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Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA): 2020-2024 [March 16, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Since 1980, outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases (EID) have been occurring with greater frequency and causing higher numbers of human infections. Roughly 65% of these outbreaks have been caused by zoonotic pathogens, involving pathogen spread from animals to humans, often through a vector, such as a mosquito. Each year, zoonotic pathogens cause an estimated 1 billion cases of human illness, including 15 million deaths. All the EID outbreaks that gained notoriety in the past two decades were caused by zoonotic pathogens: severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS, 2002-2003), avian influenza H5N1 (Bird Flu, 2005), pandemic influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu, 2009), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERSCoV, 2013), Ebola (2014-2016), Zika (2015-2016), yellow fever (2016), Ebola (2018-2020), and the novel coronavirus (COVID-2019) outbreak."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji
2020-03-16
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Global Human Rights: The Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices [Updated March 16, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The State Department's 'Country Reports on Human Rights Practices' are an annual U.S. government account of human rights conditions in countries around the globe. The reports characterize countries on the basis of their adherence to 'internationally recognized human rights,' which generally refer to the civil, political, and worker rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948) and other international human rights agreements. The most recent reports cover calendar year 2019 and were issued on March 11, 2020. They provide individual narratives for nearly 200 countries and are available on the Department of State website. As with prior reports, the 2019 reports do not compare countries or rank them based on the severity of human rights abuses documented. Although the reports describe human rights violations in many countries, in introducing the reports Secretary of State Michael Pompeo specifically noted violations in China, Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba. Some critics contended that the Secretary's singling out of these nations, generally perceived as U.S. diplomatic adversaries, risked politicizing the reports. In response to a related media question, Robert Destro, the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, stated that the reports were 'hard-hitting across the board.' Some changes in emphasis and terminology in the 2019 reports were also noted in U.S. and international media coverage."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weber, Michael A.
2020-03-16
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Department of Education Support for School Safety Initiatives [Updated March 16, 2020]
From the Document: "Congressional interest in K-12 public school safety and security has been strong following recent school shootings, including the mass shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, and Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, TX. Though public school safety and security is primarily a state and local responsibility, there are several federal programs and initiatives that can support these efforts. This In Focus provides an overview of programs and resources administered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for improving school safety."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Skinner, Rebecca; Dragoo, Kyrie E.
2020-03-16
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Venezuela: Political Crisis and U.S. Policy [Updated March 16, 2020]
From the Document: "Venezuela remains in a deep crisis under the authoritarian rule of Nicolás Maduro of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). On January 10, 2019, Maduro began a second term that most Venezuelans and much of the international community consider illegitimate. The 116th Congress has enacted legislation affecting U.S. policy on Venezuela, appropriated foreign assistance to support the people of Venezuela and to address the regional migration crisis, and conducted numerous oversight hearings on U.S. policy toward Venezuela. Since January 2019, Juan Guaidó, president of Venezuela's democratically elected, opposition-controlled National Assembly, has sought to form a transition government to serve until internationally observed elections can be held. The United States and 57 other countries recognize Guaidó as interim president. Guaidó has been unable to wrest Maduro from power and has faced increased danger since returning home from an early 2020 diplomatic tour, which included a meeting with President Trump. Some observers believe that National Assembly elections due this year might start an electoral path out of the current stalemate."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2020-03-16
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Power Generation and Electric Reliability in the U.S. Virgin Islands [March 16, 2020]
From the Document: "Two and a half years after Hurricanes Irma and Maria damaged 80% to 90% of the power transmission and distribution systems across the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), financial and infrastructure issues continue to challenge the U.S. Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA). A combination of infrastructure needs and cash flow challenges has impacted electricity rates. As of February 1, 2020, electricity rates were approximately $0.40 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for residential customers (for the first 250 kWh) and approximately $0.47/kWh for commercial customers. In 2017, prior to the hurricanes, electricity rates were above $0.32/kWh. In comparison, the U.S. average price of electricity in December 2019 was approximately $0.13/kWh for residential customers and $0.10/kWh for commercial customers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Clark, Corrie E.
