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Senate Powersharing Agreement of the 107th Congress (2001-2003): Key Features [Updated January 11, 2021]
From the Document: "The 2000 elections resulted in a Senate composed of 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats. A historic agreement, worked out by the party floor leaders, in consultation with their party colleagues, was presented to the Senate (S.Res. 8) on January 5, 2001, and agreed to the same day. The agreement was expanded by a leadership colloquy on January 8, 2001. It remained in effect until June of 2001, when Senators reached a new agreement to account for the fact that a Senator had left the Republican Party to become an Independent who would caucus with the Democratic Party. This report describes the principal features of this and related agreements which provided for Republican chairs of all Senate committees after January 20, 2001; equal party representation on all Senate committees; equal division of committee staffs between the parties; procedures for discharging measures blocked by tie votes in committee; a restriction on the offering of cloture motions on amendable matters; restrictions on floor amendments offered by party leaders; eligibility of Senators from both parties to preside over the Senate; and general provisions seeking to reiterate the equal interest of both parties in the scheduling of Senate chamber business. Also noted is that not all aspects of Senate practice were affected by the powersharing agreement."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rybicki, Elizabeth
2021-01-11
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U.S. Capitol Police: Brief Background [January 12, 2021]
From the Document: "The U.S. Capitol Police [USCP] is a department within the legislative branch with security, protection, and administrative responsibilities. The USCP is responsible for law enforcement and security within the Capitol Complex, including the U.S. Capitol building, the Capitol Visitor Center, Capitol grounds, the House and Senate office buildings, the U.S. Botanic Garden, Capitol Police buildings, Library of Congress buildings, and adjacent grounds. The USCP performs these roles in coordination with the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms. The House and Senate Sergeants at Arms are charged with maintaining order in their chambers, and they each perform a number of law enforcement, security-related, decorum, and protocol duties. The House and Senate have each had an elected Sergeant at Arms since 1789."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brudnick, Ida A.
2021-01-12
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SelectUSA Program: U.S. Inbound Investment Promotion [Updated January 14, 2021]
From the Document: "U.S. efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) primarily take place at U.S. state and local levels, such as through economic development organizations (EDOs), which work to attract business investment locally and regionally. At the same time, federal efforts to coordinate investment promotion also exist. Currently, federal efforts are focused through SelectUSA, a Department of Commerce program established in 2011 (Executive Order 13577), which aims to coordinate federal efforts to attract and retain 'job-creating' business investment in the United States. SelectUSA focuses both on drawing foreign investors to the United States and working to 're-shore' U.S. firms. For the 117th Congress, SelectUSA may present issues as to its possible codification, funding, economic impact, and implications for other investment policy issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias
2021-01-14
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Safeguards: Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 [Updated January 13, 2021]
From the Document: "On January 23, 2018, President Trump proclaimed a four-year safeguard measure on imports of certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells (CSPV) cells and modules, and a three-year safeguard on large residential washing machines. These safeguards, still in force, were issued under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. §2251), and imposed additional tariffs and quotas on U.S. imports of these products. The safeguards were instituted based on findings by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that the goods are being imported into the United States in such increased quantities that they are a substantial cause of serious injury to U.S. manufacturers. The ITC also recommended possible steps to remedy the injury."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jones, Vivian Catherine
2021-01-13
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New START Treaty: Central Limits and Key Provisions [Updated June 25, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The United States and Russia signed the New START [Strategic Arms Reductions Treaty] Treaty on April 8, 2010. After more than 20 hearings, the U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent to ratification on December 22, 2010, by a vote of 71-26. Both houses of the Russian parliament--the Duma and Federation Council-- approved the treaty in late January 2011 and it entered into force on February 5, 2011. Both parties met the treaty's requirement to complete the reductions by February 5, 2018. The treaty is due to expire in February 2021, unless both parties agree to extend it for no more than five years. New START provides the parties with 7 years to reduce their forces, and will remain in force for a total of 10 years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2020-06-25
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Market-Based Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Legislation: 108th Through 116th Congresses [Updated January 12, 2021]
From the Summary: "Congressional interest in market-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emission control legislation has fluctuated over the past 15 years. Market-based approaches that would address GHG emissions typically involve either a cap-and-trade system or a carbon tax or emissions fee program. Both approaches would place a price--directly or indirectly--on GHG emissions or their inputs, namely fossil fuels. Both would increase the price of fossil fuels, and both would reduce GHG emissions to some degree. Both would allow covered entities to choose the best way to meet their emission requirements or reduce costs, potentially by using market forces to minimize national costs of emission reductions. Preference between the two approaches ultimately depends on which variable policymakers prefer to precisely control--emission levels or emission prices. A primary policy concern with either approach is the economic impacts that may result. Expected energy price increases could have both economy-wide impacts (e.g., on the U.S. gross domestic product) and disproportionate effects on specific industries and particular demographic groups. The degree of these potential effects would depend on a number of factors, including the magnitude, design, and scope of the program and the use of tax or fee revenues or emission allowance values."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.
