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• Gyges Effect: An Ethical Critique of Lethal Remotely Piloted Aircraft

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  From the thesis abstract: "The U.S. Army pledges to defend the country against all enemies, foreign and domestic, in a manner that upholds national values. One such way recent presidential administrations make good on their pledge to protect the American people is by authorizing military strikes using the Remotely Piloted Aircrafts (RPA). If RPA do act as a political deposit on the sacred oath sworn by our leaders to protect and defend the constitution, does the policy likewise uphold the traditional norms associated with justice in war ('jus in bello')? In other words, does the U.S. Government violate 'jus in bello' in its use of RPA to conduct military strikes? To examine this question further, it is necessary to explore three broad areas. The first, and most substantial, is the moral basis for justifiable military action. The second area is legal precedence for RPA strikes. The final area deals in the consequences of such action within today's operational environment (OE) and the effects it has on the future of warfare. This thesis critiques the morality, legality, and military ethics of the United States' RPA Policy."

  U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

  Pride, Matthew D.

  2017-06-09
• Online Radicalization: Bangladesh Perspective

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  From the thesis abstract: "The internet has significantly increased terrorists' reach, and person to person contact is no more essential to radicalize people. Some terrorist organizations in Bangladesh are also maneuvering in the cyber domain to spread their ideologies and radicalize people. To prevent radicalization through cyberspace, Bangladesh mostly implements hard powers such as removing contents and restricting access to the internet. However, freedom of speech and access to information are prime requirements for a prosperous and democratic society. Therefore, Bangladesh should develop an effective strategy to counter radicalization without impinging citizens' freedom of speech. The country, nonetheless, faces challenges due to lack of coordination among the counter-terrorism agencies, and lack of positive initiatives to grow enduring social resilience against radicalization. Bangladesh may harness benefits by adopting key elements of seemingly successful programs of other countries. It should also create a strategy for appealing positive messaging to foster inter-faith respect and communal harmony where counter-narratives will be embedded. Besides, developing ethics and responsibility of the Internet users will create a self-monitoring system in the cyber domain. Finally, constructive measures will enable Bangladesh to develop a sustainable counter radicalization mechanism without impinging citizens' democratic rights."

  U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

  Rashid, Mohammad Istiaque

  2017-06-09
• Shortcomings in Information Sharing Facilitates Transnational Organized Crime

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  From the thesis abstract: "This study asks what shortcoming exists hindering information sharing across the U.S. Government to combat transnational organized crime (TOC). A comprehensive review of national strategies, law, and scholarly works establish the immediate security and economic threat posed by criminal organizations worldwide. The confluent business models shared by terrorist and TOC organizations requires an equally unified effort to combat these threats. By employing a levels of analysis approach to disaggregate national level, organizational level and individual level factors, four gaps emerge to combat TOC. First, divergent strategies to combat terrorist and TOC organizations are revealed. Second, the current process for information sharing relies on gate keepers access to stove piped information. Third, the absence of a lead agency to combat TOC. Finally, bureaucratic boundaries to sharing information persist. To address these shortcomings, five recommendations are provided. First, a single national strategy clearly representing the convergence between terrorist and TOC organizations. Second, the Director of National Intelligence must have the authorities necessary to unify the intelligence community (IC). Third, reorganization of the IC is urgently needed. Fourth, designate the National Counter Terrorism Center as the lead agency to combat TOC. Finally, a directive to migrate all government networks to cloud technology."

  U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

  Tucker, Daniel J.

  2017-06-09
• Globalization vs. National Sovereignty

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  From the thesis abstract: "Does the continuing increase in globalization particularly in the areas of economic, technological, travel, immigration, and multiple citizenships decrease national sovereignty and our ability to secure the homeland? This increase in globalization may cause unintended interdependencies. This thesis investigates the relationship between globalization, national sovereignty, and homeland security. If this increase continues without a balance will the government not be able to respond to an incident or will this impact the nation's willingness to unite to secure the homeland? Since the end of the Cold War (1991) the change of scale in international business exchange is unlike any other phase in history. Since the 1990s countries allowing or offering dual citizenship have also been increasing in number. This citizenship may cause confusion of allegiances to those that have more than one."

