Advanced search Help
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
H. Rept. 117-346, Part 1: Protecting Our Kids Act, Report Together with Minority Views, to Accompany H.R. 7910, June 6, 2022
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 7910, the 'Protecting Our Kids Act' is a comprehensive bill that contains numerous measures focused on addressing gun violence, gun safety, responsible gun ownership, regulation of certain firearms and components, gun trafficking, and public safety. The bill was introduced on May 31, 2022, by Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), with Crime Subcommittee Chairwoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), and Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA) as original cosponsors."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-06-06
-
FEMA's Community Disaster Loan Program: Loan Forgiveness [June 6, 2022]
From the Document: "Local governments often need financial assistance following major disasters. Such incidents can cause businesses to close, people to lose jobs, and other events that decrease tax revenue, making it difficult for local governments to perform critical functions, sometimes for years after the event. To assist in these scenarios, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has for several decades offered Community Disaster Loans (CDLs) to help local governments with disaster-related revenue shortfalls. The loans are available to local governments that have experienced a presidentially declared major disaster and apply through their state governor's office. CDLs are one component of the federal government's suite of emergency relief programs. CDLs are typically capped by Congress at $5 million and are conditioned on five-year terms, with FEMA able to extend the term to 10 years based on the local government's financial condition. In some cases, FEMA may offer partial or full CDL forgiveness without legislative action. Congress may also choose to forgive the loans. Most recently, on September 30, 2021, Congress forgave all outstanding CDLs (totaling about $860 million) in a continuing resolution (P.L. 117-43). This action extended debate about the structure of the CDL program, which has continued disbursing funds since the forgiveness."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Levin, Adam G.
2022-06-06
-
2022 Summit of the Americas [Updated June 6, 2022]
From the Background: "The Summits of the Americas were established in the early 1990s during a brief period of broad political consensus in the Western Hemisphere. After decades of civil war and military rule, 34 of the 35 countries in the region had established elected civilian democracies. Likewise, following the end of the Cold War, most of the governments in the region had moved away from state-led development in favor of economic liberalization. To build on those shared values and develop a common agenda for the hemisphere's future, President Bill Clinton invited the democratically elected heads of government in the hemisphere to attend the first Summit of the Americas in Miami in 1994. The summit attendees approved a comprehensive plan of action [hyperlink] with 23 separate initiatives, the most prominent of which was an agreement to work toward the creation of a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Although the FTAA was never realized, the negotiating process intensified regional dialogue on trade, leading to numerous bilateral and regional free trade agreements."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.
2022-06-06
-
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: Estimated Budgetary Effects of H.R. 7667, the Food and Drug Amendments of 2022 Act
From the Document: "H.R. 7667 would reauthorize the collection and spending of user fees by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for activities related to the approval and marketing of prescription drugs and medical devices. The bill also would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in part to change processes and procedures for regulating, manufacturing, and marketing certain prescription drugs, medical devices, and other medical products."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-06-06
-
Building Alliances for Climate Action: Advancing Climate Action Through Partnerships
From the Document: "We have the incredible opportunity to take action and become a climate-resilient nation. After all, we have no choice. To become climate resilient requires collective action. Our efforts must take a Whole-of-Government and Whole Community approach. The 'Resilient Nation Partnership Network' is working to address this through partnership. The result of our collective action is this 'Building Alliances for Climate Action' resource. It is the work of many organizations and individuals, including federal representatives, faith leaders, community-based organizations, mayors and many more. At a time when many are searching for direction on how to address the climate crisis, this resource represents a unifying voice, helping guide the Whole Community forward. 'Building Alliances for Climate Action' is more than a resource. It tells a story of a future that is hopeful and bright. The only way we achieve that future is together."
Resilient Nation Partnership Network; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
2022-06-06?
