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Jordan: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues [March 15, 2002]
"The death of King Hussein on February 7, 1999, removed a strong U.S. ally and force for stability; however, most observers believe his son and successor, King Abdullah, will continue the late King's moderate and prowestern policies. In recent years, Jordan has taken significant steps toward building democratic life. Relatively free elections to the 80- member parliament were held in 1989 and 1993. Much of the opposition, including the fundamentalist Islamic Action Group (IAF), boycotted the 1997 elections over press restrictions and alleged attempts by the government to by-pass parliament. The IAF did participate in municipal elections in July 1999, and parliament has eased restrictions in laws affecting the press. […] In each of the four fiscal years 1998 through 2001, Jordan has received approximately $225 million in annual U.S. assistance. The same amounts are contained in H.R. 2506, the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for FY2002. The conference report for H.R. 2506 (H.Rept. 107-345, December 19, 2001) was agreed to by the House and Senate, respectively, on December 19 and 20, 2001, and signed by the President as P.L. 107-115 on January 10, 2001. The Administration is seeking to double U.S. assistance to Jordan in FY2003 in view of Jordanian support to the anti-terrorism campaign. Several alternative scenarios could develop in Jordan: a continuation of the current course toward democracy under the present regime; a return to a more autocratic political system; or fundamental changes in the character or configuration of the Jordanian state. Steady democratic growth under the present regime would probably offer the best prospects of supporting U.S. interests."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Prados, Alfred B.
2002-03-15
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Soft and Hard Money in Contemporary Elections: What Federal Law Does and Does Not Regulate [Updated March 15, 2002]
"Financial activity in federal elections is governed by federal statutes, which have evolved under the influence of various court rulings. The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1971, as amended, imposes limitations and prohibitions on money from certain sources and requires public disclosure of money raised and spent in federal elections. Based on the Supreme Court's 1976 Buckley v. Valeo ruling, federal law generally does not impose mandatory limits on campaign spending by candidates or groups. While federal law regulates some types and sources of campaign money, other types and sources are exempt from coverage. Also, there are wide differences in what federal law allows in federal elections and what 50 state statutes allow in state elections. Money that is outside the federal regulatory framework, but raised and spent in a manner suggesting possible intent to affect federal elections, is known as soft money. The omissions from federal regulation and disparities between federal and state laws have created confusion about current practices. This report examines the major types of financial activity in elections and what are often labeled as loopholes in federal law. In the 107th Congress, both the House-passed Shays-Meehan (H.R. 2356) and the Senate-passed McCain-Feingold (S. 27) bills would ban the raising of soft money by national parties and federal candidates or officials, and would restrict soft money spending by state parties on what the bills define as federal election activities. Both bills would also regulate certain communications now considered to be 'issue advocacy' and thus outside the purview of federal election law, designating them instead as 'electioneering communications,' subject to disclosure requirements and, for specified entities, a prohibition on their financing with treasury funds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cantor, Joseph E.
2002-03-15
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Energy Policy: Setting the Stage for the Current Debate [Updated March 15, 2002]
"The Bush Administration issued its plan for a national energy policy on May 16, 2001. The plan was controversial, characterized by some as leaner on conservation and renewables than Democratic proposals, and predisposed to trade off environmental considerations to increase supply. Comprehensive energy legislation was introduced in the Senate by both parties by late March (S. 388, S. 389, S. 596, S. 597). Bills reported by several House committees (H.R. 2436, H.R. 2460, H.R. 2511, and H.R. 2587) were combined in a single bill, H.R. 4, passed by the House, August 1, 2001. The bill would require a 5 billion gallon reduction in light-duty truck and SUV fuel consumption and would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to leasing. Debate on comprehensive energy legislation, Amendment No. 2917 to S. 517, began in the Senate in late February. Amendments approved during the first days of the debate included language: [1] designating a southern route for the proposed Alaskan natural gas pipeline; [2] reauthorization of the nuclear liability insurance provisions known as the Price-Anderson Act; [3] authorization of a study of the effect on drinking water of a hydraulic fracturing process used in both natural gas and coal methane production; and [4] adding the text of S. 235, pipeline safety reform legislation, previously approved by the Senate last year. A vote is pending on an amendment to give the Commodity Futures Trading Commission authority to regulate energy derivatives trading."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bamberger, Robert
