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H.R. 1865 and the Look-Through Treatment of Payments Between Related Controlled Foreign Corporations [December 19, 2019]
From the Document: "The House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, extended certain expiring provisions, including a number that were last extended through 2019 by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-113). Among these provisions are the look-through rules, which allow certain payments between related corporations to be excluded. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that extending the look-through rules for a year will cost $0.7 billion. The look-through rules were originally enacted in the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-222), for 2006 through 2008, and subsequently extended."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gravelle, Jane
2019-12-19
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Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act: Eligibility and Funding [Updated December 19, 2019]
From the Document: "Since 1996, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) has authorized U.S. courts to order state sponsors of terrorism--namely, Iran, Sudan, North Korea, and Syria, and previously Libya, Iraq, and Cuba--to pay monetary damages to terrorism victims. Courts have since awarded an estimated $90 billion against these states. Although these states have largely not participated in this litigation at the merits phase, some of these states have appeared in court to attempt to prevent plaintiffs from collecting their assets."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elsea, Jennifer K.
2019-12-19
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Mongolia [Updated December 19, 2019]
From the Overview: "Mongolia is a landlocked nation of 3 million people between Russia and the People's Republic of China (PRC). It has been viewed as a democratic success story both among former Soviet satellite states and in Asia. In 1989, democratic activists staged protests against communist rule and formed the Mongolian Democratic Union. The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), which had ruled the country since 1921, allowed multiparty elections in 1990 and relinquished power in 1996, when a Democratic Party (DP)-led coalition of opposition forces won nationwide elections. Mongolia's foreign relations are driven by a desire to preserve its autonomy by balancing relations between major partners, including the United States, China, and Russia, and also Japan and South Korea. Its economy is supported by extensive mineral resources, but growth remains uneven, driven by fluctuations in mineral and petroleum prices."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Dolven, Ben
2019-12-19
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Defense Primer: Emerging Technologies [Updated December 19, 2019]
From the Document: "Senior U.S. defense and intelligence officials have identified a number of emerging technologies that could have a disruptive impact on U.S. national security in the years to come. These technologies include [1] artificial intelligence, [2] lethal autonomous weapons, [3] hypersonic weapons, [4] directed-energy weapons, [5] biotechnology, and [6] quantum technology. As these technologies continue to mature, they could hold significant implications for congressional oversight, U.S. defense authorizations and appropriations, military concepts of operations, and the future of war."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.
2019-12-19
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Defense Primer: Department of the Navy [Updated December 19, 2019]
From the Document: "The Department of the Navy (DON) is a single military department that includes two military services--the Navy and the Marine Corps. As such, DON has a single civilian leader, the Secretary of the Navy, and two four-star military service chiefs--an admiral whose title is the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), and a general whose title is the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Although the title 'Secretary of the Navy' includes only the term 'Navy,' the secretary serves as the civilian leader for both the Navy and Marine Corps. The CNO and the Commandant of the Marine Corps are members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-12-19
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U.S. Role in the World: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 19, 2019]
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 is changing, 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-
2019-12-19
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U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 19, 2019]
From the Summary: "U.S. foreign-trade zones (FTZs) are geographic areas declared to be outside the normal customs territory of the United States. This means that, for foreign merchandise entering FTZs and reexported as different products, customs procedures are streamlined and tariffs do not apply. For products intended for U.S. consumption, full customs procedures are applied and duties are payable when they exit the FTZ. [...] Current issues for Congress relating to the U.S. FTZ program may include the FTZ program in relation to the implementation of a series of tariff measures in 2018, as well as long-term issues, such as (1) whether U.S. FTZs encourage a misallocation of U.S. resources; (2) data availability issues; (3) security concerns; and (4) the U.S. employment and global competitiveness impact of FTZs. Broader considerations relating to the world zone network include (5) the effectiveness of trade zones worldwide as a tool for economic development; and (6) trade zones worldwide and worker rights."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wong, Liana
2019-12-19
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USMCA: Motor Vehicle Provisions and Issues [Updated December 19, 2019]
From the Background: "The proposed United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) would revise and replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), in force since January 1, 1994. NAFTA eliminated trade and investment barriers between the United States and two of its largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico. It was the most comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) negotiated at the time and contained groundbreaking provisions in areas such as market access, rules of origin (ROO), intellectual property rights, services, investment, dispute settlement, and worker rights. The North American motor vehicle industry is highly integrated and is a major source of trade and investment among the NAFTA partners. On December 13, the Trump administration submitted to Congress the proposed USMCA implementing legislation, which reflects the recent amendments. On the same day, the United States-Mexico-Canada Implementation Act (H.R. 5430) was introduced in the House of Representatives. On December 16, the bill was introduced in the Senate (S. 3052)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Villarreal, M. Angeles; Canis, Bill; Wong, Liana
2019-12-19
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U.S. Announces Preliminary Phase One Trade Deal with China [December 19, 2019]
From the Document: "The Trump Administration announced on December 13, 2019, a draft agreement with the Chinese government on a subset of trade and investment issues the Administration raised in March 2018 under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974. The Chinese government has not formally agreed to the agreement and neither side has signed it. China is currently reviewing the text, leaving open the potential for disagreement or renegotiation of terms. If the process goes smoothly, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He could sign the agreement in January 2020 in Washington, DC, before starting phase two negotiations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sutter, Karen M.
