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Oversight of Gain of Function Research with Pathogens: Issues for Congress [May 26, 2022]
From the Summary: "The term 'gain of function' refers to any genetic mutation in an organism that confers a new or enhanced ability. Such changes often occur naturally. Additionally, scientists can induce such changes to organisms through experimentation. Gain of function (GOF) research is a broad area of scientific inquiry involving organisms that gain a new property or have an existing property altered. A key area of GOF research is the study of both naturally occurring and experimentally induced changes in viruses to better understand transmission, infection, and pathogenesis. Current U.S. policy focuses on GOF research involving enhanced potential pandemic pathogens. Some in the scientific community argue that this research is needed to better understand how viruses evolve in order to develop better medical countermeasures and surveillance regimes for emerging pathogens. However, an accident, or deliberate misuse of this research, has the potential to impact the larger public, potentially globally. This concern leads some observers to argue that the risks of such research outweigh any potential benefits. An overlapping set of policies and guidance address aspects of biosafety and biosecurity associated with GOF research with pathogens in the United States--some impose requirements, some provide guidance, some apply only to research with select biological agents, and some policies only apply to federally funded research. These policies and guidance include federal regulation of research with select biological agents and toxins, best practice guidance for microbiological and biomedical laboratories, agency guidance on funding research with potential pandemic pathogens, and the institutions and researchers conducting it."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kuiken, Todd
2022-05-26
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Military Applications of Extended Reality [Updated May 26, 2022]
From the Document: "Although commercial and consumer industries have been investing in extended reality (XR) for decades, recent advances have expanded the number of potential applications for the U.S. military. Indeed, in February 2022, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering identified human-machine interfaces for XR as 1 of 14 critical technology areas for the Department of Defense (DOD). As DOD increases spending on XR and related applications, Congress may consider the implications for defense authorizations and appropriations, military force structure, and cybersecurity."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.
2022-05-26
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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) [Updated May 26, 2022]
From the Background: "The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles (FoV) is an Army-led, joint-service program designed to replace a portion of each service's light tactical wheeled vehicle fleets. The JLTV FoV consists of two variants: the four-seat Combat Tactical Vehicle (CTV) ('Figure 1') and the two-seat Combat Support Vehicle (CSV) ('Figure 2'). The CTV is to support the General Purpose, Heavy Gun Carrier and Close Combat Weapon Carrier missions. The CSV is to support the Utility/Shelter Carrier mission. The JLTV is transportable by a range of lift assets, including rotary-wing aircraft. Its maneuverability enables activities across the spectrum of terrain, including urban areas, while providing inherent and supplemental armor against direct fire and improvised explosive device threats."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2022-05-26
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Regulating Drinking Water Contaminants: EPA PFAS Actions [Updated May 26, 2022]
From the Document: "The detection of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in some public water supplies has generated public concern and increased attention to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) actions to respond to PFAS using Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorities. For more than a decade, EPA has been evaluating PFAS under SDWA to determine whether a national drinking water regulation is warranted for one or more of these substances. In March 2021, EPA finalized determinations to develop SDWA regulations for the two most frequently detected PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) (86 'Federal Register' 12272). EPA's determination triggers a SDWA requirement to propose a regulation within 24 months (e.g., by March 2023 for PFOA and PFOS), and finalize the rule within 18 months of the proposal. In EPA's October 2021 'PFAS Strategic Roadmap,' the agency states that it intends to propose a PFOA and PFOS drinking water regulation by fall 2022, and finalize the rule by fall 2023. In addition, the 116 th Congress enacted legislation directing EPA to increase PFAS monitoring in water supplies, and authorizing appropriations for grants to address PFAS in public water supplies, among other provisions. The 117th Congress provided appropriations for such grants."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2022-05-26
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Supplemental Funding for Ukraine: Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) [Updated May 26, 2022]
From the Document: "As of May 26, 2022, the Biden Administration has submitted to Congress two emergency supplemental funding requests to address the crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The first, submitted on March 2, 2022, included $5 billion for Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations accounts, among other funding. On March 15, 2022, Congress enacted the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act (USAA, P.L. [Public Law] 117-103, Div. [division] N), which provided $6.8 billion for SFOPS accounts. The Administration's second supplemental funding request, submitted to Congress on April 28, called for an additional $14.75 billion in SFOPS funding related to Ukraine. On May 21, 2022, Congress enacted the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act (AUSAA, P.L. 117-128), which included $18.946 billion for SFOPS accounts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morgenstern, Emily M.
