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• National Bioeconomy Blueprint

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  From the Document: "Economic activity that is fueled by research and innovation in the biological sciences, the 'bioeconomy,' is a large and rapidly growing segment of the world economy that provides substantial public benefit. The bioeconomy has emerged as an Obama Administration priority because of its tremendous potential for growth as well as the many other societal benefits it offers. It can allow Americans to live longer, healthier lives, reduce our dependence on oil, address key environmental challenges, transform manufacturing processes, and increase the productivity and scope of the agricultural sector while growing new jobs and industries. Decades of life-sciences research and the development of increasingly powerful tools for obtaining and using biological data have brought us closer to the threshold of a previously unimaginable future: 'ready to burn' liquid fuels produced directly from CO2 [carbon dioxide], biodegradable plastics made not from oil but from renewable biomass, tailored food products to meet specialized dietary requirements, personalized medical treatments based on a patient's own genomic information, and novel biosensors for real-time monitoring of the environment. Increasingly, scientists and engineers are looking to augment biological research with approaches from other scientific disciplines for solutions to our most demanding scientific and societal challenges and seeing exciting options that will profoundly affect our future."

  United States. White House Office

  2012-04
• National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security Implementation Update

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  From the Document: "The 'National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security' (Strategy), released in January 2012, establishes the United States Government's policy to strengthen the global supply chain to protect the welfare and interests of the American people and to enhance our Nation's economic prosperity. […] The primary focus during this first year of implementation has been to build additional models and assessments for how the global supply chain system operates as an interconnected network. Much of this work built upon existing analysis of the systems' constituent parts and, as a result, the United States Government now has a greater ability to describe, predict, and mitigate the disruptions that could affect the different types of supply chains that feed our domestic critical infrastructures and contribute to our national welfare and economic prosperity. This is a necessary first step toward the ultimate goal of developing and institutionalizing global measures to enhance the security, efficiency, and resilience of this vital global system. As required by the Strategy, this report summarizes progress made by Federal departments and agencies in strengthening the global supply chain system during the first year of implementation. It also highlights opportunities for continued work and makes recommendations for future implementation activities."

  United States. White House Office

  2013-01
• Remarks by the President on Energy Efficiency and Job Creation [December 15, 2009]

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  In this December 15, 2009 speech at a Home Depot in Alexandria, Virginia, President Obama focused on energy efficiency and job creation. From the speech: "Today, the economy is growing for the first time in more than a year, and November's job report was the best that we've had in nearly two years. But the fact is, even though we've stopped the rapid job losses that we were seeing just a few months ago, more than seven million Americans have lost their jobs in the two years since this recession began. Unemployment still stands at 10 percent. So we're not finished with our task-far from it. We've got a lot of work to do. And I promise you, in the White House we're hard at work every single day, until every single person who wants a job can find a job."

  United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary

  Obama, Barack

  2009-12-15
• Fact Sheet: Recovery to Discovery: $5 Billion Recovery Act Investment in Scientific Research and Jobs [September 30, 2009]

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  This fact sheet on investment in scientific research and jobs from September 30, 2009, states that "since September 1st, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded more than 12,000 grants to research institutions in every state across the country. This $5 billion investment through the Recovery Act is the largest infusion of capital into biomedical research ever and is expected to support tens of thousands of jobs over the next two years, ranging from support staff and lab technicians to database managers and scientists. In addition, NIH estimates that every dollar of research funding produces more than two dollars worth of goods and services in the overall economy, providing an economic benefit that extends well beyond the lab and classroom. The research grants, which are roughly equal to one-sixth of the annual NIH budget and one half of NIH's Recovery Act funds, are part of the overall $100 billion investment the Recovery Act makes in innovative research and advancing America's science and technology infrastructure. The awarding of these grants nationwide marks a significant step forward in fulfilling the Recovery Act commitment to not just rescue the economy by creating new job opportunities, but to rebuild it better by laying a new foundation that makes American competitive in the 21st century."

  United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary

  2009-09-30
• Weekly Address: President Obama Says Small Business Must be at the Forefront of the Recovery [October 24, 2009]

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  From the Document: "In this week's address [given on October 24, 2009], President Barack Obama spoke of how important small businesses are to the economy and described the steps his administration is taking to support them. Health insurance reform will allow small business to purchase insurance for their employees through exchanges, which will increase the quality of coverage while lowering the costs, and reform will provide tax credits to those businesses. To free up credit, the President called on Congress to increase the size of various SBA [Small Business Administration] loans, and he announced that the administration will be making more credit available to the small local and community banks that many small businesses depend on."

