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Election Security: States' Spending of FY2018 and FY2020 HAVA Payments [Updated July 8, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress has provided funding in response to efforts to interfere with U.S. elections. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. [Public Law] 115-141) included $380 million for payments to the 50 states, the District of Columbia (DC), American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands under the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA; 52 U.S.C. §§20901-21145), for example, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-93) and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-103) provided $425 million and $75 million, respectively, for HAVA payments to those jurisdictions and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shanton, Karen L.
2022-07-08
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Elections Grant Programs: Policy Options [Updated July 8, 2022]
From the Document: "Recent congressional activity on elections issues has often taken the form of grant programs or funding. Congress responded to foreign interference in the 2016 elections and the effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on administration of the 2020 elections, in part, with funding for a grant program established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA; P.L. [Public Law] 107-252). Multiple bills introduced in the 117th Congress--from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-103) to the Freedom to Vote Act (S. 2747) to the Protecting the Right to Organized, Transparent Elections through a Constitutionally Trustworthy Electoral College (PROTECT Electoral College) Act (H.R. 4789/S. 519)--have funded or would authorize, fund, or set conditions for elections grant programs. This In Focus explores some issues that may be of interest to Members who are considering offering, supporting, opposing, or amending proposals to authorize, fund, or set conditions for elections grant programs. It starts by summarizing some general arguments for and against federal elections grant programs then introduces some considerations that might be relevant for development or evaluation of particular programs or proposals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shanton, Karen L.
2022-07-08
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Countering Violent Extremism: Actions Needed to Define Strategy and Assess Progress of Federal Efforts, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Violent extremism--generally defined as ideologically, religious, or politically-motivated acts of violence--has been perpetrated in the United States by white supremacists, anti-government groups, and radical Islamist entities, among others. In 2011, the U.S. government developed a national strategy and SIP [Strategic Implementation Plan] for CVE [countering violent extremism] aimed at providing information and resources to communities. In 2016, an interagency CVE Task Force led by DHS and DOJ [U.S. Department of Justice] was created to coordinate CVE efforts. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review domestic federal CVE efforts. This report addresses the extent to which (1) DHS, DOJ, and other key stakeholders tasked with CVE in the United States have implemented the 2011 SIP and (2) the federal government has developed a strategy to implement CVE activities, and the CVE Task Force has assessed progress. GAO assessed the status of activities in the 2011 SIP; interviewed officials from agencies leading CVE efforts and a non-generalizable group of community-based entities selected from cities with CVE frameworks; and compared Task Force activities to selected best practices for multi- agency efforts. [...] GAO recommends that DHS and DOJ direct the CVE Task Force to (1) develop a cohesive strategy with measurable outcomes and (2) establish a process to assess the overall progress of CVE efforts. DHS and DOJ concurred with both recommendations and DHS described the CVE Task Force's planned actions for implementation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-04-06
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Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Subcommittee Interim Report and Recommendations, June 2016
From the Preface: "In November 2015, Jeh C. Johnson, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (the Department), directed the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC), to establish a subcommittee (Subcommittee) that is focused on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). The Subcommittee was stood up to act as an incubator of ideas for the new Office for Community Partnerships (DHS/OCP), and has worked to leverage outside expertise and new thinking to support and enhance as well as assist in reframing and re-envisioning, where necessary the Department's CVE efforts. [...] This report focuses on the spread of violent extremist ideology and the recruitment of American youth to extremist groups, and how the Department can be a platform and and engine to leverage partnerships in the technology, health, education, communications, cultural, philanthropic, financial, and non-government sectors to counter such recruitment. While recognizing previous efforts - from those of the Spring 2010 Countering Violent Extremism Working Group to the more-recent Foreign Fighter Task Force - this report seeks to focus on discrete areas, separate and distinct than those undertaken in other efforts."
United States. Department of Homeland Security; President's Homeland Security Advisory Council (U.S.)
