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• Trends in Conventional Arms Transfers to the Third World by Major Supplier, 1982-1989 [June 19, 1990]

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  "The general decline in the value of new arms transfer agreements with the Third World seen in recent years continued in 1989. The value of all arms transfer agreements with the Third World in 1989 ($29.3 billion) was the lowest total for any year during the period from 1982-1989 (in constant 1989 dollars). The Soviet Union and the United States have clearly dominated the Third World arms market as the top two suppliers from 1982-1989. Collectively, the two superpowers accounted for 60% of all arms transfer agreements with, and arms deliveries to, the Third World during these years. In real terms, the value of United States arms transfer agreements with the Third World decreased from the 1988 total of $9.3 billion to $7.7 billion in 1989, a 26% share of all such agreements in 1989. The total value of the Soviet Union's agreements fell from $14.7 billion in 1988 to $11.2 billion in 1989, a 38.4% share of all Third World arms transfer agreements in 1989."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Grimmett, Richard F.

  1990-06-19
• Trends in Conventional Arms Transfers to the Third World by Major Supplier, 1980-1987 [May 9, 1988]

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  "This report provides unclassified background data on transfers of conventional armaments to Third World nations by the major supplying nations. It covers the years from 1980-1987 and reviews in detail the values of arms transfer agreements and deliveries, as well as the specific numbers of important conventional weapons delivered to the Third World during this time period."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Grimmett, Richard F.

  1988-05-09
• Trends in Conventional Arms Transfers to the Third World by Major Supplier, 1981-1988 [August 4, 1989]

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  "The general decline in the value of new arms transfer agreements with the Third World seen in recent years continued in 1988. The value of all arms transfer agreements with the Third World in 1988 ($29.7 billion) was the lowest total for any year during the period from 1981-1988 (in constant 1988 dollars). The Soviet Union and the United States have clearly dominated the Third World arms market as the top two suppliers from 1981-1988. Collectively, the two superpowers accounted for half of all arms transfer agreements with and arms deliveries to the Third World during these years. In the 1980s, China has emerged as an important supplier of arms to the Third World, in large measure due to agreements with Iran and Iraq. As a nation capable and willing to supply a wide variety of basic weapons and ammunition, cheaply, and in quantity, China was well positioned to take advantage of the wartime requirements of these two nations. During the 1981- 1988 period, 61.3% of all of China's arms transfer agreements with the Third World were with Iran and Iraq collectively. Whether China will be able to sustain its level of arms sales to the Near East and South Asian region now that the Iran-Iraq war has ended remains to be seen. Despite China's sale and delivery of CSS-2 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles to Saudi Arabia in the most recent period (1985-1988), and its historic supplier relationship with Pakistan and Egypt, the notable Chinese arms sales performance from 1981-1988 was essentially based upon trade with Iran and Iraq."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Grimmett, Richard F.

  1989-08-04
• U.N. Population Fund: Background and the U.S. Funding Debate [April 11, 2008]

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  "The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), established in 1969, is the world's largest source of population and reproductive health programs and the principal unit within the United Nations for global population issues. In 2006, the organization provided services in some 154 developing and transition countries, with funds totaling $605.5 million, drawn exclusively from voluntary contributions made by 180 nations and some foundations. The United States, with strong support from Congress, was an important actor in the launch of UNFPA in 1969. During the mid-to-late 1960s, Congress began to express heightened concern over the impact of rapid population growth on development prospects in poor countries. In 1967, Congress earmarked funds for population assistance programs, urging the United States to channel family planning resources through the United Nations and other international organizations. […] For the past five years, the Bush Administration has transferred UNFPA appropriations to other foreign aid activities. For FY2009, the Bush Administration requested that $25 million be made available for UNFPA if it is determined eligible under the Kemp- Kasten amendment. The appropriated funds would be drawn from the Child Survival and Health Programs account. While UNFPA receives voluntary contributions from many countries and some private foundations, most of its income comes from a handful of donors. The Netherlands and Japan recently have been the largest contributors. Throughout the last decade, when the United States has contributed to UNFPA programs, the U.S. contributions have represented about 8% of UNFPA's regular budget. This report will be updated as policy changes or congressional actions warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Blanchfield, Luisa

  2008-04-11
• Trends in Conventional Arms Transfers to the Third World by Major Supplier, 1979-1986 [May 15, 1987]

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  "This report provides unclassified background data on transfers of conventional armaments to Third World nations by the major supplying nations. It covers the years from 1979-1986 and reviews in detail the values of arms transfer agreements and deliveries, as well as the specific numbers of important conventional weapons delivered to the Third World during this time period."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Grimmett, Richard F.