2021-01-12
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Middle East: Key Issues for the 117th Congress [January 13, 2021]
From the Document: "The Middle East in 2021 faces continued political instability, civil wars, terrorist threats, economic crises, the proliferation of unconventional weapons, external military intervention, and the ongoing spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). It remains to be seen whether the territorial defeat of the Islamic State (IS) organization and the recent diplomatic normalization agreements brokered by the Trump Administration between Israel and several Arab states augur improved regional stability. U.S. stated policy goals have remained broadly consistent across Administrations: deter interstate conflict, counter terrorism, ensure the global flow of energy resources, and preserve U.S. influence in the face of rival power competition. The 116th Congress shaped U.S. policy in the Middle East through various legislative tools. Congress appropriated funds for issues Members deemed a priority--such as stabilization efforts in Syria. Some Members sought to place conditions on U.S. foreign aid and/or block arms sales to express concern with particular developments--such as Saudi use of U.S. military equipment to target civilians in Yemen. The 116th Congress maintained and expanded sanctions--such as those in place against Iran--in an effort to change state behavior. Congress also continued to shape the U.S. military footprint in the region through its annual defense authorization and appropriation measures."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humud, Carla E.
2021-01-13
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Tribal Response Plan COVID-19: State of North Dakota
From the Introduction: "This comprehensive document was prepared by the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission and the American Indian Public Health Resource Center, and adapted from the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department's 'Tribal Response Plan COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] State of New Mexico,' with input from professionals and subject matter experts. It was designed to assist tribal governments by providing detailed information on such matters as testing, screening, accessing healthcare, restricting access to tribal lands in addition to working with state departments and agencies. It outlines steps, strategies and procedures to prevent the further spread of the virus or stem the potential surge of positive cases. These are unprecedented times, urgent circumstances that require quick responses to each unique situation that may occur or develop. This document will hopefully offer guidance and clarity in understanding what steps and measures can be instituted to address and minimize the spread of COVID- 19 [sic] with available state, local, tribal and non-governmental organization (NGO) resources."
North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission; North Dakota State University. American Indian Public Health Resource Center
2020-04-24
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Riding Together: Bay Area Healthy Transit Plan
From the Plan Overview: "Bay Area Public Transportation Providers have collectively developed a cohesive health and safety plan--this plan--to bring the region's public transportation providers together around transit-related health and safety standards and mitigations. This plan will provide guidance for the mitigations to be consistently applied across the network to best serve essential workers currently riding transit and help the Bay Area ease out of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic stay-at-home order. While county-specific guidance may vary, these minimum standards give transit customers consistent expectations across all Bay Area public transportation operations and identify mitigations for public transportation providers and employees regarding workplace health and safety. Although many of the public transportation providers have their own individual plans or measures in place, this plan clarifies the responsibilities of public transportation customers and public transportation providers across the Bay Area in implementing the health and safety minimum requirements and mitigations and recommends communication strategies and key messages to promote health and safety awareness."
California. Metropolitan Transportation Commission
2020-08
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Horrible Trade-Offs in a Pandemic: Lockdowns, Transfers, Fiscal Space, and Compliance
From the Abstract: "In this paper, we develop a heterogeneous agent general equilibrium framework to analyze optimal joint policies of a lockdown and transfer payments in times of a pandemic. In our model, the effectiveness of a lockdown in mitigating the pandemic depends on endogenous compliance. A more stringent lockdown deepens the recession which implies that poorer parts of society find it harder to subsist. This reduces their compliance with the lockdown, and may cause deprivation of the very poor, giving rise to an excruciating trade-off between saving lives from the pandemic and from deprivation. Lump-sum transfers help mitigate this trade-off. We identify and discuss key trade-offs involved and provide comparative statics for optimal policy. We show that, ceteris paribus, the optimal lockdown is stricter for more severe pandemics and in richer countries. We then consider a government borrowing constraint and show that limited fiscal space lowers the optimal lockdown and welfare, and increases the aggregate death burden during the pandemic. We finally discuss distributional consequences and the political economy of fighting a pandemic."
