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COVID-19 and Child Marriage: How COVID-19's Impact on Hunger and Education is Forcing Children into Marriage
From the Executive Summary: "Despite the global community's pledge to end child marriage by 2030 under target 5.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), progress remains slow. Even before the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic began, most experts estimated child marriage would continue for many more decades. Because the pandemic has increased poverty levels and hunger, and decreased access to education, the risk of girls becoming child brides is also increasing. This report pairs data from World Vision's Youth Healthy Behaviour Survey with global literature to better understand the conditions that enable child marriage and how these conditions may be changing because of the global pandemic. The report analyses 14,964 observations from children and youth aged 12-18 years from World Vision programming sites in Ethiopia, Ghana, India and Zimbabwe. Case studies also provide insights into the lives of girls within these communities. 'Our analysis found a strong correlation in three areas adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic: HUNGER, ACCESS TO EDUCATION, AND PARENTAL SUPPORT'. The link between child marriage and hunger is clear. A child who experienced hunger in the four weeks prior to the survey is 60% more likely to be married than his or her peers who did not experience hunger. The already-strained global food system is challenged by the combination of poverty, climate change and conflict, all exacerbated by the pandemic. Although the analysis was unable to determine causation, this strong correlation between hunger and child marriage could be a sign of increased risk for girls."
World Vision International
Shaw, Katherine; Chigavazira, Tendai; Tutnjevic, Tamara
2021-10
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Unmasking II: Childhood Lost
From the Executive Summary: "'On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organisation, Director-General,Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declared that the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] epidemic had become so widespread that it constituted a pandemic. COVID-19 is arguably the most significant global crisis to occur in 75 years, with an accompanying global recession being the gravest since the end of World War II. The COVID-19 pandemic is said to have been experienced individually but shared globally'. To better understand the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on the lives of vulnerable children in Asia and to make evidence-based policy and programming decisions, World Vision conducted a Rapid Assessment in May 2020 [hyperlink]. The assessment found that COVID-19 had grossly heightened the vulnerabilities of children in Asia. Families had been experiencing devastating loss of livelihood which led to limited access to food, essential medicines, and basic healthcare. The resulting strain on families increased incidences of physical abuse, early marriage, and the entry of children into exploitative work. The assessment recommended, for the next immediate period, that Asian governments scale-up social protection interventions, increase investment in public works programmes, target the most vulnerable through government social assistance schemes, provide support to micro, small and medium enterprises, and scale up and provide skill-building for community health workers."
World Vision Asia-Pacific
James, Elise
2021-09
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Silent Pandemic: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Children in Conflict-Affected Countries
From the Executive Summary: "'The mental health and wellbeing of children living in conflict-affected countries is dangerously deteriorating as they struggle to cope with the socio-economic fallout of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic'. Having survived life-threatening, life-altering conflicts, their ongoing fear, trauma and chronic stress is compounded by the daily anxiety, uncertainty and hardship produced by the pandemic. These children are best placed to articulate their worries and concerns about the devastating toll that COVID-19 is taking on their mental health and their future, as well as its insidious impact on their families and communities. To better comprehend this alarming, underreported global situation, World Vision and War Child Holland spoke to 220 children, 245 adolescents and young people, 287 parents and carers and 44 child protection experts and community leaders in six conflict-affected countries: Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory and South Sudan. The interviews took place between August and December 2020 across refugee camps, shelters for the displaced people and host communities."
World Vision International; War Child (Organization)
Haddad, Nadine; Hanson, Eamonn; Koyiet, Phiona Naserian
2021-04-27?