2016-06
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Federal Mandatory Minimum Sentences: The Safety Valve and Substantial Assistance Exceptions [Updated July 5, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The United States Code houses hundreds of offenses punishable by a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment. Although only a handful of these mandatory minimum offenses are prosecuted with any regularity, drug trafficking offenses accounted for over three-quarters of the total. Congress has created three procedures that make punishment for these offenses a little less mandatory. One, the so-called safety valve (18 U.S.C. § 3553(f)), permits a sentencing court to disregard a statutory minimum sentence for the benefit of a low-level, nonviolent, cooperative defendant with a minimal prior criminal record, convicted under several mandatory minimum controlled substance offenses. The other two, 18 U.S.C. § 3553(e) and Rule 35(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, afford a sentencing court comparable latitude but only on the motion of the prosecutor, based on the defendant's substantial assistance to the government, and without regard to the offense charged."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Doyle, Charles
2022-07-05
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Federal Agency Rule Expands Asylum Officers' Authority [July 13, 2022]
From the Document: "Under a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) interim final rule (IFR) issued in March 2022, asylum officers (AOs) within DHS's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may determine whether non-U.S. nationals ('aliens' under governing law) encountered at the border who show a credible fear of persecution or torture ('credible fear') are entitled to asylum and related protections. 'See' Procedures for Credible Fear Screening and Consideration of Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and CAT Protection Claims by Asylum Officers, 87 Fed. Reg. 18,078 (Mar. 29, 2022). The IFR, which shall be implemented in a phased manner, departs from prior regulations that strictly authorized immigration judges (IJs) within DOJ's Executive Office for Immigration Review to adjudicate those asylum claims. This In Focus provides an overview of the IFR."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Hillel R.
2022-07-13
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Israel: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated July 1, 2022]
From the Summary: "Since Israel's founding in 1948, successive U.S. Presidents and many Members of Congress have demonstrated a commitment to Israel's security and to close U.S.-Israel cooperation. Strong bilateral ties influence U.S. policy in the Middle East, and Congress provides active oversight of the executive branch's actions. Israel is a leading recipient of U.S. foreign aid and a frequent purchaser of major U.S. weapons systems. The two countries signed a free trade agreement in 1985, and the United States is Israel's largest trading partner. Legislation in Congress frequently includes proposals to strengthen U.S.-Israel cooperation. Israel has a robust economy and an active democracy. Israel has experienced a period of unprecedented political instability since April 2019."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zanotti, Jim
2022-07-01
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Iraq and U.S. Policy [Updated July 15, 2022]
From the Document: "In June 2022, Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr directed his supporters to withdraw from the Council of Representatives (COR, Iraq's unicameral legislature), recasting the political dynamics of the country's long delayed government formation process. Iraq held a national election in October 2021 for the 329 members of the COR, the 'largest bloc' of whom the constitution tasks with nominating a president and designating a new prime minister. Negotiations among Iraqi political groups since the election to identify the new COR's largest bloc became deadlocked."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Christopher M.
2022-07-15
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections [Updated July 6, 2022]
From the Document: "This report provides the results of recent presidential elections in Latin America and the Caribbean. Below are three tables, organized by region, that include the date of each country's independence, the name of the most recently elected president or prime minister, and the projected date of the next presidential election. Information in this report was compiled from numerous sources, including the U.S. State Department, Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA's) 'World Fact Book,' International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Election Guide, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and other news sources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Davis-Castro, Carla Y.
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Introduction to U.S. Economy: Personal Saving [Updated July 13, 2022]
From the Document: "Personal saving, which includes the saving of households but not of businesses or government, can have a significant impact at both the individual and economy-wide levels in the long and short terms. The personal saving rate was disrupted by the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, which resulted in a rapid increase and subsequent decrease in this metric, making future trends in personal saving uncertain."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weinstock, Lida R.
2022-07-13
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Introduction to U.S. Economy: Consumer Spending [Updated July 12, 2022]
From the Document: "Consumer spending is a key driver of short-run economic growth in the U.S. economy. This In Focus provides an overview of consumer spending, summarizes recent trends, describes its relationship with the business cycle, and discusses policy that can impact and be affected by consumer spending."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weinstock, Lida R.
2022-07-12
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Introduction to U.S. Economy: Unemployment [Updated July 12, 2022]
From the Document: "This In Focus provides an introduction to the official unemployment rate and alternative measures of unemployment, briefly examines the reasons for unemployment, and places the unemployment rate in a broader economic context."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weinstock, Lida R.