John F. Kennedy School of Government
Hausmann, Ricardo; Schetter, Ulrich
2020-07
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COVID-19 'Infodemic': A Preliminary Analysis of the Online Conversation Surrounding the Coronavirus Pandemic
From the Executive Summary: "This report represents a preliminary analysis of data analyzed by Graphika on the global online conversation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The unprecedented volume of misinformation around the coronavirus, spreading both across platforms and across the globe, has yielded unique network structures and has illustrated the virality of mis- and disinformation in crisis situations. A global cacophony of voices is communicating conflicting and politicized information about the coronavirus, further amplified by the organic spread of misinformation from audiences eager to consume and share updates and advice on the coronavirus in a time of mass uncertainty."
Graphika
Smith, Melanie; McAweeney, Erin; Ronzaud, Léa
2020-04
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North Dakota K-12 Smart Restart: Healthy Return to Learning
From the Goals: "[1] Support in-person learning in a way that is as safe and healthy as possible. [2] Ensure a reasonable level of safety for students and staff for in-person learning. [3] Minimize disruptions to education by facilitating timely responses to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] by creating cohorts of students and staff when possible, screening for symptomatic individuals, and coordinating closely with local and state public health agencies. [4] Ensure equity in educational opportunity by considering learning and health needs of all students, including those with varying health conditions, economic backgrounds, language skills, or educational needs. [5] Encourage flexibility, adaptation, and innovation as schools develop novel approaches to disease control appropriate to local contexts and as scientific knowledge about COVID-19 transmission and control evolves."
North Dakota. Department of Health; North Dakota. Department of Public Instruction
2020-11-04
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Idaho Back to School Framework 2020
From the Introduction: "The Idaho Back to School Framework identifies expectations, guidelines, and best practices to support local governance and the successful completion of the 2020-2021 school year, delivering on our state's constitutional obligation for a free, uniform, and thorough public education system during these extraordinary times. School districts and charter schools will use this framework to help guide their response based on their local community's situation. [...] This document presents several strategies and considerations to establish expectations and provide guidance to school districts and charter schools (e.g. local educational agencies) in preparing for and conducting a successful 2020-2021 school year."
Idaho; Idaho. State Department of Education; Idaho. State Board of Education . . .
2020-10-21
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COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Protections for Agricultural Workers
From the Document: "As of December 1, 2020, more than 13 million people in the United States have been infected with COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] and nearly 270,000 have died. In response, federal, state, and local officials have issued multiple regulations and guidance to help slow the spread of the pandemic and keep communities safe. The guidance and regulations include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation that people who test positive for COVID-19 isolate themselves and that those who may have been exposed to COVID-19 quarantine. Unfortunately, for many agricultural workers, staying home and missing a paycheck isn't feasible. Most are paid low wages and live in crowded housing where COVID-19 can spread rapidly among workers and family members."
Farmworker Justice Fund (Washington, D.C.)
