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Maintaining the High Ground: The Profession and Ethic in Large-Scale Combat Operations
From the Webpage: "Volume 10, 'Maintaining the High Ground: The Profession and Ethic in Large-Scale Combat Operations' combines discussions and historical case studies from the past seventy-five years to address ethical challenges for the Army Profession. Healthy and functioning professions facilitate the employment of expert knowledge to serve a social good. In doing so, trust develops among professionals, as well as with the client, creating an acknowledged autonomy over its jurisdiction that allows the profession to maintain its effectiveness. For the Army, that jurisdiction is the application of land power and its client is the US government and the American public it serves. With today's all-volunteer Army, maintaining public trust is critical, and large-scale combat operations require a professional class of leaders and soldiers with strong ethics and the ability to adapt and even shape their own future."
Army University Press (U.S.)
Pfaff, C. Anthony; Beurskens, Keith R., 1959-
2021-06
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Naval War College Review (Volume 74, Number 2)
This Spring 2021 edition of Naval War College Review contains the following articles: "The Transformation of the Israel Defense Forces" by Avi Jager; "Cultural Challenges for Israeli Sea Power in the Eastern Mediterranean" by Samuel Helfont; "The 1988 Blues: Admirals, Activists, and the Development of the Chinese Maritime Identity" by Andrew Rhodes; "The Middle Kingdom Returns to the Sea, While America Turns Its Back:
How China Came to Dominate the Global Maritime Industry, and the Implications for the World" by Christopher J. McMahon; "One Approach, Two Results: The French Army, the U.S. Marines, and the Frontal Assault during the World Wars" by Ethan S. Rafuse; and "London and Washington:
Maintaining Naval Cooperation despite Strategic Differences during Operation Earnest Will" by Richard A. Mobley.
Naval War College (U.S.)
2021
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Telemedicine Framework for EMS and 911 Organizations
From the Purpose of This Document: "This resource document has been developed by the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS) and its partners to provide information to EMS [Emergency Medical Services] and 911 organizations exploring the possibility of meeting unmet healthcare needs of their patients and communities through telemedicine. This document does not provide operational directives. However, readers will find telemedicine program design concepts and considerations, as well as suggestions for identifying potential strategic community partnerships that could bolster program development. The intent is to provide EMS and 911 organizations with an understanding of opportunities to leverage telemedicine as a pathway for providing patients with quality and cost-efficient care at the right place and the right time."
Federal Interagency Committee on EMS
2021-05
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Defense Procurement: Full Funding Policy - Background, Issues, and Options for Congress [Updated May 31, 2006]
"The full funding policy is a federal budgeting rule imposed on the Department of Defense (DOD) by Congress in the 1950s that requires the entire procurement cost of a weapon or piece of military equipment to be funded in the year in which the item is procured. Although technical in nature, the policy relates to Congress's power of the purse and its responsibility for conducting oversight of DOD programs. Support for the policy has been periodically reaffirmed over the years by Congress, the Government Accountability Office, and DOD. In recent years some DOD weapons - specifically, certain Navy ships - have been procured with funding profiles that do not conform to the policy as it traditionally has been applied to DOD weapon procurement programs. DOD, in recent budget submissions, has proposed procuring ships and aircraft using funding approaches that do not conform to the policy as traditionally applied. DOD's proposals would establish new precedents for procuring other DOD weapons and equipment with non-conforming funding approaches. Such precedents could further circumscribe the full funding policy. This, in turn, could limit and complicate Congress's oversight of DOD procurement programs, or require different approaches to exercise control and oversight."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Daggett, Stephen; O'Rourke, Ronald
2006-05-31
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Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy [Updated January 11, 2007]
From the Summary: "Afghanistan's political transition was completed with the convening of a parliament in December 2005, but in 2006 insurgent threats to Afghanistan's government escalated to the point that some experts were questioning the success of U.S. stabilization efforts. In the political process, a new constitution was adopted in January 2004, successful presidential elections were held on October 9, 2004, and parliamentary elections took place on September 18, 2005. The parliament has become an arena for factions that have fought each other for nearly three decades to debate and peacefully resolve differences. The insurgency led by remnants of the former Taliban regime escalated in 2006, after several years in which it appeared the Taliban were mostly defeated. Taliban fighters have been conducting large-scale attacks on coalition and Afghan security forces in several southern provinces, possibly assisted by popular frustration with slow reconstruction, official corruption, and the failure to extend Afghan government authority into rural areas and provinces. U.S. and partner stabilization measures focus on strengthening the central government and its security forces and on promoting reconstructing while combating the renewed insurgent challenge. To build security institutions and assist reconstruction, the United States gave Afghanistan about $4.35 billion in FY2005, including funds to equip and train Afghan security forces. Another approximately $3 billion was provided in FY2006. FY2007 appropriations add another approximately $2.6 billion, including security forces funding. This paper will be updated as warranted by major developments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2007-01-11
