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Department of Veterans Affairs' Potential Role in Addressing the COVID-19 Outbreak [March 20, 2020]
From the Summary: "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a range of benefits to eligible veterans and their dependents. [...] Based on limited information from VA, this report provides an overview of VA's response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that is affecting communities throughout the United States. It also discusses recent congressional action as it pertains to the veterans' benefits and services, as well as the supplemental appropriations for the department."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Panangala, Sidath Viranga; Sussman, Jared S.; Dortch, Cassandria . . .
2020-03-20
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Postponing Federal Elections and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Legal Considerations [March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "On March 13, 2020, Louisiana's Governor invoked emergency powers to announce that the state's presidential primary election, previously scheduled for April 4, would be postponed for more than two months as part of the state's response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Other states soon began exploring similar changes, prompting election officials, candidates, and voters to prepare for disruptions that could persist through November's general election. This Sidebar reviews the legal provisions that would constrain any efforts to delay or cancel federal elections during a public health crisis or other national emergency. The first part reviews laws pertaining to presidential elections, and the second part reviews laws relevant to congressional elections."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shelly, Jacob D.
2020-03-20
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COVID-19 and Stimulus Payments to Individuals: Potential Impacts of Direct Payments on Family Incomes [March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "Several Members of Congress and the Trump Administration have proposed direct cash payments as part of a fiscal response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Direct cash payments have previously been part of the federal government's response to economic downturns, most recently in 2001 and 2008. In general, the purpose of direct payments is twofold: (1) they allow families to spend more, and through a multiplier effect help to stimulate the economy; and (2) they provide resources to help meet basic needs for those whose income has decreased due to COVID-19 infection or potential job loss. This Insight discusses several current direct payment proposals and their impact on family incomes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Boyle, Conor F.; Carter, Jameson A.
2020-03-20
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Grand Jury Secrecy and Impeachment: Implications of D.C. Circuit Ruling on the Special Counsel's Report [March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "Following the conclusion of Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and related matters, the Attorney General released a public version of the Special Counsel's report concerning the investigation, with redactions. Many of the redactions related to matters occurring before the grand jury that had been convened in the investigation, as Rule 6(e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (Rule 6(e)) provides for the secrecy of grand jury proceedings unless an exception applies. Certain Members of Congress were offered the opportunity to review a less redacted version of the report, but the Attorney General has maintained that Rule 6(e) prohibited the disclosure of grand jury information even to Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Foster, Michael A. (Legislative attorney)
2020-03-20
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COVID-19: An Overview of Trade-Related Measures to Address Access to Medical Goods [March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, government officials around the world have raised questions and concerns about how to ensure that their countries have adequate access to, and supplies of, medical goods, including personal protective equipment (e.g., masks, gloves, garments), medical equipment (e.g., ventilators), and pharmaceuticals. This Sidebar presents an overview of some of the trade-related measures taken by the United States and its trading partners in their efforts to address these concerns, including: (1) introducing export restrictions; (2) reducing or eliminating tariffs; (3) revising import procedures; and (4) prioritizing domestic production. It then discusses possible legal challenges to each of these measures, as well as avenues for congressional action or oversight."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hart, Nina M.
2020-03-20
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H.R. 6201: Paid Leave and Unemployment Insurance Responses to COVID-19 [Updated March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "This Insight provides summary information on the paid leave and unemployment insurance (UI) provisions in the House-passed version of H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, including the technical corrections made by H.Res. 904."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Donovan, Sarah A.; Isaacs, Katelin P., 1980-; Whittaker, Julie M.
