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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works: Primer and Resources [Updated May 3, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress plays a role in the nation's water resource development [hyperlink] through authorization and appropriations of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects and activities. USACE is a Department of Defense agency that develops civil works projects principally to improve navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASACW) [hyperlink] provides policy direction and supervision of USACE civil works. A military Chief of Engineers [hyperlink] manages USACE's civil and military missions. USACE's 38 district offices [hyperlink] work with nonfederal project sponsors to develop water resource projects. Standard USACE project delivery [hyperlink] consists of USACE leading the study, design, and construction of authorized projects. Nonfederal project sponsors typically share in study [hyperlink] and construction [hyperlink] costs, including providing real estate and generally performing operation and maintenance [hyperlink] (O&M) for flood risk reduction and ecosystem restoration projects. USACE typically performs O&M for navigation and some multipurpose projects, such as dams. USACE operates [hyperlink] more than 700 dams and maintains [hyperlink] more than 900 coastal, Great Lakes, and inland harbors, as well as 12,000 miles of inland waterways. USACE projects typically require two separate congressional authorizations--one for studying feasibility and one for construction--and appropriations for both. This Insight summarizes the USACE authorization and funding processes and provides links to related resources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Normand, Anna E.; Carter, Nicole T.
2022-05-03
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Operation Inherent Resolve: Lead Inspector General Report to the United States Congress [January 1, 2022-March 31, 2022]
From the Foreword: "We are pleased to submit this Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) quarterly report on OIR [Office of Institutional Research] to the U.S. Congress. This report discharges our individual and collective agency oversight responsibilities pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978. The United States launched OIR in 2014 to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), while setting the conditions for follow-on activities to increase regional stability. The U.S. Government strategy to defeat ISIS includes military operations, as well as support for local security forces, diplomacy, governance, humanitarian assistance, and stabilization programs. This quarterly report describes the activities of the U.S. Government in support of OIR, as well as the work of the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development to promote the U.S. Government's policy goals in Iraq and Syria, during the period January 1 through March 31, 2022. This report also discusses the planned, ongoing, and completed oversight work conducted by the Lead IG agencies and our partner oversight agencies during the quarter. During the quarter, the Lead IG agencies and our oversight partners issued eight audit, evaluation, and inspection reports related to OIR. Working in close collaboration, we remain committed to providing comprehensive oversight and timely reporting on Operation Inherent Resolve."
United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Inspector General
2022-05-03
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 3499, a Bill to Amend the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to Repeal Certain Obsolete Requirements, and for Other Purposes
From the Document: "S. 3499 would repeal a provision concerning limits on tiered subcontracting of disaster assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The provision was enacted as part of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. However, since the passage of that law, FEMA has not implemented the provision. On that basis, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that repealing the provision would have no effect on the federal budget."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-05-02
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Air Force F-15EX Eagle II Fighter Program [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Summary: "On March 11, 2021, the U.S. Air Force took delivery of its first F-15EX Eagle II fighter. The original Eagle II program was intended to deliver 144 aircraft to replace aging F-15Cs, most of which are in the Air National Guard; however, the FY2023 President's budget request adjusts the intention of procuring 80 aircraft. The Biden Administration's FY2023 budget proposal included a request for $2.6 billion to buy 24 F-15EX aircraft, the second to last procurement toward a planned initial buy of 80. The subsequent FY2022 defense budget proposal requested about $1.32 billion in procurement funding for 12 Eagle IIs and $133.5 million in advance procurement for future aircraft. The proposed budget also requested about $118.1 million for F15EX research and development."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.; Gertler, Jeremiah
2022-05-02
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Afro-Descendants of Latin America: Selected Resources [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "The United Nations (U.N.) estimates [hyperlink] that approximately '200 million people identifying themselves as being of African descent live in the Americas.' Congress has long demonstrated interest in the status of Afro-descendants abroad as seen in legislation and hearings. Since 1993, the Department of State submits an annual 'Country Reports on Human Rights Practices' [hyperlink] that includes a section on 'National/Racial/Ethnic Minorities.' This CRS Insight focuses on resources that relate to the human rights of Afro-descendants of Latin America, including connections to socioeconomics, international organizations, and international declarations and conventions. This CRS Insight uses the umbrella term 'Afro-descendant' rather than country-specific terms such as 'Afro-Cuban' or 'Afro-Colombian,' or foreign language terms such as 'moreno,' or 'pardo.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Davis-Castro, Carla Y.
