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• Increasing Transparency into COVID-19 Spending

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  From the Background: "In March 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act created the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) to promote transparency and conduct and support oversight of pandemic-related funds and the response to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The objective of this review was to identify specific gaps in transparency in award data for federal assistance spending in response to COVID-19. We conducted the review in accordance with the Quality Standards for Inspection and Evaluation issued by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE)."

  Pandemic Response Accountability Committee

  2021-10-20
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2201, Supply Chain Security Training Act of 2021

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  This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on July 14, 2021. From the Document: "S. 2201 would direct the General Services Administration (GSA) to develop a program to train federal employees in managing the risks to federal agencies' supply chains. GSA would coordinate the use of the program among federal agencies, detail the program's content, and report to the Congress on implementation."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2021-10-20
• H. Rept. 117-153: Relating to the Consideration of House Report 117-152 and an Accompanying Resolution, Report to Accompany H. Res. 727, October 20, 2021

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  From the Document: "The resolution provides that if H. Rept. [House Report] 117-152 [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=859942] is called up by direction of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, all points of order against the report shall be waived and it shall be considered as read. The resolution provides for consideration of the resolution accompanying H. Rept. 117-152 under a closed rule. The resolution provides one hour of debate equally divided among and controlled by Representative Thompson of Mississippi, Representative Cheney of Wyoming, and an opponent, or their respective designees. The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the resolution accompanying H. Rept. 117-152. The resolution provides that the resolution accompanying the report shall be considered as read."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021-10-20
• DoD OIG COVID-19 Oversight Plan: 2021 Q4 Update

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  This is the 2021 fourth quarter (Q4) update of the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Inspector General (OIG) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Oversight Plan. From the Introduction: "Since the start of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the DoD has supported the Nation's efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the challenges during these uncertain times. The DoD has coordinated closely with other Federal agencies and provided medical, logistical, and humanitarian assistance in the United States and across the globe. In response to an executive order issued by President Joe Biden, the Secretary of Defense mandated COVID-19 vaccinations of all Service members at the end of August 2021. On October 1, 2021, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a separate memorandum mandating that DoD civilian employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 22, 2021. In a recent message to the force, the Secretary of Defense reiterated the importance of the vaccines, stating, 'All FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective. They will protect you and your family. They will protect your unit, your ship, and your co-workers. And they will ensure we remain the most lethal and ready force in the world.' The DoD Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) released its initial COVID-19 Pandemic Oversight Plan in May 2020 and continues to publish regular updates listing DoD OIG pandemic-related projects and published reports."

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

  2021-10-20?
• Taxpayer Advocate Service Assisted Thousands of Taxpayers with CARES Act Issues but Faced Challenges in Identifying and Tracking Applicable Cases

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  From the Highlights: "This audit is one in a series being conducted by TIGTA [Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration] as part of our oversight role of the IRS's [Internal Revenue Service's] response to the coronavirus pandemic, including implementation of the applicable Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provisions. Our overall objective was to assess the Taxpayer Advocate Service's (TAS) actions to assist taxpayers in response to the implementation of the CARES Act. TIGTA previously issued an interim report describing the actions TAS has taken to assist taxpayers in response to the enactment of the CARES Act."

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

  2021-10-20
• Compensation Programs for Potential COVID-19 Vaccine Injuries [Updated October 20, 2021]

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  From the Document: "More than 200 million [hyperlink] Americans have received one or more doses of a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, along with billions [hyperlink] of people worldwide. The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) emergency use authorizations for the Pfizer-BioNTech [hyperlink], Moderna [hyperlink], and Johnson & Johnson [hyperlink] COVID-19 vaccines were based on months-long clinical trials (including safety monitoring) of each vaccine, involving tens of thousands of participants. [...] The most common [hyperlink] side effects of COVID-19 vaccines are mild--such as local pain around the injection side, tiredness, or fever--and usually resolve within a few days. As with most vaccines, however, a very small [hyperlink] percentage of inoculated individuals experience serious adverse reactions to a COVID-19 vaccine. For example, approximately [hyperlink] two to five people per million receiving mRNA [messenger ribonucleic acid] COVID-19 vaccines experience anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, following vaccination. (For this reason, the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] recommends [hyperlink] that all individuals be monitored for at least 15 minutes following their vaccinations, and that all vaccination sites have epinephrine available for treatment of anaphylaxis.) Other serious adverse events reported following vaccination, such as myocarditis [hyperlink] and Guillain-Barré Syndrome [hyperlink], are similarly rare [hyperlink] and may be associated with COVID-19 vaccines."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hickey, Kevin J.; Ward, Erin H.

