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Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process [Updated May 3, 2022]
From the Document: "This report reviews the process and procedures that currently apply to congressional consideration of foreign arms sales proposed by the President. This includes consideration of proposals to sell major defense equipment, defense articles and services, or the retransfer to other states of such military items. In general, the executive branch, after complying with the terms of applicable U.S. law, principally contained in the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) (P.L. 90-629, 82 Stat. 1320), is free to proceed with an arms sales proposal unless Congress passes legislation prohibiting or modifying the proposed sale. The President has the obligation under the law to submit the arms sale proposal to Congress, but only after he has determined that he is prepared to proceed with any such notifiable arms sales transaction. The AECA also contains the statutory authority for the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, under which the U.S. government sells U.S. defense equipment, services, and training on a government-to-government basis. In addition, the law specifies criteria for Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) of U.S.-government licensed defense articles and services directly from U.S. firms to eligible foreign governments and international organizations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.; Grimmett, Richard F.
2022-05-03
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Army's Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) [May 3, 2022]
From the Document: "The Army's Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) is intended to replace the Army's M-2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)[.] 'Optionally manned' means the OMFV is to have the ability to conduct remotely controlled operations while a crew is not in the vehicle and to function autonomously with the Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV). The M-2 Bradley, which has been in service since 1981, transports infantry on the battlefield and provides fire support to dismounted troops and suppresses or destroys enemy fighting vehicles. Updated numerous times since its introduction, the M-2 Bradley is widely considered to have reached the technological limits of its capacity to accommodate new electronics, armor, and defense systems. Two past efforts to replace the M-2 Bradley--the Future Combat System (FCS) Program and the Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) Program--were cancelled for programmatic and cost-associated reasons."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2022-05-03
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Resources for Tracking Federal COVID-19 Spending [Updated May 3, 2022]
From the Summary: "This report provides selected sources for tracking COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] relief and assistance spending. It contains links to and information on government sources detailing spending amounts at various levels, including consolidated spending by multiple government agencies, spending by individual government agencies, and spending for specific recipients and geographies. The sources themselves are large government databases, individual agencies, oversight entities, and selected nongovernmental entities that attempt to repackage information on spending amounts obtained from available government sources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Teefy, Jennifer; Kreiser, Maria
2022-05-03
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Navy Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated May 3, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Navy's new Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) program, which envisions procuring a class of up to 35 new amphibious ships to support the Marine Corps, particularly in implementing a new Marine Corps operational concept called Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO). The Navy had previously envisioned procuring the first LAW in FY2023, but the Navy's FY2023 budget submission defers the procurement of the first LAW to FY2025. The Navy's proposed FY2023 budget requests $12.2 million in research and development funding for the program. The LAW program poses a number of potential oversight matters for Congress. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's annual funding requests and envisioned acquisition strategy for the program. Congress's decisions regarding the program could affect Navy and Marine Corps capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-05-03
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Role of the House Majority Leader: An Overview [Updated May 3, 2022]
From the Summary: "The majority leader in the contemporary House is second-in-command behind the Speaker of the House. Typically, the majority leader functions as the Speaker's chief lieutenant or 'field commander' for day-to-day management of the floor. Although the majority leader's duties are not especially well-defined, they have evolved to include two fundamental and often interlocking responsibilities that orient the majority leader's work: to the institution of the House, and to the majority party conference. From an institutional perspective, the majority leader has a number of duties. Scheduling floor business is a prime responsibility of the majority leader. Although scheduling the House's business is a collective activity of the majority party, the majority leader has a large say in shaping the chamber's overall agenda and in determining when, whether, how, or in what order legislation is taken up. In addition, the majority leader is active in constructing winning coalitions for the party's legislative priorities; acting as a public spokesperson--defending and explaining the party's program and agenda; serving as an emissary to the White House, especially when the President is of the same party; and facilitating the orderly conduct of House business. From a party perspective, three key activities undergird the majority leader's principal goal of maintaining the party's majority status in the House. First, the majority leader assists in the reelection campaigns of party incumbents by raising and donating campaign funds and traveling to scores of House districts to campaign with incumbents or challengers of the party. Second, the majority leader promotes the party's agenda by developing themes and issues important to core supporters and the general public. Third, the majority leader encourages party cohesion by working to minimize internal factional disagreements that may undermine the majority party's ability to govern the House."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Oleszek, Mark J.; Oleszek, Walter J.
