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).
-
Military Retirement: Background and Recent Developments [Updated July 28, 2022]
From the Summary: "The military retirement system is a government-funded, noncontributory, defined benefit system that has historically been viewed as a significant incentive in retaining a career military force. The system currently includes monthly compensation for qualified active and reserve retirees, disability benefits for those deemed medically unfit to serve, and a survivor annuity program for the eligible survivors of deceased retirees. The amount of compensation is dependent on time served, basic pay at retirement, and annual Cost-of-Living-Adjustments (COLAs). Military retirees are also entitled to nonmonetary benefits including health care benefits, exchange and commissary privileges, and access to Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) facilities and programs. Currently, there are three general categories of military retiree-active component, reserve component, and disability retiree. Active component personnel are eligible for retirement (i.e., vested) after completing 20 years of service (YOS). Reserve personnel are eligible after 20 years of creditable service based on a points system, but do not typically begin to draw retirement pay until age 60. Finally, those with a disability retirement do not need to have served 20 years to be eligible for retired pay; however, they must have been found unqualified for further service due to a permanent, stable disability."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kamarck, Kristy N.
2022-07-28
-
South Sudan [Updated July 28, 2022]
From the Document: "Peace has been elusive in South Sudan, which became the world's newest country in 2011. The civil war that erupted there in late 2013 featured widespread sexual violence, mass killings, and other atrocities. It displaced over a third of the population, creating what is still Africa's largest refugee crisis. More than 2 million people who fled to neighboring countries remain refugees. Another 2 million are displaced internally. By one study, nearly 400,000 died as a result of the war before the latest peace deal was signed in 2018. The ongoing crisis has prompted congressional action, including, most recently, S.Res. 473 and S.Res. 380. Whether the peace deal ended the war is debated. A ceasefire between the main signatories has largely held, but gains under the agreement are tenuous, and an insurgency in the southern Equatoria region continues. Communal violence, often tied to national political rivalries, has surged. The protracted humanitarian crisis is worsening: over two-thirds of the population--almost 9 million people, half of them children--are estimated to need aid. Facing multiple shocks and recurrent violence, much of the population have exhausted local coping mechanisms. Facing competing donor funding priorities and rising costs, aid agencies have had to reduce food aid, despite unprecedented need."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Lauren Ploch
2022-07-28
-
Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Current and Potential Programs [Updated July 28, 2022]
From the Document: "In the U.S. military, remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs) are most often called unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs), which are described as either a single air vehicle (with associated surveillance sensors) or a UAV system (UAS), which typically consists of an air vehicle paired with a ground control station (where the pilot actually sits) and support equipment. Although UAS are commonly operated as one aircraft paired with one ground system, the Department of Defense (DOD) often procures multiple aircraft with one ground control station. When combined with ground control stations and communication data links, UAVs form unmanned aircraft systems or UAS. [...] UAS roles and missions have evolved over time, from collecting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to performing air-to-ground attack missions. Further, some analysts predict future roles for UAS, such as air-to-air combat and combat search and rescue. However, a detailed discussion of future concepts and missions for UAS are outside the scope of this report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.; Kerr, Paul K.; Gertler, Jeremiah
2022-07-28
-
Supreme Court Rules That Migrant Protection Protocols Rescission Was Not Unlawful [July 28, 2022]
From the Document: "On June 30, 2022, the Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision held in 'Biden v. Texas' [hyperlink] that the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) rescission of the Migrant Protection Protocols [hyperlink] (MPP) did not violate federal immigration laws concerning the inspection and treatment of non-U.S. nationals ('aliens,' as the term is used in the Immigration and Nationality Act [hyperlink] [INA]) arriving in the United States. The MPP--also known as the 'Remain in Mexico' policy--began during the Trump Administration and authorized the return of some asylum seekers [hyperlink] arriving at the U.S. southern border to Mexico during the pendency of their formal removal proceedings."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Hillel R.
