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Military Space Organization, Policy, and Programs, Hearing before the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, May 17, 2017
This testimony compilation is from the May 17, 2017 hearing on "Military Space Organization, Policy, and Programs," before the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services. From the opening statement of Senator Deb Fischer (NE): "The committee meets today to receive testimony on space organization, policy, and programs. [...] Space-based capabilities are integral to the way our military operates and our society functions. As previous hearings in this subcommittee have documented, our adversaries are developing increasingly sophisticated ways to attack U.S. space assets and exploit the domain for their own purposes." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Heather A. Wilson, David L. Goldfein, John W. Raymond, and Samuel A. Greaves.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Armed Services
2017-05-17
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Oversight Hearing on 'High Risk, No Reward: GAO's High Risk List for Indian Programs,' Hearing Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, May 17, 2017
This testimony compilation is from the May 17, 2017 oversight hearing on "High Risk, No Reward: GAO's High Risk List for Indian Programs," before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. From the testimony of Melissa Emrey-Arras, Director of Education, Workforce and Income Security: "This testimony primarily summarizes the findings and recommendations from GAO's [ Government Accountability Office] prior reports on the federal management and oversight of Indian education, energy resources, and health care, which are discussed in the GAO's February 2017 High-Risk report." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Melissa Emrey-Arras, Michael S. Black, Chris Buchanan, and Tony Dearman.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Indian Affairs
2017-05-17
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What is the Proposed U.S.-EU Insurance Covered Agreement? [May 17, 2017]
"On January 13, 2017, the United States and European Union (EU) concluded negotiations on the first insurance covered agreement. A covered agreement is a relatively new form of international agreement, established along with the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) in Title V of the Dodd-Frank Act (P.L. 111-203). The statute defines a covered agreement as a type of international insurance or reinsurance agreement for recognition of prudential measures that FIO and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) negotiate on a bilateral or multilateral basis. After such an agreement, FIO has relatively narrow authority to preempt state laws that are inconsistent with the agreement and result in less favorable treatment for foreign insurers. Such preemption, however, may not apply to any state insurance measure that 'governs any insurer's rates, premiums, underwriting, or sales practices.' Although FIO and USTR must consult with Congress on the negotiations, the statute does not require specific authorization or approval from Congress for the covered agreement to take effect."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webel, Baird; Fefer, Rachel F.
2017-05-17
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OPEC and Non-OPEC Crude Oil Production Agreement: Compliance Status [May 17, 2017]
"Recently, the global oil market has been oversupplied. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), except for the third quarter of 2016, oil production exceeded consumption since the third quarter of 2014. As a result, commercial stocks of crude oil and petroleum liquids have been at five-year highs and there has been downward pressure on benchmark (e.g., West Texas Intermediate, or WTI, and Brent) crude oil prices […] OPEC's production decision and the resulting price declines were interpreted by some to be anti-competitive and a targeted effort to put price pressure on U.S. tight (shale) oil producers, which had steadily increased production since 2008 and contributed to the oversupply situation […] On November 30, 2016, in an effort to address low prices and global oversupply, OPEC announced an agreement (the 'Vienna Agreement') under which the organization would reduce crude oil production by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from October 2016 levels for an initial six months starting January 2017. OPEC also indicated its plans to 'institutionalize a framework' with non-OPEC countries to manage crude oil production levels. On December 10, 2016, OPEC announced that a group of 11 countries had joined the Vienna Agreement and had committed to reduce oil production by 558,000 bpd."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brown, Phillip (Specialist in Energy Policy)
2017-05-17
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Senate Unanimous Consent Agreements: Potential Effects on the Amendment Process [May 17, 2017]
"The Senate frequently enters into unanimous consent agreements (also called 'UC agreements') that establish procedure on a bill that the Senate is considering or soon will consider. There are few restrictions on what these agreements can provide, and once agreed to, they can be altered only by a further unanimous consent action. In recent practice, the Senate often begins by adopting a general UC agreement, then adds elements in piecemeal fashion as debate continues. UC agreements often contain provisions affecting the floor amending process, most often in one or more of the ways detailed below."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heitshusen, Valerie
2017-05-17
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Israel: Background and U.S. Relations in Brief [May 17, 2017]
