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• Defense Procurement: Full Funding Policy - Background, Issues, and Options for Congress [Updated June 20, 2006]

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  "The full funding policy is a federal budgeting rule imposed on the Department of Defense (DOD) by Congress in the 1950s that requires the entire procurement cost of a weapon or piece of military equipment to be funded in the year in which the item is procured. Although technical in nature, the policy relates to Congress's power of the purse and its responsibility for conducting oversight of DOD programs. Support for the policy has been periodically reaffirmed over the years by Congress, the Government Accountability Office, and DOD. In recent years some DOD weapons- specifically, certain Navy ships- have been procured with funding profiles that do not conform to the policy as it traditionally has been applied to DOD weapon procurement programs. DOD, in recent budget submissions, has proposed procuring ships and aircraft using funding approaches that do not conform to the policy as traditionally applied. DOD's proposals would establish new precedents for procuring other DOD weapons and equipment with non-conforming funding approaches. Such precedents could further circumscribe the full funding policy. This, in turn, could limit and complicate Congress's oversight of DOD procurement programs, or require different approaches to exercise control and oversight."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Daggett, Stephen; O'Rourke, Ronald

  2006-06-20
• Public Safety Communications Policy [Updated June 27, 2006]

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  "Since September 11, 2001, the effectiveness of America's communications capabilities in support of the information needs of first responders and other public safety workers has been a matter of concern to Congress. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458) included sections that responded to recommendations made by the 9/ll Commission, in its report of July 2004, and by others in recent years, regarding public safety communications. Most public safety advocates consider that the communications failures following the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina demonstrate that there is much still to be done to provide the United States with adequate communications capabilities in emergencies. Whereas bills introduced before Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast have tended to address public safety communications in broad terms, with an emphasis on funding and interoperability, recent bills have put more emphasis on infrastructure."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Moore, L. K. S. (Linda K. S.)

  2006-06-27
• Conventional Warheads for Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated June 27, 2006]

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  "The United States has deployed long-range ballistic missiles as a part of its strategic offensive nuclear forces for more than 40 years. In recent years, analysts both inside and outside the government have suggested that the United States deploy conventional warheads on these missiles. This would provide the United States with the ability to strike promptly anywhere in the world, regardless of the presence of overseas bases or nearby naval forces. The United States could use medium or long-range aircraft or sea-based cruise missiles or ballistic missiles to contribute to the prompt global strike (PGS) mission. However, only long-range ballistic missiles have the range and prompt attack capability needed to strike suddenly at the start of an unanticipated conflict. The Air Force and Navy have both studied the possible deployment of conventional warheads on their long-range ballistic missiles. The Navy sought funding, in FY2003 and FY2004, for research into a reentry vehicle that would be able to maneuver when approaching its target. The FY2007 Defense Budget contains $127 million to pursue the deployment of conventional warheads on Trident missiles. The Air Force is pursuing, with DARPA, research into a number of technologies that might enhance the U.S. long-range strike capability. In particular, it is developing a hypersonic glide vehicle, known as the Common Aero Vehicle (CAV), that could carry conventional munitions on modified Minuteman II or Peacekeeper missiles, or it could deploy these missiles with more familiar conventional warheads."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Woolf, Amy F.

  2006-06-27
• Israeli-Arab Negotiations: Background, Related Developments and U.S. Policy [July 11, 2006]

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  "This report gives a brief background on the Israeli-Arab negotiation process, as well as recent developments in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, and U.S. policies regarding Israeli-Arab relations. Information regarding bilateral talks and significant agreements and documents are also included."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Migdalovitz, Carol

  2006-07-11
• Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests [Updated June 29, 2006]

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  "After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States recognized the independence of all the former Central Asian republics, supported their admission into Western organizations, and elicited Turkish support to counter Iranian influence in the region. Congress was at the forefront in urging the formation of coherent U.S. policies for aiding these and other Eurasian states of the former Soviet Union. Soon after the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001, all the Central Asian states offered overflight and other support to coalition anti-terrorist efforts in Afghanistan. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan hosted coalition troops and provided access to airbases. In 2003, Uzbekistan endorsed coalition military action in Iraq; Kazakhstan provided about two dozen troops for rebuilding. After September 11, 2001, U.S. policy emphasized bolstering the security of the Central Asian states to help them combat terrorism, proliferation, and arms trafficking. Other strategic U.S. objectives include promoting democratization, free markets, human rights, and energy development. Administration policy also aims to integrate these states into the international community so that they follow responsible security and other policies, and to discourage the growth of xenophobic, fundamentalist, and anti-Western orientations that threaten peace and stability."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nichol, James P.