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International Terrorism: Threat, Policy, and Response [Updated January 3, 2007]
From the Summary: "This report examines international terrorist actions, threats, U.S. policies and responses. It reviews the nation's use of tools at its disposal to combat terrorism, from diplomacy, international cooperation, and constructive engagement to physical security enhancement, economic sanctions, covert action, and military force. A modern trend in terrorism appears to be toward loosely organized, self financed, international networks of terrorists. Increasingly, radical Islamist groups, or groups using religion as a pretext, pose a serious threat to U.S. interests and to friendly regimes. Of concern as well is the growing political participation of extremist Islamist parties in foreign nations. Also noteworthy is the apparent growth of cross-national links among different terrorist organizations, which may involve combinations of military training, funding, technology transfer, or political advice. Looming over the entire issue of international terrorism is the specter of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Iran, seen as the most active state sponsor of terrorism, has been secretly conducting - and now openly seeks - uranium enrichment, and North Korea has both admitted to having a clandestine program for uranium enrichment and claimed to have nuclear weapons. Indications have also surfaced that Al Qaeda has attempted to acquire chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Perl, Raphael
2007-01-03
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U.S. Strategic and Defense Relationships in the Asia-Pacific Region [January 22, 2007]
From the Summary: "This report begins with a question. What changes in U.S. strategic and defense relationships in the Asia-Pacific region, if any, are needed to respond to major developments in the region, particularly China's emergence as a major power, the continuing potential for inter-state conflict, and the struggle against militant Islamists? The report addresses this central question by setting it within the larger dynamics of American strategy in both a global and regional context. It discusses the shifting correlates of power in Asia before considering the current strategic debate, force structure, and key American security relationships with regional states. It also considers the United States' strategic response to recent developments and provides several policy options."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-
2007-01-22
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Defense Contracting in Iraq: Issues and Options for Congress [January 26, 2007]
From the Summary: "The Department of Defense (DOD) is the largest agency in the federal government. It obligated nearly $270 billion on contracts for goods and services in FY2005 - an 88% increase over the amount obligated in the year 2000. The growth in DOD spending has been primarily for the acquisition of services. Furthermore, there has been a substantial shift in the types of contracts for troop support services, the size of the contracts, and the lack of effective management control over the administration of the contracts, and the oversight of the contractors. These new contracts have characteristics that make oversight difficult. One factor is that the concept of 'full and open competition ' has been historically the guiding principle by which the federal government has awarded contracts. Yet the majority of contracts for troop support services in Iraq have been awarded on a 'noncompetitive ' or sole-source basis. This report will examine logistical support contracts for troop support services (also known as service contracts) in Iraq, primarily administered through the United States' (U.S.) Army's Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP). Four broad areas will be discussed, including (1) contract administration; (2) contract costs, the development of contract requirements, and the use of no-bid, sole-source contracts, and costs-reimbursement contracts; (3) transparency; and (4) the acquisition workforce."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Grasso, Valerie Bailey
2007-01-26
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Emergency Communications: Policy Options at a Crossroads [January 30, 2007]
From the Summary: "Wireless communications capacity and capability provide essential support to emergency workers. First responders, state, local, tribal and federal emergency officials, utility workers, ambulance drivers, hospital personnel, forest fire fighters, federal law enforcement agents, the National Guard, and members of all branches of the military are among those who might respond to an emergency and need to be equipped to communicate among themselves and with each other. The management of spectrum that carries wireless communications for public safety and homeland security has emerged as a time-critical policy issue for the 110th Congress due largely to several recent actions by Congress and the Administration, some with near-term deadlines. Congress has mandated that an important band of spectrum be released for public safety use not later than February 18, 2009 (Deficit Reduction Act, P.L. 109- 171, Sec. 3002). Congress has also mandated that a billion-dollar fund for public safety communications, created by the Deficit Reduction Act, be fully distributed by the end of FY2007 (S. 2653). As part of the Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007, Congress put in place a number of requirements for an Office of Emergency Communications that, among other objectives, is to work with community, state and regional representatives to develop a national emergency communications capability (P.L. 109-295, Title VI, Subtitle D). Funding for part of this effort would be authorized as part of H.R. 1 (Representative Thompson)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moore, L. K. S. (Linda K. S.)