  2021-10-20
• COVID-19 Impact on Access to Military Service Records [October 20, 2021]

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  From the Document: "Servicemembers and other constituents may require access to military service records for many reasons, including providing proof of service to obtain government benefits. During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many federal agencies moved from on-site work to remote work status for the safety and health of employees. This shift impacted the workflows of the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the National Archives and Records Administration's (NARA's) National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), three agencies involved in processing veterans benefits claims. VA has continued to process benefits claims, albeit at a slower pace and with delays. The NPRC reported that its employees were often unable to retrieve materials due to the vast majority of records being in paper form and requiring in-person access. This challenge led to backlogs in processing various VA claims and also led veterans, Veterans Service Organizations, and many Members of Congress to push for the digitization of military service records. This In Focus provides information on the interaction of DOD, VA, and NPRC on records processing; quantifies the records request backlog and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on request responsiveness; and outlines administrative and legislative efforts to resolve the issue."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Salazar, Heather M.; Stuessy, Meghan M.

  2021-10-20
• Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process [Updated October 20, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "This report reviews the process and procedures that currently apply to congressional consideration of foreign arms sales proposed by the President. This includes consideration of proposals to sell major defense equipment, defense articles and services, or the retransfer to thirdparty states of such military items. Under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), Congress must be formally notified 30 calendar days before the Administration can take the final steps to conclude a government-to-government foreign military sale of major defense equipment valued at $14 million or more, defense articles or services valued at $50 million or more, or design and construction services valued at $200 million or more. In the case of such sales to NATO member states, NATO, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Israel, or New Zealand, Congress must be formally notified 15 calendar days before the Administration can proceed with the sale. However, the prior notice threshold values are higher for sales to NATO members, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Israel, or New Zealand. Commercially licensed arms sales also must be formally notified to Congress 30 calendar days before the export license is issued if they involve the sale of major defense equipment valued at $14 million or more, or defense articles or services valued at $50 million or more (Section 36(c) AECA). In the case of such sales to NATO member states, NATO, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Israel, or New Zealand, Congress must be formally notified 15 calendar days before the Administration is authorized to proceed with a given sale. As with government-to-government sales, the prior notice threshold values are higher for sales to NATO members, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Israel, or New Zealand."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kerr, Paul K.

  2021-10-20
• Defense Primer: Quantum Technology [Updated October 20, 2021

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  From the Document: "Quantum technology translates the principles of quantum physics into technological applications. In general, quantum technology has not yet reached maturity; however, it could hold significant implications for the future of military sensing, encryption, and communications, as well as for congressional oversight, authorizations, and appropriations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sayler, Kelley M.

