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• Immigration: The Effects on Low-Skilled and High-Skilled Native-Born Workers [January 29, 2009]

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  The large influx of immigrants in recent decades has led to an equally long, still unresolved debate over their effect on the labor market outcomes of native-born workers. Economic theory posits that an increase in the supply of labor, such as from immigration, will reduce the wages and employment of native-born workers. Studies, utilizing two approaches to test the theory, have produced conflicting results with differing implications for public policy. [...] The report opens with a discussion of how to analyze the impact of immigrants on the pay and job opportunities of native-born workers. It then uses this framework to examine and interpret the empirical literature on the subject. The report concludes with a discussion of policy implications. [...] The concentration of foreign-born workers in certain cities and skill groups led some economists to posit that immigration's greatest impact would be felt by similarly skilled native-born workers living in those areas. Studies thus have compared differences in labor market outcomes between native-born workers who live in high- versus low-immigrant areas and who most often compete for jobs with foreign-born workers; given the composition of the recent immigrant flow, these would be low-skilled U.S. workers. Most inter-area analyses have found scant evidence that foreign-born labor adversely affects the labor market prospects of U.S. workers in general. A few inter-area studies have estimated a slight negative impact on low-skilled natives--who represent a small share of total U.S. employment.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Levine, Linda (Linda H.)

  2009-01-29
• Assistance to Firefighters Program: Distribution of Fire Grant Funding [February 19, 2009]

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  This is an updated report from the Congressional Research Service on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. "The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, also known as fire grants or the FIRE Act grant program, was established by Title XVII of the FY2001 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 106-398). Currently administered by the Grant Programs Directorate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the program provides federal grants directly to local fire departments and unaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations to help address a variety of equipment, training, and other firefighter-related and EMS needs. […] The Fire Act statute was reauthorized in 2004 (Title XXXVI of P.L. 108-375) and provides overall guidelines on how fire grant money should be distributed. […] Ongoing issues in the 110th Congress include how appropriations for fire grants should compare with authorized levels, and to what extent the focus of the program should be shifted towards terrorism preparedness and away from the traditional mission of enhancing basic firefighting needs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kruger, Lennard G.

  2009-02-19
• Emergency Alert System (EAS) and All-Hazard Warnings [January 26, 2009]

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  This CRS report discusses the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and All-Hazard Warnings. "The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is built on a structure conceived in the 1950's when over-the-air broadcasting was the best-available technology for widely disseminating emergency alerts. It is one of several federally managed warning systems. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) jointly administers EAS with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in cooperation with the National Weather Service (NWS), an organization within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NOAA/NWS weather radio system has been upgraded to an all-hazard warning capability. Measures to improve the NOAA network and the new Digital Emergency Alert System (DEAS) are ongoing. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), working with the Association of Public Television Stations, is implementing a program that will disseminate national alert messages over digital broadcast airwaves, using satellite and public TV broadcast towers. This program, referred to as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), is part of the Department's response to an Executive Order requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to meet specific requirements for an alert system as part of U.S. policy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Moore, L. K. S. (Linda K. S.)

  2009-01-26
• Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security [Updated September 8, 2008]

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  This is an updated report from the Congressional Research Service on the security situation in Iraq and current challenges. "The Administration is claiming success in significantly reducing violence in Iraq to the point where additional U.S. troop reductions can be considered, attributing the gains to a 'troop surge' announced by President Bush on January 10, 2007 ('New Way Forward'). […] The Administration believes that additional 'conditions-based' reductions in U.S. forces, continued building of Iraq's security forces, and likely further political progress in Iraq -- is likely to produce a unified, democratic Iraq that can govern and defend itself and is an ally in the war on terror. The Administration argues that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is increasingly recognized as capable, and that Iraqi legislative action in Iraq since the beginning of 2008 represents a substantial measure of the progress on political reconciliation that was envisioned would be facilitated by the surge. However, U.S. disagreements with Maliki's proposed timeline for a U.S. withdrawal have prolonged negotiations on a U.S.-Iraq agreement that would govern the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq beyond December 2008. […] The progress comes after several years of frustration that Operation Iraqi Freedom had overthrown Saddam Hussein's regime, only to see Iraq wracked during 2004-2007 by […] Sunni-Shiite sectarian violence, competition among Shiite groups, and the failure of Iraq's government to equitably administer justice or deliver services. Mounting U.S. casualties and financial […] stimulated debate within the United States over whether the initial goals of the intervention -- a stable, democratic Iraq that is a partner in the global war on terrorism -- could ever be achieved, and at what cost."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2008-09-08
• Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Background and Current Developments [Updated September 18, 2008]