2020-03-16
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Defense Primer: Hypersonic Boost-Glide Weapons [March 13, 2020]
From the Document: "The U.S. Department of Defense is pursuing two types of hypersonic weapons technologies: boost-glide systems that place a maneuverable glide vehicle atop a ballistic missile or rocket booster, and cruise missiles that would use high-speed, air-breathing engines known as scramjets to travel to hypersonic speeds. This In Focus addresses only the first of these technologies. The Pentagon's FY2021 budget request for hypersonicrelated research is $3.2 billion--up from $2.6 billion in the FY2020 request--including $206.8 million for hypersonic defense programs. This increased funding and statements from Pentagon officials demonstrate growing support for weapons that could attack priority targets promptly and with improved accuracy without facing defeat by an adversary's air or missile defense systems. Pentagon officials have also expressed concerns about advances in hypersonic weapons technologies in Russia and China, and on the potential threats to U.S. forces, allies, and territory."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.; Woolf, Amy F.
2020-03-13
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Sunshine Week: Selected Issues for Congress [March 13, 2020]
From the Document: "Coinciding with former President James Madison's birthday, Sunshine Week recognizes the importance of transparency in government operations, and the work of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA; 5 U.S.C. §552) professionals across the federal government. Considered a defender of open government, Madison wrote, 'A popular Government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; And the people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power, which knowledge gives.' Recognition of the people's right to know what their government is doing through access to government information can be traced back to the early days of the nation; however, modern statutes provide guidance on how the public may access government information. One critical statute, which is celebrated alongside Madison's legacy during Sunshine Week, is FOIA. This Insight provides a brief summary of FOIA and its administration, and then provides an overview of selected issues relating to FOIA that may be of interest to Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stuessy, Meghan M.
2020-03-13
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U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South and East China Seas: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 13, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress regarding U.S.-China strategic competition in the South China Sea (SCS) and East China Sea (ECS). In an international security environment described as one of renewed great power competition, the South China Sea (SCS) has emerged as an arena of U.S.-China strategic competition. U.S.-China strategic competition in the SCS forms an element of the Trump Administration's more confrontational overall approach toward China, and of the Administration's efforts for promoting its construct for the Indo-Pacific region, called the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-03-13
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Poses Challenges for the U.S. Blood Supply [March 13, 2020]
From the Document: "The current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak may pose significant challenges for the United States' blood supply. Mitigation strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as closures of schools and workplaces, have led to blood drive cancellations, resulting in a critical blood supply shortage in the Pacific Northwest (specifically, western Washington and Oregon). School closures, event cancellations, and other mitigation strategies in other areas of the country may provide challenges for maintaining a sufficient blood supply. The management and distribution of the U.S. blood supply is largely coordinated by private organizations, with some oversight by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Congress may consider how best to address critical storages, such as through HHS or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority over blood safety and donation guidance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sussman, Jared S.
2020-03-13
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COVID-19 and Broadband: Potential Implications for the Digital Divide [March 13, 2020]
From the Document: "According to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) 2019 Broadband Deployment Report, approximately 21.3 million Americans lack a broadband connection speed of at least 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download/3 Mbps upload, which is the FCC's benchmark for high-speed broadband. In the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, federal, local, and state governments, in addition to large and small businesses, are considering remote working or distance learning options to help abate the spread of the virus. As these decisions are made, some portion of the population will likely have the option and the capability to shift activities online, while others will not. COVID-19 mitigation efforts will likely reveal discrepancies in broadband availability and accessibility--termed the digital divide--across the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rachfal, Colby Leigh
2020-03-13
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United Nations Issues: U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [March 13, 2020]
From the Document: "The U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR, or the Office) is the primary U.N. administrative body that addresses human rights. The United States generally funds the Office through assessed contributions to the U.N. regular budget (between $18- $20.5 million a year), and voluntary contributions (between $5-$15 million over the past five years). Since FY2018, the Trump Administration has withheld assessed U.S. funding from the Office, possibly due to concerns regarding its activities related to the Palestinians and its work with the U.N. Human Rights Council (the Council). (The United States withdrew from the Council in 2018 due to concerns about its disproportionate focus on Israel and perceived inability to effectively address human rights issues.) Some Members of Congress agree that the withholding is merited; others view OHCHR as an important mechanism for preventing and responding to human rights violations worldwide. Some are also concerned that the withholding was not authorized by Congress. The United States has continued to provide voluntary funding to the Office as specified by Congress in annual appropriations bills ($14.5 million in FY2020)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchfield, Luisa; Weber, Michael A.