  United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary

  Obama, Barack

  2009-10-24
• Weekly Address: President Affirms Commitment to International Cooperation in Strengthening Economy and Stopping Nuclear Proliferation [September 26, 2009]

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  From the Document: "In this week's address [September 26,2009], President Barack Obama recounted the progress made this past week in advancing America's national security and economic prosperity at the United Nations and the G-20 [Group of Twenty]. The administration established the U.S. as a leader in the pursuit for clean energy, and agreed to reform the global financial system to prevent another crisis. Also, the President joined the first meeting between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in nearly a year, chaired a meeting of the UN Security Council, which passed a resolution to secure loose nuclear materials, and stood in agreement with our European allies and Russia that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons."

  United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary

  Obama, Barack

  2009-09-26
• President Obama Calls on Congress to Extend Economic Recovery Payment for 2010 [October 14, 2009]

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  From the Document: "President Obama announced [on October 14, 2009] his support for an additional $250 Economic Recovery Payment to the seniors, veterans and people with disabilities who are struggling to make ends meet with retirement savings that have not fully recovered from their losses over the first year of the recession." Under the President's proposal: 57 million people will benefit, the benefit would be a 2 percent increase in benefits, the total cost would be $13 million, and would extend "an effective relief program."

  United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary

  2009-10-14
• Economic Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Second Quarterly Report [January 13, 2010]

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  This January 13, 2010 press release provides the main findings of the "second quarterly report on the economic impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 prepared by the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA). Because identifying the impact of macroeconomic policy is inherently difficult, we report the results from two CEA approaches and those of a number of respected analysts, including the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office."

  United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary

  2010-01-13
• Democratic Republic of Congo: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated March 25, 2022]

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  From the Introduction: "President Félix Tshisekedi's inauguration in 2019 represented DRC's [Democratic Republic of Congo] first-ever electoral transfer of power and reset DRC's relations with the United States and other Western donors. These had grown acrimonious under Tshisekedi's predecessor, Joseph Kabila, once hailed as a peacemaker, who in his later years in office oversaw election delays, violent suppression of opposition protests, allegedly extensive corruption, and burgeoning conflicts throughout the country. U.S. officials heralded Tshisekedi's presidency despite stated concerns about the electoral process that brought him to office, and Tshisekedi has since pursued close ties with the United States. President Tshisekedi has sought donor support to reform state institutions and improve social services, launched a review of state mining contracts, pursued a diplomatic rapprochement with neighboring countries, and sought to position DRC (with its extensive tropical forests) as a global player on climate change issues. Whether his stated goals are likely to advance or stall ahead of elections slated for 2023 is uncertain; progress to date has been slow. Observers debate whether the president and key supporters are motivated primarily by a commitment to reforms, or by a desire to capture the state and its resources, as previous heads of state arguably did. DRC's challenges are stark. The country is rich in minerals, forest resources, and agricultural and hydroelectric potential, but most Congolese live in poverty."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Arieff, Alexis

  2022-03-25
• Defense Primer: Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) Capabilities [Updated March 29, 2022]

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  From the Document: "The Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) is intended to replace the Minuteman III (MMIII) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) in the U.S. nuclear force structure. MMIII has been deployed as the ground-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad--land-based ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and nuclear-capable bombers--since 1970. (For details, see CRS Report RL33640, 'U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues,' by Amy F. Woolf.) The Air Force expects GBSD to begin replacing MMIII in 2029. Although some in Congress and outside government have debated whether to continue the program, the Biden Administration has included $3.6 billion for the GBSD in its FY2023 budget request and is expected to endorse the program in its Nuclear Posture Review."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Johnson, Benji; Woolf, Amy F.

  2022-03-29
• SEVIS by the Numbers: Annual Report on International Student Trends

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  From the Document: "The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) [hyperlink] is part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). SEVP manages the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) [hyperlink], the web-based system DHS uses to maintain and manage information on nonimmigrant students whose primary purpose for coming to the United States is to study. [...] SEVIS by the Numbers is an annual report that highlights key SEVIS data. The data illustrates trends, values and information specifically on F and M international students studying in the United States. The report includes the following sections: [1] STUDENTS [hyperlink] - Data on international students who come to the United States to study. -[2] SCHOOLS [hyperlink] - Data on SEVP-certified schools that enroll international students in the United States. [3] STATES AND TERRITORIES [hyperlink] - Data about international student demographics within individual U.S. states and territories. This SEVIS by the Numbers report uses SEVIS data from calendar year 2021 and compares it to data from calendar year 2020. This report can also be compared to calendar year data in the SEVP Data Library on ICE.gov [hyperlink] as well as the 2020 SEVIS by the Numbers report [hyperlink]."

