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Iraq and U.S. Policy [Updated July 11, 2019]
From the Document: "In 2017, Iraqi officials declared victory in the country's years-long military struggle against the Islamic State (IS, aka ISIL/ISIS or the Arabic acronym 'Da'esh'), but unresolved issues involving governance, territorial control, resources, and security cloud the path ahead. The May 2018 national election for Iraq's unicameral legislature, the Council of Representatives (COR), was carried out without major security disruptions, but the election's disputed outcome delayed government formation. In October, the newly seated COR elected former Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Barham Salih as Iraq's President. Salih, in turn, nominated former Oil Minister Adel Abd al Mahdi, a Shia Arab, as Prime Minister-designate. Lawmakers confirmed Prime Minister Abd al Mahdi and some of his cabinet nominees in October 2018. As of July 2019, all but one cabinet seat has been filled, after the COR in June filled long-vacant seats for Iraq's defense, interior, and justice ministries. [...] The 116th Congress is considering proposals for consolidating security gains made in Iraq since 2014, and conducting oversight into the Trump Administration's policies toward Iraq and its neighbors."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Christopher M.
2019-07-11
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Federal Assistance for Wildfire Response and Recovery [Updated July 11, 2019]
From the Document: "Wildfires are unplanned and unwanted fires. Wildfires can have some beneficial impacts on an ecosystem, but they often threaten homes and communities and force the evacuation of thousands of people. Wildfires are often caused by lightning strikes, and may also occur when a prescribed burn escapes control or through unauthorized human activities (deliberate or accidental). Over the last 10 years (2009-2018), wildfires have burned 7.0 million acres annually on average in the United States. In 2018, more than 58,000 wildfires burned 8.8 million acres and destroyed nearly 25,800 structures nationwide. More than 70% (18,130) of the structures destroyed were residences, and approximately 94% of the structures destroyed (17,130) were in a single state, California."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoover, Katie
2019-07-11
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Exposed Data Highlights Law Enforcement Use of Selected Technologies [July 10, 2019]
From the Document: "Official use of image capturing and facial recognition technology--particularly by law enforcement--has been the subject of recent congressional attention. Specifically, there is interest in facial recognition's accuracy, the databases against which faces are compared, which individual data are subject to collection and retention, how agencies ensure data security, and public notification regarding the use of facial recognition and other image capturing technology. Many of these issues were highlighted following a recently acknowledged breach of certain data held by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) subcontractor. The breach was not of a CBP network. Notably, available information on developments related to the breach remains incomplete. Early speculation about the nature, origins, extent, and implications of the data breach may change, and some media reporting may conflict with official statements."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Finklea, Kristin M.
2019-07-10
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Military Installations and Sea-Level Rise [July 26, 2019]
From the Document: "The Department of Defense (DOD) manages more than 1,700 military installations in worldwide coastal areas that may be affected by sea-level rise. These installations support DOD readiness and operations including naval vessel embarkation and disembarkation, amphibious training, and special operations forces training. Military installations on and near the coast are at risk for high-tide and storm surge flooding amplified by sea-level rise. Congress may choose to assume a role in preparing military installations for sea-level rise based on its authority in fiscal and national security matters."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tucker, Margaret; Herrera, G. James
2019-07-26
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Nordic Countries and U.S. Relations [Updated August 26, 2019]
From the Document: "The five Nordic countries--Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden--share deep historical, linguistic, and cultural ties and many political and economic similarities. They are all stable democracies with parliamentary systems of government and prosperous market economies with relatively high standards of living. With a total population of roughly 27 million people, the Nordics collectively form the world's 12th-largest economy. [...] In recent years, migration policy has become a key political issue in the Nordics. The spike in refugees and migrants in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden during the height of the flows into Europe in 2015 strained education, housing, and welfare systems in all four countries. Most Nordic governments introduced tighter asylum policies and curtailed some welfare benefits. Refugees and migrants also have stirred debate about identity, integration, and security in the Nordics. Promoting societal integration has received heightened attention given that several hundred Nordic citizens fought and/or trained with the Islamic State terrorist group (also known as ISIS or ISIL) in Syria and Iraq, and in light of two terrorist attacks carried out by asylum-seekers in Sweden and Finland in 2017."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Archick, Kristin
2019-08-26
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U.S. Dollar Intervention: Options and Issues for Congress [August 21, 2019]
From the Document: "After falling to its lowest value since the introduction of floating currencies in 1973, the U.S. dollar has appreciated by 25% between July 2011 and July 2019--its highest value since the early 2000s. President Trump and others have argued that the dollar's current relative strength is holding back growth since a strong dollar makes U.S. exports more expensive in foreign markets while at the same time making it difficult for domestic producers to compete with cheaper imports. This has raised questions about what policy options are available to potentially reduce the value of the dollar. Interventions are more likely to succeed if paired with fiscal or monetary policy changes and supported by major trading partners."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc; Weiss, Martin A.