  2006-06-29
• Defense Authorization and Appropriations Bills: FY1970-FY2006 [Updated June 13, 2006]

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  "The passage of the Department of Defense (DOD) authorization and appropriations bills through Congress often does not follow the course laid out in textbooks on legislative procedure. Tracking DOD authorization or appropriation bills can often be confusing and time-consuming; this has been particularly true in recent years, when continuing resolutions (CRs) containing the DOD and other appropriation bills have been passed in lieu of the traditional 12 appropriations bills for the entire U.S. government. This report is a research aid, which lists the DOD authorization bills (Table 1) and appropriations bills (Table 2) for FY1970-FY2006. This report includes all the pertinent information on the passage of these bills through the legislative process: bill numbers, report numbers, dates reported and passed, recorded vote numbers and vote tallies, dates of passage of the conference reports with their numbers and votes, vetoes, substitutions, dates of final passage, and public law numbers. Table 3 shows real growth or decline in national defense funding for FY1940-FY2009. Table 4 gives a more detailed picture of both regular and supplemental defense appropriations from the 103rd Congress to the 109th Congress, first session (FY1993-FY2005). Table 5 shows the President's DOD appropriations budget requests for FY1950-FY2005 vs. final amount enacted. Finally, key definitions are included."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Coipuram, Tom

  2006-06-13
• U.S. and Coalition Military Operations in Afghanistan: Issues for Congress [June 9, 2006]

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  "The U.S. military has been involved in Afghanistan since the fall of 2001 when Operation Enduring Freedom toppled the Taliban regime and attacked the Al Qaeda terrorist network hosted in Afghanistan by the Taliban. A significant U.S. military presence in the country could continue for many years as U.S., North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Coalition, and Afghan National Army (ANA) forces attempt to stabilize the country by defeating the insurgency, facilitating reconstruction, and combating Afghanistan's illegal drug trade. As NATO force levels in Afghanistan increase, the United States expects to reduce its troop presence by approximately 2,500 service members by the end of 2006. NATO is expected to take command of forces in southern Afghanistan in July or August 2006, although the United States will continue to be the largest troop contributing nation and will continue Operation Enduring Freedom intended to locate and destroy insurgents and terrorists operating in Afghanistan. Insurgent activity, which consists primarily of infiltration of Afghan villages and, to a lesser extent, improvised explosive device (IED) attacks against U.S. and NATO forces, has seen an upsurge in recent months, including large, 100 man-plus attacks on Coalition forces. A report suggests that instead of building a 70,000 soldier Afghan National Army as agreed to in the 2002 Bonn Conference, the Administration intends to support a 50,000 soldier force."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Feickert, Andrew

  2006-06-09
• Qualifying Industrial Zones in Jordan and Egypt [Updated July 5, 2006]

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  "In 1996, Congress authorized the creation of Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZs), thereby entitling goods jointly produced by Israel and either Jordan or Egypt to enter the United States duty free. The QIZ creation vehicle was an amendment to the United States-Israel Free Trade Area Implementation Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-47), and its purpose was to promote peace and development between Israel and her Arab neighbors. Although Israeli-Palestinian violence has continued, some observers have praised QIZs for helping to spark Jordan's economic growth. Others note that QIZs, while promoting U.S.-Jordanian trade, have had modest impact on promoting job growth in Jordan. In 2005, Egypt began participating in the QIZ program. This report provides an overview of QIZs in the context of promoting regional development and peace. It will be updated periodically to reflect recent developments."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Prados, Alfred B.; Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell; Bolle, Mary Jane

  2006-07-05
• War on Drugs: The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign [Updated July 3, 2006]