2022-07-28
-
Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress [July 28, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report presents background information and issues for Congress concerning the Navy's force structure and shipbuilding plans. The current and planned size and composition of the Navy, the annual rate of Navy ship procurement, the prospective affordability of the Navy's shipbuilding plans, and the capacity of the U.S. shipbuilding industry to execute the Navy's shipbuilding plans have been oversight matters for the congressional defense committees for many years. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's force-level goal, its proposed FY2023 shipbuilding program, and its longer-term shipbuilding plans. Decisions that Congress makes on this issue can substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-07-28
-
H. Rept. 117-446: Department of Homeland Security Seal Protection Act of 2022, Report to Accompany H.R. 7778, July 28, 2022
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 7778, the 'Department of Homeland Security Seal Protection Act of 2022,' prohibits the use of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) seal or colorable imitation of the seal in a manner that gives the false impression that the Department or its components have authorized such use except with the written permission of the Secretary of Homeland Security. This bill specifies that DHS personnel are permitted to use the seal while conducting official duties. In addition, the bill includes a provision to protect current lawful users of existing seal designs at the time of enactment."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-07-28
-
Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: European Union Responses and Implications for U.S.-EU Relations [Updated July 28, 2022]
From the Document: "The 27-member European Union (EU) has implemented a wide range of policy responses to Russia's 2022 war against Ukraine. EU actions [hyperlink] and coordination with the United States [hyperlink] are of interest to Congress given the EU's role as an important U.S. partner. [...] The EU has imposed several rounds [hyperlink] of increasingly punitive sanctions--or restrictive measures-- [hyperlink] intended [hyperlink] to cripple Russia's ability to finance the war against Ukraine, enact costs on Russia's elites, and diminish Russia's economic base. Imposing sanctions requires unanimity among EU members. Despite the EU's significant trade and investment ties to Russia [hyperlink], most EU sanctions were agreed swiftly. European reliance on Russian energy imports [hyperlink], however, has made targeting [hyperlink] such imports challenging [hyperlink], and the EU has not sanctioned Russian gas imports."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Archick, Kristin
2022-07-28
-
Intellectual Property: Forms of Federal IP Protection [infographic] [July 28, 2022]
From the Document: "Intellectual Property (IP) law comprises a set of rights to exclude others from making, copying, or using certain intangible creations of the human mind. At the U.S. federal level, IP includes four main forms of legal protection: patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. These legal protections are each distinct, although often confused, Each form of IP protects a different type of intellectual creation, has a different procedure for obtaining rights, and grants the IP owner rights that vary in scope and duration. This infographic compares these different forms of federal IP protection."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hickey, Kevin J.
2022-07-28
-
Protection of Health Information Under HIPAA and the FTC Act: A Comparison [July 28, 2022]
From the Document: "On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court decided 'Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization' [hyperlink], overturning 'Roe v. Wade', and holding that the U.S. Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. Following the decision, individual states [hyperlink] may begin to prohibit abortions or enforce preexisting bans on abortion, including through the imposition of criminal penalties. This has raised concerns by some regarding the privacy of medical information from law enforcement investigations, particularly reproductive health information held by providers, health plans, smartphone apps, and others. Although Congress is considering legislation [hyperlink] to establish a nationally applicable consumer privacy framework for digital information generally, current federal laws addressing the privacy of health information are not uniform and may depend on the type of entity holding such data. Specifically, the Privacy Rule [hyperlink] of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 [hyperlink] (HIPAA) generally applies only to protected health information (PHI) held by certain health-care-related entities, known as 'HIPAA covered entities'. In contrast, some non-HIPAA covered entities' privacy practices may be regulated by the Federal Trade Commission Act [hyperlink] (FTC Act)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Linebaugh, Chris D.; Liu, Edward C.