"For decades, strong bilateral relations have fueled and reinforced significant U.S.-Israel cooperation in many areas, including regional security. Nonetheless, at various points throughout the relationship, U.S. and Israeli policies have diverged on some important issues. Significant differences regarding regional issues--notably Iran and the Palestinians--arose or intensified during the Obama Administration. Since President Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2017, he and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu have discussed ways 'to advance and strengthen the U.S.-Israel special relationship, and security and stability in the Middle East.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zanotti, Jim
2017-05-17
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Presidential Authority to Permit Access to National Security Information [May 17, 2017]
"It appears more likely than not that the President is presumed to have the authority to disclose classified information to foreign agents in keeping with his power and responsibility to advance U.S. national security interests. As President Trump recently asserted, his 'authority to classify and control access to information bearing on the national security flows from the Constitution and does not depend upon a legislative grant of authority.' As one observer noted, the language appears to be drawn from a 1988 Supreme Court case, 'Department of the Navy v. Egan', in which the Court held the Merit Systems Protection Board could not review an agency decision denying an employee a security clearance. While some interpret 'Egan' as recognizing that the President has virtually plenary authority to control classified information, the Court has suggested elsewhere that 'Congress could certainly [provide] that the Executive Branch adopt new [classification procedures] or [establish] its own procedures--subject only to whatever limitations the Executive Privilege may be held to impose on such congressional ordering.' Congress has legislated with respect to classified information on numerous occasions, some of which are outlined in this CRS [Congressional Research Service] report, while also generally deferring to the executive branch regarding the classification -- and declassification -- of national security information."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2017-05-17
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Presidential Transitions: Issues Involving Outgoing and Incoming Administrations [May 17, 2017]
"The President's authority to exercise power begins immediately upon being sworn into office and continues until he is no longer the officeholder. By the same token, while congressional oversight of the executive branch is continuous, some activities may take on special significance at the end or beginning of an Administration. The disposition of government records (including presidential records and vice presidential records), protections against 'burrowing in' (which involves the conversion of political appointees to career status in the civil service), the granting of pardons, and the issuance of 'midnight rules' are four activities associated largely with the outgoing President's Administration. The incumbent President may also submit a budget to Congress, or he may defer to his successor on this matter. Continuing this transition process, the first actions of a new President generally focus on establishing the priorities and leadership of the Administration. These can include executive orders, appointments to positions that require Senate confirmation as well as those that do not, and efforts to influence the pace and substance of agency rulemaking. Depending upon the particular activity or function, the extent and type of Congress's involvement in presidential transitions may vary. As an example of direct involvement, the Senate confirms the President's appointees to certain positions. On the other hand, Congress is not involved in the issuance of executive orders, but it may exercise oversight, or take some other action regarding the Administration's activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Halchin, L. Elaine
2017-05-17
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High Risk: Actions Needed to Address Serious Weaknesses in Federal Management of Programs Serving Indian Tribes, Statement of Melissa Emrey-Arras, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, Testimony Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, U.S. Senate
"This testimony primarily summarizes the findings and recommendations from GAO's [Government Accountability Office] prior reports on the federal management and oversight of Indian education, energy resource, and health care, which are discusses in GAO's February 2017 High-Risk Report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Emrey-Arras, Melissa
2017-05-17
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 763: Surface and Maritime Transportation Security Act
"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for ensuring the security of the nation's transportation systems, particularly at points of entry into the United States by air, land, and sea. S. 763 would authorize appropriations totaling $2.5 billion for grants to enhance the security of surface and maritime transportation systems and the bill also would require DHS to pursue a range of activities aimed at identifying and addressing the vulnerabilities of such systems. Assuming appropriation of the estimated and authorized amounts, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing S. 763 would cost $1.3 billion over the 2018-2022 period, and an additional $1.2 billion after 2022."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2017-05-17
