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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, February 11, 2022: Safety Monitoring of COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses Among Adults -- United States, September 22, 2021-February 6, 2022
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Safety Monitoring of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Vaccine Booster Doses Among Adults -- United States, September 22, 2021-February 6, 2022." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2022.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2022-02-11
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Executive Order 14064: Protecting Certain Property of Da Afghanistan Bank for the Benefit of the People of Afghanistan
From the Document: "I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, find that the widespread humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan--including the urgent needs of the people of Afghanistan for food security, livelihoods support, water, sanitation, health, hygiene, shelter and settlement assistance, and COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]-related assistance, among other basic human needs--and the potential for a deepening economic collapse in Afghanistan constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. I hereby declare a national emergency to deal with that threat. In addition, I find that the preservation of certain property of Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) held in the United States by United States financial institutions is of the utmost importance to addressing this national emergency and the welfare of the people of Afghanistan. I also understand that various parties, including representatives of victims of terrorism, have asserted legal claims against certain property of DAB or indicated in public court filings an intent to make such claims. This property is blocked under this order."
United States. Office of the Federal Register
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.
2022-02-11
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, February 11, 2022: Waning 2-Dose and 3-Dose Effectiveness of mRNA Vaccines Against COVID-19-Associated Emergency Department and Urgent Care Encounters and Hospitalizations Among Adults During Periods of Delta and Omicron Variant Predominance -- VISION Network, 10 States, August 2021-January 2022
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Waning 2-Dose and 3-Dose Effectiveness of mRNA [messenger ribonucleic acid] Vaccines Against COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]-Associated Emergency Department and Urgent Care Encounters and Hospitalizations Among Adults During Periods of Delta and Omicron Variant Predominance -- VISION Network, 10 States, August 2021-January 2022." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2022.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2022-02-11
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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, February 11, 2022
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR contains the following: "Preventive Dental Care and Oral Health of Children and Adolescents With and Without Heart Conditions -- United States, 2016-2019"; "Progress Toward Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome Control and Elimination -- Worldwide, 2012-2020"; "Identifying Higher-Volume Antibiotic Outpatient Prescribers Using Publicly Available Medicare Part D Data -- United States, 2019"; "Genomic Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] Variants: Predominance of the Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variants -- United States, June 2021-January 2022"; "Effectiveness of Face Mask or Respirator Use in Indoor Public Settings for Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection -- California, February-December 2021"; "Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes Among Adults Hospitalized with Laboratory-Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection During Periods of B.1.617.2 (Delta) and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant Predominance -- One Hospital, California, July 15-September 23, 2021, and December 21, 2021-January 27, 2022"; and "Percentage of Children and Adolescents Aged 5-17 Years Who Reported Being Tired Most Days or Every Day, by Age Group and Hours of Screen Time -- National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2020." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2022.html]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2022-02-11
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Best Practices in Small Business Recovery to Inform an Equitable COVID-19 Recovery
From the Introduction: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic represented an existential threat to the District of Columbia's small businesses, especially those in the food, accommodation, and hospitality sectors. With the March 2020 closure of nonessential businesses, along with numerous operating restrictions for essential ones, small businesses needed to navigate an unprecedented crisis. And they needed to do it in a context in which many small businesses already operate with little margin for error--the median small business had less than a month of cash buffer in reserve. [...] Despite federal and local pandemic support and increasing foot traffic in businesses, preexisting inequities in DC's small business ecosystem have persisted through the pandemic and they will continue to challenge local small business recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the pandemic has made more visible the barriers to accessing capital, technology, technical assistance, workers, customers, and peer networks that small businesses owned and operated by Black and Latinx people face; these barriers will need to be addressed in any equitable small business recovery."