2022-05-26
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Section 301 Tariff Exclusions on U.S. Imports from China [Updated May 26, 2022]
From the Document: "In 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) determined, pursuant to an investigation under 'Section 301' (Title III of the Trade Act of 1974, 19 U.S.C. [United States Code] §§2411-2420), that China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property (IP), and innovation were unreasonable or discriminatory and burdened or restricted U.S. commerce. In order to counter them and obtain their elimination, the Trump Administration used Section 301 authorities to impose four rounds of increased tariffs on about two-thirds of U.S. imports from China. However, to avoid harm to U.S. interests, the USTR introduced a new policy allowing stakeholders to request 'tariff exclusions' for U.S. imports that would otherwise have been subject to tariffs. Some policymakers and stakeholders have raised concerns about the implementation of the exclusion request process. [...] The Biden Administration continues to review its trade strategy for China. Actions by the USTR during 2021 and early 2022 were not aimed at providing broader tariff relief. They were limited to extending unexpired exclusions on medical supplies relevant to combatting the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic and reinstating certain exclusions that were previously extended. In May 2022, the agency announced a review of all Section 301 actions against China."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwarzenberg, Andres B.
2022-05-26
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Russia Sanctions and Cryptocurrencies: Policy Issues [May 26, 2022]
From the Document: "The G-7 [Group of Seven] (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States), the European Union (EU), and other countries have responded to Russia's expanded invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 with swift, coordinated, and broad sanctions [hyperlink] designed to exert significant pressure on key Russian individuals and companies, as well as the broader Russian economy. As the multilateral coalition seeks to sustain economic pressure on Russia, and Russia seeks ways to mitigate the impact of sanctions, some in Congress [hyperlink] are asking whether cryptocurrencies offer Russia a way to evade sanctions. This Insight discusses related policy issues and proposed legislation[.]"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nelson, Rebecca M.; Scott, Andrew P.
2022-05-26
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EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 22 Issue 21, May 26, 2022
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: "New iTAK [iOS Team Awareness Kit] app enhances situational awareness for wildland firefighters"; "Guidance for EMS [emergency medical services] on response to the current monkeypox outbreak"; "National Hurricane Program offers virtual training on HURREVAC [Hurricane Evacuation] decision support tool, June 6-10"; "CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency]-FBI webinars: emergency services awareness on criminal use of veterinary medicines, bioterrorism, food and agriculture threats"; "CISA and DoD release 5G [fifth generation] Security Evaluation Process Investigation Study"; "Nation-state malware could become a commodity on dark web soon, Interpol warns"; "HHS [Department of Health and Human Services]: Major cyber organizations of the Russian intelligence services"; "CISA adds 41 vulnerabilities to list of bugs used in cyberattacks"; and "US car giant General Motors hit by cyberattack exposing car owners' personal info."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2022-05-26
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Audit of the Implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Section 3610
From the Executive Summary: "On 27 March 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) national emergency. Section 3610 of the CARES Act permits federal agencies, under certain circumstances, to modify terms of existing contracts or agreements, and to reimburse federal contractors' compensation due to COVID 19 [sic] related issues. The CARES Act, Section 3610 provides agencies the discretion to reimburse paid leave to federal contractors confronted with the inability of their employees or subcontractors to perform work at a federal government-approved work site due to facility closures or restrictions when their job duties could not be performed remotely. Reimbursement under the CARES Act, Section 3610 has several limitations related to contractor status, billing rates, hours, and whether the contractor has received other COVID-19 relief. As of 8 June 2021 , the National Security Agency (NSA)/ Central Security Service (CSS)-hereinafter referred to as NSA-reported $917 million in CARES invoices for a total of 81 ,000 CARES hours. The overall objective of this Office of the Inspector General (OIG) audit was to determine whether NSA economically, effectively, and efficiently implemented Section 3610 of the CARES Act."
