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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 883: Targeting Child Predators Act of 2017
"H.R. 883 would amend the current process for issuing nondisclosure requirements for subpoenas in certain cases of child exploitation. Under current law, a formal court order is needed for such nondisclosure requirements. Under the bill, a nondisclosure requirement could be placed on a subpoena if the subpoena is issued concurrently with a certification that disclosure of the summons could have certain adverse consequences on the defendant or the trial; a formal court order would no longer be necessary. Based on an analysis of information provided by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on the number of cases that would be affected by the bill, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing H.R. 883 would have no significant effect on the federal budget."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2017-04-26
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National Nuclear Security Administration: Action Needed to Address Affordability of Nuclear Modernization Programs, Report to Congressional Committees
"To ensure that the nation's existing nuclear weapons remain safe and reliable, the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review identified a set of long-term modernization goals for the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile that include sustaining a safe, secure, and effective nuclear arsenal and investing in a modern infrastructure. NNSA [National Nuclear Security Administration], which is responsible for the stockpile, is charged with carrying out these goals. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report annually on NNSA's nuclear security budget materials. This is the sixth year that GAO has undertaken work in response to this provision. This report assesses the extent to which NNSA's fiscal year 2017 nuclear security budget materials (1) differ, if at all, from its budget estimates and plans for modernization activities as presented in its fiscal year 2016 budget materials and (2) align with NNSA's modernization plans. GAO analyzed NNSA's fiscal year 2016 and 2017 nuclear security budget materials associated with those years' Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plans, and interviewed officials from NNSA and the Office of Management and Budget. GAO recommends that NNSA include an assessment of the affordability of its portfolio of modernization programs in future versions of the Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan. NNSA did not explicitly agree or disagree with the recommendation. GAO continues to believe that the recommendation is valid, as discussed in this report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-04-26
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DATA ACT: Office of Inspector General Reports Help Identify Agencies' Implementation Challenges, Report to Congressional Addressees
"The DATA Act [Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014] was enacted to increase accountability and transparency and, among other things, expanded on the required federal spending information that agencies are to submit to Treasury for posting to a publicly available website. The act also requires a series of oversight reports by agencies' OIGs [Offices of Inspector General] and GAO [Government Accountability Office]. The objectives of this report are to (1) describe the type of reviews and standards OIGs reported using and scope of the work covered by the DATA Act readiness review reports issued by agency OIGs as of January 31, 2017; (2) describe agencies' readiness to meet the DATA Act requirements, including the May 2017 deadline, as reported by the respective OIGs; and (3) evaluate the extent to which OMB [Office of Management and Budget] and Treasury used or plan to use the results of the OIG readiness reviews. GAO reviewed 30 OIGs' DATA Act readiness reviews issued on or before January 31, 2017. GAO also interviewed OMB staff and Treasury officials and assessed their actions against project management criteria. GAO recommends that OMB and Treasury establish mechanisms to assess the results of independent audits and reviews of agencies' compliance with the DATA Act requirements, including those of agency OIGs. OMB generally concurred and Treasury agreed with the recommendation. The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency noted that the report will contribute to a greater understanding of OIGs' oversight and agencies' DATA Act implementation efforts."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-04-26
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Department of Defense Directive 5148.13: Intelligence Oversight
"In accordance with the direction in the July 11 and December 23, 2014, Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandums and consistent with DoD Directives (DoDDs) 5105.82 and 5148.11, this issuance: Establishes policies, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for employee conduct and identifying, investigating, and reporting questionable intelligence activities (QIAs) and significant or highly sensitive matters (S/HSMs); Prescribes the intelligence oversight responsibilities and functions, relationships, and authorities of the DoD Senior Intelligence Oversight Official (SIOO); Prescribes the responsibilities and relationships of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, the General Counsel of the Department of Defense (GC DoD), and the DoD Component heads regarding intelligence oversight."
