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International Discussions Concerning Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems [Updated April 19, 2021]
From the Document: "Lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS), or weapons designed to independently select and engage targets without the need for manual human control, could enable military operations in communications-degraded or -denied environments where traditional systems may not be able to operate. LAWS are not yet in widespread development. However, as technology advances--particularly artificial intelligence (AI)--a larger number of countries may consider developing and operating LAWS. This could hold potential implications for congressional oversight, defense investments, military concepts of operations, treaty-making, and the future of warfare. As has been the case throughout history, incorporation of new technology into weapons systems creates a number of potential legal, ethical, strategic, and operational problems. For this reason, some members of the international community seek through international discussions to constrain--if not ban--LAWS."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.
2021-04-19
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Army's Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated April 19, 2021]
From the Document: "The Army's Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) is the Army's third attempt to replace the M-2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) which has been in service since the early 1980s. Despite numerous upgrades since its introduction, the Army contends the M-2 is near the end of its useful life and can no longer accommodate the types of upgrades needed for it to be effective on the modern battlefield. Because the OMFV would be an important weapon system in the Army's Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs), Congress may be concerned with how the OMFV would impact the effectiveness of ground forces over the full spectrum of military operations. Moreover, Congress might also be concerned with how much more capable the OMFV is projected to be over the M-2 Bradley to ensure that it is not just a costly marginal improvement over the current system. A number of past unsuccessful Army acquisition programs have served to heighten congressional oversight of Army programs, and the OMFV may be subject to a high degree of congressional interest."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2021-04-19
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Oil and Gas Tax Preferences [Updated April 16, 2021]
From the Document: "The tax code contains a number of provisions that benefit the oil and gas sector. Some contend that these provisions should be eliminated, arguing that using energy derived from oil and gas resources is inconsistent with environmental objectives. Others view these provisions as helping a sector that is vital to the U.S. and world economy. Certain provisions are designed such that they only become available when oil prices are low, providing relief when market conditions are less favorable. This In Focus (1) describes tax preferences for oil and gas; (2) provides information on foregone revenue associated with these tax preferences('tax expenditures'); and (3) discusses broader tax policy issues of importance to the oil and gas sector."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.
2021-04-16
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History, Evolution, and Practices of the President's State of the Union Address: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated April 16, 2021]
From the Summary: "The State of the Union address is a communication from the President to Congress in which the chief executive reports on the current condition of the United States and provides policy proposals for the upcoming legislative year. The address originates in the Constitution (Article II, Section 3, clause 1), which requires that the President 'shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.' [...] This report takes the format of answers to frequently asked questions about the State of the Union address."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kreiser, Maria; Greene, Michael
2021-04-16
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-117th Congresses [Updated April 16, 2021]
From the Summary: "The party ratio in a House of Representatives standing committee refers to the proportional number of members of each party caucus assigned to each committee. Determining sizes, ratios, and committee assignments are among the first actions taken following a general election and at the beginning of a Congress. The Standing Rules of the House of Representatives are silent regarding committee sizes and party ratios; the apportionment of committee seats is a decision of the majority leadership that may include discussions between majority and minority party leaderships. Historically, the number of majority seats on some committees has exceeded, in varying degrees, the strength of the majority party in the House chamber, regardless of which party has been in power. This generally has ensured that the majority party has a sufficient number of members distributed across committees to control voting in many committees. The exception has been the House Committee on Ethics (known as the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct prior to the 112th Congress), for which House Rules guarantee an equal share of the seats to the two parties. This report shows House committee party ratios for 20 Congresses, covering the period from the 98th Congress (1983-1985) through February 2021, the first part of the 117th Congress (2021- 2023)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eckman, Sarah J.
2021-04-16
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Congress's Authority to Limit the Removal of Inspectors General [April 16, 2021]
From the Summary: "Federal law establishes a variety of inspectors general (IGs), each of whom is generally tasked with detecting waste, fraud, and abuse through independent and objective investigations, audits, and reviews of the agency or program for which they are responsible. In 2020, the level of independence that IGs possess received significant public and congressional attention after President Donald Trump removed or replaced two permanent and two acting IGs in the span of two months. Although IGs are independent and objective units, they are not completely insulated from executive branch influence. Under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (IG Act), IGs are appointed, supervised, and removed by either the President or agency leadership."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garvey, Todd
2021-04-16
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Federal Scientific Integrity Policies: A Primer [Updated April 16, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The U.S. government supports a range of research and development (R&D) to help maintain economic competitiveness, strengthen national security, improve health care, and protect the environment. There is broad agreement among policymakers and the scientific and engineering community about the importance of ensuring federal, academic, and private sector R&D activities proceed with integrity and their results are openly communicated. Accurate and credible scientific information is important to many policy development and decisionmaking processes. Over the years, some Members of Congress and scientific and environmental advocacy organizations have alleged that presidential administrations of both parties have violated the principles of scientific integrity. This report provides an overview of scientific integrity and discusses selected issues for congressional consideration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gallo, Marcy E.