United States. National Security Agency. Office of Inspector General
2022-05-26
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Energy Resilience: DOE's Northeast Petroleum Product Reserves
From the Document: "The Department of Energy (DOE) maintains two regional petroleum product reserves to reduce the impact of severe disruptions in the supply of petroleum products in the Northeast. Such disruptions could occur when extreme storms or pipeline outages limit the supply or distribution of petroleum products or dramatically increase their price. DOE established the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve (NEHHOR) in 2000 after home heating oil prices nearly doubled in the winter of 1999-2000. DOE established the Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve (NGSR) in 2014 in the aftermath of gasoline supply issues following Hurricane Sandy in 2012. [...] NEHHOR was used following Hurricane Sandy to provide fuel for first responder vehicles when the storm shut down other supplies. This was the only time either reserve has been used. [...] This report (1) assesses the effectiveness of the existing product reserves in mitigating supply risks in the Northeast and (2) identifies the extent to which DOE has considered future risks to petroleum product supplies and the benefits of alternative federal actions to mitigate these risks."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-05-25
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Management Report: IRS Needs to Improve Financial Reporting and Information System Controls
From the Document: "On November 10, 2021, we issued our auditor's report on the results of our audit of the fiscal years 2021 and 2020 financial statements of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). As part of this audit, we assessed IRS's key financial reporting controls, including information system controls. As we reported in connection with our audit of IRS's fiscal years 2021 and 2020 financial statements, although certain internal controls could be improved, IRS maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2021. Those controls provided reasonable assurance that misstatements material to IRS's financial statements would be prevented, or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. However, our fiscal year 2021 audit continued to identify two significant deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting concerning IRS's unpaid assessments and financial reporting systems. We also identified other deficiencies in IRS's internal control over financial reporting that we do not consider to be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies. Nonetheless, these deficiencies warrant IRS management's attention. This report presents the new control deficiencies we identified during our fiscal year 2021 testing of IRS's internal control over financial reporting. This report also includes the results of our follow-up on the status of IRS's corrective actions to address recommendations from our prior years' reports related to internal control over financial reporting that remained open as of September 30, 2020."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-05-25
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Workplace Safety and Health: Data and Enforcement Challenges Limit OSHA's Ability to Protect Workers During a Crisis, Statement of Thomas M. Costa, Director Education, Workforce, and Income Security, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic raised concerns about OSHA's preparedness for a future crisis. OSHA [Occupational Safety and Health Administration], within the Department of Labor, helps ensure safe and healthful worker conditions by setting mandatory standards, conducting inspections, and investigating incoming complaints and referrals, among other efforts. This testimony is based on work in GAO's October 2021 CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act report (GAO-22-105051) and January 2021 report on OSHA's injury and illness reporting requirement (GAO-21- 122). It examines OSHA's efforts regarding (1) COVID-19-related enforcement actions, (2) developing and using standards related to COVID19, and (3) obtaining injury and illness data to support its enforcement efforts. For the prior reports, GAO reviewed OSHA policies and federal laws and regulations, analyzed OSHA enforcement and employer-reported injury and illness data, and interviewed OSHA officials. For this testimony, GAO obtained updated data covering OSHA enforcement activity from February 2020 through December 2021, reviewed documentation, and interviewed OSHA officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Costa, Thomas
2022-05-25
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Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on HIV Testing Utilization Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China: Cross-Sectional Online Survey
From the Abstract: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has created disruptions in HIV prevention and sexual health services for men who have sex with men (MSM). [...] This study compared HIV testing utilization in 3 different reference periods (period 1: before the COVID-19 outbreak, November 2019-January 2020; period 2: after the outbreak, February-April 2020; and period 3: after the pandemic was under initial control, May-July 2020). Factors associated with HIV testing utilization after the COVID-19 outbreak (combined periods 2 and 3) were also investigated. [...] Participants were MSM aged ≥18 years living in Shenzhen, China. Those self-reporting as HIV positive were excluded. A total of 595 participants recruited through multiple sources completed a self-administered online survey during August-September 2020. HIV testing utilization after the COVID-19 outbreak was the dependent variable, and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted. [...] HIV testing utilization among Chinese MSM declined after the COVID-19 outbreak and did not increase after the pandemic was under initial control. Removing structural barriers to accessing HIV testing caused by COVID-19, modifying perceptions related to HIV testing, and making use of HIV self-testing (HIVST) might be useful strategies to improve HIV testing among MSM during the pandemic." This article was originally published on the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Public Health and Surveillance website: [https://publichealth.jmir.org/2022/5/e30070].
