Advanced search Help
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Debt Limit: History and Recent Increases [September 25, 2013]
"Total federal debt can increase in two ways. First, debt increases when the government sells debt to the public to finance budget deficits and acquire the financial resources needed to meet its obligations. This increases debt held by the public. Second, debt increases when the federal government issues debt to certain government accounts, such as the Social Security, Medicare, and Transportation trust funds, in exchange for their reported surpluses. This increases debt held by government accounts. The sum of debt held by the public and debt held by government accounts is the total federal debt. Surpluses reduce debt held by the public, while deficits raise it."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Levit, Mindy R.; Austin, D. Andrew
2013-09-25
-
Guam: U.S. Defense Deployments [September 12, 2013]
"Since 2000, the U.S. military has been building up forward-deployed forces on the westernmost U.S. territory of Guam to increase U.S. operational presence, deterrence, and power projection for potential responses to crises and disasters, counterterrorism, and contingencies in support of South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, or elsewhere in Asia. Since 2006, joint exercises based at Guam called 'Valiant Shield' have boosted U.S. military readiness in the Pacific. The defense buildup on Guam has been moderate. China has concerns about Guam's buildup, suspecting it to be directed against China. There has been concern that China and North Korea could target Guam with missiles. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has increased activities in waters around Guam. Still, Guam's role increased in engaging with the PLA. In 2006, the United States and Japan agreed on a Realignment Roadmap to strengthen their alliance, including a buildup on Guam to cost $10.3 billion, with Japan contributing 60%. Goals were to start the related construction on Guam by 2010 and to complete relocation of about 8,000 marines from Okinawa to Guam by 2014. In Tokyo on February 17, 2009, the Secretary of State signed the bilateral 'Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Japan Concerning the Implementation of the Relocation of the III Marine Expeditionary Force Personnel and Their Dependents From Okinawa to Guam' that reaffirmed the 'Roadmap' of May 1, 2006. […] Facing North Korea's announced missile threats against Guam in March 2013, the Defense Department announced on April 3 that it would deploy to Guam within weeks a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ballistic missile defense system as a precautionary measure to improve defenses against North Korea's missile threat. Legislation includes the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2014, H.R. 1960 and S. 1197. For further discussion, see the section on legislation. Updated as warranted, this CRS Report discusses major developments and policy issues related to the defense buildup."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kan, Shirley
2013-09-12
-
Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act: Overview and Issues [March 7, 2013]
"Members of the uniformed services and U.S. citizens who live abroad are eligible to register and vote absentee in federal elections under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA, P.L. 99-410) of 1986. The law was enacted to improve absentee registration and voting for this group of voters and to consolidate existing laws. Since 1942, a number of federal laws have been enacted to assist these voters: the Soldier Voting Act of 1942 (P.L. 77-712, amended in 1944), the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955 (P.L. 84-296), the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975 (P.L. 94-203; both the 1955 and 1975 laws were amended in 1978 to improve procedures), and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986. The law is administered by the Secretary of Defense, who delegates that responsibility to the director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program at the Department of Defense (DOD). […] Several relevant bills were introduced in the 112th Congress. H.R. 702 would have prohibited a state from certifying general election results until absentee ballots were collected from uniformed services voters and delivered to election officials. H.R. 5799 included provisions that would have guaranteed residency of military personnel family members, required express or electronic delivery of ballots under certain circumstances, allowed for the use of a single ballot application for subsequent elections in the state, and applied the UOCAVA to the Northern Mariana Islands. H.R. 5828 would have permitted an absentee ballot application to be treated as an application for subsequent elections in the state through the next regular general election. S. 331 would have ensured that military voters have the right to bring a civil action under UOCAVA to safeguard their right to vote. S. 1253, the Department of Defense Authorization Act for 2012, included a provision that would have amended UOCAVA to prohibit states from rejecting voter registration or ballot applications from overseas voters under certain circumstances; the enacted House version (H.R. 1540) did not include the provision. S. 3322, among its other purposes, would have required states to issue pre-election reports about the availability and timely transmission of absentee ballots, and repealed the provision that allowed states to seek a waiver from transmission requirements. In October 2011, both the Election Assistance Commission and the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) issued reports on participation by UOCAVA voters in the 2010 elections. FVAP announced a state grants program in May 2011, to advance electronic options for military and overseas voters."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Coleman, Kevin J.