2022-07-28
-
Back to the Future? Lessons from the 'Great Inflation' [July 28, 2022]
From the Document: "The aggressive tightening of monetary policy under Volcker came with the tradeoff of relatively high unemployment that recovered slowly. During the recession of 1981-1982, inflation decreased by over 6 percentage points while unemployment increased by over 3 percentage points and stood at 10.8% in November 1982. Some economists argue that low inflation expectations and the Fed's [Federal Reserve's] credibility on inflation could not have been restored if it had not kept rates high despite rising unemployment. Since inflation has risen, the Fed has repeatedly pledged that it is 'strongly committed to returning inflation to its 2% objective.' If individuals find this pledge credible and inflation expectations remain low, then inflation might be reduced relatively quickly without triggering a recession. If not, inflation may remain high for an extended period of time, at which point a more serious economic slowdown could become necessary to lower inflation. (See CRS [Congressional Research Service] Insight IN11963, 'Where Is the U.S. Economy Headed: Soft Landing, Hard Landing, or Stagflation?') Unlike the situation that Chair Volcker faced, inflation expectations may remain low and stable today because inflation has been high for only about a year and was preceded by decades of low inflation. The extent to which inflation expectations remain anchored depends in large part on whether, going forward, the Fed is willing to raise interest rates as much as is necessary to rein in inflation. Since the Fed believes it can reduce inflation without triggering a recession, its resolve has not yet been tested."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc; Weinstock, Lida R.
2022-07-28
-
Committee's Investigation into Gun Industry Practices and Profits
From the Memorandum: "Following mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, the Committee launched an investigation into the leading manufacturers of AR-15 [ArmaLite Rifle]-style assault rifles. These companies sell weapons to civilians that are engineered to kill many people as fast as possible. These rifles are the weapon of choice for mass murderers who have terrorized and slaughtered young children at school, worshippers at churches and synagogues, and families celebrating the Fourth of July. On May 26, 2022, the Committee sent letters to five gun manufacturers seeking information on their sale and marketing of these deadly firearms and any efforts to monitor or track safety data related to their products. The manufacturers--Bushmaster, Daniel Defense, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, and Sturm, Ruger & Company--have all made and sold AR-15- style semiautomatic weapons that have been used in mass shootings. This memorandum details initial findings from the Committee's investigation."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (2007-)
Maloney, Carolyn
2022-07-27
-
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 1863, Guaranteeing Healthcare Access to Personnel Who Served Act
From the Bill Summary: "S. 1863 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: [1] Institute a pilot program for an online system that veterans could use for self-scheduling medical appointments, [2] Create an electronic portal for health care education, [3] Require additional credentialing verification for providers in VA's Community Care program, and [4] Prepare reports, plans, and studies related to veterans' health care."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-07-27
-
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: Estimated Budgetary Effects of H.R. 2814, the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2022
From the Document: "H.R. 2814 would repeal the sections of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act that prohibit civil actions from being brought in federal and state courts against some manufacturers and sellers of firearms for damages resulting from the unlawful use of a firearm. As a result of repealing that liability protection, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] expects that private entities would bring civil suits against those manufacturers and sellers in federal courts. State attorneys general, local governments, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) also could bring, or join, civil suits against firearms manufacturers and sellers."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-07-27
-
Coast Guard: Increasing Mission Demands Highlight Importance of Assessing Its Workforce Needs, Statement for the Record by Heather Macleod, Acting Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Statement for the Record to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The Coast Guard, within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is the principal federal service responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship in U.S. ports and waterways. It is composed of approximately 55,200 personnel. Since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the service has been charged with additional security-related mission responsibilities. It has also faced increasing responsibilities related to natural disasters and commercial maritime activity. This statement addresses (1) the Coast Guard's efforts to determine its workforce needs and (2) selected personnel issues. It is based on seven products GAO [Government Accountability Office] issued from November 2019 through June 2022. It also includes updates from January 2022 to July 2022 on actions the Coast Guard has taken to address recommendations from these reports. To perform this prior work, GAO analyzed relevant Coast Guard documentation and data and interviewed officials. For a full list of the reports, see Related GAO Products. [...] GAO made numerous recommendations to the Coast Guard in prior reports, including to improve its workforce assessment process. DHS concurred with all recommendations. The Coast Guard has taken steps to address some of these recommendations, and GAO continues to monitor its progress in implementing them."