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DHS Official Reception and Representation Expenses: Second Quarter, Fiscal Year 2017
"This report has been prepared pursuant to language in Senate Report 114-264 accompanying the 'Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act' (P.L. 115-31), which states, in part: The Department shall continue to submit quarterly obligation reports to the Committee for all DHS reception and representation expenses as required in prior years. The Department shall refrain from using funds available for reception and representation to purchase unnecessary collectibles or memorabilia. This report is cumulative through the second quarter of FY 2017, ending March 31, 2017."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2017-05-17
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Memory Supplements Clarifying FDA and FTC Roles Could Strengthen Oversight and Enhance Consumer Awareness, Report to Congressional Requesters
"Memory supplements--dietary supplements claiming to improve memory--are a growing market, with sales estimated at $643 million in 2015, almost double 2006 sales. FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] and FTC [Federal Trade Commission] share oversight of memory supplement marketing--labeling and advertising claims--but generally do not approve claims before products are marketed. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review memory supplement marketing and oversight. This report examines (1) how memory supplements are marketed and the extent marketing targets older adults and may violate federal requirements; (2) related enforcement and outreach actions taken by FDA and FTC; and (3) challenges to agency oversight. GAO reviewed five types of media (Internet, television, among others) to identify examples of memory supplement marketing practices and potential violations of federal requirements. GAO selected these channels using demographic and survey data relevant to older adults. GAO analyzed FDA and FTC data on enforcement actions for fiscal years 2006 through 2015--the most recent data available. GAO also reviewed relevant agency oversight policies, interviewed agency officials, and interviewed selected consumer and industry groups."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-05-16
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[May 16, 2017 Letter to the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Jason Chaffetz and Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Bob Goodlatte]
From the Letter: "We are writing to request that the Oversight Committee and the Judiciary Committee launch an immediate joint investigation into whether President Donald Trump and his top officials are engaged in an ongoing conspiracy to obstruct the criminal, counter-intelligence, and oversight investigations currently being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice, and Congress into members of his presidential campaign and their contacts with Russian officials."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on the Judiciary
Nadler, Jerrold; Lofgren, Zoe, 1947-; Johnson, Henry, Jr. . . .
2017-05-16
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Challenges in Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development [May 16, 2017]
From the Introduction: "Increasing awareness of cyberattacks--and the increasing connectedness of cyber and cyberphysical systems--have led to concerns about whether U.S. homes, businesses, and government are prepared to secure themselves in a digitally integrated world. One of the most frequently raised concerns pertains to the sufficiency of cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development in the United States. Federal policymakers have raised questions about the quality and quantity of U.S. postsecondary education graduates with cybersecurity credentials (in general) and have raised concerns about the civilian and military workforce needs of the federal government (in particular)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Granovskiy, Boris
2017-05-16
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Air Traffic Inc.: Considerations Regarding the Corporatization of Air Traffic Control [May 16, 2017]
"Over the past 40 years, Congress has intermittently considered proposals to establish a government corporation or private entity to carry out air traffic functions currently provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). While the issue had been relatively dormant since a proposal offered by the Clinton Administration in the 1990s failed to gain the support of Congress, interest reemerged following budget sequester-related funding cuts to FAA in FY2013. In the 114th Congress, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee ordered H.R. 4441, an FAA reauthorization bill that proposed to establish a government-chartered air traffic services corporation, to be reported. However, the bill was never reported in the House, and the FAA extension act passed by Congress in July 2016 (P.L. [Public Law] 114-190) did not make any organizational reforms regarding air traffic services. Authorizations under that extension expire at the end of FY2017, and debate over air traffic services reform has arisen once more. Many other countries have established government corporations, quasi-governmental entities, or private firms to perform air traffic services. While none of these air traffic service organizations are comparable to FAA in terms of their size or complexity, they represent a broad array of organizational models including a large number of wholly government-owned corporations, a public-private partnership model in the United Kingdom, a government-controlled joint stock company in Switzerland, and a fully private nonprofit entity controlled by aviation industry stakeholders in Canada."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elias, Bartholomew
