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'Quad': Security Cooperation Among the United States, Japan, India, and Australia [November 2, 2020]
From the Overview: "In October 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his three counterparts from Australia, India, and Japan convened an in-person meeting in Tokyo. The focus was on boosting the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, aka 'the Quad,' a four-country coalition with a common platform of protecting freedom of navigation and promoting democratic values in the region. The gathering released no joint statement, but Pompeo stated that the purpose of the group was to 'protect our people and partners from the Chinese Communist Party's exploitation, corruption, and coercion.' Although the three other ministers framed the meeting differently in their opening statements, fears of China's growing influence and assertiveness in the region loom large. Tensions with China have worsened for all four countries in 2020, driving increased defense cooperation among them. Despite this confluence, the Quad faces major challenges in defining itself and its goals. Does expanding defense cooperation provide meaningful strategic advantages? Will the Quad broaden its activities on democracy promotion? Is it durable as a framework even in the face of leadership changes in member countries? These questions may be of critical importance to Congress given its oversight responsibilities, interest in security alliances, and growing concern about China's power and influence in the region."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Kronstadt, K. Alan; Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-
2020-11-02
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Defense Primer: Security Cooperation [November 2, 2020]
From the Document: "The Department of Defense (DOD) uses the term 'security cooperation' (SC) to refer broadly to DOD interactions with foreign security establishments. SC activities include [1] transferring defense articles and services, [2] military-to-military exercises, [3] ministerial advising, and [4] train and equip programs. SC programs are intended to encourage and enable partner nations (PNs) to work with the United States to achieve strategic objectives. They are considered a key tool for achieving U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Arabia, Christina
2020-11-02
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Military Appellate Court: Presidential Comments Can Amount to Unlawful Command Influence [November 2, 2020]
From the Document: "In a set of divided opinions on August 27, the U.S Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) rejected Sergeant Robert 'Bowe' Bergdahl's appeal in his desertion case, which he argued was invalid due to unlawful command influence. However, CAAF found that the President's remarks about an ongoing court-martial trial can amount to unlawful command influence in violation of Art. 37 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The court reasoned that the President is by statute a convening authority for general courts-martial and is therefore subject to the Rules for Courts-Martial (R.C.M.) Rule 104(a)'s prohibition on unlawful command influence, which implements Art. 37 of the UCMJ. [...] This Legal Sidebar explains the prohibition against unlawful command influence in military courts, describes the tests CAAF uses to decide whether unlawful command influence has occurred, and explains CAAF's decision in the 'Bergdahl' appeal."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elsea, Jennifer
2020-11-02
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TikTok: Technology Overview and Issues [Updated November 2, 2020]
From the Summary: "TikTok is a globally popular video-sharing smartphone application (app) owned by ByteDance Ltd., a privately held company headquartered in Beijing, China. It is under increasing scrutiny by the U.S. government as a potential privacy and security risk to U.S. citizens. This is because ByteDance, like all technology companies doing business in China, is subject to Chinese laws that require companies operating in the country to turn over user data when asked by the government. Researchers differ over how TikTok data collection compares with other social media apps and whether TikTok poses a threat to the privacy and security of its U.S. users."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Figliola, Patricia Moloney
2020-11-02
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United Nations Issues: U.S. Funding of U.N. Peacekeeping [Updated November 2, 2020]
From the Document: "The United States is the single largest financial contributor to United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping activities. Congress authorizes and appropriates U.S. contributions, and it has an ongoing interest in ensuring such funding is used as efficiently and effectively as possible. The United States, as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, plays a key role in establishing, renewing, and funding U.N. peacekeeping operations. For 2020, the United Nations assessed the U.S. share of U.N. peacekeeping budgets at 27.89%; however, since 1994 Congress has capped the U.S. payment at 25% due to concerns that U.S. assessments are too high. For FY2021, the Trump Administration proposed $1.07 billion for U.N. peacekeeping, a 29% decrease from the enacted FY2020 level of $1.52 billion."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchfield, Luisa
2020-11-02
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Wildfire Smoke: Air Quality Concerns and Management [November 2, 2020]
From the Document: "Wildfire smoke can temporarily degrade air quality and harm human health. Some Members of Congress have expressed concern about wildfire health risks, including potential interactions with COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. This Insight provides background, discusses federal air quality requirements related to wildfires, and identifies wildfire smoke response programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shouse, Kate C.; Esworthy, Robert
2020-11-02
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Introduction to the U.S. Economy: GDP and Economic Growth [Updated October 30, 2020]
From the Document: "As a result of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, economic activity declined rapidly in the United States in early 2020 and remains below pre-pandemic levels, despite gross domestic product growth being positive in the third quarter of 2020. The speed of the economic recovery and projections of longer-term growth are of concern to policymakers due to the connection between the economy's performance and the overall wellbeing of Americans. This In Focus provides an introduction to the U.S. economy, including how economists measure its performance and the factors that influence its long-run trajectory."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keightley, Mark P.; Weinstock, Lida R.