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  This is an updated report from the Congressional Research Service on the comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty (CTBT), its background, and current issues. "A comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty (CTBT) is the oldest item on the nuclear arms control agenda. Three treaties currently bar all but underground tests with a maximum force equal to 150,000 tons of TNT. […] The U.N. General Assembly adopted the CTBT in 1996. As of September 18, 2008, 179 states had signed it; 144, including Russia, had ratified; and of the 44 that must ratify the treaty for it to enter into force, 41 had signed and 35 had ratified. Five conferences have been held to facilitate entry into force, most recently in 2007. In 1997, President Clinton sent the CTBT to the Senate. In October 1999, the Senate rejected it, 48 for, 51 against, 1 present. It is on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's calendar. It would require a two-thirds Senate vote to send the treaty back to the President for disposal or to give advice and consent for ratification. The Bush Administration opposes the CTBT, adheres to the test moratorium, has not ruled out resumed testing, and has no plans to test. It has reduced the time needed to conduct a nuclear test. Critics raised concerns about the implications of these policies for testing and new weapons. At present, Congress addresses nuclear weapon issues in the annual National Defense Authorization Act and the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act. Congress considers the Stockpile Stewardship Program (listed as Weapons Activities), which seeks to maintain nuclear weapons without testing. […] Congress also considers a U.S. contribution to a global system to monitor possible nuclear tests."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Medalia, Jonathan E.

  2008-09-18
• Israel: Background and Relations with the United States [Updated September 8, 2008]

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  This is an updated report from the Congressional Research Service on U.S.-Israel relations. "Since 1948, the United States and Israel have developed a close friendship based on common democratic values, religious affinities, and security interests. U.S.-Israeli bilateral relations are multidimensional. The United States is the principal proponent of the Arab-Israeli peace process, but U.S. and Israeli views differ on some issues, such as the Golan Heights, Jerusalem, and settlements. The Bush Administration and Congress supported Israel's 2006 military campaigns against Hezbollah and Hamas as acts of self-defense. The United States and Israel concluded a free-trade agreement in 1985. Israel is a prominent recipient of U.S. foreign aid. The two countries also have close security relations. Other issues in U.S.-Israeli relations include Israel's military sales to China, inadequate Israeli protection of U.S. intellectual property, and espionage-related cases."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Migdalovitz, Carol

  2008-09-08
• Colombia: Issues for Congress [Updated September 12, 2008]

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  This is an updated report from the Congressional Research service on U.S.-Colombia relations. "In the last decade, Colombia -- a key U.S. ally in South America -- has made significant progress in reasserting government control over much of its territory, combating drug trafficking and terrorist activities by illegally armed groups, and reducing poverty. Since the development of Plan Colombia in 1999, the Colombian government, with substantial U.S. support, has stepped up its counternarcotics and security efforts. Congress has provided more than $6 billion to support Plan Colombia from FY2000 through FY2008. Since 2002, Congress has granted the State Department expanded authority to use counternarcotics funds for a unified campaign to fight both drug trafficking and terrorist organizations in Colombia. Proponents of the current U.S. policy towards Colombia point to the inroads that have been made in improving security conditions in Colombia and in weakening the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas. Critics argue that, despite these security improvements, U.S. policy has not rigorously promoted human rights, provided for sustainable economic alternatives for drug crop farmers, or reduced the amount of drugs available in the United States. […] Concerns in the 110th Congress regarding Colombia have focused on funding levels and U.S. policy regarding Plan Colombia, U.S. hostages, trade, and human rights. […] While acknowledging the progress that the Uribe government has made in improving security conditions in Colombia, some Members of Congress have expressed concerns about labor activist killings and the parapolitical scandal. These issues came to the fore during consideration of the U.S.- Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Cook, Colleen W.