2017-05-16
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Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress [May 16, 2017]
"The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region's future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial interests in the region. The United States held the two-year, rotating chairmanship of the Arctic Council from April 24, 2015, to May 11, 2017. Record low extents of Arctic sea ice over the past decade have focused scientific and policy attention on links to global climate change and projected ice-free seasons in the Arctic within decades. These changes have potential consequences for weather in the United States, access to mineral and biological resources in the Arctic, the economies and cultures of peoples in the region, and national security. The five Arctic coastal states--the United States, Canada, Russia, Norway, and Denmark (of which Greenland is a territory)--have made or are in the process of preparing submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf regarding the outer limits of their extended continental shelves. The Russian submission includes the underwater Lomonosov Ridge, a feature that spans a considerable distance across the center of Arctic Ocean. The diminishment of Arctic ice could lead in coming years to increased commercial shipping on two trans-Arctic sea routes--the Northern Sea Route close to Russia, and the Northwest Passage--though the rate of increase in the use of these routes might not be as great as sometimes anticipated in press accounts. International guidelines for ships operating in Arctic waters have been recently updated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2017-05-16
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House Committee Funding: Description of Process and Analysis of Disbursements [May 16, 2017]
"Funding for House committees (except for the Committee on Appropriations) follows a two-step process of authorization and appropriation. Operating budgets for all standing and select committees of the House (except for the Committee on Appropriations) are authorized pursuant to a simple resolution, and funding is provided in the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill and other appropriations acts. Subsequent resolutions may change committee authorizations. On March 17, 2017, the House adopted H.Res. [House Resolution] 173, providing for the expenses of certain committees of the House of Representatives in the 115th Congress, by voice vote. The resolution authorized a total of $266.3 million for committee expenses, $132.7 million for the first session and $133.6 million for the second session. The use of committee funds is subject to chamber rules, law, and regulations promulgated by the Committee on House Administration, the Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards, and the Ethics Committee. Committee funds may only be used to support the conduct of official business of the committee. They may not be used for personal or campaign purposes. Information on individual committee spending is published quarterly in the 'Statements of Disbursement of the House'. This report is organized in three sections. The first provides an overview of the committee funding process in the House and analyzes funding levels since 1996. The second reviews House floor and committee action on committee funding in the 115th Congress. The final section summarizes the rules and regulations that structure the use of committee funds, and analyzes actual committee funding spending patterns during six previous years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Glassman, Matthew
2017-05-16
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Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response [May 16, 2017]
"A deadly chemical weapons attack in Syria on April 4, 2017, and a U.S. military strike in response on April 6 returned the Syrian civil war--now in its seventh year--to the forefront of international attention. In response to the April 4 attack, some Members of Congress called for the United States to conduct a punitive military operation. These Members and some others since have praised President Trump's decision to launch a limited strike, although some also have called on the President to consult with Congress about Syria strategy. Other Members have questioned the President's authority to launch the strike in the absence of specific prior authorization from Congress. In the past, some in Congress have expressed concern about the international and domestic authorizations for such strikes, their potential unintended consequences, and the possibility of undesirable or unavoidable escalation. Since taking office in January 2017, President Trump has stated his intention to 'destroy' the Syria-and Iraq-based insurgent terrorist group known as the Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIL, ISIS, or the Arabic acronym 'Da'esh'), and the President has ordered actions to 'accelerate' U.S. military efforts against the group in both countries. In late March, senior U.S. officials signaled that the United States would prioritize the fight against the Islamic State and said that Syrian President Bashar al Asad's future would be determined by the Syrian people. Nevertheless, following the April 4 attack, President Trump and senior members of his Administration have spoken more critically of Asad's leadership, and it remains to be seen whether the United States will more directly seek to compel Asad's departure from power while pursuing the ongoing campaign against the Islamic State."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humud, Carla E.; Blanchard, Christopher M.; Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham
2017-05-16