2019-12-19
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Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 18, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's programs for procuring 8 National Security Cutters (NSCs), 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), and 58 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs). The Coast Guard's proposed FY2020 budget requests a total of $657 million in procurement funding for the NSC, OPC, and FRC programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-12-18
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Defense Primer: Military Health System [Updated December 18, 2019]
From the Document: "The Department of Defense (DOD) administers a statutory health entitlement (under Chapter 55 of Title 10, U.S. Code) through the Military Health System (MHS). The MHS offers health care benefits and services through its TRICARE program to approximately 9.5 million beneficiaries composed of servicemembers, military retirees, and family members. Health care services are available through DOD-operated hospitals and clinics, referred to collectively as 'military treatment facilities' (MTFs), or through civilian health care providers participating in the TRICARE program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mendez, Bryce H. P.
2019-12-18
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Immigration Enforcement & the Anti-Commandeering Doctrine: Recent Litigation on State Information-Sharing Restrictions [December 18, 2019]
From the Document: "Although the federal government is vested with exclusive power to regulate the entry and removal of non-U.S. nationals (aliens), the impact of immigration is acutely felt in local communities. Some states and local governments have agreed to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws, such as by identifying and apprehending aliens for removal. Others have chosen not to assist in immigration enforcement efforts. In some cases, these states and localities have adopted measures--sometimes labeled 'sanctuary' laws and policies--that limit cooperation between state or local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. For instance, California's SB-54 generally prohibits law enforcement agencies from using agency money or personnel to investigate, interrogate, detain, detect, or arrest persons for the purpose of immigration enforcement."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Santamaria, Kelsey Y.
2019-12-18
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Hong Kong's Protests of 2019 [Updated December 18, 2019]
From the Document: "Every week since June 9, 2019, thousands of residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of China, or 'Hong Kongers,' have held marches and rallies to protest the perceived erosion of their city's 'high degree of autonomy' promised in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, and Beijing's efforts to 'Mainlandize' Hong Kong's culture, economy, and society. The Hong Kong government, led by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, and China's central government have characterized the largely peaceful protests as 'riots' and 'terrorism.' The Hong Kong Police Force has employed increasingly aggressive tactics to stop the protests, resulting in allegations that its officers are violating international standards for responding to civil demonstrations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Martin, Michael F.; Lawrence, Susan V.