2020-10-30
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U.S. Role in the World: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated October 30, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress regarding the U.S. role in the world, meaning the overall character, purpose, or direction of U.S. participation in international affairs and the country's overall relationship to the rest of the world. The U.S. role in the world can be viewed as establishing the overall context or framework for U.S. policymakers for developing, implementing, and measuring the success of U.S. policies and actions on specific international issues, and for foreign countries or other observers for interpreting and understanding U.S. actions on the world stage. [...] The issue for Congress is whether the U.S. role in the world has changed, and if so, what implications this might have for the United States and the world. Congress's decisions regarding the U.S. role in the world could have significant implications for numerous policies, plans, programs, and budgets, and for the role of Congress relative to that of the executive branch in U.S. foreign policymaking."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; Moodie, Michael, 1948-
2020-10-30
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Venezuela: Overview of U.S. Sanctions [Updated October 30, 2020]
"For more than a decade, the United States has imposed sanctions in response to activities of the Venezuelan government and Venezuelan individuals. In response to the authoritarian leadership of Nicolás Maduro, the Trump Administration has significantly expanded sanctions. As of October 30, 2020, the Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on roughly 159 Venezuelan or Venezuelan-connected individuals, and the State Department has revoked the visas of more than 1,000 individuals and their families. The Trump Administration also has imposed sanctions on Venezuela's state oil company (Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., or PdVSA), government, and central bank."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2020-10-30
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'Jones V. Mississippi': Juvenile Life Without Parole Back at the Supreme Court [October 30, 2020]
From the Document: "On November 3, 2020, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral argument in 'Jones v. Mississippi,' a case concerning whether the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishments requires a finding that a juvenile offender is permanently incorrigible before the juvenile may be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Last term, the Court heard argument in 'Mathena v. Malvo,' which also raised an Eighth Amendment challenge to a juvenile life without parole sentence; however, as a previous Legal Sidebar explained, the Court ultimately dismissed 'Malvo' when a change in state law rendered that case moot. Soon after dismissing 'Malvo,' the Court granted certiorari in 'Jones.' As discussed [in this document], the legal issue presented in 'Jones' is similar to the issue presented in 'Malvo,' although the Court itself has changed in the interim due to the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to fill her seat. This Legal Sidebar first surveys key Eighth Amendment jurisprudence relevant to 'Jones' before briefly presenting the background of the case and the parties' arguments before the Supreme Court. The Sidebar concludes by discussing possible outcomes in 'Jones' and their implications for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lampe, Joanna R.
2020-10-30
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Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress [Updated October 29, 2020]
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 1749 of the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (S. 1790/P.L. 116-92 of December 20, 2019) prohibits the Secretary of Defense, in naming a new ship (or other asset) or renaming an existing ship (or other asset), from giving the asset a name that refers to, or includes a term referring to, the Confederate States of America, including any name referring to a person who served or held leadership within the Confederacy, or a Confederate battlefield victory."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-10-29
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Kyrgyz Parliamentary Elections Annulled Amid Protests and Unrest [Updated October 29, 2020]
From the Document: "The Kyrgyz Republic (commonly known as Kyrgyzstan) faces political upheaval in the wake of disputed October 4, 2020, parliamentary elections that heavily favored pro-government parties. As a parliamentary republic that holds contested elections, Kyrgyzstan has long been considered the most democratic country in Central Asia, with a vibrant civil society and a higher degree of press freedom than found elsewhere in the region. Promoting a more inclusive and accountable democracy is a stated goal of U.S. foreign policy in Kyrgyzstan, and Kyrgyzstan is one of 21 countries worldwide that participate in the House Democracy Partnership. Many Members of Congress and other U.S. policymakers have long voiced support for consolidating Kyrgyzstan's gains as Central Asia's only parliamentary democracy. Corruption is pervasive, however, and political institutions remain weak."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blackwood, Maria A.