United States. Department of Defense
2017-04-26
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DoD 5240.01-R: Procedures Governing the Activities of DoD Intelligence Components that Affect United States Persons, December 1982, Incorporating Change 2, Effective April 26, 2017
"This DoD regulation sets forth procedures governing the activities of DoD intelligence components that affect United States persons. It implements DoD Directive 5240.1, and replaces the November 30, 1979 version of DoD Regulation 5240.1-R. It is applicable to all DoD intelligence components. Executive Order 12333, 'United States Intelligence Activities,' stipulates that certain activities of intelligence components that affect U.S. persons be governed by procedures issued by the agency head and approved by the Attorney General. Specifically, procedures 1 through 10, as well as Appendix A, herein, require approval by the Attorney General. Procedures 11 through 15, while not requiring approval by the Attorney General, contain further guidance to DoD Components in implementing Executive Order 12333 as well as Executive Order 12334, 'President's Intelligence Oversight Board'. Accordingly, by this memorandum, these procedures are approved for use within the Department of Defense. Heads of DoD components shall issue such implementing instructions as may be necessary for the conduct of authorized functions in a manner consistent with the procedures set forth herein. This regulation is effective immediately."
United States. Department of Defense
2017-04-26
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Army Needs to More Effectively Prepare for Production of the Common Infrared Countermeasure System
"We determined whether the Army is effectively preparing the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) system for the production phase of the acquisition program. The Army is acquiring the CIRCM system to protect DoD rotary-wing, tilt-rotor, and small fixed-wing aircraft against infrared-guided surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. […] The Army could more effectively prepare the CIRCM system for production. Specifically, Army management did not: adequately define firm system capability requirements (what the system must do to meet its mission) and test planning (Finding A), and report progress in meeting system reliability and maintainability requirements (Finding C). In addition, Defense Contract Management Agency management had not established surveillance of subcontractor efforts (determining contractor progress and identifying any factors that may delay performance) (Finding B)."
United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Inspector General
2017-04-26
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Shooting the Messenger: Diplomats Crushed by Wave of New Terrorism
"The security of diplomats is a challenging endeavor that requires constant evaluation and increased resources. This thesis compares and contrasts the Cold War and Post-Cold War ems to determine trends in attacks against diplomatic targets and identifies a dangerous evolution in terrorist tactics that combines suicide bombers with armed assaulters in which none of the attackers intend to survive. The Global Terrorism Database shows the number of attacks against diplomatic targets during the last 22 years of the Cold War(1970-l99l) are roughly equal to the number in the first 23 years post-Cold War (1992-2015)."
Joint Advanced Warfighting Program (Institute for Defense Analyses)
Geinert,Justin M
2017-04-26
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Law Enforcement Using and Disclosing Technology Vulnerabilities [April 26, 2017]
From the Document: "There has been increased discussion about law enforcement legally 'hacking' and accessing certain information about or on devices or servers. Law enforcement has explored various avenues to discover and exploit vulnerabilities in technology so it may attempt to uncover information relevant to a case that might otherwise be inaccessible. For instance, as people have adopted tools to conceal their physical locations and anonymize their online activities, law enforcement reports that it has become more difficult to locate bad actors and attribute certain malicious activity to specific persons. As a result, officials have debated the best means to obtain information that may be beneficial to the administration of justice. Exploiting vulnerabilities is one such tool. [...] Congress may examine a range of policy issues related to law enforcement using and disclosing vulnerabilities. For example, how does law enforcement's ability to lawfully hack, or exploit vulnerabilities, influence the current debate surrounding whether law enforcement is 'going dark,' or being outpaced by technology?"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Finklea, Kristin M.
2017-04-26
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Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Workers' Compensation for Federal Employees [April 26, 2017]
"The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) is the workers' compensation program for federal employees. Like all workers' compensation programs, FECA pays disability, survivors, and medical benefits, without fault, to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their federal employment and the survivors of employees killed on the job. The FECA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the costs of benefits are paid by each employee's host agency. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees currently comprise the largest group of FECA beneficiaries and are responsible for the largest share of FECA benefits. [...] This report also focuses on several key policy issues facing the program, including the disproportionate share of claims and program costs attributed to postal workers, the payment of FECA benefits after retirement age, the overall level of FECA disability benefits as compared with those offered by the states, the administration of the FECA program, and the costs associated with prescriptions for compounded medications."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2017-04-26
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Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response [April 26, 2017]
"A deadly chemical weapons attack in Syria on April 4, 2017, and a U.S. military strike in response on April 6 have 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, with some calling 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."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humud, Carla E.; Blanchard, Christopher M.; Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham
2017-04-26
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American War and Military Operations Casualties: Lists and Statistics [April 26, 2017]
"This report provides U.S. war casualty statistics. It includes data tables containing the number of casualties among American military personnel who served in principal wars and combat operations from 1775 to the present. It also includes data on those wounded in action and information such as race and ethnicity, gender, branch of service, and cause of death. The tables are compiled from various Department of Defense (DOD) sources. [...] Starting with the Korean War and the more recent conflicts, this report includes additional detailed information on types of casualties and, when available, demographics. It also cites a number of resources for further information, including sources of historical statistics on active duty military deaths, published lists of military personnel killed in combat actions, data on demographic indicators among U.S. military personnel, related websites, and relevant Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
DeBruyne, Nese F.
