Advanced search Help
Resource Type or Special Collection is CRS Reports
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Defense Primer: Defense Appropriations Process [Updated December 21, 2020]
From the Document: "The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse in Article I, Section 9, which provides that 'No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.' To fulfill this duty, Congress annually considers appropriations measures, which provide funding for numerous activities--such as national defense, education, and homeland security-- consistent with policies and priorities established through legislation such as the National Defense Authorization Act. The congressional appropriations process includes various rules and practices that Congress has adopted to distinguish appropriations measures and facilitate their consideration. These measures generally provide funding authority in response to the President's budget request for a fiscal year (October 1 throughSeptember 30)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McGarry, Brendan W.; Saturno, James
2020-12-21
-
Defense Acquisitions: DOD's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Framework [December 18, 2020]
From the Introduction: "In recent years, cybersecurity threats and attacks have become a key issue for the Department of Defense (DOD). At present an estimated 300,000 companies supply products and services to the nation's defense industrial base (DIB). Concerns have been raised that some of these U.S. military contractors may pose a substantial cybersecurity risk because they currently operate with limited oversight of their internal cybersecurity controls. One effort to address cybersecurity attacks and the associated economic and national security costs to the DOD supply chain is the department's ongoing work to implement its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework. This initiative is designed to provide a scalable cybersecurity standard for the full spectrum of defense acquisitions. Once fully implemented, with a current target date of fiscal year (FY) 2026, the framework would require all DOD prime contractors and subcontractors to receive verification through accredited third-party certification organizations that an individual organization's internal cybersecurity practices and processes meet certain standards. This report offers an overview and analysis of issues for Congress associated with the CMMC framework. This report also discusses congressional considerations related to the Defense Department's efforts to mitigate cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities within the DIB in the performance of DOD's government contract work."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Peters, Heidi M.
2020-12-18
-
Justice Department's Role in Cyber Incident Response [Updated December 18, 2020]
From the Document: "Criminals and other malicious actors rely on the internet and evolving technology to further their operations. They exploit cyberspace, where they can mask their identities and motivations. In this domain, criminals can compromise financial assets, hacktivists can flood websites with traffic--effectively shutting them down, and spies can steal intellectual property and government secrets. When such cyber incidents occur, a number of questions arise, including how the federal government will react and which agencies will respond. These questions have been raised following a number of high-profile breaches such as those against the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Democratic National Committee, as well as intrusions into a number of federal agencies and other organizations via network management software produced by SolarWinds. Federal law enforcement has taken the lead in investigating cyber incidents, attributing certain malicious activities to specific perpetrators, and prosecuting cyber threat actors. This report outlines the federal framework for cyber incident response, highlighting the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) role in this response. It also discusses challenges for federal law enforcement and potential policy issues for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Finklea, Kristin M.
2020-12-18
-
U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement Negotiations [Updated December 18, 2020]
From the Overview: "On October 7, 2019, after six months of formal negotiations, the United States and Japan signed two agreements to liberalize bilateral trade. The U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA) provides for limited tariff reductions and quota expansions to improve market access. The U.S.-Japan Digital Trade Agreement covers rules on digital aspects of international commerce. The agreements, which took effect on January 1, 2020, without formal action by Congress, constitute what the Trump and Abe Administrations described as 'stage one' of a broader U.S.- Japan trade agreement, but further talks have yet to materialize. The Trump Administration used delegated tariff authorities in Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to proclaim the USJTA provisions, while the digital trade agreement, which did not require changes to U.S. law, was treated as an Executive Agreement. The status of the pending second stage bilateral talks remains of interest to Congress but is uncertain under both Japan's new Suga Administration and the incoming Biden Administration. As the fourth-largest U.S. trade partner, Japan has been a high priority for U.S. trade negotiations, especially as recent Japanese free trade agreements (FTAs), including with the European Union (EU) and the TPP-11 (successor to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) following U.S. withdrawal), lower Japan's tariffs on imports from several countries, placing U.S. exporters at a disadvantage."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D.; Williams, Brock R.