  1987-05-15
• Trends in Conventional Arms Transfers to the Third World by Major Supplier, 1976-1983 [May 7, 1984]

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  "This report provides unclassified background data on transfers of conventional armaments to Third World nations by the major supplying nations. It covers the years from 1976-1983 and reviews in detail the values of arms transfer agreements and deliveries, as well as the specific numbers of important conventional weapons delivered to the Third World during this time period."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Grimmett, Richard F.

  1984-05-07
• Trends in Conventional Arms Transfers to the Third World by Major Supplier, 1978-1985 [May 9, 1986]

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  "This report provides unclassified background data on transfers of conventional armaments to Third World nations by the major supplying nations. It covers the years from 1978-1985 and reviews in detail the values of arms transfer agreements and deliveries, as well as the specific numbers of important conventional weapons delivered to the Third World during this time period."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Grimmett, Richard F.

  1986-05-09
• Trends in Conventional Arms Transfers to the Third World by Major Supplier, 1977-1984 [April 19, 1985]

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  "This report provides unclassified background data on transfers of conventional armaments to Third World nations by the major supplying nations. It covers the years from 1977-1984 and reviews in detail the values of arms transfer agreements and deliveries, as well as the specific numbers of important conventional weapons delivered to the Third World during this time period."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Grimmett, Richard F.

  1985-04-19
• Trends in Conventional Arms Transfers to the Third World by Major Supplier, 1975-1982 [April 11, 1983]

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  "This report updates its predecessor -- 'Trends In Conventional Arms Transfers To The Third Word By Major Supplier, 1974-1981' published by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) on August 12, 1982. It provides unclassified background data on transfers of conventional arms to the Third World by major suppliers for the period from 1975-1982."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Grimmett, Richard F.

  1983-04-11
• Sea of Problems: Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Oceans and Wildlife, Oversight Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife of the Committee on Natural Resources, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session, October 29, 2019

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  This is the October 29, 2019 hearing on "Sea of Problems: Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Oceans and Wildlife," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife of the Committee on Natural Resources. From the opening statement of Alan S. Lowenthal: "We are here today to discuss a pressing environmental issue, and that is plastic pollution. Certainly, single-use plastics have made life easier, but these materials come at a much higher cost than many would like to admit. Plastics last for centuries in the natural environment, and are found nearly everywhere on our planet." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Ted Danson, Jenna Jambeck, Juan Parras, and Tony Radoszewski.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2020
• Recover Me If You Can: Assessing Services to Victims of Identity Theft

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  From the Document: "The best way to deal with identity theft and the subsequent fraud is to take precautions to prevent it from occurring. Nevertheless, like other crimes, there should be remedies to repair the harm caused by identity-based crimes. In the case of identity-based crimes, however, these processes have not been fully established. Moreover, there has been relatively little investigation into the strategies to repair the harm caused by identity-based crimes. [...] This multiphase project was designed to understand the effect and quality of services provided to victims of serious identity crime in the United States, to improve our understanding about victim experiences, and to identify the best ways of supporting victims who experience the ramifications of identity-based crime."

  National Criminal Justice Reference Service (U.S.); United States. Office of Justice Programs

  Gies, Stephen V.; Piquero, Nicole

  2021-01
• Trafficking in Persons: U.S. Policy and Issues for Congress [December 23, 2010]

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  "Trafficking in persons (TIP) for the purposes of exploitation is believed to be one of the most prolific areas of international criminal activity and is of significant concern to the United States and the international community. According to Department of State estimates, roughly 800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year. If trafficking within countries is included in the total world figures, official U.S. estimates indicate that some 2 to 4 million people are trafficked annually. As many as 17,500 people are believed to be trafficked into the United States each year and some have estimated that 100,000 U.S. citizen (USC) children are victims of trafficking within the United States."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Siskin, Alison; Wyler, Liana Sun