  2008-09-12
• Congressional Oversight of Intelligence: Current Structure and Alternatives [Updated September 16, 2008]

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  This is an updated report from the Congressional Research Service on the structure of intelligence and recommendations. "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, examines other actions and alternatives affecting congressional oversight in the field. […] 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. […] 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. […] Although it did not adopt either of the 9/11 Commission proposals, Congress has pursued other initiatives to change its intelligence oversight structure and capabilities in the 110th Congress. The House altered its arrangements (H.Res. 35), when it created an advisory Select Intelligence Oversight Panel on the Appropriations Committee, a hybrid structure that combines members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Appropriations. The Senate has also changed its relationship between appropriations and intelligence and its Intelligence Committee has advanced others in this regard."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kaiser, Frederick M.

  2008-09-16
• Federal Liability for Flood Damage Related to Army Corps of Engineers Projects [Updated September 4, 2008]

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  "This report examines selected issues of the federal government's liability depending on the mechanism of the levee failures, and analyzes legal defenses available to the federal government. The report uses flood damage related to Hurricane Katrina as an illustration of these legal issues regarding federal liability, but these principles in the analysis generally would apply to flood damage resulting from similar projects. […] The most costly natural disaster ever to hit the United States was Hurricane Katrina. It struck land on August 29, 2005, as a Category 3 hurricane. The damage to New Orleans from the hurricane was largely not the result of wind, but water -- with 80% of New Orleans under water. In June 2008, continuous heavy precipitation caused severe flooding in seven midwestern states after numerous levees along the Mississippi River were breached. In the wake of these major flood events and levee breaches, the issue of federal liability for flood damage is getting attention in the media and in Congress. After Katrina, lawsuits were filed against the federal government claiming that the levees and floodwalls designed and constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) failed to protect the city. To succeed in these lawsuits, the litigants first must show that the federal government is not immune from suit. One source of government immunity is the federal government's exemption under the Federal Tort Claims Act for actions that constitute a discretionary function. A second source of immunity for the government is the Flood Control Act of 1928, which prevents the government from being sued for damages resulting from federally supported damage reduction projects or flood waters. Only after those two issues are resolved would the federal government's negligence be reviewed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  2008-09-04
• U.S. Financial Crisis: Lessons From Japan [May 4, 2009]

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  "Although the current global financial crisis is much more than Japan's 'Great Recession' writ large, many have turned to Japan's experience to either support or oppose various policies and to improve general understanding of the underlying forces of financial crises. […]. Fiscal stimulus did have the desired economic effect in Japan, but it mainly substituted for depressed bank lending and consumer spending. Recovery had to wait until the balance sheets of banks and households had been rehabilitated. Japan also shifted its policy focus toward reducing its fiscal deficit 'too early' after authorities thought the recession had ended in 1996. The ensuing increase in taxes along with reduced fiscal stimulus (along with the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis) pushed the economy back into recession. In monetary policy, the Bank of Japan's zero-interest rate policy demonstrated the futility of attempting to induce investment and consumer credit purchases through low borrowing rates. The Japanese experience also may be instructive in resolving problems of companies that technically are bankrupt but are being kept alive through outside financial support and in dealing with nationalization and subsequent privatization of insolvent banks. . […]. Overcoming the crisis in Japan's banks took a combination of capital injections, new laws and regulations, stronger oversight, a reorganization of the banking sector, moderate economic recovery, and several years of banks working off their non-performing loans."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nanto, Dick Kazuyuki

