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Defense Primer: The Department of Defense [Updated November 8, 2021]
From the Document: "The Department of Defense (DOD) was established after World War II through the 1947 National Security Act. At the time, some, including President Truman, took the view that the different components of the U.S. military had been insufficiently integrated to wage World War II effectively. The intention of the 1947 Act was therefore to create, for the first time, an integrated institution that combined the Departments of War and Navy, and to establish a policy architecture for overseeing the newly reorganized military apparatus. Over time, DOD has grown into one of the largest bureaucracies in the world, comprising over 3 million employees stationed across the United States and around the globe."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McInnis, Kathleen J.
2021-11-08
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Confucius Institutes in the United States: Selected Issues [Updated November 8, 2021]
From the Document: "The People's Republic of China (PRC)'s Confucius Institutes, which offer Chinese language instruction in universities around the world, have been the subject of controversy since appearing on U.S. campuses in 2005, particularly for their perceived effects on academic freedom and lack of transparency. They have attracted further attention in recent years as the broader U.S.-China relationship has deteriorated. Some Members of Congress and others have alleged that they may play a role in China's efforts to influence public opinion abroad, recruit 'influence agents' on U.S. campuses, and engage in cyber espionage and intellectual property theft. PRC officials and scholars deny such charges, and suggest that the Institutes have become victims of a U.S. 'Cold War mentality.' Supporters of the Institutes emphasize that they provide Chinese language and cultural programs that benefit students, universities, and surrounding communities and which may not otherwise be available."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Fischer, Hannah
2021-11-08
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2021 Elections in Honduras [November 8, 2021]
From the Document: "Honduras is scheduled to hold presidential, congressional, and municipal elections on November 28, 2021. The elections come at a difficult moment for Honduras, as many Hondurans have lost confidence [hyperlink] in their democratic institutions [hyperlink] and the country faces a protracted recovery from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, two hurricanes, and a deep recession. Depending on their perceived legitimacy, the elections could help foster stability in Honduras or could exacerbate the country's challenges. The elections also will determine whether the U.S. government will have credible Honduran partners, with whom it can work to address migration, drug trafficking, and other policy concerns, and may influence congressional foreign assistance decisions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.
2021-11-08
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FY2022 NDAA: Selective Service and Draft Registration [Updated November 8, 2021]
From the Background: "Several provisions introduced as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY2022 NDAA) would make changes to the Military Selective Service Act [hyperlink] (MSSA). The MSSA provides statutory authority for the federal government to maintain a Selective Service Agency as an independent agency responsible for managing the Selective Service System [hyperlink](SSS) and for delivering qualified civilian men for induction into the Armed Forces of the United States when authorized by the President and Congress. Under the MSSA, all male U.S. citizens and most male noncitizen residents of the United States between the ages of 18 and 26 are required to register with the Selective Service System (SSS). Women have never been required to register. Knowingly or willfully failing to register may result in certain federal and state penalties [hyperlink] including fines, imprisonment [hyperlink], and ineligibility for federal employment [hyperlink] or workforce programs [hyperlink]."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kamarck, Kristy N.
2021-11-08
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Defense Primer: Personnel Tempo (PERSTEMPO) [Updated November 5, 2021]
From the Document: "As a result of the nation's extended involvement in contingency operations around the globe, some servicemembers have experienced prolonged, frequent, and/or stressful deployments. In addition, preparation for deployments (e.g., training, exercises, temporary duty assignments) can lead to extended working hours or frequent travel away from home station. The pace of operations for individuals is commonly referred to as 'personnel tempo' (PERSTEMPO) and can affect quality of life, work satisfaction, and overall morale for members and their families. Congress oversees the Department of Defense's (DOD's) PERSTEMPO management, policies and programs. In addition, congressional actions to authorize force size (i.e., end-strength) can affect the number of personnel available for deployment. Appropriated funds for military pay and benefits (including leave and morale programs) may compensate troops for time spent away."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kamarck, Kristy N.