2007-01-30
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Ecuador: Political and Economic Situation and U.S. Relations [Updated February 8, 2008]
From the Summary: "Ecuador, a small, oil-producing country in the conflicted Andean region of South America, has recently experienced severe political and economic instability. On January 15, 2007, Rafael Correa, a left-leaning, U.S.-trained economist, was inaugurated to a four-year term as President of Ecuador, becoming the country's eighth president in ten years. President Correa is fulfilling his campaign pledge to call a constituent assembly to reform the country's constitution. However, he has yet to enact his other campaign promises, which included renegotiating Ecuador's foreign debt and increasing state control over foreign oil companies. On April 15, 2007, 82% of Ecuadorians voted in favor of convoking a constituent assembly with the power to dismiss currently elected officials, despite vehement protests from the opposition-led congress. Elections for constituent assembly delegates are scheduled for September 30, 2007. Ecuador has traditionally had close relations with the United States, although recent trade disputes have strained bilateral relations. U.S. officials have expressed concerns about Correa's ties with Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and his stated policies regarding trade, energy, and counternarcotics matters. Despite those concerns, Congress enacted legislation in June 2007 to extend U.S. trade preferences for Ecuador through February 30, 2008. This report will be updated periodically."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2008-02-08
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FY2003 and FY2004 State Allocations for Selected Homeland Security Assistance Programs [Updated August 16, 2004]
From the Summary: "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide assistance programs to state and local first responders and public health officials to prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, including weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents. Most of the programs provide assistance funding to states, which in turn allocate funding to localities. Some programs, however, provide assistance directly to localities. Programs of this type include the Assistance to Firefighters Program (FIRE) and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), both administered by the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP). These two federal departments (DHS and HHS) have allocated roughly $8.2 billion to states and localities in FY2003 and FY2004 for homeland security assistance. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Congress has shown great interest in these assistance programs' allocations to states and localities. This report shows the state allocations for DHS and HHS homeland security assistance programs, as reported by their department documents or press releases. Additionally, this report shows per capita amounts for each program, as calculated by CRS [Congressional Research Service], using 2002 census estimates."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2004-08-16
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Congressional Use of Funding Cutoffs Since 1970 Involving U.S. Military Forces and Overseas Deployments [Updated January 16, 2007]
From the Summary: "This report provides background information on major instances, since 1970, when Congress has utilized funding cutoffs to compel the withdrawal of United States military forces from overseas military deployments. It also highlights key efforts by Congress to utilize the War Powers Resolution to force the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from foreign deployments. It will be updated should developments warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Grimmett, Richard F.
2007-01-16
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Mass Attacks in Public Spaces - 2019
From the Introduction: "While our nation responds to the challenges of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, we must also contend with the tragic aftermath of mass violence that has impacted our communities. [...] This report, NTAC's [National Threat Assessment Center] third analysis of mass attacks that were carried out in public or semi-public spaces, builds upon 'Mass Attacks in Public Spaces - 2017 (MAPS - 2017)' and 'Mass Attacks in Public Spaces - 2018 (MAPS - 2018).' This report provides further analysis of the thinking and behavior of mass attackers, as well as operational considerations for our public safety partners. The study examines 34 incidents of mass attacks - in which three or more people, not including the attacker(s), were harmed - that were carried out by 37 attackers in public spaces across the United States between January and December 2019. In total, 108 people were killed and an additional 178 people were injured. The findings from this report offer 'critical information that can aid in preventing these types of tragedies', and assist law enforcement, schools, businesses, and others in the establishment of appropriate systems to recognize the warning signs and intervene appropriately."
United States. Secret Service. National Threat Assessment Center
Alathari, Lina; Driscoll, Steven; Blair, Ashley . . .