Urban Institute
Theodos, Brett; Myczkowska, Tola
2022-02-11
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H. Rept. 117-245: DHS Roles and Responsibilities in Cyber Space Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 5658, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, February 11, 2022
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 5658, 'DHS Roles and Responsibilities in Cyber Space Act,' seeks to clarify the roles and responsibilities of officials across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) related to the Department's cyber incident response mission. Specifically, it directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), to report to Congress on the roles and responsibilities of the Department and its components relating to cyber incident response. The report must include: (1) a review of how cyber incident response plans developed by CISA are utilized in the Federal Government's response to a cyber incident; (2) an explanation of the roles and responsibilities of DHS and its components in the Federal Government's response to a cyber incident; (3) an explanation of how the Department and its components leverage existing authorities in cyber incident response; and (4) recommendations to clarify roles and responsibilities among DHS components related to the its cybersecurity mission."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-02-11
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Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Air Pollution, and Climate Change [February 11, 2022]
From the Document: "On August 5, 2021, the Biden Administration announced plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other air pollutants from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and engines through a series of rulemakings over three years (Executive Order 14037, 'Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks,' 86 'Federal Register' 43583). The first rule, to be promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and slated to be finalized in 2022, applies to heavy-duty vehicles starting in model year (MY) 2027. The rule would set new standards for nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions for the sector as well as targeted updates to the current GHG emission standards. A second rule, to be promulgated by EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), would set more stringent GHG emission and fuel efficiency standards for new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and engines beginning with MY2030."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lattanzio, Richard K.
2022-02-11
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'An Epidemic of Coups' in Africa? Issues for Congress [February 11, 2022]
From the Document: "Military officers have seized power in five African countries since 2020 [...], part of a trend the U.N. Secretary-General has termed [hyperlink] 'an epidemic of coups.' While military coups have long shaped African politics, their frequency peaked during the Cold War [hyperlink]. A more recent wave occurred in Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger in 2008-2012, but regional tolerance seemed to decline. Recent coups challenge U.S. efforts to promote democracy and stability in Africa, complicate counterterrorism cooperation with several countries, and threaten a fragile post-authoritarian transition in Sudan that successive U.S. Administrations and Congress have supported [hyperlink]. They also raise fears of 'contagion [hyperlink],' especially in West Africa [hyperlink]."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Lauren Ploch; Arieff, Alexis
2022-02-11
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Defense Primer: Military Separation and Severance Pay [February 11, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress has authorized separation or severance pay for involuntarily and voluntarily discharged servicemembers throughout most of the military's history. The purposes for these authorities has been three-fold: 1) to ease the transition to civilian life for servicemembers with minor physical disabilities; 2) to compensate servicemembers for an unplanned (non-disability) end to their military career before they are eligible to retire; and 3) to aid the Department of Defense (DOD) in managing force size."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kamarck, Kristy N.
2022-02-11
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H. Rept. 117-246: Shadow Wolves Enhancement Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 5681, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, February 11, 2022
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 5681, the 'Shadow Wolves Enhancement Act,' authorizes adjustments to the job classifications for tactical enforcement officers assigned to the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit operating in the Tohono O'odham Nation, known as 'Shadow Wolves'. The Shadow Wolves were established by congressional mandate in 1974 and specialize in the interdiction of human and drug smugglers through the rugged terrain of the Sonoran Desert utilizing both technology and the traditional art of tracking. Under this bill, Shadow Wolves serving in these positions would be reclassified as GS-1811 special agents upon the successful completion of certain training, and new officers added to this unit after the date of enactment would be classified as GS-1811 special agents upon completion of training. The Act would also require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to retain existing Shadow Wolves, recruit new officers to the unit, and expand comparable units along the international land borders with the approval of appropriate Tribal governments. Finally, the Act requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit a report to Congress 1 year after receiving the strategy, as well as annually for the following 2 years, which assesses the effectiveness of this strategy and provides recommendations for improvement, as appropriate."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-02-11
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EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 22 Issue 6, February 10, 2022
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: "CDP [Center for Domestic Preparedness] releases new microtraining video on bonding and grounding for hazardous materials work zone safety"; "National Wildfire Coordinating Group's 2022 Incident Response Pocket Guide now available"; "National Fire Service Research Agenda report released"; "New Mexico Tech offers new counter-UAS [Unmanned Aircraft Systems] tactical response training"; and "Cyber Threats."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2022-02-10
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Determining the Case Fatality Rate of COVID-19 in Italy: Novel Epidemiological Study
From the Abstract: "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], which emerged in December 2019, has spread rapidly around the world and has become a serious public health event endangering human life. With regard to COVID-19, there are still many unknowns, such as the exact case fatality rate (CFR). [...] The main objective of this study was to explore the value of the discharged CFR (DCFR) to make more accurate forecasts of epidemic trends of COVID-19 in Italy. [...] We retrieved the epidemiological data of COVID-19 in Italy published by the John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. We then used the proportion of deaths to discharged cases (including deaths and recovered cases) to calculate the total DCFR (tDCFR), monthly DCFR (mDCFR), and stage DCFR (sDCFR). Furthermore, we analyzed the trend in the mDCFR between January and December 2020 using joinpoint regression analysis, used ArcGIS version 10.7 to visualize the spatial distribution of the epidemic CFR, and assigned different colors to each province based on the CFR or tDCFR. [...] We provide a new perspective for assessing the fatality of COVID-19 in Italy, which can use ever-changing data to calculate a more accurate CFR and scientifically predict the development trend of the epidemic."
