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Arms Control and Nonproliferation: A Catalog of Treaties and Agreements [Updated March 11, 2021]

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From the Introduction: "This report provides an overview of many of the key arms control and nonproliferation agreements and endeavors of the past 40 years. It is divided into three sections. The first describes arms control efforts between the United States and the states of the former Soviet Union, covering both formal, bilateral treaties, and the cooperative threat reduction process. The second section describes multilateral nuclear nonproliferation efforts, covering both formal treaties and less formal accommodations that have been initiated in recent years. The final section reviews treaties and agreements that address chemical, biological, and conventional weapons. The report concludes with several appendices. These provide a list of treaties and agreements that the United States is a party to, a description of the treaty ratification process, and a list of the bilateral and international organizations tasked with implementation of arms control efforts."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Woolf, Amy F.; Kerr, Paul K.; Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham

2021-03-11
Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 11, 2021]

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From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program--the Coast Guard's program for acquiring new PSCs (i.e., heavy polar icebreakers). The PSC program has received a total of $1,169.6 million (i.e., about $1.2 billion) in procurement funding through FY2020, including $135 million in FY2020, which was $100 million more than the $35 million that the Coast Guard had requested for FY2020. With the funding it has received through FY2020, the first PSC is now fully funded and the second PSC has received initial funding. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2021 budget requests $555 million in procurement funding for the PSC program. It also proposes a rescission of $70 million in FY2020 funding that Congress had provided for the procurement of long lead time materials (LLTM) for a 12th National Security Cutter (NSC), with the intent of reprogramming that funding to the PSC program. The Coast Guard states that its proposed FY2021 budget, if approved by Congress, would fully fund the second PSC. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Administration's FY2021 procurement funding request for the PSC program and the proposed rescission of FY2020 NSC funding, and, more generally, whether to approve, reject, or modify the Coast Guard's overall plan for procuring new polar icebreakers."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

O'Rourke, Ronald

2021-03-11
Defense Primer: Military Service Academies [March 11, 2021]

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From the Overview: "The U.S. military service academies are tuition-free, four-year degree-granting institutions operated by the military departments. The academies are a major officer commissioning source, along with the Reserve Officer Training Corps and Officer Candidate School. The military service academies include the: [1] U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, New York, under the Department of the Army; [2] U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, Maryland, under the Department of the Navy (Navy and Marine Corps); and [3] U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, Colorado, under the Department of the Air Force (Air Force and Space Force). There are two other federal service academies, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, in New London, Connecticut, under the Department of Homeland Security; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York, under the Department of Transportation. While graduates of these service academies may also receive an officer commission upon graduation, they differ from the military service academies in many respects (e.g., statutory authorities, application and acceptance processes)."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Kamarck, Kristy N.; Kaileh, Hibbah

2021-03-11
Policing Reform Legislation: Conditions on Funding and New Grant Authorizations [Updated March 11, 2021]

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From the Summary: "The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN, while he was in the custody of law enforcement, combined with several other recent high-profile deaths of African Americans at the hands of the police, have generated congressional interest in legislation to reform state and local policing practices, and to require law enforcement agencies to collect more data on law enforcement actions and activities and share these data with the public. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 (H.R. [House Report] 7120, 116th Congress) was introduced and passed by the House in June 2020, but it was not taken up by the Senate. The legislation has been reintroduced in the current Congress as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 (JIPA, H.R. 1280). The House passed JIPA on March 3, 2021. The legislation is an omnibus measure that would address a variety of policing reform topics and approaches. These include attempting to reform state and local policing practices through two means: placing conditions on existing Department of Justice (DOJ) grant programs, such as the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) or Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs; and authorizing new grant programs."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

James, Nathan

2021-03-11
Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) and Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) Programs [Updated March 11, 2021]

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From the Summary: "The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides cash benefits to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers; firefighters; employees of emergency management agencies; and members of emergency medical services agencies who are killed or permanently and totally disabled as the result of personal injuries sustained in the line of duty. The Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program, a component of the PSOB program, provides higher-education assistance to the children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The PSOB and PSOEA programs are administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). Claimants dissatisfied with denials of benefits may pursue administrative appeals within DOJ and may seek judicial review before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Szymendera, Scott