  2010-12-23
• Trafficking in Persons: U.S. Policy and Issues for Congress [February 19, 2013]

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  "Trafficking in persons (TIP) for the purposes of exploitation is believed to be one of the most prolific areas of contemporary international criminal activity and is of significant interest to the United States and the international community as a serious human rights concern. TIP is both an international and a domestic crime that involves violations of labor, public health, and human rights standards, and criminal law. In general, the trafficking business feeds on conditions of vulnerability, such as youth, gender, poverty, ignorance, social exclusion, political instability, and ongoing demand. Actors engaged in human trafficking range from amateur family-run organizations to sophisticated transnational organized crime syndicates. Trafficking victims are often subjected to mental and physical abuse in order to control them, including debt bondage, social isolation, removal of identification cards and travel documents, violence, and fear of reprisals against them or their families. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), some 20.9 million individuals today are estimated to be victims of forced labor, including TIP. As many as 17,500 people are believed to be trafficked into the United States each year, and some have estimated that 100,000 U.S. citizen children are victims of trafficking within the United States."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Siskin, Alison; Wyler, Liana Sun

  2013-02-19
• Trafficking in Women and Children: The U.S. and International Response [Updated March 18, 2002]

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  "The trafficking in people for prostitution and forced labor is one of the fastest growing areas of international criminal activity and one that is of increasing concern to the United States and the international community. The overwhelming majority of those trafficked are women and children. More than 700,000 people are believed to be trafficked each year worldwide; some 50,000 to the United States. Trafficking is now considered the third largest source of profits for organized crime, behind only drugs and weapons, generating billions of dollars annually. Trafficking affects virtually every country in the world. The largest number of victims come from Asia, with over 225,000 victims each year from Southeast Asia and over 150,000 from South Asia. The former Soviet Union is now believed to be the largest new source of trafficking for prostitution and the sex industry, with over 100,000 trafficked each year from that region. An additional 75,000 or more are trafficked from Central and Eastern Europe. Over 100,000 come from Latin America and the Caribbean, and over 50,000 victims are from Africa. Most of the victims are sent to Asia, the Middle East, Western Europe and North America. […]The United States and other countries have also initiated bilateral and multilateral programs and initiatives to combat trafficking. The United States is working with the European Union, the Group of Eight, the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and a number of individual countries to combat trafficking in women and children. In 2000, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Convention on Transnational Crime, including a Protocol on Trafficking. A Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography was signed by the United States July 2000."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Miko, Francis T.; Park, Grace (Jea-Hyun)

  2002-03-18
• Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers [March 5, 2014]

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  "Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers (TAA) provides federal assistance to workers who have been adversely affected by foreign trade. It was most recently authorized by the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011 (TAAEA; Title II of P.L. 112-40). Under TAAEA, the program operated under one set of eligibility and benefit provisions from enactment through December 31, 2013, and then reverted to a more restrictive set of provisions on January 1, 2014. To be eligible for TAA, a group of workers must establish that they were separated from their employment either because their jobs moved outside the United States or because of an increase in directly competitive imports. Workers at firms that are suppliers to or downstream producers of TAA-certified firms may also be eligible for TAA benefits. Under current law, only production workers are eligible. Under the TAAEA provisions that were in place through December 31, 2013, both production and service workers were eligible. To establish eligibility for TAA benefits, a group of affected workers must petition the Department of Labor (DOL) and a DOL investigation must verify the role of foreign trade in the workers' job loss. Once a petition is certified by DOL, covered workers may apply for individual benefits. These benefits are funded by the federal government and administered by the states through their workforce systems. The specific group of benefits and services to which a worker is entitled is determined by the date of the petition that covers the worker. Benefits include a group of benefits and services to assist workers in returning to work."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Collins, Benjamin

  2014-03-05
• Homicide in the U.S. Known to Law Enforcement, 2011

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  "In 2011, an estimated 14,610 persons were victims of homicide in the United States, according to FBI data on homicides known to state and local law enforcement […]. This is the lowest number of homicide victims since 1968, and marks the fifth consecutive year of decline. The homicide rate in 2011 was 4.7 homicides per 100,000 persons, the lowest level since 1963. This homicide rate was also 54% below its peak of 10.2 per 100,000 persons in 1980 and 17% below the rate in 2002 (5.6 homicides per 100,000). These findings are based on analyses conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) using data from the FBI's Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHR). The SHR collects detailed information on each homicide reported to state and local law enforcement in the United States, including victim and suspected offender demographic characteristics, the type of weapon used during the incident, and the number of victims killed during the incident. This report describes homicides known to law enforcement in 2011, the most recent year for which detailed data are available, and examines homicide trends from 1992 to 2011, with selected findings from 1960."