2013-03-07
-
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests [February 20, 2014]
"The United States recognized the independence of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia when the former Soviet Union broke up at the end of 1991. The United States has fostered these states' ties with the West in part to end their dependence on Russia for trade, security, and other relations. The United States has pursued close ties with Armenia to encourage its democratization and because of concerns by Armenian Americans and others over its fate. Close ties with Georgia have evolved from U.S. contacts with its pro-Western leadership. Successive Administrations have supported U.S. private investment in Azerbaijan's energy sector as a means of increasing the diversity of world energy suppliers. The United States has been active in diplomatic efforts to resolve regional conflicts in the region. As part of U.S. global counter-terrorism efforts, the U.S. military in 2002 began providing equipment and training for Georgia's military and security forces. Troops from all three regional states have participated in stabilization efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The regional states also have granted transit privileges for U.S. military personnel and equipment bound to and from Afghanistan. […] Some Members of Congress and other policy makers believe that the United States should provide greater support for the region's increasing role as an east-west trade and security corridor linking the Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions, and for Armenia's inclusion in such links. They urge greater U.S. aid and conflict resolution efforts to contain warfare, crime, smuggling, and terrorism, and to bolster the independence of the states. Others urge caution in adopting policies that will increase U.S. involvement in a region beset by ethnic and civil conflicts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2014-02-20
-
Central America's Northern Triangle: Challenges for U.S. Policymakers in 2021 [Updated May 13, 2021]
From the Document: "El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, located in the Northern Triangle region of Central America, have long struggled with high levels of poverty and inequality, widespread insecurity, and fragile democratic institutions. Already-difficult living conditions have worsened over the past year due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and two hurricanes. The International Monetary Fund estimates [hyperlink] the Salvadoran economy contracted by nearly 8.6% in 2020 and the Honduran and Guatemalan economies contracted by 8.0% and 1.5%, respectively. Nearly 1 million [hyperlink] Salvadorans, 3.1 million [hyperlink] Hondurans, and 3.7 million [hyperlink] Guatemalans are contending with crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity. Although the pandemic and government lockdowns initially disrupted criminal activities, reports suggest [hyperlink] domestic violence increased and gangs and illicit trafficking groups quickly adapted to the changed circumstances. Amid these challenges, the Northern Triangle governments have sought to undermine [hyperlink] anti-corruption efforts, weaken [hyperlink] judicial independence, and consolidate power [hyperlink], in the view of many analysts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.
2021-05-13
-
Blockchain Technology and Agriculture [May 12, 2021]
From the Document: "Some stakeholders in the technology, agriculture, and food sector have advocated for the use of blockchain technology to trace agricultural products as they move through the supply chain and to verify their authenticity. Many expect use of blockchain technology to increase in this sector. Congress may consider federal investments in blockchain technology research, technical assistance, and infrastructure to support emerging applications of this technology. Congress also may face questions regarding the regulation of particular uses of blockchain technology."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Croft, Genevieve K.
2021-05-12
-
Biden Administration's Initial Presidential Directives in Context [Updated May 10, 2021]
From the Document: "In its first 100 days, the Biden Administration issued a number of presidential directives that have drawn significant public attention for their speed and range of purposes [hyperlink]. A review of the pace with which recent presidential Administrations issued executive orders shows the Biden Administration issued more executive orders than its recent predecessors during the first week and first 100 days of a first term. This Insight provides a brief overview of that activity and what it might mean for the rest of the Administration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wilhelm, Ben
2021-05-10
-
Artificial Intelligence: Background, Selected Issues, and Policy Considerations [May 19, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Artificial intelligence (AI)--a term first used in the 1950s--can broadly be thought of as computerized systems that work and react in ways commonly thought to require intelligence, such as the ability to learn, solve problems, and achieve goals under uncertain and varying conditions. In the past decade, increases in computing power, the availability of large-scale datasets (i.e., big data), and advances in the methodologies underlying AI, have led to rapid growth in the field. AI technologies currently show promise for improving the safety, quality, and efficiency of work and for promoting innovation and economic growth. At the same time, the application of AI to complex problem solving in real-world situations raises concerns about trustworthiness, bias, and ethics and potential disruptive effects on the U.S. workforce. In addition, numerous policy questions are at issue, including those concerning the appropriate U.S. approach to international competition in AI research and development (R&D), technological standard setting, and the development of testing benchmarks. Given the increasing use of AI technologies across economic sectors, stakeholders from academia, industry, and civil society have called for the federal government to become more knowledgeable about AI technologies and more proactive in considering public policies around their use. To assist Congress in its work on AI, this report provides an overview of AI technologies and their development, recent trends in AI, federal AI activity, and selected issues and policy considerations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Harris, Laurie A.