2021-04-16
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Global Human Rights: The Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices [Updated April 16, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The State Department's 'Country Reports on Human Rights Practices' are an annual U.S. government account of human rights conditions in countries around the globe. The reports characterize countries on the basis of their adherence to 'internationally recognized human rights,' which generally refer to the civil, political, and worker rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948) and other international human rights agreements. The most recent reports cover calendar year 2020 and were issued on March 30, 2021. They provide individual narratives on countries and territories worldwide and are available on the Department of State website. As with prior reports, the 2020 reports do not compare countries or rank them based on the severity of human rights abuses documented. Although the reports describe human rights violations in many countries, in remarks introducing the reports and in a written preface, Secretary of State Antony Blinken specifically noted violations in a number of countries, including China, Ethiopia, Russia, Syria, Uganda, Venezuela, and Yemen, among others. Blinken described Coronavirus Disease 2019 as a negative factor affecting respect for human rights globally, stating that 'autocratic governments have used [the pandemic] as a pretext to target their critics and further repress human rights.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weber, Michael A.
2021-04-16
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Bulgaria: An Overview [Updated April 16, 2021]
From the Document: "Bulgaria is a southeastern European country located along the Black Sea. After decades of single-party communist rule and a turbulent transition period during the 1990s, Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004 and the European Union (EU) in 2007. The United States cooperates with Bulgaria on a range of security issues. At the same time, U.S. officials have urged Bulgaria to strengthen the rule of law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garding, Sarah E.
2021-04-16
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 98th-117th Congresses [Updated April 16, 2021]
From the Summary: "The party ratio in the Senate standing committees is the proportional number of members of each party caucus assigned to each committee. Determining committee sizes, ratios, and assignments are among the first actions taken after a general election and at the beginning of a Congress. [...] This report shows Senate committee party ratios for 20 Congresses, covering the period of the 98th Congress (1983-1985) through March 2021, the first part of the 117th Congress (2021-2023)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eckman, Sarah J.
2021-04-16
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United Kingdom: Background, Brexit, and Relations with the United States [Updated April 16, 2021]
From the Summary: "Many U.S. officials and Members of Congress view the United Kingdom (UK) as the United States' closest and most reliable ally. This perception stems from a combination of factors, including a sense of shared history, values, and culture; a large and mutually beneficial economic relationship; and extensive cooperation on foreign policy and security issues. The UK's January 2020 withdrawal from the European Union (EU), often referred to as 'Brexit', is likely to change its international role and outlook in ways that affect U.S.-UK relations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mix, Derek E.
2021-04-16
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U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy: Considering 'No First Use' [Updated April 16, 2021]
From the Document: "On April 15, 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren [hyperlink] and Representative Adam Smith introduced legislation [hyperlink] that declared, 'It is the policy of the United States to not use nuclear weapons first.' Other Members of Congress are divided on this issue. Senator Dianne Feinstein has argued [hyperlink] that the only moral use for U.S. nuclear weapons is as a deterrent to their use. Senator Deb Fischer, on the other hand, has said [hyperlink] that the proposal 'betrays a naïve and disturbed world view.' President Biden has spoken [hyperlink], in the past, about his support for a 'sole purpose' [hyperlink] policy for nuclear weapons, which some see as similar to 'no first use,' but the President has not yet taken steps to review or alter U.S. nuclear policy. A 'no first use' policy would represent a change from current policy, where the United States has pledged [hyperlink] to refrain from using nuclear weapons against most non-nuclear weapon states, but has neither ruled out their first use in all cases nor specified the circumstances under which it would use them."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2021-04-16
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COVID-19 Vaccination: Selected U.S. Data Sources [Updated April 15, 2021]
From the Document: "The sources [in this document] can help congressional staff track the progress of the U.S. COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccination campaign at the national, state, and local levels. Sources were selected for having commonly cited and frequently requested data. This list is not intended to be comprehensive. Additional sources may be added in future updates. Because different resources use different methodologies, readers should check websites' notes, definitions, and caveats. Readers should also use caution when comparing data across sources or geographies"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cornell, Ada S.; Napili, Angela
2021-04-15
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [Updated April 15, 2021]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean. As of April 14, 2021, the region had almost 26.7million confirmed cases(19.3% of cases worldwide) and over 846,000 deaths(28.4% of deaths worldwide). Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru had the highest numbers of deaths in the region, and Brazil and Mexico had highest death tolls worldwide after the United States. The regional rankings change when examining deaths per 100,000 population--using this measurement, Peru had the highest rate in the region, followed by Brazil, Mexico, Panama, and Colombia. A University of Washington COVID-19 projection model (updated April 8, 2021) forecast deaths in the region could reach 1.2 million by August 1, 2021."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2021-04-15