2019-08-21
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U.S.-EU Trade and Economic Issues [Updated August 28, 2019]
From the Introduction: "The United States and European Union (EU) are each other's largest trade and investment partners. Their ties are deep, but some barriers to trade and investment remain. Over the years, the two sides have sought to further liberalize trade and investment ties, enhance regulatory cooperation, and work together on international economic issues of joint interest, including through international institutions such as the World Trade Organization (WTO). The trading relationship is largely harmonious, but frictions emerge periodically due to the high level of commercial activity and disagreements on specific policy issues. U.S.-EU trade and economic relations face heightened tension now due to shifts in certain U.S. trade policy approaches under the Trump Administration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias
2019-08-28
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Norwegian Air International and Low-Cost Long-Haul Flights [August 22, 2019]
From the Document: "Legislation introduced in the House of Representatives in July 2019 would prohibit the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from allowing a foreign airline to serve the United States if it 'is established in a country other than the home country of its majority owner or owners in order to avoid regulations of the home country.' The bill, H.R. 3632, is the latest salvo in a prolonged battle over issuance of a foreign air carrier permit that allows Norwegian Air Shuttle, which owns a group of discount carriers, to operate transatlantic flights to U.S. destinations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tang, Rachel Y.
2019-08-22
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Timor-Leste: Background and U.S. Relations [Update June 27, 2019]
From the Overview: "Timor-Leste (also known as East Timor), is one of the world's youngest nation-states, having gained its independence from Indonesia on May 20, 2002. This marked the end of more than three centuries of foreign rule, including over 300 years of Portuguese rule followed by 24 years of Indonesian control. The nation's transition to independence was traumatic: Following a 1999 nationwide referendum that supported independence, violence led by paramilitary militias supported by elements of the Indonesian military killed around 1,300 Timorese and displaced nearly 500,000. Today, with a population of 1.3 million, Timor-Leste is one of the world's poorest nations, with one of Asia's highest illiteracy rates. Timor-Leste has made considerable strides in building stability and democratic institutions, although it continues to face many challenges in consolidating its democracy and developing its economy. The nation's 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections, conducted peacefully as a U.N. peacekeeping mission prepared to leave the country, were widely seen as a turning point in Timor-Leste's development. Subsequent presidential and parliamentary elections have seen high voter participation and have been considered by international observers to have been largely free and fair."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dolven, Ben
2019-06-27
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Brief Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program [Updated July 11, 2019]
From the Document: "The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the primary source of flood insurance coverage for residential properties in the United States. The NFIP has two main policy goals: (1) to provide access to primary flood insurance, thereby allowing for the transfer of some of the financial risk of property owners to the federal government; and (2) to mitigate and reduce the nation's comprehensive flood risk through the development and implementation of floodplain management standards. A longer-term objective of the NFIP is to reduce federal expenditure on disaster assistance after floods. As a public insurance program, the goals of the NFIP are different from the goals of private sector insurance companies. It encompasses social goals to provide flood insurance in flood-prone areas to property owners who otherwise would not be able to obtain it, and to reduce the government's cost after floods."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2019-07-11
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Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) [Updated July 5, 2019]
From the Document: "In 1982, Congress passed the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA; P.L. 97-348; 16 U.S.C. §§3501-3510), which established the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (System). It declared the purpose of CBRA to be 'to minimize the loss of human life, wasteful expenditure of Federal revenues, and the damage to fish, wildlife, and other natural resources associated with coastal barriers.' CBRA was enacted to remove federal financial assistance incentives for development on undeveloped coastal barriers, in recognition of potential problems associated with developing coastal areas. CBRA does not prohibit development within System areas; therefore, development may still occur using private and nonfederal funds. The System is currently composed of parts of coastal areas along the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva; Crafton, R. Eliot
2019-07-05
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Trade Dispute with China and Rare Earth Elements [June 28, 2019]
From the Background: "Since 2018, the United States and China have been engaged in a trade dispute resulting from U.S. use of Section 301 provisions (which deals with foreign trade barriers). The dispute has led to several rounds of tariff hikes. The United States has imposed 25% tariff hikes on $250 billion worth of products from China while China has hiked tariffs on $110 billion worth of U.S. products. On May 10, 2019, President Trump directed the U.S Trade Representative (USTR) to begin the processes of raising tariffs on essentially all remaining imports from China, which it valued at approximately $300 billion. A week later, the USTR published a list of Chinese products that could be subject to 25% 'ad valorem' tariffs. The notice specified that certain products, including rare earth elements (REEs), would not be included on the list."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morrison, Wayne M.
