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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 473, Trusted Traveler Reconsideration and Restoration Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on July 14, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 473 would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) trusted traveler programs, which expedite security screenings at airports. Also, H.R. 473 would, for cases where membership in a trusted traveler program was revoked in error, direct DHS to extend the period of active enrollment by the period of revocation for people who re-enroll in the program. Using information from publicly available information, CBO expects that the number of erroneous revocations would be small, and DHS has a system in place to appeal those revocations. Thus, CBO estimates that costs associated with investigating and re-enrolling individuals whose memberships were revoked in error would not be significant. Using information about the cost of other GAO studies, CBO estimates that the cost of completing the report would be insignificant. CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 473 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2022-2026 period. Any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-01-31
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COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Installation Status Update [As of January 31, 2022]
From the Document: "Travel Restrictions LIFTED at 185 of 230 Installations (80%) (Met: Step 1 & Step 2)[.] Of the 185 installations with lifted travel restrictions this week, 1 reinstated travel restrictions while 0 lifted restrictions."
United States. Department of Defense
2022-01-31
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Has Omicron Changed the Evolution of the Pandemic?
From the Abstract: "Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] virus carry differential risks to public health. The Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant, first identified in Botswana on November 11, 2021, has spread globally faster than any previous variant of concern. Understanding the transmissibility of Omicron is vital in the development of public health policy. [...] The aim of this study is to compare SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks driven by Omicron to those driven by prior variants of concern in terms of both the speed and magnitude of an outbreak. [...] The observed Omicron outbreaks in this study reach the outbreak threshold within 5-10 days after first detection, whereas other variants of concern have taken at least 14 days and up to as many as 35 days. The Omicron outbreaks also reach peak rates of new cases that are roughly 1.5-2 times those of prior variants of concern. Dynamic panel regression estimates confirm Omicron has created a statistically significant shift in viral spread. [...] The transmissibility of Omicron is markedly higher than prior variants of concern. At the population level, the Omicron outbreaks occurred more quickly and with larger magnitude, despite substantial increases in vaccinations and prior infections, which should have otherwise reduced susceptibility to new infections. Unless public health policies are substantially altered, Omicron outbreaks in other countries are likely to occur with little warning."
JMIR Publications
Lundberg, Alexander L.; Lorenzo-Redondo, Ramon; Ozer, Egon A. . . .
2022-01-31
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Defense Infrastructure: DOD Should Better Manage Risks Posed by Deferred Facility Maintenance, Report to the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "DOD manages facilities worldwide with an estimated aggregate plant replacement value of about $1.3 trillion. Sustaining these facilities involves maintenance and repair to keep them in good working order. Deferring maintenance can lead to deterioration, potentially affecting DOD's ability to support missions. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review DOD facility sustainment. This report examines the extent to which (1) DOD's cost factors for estimating its facility sustainment funding requirements are comparable to those of other federal agencies and fully account for DOD's sustainment costs; (2) DOD's facility sustainment funding aligns with its funding goals; and (3) DOD has a deferred maintenance backlog and a process for managing any such backlog. GAO reviewed documentation and interviewed officials about DOD's process for estimating facility sustainment funding requirements and managing deferred maintenance; analyzed funding and deferred maintenance data for FY2017 through FY2020; and contacted a non-generalizable sample of 12 DOD installations from six DOD components to discuss facility sustainment."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01-31
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MMWR Surveillance Summaries: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, January 28, 2022: Surveillance for Violent Deaths -- National Violent Death Reporting System, 39 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, 2018
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 Surveillance Summaries issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Surveillance for Violent Deaths -- National Violent Death Reporting System, 39 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, 2018." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from MMWR can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2022.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2022-01-28
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National Security Agency Office of the Inspector General: Semiannual Report to Congress, 1 April to 30 September 2021
From the Message from the Inspector General: "It is my pleasure and honor to submit the Semiannual Report for the National Security Agency (NSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the period ending 30 September 2021. During this reporting period, the team here at the OIG was remarkably productive, producing a total of 22 audits, inspections, evaluations, and other oversight products that make impactful findings and recommendations regarding a wide swath of this important Agency's work. Our Investigations Division continued to conduct and complete a number of significant investigations, addressing an increasing volume of contacts on both our classified and unclassified Hotlines. I believe this reflects a growing awareness within the workforce and beyond of the importance of reporting suspected wrongdoing to the OIG so that we can examine the circumstances and take such action as may be appropriate, and we will continue to work actively to encourage persons to come forward to provide our office with such critical information. This is the eighth semiannual report that the OIG has issued since I came on board as the IG [Inspector General] here, and I am pleased that it will be the eighth such report for which we prepare an unclassified version that we release publicly on our independent website, [https://oig.nsa.gov], as well on the aggregator site for public reporting that is operated by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), [https://www.oversight.gov]."