2020-12-18
-
U.S. Dollar as the World's Dominant Reserve Currency [December 18, 2020]
From the Document: "The U.S. dollar is the world's dominant reserve currency, among other such currencies including the euro, the yen, the pound, the renminbi (RMB), the Canadian dollar, the Swiss franc, and the Australian dollar. A reserve currency is a currency held by central banks in significant quantities. It is widely used to conduct international trade and financial transactions, eliminating the costs of settling transactions involving different currencies. The dollar has functioned as the world's dominant reserve currency since World War II. Today, central banks hold about 60% of their foreign exchange reserves in dollars. About half of international trade is invoiced in dollars, and about half of all international loans and global debt securities are denominated in dollars. In foreign exchange markets, where currencies are traded, dollars are involved in nearly 90% of all transactions. The dollar is the preferred currency for investors during major economic crises, as a 'safe haven' currency. During the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, for example, and amidst the economic turmoil associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic in 2020, investors sought U.S. dollars, expecting the dollar to retain its value. In both crises, the U.S. Federal Reserve adopted extraordinary monetary authorities and currency swap lines with other central banks to provide liquidity and dollars."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nelson, Rebecca M.; Jackson, James K., 1949-; Weiss, Martin A.
2020-12-18
-
Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [Updated December 17, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean, a region with strong congressional interest because of deep U.S. linkages. As of December 15, 2020, the region had over 14.1million confirmed cases(19.4% of cases worldwide) and almost 473,000 deaths(29.2% of deaths worldwide). Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru have the highest numbers of deaths in the region, and Brazil has the highest death toll worldwide after the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2020-12-17
-
Pandemic-Related Statutory Provisions Expiring in 2020 [Updated December 17, 2020]
From the Document: "Beginning in March 2020, several laws were enacted to provide temporary economic and regulatory relief to individuals and businesses affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. These include the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA; P.L. 116-127), the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136), and the Emergency Aid for Returning Americans Affected by Coronavirus Act (P.L. 116-148). Many of the provisions enacted in these laws remain in effect; some have expired. The dates on which provisions in these laws expire vary by provision. [...] This report identifies provisions enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that have already expired or are set to expire by the end of calendar year 2020. It also includes provisions that expired, but that were administratively extended until December 31, 2020, or an earlier date. For the purposes of this report, expiring provisions are defined as provisions of law that are time-limited and lapse upon a statutory deadline being reached, absent further legislative or administrative action. This report excludes provisions with an expiration that coincides entirely with the ending date of a declared public health emergency or other qualifying emergency in the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Scott, Andrew P.; Smole, David P.
2020-12-17
-
Renewed Great Power Competition: Implications for Defense--Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides a brief overview of implications for U.S. defense of renewed great power competition with China and Russia. The issue for Congress is how U.S. defense planning should respond to renewed great power competition, and whether to approve, reject, or modify the Trump Administration's proposed defense funding levels, strategy, plans, and programs for addressing renewed great power competition. Congress's decisions on these issues could have significant implications for U.S. defense capabilities and funding requirements. This report focuses on defense-related issues and does not discuss potential implications of renewed great power competition for other policy areas, such as foreign policy and diplomacy, trade and finance, energy, and foreign assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-17
-
China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 17, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on China's naval modernization effort and its implications for U.S. Navy capabilities. In an era of renewed great power competition, China's military modernization effort, including its naval modernization effort, has become the top focus of U.S. defense planning and budgeting. The issue for Congress for this CRS [Congressional Research Service] report is whether the U.S. Navy is responding appropriately to China's naval modernization effort. Decisions that Congress reaches on this issue could affect U.S. and allied security, Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the defense industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-17
-
Defense Primer: Department of the Navy [Updated December 17, 2020]
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
2020-12-17
-
Defense Primer: Geography, Strategy, and U.S. Force Design [Updated December 17, 2020]
From the Document: "World geography is an influence on U.S. strategy, which in turn helps shape the design of U.S. military forces."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-17
-
Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [Updated December 17, 2020]
From the Summary: "Restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba have constituted a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba's communist government since the early 1960s. Such restrictions are largely part of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR), the overall embargo regulations administered by the Department of the Treasury's Office ofForeign Assets Control (OFAC), as well as certain parts of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), administered by the Department of Commerce. Various Administrations have eased and tightened these restrictions over the years as U.S. policy toward Cuba has changed. [...] This report examines developments in U.S. policy restricting travel and remittances to Cuba, particularly changes under the Obama and Trump Administrations, current permissible travel to Cuba and current policy on remittances, and debate on lifting the travel restrictions. Appendix provides a history of legislative action related to the restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba from 1999 through 2018."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2020-12-17
-
International Trade in Services [December 16, 2020]
From the Document: "International trade in 'services' refers to a wide and growing range of economic activities. These activities include transport, tourism, financial services, use of intellectual property, telecommunications and information services, government services, maintenance, and other professional services from accounting to legal services. As services account for over 80% of U.S. employment and 79% of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), trade in services, both as exports and as inputs to other exported products, can have a broad impact across the U.S. economy. The United States is the world's leading services exporter and importer. The United States continues to negotiate trade agreements both bilaterally and multilaterally in the World Trade Organization (WTO) to lower 'behind the border' barriers that limit U.S. services exports."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fefer, Rachel F.
