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Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 31, 2022]
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 requested $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
2022-03-31
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Defense Primer: Naval Forces [Updated March 31, 2022]
From the Document: "Although the term 'naval forces' is often used to refer specifically to Navy forces, it more properly refers to both Navy and Marine Corps forces, because both the Navy and Marine Corps are naval services. For further discussion, see CRS In Focus IF10484, 'Defense Primer: Department of the Navy,' by Ronald O'Rourke. For a discussion of the Marine Corps that focuses on its organization as a ground-combat force, see CRS In Focus IF10571, 'Defense Primer: Organization of U.S. Ground Forces,' by Barbara Salazar Torreon and Andrew Feickert. [...] U.S. naval forces give the United States the ability to convert the world's oceans--a global commons that covers more than two-thirds of the planet's surface--into a medium of maneuver and operations for projecting U.S. power ashore and otherwise defending U.S. interests around the world. The ability to use the world's oceans in this manner--and to deny other countries the use of the world's oceans for taking actions against U.S. interests--constitutes an immense asymmetric advantage for the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-03-31
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 2501, Spectrum Coordination Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on November 17, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 2501 would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to update their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Spectrum Coordination from 2003. Under the bill, the agencies would need to establish timelines to exchange information on spectrum coordination, ensure the efficient use of spectrum, and improve their process for resolving disputes about frequency allocation."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-03-31
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 6387, School and Daycare Protection Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on March 2, 2022. From the Document: "H.R. 6387 would establish a council within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate policies and activities that enhance the security of schools and daycares against acts of terrorism. The council would consist of representatives from multiple DHS offices and subagencies. Beginning January 30, 2023, the bill would require the council to prepare an annual report for the Congress on DHS' plans and policies to enhance school security. Using information from the cost of similar reports, CBO estimates that the cost of creating the annual reports to be insignificant, subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-03-31
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FEMA Successfully Assisted HHS in Providing Shelter and Supplies to Unaccompanied Children from the Southwest Border
From the Highlights: "In March of 2021, the Secretary of Homeland Security directed FEMA to support the government-wide operation to safely receive, shelter, and transfer unaccompanied children from the U.S. southwest border for a period of 90 days. We conducted this audit to determine the extent to which FEMA coordinated shelter and supplies to unaccompanied minors along the southwest border. [...] From March 13, 2021 through June 11, 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) accomplished its operational goals to help the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide shelter and supplies to unaccompanied children from the U.S. southwest border. Specifically, FEMA worked closely with HHS to establish 14 emergency intake sites in high priority locations in Texas, California, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. FEMA also assisted HHS to build out 23,253 beds and provide other critical supplies, such as food, water, beds, blankets, and medical supplies at emergency intake sites. As a result, during this time period, HHS, with FEMA's help, provided shelter to about 27,000 unaccompanied children."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2022-03-31
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Navy John Lewis (TAO-205) Class Oiler Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 31, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the John Lewis (TAO-205) class oiler shipbuilding program, a program to build a new class of 20 fleet oilers for the Navy. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's annual ship authorization and funding requests for the program. Congress's decisions on this issue could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-03-31
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Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 31, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress for three types of large unmanned vehicles (UVs) that the Navy wants to develop and procure in FY2022 and beyond: [1] Large Unmanned Surface Vehicles (LUSVs); [2] Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicles (MUSVs); and [3] Extra-large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (XLUUVs). The Navy wants to acquire these large UVs as part of an effort to shift the Navy to a new fleet architecture (i.e., a new combination of ships and other platforms) that is more widely distributed than the Navy's current fleet architecture. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requested $434.1 million in research and development funding for these large UVs and their enabling technologies. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's acquisition strategies and funding requests for these large UVs. The Navy's proposals for developing and procuring them pose a number of oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on these issues could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding and UV industrial bases. In addition to the large UVs covered in this report, the Navy also wants to develop and procure smaller USVs and UUVs, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of various sizes. Other U.S. military services are developing, procuring, and operating their own types of UVs. Separate CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports address some of these efforts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-03-31
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Navy Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 31, 2022]
