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U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine [Updated June 24, 2022]

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From the Document: "The United States has been a leading provider of security assistance to Ukraine, both before and after Russia renewed its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. From 2014, when Russia first invaded Ukraine, through June 23, 2022, the United States has provided more than $8.7 billion in security assistance 'to help Ukraine preserve its territorial integrity, secure its borders, and improve interoperability with NATO.' Since the start of the 2022 war, the Biden Administration has committed a total of more than $6.1 billion in security assistance to 'provide Ukraine the equipment it needs to defend itself.' FY2022 security assistance packages are being funded via more than $23 billion in regular and supplemental appropriations, including the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. [Public Law] 117-103, Division N), and the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-128). In total, FY2022 appropriations include $12.55 billion to replenish Department of Defense (DOD) equipment stocks sent to Ukraine via presidential drawdown authority; $6.3 billion for DOD's Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI); and $4.65 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Ukraine and 'countries impacted by the situation in Ukraine.' FY2022 supplemental appropriations also have included funds for additional U.S. troop deployments to Europe."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Arabia, Christina; Bowen, Andrew S.; Welt, Cory

2022-06-24
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 4000, Intragovernmental Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act

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From the Document: "S. 4000 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide the Congress with data on cyber threats to the information technology networks of the legislative branch. Under the bill, DHS would share classified and unclassified indicators of malicious cyber activity with the Congress. DHS also would offer workspace to Congressional cybersecurity personnel at the operations centers of the department. Using information from DHS about the costs of similar information sharing programs, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing S. 4000 would cost about $2 million annually, on average, totaling $10 million over the 2022-2027 period."

United States. Congressional Budget Office

2022-06-23
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 7174, National Computer Forensics Institute Reauthorization Act of 2022

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From the Document: "H.R. 7174 would reauthorize the National Computer Forensics Institute at the Department of Homeland Security through fiscal year 2032. The current authorization for this program expires at the end of fiscal year 2022. The bill would require the institute to update its curriculum to include investigating cybersecurity incidents, conducting forensic examinations, and using digital evidence in court. Also, the bill would require the institute to analyze how it could expand its capacity and to report to the Congress on its activities."

United States. Congressional Budget Office

2022-06-23
E. Rept. 117-4: Treaties Between the United States of America and the Republic of Croatia on Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance, Report to Accompany Treaty Doc. 116-2, June 23, 2022

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From the Document: "The Committee on Foreign Relations, to which was referred the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Croatia comprising the Instrument as contemplated by Article 3(2) of the Agreement on Extradition between the United States of America and the European Union, signed June 25, 2003, as to the Application of the Treaty on Extradition signed 25 October 1901 (the ''U.S.-Croatia Extradition Agreement''), and the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Croatia comprising the Instrument as contemplated by Article 3(3) of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance between the United States of America and the European Union signed at Washington on June 25, 2003 (the ''U.S.-Croatia Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement''), both signed at Washington on December 10, 2019 (Treaty Doc. 116-2), having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with one declaration with respect to each, as indicated in the resolutions of advice and consent, and recommends that the Senate give its advice and consent to ratification thereof, as set forth in this report and the accompanying resolutions of advice and consent. [...] The purpose of the U.S.-Croatia Extradition Agreement is to modernize in important respects the Treaty between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Serbia for the Extradition of Fugitives from Justice, signed October 25, 1901, which is currently in force between the United States of America and the Republic of Croatia. The purpose of the U.S.-Croatia Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement is to formalize and strengthen the institutional framework for legal assistance between the United States of America and the Republic of Croatia in criminal matters."

United States. Government Publishing Office

2022-06-23
Cleaning Up and Revitalizing Land: Coronavirus Pandemic Caused Schedule Delays, Human Health Impacts, and Limited Oversight at Superfund National Priorities List Sites

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From the Document: "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General conducted this evaluation in an effort to determine the impact of the coronavirus pandemic--that is, the SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] virus and resultant COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] disease--on long-term cleanups at Superfund National Priorities List sites. We sent surveys to 457 remedial project managers in February 2021 and received 279 responses, a 61-percent response rate. We also interviewed EPA regional Superfund and Emergency Management Division directors, as well as directors from EPA headquarters. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act [hyperlink], informally called Superfund, authorizes the EPA to oversee the cleanup of contaminated sites. The National Priorities List identifies the worst hazardous waste sites that warrant further investigation and cleanup."

