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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated August 27, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, a program carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy that gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition strategies and proposed funding levels for the Aegis BMD program. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-08-27
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Financial Inclusion: Access to Bank Accounts [August 27, 2020]
From the Document: "Most U.S. consumers choose to open a bank account, such as a checking or savings account, because it is considered a safe and secure way to store money, particularly as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures up to $250,000 per depositor against an institution's failure. In addition, consumers gain access to payment services through checking accounts, such as the ability to make electronic payments online, direct deposit, and paper checks. Frequently, a checking account includes access to a debit card, which increases a consumer's ability to make payment transactions through the account. For most consumers, a bank account is less expensive than alternative ways to access these types of services. Opening a bank account is relatively easy for most people. Consumers undergo an account verification process, and they sometimes provide a small initial opening deposit of money into the account. Many consumers open their first bank accounts when they get their first jobs or start post-secondary education. Checking and savings accounts are often the first relationships that a consumer has with a financial institution, which can later progress into other types of financial products and services, such as loan products or financial investments. However, many U.S. households--often those with low incomes, lack of credit histories, or credit histories marked with missed debt payments--do not use banking services."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cooper, Cheryl R.
2020-08-27
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Federal Reserve's Main Street Lending Program [August 27, 2020]
From the Document: "In response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Federal Reserve (Fed) created a series of emergency lending programs, including the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP). The MSLP supports lending to eligible businesses and nonprofits and marks the first time the Fed has lent to nonfinancial businesses since the 1930s (though it purchased commercial paper [short-term debt securities] issued by nonfinancial businesses in 2008 and 2009)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc; Weinstock, Lida R.
2020-08-27
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Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) System and Selected Policy Issues [August 27, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The Federal Home Loan Bank Act of 1932 (FHLB Act; P.L. 72-304, 47 Stat. 128) created the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) system. The system currently consists of 11 institutions and its Office of Finance, which collectively constitute one government-sponsored enterprise (GSE). The FHLBs are federally chartered 'cooperative' financial institutions, meaning that each FHLB is privately owned and capitalized by its members. Only members and certain eligible associates may receive FHLB services. [...] This report summarizes the FHLB system and some recent policy issues. It begins with an overview of the financial challenges that prompted the creation and evolution of the FHLB system. It then describes the FHLB system's role as a financial intermediary, its prudential capitalization and liquidity requirements, and mission goals. This report then discusses policy issues concerning the extent to which current operations allow the FHLB system to achieve its public mission."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Getter, Darryl E.
2020-08-27
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Authorizations and the Appropriations Process [August 27, 2020]
From the Summary: "The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the 'power of the purse' by prohibiting expenditures 'but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.' As a result, legislation to provide for government expenditures must adhere to the same requirements and conditions imposed on the lawmaking process as any other measure. [...] For discretionary spending, the exercise of this authority has resulted in the formalization of a process in which funding decisions are made in a two-step process, in which separate legislation to establish or continue federal agencies, programs, policies, projects, or activities is presumed to be enacted first, and legislation that provides funding is presumed to follow. In order for this two-step process to work, congressional rules therefore distinguish between legislation that addresses questions of policy and that which addresses questions of funding and encourage their separate consideration. In common usage, the terms used to describe these types of measures are 'authorizations' and 'appropriations', respectively. [...] This report provides an analysis of the relation of authorizations and appropriations, the impact of this distinction on the consideration of appropriations measures, and its significance for understanding how appropriations and other legislation work in conjunction to determine how agencies may spend appropriated funds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Saturno, James
2020-08-27
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Alternative Data in Financial Services [August 27, 2020]
From the Document: "'Alternative data' generally refer to information used to determine a consumer's creditworthiness that the national consumer reporting agencies--Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion--do not traditionally use to calculate a credit score. These reporting agencies generally create consumer reports containing historical information about repayment on credit products such as mortgages, student loans, credit cards, and auto loans. Credit applications, bankruptcies, and debts in collection also are regularly included. In contrast, alternative data include additional consumer financial data not regularly contained in traditional credit files. New technology makes it possible for financial institutions to gather other information, including financial and nonfinanical data, from a variety of sources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cooper, Cheryl R.