  United States. Bureau of Justice Statistics

  Smith, Erica L.; Cooper, Alexia

  2013-12
• U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea: Living Resources Provisions [February 11, 2014]

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  "The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS] established a comprehensive international legal framework for governing activities related to the world's oceans. UNCLOS was agreed to in 1982, but the United States never became a signatory nation. This report describes provisions of UNCLOS relating to living marine resources and discusses how these provisions comport with current U.S. marine policy. As presently understood and interpreted, these provisions generally appear to reflect current U.S. policy with respect to living marine resource management, conservation, and exploitation. Based on these interpretations, they are generally seen as not imposing significant new U.S. obligations, commitments, or encumbrances, and are seen as providing several new privileges, primarily related to participation in commissions developing international ocean policy. No new domestic legislation appears to be required to implement the living resources provisions of UNCLOS."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Upton, Harold F. (Harold Frank)

  2014-02-11
• Tribal Crime Data Collection Activities, 2013

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  From the Bureau of Justice Statistics website: This report "[d]escribes Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) activities to collect and improve data on crime and justice in Indian country, as required by the Tribal Law and Order Act, 2010. The report summarizes BJS's efforts in 2013 to implement an Indian Country Justice Statistics Task Force, develop a survey of all state and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors' offices serving in Indian country, study the handling of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) juvenile and adult criminal cases in the federal justice system, and enhance current funding programs to support tribal participation in regional and national criminal justice databases. It summarizes tribal eligibility for Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) awards from 2008 to 2013, and presents Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program statistics on offenses reported in Indian country."

  United States. Bureau of Justice Statistics

  Perry, Steven W.

  2013-08
• Terrorism Risk Insurance Legislation: Issue Summary and Side-by-Side Analysis [June 24, 2014]

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  "Prior to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, insurance covering terrorism losses was normally included in general insurance policies without additional cost to the policyholders. Following the attacks, this ceased to be the case as insurers and reinsurers pulled back from offering terrorism coverage. It was feared that a lack of insurance against terrorism loss would have a wider economic impact, because insurance is important particularly in lending decisions. Congress responded to the disruption in the insurance market by passing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA; P.L. 107-297). TRIA created a temporary program, expiring at the end of 2005, to calm the insurance markets through a government backstop sharing in terrorism losses with the intent that this would give the industry time to gather the data and create the structures and capacity necessary for private insurance to cover terrorism risk. TRIA did not require premiums to be paid for the government coverage. Instead, TRIA required private insurers to offer coverage for terrorism risk and would recoup some or all federal payments under the act in the years following government coverage of insurer losses. Under TRIA, terrorism insurance became widely available and largely affordable, and the insurance industry greatly expanded its financial capacity. There has been, however, little apparent success on developing a longer-term private solution, and fears have persisted about wider economic consequences if insurance were not available."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Webel, Baird

  2014-06-24
• Trafficking in Persons: U.S. Policy and Issues for Congress [July 2, 2009]

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  "Trafficking in persons (TIP) for the purposes of exploitation is believed to be one of the most prolific areas of international criminal activity and is of significant concern to the United States and the international community. The overwhelming majority of those trafficked are women and children. According to the most recent Department of State estimates, roughly 800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year. If trafficking within countries is included in the total world figures, official U.S. estimates are that some 2 to 4 million people are trafficked annually. However, there are even higher estimates, ranging from 4 to 27 million for total numbers of forced or bonded laborers. As many as 17,500 people are believed to be trafficked to the United States each year. Human trafficking is now a leading source of profits for organized crime syndicates, together with drugs and weapons, generating billions of dollars. TIP affects virtually every country in the world. [...] On June 16, 2009, the State Department issued its ninth annual, congressionally mandated report on human trafficking. In addition to outlining major trends and ongoing challenges in combating TIP, the report provides a country-by-country analysis and ranking, based on what progress foreign countries have made, from April 2008 through March 2009, in their efforts to prosecute, protect, and prevent TIP. The report categorizes countries into four 'tiers' according to the government's efforts to combat trafficking. Those countries that do not cooperate in the fight against trafficking (Tier 3) have been made subject to U.S. foreign assistance sanctions. The Tier 3 group named in 2009 includes a total of 17 countries: Burma, Chad, Cuba, Eritrea, Fiji, Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mauritania, Niger, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, and Zimbabwe."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Siskin, Alison; Wyler, Liana Sun; Seelke, Clare Ribando