2022-05-03
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Russia's War on Ukraine: The Economic Impact of Sanctions [May 3, 2022]
From the Document: "Across a range of metrics, Russia's economy is worse off than it was before Russia expanded its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that in 2022 Russia's economy will contract by 8.5%, inflation will reach 24%, and unemployment will double to 9.6%[.] The new sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Australia, Japan, and others are unprecedented in terms of scope, coordination, and speed, and appear to be the overarching source of economic pressure on Russia. Other factors--including economic disruptions from the war and the pandemic--also are creating challenges. The Russian government has implemented a number of policies to mitigate the impact of sanctions, and Russia's energy exports--so far largely exempt from international sanctions--remain a major source of revenue."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nelson, Rebecca M.
2022-05-03
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Tornadoes: Background and Forecasting [Updated May 3, 2022]
From the Background: "Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes affect communities across the United States every year, causing fatalities, destroying property and crops, and disrupting businesses. Tornadoes [hyperlink] are narrow, violently rotating columns of air that extend from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground, sometimes producing winds that exceed 300 miles per hour [hyperlink]. Tornadoes have been reported on all continents except Antarctica; however, they occur most commonly in North America, particularly in the United States, which reports approximately 1,200 tornadoes per year [hyperlink]. Tornadoes occur across the United States [hyperlink] but form frequently in three regions, shifting seasonally: (1) southern Plains (e.g., Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas), (2) Gulf Coast, and (3) northern Plains and upper Midwest (e.g., North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota). Tornadoes occur mostly during spring and summer [hyperlink] [...] and usually during the late afternoon or early evening. However, tornadoes can occur at any time. For example, a deadly storm system [hyperlink] with several reported tornadoes touched ground overnight and traveled from Arkansas toward the Great Lakes between December 10 and 11, 2021. Peak winds [hyperlink] of one 'long-track' tornado reached approximately 190 miles per hour. Aspects of the event were rare, such as its timing, distance traveled, and geographic location."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2022-05-03
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Infrastructure Financing Program (CWIFP): Status and Issues [Updated May 3, 2022]
Form the Document: "In the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (WIFIA 2014, Title V, Subtitle C of P.L. 113-121; 33 U.S.C. §§3901-3914, as amended [hyperlink]), Congress authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to provide credit assistance to specified eligible entities, in the form of secured or direct loans, for water resource projects. WIFIA 2014 authorized an analogous program for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [hyperlink] for water projects outside of USACE mission areas (see CRS [Congressional Research Service] In Focus IF11193, 'WIFIA Program: Background and Recent Developments'). This Insight focuses on the USACE program, which USACE refers to as the Civil Works Infrastructure Financing Program [hyperlink] (CWIFP)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Humphreys, Elena H.; Normand, Anna E.