United States. National Security Agency. Office of Inspector General
2022-01-28?
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Supreme Court Nominations, 1789 to 2020: Actions by the Senate, the Judiciary Committee, and the President [Updated January 28, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The procedure for appointing a Justice to the Supreme Court of the United States is provided for by the Constitution in only a few words. The 'Appointments Clause' (Article II, Section 2, clause 2) states that the President 'shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint ... Judges of the supreme Court.' The process of appointing Justices has undergone changes over two centuries, but its most basic feature--the sharing of power between the President and Senate--has remained unchanged. To receive a lifetime appointment to the Court, a candidate must first be nominated by the President and then confirmed by the Senate. An important role also has come to be played midway in the process (after the President selects, but before the Senate considers) by the Senate Judiciary Committee. On rare occasions, Presidents also have made Supreme Court appointments without the Senate's consent, when the Senate was in recess. Such 'recess appointments,' however, were temporary, with their terms expiring at the end of the Senate's next session. The last recess appointments to the Court were made in the 1950s."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McMillion, Barry J.
2022-01-28
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Supreme Court Appointment Process: President's Selection of a Nominee [Updated January 28, 2022]
From the Summary: "The appointment of a Supreme Court Justice is an event of major significance in American politics. Each appointment is of consequence because of the enormous judicial power the Supreme Court exercises as the highest appellate court in the federal judiciary. Appointments are usually infrequent, as a vacancy on the nine-member Court may occur only once or twice, or never at all, during a particular President's years in office. Under the Constitution, Justices on the Supreme Court receive what can amount to lifetime appointments which, by constitutional design, helps ensure the Court's independence from the President and Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McMillion, Barry J.
2022-01-28
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Stop the Presses? Newspapers in the Digital Age [January 28, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Digital communication has made it easier for individuals to access a wide range of information, including news and upcoming events, from multiple sources. For example, information about an upcoming concert might be advertised in a local newspaper, posted on the performers' website, and shared on social media. This digital transformation has changed the consumption and production of news and reduced revenues at local newspapers. Some Members of Congress have expressed concern about the decline of newspapers and have introduced bills to support newspapers and journalists. This report provides an overview of trends in the newspaper industry, discusses newspapers' relationships with online platforms, and examines how the structure of online advertising affects newspapers' funding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Scherer, Dana A.; Cho, Clare Y.
2022-01-28
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SelectUSA: U.S. Inbound Investment Promotion [Updated January 28, 2022]
From the Document: "U.S. efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) primarily take place at U.S. state and local levels, such as through economic development organizations (EDOs), which work to attract business investment locally and regionally. At the same time, federal efforts to coordinate investment promotion also exist. Such efforts currently are focused through SelectUSA, a Department of Commerce program established in 2011 (Executive Order 13577). SelectUSA aims to coordinate federal efforts to attract and retain 'job-creating' business investment in the United States. The program focuses both on drawing foreign investors to the United States and working to 're-shore' U.S. firms. Given the potential economic and competitiveness implications of U.S. efforts to attract inbound FDI, and the specific impacts that such activity may have on U.S. districts and states, Members of Congress may be interested in better understanding SelectUSA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias
2022-01-28
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Justice Breyer Retires: Initial Considerations [January 28, 2022]
From the Document: "On January 27, 2022, Justice Stephen G. Breyer announced [hyperlink] that he would retire from active service as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court at the end of the Court's current Term, 'assuming that by then [his] successor has been nominated and confirmed.' This Legal Sidebar provides an overview of key legal issues that Congress (and particularly the Senate, through its advice-and-consent role) may consider as it reflects on Justice Breyer's tenure on the Court and how his successor might shape the Court's future jurisprudence. The discussion below summarizes Justice Breyer's approach to judging generally before highlighting several areas where Justice Breyer staked out significant legal positions, both through majority opinions and dissents that he authored and through his votes. As the decisions cited below illustrate, Justice Breyer's pragmatic approach has generally led him to prefer standards, which would allow judges to consider all the relevant circumstances, over strict rules. He has frequently taken fact-specific [hyperlink] approaches to resolving cases and interpreting statutes by looking to their context [hyperlink] and operation [hyperlink]."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brannon, Valerie C.; Garcia, Michael John; Gunter, David . . .