JMIR Publications
Zhang, Ke Chun; Fang, Yuan; Cao, He . . .
2022-05-25
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International Atrocity Crimes and Their Domestic Counterparts [May 25, 2022]
From the Document: "Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine has prompted widespread attention to the legal framework governing wartime atrocities. In a 2006 article, former U.S. Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Issues David J. Scheffer coined the term 'atrocity crimes' [hyperlink] to describe criminal conduct that is, among other elements, of a significant magnitude, prohibited under international criminal law, and led in its execution by a ruling government group or power elite in society. In 2014, the United Nations defined [hyperlink] atrocity crimes as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. International law also criminalizes related conduct that can take place in wartime, such as torture and the crime of aggression. Some, but not all, of these offenses have counterparts in the United States' criminal code. The Human Rights and Special Prosecution Section [hyperlink] in the Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible [hyperlink] for investigating and prosecuting atrocity crimes and related offenses under U.S. law, but prosecutions can be limited by the lack of extraterritorial jurisdiction[hyperlink], statutes of limitation [hyperlink], and other facets of the offenses. This Sidebar introduces international atrocity crimes and related offenses, examines their domestic counterparts, and discusses proposals for congressional reform."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mulligan, Stephen P.
2022-05-25
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Biden Administration's Cuba Policy Changes [May 25, 2022]
From the Document: "On May 16, 2022, the Biden Administration announced several forthcoming changes to U.S. policy [hyperlink] toward Cuba, with the overarching goal of increasing support for the Cuban people. The changes, which emanate from a policy review begun by the Administration in 2021, fall into four broad areas-- facilitating family reunification, expanding authorized travel, supporting Cuba's private sector, and easing some restrictions on remittances. According to the State Department spokesperson, the changes will provide Cubans with 'additional tools to pursue life free from Cuban government oppression and to seek greater economic opportunities [hyperlink].' The Administration stated that it plans to implement the policy changes in the coming weeks through various steps and regulatory changes undertaken by relevant U.S. departments and agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2022-05-25
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Army's Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) [Updated May 25, 2022]
From the Document: "The Army describes the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), a tracked support vehicle, as follows: The Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) is the replacement for the M113 Family of Vehicles (FoV) within the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT), comprising approximately 30% of its tracked vehicle fleet. [...] The AMPV is currently produced by BAE [British Aerospace] Systems in York, PA. On January 25, 2019, the AMPV entered the low-rate initial production phase (LRIP). The Army originally planned for acquiring a total of 2,907 AMPVs, with initial vehicle delivery in 2020. The current AMPV program plans to replace 2,897 M113 vehicles at the brigade and below level within the ABCT. There are an additional 1,922 M113s supporting non-ABCT affiliated units (referred to as Echelons Above Brigade [EAB] units) that are not included in the Army's modernization plan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2022-05-25
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Foreign Holdings of Federal Debt [Updated May 25, 2022]
From the Summary: "This report presents current data on ownership of U.S. Treasury securities and major holders of federal debt by country. Federal debt represents the accumulated balance of borrowing by the federal government. The gross debt is composed of debt held by the public and intragovernmental debt held by federal trust funds. To finance the publicly held debt, U.S. Treasury securities are sold to investors. Treasury securities may be purchased directly from the Treasury or on the secondary market by individual private investors; the Federal Reserve; financial institutions in the United States or overseas; and foreign, state, or local governments. As of December 2021, there was $23.1 trillion of publicly held debt outstanding, up from $14.8 trillion in December 2017, an $8.3 trillion increase. During the same period, foreign holdings of debt increased by $1.5 trillion to a total of approximately $7.7 trillion. After increasing for several years, overall foreign holdings were relatively flat from 2013 to 2018 in dollar terms before increasing in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Because the total debt has increased faster than the debt held by foreigners has, the share of federal debt held by foreigners has declined in recent years. In December 2021, foreigners held 33% of the publicly held debt. Interest on the debt paid to foreigners in 2021 was $132.6 billion."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc; Nagel, Jared C.