JMIR Publications
Yan, Mengqing; Kang, Wenjun; Guo, Zhifeng . . .
2022-02-10
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USDA Equity Action Plan in Support of Executive Order (EO) 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government
From the Document: "The attached USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] Equity Action Plan details a subset of actions that USDA has chosen to highlight because of their potential high impact for underserved farmers and ranchers, families and children, and rural communities. While this is just a subset of many bold equity actions that we will implement, these actions create the foundation that will inform and build other equity-related strategies. USDA will institutionalize these strategies to become an organization that is trusted today and by future generations. Our country is stronger when everyone participates, and more vulnerable when people are left out. We know that people's frustrations run deep and are rooted in their own daily battles - to make ends meet, to maintain their land, to put food on their tables, and to see their children have a shot at economic opportunity. The increasing gap in wealth and opportunities challenges the very core of who we are as a Department. USDA's Equity Action Plan and other related efforts will make our programs benefit every working American, particularly those who have been left behind. How we implement and make progress over the next few years will determine whether our children will grow up in a Nation where opportunity is real. We remain steadfast in our commitment to advance equity in every facet of our mission."
United States. Department of Agriculture
Vilsack, Thomas J.; Bronaugh, Jewel
2022-02-10
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FEMA's Role in the COVID-19 Federal Pandemic Response [February 10, 2022]
From the Document: "On March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump declared a nationwide emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act, P.L. 93-288 as amended), authorizing assistance administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Five days later, the President notified then-FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor that the agency would assume leadership of the federal pandemic response effort--the first known instance of FEMA serving in such a role for a public health incident."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lee, Erica A.; Horn, Diane P.; Lindsay, Bruce R. . . .
2022-02-10
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Foreign Assistance: Agreement Between the United States of America and Jordan
This Agreement was signed at Amman February 10, 2022 and entered into force February 10, 2022. From Article I: "The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan agree that, unless the consent of the Government of the United States of America has first been obtained, the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan shall not provide any assistance furnished by the United States of America under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act, or successor legislation, to any security force unit of Jordan that the Government of the United States of America has identified to Jordan via diplomatic channels as prohibited from receiving such assistance under section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, also known as the Leahy law."
United States. Department of State
2022-02-10
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Foreign Assistance: Agreement Between the United States of America and Latvia
This Agreement was signed at Riga on February 10, 2022 and entered into force on February 10, 2022. From Article I: "The Government of the United States of America and the Government of Latvia agree that, unless the consent of the Government of the United States of America has first been obtained, the Government of Latvia shall not provide any assistance furnished by the United States of America under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act, or successor legislation, to any security force unit of Latvia that the Government of the United States of America has identified to Latvia via diplomatic channels as prohibited from receiving such assistance under section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, also known as the Leahy law."
United States. Department of State
2022-02-10
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Renewed Great Power Competition: Implications for Defense--Issues for Congress [Updated February 10, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides a brief overview of implications for U.S. defense of the emergence of great power competition with China and Russia. The issue for Congress is how U.S. defense planning should respond to the renewal of great power competition, and whether to approve, reject, or modify the Biden Administration's proposed defense funding levels, strategy, plans, and programs for addressing great power competition. Congress's decisions on these issues could have significant implications for U.S. defense capabilities and funding requirements. This report focuses on defense-related issues and does not discuss potential implications of the renewal of great power competition for other policy areas, such as foreign policy and diplomacy, trade and finance, energy, and foreign assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-02-10
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Draft Report to the President: Zero Trust and Trusted Identity Management
From the Executive Summary: "In May 2021, in the aftermath of a series of significant cybersecurity incidents, the White House tasked the President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) with conducting a multi-phase study on ''Enhancing Internet Resilience in 2021 and Beyond'.' The tasking directed NSTAC to focus on three key cybersecurity issues foundational to United States national security and emergency preparedness: 1. Software Assurance in the Commercial Information and Communications Technology Supply Chain. 2. Zero Trust and Trusted Identity Management. 3. The Convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT). This report focuses on #2, Zero Trust and Trusted Identity Management. Zero trust is a cybersecurity strategy premised on the idea that no user or asset is to be implicitly trusted. It assumes that a breach has already occurred or will occur, and therefore, a user should not be granted access to sensitive information by a single verification done at the enterprise perimeter. Instead, each user, device, application, and transaction must be continually verified."
