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• Federal Offshore Oil and Gas Revenues During the COVID-19 Pandemic [Updated March 8, 2021]

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  From the Document: "The economic effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic included a reduction in demand for oil and natural gas, resulting in lower prices and decreased production. These changes have affected federal revenues derived from oil and gas leasing on the U.S. outer continental shelf (OCS). Such revenues consist of royalties on oil and gas sold from federal leases, bids at federal lease auctions(known as 'bonus bids'), rents paid prior to production, and other fees. Revenue amounts can fluctuate widely from year to year owing to a mix of factors affecting leasing, prices, and production, with the pandemic being a significant factor during FY2020 and FY2021. Changes in federal offshore oil and gas revenues can affect amounts shared with coastal states under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA; 43 U.S.C. §§1331-1356b) and the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA; 43 U.S.C. §1331 note), as well as funding for several federal programs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Comay, Laura B.

  2021-03-08
• COVID-19 Impact on the Banking Industry: Conditions at the End of 2020 [March 17, 2021]

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  From the Document: "Although bank regulation is designed to allow banks to withstand some amount of unexpected losses, the economic ramifications of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic could result in enough borrowers missing loan payments to cause distress for banks [hyperlink]. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) releases comprehensive data on bank condition and income quarterly, and it recently released the 'Quarterly Banking Profile: Fourth Quarter 2020' [hyperlink], which reports aggregate data from all 5,001 FDIC-insured institutions as of December 31, 2020. This Insight presents certain bank industry statistics as of the end of 2020 and examines how the pandemic might be affecting the industry."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Perkins, David W.; Gnanarajah, Raj

  2021-03-17
• COVID-19: Selected Medicare Resources for Beneficiaries and Health Care Providers [March 9, 2021]

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  From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected Medicare beneficiaries, who are generally considered high risk, and health care providers, who serve Medicare populations. This Insight provides COVID-19-related resources relevant to both of these groups."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Malloy, Michele L.

  2021-03-09
• Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress [March 18, 2021]

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  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 proposed FY2022 shipbuilding program and the Navy's 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

  2021-03-18
• Noncitizen Eligibility and Verification Issues in the Health Care Reform Legislation [November 10, 2009]

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  "This report focuses on this nexus of immigration law and health care reform in the major health care reform bills that have received committee action. These are the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200), as reported by the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor on October 14, 2009, and folded into the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), which passed on November 7, 2009; the Affordable Health Choices Act (S. 1679), as reported by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) on September 17, 2009; and the America's Healthy Future Act (S. 1796), as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Finance on October 13, 2009. [...]. Under S. 1679, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) would be required to verify an individual's eligibility to enroll. In the Senate Committee on Finance legislation (S. 1796), three pieces of personal data would be used to verify citizenship and immigration status. The Social Security Administration would verify the name, social security number, and date of birth of the individual, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would verify an individual's immigration status. While S. 1796's requirements are similar to and compatible with the DHS Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system established by §1137(d) of the Social Security Act (SSA), H.R. 3962 would expressly build on the statutory authority of the SAVE system to verify citizenship and immigration status."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Wasem, Ruth Ellen

  2009-11-10
• Immigration: Noncitizen Eligibility for Needs-Based Housing Programs [December 8, 2015]

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  "The issue of noncitizen eligibility for federally funded programs, including needs-based housing programs, is a perennial issue in Congress. Noncitizen eligibility varies among the needs-based housing programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), such as Public Housing, Section 8 vouchers and project-based rental assistance, homeless assistance programs, housing for the elderly (§202) and the disabled (§811), the HOME program, and the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program. Two laws govern noncitizen eligibility for housing programs: Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Welfare Reform) and Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, as amended. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) explicitly states that aliens, unless they are qualified aliens, are not eligible for 'federal public benefits,' a term defined in the law to include public and assisted housing. Under the statute, unauthorized (illegal) aliens do not meet the definition of qualified aliens, and as a result, they are ineligible for 'federal public benefits.' However, PRWORA did not make those who had been receiving housing benefits before the date of enactment (August 22, 1996) ineligible for housing benefits. Likewise, PRWORA exempts certain types of programs that are usually thought of as emergency programs from the alien eligibility restrictions. HUD has not issued guidance implementing the PRWORA provisions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Siskin, Alison; McCarty, Maggie