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Caribbean Basin Security Initiative [Updated April 15, 2021]
From the Document: "The United States developed the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), a regional U.S. foreign assistance program, in 2009 through a process of dialogue with Caribbean countries. The initiative seeks to reduce illicit trafficking in the region, advance public safety and security, and promote social justice. Because of their geographic location, many Caribbean nations are vulnerable to being used as transit countries for illicit drugs from South America destined for the U.S. and European markets. Strengthened U.S. counternarcotics cooperation with Mexico and Central America--through the Mérida Initiative and the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI)--led U.S. policymakers to anticipate a potential increase in narcotics trafficking through the Caribbean. Many Caribbean countries have also suffered high rates of violent crime, including murder, often associated with drug trafficking activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2021-04-15
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United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S. Policy [Updated April 15, 2021]
From the Summary: "The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven principalities or 'emirates.' Its population is assessed at nearly 10 million, but about 90% of the population are expatriates from within and outside the region who work in its open economy. The UAE is a significant U.S. security partner that hosts about 3,500 U.S. military personnel at UAE military facilities, buys sophisticated U.S. military equipment, including missile defenses and combat aircraft, and supports U.S. policy toward Iran. The UAE's August 2020 agreement to normalize relations with Israel might further consolidate the U.S.-UAE relationship and help both the United States and Israel counter Iran. UAE policy will likely not change after UAE President Shaykh Khalifa bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan, who has been largely incapacitated since January 2014, passes from the scene; he is almost certain to be succeeded by his younger brother and de-facto UAE leader Shaykh Muhammad bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2021-04-15
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Russia: Foreign Policy and U.S. Relations [Updated April 15, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report focuses on Russian foreign policy, key issue areas, and related U.S. policy. The report first addresses foreign policymaking institutions and processes within Russia. It next examines Russia's relations with key countries and regions. It follows with sections on Russia's use of force and military power; influence and cyber operations; and foreign economic policies. The report then analyzes U.S.-Russia relations, including U.S. policy during the current and prior Administrations and recent congressional actions. The report is compartmentalized, so that readers primarily interested in a particular issue may find the relevant information in a subsection of the report. Russia's domestic politics, human rights situation, and economy are not within the scope of this report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bowen, Andrew S.; Welt, Cory
2021-04-15
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Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy [Updated April 14, 2021]
From the Summary: "Georgia is one of the United States' closest partners among the post-Soviet states that gained their independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. With a history of strong economic aid and security cooperation, the United States has deepened its strategic partnership with Georgia since Russia's 2008 invasion of Georgia and 2014 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. policy expressly supports Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and Georgia is a leading recipient of U.S. aid in Europe and Eurasia. Many observers consider Georgia to have a 'hybrid' political system, containing both democratic and nondemocratic elements. The center-left Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia (GD) party has governed Georgia since 2012. Controversy over the October 2020 parliamentary elections, an opposition boycott of parliament, and the February 2021 arrest of opposition leader Nika Melia have led to heightened political tensions. European Union (EU) efforts to mediate Georgia's political crisis have been unsuccessful. Although Georgia faces high rates of poverty and underemployment, its economy entered a period of relatively strong growth in 2017. In 2020, due to the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Georgia's gross domestic product declined by an estimated 6%."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Welt, Cory
2021-04-14
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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): By the Numbers [April 14, 2021]
From the Document: "On January 20, 2021, his first day in office, President Joe Biden issued a memorandum to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Attorney General on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative. The presidential memorandum directed the DHS Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, to 'take all actions he deems appropriate, consistent with applicable law, to preserve and fortify DACA.' [...] To help inform possible legislative activity related to DACA and Dreamers, this report considers available data on the DACA population from DHS and other sources. An initial background section provides a brief history of DACA and its current status. Three categories of data are then presented and discussed: (1) data on the DACA-eligible population, (2) data on DACA applications, and (3) data on DACA recipients. Finally, the report addresses the issue of unauthorized immigrants and LPR status, focusing in particular on DACA recipients and related data."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bruno, Andorra
2021-04-14
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U.S. Challenges to China's Farm Policies [Updated April 14, 2021]
