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Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress [Updated October 1, 2021]
From the Summary: "Names for Navy ships traditionally have been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President and in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress. Rules for giving certain types of names to certain types of Navy ships have evolved over time. There have been exceptions to the Navy's ship-naming rules, particularly for the purpose of naming a ship for a person when the rule for that type of ship would have called for it to be named for something else. Some observers have perceived a breakdown in, or corruption of, the rules for naming Navy ships. Section 370 of the FY2021 NDAA [National Defense Authorization Ac] (H.R. 6395/P.L. 116-283 of January 1, 2021) established a commission regarding the removal and renaming of certain assets of the Department of Defense (including ships) that commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-10-01
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COVID-19 Relief Assistance to Small Businesses: Issues and Policy Options [Updated October 1, 2021]
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 become especially acute in the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's widespread adverse economic impact on the national economy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lindsay, Bruce R.
2021-10-01
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Iraq's October 2021 Election [October 1, 2021]
From the Document: "On October 10, 2021, Iraqis are set to vote in an early [hyperlink] election to determine the makeup of the unicameral Council of Representatives (COR), Iraq's national legislature. The COR elects Iraq's president and approves the prime minister's program and cabinet nominees. The election comes two years after the start of mass protests that convulsed [hyperlink] Iraqi society and ousted [hyperlink] the government formed after Iraq's 2018 national election [hyperlink]. The election result may shape Iraqi policy on issues [hyperlink] of congressional concern, including U.S.- Iraq security cooperation, Iran's influence in Iraq, Iraq's foreign policy, human rights, protection of minorities, and prospects for economic and governance reform."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Christopher M.
2021-10-01
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Commercial Human Spaceflight [October 1, 2021]
From the Document: "Recent commercial flights to space by wealthy businesspeople and other private individuals have attracted interest both in Congress and among the general public. This In Focus summarizes current capabilities and plans for commercial human spaceflight, explains how it is regulated and licensed, defines some commonly used terminology, and discusses selected policy issues that may be of interest to Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morgan, Daniel (Daniel L.)
2021-10-01
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El Salvador: Authoritarian Actions and U.S. Response [Updated October 1, 2021]
From the Document: "On September 3, 2021, the Salvadoran Supreme Court's Constitutional Chamber ruled [hyperlink] that a president could serve two consecutive terms, despite constitutional prohibitions on reelection. The justices who issued the ruling were installed in May 2021 after the Salvadoran National Assembly, aligned with President Nayib Bukele, unconstitutionally dismissed [hyperlink] the previous Constitutional Court magistrates, along with the attorney general. These developments, combined with other Bukele-backed measures to erode the separation of powers and repress dissent, have led the Biden Administration, some Members of Congress, and other observers to express concerns about democratic backsliding in El Salvador."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2021-10-01
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Fast Act Expires; the Department of Transportation Initiates Shutdown Procedures [October 1, 2021]
From the Document: "At midnight on September 30, 2021, the law authorizing federal surface transportation programs, the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act; P.L. [Public Law] 114-94), as extended, expired. The House is considering the Senate-passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684), which would reauthorize surface transportation programs. In the absence of new authority to expend from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), the Department of Transportation (DOT) has begun to shut down the programs and activities supported by the HTF and furlough staff. The Anti-Deficiency Act (ADA; 31 U.S.C. [United States Code] §1341 [hyperlink]) prohibits agencies from incurring obligations that are in advance of appropriations except in certain circumstances. This means that transportation programs and activities supported by money from the general fund of the U.S. Treasury must be appropriated. In contrast, HTF funding is a form of budget authority, known as contract authority, which by law may be obligated prior to an appropriation and is effectively an exception under the ADA. However, the authority to make new obligations from the HTF must be authorized, and that authorization expired September 30, 2021. The highway taxes that support the HTF have not expired, and their revenues will continue to be deposited into the HTF. Under current authority, the motor fuel and tire taxes expire at the end of September 30, 2022, and the heavy vehicle use tax expires at the end of September 30, 2023. According to DOT's September 28, 2021, shutdown plan [hyperlink], all HTF-funded personnel not needed to fulfill excepted activities under the ADA (such as life, safety, and the protection of property), or funded with appropriations, would be furloughed. Approximately 3,700 employees in the four DOT surface transportation agencies discussed below would be affected."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kirk, Robert S.