2022-05-02
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PLA Air Force: Bomber Force Organization
From the Document: "This report provides an overview of the organization of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force (PLAAF) Bomber force. According to the Office of the Secretary of Defense's 'Annual Report to Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2021': 'The PRC's bomber force is currently composed of H-6 Badger variants, which are domestically produced versions of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 (Badger) bomber. Despite the relative age of its bomber force, the PLAAF has worked to maintain and enhance the operational effectiveness of these aircraft. In recent years, the PRC has fielded greater numbers of the H-6K, a modernized H-6 variant that integrates standoff weapons and features more-efficient turbofan engines for extended-range. The H-6K can carry six land-attack cruise missiles (LACMs), giving the PLA a long-range standoff precision strike capability that can range targets in the Second Island Chain from home airfields in mainland China."
China Aerospace Studies Institute (U.S.)
Allen, Kenneth W.
2022-05-02
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F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), also called the Lightning II, is a strike fighter airplane being procured in different versions for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. The F-35 program is DOD's largest weapon procurement program in terms of total estimated acquisition cost. Current Department of Defense (DOD) plans call for acquiring a total of 2,456 F-35s for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy at an estimated total acquisition cost, as of December, 2019, of about $397.8 billion in constant (i.e., inflation-adjusted) FY2012 dollars. U.S. allies are expected to purchase hundreds of additional F-35s, and eight foreign nations are cost-sharing partners in the program. The Administration's proposed FY2022 defense budget requested about $12.0 billion in procurement funding for the F-35 program. This would fund the procurement of 48 F-35As for the Air Force, 17 F-35Bs for the Marine Corps, 20 F-35Cs for the Navy and Marines, advance procurement for future aircraft, and continuing modifications. The proposed budget also requested about $2.1 billion for F-35 research and development."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gertler, Jeremiah; Hoehn, John R.
2022-05-02
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Federal Retirement Plans: Frequently Asked Questions [May 2, 2022]
From the Summary: "This report answers common questions related to federal retirement plans. The vast majority of the civilian federal workforce is covered by either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), depending on date of entrance into federal service. Most civilian federal employees hired before 1984 are covered by CSRS; most civilian federal employees hired in 1984 or later are covered by FERS. This FAQ [Frequently Asked Questions] focuses on policy issues related to CSRS and FERS while also identifying additional retirement plans that provide benefits to specific populations of civilian federal employees. It provides the legislative history of CSRS and FERS as well as information on benefits and financing."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Isaacs, Katelin P., 1980-; Breslauer, Tamar B.