2021-03-11
U.S. Aluminum Manufacturing: National Security and Tariffs [March 11, 2021]

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From the Document: "Aluminum--a lightweight, ductile, malleable, and corrosion-resistant metal--is increasingly used in many industrial and technological applications, including in products used for national defense and lower emission vehicles. In Congress, views on the aluminum industry generally diverge between those who support policies to increase domestic production for national security and economic reasons and others who argue that such policies may raise aluminum prices and harm aluminum-consuming sectors (e.g., transportation equipment, containers and packaging, and construction)."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Fefer, Rachel F.

2021-03-11
U.S. Public Health Service: COVID-19 Supplemental Appropriations in the 116th Congress [March 11, 2021]

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From the Introduction: "This report summarizes coronavirus supplemental funding for the public health service agencies and to the PHSSEF [ Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund] in the 116th Congress. It also includes resources for tracking spending. Funding has been provided across five supplemental appropriations measures: [1] 'First Measure:' Division A of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. [public law] 116-123), enacted on March 6, 2020. [2] 'Second Measure:' Division A of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA, P.L. 116-127), enacted on March 18, 2020. [3] 'Third Measure:' Division B of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, P.L. 116-136), enacted on March 27, 2020. [4] 'Fourth Measure:' Division B, of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PPPHCEA, P.L. 116-139), enacted on April 24, 2020. [5] 'Fifth Measure:' Division M of Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116- 260), enacted on December 27, 2020. This report provides an overview of each of the PHS [U.S. Public Health Service] agencies, as well as the PHSSEF."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Sekar, Kavya; Bodie, Agata; Cornell, Ada S. . . .

2021-03-11
Potential Risks Associated with Expedited Hiring in Response to COVID-19

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From the Document: "The OIG [Office of Inspector General] recognizes the tremendous pressure VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] faced in meeting the unprecedented and significant challenges posed by the pandemic, which required swift hiring and reallocation of staff. In any such actions to expedite hiring processes, there are inevitable tensions with ensuring security and quality measures are attained. The purpose of this management advisory memorandum is to identify potential risks involved in the expedited hiring process. Although VHA [Veterans Health Administration] may be aware of some or all of these concerns, this memorandum shares the OIG's observations made during its review to help VHA determine if additional actions are appropriate."

United States. Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Inspector General

Steele, Shawn; Albee, Andrew; Derick, Michael . . .

2021-03-11
Review of Veterans Health Administration's Virtual Primary Care Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

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From the Executive Summary: "The VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a review to assess the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) virtual primary care response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, as well as the use of virtual care by primary care providers and their perceptions of VA Video Connect (VVC) between February 7 and June 16, 2020. [...] To review VHA's COVID-19 response as it related to the provision of outpatient care, the OIG focused on the use of virtual modalities in primary care, including primary care providers' use and perceptions of VVC. The OIG reviewed primary care encounter data, conducted interviews with VHA leaders, and distributed a questionnaire to primary care providers at selected sites to collect information and perceptions related to the use of virtual care modalities."

United States. Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Inspector General

2021-03-11
Public Law 117-2: American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

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From the Document: "An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 5." This act details funding and appropriations aimed at addressing the economic impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.

United States. Government Publishing Office

2021-03-11
COVID-19 Variants: Vaccines, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics [March 11, 2021]

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From the Introduction: "As SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], the virus that causes COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], has spread widely over time, a number of new variants have been identified globally. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 'a new virus variant has one or more mutations that differentiate it from the wild-type or predominant virus variants already circulating among the general population.' [...] Although they may occur in any part of the viral genome, changes in the genetic code for the virus part (known as the 'spike protein') that locks onto the host cell, have been noted in the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. These changes appear to strengthen viral attachment to the host cell, which can result in more efficient viral transmission (increased infectiousness). This type of change does not have to correlate with a change in the clinical severity of infection (virulence), although it may. [...] Given these concerns, Congress, in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319), appropriated $1.75 billion to CDC specifically for SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing and surveillance; other funding in the bill, such as for data modernization and forecasting, may also aid with variant tracking, as well as with coordination of such efforts at the federal level. CDC has also used appropriations from several prior coronavirus supplemental appropriations acts to expand such efforts. H.R. 1319 further provided funding to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to support, among other things, the continued evaluation of COVID-19 countermeasures, including with respect to emerging variants."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Sarata, Amanda K.; Bodie, Agata; Sekar, Kavya