United States. Government Accountability Office
MacLeod, Heather
2022-07-27
-
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1066, Wildfire Recovery Act
From the Bill Summary: "H.R. 1066 would authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to use funds appropriated for disaster relief to increase the federal cost share from the current 75 percent up to 100 percent for fire management assistance grants, at the agency's discretion. Under the bill, FEMA also would be required to promulgate a rule establishing guidelines and thresholds for cases in which the federal cost share for such grants may be increased."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-07-27
-
CBO's Estimate of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Effects of H.R. 7624, the Spectrum Innovation Act of 2022
From the Document: "H.R. 7624 would modify and extend the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to auction licenses for the commercial use of the electromagnetic spectrum and authorize certain federal agencies to spend some auction proceeds without further appropriation. CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that enacting the bill would reduce net direct spending by $2.5 billion over the 2022-2032 period. Outlays after 2032 would increase by approximately $2.4 billion. Enacting the bill would not affect revenues. CBO has not completed an estimate of the bill's effects on spending subject to appropriation. For this estimate, CBO assumes enactment near the end of fiscal year 2022. This estimate reflects the net effect of provisions that would increase offsetting receipts from FCC auctions, relative to current law. Those receipts are recorded in the budget as reductions in direct spending. The estimate also accounts for provisions that, subject to certain conditions, would direct federal agencies to spend of some of the auction proceeds without further appropriation."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-07-27
-
DHS Did Not Adequately or Efficiently Deploy Its Employees to U.S. Military Installations in Support of Operation Allies Welcome
From the Highlights: "As the lead Federal agency for Operation Allies Welcome, DHS deployed its employees to U.S. military safe havens to assist with resettlement of Afghan evacuees. We conducted this evaluation to determine DHS' effectiveness recruiting, deploying, and managing the DHS employees detailed to or volunteering at the safe havens. We conducted fieldwork from November 2021 to January 2022, including visiting six of eight safe havens where DHS employees served."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2022-07-27
-
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: Estimated Budgetary Effects of H.R. 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022
From the Document: "H.R. 1808 would ban the sale, import, manufacture, or transfer of certain semiautomatic weapons, bump stock-type devices, and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices after the date of enactment. The prohibition would not apply to the possession, sale, or transfer of weapons lawfully possessed on the date of enactment. Because people who violate the bill's provisions would be subject to criminal fines, the federal government could collect additional fines under the legislation. Criminal fines are recorded as revenues, deposited in the Crime Victims Fund, and later spent without further appropriation action. Using data from the Department of Justice (DOJ) on criminal penalties charged for firearms convictions in recent years, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that the bill would increase revenues by $3 million over the 2022-2032 period and would increase direct spending by $2 million over that period. Other provisions of the bill would impose administrative costs on DOJ. Any spending on those activities would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. CBO has not completed an estimate of those costs."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-07-27
-
Political Status of Puerto Rico: Brief Background and Recent Developments for Congress [Updated July 27, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides policy and historical background about Puerto Rico's 'political status'-- referring to the relationship between the federal government and a territorial one. Congress has not altered the island's status since 1952, when it approved a territorial constitution. Status is the lifeblood of Puerto Rican politics, spanning policy and partisan lines in ways that are unfamiliar on the mainland. Because the U.S. Constitution grants Congress broad discretion over territories, the House and Senate may choose to reexamine Puerto Rico's political status, or to decline to do so. If Congress chose to alter Puerto Rico's political status, it could do so through statute regardless of whether a plebiscite were held or what sentiment such a vote revealed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-
2022-07-27
-
Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding [Updated July 27, 2022]
From the Summary: "Family violence broadly refers to acts of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by individuals against family members. The federal government has responded to various forms of family violence, including violence involving spouses and other intimate partners, children, and the elderly. The focus of this report is on the federal response to domestic violence under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). 'Domestic violence' is used in the report to describe violence among intimate partners, including those involved in dating relationships. Generally speaking, victims tend to be women, although a sizable share of men are also victimized. A 2015 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that approximately one-third of women and men had experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking in their lifetimes. It showed that women were more likely than men to have experienced contact sexual violence (18% vs. 8%), stalking (10% vs. 2%), and severe physical violence (21% vs. 15%). Women were also more likely than men to report an impact related to partner violence over their lifetimes (25% vs 11%). Such impacts included having injuries, being fearful, being concerned for their safety, missing work or school, needing medical care, or needing help from law enforcement."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Billings, Kara Clifford
2022-07-27
-
Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) [Updated July 27, 2022]