  2009-05-04
• Assistance to Firefighters Program: Distribution of Fire Grant Funding [Updated September 22, 2008]

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  This is an updated report from the Congressional Research Service on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. "The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, also known as fire grants or the FIRE Act grant program, was established by Title XVII of the FY2001 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 106-398). Currently administered by the Grant Programs Directorate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the program provides federal grants directly to local fire departments and unaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations to help address a variety of equipment, training, and other firefighter-related and EMS needs. […] The Fire Act statute was reauthorized in 2004 (Title XXXVI of P.L. 108-375) and provides overall guidelines on how fire grant money should be distributed. […] Ongoing issues in the 110th Congress include how appropriations for fire grants should compare with authorized levels, and to what extent the focus of the program should be shifted towards terrorism preparedness and away from the traditional mission of enhancing basic firefighting needs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kruger, Lennard G.

  2008-09-22
• U.S.-Russia Meat and Poultry Trade Issues [September 11, 2008]

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  "Russia announced on August 29, 2008, that it was banning poultry imports from 19 U.S. establishments due to safety concerns, and that 29 others could lose approval if they do not improve their standards. Russian officials also signaled that they might reduce U.S. permits to import poultry and pork under that country's quota system. The economic stakes of Russian import actions are high for U.S. poultry producers--29% of their exports went to that market in 2007--and red meat producers, who also are experiencing strong growth in the Russian market. In Congress, any potential options likely would be reviewed within the context of the broader geopolitical situation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Becker, Geoffrey S.

  2008-09-11
• China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities-Background and Issues for Congress [July 17, 2009]

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  From the report: "In the debate over future U.S. defense spending, including deliberations taking place in the current Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), a key issue is how much emphasis to place on programs for countering improved Chinese military forces in coming years. Observers disagree on the issue, with some arguing that such programs should receive significant emphasis, others arguing that they should receive relatively little, and still others taking an intermediate position. The question of how much emphasis to place in U.S. defense planning on programs for countering improved Chinese military forces is of particular importance to the U.S. Navy, because many programs associated with countering improved Chinese military forces would fall within the Navy's budget."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2009-07-17
• First Responder Network and Next-Generation Communications for Public Safety: Issues for Congress [August 7, 2012]

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  "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. […] Many experts are concerned that these delays may place public safety officials at a disadvantage in negotiating with potential partners, increase costs, and add further delays in moving forward to build a nationwide broadband network. Requirements in the act for standards development may be insufficient to overcome current technical obstacles for desired network features such as roaming between public safety and commercial networks. In addition to monitoring progress in building the new broadband network for public safety, Congress may want to consider new policies for spectrum management and wireless innovation that would facilitate the transition to IP-enabled networks. Acceleration of innovation in next-generation wireless technologies would likely benefit not only public safety communications but also all consumers of wireless service and the American economy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Moore, L. K. S. (Linda K. S.)

  2012-08-07
• Speech or Debate Clause: Constitutional Background and Recent Developments [August 8, 2012]

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  "Members of Congress have immunity for their legislative acts under Article I, Section 6, clause 1, of the Constitution, which provides in part that 'for any speech or debate in either House, [Senators and Representatives] shall not be questioned in any other place.' Even if their actions are within the scope of the Speech or Debate Clause or some other legal immunity, Members of Congress remain accountable to the house of Congress in which they serve and to the electorate. In cases in which the Clause applies, the immunity is absolute and cannot be defeated by an allegation of an improper purpose or motivation. When applicable, the Clause provides both immunity from liability (in civil and criminal proceedings) and a complimentary evidentiary privilege. […] In 2011, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals also weighed in on how to apply the Clause to executive branch criminal investigations of Members. In that case, Representative Richard Renzi was accused of agreeing to support legislation in exchange for a private land purchase agreement benefitting one of his creditors. He was indicted on numerous criminal counts, including extortion and fraud, which he challenged on Speech or Debate Clause grounds. The appeals court determined that his challenged actions were not covered by the Clause. Additionally, the Ninth Circuit appeared to split with the D.C. Circuit analysis in Representative Jefferson's case on whether the Clause prevents the executive branch from ever viewing protected evidence. This report examines the constitutional background of the Speech or Debate Clause and these recent developments in jurisprudence. It will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dolan, Alissa M.; Garvey, Todd