2017-04-26
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Small Business Administration: Actions Taken to Help Improve Disaster Loan Assistance, Statement of William B. Shear, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, Testimony Before the Committee on Small Business, House of Representatives
"While SBA [Small Business Administration] is known primarily for its financial support of small businesses, the agency also assists businesses of all sizes and homeowners affected by natural and other declared disasters through its Disaster Loan Program. Disaster loans can be used to help rebuild or replace damaged property or continue business operations. After SBA was criticized for its performance following the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes, the agency took steps to reform the program and Congress also passed the 2008 Act. After Hurricane Sandy (2012), questions arose on the extent to which the program had improved since the 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes and whether previously identified deficiencies had been addressed. This statement discusses (1) SBA implementation of provisions from the 2008 Act; (2) additional improvements to agency planning following Hurricane Sandy; and (3) SBA's recent and planned actions to improve information resources for business loan applicants. This statement is based on GAO [Government Accountability Office] products issued between July 2009 and November 2016. GAO also met with SBA officials in April 2017 to discuss the status of open recommendations and other aspects of the program."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Shear, William B.
2017-04-26
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SSA Disability Benefits: Antifraud Efforts Need a Comprehensive Strategic Approach, Statement of Seto J. Bagdoyan, Director, Forensic Audits and Investigative Service, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Social Security, Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives
From the "Statement" of Seto J. Bagdoyan: "I am pleased to be here today to discuss the Social Security Administration's (SSA) approach to managing fraud risks in its disability programs. SSA provides cash benefits through two main programs to millions of Americans with disabilities who are unable to work: Disability Insurance (DI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Collectively, payments from these programs were about $200 billion in fiscal year 2015. Although the extent of fraud in these programs is unknown, highprofile cases have highlighted instances in which individuals fraudulently obtained benefits. […] Today, we are publicly releasing a report that addresses SSA's actions to manage fraud risk in its disability programs and the extent to which these actions align with leading practices. My statement highlights the key findings and recommendations from that report. Specifically, my statement discusses SSA's actions for managing fraud risks in its disability programs and the extent to which these actions align with leading practices for (1) establishing an organizational culture and structure conducive to fraud risk management, (2) identifying, assessing, and addressing fraud risks in its disability programs, and (3) monitoring and evaluating its fraud risk management activities."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Bagdoyan, Seto J.