2022-05-02
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China-Russia Relations [May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "The People's Republic of China (PRC or China) and the Russian Federation (Russia) maintain a strategic and multifaceted relationship with extensive military, diplomatic, and economic connections. Although the contemporary China-Russia relationship dates back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the two countries also share a long, tumultuous history that has included periods of security and diplomatic cooperation, fluctuations in ideological alignment, diplomatic crises, and a border war in the 1960s. Many experts trace the current dynamism of the relationship to 2014, when the reaction of some countries to Russia's first invasion of Ukraine, including sanctions, led Moscow to seek to strengthen its ties to China and other countries. The two countries' apparent mutual affinity has led some U.S. policymakers and Members of Congress to express concern that Beijing and Moscow constitute a de facto alliance, and to seek ways to counter their global influence. The PRC and Russia's bilateral relationship falls short of a mutual defense pact, more closely resembling a nonbinding alignment based on shared opposition to what they describe as the U.S.-led international order. This common opposition has spurred cooperation between the two countries, but has not fully overcome their historical strategic mistrust."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bowen, Andrew S.; Barrios, Ricardo
2022-05-02
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Global Women's Issues: Background and Selected U.S. Efforts [Updated May 5, 2022]
From the Document: "For several decades, Congress has considered or enacted legislation aimed at improving the rights and status of women and girls worldwide. These efforts, which may address a range of issues globally, including women's health, education, and security, are often grouped under the broad policy umbrella of 'global women's issues.' [...] U.S. efforts to address global women's issues have shifted over time, often reflecting world events, domestic political conditions, and the priorities of individual policymakers. During the past two decades, many Members of Congress and the executive branch have increasingly recognized a growing body of research linking gender equality to the overall stability, prosperity, and security of societies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Margesson, Rhoda; Blanchfield, Luisa; Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji
2022-05-02
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Federal Assistance for Wildfire Response and Recovery [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "Wildfires are unplanned fires. Wildfires can have some beneficial impacts on an ecosystem, but they often threaten homes and communities, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people. Wildfires are sometimes caused by lightning strikes and may occur when a prescribed burn escapes control or through other human activities (deliberate or accidental). Annually from 2012 to 2021, there were an average of 61,289 wildfires, with an average of 7.4 million acres impacted and an average of 8,000 structures burned. In 2021, 58,968 wildfires impacted 7.1 million acres and burned nearly 6,000 structures nationwide, 60% (3,577) of which were residences. Congress and other stakeholders have considered options for federal support and assistance to address wildfire suppression during a fire, post-wildfire recovery, and land management activities to reduce the risk of future catastrophic wildfires, among other issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoover, Katie
2022-05-02
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Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Civil Works: Policy Primer [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress authorizes and funds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to undertake civil works activities, including planning and construction of water resource projects and maintenance of navigation improvements and other infrastructure (e.g., multipurpose dams). Division J, Title III, of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; P.L. [Public Law] 117-58), which became law on November 15, 2021, provided $17.1 billion in emergency appropriations to various USACE accounts (see 'Figure 1'), with the majority going to three accounts: [1] Construction (68%)[;] [2] Operation and Maintenance (O&M, 23%)[;] [3] Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T, 5%)[.] IIJA also provided [1] $251 million for repair of damages to existing projects, including nonfederal levees and shore protection through the Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (FCCE) account[;] [2] $75 million to the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) account for USACE [hyperlink] to implement a direct loan and loan guarantee program [hyperlink], which IIJA limited to nonfederal dam safety work (similar to a limit applied to FY2021 and FY2022 appropriations)[.]"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Normand, Anna E.
2022-05-02
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Army Corps of Engineers: FY2022 Appropriations [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress generally funds the civil works activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts. These activities include the planning and construction of authorized water resource projects and the operation and maintenance of infrastructure and navigation improvements managed by USACE. For USACE civil works, President Biden requested $6.79 billion for FY2022, which was $547 million above FY2021 enacted. Since FY2013, Congress has funded USACE above the President's request. For FY2022, Congress provided $8.34 billion (19% above the FY2022 request and 7% above FY2021 enacted level) in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Division D, Title I of P.L. 117-103). In 2021, Congress also provided USACE with $22.81 billion in supplemental appropriations in P.L. 117-43 and P.L. 117-58 (see CRS [Congressional Research Service] In Focus IF11945, 'U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Supplemental Appropriations'). Of these supplemental funds, $20.68 billion were made available in FY2022."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Normand, Anna E.; Carter, Nicole T.