2020-12-16
-
Tracking Federal Awards: USAspending.gov and Other Data Sources [Updated December 16, 2020]
From the Summary: "USAspending.gov, [...] is a government source for data on federal awards by state, congressional district (CD), county, city, and zip code. The awards data in USAspending.gov are provided by federal agencies and represent contracts, grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance. USAspending.gov also provides tools for examining the broader picture of federal spending obligations within the categories of budget function, agency, and object class. Using USAspending.gov to locate and compile accurate data on federal awards can be challenging due, in part, to continuing data quality issues that have been identified by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Users of USAspending.gov need to be aware that while search results may be useful for informing consideration of certain questions, these results may be incomplete or contain inaccuracies. USAspending.gov was created under P.L. 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA), and is being enhanced under requirements in P.L. 113-101, the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 (DATA Act). Other federal awards data sources reviewed in this report include the following: [1] Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS); [2] Census Federal Audit Clearinghouse; [3] U.S. Budget: Aid to State and Local Governments; [4] Census Federal Aid to States (FAS) and Consolidated Federal Funds Report (CFFR); and [5] Additional federal grant awards databases, including sources tracking medical, scientific, and technical research."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Teefy, Jennifer
2020-12-16
-
Two Supreme Court Cases to Test Limits on Foreign Sovereign Immunity for Holocaust Harms [December 16, 2020]
From the Document: "In two cases this term, 'Republic of Hungary v. Simon (Hungary)' and 'Federal Republic of Germany v. Philipp (Germany)', the Supreme Court is set to address intersecting issues about foreign sovereign immunity and the Holocaust. The plaintiffs in both cases seek to make foreign governments liable for Nazi-era injuries. But the defendants, which include Hungary and Germany, argue the suits should be dismissed based on international comity--a legal doctrine that allows courts to abstain from jurisdiction out of respect for foreign sovereignty. Germany also argues that it is immune from suit because it believes the U.S. Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) does not permit claims in U.S. courts against foreign governments for 'taking' property from their own citizens within its own territory. The legal questions in both cases may have longstanding implications for when foreign countries can be sued in U.S. courts. The cases also have attracted attention because of the way in which the legal defenses intersect with the tragic events of the Holocaust. Some observers, including some Members of Congress, contend that the defendants' legal arguments contradict the historical timeline of the Holocaust. The United States, on the other hand, supports the defendants' legal theories in its role as amicus curiae."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mulligan, Stephen P.