2020-08-27
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Summer Meals for Children: An Overview of Federal Aid [August 27, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Since the late 1960s, the federal government has provided assistance for summer meals served to children. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides funding for meals served by nonprofit organizations, school districts, and public agencies to children during the summer. Another program, the Seamless Summer Option (SSO), allows school districts to operate a modified version of the school meals programs(the National School Lunch Program [NSLP] and School Breakfast Program [SBP]) into the summer. Traditionally, summer meals must be consumed on-site with other participants (referred to as 'congregate feeding'). In recent years, USDA has tested alternative food service models,including the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer Program for Children (SEBTC, or Summer EBT) and the Summer Meals-to-You demonstration projects. The summer meal programs and demonstration projects are administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Billings, Kara Clifford
2020-08-27
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U.S. Blood Supply and the COVID-19 Response: In Brief [Updated August 26, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has posed significant challenges for the U.S. blood supply. Mitigation strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as closures of schools and workplaces, have led to blood drive cancellations. In addition to blood drive cancellations, individual state stay-at-home orders and general fear of contracting the COVID-19 virus might dissuade individuals from scheduling appointments to donate blood. [...] This report provides a brief background of the regulatory framework for the U.S. blood supply, explains the federal response to the current crisis, and discusses potential treatment of COVID-19 using blood-derived products."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sussman, Jared S.; Dabrowska, Agata
2020-08-26
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Artificial Intelligence and National Security [Updated August 26, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing field of technology that is capturing the attention of commercial investors, defense intellectuals, policymakers, and international competitors alike, as evidenced by a number of recent initiatives. On July 20, 2017, the Chinese government released a strategy detailing its plan to take the lead in AI by 2030. Less than two months later Vladimir Putin publicly announced Russia's intent to pursue AI technologies, stating, '[W]hoever becomes the leader in this field will rule the world.' Similarly, the U.S. National Defense Strategy, released in January 2018, identified artificial intelligence as one of the key technologies that will 'ensure [the United States] will be able to fight and win the wars of the future.' The U.S. military is already integrating AI systems into combat via a spearhead initiative called Project Maven, which uses AI algorithms to identify insurgent targets in Iraq and Syria. These dynamics raise several questions that Congress addressed in hearings during 2017, 2018, and 2019: What types of military AI applications are possible, and what limits, if any, should be imposed? What unique advantages and vulnerabilities come with employing AI for defense? How will AI change warfare, and what influence will it have on the military balance with U.S. competitors? Congress has a number of oversight, budgetary, and legislative tools available that it may use to influence the answers to these questions and shape the future development of AI technology."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.
2020-08-26
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Deep Fakes and National Security [Updated August 26, 2020]
From the Document: "'Deep fakes'--a term that first emerged in 2017 to describe realistic photo, audio, video, and other forgeries generated with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies--could present a variety of national security challenges in the years to come. As these technologies continue to mature, they could hold significant implications for congressional oversight, U.S. defense authorizations and appropriations, and the regulation of social media platforms."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.; Harris, Laurie A.