2020-12
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Political Status of Puerto Rico: Options for Congress [June 7, 2011]
"The United States acquired the islands of Puerto Rico in 1898 after the Spanish-American War. In 1950, Congress enacted legislation (P.L. 81-600) authorizing Puerto Rico to hold a constitutional convention and in 1952, the people of Puerto Rico ratified a constitution establishing a republican form of government for the island. After being approved by Congress and the President in July 1952 and thus given force under federal law (P.L. 82-447), the new constitution went into effect on July 25, 1952. Puerto Rico is subject to congressional jurisdiction under the Territorial Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Over the past century, Congress passed legislation governing Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States. For example, residents of Puerto Rico hold U.S. citizenship, serve in the military, are subject to federal laws, and are represented in the House of Representatives by a Resident Commissioner elected to a four-year term. Although residents participate in the presidential nominating process, they do not vote in the general election. Puerto Ricans pay federal tax on income derived from sources in the mainland United States, but they pay no federal tax on income earned in Puerto Rico. […] On April 29, 2010, for the first time since 1998, the House approved (223-169) status-related legislation for Puerto Rico. H.R. 2499 (Pierluisi) would have authorized a two-stage plebiscite in Puerto Rico to reconsider the status issue. On May 19, 2010, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on H.R. 2499. No additional action occurred on the bill. Although a change in Puerto Rico's status would require legislative action in Congress, holding plebiscites or otherwise revisiting the issue could be initiated in San Juan or Washington."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-
2011-06-07
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Peacekeeping/Stabilization and Conflict Transitions: Background and Congressional Action on the Civilian Response/Reserve Corps and Other Civilian Stabilization and Reconstruction Capabilities [March 4, 2011]
"The 112th Congress may face a number of issues regarding the development of civilian capabilities to carry out stabilization and reconstruction activities. In September 2008, Congress passed the Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act, 2008, as Title XVI of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (S. 3001, P.L. 110-417, signed into law October 14, 2008). This legislation codified the existence and functions of the State Department Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS) and authorized new operational capabilities within the State Department, a Civilian Response Corps (CRC) of government employees with an active and a standby component, and a reserve component. S/CRS slowly expanded, and the creation of the active and standby response components is in progress. Nevertheless, some members have argued for changes. [...] For FY2012, the Obama Administration requests $92.2 million for Conflict Stabilization Operations and $75 million for the USAID [United States Agency for International Development] Complex Crisis Fund. Its proposal for a new, joint State Department-Department of Defense (DOD) Global Security Contingency Fund, with $50 million contributed by each department and a DOD transfer authority of $450 million, may play into consideration of the request. The 112th Congress's consideration of the terms of future FY2011 funding, particularly if based on the FY2008 budget level, may affect the future of S/CRS and the CRC. The FY2008 funding was considerably below the FY2010-FY2011 level, and was appropriated as supplemental, not regular, appropriations. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Serafino, Nina M.
2011-03-04
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Political Transition in Tunisia [April 15, 2011]
"On January 14, 2011, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled the country for Saudi Arabia following weeks of mounting anti-government protests. Tunisia's mass popular uprising, dubbed the 'Jasmine Revolution,' appears to have added momentum to anti-government and pro-reform sentiment in other countries across the region, and some policy makers view Tunisia as an important 'test case' for democratic transitions elsewhere in the Middle East. Ben Ali's departure was greeted by widespread euphoria within Tunisia. However, political instability, economic crisis, and insecurity are continuing challenges. On February 27, amid a resurgence in anti-government demonstrations, Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi (a holdover from Ben Ali's administration) stepped down and was replaced by Béji Caïd Essebsi, an elder statesman from the administration of the late founding President Habib Bourguiba. On March 3, the interim government announced a new transition 'road map' that would entail the election on July 24 of a 'National Constituent Assembly.' The Assembly would, in turn, be charged with promulgating a new constitution ahead of expected presidential and parliamentary elections, which have not been scheduled. The protest movement has greeted the road map as a victory, but many questions remain concerning its implementation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Arieff, Alexis
2011-04-15
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Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians [February 3, 2011]
"This report collects statistics from a variety of sources on casualties sustained during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), which began on October 7, 2001, and is ongoing. OEF actions take place primarily in Afghanistan; however, OEF casualties also includes American casualties in Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Yemen. Casualty data of U.S. military forces are compiled by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), as tallied from the agency's press releases. Also included are statistics on those wounded but not killed. Statistics may be revised as circumstances are investigated and as records are processed through the U.S. military's casualty system. [...] Because the estimates of Afghan casualties contained in this report are based on varying time periods and have been created using different methodologies, readers should exercise caution when using them and should look to them as guideposts rather than as statements of fact."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Chesser, Susan G.