2002-03-15
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Israel: U.S. Foreign Assistance [March 15, 2002]
"Israel is not economically self-sufficient, and relies on foreign assistance and borrowing to maintain its economy. Since 1985, the United States has provided $3 billion in grants annually to Israel. Since 1976, Israel has been the largest annual recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, and is the largest cumulative recipient since World War II. In addition to U.S. assistance, it is estimated that Israel receives about $1 billion annually through philanthropy, an equal amount through short- and long- term commercial loans, and around $1 billion in Israel Bonds proceeds. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu told a joint session of Congress on July 10, 1996, that Israel would reduce its need for U.S. aid over the next four years. In January 1998, Finance Minister Neeman proposed eliminating the $1.2 billion economic aid and increasing the $1.8 billion in military aid by $60 million per year during a ten year period beginning in the year 2000. The FY1999, 2000, and 2001 appropriations bills included cuts of $120 million in economic aid and an increases of $60 million in military aid for each year."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
2002-03-15
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Libya [Updated March 15, 2002]
"The United Nations Security Council passed three resolutions that placed sanctions on Libya until Libya surrendered for trial two men suspected of bombing Pan Am flight 103 in 1988 and French flight UTA 772 in 1989. Libya surrendered the two men on April 5, 1999, and the U.N. suspended the sanctions the same day. U.S. sanctions against Libya remain in place. Libyan-U.S. relations have been plagued by a series of incidents between U.S. and Libyan armed forces, Libyan policies of supporting terrorism, Libya's search for chemical and nuclear weapons, and Libyan meddling in other nations' internal affairs. Al-Qadhafi has proposed bilateral and multilateral unions with his neighbors and several other countries, and envisions himself as carrying on for Egypt's Nasir in unifying the Arab, Islamic, and African worlds. Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhafi implemented a form of participatory democracy in Libya, where villages elect Peoples' Congresses, which in turn elect Peoples' Congresses for geographic regions and the central government. In addition, there are Peoples' Congresses representing industries or institutions, such as education, medicine, or broadcasting. Despite the presence and apparent activity of the Peoples' Congresses, it is clear that members of the Revolutionary Command Council, created after the 1969 coup, and their cohort continue to exercise great influence, perhaps dictatorial authority, over Libya. Libya's economy depends upon oil; current production is running at 1.4 million barrels per day of high quality crude, most of which is exported to Western Europe."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
2002-03-15
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China-U.S. Relations [Updated March 14, 2002]
"In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States, U.S. and PRC [People's Republic of China] foreign policy calculations appear to be changing. The Administration of George W. Bush assumed office in January 2001 viewing China as a U.S. 'strategic competitor.' Administration officials faced an early test in April 2001 when a Chinese jet collided with a U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea, resulting in strained relations and PRC accusations that U.S. reconnaissance activities were unfriendly acts. Since September 11, though, U.S. officials have come to see Beijing as an important potential ally in the fight against global terrorism, while PRC officials see the anti-terrorism campaign as a chance to improve relations with Washington and perhaps gain policy concessions on issues important to Beijing. U.S. anti-terror priorities have led some to suggest that cooperation against terrorism could serve as a new strategic framework for Sino-U.S. relations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dumbaugh, Kerry
2002-03-14
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China-U.S. Trade Issues [Updated March 14, 2002]
"U.S.-China economic ties have expanded substantially over the past several years; total U.S.-China trade rose from $5 billion in 1980 to $122 billion in 2001; China is now the fourth-largest U.S. trading partner. Yet, U.S.- China commercial relations have been strained by a number of issues, including a surging U.S. trade deficit with China (which totaled $83 billion in 2001), China's restrictive trade and investment practices, and its failure to provide adequate protection for U.S. intellectual property rights (IPR). […] The 107th Congress will likely press the Bush Administration to closely monitor China's compliance with its WTO [World Trade Organization] commitments. A number of issues regarding China's compliance have already arisen. The required annual report by the USTR [United States Trade Representative] on China's WTO implementation will likely become the focal point of potential congressional concerns over China's compliance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morrison, Wayne M.