2022-01-28
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections [Updated January 28, 2022]
From the Document: "This report provides the results of recent presidential elections in Latin America and the Caribbean. Below are three tables, organized by region, that include the date of each country's independence, the name of the most recently elected president or prime minister, and the projected date of the next presidential election. Information in this report was gathered from numerous sources, including the U.S. State Department, Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA's) World Fact Book, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Election Guide, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and other news sources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Davis-Castro, Carla Y.
2022-01-28
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 3163, Reform and Update Rural Access to Local Exams Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on December 15, 2021. From the Document: "S. 3163 would make changes to VA's processes for administering medical disability examinations to veterans in rural areas. [...] For this estimate, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] assumes that outlays will follow historical spending patterns for affected programs and that S. 3163 will be enacted during the middle of fiscal year 2022."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-01-28
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 5529, Veterans Justice Outreach Improvement Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on November 4, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 5529 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase awareness of its Veterans Justice Outreach Program (VJO) among veterans who have become involved with or processed through the criminal justice system, veterans service organizations, and law enforcement, court, and correctional officials. The program's purpose is to support veterans who have been arrested or jailed and may need services for mental health conditions, other physical health conditions, or homelessness."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-01-28
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Review of U.S. Coast Guard's Fiscal Year 2021 Drug Control Budget Formulation Compliance Report
From the Highlights: "The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Circular, National 'Drug Control Program Agency Compliance Reviews', requires National Drug Control Program agencies to submit to the ONDCP Director by February 1 of each year a detailed accounting of all funds expended for National Drug Control Program activities during the previous fiscal year. At least every 3 years, the Office of Inspector General is required to review the report and provide a conclusion about the reliability of each assertion made in the report. [...] Williams, Adley & Company - DC, LLP [limited liability partnerships] (Williams Adley), under contract with the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, issued an Independent Accountant's Report on the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) FY 2021 Drug Control Budget Formulation Compliance Report. USCG management prepared the Budget Formulation Compliance Report and the related assertions to comply with the requirements of the ONDCP Circular, 'National Drug Control Program Agency Compliance Reviews', dated September 9, 2021. Based on its review, nothing came to Williams Adley's attention that caused it to believe that USCG's FY 2021 Budget Formulation Compliance Report and related assertions are not presented in conformity with the criteria in the ONDCP Circular. Williams Adley did not make any recommendations as a result of its review."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2022-01-28
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COVID-19: Delays in Providing Disaster Relief Jeopardize $366 Million Disaster Worker Grant Program
From the Document: "On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act stimulus bill was passed by the 116th U.S. Congress. The CARES Act provided additional funding in the amount of $345 million to the Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) under Division B, Title VIII. This audit focused on funds allocated to the Disaster National Dislocated Worker Grants (DWG) reserve. From April to August 2020, ETA awarded 57 grants totaling $366 million. ETA used $248 million provided under the CARES Act, along with $118 million from ETA's regular National Dislocated Workers reserve funds for training and employment services and other necessary expenses directly related to the consequences of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. Prior Office of Inspector General audits have raised concerns about ETA's grant not achieving performance goals and ETA needing to provide better oversight of DWGs. [...] Lopez [The Lopez Group, LLP] made four recommendations to ETA to provide technical assistance to the states regarding grantee performance, provide close monitoring to ensure performance, establish written timelines for disaster relief action, and enforce existing procedures. ETA generally agreed with these recommendations and stated it has already taken corrective action."