2019-06-28
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Variable Renewable Energy: An Introduction [June 25, 2019]
From the Document: "Policy options to increase the use of renewable energy sources for electricity generation have drawn congressional interest. Some renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, have variable supply. Electricity generators using variable renewable energy (VRE) sources can only produce electricity when weather conditions are right (i.e., when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining). In contrast, conventional energy sources used to generate electricity are typically available when called upon. Frequently, the energy source can be stored on-site, or otherwise be directly accessed by generators. Examples include coal, natural gas, water stored in reservoirs, and nuclear fuel rods. Supplies of these energy sources are typically sufficient to generate electricity steadily for periods of days to months, although supplies are not guaranteed. Extreme weather events or disruptions in fuel transportation networks could potentially create supply shortages. Nonetheless, many consider these conventional energy sources to be more reliable than VRE. Policy, technology developments, and market forces are leading to an increased use of VRE sources for electricity generation. Members of Congress may be interested in potential reliability issues and possible solutions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lawson, Ashley J.
2019-06-25
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Targeting Foreign Corruption and Human Rights Violators in FY2019 Consolidated Appropriations [Updated June 25, 2019]
From the Introduction: "The United States maintains several foreign policy tools to target foreign corruption and human rights violators. One of these is a visa ban, provided for in Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2019 (SFOPs; P.L. 116-6; 8 U.S.C. 1182 note). Section 7031(c) requires the Secretary of State to make foreign officials and their immediate family members ineligible for U.S. entry if there is credible evidence that such individuals 'have been involved in significant corruption, including corruption related to the extraction of natural resources, or a gross violation of human rights.' A pending U.S. visa application need not exist. Section 7031(c) does not invoke the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and states that, for the purposes of this section, decisions regarding U.S. entry eligibility are not to be considered confidential. In contrast, Section 222(f) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1182(f))states that, in general, State Department records pertaining to the issuance or refusal of U.S. visas or permits are confidential."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weber, Michael A.; Rosen, Liana W.
2019-06-25
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Campaign and Election Security Policy: Brief Introduction [July 9, 2019]
From the Introduction: "Securing U.S. elections is a complex policy challenge that involves multiple concepts, statutes, and agencies. Federalism principles embodied in the U.S. Constitution; the distinction between government agencies and nongovernmental political entities; and the unique needs of election administrators, voters, and political campaigns and related groups all affect policy choices. This CRS [Congressional Research Service] In Focus introduces selected issues and policy matters that frame the debate."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-
2019-07-09
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Coup-Related Restrictions in U.S. Foreign Aid Appropriations [July 12, 2019]
From the Document: "Events in 2019 in Sudan and Venezuela have focused renewed attention on a provision that has appeared in annual State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations legislation since 1986 that restricts U.S. foreign assistance following a coup d'état. The provision intends to discourage and express U.S. disapproval of militaries seizing control of governments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Arieff, Alexis; Lawson, Marian Leonardo; Chesser, Susan G.