2020-12-16
-
Turkey: U.S. Sanctions Under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) [December 16, 2020]
From the Document: "Turkey's July 2019 acquisition of an S-400 surface-to-air defense system from Russia sparked debate about possible U.S. sanctions against Turkey--a longtime NATO ally--under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA, P.L. 115-44). CAATSA requires the President to impose sanctions on those persons he determines have knowingly engaged in a 'significant transaction' with Russia's security sector. On December 14, 2020, the Administration imposed the following sanctions on Turkey's defense procurement agency, commonly referred to by the Turkish acronym SSB [Savunma Sanayii Başkanlığı]: [1] a prohibition on granting specific U.S. export licenses and authorizations for any goods or technology; [2] a prohibition on loans or credits by U.S. financial institutions totaling more than $10 million in any 12-month period; [3] a ban on U.S. Export-Import Bank assistance; [4] a requirement for the United States to oppose loans benefitting SSB by international financial institutions; and [5] full blocking sanctions and visa restrictions on four SSB officials."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zanotti, Jim; Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs)
2020-12-16
-
Resources for Tracking Federal COVID-19 Spending [Updated December 16, 2020]
From the Summary: "Congress has responded to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with supplemental appropriations measures providing relief and assistance to individuals and families, state and local governments, businesses, health care providers, and other entities. [...] This report provides selected sources for tracking COVID-19 relief and assistance spending. It includes 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 to 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. Due to the continually evolving nature of information provided by sources that track federal COVID-19 spending, this report may be updated frequently."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Teefy, Jennifer; Kreiser, Maria
2020-12-16
-
Global Value Chains: Overview and Issues for Congress [December 16, 2020]
From the Summary: "Global value chains (GVCs) divide production processes into discrete stages located around the globe. Using GVCs, companies can organize different parts of their value chain strategically, such as locating in a target customer's home market or a competitor's base. When deciding where to locate particular stages of production, firms typically consider key inputs such as raw materials and labor--along with associated accessibility, costs, and quality--and domestic policies that may encourage or discourage different types of investment. Congress, in particular, has an interest in understanding the economic and broader policy implications of the ongoing evolution of global value chains on U.S. businesses and consumers. Since the 1990s, GVCs have shaped the global economy. More than two-thirds of world trade occurs via GVCs each year, representing a shift in how trade and commerce are conducted as trade in intermediate goods and services exceeds that of commodities and finished goods. Unilateral trade liberalization and lower trade barriers made possible by free trade agreements (FTAs) and the creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have spurred GVC growth. Technology advancements and new internet-enabled services that lower costs and provide seamless connections around the world have also been a major factor. Consequently, companies and countries can focus on comparative advantages and specialize in different products and services within value chains, opening economic opportunities and new markets for small businesses and developing countries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fefer, Rachel F.; Wong, Liana; Schwarzenberg, Andres B.
2020-12-16
-
Defense Primer: President's Constitutional Authority with Regard to the Armed Forces [Updated December 16, 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. Early in the nation's history, Alexander Hamilton wrote in 'The Federalist', No. 69, that the Commander in Chief power is 'nothing more than the supreme command and direction of the military and naval forces, as first general and admiral of the confederacy.' Concurring in that view in 1850, the Supreme Court in 'Fleming v. Page' stated, '[The President's] duty and his power are purely military. As Commander in Chief, he is authorized to direct the movements of the naval and military forces placed by law at his command, and to employ them in the manner he may deem most effectual to harass and conquer and subdue the enemy.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elsea, Jennifer
2020-12-16
-
Conventional Prompt Global Strike and Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues [Updated December 16, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Members of Congress and Pentagon officials have placed a growing emphasis on U.S. programs to develop hypersonic weapons as a part of an effort to acquire the capability for the United States to launch attacks against targets around the world in under an hour. Hypersonic weapons, like all long-range ballistic missiles, can travel faster than Mach 5, or about 1 mile to 5 miles per second. This interest is driven by both the perceived mission need for conventional prompt strike systems and concerns about falling behind Russia and China in the development of these technologies. The United States is pursuing two key technologies for this purpose: boost-glide systems that place a hypersonic glider atop a ballistic missile booster or shorter-range rocket systems, and hypersonic cruise missiles that would use scramjet technologies. [...] This report provides an overview of the rationale for the PGS [prompt global strike]/prompt strike mission and the possible deployment of conventional warheads on long-range ballistic missiles or boost-glide systems in support of this mission. It then reviews the Air Force and Navy efforts to develop these systems. It summarizes congressional reaction to these proposals, and provides a more detailed account of the issues raised by these concepts and programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2020-12-16
-
Defense Primer: Congress's Constitutional Authority with Regard to the Armed Forces [Updated December 16, 2020]
From the Document: "The power 'To declare War' has long been construed to mean not only that Congress can formally take the nation into war, but also that it can authorize the use of the Armed Forces for military expeditions that may not amount to war. While a restrictive interpretation of the power 'To declare War' is possible, for example, by viewing the Framers' use of the verb 'to declare' rather than 'to make' as an indication of an intent to limit Congress's ability to affect the course of a war once it is validly commenced, Congress's other powers over the use of the military would likely fill any resulting void. In practice, courts have not sought to delineate the boundaries of each clause relating to war powers or identify gaps between them to find specific powers that are denied to Congress. However, the Supreme Court has suggested that Congress might overstep its bounds into presidential territory if it were to interfere with the conduct of military operations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elsea, Jennifer K.