United States. Department of Labor. Office of the Inspector General
2022-01-28
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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, January 28, 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: "Use of 15-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine and 20-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Among U.S. Adults: Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices -- United States, 2022"; "Effectiveness of a Third Dose of Pfizer-BioNTech [Biopharmaceutical New Technologies] and Moderna Vaccines in Preventing COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Hospitalization Among Immunocompetent and Immunocompromised Adults -- United States, August-December 2021"; "COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations by COVID-19 Vaccination Status and Previous COVID-19 Diagnosis -- California and New York, May-November 2021"; "COVID-19 Incidence and Death Rates Among Unvaccinated and Fully Vaccinated Adults with and Without Booster Doses During Periods of Delta and Omicron Variant Emergence -- 25 U.S. Jurisdictions, April 4-December 25, 2021"; "Effectiveness of a Third Dose of mRNA [Messenger RNA] 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"; "Trends in Disease Severity and Health Care Utilization During the Early Omicron Variant Period Compared with Previous SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] High Transmission Periods -- United States, December 2020-January 2022"; "'Notes from the Field': Increased Incidence of Fentanyl-Related Deaths Involving 'Para'-fluorofentanyl or Metonitazene -- Knox County, Tennessee, November 2020- August 2021"; "Erratum: Vol. 70, No. 1"; "Erratum: Vol. 70, No. 2"; and "'QuickStats': Percentage of Adults Aged ≥18 Years with Diagnosed Diabetes, by Disability Status and Age Group -- National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2020." 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.)
2022-01-28
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Review of U.S. Coast Guard's Fiscal Year 2021 Detailed Accounting Report for Drug Control Funds
From the Highlights: "The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Circular, 'National Drug Control Program Agency Compliance Reviews', requires National Drug Control Program agencies to submit to the ONDCP Director by February 1 each year a detailed accounting of all funds expended for National Drug Control Program activities during the previous fiscal year. At least every 3 years, the Office of Inspector General is required to review the agency's submission and provide a conclusion about the reliability of each assertion in the report. [...] Williams, Adley & Company - DC, LLP [limited liability partnerships] (Williams Adley), under contract with the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, issued an Independent Accountant's Report on U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) Detailed Accounting Report. USCG management prepared the Table of FY 2021 Drug Control Obligations and related assertions to comply with the requirements of the ONDCP Circular, 'National Drug Control Program Agency Compliance Reviews', dated September 9, 2021. Based on its review, nothing came to Williams Adley's attention that caused it to believe that the Coast Guard's FY 2021 Detailed Accounting Report and related assertions are not presented in conformity with criteria in the Circular. Williams Adley did not make any recommendations as a result of its review."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2022-01-28
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Decommissioning 3G Networks: Impact on Consumer Devices [January 28, 2022]
From the Background: "For network operators, decommissioning allows them to focus resources on 5G [fifth generation technology] networks, which many in Congress see as critical to maintaining U.S. leadership and competitiveness in the global telecommunication market. Meanwhile, consumers who have older (3G) [third generation technology] devices have voiced concern to Members that once providers turn off 3G networks, they will no longer be able to use their cell phones to access critical services, including 9-1-1. While providers have informed consumers of the 3G decommissioning and offered upgrades to newer-generation phones, there are often added costs to consumers. Additionally, other devices, such as home alarm systems, personal medical alert systems, court-ordered ankle monitors, and vehicle safety technologies rely on 3G networks and may be affected by the 3G shutdown."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gallagher, Jill C.