  2015-12-08
• Immigration: Noncitizen Eligibility for Needs-Based Housing Programs [January 23, 2012]

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  "The issue of noncitizen eligibility for federally funded programs, including needs-based housing programs, is a perennial issue in Congress. Noncitizen eligibility varies among the needs-based housing programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), such as Public Housing, Section 8 vouchers and project-based rental assistance, homeless assistance programs, housing for the elderly (§202) and the disabled (§811), the HOME program, and the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program. Two laws govern noncitizen eligibility for housing programs: Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Welfare Reform) and Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, as amended. [...] There has been congressional interest regarding the implementation of the eligibility requirements for housing programs. Specifically, questions have been raised as to the documentation requirements placed on both citizens and noncitizens in determining eligibility for housing programs. The documentation requirements are dependent on (1) the housing program, (2) the citizenship status of the applicant, and (3) the age of the applicant. This report will be updated to reflect legislative or regulatory activity."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Siskin, Alison; McCarty, Maggie

  2012-01-23
• Twenty Years, Twenty Stories: Women, Peace, and Security in the Western Hemisphere

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  From the Introduction: "The purpose of this publication is to make the invisible, visible. It is a testament to what institutions can achieve when they include women. It is a testament to the tenacity of strong women proving every day that their contributions are extremely valuable for their institutions and society. Twenty years ago, the United Nations urged its member states to 'ensure increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in national, regional, and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict.' Today, it is clear that across Latin America, the Caribbean, and our own country, we are making progress. Nevertheless, we also know that much remains to be done. While this book celebrates many successes, it likewise shines a light on barriers that we must overcome."

  William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies

  Perera, Fabiana Sofia; Turner, Duilia Mora

  2020-10?
• Defined Contribution Plans: Federal Guidance Could Help Mitigate Cybersecurity Risks in 401(k) and Other Retirement Plans, Report to Congressional Requestors

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  From the Highlights: "Cyber attacks against information systems (IT) are perpetuated by individuals or groups with malicious intentions, from stealing identities to appropriating money from accounts. DC [defined contribution] plans, which allow individuals to accumulate tax-advantaged retirement savings, increasingly rely on the internet and IT systems for their administration. Accordingly, the need to secure these systems has become paramount. Ineffective data security controls can result in significant risks to plan data and assets. In 2018, DC plans enrolled 106 million participants and held nearly $6.3 trillion in assets, according to DOL [Department of Labor]. This report examines (1) the data that sponsors and providers exchange during the administration of DC plans and their associated cybersecurity risks, and (2) efforts to assist sponsors and providers to mitigate cybersecurity risks during the administration of DC plans."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2021-02
• Foreign Threats to the 2020 US Federal Elections

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  From the Document: "This document is a declassified version of a classified report that the Intelligence Community provided to the President, senior Executive Branch officials, and Congressional leadership and intelligence oversight committees on 07 January 2021. The Intelligence Community rarely can publicly reveal the full extent of its knowledge or the specific information on which it bases its analytic conclusions, as doing so could endanger sensitive sources and methods and imperil the Intelligence Community's ability to collect critical foreign intelligence. The analytic judgments outlined below are identical to those in the classified version, but this declassified document does not include the full supporting information and does not discuss specific intelligence reports, sources, or methods. [...] This Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), as required by Executive Order (EO) 13848(1)(a), addresses key foreign actors' intentions and efforts to influence or interfere with the 2020 US federal elections or to undermine public confidence in the US election process. It builds on analysis published throughout the election cycle and provided to Executive Branch and Congressional leaders. This ICA does not include an assessment of the impact foreign malign influence and interference activities may have had on the outcome of the 2020 election."