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Election Infrastructure Subsector-Specific Plan: 2022 Status Update
From the Document: "In January 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the Election Infrastructure Subsector under the Government Facilities Sector through a critical infrastructure designation for election infrastructure. [...] Since its inception, the subsector has established and developed strong partnerships among government stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels and between the public and private sectors, forming both a Government Coordinating Council (GCC) and a Sector Coordinating Council (SCC). These bodies have provided a focused mechanism for collaboration between state and local election officials, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), law enforcement, the intelligence community, and private sector partners to enhance information sharing about risks to the Nation's election systems, identify resources to help mitigate such risks, communicate best practices, address identified vulnerabilities, and enable election officials' and private sector partner's access to threat information. The Joint Election Infrastructure Subsector-Specific Plan (SSP), initially approved by the GCC and SCC in 2020, provided a framework for industry and government partners to establish shared priorities for security efforts in the face of threats to election infrastructure, while also setting a path for ongoing collaboration and capability development. [...] The National Infrastructure Protection Plan (National Plan), which provides a guiding framework for all critical infrastructure sectors and subsectors, is under revision by CISA and its stakeholders with expected completion in mid-2022. A refresh of the Election Infrastructure Subsector-Specific Plan is pending, along with the updated National Plan. In the meantime, this document provides joint interim guidance for the Election Infrastructure Subsector partnership through the 2022 midterm elections."
United States. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
Election Infrastructure Subsector Government Coordinating Council (U.S.); Election Infrastructure Sector Coordinating Council
2022-06-07?
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African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Overview and Issues for Congress in Brief [August 1, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Since 2019, the U.S. government has sought to spur intra-African trade, including by supporting the successful negotiation, implementation, and continuing development of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA is a framework agreement signed by 54 of the 55 members of the African Union (AU), or all AU members except Eritrea, that seeks to remove barriers to intra-African trade and investment through the phased negotiation and implementation of various commitments. Forty-three signatories have ratified the agreement to date. While the AfCFTA's primary goal is to increase trade within Africa, the successful implementation of the agreement also could benefit the United States and help attain longstanding and congressionally-supported U.S. policy goals in the region. [...] Congress may have interest in the agreement and its implementation due to the AfCFTA's potential effects on U.S. economic relations with the region, and given its statements in legislation in support of efforts to improve African countries' ability to engage in international trade and legislative mandates to the executive branch to use U.S. funds to help achieve this. The AfCFTA is widely supported among policy analysts, but the prospects for its successful implementation face a number of challenges, which Congress may consider in possible debates over U.S. support for the AfCFTA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cook, Nicolas; Williams, Brock R.; Greutert, Rileigh K.
2022-08-01
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2022 Hurricane Outlooks and 2021 Hurricane Season Review [Updated August 9, 2022]
From the Document: "Many in Congress have expressed interest in increasing scientific understanding of tropical cyclones and improving forecasts to help their constituents prepare for the yearly hurricane season and potentially decrease a storm's impact on an individual or community. The Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is responsible for issuing tropical cyclone forecasts, including track, intensity, storm surge, and rainfall. [...] NOAA releases seasonal hurricane outlooks [hyperlink] relevant to the United States, including the North Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, and Central Pacific Oceans, before each hurricane season begins. Such outlooks include information on potential named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes. The Eastern Pacific season begins May 15, whereas the Atlantic and Central Pacific seasons begin June 1. All seasons run through November 30. Tropical cyclones, however, may form outside of these time frames [hyperlink]. In August, NOAA typically updates the Atlantic outlook but not the Pacific outlooks. Multiple nonfederal entities [hyperlink] also publish outlooks. These forecasts rely, in part, on NOAA's collected and shared information."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2022-08-09
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Drought in the United States: Science, Policy, and Selected Federal Authorities [Updated February 8, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Drought--a deficiency of moisture that results in adverse impacts--occurs to some extent almost every year in areas of the United States. Drought has the potential to create economic and environmental impacts on local, regional, and national scales, as well as disruptions in water supplies for households and communities. For example, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates the United States has experienced 29 billion-dollar drought events since 1980, at an estimated total cost of over $285.5 billion. Although droughts are a component of climate variability and may be seasonal, multiyear, or multi-decadal in duration, variable precipitation and rising temperatures are intensifying droughts in some regions. Severe droughts in California from 2012 to 2016, as well as widespread drought in the western United States in 2021, have raised the profile of drought and led to increasing congressional and administrative proposals to prepare for and respond to its impacts. [...] This report provides an overview of drought in the United States, including information on drought science, monitoring, and forecasts and on drought types and intensity classifications. It also discusses federal authorities related to drought planning and response, with a focus on selected water-related agricultural, environmental, and natural resource-related authorities with explicit ties to drought. It does not discuss broader disaster-related authorities and their potential nexus to drought, such as the programs and authorities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and interactions between drought and other hazards and concerns (e.g., wildfire, dust, and public health)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stern, Charles V.; Lipiec, Eva; Humphreys, Elena H. . . .