2022-05-03
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works: Primer and Resources [Updated May 3, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress plays a role in the nation's water resource development [hyperlink] through authorization and appropriations of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects and activities. USACE is a Department of Defense agency that develops civil works projects principally to improve navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASACW) [hyperlink] provides policy direction and supervision of USACE civil works. A military Chief of Engineers [hyperlink] manages USACE's civil and military missions. USACE's 38 district offices [hyperlink] work with nonfederal project sponsors to develop water resource projects. Standard USACE project delivery [hyperlink] consists of USACE leading the study, design, and construction of authorized projects. Nonfederal project sponsors typically share in study [hyperlink] and construction [hyperlink] costs, including providing real estate and generally performing operation and maintenance [hyperlink] (O&M) for flood risk reduction and ecosystem restoration projects. USACE typically performs O&M for navigation and some multipurpose projects, such as dams. USACE operates [hyperlink] more than 700 dams and maintains [hyperlink] more than 900 coastal, Great Lakes, and inland harbors, as well as 12,000 miles of inland waterways. USACE projects typically require two separate congressional authorizations--one for studying feasibility and one for construction--and appropriations for both. This Insight summarizes the USACE authorization and funding processes and provides links to related resources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Normand, Anna E.; Carter, Nicole T.
2022-05-03
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F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), also called the Lightning II, is a strike fighter airplane being procured in different versions for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. The F-35 program is DOD's largest weapon procurement program in terms of total estimated acquisition cost. Current Department of Defense (DOD) plans call for acquiring a total of 2,456 F-35s for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy at an estimated total acquisition cost, as of December, 2019, of about $397.8 billion in constant (i.e., inflation-adjusted) FY2012 dollars. U.S. allies are expected to purchase hundreds of additional F-35s, and eight foreign nations are cost-sharing partners in the program. The Administration's proposed FY2022 defense budget requested about $12.0 billion in procurement funding for the F-35 program. This would fund the procurement of 48 F-35As for the Air Force, 17 F-35Bs for the Marine Corps, 20 F-35Cs for the Navy and Marines, advance procurement for future aircraft, and continuing modifications. The proposed budget also requested about $2.1 billion for F-35 research and development."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gertler, Jeremiah; Hoehn, John R.
2022-05-02
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Federal Retirement Plans: Frequently Asked Questions [May 2, 2022]
From the Summary: "This report answers common questions related to federal retirement plans. The vast majority of the civilian federal workforce is covered by either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), depending on date of entrance into federal service. Most civilian federal employees hired before 1984 are covered by CSRS; most civilian federal employees hired in 1984 or later are covered by FERS. This FAQ [Frequently Asked Questions] focuses on policy issues related to CSRS and FERS while also identifying additional retirement plans that provide benefits to specific populations of civilian federal employees. It provides the legislative history of CSRS and FERS as well as information on benefits and financing."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Isaacs, Katelin P., 1980-; Breslauer, Tamar B.
2022-05-02
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China-Russia Relations [May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "The People's Republic of China (PRC or China) and the Russian Federation (Russia) maintain a strategic and multifaceted relationship with extensive military, diplomatic, and economic connections. Although the contemporary China-Russia relationship dates back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the two countries also share a long, tumultuous history that has included periods of security and diplomatic cooperation, fluctuations in ideological alignment, diplomatic crises, and a border war in the 1960s. Many experts trace the current dynamism of the relationship to 2014, when the reaction of some countries to Russia's first invasion of Ukraine, including sanctions, led Moscow to seek to strengthen its ties to China and other countries. The two countries' apparent mutual affinity has led some U.S. policymakers and Members of Congress to express concern that Beijing and Moscow constitute a de facto alliance, and to seek ways to counter their global influence. The PRC and Russia's bilateral relationship falls short of a mutual defense pact, more closely resembling a nonbinding alignment based on shared opposition to what they describe as the U.S.-led international order. This common opposition has spurred cooperation between the two countries, but has not fully overcome their historical strategic mistrust."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bowen, Andrew S.; Barrios, Ricardo
2022-05-02
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Global Women's Issues: Background and Selected U.S. Efforts [Updated May 5, 2022]