2020-10-29
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Public Confidence in Elections [October 29, 2020]
From the Document: "Since the 2016 election cycle, election officials have warned about ongoing efforts to undermine public confidence in American political institutions. They also have consistently reassured Americans that there is no publicly available evidence that foreign or domestic interference have changed or likely could change official election results. This CRS [Congressional Research Service] Insight discusses recent policy issues and selected factors that could affect public confidence in voting and elections."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-
2020-10-29
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Iran's Nuclear Program and U.N. Sanctions Reimposition [Updated October 29, 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.
2020-10-29
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Larger Businesses and COVID-19: Financial Relief and Assistance Resources [Updated October 29, 2020]
From the Document: "This CRS [Congressional Research Service] Insight presents selected resources and CRS products on economic relief and assistance for medium and large businesses that were directly affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, enacted on March 27, 2020, contains provisions to assist businesses. This Insight focuses on sources of assistance designated for medium and large businesses that do not qualify for Small Business Administration programs or other assistance programs for small businesses. [...] Note that this Insight may not include every instance of federal assistance to medium or large firms provided in response to the COVID-19 pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jennings, Julie
2020-10-29
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Wildfire Management Funding: FY2021 Appropriations [October 29, 2020]
From the Document: "The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service (FS) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) are responsible for wildfire response and management across the federal lands within their respective jurisdictions. Both FS and DOI generally receive annual discretionary appropriations for wildfire management activities through the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bills. Wildfire management funding for DOI is provided to the department-level Office of Wildland Fire. Wildfire management appropriations fluctuate annually but began to increase in the late 1990s and rose markedly after FY2000. A significant portion of the annual fluctuations and overall increase in funding is related to fire suppression costs, which vary considerably and may be high even during years of relatively mild wildfire activity."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoover, Katie
2020-10-29
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Climate Change Risk Mitigation by U.S. Foreign Assistance Agencies [October 29, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Congress has demonstrated continued interest in how U.S. foreign assistance agencies address climate-related issues. To mitigate the risk of climate change for both internal agency operations and foreign assistance programming, Members have provided related funding and directives in regular Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations measures. [...] This report focuses on agencies' planning to reduce the risk of climate change for operations and programs; it does not include analysis of programming aimed at addressing developing countries' own climate risk. Specifically, this report discusses how the foreign assistance agencies--the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Peace Corps, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and the Development Finance Corporation--are addressing climate change in their respective internal operations and overseas work planning. The report also discusses key issues that may be of interest to Congress as it considers future funding for and oversight of these activities. These issues include options for congressional input, the relationship of climate risk to other priorities such as environmental degradation, and responsibilities for climate risk management within and among U.S. foreign assistance agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brown, Nick M.; Morgenstern, Emily M.
2020-10-29
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Nuclear Ban Treaty: An Overview [Updated October 29, 2020]
From the Document: "Since the founding of the United Nations in 1945, the UN General Assembly (UN GA) has called for the elimination of nuclear weapons. UNGA Resolution A/71/258 (2016) called on UN member states to negotiate in 2017 a legally binding Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), also known as the nuclear 'ban treaty.' Negotiations ended on July 7, 2017, when 122 countries voted to approve the treaty. Singapore abstained, and the Netherlands voted against it, citing conflicts between the treaty and its commitments as a member of NATO. The United States and 40 other states did not participate in negotiations. To date, 84 countries have signed and 50 countries have ratified the treaty. In accordance with Article 15, the TPNW will enter into force 90 days following the 50th ratification, which will be on January 22, 2021. Civil society groups advocated for a nuclear ban, and in 2017, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the nongovernmental International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) for its advocacy role."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham
2020-10-29
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Thailand: 2020 Student Protests and U.S.-Thai Relations [October 29, 2020]
From the Document: "Protesters have taken to the streets in Thailand, challenging the country's military-led government and, notably, the role of the country's powerful monarchy. Protesters are demanding constitutional reform, the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, and limitations on the powers of the monarchy--a deeply sensitive issue in Thailand. Previous periods of mass protests in Thailand have challenged the country's political institutions, and on numerous instances have resulted in violent clashes between competing factions as well as with the Thai military. Since becoming a constitutional monarchy in 1932, Thailand has experienced over 22 attempted coups (13 successful), the most recent in 2014."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Kirt; Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Dolven, Ben
2020-10-29
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Defense Primer: Electronic Warfare [Updated October 29, 2020]
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 spectrum to 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."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.