  National Intelligence Council (U.S.)

  2021-03-15
• Balancing Speed, Equity, and Impact During a Crisis: The Greater Washington Community Foundation's Response to COVID-19

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  From the Executive Summary: "This report chronicles the genesis and evolution of the Greater Washington Community Foundation's efforts to raise and coordinate funding from a wide range of individual and institutional donors to address the devastating effects of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. With a particular focus on The Community Foundation's COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, the largest of its kind in the region, this account highlights the balance of various grantmaking imperatives that characterized Greater Washington's philanthropic response to the pandemic more generally. [...] Ultimately, the successful aspects of this initiative came from the ability to adapt, learn from mistakes and past experiences, and listen to stakeholders and peers, including both trusted partners and new voices. But this initiative also underscores the importance of decisive leadership and of maintaining a few constant values and priorities as a guide. For The Community Foundation, this meant centering racial equity and determining how best to do so in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. This report highlights these key lessons of flexibility and responsiveness, partnerships and trust, and leadership and vision, lessons that can guide future philanthropic efforts to respond, recover, and rebuild during and after a large-scale crisis."

  Urban Institute

  Soskis, Benjamin; Tomasko, Laura; Ashley, Shena . . .

  2020-10
• Poverty and Economic Dislocation Reduce Compliance with COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place Protocols

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  From the Abstract: "Shelter-in-place ordinances were the first wide-spread policy measures aimed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. Compliance with shelter-in-place directives is individually costly and requires behavioral changes across diverse sub-populations. Leveraging county-day measures on population movement derived from cellphone location data and the staggered introduction of local mandates, we find that economic factors have played an important role in determining the level of compliance with local shelter-in-place ordinances in the US. Specifically, residents of low income areas complied with shelter-in-place ordinances less than their counterparts in areas with stronger economic endowments, even after accounting for potential confounding factors including partisanship, population density, exposure to recent trade disputes, unemployment, and other factors. Novel results on the local impact of the 2020 CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act suggest stimulus transfers that addressed economic dislocation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased social distancing."

  Becker Friedman Institute for Research in Economics

  Wright, Austin (Austin L.); Sonin, Konstantin; Driscoll, Jesse, 1978- . . .

  2020-09-04
• Risk of COVID-19 Transmission Related to the End-Of-Year Festive Season

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  From the Summary: "After a scale-up of non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented by several Member Sates starting from the end of October, a recent overall decreasing trend in the 14-day COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] notification rate and in the weekly test positivity proportion for the EU/EEA [European Economic Area] and the UK has been observed. However, SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] transmission in the EU/EEA and the UK remains high compared with the low levels observed over the summer. The end-of-year festive season is traditionally associated with activities such as social gatherings, shopping and travelling, which would pose significant additional risks for intensified transmission of SARS-CoV-2. An aggravating factor is that there are reports of what has been described as 'pandemic fatigue', with some people becoming de-motivated to follow recommended protective measures, especially during this period. [...] Based on the current epidemiological situation in most EU Member States, any adaptation of measures should be undertaken in a targeted, proportionate and coordinated manner, according to the prevailing epidemiology and population vulnerability at the level at which the measures are applied. These measures should be communicated clearly in order to mitigate the risk of increased transmission during the end-of-year season, while also taking into account the social, personal and economic impact for the population."

  European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

  2020-12-04
• Communicable Disease Threats Report: Week 3, 17-23 January 2021

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  This weekly bulletin provides updates on communicable disease threats monitored by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, focusing on the week of January 17-23, 2021. It details the number of multi-country cases of diseases such as COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], influenza, and Legionnaires' disease, and also provides assessments and epidemiological summaries of each.

  European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

  2021-01
• COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control for Primary Care, Including General Practitioner Practices, Dental Clinics and Pharmacy Settings: First Update

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  From the Document: "This document provides guidance on infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to healthcare providers in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) and the United Kingdom (UK) in order to prevent COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] infection."