2020-08-26
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Health Care for Federal Prisoners [August 26, 2020]
From the Document: "This In Focus provides a brief overview of how the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provides medical care to prisoners in its custody. BOP operates 122 prisons across the country, and at of the end of FY2019 there were approximately 177,000 prisoners under BOP's jurisdiction, making BOP one of the largest correctional systems in the country. Under 18 U.S.C. Section 4042(a), BOP is required to 'provide for the safekeeping, care, and subsistence of all persons charged with or convicted of offenses against the United States, or held as witnesses or otherwise.' 18 U.S.C. Section 4048 governs fees for health care services provided to prisoners. However, the manner in which BOP provides health care services to prisoners is largely dictated by regulations and policy statements rather than statutory law. The relevant regulations can be found in Title 28, Part 549 of the 'Code of Federal Regulations', and the relevant BOP policy statements are PS 6010.05, Health Services Administration, and PS 6031.04, Patient Care."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan
2020-08-26
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Brief Overview of FEMA's Individual Assistance Program [Updated August 26, 2020]
From the Document: "This In Focus provides an overview of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Individual Assistance (IA) program, including brief descriptions of some types of IA and the factors considered when determining whether to authorize IA pursuant to a declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act; 42 U.S.C. §§5121 et seq.)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webster, Elizabeth M.
2020-08-26
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Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated August 26, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides an overview of the overlapping political, economic, and humanitarian crises in Venezuela, followed by an overview of U.S. policy toward Venezuela."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando; Nelson, Rebecca M.; Brown, Phillip (Specialist in Energy Policy) . . .
2020-08-26
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U.S. Role in the World: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated August 26, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress regarding the U.S. role in the world, meaning the overall character, purpose, or direction of U.S. participation in international affairs and the country's overall relationship to the rest of the world. The U.S. role in the world can be viewed as establishing the overall context or framework for U.S. policymakers for developing, implementing, and measuring the success of U.S. policies and actions on specific international issues, and for foreign countries or other observers for interpreting and understanding U.S. actions on the world stage. [...] The issue for Congress is whether the U.S. role in the world has changed, and if so, what implications this might have for the United States and the world. Congress's decisions regarding the U.S. role in the world could have significant implications for numerous policies, plans, programs, and budgets, and for the role of Congress relative to that of the executive branch in U.S. foreign policymaking."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; Moodie, Michael, 1948-
2020-08-26
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U.S. Support for International Conservation [August 26, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The United States supports international conservation of wildlife and ecosystems through diplomatic efforts, foreign assistance, and other activities. At the diplomatic level, the United States works both multilaterally and bilaterally to set international conservation policy. The United States provides foreign assistance in the form of financial, programmatic, and technical support to address international conservation activities, such as species protection, habitat restoration, and forest recovery, among other priorities. Several federal departments and agencies administer these programs, including the U.S. Department of State (State), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and U.S. Forest Service (FS). Congress has shaped U.S. policy and global activities related to conservation through its authorization and appropriation of foreign assistance resources, as well as through oversight activities. Several Members of the 116th Congress have demonstrated interest in international conservation, especially with respect to biodiversity, environmental conservation, and illicit wildlife trade."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sheikh, Pervaze A.; Brown, Nick M.; Morgenstern, Emily M. . . .
2020-08-26
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Heroes Act: Education-Related Provisions [August 26, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The House passed the Heroes Act (H.R. 6800) on May 15, 2020. The act is intended to continue supporting the nation's response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic throughout the federal government, including its response via several education-related programs. This report provides brief summaries of key provisions in the Heroes Act that would affect elementary, secondary, and higher education students and student loan borrowers. The report begins by describing supplemental funding the act would make available to educational providers and in support of broadband educational infrastructure. This is followed by sections describing amendments that would be made to CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act education-related provisions, and sections describing Heroes Act provisions that would provide relief to private and federal student loan borrowers. The report concludes with descriptions of bill provisions that would authorize new waivers and flexibilities pertaining to existing legislative requirements in the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended; the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins), as amended; and the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), as amended."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria; Skinner, Rebecca; Shohfi, Kyle D. . . .