2002-03-14
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Campaign Finance: Constitutional and Legal Issues of Soft Money [March 14, 2002]
"Soft money is a major issue in the campaign finance reform debate because such funds are generally unregulated and perceived as resulting from a loophole in the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). More specifically, soft money is considered to be funds that are raised and spent according to applicable state laws, which FECA prohibits from being spent directly on federal elections, but that may have an indirect influence on federal elections. This Issue Brief discusses three major types of soft money: political party soft money, corporate and labor union soft money, and soft money used for issue advocacy communications. Political party soft money is those funds raised by the national parties from sources and in amounts that FECA otherwise prohibits. In accordance with the applicable state law, it is then largely transferred to state and local political parties for grassroots and party-building activities, overhead expenses, and issue ads. Much of the recent campaign finance legislation would subject national party contributions, expenditures, or transfers, for activities that might influence a federal election, to the limitations, prohibitions, and source restrictions in FECA. Although the courts have not had occasion to address this issue specifically, it appears arguable that such restrictions on political party soft money could pass constitutional muster."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Whitaker, L. Paige
2002-03-14
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Terrorism Preparedness: A Catalog of Federal Assistance Programs [Updated March 13, 2002]
Congress has authorized a limited number of programs specifically designed to assist state and local governments with preparing for terrorist attacks, particularly those involving weapons of mass destruction. Congress also authorizes several general assistance programs that states and localities may use for terrorism preparedness. At present, several agencies administer preparedness programs, including the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Justice, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Congress authorizes the agencies to provide technical assistance and monetary grants for emergency planning, training, and equipment acquisition. Federal preparedness programs fall into the following categories: emergency management and planning, training, equipment, law enforcement, public health and medical community.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Canada, Ben
2002-03-13
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Agricultural Trade Issues in the 107th Congress [updated March 13, 2002]
"The 107th Congress is considering trade issues with implications for the U.S. agricultural sector. Trade in agricultural commodities and food products affects farm income and rural employment, and it also generates economic activity beyond the farm gate. With agricultural export sales the equivalent of one quarter of farm income, some policymakers view U.S. efforts to develop market opportunities overseas as vital to the sector's financial health. Decisions taken by the Bush Administration, and actions taken by Congress, thus will affect the outlook for agricultural trade. U.S. agricultural exports are forecast to improve in FY2002, but the world economic slowdown has made the outlook somewhat uncertain. Agricultural groups and their supporters in Congress believe that long-term prosperity depends partly on U.S. trade policies that: (1) aggressively reduce foreign imposed barriers to U.S. farm products, (2) hold other countries accountable for commitments they have already made in existing trade agreements, (3) resolve festering disputes with major trading partners, and (4) fully use U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) export and food aid programs. Other groups, for various reasons, have pressed for restrictions on agricultural imports."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hanrahan, Charles; Becker, Geoffrey S.; Jurenas, Remy
2002-03-13
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September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 [Updated March 13, 2002]
"'September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001,' creates a federal program to compensate victims of the September 11 attacks. A victim or, if he is deceased, his 'personal representative,' may seek no-fault compensation from the program or may bring a tort action against an airline or any other party, but may not do both, unless the other party is a terrorist. [...] The final two sections of this report discuss, respectively, the interaction of the USA PATRIOT ACT of 2001, P.L. [Public Law] 107-56, with the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund of 2001; and the final rule issued by the Special Master on March 7, 2002 to implement the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001; it replaced the interim final rule that had taken effect on December 21, 2001."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cohen, Henry, 1949-
2002-03-13
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Nuclear Weapons in Russia: Safety, Security, and Control Issues [Updated March 13, 2002]
"When the Soviet Union collapsed in late 1991, it reportedly possessed more than 27,000 nuclear weapons, and these weapons were deployed on the territories of several of the former Soviet republics. All of the nuclear warheads have now been moved to Russia, but Russia still has around 6,000 strategic nuclear weapons and perhaps as many as 12,000 warheads for nonstrategic nuclear weapons. Many analysts in the United States and Russia have expressed concerns about the safety, security, and control over these weapons. Some of these concerns focus on Russia's nuclear command and control structure. Financial constraints have slowed the modernization and replacement of many aging satellites and communications links, raising the possibility that Russia might not be able to identify a potential attack or communicate with troops in the field if an attack were underway. Some fear that the misinterpretation of an ambiguous event might lead to the launch of nuclear weapons. Some also expressed concern that the year 2000 computer bug could affect Russia's command and control system, but it did not. Some concerns are also focused on the safety and security of nuclear warheads in storage facilities in Russia. Press reports and statements by Russian officials about possible missing warheads have added to these concerns. However, General Eugene Habiger, former Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Strategic Command, stated that he had no major concerns about security at Russian nuclear storage facilities after he visited several storage sites in October 1997 and June 1998."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2002-03-13