  2009-07-02
• Trafficking in Persons: U.S. Policy and Issues for Congress [January 10, 2008]

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  "Trafficking in people for prostitution and forced labor is one of the most prolific areas of international criminal activity and is of significant concern to the United States and the international community. The overwhelming majority of those trafficked are women and children. According to the most recent Department of State estimates, roughly 800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year. If trafficking within countries is included in the total world figures, official U.S. estimates are that some 2 to 4 million people are trafficked annually. However, there are even higher estimates, ranging from 4 to 27 million for total numbers of forced or bonded laborers. As many as 17,500 people are believed to be trafficked to the United States each year. Human trafficking is now a leading source of profits for organized crime syndicates, together with drugs and weapons, generating billions of dollars. Trafficking in persons affects virtually every country in the world. […] The State Department issued its seventh congressionally mandated Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report on June 12, 2007. Each report categorizes countries into four tiers according to the government's efforts to combat trafficking. Those countries that do not cooperate in the fight against trafficking (Tier 3) have been made subject to U.S. sanctions since 2003. Sixteen countries were placed on Tier 3 in the 2007 report. On October 18, 2007, President Bush imposed new trafficking in persons related sanctions on Burma, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Siskin, Alison; Seelke, Clare Ribando

  2008-01-10
• Trafficking in Persons: U.S. Policy and Issues for Congress [Updated June 20, 2007]

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  "Trafficking in people for prostitution and forced labor is one of the most prolific areas of international criminal activity and is of significant concern to the United States and the international community. The overwhelming majority of those trafficked are women and children. According to the most recent Department of State estimates, roughly 800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year. If trafficking within countries is included in the total world figures, official U.S. estimates are that some 2 to 4 million people are trafficked annually. However, there are even higher estimates, ranging from 4 to 27 million for total numbers of forced or bonded laborers. As many as 17,500 people are believed to be trafficked to the United States each year. Human trafficking is now a leading source of profits for organized crime, together with drugs and weapons, generating billions of dollars. Trafficking in persons affects virtually every country in the world. […] In the 110th Congress, The Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007, H.R. 1 (Thompson), approved by the House and referred to the Senate on January 9, 2007, would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide specified funding and administrative support to strengthen the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center. A related bill, the Improving America's Security Act of 2007, S. 4 (Reid), has been introduced in the Senate. The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007, H.R. 270 (Smith), introduced on January 5, 2007, would authorize funds for anti-trafficking programs for FY2008 through FY2010. Another bill, the Congressional Commission on the Abolition of Modern-Day Slavery Act, H.R. 2522 (Lewis), introduced on May 24, 2007, would establish a Commission to evaluate the effectiveness of current U.S. anti-slavery efforts, including anti-TIP programs, and make recommendations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seelke, Clare Ribando

  2007-06-20
• U.N. Convention Against Torture (CAT): Overview and Application to Interrogation Techniques [Updated January 25, 2008]

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  "The United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) requires signatory parties to take measures to end torture within their territorial jurisdiction and to criminalize all acts of torture. Unlike many other international agreements and declarations prohibiting torture, CAT provides a general definition of the term. CAT generally defines torture as the infliction of severe physical and/or mental suffering committed under the color of law. CAT allows for no circumstances or emergencies where torture could be permitted. The United States ratified CAT, subject to certain declarations, reservations, and understandings, including that the treaty was not self-executing and required implementing legislation to be enforced by U.S. courts. In order to ensure U.S. compliance with CAT obligations to criminalize all acts of torture, the United States enacted 18 U.S.C. §§ 2340 and 2340A, which prohibit torture occurring outside the United States (torture occurring inside the United States was already generally prohibited under several federal and state statutes criminalizing acts such as assault, battery, and murder). The applicability and scope of these statutes were the subject of widely-reported memorandums by the Department of Defense and Department of Justice in 2002. In late 2004, the Department of Justice released a memorandum superseding its earlier memo and modifying some of its conclusions. Assuming for the purposes of discussion that a U.S. body had to review a harsh interrogation method to determine whether it constituted torture under either CAT or applicable U.S. law, it might examine international jurisprudence as to whether certain interrogation methods constituted torture."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Garcia, Michael John