  U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

  Petro, Cory J.

  2017-06-09
• Utility of Army Design Methodology in U.S. Coast Guard Counter Narcotic Interdiction Strategy

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  "This study investigates the utility of using Army Design Methodology (ADM) to help frame U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) counternarcotic strategy. The USCG published the Western Hemisphere Strategy in 2014, outlining the strategic and operational framework for USCG operations in the Western Hemisphere, addressing a ten-year plan to combat networks, secure borders, and safeguard commerce. This study focuses on the following questions: has the Western Hemisphere Strategy been effective, so far, in combating networks and securing our borders; and is there utility in adding ADM as a tool in developing future USCG/whole of government counternarcotics operations strategy? This study uses an applied professional case study research approach as the basis, which takes into account personal experience in USCG operations in conjunction with relevant sources in order to persuade policy makers about the rich and deep context of a setting associated with complex human issues where the goal is to take informed action to improve the situation. Drug trafficking organization operations and USCG interdiction tactics are dynamic and humanly complex, with multiple key players, stakeholders, and influencers. Ultimately, this research and analysis goal, is to validate/non-validate USCG current tactics and provide key decision makers with additional, increased interdiction options . . . or maybe more importantly, provide a recommendation for a better approach in defining the problem."

  U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

  McWhite, John B.

  2017-06-09
• Psychodynamic Systems Perspective on Command Relationship During Combat Operations

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  From the thesis abstract: "The purpose of this research thesis is to provide new insight to one of the Danish Army´s warfighting challenges pertaining to the breakdown of the command relationship between two levels of command in a military organization deployed in hostile environments. The thesis focuses on how subconscious processes influence the command relationship, and ultimately, how those processes contribute to the spectra of conflicts between the company level and battlegroup level To that end, this thesis utilizes three different theories within psychodynamic system theory to analyzing interviews and questionnaires to identify perceived problem areas within the subconscious domain and their effects on the command relationship. The analysis of the empirical data has given an understanding of how subconscious processes influence command relations and as shown how the leadership roles of boundary regulation, problem solving and pathological process have influenced the command relationship in a variety of ways. It has also shown how splitting and projection have led to conflicts and subsequent breakdown of the command relationship. Overall this thesis has unmistakably shown that subconscious processes do play a role in the breakdown of command relationship, and thus have provided new insight to one the Danish Army´s warfighting challenges."

  U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

  Hejlesen, Dennis W.

  2017-06-09
• Enhancing the Army Operations Process Through the Incorportation of Holography

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  From the thesis abstract: "In order to dominate our opponents on the battlefield, the Army must have an agnostic technology that can quickly grow. Mission command information systems must be able to extend across multiple environments regardless of a commonality in hardware. The human dimension must be met at each domain (human, land, maritime, air, space, cyber)by an information system that augments the process. The focus needs to be on data delivery at the process in need over an approved secure based hardware. Holography is the future of mission command for the commanders, staff and soldiers allowing a distributed environment for all operations. Cognitive load is greatly reduced allowing for commanders, staff and soldiers to focus on the process and not on a computer screen. The process is no longer split between trying to take data and mentally overlaying it onto the process. Data now augments reality and is a noninvasive process to decision making."

  U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

  Burns, Samuel M.

  2017-06-09
• From Serpent to CEO: Improving First-Term Security Forces Airman Performance Through Neuroscience Education

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  From the thesis abstract: "United States Air Force Security Forces relies heavily on young adults and their ability to apply judgment while under threat. Security Forces assumes inherently greater risks than its civilian counterparts; it relies on a core population of young adults between 17 and 25 years old as primary first-contact sentries, patrolmen, and combat operators. Current research indicates the human brain requires at least 26 years to reach full maturation. The implementation of Defender's Edge, a mental health performance program specifically designed for Air Force Security Forces personnel, is significant to introducing neuroscience concepts into operations to mitigate resultant risks. However, a deeper understanding of neuroanatomical and physiological considerations affecting young adults would improve reflexive performance in judgment-dependent situations. Neuroscience education offers novel enhancements to training, operations, and Defender's Edge to reduce risk and increase cognitive performance abilities in young adults."

  U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

  Cheatham, Michael L.