2021-10-01
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Debt Limit in 2021 [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Document: "Debt limit episodes [hyperlink] --which can be defined as starting when the statutory limit on federal debt restricts some of the U.S. Treasury's normal debt operations and ending when new legislation to modify the limit is enacted--have been a recurrent federal fiscal feature in the past two decades. Since 2002, the debt limit has been modified 18 times [hyperlink]. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 (BBA 2019; P.L. 116-37), enacted in August 2019, had suspended the debt limit through July 31, 2021. The limit was reset at just over $28.4 trillion [hyperlink] at the beginning of August 2021. On September 28, 2021, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen notified Congress [hyperlink] that 'Treasury is likely to exhaust its extraordinary measures if Congress has not acted to raise or suspend the debt limit by October 18. At that point, we expect Treasury would be left with very limited resources that would be depleted quickly.' Projections from other sources, discussed below, are mostly similar. Secretary Yellen called on Congress to act in a September 19, 2021, commentary [hyperlink], warning of dire consequences if the debt limit were not raised."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Austin, D. Andrew
2021-09-30
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Defense Primer: Emerging Technologies [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Document: "Both the '2018 National Defense Strategy' and senior U.S. defense and intelligence officials have identified a number of emerging technologies that could have a disruptive impact on U.S. national security in the years to come. These technologies include [1] artificial intelligence, [2] lethal autonomous weapons, [3] hypersonic weapons, [4] directed energy weapons,[5] biotechnology, and [6] quantum technology. As these technologies continue to mature, they could hold significant implications for congressional oversight, U.S. defense authorizations and appropriations, military concepts of operations, and the future of war."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.
2021-09-30
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (Bmd) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 30, 2021]
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
2021-09-30
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Costa Rica: An Overview [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Document: "Costa Rica historically has been an outpost of political and economic stability in an often-turbulent region. The United States has worked closely with the country to address challenges in Central America and to advance shared values, such as democracy and human rights, worldwide. [...] Socioeconomic conditions have deteriorated considerably due to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. Although the government enacted emergency measures to support businesses and households, the economy contracted by 4.1% and the poverty rate increased from 24% to 30% in 2020. More than 19% of Costa Ricans remained unemployed in the second quarter of 2021. Nevertheless, the Central Bank of Costa Rica estimates that economic activity has returned to pre-pandemic levels and forecasts 3.9% growth for 2021. [...] The United States coordinates closely with Costa Rica and provides the country with assistance to combat transnational crime and other security threats. In the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. [Public Law] 116-260), Congress appropriated $40.7 million of security assistance for Costa Rica. [...] U.S. assistance has helped Costa Rica expand community-based crime prevention programs, train security and justice sector personnel, and acquire equipment--including aircraft, patrol boats, and ground-based radar--that enhances the country's ability to monitor and control its national territory. According to the U.S. State Department, Costa Rica, working closely with the United States, disrupted at least 17 international drug trafficking organizations and seized more than 71 metric tons of illicit drugs in 2020."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.