2020-08-26
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Coronavirus Relief Fund (CARES Act, Title V): Background and State and Local Data [Updated August 25, 2020]
From the Summary: "The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136), signed into law on March 27, 2020, created the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which provides $150 billion in direct assistance for domestic governments. The CARES Act stipulates that the $150 billion provided to the Coronavirus Relief Fund is allocated to governments in states, territories, and tribal areas as follows: (1) $139 billion is allocated to state governments in the 50 states, with allocations based on their populations and with no state receiving less than $1.25 billion; (2) $8 billion is set aside for governments in tribal areas; and (3) $3 billion is allotted to governments in territories, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Coronavirus Relief Fund assistance is provided to state governments. Local governments serving a population of at least 500,000, as measured in the most recent census data, may elect to receive assistance directly from Treasury. Such direct local assistance allocations reduce the allocation that is made to the state government (keeping the state allocation constant), an d are equal to the product of (1) the state or territory allocation amount,(2) the share of the state or territory population served by the local government, and (3) 45%. Treasury data indicate that roughly $36 billion in fund costs were incurred as of June 30, 2020, representing roughly 25% of the $142 billion in funds allocated to eligible state and local governments (excluding eligible tribal governments)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Driessen, Grant A.
2020-08-25
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Export Restrictions in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic [Updated August 25, 2020]
From the Document: "In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, countries all over the world, including the United States, have imposed temporary restrictions on exports of certain medical goods and some foodstuffs in order to mitigate potential shortages of key supplies. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), for G-20 [Group of Twenty] countries, export bans accounted for more than 90% of trade restrictions related to the pandemic. Many measures are not explicit bans, but vary from licensing requirements to mandates for sales to the state. These restrictions have raised debate about the consistency of such actions with WTO rules and the potential impact on the global trading system. Some markets depend heavily on countries that have implemented restrictions. Most leading exporters are also major importers of critical supplies, with integrated supply chains at risk. The proliferation of such measures has prompted some countries to commit to limit restrictions or to abide by certain principles in their temporary application. Some Members of Congress have weighed in on the issue, both in terms of the immediate disruption from COVID-19, but also on the future of supply chains."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Casey, Christopher A.; Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D.
2020-08-25
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Boeing-Airbus Subsidy Dispute: Recent Developments [Updated August 25, 2020]
From the Document: "On October 18, 2019, the United States imposed additional tariffs on $7.5 billion worth of U.S. imports from the European Union and the United Kingdom (UK) (hereinafter together referred to as the EU). The action, authorized by World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement procedures, followed an investigation by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). [...] The authorization to take countermeasures against the EU--the largest amount in the WTO's history--comes after nearly 15 years of litigation at the WTO. The litigation involves the world's two largest aerospace manufacturers, U.S.-based Boeing and EU-based Airbus, which have competed for years for dominance in the commercial airline supply market. [...] Due to the magnitude of U.S.-EU trade (of which civilian aircraft, engines, and parts are a major component) and ongoing trade frictions, some Members of Congress are closely monitoring developments in the WTO litigation and in U.S.-EU negotiations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwarzenberg, Andres B.
2020-08-25
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Defense Primer: U.S. Precision-Guided Munitions [Updated August 25, 2020]
From the Document: "The Department of Defense (DOD) defines a precision-guided munition (PGM) as a 'guided weapon intended to destroy a point target and minimize collateral damage.' This includes air- and ship-launched missiles, multiple launched rockets, and guided bombs. PGMs typically use the global positioning system (GPS), laser guidance, or inertial navigation systems to improve a weapon's accuracy to reportedly less than 3 meters (approximately 10 feet). Recent operations have heavily relied on PGMs for counterinsurgency operations. The recent National Defense Strategy articulates a renewed focus on great power competition to combat anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems. The wide proliferation of A2/AD is likely to increase the operational utility of PGMs. In particular, peer competitors like China and Russia have developed sophisticated air defenses and anti-ship missiles that increase the risk to U.S. forces entering and operating in these regions. As a result, DOD has argued it requires longer-range precision munitions to meet these new threats."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.