  2008-01-25
• U.N. Convention Against Torture (CAT): Overview and Application to Interrogation Techniques [Updated July 23, 2007]

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  "The United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) requires signatory parties to take measures to end torture within their territorial jurisdiction and to criminalize all acts of torture. Unlike many other international agreements and declarations prohibiting torture, CAT provides a general definition of the term. CAT generally defines torture as the infliction of severe physical and/or mental suffering committed under the color of law. CAT allows for no circumstances or emergencies where torture could be permitted. The United States ratified CAT, subject to certain declarations, reservations, and understandings, including that the Convention was not self-executing and therefore required domestic implementing legislation to be enforced by U.S. courts. In order to ensure U.S. compliance with CAT obligations to criminalize all acts of torture, the United States enacted §§ 2340 and 2340A of the United States Criminal Code, which prohibit torture occurring outside the United States (torture occurring inside the United States was already prohibited under several federal and state statutes of general application prohibiting acts such as assault, battery, and murder). The applicability and scope of these statutes were the subject of widely-reported memorandums by the Department of Defense and Department of Justice in 2002. In late 2004, the Department of Justice released a memorandum superseding its earlier memo and modifying some of its conclusions. Assuming for the purposes of discussion that a U.S. body had to review a harsh interrogation method to determine whether it constituted torture under either CAT or applicable U.S. law, it might examine international jurisprudence as to whether certain interrogation methods constituted torture."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Garcia, Michael John

  2007-07-23
• U.N. Convention Against Torture (CAT): Overview and Application to Interrogation Techniques [Updated November 7, 2005]

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  "The United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) requires signatory parties to take measures to end torture within their territorial jurisdiction and to criminalize all acts of torture. Unlike many other international agreements and declarations prohibiting torture, CAT provides a general definition of the term. CAT generally defines torture as the infliction of severe physical and/or mental suffering committed under the color of law. CAT allows for no circumstances or emergencies where torture could be permitted. The United States ratified CAT, subject to certain declarations, reservations, and understandings, including that the Convention was not self-executing and therefore required domestic implementing legislation to be enforced by U.S. courts. In order to ensure U.S. compliance with CAT obligations to criminalize all acts of torture, the United States enacted sections 2340 and 2340A of the United States Criminal Code, which prohibit torture occurring outside the United States (torture occurring inside the United States was already prohibited under several federal and state statutes of general application prohibiting acts such as assault, battery, and murder). The applicability and scope of these statutes were the subject of widely-reported memorandums by the Department of Defense and Department of Justice in 2002. In late 2004, the Department of Justice released a memorandum superseding its earlier memo and modifying some of its conclusions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Garcia, Michael John

  2005-11-07
• Terrorism and Security Issues Facing the Water Infrastructure Sector [Updated November 16, 2007]

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  "Damage to or destruction of the nation's water supply and water quality infrastructure by terrorist attack could disrupt the delivery of vital human services in this country, threatening public health and the environment, or possibly causing loss of life. Interest in such problems has increased greatly since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States. Across the country, water infrastructure systems extend over vast areas, and ownership and operation responsibility are both public and private but are overwhelmingly non-federal. Since the attacks, federal dam operators and water and wastewater utilities have been under heightened security conditions and are evaluating security plans and measures. […] Efforts to develop protocols and tools are ongoing since the 2001 terrorist attacks. This report presents an overview of this large and diverse sector, describes security-related actions by the government and private sector since September 11, and discusses additional policy issues and responses, including congressional interest."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Copeland, Claudia

  2007-11-16
• Terrorism and Security Issues Facing the Water Infrastructure Sector [Updated May 18, 2007]