  2021-10-20
• Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated October 20, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "The Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. BMD-capable Aegis ships operate in European waters to defend Europe from potential ballistic missile attacks from countries such as Iran, and in in the Western Pacific and the Persian Gulf to provide regional defense against potential ballistic missile attacks from countries such as North Korea and Iran. MDA's FY2022 budget submission states that 'by the end of FY 2022 there will be 48 total BMDS [BMD system] capable ships requiring maintenance support.' The Aegis BMD program is funded mostly through MDA's budget. The Navy's budget provides additional funding for BMD-related efforts. MDA's proposed FY2021 budget requested a total of $1,647.9 million (i.e., about $1.6 billion) in procurement and research and development funding for Aegis BMD efforts, including funding for two Aegis Ashore sites in Poland and Romania. MDA's budget also includes operations and maintenance (O&M) and military construction (MilCon) funding for the Aegis BMD program."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2021-10-20
• Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress [October 20, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "The current and planned size and composition of the Navy, the annual rate of Navy ship procurement, the prospective affordability of the Navy's shipbuilding plans, and the capacity of the U.S. shipbuilding industry to execute the Navy's shipbuilding plans have been oversight matters for the congressional defense committees for many years. In December 2016, the Navy released a force-structure goal that calls for achieving and maintaining a fleet of 355 ships of certain types and numbers. The 355-ship goal was made U.S. policy by Section 1025 of the FY2018 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2810/P.L. 115- 91 of December 12, 2017). The Navy and the Department of Defense (DOD) have been working since 2019 to develop a successor for the 355-ship force-level goal. The new goal is expected to introduce a new, more distributed fleet architecture featuring a smaller proportion of larger ships, a larger proportion of smaller ships, and a new third tier of large unmanned vehicles (UVs)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2021-10-20
• Navy Lasers, Railgun, and Gun-Launched Guided Projectile: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated October 20, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on three potential new ship-based self-defense weapons for the Navy--solid state lasers (SSLs), the electromagnetic railgun (EMRG), and the gun-launched guided projectile (GLGP), also known as the hypervelocity projectile (HVP). The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests research and development funding for continued work on SSLs, but proposes suspending further work on the EMRG and GLGP programs and requests no research and development funding for them. The Navy installed its first prototype SSL capable of countering surface craft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on a Navy ship in 2014. The Navy since then has been developing and installing additional SSL prototypes with improved capability for countering surface craft and UAVs. Higher-power SSLs being developed by the Navy are to have a capability for countering anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2021-10-20
• Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated October 20, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "The Navy wants to develop and procure three types of large unmanned vehicles (UVs) called Large Unmanned Surface Vehicles (LUSVs), Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicles (MUSVs), and Extra-Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (XLUUVs). The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $434.1 million in research and development funding for these large UVs and their enabling technologies. The Navy wants to acquire these large UVs as part of an effort to shift the Navy to a more distributed fleet architecture. Compared to the current fleet architecture, this more distributed architecture is to include a smaller proportion of larger ships (such as large-deck aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, large amphibious ships, and large resupply ships), a larger proportion of smaller ships (such as frigates, corvettes, smaller amphibious ships, and smaller resupply ships), and a new third tier of large UVs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2021-10-20
• Nuclear Energy: Overview of Congressional Issues [Updated October 20, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "The policy debate over the role of nuclear power in the nation's energy mix is rooted in the technology's fundamental characteristics. Nuclear reactors can produce potentially vast amounts of useful energy with relatively low consumption of natural resources and emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. However, facilities that produce nuclear fuel for civilian power reactors can also produce materials for nuclear weapons. In addition, the process of nuclear fission (splitting of atomic nuclei) to generate power produces radioactive material that can remain hazardous for thousands of years and must be contained. How to manage the weapons proliferation and safety risks of nuclear power, or whether the benefits of nuclear power are worth those risks, are issues that have long been debated in Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Holt, Mark

  2021-10-20
• MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, October 19, 2021: Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA Vaccination Against COVID-19 Hospitalization Among Persons Aged 12-18 Years -- United States, June-September 2021

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  The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This Early Release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA Vaccination Against COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Hospitalization Among Persons Aged 12-18 Years -- United States, June-September 2021." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from WWMR can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)

  2021-10-19
• Federal Reserve Lending Programs: Credit Markets Served by the Programs Have Stabilized, but Vulnerabilities Remain, Report to Congressional Committees