United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of the Inspector General

2022-06-23
Five-Year Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program: Status and Issues in Brief [Updated June 23, 2022]

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From the Document: "Under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), as amended, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) within the Department of the Interior (DOI) must prepare and maintain forward-looking five-year plans--referred to by BOEM as 'national programs' or 'five-year programs'--to schedule proposed oil and gas lease sales on the U.S. outer continental shelf (OCS). Currently, offshore leasing is taking place under a program for mid-2017 through mid-2022 developed by the Obama Administration. The current program expires on June 30, 2022. [...] The leasing decisions in BOEM's five-year programs may affect the economy and environment of individual coastal states and of the nation as a whole. Accordingly, Congress has expressed ongoing interest in the planning and implementation of the five-year programs. The following discussion summarizes developments regarding the next leasing program and analyzes selected issues for congressional consideration."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Comay, Laura B.

2022-06-23
Congress's Foreign Commerce Clause Power Questioned [June 23, 2022]

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From the Document: "On May 5, 2022, a divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (the panel) held [hyperlink] that the federal sex tourism statute, 18 U.S.C. [United States Code] § 2423(c) [hyperlink], outlawing overseas child molestation, exceeds Congress's legislative authority under the Constitution's Foreign Commerce Clause, but remains viable under treaty-implementing constitutional provisions. The opinion is at odds with those of other federal appellate decisions. It is also cast in language that invites the Supreme Court to revisit its treaty-implementing and Interstate Commerce Clause 'substantial effect' jurisprudence."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Doyle, Charles

2022-06-23
Federal Civil Aviation Programs: In Brief [Updated June 23, 2022]

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From the Introduction: "Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs are funded under four broad budget accounts: operations and maintenance (such as air traffic control and aviation safety functions); facilities and equipment (such as control towers and navigation beacons); grants for airports under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP); and civil aviation research conducted or sponsored by FAA. Additionally, certain aviation programs are administered by the Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of the Secretary, including the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which subsidizes airline service to certain small or isolated communities. Civil aviation programs are funded primarily through a special trust fund, the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF), and, in part, through general fund contributions. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L. 115- 254) authorizes AATF taxes and revenue collections and civil aviation program expenditures through FY2023. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) provided loans, loan guarantees, and payroll support programs, as well as emergency program funding, to help the aviation sector during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Additional funding to the aviation sector was provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260) and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. [Public Law] 117-2). Furthermore, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; P.L. 117-58) appropriated an additional $25 billion for airport and air traffic control projects through FY2026. This report offers an overview of FAA programs and discusses the supplemental relief and assistance provided by these laws."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Elias, Bartholomew; Tang, Rachel Y.

2022-06-23
Election Worker Safety and Privacy [Updated June 23, 2022]

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From the Document: "Concerns about election workers' safety and privacy have been reported following the 2020 election [hyperlink], in news reports and testimony before House and Senate committees. Some election workers have raised concerns about physical safety while performing official duties, as well as more general threats outside the workplace or related psychological effects. These threats, along with a perceived increase in politically motivated job scrutiny, have led some to leave, or consider leaving, their roles. This Insight provides a brief overview of recent developments, legislative proposals, and policy considerations related to election worker safety and privacy."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Eckman, Sarah J.; Shanton, Karen L.

2022-06-23
Examining North Korea's COVID-19 Data: A Curious Case Study

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From the Webpage: "It has been just over a month since North Korea announced its first official confirmed case of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] and began reporting detailed data on the scope and status of the outbreak. Every day, the party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, provides its readers with data on the number of new and current cases nationwide (using 'fever' as a proxy for confirmed COVID cases, since testing is limited) as well as COVID related deaths. On state television, Ryu Yong Chol, an official with the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters, appears each morning and evening to walk through provincial data and explain the latest on the epidemic."

38 North

Williams, Martyn

2022-06-23
EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 22 Issue 25, June 23, 2022

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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: "Vehicle manufacturers improve response guidance for incidents involving electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries"; "FCC [Federal Communications Commission] requests comments on wireless 911 call routing technologies by July 11"; "Extreme heat resilience planning resources, webinar June 29"; "IAFC [International Association of Fire Chiefs] launches online training, Whole Community Planning for Disaster"; and "Cyber Threats."

Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)

2022-06-23
Audit of the Development and Maintenance of Department of Defense Security Classification Guides

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From the Background: "The DoD uses SCGs [security classification guides] to communicate the requirements for classifying and protecting sensitive DoD information. The SCGs identify the classification of a system, plan, program, project, or mission, including the level and duration of classification for protecting information critical to national security. An original classification authority (OCA) is an individual, authorized in writing, either by the President, Vice President, or an agency head, to classify sensitive information in the first instance and is responsible for developing and maintaining the accuracy of SCGs. Once an OCA issues an SCG, derivative classifiers use the SCGs to facilitate the proper and uniform classification of information. Derivative classification is the process of incorporating, paraphrasing, restating, or generating in a new form information that is already classified and marking the newly developed material consistent with classification guidance, which includes any applicable SCGs. The DoD requires OCAs to follow seven steps when developing SCGs, provide a copy of each approved SCG to the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) index of SCGs, and review and update SCGs at least every 5 years to promote uniformity and consistency and to avoid classification conflicts between SCGs. We reviewed 50 SCGs during the audit. Of those 50 SCGs, we statistically selected 43 to review from a universe of 1,501 SCGs and nonstatistically selected an additional seven SCGs to review that we had used in previous audits or that had known problems."

United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Inspector General

2022-06-23
H. Rept. 117-383: Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 5407, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, June 23, 2022

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From the Purpose and Summary: "The purpose of H.R. 5407, the bipartisan 'Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act,' is to encourage institutions of higher education (IHEs) to develop a comprehensive mental health and suicide prevention plan to better support college students. H.R. 5407 directs the Secretary of Education (Secretary), in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), to make efforts to encourage IHEs to develop and implement comprehensive campus mental health and suicide prevention plans. These plans must align with approaches recommended by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, programs authorized under section 9032 of the '21st Century Cures Act,' programs authorized under the 'Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act,' and other existing federal and state efforts to address mental health. The legislation also requires the Secretary to report to the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on the efforts carried out under the bill."

United States. Government Publishing Office

2022-06-23
Air Force Next-Generation Air Dominance Program [Updated June 23, 2022]

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From the Document: "According to the Air Force, the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is intended to develop 'a portfolio of technologies enabling air superiority' [...]. The Air Force intends for NGAD to replace the F-22 fighter jet beginning in 2030, possibly including a combination of crewed and uncrewed aircraft, with other systems and sensors. NGAD began as a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency project. Since 2015, Congress has appropriated approximately $4.2 billion for NGAD. [...] NGAD is a classified aircraft development program, but the Air Force has released a few details. On September 15, 2020, then-U.S. Air Force acquisition executive Dr. Will Roper announced that the Air Force had flown a full-scale flight demonstrator as part of the NGAD program. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall announced on June 1, 2022 that NGAD program technologies have matured enough to allow the program to move to the engineering, manufacture, and design phase of development."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Hoehn, John R.

2022-06-23
Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol: 06/23/22 Select Committee Hearing [Video]

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This is the 06/23/22 Select Committee hearing on "Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol." The duration of the video is two hours, thirty-eight minutes and ten seconds.

United States. Congress. House. Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol

2022-06-23
FEMA Needs to Improve Oversight and Management of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Property Acquisitions

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From the Highlights: "Through grants to states, FEMA uses the HMGP [Hazard Mitigation Grant Program] to purchase properties that are flood damaged or in flood-prone areas, demolish any structures on them, and ensure they are maintained forever as open space. FEMA has acquired more than 32,000 properties for open space since 1989. We conducted this audit to determine whether FEMA is properly using the HMGP for property acquisitions. [...] We made four recommendations to help FEMA strengthen its property acquisition activities."

United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General

2022-06-22
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 5460, Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2022

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From the Document: "H.R. 5460 would allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to waive visa requirements for foreign visitors from certain Caribbean countries who are seeking to enter the U.S. Virgin Islands for a stay of up to 45 days. DHS would need to consult with the Departments of the Interior and State and the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands to determine whether it has developed adequate arrival and departure control systems to ensure the waiver would not threaten the security of the United States. Countries deemed to threaten security or that increase fraud or abuse of the nonimmigrant waiver system would be excluded from the waiver program established in the bill."

United States. Congressional Budget Office

2022-06-22
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 7180, Brycen Gray and Ben Price COVID-19 Cognitive Research Act

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From the Document: "H.R. 7180 would authorize the appropriation of $10 million in 2023 for the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants for research on the disruption of cognitive processes from COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] infections and to enter into an agreement with the National Academies to complete a related study. In recent years, the NSF has awarded several million dollars annually, on average, for similar grants. Based on historical spending patterns for similar programs, and assuming appropriation of the authorized amount, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing H.R. 7180 would cost $10 million over the 2022-2027 period."