2021-05-19
-
Energy and Water Development: FY2015 Appropriations [May 23, 2014]
"The Energy and Water Development appropriations bill provides funding for civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), for the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the Department of Energy (DOE), and several independent agencies. […] With overall spending levels for FY2015 agreed to in the BBA [Bipartisan Budget Act], appropriators anticipate an easier path to reaching agreement on individual appropriations bills than previously. However, the apportionment of the available funding among the bills within the overall limit has not been determined. In addition, there remains the possibility of numerous controversial policy riders being attached to the appropriations bills, complicating passage."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Behrens, Carl E.
2014-05-23
-
Apportionment and Redistricting Process for the U.S. House of Representatives [Updated May 12, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Every 10 years, the U.S. population is counted through the national census, and districts for the U.S. House of Representatives are readjusted to reflect the new population level and its distribution across states through the federal apportionment and state redistricting processes. The requirement to have proportional representation in the House is found in the U.S. Constitution, and constitutional provisions also underlie other elements of the census, apportionment, and redistricting practices. 'Figure 1' provides a generalized timeline for how these three interrelated processes occur, and the sections of the report that follow provide additional information on apportionment and redistricting."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eckman, Sarah J.
2021-05-12
-
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) [Updated May 18, 2021]
From the Overview: "The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is Southeast Asia's primary multilateral organization, a 10- member grouping of nations with a combined population of 650 million and a combined annual gross domestic product (GDP) of around $2.8 trillion in 2019. Established in 1967, it has grown into one of the world's largest regional fora, representing a strategically important region straddling some of the world's busiest sea lanes, including the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea. Taken collectively, ASEAN would rank as the world's fifth-largest economy and the United States' fourth-largest export market. [...] ASEAN is a diverse and informal organization. Two of its core operating principles are consensual decisionmaking and noninterference in the internal affairs of its members. Some observers argue that this style constrains ASEAN from acting strongly and cohesively on important issues. Others argue that these principles--dubbed the 'ASEAN Way'--promote regional stability and ensure that the group's members continue to discuss issues where their interests sometimes diverge. The principle has been tested in 2021, as ASEAN seeks to address the crisis that has followed the Burmese military's February 1 coup d'etat."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dolven, Ben
2021-05-18
-
Biden Administration Announces Its Support for a WTO TRIPS Waiver [May 7, 2021]
From the Document: "On May 5, 2021, the Biden Administration announced [hyperlink] its support for a waiver of intellectual property rights (IPR) obligations [hyperlink] in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) [hyperlink] for COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccines. This is a significant development, given U.S. leadership historically in advancing stronger IPR protections and enforcement globally. The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to undertake intensive, costly, and risky research and development (R&D) to create new vaccines and other products to respond to COVID-19. Certain stakeholders have expressed concerns over the impact of IPR on access to these treatments and technologies. The potential waiver was first proposed by India and South Africa in October 2020. Subsequent discussion of it in the WTO has attracted support from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) seeking greater access to vaccines and related products, but has prompted skepticism largely from high-income countries, reflecting pharmaceutical industry and other concerns about the impact on incentives to innovate, and on quality and safety."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias; Fergusson, Ian F.
