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Supreme Court Appointment Process: Senate Debate and Confirmation Vote [Updated October 16, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The procedure for appointing a Justice to the Supreme Court of the United States is provided for by the Constitution in only a few words. The 'Appointments Clause' (Article II, Section 2, clause 2) states that the President 'shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint ... Judges of the supreme Court.' The process of appointing Justices has undergone changes over two centuries, but its most basic feature--the sharing of power between the President and Senate--has remained unchanged. To receive an appointment to the Court, a candidate must first be nominated by the President and then confirmed by the Senate. This report provides information and analyses related to the debate and consideration of Supreme Court nominations by the full Senate once nominations are reported by the Judiciary Committee."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McMillion, Barry J.
2020-10-16
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Fetal Viability and Judge Amy Coney Barrett [October 16, 2020]
From the Document: "The Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett has prompted greater scrutiny of her judicial opinions, academic writing, and statements to discern how she might decide future cases if she were confirmed to the High Court. With cases involving the Affordable Care Act, the First Amendment, and civil rights on the Court's docket in its current term, Judge Barrett's views on these subjects are being carefully reviewed. Commentators are also examining Judge Barrett's background and writing to try to gauge her views on the Court's seminal 1973 abortion decision, 'Roe v. Wade'. Although the Supreme Court's docket does not include any cases involving abortion at the moment, the Court is considering whether to review 'Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization'. 'Dobbs' implicates one of 'Roe's' 'essential holdings': that a state may not completely prohibit abortion before fetal viability, a point in fetal development when a fetus is able to live outside of the mother's womb with or without artificial assistance. Judge Barrett joined a dissenting opinion in a 2018 case involving an Indiana law that would have restricted abortions based on fetal characteristics such as sex or a Down syndrome diagnosis. While joining a judicial opinion authored by another judge does not necessarily reflect full agreement with the underlying opinion, it may grant some insight into Judge Barrett's views. This Sidebar examines that 2018 dissent and discusses 'Dobbs' as it awaits further consideration by the Court."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shimabukuro, Jon O.
2020-10-16
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Federal Eviction Moratoriums in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic [Updated October 14, 2020]
From the Document: "On September 4, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) imposed a nationwide temporary federal moratorium on residential evictions due to nonpayment of rent. The stated purpose of the order is preventing the further spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), specifically by preventing homelessness and overcrowded housing conditions resulting from eviction. The action, which followed an Executive Order directing the CDC to consider such a measure, is unprecedented, both in terms of the federal reach into what is traditionally state and local governance of landlord-tenant law and its use of a public health authority for this purpose. The new national eviction moratorium took effect less than two weeks after the expiration of a different and narrower set of eviction protections established by the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act (§4024). This Insight compares the two eviction moratoriums across several key features and ends with a review of some outstanding questions raised by the new moratorium."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarty, Maggie; Perl, Libby
2020-10-14
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Emergency Relief for Disaster-Damaged Roads and Public Transportation Systems [Updated October 9, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Disaster-damaged roads and public transportation systems are eligible for federal assistance under two U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) programs, the Emergency Relief (ER) Program administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Public Transportation ER Program administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The two programs have different histories and legal and regulatory authorities, but they share a similar intent and face some of the same issues. For example, there are concerns with both programs about the extent to which federally funded activities should go beyond restoring infrastructure to predisaster conditions, including so-called resilience projects. This report begins by discussing FHWA assistance for the repair and reconstruction of highways and bridges damaged by disasters (such as recent flood events, Western wildfires, and ongoing permanent repairs to damage from the 2017 Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria) or catastrophic failures (such as the I-5 overpass that was critically damaged in 2019 by an over-height truck near Chehalis, WA). The report includes information on the use of ER funds on disaster-damaged federally owned public-use roadways, such as National Park Service roads and U.S. Forest Service roads, under an affiliated program, the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads Program. This is followed by a discussion of FTA's assistance program, established in 2012, which has provided assistance to public transportation systems on three occasions, once after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, after the 2017 hurricanes, and in 2019 for major declared disasters in 2018."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kirk, Robert S.; Mallett, William
2020-10-09
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Supreme Court Nominations, 1789 to 2018: Actions by the Senate, the Judiciary Committee, and the President [Updated October 9, 2020]
From the Summary: "The process of appointing Supreme Court Justices has undergone changes over two centuries, but its most basic feature, the sharing of power between the President and Senate, has remained unchanged. To receive a lifetime appointment to the Court, a candidate must, under the 'Appointments Clause' of the Constitution, first be nominated by the President and then confirmed by the Senate. A key role also has come to be played midway in the process by the Senate Judiciary Committee."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McMillion, Barry J.