2017-04-26
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 876: Aviation Employee Screening and Security Enhancement Act of 2017
"H.R. 876 would direct the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to pursue a variety of activities aimed at improving aviation security, particularly by enhancing vetting and screening of aviation workers and controlling their access to secure areas of airports. Based on an analysis of information from TSA, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 876 would cost $41 million over the 2017-2022 period, assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts. […] H.R. 876 would impose intergovernmental and private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) on airport operators and air carriers. Based on information from the TSA and airport officials, CBO estimates that the total costs of the mandates on public and private entities would fall well below the annual thresholds established in UMRA for intergovernmental and private-sector mandates ($78 million and $156 million in fiscal year 2017, respectively, adjusted annually for inflation)."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2017-04-26
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1726: Coast Guard Improvement and Reform Act of 2017
"H.R. 1726 would reorganize, but not substantively alter, provisions of law that govern the authority of the U.S. Coast Guard. The bill would clarify the duties and defense-related responsibilities of that agency and establish a uniform administrative framework for its advisory committees. Based on an analysis of information from the Coast Guard, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that enacting H.R. 1726 would have no significant effect on the federal budget. According to the agency, the bill would not impose any new requirements or duties; as a result, CBO expects that any changes in the agency's annual costs--which would be subject to appropriation-- would be negligible."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2017-04-26
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Department of Defense Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018, Hearing Before the Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Second Session, April 26, 2017
This is the April 26, 2017 hearing on the "Department of Defense Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018," held before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations. From the opening statement of Thad Cochran: "Today, we are receiving testimony on the programs and readiness of the National Guard and Reserve components." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Joseph L. Lengyel, Charles D. Luckey, Luke M. McCollum, Rex C. McMillian, and Maryanne Miller.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2017-04-26
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Review of the Technical, Scientific, and Legal Basis of the WOTUS Rule, Hearing Before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, April 26, 2017
This testimony compilation is from the April 26, 2017 hearing on "A Review of the Technical, Scientific, and Legal Basis of the WOTUS Rule," before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The purpose of this hearing was to review the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule as directed by a February 28, 2017 Executive Order. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Ken Kopocis, Collin O'Mara, Michael Josselyn, John Peabody, and Misha Tseytlin.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Environment and Public Works
2017-04-26
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'Better Way' House Tax Plan: An Economic Analysis [April 25, 2017]
"On February 16, 2016, House Speaker Paul Ryan announced the creation of six committee-led task forces to formulate proposals. The Tax Reform Task Force was led by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady. On June 24, 2016, Speaker Ryan released the Tax Reform Task Force Blueprint, or the Better Way tax reform. For the individual income tax, the plan would broaden the base, lower the rates, and alter some of the elements related to family size and structure. For business income, the current income tax would be replaced by a cash-flow tax rebated on exports and imposed on imports, with a top rate of 20% for corporations and 25% for individuals. The proposal would also repeal estate and gift taxes. The repeal of the Affordable Care Act taxes is not in the Better Way tax reform proposal, but these taxes along with subsidies are in the Healthcare Task Force proposals. Note that the blueprint is a general outline rather than a detailed proposal, with many features not fully determined. This report reviews the plan as reported in that document. The inclusion of additional features could alter this analysis. This report describes current law and the proposed changes. It discusses economic efficiency, distributional and equity issues, administrative and compliance issues, revenue effects, and other tax-related issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gravelle, Jane
2017-04-25
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Argentina: Background and U.S. Relations [April 25, 2017]
"Argentina, a South American country with a population of almost 44 million, has had a vibrant democratic tradition since its military relinquished power in 1983. Current President Mauricio Macri-the leader of the center-right Republican Proposal and the candidate of the Let's Change coalition representing center-right and center-left parties-won the 2015 presidential race. He succeeded two-term President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, from the center-left faction of the Peronist party known as the Front for Victory, who in turn had succeeded her husband, Néstor Kirchner, in 2007. Macri's election ended the Kirchners' 12-year rule, which helped Argentina emerge from a severe economic crisis in 2001-2002 but also was characterized by protectionist and unorthodox economic policies.
President Macri has moved swiftly since his December 2015 inauguration to usher in changes to the government's economic, foreign, and other policies. [...] This report provides background on the political and economic situation in Argentina and U.S.-Argentine relations. An Appendix provides links to selected U.S. government reports on Argentina."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Nelson, Rebecca M.
2017-04-25
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China's February 2017 Suspension of North Korean Coal Imports [April 25, 2017]
"On February 18, 2017, China's Ministry of Commerce and its General Administration of Customs jointly announced a suspension of China's imports of coal from North Korea, also known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), for the remainder of 2017. The suspension appeared to signal China's intention to keep its 2017 imports of North Korean coal in line with United Nations restrictions imposed in November 2016 in response to Pyongyang's continued development of its nuclear and missile programs. China's announcement came at a time when the Trump Administration was calling on China to do more to rein in North Korea. The suspension of coal imports is unlikely to have a significant financial impact on Pyongyang, however, due to China's large imports of North Korean coal in the months preceding Beijing's suspension."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lawrence, Susan V.; Manyin, Mark E.; Hammond, Keigh E.