2019-12-18
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Navy Lasers, Railgun, and Gun-Launched Guided Projectile: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on three new ship-based weapons being developed by the Navy--solid state lasers (SSLs), the electromagnetic railgun (EMRG), and the gun-launched guided projectile (GLGP), also known as the hypervelocity projectile (HVP)--that could substantially improve the ability of Navy surface ships to defend themselves against surface craft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and eventually anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs). [...] The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's acquisition strategies and funding requests for these three potential new weapons. Congress's decisions on this issue could affect future Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the defense industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-12-17
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Navy LPD-17 Flight II and LHA Amphibious Ship Programs: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Navy's LPD-17 Flight II and LHA amphibious ship programs. The Navy's FY2020 budget submission defers the planned procurement of the second LPD-17 Flight II ship, LPD-31, by one year, to FY2021, and requests $247.1 million in advance procurement (AP) funding for the ship. The Navy wants to procure the next LHA-type amphibious assault ship in FY2024. The Navy's proposed FY2020 budget does not request any procurement or AP funding for this ship. Issues for Congress include whether to procure LPD-31 in FY2020 or FY2021; whether to procure LPD-31 (if it is procured in FY2020) with full funding or incremental funding; the amount of procurement or AP funding to provide for LPD-31 and LHA-9 in FY2020; and more generally whether the Navy is placing too much, too little, or about the right amount of emphasis on amphibious ships in its FY2020 budget submission, particularly compared to other Navy shipbuilding programs. Congress's decisions on these issues could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-12-17
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Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program. A total of 35 LCSs have been procured through FY2019. The Navy wants FY2019 to be the final year of LCS procurement, and it has not requested the procurement of any additional LCSs in its FY2020 budget submission. [...] A current issue for Congress regarding the LCS program is whether to procure any additional LCSs in FY2020, and if so, how many. Another issue for Congress concerns future workloads and employment levels at the two LCS shipyards if one or both of these yards are not involved in building FFG(X)s. Congress's decisions on the LCS program will affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-12-17
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Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the 'Gerald R. Ford' (CVN-78) class aircraft carrier program. The Navy's proposed FY2019 budget requests a total of $2,347 million (i.e., about $2.3 billion) in procurement funding for the CVN-78 program. Congress's decisions on the CVN-78 program could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-12-17
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Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress on the Navy's irregular warfare (IW) and counterterrorism (CT) operations. The Navy's IW and CT activities pose a number of potential oversight issues for Congress, including how much emphasis to place on IW and CT activities in Navy budgets, particularly in a context of constraints on Navy budgets and Navy desires to devote resources to developing 'high end' combat capabilities for countering improved conventional military capabilities of countries such as China and Russia. Congress's decisions regarding Navy IW and CT operations can affect Navy operations and funding requirements, and the implementation of the nation's overall IW and CT strategies. This report focuses on Navy IW and CT operations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-12-17
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Navy John Lewis (TAO-205) Class Oiler Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the John Lewis (TAO-205) class oiler shipbuilding program, a program to build a new class of 20 fleet oilers for the Navy. The Navy's proposed FY2020 budget requests the procurement of the fifth and sixth ships in the program. Issues for Congress regarding the TAO-205 program include the following: whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's FY2020 procurement funding request for the program; the number of oilers the Navy will require in coming years to support its operations; and whether to encourage or direct the Navy to build TAO-205s with more ship self-defense equipment than currently planned by the Navy. Decisions that Congress makes regarding the program could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-12-17
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Smart Cars and Trucks: Spectrum Use for Vehicle Safety [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Background: "Increasing the autonomy of cars and trucks is seen as an effective way to reduce the 94% of vehicle-related accidents that are caused by human error. While some semiautonomous safety technologies, such as automatic braking and adaptive cruise control, are in use today, autonomous safety technologies under development would require cars and trucks to communicate with each other (vehicle-to-vehicle, or V2V) and with their surroundings (vehicle-to-infrastructure, or V2I). V2V communication is expected to reduce the number of accidents by improving detection of oncoming vehicles and providing driver warnings. V2I communication is expected to help highway operators monitor and manage traffic and provide drivers with information such as weather and traffic conditions. These technologies are part of a congressional mandate to invest in and advance a broader set of intelligent transportation systems to improve traffic flow and safety."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Canis, Bill; Gallagher, Jill C.
2019-12-17
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Palestinians: Overview and Key Issues for U.S. Policy [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Document: "The Palestinians and their ongoing disputes and interactions with Israel raise significant issues for U.S. policy. U.S.- Palestinian tensions have risen in connection with Trump Administration actions on Israeli-Palestinian matters such as Jerusalem and aid (see 'Key U.S. Policy Issues' below)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zanotti, Jim
2019-12-17
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Flood Resilience and Risk Reduction: Federal Assistance and Programs [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Summary: "Recent flood disasters have raised congressional and public interest in reducing flood risks and improving 'flood resilience', which is the ability to adapt to, withstand, and rapidly recover from floods. Federal programs that assist communities in reducing their flood risk and improving their flood resilience include programs funding infrastructure projects (e.g., levees, shore protection) and other flood mitigation activities (e.g., nature-based flood risk reduction) and mitigation incentives for communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Horn, Diane P.; Boyd, Eugene . . .