2022-05-25
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Responding to State 'Fragility' in Coastal West Africa [May 25, 2022]
From the Document: "In April 2022, the Biden Administration identified [hyperlink] part of coastal West Africa--Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo--as a priority region pursuant to the 2019 Global Fragility Act (GFA, Title V of Division J, P.L. 116-94). U.S. military officials [hyperlink] and some Members of Congress [hyperlink] have expressed concern over a southward expansion of Islamist insurgent violence from the neighboring Sahel region, centering on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger (see Figure 1). Benin and Côte d'Ivoire have been the hardest hit, recording at least two dozen attacks since 2020, many targeting military personnel near their northern borders. Togo has suffered [hyperlink] two attacks on northern security outposts since late 2021. Ghana and Guinea have not recorded attacks to date. Analysts have attributed most of these attacks to Sahel-based affiliates of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State that have moved south [hyperlink] to procure supplies and seek refuge, including in wildlife preserves in northern Benin and Côte d'Ivoire. Some warn [hyperlink] that armed groups may expand their presence by exploiting local tensions and grievances, extending approaches pioneered in the Sahel. Disputes between pastoralists and farmers [hyperlink], along with anger at security force abuses [hyperlink], have reportedly driven extremist recruitment elsewhere in West Africa."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Husted, Tomas F.; Arieff, Alexis
2022-05-25
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Technology Modernization Fund: Past Awards Highlight Need for Continued Scrutiny of Agency Proposals, Statement of David B. Hinchman, Acting Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Government Operations, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "Enacted in 2017, the provisions commonly referred to as the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act established the TMF [Technology Modernization Fund] in recognition of the challenges in modernizing federal information systems. OMB [Office of Management and Budget] and GSA [General Services Administration] administer the TMF, and a Technology Modernization Board comprised of federal IT [information technology] executives reviews agency project proposals. Since the program's creation, it has received over $1.1 billion in appropriations and made awards to over 20 projects that sought to address the federal technology challenges on which GAO has extensively reported. The MGT Act included a provision for GAO to report biannually on the TMF and the projects receiving these funds. This testimony summarizes past GAO reporting on the TMF, including (1) the status of the fund and approved projects and (2) the reliability of selected projects' cost saving estimates. This statement is primarily based on the results of GAO's prior work, which includes the reports cited in this statement. GAO also reviewed the status of approved projects as of May 2022, and agencies' efforts to address its recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Hinchman, David B.
2022-05-25
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Executive Order 14074: Advancing Effective, Accountable Policing and Criminal Justice Practices to Enhance Public Trust and Public Safety
From the Document: "Our criminal justice system must respect the dignity and rights of all persons and adhere to our fundamental obligation to ensure fair and impartial justice for all. This is imperative--not only to live up to our principles as a Nation, but also to build secure, safe, and healthy communities. Protecting public safety requires close partnerships between law enforcement and the communities it serves. Public safety therefore depends on public trust, and public trust in turn requires that our criminal justice system as a whole embodies fair and equal treatment, transparency, and accountability. [...] Through this order, my Administration is taking a critical step in what must be part of a larger effort to strengthen our democracy and advance the principles of equality and dignity. While we can make policing safer and more effective by strengthening trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve, we must also reform our broader criminal justice system so that it protects and serves all people equally."