2022-02-08
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Tornadoes: Background and Forecasting [Updated January 11, 2022]
From the Background: "Tornadoes occur across the United States [hyperlink] but form most commonly in three regions, shifting seasonally: (1) southern Plains (e.g., Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas), (2) Gulf Coast, and (3) northern Plains and upper Midwest (e.g., North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota). Depending on geographic location, tornadoes occur mostly during spring and summer [hyperlink] and usually during the late afternoon or early evening. However, tornadoes can occur at any time. For example, a deadly storm system [hyperlink] with several reported tornadoes touched ground overnight and traveled from Arkansas toward the Great Lakes between December 10 and 11, 2021. Preliminary estimates [hyperlink] report that peak winds of at least one 'long-track' tornado reached approximately 190 miles per hour. Aspects of the event were rare, such as its timing, potential track length, and geographic location."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2022-01-11
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Tsunamis: Background and Introduction to Detection, Forecasts, and Warnings [February 4, 2022]
From the Background: "Tsunamis [hyperlink] are a series of extremely long waves caused by a large and sudden displacement of water in a large waterbody, such as the ocean or an inland sea. That displacement can be caused by underwater earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions, certain types of weather, and impacts from celestial objects such as asteroids. Most tsunamis are the direct result of earthquakes or of landslides caused by earthquakes. Tsunamis radiate from the point of initial displacement and move across the waterbody. When tsunamis reach a coastline, they grow in wave height due to the shallowing waters, sometimes causing coastal and inland flooding, destruction of infrastructure, injuries, and fatalities. Certain coastal locations [hyperlink] are especially vulnerable to tsunamis due to their proximity to tsunami sources, the depth and characteristics of the waterbody bottom, and the topography and elevation of land near the coast. Large displacements may cause tsunami impacts around the world; for example, the January 15, 2022, underwater volcanic eruption in Tonga [hyperlink], a Pacific Island country, triggered a risk of tsunami impacts along parts of coastlines in U.S. Pacific territories, Hawaii, and the West Coast, among locations in other countries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2022-02-04
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 7240, READ Act Reauthorization Act of 2022
From the Document: "H.R. 7240 would extend for five years existing requirements for a comprehensive federal strategy to promote basic education in developing countries and for annual reports on implementing that strategy. The current strategy to expand access to basic education and improve its quality covers the 2019-2023 period and coordinates the efforts of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On the basis of information about spending for the current strategy and reports, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that extending those requirements under the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2022- 2027 period. Such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-08-12
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Forecasting Tropical Cyclones: Overview and Issues for Congress [June 16, 2020]
From the Summary: "Timely tropical cyclone forecasts can provide early and accurate warnings to parts of the U.S. coastline vulnerable to tropical cyclone impacts. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is the federal agency responsible for tropical cyclone forecasts, including track, intensity, storm surge, and rainfall forecasts. NOAA defines 'tropical cyclones' as tropical depressions, tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes, and the agency makes tropical cyclone forecasts using data from multiple observational tools-- satellites, reconnaissance aircraft, ships, radar, and buoys, among others. Each year, NOAA releases outlooks for three ocean regions--Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and central Pacific. Although the outlooks typically cover all types of tropical cyclones, the agency uses the term 'hurricane' in the outlook title. The north Atlantic and eastern Pacific outlooks include the predicted number of named storms (typically tropical storm strength or stronger), hurricanes, and major hurricanes. The central Pacific outlook forecasts the total number of tropical cyclones expected. NOAA released its 2020 hurricane season outlooks for the Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and central Pacific regions in May 2020. NOAA predicts an above-normal season in the Atlantic, with 13 to 19 named storms, 6 to 10 hurricanes, and 3 to 6 major hurricanes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2020-06-16
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Flood Risk Reduction from Natural and Nature-Based Features: Army Corps of Engineers Authorities [April 27, 2020]