2020-10-29
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Renewed Great Power Competition: Implications for Defense--issues for Congress [Updated October 29, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides a brief overview of implications for U.S. defense of renewed great power competition with China and Russia. The issue for Congress is how U.S. defense planning should respond to renewed great power competition, and whether to approve, reject, or modify the Trump Administration's proposed defense funding levels, strategy, plans, and programs for addressing renewed great power competition. Congress's decisions on these issues could have significant implications for U.S. defense capabilities and funding requirements. This report focuses on defense-related issues and does not discuss potential implications of renewed great power competition for other policy areas, such as foreign policy and diplomacy, trade and finance, energy, and foreign assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-10-29
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'Zombie' Companies: Background and Policy Issues [October 29, 2020]
From the Document: "'Zombie' companies are mature companies that have not generated sufficient profits to cover their debt borrowing costs over a period of years. Such companies are characterized by prolonged underperformance and poor future prospects and are often associated with low productivity. The number of zombie companies has gone up in recent years. As many as 15% of companies in the Russell 3000--an index of 3,000 publicly traded U.S. companies that make up the vast majority of the investable public U.S. equity market--are considered zombies by some. This In Focus addresses basic questions about zombie companies, discusses their effects on the economy, and briefly reviews policy implications and proposals to address them."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Su, Eva
2020-10-29
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Navy Constellation (FFG-62) Class Frigate (Previously FFG[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated October 28, 2020]
From the Summary: "The Constellation (FFG-62) class frigate program, previously known as the FFG(X) program, is a Navy program to build a class of 20 guided-missile frigates (FFGs). Congress funded the procurement of the first FFG-62 class ship in FY2020 at a cost of $1,281.2 million (i.e., about $1.3 billion). The Navy's proposed FY2021 budget requests $1,053.1 million (i.e., about $1.1 billion) for the procurement of the second FFG-62 class ship. The Navy estimates that subsequent ships in the class will cost roughly $940 million each in then-year dollars. Four industry teams were competing for the FFG-62 program. On April 30, 2020, the Navy announced that it had awarded the FFG-62 contract to the team led by Fincantieri/Marinette Marine (F/MM) of Marinette, WI. F/MM was awarded a fixed-price incentive (firm target) contract for Detail Design and Construction (DD&C) for up to 10 ships in the program--the lead ship plus nine option ships. The other three industry teams reportedly competing for the program were led by Austal USA of Mobile, AL; General Dynamics/Bath Iron Works (GD/BIW) of Bath, ME; and Huntington Ingalls Industries/Ingalls Shipbuilding (HII/Ingalls) of Pascagoula, MS."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-10-28
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Cuba: U.S. Policy Overview [Updated October 28, 2020]
From the Document: "Since the early 1960s, when the United States imposed a trade embargo on Cuba, the centerpiece of U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted of economic sanctions aimed at isolating the government. In 2014, the Obama Administration initiated a policy shift moving away from sanctions toward engagement and the normalization of relations. Changes included the rescission of Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of international terrorism (May 2015); the restoration of diplomatic relations (July 2015); and an easing of restrictions on travel, remittances, trade, telecommunications, and banking and financial services (2015 and 2016), accomplished through amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR), administered by the Treasury Department, and the Export Administration Regulations, administered by the Commerce Department. The restoration of relations led to increased government-to-government engagement, with over 20 bilateral agreements and numerous dialogues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2020-10-28
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Federal Wildfire Management: Ten-Year Funding Trends and Issues (FY2011-FY2020) [October 28, 2020]
From the Summary: "Wildfire management is a series of coordinated activities to prepare for, resolve, and recover from wildfire events. The federal agencies responsible for wildfire management include the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service (FS) and the Department of the Interior (DOI). FS carries out wildfire response and management across the 193 million acres of national forests and national grasslands; DOI carries out these activities on more than 400million acres of national parks, wildlife refuges and preserves, Indian reservations, and other public lands. The federal agencies also coordinate wildfire response activities with state and local governments as needed. Both FS and DOI generally receive annual discretionary appropriations for wildfire management activities through the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bills. Wildfire management funding for DOI is provided to the Office of Wildland Fire (a department-level office). Both FS and DOI receive wildfire appropriations through similarly structured accounts, programs, and activities, though FS's account structure changed several times between FY2011 and FY2020. [...] Total combined FS and DOI wildfire appropriations fluctuated annually but increased from FY2011 to FY2020."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoover, Katie
2020-10-28
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Europe, COVID-19, and U.S. Relations [Updated October 28, 2020]
From the Document: "Like most of the rest of the world, European governments and the European Union (EU) have struggled to manage the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. European leaders have characterized the pandemic as Europe's biggest challenge since the Second World War, with potentially far-reaching political, social, and economic consequences beyond the public health impact. COVID-19 also has added new tensions to an already strained U.S.- European partnership. Members of Congress may be interested in COVID-19's implications for U.S. relations with Europe, including in NATO and with the EU, and in how the pandemic might alter certain U.S.-European dynamics, especially vis-à-vis China."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Archick, Kristin; Belkin, Paul; Garding, Sarah E. . . .