United States. Office of the Federal Register
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.
2022-05-25
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 977, No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2021
From the Document: "S. 977 would seek to prohibit foreign states from working collectively to limit the production, set the price, or otherwise restrain the trading of petroleum and natural gas when such actions affect U.S. markets. The bill would authorize the Department of Justice (DOJ) to enforce the legislation by filing antitrust actions in federal courts. Under the bill, foreign states that restrain trade in petroleum and natural gas would not be immune from the judgment of U.S. courts under the doctrine of sovereign immunity. CBO [Congressional Budget Office] has no basis to predict whether DOJ would initiate antitrust actions against foreign states under the bill. The cost of investigating alleged antitrust violations like those that might be brought under S. 977 could cost millions of dollars per year, subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-05-24
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 24, 2022: Post-COVID Conditions Among Adult COVID-19 Survivors Aged 18-64 and ≥65 Years -- United States, March 2020-November 2021
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 Early Release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Post-COVID [coronavirus disease] Conditions Among Adult COVID-19 Survivors Aged 18-64 and ≥65 Years -- United States, March 2020-November 2021." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from MMWR can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2022.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2022-05-24
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Planning America's Capital: Strategic Plan: 2022-2026
From the Plan and Project Review: "The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) reviews and approves plans and projects for federal and certain District of Columbia buildings and installations. Through planning, policymaking, and plan review, the NCPC defines and protects both federal interests and broader national interests in the region's development. These interests are wide-ranging and multi-faceted, from ensuring that government agencies and foreign missions have safe, well-served facilities to addressing multiple uses of parks and open spaces. The NCPC encourages forward looking outcomes that achieve shared federal and local interests, including efficient infrastructure, a thriving economy, sustainable and safe development patterns, and natural and cultural resource stewardship."
United States. National Capital Planning Commission
2022-05-24
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S. Rept. 117-117: Disaster Resiliency Planning Act, Report of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, to Accompany S. 3510, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, May 24, 2022
From the Purpose and Summary: "S. 3510, the Disaster Resiliency Planning Act, requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance to federal agencies on how to incorporate natural disaster resilience into investment and asset management decisions. The legislation is in response to a 2021 report issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which found that while the federal government has issued guidance to address risks such as climate change, there were no specific directives for incorporating natural disaster resilience into asset-management decisions."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-24
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Risk Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Breakthrough Infections in Fully mRNA-Vaccinated Individuals: Retrospective Analysis
From the Abstract: "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] messenger RNA [ribonucleic acid] (mRNA) vaccines have demonstrated efficacy and effectiveness in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, while being relatively safe in trial studies. However, vaccine breakthrough infections have been reported. [...] This study aims to identify risk factors associated with COVID-19 breakthrough infections among fully mRNA-vaccinated individuals. [...] We conducted a series of observational retrospective analyses using the electronic health records (EHRs) of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center/New York Presbyterian (CUIMC/NYP) up to September 21, 2021. New York City (NYC) adult residences with at least 1 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) record were included in this analysis. Poisson regression was performed to assess the association between the breakthrough infection rate in vaccinated individuals and multiple risk factors--including vaccine brand, demographics, and underlying conditions--while adjusting for calendar month, prior number of visits, and observational days in the EHR. [...] Although we found both mRNA vaccines were effective, Moderna/mRNA-1273 had a lower incidence rate of breakthrough infections. Immunocompromised and male individuals were among the highest risk groups experiencing breakthrough infections. Given the rapidly changing nature of the SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] pandemic, continued monitoring and a generalizable analysis pipeline are warranted to inform quick updates on vaccine effectiveness in real time." This article was originally published on the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Public Health and Surveillance website: [https://publichealth.jmir.org/2022/5/e35311].
JMIR Publications
Liu, Cong; Lee, Junghwan; Ta, Casey . . .
