguration security and operations adjustments to traditional ceremonies, customs, and practices are being made. This In Focus presents information related to 2021 inauguration security and operations based on past inaugural activities and announced activities to date. Additional security details are expected to be implemented due to the Capitol security breach. This document will be updated if they are publicly announced."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn; Straus, Jacob R.; Finch, Christina Miracle
2021-01-08
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COVID-19 Relief Assistance to Small Businesses: Issues and Policy Options [Updated January 8, 2021]
From the Summary: "The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several types of programs to support small businesses, including direct disaster loan programs for businesses, homeowners, and renters; loan guaranty and venture capital programs; management and technical assistance training programs; and contracting programs. Congressional interest in these programs has always been high, primarily because small businesses are viewed as a means to stimulate economic activity and create jobs, but it has become especially acute in the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's widespread adverse economic impact on the national economy. This report provides a brief description of the SBA's programs and examines congressional action to assist small businesses during and immediately following the Great Recession (2007- 2009) and during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Lowry, Sean
2021-01-08
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Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy and Issues in the 116th Congress [Updated January 7, 2021]
From the Summary: "The United States maintains strong linkages with neighboring Latin America and the Caribbean based on geographic proximity and diverse U.S. interests, including economic, political, and security concerns. The United States is a major trading partner and source of foreign investment for many countries in the region, with free-trade agreements enhancing economic linkages with 11 countries. The region is a large source of U.S. immigration, both legal and illegal; proximity and economic and security conditions are major factors driving migration. Curbing the flow of illicit drugs has been a key component of U.S. relations with the region for more than four decades and currently involves close security cooperation with Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. U.S. support for democracy and human rights in the region has been long-standing, with current focus on Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Overall, although the region has made significant advances over the past four decades in terms of both political and economic development, notable challenges remain and some countries have experienced major setbacks, most prominently Venezuela. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had widespread economic, social, and political effects in the region. By the end of 2020, the region reported over 507,000 deaths (almost 28% of deaths worldwide)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2021-01-07
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Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated January 7, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Congress has maintained interest in Mexico, a neighboring country and top trading partner with which the United States has a close but complex relationship. In recent decades, U.S.-Mexican relations have improved as the countries have become close trade partners and worked to address crime, migration, and other issues of shared concern. Nevertheless, the history of U.S. military and diplomatic intervention in Mexico and the asymmetry in the relationship has continued to provoke periodic tension. For example, the U.S. investigation into and October 2020 arrest of Mexico's former defense minister damaged trust between the two governments. Congress remains concerned about the effects of organized-crime-related violence in Mexico on U.S. security interests and about U.S. citizens' safety in Mexico, and it has increased oversight of U.S.-Mexican security cooperation. Congress may continue to appropriate foreign assistance for Mexico and oversee bilateral efforts to address illegal drug flows, unauthorized migration, environmental issues, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement (USMCA) and its labor commitments, Mexico's treatment of U.S. energy firms, and border environmental and water issues may receive oversight attention. This report provides an overview of political and economic conditions in Mexico, followed by overviews of selected issues of congressional interest in Mexico: security and foreign aid, extraditions, human rights, trade, migration, energy, border environmental, water, and health."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2021-01-07
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Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated January 6, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region's future. Issues such as geopolitical competition in the region between the United States, Russia, and China; increased military operations in the region by the United States, Russia, and other Arctic countries; growth in commercial shipping through the Arctic; and oil, gas, and mineral exploration in the Arctic could cause the region in coming years to become an arena of international cooperation, tension, and/or competition. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial political, economic, energy, environmental, and other interests in the region. Decisions that Congress makes on Arctic-related issues could significantly affect these interests. This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress, and refers readers to more in-depth CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports on specific Arctic-related issues. Congressional readers with questions about an issue discussed in this report should contact the author or authors of the section discussing that issue. The authors are identified by footnote at the start of each section."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; Comay, Laura B.; Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin) . . .