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FEMA's Mission: Policy Directives for the Federal Emergency Management Agency [Updated March 13, 2002]
"The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assists states and localities overwhelmed by, or at risk from, disasters. FEMA also coordinates federal emergency management activities and planning for the continuity of government should national security be threatened. [...] This report identifies authorities drawn from public sources. It does not refer to classified authorities not available to the public, does not include references to temporary authorities that require FEMA to provide assistance for specific disasters or needs, and does not include information on plans, regulations, or operating manuals developed to implement these policies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith
2002-03-13
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Global Climate Change: U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Status, Trends, and Projections [Updated March 12, 2002]
"On 15 October 1992 the United States ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which entered into force 21 March 1994. This committed the U.S. to 'national policies' to limit 'its anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases,' with a voluntary goal of returning 'emissions of carbon dioxide [CO2] and other greenhouse gases [Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6)]' at the 'end of the decade' 'to their 1990 levels.' Subsequently, in the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC, the U.S. participated in negotiations that ended with agreement on further reductions that could become legally binding. The United States signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1998, but President Clinton did not send it to the Senate for advice and consent. President Bush has said that he rejects the Protocol, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Whitman has told reporters that the Administration will not be pursuing the UNFCCC commitment either. Instead, President Bush is proposing to shift the nation's climate change program from a goal of reducing emissions per se to a goal of reducing energy intensity -- the amount of greenhouse gases emitted per unit of economic productivity. Under the proposal, the intensity, which has been declining for a number of years, would decline18% between 2002 and 2012, as opposed to a 14% projected 'business as usual' decline."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blodgett, John E.; Parker, Larry, 1954-
2002-03-12
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Iran: Current Developments and U.S. Policy [March 12, 2002]
"More than two decades after the November 4, 1979 seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, and even before Iran's tacit cooperation with post-September 11 U.S. efforts to defeat Afghanistan's Taliban regime, signs of moderation in Iran had stimulated the United States to try to engage Iran in official talks. Iran, still split between conservatives and reformers loyal to President Mohammad Khatemi, who was elected in May 1997 and overwhelmingly reelected on June 8, 2001, has not accepted to date. However, recent reports of Iranian meddling in post-Taliban Afghanistan and Iran's intercepted January 2002 shipment of arms allegedly to the Palestinian Authority have reversed the warming trend. Iran was grouped with North Korea and Iraq as part of the 'axis of evil' identified in President Bush's January 29, 2002 State of the Union message. The President has identified Iran's efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction and delivery means, coupled with its support of terrorist groups, as key U.S. concerns. Iran's ballistic missile program has made major strides over the past few years, with the help of several foreign suppliers, and its nuclear program is advancing with Russia's help."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2002-03-12
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Nuclear Energy Policy [March 12, 2002]
"Nuclear energy policy issues facing Congress include questions about radioactive waste management, research and development priorities, power plant safety and regulation, terrorism, the Price-Anderson Act accident liability system, nuclear weapons proliferation, and technology for producing nuclear fuel. Federal funding for nuclear energy research and development was substantially reduced by the Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration proposed further cuts. However, in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations for FY2002 (P.L. 107- 66), Congress generally rejected those reductions. President Bush's FY2003 budget request includes $38.5 million for a Department of Energy (DOE) effort to encourage deployment of new commercial nuclear power plants by 2010. […] Whether progress on nuclear waste disposal and other congressional action will revive the U.S. nuclear power industry's growth will depend primarily on economic considerations. Natural gas- and coal-fired powerplants currently are favored over nuclear reactors for new generating capacity. However, rising energy prices and electricity shortages have led some utilities to consider building new reactors. Concern about the spread, or proliferation, of nuclear weapons throughout the world has risen sharply since longtime rivals India and Pakistan conducted competing nuclear weapons tests in May 1998. Recent heightened tensions in Southeast Asia have focused attention on the effectiveness of the international nuclear nonproliferation regime. In addition, the September 11 attacks have raised new concerns about the potential for terrorists to detonate nuclear explosives or radioactive 'dirty bombs.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Holt, Mark; Behrens, Carl E.
