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• FEMA Individual Assistance Programs: In Brief [January 31, 2018]

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  "This report provides a short summary of the types of individual assistance programs administered by FEMA following a disaster. This report also provides a summary of the criteria FEMA uses in determining which individual assistance programs may be made available to impacted areas following a major disaster declaration, and discusses a proposed rule to change these criteria."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2018-01-31
• U.S. Secret Service Protection of Persons and Facilities [October 25, 2018]

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  "Due to attempted bombings targeted at former President Barack Obama, and former Secretary of State (and First Lady) Hillary Rodham Clinton, Congress may be interested in U.S. Secret Service (USSS) protective detail operations. USSS conducts two mandated missions--criminal investigations and protection of persons and facilities. Criminal investigations focus primarily on financial crimes, whereas protection focuses on the safety and security of specific government officials. The criminal investigation mission is the USSS's oldest mission; however, the protection mission is the one that receives the most public and media attention. The protection mission is the more visible, and includes the protection of the President, Vice President, their families, former presidents, and major candidates for those offices, along with the White House and Vice President's residence. Protective activities of the USSS also extend to foreign missions (embassies, consulates, residences, and other buildings used by foreign governments) in the District of Columbia and to designated individuals, such as the Department of Homeland Security Secretary and visiting dignitaries. Separate from protecting these specific mandated individuals, USSS is responsible for certain security activities such as National Special Security Events, which include inauguration ceremonies, major party quadrennial national conventions, as well as some international conferences and events held in the United States."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2018-10-25
• Natural Disasters of 2017: Congressional Considerations Related to FEMA Assistance [December 6, 2017]

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  "This Insight provides a short overview of issues Congress may consider in its oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) federal assistance during the 2017 hurricane season (e.g., Harvey, Irma, and Maria) and other disasters (e.g., fires in California). For the current status of response efforts, see official government sources and news media."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brown, Jared T.; Horn, Diane P.; Painter, William L. . . .

  2017-12-06
• Hurricane Michael: Brief Overview of FEMA Programs and Resources [October 11, 2018]

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  "This Insight provides a brief overview of emergency and major disaster declarations relevant to Hurricane Michael, and selected federal resources and links to CRS [Congressional Budget Office] products related to Stafford Act declarations, disaster response, and recovery. Hurricane Michael made landfall on the panhandle of Florida as a category 4 on October 10, 2018 and affected parts of Georgia. In anticipation of the landfall, President Trump issued an emergency declaration to Florida on October 7, 2018. On October 11, 2018, the President issued an emergency declaration to Georgia, and issued a major disaster declaration to Florida. Authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, emergency declarations may authorize direct federal assistance and grant assistance to affected state and local governments to protect property, ensure public health and safety, and other activities that lessen or avert an incident becoming a catastrophic incident."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lindsay, Bruce R.; Reese, Shawn; Brown, Jared T. . . .

  2018-10-11
• Hurricane Michael: Brief Overview of FEMA Programs and Resources [November 5, 2018]

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  "This Insight provides a brief overview of emergency and major disaster declarations relevant to Hurricane Michael, and selected federal resources and links to CRS [Congressional Research Service] products related to Stafford Act declarations, disaster response, and recovery. Hurricane Michael made landfall on the panhandle of Florida as a category 4 on October 10, 2018 and affected parts of Georgia. In anticipation of the landfall, President Trump issued an emergency declaration to Florida on October 7, 2018. On October 11, 2018, the President issued an emergency declaration to Georgia, and issued a major disaster declaration to Florida. Authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, emergency declarations may authorize direct federal assistance and grant assistance to affected state and local governments to protect property, ensure public health and safety, and other activities that lessen or avert an incident becoming a catastrophic incident."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lindsay, Bruce R.; Reese, Shawn; Brown, Jared T. . . .

  2018-11-05
• Hurricane Florence: Brief Overview of FEMA Programs and Resources [September 13, 2018]

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  "This Insight provides a brief overview of emergency and major disaster declarations relevant to Hurricane Florence, and selected federal resources and links to CRS products related to emergency and disaster declarations, disaster response,and recovery. Hurricane Florence made landfall at Wrightsville Beach, NC, as a category 1 hurricane on September 14, 2018. In anticipation of the landfall, President Trump has issued emergency declarations to Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (referred to as the Stafford Act-- 42 U.S.C. §§5721 et seq.), emergency declarations trigger aid for protecting property, public health and safety, and other activities that lessen or avert an incident becoming a catastrophic event."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Brown, Jared T. . . .