2022-05-24
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2022 Summit of the Americas [May 24, 2022]
From the Document: "The United States is scheduled to host the Ninth Summit of the Americas [hyperlink] in Los Angeles on June 6-10, 2022. The Summits of the Americas, held roughly every three years, serve as opportunities for the Western Hemisphere's heads of government to engage directly with one another and address issues of collective concern. In May 2021, the Senate passed S.Res. 120, calling on the President to 'lead a strong and coordinated diplomatic effort' during the summit process to strengthen democratic governance, support post-pandemic economic recovery efforts, enhance security cooperation, and address displacement and migration in the Western Hemisphere. Depending on what, if any, commitments or proposals the President makes at the summit, he could call on Congress to approve policy changes and/or appropriate resources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.
2022-05-24
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China's Global Investments: Data and Transparency Challenges [Updated May 24, 2022]
From the Document: "During the past 20 years, the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) has significantly increased its investment overseas. In 1999, China launched its 'Go Global Strategy' to support the expansion of Chinese firms abroad and make them more globally competitive. Since then, these firms-- many of which are closely tied to the PRC government-- have acquired foreign assets and pledged billions of dollars to finance infrastructure abroad. Many in Congress and the Biden Administration are focusing on the critical implications of China's growing global economic reach for U.S. economic and geopolitical strategic interests. [...] Data limitations, combined with the number of unknown variables that drive China's foreign economic policy decisionmaking processes, can affect how Members of Congress perceive and address the challenges that China's overseas economic activities pose to U.S. and global interests. These limitations and uncertainties also complicate efforts to understand trends and assess the ways in which China's global economic reach may differ from that of the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwarzenberg, Andres B.
2022-05-24
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China's Economic and Trade Ties with Russia [May 24, 2022]
From the Document: "Two developments in February 2022--the announcement by leaders of the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) and the Russian Federation (Russia) of a strategic partnership that 'knows no limits' and Russia's renewed invasion of Ukraine with tacit PRC support--may raise new considerations for Congress about the deepening China-Russia ties. China's trade, financial, and technology ties with Russia may affect the strength of U.S.-led efforts to constrain Russia, including through sanctions and export controls. China's alignment with Russia also appears to be part of broader efforts to create alternative global systems in trade, finance, and technology that could intensify and challenge the liberal global economic order. Also see CRS In Focus IF12100, 'China-Russia Relations.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sutter, Karen M.; Sutherland, Michael D.
2022-05-24
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Europe: Fact Sheet on Parliamentary and Presidential Elections [Updated May 24, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides a map of parliamentary and presidential elections that have been held or are scheduled to be held at the national level in Europe in 2022, and a table of recent and upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections at the national level in Europe. It includes dates for direct parliamentary elections only, and excludes indirect elections.1 Europe is defined in this product as the fifty countries under the portfolio of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. The report does not include the Holy See (Vatican City), as there are not any direct presidential or parliamentary elections held there. Electoral rules and governance structures can vary widely across European countries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Plagakis, Sofia
2022-05-24
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Dynamic Scoring in the Congressional Budget Process [Updated May 24, 2022]
From the Document: "When Congress considers legislation, it takes into account the proposal's potential budgetary effects. This helps Members to weigh the legislation's merits, and to consider whether it complies with the budgetary rules that Congress has created for itself. While information on the potential budgetary effects of legislation may come from numerous sources, the authority to determine whether legislation complies with congressional budgetary rules is given to the House and Senate Budget Committees. In this capacity, the budget committees generally rely on estimates provided by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT). As described in the following section, cost estimates provided by CBO and JCT are guided by certain requirements that Congress has articulated in different forms. These requirements are not completely prescriptive, however, and as a result both CBO and JCT adopt practices and conventions that guide the creation of cost estimates. [...] This report provides information on the authorities and requirements under which cost estimates are prepared, as well as a summary of the debate surrounding dynamic cost estimates, and previous rules and requirements related to dynamic estimates. Currently, no congressional rules explicitly require dynamic estimates, and Congress may examine what rules changes, if any, are needed in the area of dynamic estimates. This report, therefore, includes information on options for the creation of dynamic scoring rules, and general considerations for Congress related to dynamic estimates."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lynch, Megan Suzanne; Gravelle, Jane
2022-05-24