2019-12-17
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Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Summary: "The Columbia (SSBN-826) class program is a program to design and build a class of 12 new ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy's current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. The Navy has identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy's top priority program. The Navy wants to procure the first Columbia-class boat in FY2021. Research and development work on the program has been underway for several years, and advance procurement (AP) funding for the program began in FY2017. The Navy's proposed FY2020 budget requests $1,698.9 million in advance procurement (AP) funding and $533.1 million in research and development funding for the program. [...] This report focuses on the Columbia-class program as a Navy shipbuilding program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-12-17
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Multiyear Procurement (MYP) and Block Buy Contracting in Defense Acquisition: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Summary: "Multiyear procurement (MYP) and block buy contracting (BBC) are special contracting mechanisms that Congress permits the Department of Defense (DOD) to use for a limited number of defense acquisition programs. Compared to the standard or default approach of annual contracting, MYP and BBC have the potential for reducing weapon procurement costs by a few or several percent. [...] Potential issues for Congress concerning MYP and BBC include whether to use MYP and BBC in the future more frequently, less frequently, or about as frequently as they are currently used; whether to create a permanent statute to govern the use of BBC, analogous to the permanent statute that governs the use of MYP; and whether the Coast Guard should begin making use of MYP and BBC."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-12-17
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, and 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
2019-12-17
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Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Summary: "The Navy began procuring Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class destroyers, also known as Aegis destroyers, in FY1985, and a total of 82 have been procured through FY2019. The Navy's proposed FY2020 budget requests funding for the procurement of three more DDG-51s, which would be the 83rd, 84th, and 85th ships in the class. [...] Issues for Congress for FY2019 for the DDG-51 and DDG-1000 destroyer programs include the following: [1] whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's FY2020 funding requests for the DDG-51 and DDG-1000 programs; [2] cost, schedule, and technical risk in the Flight III DDG-51 effort; [3] the potential impact on the DDG-51 program of a possible change in the surface force architecture; and [4] the Navy's plan to shift the mission orientation of the DDG-1000s from an emphasis on naval surface fire support (NSFS) to an emphasis on surface strike."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-12-17
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Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2019]
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 polar icebreakers. The PSC program has received a total of $1,034.6 million (i.e., about $1.0 billion) in procurement funding through FY2019. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2020 budget requests $35 million in procurement funding for the PSC program, which is enough to cover FY2020 program-management costs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-12-17
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Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Document: "The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is an interagency body comprised of nine Cabinet members, two ex officio members, and other members as appointed by the President, that assists the President in reviewing the national security aspects of foreign direct investment in the U.S. economy. While the group often operated in relative obscurity, the perceived change in the nation's national security and economic concerns following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the proposed acquisition of commercial operations at six U.S. ports by Dubai Ports World in 2006 placed CFIUS's review procedures under intense scrutiny by Members of Congress and the public. In 2018, prompted by concerns over Chinese and other foreign investment in U.S. companies with advanced technology, Members of Congress and the Trump Administration enacted the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (FIRRMA), which became effective on November 11, 2018. This measure marked the most comprehensive revision of the foreign investment review process under CFIUS since the previous revision in 2007, the Foreign Investment and National Security Act (FINSA). On September 17, 2019, the Department of the Treasury proposed regulations for public notice and comment to implement key parts of FIRRMA concerning how certain real estate and noncontrolling investments will be scrutinized."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K., 1949-
2019-12-17
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Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress for three types of unmanned vehicles (UVs) that the Navy wants to develop and procure in FY2020 and beyond: [1] Large Unmanned Surface Vehicles (LUSVs); [2] Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicles (MUSVs); and [3] Extra-large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (XLUUVs). [...] The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's acquisition strategies and FY2020 funding requests for these three types of UVs. The Navy's proposals for developing and procuring them pose a number of oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on these issues could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding and UV industrial bases."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-12-17
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Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States [Updated December 16, 2019]
From the Overview: "The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is an interagency committee that serves the President in overseeing the national security implications of foreign investment in the economy. It reviews foreign investment transactions to determine if (1) they threaten to impair the national security; (2) the foreign investor is controlled by a foreign government; or (3) the transaction could affect homeland security or would result in control of any critical infrastructure that could impair the national security. The President has the authority to block proposed or pending foreign investment transactions that threaten to impair the national security."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K., 1949-
2019-12-16