2022-07-12
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Lying in State or Honor in the U.S. Capitol by Non-Members of Congress [Updated July 15, 2022]
From the Document: "On July 14, 2022, Hershel Woodrow 'Woody' Williams [hyperlink], the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient, lay in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. In a press release [hyperlink], House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that ''When Woody lies in honor under the Capitol Dome, it will be with immense gratitude for his service that the Congress will pay tribute to this legendary hero--and all of the patriots who fought for our nation in World War II.'' Chief Warrant Officer 4 Williams was the 41 st individual to have lain in state or honor [hyperlink] in the Capitol Rotunda or National Statuary Hall. Before Mr. Williams, the most recent to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda was Senator Harry Reid [hyperlink], on January 12, 2022, and the most recent to lie in state in National Statuary Hall was Representative Donald Young [hyperlink], on March 29, 2022. The most recent to lie in honor was United States Capitol Police Officer William 'Billy' F. Evans [hyperlink], on April 13, 2021."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straus, Jacob R.
2022-07-15
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Geoengineering: Ocean Iron Fertilization [July 7, 2022]
From the Summary: "Congress has shown growing interest in and support for geoengineering techniques as a means to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. 'Geoengineering' is a field of study that involves large-scale technological interventions to manipulate the processes that affect Earth's climate, generally with the aim of countering climate change. Geoengineering techniques that stimulate or amplify natural processes that remove CO2 from the atmosphere (e.g., afforestation, ocean fertilization) may be of particular interest to Congress, due to the relatively low cost of research, development, and deployment of these techniques compared with geoengineering techniques that rely on novel or industrial-scale technologies. For example, CO2 is transferred into the deep ocean via the physical process of overturning circulation and the biological process known as the 'biological pump.' Ocean iron fertilization (OIF), an ocean-based geoengineering technique, aims to increase the rate of atmospheric CO2 transfer to the deep ocean by stimulating the biological pump through the addition of iron (a key nutrient) to the surface of the ocean. Modeling studies indicate that OIF has the potential to remove CO2 from the atmosphere for hundreds to thousands of years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keating-Bitonti, Caitlin
2022-07-07
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Department of Homeland Security Strategy for Countering Violent Extremism
From the Introduction: "Violent extremism presents a critical threat to the United States. Individuals who commit acts of violent extremism are inspired by diverse political, religious, and philosophical beliefs, and are not limited to any single population or region. No matter the motivation, attacks by violent extremists have devastating effects on our communities. The United States unequivocally condemns ideologically-motivated violence. Although counterterrorism and law enforcement efforts to disrupt plots are a continuing priority, the evolving threat environment requires more proactive, community-based prevention and intervention. The United States must work to counter violent extremism by dissuading individuals from radicalizing to violence in the first place. This means supporting and building trust with diverse communities across the country. Research shows that parents, neighbors, colleagues, peers, teachers, and community leaders are best positioned to address the underlying causes of violent extremism, recognize when an individual becomes ideologically-motivated to commit violence, and intervene before an individual or a group commits an act of violent extremism. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is dedicated to countering violent extremism and plays a leading role in the Federal Government's efforts. To accomplish this, DHS equips CVE [countering violent extremism] community partners with the necessary information, grants, tools, training, and other support to help them identify and counter radicalization to violence. Through these efforts, the Department ensures that families and communities are empowered and well-informed to resist violent extremism."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2016-10-28
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Insurgency in Northern Mozambique: Nature and Responses [Updated July 5, 2022]
From the Document: "An armed Islamic State-linked insurgency in Mozambique's far north--launched in 2017 with an attack on several police posts in Cabo Delgado province--remains highly active and poses challenges to U.S. peace, security, and development goals in the country. The insurgency and state security responses to it have resulted in many serious human rights abuses and killings, widespread social trauma and property destruction, and massive population displacements, creating a complex humanitarian crisis. Insurgent attacks also prompted the French energy firm TotalEnergies (Total) to declare force majeure and suspend a $20 billion, partially U.S. government-financed natural gas processing project, one of several major projects designed to tap large gas fields discovered offshore in 2010."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cook, Nicolas
2022-07-05
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Guyana: An Overview [Updated July 14, 2022]
From the Document: "Located on the northern coast of South America between Suriname and Venezuela, English-speaking Guyana has characteristics similar to other Caribbean nations because of a common British colonial heritage (Guyana became independent in 1966). The country participates in Caribbean regional organizations, and its capital, Georgetown, serves as headquarters for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), a regional integration organization. Once one of the poorest countries in the hemisphere, Guyana's development prospects have shifted significantly since the discovery of large offshore oil deposits in 2015."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Klein, Joshua