2021-09-30
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Defense Primer: Command and Control of Nuclear Forces [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Document: "The U.S. President has sole authority to authorize the use of U.S. nuclear weapons. [...] The President can seek counsel from his military advisors; those advisors are then required to transmit and implement the orders authorizing nuclear use. [...] General Milley, the current Commander of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) [...] noted that he is a part of the 'chain of communication,' in his role as the President's primary military advisor, but he is not in the 'chain of command' for authorizing a nuclear launch. He also noted that, if the President ordered a launch, the CJCS would participate in a 'decision conference' to authenticate the presidential orders and to ensure that the President was 'fully informed' about the implications of the launch. The President, however, does not need the concurrence of either his military advisors or the U.S. Congress to order the launch of nuclear weapons. In addition, neither the military nor Congress can overrule these orders. As former STRATCOM [U.S. Strategic Command] Commander General Robert Kehler has noted, members of the military are bound by the Uniform Code of Military Justice 'to follow orders provided they are legal and have come from competent authority.' But questions about the legality of the order--whether it is consistent with the requirements, under the laws of armed conflict (LOAC), for necessity, proportionality, and distinction--are more likely to lead to consultations and changes in the President's order than to a refusal by the military to execute the order."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2021-09-30
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Egypt: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Summary: "Historically, Egypt has been an important country for U.S. national security interests based on its geography, demography, and diplomatic posture. Egypt controls the Suez Canal, which is one of the world's most well-known maritime chokepoints, linking the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Egypt's population of more than 100 million people makes it by far the most populous Arabic-speaking country. Although today it may not play the same type of leading political or military role in the Arab world as it has in the past, Egypt may retain some 'soft power' by virtue of its history, media, and culture. Cairo hosts both the 22-member Arab League and Al Azhar University, which claims to be the oldest continuously operating university in the world and has symbolic importance as a leading source of Islamic scholarship."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell
2021-09-30
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Morocco: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Document: "Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament and local government officials. King Mohammed VI, who inherited the throne in 1999, maintains overarching political authority but has taken some liberalizing steps. In 2011, amid large protests in Morocco and the popular overthrow of governments in other North African countries, the king introduced a new constitution that strengthened the office of the Prime Minister and expanded individual rights. The monarch remains the arbiter of national decision-making, the head of the military, and--as 'Commander of the Faithful'--the country's highest religious authority. Morocco's stability has taken on greater prominence amid the conflicts in Libya and the Sahel region and political turbulence in Tunisia and Algeria. The country has nonetheless seen recurrent protests over economic challenges, corruption, and police brutality, to which authorities have sometimes responded harshly. [...] Successive U.S. Administrations have viewed Morocco as an important regional partner on security, trade, and development."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2021-09-30
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Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress for three types of large unmanned vehicles (UVs) that the Navy wants to develop and procure in FY2022 and beyond: [1] Large Unmanned Surface Vehicles (LUSVs); [2] Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicles (MUSVs); and [3] Extra-large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (XLUUVs). The Navy wants to acquire these large UVs as part of an effort to shift the Navy to a new fleet architecture (i.e., a new combination of ships and other platforms) that is more widely distributed than the Navy's current fleet architecture. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $434.1 million in research and development funding for these large UVs and their enabling technologies. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's acquisition strategies and funding requests for these large UVs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-09-30
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Redefining 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS): Recent Developments [September 30, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Congress established the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act (CWA), to restore and protect the quality of the nation's surface waters. The CWA protects 'navigable waters,' defined in the statute as 'waters of the United States, including the territorial seas.' The scope of this term--'waters of the United States,' or WOTUS--determines which waters are federally regulated and has been the subject of debate for decades. The CWA does not define the term. Thus, in implementing the CWA, the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)--the two agencies that administer the statute--have defined the term in regulations. For several decades, successive presidential administrations have struggled to interpret the term 'waters of the United States' for the purpose of implementing various requirements of the CWA, and courts have been asked repeatedly to review the regulations and policy expressing those interpretations. [...] Actions by the courts, the Biden Administration, and Congress all have the potential to continue to alter the scope of federal jurisdiction under the CWA. This report examines the actions taken by the Obama, Trump, and Biden Administrations to define 'waters of the United States,' along with related legislation and case law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gatz, Laura; Bowers, Kate R.