2022-05-02
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Army Corps of Engineers: FY2023 Appropriations [May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress generally funds the civil works activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts. These activities include the planning and construction of authorized water resource projects and the operation and maintenance of infrastructure and navigation improvements managed by USACE. For USACE civil works, President Biden requested $6.60 billion for FY2023 [...], which is $1.74 billion below FY2022 enacted annual appropriations of $8.34 billion (Division D, Title I of P.L. 117-103). In 2021, Congress provided USACE with $22.81 billion in supplemental appropriations in P.L. 117-43 and P.L. 117-58 (see CRS [Congressional Research Service] In Focus IF11945, 'U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Supplemental Appropriations'). Of P.L. 117- 58 supplemental appropriations, $1.08 billion are to become available for use in FY2023 (e.g., $1.00 billion for navigation Operations and Maintenance [O&M] activities). During the FY2023 appropriation process, the Administration may continue its allocation of these supplemental funds toward eligible USACE activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Normand, Anna E.; Carter, Nicole T.
2022-05-02
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Puerto Rico's Public Debts: Accumulation and Restructuring [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report outlines the accumulation of Puerto Rico's debt and the restructuring of the island's public debt through processes established by PROMESA [Puerto Rico Oversight,
Management, and Economic Stability Act]. Acute fiscal crises in 2006-2007 and 2013-2016 resulted in debt levels that could neither be sustained nor addressed through the Bankruptcy Code, which led to PROMESA's enactment. This report focuses on the largest portions of the island's public debt. For brevity's sake, it omits discussion of pensions and the restructuring of public corporations, such as the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), the Highways and Transportation Authority (HTA), and smaller entities. Also, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority's (PRASA's) somewhat stronger financial position has enabled it to avoid the need to seek a restructuring of its bonds. The report's Appendices include a summary of the structure of Puerto Rico's pre-restructuring public debts, an analysis of the evolution of prices and trading volumes of selected bonds during the restructuring process, a chronology of selected events, and a glossary of abbreviations in English and Spanish."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Austin, D. Andrew
2022-05-02
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Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report presents background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy's Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and Zumwalt (DDG-1000) class destroyer programs. The Navy began procuring DDG-51s, also known as Aegis destroyers, in FY1985, and a total of 89 have been procured through FY2022, including two in FY2022. The Navy procured three DDG-1000 class destroyers in FY2007-FY2009 and plans no further procurement of DDG-1000s. The Navy's FY2023 budget requests the procurement of two DDG-51s in FY2023. The Navy's FY2023 budget submission also requests and multiyear procurement (MYP) contract for DDG-51s scheduled for procurement in FY2023-FY2027. Potential issues for Congress for the DDG-51 program in FY2023 include the number of firm ships to include in an MYP contract for the DDG-51 program for FY2023-FY2027, the Navy's future force-level goal for large surface combatants (or LSCs, meaning cruisers and destroyers), and how the Navy proposes to transition several years from now from procurement of DDG-51s to procurement of a successor destroyer design now in development called the DDG(X). Decisions that Congress makes on these issues could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-05-02
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Refining 'Reed: City of Austin' Updates Test for Content-Based Speech Restrictions [May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "The Supreme Court's April 21, 2022, decision in 'City of Austin v. Reagan National Advertising of Austin, LLC' [hyperlink] is the latest development in the Court's free speech jurisprudence on content neutrality. Content neutrality is important because it largely determines the level of scrutiny that a court would apply to a law regulating speech in a First Amendment challenge, with content-neutral laws receiving less rigorous scrutiny than content-based ones do. In this case, the Court held [hyperlink] that the city's restriction on 'off-premises' signs--signs advertising or directing readers to businesses or activities at another location-- was content neutral on its face because it regulated signs based on their location rather than their subject matter or topic. This Sidebar provides a brief overview of how the Court's standards for evaluating content neutrality have changed over time. It then discusses the 'City of Austin' decision and why the case could have implications beyond sign ordinances, potentially paving the way for broader location- or function-based regulation of speech, including online speech."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Killion, Victoria L.