  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

  2022-04-06?
• Hearing on National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 and Oversight of Previously Authorized Programs Before the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Hearing on Budget Request for Department of Energy Atomic Energy Defense Activities and Department of Defense Nuclear Forces Programs, Hearing Held April 5, 2011

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  From the opening statement of Michael Turner: "This annual nuclear budget hearing has typically focused solely on the Department of Energy, DOE, and National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA. However, the Department of Defense also has a significant role in maintaining our Nation's nuclear deterrent and is the primary customer for NNSA's weapons activities, is directly responsible for shaping many of NNSA's plans and programs. Therefore, I have asked three key DOD [Department of Defense] leaders to testify in a second panel on the Department's nuclear programs and budgets and the linkages with NNSA." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Loretta Sanchez, Michael Turner, Terry Benedict, William A. Chambers, Thomas P. D'Agostino, Inés R. Triay, Andrew Weber, Peter S. Winokur, Trent Franks, Martin Heinrich, and Rick Larsen.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2011
• Hearing on National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 and Oversight of Previously Authorized Programs before the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Second Session, Strategic Forces Subcommittee Hearing on Budget Request for the Department of Energy's Atomic Energy Defense Activities, March 20, 2007

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  From the opening statement of Ellen O. Tauscher: "Today, we will consider the Department of Energy's (DOE) fiscal year 2008 budget request. […] We are especially interested in five areas. First, what does the budget indicate about the stewardship of our nuclear weapons stockpile? Are we devoting adequate resources to the Stockpile Stewardship Program life extension and stockpile maintenance activities and the dismantlement work that is critical to the down-sizing of our weapons stockpile, which is still too large? Does the proposed Reliable Replacement Warhead, RRW, program fit in, and how does it fit in? Second, does the budget balance various safety and security priorities appropriately? Is the NNSA able to bring the complex into compliance with the 2005 Design Basis Threat (DBT) standards while simultaneously addressing rapidly growing cyber security threats? Third, how does the budget support the various commitments the Federal Government has made within the cleanup program? Are you employing earned-value management systems for troubled projects such as Waste Treatment Plant (WTP)? How does the budget help speed consolidation of special nuclear materials (SNM)? How does your consolidations plan affect each of these broad areas: stockpile stewardship, safety and security, and environmental cleanup? Do the challenges facing the mixed oxide (MOX) program affect consolidation plans? And finally, I would like to know why the Defense Nuclear Non- Proliferation Budget is cut in a number of areas, including verification, research and development (R&D), and non-proliferation in international security." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Terry Everett, Ellen O. Tauscher, Thomas P. D'Agostino, Glenn S. Podonsky, and James A. Rispoli.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2008
• Hearing on National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 and Oversight of Previously Authorized Programs Before the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Hearing on Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request for Department of Defense Nuclear Forces, March 2, 2016

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  This is the March 2, 2016 hearing on "Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request for Department of Defense Nuclear Forces" held before the House Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. From the opening statement of Mike Rogers: "From the Secretary of Defense, to the service secretaries and chiefs, to the key leaders here in Congress, we are all in resounding agreement. Together, we know not only is this coming nuclear modernization affordable, it is the highest priority, and because it is our top priority, it will be robustly supported and funded, even if it comes at the expense of other capabilities. This is a hard-won bipartisan consensus on defense priorities, and in a tremendously difficult budget environment. At the heart of this consensus is the collective understanding that these programs are not optional, that they are, instead, the foundation of U.S. security and international stability, and now we have to get on with the nitty-gritty of actually carrying out those programs. The Air Force and the Navy must request the funding necessary to manage the program well, while Congress must do its part to authorize, appropriate, and oversee them. We will scrub your requests hard, and press you equally hard to ensure you are managing them for efficiency and success. Together, I am confident we will ensure the U.S. nuclear deterrent remains what Secretary Carter calls, quote, ''the bedrock of our security and the foundation for everything we do,'' close quote." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Terry Benedict, Arthur Hopkins, Robin Rand, and Robert Scher.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2017
• Addressing the Iranian Nuclear Challenge: Understanding the Military Options, Hearing Before the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Second Session, Hearing Held June 20, 2012