United States. President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee
2022-02-10?
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Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy and Key Issues in the 117th Congress [Updated February 10, 2022]
From the Summary: "The United States maintains strong linkages with neighboring Latin America and the Caribbean based on geographic proximity and diverse U.S. interests, including economic, political, and security concerns. [...] U.S. Administrations have long supported democracy and human rights in the region, with a current focus on authoritarian governments in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, as well as democratic backsliding and corruption in other countries. In the past two years, support to help the region respond to the public health and economic impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become as a major U.S. policy component. The Biden Administration focused extensively on addressing the root causes of Central American migration during its initial months but has since fleshed out its broader approach toward Latin America and the Caribbean. The Administration's other priorities include efforts to promote public health and economic recovery from the pandemic; to work with partners to promote inclusive democracy throughout the region; to provide support to address Haiti's difficult humanitarian, security, and political challenges; and to engage more broadly with the region to address migration challenges. To advance those and other initiatives, the Administration requested nearly $2.1 billion in foreign aid for Latin America and the Caribbean in FY2022, nearly 16% higher than estimated FY2021 appropriations. The Administration also is providing significant supplemental pandemic-related assistance to the region, including, as of late January 2022, the donation of over 60 million vaccine doses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2022-02-10
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Poverty in the United States in 2020 [February 10, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Calendar year 2020 saw the onset of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, and an accompanying rise in the 'poverty rate'--the percentage of the population living in poverty (economic hardship characterized by low income). In 2020, approximately 37.2 million people had incomes below the official definition of poverty in the United States, which was an increase from 34.0 million people in 2019. The poverty rate rose to 11.4% from 10.5%. The increase in poverty was especially acute among the population under age 65, whose work statuses were most likely to have been affected by the economic fallout of the pandemic. This report presents a general overview of poverty in the United States. It introduces the concepts and data sources used in defining and measuring poverty. It then offers a historical perspective on poverty at the national level by presenting trend data on the official poverty measure. Next, it focuses on poverty by demographic group, mainly by comparing 2020 estimates with 2019, along four characteristics: [1] family structure, because poverty is defined according to the composition, needs, and resources of families, and because antipoverty interventions have often been targeted to families; [2] age, because age groups vary in the types and sources of income available to them, and because congressional policymaking has often focused on children and the aged population; [3] race and Hispanic origin, because poverty rates among these demographic groups historically have had wide differences; and [4] work status, because economic well-being is typically tied to the current or past work of oneself or one's family members."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dalaker, Joseph
2022-02-10
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Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) [Updated February 10, 2022]
From the Document: "Prior to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, insurance covering terrorism losses was normally included in commercial insurance policies without additional cost to the policyholders. The insured losses on all insurance lines from the 9/11 attacks exceeded $50 billion in current dollars, an amount well above other insurance industry experiences with terrorism losses. [...] Following September 2001, insurers and reinsurers pulled back from offering terrorism coverage. Some observers feared that a lack of insurance against terrorism loss would have a wide economic impact, particularly because insurance coverage can be a significant factor in lending decisions. Congress responded to the disruption in the insurance market by passing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA; P.L. [Public Law] 107-297). TRIA created a temporary program, initially set to expire at the end of 2005, to calm markets through a government reinsurance program sharing in terrorism losses. This program was intended to give the insurance industry time to gather the data and create the structures and capacity necessary for private insurance to cover terrorism risk. TRIA did (and does) not cover terrorism losses directly but instead reimburses private insurers for a portion of their losses. The act does not require premiums to be paid by private insurers for the government coverage. However, it does require private insurers to offer commercial insurance for terrorism risk, which private insurers were not willingly offering prior to TRIA's enactment."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webel, Baird
2022-02-10