From the Introduction: This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Navy's new Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) program, which envisions procuring a class of 24 to 35 new amphibious ships to support the Marine Corps, particularly in implementing a new Marine Corps operational concept called Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO). The Navy envisions the first LAW being procured in FY2023. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requested $13.2 million in research and development funding for the program. The LAW program poses a number of potential oversight matters for Congress. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's annual funding requests and envisioned acquisition strategy for the program. Congress's decisions regarding the program could affect Navy and Marine Corps capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base. A separate CRS [Congressional Research Service] report discusses the Navy's programs for building much-larger LPD-17 Flight II and LHA-class amphibious ships. Other CRS reports provide an overview of new Navy and Marine Corps operational concepts, including EABO, the overall strategic and budgetary context in which amphibious ship and other Navy shipbuilding programs may be considered, and the Marine Corps' plans for redesigning Marine Corps units and their equipment."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-03-31
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Navy LPD-17 Flight II and LHA Amphibious Ship Programs: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 31, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on two types of amphibious ships being procured for the Navy: LPD-17 Flight II class amphibious ships and LHA-type amphibious assault ships. Both types are built by Huntington Ingalls Industries/Ingalls Shipbuilding (HII/Ingalls) of Pascagoula, MS. The Navy's LPD-17 Flight II and LHA shipbuilding programs pose multiple oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on the LPD-17 Flight II and LHA programs could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base. They could also have implications for the preservation and use of Congress's power of the purse under Article 1 of the Constitution, and for maintaining Congress as a coequal branch of government relative to the executive branch. A separate CRS [Congressional Research Service] report discusses the Navy's new Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-03-31
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Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 31, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report presents background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy's Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and Zumwalt (DDG-1000) class destroyer programs. The Navy began procuring DDG-51s, also known as Aegis destroyers, in FY1985, and a total of 87 have been procured through FY2021, including two in FY2021. The Navy procured three DDG-1000 class destroyers in FY2007-FY2009 and plans no further procurement of DDG-1000s. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requested the procurement of one DDG-51 in FY2022, rather than the two DDG-51s that are called for in FY2022 under the FY2018-FY2022 DDG-51 multiyear procurement (MYP) contract, and that were projected for FY2022 under the Navy's FY2021 budget submission. Procuring a second DDG-51 in FY2022 is the number one item on the Navy's FY2022 Unfunded Priorities List (UPL)--the service's list of programs it would prefer to be funded in FY2022, if additional funding were to become available. A key issue for Congress for the DDG-51 program in FY2022 is whether to fund the procurement of one DDG-51, two DDG-51s, or some other number of DDG-51s (such as zero or three). Other issues for Congress concern the Navy's future force-level goal for large surface combatants (or LSCs, meaning cruisers and destroyers) and how the Navy proposes to transition several years from now from procurement of DDG-51s to procurement of a successor destroyer design now in development called the DDG(X). Decisions that Congress makes on these issues could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-03-31
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Navy Constellation (FFG-62) Class Frigate Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 31, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and discusses potential issues for Congress regarding the Navy's Constellation (FFG-62) class frigate program, a program to procure a new class of 20 guided-missile frigates (FFGs). The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requested $1,087.9 million (i.e., about $1.1 billion) for the procurement of the third FFG-62, and $69.1 million in advance procurement (AP) funding for the fourth and fifth FFG-62s, which are programmed for procurement in one or more future fiscal years. The FFG-62 program presents several potential oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on the program could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-03-31
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EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 22 Issue 1, August 6, 2022
The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: 'New "In Our Boots' PSAs highlight safe driving messages to protect responders on roadways"; "CDC adds wastewater surveillance data to COVID-19 Data Tracker"; "FEMA releases new Hazus tools for estimating risk from natural disasters"; "Webinar: Lessons learned from the post-George Floyd and Capitol protests"; "Mitigating attacks against uninterruptable power supply devices"; "State-sponsored Russian cyber actors targeted Energy Sector from 2011 to 2018"; "FBI releases PIN on ransomware straining local governments and public services"; and "Hundreds of HP printer models vulnerable to remote code execution."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2022-03-31
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Navy DDG(X) Next-Generation Destroyer Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 31, 2022]