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  "Authorization of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, a multi-media federal program to persuade America's youth not to use drugs, expired at the end of FY2002. H.R. 2829 (passed by the House on March 13, 2006) and S. 2560 (reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 25, 2006) would reauthorize the media campaign, along with the other programs run by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). H.R. 5576, the House-passed appropriations bill that funds ONDCP, proposes $100 million for the campaign for FY2007. The media campaign's effectiveness has been questioned, and the program has engendered its share of controversy. Nevertheless, ONDCP, the office of the 'drug czar,' is optimistic that recent changes in campaign strategy will help to reduce illegal drug use by young people."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Eddy, Mark

  2006-07-03
• China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities - Background and Issues for Congress [Updated January 22, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "Concern has grown in Congress and elsewhere about China's military modernization. The topic is an increasing factor in discussions over future required U.S. Navy capabilities. The issue for Congress addressed in this report is: How should China's military modernization be factored into decisions about U.S. Navy programs? Several elements of China's military modernization have potential implications for future required U.S. Navy capabilities. These include theater-range ballistic missiles (TBMs), land-attack cruise missiles (LACMs), anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), land-based aircraft, submarines, surface combatants, amphibious ships, naval mines, nuclear weapons, and possibly high-power microwave (HPM) devices. China's naval limitations or weaknesses include capabilities for operating in waters more distant from China, joint operations, C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), long-range surveillance and targeting systems, anti-air warfare (AAW), antisubmarine warfare (ASW), mine countermeasures (MCM), and logistics. […] Certain options are available for improving U.S. Navy capabilities by 2010; additional options, particularly in shipbuilding, can improve U.S. Navy capabilities in subsequent years. China's naval modernization raises potential issues for Congress concerning the role of China in Department of Defense (DOD) and Navy planning; the size of the Navy; the Pacific Fleet's share of the Navy; forward homeporting of Navy ships in the Western Pacific; the number of aircraft carriers, submarines, and ASW-capable platforms; Navy missile defense, air-warfare, AAW, ASW, and mine warfare programs; Navy computer network security; and EMP hardening of Navy systems."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2007-01-22
• Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy [Updated February 14, 2007]

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  From the Document: "Afghanistan's planned political transition was completed with the convening of a parliament in December 2005, but insurgent threats to Afghanistan's government persist. A new constitution was adopted in January 2004, and successful presidential elections were held on October 9, 2004, followed by parliamentary elections on September 18, 2005. This completes the post-Taliban political transition roadmap established at the December 2001 international conference in Bonn, Germany. [...] U.S. stabilization measures focus on strengthening the central government and its security forces while combating insurgents. The United States and other countries are building an Afghan National Army; deploying a multinational International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to patrol Kabul and other cities; and running regional enclaves to secure reconstruction (Provincial Reconstruction Teams, PRTs). Approximately 18,000 U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan to combat the Taliban-led insurgency, but the United States and NATO have agreed to shift more of the security burden to NATO during 2006. That transition will permit U.S. force levels to drop to a planned level of about 16,500 by mid-2006, although the reduction has raised concerns among Afghan officials that the U.S. commitment to Afghanistan is waning. To build security institutions and assist reconstruction, the United States gave Afghanistan about $4.35 billion in FY2005, including funds to equip and train Afghan security forces. Another $931 million is provided for in the conference report on the regular FY2006 aid appropriation (P.L. 109-102). In February, the Administration requested $1.1 billion in aid for FY2007 and about $2.5 billion in supplemental FY2006 funds, of which about $2.4 billion is to go to Afghan security force development and Defense Department counter-narcotics support efforts there."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2007-02-14
• Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests [Updated January 25, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States recognized the independence of all the former Central Asian republics, supported their admission into Western organizations, and elicited Turkish support to counter Iranian influence in the region. Congress was at the forefront in urging the formation of coherent U.S. policies for aiding these and other Eurasian states of the former Soviet Union. […] After September 11, U.S. policy emphasized bolstering the security of the Central Asian states to help them combat terrorism, proliferation, and arms trafficking. Other strategic U.S. objectives include promoting democratization, free markets, human rights, and energy development. Administration policy also aims to integrate these states into the international community so that they follow responsible security and other policies, […] The Administration's diverse goals in Central Asia reflect the differing characteristics of these states. […] The 110th Congress is likely to continue to be at the forefront in advocating increased U.S. ties with Central Asia and in providing backing for use of the region as a staging area for supporting U.S.-led stabilization efforts in Afghanistan. […] Assistance for border and customs controls and other safeguards to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) will likely be ongoing congressional concerns. Congress will continue to contend with balancing its concerns about human rights abuses and lagging democratization against other U.S. interests in continued engagement with Central Asia to advance energy security and prosecute the Global War on Terror."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nichol, James P.