2021-11-05
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SORNA: A Legal Analysis of 18 U.S.C. § 2250 (Failure to Register as a Sex Offender) [Updated November 5, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Federal law punishes convicted sex offenders if they fail to register or to update their registration as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) demands. The basic offense under Section 2250(a) consists of three elements: (1) a continuing obligation to report to the authorities in any jurisdiction in which the individual resides, works, or attends school; (2) the knowing failure to comply with registration requirements; and (3) a jurisdictional element, i.e., (a) an obligation to register as a consequence of a prior qualifying federal conviction or (b)(i) travel in interstate or foreign commerce, or (ii) travel into or out of Indian Country, or (c) residence in Indian Country. Violators face imprisonment for not more than 10 years. The registration offense carries an additional penalty of imprisonment for not more than 30 years, but not less than 5 years, if the offender is also guilty of a federal crime of violence. Federal law also punishes overseas travel coupled with a failure to register that intent. The elements of this shadow or supplemental offense, Section 2250(b), are: (1) an obligation to register; (2) a knowing failure to report an intent to travel internationally; and (3) engaging in or attempting to engage in international travel. The affirmative defense and sentencing provisions are the same as those that apply to the original offense."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Doyle, Charles
2021-11-05
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SORNA: An Abridged Legal Analysis of 18 U.S.C. § 2250 (Failure to Register as a Sex Offender) [Updated November 5, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Federal law punishes convicted sex offenders if they fail to register or to update their registration as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) demands. The basic offense under Section 2250(a) consists of three elements: (1) a continuing obligation to report to the authorities in any jurisdiction in which the individual resides, works, or attends school; (2) the knowing failure to comply with registration requirements; and (3) a jurisdictional element, i.e., (a) an obligation to register as a consequence of a prior qualifying federal conviction or (b)(i) travel in interstate or foreign commerce, or (ii) travel into or out of Indian Country, or (c) residence in Indian Country. Violators face imprisonment for not more than 10 years. The registration offense carries an additional penalty of imprisonment for not more than 30 years, but not less than 5 years, if the offender is also guilty of a federal crime of violence. Federal law also punishes overseas travel coupled with a failure to register that intent. The elements of this shadow or supplemental offense, Section 2250(b), are: (1) an obligation to register; (2) a knowing failure to report an intent to travel internationally; and (3) engaging in or attempting to engage in international travel. The affirmative defense and sentencing provisions are the same as those that apply to the original offense. The Justice Department indicates that 18 states, 4 territories, and numerous tribes are now in substantial compliance with the 2006 legislation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Doyle, Charles
2021-11-05
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Army's Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) [Updated November 5, 2021]
From the Document: "Congress has expressed concern about the growing threat to U.S. national security posed by a resurgent Russia and China. The Army contends in order to address the 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."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2021-11-05
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Federal Reserve: Tapering of Asset Purchases [November 4, 2021]
From the Document: "On November 3, 2021, the Federal Reserve [hyperlink] (Fed) announced [hyperlink] that it would begin to 'taper' its large-scale asset purchases, popularly known as 'quantitative easing' (QE). It announced it would reduce these asset purchases by $15 billion per month to $70 billion of Treasury securities and $35 billion of agency [hyperlink] mortgage-backed securities (MBS) in November. If that pace is maintained, purchases would end in June 2022. Under tapering, the Fed's balance sheet will continue to grow but more slowly. Tapering is the first step in the eventual 'normalization [hyperlink]' of monetary policy [hyperlink] from the highly stimulative policies in response to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] [hyperlink], which included asset purchases. This Insight discusses why the Fed has purchased assets and what tapering might mean for future monetary policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2021-11-04
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Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 [Updated November 4, 2021]
From the Document: "Section 232 allows the President to impose import restrictions based on an investigation and affirmative determination by the Department of Commerce (Commerce) that certain imports threaten to impair the national security. After conducting eight Section 232 investigations, President Trump acted five times, twice imposing tariffs, declining to act on a sixth finding; another investigation found no threat, and one was terminated. President Biden is addressing the Section 232 tariffs placed by President Trump and has initiated a new investigation. Actions under Section 232 have generated debate in Congress and at the multilateral level in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Some in Congress support legislative options to amend the congressional delegation of authority."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fefer, Rachel F.
2021-11-04
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Does the President Have the Power to Legalize Marijuana? [Updated November 4, 2021]
From the Document: "The legal status of marijuana has been a topic of recurring interest in recent years, as states [hyperlink], federal legislators [hyperlink], and federal [hyperlink] executive agencies [hyperlink] consider how to regulate cannabis and its derivatives. What role can the President play in determining the legal status of a controlled substance such as marijuana? That question came to the forefront during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, with multiple candidates supporting legalization [hyperlink] of marijuana and several pledging to legalize the substance nationwide if elected, either indirectly through administrative proceedings [hyperlink] or directly by executive order [hyperlink]. More recently, some commentators have called on President Biden to end criminal penalties for marijuana possession and use [hyperlink] or grant clemency to federal marijuana offenders [hyperlink]. Although the President cannot directly remove marijuana from control under federal controlled substances law, he might order executive agencies to consider either altering the scheduling of marijuana or changing their enforcement approach. This Sidebar outlines the laws that apply to controlled substances like marijuana, then analyzes several approaches a president might take to change controlled substances law as written or as enforced. The Sidebar closes with a discussion of key considerations for Congress related to presidential power over controlled substances regulation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lampe, Joanna R.