2020-03-20
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Low Oil Prices and U.S. Oil Producers: Policy Considerations [Updated March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "Global oil prices have declined nearly 60% since January 2020 (see Figure 1). Following a brief period of geopolitically-driven upward price pressure resulting from events in Iraq and Libya, world oil supply/demand balances were projected to be oversupplied by the second quarter of 2020. Reduced travel and other economic impacts related to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak are suppressing near-term oil demand. Oversupply expectations were amplified when the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and a group of non-OPEC countries (OPEC+), including Russia, failed to agree on an OPEC recommendation to reduce oil production by 1.5 million barrels per day until the end of 2020. Oil prices immediately and significantly declined. Subsequently, Saudi Arabia announced regional price discounts and plans to increase oil supplies in April. Other countries have also indicated intent to increase oil production. This combination of demand suppression and supply expansion increases short-term oversupply expectations and exerts downward pressure on oil prices. Prolonged periods of depressed prices could affect U.S. oil production (approximately 12.2 million bpd in 2019, the world's largest), exports, employment, and industry consolidation. Due to recent developments, a plan to sell crude oil-- required in FY2020 by P.L. 116-94--from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) was suspended."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brown, Phillip (Specialist in Energy Policy); Ratner, Michael
2020-03-20
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Iraq and U.S. Policy [Updated March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "Iraqi authorities have instituted curfews and travel restrictions in response to the COVID [coronavirus disease]-19 pandemic, which poses serious public health, economic, and fiscal risks for the country. Public health measures to slow the spread of the disease have diminished participation in the protest movement that has swept central and southern Iraq since October 2019. Security forces and militia members killed hundreds of protestors and wounded thousands in Baghdad and several southern Iraqi cities, fueling calls for the ouster of the ruling elite. While crowds have dispersed, protestors' demands for systemic change and an end to corruption and foreign interference remain unmet. Meanwhile, intense U.S.-Iranian confrontation has reinvigorated some Iraqis' efforts to drive U.S. and other foreign forces out of Iraq."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Christopher M.
2020-03-20
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Financial Innovation: Central Bank Digital Currencies [March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "Certain observers assert that private digital currencies-- such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the Facebook-proposed Libra--could become widely accepted forms of payment. In response, some analysts suggest central banks should issue 'central bank digital currencies' (CBDCs) to maintain government-issued money's central economic role. Although no major central bank has issued a CBDC to date, this In Focus describes how foreign central banks and the Federal Reserve (Fed) are approaching the issue. It also examines policy issues raised by a CBDC."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc; Nelson, Rebecca M.; Perkins, David W.
2020-03-20
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Who Pays for Long-Term Services and Supports? [Updated March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "Long-term services and supports (LTSS) refers to a broad range of health and health-related services and other types of assistance that are needed by individuals over an extended period of time. The need for LTSS affects persons of all ages and is generally measured by limitations in an individual's ability to perform daily personal care activities such as eating, bathing, or dressing. The probability of needing LTSS increases with age. As the nation's population aged 65 and older continues to increase in size, and individuals continue to live longer post-retirement, the demand for LTSS is also expected to increase. In addition, advances in medical and supportive care may allow younger persons with disabilities to live longer."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Colello, Kirsten J.
2020-03-20
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Cyberspace Solarium Commission: Illuminating Options for Layered Deterrence [March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "In August 2018, Congress authorized the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (Commission), a blue-ribbon panel tasked with examining and developing a strategic approach to defending the United States in cyberspace and protecting its advantages there. The Commission released its report on March 11, 2020. This In Focus provides an overview of the Commission and its report's findings and recommendations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jaikaran, Chris
2020-03-20
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COVID-19 and Stimulus Payments to Individuals: Summary of the 2020 Recovery Rebates in the CARES Act (S. 3548) [March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (S. 3548) proposes direct payments of up to $1,200 per person ($2,400 for married taxpayers filing a joint tax return) and $500 per child--'2020 recovery rebates.' Similar to the 2008 recovery rebates, these payments are structured as tax credits advanced to households that file an income tax return. Taxpayers that filed a 2018 income tax return would have this credit advanced to them in 2020, generally in the form of a direct deposit or check by mail. Thus, these taxpayers do not need to wait until 2020 tax returns are filed in 2021 to claim the credit. If they did not file a 2018 return, information from a 2019 return can be used for the advanced credit. These payments are intended to broadly stimulate the economy in response to concerns about an economic slowdown stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. This Insight provides a brief overview of the proposed 2020 recovery rebates, with several simplified examples to illustrate payment amounts for different families."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.