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Federal Reserve: Legislation in the 115th Congress [May 16, 2017]
"The proposals reviewed in this report are wide ranging and diverse; many are united by the goals of increasing the Fed's accountability to Congress and decreasing Fed discretion. Although some provisions make minor changes, taken together the proposals would arguably somewhat reduce the Fed's independence from Congress. The Fed is more independent than most other agencies, which has traditionally been justified by its monetary policy responsibilities. Most research has found a positive relationship between monetary policy independence and economic outcomes. To some extent, a tradeoff between independence and accountability is unavoidable. This report analyzes Fed bills that have seen committee or floor action and the policy debate surrounding them."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2017-05-16
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Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: Lessons Learned and Issues for Congress [May 16, 2017]
"The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) was the nation's first mandatory cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. RGGI involves nine states--Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The RGGI cap-and-trade system applies only to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from electric power plants with capacities to generate 25 megawatts or more--approximately 168 facilities. The RGGI emissions cap took effect January 1, 2009, based on an agreement signed by RGGI governors in 2005. The results of the RGGI program may be instructive to policymakers. Several of RGGI's design elements generated considerable interest during the development and debate of federal proposals to address GHG emissions. In particular, the program's emissions cap has received particular attention. When the original cap took effect in 2009, it did not compel regulated entities to make internal emission reductions or purchase emission credits from other sources. Several factors led to this outcome: RGGI's cap design, an economic downturn, and a substantial shift to less carbon intensive fuels. For instance, in 2005, RGGI states generated 33% of their electricity from coal and petroleum, sources of energy with relatively high carbon intensity. In 2016, these sources generated 7% of RGGI's electricity."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.
2017-05-16
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Speaker of the House: House Officer, Party Leader, and Representative [May 16, 2017]
"The Speaker of the House of Representatives is widely viewed as symbolizing the power and authority of the House. The Speaker's most prominent role is that of presiding officer of the House. In this capacity, the Speaker is empowered by House rules to administer proceedings on the House floor, including recognition of Members to speak on the floor or make motions and appointment of Members to conference committees. The Speaker also oversees much of the nonlegislative business of the House, such as general control over the Hall of the House and the House side of the Capitol and service as chair of the House Office Building Commission. The Speaker's role as 'elect of the elect' in the House also places him or her in a highly visible position with the public. The Speaker also serves as not only titular leader of the House but also leader of the majority party conference. The Speaker is often responsible for airing and defending the majority party's legislative agenda in the House. The Speaker's third distinct role is that of an elected Member of the House. Although elected as an officer of the House, the Speaker continues to be a Member as well. As such the Speaker enjoys the same rights, responsibilities, and privileges of all Representatives. However, the Speaker has traditionally refrained from debating or voting in most circumstances and does not sit on any standing committee of the House."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heitshusen, Valerie
2017-05-16
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Regulation of Debit Interchange Fees [May 16, 2017]
"The United States has seen continued growth of electronic card payments (and a simultaneous decrease in check payments). From 2009 through 2012, debit card transactions have outpaced other payment forms. When a consumer uses a debit card in a transaction, the merchant pays a 'swipe' fee, which is also known as the interchange fee. The interchange fee is paid to the card-issuing bank (i.e., the consumer's bank that issued the debit card) as compensation for facilitating the transaction. Section 1075 of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (or Title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, P.L. [Public Law]111-203), also known as the Durbin Amendment, authorizes the Federal Reserve Board to prescribe regulations to ensure that the amount of any interchange transaction fee received by a debit card issuer is reasonable and proportional to the cost incurred by the issuer. The Federal Reserve may consider the authorization, clearance, and settlement costs of each transaction when it sets the interchange fee. The Durbin Amendment allows the interchange fee to be adjusted for costs incurred by debit card issuers to prevent fraud. Debit card issuers with less than $10 billion in assets are exempt by statute from the regulation, which means that smaller financial institutions may receive a larger interchange fee than larger issuers. The legislation also prohibits network providers (e.g., Visa and MasterCard) and debit card issuers from imposing restrictions that would override a merchant's choice of the network provider through which to route transactions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Getter, Darryl E.