2021-11-04
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Evolving Electric Power Systems and Cybersecurity [November 4, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Electric power is generated in power plants across the country, and transferred through a network of transmission lines at high voltages to distribution systems, which then bring electric power to the many residential, commercial, and industrial end-users. The 'grid' is another name for the transmission system, i.e., the interconnected group of power lines and associated equipment for moving electric energy at high voltage between points of supply and points where it is delivered to other electric systems. The U.S. grid is aging, and one of the tools for modernizing the system is the incorporation of computerized systems that allow for the rapid monitoring and control of the equipment used in the grid. Connecting these systems to the internet has increased the ability to remotely control aspects of the grid, but this has come with increasing concern for the grid's cybersecurity, as digital systems can be accessed and controlled remotely. [...] This report focuses on the current state of U.S. electric grid security, given recent cybersecurity events. How the grid is evolving with respect to the mandatory and enforceable regulations for bulk system reliability is a key area of the discussion. Some of the known cybersecurity intrusions are reviewed with respect to the grid vulnerabilities. The report identifies and summarizes several 117th Congress measures related to improving electric grid security with regard to the goal of enhancing the reliability of the U.S. electric power system."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Campbell, Richard J.
2021-11-04
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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance [Updated November 4, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The majority of funding in the United States for both pre- and post-disaster mitigation comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency [hyperlink] (FEMA), which defines mitigation [hyperlink] as 'any sustained action to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards and their effects.' Mitigation actions have a long-term impact, as opposed to actions associated with immediate preparedness, response, and recovery activities [hyperlink]. Mitigation has been shown to save money. A recent study by the Multihazard Mitigation Council [hyperlink] found that society saves $6 for every dollar spent on mitigation [hyperlink] funded through major federal mitigation grants. FEMA administers three hazard mitigation grant programs, collectively referred to as Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) [hyperlink]: [1] Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) [hyperlink]; [2] Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Program [hyperlink]; [3] Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) [hyperlink], which replaced the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program [hyperlink]."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2021-11-04
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Landsat 9 and the Future of the Sustainable Land Imaging Program [Updated November 4, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched Landsat 9, a remote sensing satellite NASA developed in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), on September 27, 2021. Landsat 9 is the latest in a series of Earth-observing satellites that began on July 23, 1972, with the launch of Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1, now known as Landsat 1. [...] This report describes the Sustainable Land Imaging Program, Landsat satellite instrumentation, uses of Landsat data, and aspects of Landsat's history. The report also discusses potential alternatives to the current Landsat satellite system and Sustainable Land Imaging Program, as well as possible tradeoffs among those alternatives."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Normand, Anna E.
2021-11-04
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Nicaragua in Brief: Political Developments in 2021, U.S. Policy, and Issues for Congress [Updated November 4, 2021]
From the Overview: "Increasing government crackdowns in Nicaragua against the opposition, journalists, and government critics in 2021 have elevated international concerns, including among Members of Congress, about political developments, human rights violations, and the erosion of democracy in the country, especially leading up to elections scheduled for November 7, 2021. The U.S. Department of State, the Organization of American States (OAS), and one of Nicaragua's main political opposition alliances have declared that the conditions for free and fair elections do not exist in Nicaragua. President Daniel Ortega, who was inaugurated to his third consecutive and fourth overall five-year term as president on January 10, 2017, is a polarizing figure both at home and abroad for what many characterize as his increasingly authoritarian rule and recent oppressive actions. General elections, including for the presidency and the National Assembly, are scheduled for November 7, 2021; Ortega has not carried out electoral and human rights reforms recommended by the international community, leading the domestic opposition and international community to contest their legitimacy. The elections are likely to assure Ortega and his party's continuance in power."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Taft-Morales, Maureen
2021-11-04
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Afro-descendants of Latin America: Selected Resources [November 4, 2021]
From the Document: "The United Nations (U.N.) estimates [hyperlink] that approximately '200 million people identifying themselves as being of African descent live in the Americas.' Congress has long demonstrated interest in the status of Afro-descendants abroad as seen in legislation and hearings. Since 1993, the Department of State submits an annual 'Country Reports on Human Rights Practices' that includes a section on 'National/Racial/Ethnic Minorities.' This CRS [Congressional Research Service] Insight focuses on resources that relate to the human rights of Afro-descendants of Latin America, including connections to socioeconomics, international organizations, and international declarations and conventions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Davis-Castro, Carla Y.