-
Report of the Attorney General Pursuant to Section 8(b)(iv) of Executive Order 14067: How to Strengthen International Law Enforcement Cooperation for Detecting, Investigating, and Prosecuting Criminal Activity Related to Digital Assets
From the Introduction and Executive Summary: "On March 9, 2022, the President issued an Executive Order on Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets (hereinafter 'the Executive Order'). Section 8(b)(iv) of the Executive Order directed the Attorney General to submit a report on how to strengthen international law enforcement cooperation for detecting, investigating, and prosecuting criminal activity related to digital assets. [...] The United States supports the responsible use and development of digital assets. This Report focuses on the criminal misuse of digital assets, the most common of which are cryptocurrencies. The perceived pseudonymity of cryptocurrencies makes them attractive vehicles for money laundering and other criminal exploits, and their widespread promotion as investment vehicles has led to opportunities for criminals to target consumers and retail investors--particularly those who seek to profit from investing in this emerging financial ecosystem, but are unfamiliar with the technology and the attendant risks of the market. Criminal actors leverage the innovation, claims of decentralization, and anonymizing features of cryptocurrencies to facilitate criminal conduct in all corners of the world. The cross-border nature of digital asset technologies accordingly requires collaboration with foreign law enforcement partners to locate and gather electronic records and digital evidence involving off-shore digital asset issuers, trading platforms, service providers, and other online infrastructure; to seize and prevent further distribution of digital assets linked to crime; and to identify and hold responsible criminal actors who exploit pseudonymity features of the Internet and decentralized finance (DeFi) technologies to avoid detection and prosecution."
United States. Department of Justice
Garland, Merrick B. (Merrick Brian), 1952-
2022-06-06
-
Public Law 117-130: Homeland Security for Children Act
"An Act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to ensure that the needs of children are considered in homeland security planning, and for other purposes. [...] Section 102 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 [...] is amended by adding at the end of the following new subsection: '[...] The Secretary shall ensure the head of each office and component of the Department takes into account the needs of children, including children within underserved communities, in mission planning and mission execution. In furtherance of this subsection, the Secretary shall require each such head to seek, to the extent practicable, advice and feedback from organizations representing the needs of children. The Federal Advisory Committee Act [...] shall not apply whenever such advice or feedback is sought in accordance with this subsection.'"
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-06-06
-
H. Rept. 117-340, Part 1: For the Relief of Median El-Moustrah, Report to Accompany H.R. 739, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, June 3, 2022
From the Document: "H.R. 739, 'For the relief of Median El-Moustrah,' would provide the beneficiary of this private bill, Mr. El-Moustrah, with an opportunity to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the United States. Median El-Moustrah was born in Lebanon and has lived in the United States for nearly 30 years. In 1993, he was granted conditional permanent residence based on his marriage to Ms. Patricia Stack, a U.S. citizen. Shortly after obtaining such status, the couple began having marital problems, separated, and divorced. Mr. El-Moustrah's petition to remove the conditions on his permanent residence was denied and he was placed in removal proceedings. He was ordered removed in 2011, after an immigration judge determined that he failed to overcome the statutory presumption that his marriage was not bona fide. On June 4, 2007, Mr. El-Moustrah married his current spouse, Ayda Mehri, a U.S. citizen, and became stepfather to her three U.S. citizen children, who are now grown. Mr. El-Moustrah is part-owner of a gas station, which serves as the primary source of income for his household. On April 26, 2018, Mr. El-Moustrah was scheduled for removal by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but removal was suspended at the direction of the ICE Field Medical Coordinator. In November 2019, Mr. El-Moustrah was detained by ICE, but was released in March 2020 due to his elevated risk of serious complications resulting from exposure to COVID-19 [Coronavirus Disease 2019]. Since January 2013, Mr. El-Moustrah has been granted successive stays of removal, most recently on August 11, 2020, for a period of six months. He is currently enrolled in a monthly telephonic check-in program with the ICE Field Office in Detroit."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-06-03
-