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  From the opening statement of Howard P. McKeon: "The Iranian nuclear program is among the most complex foreign policy and national security challenges that the United States faces today. Intensive diplomatic and economic steps focused on Iran's nuclear program have been undertaken over the last decade to dissuade Iran from pursuing a military nuclear program. Unfortunately, it does not appear that these efforts have succeeded in convincing the Iranians to abandon its military nuclear ambitions. The United States' stated policy remains that Iran should not process a nuclear weapon, as reflected by President Obama's recent comments in which he stated, 'I think both the Iranian and Israeli governments recognize that when the United States says it is unacceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, we mean what we say.' Moreover, President Obama has explicitly declared that his Administration would use force--a 'military component'--as a last resort to prevent Tehran from acquiring a bomb. However, this message has not always been consistent across administrations, and, unfortunately, it is not clear that the Iranian regime is deterred by such statements." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Howard P. McKeon, Adam Smith, David Albright, Stephen Rademaker, Charles Robb, Mo Brooks, J. Randy Forbes, Michael Turner, Trent Franks, Colleen Hanabusa, Larry Kissell, James R. Langevin, Martha Roby, and Jackie Speier.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012
• Creation and Implementation of the National Nuclear Security Administration, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Second Session, Hearing Held June 27, 2012

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  This is the June 27, 2012 hearing "Creation and Implementation of the National Nuclear Security Administration" held before the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services. From the opening statement of Michael Turner: "This hearing is part of the subcommittee's continuing oversight of governance and management issues related to NNSA [National Nuclear Security Administration] and our nuclear security enterprise. As many of you here today undoubtedly know, this subcommittee has spent considerable effort over the past year to better understand these problems and determine appropriate remedies. We are gravely concerned about the overwhelming number of studies and reports that have identified the same serious problems at NNSA and the Department of Energy--including reports that NNSA is 'broken,' that 'science and engineering quality is at risk' at the nuclear weapons labs, and that 'it is time to consider fundamental changes' to the entire organization and construct. As part of the subcommittee's broader efforts, this hearing will take a detailed look at the past. With the help of our witnesses, we will explore the history that led up to the creation of the NNSA in 1999 and 2000, the congressional intent behind creating NNSA, and the early years of implementation of the NNSA. Ultimately, we hope that the witnesses can help us answer several questions that are important for the future." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Loretta Sanchez, Michael Turner, Linton F. Brooks, Robert W. Kuckuck, and Eugene Aloise.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2013
• P5+1 Negotiations over Iran's Nuclear Program and Its Implications for United States Defense, Hearing Before the Committee on Armed Services of the U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, June 19, 2014

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  This is the June 19, 2014 hearing on the "P5+1 Negotiations over Iran's Nuclear Program and Its Implications for United States Defense" held before the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services. Testimonies in this hearing discuss the possibility of a possible comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran, how an agreement would impact U.S. strategy in Iran and the Middle East, issues other than nuclear fuel fabrication that should be addressed in the agreement, and what terms the United States should be seeking in an agreement, along with how it should be evaluated. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Thomas Pickering, Michael Singh, and William Tobey.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2015
• UN Security Council and the Saga of 'Global Legislation'

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  From the Introduction: "The UN Security Council (the Council) is probably the world's most important entity as regards international law and security. Highlighting its unique status and occasional success in providing lawyers with coherent legal guidance in a global system lacking a single legislative organ, Jose Alvarez has romantically claimed it is the deus ex machina, or perhaps 'god in the wings,' of international law. While the authorities granted to the Council within the UN Charter (the Charter) already make it powerful, an examination of its conduct reveals that it is, as a matter of fact, a complex body that has consistently pursued the expansion of its competence. This tendency became prominent during the 1990s following the Cold War years, which had been characterized by infrequent use of the Council's Chapter VII authorities, primarily due to the veto mechanism. Recognizing 'a time of momentous change,' in which 'the ending of the cold war has raised hopes for a safer, more equitable and more humane world,' the Council chose to express its 'commitment to collective security' by extensively using its powers. It has gradually adopted a variety of enforcement measures under Chapter VII, from economic embargoes to the authorization for States to use force, which have influenced the course of international law and relations."