United States. Congressional Budget Office

2022-06-22
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 3014, Next Generation Telecommunications Act

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From the Document: "S. 3014 would authorize the appropriation of $10 million in 2023 to establish an interagency council that would advise the Congress on advancements in sixth generation (6G) wireless technology. The council would review past federal attempts to deploy advanced wireless communications technologies and formulate a strategy for the federal government to support the development and adoption of 6G technology. The bill would require that report be completed within two years. Using spending patterns for similar councils, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing S. 3014 would cost $10 million over the 2022-2027 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized amount."

United States. Congressional Budget Office

2022-06-22
H. Rept. 117-123: Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act, Report to Accompany S. 3487, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, June 22, 2022

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From the Purpose and Summary: "S. 3487, the 'Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act,' establishes a new section of title 5, United States Code, to provide death gratuity payments to the surviving family of federal employees who die from injury or exposure to disease in the line of duty. Current law provides only $10,000 in compensation following a death in the line of duty and $800 toward funeral expenses. The death gratuity established in this bill would be $100,000, adjusted each year for inflation. Compensation for funeral expenses would be increased to $8,800. Additionally, the bill authorizes an emergency supplemental appropriation for death gratuities, if needed in the event of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other incident."

United States. Government Publishing Office

2022-06-22
Afghanistan: Background and U.S. Policy: In Brief [Updated June 22, 2022]

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From the Introduction: "The aftershocks of the Taliban's August 2021 return to power continue to reverberate in Afghanistan and the United States alike. This report provides background information and analysis on developments in Afghanistan and implications for U.S. policy, including [1] the Taliban's government and the impact of their rule on terrorist groups, human rights, and the ability of U.S. Afghan partners to leave the country; [2] regional dynamics; and [3] the intersecting humanitarian and economic crises facing the country. The report also provides information on legislation and other congressional action related to Afghanistan. The challenge at the heart of many U.S. policy debates over which Congress has influence (including humanitarian assistance, U.S. sanctions, and the status of U.S.-based central bank assets) is how to prioritize and, if possible, reconcile two U.S. interests: supporting the Afghan people and refraining from bolstering the Taliban's rule."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs)

2022-06-22
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Environmental Infrastructure (EI) Assistance: Authorities, Appropriations, and Issues for Congress [June 22, 2022]

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From the Summary: "Congress has authorized and appropriated funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 'environmental infrastructure (EI) assistance.' EI assistance is authorized and appropriated for the design and construction of certain infrastructure in specified municipalities, counties, and states. This assistance supports publicly owned and operated facilities, such as water distribution works, stormwater collection, surface water protection projects, and environmental restoration projects, among others. EI assistance generally falls into one of three authorization categories: [1] 'Section 219 EI.' Projects and activities (e.g., design assistance) at specific geographic locations (e.g., city, county, multiple counties) authorized through Section 219 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (WRDA 1992; P.L. 102-580), as amended. [2] 'Non-Section 219 EI Projects.' Projects authorized in provisions other than Section 219 of WRDA 1992. [3] 'EI Programs.' EI programs authorized for broader geographic areas (e.g., states or regions of states), with eligible types of assistance authorized in various provisions. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) reviewed enacted legislation likely to include EI assistance authorities and deauthorization lists to identify over 280 EI assistance authorities with cumulative authorizations of appropriations totaling around $6.18 billion. The authorizations of appropriations for these activities vary widely, from $100,000 for a water monitoring station to $585 million for a seven-state EI program. CRS identified authorized EI assistance in at least 42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. CRS did not identify authorities for EI assistance in Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Washington, and other territories"

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Normand, Anna E.

2022-06-22
Department's Implementation and Administrative Enforcement of Title VI and the Safe Streets Act

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From the Memorandum: "On September 15, 2021, I directed the Civil Rights Division, working in partnership with the Office of Justice Programs, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, and the Office on Violence Against Women, to review the implementation and administrative enforcement of Title VI and the nondiscrimination provisions of the Safe Streets Act in connection with federal financial assistance provided by the Department of Justice. Those offices prepared a thorough and thoughtful review that recommends a number of changes to strengthen the Department's enforcement of the critical nondiscrimination obligations that apply to recipients of federal financial assistance. This Memorandum summarizes the results of that review and identifies several steps the Department will take to improve our implementation and enforcement of those statutes."

