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Defense: FY2006 Authorization and Appropriations [Updated December 9, 2005]
"The annual consideration of appropriations bills (regular, continuing, and supplemental) by Congress is part of a complex set of budget processes that also encompasses the consideration of budget resolutions, revenue and debt-limit legislation, other spending measures, and reconciliation bills. In addition, the operation of programs and the spending of appropriated funds are subject to constraints established in authorizing statutes. Congressional action on the budget for a fiscal year usually begins following the submission of the Presidents budget at the beginning of each annual session of Congress. Congressional practices governing the consideration of appropriations and other budgetary measures are rooted in the Constitution, the standing rules of the House and Senate, and statutes, such as the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant. The report lists the key CRS staff relevant to the issues covered and related CRS products."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Daggett, Stephen
2005-12-09
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China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues [Updated October 5, 2005]
"Congress has long been concerned about whether U.S. policy advances the national interest in reducing the role of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missiles that could deliver them. Recipients of China's technology reportedly include Pakistan and countries that the State Department says support terrorism, such as Iran and North Korea. This CRS Report, updated as warranted, discusses the national security problem of China's role in weapons proliferation and issues related to the U.S. policy response, including legislation, since the mid-1990s. China has taken some steps to mollify U.S. concerns about its role in weapons proliferation. Nonetheless, supplies from China have aggravated trends that result in ambiguous technical aid, more indigenous capabilities, longer-range missiles, and secondary (retransferred) proliferation. As the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) has reported to Congress, China remains a 'key supplier' of weapons technology, particularly missile or chemical technology."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kan, Shirley
2005-10-05
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Iraq: Turkey, the Deployment of U.S. Forces, and Related Issues [Updated May 2, 2003]
"On March 1, 2003, the Turkish parliament, in a close vote, failed to pass a resolution authorizing the United States to deploy troops to Turkish territory to open a northern front in a war against Iraq. The vote surprised the U.S. government and its Turkish counterpart. Both governments may have greatly overestimated their understanding of the Turkish political situation that contributed to the defeat of the resolution. This report focuses on that political scene, Turkish concerns about an Iraq conflict, the tentative, but unfulfilled, bargain struck between the U.S. and Turkish governments to authorize the U.S. deployment--to the extent that it is known, the final arrangements for U.S. access to Turkish airspace, and attendant issues. This report also reviews the implications of parliament's actions for the bilateral U.S.-Turkish relationship, regional relations, Turkey's domestic politics, its economy, and broader issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Migdalovitz, Carol
2005-05-02
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Normal-Trade-Relations (Most-Favored-Nation) Policy of the United States [Updated October 20, 2005]
"In international trade, the term most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment has a meaning at variance with what it appears to mean: the expression means equal--rather than exclusively favorable--treatment and is often used interchangeably with 'nondiscriminatory.' To make this distinction clearer and avoid a possibly misleading interpretation of the most-favored-nation term, legislation was enacted in 1998 to replace it in U.S. law with the term 'normal trade relations,' or NTR. In this report, both terms are used interchangeably with 'nondiscriminatory.' The United States accords general MFN treatment as a matter of international obligation as well statutory policy to all trading partners; however, MFN tariff treatment of several countries has been suspended under specific legislation. Virtually all such suspensions, initially applied to 21 countries or political entities, took place under the mandate of the Trade Agreements Extension Act of 1951, and two more under country-specific legislation. MFN tariff treatment of countries suspended under the 1951 law can be restored and maintained in effect for one-year periods by using the procedure provided under Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 for such restoration to 'nonmarket economy' (NME) countries. Under this procedure, an NME country needs to conclude with the United States a trade agreement containing a reciprocal MFN clause, and be in compliance with the criteria of the Jackson-Vanik (J-V) freedom-of-emigration provision of that act. The two countries whose MFN status was suspended by country-specific legislation could--and did--have it restored by Presidential action under conditions specified in the suspending law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Pregelj, Vladimir N.