2002-03-12
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Immigration Legalization and Status Adjustment Legislation [Updated March 11, 2002]
"Although President George W. Bush has said he opposes broad legalization for unauthorized migrants, there were reports in the summer of 2001 that the President would recommend legislation to legalize an estimated 3 million Mexicans working in the United States without legal authorization. President Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox have established a Cabinet-level working group to develop 'an orderly framework for migration that ensures humane treatment and legal security, and dignifies labor conditions.' Initial speculation that the President would unveil a legalization proposal in early September was tempered by subsequent reports that he would recommend a more gradual series of proposals. Talks with Mexico continued after the September 11 terrorist attacks, and now the issue is re-emerging. On August 2, Congressional Democrats announced a set of principles that will guide broad immigration legislation they intend to propose, and among those principles is a plan for 'earned legalization.' Their proposal would not be limited to nationals of any one country and would focus on 'longtime, hard-working residents of good moral character, with no criminal problems . . . who are otherwise eligible to become U.S. citizens.' While supporters characterize legalization provisions as fair treatment of aliens who have been living and working here for years as good neighbors and dedicated employees, opponents describe such proposals as an unfair reward to illegal aliens who violated the law to get into the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wasem, Ruth Ellen
2002-03-11
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Enron Bankruptcy and Employer Stock in Retirement Plans [March 11, 2002]
"On December 2, 2001 the Enron Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in federal court in New York. Enron sponsors a retirement plan -- a '401(k)' -- for its employees to which they can contribute a portion of their pay on a tax-deferred basis. As of December 31, 2000, 62% of the assets held in the corporation's 401(k) retirement plan consisted of shares of Enron stock. Some Enron employees held even larger percentages of Enron stock in their 401(k) accounts. The company's bankruptcy substantially reduced the value of many of its employees' retirement accounts. Shares of Enron, which in January 2001 traded for more than $80 per share, were in January 2002 worth less than 70 cents each. The financial losses suffered by participants in Enron's 401(k) plan have prompted questions about the laws and regulations that govern these plans. This CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report describes the current laws governing the holding of employer stock in employee retirement plans and summarizes some key policy questions that pension analysts have raised about holding such stock in defined contribution retirement plans. This report will be updated as further legislative developments occur."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Purcell, Patrick J.
2002-03-11
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President Bush's 2002 State Visits in Asia: Implications [March 11, 2002]
"In late February 2002, President George W. Bush made his second visit to Asia in four months, stopping in Japan, South Korea, and the People's Republic of China. Although the fight against global terrorism was clearly at the top of the U.S. agenda in all three countries, the President also addressed other issues of particular concern in each relationship. In addition, the Administration was careful to portray the visits as opportunities for dialogue and discussion, without raising expectations that any dramatic breakthroughs would be achieved through the visits."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dumbaugh, Kerry; Niksch, Larry A.; Cronin, Richard P.
2002-03-11
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NATO Enlargement [Updated March 11, 2002]
"This report provides a brief summary of the last round of NATO enlargement, then sketches recent events culminating in the alliance's June 2001 endorsement of the admission of at least one new member at the NATO summit in Prague in 2002. The report analyzes the key military and political issues that affect the current debate over 9 candidate states. It then provides an overview of the positions of the allies and of Russia on enlargement, citing the important potential effects of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, on the United States. It concludes with a discussion of current legislation on enlargement before Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gallis, Paul E.