H.Rept 117-341, Part 1: For the Relief of Maria Isabel Bueso Barrera, Alberto Bueso Mendoza, and Karla Maria Barrera De Bueso, Report to Accompany H.R. 785, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, June 3, 2022
From the Document: "H.R. 785, 'For the relief of Maria Isabel Bueso Barrera, Alberto Bueso Mendoza, and Karla Maria Barrera De Bueso' would provide the beneficiaries of this private bill with an opportunity to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the United States. [...] In 2004, the Bueso family arrived in the United States from Guatemala on B-2 visitor visas so that Maria Isabel could participate in a clinical trial and receive treatment for a rare medical disorder, mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI). The family maintained lawful nonimmigrant status in the United States through August 2009, at which time they were granted deferred action by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), based on Maria Isabel's medical condition. USCIS extended the family's deferred action until August 13, 2019, when it abruptly announced that it would no longer consider deferred action requests except those involving members of the U.S. military and their families. On September 2, 2019, USCIS announced that it would reopen and reconsider non-military deferred action requests that were pending on August 7, 2020.1 On September 9, 2021, the family was granted deferred action until September 6, 2023."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-06-03
-
H. Rept. 117-342: Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2021, Together with Minority Views, Report to Accompany H.R. 2377, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, June 3, 2022
From the Purpose and Summary: "On average, more than 100 Americans are lost to gun violence every day, and more than 200 are injured in gun-related incidents. These shootings include individual shootings, mass shootings, and suicides. Often, there are signs that shooters are a danger to themselves or others before a life is lost. These warning signs create an opportunity for intervention that can save lives, if there is a tool in place to prevent access to firearms. H.R. 2377, the ''Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2021,'' would establish procedures for obtaining an order in federal court to temporarily prohibit access to firearms when people are shown to be a danger to themselves or others, and such an order is necessary to prevent that danger."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-06-03
-
MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 3, 2022: Monkeypox Outbreak -- Nine States, May 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: "Monkeypox Outbreak -- Nine States, May 2022." 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.)
2022-06-03
-
Carbon Dioxide Pipelines: Safety Issues [June 3, 2022]
From the Document: "Carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines are essential components of 'carbon capture and storage (CCS)' [hyperlink] systems which are proposed to reduce atmospheric emissions of man-made CO2, a greenhouse gas. Pipelines are needed to transport the CO2 from where it is captured (e.g., power plants) to the underground geologic formations where it can be stored. Approximately '5,000 miles of pipeline' [hyperlink] already carry CO2 in the United States, primarily linking natural CO2 sources to aging oil fields where the CO2 is used for 'enhanced oil recovery' [hyperlink]. However, a much more expansive CO2 pipeline network could be needed for CCS to meet national goals for greenhouse gas reduction. One 'recent study' [hyperlink] suggests that such a network could total some 66,000 miles of pipeline by 2050, requiring some $170 billion in new capital investment. Because CO2 in high concentrations can be hazardous to human health, building out a national CO2 pipeline network raises safety issues which may affect nearby communities and may hinder CCS deployment."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Parfomak, Paul W.
2022-06-03
-
Deep Fakes and National Security [Updated June 3, 2022]
From the Document: "'Deep fakes'--a term that first emerged in 2017 to describe realistic photo, audio, video, and other forgeries generated with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies--could present a variety of national security challenges in the years to come. As these technologies continue to mature, they could hold significant implications for congressional oversight, U.S. defense authorizations and appropriations, and the regulation of social media platforms. [...] Though media manipulation is not a new phenomenon, the use of AI to generate deep fakes is causing concern because the results are increasingly realistic, rapidly created, and cheaply made with freely available software and the ability to rent processing power through cloud computing. Thus, even unskilled operators could download the requisite software tools and, using publically available data, create increasingly convincing counterfeit content."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.; Harris, Laurie A.