2005-10-20
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U.S. Nuclear Cooperation With India: Issues for Congress [Updated October 24, 2005]
From the Summary: "Significant U.S.-Indian nuclear cooperation cannot go forward without action by Congress. India does not meet existing nonproliferation criteria under current U.S. law (Atomic Energy Act; P.L. [Public Law] 95-242; 42 U.S.C. [United States Code] 2153 et seq.), so the Bush Administration could use exemptions and waivers under current law; propose legislation to amend certain portions of the Atomic Energy Act; or propose standalone legislation to create an exception for India. The Administration has not revealed its proposal yet. Congress may also choose to approve an agreement with conditions, as it did for the 1985 nuclear cooperation agreement with China. This report will be updated as necessary."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Squassoni, Sharon A.
2005-10-24
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Flood Risk Management: Federal Role in Infrastructure [October 26, 2005]
"Local governments are responsible for land use and zoning decisions that direct floodplain and coastal development; however, state and federal governments influences community and individual decisions on managing flood risk. The federal government constructs flood control infrastructure, offers flood insurance, and provides disaster aid. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita sparked once again a national debate on managing flood hazards. The 109th Congress, like many earlier Congresses confronted with major flood events, is faced with numerous flood control issues, including interest in changing federal policies. Current federal programs and flood control projects generally target on reducing property damage and vulnerability to a 100-year flood. Post-Katrina discussions include whether current flood protection is sufficient, whether loss of life and economic and social disruption should be more prominent considerations in federal policy, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of a more risk-based approach to federal policy and spending. This report discusses federal investment decisions on flood control infrastructure, such as levees, floodwalls, and dams. The report also analyzes flood risk as a composite of flood threat, consequence, and vulnerability. The report illustrates that federal policy focuses attention on only some aspects of flood risk and summarizes the options being discussed for addressing other aspects of flood risk in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This report will be updated as needed to track significant developments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2005-10-26
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Oil and Gas Disruption From Hurricanes Katrina and Rita [October 21, 2005]
"Hurricanes Katrina and Rita shut down oil and gas production from the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico, the source for 25% of U.S. crude oil production and 20% of natural gas output. Katrina, which made landfall on August 29, resulted in the shutdown of most crude oil and natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as a great deal of refining capacity in Louisiana and Alabama, 554,000 barrels per day of which was still closed as of late October, 2005. Offshore oil and gas production was resuming when Hurricane Rita made landfall on September 24, and an additional 4.8 million barrels per day (mbd) of refining capacity in Texas and nearby Louisiana was closed. Combining the effects of both storms, 1.3 mbd of refining--about 8% of national capability--is shut down, reducing the supply of domestically refined fuels commensurately. Much of the refined product shortfall is currently being made up by imports of refined products, some of which were made available by strategic supplies released by International Energy Agency (IEA) member nations on September 2. It remains to be seen whether IEA will authorize a further release. As part of the IEA drawdown, 30 million barrels of crude oil were made available from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), which holds only crude. Only 11 million barrels was sold from the SPR, in part because limited refinery capacity reduced the call on crude."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bamberger, Robert; Kumins, Lawrence C.