  2007-01-25
• United Nations Peacekeeping: Issues for Congress [Updated January 25, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "A major issue facing the United Nations, the United States, and the 110th Congress is the extent to which the United Nations has the capacity to restore or keep the peace in the changing world environment. Associated with this issue is the expressed need for a reliable source of funding and other resources for peacekeeping and improved efficiencies of operation. For the United States, major congressional considerations on U.N. peacekeeping stem from executive branch commitments made in the U.N. Security Council. The concern with these commitments, made through votes in the Council, is the extent to which they bind the United States to fund and to participate in some way in an operation. This includes placing U.S. military personnel under the control of foreign commanders. Peacekeeping has come to constitute more than just the placement of military forces into a cease-fire situation with the consent of all the parties. Military peacekeepers may be disarming or seizing weapons, aggressively protecting humanitarian assistance, and clearing land mines. Peacekeeping operations also now involve more non-military personnel and tasks such as maintaining law and order, election monitoring, and human rights monitoring. Proposals for strengthening U.N. peacekeeping and other aspects of U.N. peace and security capacities have been adopted in the United Nations, by the U.S. executive branch, and by Congress. Some are being implemented. Most authorities have agreed that if the United Nations is to be responsive to 21st century world challenges, both U.N. member states and the appropriate U.N. organs will have to continue to improve U.N. structures and procedures in the peace and security area."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Browne, Marjorie Ann

  2007-01-25
• U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues [Updated January 12, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "During the Cold War, the U.S. nuclear arsenal contained many types of delivery vehicles for nuclear weapons. The longer range systems, which included long-range missiles based on U.S. territory, long-range missiles based on submarines, and heavy bombers that could threaten Soviet targets from their bases in the United States, are known as strategic nuclear delivery vehicles. At the end of the Cold War, in 1991, the United States deployed more than 10,000 warheads on these delivery vehicles. That number has declined to around 6,000 warheads today, and is slated, under the 2002 Moscow Treaty, to decline to 2,200 warheads by the year 2012..."The 110th Congress will again review the Bush Administration's plans for U.S. strategic nuclear forces, during the annual authorization and appropriations process. It may review a number of questions about the future size of that force. For example, some have questioned why the United States must retain 2,200 strategic nuclear warheads. Congress may also question the Administration's plans for reductions in the Minuteman force and B-52 fleet. This report will be updated as needed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Woolf, Amy F.

  2007-01-12
• Undisclosed U.S. Detention Sites Overseas: Background and Legal Issues [Updated January 23, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "This report provides background information regarding the controversy and discusses the possible legal frameworks that may apply. It is based on available open-source documentation, as cited, and not on any independent CRS [Congressional Research Service] investigation. It focuses on protections accorded to persons under international law, and is not intended to address intelligence operations or policy. It also focuses primarily on the allegations relating to Europe, although other countries may be involved, and includes in its appendix a status discussion concerning relevant investigations being conducted by the European Parliament and the Council on Europe."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Elsea, Jennifer