2011-02-03
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Political Status of Puerto Rico: Options for Congress [May 19, 2010]
"Elements of the U.S.-Puerto Rico relationship have been and continue to be matters of debate. Some contend that the current political status of Puerto Rico, perhaps with enhancements, remains a viable option. Others argue that commonwealth status is or should be only a temporary fix to be resolved in favor of other solutions considered permanent, non-colonial, and non-territorial. Some contend that if independence is achieved, the close relationship with the United States could be continued through compact negotiations with the federal government. One element apparently shared by all involved is that the people of Puerto Rico seek to attain full, democratic representation, notably through voting rights on national legislation to which they are subject. On April 29, 2010, for the first time since 1998, the House approved (223-169) status-related legislation for Puerto Rico. H.R. 2499 (Pierluisi) would authorize a two-stage plebiscite in Puerto Rico to reconsider the status issue. As passed by the House, the bill provides that if a majority of voters opt for a change in status in the first plebiscite, a slate of four options (independence, sovereignty in association with the United States, statehood, and commonwealth) would be on the ballot for the second plebiscite. Approval of any one of these options by the Puerto Rican voters would arguably set the stage for, but would not mandate, further congressional action. On May 19, 2010, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on H.R. 2499. Leaders of the three major political parties in Puerto Rico testified on the legislation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith; Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-
2010-05-19
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Political Status of Puerto Rico: Options for Congress [March 16, 2010]
"Puerto Rico is subject to congressional jurisdiction under the Territorial Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Over the past century, Congress passed legislation governing Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States. [...] Three bills regarding Puerto Rico's political status were introduced during the 110th Congress. H.R. 900 would have authorized a plebiscite in which Puerto Ricans would have voted on continuing the status quo or proceeding toward non-territorial status. H.R. 1230 would have authorized a constitutional convention and referendum in Puerto Rico to consider status options. The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on those two bills in October 2007. At that time, the Committee ordered reported favorably an amended version of H.R. 900, which combined elements of the two House bills. (The written report, H.Rept. 110-597, was issued in April 2008.) Finally, on August 2, 2007, Senator Salazar introduced S. 1936 which proposed another approach: a single plebiscite in which voters would choose between the status quo, independence, free association, or statehood. The status issue was not the subject of additional legislative action during the 110th Congress. In the 111th Congress, H.R. 2499 (Pierluisi) would authorize a two-stage plebiscite in Puerto Rico to reconsider the status issue. H.R. 2499 is similar to H.R. 900 as introduced in the 110th Congress. The 111th Congress legislation, however, would frame the plebiscite questions somewhat differently than proposed during the 110th Congress. On October 8, 2009, the House Committee on Natural Resources reported out H.R. 2499 and the bill was placed on the Union Calendar."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith; Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-
2010-03-16
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Peacekeeping/Stabilization and Conflict Transitions: Background and Congressional Action on the Civilian Response/Reserve Corps and other Civilian Stabilization and Reconstruction Capabilities [February 17, 2010]
"The second session of the 111th Congress faces a number of issues regarding the development of civilian capabilities to carry out stabilization and reconstruction activities. In September 2008, Congress passed the Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act, 2008, as Title XVI of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (S. 3001, P.L. 110-417, signed into law October 14, 2008). This legislation codified the existence and functions of the State Department Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS) and authorized new operational capabilities within the State Department, a Civilian Response Corps (CRC) of government employees with an active and a standby component, and a reserve component. Although the establishment of active and standby units began under the Bush Administration, Congress has yet to fund the reserve component. The first session of the 111th Congress created a new fund to support Corps deployments, but the second session faces questions about the appropriate funding level for it."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Serafino, Nina M.
2010-02-17
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New START Treaty: Central Limits and Key Provisions [June 18, 2010]
"The United States and Russia signed the New START Treaty on April 8, 2010. New START provides the parties with seven years to reduce their forces, and will remain in force for a total of 10 years. The New START Treaty limits each side to no more than 800 deployed and nondeployed ICBM and SLBM launchers and deployed and nondeployed heavy bombers equipped to carry nuclear armaments. Within that total, each side can retain no more than 700 deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs, and deployed heavy bombers equipped to carry nuclear armaments. The treaty also limits each side to no more than 1,550 deployed warheads. Deployed warheads include the actual number of warheads carried by deployed ICBMs and SLBMs, and one warhead for each deployed heavy bomber equipped for nuclear armaments. New START contains detailed definitions and counting rules that will help the parties calculate the number of warheads that count under the treaty limits. Moreover, the delivery vehicles and their warheads will count under the treaty limits until they are converted or eliminated according to the provisions described in the treaty's Protocol. These provisions are far less demanding than those in the original START Treaty and will provide the United States and Russia with far more flexibility in determining how to reduce their forces to meet the treaty limits."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2010-06-18
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New START Treaty: Central Limits and Key Provisions [May 3, 2010]