  European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

  2020-10-19
• Communicable Disease Threats Report: Week 8, 21-27 February 2021

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  This weekly bulletin provides updates on communicable disease threats monitored by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, focusing on the week of February 21-27, 2021. It details the number of multi-country cases of diseases such as COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], influenza, and ebola, and also provides assessments and epidemiological summaries of each.

  European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

  2021-02
• Communicable Disease Threats Report: Week 4, 24-30 January 2021

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  This weekly bulletin provides updates on communicable disease threats monitored by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, focusing on the week of January 24-30, 2021. It details the number of multi-country cases of diseases such as COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], influenza, and dengue, and also provides assessments and epidemiological summaries of each.

  European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

  2021-01
• COVID-19, Jails, and Public Safety

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  From the Executive Summary: "This report, updating the September 2020 Impact Report on COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], Jails, and Public Safety, draws on a sample of approximately 19 million daily individual-level jail records collected by New York University's Public Safety Lab between Jan. 1, 2020 and Oct. 22, 2020. We explore how bookings, releases, and rebooking rates changed during the pandemic, relative to the pre-pandemic period."

  Council on Criminal Justice

  Harvey, Anna L. (Anna Lil), 1966-; Taylor, Orion; Wang, Andrea

  2020-12
• Communicable Disease Threats Report: Week 5, 31 January-6 February 2021

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  This weekly bulletin provides updates on communicable disease threats monitored by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, focusing on the week of January 31-February 6, 2021. It details the number of multi-country cases of diseases such as COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], influenza, and cholera, and also provides assessments and epidemiological summaries of each.

  European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

  2021-02
• Communicable Disease Threats Report: Week 50, 6-12 December 2020

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  This weekly bulletin provides updates on communicable disease threats monitored by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, focusing on the week of December 6-12, 2020. It details the number of multi-country cases of diseases such as COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], influenza, and measles, and also provides assessments and epidemiological summaries of each.

  European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

  2020-12
• Proposed U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA): Provisions and Implications [August 9, 2011]

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  "If implemented, the proposed U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), signed on June 30, 2007, would be the second-largest U.S. FTA (next to NAFTA). South Korea is the seventh-largest trading partner of the United States, and the United States is South Korea's third largest trading partner. The proposed KORUS FTA covers a wide range of trade and investment issues and, therefore, could have substantial economic implications for both the United States and South Korea. The agreement will not enter into force unless Congress approves implementation legislation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Cooper, William H., 1949-; Manyin, Mark E.; Jurenas, Remy . . .

  2011-08-09
• Generalized System of Preferences: Background and Renewal Debate [September 5, 2012]

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  "The U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program provides non-reciprocal, duty-free tariff treatment to certain products imported from designated beneficiary developing countries (BDCs). The United States, the European Union, and other developed countries have implemented similar programs since the 1970s in order to promote economic growth in developing countries by stimulating their exports. The U.S. program was first authorized in Title V of the Trade Act of 1974, and was most recently extended until July 31, 2013, in Section 1 of P.L. [Public Law] 112-40. The President signed the legislation extending the GSP on October 21, 2011, and GSP trade benefits became effective 15 days after that date, or on November 5, 2011. The GSP program was also retroactively extended to eligible merchandise that entered the United States between the expiration date, December 31, 2010, and the date that the GSP renewal entered into force. Therefore, importers of GSP-eligible products may seek reimbursement for tariffs paid during the lapse of GSP coverage. […] This report presents, first, a brief history, economic rationale, and legal background leading to the establishment of the GSP. Second, the report presents a discussion of U.S. implementation of the GSP, along with the present debate surrounding its renewal and legislative developments to date. Third, an analysis of the U.S. program's effectiveness and the positions of various stakeholders is presented. Fourth, implications of the expiration of the U.S. program and possible options for Congress are discussed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Jones, Vivian Catherine

  2012-09-05
• Generalized System of Preferences: Background and Renewal Debate [January 9, 2013]