2020-03-20
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COVID-19 and Passenger Airline Travel [March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "The COVID [coronavirus disease]-19 global pandemic presents particular risks and challenges to commercial passenger airline travel. Taking a passenger flight involves numerous interpersonal interactions, transiting through often crowded airport terminals, and sitting in close proximity to others for extended periods, both onboard aircraft and at airport gates. These activities may increase the probability of exposure to infectious disease. Curtailing infectious disease spread through airline travel is challenging, in part because the passenger airline system in the United States is highly concentrated around 30 large hub airports, with tens of thousands of passengers passing through each of these airports every day. In early March 2019, a year before the COVID-19 outbreak, about 2.25 million passengers passed through screening checkpoints across the United States on a daily basis. Passenger activity for early March 2020 appeared to be only slightly lower, averaging just under 2 million daily passengers. However, as travel restrictions and warnings in response to COVID-19 have been issued, passenger volumes at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints decreased to less than 1 million daily passengers by mid-March 2020. This travel reduction has had considerable economic impact, and questions remain as to whether adequate steps are being taken to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 through passenger airline travel."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elias, Bartholomew
2020-03-20
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Military Child Development Program: Background and Issues [Updated March 19, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Child care quality, accessibility, and cost are frequent concerns for military families. This report traces the development of DOD-sponsored child care services and discusses these issues in greater depth in order to support Members of Congress in their oversight role. The next section gives an overview of DOD's justification for the CDP [child development program] and demand for services. Next is a discussion of current CDP components, policies, and funding. This is followed by the legislative history of DOD-sponsored child care in the military including a discussion of recent initiatives. The final section puts forth some issues and options for Congress related to oversight and funding of military child care programs. Other military family or youth recreation and enrichment programs are beyond the scope of this report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kamarck, Kristy N.
2020-03-19
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Federal Assistance to Troubled Industries: Selected Examples [March 19, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Serious disruptions for certain industries caused by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic have led to calls for federal government assistance to affected industries. Although out of the ordinary, this would not be the first occasion on which the federal government has provided aid to troubled or financially distressed industries. To help inform congressional debate, this report examines selected past instances in which the government has aided troubled industries, providing information about the way in which such assistance was structured, the role of Congress, and the eventual cost."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webel, Baird; Labonte, Marc; Canis, Bill . . .
2020-03-19
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Federal Executive Agencies: Hiring Flexibilities for Emergency Situations [March 19, 2020]
From the Document: "On January 31, 2020, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar declared a public health emergency for the United States in response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). To assist the federal government in responding to the emergency, Congress passed legislation that provides Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has also reiterated long-standing guidance on flexibilities for hiring in executive agencies that are codified in Title 5 of the 'United States Code' and Title 5 of the 'Code of Federal Regulations.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwemle, Barbara L.
2020-03-19
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Immigration: Public Charge [March 19, 2020]
From the Document: "Immigration law in the United States has long contained exclusion and removal provisions designed to limit government spending on indigent non-U.S. nationals ('aliens'). Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), an alien may be denied admission into the United States or lawful permanent resident (LPR) status if he or she is 'likely at any time to become a public charge' (8 U.S.C. §1182(a)(4)). An admitted alien may also be subject to removal from the United States based on a separate public charge ground of deportability, but this is rarely employed. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State (DOS) have primary responsibility for implementing the public charge ground of inadmissibility. DHS makes public charge inadmissibility determinations for aliens seeking admission or 'adjustment' from a temporary status to LPR status. DOS consular officers make public charge inadmissibility determinations for aliens abroad applying for U.S. visas, based on guidance in the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM). While this applies to both immigrant and nonimmigrant (i.e., temporary) visas, in practice it is rarely employed for nonimmigrant visas. Certain categories of aliens, such as refugees and asylees, are exempted from the public charge ground of inadmissibility. Moreover, it is not applicable to aliens who are applying for citizenship (i.e., naturalization)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kolker, Abigail F.
2020-03-19
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COVID-19 and Direct Payments to Individuals: Historical Precedents [March 19, 2020]
From the Document: "Members of Congress and the Trump Administration have signaled their support for making direct payments to individuals to address the economic fallout from the COVID-19 outbreak. In current discussions, these payments are sometimes framed in terms of 'universal basic income' or UBI proposals. In the past when these proposals were made--and sometimes enacted--they were framed in terms of providing economic stimulus."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Falk, Gene
2020-03-19
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COVID-19: Global Implications and Responses [Updated March 19, 2020]
From the Document: "As of March 18, 2020, the novel coronavirus that began sickening patients in Wuhan, China, in early December 2019 had spread across the globe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15 countries, including the United States, have reported more than 1,000 infections. Europe is the current epicenter for cases and deaths related to the virus. WHO has named the new virus 'severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2' (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease that it causes 'coronavirus disease 2019' (COVID-19). WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, raised its global risk assessment to 'Very High' on February 28, and labeled the outbreak a 'pandemic' on March 11. In using the term pandemic, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cited COVID-19's 'alarming levels of spread and severity' and governments' 'alarming levels of inaction.' President Donald J. Trump declared a national emergency in the United States on March 13."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tharakan, Sara M.; Gottron, Frank; Lawrence, Susan V. . . .