  2012-08-08
• Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations [July 23, 2012]

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  "In 2002, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) began investigating allegations that Iran had conducted clandestine nuclear activities. Ultimately, the agency reported that some of these activities had violated Tehran's IAEA safeguards agreement. The IAEA has not stated definitively that Iran has pursued nuclear weapons, but has also not yet been able to conclude that the country's nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes. The IAEA Board of Governors referred the matter to the U.N. Security Council in February 2006. Since then, the council has adopted six resolutions, the most recent of which (Resolution 1929) was adopted in June 2010. […] Iran and the IAEA agreed in August 2007 on a work plan to clarify the outstanding questions regarding Tehran's nuclear program. Most of these questions have essentially been resolved, but then-IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei told the agency's board in June 2008 that the agency still has questions regarding 'possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme.' The IAEA has reported for some time that it has not been able to make progress on these matters. This report provides a brief overview of Iran's nuclear program and describes the legal basis for the actions taken by the IAEA board and the Security Council. It will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kerr, Paul K.

  2012-07-23
• How to Develop and Write a Grant Proposal [June 9, 2009]

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  "This report is intended for Members and staff assisting grant seekers in districts and states, and it includes writing proposals for both government and private foundations grants. In preparation for writing a proposal, the report first discusses preliminary information gathering and preparation, developing ideas for the proposal, gathering community support, identifying funding resources, and seeking preliminary review of the proposal and support of relevant administrative officials. The second section of the report covers the actual writing of the proposal, from outlining of project goals, stating the purpose and objectives of the proposal, explaining the program methods to solve the stated problem, and how the results of the project will be evaluated, to long-term project planning, and, finally, developing the proposal budget. The last section of the report includes a listing of free grants-writing websites, some in Spanish as well as English, including the Foundation Center's Proposal Writing Short Course."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gerli, Merete F.

  2007-07-09
• Gun Control Legislation [August 3, 2012]

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  "Congress has debated the efficacy and constitutionality of federal regulation of firearms and ammunition, with strong advocates arguing for and against greater gun control. In the wake of the July 20, 2012, Aurora, CO, theater mass shooting, in which 12 people were shot to death and 58 wounded (7 of them critically) by a lone gunman, it is likely that there will be calls in the 112th Congress to reconsider a 1994 ban on semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices that expired in September 2004. There were similar calls to ban such feeding devices (see S. 436/H.R. 1781) following the January 8, 2011, Tucson, AZ, mass shooting, in which 6 people were killed and 14 wounded, including Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was grievously wounded. […] This report also includes discussion of other salient and recurring gun control issues that have generated past or current congressional interest. Those issues include (1) screening firearms background check applicants against terrorist watch lists, (2) combating gun trafficking and straw purchases, (3) reforming the regulation of federally licensed gun dealers, (4) requiring background checks for private firearms transfers at gun shows, (5) more-strictly regulating certain firearms previously defined in statute as 'semiautomatic assault weapons,' and (6) banning or requiring the registration of certain long-range .50 caliber rifles, which are commonly referred to as 'sniper' rifles. To set these and other emerging issues in context, this report provides basic firearms-related statistics, an overview of federal firearms law, and a summary of legislative action in the 111th and 112th Congresses."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.