From the Document: "For several decades, Congress has considered or enacted legislation aimed at improving the rights and status of women and girls worldwide. These efforts, which may address a range of issues globally, including women's health, education, and security, are often grouped under the broad policy umbrella of 'global women's issues.' [...] U.S. efforts to address global women's issues have shifted over time, often reflecting world events, domestic political conditions, and the priorities of individual policymakers. During the past two decades, many Members of Congress and the executive branch have increasingly recognized a growing body of research linking gender equality to the overall stability, prosperity, and security of societies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Margesson, Rhoda; Blanchfield, Luisa; Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji
2022-05-02
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Federal Assistance for Wildfire Response and Recovery [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "Wildfires are unplanned fires. Wildfires can have some beneficial impacts on an ecosystem, but they often threaten homes and communities, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people. Wildfires are sometimes caused by lightning strikes and may occur when a prescribed burn escapes control or through other human activities (deliberate or accidental). Annually from 2012 to 2021, there were an average of 61,289 wildfires, with an average of 7.4 million acres impacted and an average of 8,000 structures burned. In 2021, 58,968 wildfires impacted 7.1 million acres and burned nearly 6,000 structures nationwide, 60% (3,577) of which were residences. Congress and other stakeholders have considered options for federal support and assistance to address wildfire suppression during a fire, post-wildfire recovery, and land management activities to reduce the risk of future catastrophic wildfires, among other issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoover, Katie
2022-05-02
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Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Civil Works: Policy Primer [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress authorizes and funds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to undertake civil works activities, including planning and construction of water resource projects and maintenance of navigation improvements and other infrastructure (e.g., multipurpose dams). Division J, Title III, of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; P.L. [Public Law] 117-58), which became law on November 15, 2021, provided $17.1 billion in emergency appropriations to various USACE accounts (see 'Figure 1'), with the majority going to three accounts: [1] Construction (68%)[;] [2] Operation and Maintenance (O&M, 23%)[;] [3] Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T, 5%)[.] IIJA also provided [1] $251 million for repair of damages to existing projects, including nonfederal levees and shore protection through the Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (FCCE) account[;] [2] $75 million to the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) account for USACE [hyperlink] to implement a direct loan and loan guarantee program [hyperlink], which IIJA limited to nonfederal dam safety work (similar to a limit applied to FY2021 and FY2022 appropriations)[.]"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Normand, Anna E.
2022-05-02
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Army Corps of Engineers: FY2022 Appropriations [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress generally funds the civil works activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts. These activities include the planning and construction of authorized water resource projects and the operation and maintenance of infrastructure and navigation improvements managed by USACE. For USACE civil works, President Biden requested $6.79 billion for FY2022, which was $547 million above FY2021 enacted. Since FY2013, Congress has funded USACE above the President's request. For FY2022, Congress provided $8.34 billion (19% above the FY2022 request and 7% above FY2021 enacted level) in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Division D, Title I of P.L. 117-103). In 2021, Congress also provided USACE with $22.81 billion in supplemental appropriations in P.L. 117-43 and P.L. 117-58 (see CRS [Congressional Research Service] In Focus IF11945, 'U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Supplemental Appropriations'). Of these supplemental funds, $20.68 billion were made available in FY2022."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Normand, Anna E.; Carter, Nicole T.
2022-05-02
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Army Corps of Engineers: FY2023 Appropriations [May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress generally funds the civil works activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts. These activities include the planning and construction of authorized water resource projects and the operation and maintenance of infrastructure and navigation improvements managed by USACE. For USACE civil works, President Biden requested $6.60 billion for FY2023 [...], which is $1.74 billion below FY2022 enacted annual appropriations of $8.34 billion (Division D, Title I of P.L. 117-103). In 2021, Congress provided USACE with $22.81 billion in supplemental appropriations in P.L. 117-43 and P.L. 117-58 (see CRS [Congressional Research Service] In Focus IF11945, 'U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Supplemental Appropriations'). Of P.L. 117- 58 supplemental appropriations, $1.08 billion are to become available for use in FY2023 (e.g., $1.00 billion for navigation Operations and Maintenance [O&M] activities). During the FY2023 appropriation process, the Administration may continue its allocation of these supplemental funds toward eligible USACE activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Normand, Anna E.; Carter, Nicole T.