2019-07-12
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Federal Preemption: A Legal Primer [July 23, 2019]
From the Document: "The Constitution's Supremacy Clause provides that federal law is 'the supreme Law of the Land' notwithstanding any state law to the contrary. This language is the foundation for the doctrine of federal preemption, according to which federal law supersedes conflicting state laws. The Supreme Court has identified two general ways in which federal law can preempt state law. First, federal law can 'expressly' preempt state law when a federal statute or regulation contains explicit preemptive language. Second, federal law can 'impliedly' preempt state law when Congress's preemptive intent is implicit in the relevant federal law's structure and purpose."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sykes, Jay B.; Vanatko, Nicole
2019-07-23
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Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): A Primer on Telehealth [July 26, 2019]
From the Document: "The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is leveraging the use of 'telehealth' with the goal of expanding veterans' access to VA care. Telehealth generally refers to the use of information and communication technology to deliver a health care service. It is a mode of health care delivery that extends beyond the 'brick-and-mortar' health care facilities of the VHA. VA telehealth services are generally provided on an outpatient basis and supplement in-person care. Such services do not replace VA in-person care. The VA copay requirements for telehealth are the same as for VA in-person care, but in some cases may be lower than the copays for VA in-person outpatient health care services delivered through the VHA. President Trump and Congress have recently enacted measures such as the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks of 2018 (VA MISSION Act; P.L. 115-182) that aim to address the access barriers that veterans may experience when accessing VA telehealth services across states lines. The VA MISSION Act, among other things, removes all geographic and licensing barriers to VA telehealth, thereby allowing veterans to access VA telehealth services in their communities from any location in the United States, U.S. territories, District of Columbia, and Commonwealth of Puerto Rico."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elliott, Victoria L.
2019-07-26
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Heritage Areas: Background, Proposals, and Current Issues [Updated July 22, 2019]
From the Summary: "Over more than 30 years, Congress has established 55 national heritage areas (NHAs) to commemorate, conserve, and promote important natural, scenic, historic, cultural, and recreational resources. NHAs are partnerships among the National Park Service (NPS), states, and local communities, in which the NPS supports state and local conservation through federal recognition, seed money, and technical assistance. Unlike lands within the National Park System, which are federally owned and managed, lands within heritage areas typically remain in state, local, or private ownership or a combination thereof. Supporters of heritage areas argue that NHAs protect lands and traditions and promote tourism and community revitalization. Opponents, however, contend that NHAs may be burdensome or costly and may lead to federal control over nonfederal lands."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
DeSantis, Mark K.; Comay, Laura B.
2019-07-22
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Ebola Outbreak: Democratic Republic of Congo [Updated July 25, 2019]
From the Document: "Through annual appropriations, Congress provides funds to control infectious disease threats like Ebola. In FY2019, Congress provided $100 million to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and $108.2 million to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to global health security and pandemic preparedness. The Trump Administration's FY2020 budget request included $90 million and $100 million for USAID and CDC global health security programs, respectively. Congress also provided over $5 billion in emergency funds in FY2015 for domestic and global efforts to contain the West Africa Ebola outbreak (P.L. 113-235). Some unspent funds are being used to fight the Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Arieff, Alexis; Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji
2019-07-25
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H.R. 397 (116th Congress), the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act [Updated July 19, 2019]
From the Document: "In the 116th Congress, H.R. 397, the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act, would provide financial assistance to financially troubled multiemployer defined benefit (DB) pension plans that meet specified criteria. The financial assistance would consist of loans with a 30-year repayment term and, if the loan were insufficient to restore a plan to solvency, additional financial assistance. H.R. 397 has been reported out of the House Education and Labor and House Ways and Means Committees. In the 115th Congress, two nearly identical bills--H.R. 4444, the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act, and S. 2147, the Butch Lewis Act--were introduced in the House and Senate. A Senate version of the proposal has not been reintroduced in the 116th Congress as of July 19, 2019."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Topoleski, John J.
2019-07-19
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Election Security: Voter Registration System Policy Issues [August 7, 2019]
From the Document: "Discussions about federal election security often focus on protecting voting machines and ensuring the integrity of election results, but voter registration processes may also be vulnerable to interference. Real or perceived threats to voter registration data could undermine public confidence in the electoral system. Altered voter registration data could potentially prevent eligible individuals from voting or allow ineligible individuals to vote in many states and territories. Voter data may also be a target for identity thieves or others seeking access to individuals' personal information."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eckman, Sarah J.