2021-09-30
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Nuclear Arms Control After the Biden-Putin Summit [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Document: "After meeting in Geneva on June 16, 2021, President Biden and Russia's President Vladimir Putin released a Joint Statement on Strategic Stability [hyperlink], which outlined their agreement on a path forward for nuclear arms control and risk reduction. In February, the two Presidents had agreed [hyperlink] to extend [hyperlink] the New START Treaty for five years [hyperlink] beyond its planned expiration on February 5, 2021. This treaty limits deployed long-range strategic nuclear weapons but does not address all U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons or other factors that could affect the risk of nuclear use. In their joint statement, the Presidents agreed to hold further discussions on these issues. The first round of these talks occurred [hyperlink] on July 28, 2021; the second round occurred [hyperlink] on September 30, 2021."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2021-09-30
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Navy Lasers, Railgun, and Gun-Launched Guided Projectile: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on three potential new ship-based self-defense weapons for the Navy--solid state lasers (SSLs), the electromagnetic railgun (EMRG), and the gun-launched guided projectile (GLGP), also known as the hypervelocity projectile (HVP). The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests research and development funding for continued work on SSLs, but proposes suspending further work on the EMRG and GLGP programs and requests no research and development funding for them. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's acquisition strategies and funding requests for these three potential new weapons. Congress's decisions on this issue could affect future Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the defense industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-09-30
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COVID-19 Vaccination: Selected U.S. Data Sources [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Document: "In the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccine program, doses are first 'allocated' and made available to states and other jurisdictions for ordering. Once ordered, doses are 'delivered' (distributed) to appropriate state and jurisdictional sites. States then allocate and deliver doses to health departments, health care systems, pharmacies, and multi-county entities, which can further re-allocate to local clinical sites. Providers then 'administer' doses to patients and report administration data to jurisdictions and CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]. (See CDC's How COVID-19 Vaccines Get to You [hyperlink] and About COVID-19 Vaccine Delivered and Administration Data [hyperlink].) Federal health care programs (e.g., Veterans Health Administration) manage vaccine data through a similar process. Comirnaty (the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine) is approved [hyperlink] as a two-dose vaccine for ages 16+. Comirnaty is also authorized [hyperlink] for uses that fall outside the scope of its approval--that is, as a two-dose regimen in individuals aged 12-15, as a third dose for certain immunocompromised individuals aged 12+, and as a single booster dose to be given at least six months after the primary series in certain individuals aged 18+. For more information, see CRS Report R46913, 'FDA Approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID19 Vaccine: Frequently Asked Questions.' Vaccines manufactured by Moderna (a two-dose vaccine) and J&J/Janssen [Johnson & Johnson/Janssen] (a single-dose vaccine) are currently authorized [hyperlink] for emergency use for ages 18+. The Moderna [hyperlink] vaccine is also authorized to be given as a third dose to certain immunocompromised individuals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cornell, Ada S.; Napili, Angela
2021-09-30
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FDA Approval of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 Vaccine: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated September 29, 2021]
From the Document: "In August 23, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine manufactured by Pfizer and BioNTech for individuals 16 years of age or older. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is the first COVID-19 vaccine--and the first vaccine based on messenger RNA (mRNA) technology-- to be licensed by FDA. Pfizer and BioNTech will market their licensed COVID-19 vaccine under the brand name Comirnaty (pronounced koe-MIR-na-tee). [...] FDA's approval of Comirnaty has caused some confusion about the scope of FDA's approval, the relationship between Comirnaty and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, and other issues. This report addresses some common questions about FDA's approval of Comirnaty."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hickey, Kevin J.; Bodie, Agata; Ward, Erin H.