2022-05-02
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Puerto Rico's Public Debts: Accumulation and Restructuring [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report outlines the accumulation of Puerto Rico's debt and the restructuring of the island's public debt through processes established by PROMESA [Puerto Rico Oversight,
Management, and Economic Stability Act]. Acute fiscal crises in 2006-2007 and 2013-2016 resulted in debt levels that could neither be sustained nor addressed through the Bankruptcy Code, which led to PROMESA's enactment. This report focuses on the largest portions of the island's public debt. For brevity's sake, it omits discussion of pensions and the restructuring of public corporations, such as the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), the Highways and Transportation Authority (HTA), and smaller entities. Also, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority's (PRASA's) somewhat stronger financial position has enabled it to avoid the need to seek a restructuring of its bonds. The report's Appendices include a summary of the structure of Puerto Rico's pre-restructuring public debts, an analysis of the evolution of prices and trading volumes of selected bonds during the restructuring process, a chronology of selected events, and a glossary of abbreviations in English and Spanish."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Austin, D. Andrew
2022-05-02
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Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report presents background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy's Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and Zumwalt (DDG-1000) class destroyer programs. The Navy began procuring DDG-51s, also known as Aegis destroyers, in FY1985, and a total of 89 have been procured through FY2022, including two in FY2022. The Navy procured three DDG-1000 class destroyers in FY2007-FY2009 and plans no further procurement of DDG-1000s. The Navy's FY2023 budget requests the procurement of two DDG-51s in FY2023. The Navy's FY2023 budget submission also requests and multiyear procurement (MYP) contract for DDG-51s scheduled for procurement in FY2023-FY2027. Potential issues for Congress for the DDG-51 program in FY2023 include the number of firm ships to include in an MYP contract for the DDG-51 program for FY2023-FY2027, the Navy's future force-level goal for large surface combatants (or LSCs, meaning cruisers and destroyers), and how the Navy proposes to transition several years from now from procurement of DDG-51s to procurement of a successor destroyer design now in development called the DDG(X). Decisions that Congress makes on these issues could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-05-02
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Refining 'Reed: City of Austin' Updates Test for Content-Based Speech Restrictions [May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "The Supreme Court's April 21, 2022, decision in 'City of Austin v. Reagan National Advertising of Austin, LLC' [hyperlink] is the latest development in the Court's free speech jurisprudence on content neutrality. Content neutrality is important because it largely determines the level of scrutiny that a court would apply to a law regulating speech in a First Amendment challenge, with content-neutral laws receiving less rigorous scrutiny than content-based ones do. In this case, the Court held [hyperlink] that the city's restriction on 'off-premises' signs--signs advertising or directing readers to businesses or activities at another location-- was content neutral on its face because it regulated signs based on their location rather than their subject matter or topic. This Sidebar provides a brief overview of how the Court's standards for evaluating content neutrality have changed over time. It then discusses the 'City of Austin' decision and why the case could have implications beyond sign ordinances, potentially paving the way for broader location- or function-based regulation of speech, including online speech."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Killion, Victoria L.
2022-05-02
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Supplemental Appropriations [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a Department of Defense agency with civil works responsibilities, consisting largely of water resource projects to maintain navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. USACE also has a role in responding to natural disasters, especially floods. This In Focus covers the appropriations that Congress has provided USACE that are in addition to annual appropriations, referred to as 'supplemental appropriations.' Congress may consider both the amount of USACE supplemental appropriations and how effectively and efficiently the agency uses these funds. [...] Issues for Congress include oversight of USACE's short-term and long-term implementation of supplemental appropriations. There may be questions regarding how efficiently the funds are spent on projects and how effective the funded projects are in accomplishing the purposes set out by Congress. Implementation concerns have arisen with USACE emergency appropriations at times; for example, an August 2021 Senate Appropriations Committee report, S.Rept. 117-36, identified shortcomings in the pace and approach to managing supplemental construction funding and in compliance with required reporting. An ongoing challenge for USACE is that numerous authorized studies and construction projects remain unfunded. In spring 2021, USACE estimated its construction backlog at $109 billion. To what extent supplemental appropriations have helped address the USACE backlog remains uncertain, and the aggregate effect of supplemental appropriations on accomplishing the agency's water resource missions nationally remains unknown."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Normand, Anna E.