2020-10-09
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2014 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review: Evolution of a Strategic Review [Updated October 9, 2020]
From the Overview: "In June 2014, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported the second iteration of the 'Quadrennial Homeland Security Review' (QHSR) to Congress. DHS states that the QHSR is a 'comprehensive examination of the homeland security strategy of the Nation, including recommendations regarding the long-term strategy and priorities of the Nation for homeland security.' DHS never issued a statutorily required QHSR in 2018. The QHSR is a process in which DHS examines the nation's homeland security strategy; the report delivered to Congress provides an explanation of this process. Neither the review process nor the report to Congress is the strategy, instead the 2014 QHSR (both the process and the report) are part of the constant reevaluation of the nation's homeland security and part of the process by which the combined National and Homeland Security Staff develops the next iteration of the national security strategy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2020-10-09
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Medicaid Telehealth Policies in Response to COVID-19 [October 9, 2020]
From the Document: "Medicaid, authorized in Title XIX of the Social Security Act (SSA), is a federal-state program that jointly finances primary and acute medical services, as well as long-term services and supports (LTSS), to a diverse low-income population. The 50 states, the District of Columbia (DC), and the five U.S. territories (American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico [PR], and the U.S. Virgin Islands [USVI]) must follow broad federal rules to receive federal Medicaid funding, but they have flexibility to design their own versions of Medicaid within the federal statute's basic framework. In addition, several waiver authorities allow states to operate their Medicaid programs outside of federal program rules. [...] This flexibility results in variability across state Medicaid programs in factors such as use of telehealth as a service delivery method. This In Focus provides background on Medicaid telehealth and an overview of telehealth actions in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency (PHE). It discusses how states leveraged existing flexibilities and PHE-specific federal authorities to increase the number of services, provider types, and other telehealth coverage options under Medicaid."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Baumrucker, Evelyne P.; Keyser, Julia A.
2020-10-09
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Federal Election Results: Frequently Asked Questions [October 8, 2020]
From the Summary: "Several states have implemented new election administration processes in response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic that could affect how and when ballots are counted. Even under normal circumstances, finalizing federal election results takes days or weeks after election day. Among other steps, state, territorial, and local election officials 'canvass' votes to ensure that ballots are valid and counted accurately. Election observers, audits, and other processes are designed to enhance transparency. This report addresses frequently asked questions on these and related subjects. The discussion emphasizes the period between the time a voter casts a ballot and when election officials 'certify', or finalize, the results."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eckman, Sarah J.; Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-; Shanton, Karen L.
2020-10-08
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CARES Act Payroll Support to Air Carriers and Contractors [Updated October 8, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136), signed into law on March 27, 2020, provided assistance to consumers and businesses, including aid to air carriers and eligible contractors. Emergency funds also were provided to eligible airports. Assistance to air carriers in Division A, Title IV of the CARES Act included loans and loan guarantees, funds to support the pay and benefits of air carrier workers, and a suspension of aviation excise taxes on air transport of people, cargo, and aviation fuel through calendar year 2020. This Insight focuses on the payroll support program (PSP). Section 4112 of the CARES Act provided $32 billion in payroll support to aviation workers. From this amount, the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to provide up to [1] $25 billion for passenger air carriers (any air carrier that, during the period from April 1, 2019, to September 30, 2020, derived more than 50% of its air transportation revenue from the transportation of passengers); [2] $4 billion for cargo air carriers (any air carrier that, during the period from April 1, 2019, to September 30, 2020, derived more than 50% of its air transportation revenue from the transportation of property or mail, or both); and [3] $3 billion for contractors who provide ground services directly to air carriers, such as catering services or on-airport functions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tang, Rachel Y.