2020-08
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Bolivia: Political and Economic Developments and Relations with the United States [Updated February 8, 2008]
From the Summary: "In the past few years, Bolivia has experienced extreme political volatility, with the country having six presidents since 2001. Evo Morales, an indigenous leader of the leftist Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party, won the December 18, 2005, presidential election with 54% of the votes. He was inaugurated to a five-year term on January 22, 2006. Two years into his term, President Morales has moved to fulfill his campaign promises to decriminalize coca cultivation, nationalize the country's natural gas industry, and enact land reform. These policies have pleased his supporters, but complicated Bolivia's relations with foreign investors and the United States. Some of Morales' policies have also divided Bolivians, particularly those concerning land tenure, autonomy, and the distribution of hydrocarbons revenues. […] In FY2007, Bolivia received $125.2 million in U.S. assistance. In FY2008, Bolivia received an estimated $86.2 million, not including P.L. [Public Law] 480 II food aid or Peace Corps funding. The FY2009 request for Bolivia is for $100.3 million, not including food aid or Peace Corps funding. In June 2007, Congress voted to extend trade preferences for Bolivia, along with Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, under the Andean Trade Preferences and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) through February 29, 2008. During its second session, the 110th Congress is likely to consider what level of foreign assistance Bolivia should receive, and whether its existing trade preferences should be extended. This report will be updated periodically."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2008-02-08
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Congressional Oversight of Intelligence: Current Structure and Alternatives [Updated March 5, 2008]
From the Summary: "Interest in congressional oversight of intelligence has risen again in the 110th Congress, in part because of the House Democratic majority's pledge to enact the remaining recommendations from the U.S. National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, commonly known as the 9/11 Commission. Its 2004 conclusions set the stage for reconsideration of the problems affecting Congress's structure in this area. The commission's unanimous report, covering many issues, concluded that congressional oversight of intelligence was 'dysfunctional' and proposed two distinct solutions. These were: (1) creation of a joint committee on intelligence (JCI), modeled after the defunct Joint Committee on Atomic Energy (JCAE), with authority to report legislation to each chamber; or (2) enhanced status and power for the existing select committees on intelligence, by making them standing committees and granting both authorization and appropriations power. […] Other proposals, some with a long heritage, include clarifying the independent authority of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) over the intelligence community, particularly the CIA [Central Intelligence Agency]; placing the CIA expressly under the Government Performance and Results Act; increasing the coordinative capabilities and reporting of relevant inspectors general (IGs); and adding a new IG covering the entire Intelligence community. This report first describes the current select committees on intelligence and then the former Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, often cited as a model for a counterpart on intelligence. The study also sets forth proposed characteristics for a joint committee on intelligence, differences among these, and their pros and cons. The report, to be updated as events dictate, also examines other actions and alternatives affecting congressional oversight in the field."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kaiser, Frederick M.
2008-03-05
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Organic Agriculture in the United States: Program and Policy Issues [Updated February 15, 2008]
From the Summary: "Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) in 1990 as part of a larger law governing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs from 1990 through 1996 (P.L. [Public Law] 101-624, the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990). The act authorized the creation of a National Organic Program (NOP) within USDA to establish standards for producers and processors of organic foods, and permit such operations to label their products with a 'USDA Organic' seal after being officially certified by USDA-accredited agents. The purpose of the program, which was implemented in October 2002, is to give consumers confidence in the legitimacy of products sold as organic, permit legal action against those who use the term fraudulently, increase the supply and variety of available organic products, and facilitate international trade in organic products. […] Several provisions affecting organic agriculture and the NOP are included in the House- and Senate-passed versions of the 2008 farm bill (H.R. 2419). Among the provisions likely to appear in the final bill are a cost-sharing and technical assistance program to help farmers and processors convert from conventional to organic production; reauthorization of the cost-share program to help producers, handlers, and processors obtain certification under the NOP; mandatory funding for improved data collection and analysis on the organic sector; and increased mandatory funding to support the organic agriculture research and extension initiative. This report will be revised as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rawson, Jean M.