2022-05-02
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Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: Implications for Global Food Prices and Food Security [May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "Russia's invasion of Ukraine has impacts on global food security [hyperlink]. Since February 24, 2022, a humanitarian and economic crisis has unfolded in Ukraine, limiting Ukrainian exports of food and agricultural commodities, and affecting millions of people in Ukraine and the region, including more than 12 million recently displaced [hyperlink] (roughly a quarter of the population of Ukraine). In addition, in response to the invasion, the United States and other countries have imposed financial and trade sanctions on Russia, further affecting international trade patterns. Because Ukraine and Russia are among the world's leading exporters of certain food staples used in many countries, the effects of such disruptions on global food security are becoming apparent."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Margesson, Rhoda; Nair, Amber D.; Rosch, Stephanie . . .
2022-05-02
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Wildfire Statistics [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Document: "Wildfires are unplanned fires, including lightning-caused fires, unauthorized human-caused fires, and escaped prescribed fire projects. States are responsible for responding to wildfires that begin on nonfederal (state, local, and private) lands, except for lands protected by federal agencies under cooperative agreements. The federal government is responsible for responding to wildfires that begin on federal lands. The Forest Service (FS)--within the U.S. Department of Agriculture--carries out wildfire management and response across the 193 million acres of the National Forest System (NFS). The Department of the Interior (DOI) manages wildfire response for more than 400 million acres of national parks, wildlife refuges and preserves, other public lands, and Indian reservations. Wildfire statistics help to illustrate past U.S. wildfire activity. Nationwide data compiled by the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) indicate that the number of annual wildfires is variable but has decreased slightly over the last 30 years and the number of acres affected annually, while also variable, generally has increased (see 'Figure 1'). Since 2000, an annual average of 70,072 wildfires has burned an annual average of 7.0 million acres. The acreage figure is more than double the average annual acreage burned in the 1990s (3.3 million acres), although a greater number of fires occurred annually in the 1990s (78,600 average)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoover, Katie; Hanson, Laura A.
2022-05-02
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Air Force F-15EX Eagle II Fighter Program [Updated May 2, 2022]
From the Summary: "On March 11, 2021, the U.S. Air Force took delivery of its first F-15EX Eagle II fighter. The original Eagle II program was intended to deliver 144 aircraft to replace aging F-15Cs, most of which are in the Air National Guard; however, the FY2023 President's budget request adjusts the intention of procuring 80 aircraft. The Biden Administration's FY2023 budget proposal included a request for $2.6 billion to buy 24 F-15EX aircraft, the second to last procurement toward a planned initial buy of 80. The subsequent FY2022 defense budget proposal requested about $1.32 billion in procurement funding for 12 Eagle IIs and $133.5 million in advance procurement for future aircraft. The proposed budget also requested about $118.1 million for F15EX research and development."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.; Gertler, Jeremiah
2022-05-02
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Afro-Descendants of Latin America: Selected Resources [Updated May 2, 2022]
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' [hyperlink] that includes a section on 'National/Racial/Ethnic Minorities.' This CRS 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. This CRS Insight uses the umbrella term 'Afro-descendant' rather than country-specific terms such as 'Afro-Cuban' or 'Afro-Colombian,' or foreign language terms such as 'moreno,' or 'pardo.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Davis-Castro, Carla Y.