2022-05-02
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Supplemental Appropriations [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a Department of Defense agency with civil works responsibilities, consisting largely of water resource projects to maintain navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. USACE also has a role in responding to natural disasters, especially floods. This In Focus covers the appropriations that Congress has provided USACE that are in addition to annual appropriations, referred to as 'supplemental appropriations.' Congress may consider both the amount of USACE supplemental appropriations and how effectively and efficiently the agency uses these funds. [...] Issues for Congress include oversight of USACE's short-term and long-term implementation of supplemental appropriations. There may be questions regarding how efficiently the funds are spent on projects and how effective the funded projects are in accomplishing the purposes set out by Congress. Implementation concerns have arisen with USACE emergency appropriations at times; for example, an August 2021 Senate Appropriations Committee report, S.Rept. 117-36, identified shortcomings in the pace and approach to managing supplemental construction funding and in compliance with required reporting. An ongoing challenge for USACE is that numerous authorized studies and construction projects remain unfunded. In spring 2021, USACE estimated its construction backlog at $109 billion. To what extent supplemental appropriations have helped address the USACE backlog remains uncertain, and the aggregate effect of supplemental appropriations on accomplishing the agency's water resource missions nationally remains unknown."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Normand, Anna E.
2022-05-02
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Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: Implications for Global Food Prices and Food Security [May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "Russia's invasion of Ukraine has impacts on global food security [hyperlink]. Since February 24, 2022, a humanitarian and economic crisis has unfolded in Ukraine, limiting Ukrainian exports of food and agricultural commodities, and affecting millions of people in Ukraine and the region, including more than 12 million recently displaced [hyperlink] (roughly a quarter of the population of Ukraine). In addition, in response to the invasion, the United States and other countries have imposed financial and trade sanctions on Russia, further affecting international trade patterns. Because Ukraine and Russia are among the world's leading exporters of certain food staples used in many countries, the effects of such disruptions on global food security are becoming apparent."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Margesson, Rhoda; Nair, Amber D.; Rosch, Stephanie . . .
2022-05-02
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Wildfire Statistics [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "Wildfires are unplanned fires, including lightning-caused fires, unauthorized human-caused fires, and escaped prescribed fire projects. States are responsible for responding to wildfires that begin on nonfederal (state, local, and private) lands, except for lands protected by federal agencies under cooperative agreements. The federal government is responsible for responding to wildfires that begin on federal lands. The Forest Service (FS)--within the U.S. Department of Agriculture--carries out wildfire management and response across the 193 million acres of the National Forest System (NFS). The Department of the Interior (DOI) manages wildfire response for more than 400 million acres of national parks, wildlife refuges and preserves, other public lands, and Indian reservations. Wildfire statistics help to illustrate past U.S. wildfire activity. Nationwide data compiled by the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) indicate that the number of annual wildfires is variable but has decreased slightly over the last 30 years and the number of acres affected annually, while also variable, generally has increased (see 'Figure 1'). Since 2000, an annual average of 70,072 wildfires has burned an annual average of 7.0 million acres. The acreage figure is more than double the average annual acreage burned in the 1990s (3.3 million acres), although a greater number of fires occurred annually in the 1990s (78,600 average)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoover, Katie; Hanson, Laura A.