2008-02-15
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Iraq: United Nations and Humanitarian Aid Organizations [Updated February 4, 2008]
From the Summary: "Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) overthrew Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003 and a permanent (4 year) Iraqi government is now running the day-to-day operations of the country. On January 30, 2005, elections were held in Iraq for a transitional National Assembly and a permanent constitution was adopted on October 15, 2005. On December 15, 2005, elections were held for a permanent (4 year) national assembly, and on May 20, 2006, Prime Minister designate Nouri al-Maliki was named and won approval of a 37-member cabinet. However, even with some relative success recently as a result of additional U.S. forces ('troop surge') to help stabilize Baghdad, coalition forces continue to combat insurgents and are attempting to improve the security situation in Iraq. Also, the current refugee crisis and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Iraq have become another major challenge for the Iraqi government and its neighboring countries. It is estimated that there may be 2 million Iraqi refugees who have fled to Jordan, Syria, and other neighboring states, and approximately 2 million Iraqis who have been displaced within Iraq itself. This report provides an annotated list of U.N. agencies, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), key U.S. government agencies, and a sample list of major international and U.S.-based aid organizations that are providing humanitarian assistance to Iraq."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Coipuram, Tom
2008-02-04
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Industrial Competitiveness and Technological Advancement: Debate Over Government Policy [Updated May 30, 2006]
"There is ongoing interest in the pace of U.S. technological advancement due to its influence on U.S. economic growth, productivity, and international competitiveness. Because technology can contribute to economic growth and productivity increases, congressional interest has focused on how to augment private-sector technological development. Legislative activity over the past two decades has created a policy for technology development, albeit an ad hoc one. Because of the lack of consensus on the scope and direction of a national policy, Congress has taken an incremental approach aimed at creating new mechanisms to facilitate technological advancement in particular areas and making changes and improvements as necessary. Congressional action has mandated specific technology development programs and obligations in federal agencies that did not initially support such efforts. Many programs were created based upon what individual committees judged appropriate within the agencies over which they had authorization or appropriation responsibilities. The use of line item funding for these activities, including the Advanced Technology Program and the Manufacturing Extension Program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, as well as for the Undersecretary for Technology at the Department of Commerce, is viewed by proponents as a way to ensure that the government encourages technological advance in the private sector."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schacht, Wendy H.
2006-05-30
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Cooperative R&D: Federal Efforts to Promote Industrial Competitiveness [Updated May 30, 2006]
"In response to the foreign challenge in the global marketplace, the United States Congress has explored ways to stimulate technological advancement in the private sector. The government has supported various efforts to promote cooperative research and development activities among industry, universities, and the federal R&D establishment designed to increase the competitiveness of American industry and to encourage the generation of new products, processes, and services. Among the issues before Congress are whether joint ventures contribute to industrial competitiveness and what role, if any, the government has in facilitating such arrangements. Collaborative ventures are intended to accommodate the strengths and responsibilities of all sectors involved in innovation and technology development. Academia, industry, and government often have complementary functions. Joint projects allow for the sharing of costs, risks, facilities, and expertise. Cooperative activity covers various institutional and legal arrangements including industry-industry, industry-university, and industry-government efforts. Proponents of joint ventures argue that they permit work to be done that is too expensive for one company to support and allow for R&D that crosses traditional boundaries of expertise and experience."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schacht, Wendy H.
2006-05-30
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Gasoline Prices: New Legislation and Proposals [Updated June 2, 2006]
"The high price of gasoline was an important consideration during the debate on major energy legislation, which ended August 8 as the President signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005, H.R. 6 (P.L. 109-58). However, prices continued to surge, spiking at the end of August when Hurricane Katrina shut down refining operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The continuing crisis renewed attention to some issues that were dropped or compromised in the debate over P.L. 109-58, as well as a number of initiatives to reduce the impact of high prices on consumers. A large number of factors combined to put pressure on gasoline prices, including increased world demand for crude oil and U.S. refinery capacity inadequate to supply gasoline to a recovering national economy. The war and continued violence in Iraq added uncertainty and a threat of supply disruption that added pressure particularly to the commodity futures markets."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Behrens, Carl E.; Glover, Carol F.
2006-06-02
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Space Exploration: Issues Concerning the 'Vision for Space Exploration' [Updated January 4, 2006]
"On January 14, 2004, President George W. Bush announced new goals for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), directing the agency to focus on returning humans to the Moon by 2020, and eventually sending them to Mars and 'worlds beyond.' The President invited other countries to join. Most of the funding for this 'Vision for Space Exploration' is to be redirected from other NASA activities, including terminating the space shuttle program in 2010, and ending U.S. participation in the International Space Station by 2016. NASA released an implementation plan for the Vision on September 19, 2005, and estimated the cost of returning humans to the Moon by 2018 (NASA's current goal) at $104 billion. An estimate for sending people to Mars was not provided. This report identifies issues Congress has been considering as it debates the President's Vision."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Marcia S.