2021-03-11
Pandemics, Payments, and (Digital) Property [March 10, 2021]

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From the Document: "Many people have heard the phrase 'cash is king,' but is that still true [hyperlink]? Even in today's digital world, cash is still an important tool for retail transactions among many consumers, and some still rely on it. But today, electronic payments are the primary mechanism for consumers to use money. Electronic payments are an old concept. For 60 years, Americans have been using cards that, when swiped, send a signal electronically to financial institutions to make a transfer of funds from the purchaser to the seller. Congress first passed the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (P.L. [Public Law] 95-630) in 1978 to regulate debit card transactions. Today, debit cards are the most common tool for consumer retail payments. But new forms of electronic payment have emerged for consumers ranging from prepaid cards to digital wallets to cryptocurrencies [hyperlink] and other forms of digital assets [hyperlink]. One of the byproducts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic is an economic environment that encourages electronic payments. Perhaps not coincidentally, the universe of electronic payment options has increased substantially, with a few new types of tools gaining prominence in the past year. This Insight looks at how the pandemic has impacted consumer payments and how some of these trends are altering the way consumers pay for goods and services. Additionally, it considers how a prolonged pandemic economy may contribute to a new level of comfort among consumers seeking to use innovative payment options and how this may impact the future payments landscape."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Scott, Andrew P.

2021-03-10
Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Workers' Compensation for Federal Employees [Updated March 10, 2021]

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From the Summary: "The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) is the workers' compensation program for federal employees. Like all workers' compensation programs, FECA pays disability, survivors, and medical benefits, without regard to who was at fault, to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their federal employment and to the survivors of employees killed on the job. The FECA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the costs of benefits are paid by each employee's host agency. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees currently comprise the largest group of FECA beneficiaries and are responsible for the largest share of FECA benefits."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Szymendera, Scott

2021-03-10
Full Steam Ahead for Rail: Why Rail is More Relevant Than Ever for Economic and Environmental Progress [video]

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This March 10, 2021 hearing on "Full Steam Ahead for Rail: Why Rail is More Relevant Than Ever for Economic and Environmental Progress" before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure explores the importance of rail to the United States economy and as a way to mitigate climate change. Witnesses include: Shannon Valentine, Caren L. Kraska, Gregory R. Regan, and Thomas Gregory Williams. The length of the video is 2:34:15.

United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

2021-03-10
Child Care Relief Funding in the American Relief Plan: State-By-State Estimates

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From the Document: "For decades, our country has had a child care crisis fraught with inequitable access for communities of color, unaffordable care for far too many families, poverty-level wages for early educators, and razor-thin margins for providers. This long-term crisis has been exacerbated by the devastating, inequitable impacts of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. And it has pushed the child care and early learning sector to the brink of collapse. Now, thanks to passage of the 'American Rescue Plan Act of 2021' [hyperlink], the child care sector will receive a total of more than $50 billion in direct relief funding. This bill, based on President Biden's bold 'American Rescue Plan' [hyperlink], provides $39 billion in desperately needed child care relief funding. This builds on critical down payments on relief from the 'Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act' [hyperlink] and the 'Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021' [hyperlink] to finally deliver on the promise of at least $50 billion in total to support the children, families, and early educators who rely on and support the child care and early learning industry. [...] In the table below, CLASP [Center for Law and Social Policy] estimates the child care relief funding each state, D.C., and Puerto Rico will receive. This investment can't come soon enough for families and providers who have been waiting nearly a year for the relief they need. This funding will allow providers to reopen safely and begin recovering from the unprecedented impacts of a global health crisis that has forced far too many to significantly cut staff, take on extensive personal or businesses debt, dip into personal savings, or permanently close."