2022-07-14
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Domestic Terrorism and the Attack on the U.S. Capitol [January 13, 2021]
From the Document: "On January 6, 2021, a large group of individuals breached the U.S. Capitol security [hyperlink] while Congress was in session. Members were voting on whether or not to certify President-elect Joe Biden's election victory, and many participants in the attack allegedly intended to thwart this effort. According to media coverage, violent participants injured scores of District of Columbia Metropolitan Police and U.S. Capitol Police officers and killed one, while four civilians have died as well. In light of this incident and the violent threat to the operation of the U.S. Congress, policymakers may be interested in whether this incident may be treated as domestic terrorism and if the participants are domestic terrorists, among other issues. This Insight discusses whether or not participants and their actions may be categorized as domestic terrorists and domestic terrorism, respectively, and issues around designating domestic fringe groups, such as the Boogaloo Bois and Proud Boys who were allegedly involved in the attack [hyperlink], as terrorist organizations. It concludes with possible next steps for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2021-01-13
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Federal Support for Reproductive Health Services: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated July 1, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Human reproductive health services are preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services related to reproductive systems, functions, and processes. Federal support for these services is administered in different ways because federal agencies, departments, and programs have different missions. This report first defines six different types of reproductive health services that may receive federal support, noting restrictions where relevant. The report first discusses services related to fertility, then discusses screening, prevention, and treatment of reproductive health conditions, and concludes with a discussion of gender-affirming services."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-; Wyatt, Taylor R.; Siddalingaiah, Simi V.
2022-07-01
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Domestic Terrorist Threat: Background and Issues for Congress [February 19, 2014]
From the Summary: "The emphasis of counterterrorism policy in the United States since Al Qaeda's attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11) has been on jihadist terrorism. However, in the last decade, domestic terrorists--people who commit crimes within the homeland and draw inspiration from U.S.-based extremist ideologies and movements--have killed American citizens and damaged property across the country. Not all of these criminals have been prosecuted under terrorism statutes. This latter point is not meant to imply that domestic terrorists should be taken any less seriously than other terrorists. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) do not officially list domestic terrorist organizations, but they have openly delineated domestic terrorist 'threats.' These include individuals who commit crimes in the name of ideologies supporting animal rights, environmental rights, anarchism, white supremacy, anti-government ideals, black separatism, and anti-abortion beliefs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bjelopera, Jerome P.
2014-02-19
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Domestic Terrorism: An Overview [August 21, 2017]
From the Summary: "The emphasis of counterterrorism policy in the United States since Al Qaeda's attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11) has been on jihadist terrorism. However, in the last decade, domestic terrorists--'people who commit crimes within the homeland and draw inspiration from U.S.-based extremist ideologies and movements'--have killed American citizens and damaged property across the country. Not all of these criminals have been prosecuted under federal terrorism statutes, which does not imply that domestic terrorists are taken any less seriously than other terrorists. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) do not officially designate domestic terrorist organizations, but they have openly delineated domestic terrorist 'threats'. These include individuals who commit crimes in the name of ideologies supporting animal rights, environmental rights, anarchism, white supremacy, anti-government ideals, black separatism, and beliefs about abortion. The boundary between constitutionally protected legitimate protest and domestic terrorist activity has received public attention. This boundary is highlighted by a number of criminal cases involving supporters of animal rights--one area in which specific legislation related to domestic terrorism has been crafted. The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (P.L. 109-374) expands the federal government's legal authority to combat animal rights extremists who engage in criminal activity. Signed into law in November 2006, it amended the Animal Enterprise Protection Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-346)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bjelopera, Jerome P.
2017-08-21
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President Obama Calls for New Steps to Prepare America's Children for Success in College and Careers [February 22, 2010]
From the Document: "Today [February 22, 2010] at a meeting with our nation's governors, President Obama outlined new steps to better prepare America's children for college and the workplace. The President is calling for a redesigned Elementary and Secondary Education Act that includes a comprehensive, new vision to help states successfully transition to and implement college- and career-ready standards by improving teacher preparation and development, upgrading classroom instruction, and supporting high-quality assessments."
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2010-02-22
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Fact Sheet: Protecting New Orleans from Future Flooding [December 15, 2005]
This fact sheet outlines the aid package the federal government is preparing to help rebuild New Orleans.