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  From the Highlights: "On July 30, 2021, the last of the 13 Federal Reserve lending facilities stopped purchasing assets or extending credit. However, some of these facilities, including facilities that were supported through Department of the Treasury funding appropriated under section 4003(b)(4) of the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act, continue to hold outstanding assets and loans. The Federal Reserve will continue to monitor and manage the facilities until these assets and loans are no longer outstanding. The CARES Act included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to periodically report on section 4003 loans, loan guarantees, and investments. This report examines the Federal Reserve's continued oversight and monitoring of the CARES Act facilities; what available evidence suggests about the facilities' effects on corporate credit markets, states and municipalities, and small businesses; and the characteristics of Main Street Lending Program participants, among other things. GAO reviewed applicable laws and agency and Federal Reserve Bank documentation; analyzed agency and other data on the facilities and credit markets; interviewed Federal Reserve and Treasury officials and representatives of state and local governments; and conducted a generalizable survey of for-profit Main Street borrowers. [...] The Federal Reserve oversight reviews completed in December 2020 identified opportunities to enhance certain areas, including internal process and controls. These reviews also identified areas for continued monitoring, such as cybersecurity and conflicts of interest. GAO found that Federal Reserve's plans for ongoing monitoring of the facilities align with federal internal control standards for ongoing monitoring of an entity's internal control system."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2021-10-19
• Information Technology: Cost and Schedule Performance of Selected IRS Investments, Report to Congressional Committees

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  From the Highlights: "IRS [Internal Revenue Service] relies extensively on IT [Information Technology] investments to annually collect more than $3.5 trillion in taxes, distribute more than $450 billion in refunds, and carry out its mission of providing service to America's taxpayers in meeting their tax obligations. For fiscal year 2020, the agency reported spending approximately $2.8 billion for these investments. The Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2020 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to annually review the status of IRS's IT investments. GAO's specific objectives were to (1) summarize IRS's reported performance for selected IT investments, including CADE [Customer Account Data Engine] 2; (2) identify IRS's reported progress in implementing its 2019 IT modernization plan; and (3) identify the IT-related actions IRS has taken to maximize telework and operate during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, and any impacts of those actions. GAO obtained IRS's reported performance information for a nonprobability sample of five investments, and compared performance to agency targets. GAO also compared modernization activities that IRS reported completing to those identified in the agency's 2019 IT modernization plan. Further, GAO reviewed agency documentation to identify reported IT actions taken to continue to operate during the pandemic and reported associated impacts. GAO also interviewed cognizant IRS officials."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2021-10-19
• Technology Assessment: Quantum Computing and Communications, Status and Prospects, Report to Congressional Addressees

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  From the Highlights: "Quantum information technologies could dramatically increase capabilities beyond what is possible with classical technologies. Future quantum computers could have high-value applications in security, cryptography, drug development, and energy. Future quantum communications could allow for secure communications by making information challenging to intercept without the eavesdropper being detected. GAO [Government Accountability Office] conducted a technology assessment on (1) the availability of quantum computing and communications technologies and how they work, (2) potential future applications of such technologies and benefits and drawbacks from their development and use, and (3) factors that could affect technology development and policy options available to help address those factors, enhance benefits, or mitigate drawbacks. To address these objectives, GAO reviewed key reports and scientific literature; interviewed government, industry, academic representatives, and potential end users; and convened a meeting of experts in collaboration with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. GAO is identifying policy options in this report. [...] Quantum information technologies aim to use the properties of nature at atomic scales to accomplish tasks that are not achievable with existing technologies. These technologies rely on 'qubits', the quantum equivalent of classical computer bits. Scientists are creating qubits from particles, such as atoms or particles of light, or objects that mimic them, such as superconducting circuits. [...] However, quantum information cannot be copied, is fragile, and can be irreversibly lost, resulting in errors that are challenging to correct. [...] GAO identified four factors that affect quantum technology development and use: (1) collaboration, (2) workforce size and skill, (3) investment, and (4) the supply chain."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2021-10-19
• H. Rept. 117-152: Resolution Recommending That the House of Representatives Find Stephen K. Bannon in Contempt of Congress for Refusal to Comply with a Subpoena Duly Issued by the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, October 19, 2021