  Naval War College (U.S.). International Law Studies

  Ezra, Gadi

  2022
• Cyber Peacekeeping Operations and the Regulation of the Use of Lethal Force

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  From the Conclusion: "In this article we introduced the concept of cyber peacekeeping and discussed the problems that arise regarding the use of lethal force, distinguishing between the law of armed conflict paradigm and the law enforcement paradigm. In relation to the law of armed conflict paradigm, we explained the conditions of applicability of IHL and when cyber peacekeeping forces become a party to an IAC or NIAC. Further, we explained when they become combatants, remain civilians, or take direct part in hostilities. In relation to the law enforcement paradigm, we discussed the general issue of the applicability of human rights law to cyber peacekeeping as well as the circumstances under which IHRL applies extraterritorially. We then considered how the criteria of necessity, proportionality, and precautions that regulate the lawful deprivation of life apply to the use of lethal force in the course of peacekeeping by discussing various scenarios."

  Naval War College (U.S.). International Law Studies

  Tsagourias, Nikolaos K.; Biggio, Giacomo

  2022
• Fiscal Year 2016 Nuclear Forces Hearing, Hearing before the House Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, April 15, 2015

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  This is a testimony compilation of the April 15, 2015 hearing on "Fiscal Year 2016 Nuclear Forces Hearing" held before the House Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. From the opening statement of Robert M. Scher: "The key objectives of U.S. nuclear weapons policy are stated in the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) and the 2013 Report on Nuclear Employment Strategy of the United States. While working to create the conditions necessary to realize the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons - an ambitious goal that will not be reached quickly, the United States will sustain a safe, secure, and effective nuclear arsenal, for as long as nuclear weapons exist. Our nuclear forces and posture serve to maintain strategic deterrence and stability, strengthen regional deterrence, reassure U.S. allies and partners, and provide the means to achieve U.S. and allied objectives if deterrence fails." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following:

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Armed Services

  2015-04-15
• Drawing the Cyber Baseline: The Applicability of Existing International Law to the Governance of Information and Communication Technologies

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  From the Conclusion: "General rules of international law apply, by definition, to all persons, objects, events, and technologies that fall within their scope. Although some of these rules are limited to certain physical or natural spaces, such as air, land, sea, and outer space, such limitations cannot be presumed, as international law is not domain-specific. And whether or not such limitations are found, they cannot, in and of themselves, exclude what we often call 'cyberspace.' For one thing, the concept of 'domain' is not exclusionary, but fulfils a didactic function. For another, cyber is not a space or domain, at least not like traditional physical spaces. Instead, it is a set of digital technologies, spread across multiple territorial boundaries and domains, which have been built by human beings to address different individual, social, political, cultural, and economic needs. Even if their use has led to unique technical advances and human experiences, their impact remains very much grounded in the real world, ultimately affecting individuals and societies across the globe. Finally, as is the case with domestic legal systems, international law does not discriminate on the basis of technology: it applies to each and every tool employed by States or non-State actors in situations that fall under its extensive scope of application. As such, there is no question that international law applies to the Internet and other digital information and communications technologies--in their past, present, and future iterations."

  Naval War College (U.S.). International Law Studies

  Akande, Dapo; Coco, Antonio (Lawyer); Dias, Talita de Souza

  2022
• Trump Administration's Fiscal Year Budget and U.S. Policy Toward Latin America and the Caribbean, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session, October 23, 2019

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  This is the October 23, 2019 hearing on "Trump Administration's Fiscal Year Budget and U.S. Policy Toward Latin America and the Caribbean," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. From the opening statement of Albio Sires: "The challenges facing United States leadership in the Western Hemisphere are immense. In Venezuela, the Maduro dictatorship has managed to cling to power, even in the face of a severe humanitarian crisis that the Maduro regime created. I commend the Colombian people and the Colombian Government for their admirable response to the Venezuela crisis. I am proud of our diplomats and staff on the ground, who have worked tirelessly to promote a democratic transition and provide humanitarian support and development assistance to the Venezuelan people. That said, I am concerned about the impacts of this crisis, the longer it drags on, and I will be asking our witnesses today to provide a clear strategy for our Venezuela policy going forward. [...] I look forward to a productive discussion on these and many other challenges in the Western Hemisphere. I hope we can all agree on a path forward for the United States to deepen engagement with our allies and advance our shared interests in the Western Hemisphere." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Michael G. Kozak, John Barsa, and Rich Glenn.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022
• Combating Social Isolation and Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Hearing Before the Special Committee on Aging, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Second Session, June 11, 2020