2021-09-29
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Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [September 29, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) program. The Navy has been procuring Virginia-class SSNs since FY1998, and a total of 34 have been procured through FY2021. Since FY2011, Virginia-class boats have been procured at a rate of two per year. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests the procurement of the 35th and 36th Virginia-class boats. A key issue for Congress concerns the SSN force-level goal and procurement rate. Decisions that Congress makes on this issue could substantially affect U.S. Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-09-29
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Germany's September 26 Elections [Updated September 29, 2021]
From the Document: "None of the candidates to succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel won a clear governing mandate in Germany's September 26, 2021, parliamentary elections. The center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), which has been Merkel's junior coalition partner for 12 of her 16 years in office, beat Merkel's center-right political group by 1.6 percentage points, but neither party exceeded 26% of the vote. Merkel, who was not a candidate in the elections, is to remain chancellor during what some analysts expect could be protracted negotiations [hyperlink] to form a new government. Merkel's likely successors have pledged continuity in German foreign policy and relations with the United States, but the end of the Merkel era--and her legacy of global leadership--could have important implications [hyperlink] for U.S.-German and U.S.-European relations. Areas of particular concern for Congress could include Germany's policies toward Russia, China, and NATO. Merkel's tenure has been viewed as a period of remarkable stability [hyperlink] and economic prosperity in Germany. The country's broader political landscape arguably has become more fractured [hyperlink] during her time in office, however, as Germany's two main political parties--the SPD and Merkel's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU)--have lost support to smaller parties on both sides of the political spectrum."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Belkin, Paul
2021-09-29
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Navy Constellation (FFG-62) Class Frigate Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 29, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and discusses potential issues for Congress regarding the Navy's Constellation (FFG-62) class frigate program, a program to procure a new class of 20 guided-missile frigates (FFGs). The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $1,087.9 million (i.e., about $1.1 billion) for the procurement of the third FFG-62, and $69.1 million in advance procurement (AP) funding for the fourth and fifth FFG-62s, which are programmed for procurement in one or more future fiscal years. The FFG-62 program presents several potential oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on the program could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-09-29
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Navy Next-Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 29, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The Navy's Next-Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) program envisages procuring a new class of medium-sized at-sea resupply ships for the Navy. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $27.8 million in research and development funding for the program. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's proposed funding requests and emerging acquisition strategy for the NGLS program. Congress's decisions on this issue could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-09-29
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Navy TAGOS(X) Ocean Surveillance Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 29, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The Navy wants to procure in FY2022 the first of a planned new class of seven TAGOS(X) ocean surveillance ships. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $434.4 million for the procurement of the first TAGOS(X). The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's funding requests and acquisition strategy for the program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-09-29
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Argentina: An Overview [Updated September 29, 2021]
"Situated on the Atlantic coast of South America's Southern Cone, Argentina has a vibrant democratic tradition and has Latin America's third-largest economy. U.S.-Argentine relations have been strong in recent years. [...] Upon taking office, President Fernández faced an economy in recession, high poverty, and unsustainable public debt. He pledged to restructure Argentina's debt and opened talks with bondholders and other creditors. He also rolled out several measures, including a food program and price controls on basic goods, aimed at helping low-income Argentines cope with inflation and increased poverty. [...] Argentina has been hard hit by the pandemic. COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] cases and deaths surged in May and June 2021 but have since declined. As of September 29, 2021, the country reported over 115,000 deaths, with a mortality rate of 255 per 100,000 people, according to Johns Hopkins University. Although the procurement and rollout of vaccines was initially slow compared with some other countries, as of September 29, 48.1% of Argentina's population was fully vaccinated. [...] In July 2021, the United States donated 3.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna) to Argentina. In addition, according to the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, the United States has donated more than $4 million in COVID-19 relief supplies, including three relief hospitals and other supplies provided by the U.S. Southern Command."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2021-09-29
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Issues Raised by a Federal Government Shutdown: Grants to State and Local Governments and the Covid-19 Pandemic [Updated September 29, 2021]