2020-03-19
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COVID-19: Cybercrime Opportunities and Law Enforcement Response [March 19, 2020]
From the Document: "Opportunistic criminals and other malicious actors exploit the internet and rapidly evolving technology to their advantage. Criminals can compromise financial assets; hacktivists can flood websites with traffic, effectively shutting them down; and spies can steal intellectual property and government secrets. And, they capitalize on ever changing world events. Federal officials have cautioned about scams relating to the outbreak of disease caused by a previously unidentified strain of coronavirus, designated Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19. They have noted that '[c]yber actors may send emails with malicious attachments or links to fraudulent websites to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or donating to fraudulent charities or causes.' Indeed, analysts and officials have reported criminals using public interest in COVID-19 to their advantage. For instance, the Department of Justice (DOJ) cites 'reports of individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud, reports of phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and reports of malware being inserted onto mobile apps designed to track the spread of the virus.' In one scheme reported by security experts, hackers sold a malware infection kit that used an interactive map of coronavirus infections produced by Johns Hopkins University. The kit was designed to spread malware to steal passwords."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Finklea, Kristin
2020-03-19
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COVID-19 and Stimulus Payments to Individuals: How Did the 2008 Recovery Rebates Work? [March 19, 2020]
From the Document: "In response to concerns about an economic slowdown stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers have been considering a broad array of policy options. Some are targeted directly toward individuals and industries that may be most affected. Others would more broadly seek to stimulate the economy. Among this latter category of policies, some have proposed direct cash payments sent to virtually all U.S. households. In 2008 Congress enacted direct cash payments--the 2008 recovery rebates--that were tax credits advanced to households that had filed an income tax return. A portion of these credits were refundable and hence available to taxpayers with little to no income tax liability, including many low-income filers. (For answers to some common questions about advanced refundable tax credits, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Insight IN11247). This Insight provides a brief overview of how those 2008 recovery rebates worked."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.
2020-03-19
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Cuba: U.S. Policy Overview [Updated March 19, 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. [...] President Trump unveiled a new policy toward Cuba in 2017, introducing new sanctions and rolling back some of the Obama Administration's efforts to normalize relations. By 2019, the Trump Administration had largely abandoned engagement by increasing economic sanctions significantly to pressure the Cuban government on its human rights record and its support for the regime of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. It took actions to allow lawsuits against those trafficking in property confiscated by the Cuban government and tightened restrictions on travel to Cuba, including terminating cruise ship travel from the United States and U.S. flights to Cuban cities other than Havana."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2020-03-19
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Defense Primer: Department of Defense Maintenance Depots [March 19, 2020]
From the Document: "Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.) §2464 states that it is 'essential for the national defense that the Department of Defense maintain a core logistics capability that is government-owned and government-operated [GOGO]... to ensure a ready and controlled source of technical competence and resources necessary to ensure effective and timely response to a mobilization, national defense contingency situations, and other emergency requirements.' Accordingly, each military service owns and operates industrial facilities that manufacture, maintain, repair, and overhaul military weapons and equipment. These GOGO facilities, together with certain government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO) facilities are collectively referred to as the organic industrial base, or OIB. Included in the OIB are several large-scale maintenance facilities (otherwise named depots, shipyards, production plants, logistics complexes, or readiness centers) owned by each service that are dedicated to performing depot-level maintenance and repair (collectively the 'maintenance depots'). In addition, the Air Force and Navy utilize several 'centers' that perform weapon systems support in the forms of research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E), acquisition, and sustainment activities including depot-level maintenance and repair. This InFocus pertains to those selected large-scale maintenance facilities that maintain, repair, or overhaul end items (See GAO-17-82R)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Herrera, G. James
2020-03-19
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From Clickwrap to RAP Sheet: Criminal Liability Under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act for Terms of Service Violations [March 19, 2020]
From the Document: "ToS [terms of service] agreements are now so prevalent that, at least according to some empirical studies, users generally do not read them. That is perhaps unsurprising given that ToS agreements are often lengthy, covering everything from the number of authorized users of a product to the types of content that may be shared through a device or service. But providers of computer and internet products and services rely on ToS for a variety of purposes, including limiting liability, protecting proprietary data, and preventing their products or services from being used in a harassing, threatening, or abusive manner. Against this backdrop, federal courts have diverged on the issue of whether an individual may--under certain circumstances--be criminally liable under federal law for ToS violations. The judicial disagreement stems from two conflicting interpretations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), 18 U.S.C. § 1030--a civil and criminal cybersecurity law prohibiting certain computer-related activities. Federal appellate courts are divided on when an individual who violates a ToS agreement runs afoul of the CFAA and is subject to liability under the statute. This Sidebar begins with background on the relevant provisions of the CFAA, before examining the split among the federal appellate courts over when, if ever, the CFAA imposes criminal liability for violations of ToS agreements. The Sidebar concludes with some considerations for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Berris, Peter G.