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  "The U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program provides non-reciprocal, duty-free tariff treatment to certain products imported from designated beneficiary developing countries. The United States, the European Union, and other developed countries have implemented similar programs since the 1970s in order to promote economic growth in developing countries by stimulating their exports. The U.S. program was first authorized in Title V of the Trade Act of 1974, and is subject to periodic renewal by Congress. The GSP program was most recently extended until July 31, 2013, in Section 1 of P.L. 112-40. GSP trade benefits became effective 15 days after the date of enactment (October 21, 2011), on November 5, 2011. P.L. 112-40 also retroactively extended the GSP program to eligible merchandise that entered the United States between the expiration date, December 31, 2010, and the date that the GSP renewal entered into force. The GSP is one of several U.S. trade preference programs through which the United States seeks to help developing countries expand their economies. […] This report presents, first, a brief history, economic rationale, and legal background leading to the establishment of the GSP. Second, the report presents a discussion of U.S. implementation of the GSP, along with the present debate surrounding its renewal and legislative developments to date. Third, the report presents an analysis of the U.S. program's effectiveness and the positions of various stakeholders. Fourth, implications of the expiration of the U.S. program and possible options for Congress are discussed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Jones, Vivian Catherine

  2013-01-09
• Generalized System of Preferences: Background and Renewal Debate [December 29, 2011]

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  "The U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program provides non-reciprocal, duty-free tariff treatment to certain products imported from designated beneficiary developing countries (BDCs). The United States, the European Union, and other developed countries have implemented similar programs since the 1970s in order to promote economic growth in developing countries by stimulating their exports. The U.S. program was first authorized in Title V of the Trade Act of 1974, and was most recently extended until July 31, 2013, in Section 1 of P.L. 112-40. The President signed the legislation enacting the GSP on October 21, 2011, and GSP trade benefits became effective 15 days after that date, or on November 5, 2011. The GSP program was also retroactively extended to eligible merchandise that entered the United States between the expiration date, December 31, 2010, and the date that the GSP renewal entered into force. Therefore, importers of GSP-eligible products may seek reimbursement for tariffs paid during the lapse of GSP coverage. […] This report presents, first, a brief history, economic rationale, and legal background leading to the establishment of the GSP. A brief comparison of GSP programs worldwide, especially as they compare to the U.S. system, is also presented. Second, the report presents a discussion of U.S. implementation of the GSP, along with the present debate surrounding its renewal and legislative developments to date. Third, an analysis of the U.S. program's effectiveness and the positions of various stakeholders is presented. Fourth, implications of the expiration of the U.S. program and possible options for Congress are discussed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Jones, Vivian Catherine

  2011-12-29
• Free Trade Area of the Americas: Major Policy Issues and Status of Negotiations and Major Policy Issues [Updated November 17, 2003]

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  "In 1994, 34 Western Hemisphere nations met at the first Summit of the Americas, envisioning a plan to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by January 2005. Nine years later, the third draft text of an agreement is being readied for the eighth trade ministerial scheduled for November 17-21, 2003 in Miami. However, serious differences between Brazil and the United States, similar to those that led to the collapse of the September 2003 WTO [World Trade Organization] talks in Cancún, Mexico, invite a cautious assessment. The Miami ministerial may determine if the FTAA negotiations proceed on time and with the goal of achieving a comprehensive agreement, as first conceived. The 108th Congress has followed developments closely as it exercises its expanded consultative and oversight role per the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) provisions of the Trade Act of 2002 (P.L. [Public Law] 107-210). This report will be updated periodically."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.)

  2003-11-17
• Free Trade Area of the Americas: Major Policy Issues and Status of Negotiations and Major Policy Issues [Updated September 24, 2003]

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  "In 1994, 34 Western Hemisphere nations met at the first Summit of the Americas, envisioning a plan to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by January 2005. Nine years later, the third draft text of an agreement is being readied for the eighth trade ministerial scheduled for November 17-21, 2003 in Miami. However, serious differences between Brazil and the United States, similar to those that led to the collapse of the September 2003 WTO [World Trade Organization] talks in Cancún, Mexico, invite a cautious assessment. The Miami ministerial may determine if the FTAA negotiations proceed on time and with the goal of achieving a comprehensive agreement, as first conceived. The 108th Congress will likely follow developments closely as it exercises its expanded consultative and oversight role per the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) provisions of the Trade Act of 2002 (P.L. [Public Law] 107-210). This report will be updated periodically."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.)