2020-10-08
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COVID-19: China Medical Supply Chains and Broader Trade Issues [Updated October 8, 2020]
From the Summary: "The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), first in China, and then globally, including in the United States, is drawing attention to the ways in which the U.S. economy depends on manufacturing and supply chains based in China. This report aims to assess current developments and identify immediate and longer range China trade issues for Congress. An area of particular concern to Congress is U.S. shortages in medical supplies-- including personal protective equipment (PPE) and pharmaceuticals--as the United States steps up efforts to contain COVID-19 with limited domestic stockpiles and insufficient U.S. industrial capacity. Because of China's role as a global supplier of PPE, medical devices, antibiotics, and active pharmaceutical ingredients, reduced exports from China have led to shortages of critical medical supplies in the United States. Exacerbating the situation, in early February 2020, the Chinese government nationalized control of the production and distribution of medical supplies in China--directing all production for domestic use--and directed the bureaucracy and Chinese industry to secure supplies from the global market. Once past the initial peak of its COVID-19 outbreak, the Chinese government appears to have prioritized certain countries and selectively released some medical supplies for overseas delivery."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sutter, Karen M.; Schwarzenberg, Andres B.; Sutherland, Michael D.
2020-10-08
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IRS Guidance Says No Deduction is Allowed for Business Expenses Paid with Forgiven PPP Loans [Updated October 7, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) created Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans that can be used to cover payroll expenses and certain operating costs and can be forgiven if the borrower meets certain criteria. On April 30, 2020, IRS [Internal Revenue Service] issued Notice 2020-32, stating that PPP-recipients cannot claim a deduction for expenses funded from the forgiven PPP loans."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lowry, Sean; Gravelle, Jane
2020-10-07
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [Updated October 7, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean, a region with strong congressional interest because of deep U.S. linkages."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2020-10-07
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Judge Amy Coney Barrett: Her Jurisprudence and Potential Impact on the Supreme Court [October 6, 2020]
From the Summary: "On September 26, 2020, President Donald J. Trump announced the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit to the Supreme Court of the United States to fill the vacancy left by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18, 2020. [...] This report provides an overview of Judge Barrett's jurisprudence and scholarship and discusses how the Supreme Court might be affected by her confirmation. It first explores the nominee's views on three cross-cutting issues--the role of the judiciary, constitutional construction, and statutory interpretation. The report then addresses the nominee's jurisprudence in six areas of law where the Supreme Court has been closely divided or where the nominee has issued significant opinions, particularly in cases where she disagreed with other jurists. These areas of the law were identified primarily by reviewing Judge Barrett's written judicial opinions and academic scholarship. The report concludes with a number of tables that catalog and briefly describe each of the roughly 90 majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions authored by Judge Barrett during her 35-month tenure on the federal bench."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brannon, Valerie C.; Garcia, Michael John; Lewis, Caitlain Devereaux . . .