2021-11-04
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FY2022 NDAA: Preservation of the Force and Family Program [November 4, 2021]
From the Document: "The United States Special Operations Command [hyperlink] (USSOCOM) is the Unified Combatant Command [hyperlink] (COCOM) responsible for training and equipping Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. Since at least 2001, frequent deployments, high personnel tempo (PERSTEMPO [hyperlink]), and combat exposure have stressed [hyperlink] SOF personnel and their families. Combat exposure has been associated [hyperlink] with higher risks of negative mental and behavioral health outcomes like posttraumatic stress (PTS), suicidality, and substance misuse. There is some evidence [hyperlink] that military personnel may decline to seek treatment or support for these conditions due to perceived negative career consequences or 'stigma.' Deployments have also been found [hyperlink] to negatively impact familial relationships and well-being of military spouses and children."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kamarck, Kristy N.; Pedrigi, Robert
2021-11-04
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Congressional Salaries and Allowances: In Brief [Updated November 3, 2021]
From the Summary: "This report provides basic information on congressional salaries and allowances. First, the report briefly summarizes the current salary of Members of Congress; limits or prohibitions on their outside earned income, honoraria, and tax deductions; options for life and health insurance; and retirement benefits. Second, the report provides information on allowances available to Representatives and Senators to support them in their official and representational duties. These allowances cover official office expenses, including staff, mail, travel between a Member's district or state and Washington, DC, equipment, and other goods and services. Although the House and Senate allowances are structured differently, both are determined by formulas based on variables from the district or state (e.g., distance from Washington, DC). Third, the report lists the salaries of Members, House and Senate officers and officials, and salary limits for staff of committees and Member offices."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brudnick, Ida A.
2021-11-03
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Defense Primer: Military Health System [Updated November 3, 2021]
From the Document: "The Department of Defense (DOD) administers a statutory health entitlement (under Chapter 55 of Title 10, U.S. Code) through the Military Health System (MHS). The MHS offers health care benefits and services through its TRICARE program to approximately 9.62 million beneficiaries composed of servicemembers, military retirees, and family members. Health care services are available through DOD-operated hospitals and clinics, referred to collectively as 'military treatment facilities' (MTFs), or through civilian health care providers participating in the TRICARE program. [...] The fundamental reason for an MHS is to support medical readiness."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mendez, Bryce H. P.
2021-11-03
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Legality of DACA: Recent Litigation Developments [Updated November 3, 2021]
From the Document: "Since 2012, certain unlawfully present non-U.S. nationals (aliens, as the term is used in the Immigration and Nationality Act [hyperlink] [INA]) who entered the United States as children have been permitted to remain and work in this country for renewable two-year periods under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals [hyperlink] (DACA) initiative. During the Trump Administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sought to rescind [hyperlink] DACA on the basis that it was unlawful. Several federal district courts enjoined DHS from terminating DACA and required the agency to continue accepting DACA applications and work authorization requests from current DACA recipients. In 2020, the Supreme Court held [hyperlink] that DHS's rescission of DACA violated procedural requirements in federal law, thereby leaving DACA largely intact, without deciding on the legality of DACA itself."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Hillel R.; Harrington, Ben
2021-11-03
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Overview of Continuing Appropriations for FY2022 (P.L. 117-43) [November 3, 2021]
From the Summary: "This report provides an analysis of the continuing appropriations provisions included in the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2022 (Division A of P.L. 117-43). On September 30, 2021, the President signed H.R. 5305 into law as P.L. 117-43. Divisions B-D of the law provided supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and activities related to the resettlement of Afghan citizens. P.L. 117-43 also extended a temporary increase in federal funding for the U.S. territories' Medicaid programs and the authorization for several other federal programs and included provisions related the budgetary scorekeeping of those extensions. This report examines Division A, the continuing resolution (CR) portion of the act."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McNellis, Kevin P.