  2017-06-09
• President Trump's Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement Raises Legal Questions: Part 1 and 2

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  "On June 1, President Trump announced his long-anticipated decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement--an international agreement intended to reduce the effects of climate change by maintaining global temperatures 'well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels[.]' As analyzed in this earlier report and live CRS seminar, historical practice suggests it is within the President's constitutional authority to withdraw from the Paris Agreement without first receiving congressional or senatorial approval. However, legal questions remain as to how the Trump Administration will implement the withdrawal and what role the United States will play in future international climate meetings. This two-part Sidebar series analyzes legal questions arising from the President's announcement."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  2017-06-09
• What is the Proposed U.S.-EU Insurance Covered Agreement? [June 9, 2017]

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  "Recent growth of domestic crude oil production has resulted in an unprecedented expansion of the United States' oil pipeline network. One major oil pipeline recently constructed is the Dakota Access Pipeline, a 30-inch diameter, 1,172-mile project that carries crude oil produced in northwest North Dakota to southern Illinois (Figure 1). The Dakota Access Pipeline's maximum capacity is 570,000 barrels per day. […] The federal government does not have jurisdiction over the siting of domestic oil pipelines. Instead, authorization for the overall route must be granted by individual states. The Dakota Access Pipeline developer, Energy Transfer Partners, was granted siting approval from state utility regulators in South Dakota and Illinois in 2015, and from North Dakota and Iowa early in 2016."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Webel, Baird; Fefer, Rachel F.

  2017-06-09
• ACA Prevention and Public Health Fund: In Brief [June 9, 2017]

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  "Section 4002 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111-148, as amended) established the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF, or 'the Fund') and funded it with a permanent annual appropriation to be administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The PPHF authority directs the HHS Secretary to transfer amounts from the Fund to HHS agencies for prevention, wellness, and public health activities. [...] The Trump Administration budget proposal for FY2018 would transfer $841 million of the $900 million available to the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]. The remaining $60 million reflects sequestration. No additional HHS agencies are proposed to receive PPHF funds for FY2018. If PPHF funds were to become unavailable, additional appropriations would be needed to sustain programmatic activities at the levels provided in recent Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations acts. [...] The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated the budgetary effects of PPHF repeal as proposed by House-passed H.R. 1628.14 CBO estimated budget authority over the 10-year period of FY2017-FY2026 at $12.0 billion, the sum of annual appropriations to the Fund for those years. It estimated outlays (i.e., the amount that would potentially be saved by the repeal) of $8.8 billion for the same period."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lister, Sarah A.

  2017-06-09
• FY2018 Defense Budget Request: The Basics [June 9, 2017]

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  "On May 23, 2017 the Trump Administration released its federal budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2018. The Administration proposed a total budget of $677.1 billion for national defense-related activities of the federal government (budget function 050). Of the national defense total, $667.6 billion is discretionary spending provided, for the most part, by the annual appropriations bill drafted by the Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate. The remaining $9.6 billion is mandatory spending, that is, spending for entitlement programs and certain other payments. Mandatory spending is generally governed by statutory criteria and it is not provided by annual appropriation acts. As has been typical in recent years, about 95% of that total ($646.9 billion) is for military activities of the Department of Defense (DOD)--referred to as subfunction 051. The balance of the function 050 request comprises $21.8 billion for defense-related atomic energy-defense activities of the Department of Energy (designated subfunction 053) and $8.4 billion for defense-related activities of other agencies (designated subfunction 054) of which about two-thirds is allocated to the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Williams, Lynn M.; Towell, Pat

  2017-06-09
• Juneteenth: Fact Sheet [June 9, 2017]

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  "Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It is also known as Emancipation Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, and Black Independence Day. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the end of the civil war and the end of slavery. Although the Emancipation Proclamation came 2½ years earlier on January 1, 1863, and many slave owners continued to hold their slaves captive after the announcement, Juneteenth became a symbolic date representing African American freedom. Juneteenth is not a federal holiday. Forty-five states and the District of Columbia celebrate Juneteenth as a state holiday. This fact sheet assists congressional offices with work related to Juneteenth."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Higgins, Molly

  2017-06-09
• Israel and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement [June 9, 2017]