2022-06-03
-
MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 3, 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: "Pediatric Melatonin Ingestions -- United States, 2012-2021"; "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths Among American Indian or Alaska Native Persons -- Alaska, 2020-2021"; "Use of JYNNEOS (Smallpox and Monkeypox Vaccine, Live, Nonreplicating) for Preexposure Vaccination of Persons at Risk for Occupational Exposure to Orthopoxviruses: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices -- United States, 2022"; "Notes from the Field: Lead Poisoning in a Family of Five Resulting from Use of Traditional Glazed Ceramic Ware -- New York City, 2017-2022"; "Notes from the Field: Influenza A(H3N2) Outbreak Following a School Event -- Los Angeles, California, March 2022"; "QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged ≥18 Years Who Always Use Sunscreen When Outside for >1 Hour on a Sunny Day, by Sex 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 [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2022.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2022-06-03
-
Nicaragua in Brief: Political Developments and U.S. Policy [Updated June 3, 2022]
From the Overview: "President Daniel Ortega declared he won a fifth--and fourth consecutive--term, in November 7, 2021, elections that the international community widely condemned as having no democratic legitimacy. In 2021, increasing government crackdowns in Nicaragua against the opposition, journalists, and government critics elevated international concerns, including among Members of Congress, about political developments, human rights violations, the erosion of democracy, and the turn toward greater authoritarianism in the country. The U.S. Department of State, the Organization of American States (OAS), and other international actors have declared that Nicaragua's elections were not free or fair and lacked democratic legitimacy. Ortega is a polarizing figure both at home and abroad for what many characterize as his increasingly authoritarian rule and oppressive actions. Ortega did not carry out electoral and human rights reforms recommended by the international community, leading the domestic opposition and international community to contest their legitimacy. The elections have assured Ortega and his party's continuance in power for the time being."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Taft-Morales, Maureen
2022-06-03
-
U.S. Food Price Inflation and Agriculture Policy [June 3, 2022]
From the Document: "U.S. food price inflation has accelerated in 2022 ('Figure 1'). The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food rose by 9.4% [hyperlink] between April 2021 and April 2022, the largest 12-month increase between consecutive Aprils since 1981. Current food price inflation can be due to general inflationary pressure on the economy as well as food-specific factors, which may vary by the type of food. Rising food prices present challenges for many U.S. consumers, particularly low-income consumers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rosch, Stephanie; Monke, Jim
2022-06-03
-
Election Worker Safety and Privacy [Updated June 3, 2022]
From the Document: "Concerns about election workers' safety and privacy have been reported following the 2020 election, [hyperlink] in news reports and testimony before House and Senate committees. Some election workers have raised concerns about physical safety while performing official duties, as well as more general threats outside the workplace or related psychological effects. These threats, along with a perceived increase in politically motivated job scrutiny, have led some to leave, or consider leaving, their roles. This Insight provides a brief overview of recent developments, legislative proposals, and policy considerations related to election worker safety and privacy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eckman, Sarah J.; Shanton, Karen L.
2022-06-03
-
Initial Summary Analysis of Responses to the Request for Information (RFI) Evaluating and Improving Cybersecurity Resources: The Cybersecurity Framework and Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management
From the Introduction: "On February 22, 2022, NIST issued a public Request for Information (RFI), 'Evaluating and Improving NIST [National Institute of Standards and Technology] Cybersecurity Resources: The Cybersecurity Framework [CSF] and Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management.' [hyperlink] The RFI sought information on the use of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework as well as recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the Framework and its alignment with other cybersecurity resources. The RFI also sought suggestions to inform other cybersecurity efforts at NIST, especially related to supply chain cybersecurity risks. When the RFI was issued, Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves stated [hyperlink]: 'Every organization needs to manage cybersecurity risk as a part of doing business, whether it is in industry, government or academia...It is critical to their resilience and to our nation's economic security. There are many tools available to help, and the CSF is one of the leading frameworks for private sector cybersecurity maintenance. We want private and public sector organizations to help make it even more useful and widely used, including by small companies.' This document represents an initial, high-level summary of the RFI responses. NIST received more than 130 RFI responses, including many comments submitted jointly by multiple organizations or associations representing numerous organizations. The responses can be found on the NIST CSF website. [hyperlink]"
National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.)