2021-05-07
-
Remote Inspection of Federal Correctional Complexes Oakdale and Pollock
From the Introduction: "The CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] has noted that the confined nature of correctional facilities, combined with their congregate environments, 'heighten[s] the potential for COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] to spread once introduced' into a facility. According to BOP [Bureau of Prisons] data, as of November 6, 2020, 18,702 inmates and 2,395 BOP staff in BOP-managed institutions and community-based facilities had tested positive for COVID-19. In those institutions where more widespread inmate testing has been undertaken, the percentage of inmates testing positive has been substantial. According to BOP data, as of November 8, 256 Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) Oakdale inmates had tested positive for COVID-19 and 8 inmates had died due to the disease. Between May 7 and June 16, the DOJ OIG [Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General] conducted a remote inspection of FCC Oakdale and FCC Pollock to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the complexes and to assess the steps officials took to prepare for, prevent, and manage COVID-19 transmission."
United States. Department of Justice. Office of the Inspector General
2020-11
-
Unemployment Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic [Updated May 20, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant effect on labor market metrics for every state, economic sector, and major demographic group in the United States. This report provides information on unemployment rates, labor force participation rates, and nonfarm payrolls in the United States during the ongoing pandemic. It presents CRS [Congressional Research Service] analysis of overall unemployment rate trends during the pandemic. The report first examines these trends nationally, and at the state and industrial levels. Next, it examines how unemployment rates varied across demographic groups. The report then repeats this analysis, where appropriate, for the labor force participation rate, which sheds light on the size of the workforce willing and available for work. The final portion of the report analyzes the impact the pandemic has had on overall employment and by sector."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Falk, Gene; Romero, Paul D.; Carter, Jameson A. . . .
2021-05-20
-
Resources for Tracking Federal COVID-19 Spending [Updated May 20, 2021]
From the Summary: "Congress has responded to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with supplemental appropriations measures providing relief and assistance to individuals and families, state and local governments, businesses, health care providers, and other entities. This report provides selected sources for tracking COVID-19 relief and assistance spending. It contains links to and information on government sources detailing spending amounts at various levels, including consolidated spending by multiple government agencies, spending by individual government agencies, and spending for specific recipients and geographies. The sources themselves are large government databases, individual agencies, oversight entities, and selected nongovernmental entities that attempt to repackage information on spending amounts obtained from available government sources. Due to the continually evolving nature of information provided by sources that track federal COVID-19 spending, this report may be updated frequently. Data currency varies among sources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Teefy, Jennifer; Kreiser, Maria
2021-05-20
-
Justices Consider Whether Treasury May Distribute CARES Act Funds for 'Indian Tribes' to Alaska Native Corporations [May 14, 2021]
From the Document: "On April 19, 2021, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments [hyperlink] in Yellen v. Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Indian Reservation [hyperlink] ('Chehalis'). The case asks whether Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) are 'Indian tribes' eligible to receive approximately $530 million [hyperlink] of the $8 billion allocated to 'Tribal governments' [hyperlink] in the Coronavirus Relief Fund provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act [hyperlink]). The 12 regional [hyperlink] and 200 village [hyperlink] ANCs are state-chartered corporations authorized [hyperlink] by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA [hyperlink]) to receive proceeds of the settlement of Alaska Natives' aboriginal land claims. Unlike traditional Alaska Native villages, ANCs are not included on the Department of the Interior (DOI) list [hyperlink] of federally recognized tribes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Murphy, M. Maureen
2021-05-14
-
U.S. Agricultural Aid in Response to COVID-19 [Updated May 20, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first confirmed in the United States in mid-January 2020. In addition to the catastrophic health crisis it created, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to substantial economic upheaval across the U.S. economy, including the agricultural sector. This In Focus summarizes the major COVID-19-related agricultural programs, the types of support they provide, and their implementation period, funding levels, outlays to date, and underlying authorities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schnepf, Randall Dean, 1954-; Rosch, Stephanie
2021-05-20
-
Tax Treatment of Net Operating Losses (NOLs) in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act [Updated May 13, 2021]
From the Document: "Increased benefits from net operating losses (NOLs) had been discussed as part of the response to the economic effects of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136) included a provision increasing tax benefits for NOLs. This revision temporarily suspends current rules that were last revised in the 2017 tax revision, popularly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA; P.L. 115-97)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gravelle, Jane