2006-01-04
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Serbia and Montenegro Union: Background and Pending Dissolution [Updated May 24, 2006]
"On May 21, 2006, Montenegro held a long-awaited referendum on independence; 55.5% of the electorate voted in favor of independence, slightly over the 55% threshold established by the European Union (EU), and turnout exceeded 86%. Serbia and Montenegro were the last remnants of the former Yugoslavia to exist in a common state. They formed a new, highly decentralized state union under an agreement brokered by the EU in 2002-2003, which allowed for either republic to hold a referendum after three years. Serbia's political leaders supported continuation of the union but recognized the referendum outcome. The impending dissolution of the Serbia and Montenegro union comes at the same time as the international community is conducting talks on the future status of Kosovo, a disputed province in Serbia."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kim, Julie
2006-05-24
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Hurricane-Damaged Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities: Impacts, Needs, and Response [Updated October 19, 2005]
"Throughout the Gulf Coast region, Hurricane Katrina's high winds and water damaged a wide range of public service facilities, including drinking water supply and treatment and sewage treatment plants, and restoring those facilities is part of the overall cleanup and restoration process. This report describes information that has been gathered about impacts of the August 29 hurricane on drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities and on ongoing efforts to assess damages and needs to repair and reconstruct damaged systems. Facility restorations may take many months, and costs of needed repairs are unknown for now. To meet those needs, affected communities are likely to rely heavily on federal assistance in emergency appropriations acts, as well as traditional water infrastructure programs, principally those administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Senate has passed a bill intended to streamline delivery of funds through existing EPA programs to repair storm-damaged sewage treatment and drinking water plants (S. 1709). Also, legislation has been introduced that would provide hurricane assistance to Louisiana, including $5 billion for water infrastructure projects (S. 1765/S. 1766, H.R. 3958)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copeland, Claudia
2005-10-19
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Energy Implications of Proposed U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement [March 22, 2006]
"As you requested March 16, this memo provides a brief overview of the major energy security and environmental implications of the proposed U.S.-India nuclear cooperation agreement...President Bush announced plans for U.S. nuclear cooperation with India on July 18, 2005, as one part of a new global partnership with India, which is intended to improve overall U.S.-India relations. The President said he would 'work to achieve full civil nuclear energy cooperation with India' and would 'also seek agreement from Congress to adjust U.S. laws and policies.' The nuclear cooperation agreement cannot be implemented without congressional action. Because India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and has used its nuclear power program to develop nuclear weapons, the United States and other nuclear supplier nations have restricted India's access to foreign nuclear technology and materials since the early 1970s. As a result, India's nuclear power program has relied on indigenous heavy water reactor designs based on small imported reactors that were supplied before the international cutoff. India had set a goal of 10,000 megawatts of nuclear generating capacity by 2000, but by 2005 only 2,550 megawatts of nuclear capacity was on line."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Holt, Mark; Parker, Larry, 1954-
2006-03-22
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Immigration: S Visas for Criminal and Terrorist Informants [Updated May 17, 2006]
"In response to the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, Congress passed legislation making permanent a provision that allows aliens with critical information on criminal or terrorist organizations to come into the United States to provide information to law enforcement officials. This legislation (S. 1424) became P.L. 107-45 on October 1, 2001. The law amended the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide permanent authority for the administration of the 'S' visa, which was scheduled to expire on September 13, 2001. On November 29, 2001, then-Attorney General John Ashcroft announced the 'Responsible Cooperators Program' to reach out to persons who may be eligible for the S visa. Up to 200 criminal informants and 50 terrorist informants may be admitted annually. Since FY1995, more than 500 informants and their accompanying family members have entered on S visas. No terrorist informants have been admitted into the U.S. since 1996."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ester, Karma
2006-05-17
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United States Flag: Federal Law Relating to Display and Associated Questions [Updated April 14, 2008]
From the Summary: "This report presents, verbatim, the United States 'Flag Code' as found in Title 4 of the United States Code and the section of Title 36 which designates the Star-Spangled Banner as the national anthem and provides instructions on how to display the flag during its rendition. The 'Flag Code' includes instruction and rules on such topics as the pledge of allegiance, display and use of the flag by civilians, time and occasions for display, position and manner of display, and how to show respect for the flag. The 'Code' also grants to the President the authority to modify the rules governing the flag. The report also addresses several of the frequently asked questions concerning the flag. The subject matter of these questions includes the pledge of allegiance and the court decisions concerning it, the nature of the codifications of customs concerning the flag in the 'Flag Code,' display of the flag 24 hours a day, flying the flag in bad weather, flying the flag at half-staff, ornaments on the flag, destruction of worn flags, display of the U.S. flag with flags of other nations or of States, commercial use of the flag, size and proportion of the flag, and restrictions upon display of the flag by real estate associations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Luckey, John R.