2022-06-03
-
Australia [Updated June 2, 2022]
From the Overview: "Australia is a key U.S. ally and trade and investment partner at a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific. The United States and Australia enjoy close people-to-people, trade and investment, political, cultural, intelligence, defense, and alliance relations. In recent years, as Australia's relations with China have become strained, Australia and the United States have strengthened their partnership. This includes the announcement of the Australia, United Kingdom, United States (AUKUS) agreement, which will provide Australia with nuclear propulsion technology for its next generation submarines, and provides for the three countries to jointly develop advanced military technology and other capabilities. Australia's ties with the United States, Japan, and India have been boosted through the developing Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the 'Quad.' In addition, Australia signed a reciprocal access agreement with Japan in January 2022 designed to facilitate closer defense cooperation between the two nations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-
2022-06-02
-
U.S.-EU Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework [Updated June 2, 2022]
From the Document: "In March 2022, the United States and the European Union (EU) announced a political agreement on a new Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy (TADP) Framework to safeguard commercial cross-border data flows. For decades, data privacy and protection issues have been sticking points in U.S.-EU relations. The new framework aims to meet EU data protection obligations and facilitate transatlantic trade."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fefer, Rachel F.; Archick, Kristin
2022-06-02
-
Army's Project Convergence [Updated June 2, 2022]
From the Document: "Project Convergence is what the Army calls a 'campaign of learning,' designed to further integrate the Army into the Joint Force. It is how the Army intends to play a role in Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2), the Department of Defense's (DOD's) plan to connect sensors and weapon systems from all the military services--Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force--as well as Special Operations Forces (SOF), into a single network which, theoretically, could prove faster and more effective in responding to threats from peer competitors. Designed around five core elements--soldiers, weapons systems, command and control, information, and terrain-- Army Futures Command (AFC) plans to run Project Convergence on an annual basis. The Army intends to conduct experiments with technology, equipment, and solicit soldier feedback throughout the year, culminating in an annual exercise or demonstration. In basic terms, the Army reportedly wants to 'take the service's big ideas for future warfare and test them in the real world. The Army wants to figure out what works and what needs fixing--and figure that out as early as possible, when it's much cheaper to make changes.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2022-06-02
-
DHS Budget Request Analysis: FY2023 [June 2, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the third largest agency in the federal government in terms of staffing, with roughly 252,000 civilian and military personnel. The annual appropriations bill that funds it--providing more than $81 billion in FY2022--is the seventh largest of the 12 annual funding measures developed by the appropriations committees, and is the only appropriations bill that funds a single agency in its entirety and nothing else. This report provides an overview of the Biden Administration's FY2023 annual budget request for the Department of Homeland Security. It provides a component-level overview of the appropriations sought in the FY2023 budget request, and puts the requested appropriations in context with the FY2022 requested and enacted level of appropriations, while noting some of the factors behind the larger changes from those baselines."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Painter, William L.
2022-06-02
-
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 7606, Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022
From the Document: "H.R. 7606 would establish the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote competition in the food and agriculture sectors. The bill also would authorize that office to investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921. H.R. 7606 would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to appoint a special investigator to head the new office and to serve as a liaison to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. The special investigator also would consult with the Department of Homeland Security regarding critical infrastructure in the food and agricultural sector. For this estimate, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] assumes that the legislation will be enacted late in fiscal year 2022; thus, any costs in 2022 would not be significant. Using information from the agency, CBO expects that USDA would hire 10 attorneys and other professionals to support the office at a cost of $2 million per year, though costs in 2023 would be lower because it would take time to hire all the staff. CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 7606 would cost $9 million over the 2022-2027 period; any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Because the costs of implementing the bill are subject to future appropriation, CBO did not include the potential effects from behavioral changes (if any) that might result from actions the new office would undertake."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-06-02
-
Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections [Updated June 2, 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 compiled 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.