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 442, BRIGHT Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on November 3, 2021. From the Document: "S. 442 would require the General Services Administration (GSA) to procure lighting systems for use in federal buildings that are the most cost effective and energy efficient when measured over the systems' expected lifetime. (Life cycle costs include all capital and operating expenses associated with a system over its life expectancy of up to 40 years, including fuel costs.) The bill also would require GSA to issue guidance about the efficiency of new lighting products. A variety of statutory provisions and executive orders direct federal agencies to meet certain goals to reduce the amount of energy used in federal facilities, increase the consumption of electricity that is generated from renewable sources, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, and ensure that federal facilities meet certain standards related to the use of sustainable resources. In addition, the federal government uses life cycle costs to evaluate investments in owned and leased buildings. S. 442 could marginally accelerate meeting energy efficiency goals by encouraging the use of lighting systems that would have higher initial costs but longer-term energy savings. Using information from GSA, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that any such costs would be less than $500,000 annually and would total about $2 million over the 2022- 2026 period. Any additional savings from reduced energy costs would not be significant over the next five years. All of those effects, both costs and savings, would be subject to future appropriation actions consistent with the bill."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-02-10
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Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) [Updated February 10, 2022]
From the Summary: "During the Cold War, thousands of Americans worked in the development and testing of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile. Some of these workers were exposed to radiation, beryllium, silica, and other toxic substances that may have contributed to various medical conditions, including different types of cancer. Enacted in 2000, the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA, Title XXXVI of P.L. 106-398) provides cash and medical benefits to former nuclear weapons arsenal workers with covered medical conditions and to their survivors. Part B of EEOICPA provides a fixed amount of compensation and medical coverage to Department of Energy (DOE) employees and contractors, atomic weapons employees, and uranium workers with specified medical conditions, including cancer. [...] Part E of EEOICPA operates similar to a traditional workers' compensation program. It pays variable cash benefits based on impairment and wage loss and provides medical benefits to former DOE contractors and uranium workers exposed to toxic substances on the job. [...] To date, Part B has paid over $7.3 billion in compensation, and Part E has paid more than $5.7 billion in compensation. Combined Parts B and E medical benefits exceed $7.6 billion. The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Fund pays EEOICPA benefits. The fund is financed through general revenues, and it is not subject to annual appropriations. The EEOICPA Office of Ombudsman, which assists claimants and medical providers navigate the program, was scheduled to sunset on October 28, 2020, but was permanently authorized by a provision in the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (P.L. 116-283)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2022-02-10
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Congress and the War in Yemen: Oversight and Legislation 2015-2021 [Updated February 10, 2022]
From the Summary: "This CRS [congressinal research service] report provides an overview of the role Congress has played in shaping U.S. policy toward the conflict in Yemen, with summary tables providing information on various legislative proposals considered in the 114th , 115th , 116th, and 117th Congresses. These proposals have reflected a range of congressional perspectives and priorities, including [1] the authorization of the activities of the U.S. Armed Forces related to the conflict; [2] the extent of U.S. logistical, material, advisory, and intelligence support for the coalition led by Saudi Arabia; [3] the approval, disapproval, or conditioning of U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia; [4] the appropriation of funds for U.S. operations in support of the Saudi-led coalition; [5] the conduct of the Saudi-led coalition's air campaign and its adherence to international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflict; [6] the demand for greater humanitarian access to Yemen; [7] the call for a wider government assessment of U.S. policy toward Yemen and U.S. support to parties to the conflict; [8] the nature and extent of U.S.-Saudi counterterrorism and border security cooperation; and [9] the role of Iran in supplying missile technology and other weapons to the forces of the Houthi movement. The 117th Congress may continue to debate U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition and Saudi Arabia's conduct of the war in Yemen, where fighting has continued since March 2015."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Christopher M.; Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell; Humud, Carla E.
2022-02-10
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External Peer Review of the National Guard Bureau Internal Review Office
From the Document: "We reviewed the system of quality control for the National Guard Bureau Internal Review (NGB IR) Office in effect for the 3-year period ended February 28, 2021. A system of quality control encompasses the NGB IR Office's structure, policies adopted, and procedures established to provide it with reasonable assurance of conforming in all material respects with the Government Auditing Standards and applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The elements of quality control are described in the Government Auditing Standards. In our opinion, except for the deficiencies described in this report, the system of quality control for the NGB IR Office in effect for the 3-year period ended February 28, 2021, has been suitably designed and complied with to provide the NGB IR Office with reasonable assurance of performing and reporting in conformity in all material respects with the Government Auditing Standards and applicable legal and regulatory requirements."