From the Summary: "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is the primary federal agency involved in federal construction to help reduce community flood risk. Congressional direction on USACE flood risk reduction activities has evolved from primarily supporting levees, dams, and engineered dunes and beaches. Since 1974, Congress has required that USACE evaluate nonstructural alternatives, such as elevation of structures and acquisition of floodplain lands, during its planning of projects. Since the mid-2010s, Congress also has directed the consideration of natural and nature-based features (NNBFs). Examples of potential NNBFs for reducing flood risk include wetlands; oyster, mussel, and coral reefs; and the combination of these natural features with hard components, such as rock and concrete. Various factors are shaping how USACE is incorporating NNBFs into its flood risk reduction projects and post-flood repair activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Lipiec, Eva
2020-04-27
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Space Weather: An Overview of Policy and Select U.S. Government Roles and Responsibilities [Updated January 6, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Space weather refers to the dynamic conditions in Earth's outer space environment. This includes conditions on the Sun, in the solar wind, and in Earth's upper atmosphere. Space weather phenomena include [1] solar flares or periodic intense bursts of radiation from the sun caused by the sudden release of magnetic energy, [2] coronal mass ejections composed of clouds of solar plasma and electromagnetic radiation, ejected into space from the sun, [3] high-speed solar wind streams emitted from low density regions of the sun, and [4] solar energetic particles or highly-charged particles formed at the front of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. [...] This report provides an overview of federal government policy developed under the existing legislative framework, and describes the specific roles and responsibilities of select federal departments and agencies responsible for the study and mitigation of space weather hazards."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva; Humphreys, Brian E.
2020-01-06
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International Joint Commission (IJC) [Updated August 30, 2019]
From the Document: "The International Joint Commission (IJC) was established under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty between the United States and Canada. The treaty directs the IJC to aid in the resolution and prevention of disputes concerning the waters that cross (transboundary) or form (boundary) the international border between the two countries, known collectively as 'boundary waters'. The watersheds of these boundary waters are illustrated in Figure 1. The IJC may be asked to consider issues related to drinking water, commercial shipping, hydroelectric power generation, agriculture, industry, recreational boating, and shoreline property, among others. Congressional interest in the IJC often has focused on the IJC's scope of authority, its role in specific disputes, and funding for the U.S. portion of IJC activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva; Sheikh, Pervaze A.
2019-08-30
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Hurricane Dorian: FEMA and Additional Storm-Related Resources [Updated September 6, 2019]
From the Introduction: "On September 6, Hurricane Dorian made landfall as a category 1 storm at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. This Insight provides a brief overview of emergency and major declarations and federal assistance programs potentially available to those affected by Hurricane Dorian. It also lists resources for forecast information, hurricane and flooding information, and selected CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports on federal emergency management policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn; Horn, Diane P.; Lipiec, Eva
2019-09-06
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Tornadoes: Background and Forecasting [Updated May 3, 2022]
From the Background: "Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes affect communities across the United States every year, causing fatalities, destroying property and crops, and disrupting businesses. Tornadoes [hyperlink] are narrow, violently rotating columns of air that extend from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground, sometimes producing winds that exceed 300 miles per hour [hyperlink]. Tornadoes have been reported on all continents except Antarctica; however, they occur most commonly in North America, particularly in the United States, which reports approximately 1,200 tornadoes per year [hyperlink]. Tornadoes occur across the United States [hyperlink] but form frequently in three regions, shifting seasonally: (1) southern Plains (e.g., Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas), (2) Gulf Coast, and (3) northern Plains and upper Midwest (e.g., North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota). Tornadoes occur mostly during spring and summer [hyperlink] [...] and usually during the late afternoon or early evening. However, tornadoes can occur at any time. For example, a deadly storm system [hyperlink] with several reported tornadoes touched ground overnight and traveled from Arkansas toward the Great Lakes between December 10 and 11, 2021. Peak winds [hyperlink] of one 'long-track' tornado reached approximately 190 miles per hour. Aspects of the event were rare, such as its timing, distance traveled, and geographic location."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2022-05-03
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2022 Hurricane Outlooks and 2021 Hurricane Season Review [May 31, 2022]