From the Document: "In 2019, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled in favor of the United States in two cases that the U.S. Office of the Trade Representative (USTR) filed against China, alleging that China's agricultural policies were inconsistent with its WTO obligations. While China agreed to conform to the WTO rulings, USTR contends that Beijing failed to act on one of the cases by the agreed-upon deadline [hyperlink] of June 30, 2020, and requested the WTO [hyperlink] authorization to take countermeasures against imports from China."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Regmi, Anita
2021-04-14
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U.S. Resumption of Foreign Aid to the Palestinians [April 14, 2021]
From the Document: "On April 7, 2021, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced [hyperlink] the Biden Administration's plan to resume various forms of aid to the Palestinians that had been discontinued under the Trump Administration. Separately in March, the Biden Administration allocated [hyperlink] $15 million in International Disaster Assistance for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) response needs and emergency food assistance in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Secretary Blinken's statement and other documents indicate that the Administration plans to provide: [1] $75 million in bilateral Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance from FY2020 appropriations for the West Bank and Gaza; [2] $40 million in bilateral International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) assistance from FY2016 and FY2017 appropriations for Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces and justice sector institutions in the West Bank; [3] $150 million in contributions for humanitarian response to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA); and [4] $10 million in peacebuilding programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zanotti, Jim; Margesson, Rhoda
2021-04-14
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Poverty in the United States in 2019 [April 13, 2021]
From the Summary: "Calendar year 2019 was the last full year before the start of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and the last year of the economic expansion since the Great Recession. The strength of the U.S. economy in 2019 was reflected in low 'poverty rates'--the percentage of the population living in poverty (economic hardship characterized by low income)--for the nation and by demographic group. While the 2019 poverty estimates do not reflect people's incomes during the pandemic, the pandemic affected survey data collection for that year, which took place February-April 2020. Instead of a combination of in-person interviews and telephone interviews, only telephone interviews were conducted due to social distancing restrictions. That affected the estimates because some respondents were harder to reach by phone than in person, less likely to respond to a telephone interview than an in-person interview, or less likely to respond for other reasons. The increased rate of nonresponse affected persons with low incomes to a greater degree than persons with high incomes. That means that while poverty in 2019 was at or close to a historic low, it was likely not as low as the official estimates suggest."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dalaker, Joseph
2021-04-13
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Reporting Carbon Dioxide Injection and Storage: Federal Authorities and Programs [April 13, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a process designed to capture, store, and utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants and other industrial sources. Proponents of CCS expect the process to reduce anthropogenic CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Others have expressed concerns about the technical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of CCS projects in trapping and permanently storing CO2. As Congress continues to debate options to mitigate the impacts of climate change, some Members have shown increasing interest in federal policies and technical standards to track and report the CO2 injected underground and stored as part of CCS operations. [...] This report reviews relevant federal statutory provisions and regulations for measuring and reporting CO2 data associated with underground injection and storage and analyzes the connections among the authorities. The report also provides information on CO2 reported from GHGRP [Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program]-covered facilities since 2011 and trends in reporting over time. Finally, the report identifies potential policy issues related to collecting and reporting CO2 data for congressional consideration. This report does not review other reporting policies that may apply to CCS facilities, such as state air quality or state UIC regulations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jones, Angela C.
2021-04-13
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Scope of CDC Authority Under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) [April 13, 2021]
From the Summary: "Section 361 authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS Secretary)--who, in turn, delegated the authority to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)--to issue regulations 'necessary' to prevent the foreign and interstate spread of communicable diseases. [...] This report analyzes the potential scope of agency authority under Section 361. It begins by providing background regarding Section 361's text and enactment, followed by an overview of the legal principles relevant to analyzing the provision's scope. The report then applies these principles to conclude that transmission control measures that implicate major political and economic questions, or otherwise exceed agency expertise, potentially exceed the bounds of agency discretion under Section 361. The report further considers the text, structure, and legislative history of Section 361 and surmises that the provision may be susceptible to at least two plausible constructions. Under the narrower construction, the authority under Section 361(a) to issue 'necessary' regulations would be limited to steps necessary in the enforcement of quarantine. Under a broader reading of Section 361, this authority would encompass any evidenced-based public health measures that do not otherwise involve major political and economic questions, or otherwise exceed constitutional limits. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this broader construction may include, for instance, the authority to mandate face coverings to prevent the interstate and foreign spread of the disease. The report concludes with some considerations for Congress in light of the preceding analysis."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shen, Wen W.