2020-03-13
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Stafford Act Emergency Declaration for COVID-19 [March 13, 2020]
From the Document: "This Insight provides an overview of emergency declarations under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (hereinafter the Stafford Act, P.L. 93-288, as amended; 42 U.S.C. §§5121 et seq.). It describes the forms of assistance authorized pursuant to President Donald J. Trump's March 13, 2020 emergency declaration under the Stafford Act in all U.S. states and territories in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lee, Erica A.; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Webster, Elizabeth M.
2020-03-13
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Election Security: States' Spending of FY2018 HAVA Payments [Updated March 12, 2020]
From the Document: "State and local systems have been targeted as part of efforts to interfere with U.S. elections, according to the U.S. intelligence community. Congress has responded to such threats, in part, with funding. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) included $380 million for payments to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (referred to hereinafter as 'states') under the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA; 52 U.S.C. §§20901-21145), and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-93) provided $425 million for payments to those jurisdictions and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. This In Focus provides an overview of states' spending of the FY2018 HAVA payments. It starts by summarizing how states have proposed and reported using the funds and then introduces some issues related to the timing of state spending and reporting."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shanton, Karen L.
2020-03-12
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Election Security: Federal Funding for Securing Election Systems [Updated March 12, 2020]
From the Document: "Russia targeted state and local systems as part of its effort to interfere with the 2016 elections, according to the U.S. intelligence community. Reports of Russia's activities highlighted the potential for threats to the technologies, facilities, and processes used to administer elections. Congress has responded to such threats, in part, by providing and proposing funding to help secure elections. This In Focus offers an overview of federal funding for securing election systems. It starts with some background on potential threats to state and local election systems and then summarizes the funding Congress has provided and proposed to help secure those systems."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shanton, Karen L.
2020-03-12
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First Amendment and 'Encouraging' or 'Inducing' Unlawful Immigration [March 12, 2020]
From the Document: "In 'United States v. Sineneng-Smith', the Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of a federal criminal prohibition against encouraging or inducing illegal immigration. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit previously held that the law was unconstitutionally overbroad in violation of the First Amendment because the terms 'encourage' and 'induce' could criminalize a substantial amount of protected speech. The government appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, arguing that the law operates as a prohibition on facilitation and solicitation of unlawful activity and is therefore not overbroad. 'Sineneng-Smith' is potentially important, not only for federal immigration law and how it is enforced, but also more broadly for First Amendment jurisprudence on when Congress can criminalize speech that encourages illegal activity. This Sidebar provides an overview of the case, beginning with background on immigration and free speech law, before turning to the specific issues raised by 'Sineneng-Smith' and its potential implications for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Novak, Whitney K.; Santamaria, Kelsey Y.
2020-03-12
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Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 12, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program--the Coast Guard's program for acquiring new PSCs (i.e., heavy polar icebreakers). The PSC program has received a total of $1,169.6 million (i.e., about $1.2 billion) in procurement funding through FY2020, including $135 million in FY2020, which was $100 million more than the $35 million that the Coast Guard had requested for FY2020. With the funding it has received through FY2020, the first PSC is now fully funded and the second PSC has received initial funding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-03-12
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Telehealth and Telemedicine: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated March 12, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the health care industry is an emergent issue for Congress. Traditionally, legislation on health care addressed issues related to in-person care provided in brick-and-mortar buildings. With ongoing innovations in health care delivery--such as the use of telehealth and telemedicine--health care services can occur outside of traditional brick-and-mortar medical buildings, for example, inside patients' homes. [...] This report provides responses to frequently asked questions about telehealth and telemedicine, serving as a quick reference with easy access to information. Where applicable, the report provides the legislative background pertaining to the question."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elliott, Victoria L.