Center for Law and Social Policy

Hardy, Alycia; Robbins, Katherine Gallagher

2021-03-10
Electricity Grid Resilience: Climate Change is Expected to Have Far-Reaching Effects and DOE and FERC Should Take Actions, Statement of Frank Rusco, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Testimony Before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate

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From the Document: "According to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, changes in the earth's climate are under way and expected to increase, posing risks to the electricity grid that may affect the nation's economic and national security. Annual costs of weather-related power outages total billions of dollars and may increase with climate change, although resilience investments could help address potential effects, according to the research program. Private companies own most of the electricity grid, but the federal government plays a significant role in promoting grid resilience--the ability to adapt to changing conditions; withstand potentially disruptive events; and, if disrupted, to rapidly recover. DOE [Department of Energy], the lead agency for grid resilience efforts, conducts research and provides information and technical assistance to industry. FERC [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] reviews mandatory grid reliability standards. This testimony summarizes GAO's [Government Accountability Office] report on grid resilience to climate change. Specifically, the testimony discusses (1) potential climate change effects on the electricity grid; and (2) actions DOE and FERC have taken since 2014 to enhance electricity grid resilience to climate change effects, and additional actions these agencies could take. GAO reviewed reports and interviewed agency officials and 55 relevant stakeholders."

United States. Government Accountability Office

Rusco, Frank

2021-03-10
Davis-Bacon Act: Army Corps of Engineers Provides Guidance on Wage Requirements, but Opportunities Exist to Improve Monitoring

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From the Document: "The Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (the Act), requires contractors working on certain federally funded construction projects to pay their workers at least locally prevailing wages, as determined by the Department of Labor (DOL) for various job categories. The Act was enacted, in part, to protect workers from contractors hiring lower-wage workers from outside their local area, thus obtaining federal construction contracts by underbidding competitors who pay local wage rates. Each federal agency that contracts for construction work covered by the Act is primarily responsible for enforcing the Act's requirements."

United States. Government Accountability Office

2021-03-10
MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 10, 2021: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Incidence by Age, Sex, and Period Among Persons Aged <25 Years -- 16 U.S. Jurisdictions, January 1-December 31, 2020

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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: "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Incidence by Age, Sex, and Period Among Persons Aged

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

2021-03-10
Venezuela: Political Crisis and U.S. Policy [Updated March 10, 2021]

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From the Document: "Venezuela remains in a deep crisis under the authoritarian rule of Nicolás Maduro of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). Maduro, narrowly elected in 2013 after the death of populist President Hugo Chávez (1999-2013), began a second term in January 2019that is widely considered illegitimate. Despite U.S. and international pressure on him to leave office and a worsening economic and humanitarian crisis, Maduro remains firmly in power. His party now controls a de facto National Assembly seated on January 5, 2021. Since January 2019, the United States has recognized Juan Guaidó, president of the democratically elected, opposition-controlled National Assembly elected in December 2015, as interim president. Guaidó, once recognized as Venezuela's leader by more than 55 countries, has been losing international and Venezuelan domestic support. Although the Biden Administration and many in Congress support Guaidó, some are calling for a new strategy for Venezuela."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Seelke, Clare Ribando

2021-03-10
Private Industry Notification: Malicious Actors Almost Certainly Will Leverage Synthetic Content for Cyber and Foreign Influence Operations

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From the Summary: "Malicious actors almost certainly will leverage synthetic content for cyber and foreign influence operations in the next 12-18 months. Foreign actors are currently using synthetic content in their influence campaigns, and the FBI anticipates it will be increasingly used by foreign and criminal cyber actors for spearphishing and social engineering in an evolution of cyber operational tradecraft."