2017-04-25
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Mexico's Free Trade Agreements [April 25, 2017]
"Regional trade agreements (RTAs) throughout the world have increased since the early 1990s. Many members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are focusing on regional or bilateral free trade agreements as a key component of their foreign and commercial policy. This interest is evident among industrialized and developing countries, and throughout various world regions. Mexico is a member of the WTO, which permits members to enter into regional trade integration arrangements under certain conditions that are defined within specific WTO rules. Since the early 1990s, Mexico has had a growing commitment to trade liberalization and has a trade policy that is among the most open in the world. Mexico has actively pursued free trade agreements (FTAs) with other countries to help promote economic growth, but also to reduce its economic dependence on the United States. The United States is, by far, Mexico's most significant trading partner. [...] This report provides an overview of Mexico's free trade agreements, its motivations for trade liberalization and entering into free trade agreements, trade trends with the United States and other countries, and some of the issues Mexico faces in addressing its economic challenges. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Villarreal, M. Angeles
2017-04-25
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United States Assistance for Egypt, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs of the Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, April 25, 2017
This testimony compilation is from the April 25, 2017 hearing on "United States Assistance for Egypt," before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs of the Committee on Appropriations. The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the structure and goals of U.S. aid for Egypt. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Elliot Abrams, Michele Dunne, and Tom Malinowski.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Appropriations
2017-04-25
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Gender Integration in the USAF Fighter Community: 25 Years of Progress and Persistent Challenges
From the thesis abstract: "With the stroke of a pen on April 28, 1993, Secretary of Defense Les Aspin eliminated a policy barring females from flying in combat, opening the door for first United States Air Force (USAF) female fighter and bomber aircrew. On the eve of the twenty-fifth anniversary of that momentous decision, groundbreaking aviators like Brigadier General Jeannie Leavitt, F-15E Strike Eagle pilot, and Brigadier General (sel.) Kristen Goodwin, B-52 Stratofortress pilot, stand as exemplars for others to follow. Despite their achievement of General Officer rank and certain hardships in blazing the trail, in the fighter community very few females followed, and their population among the Combat Air Force (CAF) has been flat among fighter pilots and only incrementally rising among weapons systems operators. Currently, of the 2,400 fighter pilots in the CAF, only 42 females hold primary responsibility as fighter pilots, resulting in scarcity in front-line units. In fact, the CAFs most numerous fighter, the F-16C Fighting Falcon had only one female fighter pilot in the last six years at its second-largest operational wing, the 388th Fighter Wing. Shockingly, the AFs newest fifth-generation fighter, the F-35A Lightning II, currently has zero females of 123 F-35 pilots, despite reaching its Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in August 2016."
Air University (U.S.). Air War College
Wolfe, Thomas B.
2017-04-25
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Mexico: Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Organizations [April 25, 2017]
"The notorious drug trafficking kingpin Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán is now imprisoned in the United States awaiting trial, following the Mexican government's decision to extradite him to the United States on January 19, 2017, the day before President Trump took office. Guzmán is charged with operating a continuing criminal enterprise and conducting drug-related crimes as the purported leader of the Mexican criminal syndicate commonly known as the Sinaloa cartel. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) maintains that the Sinaloa cartel has the widest reach into U.S. cities of any transnational criminal organization. In November 2016, in its National Drug Threat Assessment, the DEA stated that Mexican drug trafficking groups are working to expand their presence, particularly in the heroin markets inside the United States. Over the years, Mexico's criminal groups have trafficked heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and increasingly the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl. Mexico's drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) have been in constant flux. [...] The 115th Congress remains concerned about security conditions inside Mexico and the illicit drug trade. The Mexican DTOs are the major wholesalers of illegal drugs in the United States and are increasingly gaining control of U.S. retail-level distribution. This report examines how the organized crime landscape has been significantly altered by fragmentation and how the organizational shape-shifting continues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.