  2007-01-23
• Intelligence Issues for Congress [Updated January 25, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "To address the challenges facing the U.S. Intelligence Community in the 21st century, congressional and executive branch initiatives have sought to improve coordination among the different agencies and to encourage better analysis. In December 2004, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (P.L. 108- 458) was signed, providing for a Director of National Intelligence (DNI) with substantial authorities to manage the national intelligence effort. The legislation also established a separate Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Making cooperation effective presents substantial leadership and managerial challenges. […] The DNI has substantial statutory authorities to address these issues, but the organizational relationships will remain complex, especially for Defense Department agencies. […] International terrorism, a major threat facing the United States in the 21st century, presents a difficult analytical challenge. Techniques for acquiring and analyzing information on small groups of plotters differ significantly from those used to evaluate the military capabilities of other countries. U.S. intelligence efforts are complicated by unfilled requirements for foreign language expertise. Intelligence on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction was inaccurate and Members have criticized the performance of the Intelligence Community in regard to current conditions in Iraq and other situations. […] Better human intelligence, it is argued, is also essential. Intelligence support to military operations continues to be a major responsibility of intelligence agencies. […] Counterterrorism requires the close coordination of intelligence and law enforcement agencies, but there remain many institutional and procedural issues that complicate cooperation between the two sets of agencies."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Best, Richard A.

  2007-01-25
• Iraq: U.S. Military Operations [Updated February 9,2007]

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  From the Summary: "The major challenges to coalition forces are now quelling a persistent Iraqi resistance movement and training sufficient Iraqi forces to assume responsibility for the nations domestic security. Though initially denying that there was an organized resistance movement, DOD officials have now acknowledged there is regional/local organization, with apparently ample supplies of arms and funding. CENTCOM has characterized the Iraqi resistance as 'a classical guerrilla-type campaign.' DOD initially believed the resistance to consist primarily of former regime supporters and foreign fighters; however, it has now acknowledged that growing resentment of coalition forces and an increase in sectarian conflicts, independent of connections with the earlier regime, are contributing to the insurgency. Counterinsurgency operations are being intensified in Baghdad and al-Anbar province, focusing on 'clear, hold, and build' strategy. According to DOD, as of January 1, 2007, 3,004 U.S. troops had died in Iraq operations. There have been more than 22,500 U.S. personnel wounded or injured since military operations began. Non-U.S. Coalition fatalities have totaled 250, while Iraqi security force fatalities from June 2003 through December 2006 are estimated to be 5,952."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bowman, Steve

  2007-02-09
• U.S. Military Space Programs: An Overview of Appropriations and Current Issues [Updated January 29, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "Tracking the DOD space budget is extremely difficult since space is not identified as a separate line item in the DOD budget. Additionally, DOD sometimes releases only partial information (omitting funding for classified programs) or will suddenly release without explanation new figures for prior years that are quite different from what was previously reported. The FY2007 authorization and appropriations bills contain the authority and funding for DOD space activities, but, as mentioned, do not specify figures for those activities. The House and Senate passed conference agreements on both the FY2007 national defense authorization bill, H.R. 5122, and the FY2007 defense appropriations bill, H.R. 5631. The President signed the appropriations bill into law, P.L. 109-289, (H.Rept. 109-504; S.Rept. 109-292; H.Rept. 109-676: in Congressional Record H6996-7309) on September 29, 2006, and he signed the authorization bill into law, P.L. 109-364, (H.Rept. 109-452; H.Rept. 109-702: in Congressional Record H8061-8540) on October 17, 2006. Figures for the programs included in this report are contained in those sections."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Figliola, Patricia Moloney

  2007-01-29
• Court Security Improvement Act of 2007: H.R. 660/S. 378 in Brief [February 20, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "The Chairmen of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees have introduced the Court Security Improvement Act of 2007, H.R. 660/S. 378 in a form that mirrors legislation that passed the Senate at the close of the 109th Congress. The bill consists of four components: adjustments to applicable provisions of criminal law, reinforcement of the authority and oversight features of the law governing federal judicial security, grant programs to facilitate increased security for the judiciary of the states, and miscellaneous provisions whose relation to judicial security might initially appear remote. This is a brief discussion of the legal background of each component."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Doyle, Charles