"The United States and Russia signed the New START Treaty on April 8, 2010. New START provides the parties with 7 years to reduce their forces, and will remain in force for a total of 10 years. The New START Treaty limits each side to no more than 800 deployed and nondeployed ICBM and SLBM launchers and deployed and nondeployed heavy bombers equipped to carry nuclear armaments. Within that total, each side can retain no more than 700 deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs, and deployed heavy bombers equipped to carry nuclear armaments. The treaty also limits each side to no more than 1,550 deployed warheads. Deployed warheads include the actual number of warheads carried by deployed ICBMs and SLBMs, and one warhead for each deployed heavy bomber equipped for nuclear armaments. New START contains detailed definitions and counting rules that will help the parties calculate the number of warheads that count under the treaty limits. Moreover, the delivery vehicles and their warheads will count under the treaty limits until they are converted or eliminated according to the provisions described in the treaty's Protocol. These provisions are far less demanding than those in the original START Treaty and will provide the United States and Russia with far more flexibility in determining how to reduce their forces to meet the treaty limits. […]. The U.S. Senate is currently holding hearings on the New START Treaty. The U.S. Senate will have to offer its advice and consent to ratification and the Russian parliament will have to approve ratification before the Treaty can enter into force."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2010-05-03
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Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians [April 6, 2011]
"This report collects statistics from a variety of sources on casualties sustained during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), which began on October 7, 2001, and is ongoing. OEF actions take place primarily in Afghanistan; however, OEF casualties also includes American casualties in Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Yemen. Casualty data of U.S. military forces are compiled by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), as tallied from the agency's press releases. Also included are statistics on those wounded but not killed. Statistics may be revised as circumstances are investigated and as records are processed through the U.S. military's casualty system. More frequent updates are available at DOD's website at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/ under 'Casualty Update.' A detailed casualty summary of U.S. military forces that includes data on deaths by cause, as well as statistics on soldiers wounded in action, is available at the following DOD website: http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/castop.htm. NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) does not post casualty statistics of the military forces of partner countries on the ISAF website at http://www.isaf.nato.int/. ISAF press releases state that it is ISAF policy to defer to the relevant national authorities to provide notice of any fatality. For this reason, this report uses fatality data of coalition forces as compiled by CNN.com and posted online at http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004/oef.casualties/index.html."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Chesser, Susan G.
2011-04-06
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New START Treaty: Central Limits and Key Provisions [September 20, 2010]
"The United States and Russia signed the New START Treaty on April 8, 2010. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee have both held hearings on the treaty. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a Resolution of Ratification for the treaty, by a vote of 14-4, on September 16, 2010. It has sent the treaty to the floor of the Senate for debate and an eventual vote. To approve ratification of the treaty, the full Senate must approve the Resolution of Ratification by a two-thirds vote. New START provides the parties with seven years to reduce their forces, and will remain in force for a total of 10 years. It limits each side to no more than 800 deployed and nondeployed ICBM and SLBM launchers and deployed and nondeployed heavy bombers equipped to carry nuclear armaments. Within that total, each side can retain no more than 700 deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs, and deployed heavy bombers equipped to carry nuclear armaments. The treaty also limits each side to no more than 1,550 deployed warheads; those are the actual number of warheads on deployed ICBMs and SLBMs, and one warhead for each deployed heavy bomber. New START contains detailed definitions and counting rules that will help the parties calculate the number of warheads that count under the treaty limits. Moreover, the delivery vehicles and their warheads will count under the treaty limits until they are converted or eliminated according to the provisions described in the treaty's Protocol. These provisions are far less demanding than those in the original START Treaty and will provide the United States and Russia with far more flexibility in determining how to reduce their forces to meet the treaty limits."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2010-09-20
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Peacekeeping and Related Stability Operations: Issues of U.S. Military Involvement [Updated October 4, 2004]
"For over a decade, some Members of Congress have expressed reservations about - U.S. military involvement in peacekeeping. The Bush Administration's decision to reduce the commitment of U.S. troops to international peacekeeping seems to reflect a major concern: that peacekeeping duties are detrimental to military 'readiness,' i.e., the ability of U.S. troops to defend the nations. Others, however, view peacekeeping and related stability operations as a necessary feature of the United States' current and possible future U.S. military activities. With the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq, often referred to as a 'stabilization and reconstruction' operation (which manifests some characteristics of a peace operation), concerns about whether U.S. forces are large enough and appropriately configured to carry out that operation over several years dominate that debate. These concerns were heightened by the 9/11 Commission report, which cited Afghanistan, where the Administration has limited U.S. involvement in peacekeeping and nation-building, as a sanctuary for terrorists and pointed to the dangers of allowing actual and potential terrorist sanctuaries to exist."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Serafino, Nina M.