2020-08-25
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Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [Updated August 25, 2020]
From the Summary: "Restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba have constituted a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba's communist government since the early 1960s. Such restrictions are largely part of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR), the overall embargo regulations administered by the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), as well as certain parts of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), administered by the Department of Commerce. Various Administrations have eased and tightened these restrictions over the years as U.S. policy toward Cuba has changed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2020-08-25
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Individual Mandate for Health Insurance Coverage: In Brief [Updated August 25, 2020]
From the Introduction: "From January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2018, most individuals had to maintain health insurance coverage or pay a penalty for noncompliance implemented through the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). To comply with the individual mandate, individuals needed to maintain minimum essential coverage, which includes most types of public and private health insurance coverage, though some individuals were exempt from the mandate. [...] This report provides an overview of the individual mandate, its associated penalty, and the exemptions from the mandate as they operate according to law and as they operate in practice with the effective elimination of the penalty. It discusses the ACA [Affordable Care Act] reporting requirements designed, in part, to assist individuals in providing evidence of having met the mandate. The report includes the most recent national- and state-level data on the application of the mandate's penalty for tax year (TY) 2014 through TY2017. The information provided in this report is based on current law and corresponding regulations and guidance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rosso, Ryan J.
2020-08-25
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Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) [Updated August 25, 2020]
From the Document: "Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) is the Department of Defense's (DOD's) concept to connect sensors from all of the military services--Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force--into a single network. Traditionally, each of the military services developed its own tactical network that was incompatible with those of other services (i.e., Army networks were unable to interface with Navy or Air Force networks). DOD officials have argued that future conflicts may require decisions to be made within hours, minutes, or potentially seconds compared with the current multiday process to analyze the operating environment and issue commands. They have also stated that the Department's existing command and control architecture is insufficient to meet the demands of the National Defense Strategy (NDS). Congress may be interested in the concept because it is being used to develop many high-profile procurement programs for all of the military services."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.
2020-08-25
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Executive Order 13932 on Assessing and Hiring Job Candidates in Federal Agencies [August 25, 2020]
From the Background: "President Donald Trump issued Executive Order (E.O.) 13932, titled 'Modernizing and Reforming the Assessment and Hiring of Federal Job Candidates,' on June 26, 2020. The E.O. seeks to alter the federal hiring process by removing potentially unnecessary education qualifications to ensure that the federal hiring process is merit-based. The 'merit system' is generally held to be a keystone of the federal civil service. This E.O. aligns with the President's Management Agenda, which identifies 'enhanced alignment and strategic management of the Federal workforce' as a primary goal. The E.O. also appears to align with certain aspects of current law. In particular, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and agencies are prohibited by law from prescribing a minimum educational requirement for competitive service positions, albeit with limited exceptions for scientific, technical, and certain other positions. OPM has issued guidance on E.O. 13932 for the increased use of skills- and competency-based assessments in the federal hiring process. OPM's guidance explained that the agency's website already outlines a number of competency-based assessment options. OPM's guidance also offers a schedule for the implementation of the E.O."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Riccard, Taylor N.