2022-05-02
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DOD Animal Use: Objectives and Performance Measures Needed to Monitor Use of Alternatives for Trauma Training, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "DOD uses live animals, in addition to alternatives such as training videos, mannequins and cadavers, for trauma training-that is, training for military personnel to treat acute battlefield injuries. However, the use of animals in medical education has faced longstanding scrutiny due to a continuing focus on animal welfare and continued improvement in other training methods. Various laws have addressed how animals can be used in government testing, research, and training programs and have sought to reduce this use where possible. DOD has, among other things, established a two-level review process for documents justifying animal use for trauma training, called 'protocols'. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review DOD's use of animals for trauma training. GAO evaluated the extent to which DOD has (1) made progress in its efforts to refine, reduce, and replace the use of animals for trauma training and (2) consistently applied guidance for reviewing and approving animal use protocols for trauma training."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-05
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Nuclear Waste: DOE Needs Greater Leadership Stability and Commitment to Accomplish Cleanup Mission, Report to the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "EM [Office of Environmental Management] is responsible for cleaning up legacy nuclear waste from weapons production dating back to World War II. In fiscal year 2021, EM estimated the probable future cost of cleaning up its remaining sites to be $407 billion. In addition, EM expects to shift from constructing to operating waste treatment facilities in coming years. However, EM's cleanup costs and contract and project management are included on GAO's [Government Accountability Office] High Risk List, for various reasons. House Report 116-442 includes a provision for GAO to review EM's leadership capacity. This report examines the extent to which EM (1) has had sustained and consistent leadership commitment and (2) communicates with its workforce in developing and implementing reforms."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-05
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Environmental Cleanup: Status of Major DOE Projects and Operations, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "EM [Office of Environmental Management] is responsible for the cleanup of hazardous and radioactive waste at sites and facilities that have been contaminated from decades of nuclear weapons production and nuclear energy research. EM divides its cleanup work into capital asset projects--those with defined start and end points--and operations activities-- recurring facility or environmental operations. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has identified DOE [Department of Energy] project management as a high-risk area because the department's record regarding management and oversight has left DOE vulnerable to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement. GAO's 2021 High-Risk Report identified numerous recommendations to EM to address this high-risk area. However, as of December 2020, 45 of these recommendations have not been implemented, including 19 that were made since GAO's 2019 High-Risk Report. GAO initiated a review to examine EM's performance and progress in managing its nuclear cleanup projects. This report (1) describes EM's largest capital asset projects, (2) describes EM's largest operations activities at selected sites, and (3) provides summary observations across the largest projects and operations activities GAO reviewed."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-05
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Earthquakes: Opportunities Exist to Further Assess Risk, Build Resilience, and Communicate Research, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Established in 1977, NEHRP [National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program] aims to help reduce the risks to life and property from earthquakes. NEHRP's initiatives include strengthening community resilience through improved design and construction methods, conducting research to better understand the impacts from earthquakes, and providing outreach and education. NEHRP is comprised of four federal agencies (FEMA, NIST [National Institute of Science and Technology], NSF [National Science Foundation], and the U.S. Geological Survey) that promote and support NEHRP's initiatives for strengthening earthquake resilience. The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2018 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to assess the program's efforts. This report examines, among other things, NEHRP's progress in identifying gaps and strengthening resilience to earthquakes, and its activities to identify and communicate about research priorities."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-05
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Nation's Fiscal Health: Federal Action Critical to Pivot Toward Fiscal Sustainability, Annual Report to Congress
From the Highlights: "The federal government faces an unsustainable fiscal future. At the end of fiscal year 2021, debt held by the public was about 100 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), a 33 percent increase from fiscal year 2019. Projections from the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of the Treasury, the Congressional Budget Office, and GAO [Government Accountability Office] all show that current fiscal policy is unsustainable over the long term. Debt held by the public is projected to reach its historical high of 106 percent of GDP within 10 years and continue to grow at an increasing pace. This ratio could reach 217 percent of GDP by 2050, absent any change in fiscal policy. The underlying conditions driving this unsustainable fiscal outlook existed well before the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic and continue to pose serious challenges if not addressed."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-05
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DHS Contracts: Opportunities Exist to Improve Oversight and Monitoring of Urgent Noncompetitive Awards, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Agencies are permitted to award contracts without full and open competition, such as when the unusual and compelling urgency of the agency's circumstances justify limiting competition. But past GAO [Government Accountability Office] work found problems with various agencies' use and oversight of contracts awarded citing the urgency exception to competition. GAO was asked to review this issue within DHS. GAO examined (1) trends in DHS's use of the urgency exception from fiscal years 2016 through 2020; (2) selected DHS components' reasons for using this exception and whether their use of justifications and approvals met acquisition regulations and policies; and (3) whether selected DHS components monitored and documented the performance of urgent, noncompeted contracts."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-05