From the Overview of FVPSA: "FVPSA [Family Violence Prevention and Services Act] supports temporary shelter and services for survivors, as well as children exposed to domestic and teen dating violence. The law currently authorizes three major activities: domestic violence shelters, victim services, and program support; the National Domestic Violence Hotline; and the Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA) program. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS') Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) administers funding for the hotline and domestic violence shelters and services. The CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], also within HHS, administers DELTA. The statute authorized funding for these activities through FY2015; however, subsequent appropriations acts have continued to provide funding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Billings, Kara Clifford
2022-07-27
-
Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [July 27, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) program. The Navy has been procuring Virginia-class SSNs since FY1998, and a total of 36 have been procured through FY2021. Since FY2011, Virginia-class boats have been procured at a rate of two per year. The Navy's proposed FY2023 budget requests the procurement of the 37th and 38th Virginia-class boats. The Virginia-class program poses multiple issues for Congress. Decisions that Congress makes on these issue could substantially affect U.S. Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-07-27
-
Five-Year Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program: Status and Issues in Brief Updated July 27, 2022
From the Document: "Under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), as amended, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) within the Department of the Interior (DOI) must prepare and maintain forward-looking five-year plans--referred to by BOEM as 'national programs' or 'five-year programs'--to schedule proposed oil and gas lease sales on the U.S. outer continental shelf (OCS). The most recent five-year program, covering the period from mid-2017 to mid-2022, expired on June 30, 2022.2 On July 1, 2022, BOEM released a proposed program (PP) for the 2023-2028 period.3 The PP proposes as many as 11, or as few as 0, offshore oil and gas lease sales during the 2023-2028 period. The maximum of 11 lease sales would consist of 10 sales in the Gulf of Mexico region and 1 in the Alaska region. Final program decisions will be made at a later stage of action."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Comay, Laura B.
2022-07-27
-
U.S.-South Korea (KORUS) FTA and Bilateral Trade Relations [Updated July 27, 2022]
From the Document: "The U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement (KORUS FTA) entered into force in March 2012. The agreement has reduced and, in most cases, eliminated tariff and non-tariff barriers between the two parties on manufactured goods, agricultural products, and services; provides rules and disciplines on investment, intellectual property rights (IPR) and other issues; commits both countries to maintain certain worker and environmental standards; and provides mechanisms for resolving disputes. KORUS is the second largest U.S. FTA by trade flows, after the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The agreement is extensive in scope, but on some issues, such as digital trade, its commitments are limited compared to more recent trade agreements, leading some stakeholders to call for updates."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Williams, Brock R.; Manyin, Mark E.
2022-07-27
-
China's Position on Russia's Invasion of Ukraine
From the Webpage: "[This] is a list of key actions and statements summarizing China's official position on Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022. Items highlighted include China's official government statements, press conferences, messages to the international community, media publications, and where available, leaked internal Chinese Communist Party (CCP) guidance for media and propaganda outlets."
U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
2022-07-27
-
Nordic Countries and U.S. Relations [Updated July 27, 2022]
From the Document: "The five Nordic countries--Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden--share deep historical, linguistic, and cultural ties and many political and economic similarities. They are all stable democracies with parliamentary systems of government and prosperous market economies with relatively high standards of living. With a total population of roughly 27 million people [...], the Nordics collectively form the world's 12th -largest economy. They have extensive social welfare systems and relatively high tax rates but are considered to be innovative, business-friendly countries. The Nordics generally rank high on global competitiveness indexes. Foreign trade plays a key role in their economies. They also enjoy substantial natural resources. Norway in particular benefits from vast North Sea oil and natural gas deposits."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Archick, Kristin
2022-07-27
-
Enabling a More Externally Focused and Operational PLA
From the Foreword: "As China seeks to exert its power and influence around the world, its military, the People's Liberation Army, will be an increasingly important instrument of these efforts. Twenty years ago, the People's Liberation Army rarely ventured beyond China's borders. Today, this observation no longer holds true. The People's Liberation Army now engages in numerous joint exercises and training events with foreign militaries each year, participates in a wide range of bilateral and multilateral security dialogues and forums, deploys forces to several UN peacekeeping operations, and frequently conducts humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. Moreover, the People's Liberation Army is developing the capabilities to conduct combat missions outside its immediate periphery, although the organization has not been involved in combat since the 1980s. Therefore, aside from the possibility of conflict between the United States and China in the western Pacific area, the US military will increasingly have to take account of the presence and activities of the People's Liberation Army throughout the world. The conference papers in this book examine the People's Liberation Army's current and possible future activities beyond the confines of East Asia; analyze China's military relations with the continents of Europe, Africa, and Latin America; assess the People's Liberation Army's activities in the Indian Ocean, Oceania, and the polar regions; and contain focused studies of the roles of two key organizations: the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force and the Joint Logistic Support Force. Collectively, the book provides a comprehensive picture of a military organization that is extending its reach to all corners of the globe."