2002-03-11
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Pakistan-U.S. Relations [March 10, 2002]
"The major areas of U.S. concern in Pakistan include: nuclear nonproliferation; counterterrorism; regional stability; democratization and human rights; and economic reform and development. An ongoing Pakistan-India nuclear arms race, fueled by rivalry over Kashmir, continues to be the focus of U.S. nonproliferation efforts in South Asia and a major issue in U.S. relations with both countries. This attention intensified following nuclear tests by both India and Pakistan in May 1998. South Asia is viewed by some observers as a likely prospect for use of such weapons. India has developed short- and intermediate-range missiles, and Pakistan has acquired short-range missiles from China and medium-range missiles from North Korea. India and Pakistan have fought three wars since 1947. […] In October 1999, the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was overturned in a bloodless coup led by Chief of Army Staff Pervez Musharraf, who suspended the parliament and declared himself chief executive. In June 2001, General Musharraf assumed the post of president. The United States has strongly urged the Pakistan military government to restore the country to civilian democratic rule. President Musharraf has pledged to honor a Pakistan Supreme Court ruling ordering parliamentary elections to be held by late 2002. The Musharraf government has begun to address Pakistan's many pressing and longstanding problems, including the beleaguered economy, corruption, terrorism, and poor governance. Pakistan will receive well over one billion dollars in U.S. assistance and several billion dollars from international organizations to help strengthen the country as a key member of the U.S.-led anti-terrorism coalition."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blood, Peter R., 1952-
2002-03-10
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Bioterrorism: Legislation to Improve Public Health Preparedness and Response Capacity [Updated March 8, 2002]
From the Document: "The recent anthrax attacks, though small in scale compared to the scenarios envisioned by bioterrorism experts, strained the public health system and raised concern that the nation is insufficiently prepared to respond to bioterrorist attacks. [...] While lawmakers work towards final passage of new authorizing legislation, Congress has appropriated $3 billion to the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) for FY2002 to increase bioterrorism preparedness at the federal, state, and local levels. [...] HHS is dispersing the funds according to existing authorities and the broad spending parameters set out in the appropriations bills."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Redhead, C. Stephen; Vogt, Donna U.; Tiemann, Mary
2002-03-08
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Bioterrorism: Summary of a CRS/National Health Policy Forum Seminar on Federal, State, and Local Public Health Preparedness [Updated March 8, 2002]
"The September 11th attack and subsequent intentional release of anthrax spores via the U.S. postal system have focused policymakers' attention on the preparedness and response capability of the nation's public health system. [...] Mending the gaps in the current public health fabric will require significant long-term commitments from the federal government, including investments and improvements in: laboratory capacity, regional planning, workforce training, epidemiology and surveillance systems, information systems, communication systems, and media relations. [...] It is imperative that all preparedness efforts be coordinated at all levels of government-federal, state, and local."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Strongin, Robin J.; Redhead, C. Stephen
2002-03-08
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India-U.S. Relations [Updated March 8, 2002]
"Although the end of the Cold War freed U.S.-India relations from the constraints of a bipolar world, bilateral relations continued for a decade to be affected by the burden of history, most notably the longstanding India-Pakistan regional rivalry. Recent years, however, have brought a sea change in U.S.- India relations, which was reflected in India's swift offer of full support for the U.S.-led war on terrorism following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on New York and Washington. The continuing U.S. concern in South Asia, however, is the prevention of nuclear and ballistic missile proliferation and the reduction of tensions between India and Pakistan, which center on their competing claims to the former princely state of Kashmir. India and Pakistan have so far ignored U.S. and international pressure to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty or the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blood, Peter R., 1952-
2002-03-08
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AIDS in Africa [Updated March 8, 2002]
"Sub-Saharan Africa has been far more severely affected by AIDS than any other part of the world. The United Nations reports that 28.1 million adults and children are infected with the HIV virus in the region, which has about 10% of the world's population but more than 70% of the worldwide total of infected people. The overall rate of infection among adults in sub-Saharan Africa is about 8.4%, compared with a 1.2% infection rate worldwide. Sixteen countries, mostly in eastern and southern Africa, have HIV infection rates of more than 10%, and the rate has reached 35.8% in Botswana. An estimated 19.3 million Africans have lost their lives to AIDS, including 2.3 million who died in 2001. AIDS has surpassed malaria as the leading cause of death in Africa, and it kills many times more Africans than war. In Africa, HIV is spread primarily by heterosexual contact, and sub- Saharan Africa is the only region where women are infected at a higher rate than men."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copson, Raymond W.