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  This is the June 11, 2020 hearing on "Combating Social Isolation and Loneliness During the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Pandemic," held before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. From the opening statement of Susan Collins: "Today's hearing focuses on a danger that affects older adults of all races and ethnicities in this pandemic, and that is social isolation and prolonged loneliness. In 2017, this Committee held the first congressional hearing on the impact of social isolation and loneliness on older adults. We found that the silent epidemic has devastating physical and emotional health effects by increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease, depression, and dementia. [...] We must continue to do more to support our seniors during this pandemic. Today we will hear from a geriatrician, a public health researcher, and two Area Agency on Aging directors, one serving a large rural area and the other an urban area. All of these individuals are on the front lines of reducing social isolation and loneliness among older adults. We will learn today about promising research, innovation, and technology that can make a big difference. It is imperative, now more than ever, that we find solutions." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Carla Perissinotto, Peter Reed, Betsy Sawyer-Manter, and Najja Orr.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022
• Caring for Seniors Amid the COVID-19 Crisis, Hearing Before the Special Committee on Aging, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Second Session, May 21, 2020

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  This is the May 21, 2020 hearing on "Caring for Seniors Amid the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Crisis," held before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. From the opening statement of Susan Collins: "COVID-19 has brought tremendous hardship and tragedy, placing a heavy burden on the frontline workers, straining our healthcare and distribution systems, and imposing a deadly toll on seniors in particular. [...] Senator Sinema and I wrote to the Administrator for the Centers on Medicare and Medicaid outlining a series of recommendations to better protect older adults in nursing homes. Among the issues that we urged be considered is how long-term care facilities and in-home care settings can access adequate testing as well as personal protective equipment and how the higher health risks of older adults living in nursing homes can be taken into account in the distribution plans for any future COVID-19 treatments and vaccines. New diagnostic tests, therapeutics, and vaccines are moving forward at remarkable speeds. I look forward to learning more about this research today as well as promising treatments and strategies that can speed recovery for the most vulnerable populations. [...] Today we will hear from a panel of experts who are leading the charge in supporting seniors across a variety of settings of care, including in hospitals, in nursing homes, and in the community." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Mark J. Mulligan, R. Tamara Konetzka, and Steven H. Landers.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022
• H. Rept. 117-290: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 3807) to Amend the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to Increase Appropriations to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and for Other Purposes, Report to Accompany H. Res. 1033, April 6, 2022

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  From the Summary of Provisions of the Resolution: "The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3807, the Relief for Restaurants and other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act of 2022, under a closed rule. The resolution provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Small Business or their designees. The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The resolution provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 117- 39, modified by the amendment printed in this report, shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The resolution waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended. The resolution provides one motion to recommit."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022-04-06
• Oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Hearing Before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session on Receiving Updates from the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission Regarding the Agency's Work and Agenda, December 10, 2019

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  This is the December 10, 2019 hearing on "Oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission," held before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. From the opening statement of Mike Crapo: "Today we will receive testimony from the Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] Chairman Jay Clayton regarding the work and agenda of the SEC. I thank you for your willingness to appear before the Committee today, Mr. Clayton. Your willingness to testify is essential to our oversight of the SEC. The mission of the SEC is to protect investors; maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and facilitate capital formation. It plays a critical role in ensuring that our Nation has capital markets that the public can have confidence and trust in. It provides information to investors so that as Americans prepare for their futures, they not only have a wide variety of financial opportunities, but they also have the information necessary to make informed investment decisions. Chairman Clayton, you came before this Committee a year ago and assured us that you would continue to take steps to ensure that the U.S. capital markets remain the deepest, most dynamic, and liquid in the world. [...] I look forward to receiving updates on these and other SEC initiatives, including your views on when we can expect final rules in these areas." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jay Clayton.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022
• Haiti on the Brink: Assessing U.S. Policy Toward a Country in Crisis, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session, December 10, 2019