2022-01-28
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Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) [Updated January 28, 2022]
From the Document: "Ex-Im Bank, the official U.S. export credit agency (ECA), provides financing and insurance to facilitate U.S. goods and services exports to support U.S. jobs, pursuant to a renewable, general statutory charter (Export-Import Bank Act of 1945, as amended; 12 U.S.C. §§635 et seq.). It aims to support U.S. exports when the private sector is unwilling or unable to do so, and/or when competing against ECA-backed foreign exporters. It is demand-driven, fee-based, and backed by the U.S. government's full faith and credit."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias
2022-01-28
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2102, Supporting Expanded Review for Veterans in Combat Environments Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on July 28, 2021. From the Document: "S. 2102 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to extend eligibility for mammographic screenings to any veteran who, after September 11, 2001, served in locations associated with exposure to toxic substances or who served in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf war. Under current law, the department provides mammograms to veterans who are 40 or older. The bill would expand eligibility for mammographic screening for post-9/11 veterans who are under 40 years of age. All veterans from the Persian Gulf War are now at least 48 years of age and eligible for mammograms from VA under current law."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-01-28
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NIH RECOVER: A Multi-Site Observational Study of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Adults
From the Brief Summary: "This is a combined retrospective and prospective, longitudinal, observational meta-cohort of individuals who will enter the cohort with and without SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] infection and at varying stages before and after infection. Individuals with and without SARS-CoV2 infection and with or without PASC [post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection] symptoms will be followed to identify risk factors and occurrence of PASC. This study will be conducted in the United States and subjects will be recruited through inpatient, outpatient, and community-based settings. Study data including age, demographics, social determinants of health, medical history, vaccination history, details of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, overall health and physical function, and PASC symptom screen will be reported by subjects or collected from the electronic health record using a case report form at specified intervals. Biologic specimens will be collected at specified intervals, with some tests performed in local clinical laboratories and others performed by centralized research centers or banked in the Biospecimen Repository. Advanced clinical examinations and radiologic examinations will be performed at local study sites with cross-site standardization."
NYU Langone Health
2022-01-28?
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Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Traffic Incident Management
From the Document: "Serious and fatal traffic incident investigations require detailed measurements that often close roadways for extended periods. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have proven to be effective in reducing the amount of time needed to document fatal crash scenes, and there is great potential for their application to other traffic incident management (TIM) related purposes, including, but not limited to: [1] Situational awareness[;] [2] Detour route monitoring[;] [3] Incident verification[;] [4] Queue detection and monitoring[;] [5] Secondary crash detection[;] [and 6] Response vehicle routing UAS encompass the hardware and software components required for the flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly referred to as a 'drone.' UAS are battery-operated aircraft remotely controlled by a pilot to capture images using high-definition digital cameras. Software is also available that enables the pilot to establish the perimeter of an area the UAS will fly and the pattern it will use. UAS are well-suited for many tasks, and the cost to operate is a fraction of manned air operations."
United States. Department of Transportation; United States. Federal Highway Administration
Jodoin, Paul; Austrich, James; Tebo, Joseph
2022-01-28
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COVID States Project: A 50-State COVID-19 Survey Report #80: Americans' Views on Violence Against the Government
From the Document: "Recent years have seen armed protests, threats, and violence against government officials following mask mandates, COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] related closures [hyperlink], and the 2020 election [hyperlink] (including, most notably, the deadly January 6, 2021 attack on the US capitol). These events have sparked concern about the state of American democracy and the safety of government officials. In this report, we examine Americans' attitudes toward the acceptability of violent protest against the government."
Northeastern University (Boston, Mass.); Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy; Harvard Medical School . . .
Safarpour, Alauna; Santillana, Mauricio; Druckman, James N., 1971- . . .