  2012-08-03
• Post Office and Retail Postal Facility Closures: Overview and Issues for Congress [July 23, 2009]

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  "In common parlance, 'post office' is used to refer to a wide variety of facilities operated by the United States Postal Service (USPS). […] Regarding one category of its facilities, the USPS announced in May 2009 that it was considering the closure of 3,105 of its 4,851 post office branches and stations. […]Since the original announcement, the USPS has indicated that the number of possible closures may be more than 3,200. This report provides (1) information on this recent announcement; (2) historical data on the number of post offices and other retail postal facilities; (3) an explanation of the legal authorities relevant to retail postal facility closures; (4) a review of the retail postal facility closure processes, including data on public appeals of closures, and H.R. 658's proposed alterations to the processes; and (5) a concluding discussion that suggests observations and possible issues for Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kosar, Kevin R.

  2009-07-23
• Issues Regarding a National Land Parcel Database [July 22, 2009]

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  "This report provides a summary of some of the issues regarding the creation of a national land parcel database, or cadastre. The report identifies some of the perceived needs for a national cadastre, legislative and administrative options that could lead to a national land parcel database, and some of the challenges and concerns. The report also summarizes and briefly discusses recommendations in a 2007 National Research Council (NRC) report that concluded "... a national approach is necessary to provide a rational and accountable system of property records." The NRC report described why a national approach is needed, identified challenges to creating a national cadastre, and offered specific recommendations for achieving its vision: a distributed system of land parcel data housed with the appropriate data stewards but accessible through a web-based interface."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin)

  2009-07-22
• Greenhouse Gas Legislation: Summary and Analysis of H.R. 2454 as Passed by the House of Representatives [July 27, 2009]

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  "H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, was introduced May 15, 2009, by Representatives Waxman and Markey, and was subsequently modified (both technical and substantive changes) and ordered reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on May 21, 2009. The bill was reported (amended) June 5 (H.Rept. 111-137, Part I). It was passed in the House on June 26, 2009, by a recorded vote of 219-212. H.R. 2454 contains provisions that would amend the Clean Air Act to establish a cap-and-trade system designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from covered sources 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 83% below 2005 levels by 2050. The market-based approach would establish an absolute cap on the emissions and would allow trading of emissions permits ("allowances"). The bill achieves its broad coverage through an upstream compliance mandate on petroleum and most fluorinated gas producers and importers, and a downstream mandate on electric generators and industrial sources, and a midstream mandate on natural gas local distribution companies (LDCs). The bill allocates a substantial percentage of the allowances for the benefit of energy consumers and low-income households. As the program proceeds through the mid-2020s it shifts to more government auctioning with most of the proceeds returned to households. The bill's allocation scheme includes free allowance allocations to energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries, merchant coal-fired electric generators, and petroleum refiners. An important cost control mechanism in the cap-and-trade program is the availability of domestic and international offsets."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Holt, Mark; Whitney, Gene

  2009-07-27
• Department of Homeland Security: FY2013 Appropriations [August 3, 2012]

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  "This report describes the FY2013 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Administration requested $39.510 billion in adjusted net discretionary budget authority for DHS for FY2013, as part of an overall budget of $59.501 billion (including fees, trust funds, and other funding that is not appropriated or does not score against the budget caps). The request amounts to a $90 million, or a 0.2%, decrease from the $39.600 billion enacted for FY2012 through the consolidated appropriations act (P.L. 112-174). Net requested appropriations for major agencies within DHS were as follows: Customs and Border Protection (CBP), $10,345 million; Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), $5,332 million; Transportation Security Administration (TSA), $5,130 million; Coast Guard, $8,352 million; Secret Service, $1,601 million; National Protection and Programs Directorate, $1,217 million; Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), $4,528 million; Science and Technology, $831 million; and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, $328 million. Included as part of the President's overall budget request was a 0.5% pay raise for civilian federal employees. The Administration also requested an additional $5.481 billion for FEMA in disaster relief funding as defined by the Budget Control Act, down $919 million (16.8%) from the amount provided in the FY2012 disaster relief supplemental appropriations act (P.L. 112-177). H.R. 5855, the House-passed DHS appropriations bill, would provide $39.114 billion in adjusted net discretionary budget authority, while S. 3216, its Senate-reported counterpart, would provide $39.514 billion. While the Senate-reported bill funds the proposed pay raise for civilian federal employees, the House-passed bill does not. Both bills would provide the $5.481 billion in disaster relief requested by the Administration. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Painter, William L.