United States. Department of Justice. Office of the Associate Attorney General

Gupta, Vanita, 1974-

2022-06-22
LNG Exports to Europe: What Are Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs)? [June 22, 2022]

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From the Document: "On March 25, 2022, as part of the U.S. response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Biden announced an initiative [hyperlink] to help Europe reduce dependence on Russian natural gas supplies by increasing U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the European Union. U.S. gas exporters already were moving in this direction, as exports to Europe accounted for 74% of total U.S. LNG exports in the first quarter of 2022, compared to 34% in the first quarter of 2021. However, Europe's total LNG imports would need to increase substantially beyond current levels to replace all Russian natural gas imported to the EU by pipeline [hyperlink]. Europe's ability to import more LNG, and the United States' ability to supply it, are physically constrained [hyperlink]. The existing LNG terminals and associated infrastructure on both sides of the Atlantic already are operating at full capacity, and one U.S. LNG terminal has been temporarily shut down [hyperlink] due to an accident. To increase trans-Atlantic LNG supplies, developers in the United States have begun constructing [hyperlink] new onshore export terminals and expanding existing terminals, while plans for at least one onshore import terminal have been announced in Europe [hyperlink]. Onshore LNG terminals can take several years to design and construct, so European companies are turning toward floating storage regasification units (FSRUs) as a means of increasing imports more quickly. In recent testimony before Congress [hyperlink], a U.S. Department of State official highlighted the importance of FSRUs to expanding bilateral energy trade. However, although FSRUs are an established technology [hyperlink], their availability may largely determine how much more LNG Europe can ultimately import from the United States."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Parfomak, Paul W.; Frittelli, John

2022-06-22
U.S. Proposals to Amend the International Health Regulations [June 22, 2022]

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From the Background: "Since 1980, outbreaks of new and long-standing infectious diseases have been occurring with greater frequency and causing higher numbers of human infections. The World Health Assembly (WHA), the governing body of the World Health Organization (WHO), has occasionally amended a long-standing set of rules called the International Health Regulations (IHR) to address this growing global threat. In January 2022, the United States introduced amendments to the Regulations that sought to broaden the ways in which WHO could respond to public health threats and increase the pace of such responses. Congressional deliberations of these amendments focused on the potential implications of implementation and whether adoption of the amendments would require congressional consent since the United States consented to be legally bound by the Regulations through an executive agreement. This In Focus addresses common questions regarding the IHR, including the role of Congress and the status of U.S.-proposed amendments to the Regulations."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji; Hart, Nina M.

2022-06-22
U.S. Employment-Based Immigration Policy [June 22, 2022]

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From the Introduction: "Each year, the United States grants lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, or 'green cards,' to 140,000 'employment-based (EB) immigrants' and their family members. LPRs can live and work permanently in the United States and can become U.S. citizens through the naturalization process. This pathway is part of a broader permanent immigration system established by federal law--as part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)--that limits annual worldwide permanent immigration to 675,000 persons. Exemptions from this limit and the granting of LPR status to qualified refugees, asylees, and others results in roughly 1 million foreign nationals receiving green cards each year. [...] This report begins by explaining the permanent employment-based immigration system, its numerical limits, and its processes. It next describes key employment-based immigration trends, including a brief review of relevant economic and demographic trends. The report then discusses several categories of nonimmigrant (temporary) workers that are intertwined with the permanent immigration system. It continues with a review of policy proposals for revising employment-based immigration, including the key findings of a 1997 congressional commission on immigration reform. The report then discusses key elements of prominent immigration reform bills introduced since 2000 that pertain to employment-based immigration. It ends with concluding observations."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Kandel, William; Wilson, Jill, 1974-; Donovan, Sarah A.

2022-06-22
Department of Veterans Affairs: Claims Process and Compensation and Pension Exams by Contracted Physicians [June 22, 2022]

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From the Introduction: "The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a wide range of benefits and programs for veterans and their families. Some of these benefits and programs include disability compensation, pension and fiduciary services, education assistance, vocational and employment training, and survivor benefits. Two divisions within VBA specifically address monetary benefits for disabled veterans: The Compensation Service oversees disability compensation for veterans who have disabilities, illnesses, or conditions that resulted from military service, and the Pension and Fiduciary Service oversees the needs-based benefit program for wartime veterans such as veterans' pensions. To apply for these benefits, specifically disability compensation or a pension, the veteran submits an application, either via paper or electronically, to his or her local VA Regional Office (VARO). The application then goes through VA's adjudication process, and at that point VA has a 'duty to assist' the veteran through the claims process. VA's 'duty to assist' ranges from informing the veteran of missing information from the application to assisting the veteran in gathering evidence from private and federal entities to providing the veteran with a compensation and pension (C&P) exam when necessary. [...] A C&P exam is a medical examination conducted by a licensed physician to evaluate the veteran's disability, illness, or condition and determine the level of severity [...] This report provides an overview of both VA's claims process and C&P exams, as well as other topics of interest to congressional staff and constituents."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Salazar, Heather M.; Breslauer, Tamar B.; Davis, Carol D. . . .