  2007-02-20
• Navy Ship Deployments: New Approaches - Background and Issues for Congress [Updated October 20, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "The Navy is implementing or experimenting with new kinds of naval formations, more flexible forward-deployment schedules, forward-homeporting additional Navy ships, long-duration deployments with crew rotation (which the Navy calls Sea Swap), and a new concept called global fleet stations. These changes raise several potential issues for Congress. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2006-10-20
• Increases in Tricare Costs: Background and Options for Congress [Updated October 25, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "In its FY2007 budget submission, the Department of Defense (DOD) proposed increases in Tricare enrollment fees, deductibles, and pharmacy co-payments for retired beneficiaries not yet eligible for Medicare. The raises were justified by DOD as necessary to constrain the growth of health care spending as a proportion of the overall defense budget in the next decade. Many beneficiaries argued that the proposed hikes were unfair and unnecessary. The proposed increases found favor in neither chamber and ultimately the FY2007 Defense Authorization Act (P.L. [Public Law] 109-364) prohibited increases in premiums, deductibles and co-payments prior to September 30, 2007. However, the Act also established a DOD Task Force to look at the costs of sustaining Defense health care over the long term. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), in cooperation with the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), was also tasked to review of the budgetary implications of DOD health care. Observers see these two assessments as a sign that Congress may revisit the issue of premiums and co-payments next year. This report will be updated as needed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Best, Richard A.

  2006-10-25
• U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement [Updated November 20, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "On February 27, 2006, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and Colombia's Minister of Trade, Industry, and Tourism, Jorge Humberto Botero, announced the conclusion of a bilateral free trade agreement. The Administration announced recently that the Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) would be signed on November 22, 2006. President Bush notified Congress on August 24, 2006, of his intention to enter into the CTPA. Implementing legislation for the CTPA has not been introduced in the U.S. Congress. The CTPA is a comprehensive trade agreement which, if ratified, would eliminate tariffs and other barriers in goods and services trade between the United States and Colombia. A free trade agreement with Colombia was originally intended to be part of a broader U.S.-Andean free trade agreement (FTA), including Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Villarreal, M. Angeles

  2006-11-20
• DOD Leases of Foreign-Built Ships: Background for Congress [Updated October 20, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "The Department of Defense (DOD) in recent years has leased some foreign-built cargo ships for total periods, including options and renewals, of almost 10 years -- a length of time that some observers argue effectively circumvents a legal requirement that U.S. military ships be built in U.S. shipyards. These observers, particularly the American Shipbuilding Association (ASA), have proposed reducing the current 5-year legal limit on ship leases to 2 years for foreign-built ships. DOD argues that its ship leases are the most cost-effective way to meet its needs for the ships in question, and opposes the idea of reducing the leasing term from 5 years to 2 years for foreign-built ships. The House version of the FY2007 defense authorization bill (H.R. 5122) included a provision (Section 1016) that would limit the terms of future leases of foreign-built ships to no more than 2 years. The Senate version of the bill (S. 2766) did not contain a similar provision. The conference report on H.R. 5122 (H.Rept. 109-702 of September 29, 2006) does not contain a similar provision. This CRS report will be updated when events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2006-10-20
• Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS): Background and Issues for Congress [Updated October 19, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "The Navy's proposed FY2007 budget requested $520.7 million to procure two Littoral Combat Ships (LCSs). The FY2007 defense appropriations act (H.R. 5631/P.L. 109-289) approves this request. For a longer discussion of the LCS program, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL32109, 'Navy DDG-1000 (DD(X)), CG(X), and LCS Ship Acquisition Programs: Oversight Issues and Options for Congress', by Ronald O'Rourke. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2006-10-19
• Navy Role in Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) - Background and Issues for Congress [Updated October 25, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "The Navy is taking several actions to expand its capabilities for participating in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The Navy's role in the GWOT raises several potential oversight issues for Congress, including the need for an increased Navy role, and amount of Navy personnel and funding associated with GWOT-related activities. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2006-10-25
• Evolutionary Acquisition and Spiral Development in DOD Programs: Policy Issues for Congress [Updated October 24, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "The Department of Defense (DOD) in 2001 adopted a new approach for developing major weapon systems, called evolutionary acquisition with spiral development (EA/SD), as its preferred standard. EA/SD is intended to make DOD's acquisition system more responsive to rapid changes in military needs. EA/SD poses potentially important challenges for Congress in carrying out its legislative functions, particularly committing to and effectively overseeing DOD weapon acquisition programs. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Pagliano, Gary J.; O'Rourke, Ronald