2022-01-28
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Personnel Mobility Program: Improved Guidance Could Help Federal Agencies Address Skills Gaps and Maximize Other Benefits, Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Government Operations, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Federal agencies need skilled personnel to address the complex social, economic, and security challenges facing the United States. The mobility program, established under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970, can help agencies address their mission critical skills gaps with temporary assignments. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review OPM's [Office of Personnel Management's] oversight over the personnel mobility program. This report examines, among other things, the frequency with which selected agencies used the mobility program from fiscal years 2016 - 2020; selected agencies' management of the program's costs; and OPM's tracking of agencies' use of the program. GAO selected four agencies for review. These agencies were selected as potential frequent users of the program based on a literature review and interviews with agency officials. For the selected agencies, GAO (1) reviewed a selection of 53 program agreements; (2) reviewed policies, procedures, and guidance documents; (3) analyzed mobility program data in OPM's database; and (4) interviewed officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01-27
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KC-46 Tanker: Air Force Needs to Mature Critical Technologies in New Aerial Refueling System Design, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "The KC-46 tanker is among the Air Force's highest acquisition priorities as it is intended to replace one-third of the aging aerial refueling tanker fleet. Aerial refueling--the transfer of fuel from airborne tankers to combat and airlift forces while in flight--is critical to the U.S. military's ability to operate globally. GAO [Government Accountability Office] received a request to review the KC-46 program. In addition, a House Report included a provision for GAO to review the Department of Defense's (DOD) use of contracted aerial refueling services. This report reviews the KC-46 program and assesses: (1) the Air Force and Boeing's steps to address critical deficiencies; (2) the Air Force's plans to conduct a technology readiness assessment and maturation plan for critical technologies; and (3) DOD's actions to address potential aerial refueling gaps, including the use of contracted refueling services. GAO assessed documentation and interviewed officials from the KC-46 program office, Air Force, DOD, and Boeing, among others."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01-27
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Cybersecurity of DER Systems Cybersecurity Training for State Commissions [presentation]
From the Presentation: "[1] 'Should Solar/DER [Distributed Energy Resources] care about cyber "now?"' [2] 'Should State Utility Commissions care about DER cyber "now?"' [3] An Example: An order of magnitude comparison[;] [4] Western Interconnection Grid (i.e. west of the Rockies)[;] [5] Loss of Palo Verde 2,000 MW [megawatt]: Largest contingency event[;] [6] Rooftop/small solar in the West: ~30,000 MW[:] [a] This represents about 65% of all solar in the West, none of which is required to follow NERC CIP [North American Electric Reliability Corporation critical infrastructure protection][;] [b] And there is no widely recognized alternative cyber compliance standard for rooftop solar/DER."
United States. Department of Energy; National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S.)
Miller, Jeremiah; Saleem, Danish
2022-01-27?
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DoD October 14th Outreach Event - Engagement with PFAS Stakeholders Questions & Answers
From the Document: "'1. How are you sure replacement foams are PFAS free? Are you conducting additional testing from manufacturers?' ('From Andrea Amico, Testing for Pease') 'Response:' We are currently developing a test method that is sensitive enough to measure 1 ppb [parts per billion] or less of total PFAS [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances] in firefighting foam. Once developed, we expect the test method to become a requirement for qualification of PFAS-free foams in the new Military Specification (MILSPEC) that will be published in January 2023. '2. What are fluorine free foams made of and what makes them effective?' ('From Andrea Amico, Testing for Pease') 'Response:' The manufacturers of PFAS-free foams use a variety of chemistries to put out fuel fires. We are still conducting fire performance tests to determine which chemistries are most effective, and we are continuing to conduct basic research through DoD's Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) program. '3. Are there any circumstances where foams with PFAS will always be used within DoD?' ('From Andrea Amico, Testing for Pease') 'Response:' Yes, AFFF [aqueous film forming foam] remains our only viable option currently for fire suppression aboard DoD vessels."
United States. Department of Defense
2022-01-27?
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Overview of the Global Humanitarian and Displacement Crisis [Updated January 27, 2022]
From the Document: "Humanitarian and displacement crises worldwide have become significantly worse in the past five years. The ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated humanitarian need. In addition, lockdowns and economic recession have created far-reaching secondary impacts such as increased food insecurity, gender-based violence, poverty, and reduced access to education and health. In 2022, the United Nations (U.N.) anticipates that globally more than 274 million people will require humanitarian assistance and protection due to conflict, disaster, and the pandemic (a 39% increase in two years). The United States is the single largest humanitarian and emergency food assistance donor, consistently providing nearly one-third of total assistance worldwide (more than $11.46 billion in FY2021) through global accounts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Margesson, Rhoda
2022-01-27
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Global Refugee Resettlement: Selected Issues and Questions [Updated January 27, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress has demonstrated a continued interest in refugee 'resettlement', although such opportunities are available to only a tiny percentage of the global refugee population. (For more information on the refugee 'admissions' process to the United States, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL31269, 'Refugee Admissions and Resettlement Policy'.) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) travel bans have affected global resettlement travel at different points since March 2020."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Margesson, Rhoda
2022-01-27