2021-01-06
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Climate Change Risk Mitigation by U.S. Foreign Assistance Agencies [Updated January 5, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report focuses on agencies' planning to reduce the risk of climate change for operations and programs; it does not include analysis of programming aimed at addressing developing countries' own climate risk. Specifically, this report discusses how the foreign assistance agencies--the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Peace Corps, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and the Development Finance Corporation--are addressing climate change in their respective internal operations and overseas work planning. The report also discusses key issues that may be of interest to Congress as it considers future funding for and oversight of these activities. These issues include options for congressional input, the relationship of climate risk to other priorities such as environmental degradation, and responsibilities for climate risk management within and among U.S. foreign assistance agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brown, Nick M.; Morgenstern, Emily M.
2021-01-05
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Public Law 108-199: 'National Landslide Preparedness Act
From the Document: "An Act to establish a national program to identify and reduce losses from landslide hazards, to establish a national 3D Elevation Program, and for other purposes. [...] The Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the 'National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program' (referred to in this section as the 'program')-- (1) to identify and understand landslide hazards and risks; (2) to reduce losses from landslides; (3) to protect communities at risk of landslide hazards; and (4) to help improve communication and emergency preparedness, including by coordinating with communities and entities responsible for infrastructure that are at risk of landslide hazards."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021-01-05
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H. Rept. 116-720: Legislative and Oversight Activities of the Committee on Homeland Security, 116th Congress, January 2, 2021
From the Overview: "The Committee on Homeland Security met on January 30, 2019, for an organizational meeting for the 116th Congress under the direction of Chairman Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi. The Committee Membership was set at 31 Members with 18 Democrats and 13 Republicans. Subsequently, the Committee Membership was updated to 32 Members with 18 Democrats and 14 Republicans. The Committee established six subcommittees: The Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations; the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation; the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery; the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism; the Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability; and the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021-01-02
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COVID-19 and the Information Space: Boosting the Democratic Response
From the Document: "The essays in this collection of global insights are the product of six workshops held by the International Forum for Democratic Studies during the spring and summer of 2020. These workshops--which gathered civil society representatives, journalists, academics, researchers, donor organizations, and policymakers--aimed to assess the likely challenges that the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic would pose to the democratic nature of the 'information space,' or the broad public square in which societies exchange information and debate ideas." This resource contains the following essays: "Sickness and Health in the Information Space: Reflections from the First 10 Months of COVID-19" by Dean Jackson; "Surviving the Pandemic: The Struggle for Media Sustainability in Africa"
by Dapo Olorunyom; "Authoritarian Disinformation: A COVID Test for Latin America's Information Space" by Vladimir Rouvinski; "Mendacious Mixture: The Growing Convergence of Russian and Chinese Information Operations" by Andrea Kendall-Taylor; "Scaling Up the Truth: Fact-Checking Innovations and the Pandemic" by Will Moy; "Shhhh… Combating the Cacophony of Content with Librarians" by Joan Donovan; "Dancing in the Dark: Disinformation Researchers Need More Robust Data and Partnerships" by Renée DiResta; and "Public Health, Big Tech, and Privacy: Squaring the Contact-Tracing Circle?" by Mallory Knodel.
National Endowment for Democracy (U.S.); International Forum for Democratic Studies
Jackson, Dean
2021-01
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COVID-19: Critical Vaccine Distribution, Supply Chain, Program Integrity, and Other Challenges Require Focused Federal Attention, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "As of January 15, 2021, the U.S. had about 23 million cumulative reported cases of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] and more than 387,000 reported deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The country also continues to experience serious economic repercussions. Four relief laws, including the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act, were enacted as of November 2020 to provide appropriations to address the public health and economic threats posed by COVID-19. As of November 30, 2020, of the $2.7 trillion appropriated by these four laws, the federal government had obligated a total of $1.9 trillion and expended $1.7 trillion of the COVID-19 relief funds, as reported by federal agencies. In December 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, provided additional federal assistance for the ongoing response and recovery. The CARES Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on its ongoing monitoring and oversight efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report examines the federal government's continued efforts to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-01
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Second Report on Progress Prepared by the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response for the WHO Executive Board
From the Document: "This is the second report on progress from the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response. The report represents over three months of work by the full Panel since it held its first meeting on 17 September 2020. This report has been informed by the review of hundreds of documents, expert consultations across many sectors, case studies, submissions received by the Panel from Member States, academia, civil society, and citizens, and almost 100 interviews with those at the frontlines of pandemic preparedness and response. The work of the Panel, however, is not yet complete and, as detailed in this report, there are a number of critical questions which remain to be examined in depth before conclusions can be drawn and recommendations made. The first progress report was presented to the resumed session of the 73rd World Health Assembly on 5 November 2020. Following this report, the Panel will again report to the 74th World Health Assembly scheduled for May 2021."
Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response
2021-01
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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, January 1, 2021
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR contains the following: "Implications of Shortened Quarantine Among Household Contacts of Index Patients with Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] Infection -- Tennessee and Wisconsin, April-September 2020"; "Opportunities to Address Men's Health During the Perinatal Period -- Puerto Rico, 2017"; "Performance of an Antigen-Based Test for Asymptomatic and Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Testing at Two University Campuses -- Wisconsin, September-October 2020"; "Impact of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Pandemic on Global Poliovirus Surveillance"; "The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' Interim Recommendation for Use of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine -- United States, December 2020"; "The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' Updated Interim Recommendation for Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine -- United States, December 2020"; "'COVID-19 Stats': COVID-19 Incidence, by Age Group -- United States, March 1-November 14, 2020"; and "'QuickStats': Percentage of Adults Aged ≥20 Years Consuming Breakfast on a Given Day, by Sex and Age -- United States, 2015-2018." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2020.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-01-01
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Pandemic Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Initial Assessment Report
From the Document: "FEMA acknowledges that COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] continues to affect individuals and families throughout the United States. Cases continue to rise, and more Americans are feeling the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic in their personal and professional lives. This Initial Assessment Report is intended to help the agency learn and take improvement actions, and to reflect on the early operations. It is focused on the period from January 2020 through the end of September 2020, and FEMA's roles and responsibilities in the response operation."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2021-01
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Vaccines National Strategic Plan: 2021-2025
From the Executive Summary: "Although significant progress against vaccine-preventable diseases has been made in the United States, there remain significant gaps in vaccination coverage that contribute to preventable morbidity and mortality each year. The Vaccines National Strategic Plan 2021-2025 (Vaccine Plan) provides a vision for the U.S. vaccine and immunization enterprise for the next 5 years as the nation seeks to eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases. The Vaccine Plan articulates a comprehensive strategy to promote vaccines and vaccination including research and development, vaccine safety monitoring, increase public knowledge and confidence in vaccines, increase access and use of recommended vaccines across the lifespan, and global cooperation. The Vaccine Plan builds on previous plans to guide vaccine policy to address vaccine confidence and disparities in vaccination coverage."
United States. Department of Health and Human Services
2021
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Economic Report of the President 'Together' with the Annual Report 'of the' Council of Economic Advisers (January 2021)
From the Introduction: "In 2020, the U.S. economy experienced its worst macroeconomic shock since the Great Depression. As a direct result of the arrival of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]--and consequent measures to contain and mitigate viral transmission, real output was on pace to contract by as much as 12.3 percent in 2020, which would have constituted the worst economic contraction since 1932. Professional forecasters projected that the unemployment rate would reach as high as 25.0 percent in May 2020, its worst level since the Great Depression and more than twice its peak in the aftermath of the 2008-9 global financial crisis. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) forecasted a contraction of almost 6 percent during the four quarters of 2020, and that the unemployment rate would remain over 11 percent through the end of the year."
United States. White House Office
Council of Economic Advisers (U.S.); Trump, Donald, 1946-
2021-01
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Chemical Security: Overlapping Programs Could Better Collaborate to Share Information and Identify Potential Security Gaps, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Facilities with hazardous chemicals could be targeted by terrorists to inflict mass casualties or damage. Federal regulations applicable to chemical safety and security have evolved over time as authorizing statutes and regulations established programs for different purposes, such as safety versus security, and with different enforcement authorities. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has reported that such programs may be able to achieve greater efficiency where overlap exists by reducing duplication and better managing fragmentation."