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2005-12-15
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Press Briefing by Scott McClellan and Homeland Security Advisor Fran Townsend regarding Pandemic Flu [May 3, 2006]
In this press briefing held on May 3, 2006 by Scott McClellan and Homeland Security Advisor Fran Townsend is in regards to an implementation plan for the pandemic influenza.
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
McClellan, Scott; Townsend, Frances Fragos
2006-05-03
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President Outlines Pandemic Influenza Preparations and Response [November 1, 2005]
President Bush describes the efforts of the federal government, including the National Institute for Health, to help prevent the spread of the avian flu and of a pandemic flu. The President is requesting additional funds from Congress for vaccine research and development as well as to develop pandemic preparedness.
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2005-11-01
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Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney En Route San Francisco, California [October 25, 2011]
In this October 24, 2010 press gaggle, Press Secretary Jay Carney provides opening statements regarding the American Jobs Act and employment assistance for veterans. The press gaggle included other questions on the free trade agreements, potential effects of the American Jobs Act on the U.S. economy, the student loan proposal, Presidential and Congressional actions to improve the economy, and the China currency issue.
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2011-10-25
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Fact Sheet: Executive Order on Climate Preparedness
From the Document: "Today, President Obama established a Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience to advise the Administration on how the Federal Government can respond to the needs of communities nationwide that are dealing with the impacts of climate change. The Task Force members include state, local and tribal leaders from across the country who will use their first-hand experiences in building climate preparedness and resilience in their communities to inform their recommendations to the Administration. The President signed an Executive Order that directs Federal agencies to take a series of steps to make it easier for American communities to strengthen their resilience to extreme weather and prepare for other impacts of climate change. President Obama has said that we have a moral obligation to our children and future generations to leave them a planet that is not polluted or damaged. That is why in June, the President launched a Climate Action Plan to cut carbon pollution, prepare communities for the impacts of climate change, and lead international efforts to address this global challenge. The Climate Action Plan recognizes that even as we act to curb the carbon pollution that is driving climate change, we must also improve our ability to prepare for the climate impacts we are already seeing across the country. Across America, states, cities, and communities are taking steps to protect themselves from extreme weather and other climate impacts by updating building codes, adjusting the way they manage natural resources, investing in more resilient infrastructure, and planning for rapid recovery from damages that nonetheless occur."
United States. White House Office
2013-11-01
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Fact Sheet: U.S. - China Cooperation on Climate Change, Clean Energy, and the Environment, January 19, 2011
This January 19, 2011 fact sheet highlights U.S.-China cooperation on issues relating to climate change, clean energy, and the environment.
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2011-01-19
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Remarks by the President in a Meeting with the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness [October 11, 2011]
These October 11, 2011 Presidential remarks focus on President Obama's meeting with the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. President Obama discusses the variety of influences on the economy, which includes the following: the Arab Spring, the Japanese Tsunami, the European economic crisis, and the U.S. debt issue. President Obama then continues to explain the importance of rebuilding infrastructure and passing the American Jobs Act.
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2011-10-11
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Obama Administration Announces Selection of 14 Infrastructure Projects to be Expedited Through Permitting and Environmental Review Process [October 11, 2011]
From the Document: "Today, the Obama Administration announced the selection of 14 infrastructure projects around the country that will be expedited through permitting and environmental review processes, an important next step in the Administration's efforts to improve the efficiency of federal reviews needed to help job-creating infrastructure projects move as quickly as possible from the drawing board to completion. This announcement comes as a result of the Presidential Memorandum. President Obama issued in late August at the recommendation of his Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. Through the Presidential Memorandum, the President directed agencies to expedite environmental reviews and permit decisions for a selection of high priority infrastructure projects that will create a significant number of jobs, have already identified necessary funding, and where the significant steps remaining before construction are within the control and jurisdiction of the federal government and can be completed within 18 months. Below is the full list of projects selected by those agencies, which represent diverse sectors of the economy and combined will support the creation of tens of thousands of jobs. As the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness has highlighted, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of federal permit decisions and environmental reviews is one critical step the federal government can take to accelerate job creation. While many of these review processes are not under the control of the federal government -state, local, and tribal governments are partners in the effort, as well - the Obama Administration is committed to reforming the federal permitting and environmental review process to ensure that it runs as efficiently as possible while continuing to protect the health and safety of all Americans, and to preserve opportunities for public participation in federal decision-making."
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2011-10-11