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  "This report provides information and analysis on a boycott, divestment, and sanctions ('BDS') movement against Israel. The BDS movement is generally seen as a loose grouping of actors from various countries who advocate or engage in economic measures against Israel or Israel-related individuals or organizations, though defining precisely what may or may not constitute BDS activity is subject to debate. The report also analyzes economic measures that 'differentiate' or might be seen as differentiating between (1) Israel in general and (2) entities linked with Israeli-developed areas and settlements (whose legality is questioned under international law). Such settlements are found in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Golan Heights- areas that Israel has controlled and administered since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Debate is ongoing in the United States and elsewhere about whether economic differentiation (such as with regard to product labeling policies) between Israel proper and Israeli settlements constitutes a form of BDS. The report also discusses [1] Anti-BDS or anti-differentiation efforts to date, including U.S. legislative action and proposals at the federal and state level […] [and] [2] Legislative considerations arising from existing antiboycott law, First Amendment issues, and issues regarding congressional powers over commerce and foreign affairs. "

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Zanotti, Jim; Weiss, Martin A.; Ruane, Kathleen Ann . . .

  2017-06-09
• Verification Review: FEMA's Lack of Process for Tracking Public Assistance Insurance Requirements Places Billions of Tax Dollars at Risk

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  From the Document: "We conducted a verification review to determine whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) implemented recommendations from our fiscal year 2012 report, OIG [Office of Inspector General]-12-18, 'FEMA's Process for Tracking Public Assistance Insurance Requirements' (prior report), to reduce risk of the Federal Government paying for disaster damages that should be covered by a previous insurance requirement. To avoid wasteful and duplicative spending, it is crucial that FEMA identify all existing requirements for insurance. Due to FEMA's inability to develop an enterprise-wide insurance requirements tracking capability, billions of tax dollars distributed from the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) since 2001, have been at risk to fraud, waste, and abuse."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General

  2017-06-09
• Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy [June 9, 2017]

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  "The state of Qatar, a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman), has employed its ample financial resources to try to 'punch above its weight' on regional and international affairs. Qatar has intervened, directly and indirectly, in several regional conflicts, including in Syria and Libya. Qatar also has sought to establish itself as an indispensable interlocutor on some issues, such as those involving the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas, the Taliban insurgent group in Afghanistan, some Al Qaeda-linked Syrian rebel groups, Lebanon, and Sudan. On Iran, Qatar has generally supported efforts to limit Iran's regional influence while maintaining dialogue with Iran's senior officials. [...] As do the other GCC leaders, Qatar's leaders apparently view the United States as the guarantor of Gulf security. The United States and Qatar have had a formal Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) since 1992, which addresses a U.S. troop presence in Qatar, consideration of U.S. arms sales to Qatar, U.S. training, and other defense cooperation. Under the DCA, Qatar hosts nearly 10,000 U.S. forces at its military facilities, including at the large Al Udeid Air Base, and Qatar also hosts the regional headquarters for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). U.S. forces in Qatar participate in operations all over the region, including Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) against the Islamic State organization in Iraq and Syria, and in Afghanistan."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2017-06-09
• MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 9, 2017

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  The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR contains the following articles: "Hospitalizations for Endocarditis and Associated Health Care Costs Among Persons with Diagnosed Drug Dependence -- North Carolina, 2010-2015"; "Measures Taken to Prevent Zika Virus Infection During Pregnancy -- Puerto Rico, 2016"; "Japanese Encephalitis Surveillance and Immunization -- Asia and Western Pacific Regions, 2016"; "Vital Signs: Health Care-Associated Legionnaires' Disease Surveillance Data from 20 States and a Large Metropolitan Area -- United States, 2015"; "Notes from the Field: Two Cases of Legionnaires' Disease in Newborns After Water Births -- Arizona, 2016"; and "QuickStats: Average Number of Deaths from Motor Vehicle Injuries, Suicide, and Homicide, by Day of the Week -- National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2015." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2017.html]

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)

  2017-06-09
• After Action Report/Improvement Plan: Diablo Canyon Power Plant [March 29, 2017]