2020-03-12
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Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: Fy2020 Budget and Appropriations [Updated March 12, 2020]
From the Document: "Each year, Congress considers 12 distinct appropriations measures, including one for the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS), which includes funding for U.S. diplomatic activities, cultural exchanges, development and security assistance, and U.S. participation in multilateral organizations, among other international activities. On March 11, 2019, the Trump Administration submitted to Congress its SFOPS budget proposal for FY2020, which totaled $42.72 billion in discretionary funds ($42.88 billion when $158.9 million in mandatory retirement funds are included), reflecting adherence to discretionary funding caps, as determined by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA; P.L. 112-25)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gill, Cory R.; Morgenstern, Emily M.; Lawson, Marian Leonardo
2020-03-12
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Disrupted Federal Elections: Policy Issues for Congress [March 12, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Super Typhoon Yutu struck the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) approximately 10 days before Election Day 2018. That election included one federal contest, for U.S. House Delegate. Governor Ralph DLG. Torres issued an executive order postponing the general election from November 6 to November 13. The order also postponed early voting. This episode appears to be the only case of a postponed federal general election in modern history. As discussed below, other election disruptions are more common. This CRS [Congressional Research Service] In Focus briefly introduces historical and policy issues that could be relevant for congressional oversight, legislation, or appropriations related to what this product calls 'disrupted elections'. This term means events such as natural disasters, other emergencies, or cyber attacks that could substantially delay or prevent normal voting, election administration, or campaigning."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-
2020-03-12
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COVID-19: Social Insurance and Other Income-Support Options for Those Unable to Work [Updated March 12, 2020]
From the Overview: "There is uncertainty about how the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may spread in the United States; what measures federal, state, or local governments may take to mitigate the spread; and the possible effect on individual income security from both. This In Focus provides an overview of existing federal and state government social insurance programs or options that may be implemented relatively quickly to provide financial assistance for those unable to work due to COVID-19 from (1) their own illness; (2) exposure leading to quarantine; (3) illness of a close family member or school closures that may require long-term caregiving; or (4) unemployment resulting from business closures."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Haltzel, Laura; Isaacs, Katelin P., 1980-; Morton, William R. . . .
2020-03-12
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Oversight Provisions in H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act [March 12, 2020]
From the Document: "President Donald Trump signed H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, on March 6, 2020. It provides a total of $8.3 billion in supplemental funding to support the response of the United States to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Prior to the passage of H.R. 6074, Congress had already begun to oversee the federal government's response to COVID-19 with committee hearings in both the House and the Senate. Other committees are planning additional hearings in the coming weeks, and the Trump Administration has also been providing regular briefings. This voluntary flow of information among Congress, senior Administration leaders, and frontline experts will facilitate Congress's response to COVID-19. If lines of communication remain open, voluntary information sharing may prove to be sufficient to meet Congress's needs and expectations for oversight. However, H.R. 6074 makes explicit a number of requirements regarding both the type and frequency of information Congress will receive."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wilhelm, Ben
2020-03-12
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Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations [Updated March 12, 2020]
From the Summary: "Several U.N. Security Council resolutions adopted between 2006 and 2010 required Iran to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA's) investigation of its nuclear activities, suspend its uranium enrichment program, suspend its construction of a heavy-water reactor and related projects, and ratify the Additional Protocol to its IAEA safeguards agreement. Iran did not comply with most of the resolutions' provisions. However, Tehran has implemented various restrictions on, and provided the IAEA with additional information about, its nuclear program pursuant to the July 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Tehran concluded with China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. On the JCPOA's Implementation Day, which took place on January 16, 2016, all of the previous resolutions' requirements were terminated. The nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, which the Council adopted on July 20, 2015, compose the current legal framework governing Iran's nuclear program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.
2020-03-12
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Renewed Great Power Competition: Implications for Defense--Issues for Congress [Updated March 12, 2020]
From the Document: "Many observers have concluded that the post-Cold War era of international relations--which began in the early 1990s and is sometimes referred to as the unipolar moment (with the United States as the unipolar power)--began to fade in 2006-2008, and that by 2014, the international environment had shifted to a fundamentally different situation of renewed great power competition with China and Russia and challenges by these two countries and others to elements of the U.S.-led international order that has operated since World War II. The shift to renewed great power competition was acknowledged alongside other considerations in the Obama Administration's June 2015 National Military Strategy, and was placed at the center of the Trump Administration's December 2017 National Security Strategy (NSS) and January 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS). The December 2017 NSS and January 2018 NDS formally reoriented U.S. national security strategy and U.S. defense strategy toward an explicit primary focus on great power competition with China and Russia. Department of Defense (DOD) officials have subsequently identified countering China's military capabilities as DOD's top priority."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-03-12
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Military Health System Reform: Military Treatment Facilities [March 12, 2020]
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 to approximately 9.6 million beneficiaries composed of servicemembers, military retirees, and family members. Health care services are available through DOD-operated hospitals and clinics (i.e., 'military treatment facilities' (MTFs)), or through civilian health care providers participating in DOD's health care program, TRICARE. On February 19, 2020, DOD submitted a report to Congress outlining its plan to restructure selected MTFs, herein referred to as the '703 Report'. DOD indicates that detailed planning and implementation will begin within 90 days of the report's submission, with restructure activities occurring over the next several years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mendez, Bryce H. P.