2020-10-06
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Federal Election Commission: Membership and Policymaking Quorum, In Brief [Updated October 6, 2020]
From the Summary: "The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is the nation's civil campaign finance regulator. The agency ensures that campaign fundraising and spending is publicly reported; that those regulated by the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) and by commission regulations comply and have access to guidance; and that publicly financed presidential campaigns receive funding. The FEC currently is operating without a policymaking quorum because only three of six commissioners remain in office. At least four agreeing votes are required to take policymaking or enforcement actions. It is unclear when additional nominations and Senate consideration to restore a quorum might occur. [...] This CRS [Congressional Research Service] report briefly explains the kinds of actions that FECA precludes when a quorum is not possible because fewer than four FEC members are in office. Among other powers, without a quorum, the commission cannot hold hearings, issue rules, or enforce campaign finance law and regulation. Campaign finance law and regulation remain in effect and may be enforced once a quorum is restored. Agency operations continue with remaining commissioners and staff. The current quorum loss marks the third in the FEC's history. The second occurred recently, between August 31, 2019, and June 5, 2020, when a confirmation briefly restored a fourth commissioner to office. In addition, the FEC lacked a policymaking quorum for six months in 2008. This report will be updated in the event of substantial changes in the Federal Election Commission's policymaking quorum or the status of commission nominations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-
2020-10-06
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Contingent Election of the President and Vice President by Congress: Perspectives and Contemporary Analysis [Updated October 6, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The 12th Amendment to the Constitution provides backup, or standby, procedures by which the House of Representatives would elect the President, and the Senate the Vice President, in the event no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes. Although this procedure, known as contingent election, has been implemented only once for each office since the amendment's ratification, the failure to win an electoral college majority is theoretically possible in any presidential election. Some contingencies that might lead to an electoral college deadlock include [1] an election that is closely contested by two major candidates, leading to a tie vote in the electoral college; [2] one in which multiple candidates gain electoral votes so that no candidate wins a majority; or [3] an election where a number of electors sufficient to deny a majority to any candidate votes against the candidates to whom they are pledged. Any one of these developments would require Congress to consider and discharge functions of great constitutional significance. Moreover, the magnitude of these responsibilities might well be further highlighted by the fact that an electoral college deadlock would arguably lead to a period of protracted and contentious political struggle. This report examines constitutional requirements and historical precedents associated with the contingent election process. It also identifies and evaluates contemporary issues that might emerge in the modern context."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Neale, Thomas H.
2020-10-06
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Tax Treatment of Net Operating Losses (NOLs) in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act [Updated October 6, 2020]
From the Document: "Increased benefits from net operating losses (NOLs) had been discussed as part of the response to the economic effects of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136) included a provision increasing tax benefits for NOLs. This revision temporarily suspends current rules that were last revised in the 2017 tax revision, popularly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA; P.L. 115-97)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gravelle, Jane
2020-10-06
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COVID-19 Relief Assistance to Small Businesses: Issues and Policy Options [Updated October 6, 2020]
From the Summary: "The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several types of programs to support small businesses, including direct disaster loan programs for businesses, homeowners, and renters; loan guaranty and venture capital programs; management and technical assistance training programs; and contracting programs. Congressional interest in these programs has always been high, primarily because small businesses are viewed as a means to stimulate economic activity and create jobs, but it has become especially acute in the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's widespread adverse economic impact on the national economy. This report provides a brief description of the SBA's programs and examines congressional action to assist small businesses during and immediately following the Great Recession (2007- 2009) and during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Lowry, Sean
2020-10-06
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Delivery of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) [Updated October 6, 2020]
From the Document: "To mitigate the financial hardship many Americans are experiencing during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136). A critical element of the aid package is direct payments to certain individuals in 2020. The payments are referred to as 'recovery rebates' in Section 2201 of the act, but the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) refers to them as 'economic impact payments' (EIPs) in the information about the payments it sends to the general public. [...] This Insight summarizes the delivery of EIPs so far and identifies issues that have delayed the delivery of payments to certain low-income individuals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Guenther, Gary L.
2020-10-06
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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance [Updated October 5, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The majority of funding in the United States for both pre- and post-disaster mitigation comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which defines mitigation as 'any sustained action to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards and their effects.' Mitigation actions have a long-term impact, as opposed to actions that are associated with immediate preparedness, response, and recovery activities. Mitigation has been shown to save money. A recent study by the Multihazard Mitigation Council found that society saves $6 for every dollar spent on mitigation funded through major federal mitigation grants. FEMA administers three hazard mitigation grant programs, which it collectively refers to as Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA): [1] the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); [2] the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Program; [3] the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program, replaced by Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC). Eligible applicants include state and local governments and federally-recognized tribes. Certain nonprofit organizations may apply for HMGP. Individuals may not apply for HMA funding, but they may benefit from a community application. Applicants to all three programs must have FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plans. Eligible activities differ for the three programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2020-10-05
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Potential FEMA Emergency Sheltering Options During the COVID-19 Pandemic [Updated October 5, 2020]
From the Document: "Some hazards (e.g., hurricanes, wildfires) may result in evacuations and displacement of survivors. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), state, local, tribal, and territorial governments (SLTTs) are responsible for coordinating emergency sheltering after a declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act; 42 U.S.C. §§5121 et seq.). However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FEMA acknowledge that the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may complicate efforts to provide emergency sheltering. This Insight discusses emergency sheltering models used by FEMA, COVID-19-related emergency sheltering policies, and challenges faced by SLTTs supporting emergency sheltering during the COVID-19 pandemic, and policy considerations for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webster, Elizabeth M.; Lee, Erica A.