United States. General Accounting Office
2021-01
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Emergency Communications Technical Assistance and Planning Guide: FY2021 Highlights and Offerings
From the Foreword: "In a year of a global pandemic, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) remained resilient in providing coordination support to the national security and emergency response community to ensure the resiliency and security of our Nation. A key part of this was transitioning in-person technical assistance engagements to the virtual environment. Since the beginning of the pandemic, CISA's Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program (ICTAP) has delivered more than 100 virtual Technical Assistance (TA) engagements in 39 states and territories. This included Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan (SCIP) workshops, Cybersecurity, Alerts and Warnings, and Grants for Emergency Communications awareness webinars and Governance and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) updates and development. [...] This year's Guide includes several new or enhanced virtual TA and SCIP workshop options to accommodate the current social distancing requirements. CISA TA offerings are provided to all 56 states and territories and Native American and Alaska Native tribes at no cost and may be requested at any time throughout the year. The offerings can be utilized to address a variety of communications interoperability issues, to remain current in the understanding of new and emerging technologies, to revitalize and enhance governance policies and procedures, and to enrich the integrity of Communications Unit personnel training and resource management."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
2021-01
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Persistent and Evolving Threat: An Examination of the Financing of Domestic Terrorism and Extremism, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy of the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Second Session, January 15, 2020
This is the January 15, 2020 hearing "A Persistent and Evolving Threat: An Examination of the Financing of Domestic Terrorism and Extremism" held before the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy of the Committee on Financial Services. From the opening statement of Emanuel Cleaver: "Domestic terror poses a persistent and evolving threat of violence and economic harm to the United States. These are not my own words. That was said by senior leaders within the FBI on the state of our country when appearing before Congress in June. The rate, pace, and lethality of domestic terrorist attacks have only grown more devastating since this testimony was delivered. [...] This hearing presents us the unique opportunity to look past the politics that surround this issue to explore how we can confront and overcome this crisis. How may we most effectively follow the money to disrupt the financing of these crimes? How can we enable law enforcement and the financial services institutions to counter domestic terror financing?" Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Lecia J. Brooks, Jared M. Maples, Mary B. McCord, Rena S. Miller, and George Selim.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021
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Financing Emergencies in Cities and Regions: Ongoing Lessons from the Pandemic
From the Introduction: "The pandemic has been a stark reminder of the challenges currently facing government officials at all levels: we are now living in an era in which emergencies are occurring with increasing frequency and severity. [...] During the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] response, city and regional governments have been facing a 'scissor effect' of mounting expenditures associated with the health, economic and social impacts of the virus, and a simultaneous decrease in revenues due to the economic disruption. Despite the enormity of this challenge, there is a lack of information and policy guidance in relation to emergency finance for cities and regions. [...] This Policy Brief is designed to address this gap. It presents an analysis of the main trends that have been developing in subnational finance during the emergency, and outlines lessons that could be taken up at various levels of government to improve the financial response of cities and regions during future emergencies."
United Cities and Local Governments; World Association of the Major Metropolises; London School of Economics and Political Science
Flynn, Rebecca; Heeckt, Catarina; Da Cruz, Nuno Ferreira
2021-01
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CESER Blueprint
From the Introduction: "In 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) established the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) to elevate the Department's energy security responsibilities and safeguard against growing and evolving cyber and physical threats to U.S. critical energy infrastructure. CESER focuses on addressing these threats and engaging across industry, government, and academia to secure energy infrastructure against all hazards; reduce the risk of disruptive events; and respond to energy disruptions that could have devastating effects on national security, public health and safety, or the U.S. economy. Consistent with these priorities, the CESER team is pleased to introduce this Blueprint to guide its support in addressing the most compelling energy and cybersecurity challenges facing the sector."
United States. Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response
2021-01