2005-10-21
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Iraq: United Nations and Humanitarian Aid Organizations [Updated December 6, 2005]
"The war with Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom), which began on March 19, 2003, to overthrow Saddam Hussein and change the regime was accomplished when the Iraqi regime fell on April 9, 2003. On June 28, 2004, the U.S.-led coalition transferred full sovereignty to the Iraqi interim government, and the Iraqi government is now running the day-to-day operations of the country. On January 30, 2005, elections were held in Iraq for a transitional National Assembly, and there are plans to establish a permanent government by December 15, 2005. Currently, the main focus is to stabilize the security situation, continue to assist in reconstruction efforts, and coordinate and provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people. This report provides an annotated list of U.N. agencies that are involved in Iraq, key U.S. government agencies, and a sample list of major international and U.S.- based aid organizations that are providing humanitarian assistance to Iraq. Internet links to the U.N. agencies and humanitarian aid organizations are also provided. For detailed discussion on humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Iraq, see CRS Report RL31833, Iraq: Recent Developments in Reconstruction Assistance, by Curt Tarnoff."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Coipuram, Tom
2005-12-06
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Role of HUD Housing Programs in Response to Disasters [September 13, 2005]
"Hurricane Katrina has resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of families from their homes. While its magnitude is unprecedented, the resulting need to shelter and house displaced families is not. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the nation's agency with a mission to provide safe and decent housing for all Americans, has played a role in meeting those needs in the past and is playing a role in the wake of Katrina. How best to utilize the department's resources, or how best to allocate future additional resources to meet the massive housing needs resulting from Katrina, has yet to be determined. This report begins by introducing the concept of a continuum of housing needs following a disaster. Displaced families' needs range from emergency shelter to temporary and permanent housing. While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has primary responsibility for coordinating disaster relief efforts and providing certain services to help communities recover, other federal agencies, including HUD, also play an important role."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarty, Maggie; Perl, Libby; Foote, B. Ellington
2005-09-13
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Federal Stafford Act Disaster Assistance: Presidential Declarations, Eligible Activities, and Funding [Updated September 27, 2005]
"The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act) authorizes the President to issue a major disaster declaration to speed a wide range of federal aid to states determined to be overwhelmed by hurricanes or other catastrophes. Financing for the aid is appropriated to the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Funds appropriated to the DRF remain available until expended (a no-year account). The Stafford Act authorizes temporary housing, grants for immediate needs of families and individuals, the repair of public infrastructure, emergency communications systems, and other forms of assistance. Because the Stafford Act provides the President with permanent authority to direct federal aid to stricken states, Congress need not enact new legislation to meet immediate needs. Congress appropriated almost $70 billion to the DRF in FY2005 in response to the four hurricanes that struck Florida in the fall of 2004, Hurricane Katrina (August 25-29, 2005), and other disasters. Congress can elect to consider supplemental appropriations should additional money be required to meet requests for assistance, including recovery costs associated with Hurricane Rita. Information on supplementals enacted after Hurricane Katrina is presented in CRS Report RS22239, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Hurricane Katrina Relief."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith
2005-09-27
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Homeland Security: Human Resources Management [Updated August 27, 2003]
"P.L. 107-296, Homeland Security Act of 2002 (H.R. 5005), authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish, and from time to time adjust, a human resources management (HRM) system for some or all of the organizational units of the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The law states specific requirements for the HRM system. Federal workforce improvements to be applied government wide also are authorized by P.L. 107-296. On April 1, 2003, Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and OPM Director Kay Coles James announced that they were launching the process for designing a new human resources management system for the Department of Homeland Security. A design team and a senior review committee will work to create the new system and will advise the secretary and the director. Implementation of the new system is targeted to begin by the end of 2003, according to a DHS fact sheet. Key issues to be considered in establishing an HRM system for the new department might include staffing requirements and hiring and pay systems. Other issues likely to be considered would include the kind of automated human resources and payroll systems the various agencies proposed for transfer to the new department currently have and how those systems might be merged if a consolidation of HRM services were to occur."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwemle, Barbara L.
2003-08-27
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Immigration Policy on Expedited Removal of Aliens [September 30, 2005]
"Expedited removal, an immigration enforcement strategy originally conceived to operate at the borders and ports of entry, is being expanded, raising a set of policy, resource, and logistical questions. Expedited removal is a provision under which an alien who lacks proper documentation or has committed fraud or willful misrepresentation of facts may be removed from the United States without any further hearings or review, unless the alien indicates a fear of persecution. Congress added expedited removal to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) in 1996, making it mandatory for arriving aliens, and giving the Attorney General the option of applying it to aliens in the interior of the country who have not been admitted or paroled into the United States and who cannot affirmatively show that they have been physically present in the United States continuously for two years. Until recently, expedited removal was only applied to aliens at ports of entry. Some are calling for expanding mandatory expedited removal in the interior of the country. Proponents of expanding expedited removal point to the lengthy procedural delays and costs of the alien removal process. They cite statistics that indicate that the government is much more successful at removing detained aliens (aliens in expedited removal must be detained) than those not detained. They argue that aliens who entered the country illegally should not be afforded the due process and appeals that those who entered legally are given under the law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wasem, Ruth Ellen; Siskin, Alison
2005-09-30
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Homeland Security: Federal Assistance Funding and Business Opportunities [Updated November 21, 2003]
"With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and increased federal spending on homeland security products and services, comes increased interest in doing business with the federal government and obtaining federal funds. Small and large businesses, universities, and research organizations throughout the country want to provide the needed products and services. State and local governments desire federal funds to assist with their homeland security needs. Generally, the larger companies or organizations and state and local governments that have regularly done business with the federal government in the past are familiar with the often complex process of selling to the government or obtaining federal funds through grants. However, smaller companies and government officials who are new to the process may have a difficult time quickly identifying the resources and information needed to pursue grant or contract monies. This report provides a selection of information gateways for businesses, state and local governments, research organizations, and others that wish to pursue homeland security related business opportunities or grants from the federal government. A selection of Web sites is provided for the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and other federal departments and agencies. The information will assist interested persons in locating information on available grants, contracts, or research and development opportunities with a homeland security focus."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Riehl, James R.