2008-04-14
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Defense Authorization and Appropriations Bills: FY1970-FY2011 [May 3, 2011]
From the Summary: "The passage of the Department of Defense (DOD) authorization and appropriations bills through Congress often does not follow the course laid out in textbooks on legislative procedure. Tracking DOD authorization or appropriation bills can often be confusing and time-consuming; this has been particularly true in recent years, when continuing resolutions (CRs) containing the DOD and other appropriation bills have been passed in lieu of the 12 regular appropriations bills for the entire U.S. government. This report is a research aid, which lists the DOD authorization bills (Table 1) and appropriations bills (Table 2) for FY1970-FY2011. This report includes all the pertinent information on the passage of these bills through the legislative process: bill numbers, report numbers, dates reported and passed, recorded vote numbers and vote tallies, dates of passage of the conference reports with their numbers and votes, vetoes, substitutions, dates of final passage, and public law numbers. Key definitions are also included. This report will be updated as legislative activity warrants."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
DeBruyne, Nese F.
2011-05-03
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Iraq: Elections, Constitution, and Government [Updated January 11, 2007]
From the Summary: "Elections in 2005 for a transition government (January 30, 2005), a permanent constitution (October 15), and a permanent (four year) government (December 15) produced a Shiite-led government that many Sunnis view as biased. The December 6, 2006, Iraq Study Group report recommends a number of steps to accelerate national reconciliation. President Bush's new Iraq initiative, announced January 10, 2006, requires cooperation from the Iraqi government, which it has not demonstrated to date, in acting against Shiite armed elements participating in sectarian violence. (See CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL31339, 'Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security', by Kenneth Katzman.)"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2007-01-11
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Iran's Influence in Iraq [Updated December 19, 2006]
From the Summary: "Iran's influence over the post-Saddam government in Iraq is substantial because the dominant parties in that government have long-standing ties to Tehran. A key concern is that Iran is extending support for related militias in Iraq that are now responsible for much of the sectarian violence in Iraq. The December 6, 2006, report of the Iraq Study Group recommends U.S. engagement with Iran to enlist its help in calming Iraq, a move not endorsed by the Bush Administration, to date. This report will be updated. See CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL32048, 'Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses', by Kenneth Katzman."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2006-12-19
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Exemptions from Environmental Law for the Department of Defense: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated January 3, 2007]
From the Summary: "Since FY2003, DOD [Department of Defense] has sought broader exemptions from environmental laws that it argues are needed to preserve training capabilities and ensure military readiness. There has been disagreement in Congress over the need for broader exemptions in the absence of data on the overall impact of environmental requirements on training and readiness. There also has been disagreement over the potential impacts of broader exemptions on environmental quality. Although Congress has enacted certain exemptions that DOD requested, it has opposed others. After considerable debate, the 107th Congress enacted an exemption from the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the 108th Congress enacted exemptions from the Marine Mammal Protection Act and certain parts of the Endangered Species Act. These exemptions were contentious to some because of concerns about the weakening of protections for animals and plants. As in recent years, DOD again requested exemptions from the Clean Air Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as part of its FY2007 defense authorization proposal. Concerns within Congress about human health and environmental risks motivated opposition to these exemptions. In response, the 109th Congress did not include these exemptions in FY2007 defense authorization legislation (H.R. 5122) or FY2007 defense appropriations legislation (H.R. 5631 and H.R. 5385)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bearden, David M.
2007-01-03