2017-04-25
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Crisis in Libya: Next Steps and U.S. Policy Options, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, April 25, 2017
This testimony compilation made by the HSDL staff is from the April 25, 2017 hearing, "Crisis in Libya: Next Steps and U.S. Policy Options," before the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the ongoing crisis in Libya, including its economic, governmental, religious, and societal aspects. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Frederic M. Wehrey and Deborah K. Jones.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations
2017-04-25
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Intellectual Property - Driver of Innovation: Making Our Lives Healthier, Safer, and More Productive, Hearing Before the Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, April 25, 2017
This testimony compilation is from the April 25, 2017 hearing on "Intellectual Property - Driver of Innovation: Making Our Lives Healthier, Safer, and More Productive," before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. From the opening statement of Chuck Grassley: "Today we're here to discuss how innovation is making our lives better and the role that our system of intellectual property [IP] protection plays in fostering innovation. This hearing will explore how the United States intellectual property system is supporting innovation and in the process, helping to save lives, feed the world, and change the way we interact with technology. We'll also hear from innovators and law enforcement about the nature and scope of some of the challenges that IP-intensive industries face in enforcing IP rights." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Matthew C. Allen, Kay Eron, Ashifi Gogo, Conor F. Madigan, and Neal Gutterson.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary
2017-04-25
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Aviation Research and Development: FAA Could Improve How It Develops Its Porfolio and Reports Its Activites, Report to Congressional Requesters
"The federal government conducts aviation R&D [research and development] to advance U.S. technological leadership, foster a dynamic aerospace industry, and improve the safety of the civil aviation system. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review FAA's [Federal Aviation Administration] management of its R&D portfolio, including the extent to which FAA's R&D is structured and operated to achieve its mission. This report addresses (1) the extent to which FAA's management of its R&D portfolio follows requirements, guidance and leading practices, (2) the extent to which FAA and NASA coordinate on their R&D activities, and (3) how FAA cooperates with the private sector on R&D. GAO compared FAA's R&D management activities from 2012 through 2016 against applicable statutory requirements, agency guidance and leading practices drawn from literature on R&D management and collaboration, including past GAO reports. GAO met with FAA and NASA and aviation stakeholders, including three private companies, to discuss R&D coordination. GAO selected stakeholders based partly on the size and extent of their R&D activities. [...] GAO recommends that the Secretary of the DOT require the FAA Administrator to: (1) identify long-term R&D research priorities, (2) disclose how projects are selected, and (3) ensure that the 'NARP [National Aviation Research Plan] and R&D Annual Reviews' meet statutory requirements for content. DOT concurred with the recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-04-24
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U.S. Circuit and District Court Nominations: Comparative Statistics of Two-Term Presidencies Since 1945 [April 24, 2017]
"This Insight provides comparative statistics related to the nomination and confirmation of U.S. circuit and district court judges during the eighth year of two-term presidencies since 1945 (i.e., the Truman, Eisenhower, Reagan, Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama presidencies). It also provides cumulative comparative statistics for the entire terms of these same six presidencies. Previous CRS [Congressional Research Service] research has analyzed final Senate action on judicial nominations during the eighth year of the Reagan, Clinton, and George W. Bush presidencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McMillion, Barry J.
2017-04-24
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Party Leaders in the House: Election, Duties, and Responsibilities [April 24, 2017]
"Each major party in the House has a leadership hierarchy. This report summarizes the election, duties, and responsibilities of the Speaker of the House, the majority and minority leaders, and the whips and whip system."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heitshusen, Valerie
2017-04-24
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Greek Debt Crisis: Overview and Implications for the United States [April 24, 2017]
"Since 2009, Greece has grappled with a serious debt crisis. Most economists believe that Greece's public debt, 180% of Greek gross domestic product (GDP), is unsustainable. The ramifications of the debt have been felt throughout the Greek economy, which contracted by 25% from its pre-crisis level. One in five Greeks is unemployed, with youth unemployment at nearly 50%, and the Greek banking system is unstable. The Greek government has received three financial assistance packages, funded by European creditors and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2010 and 2012, and again by European creditors in 2015. The European Central Bank (ECB) has taken unprecedented policy measures in response to the crisis. Greece concluded the largest debt restructuring with private creditors in history in 2012, in addition to cutting public spending significantly and pledging a host of policy reforms throughout the crisis. […] This report provides a brief overview of the crisis, including negotiations between the Greek government, European creditors, and the IMF. It also discusses potential implications of the crisis for the U.S. economy and U.S.-European cooperation on broader strategic and economic cooperation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nelson, Rebecca M.; Belkin, Paul; Jackson, James K., 1949-
2017-04-24