2020-03-12
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Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated March 12, 2020]
From the Document: "Venezuela remains in a deep crisis under the authoritarian rule of Nicolás Maduro of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. Maduro, narrowly elected in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez (president, 1999-2013), began a second term on January 10, 2019, that is widely considered illegitimate. Since January 2019, Juan Guaidó, president of Venezuela's democratically elected, opposition-controlled National Assembly, has sought to form a transition government to serve until internationally observed elections can be held. The United States and 57 other countries recognize Guaidó as interim president, but he has been unable to wrest Maduro from power and has faced increased danger since returning home from a January-February 2020 tour, which included a meeting with President Trump. Some observers believe that National Assembly elections due this year might start an electoral path out of the current stalemate."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando; Brown, Phillip (Specialist in Energy Policy); Margesson, Rhoda . . .
2020-03-12
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U.S. Role in the World: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 12, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The U.S. role in the world refers to 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."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; Moodie, Michael, 1948-
2020-03-12
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Defense Primer: President's Constitutional Authority with Regard to the Armed Forces [Updated March 11, 2020]
From the Document: "The Constitution makes the President Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, but does not define exactly what powers he may exercise in that role. Nor does it explain the extent to which Congress, using its own constitutional powers, may influence 'how' the President commands the Armed Forces. Separation-of-powers debates arise with some frequency regarding the exercise of military powers. [...] Under the Trump Administration's apparent view, such use of force does not require congressional consultation or authorization, seemingly without consideration of the likelihood of escalation into 'war in the constitutional sense.' The report also cited the 2002 authorization for the use of military force against Iraq in support of the operation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elsea, Jennifer
2020-03-11
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Afghanistan: Background and U.S. Policy In Brief [Updated March 11, 2020]
From the Summary: "Afghanistan was elevated as a significant U.S. foreign policy concern in 2001, when the United States, in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, led a military campaign against Al Qaeda and the Taliban government that harbored and supported it. In the intervening 18 years, the United States has suffered around 2,400 military fatalities in Afghanistan (including four in combat in 2020 to date) and Congress has appropriated approximately $137 billion for reconstruction there. In that time, an elected Afghan government has replaced the Taliban, and most measures of human development have improved, although future prospects of those measures remain mixed in light of a robust Taliban insurgency and continued terrorist activity. [...] Many observers anticipate that a full-scale U.S. withdrawal and/or aid cutoff would lead to the collapse of the Afghan government and perhaps even the reestablishment of Taliban control, a scenario President Trump said 'possibly will' happen. By many measures, the Taliban are in a stronger military position now than at any point since 2001, though some once-public metrics related to the conduct of the war have been classified or are no longer produced (including district-level territorial and population control assessments)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs)
2020-03-11
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Australia: Fires Highlight Government's Climate Challenge [March 11, 2020]
From the Overview: "The recent devastating bush fires in Australia highlight the country's growing dilemma over climate change. Australia's economy remains heavily weighted toward extractive industries, leading to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions linked to climate change. A growing portion of voters see climate change as a threat to Australia's vital interests. Many are pressuring Prime Minister Scott Morrison's right of center Liberal-National Party Coalition to take additional steps to reduce emissions and combat climate change."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-; Chesser, Susan G.
2020-03-11
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Energy and Water Development Appropriations for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation: In Brief [Updated March 11, 2020]
From the Summary: "The Department of Energy's (DOE's) nonproliferation and national security programs provide technical capabilities to support U.S. efforts to 'prevent, counter, respond' to the proliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide, including by both states and non-state actors. These programs are administered by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a semi-autonomous agency established within DOE in 2000. NNSA is responsible for maintaining the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, providing nuclear fuel to the Navy, nuclear and radiological emergency response, and nonproliferation. NNSA recently reorganized the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, which is funded under the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) account. This report addresses the programs in the NNSA's DNN account, appropriated by the Energy and Water appropriations bill. The FY2020 Consolidated Appropriations bill (P.L. 116-94) funded the NNSA DNN accounts at $2.164 billion."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham
2020-03-11