2021-04-13
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Army's Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) [Updated April 13, 2021]
From the Document: "Congress has expressed concern regarding the growing threat to U.S. national security posed by a resurgent Russia and China. The Army contends in order to address this threat, it must be able to operate in a multi-domain '[air, land, water, space, cyber, information]' environment which requires new operational concepts, technologies, weapons, and units. The Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) is the Army's self-described 'organizational centerpiece' of this effort. [...] MDTFs are intended to support freedom of action of U.S. forces. MDTFs are to be scalable from operational to strategic level and can be modified to support the needs of Joint Force Commanders."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2021-04-13
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COVID-19: Financial Relief and Assistance Resources for Renters [Updated April 12, 2021]
From the Document: "This Insight highlights resources from selected federal agencies and other organizations that may aid renters at risk of eviction due to circumstances related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Minter, Alyse N.
2021-04-12
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GAO and Inspector General Recommendations to Agencies: An Introduction [April 12, 2021]
From the Document: "Congress has established a number of institutions dedicated to monitoring and reporting on federal agencies and making recommendations to improve their integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness. These entities include dozens of statutory Offices of Inspector General (OIGs) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO), each of which has a mission focused on the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of the federal government's operations. [...] This In Focus introduces the topic of GAO and OIG recommendations, their underlying statutory frameworks, and how they might be relevant to Congress. While this In Focus covers both GAO and OIG recommendations because of their practical similarities, GAO and the OIGs are established by different statutes, have distinct missions and roles, and perform their duties in their own ways."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wilhelm, Ben
2021-04-12
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Legal Issues Related to Transportation Mask-Wearing Mandates [April 12, 2021]
From the Document: "On January 21, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order [hyperlink] directing federal agencies to require mask wearing in a range of transportation contexts nationwide. In response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order [hyperlink] (Mask Order) requiring mask wearing on commercial and public transportation. A number of other federal agencies have since taken additional actions to support the enforcement of these mask-wearing requirements. This Legal Sidebar provides a brief overview of the CDC's Mask Order and the role of other federal agencies in enforcing its requirements. It then discusses a number of related legal considerations for Congress, including the scope of the federal government's authority to impose mask-wearing requirements in transportation contexts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Adkins, Bryan L.
2021-04-12
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SBA Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program (SVOG) [Updated April 12, 2021]
From the Summary: "Most of the SBA's [Small Business Administration's] funding during the 116th Congress was provided through supplemental appropriations for new and expanded programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program ($806.45 billion), Economic Injury Disaster Loans ($50.02 billion), Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance (grant) payments ($20 billion), Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance (grant) payments ($20 billion), and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program ($15 billion). This report focuses on the new $16.25 billion SVOG program--authorized by P.L. [public law] 116-260, the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (Division N, Title III of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021), provided an additional $1.25 billion by P.L. 117-2, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, and administered by the SBA's Office of Disaster Assistance--which provides grants to shuttered venues affected by the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lowry, Sean
2021-04-12
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Increasing Numbers of Unaccompanied Alien Children at the Southwest Border [Updated April 9, 2021]
From the Document: "In the first five months of FY2021, encounters (apprehensions or expulsions) of unaccompanied alien children [hyperlink] (UAC) at the U.S.-Mexico border with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are approaching a level [hyperlink] close to that for all of FY2020. While the number of UAC encounters declined substantially from FY2019 to FY2020, in large part because of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, they are expected to rapidly increase [hyperlink] in the coming months, a trend that has attracted considerable media attention. [...] Unaccompanied alien children [hyperlink] are statutorily defined as children who lack lawful immigration status in the United States, are under age 18, and lack a parent or legal guardian in the United States or a parent or legal guardian in the United States who is available to provide care and physical custody. UAC treatment and processing at U.S. borders is governed by several statutes and a legal settlement [hyperlink]."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kandel, William
2021-04-09