United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation

2021-03-10
Antarctica: Overview of Geopolitical and Environmental Issues [March 10, 2021]

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From the Introduction: "Geopolitical and environmental developments are increasing international focus on Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. The interdisciplinary nature of various stakeholders concerned with Antarctica--including scientists, diplomats, defense personnel, members of the media, academics, and others in both domestic and international contexts--makes for a complex dynamic. Some of these stakeholders contend that current developments could have environmental, political, economic, and security implications for the United States and the rest of the world. [...] Geopolitical, climate, and natural resource concerns in Antarctica might stimulate Congress to explore a number of questions related to the region, including what role Antarctica may play in the changing global order and its potential to contribute to sea-level rise."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Sheikh, Pervaze A.; Procita, Kezee; Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-

2021-03-10
Global Economic Effects of COVID-19 [Updated March 10, 2021]

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From the Document: "In the months since the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] outbreak was first diagnosed, it has spread to over 200 countries and all U.S. states. The pandemic has negatively affected global economic growth beyond anything experienced in nearly a century. Estimates so far indicate the virus reduced global economic growth to an annualized rate of -4.5% to -6.0% in 2020, with a partial recovery of 2.5% to 5.2% projected for 2021. [...] The full economic impact of the pandemic likely will remain unclear until the negative health effects peak. This report provides an overview of the global economic costs to date and the response by governments and international institutions to address these effects."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Jackson, James K., 1949-; Nelson, Rebecca M.; Weiss, Martin A. . . .

2021-03-10
Firearms Eligibility: Stalking- and Domestic Violence-Related Provisions in H.R. 1620 [March 10, 2021]

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From the Document: "The 117th Congress is considering the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (H.R. 1620). This bill includes several provisions that seek to reduce firearms-related intimate partner violence (homicides and injury) by amending federal law to prohibit persons convicted of misdemeanor stalking crimes from receiving or possessing a firearm or ammunition, as well as revising related provisions governing domestic violence protection orders and amending a definition of 'intimate partner' under current law. This bill also includes other provisions related to leveraging state, local, tribal, and territorial resources to increase federal investigation and prosecution of firearms-related eligibility offenses related to domestic violence and stalking. The House passed a bill with identical provisions in the 116th Congress (H.R. 1585)."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Krouse, William J.

2021-03-10
Application of Internal Revenue Code Section 280E to Marijuana Businesses: Selected Legal Issues [March 10, 2021]

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From the Summary: "The marijuana industry has grown as an increasing number of states have relaxed state law prohibitions on the use of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes. Under federal law, marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), meaning that the production, distribution, and possession of marijuana remains illegal, except in the narrow context of federally approved research studies. Regardless of marijuana's status under federal or state law, marijuana businesses are subject to the federal income tax. The Schedule I status of marijuana means that marijuana businesses are treated differently from many other businesses for tax purposes. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 280E (Section 280E) denies deductions and credits for amounts paid or incurred in carrying on the trade or business of trafficking controlled substances (within the meaning of Schedules I and II of the CSA) in violation of federal or state law. Consistent with marijuana's classification as a Schedule I controlled substance, Section 280E disallows taxpayers from taking tax deductions and claiming tax credits attributable to marijuana businesses. [...] Recent legislative proposals aim to relax federal restrictions on marijuana or to mitigate the disparity between federal and state marijuana regulation. Many of these proposals would alter the tax treatment of marijuana businesses by re-scheduling or descheduling marijuana under the CSA or by making marijuana-specific exceptions. Under these proposals, Section 280E would no longer prohibit marijuana businesses from taking deductions and credits."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Ball, Milan N.

2021-03-10
Libya and U.S. Policy [Updated March 10, 2021]

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From the Document: "Ten years after a 2011 uprising toppled longtime authoritarian leader Muammar al Qadhafi, Libya has yet to make a transition to stable governing arrangements. Militias, local leaders, and coalitions of national figures backed by competing foreign patrons have remained the most powerful arbiters of public affairs. [...] The U.N. Security Council has authorized financial and travel sanctions on those responsible for threatening 'the peace, stability or security of Libya,' obstructing or undermining 'the successful completion of its political transition,' or supporting others who do so. In parallel to these U.N. measures, U.S. executive orders provide for U.S. sanctions on those threatening peace in Libya. Congress has conditionally appropriated funding for transition support, stabilization, security assistance, and humanitarian programs for Libya since 2011. In the 117th Congress, companion legislation introduced in the House of Representatives and Senate (H.R. 1228 and S. 379), would authorize future U.S. assistance, provide a legislative basis for U.S. sanctions, and establish new reporting requirements. Congress allocated not less than $30 million in FY2021 aid for 'stabilization assistance for Libya, including support for a United Nations-facilitated political process and border security' under P.L. [Public Law] 116-260."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Blanchard, Christopher M.