2020-12-16
-
Defense Primer: Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) [Updated December 16, 2020]
From the Document: "Congress appropriates funds for servicemember and family benefits, including services to improve quality of life or attenuate challenges. Military families face frequent moves around the globe, often causing disruptions to spousal employment, school or child care arrangements, and other challenges associated with establishing a household in a new location. Military members who have a dependent (spouse, child, or dependent parent) with special needs may experience significant stress during these moves due to the need to find specialized health care providers, school systems with dedicated support services, and community support assistance. The military established the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) to ease these additional burdens of a move for such families."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mendez, Bryce H. P.
2020-12-16
-
Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 15, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region's future. Issues such as geopolitical competition in the region between the United States, Russia, and China; increased military operations in the region by the United States, Russia, and other Arctic countries; growth in commercial shipping through the Arctic; and oil, gas, and mineral exploration in the Arctic could cause the region in coming years to become an arena of international cooperation, tension, and/or competition. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial political, economic, energy, environmental, and other interests in the region. Decisions that Congress makes on Arctic-related issues could significantly affect these interests. This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress, and refers readers to more in-depth CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports on specific Arctic-related issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; Comay, Laura B.; Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin) . . .
2020-12-15
-
Morocco-Israel Normalization and U.S. Policy Change on Western Sahara [December 15, 2020]
From the Document: "On December 10, President Trump announced that Morocco would normalize relations with Israel, and that the United States was recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Morocco affirmed that normalization will include 'official contacts with counterparts and diplomatic relations as soon as possible,' direct flights, and economic and technical cooperation. How quickly these commitments might advance remains to be seen. Morocco's willingness to normalize relations with Israel follows similar moves by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in September 2020, and comes after Sudan in October announced tentative plans to do so. Arab government decisions formally to normalize relations with Israel have generally come after years of discreet coordination to counter common concerns such as Iran and Islamist populist movements (including the Muslim Brotherhood). These developments raise questions about the future of cooperation and rivalry among key actors in the Middle East, U.S. arms sales to the region, Saudi Arabia's willingness to follow suit, and Arab state support for Palestinian national demands."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Arieff, Alexis; Zanotti, Jim; Williams, Brock R.
2020-12-15
-
Trump Administration Tariff Actions: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated December 15, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to regulate foreign commerce and therefore impose tariffs, but through various trade laws, Congress has delegated authority to the President to modify tariffs and other trade restrictions under certain circumstances. [...] The Trump Administration's tariff actions raise a number of issues for Congress and have been the focus of congressional debate. Such issues include the effect of the tariffs on U.S. economic activity, such as increases in the price of imported goods, affecting both U.S. consumers and producers, as well as diminished competitiveness of U.S. exports in foreign markets as a result of tariff retaliation. The tariff actions, their frequent modifications, and the exemption application process have also created uncertainty for U.S. businesses. In addition, questions over whether the Trump Administration's tariff actions adhere to congressional intent for the use of delegated tariff authority, in part due to broadly defined statutory criteria, have led to debate in Congress over potential legislative reforms. Congress may also consider how these tariff actions affect the multilateral trading system and the U.S. role and leadership in that system, U.S. bilateral trade relations, and whether tariff increases are an appropriate tool in the negotiation of broader trade reforms."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Williams, Brock R.; Casey, Christopher A.; Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D. . . .
2020-12-15
-
Unemployment Compensation (UC) and the Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF): Funding UC Benefits [Updated December 15, 2020]
From the Summary: "This report provides a summary of how Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefits are funded through the Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF). The UTF in the U.S. Treasury is designated as a trust fund for federal accounting purposes. Although the UTF is a single trust fund, it has 59 accounts: the Employment Security Administration Account (ESAA), the Extended Unemployment Compensation Account (EUCA), the Federal Unemployment Account (FUA), 53 state accounts (including District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands), the Federal Employees Compensation Account (FECA), and two accounts related to the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Whittaker, Julie M.