2020-10-05
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Small Businesses and COVID-19: Relief and Assistance Resources [Updated October 5, 2020]
From the Document: "This CRS [Congressional Research Service] Insight presents selected websites and CRS products potentially relevant to small businesses that are directly affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and seeking economic relief and assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kreiser, Maria
2020-10-05
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Supreme Court Appointment Process: President's Selection of a Nominee [Updated September 28, 2020]
From the Summary: "The appointment of a Supreme Court Justice is an event of major significance in American politics. Each appointment is of consequence because of the enormous judicial power the Supreme Court exercises as the highest appellate court in the federal judiciary. Appointments are usually infrequent, as a vacancy on the nine-member Court may occur only once or twice, or never at all, during a particular President's years in office. Under the Constitution, Justices on the Supreme Court receive what can amount to lifetime appointments which, by constitutional design, helps ensure the Court's independence from the President and Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McMillion, Barry J.
2020-09-28
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Supreme Court Appointment Process: Consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee [Updated September 22, 2020]
From the Background: "While the U.S. Constitution assigns explicit roles in the Supreme Court appointment process only to the President and the Senate, the Senate Judiciary Committee, throughout much of the nation's history, has also played an important, intermediary role. From 1816, when the Judiciary Committee was created, until 1868, more than two-thirds of nominations to the Supreme Court were referred to the committee, in each case by motion. In 1868, the Senate determined, as a general rule, that all nominations should automatically be referred to appropriate standing committees. Since then, all but seven Supreme Court nominations, with the most recent being in 1941, have been referred to the Judiciary Committee. Since the late 1960s, the Judiciary Committee's consideration of a Supreme Court nominee almost always has consisted of three distinct stages--(1) a pre-hearing investigative stage, followed by (2) public hearings, and concluding with (3) a committee decision on what recommendation to make to the full Senate."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McMillion, Barry J.
2020-09-22
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Death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Initial Considerations for Congress [September 21, 2020]
From the Document: "On September 18, 2020, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States, passed away at the age of eighty-seven, vacating a seat on the High Court that she had held for twenty-seven years. [...] This Legal Sidebar highlights several areas of law where Justice Ginsburg--either by authoring or joining a majority opinion or a notable dissent--proved consequential to the trajectory of Supreme Court jurisprudence. In so doing, this post provides a broad overview of key legal issues Congress (and, more specifically the Senate through its advice-and-consent role) may consider as it reflects on Justice Ginsburg's jurisprudence and how her eventual successor might shape the future of the Court."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brannon, Valerie C.; Lewis, Caitlain Devereaux; Garcia, Michael John
2020-09-21
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Net Neutrality Debate: Access to Broadband Networks [Updated September 18, 2020]
From the Introduction: "As congressional policymakers continue to debate telecommunications reform, a major discussion point revolves around what approach should be taken to ensure unfettered access to the internet. The move to place restrictions on the owners of the networks that compose and provide access to the internet, to ensure equal access and nondiscriminatory treatment, is referred to as 'net neutrality.' There is no single accepted definition of 'net neutrality.' However, most agree that any such definition should include the general principles that owners of the networks that compose and provide access to the internet should not control how consumers lawfully use that network, and they should not be able to discriminate against content provider access to that network. A major focus in the debate is concern over whether the regulatory framework as delineated in the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) 2015 Open Internet Order is the appropriate approach to ensure access to the internet for content, services, and applications providers, as well as consumers, or whether a less regulatory approach contained in the 2017 Order is more suitable. [...] Whether Congress will take broader action to amend existing law to provide guidance and more stability to FCC authority over broadband access remains to be seen."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gilroy, Angele A.