2021-03-10
Potential State Impacts of a Pause on Federal Onshore Oil and Natural Gas Leases [March 10, 2021]

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From the Document: "On January 27, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order (E.O.) 14008, 'Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad'. Among other actions, this E.O. instructs the Secretary of the Interior (SOI) to 'pause new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or in offshore waters pending completion of a comprehensive review and reconsideration of Federal oil and gas permitting and leasing practices.' This E.O. was preceded by Secretarial Order (S.O.) 3395, issued by the Department of the Interior on January 20, 2021. The S.O. suspends certain delegated authorities to bureaus and offices for 60 days, including the authority to issue an authorization, including 'a lease, amendment to a lease, affirmative extension of a lease, contract, or other agreement, or permit to drill'; the authority to authorize such actions is retained in a number of indicated positions."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Tracy, Brandon S., 1973-

2021-03-10
COVID-19: Selected Financial and Social Service Resources for Older Americans [Updated March 10, 2021]

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From the Document: "This Insight provides links to selected financial and social service resources for older Americans who may have suffered economic distress due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Breslauer, Tamar B.; Napili, Angela; Overbay, Abigail R.

2021-03-10
How to Prevent Cyberbullying: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Youth

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From the Document: "Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS [Short Message Service], Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior. [...] With the prevalence of social media and digital forums, comments, photos, posts, and content shared by individuals can often be viewed by strangers as well as acquaintances. The content an individual shares online - both their personal content as well as any negative, mean, or hurtful content - creates a kind of permanent public record of their views, activities, and behavior. This public record can be thought of as an online reputation, which may be accessible to schools, employers, colleges, clubs, and others who may be researching an individual now or in the future. Cyberbullying can harm the online reputations of everyone involved - not just the person being bullied, but those doing the bullying or participating in it."

United States. Department of Health and Human Services

2021-03-10
Letter from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to Senior Pentagon Leadership, Commanders of the Combatant Commands, Defense Agency and DOD Field Activity Directors Regarding Establishment of the Climate Working Group, March 9, 2021

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From the Letter: "On Jan 27, 2021, the President of the United States issued Executive Order (EO) 14008 establishing the administration policy that climate considerations shall be an essential element of United States foreign policy and national security. I fully support the President's direction. Climate change presents a growing threat to U.S. national security interests and defense objectives. The changing climate is altering the global security and operating environments, impacting our missions, plans, and installations. As I stated when the EO was issued, the Department will act immediately to include the security implications of climate change in our risk analyses, strategy development, and planning guidance. We will incorporate climate risk analysis into all of our work from installation planning: to modeling, simulation, and war gaming: to the National Defense Strategy and all other relevant strategy, planning, and programming documents and processes including those supporting decision making in the Military Departments."

United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Secretary of Defense

2021-03-09
Malgorithm: How Instagram's Algorithm Publishes Misinformation and Hate to Millions During a Pandemic

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From the Introduction: "When it launched in 2010, Instagram - the social media giant acquired by Facebook in 2012 - was a pitched as a simple and fun app for sharing photos with friends and family. Since then, it has become a networked behemoth profiting from the promotion of dangerous misinformation and conspiracy theories. Malgorithm, the latest report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate, shows how the Instagram algorithm has been actively pushing radicalising, extremist misinformation to users. Users are being encouraged to view radical material, and then, once hooked, cross-fertilized with content from other limbs of the radical worldview. If a user follows anti-vaxxers, they are fed QAnon conspiracism and antisemitic hate; if they engage with conspiracies, they are fed electoral and anti-vaxx misinformation. This is a purposeful tactic. Social media companies constantly seek to maximize user engagement. Quite simply, more user time on Instagram means more ad revenue."

Center for Countering Digital Hate

2021-03-09

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