  2012-08-03
• Climate Change and Existing Law: A Survey of Legal Issues Past, Present, and Future [July 27, 2012]

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  "This report surveys existing law for legal issues that have arisen, or may arise in the future, on account of climate change and government responses thereto. At the threshold of many climate-change-related lawsuits are two barriers--whether the plaintiff has standing to sue and whether the claim being made presents a political question. Both barriers have forced courts to apply amorphous standards in a new and complex context. Efforts to mitigate climate change--that is, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions--have spawned a host of legal issues. The Supreme Court resolved a big one in 2007--the Clean Air Act (CAA), it said, does authorize EPA to regulate GHG emissions. Quite recently, a host of issues raised by EPA's efforts to carry out that authority were resolved in the agency's favor by the D.C. Circuit. […] Other adaptation responses to climate change raising legal issues, often property rights related, are beach armoring (seawalls, bulkheads, etc.), beach re-nourishment, and 'retreat' measures. Retreat measures seek to move existing development away from areas likely to be affected by floods and sea level rise, and to discourage new development there. Natural disasters to which climate change contributes may prompt questions as to whether response actions taken in an emergency are subject to relaxed requirements and, similarly, as to the rebuilding of structures destroyed by such disasters just as they were before. Finally, immigration and refugee law appear not to cover persons forced to relocate because of climate change impacts such as drought or sea level rise."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Meltz, Robert

  2012-07-27
• Annual Report on Civilian Casualties in Connection with United States Military Operations in 2019

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  From the Document: "This report is submitted pursuant to Section 1057 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 (Public Law 115-91), as amended. This report primarily provides information about U.S. military operations in 2019 that were assessed to have resulted in civilian casualties. This report also contains updates to information the Department of Defense (DoD) provided in the reports submitted to Congress in prior years pursuant to Section 1057 of the NDAA for FY 2018, as amended. Some of the information provided in prior reports about U.S. military operations in 2017 and 2018 has been repeated in this report because the information was relevant to U.S. military operations in 2019."

  United States. Department of Defense

  2020-04-22
• Office of Refugee Resettlement Ensured That Selected Care Providers Were Prepared to Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  From the Document: "On July 1, 2019, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 (P.L. [Public Law] 116-26) appropriated $2.9 billion for the Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) Program. Title IV provided $5 million for the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), to conduct oversight of the UAC Program. On January 31, 2020, in response to the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, the Secretary of HHS declared a public health emergency. Following this declaration, Congress appropriated $12 million to HHS-OIG to conduct oversight of HHS's response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. Previous HHS-OIG work has focused on the Office of Refugee Resettlement's (ORR's) efforts to ensure the health and safety of children in the UAC Program, including when the UAC Program experiences a sudden change in the number or needs of children. This report builds on our oversight of ORR's efforts to protect children and is one of two reports addressing emergency preparedness at ORR facilities. This report specifically addresses communicable disease preparedness. Our objective was to determine whether ORR ensured that selected care provider facilities (facilities) followed ORR requirements in preparing for and responding to communicable diseases, such as COVID-19."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Inspector General

  2020-11
• COVID-19: States Cite Vulnerabilities in Detecting Fraud While Complying with the CARES Act UI Program Self-Certification Requirement

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  From the Document: "This report presents the results of our audit of the self-certification process for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act's (CARES Act) Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. The audit focused on the processes that state workforce agencies use to determine claimant eligibility and their actions to deter and detect fraud relating to self-certifications. The CARES Act's PUA program expands Unemployment Insurance (UI) eligibility to individuals who are not typically eligible to obtain benefits and creates several programs that temporarily expand unemployment benefits for workers affected by the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The CARES Act provides for up to 39 weeks of PUA benefits and requires individuals to self-certify that they lost employment income due to a COVID-19 related reason."