2004-10-04
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Peacekeeping and Related Stability Operations: Issues of U.S. Military Involvement [Updated March 10, 2005]
"For over a decade, some Members of Congress have expressed reservations about - U.S. military involvement in peacekeeping. The Bush Administration's decision to reduce the commitment of U.S. troops to international peacekeeping seems to reflect a major concern: that peacekeeping duties are detrimental to military 'readiness,' i.e., the ability of U.S. troops to defend the nation. Others, however, view peacekeeping and related stability operations as a necessary feature of the United States' current and possible future U.S. military activities. With the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq, often referred to as a 'stabilization and reconstruction' operation (which manifests some characteristics of a peace operation), concerns about whether U.S. forces are large enough and appropriately configured to carry out that operation over several years dominate that debate. These concerns were heightened by the 9/11 Commission report, which cited Afghanistan, where the Administration has limited U.S. involvement in peacekeeping and nation-building, as a sanctuary for terrorists and pointed to the dangers of allowing actual and potential terrorist sanctuaries to exist."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Serafino, Nina M.
2005-03-10
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Peace Corps: Current Issues [May 10, 2013]
"Founded in 1961, the Peace Corps has sought to meet its legislative mandate of promoting world peace and friendship by sending American volunteers to serve at the grassroots level in villages and towns in all corners of the globe. As of end September 2012, about 8,073 volunteers were serving in 76 nations. In 2013, the 113th Congress will consider the President's annual funding request for the Peace Corps, efforts to reauthorize the Peace Corps, and related issues. On April 10, 2013, the Administration issued its FY2014 budget request, proposing $378.8 million for the Peace Corps, 6% more than the agency's currently estimated FY2013 post-sequester and across-the-board rescission level of $356.0 million. The last Peace Corps funding authorization (P.L. [Public Law] 106-30), approved in 1999, covered the years FY2000 to FY2003. Authorization legislation offered in the 112th Congress from both the House (H.R. 2583) and Senate (S. [Senate bill] 1426) failed to receive floor action. On November 21, 2011, the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011 was signed into law (P.L. 112-57). It put into place a number of safeguards to address and reduce the incidence of volunteer rape and sexual abuse. A comprehensive assessment of Peace Corps operations was published in June 2010. It makes 64 recommendations supporting a six-point strategy that has been adopted by the agency for implementation over the next several years. Current issues include the extent to which there is available funding for Peace Corps expansion, whether the Peace Corps has the institutional capacity to expand, and whether volunteers are able to function in a safe and secure environment. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tarnoff, Curt
2013-05-10
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Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians [December 8, 2010]
"This report collects statistics from a variety of sources on casualties sustained during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), which began on October 7, 2001, and is ongoing. OEF actions take place primarily in Afghanistan; however, OEF casualties also includes American casualties in Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Yemen. Casualty data of U.S. military forces are compiled by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), as tallied from the agency's press releases. Also included are statistics on those wounded but not killed. Statistics may be revised as circumstances are investigated and as records are processed through the U.S. military's casualty system. More frequent updates are available at DOD's website at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/ under 'Casualty Update.' A detailed casualty summary of U.S. military forces that includes data on deaths by cause, as well as statistics on soldiers wounded in action, is available at the following DOD website: http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/castop.htm."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Chesser, Susan G.
2010-12-08
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Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians [December 20, 2010]
"This report collects statistics from a variety of sources on casualties sustained during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), which began on October 7, 2001, and is ongoing. OEF actions take place primarily in Afghanistan; however, OEF casualties also includes American casualties in Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Yemen. Casualty data of U.S. military forces are compiled by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), as tallied from the agency's press releases. Also included are statistics on those wounded but not killed. Statistics may be revised as circumstances are investigated and as records are processed through the U.S. military's casualty system. More frequent updates are available at DOD's website at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/ under 'Casualty Update.' A detailed casualty summary of U.S. military forces that includes data on deaths by cause, as well as statistics on soldiers wounded in action, is available at the following DOD website: http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/castop.htm."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Chesser, Susan G.
2010-12-20