2017-05-16
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Technology Assessment: Internet of Things: Status and Implications of an Increasingly Connected World, Report to Congressional Requesters
"The rapid, global proliferation of IoT [Internet of Things] devices has generated significant interest. In light of the current and potential effects of the IoT on consumers, businesses, and policy makers, GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to conduct a technology assessment of the IoT. This report provides an introduction to the IoT and describes what is known about current and emerging IoT technologies, and the implications of their use. To conduct this assessment, GAO reviewed key reports and scientific literature; convened two expert meetings with the assistance of the National Academies; and interviewed officials from two agencies to obtain their views on specific implications of the IoT. Ten federal agencies and twelve experts reviewed the draft report and some provided technical comments, which were incorporated as appropriate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-05-15
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Department of Defense Directive 5160.62: Single Manager Responsibility for Military Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology and Training (EODT&T), June 3, 2011 [Incorporating Change 1, May 15, 2017]
"It is DoD policy that: [a.] The DoD EODT&T [Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology and Training] program be designed to: (1) Improve the effectiveness and economy of EOD activity throughout the DoD by eliminating duplications and overlapping of EOD technology development and training efforts. (2) Ensure the attainment of state-of-the art DoD emergency and wartime EOD capabilities. (3) Use rapid prototyping capabilities, followed by streamlined procurement procedures as much as possible, in accordance with law, regulations, and policy. (4) Ensure that Military Departments program for their acquisition of explosive ordnance materiel and activities (including applicable weapon delivery systems) provide technical data, in accordance with the specifications set by the Single Manager for EODT&T; make available hardware for EOD validation and verification testing; and recommend any unique tools necessary for the render safe and disposal of the explosive ordnance. (5) Ensure that EOD procedures and required EOD tools and equipment are developed, tested, jointly verified, and fielded 30 days before the fielding of new explosive ordnance."
United States. Department of Defense
2017-05-15
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Department of Defense Instruction 3025.22: The Use of the National Guard for Defense Support of Civil Authorities, July 26, 2013 [Incorporating Change 1, May 15, 2017]
"It is DoD policy that: [...] [d.] The use of the National Guard to support a federal department or agency or qualifying entity request for assistance will only be conducted in a duty status pursuant to Reference (f) or section 502(f) of Reference (a), unless otherwise authorized by the Secretary of Defense. (1) The National Guard will be considered for DSCA [Defense Support of Civil Activities] in accordance with the Global Force Management (GFM) process. (2) The recommendation to approve funding for the National Guard in a duty status pursuant to section 502(f) of Reference (a) will be made to the Secretary of Defense after: (a) The National Guard has been selected as the recommended sourcing solution to perform a DSCA mission."