2022-06-02
-
Weapons Systems Annual Assessment: Challenges to Fielding Capabilities Faster Persist, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Congress included a provision in statute for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review DOD's weapon programs. This report, GAO's 20th annual assessment, assesses the following aspects of DOD's costliest weapon programs: their characteristics and performance, and their implementation of knowledge-based acquisition practices, modern software development approaches, and cybersecurity practices. The report also describes industrial base challenges reported by weapon programs and DOD's efforts to assess these challenges. GAO identified programs for review based on cost and acquisition status; reviewed relevant legislation and policy; collected program office data; and interviewed DOD officials. [...] GAO is making two recommendations including that DOD update its industrial base assessment instruction to define the circumstances that would constitute a known or projected problem or substantial risk that a necessary industrial capability may be lost. DOD concurred with the recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
-
Economic and Commercial Diplomacy: State and Commerce Could Build on Efforts to Improve Coordination and Effectiveness, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The U.S. government has maintained an economic and commercial diplomacy program to help advance its national interests abroad in the global economy. State and Commerce have key roles in supporting U.S. businesses on foreign markets. The Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019 includes provisions focused on the efforts of these agencies to support U.S. businesses abroad through economic and commercial diplomacy. The act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on several issues related to State's and Commerce's efforts to support U.S. commercial interests abroad. This report examines the coordination and effectiveness of State's and Commerce's efforts. To examine these efforts, GAO assessed them against leading collaboration practices and federal standards. GAO also reviewed documentation; interviewed agency officials; reviewed program data; and analyzed State and Commerce performance data. [...] GAO is making 11 recommendations to State and Commerce to more fully incorporate leading collaboration practices into their MOU [memorandum of understanding] and joint cables, and one recommendation to State to consistently collect and record performance data. State and Commerce concurred with the recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
-
Defense Real Property: Developing Department-Wide Instructions and Adequate Internal Controls Should Help DOD Improve Recording of Transferred Assets, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "DOD manages one of the largest real property portfolios within the federal government. This engagement was initiated in connection with the statutory requirement for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to audit the U.S. government's consolidated financial statements. DOD remains the only major federal agency that has been unable to obtain a financial audit opinion, partially because of its material weakness in internal control over financial reporting for real property assets. [...] This report examines the instructions, approaches, and internal controls that the DOD components used to identify and record the real property assets to be transferred. GAO interviewed Office of the Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and component officials, reviewed instructions, and analyzed key data to determine the approaches and internal controls that the military services followed to identify and record the transfers. [...] GAO is recommending that as DOD implements a department-wide real property strategy, it develop detailed instructions with adequate internal controls to fully implement the updated policy. DOD concurred."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
-
Pandemic Learning: Less Academic Progress Overall, Student and Teacher Strain, and Implications for the Future, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic disrupted learning for millions of students, educators, and families. Its effects continue to reverberate across the nation and produce challenges for schools that will likely be felt for years to come. In many respects, the 2020-21 school year offers insights and lessons on the struggles and successes that schools, educators, and parents faced. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on its ongoing COVID-19 monitoring and oversight efforts. This report, the third in a series of three reports, examines (1) the effect of the pandemic on academic progress, and (2) implications, and strategies and resources identified by educators and parents to address ongoing challenges or future learning disruptions. To address these objectives, GAO contracted with Gallup to (1) conduct a nationally representative survey of elementary and secondary public school teachers and (2) arrange virtual discussion groups with teachers, principals, and parents of K [kindergarten]-12 students. The overall response rate was 8.2 percent (using the American Association for Public Opinion Research's response rate 3, which accounts for the estimated eligibility rate of non-respondents). GAO analyzed the resulting survey data and discussion group information. GAO estimated margins of error at the 95 percent confidence level."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
-
Electricity Grid: DOE Should Address Lessons Learned from Previous Disasters to Enhance Resilience, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Natural disasters, such as cyclones, earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, and severe storms--and the power outages resulting from these disasters--have affected millions of customers and cost billions of dollars. The growing severity of wildfires and extreme weather events in recent years has been a principal contributor to an increase in the frequency and duration of power outages in the U.S. Federal agencies, such as DOE [Department of Energy] and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, play a significant role in disaster response, recovery, and resilience. This report (1) identifies lessons learned from federal, state, and other entities' responses to selected disasters that affected the electricity grid from 2017 to 2021; and (2) examines federal agency actions to address those lessons learned. [...] GAO [Government Accountability Office] is making one recommendation: that DOE establish a comprehensive approach to enhance coordination among its disaster response, grid recovery, and technical assistance efforts, including integrating lessons learned from prior disasters. DOE agreed with GAO's recommendation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
-
Electronic Health Records: Additional DOD Actions Could Improve Cost and Schedule Estimating for New System, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "DOD operates one of the nation's largest health care systems providing health care to about 9.6 million beneficiaries. It relies on multiple legacy electronic health record systems to create, maintain, and manage patient health information. DOD determined that these systems, implemented over the past three decades, require modernization and replacement with a comprehensive, real-time electronic health record, MHS [Military Health System] GENESIS. [...] GAO [Government Accountability Office] is making two recommendations to DOD that it develop reliable cost and schedule estimates for the MHS GENESIS program that are consistent with GAO-identified best practices. DOD concurred with GAO's recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