2021-11-03
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Federal Firearms Law: Selected Developments in the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches [November 3, 2021]
From the Summary: "Firearm regulation in the United States is an area of shared authority between the federal, state, and local governments. At the federal level, firearm commerce, possession, and transfers are governed largely by two statutory regimes: the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) and the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA). The NFA imposes stringent taxation and registration requirements for a specific set of statutorily defined 'firearms' deemed to be especially dangerous, such as machineguns and short-barreled rifles. The GCA, which is more broadly applicable to most kinds of commonly available firearms, regulates the manufacture, transfer, and possession of firearms in multiple ways. Among other things, the GCA prohibits certain categories of persons from possessing or receiving firearms and requires individuals or entities 'engaged in the business' of manufacturing or selling firearms to be federally licensed (referred to as FFLs). The GCA also obligates FFLs that manufacture firearms to identify each one by means of a serial number and requires FFLs that transfer firearms to conduct background checks on each prospective transferee. Current federal law does 'not' require unlicensed persons who wish to make or assemble a firearm for personal use to stamp it with an identifying serial number, nor must such persons who wish to transfer a firearm from a personal collection or as a hobby conduct a background check on the person to whom the firearm is to be transferred."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Foster, Michael A. (Legislative attorney)
2021-11-03
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Elections Grant Programs: Policy Options [November 3, 2021]
From the Document: "Recent congressional activity on elections issues has often featured grant programs. Congress responded to foreign interference in the 2016 elections and the effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on administration of the 2020 elections, in part, with funding for a grant program established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA; P.L. 107-252). Multiple bills introduced in the 117th Congress--from the Freedom to Vote Act (S. 2747) to the Protecting the Right to Organized, Transparent Elections through a Constitutionally Trustworthy Electoral College (PROTECT Electoral College) Act (H.R. 4789/S. 519) to the House-reported Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill (H.R. 4345)--would authorize, fund, or set conditions for elections grant programs. This In Focus explores some issues that may be of interest to Members who are considering offering, supporting, opposing, or amending proposals to authorize, fund, or set conditions for elections grant programs. It starts by summarizing some general arguments for and against federal elections grant programs then introduces some considerations that might be relevant for development or assessment of particular programs or proposals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shanton, Karen L.
2021-11-03
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Air Force F-15EX Eagle II Fighter Program [Updated November 3, 2021]
From the Summary: "On March 11, 2021, the U.S. Air Force took delivery of its first F-15EX Eagle II fighter. The Eagle II program is intended to deliver 144 aircraft to replace aging F-15Cs, most of which are in the Air National Guard. The Trump Administration's FY2020 budget proposal included a request for $1.1 billion to buy 8 F-15EX aircraft, the first procurement toward a planned initial buy of 144. This proposal represented a change from previous Air Force plans to procure only stealthy 'fifth-generation' fighter aircraft. The subsequent FY2021 defense budget proposal requested about $1.27 billion in procurement funding for 12 Eagle IIs and $133.5 million in advance procurement for future aircraft. The proposed budget also requested about $159.8 million for F15EX research and development."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gertler, Jeremiah
2021-11-03
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Elections Grant Programs: Authorizations and Appropriations [November 3, 2021]
From the Document: "Congress first authorized major federal grant programs for elections in the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA; P.L. 107-252). HAVA was enacted in response to issues with the conduct of the 2000 elections. Like previous federal elections statutes, it set requirements for the administration of federal elections. Unlike previous elections statutes, it also provided for grant programs to help states meet those requirements and identify and implement other improvements to election administration. No new federal elections grant programs on the scale of HAVA's have been authorized as of this writing. Grant programs have been established for certain more limited purposes, however, such as conducting pilot projects to improve the collection of election data. Congress has also provided further appropriations under HAVA's grant programs, such as funding for FY2020 to help states address effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on administration of the 2020 elections. This In Focus provides an overview of the elections-specific grant programs Congress has established and funded to date. It also briefly discusses non-elections-specific grant programs that have been used to support elections-related activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shanton, Karen L.