2021-05-13
-
Maritime Territorial Disputes in East Asia: Issues for Congress [May 14, 2014]
"Rising tensions stemming from maritime territorial disputes in East Asia have become a pressing challenge for U.S. policy makers, and pose one of the most complicated issues for the Obama Administration's policy of strategic 'rebalancing' towards the Asia-Pacific. Since around 2005-2006, long-disputed waters and land features in the South China Sea and, more recently, the East China Sea have seen increasingly aggressive behavior from nations trying to strengthen claims to disputed areas. Although China is not the only nation that has sought to press its maritime territorial claims, actions taken by People's Republic of China (PRC) actors, including its maritime law enforcement authorities and the People's Liberation Army (PLA), have been a particular concern. Chinese maritime authorities have taken actions include harassing vessels, destroying equipment, and blockading islets and shoals. Observers are concerned that the increasing frequency of such events raises the possibility of miscalculations that could lead to overt conflict at sea. […] The Senate may consider offering its advice and consent on the United States becoming a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Congress also may choose to examine the economic and security implications of a greater U.S. military presence in disputed areas, or the merits of providing additional resources to Southeast Asian nations to monitor and police their maritime domains. It also may choose to support efforts to lower tensions, including discussions between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on a Code of Conduct for parties in the South China Sea."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dolven, Ben; Manyin, Mark E.; Kan, Shirley
2014-05-14
-
Overview of USDA Rural Development Programs [February 18, 2014]
"More than 88 programs administered by 16 different federal agencies target rural economic development. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the greatest number of rural development programs and has the highest average of program funds going directly to rural counties (approximately 50%). The Rural Development Policy Act of 1980 also designated USDA as the lead federal agency for rural development. The Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agricultural Reorganization Act of 1994 created the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development and consolidated the rural development portfolio into four principal agencies responsible for USDA's mission area: the Rural Housing Service, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, the Rural Utilities Service, and the Office of Community Development. […] This report provides an overview of the various programs administered by USDA Rural Development's mission agencies, their authorizing legislation, program objectives, eligibility criteria, and FY2005-FY2014 funding for each program. The report will be updated as new USDA Rural Development programs are implemented or amended."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cowan, Tadlock
2014-02-18
-
Opioid Treatment Programs Reported Challenges Encountered During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Actions Taken to Address Them
From the Document: "The United States currently faces two nationwide public health emergencies: the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the opioid crisis because individuals with an opioid use disorder may be at a higher risk for COVID-19 infection and serious consequences from that disease. In response to the pandemic, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) granted opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and States increased flexibilities to ensure the delivery of OTP services and to protect patients and staff from COVID-19 to the greatest extent possible. To obtain information on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on OTPs, we conducted interviews with 142 OTPs. Our objectives were to identify: (1) challenges that OTPs have encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) actions that OTPs have taken to address those challenges while ensuring the continuity of needed services and protecting the health and safety of their patients and staff."
United States. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Inspector General
2020-11
-
Interim Report II - Review of the Office of Justice Programs' Administration of CARES Act Funding
From the Document: "On March 27, 2020, U.S. Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which provided over $2 trillion in funding intended to strengthen the national response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] global pandemic. Of this amount, approximately $1.007 billion was appropriated to the Department of Justice (DOJ), with $850 million (84 percent of the total) allocated to DOJ's Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to award Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) grants for the purposes of preventing, preparing for, and responding to the Coronavirus. The DOJ Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is reviewing OJP's administration of CARES Act funding. Our preliminary objectives are to: (1) assess OJP's efforts to: distribute Coronavirus award funding in a timely and efficient manner, and (2) review pre-award activities to determine if Coronavirus awards were made in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and other guidelines. On July 9, 2020, the OIG released its first interim report on OJP's administration of CARES Act funding. That report generally covered activity through the CESF solicitation's initial open period (March 30, 2020 through May 29, 2020). This second interim report provides updates related to OJP's award activity and summarizes OIG analysis of recipient drawdowns, expenditures, and program activities. The OIG's oversight in this area remains ongoing."