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Capitol Attack: Federal Agencies' Use of Open Source Data and Related Threat Products Prior to January 6, 2021, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Open source data indicated that the potential for violence at the U.S. Capitol appeared online months prior to the attack on January 6, 2021. Law enforcement agencies may use posts on social media platforms and other open source information to identify potential criminal activity, to develop 'threat products,' and to conduct criminal investigations. Agencies must consider the protection of privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties when collecting and sharing this information. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review information related to the January 6 Capitol attack. This is the fifth in a series of reports on aspects of the attack. This report addresses what open source data selected federal agencies obtained and shared, as well as threat products they developed that leveraged such data related to the events of January 6. To conduct this work, GAO reviewed open source data that agencies obtained and shared, as well as threat products that leveraged the data. Agencies in GAO's review included those within DHS; the Departments of Justice and the Interior; Architect of the Capitol; U.S. Capitol Police; House and Senate Sergeants at Arms; and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, as they had specific roles in preparing for the planned events of January 6. GAO interviewed officials from Facebook, Parler, and Twitter about the extent to which they shared information with agencies. GAO selected social media platforms based on, for example, if they had appeared in threat products. This report is a public version of a sensitive report issued in February 2022. Information that agencies deemed sensitive has been omitted."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-05
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Advancing America's Space Characterization Ecosystem: An Organizational, Technological, and Data-Driven Approach to Addressing Tomorrow's Space Conflicts
From the Abstract: "This study aims to provide organizational and technological recommendations to the burgeoning problems associated with the congested and contested space domain. The authors contribute to the lexicon by offering a novel concept entitled the space characterization ecosystem to better define the nuances of relationships and responsibilities in the space domain while adding clarity to the global nature of the problem. The study also offers a space characterization ecosystem data architectural construct to address the complex data issues to provide leaders decision-ready information. Through a historical and contemporary analysis of the evolution of the space situational awareness and space domain awareness arenas, the authors establish the significant role that the new space characterization ecosystems plays in American space security interests now and in the future. This work contributes to the discussion with a broad investigation of relevant organizations in the military, commercial, and intelligence community sectors that capture historical context to provide various organizational and technical recommendations to the space community. Space scholars, enthusiasts, operators, engineers, and leaders may find motivation to address the problem of gaining and maintaining freedom of action and freedom of maneuver in a highly contested and competitive space threat environment. It is the wish of the authors to establish a twenty-first century space characterization ecosystem primer for future generations to assume the leading role in an unending race towards American and allied space security."
Air University (U.S.). Press
Holt, Jason; Pambianchi, Johann; Sleeper, Barrett
2022-05
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Tailoring Messages for Cross-Cultural Communication: Recommendations for COVID-19 Case Investigators and Contact Tracers
From the Introduction: "Case investigators and contact tracers must understand and adapt to the culture of people with COVID 19 [coronavirus disease 2019] and their close contacts to conduct effective interviews and follow-up. 'Culture' refers to the learned and shared behavior of a community of people who interact with one another. A person's culture may be influenced by a several factors, including those listed in the image below. Culture helps shape a person's values, relationships, and understanding of the world around them. For example, some cultures may have different attitudes or beliefs about COVID-19 transmission, vaccination or treatment Culturp may affect a person's willingness to identify close contacts or provide a description of those contacts. It may also affect how person understands and communicates their symptoms, or influence their beliefs about authority figures, healthcare professionals, and public health."
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (U.S.)
2022-05
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Tribal Funding: Actions Needed to Improve Information on Federal Funds That Benefit Native Americans, Report to the Committee on Indian Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Federal law requires federal agencies to provide a variety of services to tribes and their members. GAO [Government Accountability Office] refers to the need for these services--as defined by tribes, tribal members, and other tribal organizations that administer federal programs or grants for tribes and their members--collectively as tribal needs. In 2018, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights reported that the federal government does not keep complete records of federal funding for programs serving tribes. OMB [Office of Management and Budget] publishes a crosscut on federal funding for programs that benefit Native Americans, but tribal stakeholders have expressed concerns about its transparency. This report examines (1) information the crosscut provides and reported challenges with using it and (2) the extent to which federal agencies obtain tribal input and reflect tribal needs during budget formulation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-05