2021-11-03
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Due Process Rights for Guantanamo Detainees [November 2, 2021]
From the Document: "The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) granted [hyperlink] a petition for rehearing 'en banc' in 'Al Hela v. Biden', vacating a three-judge panel opinion [hyperlink] holding that law-of-war prisoners detained at the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, are not entitled to due process [hyperlink] under the U.S. Constitution. The decision to rehear the case may not necessarily portend good news for the detainee because the D.C. Circuit has in multiple cases [hyperlink] declined to decide the question, at one point overturning [hyperlink] a district court ruling denying that Guantanamo detainees are entitled to constitutional due process, expressly leaving the question undecided. The D.C. Circuit has preferred instead to avoid the constitutional question [hyperlink] by assuming without deciding [hyperlink] that detainees are entitled to such rights but that typically petitioners have received all of the process that is due. Consequently, it seems likely that the D.C. Circuit on rehearing 'Al Hela' will be voting on deciding whether Guantanamo detainees have due process rights, but may not necessarily decide the issue. If the D.C. Circuit determines 'Al Hela' is the proper vehicle for deciding the due process question, the answer will likely turn on which Supreme Court precedent the court deems controlling."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elsea, Jennifer
2021-11-02
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Military Criminal Justice System [November 2, 2021]
From the Document: "Military law comprises federal law, constitutional authority, and inherent command authority. It is meant to promote justice, efficiency, and discipline in the armed services. Jurisdiction under military law is based on the U.S. Constitution and relevant aspects of international law. Military law jurisdiction is exercised through four distinct forums: (1) courts-martial, (2) courts of inquiry, (3) military commissions, and (4) nonjudicial punishment proceedings [...]. Throughout the 1940s, Congress received evidence of military justice maladministration. The primary concerns were the system's lack of due process and independence. Congress responded to these concerns by enacting the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) in 1950, which applies to each armed service and replaced the prior military justice system. The punitive articles in the UCMJ are military law offenses [...]. Many of the punitive articles are criminal conduct offenses that have a referent offense in modern penal codes or historical common law (e.g., rape, murder, robbery). Other punitive articles are military misconduct offenses that have a referent offense in medieval chivalric codes or Roman military practices (e.g., mutiny, desertion, cowardice)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ott, Alan
2021-11-02
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Reserve Component Personnel Issues: Questions and Answers [Updated November 2, 2021]
From the Document: "The term 'Reserve Component' (RC) refers collectively to the seven individual reserve components of the Armed Forces: the Army National Guard of the United States, the Army Reserve, the Navy Reserve, the Marine Corps Reserve, the Air National Guard of the United States, the Air Force Reserve, and the Coast Guard Reserve. The purpose of these seven reserve components, as codified in law, is to 'provide trained units and qualified persons available for active duty in the armed forces, in time of war or national emergency, and at such other times as the national security may require, to fill the needs of the armed forces whenever more units and persons are needed than are in the regular components.' The Army National Guard and the Air National Guard also have a state role: operating under the control of their governor, they respond to various domestic emergencies, such as disasters and civil disorders"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kapp, Lawrence; Torreon, Barbara Salazar
2021-11-02
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National Flood Insurance Program: The Current Rating Structure and Risk Rating 2.0 [Updated November 2, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the primary source of flood insurance coverage for residential properties in the United States, with more than 5 million policies in 22,500 communities in 56 states and jurisdictions. The program collects about $4.6 billion in annual revenue from policyholders' premiums, fees and surcharges and provides over $1.3 trillion in coverage. The NFIP was established by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. The general purpose of the NFIP is both to offer primary flood insurance to properties with significant flood risk, and to reduce flood risk through the adoption of floodplain management standards. A longer-term objective of the NFIP is to reduce federal expenditure on disaster assistance after floods. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the NFIP, is planning to introduce Risk Rating 2.0, which represents the biggest change to the way the NFIP calculates flood insurance premiums since its inception. The new premium rates went into effect on October 1, 2021, for new NFIP policies only. The new rates for existing NFIP policyholders are to take effect on April 1, 2022."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2021-11-02
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Clean Energy Standards: Selected Issues for the 117th Congress [Updated November 2, 2021]
From the Summary: "For many years, policies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been of interest to Congress. Congressional and constituent interest continues in the 117th Congress. One option to reduce GHG emissions from electricity generation is a clean energy standard. A clean energy standard (CES), sometimes called a clean electricity standard, is a policy that requires a minimum share of electricity to be generated from eligible 'clean' sources. No universal definition of clean energy exists, and proposals differ in what technologies are included. Some proposals, usually referred to as a renewable portfolio standard (RPS), include only certain renewable energy sources (e.g., solar), while other proposals also include nuclear power, fossil fuels equipped with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, certain natural gas technologies, or other energy sources. As of 2020, thirty states and the District of Columbia have implemented a CES, including 10 jurisdictions that will ultimately require 100% of covered electricity sales to come from eligible clean energy sources. In addition, eight states have nonbinding goals of carbon-free electricity, and many utilities have committed to reducing their GHG emissions to varying degrees and over different time frames. State targets and utility goals cover 77% of total U.S. electricity sales, with 69% of total sales covered by a carbon-free target or goal."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lawson, Ashley J.
2021-11-02