2020-08-25
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Renewed Great Power Competition: Implications for Defense--Issues for Congress [Updated August 25, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides a brief overview of implications for U.S. defense of renewed great power competition with China and Russia. The issue for Congress is how U.S. defense planning should respond to renewed great power competition, and whether to approve, reject, or modify the Trump Administration's proposed defense funding levels, strategy, plans, and programs for addressing renewed great power competition. Congress's decisions on these issues could have significant implications for U.S. defense capabilities and funding requirements. This report focuses on defense-related issues and does not discuss potential implications of renewed great power competition for other policy areas, such as foreign policy and diplomacy, trade and finance, energy, and foreign assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-08-25
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ESEA: The Promise Neighborhoods and Full-Service Community Schools Programs [Updated August 25, 2020]
From the Document: "The Promise Neighborhoods and Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) programs are authorized under the Community Support for School Success (CSSS) subpart (Title IV-F-2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), most recently and comprehensively reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA; P.L. 114-95). Both programs were previously authorized through the annual appropriations process using authority available to create programs of national significance under the ESEA Fund for the Improvement of Education (formerly Title V-D-1). The Promise Neighborhoods program was initially created through the Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2010 (Division D, Title III of P.L. 111-117). The FSCS program was initially created as a demonstration program through the Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2008 (Division G, Title III of P.L. 110-161). CSSS has two purposes. The first is to 'significantly improve the academic and developmental outcomes of children living in the most distressed communities in the United States.' The second purpose is to 'provide support for the planning, implementation, and operation of full-service community schools' that improve services for children and their families, particularly those attending high-poverty schools. Both the Promise Neighborhoods and FSCS programs are designed to provide pipeline services, which deliver a 'continuum of coordinated supports, services, and opportunities,' to children in distressed communities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Skinner, Rebecca
2020-08-25
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Iran's Nuclear Program and U.N. Sanctions Reimposition [Updated August 24, 2020]
From the Document: "U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015), which the council adopted on July 20, 2015, implements the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and contains other provisions concerning Iran's nuclear program, Tehran's development of missiles, and arms transfers to and from Iran. The United States has threatened to invoke the resolution's 'snapback' mechanism, which requires the Security Council to reimpose U.N. sanctions lifted pursuant to Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.
2020-08-24
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COVID-19 and Private Health Insurance Coverage: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated August 24, 2020]
From the Summary: "The United States is reporting some of the highest numbers of cases and deaths from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic globally, and the virus is affecting communities nationwide. As private health insurance is the predominant source of health coverage in the United States, there is considerable congressional interest in understanding private health insurance coverage of health benefits related to COVID-19. This report addresses frequently asked questions about private health insurance covered benefits and consumer cost sharing related to COVID-19 testing, treatment, and a potential vaccine. It explains relevant legislation enacted in 2020, references existing federal requirements, discusses recent administrative guidance, and notes state and private-sector actions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Forsberg, Vanessa C.
2020-08-24
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Role of Section 708 of the Defense Production Act in the Federal Government's Response to COVID-19: Antitrust Considerations [August 24, 2020]
From the Document: "Section 708 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA) authorizes the President to 'consult with representatives of industry, business, financing, agriculture, labor, and other interests in order to provide for the making by such persons, with approval of the President, of voluntary agreements and plans of action to help provide for the national defense.' The DPA defines national defense broadly to include, among other things, preparedness for, responding to, and recovery from national emergencies such as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Section 708 also establishes a special defense that may shield companies cooperating under the DPA from antitrust liability 'with respect to any action taken to develop or carry out any voluntary agreement or plan of action.' [...] This Legal Sidebar examines the scope of Section 708's antitrust defense."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lobert, Joshua T.
2020-08-24
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Belarus: An Overview [Updated August 24, 2020]
From the Document: "Beginning in August 2020, popular unrest has posed a serious political challenge to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (or Lukashenka). In advance of an early August presidential election, opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya (Tsikhanouskaya) mounted an unexpectedly strong campaign to replace Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for 26 years. Given Lukashenko's authoritarian rule, observers did not expect Tikhanovskaya to win the election. However, the official pronouncement that Lukashenko won with a seemingly exaggerated 80% of the vote (to 10% for Tikhanovskaya) led to protests. A brutal and seemingly indiscriminate crackdown has led to larger protests and strikes of government workers on a scale unseen since Belarus became independent in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Authorities have released most of the several thousand individuals they detained, but dozens reportedly remain in prison or are missing. [...] The United States, other countries, and international organizations have condemned violence against protestors and detainees and criticized the elections as neither free nor fair. The European Council, composed of the leaders of European Union (EU) member states, further stated that the EU does 'not recognize the results' of the election and would impose sanctions against those responsible for 'violence, repression and the falsification of election results.' Belarus's closest security and economic partner is Russia. Tensions between Belarus and Russia have increased in recent years, with the two countries at odds over energy, debt, trade, and transit."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Welt, Cory
2020-08-24