2019-08-07
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EU Data Protection Rules and U.S. Implications [Updated August 9, 2019]
From the Document: "U.S. and European Union (EU) policymakers are focusing on protection of personal data with new and proposed legislation and enforcement actions. Data breaches at companies such as Facebook, Google, and Marriott have contributed to heightened public awareness. The EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)--which took effect on May 25, 2018--has drawn the attention of U.S. businesses and other stakeholders, prompting debate on U.S. federal and state data privacy and protection policies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fefer, Rachel F.; Archick, Kristin
2019-08-09
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Firearm 'Red Flag' Laws in the 116th Congress [Updated August 7, 2019]
From the Document: "In the last year, federal and state legislators have shown increased interest in passing so-called 'red flag' or 'extreme risk protection order' firearm laws. In general, such laws permit courts to issue temporary orders barring particular persons from possessing guns based on some showing of imminent danger or a risk of misuse. Following the February 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, states have increasingly considered and enacted red flag laws. Legislation has also been introduced in the 116th Congress that would supplement or incentivize these state laws, criminalize at the federal level violations of qualifying extreme risk protection orders, or both. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the subject of red flag laws in March 2019."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Foster, Michael A. (Legislative attorney)
2019-08-07
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North Korea: What 18 Months of Diplomacy Has and Has Not Achieved [August 5, 2019]
From the Document: "Since President Trump agreed in March 2018 to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to discuss North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, the Trump Administration's strategy has appeared to be based on the presumption that developing a leader-to-leader relationship will produce more results than the working-group approaches taken by previous administrations. [...] Overall, these diplomatic efforts have produced a marked reduction in tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and Trump and Kim appear to have developed a personal relationship that Trump says ultimately could produce a breakthrough. Kim has pledged to denuclearize, and has maintained a unilateral moratorium on nuclear tests and long-range and medium-range missile tests. Kim's public denuclearization promises, however, have been conditional and vague."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manyin, Mark E.; Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham; Rennack, Dianne E. . . .
2019-08-05
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Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States [Updated August 6, 2019]
From the Overview: "The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is an interagency committee that serves the President in overseeing the national security implications of foreign investment in the economy. It reviews foreign investment transactions to determine if (1) they threaten to impair the national security; (2) the foreign investor is controlled by a foreign government; or (3) the transaction could affect homeland security or would result in control of any critical infrastructure that could impair the national security. The President has the authority to block proposed or pending foreign investment transactions that threaten to impair the national security."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K., 1949-
2019-08-06
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Election Security: Federal Funding for Securing Election Systems [August 8, 2019]
From the Document: "Russia targeted state and local systems as part of its effort to interfere with the 2016 elections, according to the U.S. Intelligence Community. Reports of Russia's activities highlighted the potential for threats to the technologies, facilities, and processes used to administer elections. Congress has responded to such threats, in part, by providing and proposing funding to help secure elections. This In Focus offers an overview of federal funding for securing election systems. It starts with some background on potential threats to state and local election systems and then summarizes the funding Congress has provided and proposed to help secure those systems."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shanton, Karen L.
2019-08-08
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Real Time Payments Initiatives [Updated August 8, 2019]
From the Document: "Technological advances have made it feasible to create a real time payments (RTP) network between financial institutions in which the recipient of an electronic payment would receive funds in seconds, compared to the current practice of later in the day or the next day. The Federal Reserve's (Fed's) recent announcement that it would create a RTP system has been controversial, as it will be directly competing with a privately owned system."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2019-08-08
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Why is the Federal Reserve Reducing Interest Rates? [August 1, 2019]
From the Document: "On July 31, the Federal Reserve (Fed) reduced the federal funds rate by a quarter of a percentage point. The Fed targets this rate to meet its statutory mandate of maximum employment and stable prices (defined as 2% inflation). Lower interest rates would tend to raise employment and inflation, all else equal."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2019-08-01
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Conventional Prompt Global Strike and Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues [Updated August 14, 2019]
From the Document: "Conventional prompt global strike (CPGS) weapons would allow the United States to strike targets anywhere on Earth in as little as an hour. This capability may bolster U.S. efforts to deter and defeat adversaries by allowing the United States to attack high-value targets or 'fleeting targets' at the start of or during a conflict. Congress has generally supported the PGS [prompt global strike] mission, but restricted funding for several years. Recently, efforts to develop a long-range prompt strike capability, along with other efforts to develop extremely fast hypersonic weapons, have garnered increased support."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2019-08-14