2020-03-19
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Global Economic Effects of COVID-19: In Brief [Updated March 18, 2020]
From the Overview: "Since the World Health Organization (WHO) first declared Covid-19 a world health emergency in January 2020, the virus has been detected in over 150 countries and almost all U.S. states. The infection has sickened more than 200,000 people, with thousands of fatalities. On March 11, the WHO announced that the outbreak was officially a pandemic, the highest level of health emergency. During that time, it has become clear that the outbreak is negatively impacting global economic growth. The virus is affecting a broad swath of economic activities, from tourism, medical supplies and other global value chains, consumer electronics, and financial markets to energy, food, and a range of social activities, to name a few. Without a clear understanding of when the health and economic effects may peak economic forecasts must necessarily be considered preliminary. Efforts to reduce social interaction to contain the spread of the virus are disrupting the daily lives of most Americans."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K., 1949-; Schwarzenberg, Andres B.; Weiss, Martin A. . . .
2020-03-18
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Tax Cuts and Economic Stimulus: How Effective Are the Alternatives? [Updated March 18, 2020]
From the Summary: "The economic effects of the COVID [coronavirus disease]-19 pandemic may lead Congress to consider a general fiscal stimulus in the form of tax cuts. This report discusses tax cuts enacted during the previous recessions and their potential effectiveness."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gravelle, Jane
2020-03-18
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China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 18, 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. China's navy, which China has been steadily modernizing for more than 25 years, since the early to mid-1990s, has become a formidable military force within China's near-seas region, and it is conducting a growing number of operations in more-distant waters, including the broader waters of the Western Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and waters around Europe. China's navy is viewed as posing a major challenge to the U.S. Navy's ability to achieve and maintain wartime control of blue-water ocean areas in the Western Pacific--the first such challenge the U.S. Navy has faced since the end of the Cold War--and forms a key element of a Chinese challenge to the longstanding status of the United States as the leading military power in the Western Pacific."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-03-18
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COVID-19 Medical Countermeasures: Intellectual Property and Affordability [March 18, 2020]
From the Document: "Federal agencies and private industry have begun efforts to develop and test medical countermeasures (such as antiviral treatments and vaccines) to combat COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2]. [...] This Sidebar reviews several intellectual property (IP) rights provisions under current law that the federal government could use to try to ensure that COVID-19 countermeasures are accessible and affordable. Other actions that the federal government might hypothetically take--such as additional spending, production by federal agencies, governmental negotiation, or direct price controls--are beyond the scope of this Sidebar, in that such measures do not implicate IP rights and may require additional legislative action beyond the 'current law' referenced in CPRSA [Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act]."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hickey, Kevin J.
2020-03-18
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COVID-19 and Stimulus Payments to Individuals: How the 2009 Economic Recovery Payment Worked [March 18, 2020]
From the Document: "In response to concerns about an economic slowdown due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, some lawmakers have expressed interest in providing direct cash payments to Americans. One option to provide such payments would be to establish a new advanced refundable tax credit, as was done in 2008 with 'recovery rebates.' Although this option would disburse payments to the vast majority of Americans relatively quickly, it would not directly help those who do not file a federal income tax return. A 2017 study found that 'nonfilers' were more likely to be seniors or recipients of public assistance than those who filed a tax return. To provide direct cash payments to nonfilers, lawmakers could consider providing such payments through existing programs for certain vulnerable populations. To assist lawmakers in assessing the merits of such a proposal, this Insight examines the 2009 Economic Recovery Payment (ERP), which was a one-time $250 payment made to most individuals who received recurring cash benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morton, William R.
2020-03-18
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Palestinians and Amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act: U.S. Aid and Personal Jurisdiction [March 18, 2020]
From the Introduction and Issues for Congress: "This report provides background information and analysis on two amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2331 et seq.): the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act of 2018 (ATCA, P.L. 115-253), which became law in October 2018; and the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act of 2019 (PSJVTA, § 903 of P.L. 116-94), which became law in December 2019. The report focuses on the impact of this legislation on the following key issues: [1] U.S. aid to the Palestinians. [2] Whether federal courts have personal jurisdiction over the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for terrorism-related offenses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zanotti, Jim; Elsea, Jennifer K.
2020-03-18