From the Document: "Many in Congress have expressed interest in increasing scientific understanding of tropical cyclones and improving forecasts to help their constituents prepare for the yearly hurricane season and potentially decrease a storm's impact on an individual or community. The Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is responsible for issuing tropical cyclone forecasts, including track, intensity, storm surge, and rainfall. [...] In May 2022, NOAA issued its initial 2022 Atlantic hurricane outlook [hyperlink], indicating a 65% likelihood of an above-normal season rather than a near- (25%) or below-normal season (10%). The predicted number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes was similar to the number predicted in August 2021 for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. NOAA indicated that the higher level of activity is attributed to climate factors [hyperlink], such as the ongoing periodic cooling of sea surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific (La Niña phenomenon), warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds, and an enhanced West African monsoon system."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2022-05-31
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Federal Research and Development (R&D) Funding: FY2021 [Updated September 2, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The 116th Congress continues its interest in U.S. research and development (R&D) and in evaluating support for federal R&D activities. The federal government has played an important role in supporting R&D efforts that have led to scientific breakthroughs and new technologies, from jet aircraft and the internet to communications satellites, shale gas extraction, and defenses against disease. [...] This report begins with a discussion of the overall level of R&D in President Trump's FY2021 budget request, followed by analyses of R&D funding in the request from a variety of perspectives and for selected multiagency R&D initiatives. The remainder of the report discusses and analyzes the R&D budget requests of selected federal departments and agencies that, collectively, account for approximately 98% of total federal R&D funding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F.; Croft, Genevieve K.; Esworthy, Robert . . .
2020-09-02
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Federal Research and Development (R&D) Funding: FY2020 [Updated November 26, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report begins with a discussion of the overall level of R&D [research and development] in President Trump's FY2020 budget request, followed by analyses of R&D funding in the request from a variety of perspectives and for selected multiagency R&D initiatives. The remainder of the report discusses and analyzes the R&D budget requests of selected federal departments and agencies that, collectively, account for approximately 99% of total federal R&D funding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F.; Cowan, Tadlock; Esworthy, Robert . . .
2019-11-26
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Climate Change Adaptation: Department of Commerce [April 1, 2021]
From the Document: "Climate change affects the mission and programs of the Department of Commerce (DOC) and its agencies, and these effects are likely to continue. Congress authorizes and funds DOC's missions and programs, which are wide-ranging, with relevance to trade enforcement, economic development, innovation support, entrepreneurship and business development, standard setting, environmental monitoring, weather forecasting, marine resources management, and statistical research and analysis Given the diversity of DOC's responsibilities, how climate change may affect DOC and its activities varies. [...] This report provides an overview of selected DOC statutory authorities, executive orders, and departmental and agency guidance related to climate change adaptation activities. Each section contains a brief background of the department or agency and an overview of its climate change adaptation activities. The report also presents information on DOC spending on climate change adaptation where available. The last section of the report discusses potential issues for Congress to consider related to climate change adaptation activities and spending. This report is not intended to be a comprehensive review of DOC's climate change activities--the information should be considered illustrative rather than exhaustive."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2021-04-01
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Water Resource Issues in the 117th Congress [March 12, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report covers broad categories of water resource topics that the 117th Congress may consider--projects and activities of USACE [U.S. Army Corps of Engineers] and Reclamation, as well as related issues such as Indian water rights settlements, international waters shared with Canada and Mexico, and water resource science at USGS [U.S. Geological Survey]. It also provides information on crosscutting topics, including support for aging and new water resource projects, protection and restoration of the environment, efforts to facilitate flood resilience and natural and nature-based infrastructure, and groundwater recharge."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stern, Charles V.; Carter, Nicole T.; Sheikh, Pervaze A. . . .