2022-05-02
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FY2023 Budget Request for the Military Health System [April 29, 2022]
From the Document: "On March 28, 2022, President Biden submitted his Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget request to Congress. Discretionary funding in the Department of Defense (DOD) budget request totals $773.0 billion, including $55.8 billion (7.2%) to fund the Military Health System (MHS), which delivers certain health entitlements under Chapter 55 of Title 10, 'United States Code', to military personnel, retirees, and their families. The MHS provides health care to 9.6 million beneficiaries in DOD hospitals and clinics--known as 'military treatment facilities' (MTFs)--and through civilian health care providers participating in TRICARE, a DOD-administered health insurance-like program. Congress traditionally appropriates discretionary funding for the MHS in several accounts within the annual defense appropriations bill. These accounts include Operation and Maintenance (O&M), Military Personnel (MILPERS), and Military Construction (MILCON). DOD refers to these portions of the budget as the 'unified medical budget' (UMB). The request does not include a proposal to modify statutory TRICARE cost-sharing requirements for beneficiaries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mendez, Bryce H. P.
2022-04-29
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Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy Overview [Updated April 29, 2022]
From the Document: "The United States and neighboring Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) maintain strong linkages based on geographic proximity and diverse U.S. interests, including economic, political, and security concerns. The United States is a major trading partner and source of foreign investment for many of the 33 countries in LAC, with freetrade agreements enhancing economic linkages with 11 countries. The region is a large source of U.S. immigration, both authorized and irregular; major factors driving migration include proximity, economic and security conditions, natural disasters, and familial ties. Curbing the flow of illicit drugs has been a long-standing component of relations, involving close cooperation with Mexico, Colombia, Central America, and the Caribbean. U.S. Administrations have long supported democracy and human rights in the region, with a current focus on Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, as well as on democratic backsliding and corruption in other countries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2022-04-29
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U.S. Citizenship Through Military Service and Options for Military Relatives [April 29, 2022]
From the Overview: "Obtaining U.S. citizenship provides certain benefits to immigrants, including the right to vote, security from deportation, and eligibility for a U.S. passport. Congress has provided opportunities for citizenship through qualifying military service since the Civil War. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) specifies provisions for expedited naturalization through military service during peacetime and periods of military hostilities. It also provides certain considerations for servicemembers' spouses, children, and parents. In recent years, some Members of Congress have expressed concern regarding the deportation of noncitizen U.S. veterans who were honorably discharged from the U.S. military, did not apply for naturalization, were charged with deportable offenses, and were removed to their countries of origin. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced certain initiatives addressing such concerns."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straut-Eppsteiner, Holly; Kapp, Lawrence
2022-04-29
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U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine [Updated April 29, 2022]
From the Document: "The United States has been a leading provider of security assistance to Ukraine, both before and after Russia renewed its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. From 2014, when Russia first invaded Ukraine, through April 25, 2022, the United States has provided more than $6.4 billion in security assistance 'to help Ukraine preserve its territorial integrity, secure its borders, and improve interoperability with NATO.' Since the start of the 2022 war, the Biden Administration has committed a total of more than $3.7 billion in security assistance to 'provide Ukraine the equipment it needs to defend itself.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Arabia, Christina; Bowen, Andrew S.; Welt, Cory
2022-04-29
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Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated April 29, 2022]
From the Summary: "The Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program is a program to acquire three new PSCs (i.e., heavy polar icebreakers), to be followed years from now by the acquisition of up to three new Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) (i.e., medium polar icebreakers). The procurement of the first two PSCs is fully funded; the Coast Guard says the first PSC is to be delivered to the Coast Guard in the spring of 2025. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2023 budget requests $167.2 million in continued procurement funding for the PSC program, which would be used for, among other things, program management and production activities associated with the PSC program's Detail Design and Construction (DD&C) contract, long leadtime materials (LLTM) for the third PSC, and government-furnished equipment (GFE), logistics, and cyber-security planning costs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-04-29