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  From the Purpose and Summary: "On January 6, 2021, a violent mob breached the security perimeter of the United States Capitol, assaulted and injured scores of police officers, engaged in hand-to-hand violence with those officers over an extended period, and invaded and occupied the Capitol building, all in an effort to halt the lawful counting of electoral votes and reverse the results of the 2020 election. [...] The Select Committee is investigating the facts, circumstances, and causes of the January 6th attack[.] [...] According to many published reports, and his own public statements, Stephen K. Bannon had specific knowledge about the events planned for January 6th before they occurred. [...] Mr. Bannon appears to have had multiple roles relevant to this investigation [...] and the American people are entitled to hear his first-hand testimony regarding his actions. The Select Committee expects that such testimony will be directly relevant to its report and recommendations for legislative and other action. [...] Mr. Bannon did not produce documents by the subpoena's October 7, 2021, deadline nor did he appear for a deposition scheduled for October 14, 2021, as ordered by the subpoena and in contravention of the clear instructions by the Select Committee Chairman on October 8, 2021, to appear at the deposition and raise any privilege concerns in response to specific questions on the record. Mr. Bannon's refusal to comply with the Select Committee's subpoena 'in any way' represents willful default under the law and warrants contempt of Congress and referral to the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia for prosecution as prescribed by law."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021-10-19
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 3037, Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2021

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  This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on July 28, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 3037 would amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to expand the types of documentation that applicants for relief programs can use to prove occupancy or ownership of a damaged residence. The bill also would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve assistance retroactively to 2017 for households affected by disasters if their claims were denied for insufficient documentation of eligibility."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2021-10-19
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 3709, Preliminary Damage Assessment Improvement Act of 2021

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  This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on July 28, 2021. From the Document: "Following a major disaster declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) works with state and local partners to generate a preliminary damage assessment (PDA) quantifying the potential magnitude of damages caused by the event. That assessment informs subsequent requests for federal assistance. H.R. 3709 would require FEMA to convene an advisory panel consisting of federal, state, and local officials to make recommendations on training, the use of a technological platform to integrate data, and other ways to improve the PDA process. Under the bill, FEMA would need to issue regulations to implement any activities that the panel recommends. Finally, the bill would require the agency to report to the Congress on several issues, including the PDA process and the panel's recommendations."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2021-10-19
• H. Rept. 117-149: State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act of 2021, Report to Accompany H.R. 2379, October 19, 2021

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  From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 2379, the 'State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act of 2021,' amends the 21st Century Cures Act to authorize the State Opioid Response (SOR) Program administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This grant program would support efforts in the states, territories, and Washington, DC, as well as tribes, populations served by tribal organizations, and Urban Indian organizations to address opioid and stimulant use and misuse. The funding provided through this legislation may support public health-related activities such as substance use disorder prevention efforts, establishing or improving prescription drug monitoring programs, health care practitioner training, and substance use disorder treatment, among other activities. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is also required to submit a biennial report to Congress on the SOR program. H.R. 2379 authorizes $1.75 billion for each of the fiscal years (FY) 2022 through 2027."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021-10-19
• H. Rept. 117-146: Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 654, October 19, 2021

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  From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 654, the 'Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act,' would waive a federal funding limitation for the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, which is a program that supports community-based drug prevention coalitions in the United States. The bill also would increase the resources made available for evaluation and administrative expenses of the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, by raising the program's cap from eight percent to 12 percent."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021-10-19
• H. Rept. 117-148: Secure Equipment Act of 2021, Report to Accompany H.R. 3919, October 19, 2021

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  From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 3919, the 'Secure Equipment Act of 2021,' requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) to adopt rules to update the equipment authorization procedures of the Commission to ensure only trusted radio frequency devices are authorized for use in the United States."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021-10-19
• Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated October 19, 2021]

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  From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy's Columbia (SSBN-826) class program, a program to design and build a class of 12 new ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy's current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. Since 2013, the Navy has consistently identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy's top priority program. The Navy procured the first Columbia-class boat in FY2021 and wants to procure the second boat in the class in FY2024. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $4,647.0 million (i.e., about $4.6 billion) in procurement and advance procurement (AP) funding for the program. The program poses a number of funding and oversight issues for Congress. Decisions that Congress makes on the Columbia-class program could substantially affect U.S. military capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2021-10-19
• ERO COVID-19 Pandemic Response Requirements