2003-11-21
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Homeland Security: Federal Assistance Funding and Business Opportunities [Updated May 21, 2004]
"With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and increased federal spending on homeland security products and services, comes increased interest in doing business with the federal government and obtaining federal funds. Small and large businesses, universities, and research organizations throughout the country want to provide the needed products and services. State and local governments desire federal funds to assist with their homeland security needs. Generally, the larger companies or organizations and state and local governments that have regularly done business with the federal government in the past are familiar with the often complex process of selling to the government or obtaining federal funds through grants. However, smaller companies and government officials who are new to the process may have a difficult time quickly identifying the resources and information needed to pursue grant or contract monies. This report provides a selection of information gateways for businesses, state and local governments, research organizations, and others that wish to pursue homeland security related business opportunities or grants from the federal government. A selection of websites is provided for the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense (DOD), and other federal departments and agencies. The information will assist interested persons in locating information on available grants, contracts, or research and development opportunities with a homeland security focus."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Riehl, James R.
2004-05-21
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First Responder Initiative: Policy Issues and Options [Updated March 19, 2003]
"In its FY2004 request, the Bush Administration proposed a new block grant program called the 'First Responder Initiative' to help state and local first responders prepare for possible terrorist attacks. Under the proposal, the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), within the Department of Homeland Security, would administer the $3.5 billion program. The programs primary purpose would be to improve the ability of first responders (police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) to respond to terrorist attacks involving weapons of mass destruction. The program would fund a range of activities in the areas of planning, training, exercises, and equipment. The 107th Congress considered a number of bills similar to the Administration proposal. In October 2002, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee reported S. 2664, the First Responder Terrorism Preparedness Act of 2002. The bill contained several features proposed by the Administration, including a 25% matching requirement, a wide range of eligible activities, and a requirement that states distribute 75% of funds to sub-state regions. It also contained some provisions not specified in the Administration proposal, such as establishing standards for training and equipment and prohibiting the use of funds for overtime expenses. There are a limited number of terrorism preparedness block grant proposals in the 108th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Canada, Ben
2003-03-19
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Homeland Security: Human Resources Management [Updated February 26, 2003]
"P.L. 107-296, Homeland Security Act of 2002 (H.R. 5005), authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish, and from time to time adjust, a human resources management (HRM) system for some or all of the organizational units of the new department. The law states specific requirements for the HRM system. Federal workforce improvements to be applied government wide also are authorized by P.L. 107-296. OPM has established several working groups to begin developing the new HRM system and hopes to have a draft proposal of the system ready by June 1, 2003. Key issues to be considered in establishing an HRM system for the new department might include staffing requirements and hiring and pay systems. Other issues likely to be considered would include the kind of automated human resources and payroll systems the various agencies proposed for transfer to the new department currently have and how those systems might be merged if a consolidation of HRM services were to occur. This report discusses the provisions of P.L. 107-296 as they relate to human resources management. It does not discuss provisions of the law which relate to labor management relations and collective bargaining."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwemle, Barbara L.