2022-06-22
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: Estimated Budgetary Effects of S. 2938, Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, as Amended by Senate Amendment Number 5099

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From the Document: "Title I would amend the Medicaid program to promote access to mental health services in communities and schools. Section 11001 would expand Medicaid's Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics demonstration by allowing all states and the District of Columbia to participate in the demonstration. (Under current law nine states are authorized to implement the demonstration.) The provision would permit new states to operate their demonstrations for four years and, for the nine states currently partcipating [sic], increase the number of years they can operate their demonstrations. CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that the provision would increase direct spending because payment rates for services provided in certified community behavioral health clinics would be higher under the demonstration than under current law. [...] Sec. 12004 would codify the prohibition of straw purchasing and trafficking of firearms and enhance penalties. [...] Section 13101 would delay for one year the implementation of a rule affecting the treatment of pharmaceutical manufacturers' rebates in Medicare Part D. Section 13201 would appropriate $7.495 billion for the Medicare Improvement Fund. Title II would impose private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). CBO estimates that the aggregate cost of those mandates would not exceed the threshold established in UMRA ($184 million in 2022, adjusted annually for inflation). The bill would impose private-sector mandates on dealers of firearms and eligible firearm buyers under 21 years of age, and private sellers of firearms. Section 12001 would extend the waiting period to complete firearms transactions for some eligible individuals under 21. Section 12002 would require certain unlicensed individuals who sell firearms for profit to obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL)."

United States. Congressional Budget Office

2022-06-22
H. Rept. 117-122: Satellite Cybersecurity Act, Report to Accompany S. 3511, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, June 21, 2022

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From the Highlights: "S. 3511, the Satellite Cybersecurity Act, requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to develop a publicly available online clearinghouse of cybersecurity resources, recommendations, and other appropriate materials specific to commercial satellite systems (CSS) owners and operators, including materials tailored for small businesses. The bill also requires CISA to consolidate voluntary cybersecurity recommendations, including recommendations collected from external sources, such as public and private subject matter experts, designed to assist in the development, maintenance, and operation of CSS, and for these recommendations to be included in the clearinghouse. In implementing the bill, the bill also requires CISA to carry out the implementation as a public-private partnership to the greatest extent practicable, to coordinate with the heads of appropriate federal agencies, and to consult with entities outside the federal government with expertise in CSS or cybersecurity of CSS including private, consensus organizations that develop relevant standards. Additionally, S. 3511 requires the Comptroller General of the United States, in consultation with other federal agencies, to study and provide a report to Congress on the effectiveness of efforts of the federal government to improve the cybersecurity of CSS and any resources made available by agencies to support the cybersecurity of CSS. The bill requires the report to detail interdependence of critical infrastructure and CSS, the extent to which threats to CSS are part of critical infrastructure risk analyses and protection plans, the extent to which federal agencies rely on CSS, and risks posed by foreign ownership or foreign-located CSS physical infrastructure."

United States. Government Publishing Office

2022-06-21
S. Rept. 117-121: Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Act of 2021, Report of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs United States Senate to Accompany S. 2150, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, June 21, 2022

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From the Document: "The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, to which was referred the bill (S. 2150) to prevent catastrophic wildland fires by establishing a commission to study and recommend wildland fire prevention, mitigation, suppression, management, and rehabilitation policies for the Federal Government, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment (in the nature of a substitute) and recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass. [...] S. 2150, the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Act of 2021, establishes a commission to study the nation's wildland firefighting strategy and recommend specific policies to improve that strategy. The bill requires the commission to include a number of representative stakeholders, including federal agencies, state, local, and tribal government officials, and wildland firefighters. The bill also tasks the commission with making recommendations and reporting to Congress on forest management, aerial firefighting equipment needs, federal spending and budgeting for wildland fires, and long-term management strategies."

United States. Government Publishing Office

2022-06-21

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