  United States. Department of Labor. Office of the Inspector General

  2020-10-21
• H. Rept. 116-145: Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act, Report Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, July 11, 2019

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  From the Purpose: "The purpose of H.R. 1306, the Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act, is to develop a study on streamlining and consolidating Federal information collection and preliminary damage assessments."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2019
• Wiretapping, Tape Recorders, and Legal Ethics: An Abridged Overview of Questions Posed by Attorney Involvement in Secretly Recording Conversation [August 9, 2012]

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  "In some jurisdictions, it is unethical for an attorney to secretly record a conversation even though it is not illegal to do so. A few states require the consent of all parties to a conversation before it may be recorded. Recording without mutual consent is both illegal and unethical in those jurisdictions. Elsewhere the issue is more complicated. In 1974, the American Bar Association (ABA) opined that surreptitiously recording a conversation without the knowledge or consent of all of the participants violated the ethical prohibition against engaging in conduct involving 'dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.' The ABA conceded, however, that law enforcement recording, conducted under judicial supervision, might breach no ethical standard. Reaction among the authorities responsible for regulation of the practice of law in the various states was mixed. In 2001, the ABA reversed its earlier opinion and announced that it no longer considered one-party consent recording per se unethical when it is otherwise lawful. Today, this is the view of a majority of the jurisdictions on record. A substantial number, however, disagree. An even greater number have yet to announce an opinion. An earlier version of this report once appeared as CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report 98-251. An unabridged version of this report is available with the footnotes and attachment as CRS Report R42650, 'Wiretapping, Tape Recorders, and Legal Ethics: An Overview of Questions Posed by Attorney Involvement in Secretly Recording Conversation.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Doyle, Charles

  2012-08-09
• Child Tax Credit: Temporary Expansion for 2021 Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2) [Updated May 12, 2021]

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  From the Document: "In recent years, there has been increased interest [hyperlink] in providing direct benefits to families with children to reduce child poverty in the United States, sometimes in the form of tax benefits. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) [hyperlink] included a 'child allowance' as part of a package of policies to reduce child poverty [hyperlink] over 10 years. (Senator Romney [hyperlink] has also proposed a child allowance.) Some research [hyperlink] has suggested that increasing the amount of the child tax credit that low-income families receive would substantially reduce child poverty [hyperlink], boost future earnings, and potentially improve future health and education outcomes [hyperlink]. In the 116th Congress, there were several legislative proposals [hyperlink] to expand the child tax credit, especially for lower-income families that tend to receive little or no benefit from the current credit. In the 117th Congress, a temporary one-year expansion of the child credit (for 2021) was included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. [Public Law] 117-2). The Biden Administration has proposed [hyperlink] making the full refundability provision included in the ARPA expansion of the child credit permanent, while extending other ARPA provisions through the end of 2025. This Insight provides a summary of the child tax credit prior to ARPA and an overview of the temporary child credit expansion under ARPA for 2021."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.

  2021-05-12
• American Rescue Plan Act, Section 9901-- The Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund [May 11, 2021]

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  From the Document: "Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. [Public Law]117-2) provides a total of $362 billion in general federal payments to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, $220 billion of which is directed to the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSFRF). Similar assistance was provided through the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund [hyperlink] established in the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act (P.L. 116-136). This Insight summarizes the assistance provided to the CSFRF, as established in Section 9901 of ARPA. Allocations sorted by state and territory are provided in 'Table 1'. Additional guidance on allocations, timing, and eligible uses are available at the Treasury State and Local Assistance website [hyperlink]. (ARPA also created the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund [CLFRF], discussed in a companion Insight [hyperlink].)"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Driessen, Grant A.

  2021-05-11