United States. Department of Justice. Office of the Inspector General
2020-11
-
CSB Discontinued Information Recovery Testing and Off-Site Backup Storage During the Coronavirus Pandemic
From the Document: "This report results from work performed for the Office of Inspector General to assess the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board's [CSB] compliance with performance measures outlined in the fiscal year 2020 Inspector General reporting instructions for the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014, commonly referred to as FISMA. We contracted with the SB & Company, referred to as SB&C, to complete the FISMA work and to report separately on concerns that related to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic--that is, the SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] virus and resultant COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] disease-- on the CSB's backup process and disaster recovery testing. [...] The SB&C found that the CSB did not perform disaster recovery testing on major information systems during FY 2020 and did not store copies of backup media at an off-site location. The National Institute of Standards and Technology's guidance indicates that contingency plans should be tested to determine the effectiveness and readiness of the plans, that the test results should be reviewed, and that necessary corrective actions should be taken. The guidance also specifies that system backups should be stored securely at an off-site location. The CSB indicated that the coronavirus pandemic impeded its disaster recovery testing and exercises, as well as its ability to move backup media to an off-site location. As a result, in the event of a disaster or isolated incident, the CSB may not be readily able to recover its systems' operations."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of the Inspector General
2020-11-18
-
Government Shutdown: Operations of the Department of Defense During a Lapse in Appropriations [October 7, 2013]
"Because Congress did not provide any FY2014 funding for DOD by October 1, 2013, the beginning of the new fiscal year, DOD, like other agencies, is now subject to a lapse in appropriations during which agencies are generally required to shut down. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), however, has identified a number of exceptions to the requirement that agencies cease operations, including a blanket exception for activities that 'provide for the national security.' On September 25, 2013, DOD issued guidance and its contingency plan identifying the types of activities that would continue in the event of a shutdown. As a result, during the lapse in appropriations, some DOD personnel would be 'excepted' from furloughs, including all uniformed military personnel, while others would be furloughed and, thus, not be permitted to work."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Towell, Pat; Belasco, Amy
2013-10-07
-
First Responder Network and Next-Generation Communications for Public Safety: Issues for Congress [March 12, 2014]
"Since September 11, 2001, when communications failures contributed to the tragedies of the day, Congress has passed several laws intended to create a nationwide emergency communications capability. Yet the United States has continued to strive for a solution that assures seamless communications among first responders and emergency personnel at the scene of a major disaster. To address this problem, Congress included provisions in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-96) for planning, building, and managing a new, nationwide, broadband network for public safety communications (FirstNet), and assigned additional radio frequency spectrum to accommodate the new network. In addition, the act has designated federal appropriations of over $7 billion for the network and other public safety needs. These funds will be provided through new revenue from the auction of spectrum licenses. These and other public safety and spectrum provisions of the act appear in Title VI, known as the Public Safety and Spectrum Act, or Spectrum Act."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moore, L. K. S. (Linda K. S.)
2014-03-12
-
Gangs in Central America [February 20, 2014]
"Congress has maintained an interest in the effects of gang violence in Central America, and on the expanding activities of transnational gangs with ties to that region operating in the United States. Since FY2008, Congress has appropriated significant amounts of funding for anti-gang efforts in Central America, as well as domestic anti-gang programs. This report focuses primarily on U.S.- funded international anti-gang efforts. The Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and its main rival, the '18th Street' gang (also known as M-18), continue to threaten citizen security and challenge government authority in Central America. Gang-related violence has been particularly acute in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, which have had among the highest homicide rates in the world. Recently, some governments have moved away from repressive anti-gang strategies, with the government of El Salvador having facilitated a historic--and risky--truce involving the country's largest gangs in 2012. The truce contributed to a large reduction in homicides, before beginning to unravel in recent months. The truce carries risks for the Salvadoran government that will take office on June 1, 2014, such as what might happen if the gangs were to walk away from the truce stronger than before and/or if the truce were to end abruptly and prompt an escalation in intra-gang violence. […] This report describes the gang problem in Central America, discusses country approaches to deal with the gangs, and analyzes U.S. policy with respect to gangs in Central America. Also see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report R41731, 'Central America Regional Security Initiative: Background and Policy Issues for Congress,' by Peter J. Meyer and Clare Ribando Seelke."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2014-02-20
-
First Responder Network and Next-Generation Communications for Public Safety: Issues for Congress [January 31, 2014]
"Since September 11, 2001, when communications failures contributed to the tragedies of the day, Congress has passed several laws intended to create a nationwide emergency communications capability. Yet the United States has continued to strive for a solution that assures seamless communications among first responders and emergency personnel at the scene of a major disaster. To address this problem, Congress included provisions in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-96) for planning, building, and managing a new, nationwide, broadband network for public safety communications, and assigned additional spectrum to accommodate the new network. In addition, the act has designated federal appropriations of over $7 billion for the network and other public safety needs. These funds will be provided through new revenue from the auction of spectrum licenses. The cost of construction of a nationwide network for public safety is estimated by experts to be in the tens of billions of dollars over the long term, with similarly large sums needed for maintenance and operation. In expectation that public-private partnerships to build the new network will reduce costs to the public sector, the law has provided requirements and guidelines for shared use."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moore, L. K. S. (Linda K. S.)