From the Document: "The Navy's DDG(X) program envisages procuring a class of next-generation guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) to replace the Navy's Ticonderoga (CG-47) class Aegis cruisers and older Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class Aegis destroyers. The Navy wants to procure the first DDG(X) in FY2028. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requested $121.8 million in research and development funding for the program. [...] Issues for Congress regarding the DDG(X) program include the following: (1) whether the Navy has accurately identified the DDG(X)'s required operational capabilities and estimated procurement cost; (2) the DDG(X) program's potential total procurement quantity and annual procurement rate; (3) the number of shipbuilders to be used in building DDG(X)s; (4) the Navy's plan for maturing new technologies for the DDG(X); and (5) the Navy's plan for transitioning from DDG-51 procurement to DDG(X) procurement, and the potential impact of that transition on shipbuilders and supplier firms. [...] The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requested $121.8 million in research and development funding for the program, including $79.7 million in Project 0411 (DDG[X] Concept Development) within Program Element (PE) 0603564N (Ship Preliminary Design & Feasibility Studies), which is line 47 in the Navy's FY2022 research and development account, and $42.1 million for 'DDG(X) Power & Propulsion Risk Mitigation & Demonstration,' which forms part of Project 2471 (Integrated Power Systems [IPS]) within PE 0603573N (Advanced Surface Machinery Systems), which is line 49 in the Navy's FY2022 research and development account."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-03-31
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Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 31, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the 'Gerald R. Ford' (CVN-78) class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN) aircraft carrier program. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requested $2,659.5 million (i.e., about $2.7 billion) in procurement funding for the program. Congress's decisions on the CVN-78 program could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-03-31
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Navy Next-Generation Attack Submarine (SSN[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 31, 2022]
From the Document: "The Navy wants to begin procuring a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), called the Next-Generation Attack Submarine or SSN(X), in FY2031. The SSN(X) would be the successor to the Virginia-class SSN design, which the Navy has been procuring since FY1998. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requested $98.0 million in research and development funding for the SSN(X) program. [...] The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requested $98.0 million in research and development funding for the SSN(X) program, including $29.8 million in Project 2368 (SSN[X] Class Submarine Development) within Program Element (PE) 0604850N (SSN[X]), which is line 154 in the Navy's FY2022 research and development account, and $68.1 million in Project 2370 (Next Generation Fast Attack Nuclear Propulsion Development) within PE 0603570N (Advanced Nuclear Power Systems), which is line 48. The joint explanatory statement for the HASC-SASC-negotiated proposal for the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (S. 1605) that was released on December 7, 2021, recommends approving the Navy's research and development funding requests for the SSN(X) program. The joint explanatory statement states: 'We believe that efforts to develop any form of alternative naval nuclear fuel system should ensure that such a system can be produced in a manner that will not reduce vessel capability, increase expense, or reduce operational availability as a result of refueling requirements,' and directs the Administrator for Nuclear Security to submit a report on activities conducted using FY2021 funding for development of an advanced naval nuclear fuel system based on LEU."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-03-31
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Navy Next-Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 31, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The Navy's Next-Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) program envisages procuring new medium-sized at-sea resupply ships for the Navy. The Navy states that the NGLS program could involve procuring either a single class of ships or a family of ship designs. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requested $27.8 million in research and development funding for the program. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's proposed funding requests and emerging acquisition strategy for the NGLS program. Congress's decisions on this issue could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-03-31
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Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress [Updated March 31, 2022]
From the Summary: "Names for Navy ships traditionally have been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President and in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress. Rules for giving certain types of names to certain types of Navy ships have evolved over time. There have been exceptions to the Navy's ship-naming rules, particularly for the purpose of naming a ship for a person when the rule for that type of ship would have called for it to be named for something else. Some observers have perceived a breakdown in, or corruption of, the rules for naming Navy ships."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-03-31
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U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean: FY2022 Appropriations [Updated March 31, 2022]
From the Summary: "The United States provides foreign assistance to Latin American and Caribbean countries to support development and other U.S. objectives. U.S. policymakers have emphasized different strategic interests in the region at different times, from combating Soviet influence during the Cold War to promoting democracy and open markets, as well as countering illicit narcotics, since the 1990s. In recent years, top U.S. funding priorities for foreign assistance in the region have included addressing the underlying drivers of migration from Central America, combatting drug production and supporting peace accord implementation in Colombia, and strengthening security and the rule of law in Mexico. U.S. agencies also have dedicated significant resources to combatting HIV/AIDS and fostering long-term stability in Haiti, addressing security concerns in the Caribbean, and responding to the political and humanitarian crises in Venezuela and their effects on the broader region. Since 2020, U.S. policymakers have sought to readjust U.S. assistance efforts to respond to the effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.