  2006-10-24
• International Food Aid: U.S. and Other Donor Contributions [October 18, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "The United States is the world's major provider of international food aid to low-income developing countries. This report provides three indicators of the U.S. contribution to global food aid: (1) shipments of major donors compiled by the International Grains Council, (2) U.S. contributions to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), and (3) the U.S. commitment under the Food Aid Convention (FAC). U.S. food aid accounted for 59% of food aid shipments by major donors during 1995-2005. A substantial portion of U.S. food aid is channeled through the WFP. During 1996-2004, around 48% of the food aid distributed by the WFP came from the United States. The Food Aid Convention (FAC), now expired, was an agreement among donor countries to provide a minimum amount of food aid to low-income developing countries. The food aid commitment by all FAC signatories was approximately 4.9 million metric tons (mmt). The United States pledged to provide 2.5 mmt or 51% of the total commitment."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hanrahan, Charles; Canada, Carol

  2006-10-18
• Defense Surplus Equipment Disposal: Background Information [Updated October 27, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "The Department of Defense (DOD) has a policy for disposing of government equipment and supplies considered 'surplus' for a different mission, or deemed unnecessary to the agency's designated mission. The effort to dispose of surplus military equipment dates back to the end of World War II, when the federal government decided to reduce a massive inventory of surplus military equipment by making such equipment available to civilians. At a July 25, 2006, hearing before the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, Bennie Williams, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Director of Logistics Operations, identified four target areas for managing surplus military equipment: (1) processing controls for batch lot items and materials requiring demilitarization; (2) processing of items coded with Local Stock Numbers received at the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS); (3) improved controls regarding access to DRMS inventory assets; and (4) reducing the concurrent procurement of items available at DRMS."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Grasso, Valerie Bailey

  2006-10-27
• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Legislation in the 109th Congress [Updated August 14, 2006]

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  "This report reviews the status of energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation introduced during the 109th Congress. Action in the second session has focused on appropriations bills; the first session focused on omnibus energy policy bill H.R. 6 (P.L. 109-58), H.R. 3 (P.L. 109-59), and several appropriations bills. The enacted version of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58, H.R. 6) authorizes or reauthorizes several energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. It also establishes several new commercial and consumer product efficiency standards, sets new goals for energy efficiency and renewable energy in federal facilities and fleets, broadens the Energy Star products program, expands programs for hydrogen fuel cell buses, extends daylight savings time, and sets a renewable fuels standard for increased use of ethanol and biodiesel. Further, it extends the renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) for two years, but it does not include Senate-proposed provisions for oil conservation, a renewable portfolio standard (RPS), or a broader range of legislated equipment efficiency standards."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2006-08-14
• Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Security Issues and Implications for U.S. Interests [Updated February 1, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "The South Caucasus region has been the most unstable in the former Soviet Union in terms of the numbers, intensity, and length of ethnic and civil conflicts. Other emerging or full-blown security problems include crime, corruption, terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and narcotics trafficking. The regional governments have worked to bolster their security by combating terrorism, limiting political dissent they view as threatening, revamping their armed forces, and seeking outside assistance and allies. […] Congress has been at the forefront in supporting U.S. assistance to bolster independence and reforms in the South Caucasus, but debate has continued over the scope, emphasis, and effectiveness of U.S. involvement. Congressional support for the security of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh (NK; a breakaway region of Azerbaijan mostly populated by ethnic Armenians) led in 1992 to a ban on most U.S. government-to-government aid to Azerbaijan. Congress authorized a presidential waiver to the ban after the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, to facilitate U.S.-Azerbaijan anti-terrorism cooperation. Congressional support for U.S. engagement with the region also was reflected in 'Silk Road Strategy' legislation in FY2000 (P.L. 106-113) authorizing greater policy attention and aid for conflict amelioration, humanitarian needs, economic development, transport and communications, border control, democracy, and the creation of civil societies in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Congress regularly has earmarked foreign aid to Armenia and upheld a South Caucasus funding category to encourage conflict resolution, provide for reconstruction assistance, and facilitate regional economic integration."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nichol, James P.

  2007-02-01