United States. Department of Defense
2017-05-15
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Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress [May 15, 2017]
"The current and planned size and composition of the Navy, the rate of Navy ship procurement, and the prospective affordability of the Navy's shipbuilding plans have been oversight matters for the congressional defense committees for many years. On December 15, 2016, the Navy released a new force-structure goal that calls for achieving and maintaining a fleet of 355 ships of certain types and numbers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2017-05-15
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Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program [May 15, 2017]
"Congress created the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program to offer long-term, low-cost loans to railroad operators, with particular attention to small freight railroads, to help them finance improvements to infrastructure and investments in equipment. The program is intended to operate at no cost to the government, and it does not receive an annual appropriation. Since 2000, the RRIF program has made 36 loans totaling $5.2 billion (valued at $5.4 billion in 2016 dollars). The program, which is administered by the Build America Bureau within the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, has approved only three loans since 2012. Congress has authorized $35 billion in loan authority for the RRIF program and repeatedly has urged the Department of Transportation (DOT) to increase the number of loans the program makes. Reports suggest the uncertain length and outcome of the RRIF loan application process and the up-front costs to prospective borrowers are among the elements of the program that have reduced its appeal compared with other financing options available to railroads. By statute, the Build America Bureau has 90 days from the time a completed application is submitted to render a decision on the application. This timeline becomes uncertain due to the Bureau's discretion in determining when a loan application is 'complete.' A 2014 audit indicated that some loan applications had been in process for more than a year."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Peterman, David Randall
2017-05-15
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Electoral College: How It Works in Contemporary Presidential Elections [May 15, 2017]
"When Americans vote for a President and Vice President, they are actually choosing presidential electors, known collectively as the electoral college. It is these officials who choose the President and Vice President of the United States. The complex elements comprising the electoral college system are responsible for election of the President and Vice President. The 2016 presidential contest was noteworthy for the first 'simultaneous' occurrence in presidential election history of four rarely occurring electoral college eventualities. These included (1) the election of a President and Vice President who received fewer popular votes than their major opponents; (2) the actions of seven 'faithless electors,' who voted for candidates other than those to whom they were pledged; (3) the split allocation of electoral votes in Maine, which uses the district system to allocate electors; and (4) objections to electoral votes at the joint session of Congress to count the votes. These events are examined in detail in the body of this report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Neale, Thomas H.
2017-05-15
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Judiciary Appropriations, FY2017 [May 15, 2017]
"Funds for the judicial branch are included annually in the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations bill. The bill provides funding for the Supreme Court; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; the U.S. Court of International Trade; the U.S. Courts of Appeals and District Courts; Defender Services; Court Security; Fees of Jurors and Commissioners; the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts; the Federal Judicial Center; the U.S. Sentencing Commission; and Judicial Retirement Funds. The judiciary's FY2017 budget request of $7.58 billion was submitted on February 9, 2016. By law, the President includes the requests submitted by the judiciary in the annual budget submission without change."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Glassman, Matthew
2017-05-15
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Kuwait: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy [May 15, 2017]
"Kuwait remains pivotal to U.S. efforts to secure the Persian Gulf region because of its consistent cooperation with U.S. strategy and operations in the region and its proximity to both Iran and Iraq. Kuwait and the United States have a formal Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA), under which the United States maintains forces and pre-positioned military equipment in Kuwait. These forces contribute to U.S. efforts to project power and otherwise operate in the region, including combatting the Islamic State. Kuwait receives no U.S. foreign assistance, and has offset some of the costs of U.S. operations in the region since Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. On regional issues, Kuwait usually acts in concert with allies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE [United Arab Emirates], Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman). In March 2011, Kuwait supported the GCC military intervention to help Bahrain's government suppress an uprising by the majority Shiite population, but it sent only largely symbolic naval ships and not ground forces. Kuwait is participating militarily in the Saudi-led coalition that is trying to defeat the Shiite 'Houthi' rebel movement in Yemen, but has also worked to forge a diplomatic solution to that conflict. Kuwait's leadership, along with that of Saudi Arabia and UAE, supported the Egyptian military's July 2013 removal of elected president and senior Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammad Morsi. Kuwait has supported U.S. efforts to contain Iran and has periodically arrested Kuwaiti Shiites that the government says are spying for Iran, but it also engages Iran at high levels, including on the Yemen conflict. As part of this engagement, in mid-February 2017, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani visited Kuwait and Oman -the GCC state that most consistently engages Iran."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2017-05-15