2022-03-31
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Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [March 31, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) program. The Navy has been procuring Virginia-class SSNs since FY1998, and a total of 34 have been procured through FY2021. Since FY2011, Virginia-class boats have been procured at a rate of two per year. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requested the procurement of the 35th and 36th Virginia-class boats. A key issue for Congress concerns the SSN force-level goal and procurement rate. Decisions that Congress makes on this issue could substantially affect U.S. Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-03-31
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CBP Needs Improved Oversight for Its Centers of Excellence and Expertise
From the Highlights: "U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has not established performance standards for the Centers of Excellence and Expertise (Centers) in accordance with the 'Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015' (TFTEA). This absence of performance standards made it difficult to determine to what extent establishing the Centers improved the assessment, collection, and protection of trade revenue. However, we identified several areas in which CBP could improve its compliance with the TFTEA, its procedural guidance for the Centers, and the reliability of trade import and enforcement data in its information systems. Without established performance standards, CBP cannot determine whether the Centers are achieving established goals, operating as intended, collecting and protecting trade revenue owed, or meeting their legislated mission as set forth in the TFTEA. CBP management also cannot make informed decisions about the Centers' operations and activities related to collecting trade revenues. Finally, without performance standards and adequate guidance on procedures, there is heightened risk of importers illicitly attempting to avoid paying duties and fees and circumventing trade practices, defrauding the Federal Government, and undermining lawful business."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2022-03-31
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China Primer: Hong Kong [March 31, 2022]
From the Document: "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR, or Hong Kong) is a semi-autonomous city located off the southern coast of Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China (PRC or China). The city was established as a British colony in 1841, and administered by the British government until 1997, when it was formally returned to PRC jurisdiction. More than 90% of Hong Kong's population is ethnically Chinese. The first language of the vast majority is Cantonese (a variety of Chinese different from the Standard Mandarin recognized as the national language by PRC law). English is also widely spoken and used in commercial and legal settings."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Barrios, Ricardo; Sutherland, Michael D.
2022-03-31
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Russian Military Actions at Ukraine's Nuclear Power Plants [Updated March 31, 2022]
From the Document: "Russian military forces have seized two of Ukraine's nuclear power plants as part of the invasion that began on February 24, 2022. The four-unit Chernobyl nuclear plant, whose last operating reactor permanently closed in 2000, was occupied on the first day of the invasion. Russian forces then attacked and captured the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, with six operational reactors, on March 4, 2022. Shelling caused damage [hyperlink] and loss of power to the building housing the Kharkiv subcritical research reactor, which was shut down. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has assessed [hyperlink] that the 'physical integrity of facilities, the ability of operational staff to work without undue pressure, and the access to off-site power … have been seriously compromised.' Congress may wish to consider what actions the U.S. government could take to support international efforts to secure the safety and security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Holt, Mark; Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham
2022-03-31
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H. Rept. 117-285: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 3617) to Decriminalize and Deschedule Cannabis, to Provide for Reinvestment in Certain Persons Adversely Impacted by the War on Drugs, to Provide for Expungement of Certain Cannabis Offenses, and for Other Purposes; Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 6833) to Amend Title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to Establish Requirements with Respect to Cost-Sharing for Certain Insulin Products, and for Other Purposes; and for Other Purposes, Report to Accompany H. Res. 1017, March 31, 2022
From the Document: "The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3617, the MORE [Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement] Act, under a structured rule. The resolution provides one hour of general debate on the bill equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their designees. The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The resolution provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 117-37, modified by the amendment printed in part A of this report, shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The resolution waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended. The resolution makes in order only those further amendments to H.R. 3617 printed in Part B of this report. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in this report, may be offered only by a Member designated in this report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in this report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question. The resolution waives all points of order against the amendments printed in part B of this report. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 6833, the Affordable Insulin Now Act, under a closed rule."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-03-31
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Skills Gaps: A Review of Underlying Concepts and Evidence [March 31, 2022]
From this Document: "This report is a response to congressional requests for the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to identify, synthesize, and explain the core components of the skills gap discourse and, to the extent possible, explore and clarify evidence on the existence of skills gaps. The report acknowledges that the skills gap label is often applied to several different circumstances and conditions and explores the varied meanings associated with the term. The report also attempts to shed light on the nature and existence of varied types of skills misalignments and explores their potential policy implications. It opens with operational definitions for three terms--'skills mismatch,' 'skills gaps,' and 'skill shortages'--to help clarify some of the key underlying issues and concepts that are prevalent in the skills gap discourse, and provides a framework for discussing them more precisely. It then offers an overview of the various issues and explanations that commonly surface in the skills gap debate. The next section of the report examines commonly cited evidence of skills mismatches, gaps, and shortages, noting the strengths and limitations of key sources. Although the section notes the likelihood of mismatches, gaps, and shortages in some instances and comments on some expectations for future trends, it does not attempt to draw firm conclusions from the reviewed sources about their presence in the current economy. The report then examines potential employer responses to skills misalignments, and closes with a discussion of federal policies designed to deal with existing or potential misalignments between the skills sought by employers and those possessed by workers. This discussion devotes attention to policy approaches focused on investing in skills as well as other approaches toward addressing misalignments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Donovan, Sarah A.; Stoll, Adam; Bradley, David H. . . .