2020-09-18
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 18, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, a program carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy that gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition strategies and proposed funding levels for the Aegis BMD program. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-09-18
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FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act: Selected Military Personnel Issues [Updated September 18, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Each year, the House and Senate armed services committees take up national defense authorization bills. The House of Representatives passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA; H.R. 2500) on July 12, 2019. The Senate passed its version of the NDAA (S. 1790) on June 27, 2019. These bills contain numerous provisions that affect military personnel, retirees, and their family members. Provisions in one version may not be included in the other, may be treated differently, or may be identical to those in the other versions. Following passage of each chamber's bill, a conference committee typically convenes to resolve the differences between the respective chambers' versions of the bill. The House passed the FY2020 NDAA conference report on December 11, 2019, and the Senate passed the report on December 17, 2019. On December 20, 2019, President Donald J. Trump signed the bill into law (P.L. 116-92). This report highlights selected personnel-related issues that may generate high levels of congressional and constituent interest. Related CRS [Congressional Research Service] products are identified in each section to provide more detailed background information and analysis of the issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mendez, Bryce H. P.; Ott, Alan; Kamarck, Kristy N. . . .
2020-09-18
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Iran's Nuclear Program and U.N. Sanctions Reimposition [Updated September 18, 2020]
From the Document: "U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015), which the council adopted on July 20, 2015, implements the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and contains other provisions concerning Iran's nuclear program, Tehran's development of missiles, and arms transfers to and from Iran. The United States has threatened to invoke the resolution's 'snapback' mechanism, which requires the Security Council to reimpose U.N. sanctions lifted pursuant to Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA. The JCPOA, finalized in July 2015 by Iran and China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (collectively known as the P5+1), requires Iran to implement constraints on its uranium enrichment and heavy water nuclear reactor programs, as well as allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to monitor Tehran's compliance with the agreement. Prior to the JCPOA, these programs caused international concern because they could both have produced fissile material for use in nuclear weapons."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.
2020-09-18
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Worker Rights Provisions in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) [Updated September 18, 2020]
From the Overview: "Worker rights are a prominent issue in U.S. FTA [Free Trade Agreement] negotiations. Some stakeholders believe worker rights provisions are necessary to protect U.S. workers from perceived unfair competition and to raise labor standards abroad. Others believe these rights are more appropriately addressed at the International Labor Organization (ILO) or through cooperative efforts and capacity building. Since 1988, Congress has included worker rights as a principal negotiating objective in Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation. The United States has been in the forefront of using FTAs to promote core internationally recognized worker rights. Labor provisions have evolved significantly since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), moving from side agreements to integral chapters within FTA texts, with more provisions subject to enforcement. The conclusion of NAFTA renegotiations resulted in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaces NAFTA and has a new labor chapter and enforcement mechanism. USMCA entered into force in July 2020."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Villarreal, M. Angeles; Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D.
2020-09-18
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CARES Act (P.L. 116-136): Provisions Designed to Help Banks and Credit Unions [Updated September 18, 2020]
From the Document: "The economic effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may cause numerous borrowers to miss loan repayments, potentially leading to distress at banks and credit unions. Because of the importance of banking to the economy, federal depository regulators have implemented 'safety and soundness' regulations, including lending, capital, and liquidity rules. Regulators also have the authority to supervise banks, which includes requiring banks to report financial information. As part of Congress's response to COVID-19, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) includes four sections--4011, 4012, 4013, and 4014--that temporarily relax some of the regulations banks face. Section 4016 expands access to the Central Liquidity Facility (CLF), which is a liquidity facility for credit unions that exists at the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). This Insight examines those sections."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Perkins, David W.; Getter, Darryl E.; Gnanarajah, Raj
2020-09-18