2003-02-26
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Border Security: Immigration Issues in the 108th Congress [Updated May 22, 2003]
"Enhancing border security has emerged as a significant policy issue after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Prior to the terrorist attacks, the priorities for border security policy were beginning to shift from immigration-related issues to issues related to facilitating legitimate cross-border commerce. Several bills have been introduced in the 108th Congress (S. 539/H.R. 1096 and S. 6) that would authorize funding for increased personnel and technological improvements. S. 539/H.R. 1096 would require ongoing training for immigration personnel on how to use the new technology, an update of a port infrastructure assessment study, and demonstration projects on new technology at ports of entry, among other things. Another piece of legislation (H.R. 853) would establish a northern border coordinator within the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security in the Department of Homeland Security, among other things. The northern border coordinator would serve as a liaison to the Canadian government on border security-related issues. Although the 107th Congress enacted several pieces of legislation that dealt with enhancing immigration-related border security, legislation to strengthen the nations borders had been enacted as early as the 104th Congress. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA; P.L. 104-208) contained several immigration-related border security provisions that addressed illegal immigration and the smuggling of humans into the United States through the southwest border. IIRIRA also contained a provision that required the electronic tracking of every alien arriving in and departing from the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seghetti, Lisa M.
2003-05-22
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Maritime and Port Security: A Comparison of Major Provisions of S. 1214 and H.R. 3983 [Updated October 4, 2002]
"Congress is considering legislation to enhance security at U.S. seaports. The September 11 terrorist attack has raised concerns that a sea container could be used to transport a weapon of mass destruction. An interagency commission on crime and security at U.S. ports found that with a few exceptions, the level of security at U.S. ports was poor to fair. This report compares major provisions in S. 1214, which passed the Senate with an amendment, and H.R. 3983, which passed the House as amended. Five areas of the legislation are examined: federal funding, plans and programs for coordinating security, efforts to enhance foreign seaport security, cargo security provisions, and restrictions on access to certain areas within a port. As of October 4, 2002 conferees were working to resolve a dispute over how to pay for enhanced security measures. There is disagreement over whether proposed charges on waterborne imports and exports are a 'user fee' or a tax. Although both bills cover many of the same issues, there are differences in emphasis."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Frittelli, John
2002-10-04
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U.S. Anti-Terror Strategy and the 9/11 Commission Report [August 12, 2004]
"On July 22, 2004 the 9/11 Commission released its final report. The report calls for changes to be made by the executive branch and Congress to more effectively protect our nation in an age of modern terrorism and provides forty-one concrete recommendations. This paper addresses the components of the Administrations 2003 National Strategy for Combating Terrorism and the potential impact, if any, of key recommendations of the 9/11 Commission on the strategy. Generally, the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission as they relate to strategy content and implementation appear consistent with, and supportive of, the National Strategy. Few question the 9/11 Commission Reports overarching premise that U.S. counter-terrorism structure, strategy, and implementation can be improved."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Perl, Raphael
2004-08-12
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Terrorism, the Media, and the Government: Perspectives, Trends, and Options for Policymakers [October 22, 1997]
"This report article examines competing perspectives on the desired role for the media when covering terrorist incidents, and who wants what from the media: what the terrorist wants, what the government wants, and what the media wants when covering a terrorist event. It then addresses three trends that impact on the relationship between terrorism and the media and concludes with options for consideration. It is intended for Members and staff who cover terrorism and will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Perl, Raphael
1997-10-22
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First Responder Initiative: Policy Issues and Options [Updated July 8, 2003]