2020-12-15
-
Defense Primer: Information Operations [Updated December 15, 2020]
From the Document: "While there is currently no official U.S. government (USG) definition of information warfare (IW), practitioners typically conceptualize it as 'a strategy for the use and management of information to pursue a competitive advantage, including both offensive and defensive operations.' Strategy can be defined as the process of planning to achieve objectives and goals in the national interest. Operations link strategic objectives with tactics, techniques, and procedures. For IW strategy, that link is information operations (IO). Past definitions within the DOD have conceptualized IO as a purely military activity involving a set of tactics or capabilities. In DOD Joint Publication (JP) 3-13 and the IO Roadmap, IO consisted of five pillars: computer network operations (CNO), which include computer network attack, computer network defense, and computer network exploitation; psychological operations (PSYOP); electronic warfare (EW); operations security (OPSEC); and military deception (MILDEC). With the advent of U.S. Cyber Command, CNO became cyberspace operations, offensive and defensive with its own doctrine in JP 3-12. In 2010, PSYOP became military information support operations (MISO), to reflect a broader range of activities and the existing Military Information Support Teams consisting of PSYOP personnel deployed at U.S. embassies overseas. Joint Publication 3-13.2 replaced the term PSYOP with MISO to 'more accurately reflect and convey the nature of planned peacetime or combat operations activities.' The name change reportedly caused administrative confusion, and the services are beginning to revert to the PSYOP label."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Theohary, Catherine A.
2020-12-15
-
Defense Primer: Naval Forces [Updated December 15, 2020]
From the Document: "Although the term 'naval forces' is often used to refer specifically to Navy forces, it more properly refers to both Navy and Marine Corps forces, because both the Navy and Marine Corps are naval services. For further discussion, see 'Defense Primer: Department of the Navy.' For a discussion of the Marine Corps that focuses on its organization as a ground-combat force, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] In Focus IF10571, Defense Primer: 'Organization of U.S. Ground Forces', by Barbara Salazar Torreon and Andrew Feickert. U.S. naval forces give the United States the ability to convert the world's oceans--a global commons that covers more than two-thirds of the planet's surface--into a medium of maneuver and operations for projecting U.S. power ashore and otherwise defending U.S. interests around the world. The ability to use the world's oceans in this manner--and to deny other countries the use of the world's oceans for taking actions against U.S. interests--constitutes an immense asymmetric advantage for the United States. As discussed elsewhere (see 'Defense Primer: Geography, Strategy, and U.S. Force Design'), the size and composition of U.S. naval forces reflect the position of the United States as a Western Hemisphere power with a goal of preventing the emergence of regional hegemons in Eurasia. As a result, the U.S. Navy includes significant numbers of aircraft carriers, nuclear-powered attack submarines, large surface combatants, large amphibious ships, and underway replenishment ships."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-15
-
Federal Employee Furloughs: Types and Implications [December 15, 2020]
From the Document: "Federal employees perform complex duties in pursuit of the diverse missions of their agencies. Some outcomes of the federal budget process have significant implications for employees. Among other impacts, certain budgetary situations may result in employee furloughs (i.e., placement in temporary non-duty, non-pay status because of lack of work or funds). Furloughs affect how agencies perform their missions and may affect the well-being of employees. This 'In Focus' discusses the two types of furloughs as well as related procedures, case studies, and some potential issues for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Riccard, Taylor N.
2020-12-15
-
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance [Updated December 15, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The majority of funding in the United States for both pre- and post-disaster mitigation comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which defines mitigation as 'any sustained action to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards and their effects.' Mitigation actions have a long-term impact, as opposed to actions associated with immediate preparedness, response, and recovery activities. Mitigation has been shown to save money. A recent study by the Multihazard Mitigation Council found that society saves $6 for every dollar spent on mitigation funded through major federal mitigation grants. FEMA administers three hazard mitigation grant programs, which it collectively refers to as Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA): [1] the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); [2] the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Program; [3] the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program, replaced by Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC). Eligible applicants include state and local governments and federally-recognized tribes. Certain nonprofit organizations may apply for HMGP. Individuals may not apply for HMA funding, but they may benefit from a community application. Applicants to all three programs must have FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plans. Eligible activities differ for the three programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2020-12-15