  2003-09-24
• Free Trade Area of the Americas: Status of Negotiations and Major Policy Issues [Updated May 14, 2003]

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  "At the second Summit of the Americas in Santiago, Chile (April 1998), 34 Western Hemisphere nations agreed to initiate formal negotiations to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by 2005. The process so far has led to two draft texts, the second completed for the November 1, 2002 trade ministerial in Quito, Ecuador. A year later, the third draft is expected at the eighth trade ministerial scheduled for November 17-21, 2003 in Miami. Although implementing legislation is not anticipated until the next Congress, for an FTAA to be signed in January 2005, the 108th Congress will play a crucial role during this last phase of the negotiations given its expanded consultative and oversight authority as defined in the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) provisions of the Trade Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-210). This report will be updated periodically."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.)

  2003-05-14
• Free Trade Area of the Americas: Major Policy Issues and Status of Negotiations and Major Policy Issues [Updated June 25, 2003]

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  "At the second Summit of the Americas in Santiago, Chile (April 1998), 34 Western Hemisphere nations agreed to initiate formal negotiations to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by 2005. The process so far has led to two draft texts, with a third draft expected to be completed for the eighth trade ministerial scheduled for November 17-21, 2003 in Miami. Currently there are serious differences between Brazil and the United States, the co-chairs of the trade negotiating committee, which will need to be resolved by then. Although implementing legislation is not anticipated until the next Congress, for an FTAA to be signed in January 2005, the 108th Congress will play a crucial role during this last phase of the negotiations given its expanded consultative and oversight authority as defined in the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) provisions of the Trade Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-210). This report will be updated periodically."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.)

  2003-06-25
• Free Trade Area of the Americas: Major Policy Issues and Status of Negotiations [Updated November 8, 2005]

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  "In 1994, 34 Western Hemisphere nations met at the first Summit of the Americas, envisioning a plan for completing a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by January 1, 2005. Nine years later, at the November 2003 Miami trade ministerial, the United States and Brazil, the FTAA co-chairs, brokered a compromise. It moved the FTAA away from the comprehensive, single undertaking principle, toward a two-tier framework comprising a set of 'common rights and obligations' for all countries, combined with voluntary plurilateral arrangements with country benefits related to commitments. So far, defining this concept has proven elusive, causing the FTAA talks to stall and the January 1, 2005 deadline to be missed. At the fourth Summit of the Americas, held in Mar del Plata, Argentina, on November 4-5, 2005, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Venezuela blocked an effort to restart negotiations in 2006, which now appear to rely, at a minimum, on the resolution of agricultural issues in the WTO Doha Round before they can resume. This report will be updated."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.)

  2005-11-08
• Free Trade Area of the Americas: Major Policy Issues and Status of Negotiations and Major Policy Issues [Updated August 15, 2003]

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  "At the second Summit of the Americas in Santiago, Chile (April 1998), 34 Western Hemisphere nations agreed to initiate formal negotiations to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by 2005. The process so far has led to two draft texts, with a third draft expected to be completed for the eighth trade ministerial scheduled for November 17-21, 2003 in Miami. Currently there are serious differences between Brazil and the United States, the co-chairs of the trade negotiating committee, which will need to be resolved by then. Although implementing legislation is not anticipated until the next Congress, for an FTAA to be signed in January 2005, the 108th Congress will play a crucial role during this last phase of the negotiations given its expanded consultative and oversight authority as defined in the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) provisions of the Trade Act of 2002 (P.L. [Public Law] 107-210). This report will be updated periodically."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.)

  2003-08-15