2021-03-12
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Forecasting Tropical Cyclones: Overview and Issues for Congress [Updated August 11, 2020]
From the Document: "Timely tropical cyclone forecasts can provide early and accurate warnings to parts of the U.S. coastline vulnerable to tropical cyclone impacts. Recent hurricane seasons have included several major hurricanes--such as Dorian in 2019 and Florence, Lane, Michael, and Olivia in 2018--which resulted in multiple deaths and billions of dollars of damage in the southeastern United States and Hawaii, among other places. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is the federal agency responsible for tropical cyclone forecasts, including track, intensity, storm surge, and rainfall forecasts. NOAA defines 'tropical cyclones' as tropical depressions, tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes, and the agency makes tropical cyclone forecasts using data from multiple observational tools--satellites, reconnaissance aircraft, ships, radar, and buoys, among others."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2020-08-11
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Marine Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs): Background, Statutory Authorities, and Issues for Congress [September 27, 2021]
From the Document: "Marine harmful algal blooms (HABs) have affected and likely will continue to affect U.S. coastal communities. HABs may affect human, animal, and ecosystem health and may have socioeconomic consequences. [...] This report concentrates on marine HABs, although there may be overlap between marine and freshwater HAB types in places where rivers meet the ocean. The report provides background on marine HABs, including their effects, factors that may contribute to their development, and geographic incidence and trends. It then discusses federal agency, interagency, and interorganizational activities to address marine HABs. Finally, the report offers several issues for Congress to potentially consider, including an evaluation of federal marine HAB-related activity expenditures, an assessment of federal performance and coordination regarding marine HABs, the establishment of new or adjustment of existing marine HAB authorities and funding, and other concerns."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2021-09-27
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Drought Response and Preparedness: Policy and Legislation [Updated June 4, 2021]
From the Document: "In recent years, large areas of the United States have been subject to drought. In addition to estimates of average annual losses from drought of $9 billion for agriculture, the effects have included dwindling water supplies for rural households and water use restrictions in urban areas. As of mid-2021, the western United States is in the midst of its most severe drought since the early 2000s, with some areas facing their driest years on record. Some experts have raised concerns about the availability of water supplies and the drought's impacts on forests and other flora and fauna. Congress and other policymakers are confronted with how to prepare for and monitor droughts, how to mitigate drought-related consequences, and who should bear responsibility for these actions. Historically, drought response and preparedness have been shaped by state and local actions, federal drought assistance, and federal dam operations, among other factors. [...] The need for and benefits of drought preparedness may be growing. [...] Broadly at issue are the overall federal role and the adequacy of current federal efforts to mitigate drought. Some in Congress may question federal programs' effectiveness in addressing drought, as well as the drought preparedness of federal facilities and emergency-response entities. Other potential areas of focus include the adequacy of--and accountability for--state and local drought planning and resilience efforts. Federal assistance in augmenting water supplies and constructing new water storage projects (including groundwater recharge) also may be of interest."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stern, Charles V.; Carter, Nicole T.; Stubbs, Megan . . .
2021-06-04
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Federal Research and Development (R&D) Funding: Fy2023 [June 10, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The 117th Congress continues its interest in U.S. research and development (R&D) and in evaluating funding for federal R&D activities. The federal government has played an important role in supporting R&D efforts that have led to scientific breakthroughs and new technologies, from jet aircraft and the internet to communications satellites and defenses against disease. In recent years, federal budget caps have driven executive and legislative branch decisions about the prioritization of R&D, both in the context of the entire federal budget and among competing needs within the federal R&D portfolio. [...] This report begins with a discussion of the overall level of R&D in President Biden's FY2023 budget request, followed by analyses of R&D funding in the request from a variety of perspectives and for selected multiagency R&D initiatives. The remainder of the report discusses and analyzes the R&D budget requests of selected federal departments and agencies that, collectively, account for approximately 99% of total federal R&D funding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Croft, Genevieve K.; Harris, Laurie A.; Lipiec, Eva . . .