From the Document: "Midnight September 30, 2021, will be the end of FY2021. In the absence of new funding legislation for FY2022, funding for federal agencies and activities funded through all 12 of the regular annual appropriations acts will lapse. The resulting lapse in appropriations will require a shutdown of most federal agency operations [hyperlink], including those necessary to administer federal aid to state and local governments. [...] Since March 2020, COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic response legislation has provided additional funding for federal grant programs to state and local governments. According to the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, $582.3 billion [hyperlink] has been provided to state, local, and tribal governments for pandemic response, not including additional grant funding provided under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 [hyperlink] (American Rescue Plan, P.L. 117-2, enacted March 11, 2021). The American Rescue Plan provided an additional $360 billion [hyperlink], of which $219.8 billion was appropriated for the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund [hyperlink], $130.2 billion for the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund [hyperlink], and $10 billion for the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund [hyperlink]. A federal government shutdown may cause disruption to, or cessation of, grant administration activities for normal grant program appropriations, as well as pandemic-related supplemental funding, depending on the following factors: [1] the timing and duration of a federal government shutdown; and [2] the choices made by federal, state, and local officials in anticipation of, or during, a shutdown regarding grant program administration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keegan, Natalie
2021-09-29
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Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 29, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy's Columbia (SSBN-826) class program, a program to design and build a class of 12 new ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy's current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. Since 2013, the Navy has consistently identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy's top priority program. The Navy procured the first Columbia-class boat in FY2021 and wants to procure the second boat in the class in FY2024. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $4,647.0 million (i.e., about $4.6 billion) in procurement and advance procurement (AP) funding for the program. The program poses a number of funding and oversight issues for Congress. Decisions that Congress makes on the Columbia-class program could substantially affect U.S. military capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-09-29
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Federal Disaster Assistance for Agriculture [Updated September 29, 2021]
From the Document: "A number of federal assistance programs are designed to address agricultural losses following a natural disaster, including insurance, direct payments for loss, loans, and cost share to rehabilitate damaged lands. These programs are intended to assist producers recovering from production, financial, and physical loss related to or caused by the disaster. They are administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through three agencies: the Risk Management Agency (RMA), the Farm Service Agency (FSA), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). All programs have permanent authorization, and only one (the emergency loan program) requires a federal disaster designation. Many of the programs receive mandatory funding amounts that are 'such sums as necessary' and are not subject to annual discretionary appropriations. Other programs, however, require supplemental appropriations. Some programs are subject to payment limits, while others are not (e.g., crop insurance). 'Table 1' provides a brief overview of permanent USDA assistance programs for agricultural producers following a natural disaster. It is not comprehensive as it does not include temporary assistance programs, such as the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (WHIP). Other programs for community water, housing, food assistance, and wildfire support offered by USDA are also not discussed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stubbs, Megan
2021-09-29
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Defense Primer: Electronic Warfare [Updated September 29, 2021]
From the Document: "Electronic warfare (EW), as defined by the Department of Defense (DOD), are military activities that use electromagnetic energy to control the electromagnetic spectrum ('the spectrum') and attack an enemy. The spectrum is a range of frequencies for electromagnetic energy. EW supports command and control (C2) by allowing military commanders' access to the spectrum to communicate with forces, while preventing potential adversaries from accessing the spectrumto develop an operational picture and communicate with their forces. Some have argued that EW is a component of anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) campaigns. [...] The National Defense Strategy, released in 2018, emphasized the return of great-power competition, reflecting China's and Russia's ongoing efforts to modernize their forces to counter U.S. military advantages. In addition, the congressionally mandated National Defense Strategy Commission, which independently evaluated DOD strategy, stated that the United States is losing its advantages in electronic warfare, hindering the nation's ability to conduct military operations against capable adversaries. The commission recommended increasing EW investments and developing new concepts to regain U.S. military advantage. Each service has incorporated EW capabilities into platforms and combat systems and is currently working to modernize its existing capabilities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.
2021-09-29
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Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 29, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the 'Gerald R. Ford' (CVN-78) class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN) aircraft carrier program. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $2,659.5 million (i.e., about $2.7 billion) in procurement funding for the program. Congress's decisions on the CVN-78 program could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-09-29