2002-03-08
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Techniques for Preventing a Budget Sequester [March 8, 2002]
"For the past 17 fiscal years, beginning with FY1986, the budgetary decisions of Congress and the President have been guided in part by specific goals in statute enforced by a process known as sequestration. The statutory goals initially took the form of deficit targets, but later were changed to limits on discretionary spending (first effective for FY1991) and a 'pay-as-you-go' requirement for direct spending and revenue legislation (first effective for FY1992). Five sequesters were triggered during years in which Congress and the President did not adhere to these statutory goals. No sequester has occurred, however, since FY1991. In many of the years since FY1991, Congress and the President were able to avoid a sequester by ensuring that it did not enact spending or revenue legislation in violation of the statutory goals. At times, Congress and the President had to take advantage of flexibility in the procedures, such as the ability to designate certain spending as 'emergency requirements,' in order to achieve this outcome. In other instances, however, Congress and the President prevented a sequester that otherwise would have occurred by enacting into law provisions that intervened in the normal operation of the process. […] In the remaining three cases, the statutory intervention resulted in the removal from the PAYGO scorecard of costs that would have led to a $10.5 billion sequester for FY2001 and a $130.279 billion sequester for FY2002, and that might lead to future-year sequesters. In all three instances, the legislative vehicles were annual appropriations acts considered toward the very end of the session (the Consolidated Appropriations Acts for FY2000 and FY2001 and the Defense Appropriations Act for FY2002)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keith, Robert
2002-03-08
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Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Terrorist Threat [ March 7, 2002]
"The continuing possibility of terrorist attacks using nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons is an ongoing concern in the national security policy arena in the face of a clear trend among terrorists to inflict greater numbers of casualties. Until the anthrax attacks targeted at selected individuals in the Congress and the media, it was thought that the terrorists most likely to attempt attacks with weapons of mass destruction (WMD) were extremist religious groups and small splinter terrorist cells. Worldwide, the likelihood of terrorists being capable of producing or obtaining WMD may be growing due to looser controls of stockpiles and technology in the former Soviet states specifically, and the broader dissemination of related technology and information in general. The Central Intelligence Agency has reported that it is likely that most terrorists will continue to choose conventional explosives over WMD, but warns that the al-Qaeda network has made obtaining WMD capability a very high priority."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bowman, Steve
2002-03-07
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Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for the 107th Congress [Updated March 7, 2002]
"The United States has long worked closely with Japan to build a strong, multifaceted relationship based on shared democratic values and mutual interest in Asian and global stability and development. The desire of the George W. Bush administration to deepen and strength U.S.-Japan strategic relations has caused Japanese analysts and officials to have expectations of a positive shift in the triangular U.S.-Japan-China relationship, but also concern about possibly becoming involved in a explicitly anti-China security posture. U.S.-Japan relations are of concern to Members and Committees with responsibilities or interests in trade, U.S. foreign policy, ballistic missile defense (BMD), and regional security issues. The latter include North Korean nuclear and missile proliferation, China's emergence as a potential U.S. military adversary, and U.S. military bases in Japan, whose importance has been underscored once again in the anti-terrorist campaign in Afghanistan. Some analysts both here and in Japan question whether the three-party coalition government in Tokyo led by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is ready for a closer U.S. embrace, especially in regard to security cooperation. However, the Koizumi government succeeded in gaining parliamentary approval to send Japanese ships to the Indian Ocean to provide rear-area logistical support to U.S. forces engaged in the anti-terrorist campaign in Afghanistan. Because of a constitutional ban on offensive military action not strictly for self-defense, Japanese ships will be restricted to non-combat support."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cronin, Richard P.
2002-03-07
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Legislative Issues in 2001-2002 [Updated March 6, 2002]
"This report provides an overview of the major legislative issues facing Congress in 2001 and 2002 relating to the Latin American and Caribbean region, and provides reference and linkages to other reports covering the issues in more detail. The report is organized by the regions and subregions of the Western Hemisphere."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.); Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937- . . .
2002-03-06
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Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues [Updated March 6, 2002]
"U.S.-Syrian relations, frequently strained by longstanding disagreements over regional and international policy, have warmed somewhat as a result of several developments: the collapse of the Soviet Union, Syria's participation in the allied coalition against Iraq in 1990-91, and Syrian agreement to participate in Arab-Israeli peace talks. This thaw in bilateral relations led some Members of Congress to inquire whether U.S. Administrations had made any private commitments to Syria, such as an undertaking to relax economic sanctions, in return for Syrian support on regional issues. Several legislative proposals have sought to condition relaxation of aid and trade restrictions on further changes in Syrian policy. Recent U.S. Administrations, though not inclined to lift sanctions on Syria at this time, tend to believe it is in U.S. interests to encourage Syria to play a positive role in the Arab-Israeli peace process. The issue for U.S. policy makers is the degree to which the United States should work for better relations with Syria in an effort to enlist Syrian cooperation on regional issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Prados, Alfred B.
2002-03-06