"In its FY2004 budget request, the Bush Administration proposed a new grant program called the 'First Responder Initiative' to help first responders prepare for possible terrorist attacks. Under the proposal, the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), within the Department of Homeland Security, would administer the $3.6 billion program. The programs primary purpose would be to improve the ability of first responders (including police, firefighters, emergency medical, and hazardous materials personnel) to respond to terrorist attacks involving weapons of mass destruction. The program would fund a range of activities in the areas of planning, training, exercises, and equipment. The Administration proposal is one of several proposals to restructure first responder preparedness grants before the 108th Congress. Recently, the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approved S. 1245, the Homeland Security Grant Enhancement Act of 2003, which seeks to simplify and streamline existing grant programs for first responder preparedness. Among other things, the bill authorizes a formula grant to states and localities for a broad range of preparedness activities. Other introduced bills propose different methods of distribution, ranges of eligible activities, and matching requirements. Examples of introduced bills include H.R. 1389, H.R. 1449, S. 87/H.R. 1007, S. 466, and S. 930."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Canada, Ben
2003-07-08
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Homeland Security: Human Resources Management [Updated November 14, 2002]
"Responding to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the discovery of anthrax in Washington, DC, and other cities, the Administration and Members of Congress proposed legislation to establish a Department of Homeland Security. President George W. Bush's proposal was submitted to Congress on June 18, 2002 by Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge. It was subsequently introduced as H.R. 5005 by Representative Dick Armey on June 24, 2002, and was passed on July 26, 2002. In the Senate, on May 2, 2002, Senator Joseph Lieberman introduced S. 2452 to create a Department of National Homeland Security. Senate amendments to H.R. 5005 have been debated in the Senate since late July. H.R. 5005, as passed, includes a provision at Section 761, which would provide flexibility to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to establish, and from time to time adjust, a human resources management (HRM) system for some or all of the organizational units of the new department. The provision has generated considerable discussion, which has centered on the need for personnel flexibility at the department and concerns about preserving the civil service standards of merit-based hiring and preference in hiring for veterans, among other issues. If Section 761 (or a similar provision) were enacted, issues of staffing requirements and the hiring and pay systems at the new department would likely be debated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwemle, Barbara L.
2002-11-14
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First Responder Initiative: Policy Issues and Options [Updated June 4, 2003]
"In its FY2004 budget request, the Bush Administration proposed a new grant program called the 'First Responder Initiative' to help first responders prepare for possible terrorist attacks. Under the proposal, the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), within the Department of Homeland Security, would administer the $3.6 billion program. The programs primary purpose would be to improve the ability of first responders (including police, firefighters, emergency medical, and hazardous materials personnel) to respond to terrorist attacks involving weapons of mass destruction. The program would fund a range of activities in the areas of planning, training, exercises, and equipment. The Administration proposal is one of several proposals to restructure first responder preparedness grants before the 108th Congress. Introduced bills propose different methods of distribution, ranges of eligible activities, and matching requirements. Examples of introduced bills include H.R. 1389, H.R. 1449, S. 87/H.R. 1007, S. 466, and S. 930."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Canada, Ben
2003-06-04
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Internet Privacy: Overview and Pending Legislation [Updated October 19, 2005]
"Internet privacy issues generally encompass two types of concerns. One is the collection of personally identifiable information (PII) by website operators from visitors to government and commercial websites, or by software that is surreptitiously installed on a users computer ('spyware') and transmits the information to someone else. The other is the monitoring of electronic mail and Web usage by the government or law enforcement officials, employers, or email service providers. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks intensified debate over the issue of law enforcement monitoring, with some advocating increased tools for law enforcement officials to track down terrorists, and others cautioning that fundamental tenets of democracy, such as privacy, not be endangered in that pursuit. Congress passed the 2001 USA PATRIOT Act (P.L. 107-56) that, inter alia, makes it easier for law enforcement to monitor Internet activities. That act was later amended by the Homeland Security Act (P.L. 107-296), loosening restrictions as to when, and to whom, Internet Service Providers may voluntarily release the content of communications if they believe there is a danger of death or injury. The report of the 9/11 Commission called for a full and informed debate on the USA PATRIOT Act, and creation of a board to ensure that privacy and civil liberties are protected. Congress directed that a Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board be established as part of the law that implements many of the Commissions recommendations (P.L. 108-457)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Marcia S.