2020-10-28
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Immigration Relief for Victims of Trafficking [October 28, 2020]
From the Document: "Human trafficking occurs throughout the United States, and traffickers exploit vulnerable individuals for commercial sex and forced labor in a variety of legal and illegal industries. [...] under federal law there are certain protections from removal that are sometimes available to noncitizen victims of trafficking. [1] Noncitizen victims of trafficking are potentially eligible for the T nonimmigrant status, which protects them from removal and provides a path to permanent residency. [2] U nonimmigrant status is available to certain noncitizen victims of crime and may be available to trafficking victims who do not qualify for T status; the U status also provides a path to permanent residency. [3] Trafficking victims may be eligible for continued presence, which is not an immigration status but can offer protection from removal, among other benefits. This report provides a brief overview of human trafficking in the United States, discusses these three types of immigration relief available to trafficking victims, and presents relevant issues policymakers may consider regarding immigration protections available to these victims."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kolker, Abigail F.; Finklea, Kristin
2020-10-28
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Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act [Updated October 28, 2020]
From the Document: "The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (Global Magnitsky Act, Title XII, Subtitle F of P.L. 114- 328; 22 U.S.C. §2656 note) authorizes the President to impose economic sanctions and deny entry into the United States to any foreign person identified as engaging in human rights abuse or corruption."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weber, Michael A.; Collins-Chase, Edward J.
2020-10-28
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China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress [Updated October 28, 2020]
From the Summary: "In an era of renewed great power competition, China's military modernization effort, including its naval modernization effort, has become the top focus of U.S. defense planning and budgeting. [...] The U.S. Navy in recent years has taken a number of actions to counter China's naval modernization effort. Among other things, the U.S. Navy has shifted a greater percentage of its fleet to the Pacific; assigned its most-capable new ships and aircraft and its best personnel to the Pacific; maintained or increased general presence operations, training and developmental exercises, and engagement and cooperation with allied and other navies in the Indo-Pacific; increased the planned future size of the Navy; initiated, increased, or accelerated numerous programs for developing new military technologies and acquiring new ships, aircraft, unmanned vehicles, and weapons; begun development of new operational concepts (i.e., new ways to employ Navy and Marine Corps forces) for countering Chinese maritime A2/AD [anti-access/area-denial] forces; and signaled that the Navy in coming years will shift to a more-distributed fleet architecture that will feature a smaller portion of larger ships, a larger portion of smaller ships, and a substantially greater use of unmanned vehicles. The issue for Congress is whether the U.S. Navy is responding appropriately to China's naval modernization effort."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-10-28
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Title X Family Planning Program [Updated October 28, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The Title X Family Planning Program (Title X) was enacted in 1970 as Title X of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act). Title X provides grants to public and nonprofit agencies for family planning services, research, and training. The Office of Population Affairs (OPA) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) administers Title X, which is the only domestic federal program devoted solely to family planning and related preventive health services. This In Focus answers questions on Title X, legislative mandates, and other family planning programs, and it identifies resources for Title X projects during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Napili, Angela
2020-10-28