2014-01-31
-
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS): Current Legislative Issues [January 13, 2014]
"The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program was created by Title I of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-322). The mission of the COPS program is to advance community policing in all jurisdictions across the United States. The Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-162) reauthorized the COPS program through FY2009 and changed the COPS program from a multigrant program to a single-grant program. The COPS program awards grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies throughout the United States so they can hire and train law enforcement officers to participate in community policing, purchase and deploy new crime-fighting technologies, and develop and test new and innovative policing strategies. Authorized appropriations for the COPS program expired in FY2009. As such, Congress could consider legislation to reauthorize the COPS program. Debate about reauthorization of the program could be contentious because the COPS program is one of the primary means for providing federal assistance to state and local law enforcement, but at the same time, Congress is considering ways to reduce discretionary spending in order to shrink the federal budget deficit. This report provides an overview of issues Congress may consider if it chooses to take up legislation to reauthorize the COPS program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan
2014-01-13
-
Votes on Measures to Adjust the Statutory Debt Limit, 1978 to Present [March 7, 2014]
"Almost all borrowing by the federal government is conducted by the Treasury Department, within the restrictions established by a single, statutory limit (ceiling) on the total amount of debt that may be outstanding at any time. By law, the Treasury cannot exceed federal debt limits, so the Treasury periodically has had to ask Congress to enact new debt limits so it can fulfill its financial commitments. Since 1978, Congress has passed, and the President has signed into law, 55 measures adjusting the statutory debt limit either as stand-alone legislation or as part of legislation dealing with other matters. This report provides roll call vote data identified by the Congressional Research Service for measures to adjust the statutory debt limit. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Murray, Justin
2014-03-07
-
Haiti Under President Martelly: Current Conditions and Congressional Concerns [February 12, 2014]
"Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. Since the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986, Haiti has struggled to overcome its centuries-long legacy of authoritarianism, extreme poverty, and underdevelopment. Economic and social stability improved considerably, and many analysts believed Haiti was turning a corner toward sustainable development when it was set back by a massive earthquake in January 2010 that devastated much of the capital of Port-au-Prince. Although it is recovering, poverty remains massive and deep, and economic disparity is wide: Haiti remains the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Haiti is a key foreign assistance priority for the Obama Administration in Latin American and the Caribbean. Haiti's developmental needs and priorities are many. The Haitian government and the international donor community are implementing a 10-year recovery plan focusing on territorial, economic, social, and institutional rebuilding. An outbreak of cholera in late 2010 has swept across most of the country and further complicated assistance efforts. Progress has been made in developing democratic institutions, although they remain weak. In 2011, following yet another controversial election, Michel Martelly, a popular musician without any previous political experience, became President. Martelly's difficulty in forming a government and ongoing political gridlock, especially the contentious delays in beginning a long overdue elections process, are hampering reconstruction efforts, frustrating international donors, and contributing to public protests against his administration. Some steps toward elections have been made-naming an electoral council and passing political parties and electoral laws-but still no date has been set."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Taft-Morales, Maureen
2014-02-12