2022-06-10
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Nature-Based Infrastructure: NOAA's Role [January 2, 2020]
From the Document: "The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) currently supports natural, nature-based, or green infrastructure and other related types of features (hereinafter referred to as nature-based infrastructure) as part of its statutory mandates to support, research, restore, and conserve natural resources. [...] This report describes how NOAA characterizes nature-based infrastructure and the agency's current activities supporting research and implementation of nature-based infrastructure. The report also discusses potential issues for Congress including (1) definitions of nature-based infrastructure in statute, (2) NOAA's authority to support nature-based infrastructure, (3) how NOAA coordinates with other federal agencies and nonfederal entities on nature-based infrastructure activities, and (4) how NOAA funds nature-based infrastructure activities and its total nature-based infrastructure-related expenditures."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2020-01-02
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2019 California Wildfires: Brief Overview of FEMA Programs and Resources [November 1, 2019]
From the Document: "This Insight provides a brief overview of current Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declarations and federal assistance programs that may be available. The National Weather Service (NWS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides fire weather outlooks intended to delineate areas of the continental United States where 'preexisting fuel conditions, combined with forecast weather conditions during the next eight days, will result in a significant threat for the ignitions and/or spread of wildfires.' [...] NWS reports that various portions of California have experienced or are expected to experience weather conditions, including Santa Ana winds, which are conducive to igniting and spreading wildfires as well as making those wildfires difficult to suppress or contain. [...] Section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act; P.L. 93-288, as amended; 42 U.S.C. §§5121 et seq.) authorizes the President to declare a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Regional Administrators have been delegated the authority to authorize an FMAG because of the need to expedite assistance when the threat of a major disaster exists. [...] FMAGs have been authorized in 2019 for multiple wildfires, including the Kincade, Getty, Tick, Easy, Hill, 46, and Hillside Fires."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webster, Elizabeth M.; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Horn, Diane P. . . .
2019-11-01
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Marine Debris: NOAA's Role [Updated April 23, 2020]
From the Document: "Researchers have found marine debris, especially plastic items, to have some effects on humans, wildlife, and the environment, but the extent of these impacts is currently unclear. Congress has directed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or the Secretary of Commerce (through NOAA) to lead federal government efforts to address marine debris and has enacted additional marine debris-related legislation in recent years. Members of Congress are considering further NOAA provisions, and other federal agency actions, to support marine debris prevention efforts, domestically and internationally."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2020-04-23
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Federal Research and Development (R&D) Funding: FY2022 [Updated November 17, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The 117th Congress continues its interest in U.S. research and development (R&D) and in evaluating support for federal R&D activities. The federal government has played an important role in supporting R&D efforts that have led to scientific breakthroughs and new technologies, from jet aircraft and the internet to communications satellites, shale gas extraction, and defenses against disease. In recent years, federal budget caps have driven executive and legislative branch decisions about the prioritization of R&D, both in the context of the entire federal budget and among competing needs within the federal R&D portfolio. [...] Congress plays a central role in defining the nation's R&D priorities as it makes decisions about the level and allocation of R&D funding--overall, within agencies, and for specific programs. As Congress acts to complete the FY2021 appropriations process, it faces two overarching issues: the amount of the federal budget to be spent on federal R&D and the prioritization and allocation of the available funding. This report begins with a discussion of the overall level of R&D in President Biden's FY2022 budget request, followed by analyses of R&D funding in the request from a variety of perspectives and for selected multiagency R&D initiatives. The remainder of the report discusses and analyzes the R&D budget requests of selected federal departments and agencies that, collectively, account for approximately 99% of total federal R&D funding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F., Jr.; Croft, Genevieve K.; Gallo, Marcy E. . . .
2021-11-17
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Federal Research and Development (R&D) Funding: FY2022 [Updated September 13, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The 117th Congress continues its interest in U.S. research and development (R&D) and in evaluating support for federal R&D activities. The federal government has played an important role in supporting R&D efforts that have led to scientific breakthroughs and new technologies, from jet aircraft and the internet to communications satellites, shale gas extraction, and defenses against disease. In recent years, federal budget caps have driven executive and legislative branch decisions about the prioritization of R&D, both in the context of the entire federal budget and among competing needs within the federal R&D portfolio. The U.S. government supports a broad range of scientific and engineering R&D. Its purposes include addressing national defense, health, safety, the environment, and energy security; advancing knowledge generally; developing the scientific and engineering workforce; and strengthening U.S. innovation and competitiveness in the global economy. Most of the R&D funded by the federal government is performed in support of the unique missions of individual funding agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F., Jr.; Croft, Genevieve K.; Gallo, Marcy E. . . .
2021-09-13