United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Inspector General
2022-02-10
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NASA: Lessons from Ongoing Major Projects Could Improve Future Outcomes, Statement of W. William Russell, Director, Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Space and Science, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Acquisition management has been a long-standing challenge at NASA. GAO [Government Accountability Office] first designated NASA's acquisition management as a high-risk area in 1990 in view of NASA's history of persistent cost growth and schedule slippage in the majority of its largest systems. While NASA's major projects are complex, specialized, and often groundbreaking, GAO has identified management weaknesses that have exacerbated the inherent technical and engineering risks the projects face. In 2005, NASA expanded its effort to partner with commercial companies by forming the Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office. The public-private partnerships established by this program office represented a new way of doing business in the realm of human spaceflight. This statement reflects GAO's observations on lessons that NASA can apply to its management of its major projects as it seeks to leverage resources between the public and private sector to maximize federal return on program investments."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Russell, William
2022-02-09
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EO 13985 USAID Agency Equity Action Plan
From the Executive Summary: "USAID's [United States Agency for International Development's] equity assessment submitted in August 2021 outlined findings and 61 preliminary recommendations that USAID could use, if approved, to advance a values-based approach, update rules and regulations, expand our partner base, and become more consultative to achieve the President's goals regarding racial and ethnic equity in a foreign assistance context. The USAID Agency Equity Team (AET) prioritized the following recommendations for inclusion in the Action Plan: 1) continued development of the WorkwithUSAID platform, 2) enhanced implementation of USAID's nondiscrimination for beneficiaries policy, development and implementation of an Independent Accountability Mechanism, and advancement of Title VI protections at USAID, 3) lowered internal and external barriers for USAID awards, to include reduction of acquisition and assistance administrative burdens that negatively affect partner capacity, 4) designation of an Inclusive Development (ID) Advisor at each Mission and procurement of inclusive development support mechanisms managed through the Agency's ID Hub, and 5) implementation of a consistent approach to incorporate racial and ethnic equity and diversity into policy, planning, and learning. Together, these actions help reframe the ways in which USAID partners democratize the development process by integrating equity into Agency policies, strategies, and practices; enhance the ability of potential non-traditional partners to pursue USAID opportunities; prevent discrimination in Agency programs; and strengthen the Agency's capacity to advance inclusive development in our overseas programming."
United States. Agency for International Development
2022-02-09
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S. Rept. 117-69: National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019, Report Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, February 9, 2022
From the Purpose of the Bill: "The purpose of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019 (S. 2661) is to designate the three-digit dialing code 9-8-8 as the universal telephone number for the purpose of the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system. S. 2661 also would reserve the ability of States to assess fees to support the hotline system, and make other changes to the law to enhance the effectiveness of the hotline system."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-02-09
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1931, Japanese American Confinement Education Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on November 17, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 1931 would authorize the appropriation of $80 million, to remain available until expended, for the Japanese American Confinement Site grant program. Under that program, the National Park Service (NPS) awards funds to nonfederal entities to study and preserve sites associated with the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. In 2021, $3 million was allocated for the program. Based on historical spending patterns, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 1931 would cost about $5 million annually and total $22 million over the 2022-2026 period, assuming the appropriation of the authorized amount. CBO expect the remaining funds would be used after 2026."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-02-09
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 3968, Municipal Ids Acceptance Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office [CBO] Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Financial Services on June 23, 2021. From the Document: "Under current law, banks and credit unions are required to have a Customer Identification Program (CIP) to verify the identity of new customers prior to opening an account. H.R. 3968 would direct the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Department of the Treasury, and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to issue updated guidance clarifying that an identification card issued by a municipality may be used to verify the identity of a customer under the CIP. The operating costs for the FDIC, NCUA, and OCC are classified in the federal budget as direct spending. Using information from some of those agencies, CBO estimates that issuing updated guidance would increase gross direct spending at those agencies by less than $500,000 over the 2022-2031 period. Moreover, the NCUA and OCC collect fees from financial institutions to offset their operating costs; those fees are treated as reductions in direct spending. In total, CBO estimates that the net effect on direct spending would be insignificant over that period."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-02-09