Army War College (U.S.). Press
Béraud-Sudreau, Lucie; Brewster, David; Cairns, Christopher . . .
2022-07-27
-
Facial Recognition Technology: CBP Traveler Identity Verification and Efforts to Address Privacy Issues, Statement of Rebecca Gambler, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] is charged with the dual mission of facilitating legitimate travel and securing U.S. borders. Federal laws require DHS to implement a biographic and biometric data system for foreign nationals entering and exiting the U.S. In response, CBP has been pursuing FRT [facial recognition technology] to verify a traveler's identity in place of a visual inspection of travel identification documents. This statement addresses the extent to which CBP has (1) incorporated privacy principles in and (2) assessed the accuracy and performance of its use of FRT. This statement is based on a September 2020 report (GAO [Government Accountability Office]-20- 568 [hyperlink]), along with updates as of July 2022 on actions CBP has taken to address prior GAO recommendations. For that report, GAO conducted site visits to observe CBP's use of FRT; reviewed program documents; and interviewed DHS officials. [...] In September 2020, GAO made five recommendations to CBP regarding privacy and system performance of its FRT. DHS concurred with the recommendations and has implemented two of them. CBP is taking steps to address the remaining three recommendations related to (1) current and complete privacy signage, (2) implementing an audit plan for its program partners, and (3) capturing required traveler photos."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Gambler, Rebecca
2022-07-27
-
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Procurement Program [Updated July 6, 2022]
From the Summary: "The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Procurement Program is intended to provide SDVOSBs greater access to federal contracting opportunities. [...] This report examines the SDVOSB program's legislative origins, SDVOSB contracting data, and recent congressional action relating to SDVOSB program certification. The report discusses P.L. [Public Law] 116-283, the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which requires VA to transfer, by January 1, 2023, the maintenance of its SDVOSB database to the SBA, provide the SBA compensation for doing so, and abolish VA's Center for Verification and Evaluation and transfer its function to the SBA. In addition, the SBA is required to establish a government-wide SDVOSB certification and periodic recertification process by January 1, 2023. VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] is to continue to determine whether an individual qualifies as a service-disabled veteran."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Blackford, R. Corinne
2022-07-26
-
State and USAID: Efforts to Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, Statement for the Record by Jason Bair, Director, International Affairs and Trade and Latesha Love, Director, International Affairs and Trade, Statement for the Record to the Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate
From What GAO [Government Accountability Office] Found: "In 2020, GAO found that the Department of State's and U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) workforces grew more diverse overall from fiscal year 2002 to fiscal year 2018. However, promotion outcomes were generally lower for historically disadvantaged racial or ethnic groups than for Whites. State also identified some indicators of potential barriers to diversity, such as underrepresentation of Hispanic employees. GAO recommended that State and USAID take additional steps to improve workforce diversity. State and USAID took some actions in response. For example, State launched four working groups to identify, investigate, and eliminate barriers to diversity. In July 2022, GAO reported that State needs to take additional actions to improve workplace diversity and inclusion. For example, State has taken some steps to investigate and eliminate barriers, but GAO found that State's analyses vary in depth and have methodological weaknesses. State needs to create a plan to improve its barrier analysis process and improve its methodology for identifying potential barriers. Otherwise, it risks using resources on solutions that do not address the root causes of disparities and risks leaving barriers unaddressed. In addition, State's actions address or generally address five diversity and inclusion leading practices, but gaps remain in accountability and measurement. Without better ways to measure progress and enhance accountability, State may not achieve its goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Bair, Jason; Love, Latesha
2022-07-26