2022-03-31
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Audit of U.S. Africa Command's Execution of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Funding
From the Objective: "The objective of this audit was to determine whether U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and U.S. Southern Command officials used Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to support the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic response and operations in accordance with Federal laws and DoD policies. This report focused on USAFRICOM's execution of CARES Act funding."
United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Inspector General
2022-03-31
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Fact Sheet: DHS Efforts to Assist Ukrainian Nationals
From the Document: "Following Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is providing support and humanitarian relief to Ukrainian nationals in need both in the United States and abroad. To protect Ukrainians residing in the U.S., the Secretary of Homeland Security designated Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. This will allow Ukrainians here since March 1, 2022 to stay and apply for employment authorization in the U.S. To provide pathways to the United States for Ukrainians seeking refuge, DHS is working to expand current legal pathways and develop new programs in support of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to displaced Ukrainians. We are coordinating our efforts closely with our European allies and partners who are on the frontlines of this humanitarian crisis." This fact sheet covers legal pathways for eligible Ukrainians, TPS, asylum, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, humanitarian parole, and special situations and expedited processing.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2022-03-31?
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Owning the Conversation: Assessing Responses to Russian and Chinese Information Operations Around COVID-19
From the Introduction: "The crisis around COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] and the resulting 'infodemic' has been exploited by authoritarian regimes to spread propaganda and disinformation among populations around the world. The Russian Federation and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have used the pandemic to engage in information warfare, spread divisive content, advance conspiracy theories, and promote public health propaganda that undermines US and European efforts to fight the pandemic. In 2021, the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) published two reports, Information Bedlam: Russian and Chinese Information Operations During COVID-19 and Jabbed in the Back: Mapping Russian and Chinese Information Operations During COVID-19, comparing how the Kremlin and CCP have deployed information operations around the COVID-19 pandemic, virus origins, and efficacy of the vaccines to influence targeted populations globally, using the infodemic as a diplomatic and geopolitical weapon. The CCP mainly spread COVID-19 narratives to shape perceptions about the origins of the coronavirus and often push narratives to shun responsibility."
Center for European Policy Analysis
Zakem, Vera; Lucas, Edward, 1962-; Lamond, James
2022-03-31?
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Russia's 2022 Invasion of Ukraine: Related CRS Products [March 30, 2022]
From the Document: "On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, with wide-ranging implications for U.S. national security and an array of global geopolitical and economic issues. This report compiles CRS [Congressional Research Service] products on various aspects of this conflict and will be updated regularly as new products are developed. It also includes some products published before the invasion that offer relevant background and context. To contact specific CRS experts, congressional staff may see the author information on each of the products below or consult CRS Report R47036, 'Russia's Invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and Related Policy Issues: CRS Experts', coordinated by Julie Kim."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Danon, Zoe; Blum, David A.
2022-03-30
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Build Back Better Act (BBBA) Health Coverage Provisions: House-Passed and Senate-Released Language [March 30, 2022]
From the Summary: "This report provides information about House-passed and Senate-released Build Back Better Act (BBBA) provisions related to private health insurance, Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare. The BBBA, considered under the congressional reconciliation process, addresses numerous issues, such as taxes, child care, health care, education, the environment, and immigration, among others. [...] This report contains seven tables that together provide high-level comparisons of relevant House-passed and Senate-released provisions. The summary of the House-passed language is baselined against current law, and the summary of the Senate-released language is compared with the House-passed language."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Forsberg, Vanessa C.; Rosso, Ryan J.
2022-03-30
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U.S.-Japan Relations [Updated March 30, 2022]
From the Overview: "Japan, a U.S. treaty ally since 1951, is a significant partner of the United States in several foreign policy areas, particularly security and trade. Shared security goals range from meeting the challenge of an increasingly powerful China to countering threats from North Korea. The U.S.-Japan mutual defense treaty grants the United States the right to base U.S. troops--currently numbering around 54,000--and other military assets on Japanese territory in return for a U.S. pledge to protect Japan's security. The two countries collaborate through bilateral and multilateral institutions on issues such as science and technology, global health, energy, and agriculture. Japan is the fourth-largest overall U.S. trading partner and largest source of foreign direct investment into the United States, and its investors are the largest foreign holders of U.S. Treasury securities. The Biden Administration has emphasized the importance of restoring U.S. alliances in Asia. Former Japan Prime Minister Suga was the first in-person visitor to the White House, signaling the importance of allied cooperation. Further reinforcing Japan's central role in the U.S. approach to the Indo-Pacific, the Biden Administration has boosted the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue--or 'Quad'--convening the first-ever (virtual) leader-level meeting with Japan, Australia, and India."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Manyin, Mark E.; Williams, Brock R. . . .
2022-03-30