2005-10-19
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Homeland Security: Human Resources Management [Updated September 5, 2002]
"Responding to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the discovery of anthrax in Washington, DC, and other cities, the Administration and Members of Congress proposed legislation to establish a Department of Homeland Security. President George W. Bush's proposal was submitted to Congress on June 18, 2002 by Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge. It was subsequently introduced as H.R. 5005 by Representative Dick Armey on June 24, 2002. The bill was referred to various House committees having jurisdiction over its provisions, and those committees marked up the legislation during the week of July 8, 2002. The House Select Committee on Homeland Security marked up the bill on July 19, 2002, and reported it on July 24, 2002. The House passed H.R. 5005 on a 295-132 vote on July 26, 2002. In the Senate, on May 2, 2002, Senator Joseph Lieberman introduced S. 2452 to create a Department of National Homeland Security. During business meetings of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs on July 24 and 25, 2002, the committee agreed to a Lieberman amendment in the nature of a substitute to S. 2452. On September 3, 2002, the Senate debated the motion to proceed to debate on the homeland security bill and on a 94-0 vote agreed to begin debate the next day. On September 4, 2002, Senator Lieberman offered the amendment agreed to by the Governmental Affairs Committee as a substitute for H.R. 5005."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwemle, Barbara L.
2002-09-05
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Crime Control: The Federal Response [Updated September 23, 2003]
"Federal crime control efforts traditionally have been directed at problems transcending state boundaries concerned, with maintaining law and order in areas subject exclusively to federal jurisdiction or of national concern. During the 107th Congress, authorities of the Department of Justice (DOJ), specifically the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), were enhanced to deal with homeland security and anti-terrorism problems arising from the September 11, 2001 attacks. Provision made in the USA Patriot Act, P.L. 107-56, was one of the first federal responses to the war on terrorism after the attack. Congress also heightened the authority to secure the Nation's lands and borders through the passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 on November 25, 2002."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Bryant, JoAnne
2003-09-23
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Romania After the 2000 Elections: Background and Issues for Congress [April 12, 2001]
"In parliamentary and presidential elections on November 26, 2000, the Romanian electorate restored to power the reformed communist party that it had voted out of office four years earlier; in addition, Ion Iliescu, president from 1990-1996, received a plurality of the presidential votes. During a run-off election on December 10, Iliescu defeated Vadim Tudor, an extremist nationalist candidate. Romania is one of Europe's poorest countries; successive governments have been slow to make necessary reforms to jumpstart the economy and attract needed foreign investment. There have been indications that, despite pressure from international institutions, the new government may attempt only a gradual approach to reform. With a minority mandate, Iliescu and his Party of Social Democracy in Romania will need the cooperation of other parties to privatize and restructure the economy. Romania's foreign policy, which for the past decade has emphasized integration into the EU and NATO, is not expected to change. On January 1 , 2001, Romania assumed the revolving chairmanship of the OSCE."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ek, Carl
2001-04-12
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Iraqi Security Forces: The Challenge of Sectarian and Ethnic Influences [Updated January 18, 2007]
"The Bush Administration has deemed the creation of an effective Iraqi fighting force that is representative of Iraqi society at large as key to stabilizing Iraq and expediting the eventual withdrawal of U.S. forces. However, there is concern that sectarian killings, terrorism, and insurgency are undermining U.S. efforts to create a unified Iraqi military that can prevent internal violence from metastasizing into a larger civil war among Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds. According to the December 2006 Iraq Study Group Report, "Significant questions remain about the ethnic composition and loyalties of some Iraqi units - specifically, whether they will carry out missions on behalf of national goals instead of a sectarian agenda." The 110th Congress may address issues concerning the reforming of Iraq's security forces. This report will be updated periodically. For more information on Iraq, see CRS Report RL31339, Iraq: Post- Saddam Governance and Security Issues, by Kenneth Katzman."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell
2007-01-18
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Mexico's Political History: From Revolution to Alternation, 1910-2006 [January 26, 2006]
"This brief overview of Mexico's political history from 1910 to 2006, with emphasis on electoral reforms and elections, demonstrates that Mexico has evolved from long-term domination by a single party to alternation and effective competition among the three major parties. This report sets the stage for the approaching July 2006 elections."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-
2006-01-26
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Federal Hiring Flexibilities for Emergency Situations: Fact Sheet [October 11, 2001]
"In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in a September 13, 2001 memorandum to executive branch agencies, identified various hiring flexibilities that can be used to meet staffing needs in emergency situations. Table 1, below, provides information on each of the flexibilities. Terms used in the table can be defined as follows."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwemle, Barbara L.
2001-10-11