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  "Damage to or destruction of the nation's water supply and water quality infrastructure by terrorist attack could disrupt the delivery of vital human services in this country, threatening public health and the environment, or possibly causing loss of life. Interest in such problems has increased greatly since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon. Across the country, water infrastructure systems extend over vast areas, and ownership and operation responsibility are both public and private but are overwhelmingly non-federal. Since the attacks, federal dam operators and water and wastewater utilities have been under heightened security conditions and are evaluating security plans and measures. There are no federal standards or agreed-upon industry best practices within the water infrastructure sector to govern readiness, response to security incidents, and recovery. Efforts to develop protocols and tools are ongoing since the 2001 terrorist attacks. This report presents an overview of this large and diverse sector, describes security-related actions by the government and private sector since September 11, and discusses additional policy issues and responses, including congressional interest."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Copeland, Claudia

  2007-05-18
• Toxic Substances Control Act: A Summary of the Act and its Major Requirements [Updated January 7, 2008]

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  "This report summarizes the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the major regulatory programs dealing with chemical production and distribution in U.S. commerce. The text is excerpted, with minor modifications, from the corresponding chapter of CRS Report RL30798, Environmental Laws: Summaries of Statutes Administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, coordinated by Susan Fletcher, which summarizes more than a dozen environmental statutes. Issues related to TSCA implementation are addressed in CRS Report RL34118, The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): Implementation and New Challenges, by Linda-Jo Schierow… TSCA authorizes EPA to identify potentially dangerous chemicals in U.S. commerce that should be subject to federal control. The act authorizes EPA to gather and disseminate information about production, use, and possible adverse effects to human health and the environment of existing chemicals, and to issue "test rules" that require manufacturers and processors of potentially dangerous chemicals to conduct and report the results of scientific studies to fill information gaps. For chemicals new to U.S. commerce, TSCA requires pre-market screening and regulatory tracking of new chemical products."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Schierow, Linda-Jo

  2008-01-07
• Trade Promotion Authority (TPA): Frequently Asked Questions [June 12, 2015]

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  "Legislation to reauthorize Trade Promotion Authority ('TPA'), sometimes called 'fast track,' was introduced as the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA- 2015; H.R. 1890/S. 995) on April 16, 2015. The legislation was reported by the Senate Finance Committee on April 22, 2015, and by the House Ways and Means Committee on April 23, 2015. TPA requires that if the President negotiates an international trade agreement that would reduce tariff or non-tariff barriers to trade in ways that require changes in U.S. law, the United States can implement the agreement only through the enactment of legislation. If the trade agreement and the process of negotiating it meet certain requirements, TPA allows Congress to consider the required implementing bill under expedited ('fast track') procedures, pursuant to which the bill may come to the floor without action by the leadership, and can receive a guaranteed up-or-down vote with no amendments. […] The issue of TPA reauthorization raises a number of questions regarding TPA itself and the pending legislation. This report addresses a number of those questions that are frequently asked, including the following: (1) What is trade promotion authority? (2) Is TPA necessary? (3) What are trade negotiating objectives and how are they reflected in TPA statutes? (4) What requirements does Congress impose on the President under TPA? (5) Does TPA affect congressional authority on trade policy? This report describes aspects of the proposed TPA-2015 introduced on April 16, 2015."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Fergusson, Ian F.; Beth, Richard S.

  2015-06-12
• Trade Promotion Authority (TPA): Frequently Asked Questions [May 28, 2015]

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  "Legislation to reauthorize Trade Promotion Authority ('TPA'), sometimes called 'fast track,' was introduced as the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA- 2015; H.R. 1890/S. 995) on April 16, 2015. The legislation was reported by the Senate Finance Committee on April 22, 2015, and by the House Ways and Means Committee the next day. TPA, as incorporated into H.R. 1314 by substitute amendment, passed the Senate on May 22 by a vote of 62-37. TPA requires that if the President negotiates an international trade agreement that would reduce tariff or non-tariff barriers to trade in ways that require changes in U.S. law, the United States can implement the agreement only through the enactment of legislation. If the trade agreement and the process of negotiating it meet certain requirements, TPA allows Congress to consider the required implementing bill under expedited ('fast track') procedures, pursuant to which the bill may come to the floor without action by the leadership, and can receive a guaranteed up-or-down vote with no amendments."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Fergusson, Ian F.; Beth, Richard S.

  2015-05-28