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  From the Executive Summary: "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region IX National Preparedness Division, Technological Hazards Branch, evaluated a Medical Services Exercise (MS-1) on March 29, 2017, for local emergency Off-site Response Organizations (ORO). Evaluations were conducted at French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC), the County of San Luis Obispo (SLO) Sheriff's Dispatch - Medical Communications (MEDCOM), and San Luis Ambulance (SLA) that are located in the County of SLO. [...] No Level 1 (L1) or Level 2 (L2) Findings were identified during the MS-1 conducted at FHMC. In Summary: The OROs successfully demonstrated that their RERP [Radiological Emergency Response Plans] and procedures can be adequately implemented in response to a radiological incident occurring at or within the vicinity of DCPP [Diablo Canyon Power Plant]. This action maintains continued reasonable assurance that emergency safety measures can be taken to protect the health and safety of the public in the event of a radiological incident occurring at or within the vicinity of DCPP."

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

  2017-06-09
• EPA Science Advisory Board: Policy Statement on Science Quality and Integrity

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  "In formulating rules to protect the environment and public health, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relies on advice from scientific and technical experts. EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) is one source of scientific and technical advice for EPA. [...] As a federal advisory committee, the SAB must comply with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Among other things, FACA requires that EPA establish uniform administrative guidelines and management controls for its advisory committees. An explanatory statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 directed EPA to develop an updated policy statement on science quality and integrity for the SAB. According to the explanatory statement, the policy statement should include (1) goals on increasing membership from states and tribes; (2) an evaluation of potential bias, if EPA's Administrator decides that financial-related metrics are appropriate to identify conflicts of interest or bias; and (3) direction on treating public comments. The explanatory statement also directed EPA to submit a draft of the policy statement to GAO [Government Accountability Office] for review and included a provision for GAO to review the updated policy statement and determine whether the updated policy met the intent of the explanatory statement."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2017-06-08
• Privacy Impact Assessment for the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS)

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  "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), United States Fire Administration (USFA), National Fire Programs (NFP), National Fire Data Center (NFDC) owns and operates the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). NFIRS is an information technology (IT) system that collects and maintains data associated with emergency responses by fire departments nationwide to analyze and measure the national fire problem as directed by USFA. FEMA is conducting this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) because NFIRS may contain personally identifiable information (PII) of fire casualties, property owners, fire and emergency medical service personnel, and other persons involved in the incidents."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2017-06-08
• European Security and Islamist Terrorism [June 8, 2017]

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  "The June 3, 2017 attack in London--in which eight people were killed and nearly 50 injured--was the third terrorist incident in the United Kingdom in the last few months. Five people were killed outside the UK parliament in March in a similar car and knife attack, and in May, a suicide bomber killed 22 people and wounded 116 at a music concert in Manchester. These incidents are among a string of terrorist attacks in Europe connected to or inspired by violent Islamist extremism, with many since 2014 linked to the Islamic State group (also known as ISIS or ISIL)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Archick, Kristin; Belkin, Paul; Mix, Derek E.

  2017-06-08
• U.S. Foreign Aid to the Middle East and North Africa: The President's FY2018 Request [June 8, 2017]

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  "For FY2018, the Trump Administration proposes to cut 12% of overall bilateral aid to the Middle East and North Africa (from FY2016 enacted levels), primarily by ending Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grants to Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, and Tunisia. However, these countries may continue to receive grant or loan aid from a proposed $200 million FMF 'global fund,' possibly convert from FMF grants to FMF loans beginning in FY2018, or receive no FMF assistance at all. U.S. security assistance to MENA [Middle East and North Africa] countries could also be channeled through Defense Department appropriations accounts rather than through State Department and Foreign Operations appropriations. If enacted, the Administration's FY2018 proposed cuts to FMF for the region would make the traditional recipients of FMF grants (Israel, Egypt, and Jordan) account for 100% of all regional FMF grant aid and 92% of all global grant FMF aid. While the President's FY2018 budget request claims that FMF loans will allow recipients to 'purchase more American-made defense equipment and related services than they would receive with the same amount of grant funding,' some lawmakers argue that converting FMF grants to loans would 'require poorer countries to reimburse the United States (which past experience has shown they are unable to do) for assistance that is in our security interest to provide to them.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell

  2017-06-08
• Quorum Requirements in the Senate: Committee and Chamber [June 8, 2017]

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  "Senate Rule XXVI establishes minimum quorum requirements for four areas of committee activity. [...] Senate committees have discretion in adjusting the minimum quorum requirements mandated in Rule XXVI so long as they adopt rules that are 'not inconsistent with the Rules of the Senate.' For instance, most committees allow a single Senator to take testimony at a hearing rather than the one-third required by Rule XXVI. Committees cannot change the majority physically present quorum needed for reporting a measure. Proxy voting is allowed under Senate rules on a vote to report a matter, but a majority must be physically present and proxy votes cannot make a difference in successfully ordering a measure reported."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Rybicki, Elizabeth

  2017-06-08
• Broadband Data Privacy and Security: What's Net Neutrality Got to Do With It? [June 8, 2017]

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  From the Document: "This Sidebar is the third in a series discussing the potential impact of the Federal Communications Commission's proposal to reclassify broadband Internet access services (BIAS). This Sidebar focuses on the proposal's possible effect on the regulation of BIAS providers' privacy practices."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  2017-06-08
• Information Technology Management Letter for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Component of the FY 2016 Department of Homeland Security Financial Statement Audit

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  From the Highlights: "Each year, our independent auditors identify component-level information technology (IT) control deficiencies as part of the DHS consolidated financial statement audit. This letter provides details that were not included in the fiscal year (FY) 2016 DHS Agency Financial Report."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General

  2017-06-08
• Information Technology Management Letter for the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Component of the FY 2016 Department of Homeland Security Financial Statement Audit

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  From the Highlights: "Each year, our independent auditors identify component-level information technology (IT) control deficiencies as part of the DHS consolidated financial statement audit. This letter provides details that were not included in the fiscal year (FY) 2016 DHS Agency Financial Report."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General

  2017-06-08
• Oversight Hearing on Burdensome Litigation and Federal Bureaucratic Roadblocks to Manage our Nation's Overgrown, Fire-Prone National Forests, Hearing before the Subcommittee on Federal Lands of the Committee on Natural Resources, United States House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, June 8, 2017

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  This is a testimony compilation of the June 8, 2017 hearing 'Oversight Hearing on Burdensome Litigation and Federal Bureaucratic Roadblocks to Manage our Nation's Overgrown, Fire-Prone National Forests' held before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources. From the hearing memo: "The hearing will focus on the adverse impact of litigation to national forests; added requirements and compliance challenges posed by internal Forest Service processes and by other agencies; and, the tragic impacts of these policies on America's overgrown and fire-prone federal forests." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Tom McClintock, Lyle Laverty, Lawson Fite, Bruce Hallin, and Susan Jane M. Brown.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Natural Resources

  2017-06-08
• Department of the Interior- Budget Hearing, Hearing before the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations, United States House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, June 8, 2017

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  This is the June 8, 2017 hearing on "Department of Energy - Budget Hearing," held before the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. From the opening statement of Ken Calvert: "This morning's hearing marks the beginning of a very candid conversation about your Department's funding priorities. Overall, the President's fiscal year 2018 budget request provides $10.6 billion in discretionary funding for Department of the Interior programs under this subcommittee's jurisdiction, which is $1.6 billion or 13 percent below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. At the outset, let me state the obvious: this is going to be a challenging year." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Ken Calvert, Rodney Frelinghuysen, Ryan Zinke, Olivia Ferriter, and Denise Flanagan.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations

  2017-06-08
• EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 17 Issue 23 [June 8, 2017]

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  The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "Fentanyl: A Briefing Guide for First Responders," "Updated Active Shooter Response Resources," "2017 Mitigation Planning Webinars Continue," and "Apply for National EMS Advisory Council."

  Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)

  2017-06-08
• Security Executive Agent Directive 4: National Security Adjudicative Guidelines (Effective: 08 June 2017)

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  "This Security Executive Agent (SecEA) Directive establishes the single, common adjudicative criteria for all covered all individuals who require initial or continued eligibility for access to classified information or eligibility to hold a sensitive position. The Guidelines reflected herein supersede all previously issued national security adjudicative criteria or guidelines."

  United States. Office of the Director of National Intelligence

  2017-06-08