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  This is the December 10, 2019 hearing on "Haiti on the Brink: Assessing U.S. Policy Toward a Country in Crisis," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. From the opening statement of Albio Sires: "This hearing comes at a critical time for Haiti. For much of the past year, that country has been gripped by a political and economic crisis. Many factors are contributing to this concerning situation. [...] This hearing is also about assessing U.S. policy and foreign assistance programs. I know that we have dedicated staff working for USAID [United States Agency for International Development] and the State Department in Haiti who are trying to help improve the situation in the country, but I believe we need to think critically about how we can better support the Haitian people. [...] I hope that this hearing enables us to have an honest discussion about the extent to which our current policy is helping combat corruption, tackle poverty, and promote human rights and the rule of law in Haiti. And I look forward to a bipartisan conversation about what more can be done to help the Haitian people." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Pierre Esperance, Emmanuela Douyon, Daniel Erikson, Leonie Marie Hermantin, and Antonio Garrastazu.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022
• U.S. Policy in the Sahel Region, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session, November 14, 2019

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  This is the November 14, 2019 hearing on "U.S. Policy in the Sahel Region," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. From the opening statement of Karen Bass: "I have been concerned about the Sahel region for some time, mostly because of the ongoing and increasing violence and what I previously thought was an expanding U.S. military presence in the region. What I am most concerned about was making sure that we were balancing diplomacy and development with the U.S. defense engagement. Over the past decade, many countries in the Sahel region have experienced unanticipated political transitions caused by local dissatisfaction with political elites in worsening governing conditions. [...] I look forward to hearing from the witnesses about the safety and security of U.S. Government personnel in the region, and members of the codel also heard that there are in some countries numerous positions that are unfilled within the embassies, and so leaving them short-staffed and them feeling like they really were not able to address the conditions that they confronted, the reasons why they were there, and would love to hear your thoughts on that as well. [...] Members of Congress on both sides want to see extreme violence in the Sahel decrease, and we are here to listen and to see how you might provide us insights and recommendations as to how we move forward." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Whitney Baird and Cheryl Anderson.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022
• China's Internet of Things

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  "The Internet of Things (IoT)--the interconnection of physical and virtual things via information and communication technologies--is emerging as the next front in global network infrastructure, with potentially transformative benefits across a range of applications and services. Due to its potential adoption in essentially all economic sectors, analysts expect the IoT to expand exponentially over the next few years, ultimately involving billions of connected devices and dozens or more vertical markets around the world. However, pressing questions about the IoT's operation, safety, and security have yet to be answered. What international standards will guide the development of IoT technologies and supporting infrastructure like 5G networks? How secure is the IoT and what are the risks of its vulnerabilities? How will U.S. consumer data be used and protected here and abroad? China features prominently in all of these issues, and its drive to become a leader in the IoT poses sobering challenges to U.S. economic and security interests. This report examines how China's development of the IoT--bolstered by the Chinese government's efforts to harness national resources for its promotion--has put China in a position to credibly compete against the United States and other leaders in the emerging IoT industry. China's pursuit of IoT dominance constitutes a significant challenge to U.S. economic and national security interests. Its robust participation in international standards committees has given Beijing greater opportunities to dictate the rules of the road. Its research into IoT security vulnerabilities and its growing civil-military cooperation raise concerns about gaining unauthorized access to IoT devices and sensitive data."

  U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission

  Chen, John, 1989-; Walz, Emily; Lafferty, Brian . . .

  2018-10
• Statutory Restrictions on the Position of Secretary of Defense: Issues for Congress [January 5, 2017]

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  "The proposed nomination of General (Ret.) James Mattis, United States Marine Corps (hereafter referred to as 'General Mattis'), who retired from the military in 2013, to be Secretary of Defense requires both houses of Congress to consider whether and how to suspend--or remove--a provision contained in Title 10 U.S.C. [US Code] §113 that states, 'A person may not be appointed as Secretary of Defense within seven years after relief from active duty as a commissioned officer of a regular component of an armed force.' [...] In response to the proposed nomination of General Mattis to the position of Secretary of Defense, Congress established special 'fast track' procedures governing Senate consideration of a bill or joint resolution which would suspend the existing seven-year restriction (Section 179 of the Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017). Accordingly, there are at least three basic options that Congress may pursue as it considers the issue of General Mattis's nomination, [as discussed in this report]. [...] Historically, the restriction relating to the prior military service of the Secretary of Defense appears to be a product of congressional concern about preserving the principle of civilian control of the military. [...] Nearly 67 years later, the proposed nomination of General Mattis has again generated a debate amongst policymakers, scholars, and practitioners regarding what civilian control of the military means in a contemporary context, and how to best uphold that principle."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McInnis, Kathleen J.

  2017-01-05