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  From the Purpose and Scope: "The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic Response Requirements (PRR) sets forth expectations and assists ICE detention facility operators in sustaining detention operations while mitigating risk to the safety and wellbeing of detainees, staff, contractors, visitors, and stakeholders due to COVID-19. The ERO PRR builds upon previously issued guidance and sets forth specific mandatory requirements to be adopted by 'all' detention facilities, as well as recommended best practices, to ensure that detainees are appropriately housed and that available mitigation measures are implemented during this unprecedented public health crisis."

  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

  2021-10-19
• Obedience in Times of COVID-19 Pandemics: A Renewed Governmentality of Unease?

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  From the Abstract: "This article transects and articulates different disciplines and lines of thought in order to understand the redefinitions of the boundaries of political power in times of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], and the practices which may outlive the potential normalization of the crisis when an efficient vaccine is discovered. We claim that the COVID-19 pandemic is an original form of governmentality by unease articulating three dimensions. First, the basic reaction of modern states when faced with uncertainty to apply national-territorial logics of controls. Second, bureaucracies consider the virus along the frame of a danger to security and organize public health emergencies according to the rules of the game of national security, creating tensions between internal security, public health and the economy because policy makers may be unsure about the priorities and may have privilege border controls. Third, resistance against the chosen national policies show that people are not led by a politics of fear and-or protection, but rather their own concerns about themselves with a peer-to-peer surveillance based on the denunciation of potentially contaminated persons as one key element of their compliance. Contact tracing technologies and strategies of border controls are key elements to analyze. We do so in different contexts: UK, European Union and Turkey."

  Centre Pour La Communication Scientifique Directe. HAL archives-ouerte

  Bigo, Didier; Guild, Elspeth; Kuşkonmaz, Elif Mendos

  2021-10-19
• Navy TAGOS(X) Ocean Surveillance Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated October 19, 2021]

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  From the Document: "The Navy wants to procure in FY2022 the first of a planned new class of seven TAGOS(X) ocean surveillance ships. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $434.4 million for the procurement of the first TAGOS(X). [...] TAGOS ships support Navy antisubmarine warfare (ASW) operations. As stated in the Navy's FY2021 budget submission, TAGOS ships 'use the Surveillance Towed-Array Sensor System (SURTASS [Surveillance Towed-Array Sensor System]) to gather undersea acoustic data. They also carry electronic equipment to process and transmit that data via satellite to shore stations for evaluation.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2021-10-19
• H. Rept. 117-147: Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 4028, October 19, 2021

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  From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 4028, the 'Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act,' directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to submit a report within one year that identifies information and communication technology (ICT) critical to the economic competitiveness of the United States. In the report, NTIA will assess the economic competitiveness of trusted ICT vendors, assess whether, and to what extent, the United States is dependent on untrusted ICT components or vendors, and identify what actions by the Federal government are needed to bolster the economic competitiveness of trusted ICT vendors."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021-10-19
• Domestic Funding for COVID-19 Vaccines: An Overview [October 19, 2021]

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  From the Document: "Federal efforts to develop, manufacture, purchase, and distribute Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have involved a number of agencies. Many of these efforts have thus far been funded by appropriations in COVID-19 relief acts, especially funding to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) agencies and accounts in FY2020 and FY2021 supplemental appropriations and in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA, P.L. [Public Law] 117-2) budget reconciliation measure enacted in March 2021. The following provides an overview of both (1) appropriations and (2) allocations and obligations for selected domestic COVID-19 vaccine related activities. (With the exception of the mandatory funding provided by ARPA, all funding amounts discussed below are classified as discretionary.) The following is meant to inform a general understanding of relevant funding, but does not capture every federal account that can be used for vaccine-related activities."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sekar, Kavya

  2021-10-19