  2018-09-13
• Protection of Executive Branch Officials [October 25, 2018]

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  "Due to recent attempted bombing attacks on current and former government officials (and others), there may be congressional interest in protective details for government officials. Congress may also be interested due to media reports of costs or budgetary requests associated with funding security details for the Secretaries of some departments or agencies,including the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Attacks against political leaders and other public figures has been a consistent security issue in the United States. Since the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) started protecting Presidents in 1906, seven assaults or assassination attempts have occurred, with one resulting in a death (President John F. Kennedy). Prior to USSS protection, three sitting presidents have been assassinated (Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, and William McKinley). In addition, official records and news accounts show that there have been at least 20 attacks against Members of Congress since 1789."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn; Nagel, Jared C.

  2018-10-25
• Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities: A Summary and Issues for the 111th Congress [June 8, 2009]

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  This report summarizes the federal homeland security assistance programs that have been administered by the Grant Program Directorate, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Department of Homeland Security. This report also identifies and analyzes potential issues for the 111th Congress. "These issues include 1) the purpose and number of assistance programs; 2) the evaluation of the use of grant funding; 3) the determination of eligible grant recipients; 4) the programs' funding amounts; and 5) the programs' funding distribution methodologies. […] Federal homeland security assistance, for the purpose of this report, is defined as U.S. Department of Homeland Security programs that provide funding, training, or technical assistance to states, localities, tribes, and other entities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from man-made and natural disasters."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2009-06-08
• Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities: A Summary and Issues for the 111th Congress [April 30, 2010]

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  "In light of lessons learned from the September 2001 terrorist attacks and other catastrophes such as Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav, the second session of the 111th Congress is expected to consider questions and issues associated with federal homeland security assistance. Federal homeland security assistance, for the purpose of this report, is defined as U.S. Department of Homeland Security programs that provide funding, training, or technical assistance to states, localities, tribes, and other entities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from man-made and natural disasters. Since the nation is still threatened by terrorist attacks and natural disasters, the 111th Congress may wish to consider questions and challenges about whether, or how, federal homeland security assistance policy should be revisited. Policy solutions could affect, and be constrained by, existing law and regulations, and constitutional considerations. Since FY2002, Congress has appropriated over $34 billion for homeland security assistance to states, specified urban areas and critical infrastructures (such as ports and rail systems), the District of Columbia, and U.S. insular areas. Originally, in FY2002, there were eight programs; in FY2010 there are 15 programs. This expansion and scope of homeland security assistance programs are the result of congressional and executive branch actions. […]. This report summarizes these programs, and identifies and analyzes potential issues for the 111th Congress. These issues include (1) the purpose and number of assistance programs; (2) the evaluation of the use of grant funding; (3) the determination of eligible grant recipients; (4) the programs' funding amounts; and (5) the programs' funding distribution methodologies."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2010-04-30
• Homeland Security Grants: Evolution of Program Guidance and Grant Allocation Methods [Updated August 7, 2006]

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  "On May 31, 2006, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced FY2006 allocations of federal homeland security assistance to states and urban areas. That assistance is made available through the following three programs: the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP), […] the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP), […] the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). […] This CRS report explains the evolving administrative guidance that governs the three homeland security assistance programs, discusses the changing DHS requirements for grant applications and subsequent reporting by recipients, describes the DHS grant allocation methods, and identified pertinent oversight questions that may be of interest to Congress." This document includes tables of "Asset Types Used in Asset-Based Risk Calculations," and "DHS's Risk Calculation Geographic Attributes," which are utilized in allocating grants. The authors also provide a chart of the "National Asset Database Totals by Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Sectors."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2006-08-07
• Federal Counter-Terrorism Training: Issues for Congressional Oversight [Updated August 31, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "Federal counter-terrorism training programs are varied and are provided by numerous federal agencies and departments. Some of these departments and agencies include the Departments of Defense (DOD), Energy (DOE), Homeland Security (DHS), Health and Human Services (HHS), Justice (DOJ), Transportation (DOT), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Each department and agency provides specific counter-terrorism training targeted to given categories of recipients. Training recipients include federal, state, and local government personnel, emergency responders, and private and public critical infrastructure personnel. The programs train individuals to prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks. Most of these federal departments and agencies provide training in conjunction with private and public educational institutions, federal laboratories, and federal research and development centers. [...] This report is an overview of the major training activities and facilities of the federal departments and agencies that provide counter-terrorism training."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2006-08-31
• Homeland Security Advisory System: Possible Issues for Congressional Oversight [Updated December 28, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "While the need for terrorist threat warnings seems to be widely acknowledged, there are numerous issues associated with HSAS and its effects on states, localities, the public, and the private sector. These issues include the following: [1] vagueness of warnings; [2] lack of specific protective measures for state and local governments, the public, and the private sector; [3] dissemination of warnings to states, localities, the public, and the private sector; [4] coordination of HSAS with other federal warning systems, and; [5] cost of threat level changes. This report will be updated as congressional or executive actions warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2006-12-28
• State and Local Homeland Security: Unresolved Issues for the 109th Congress [Updated August 3, 2006]

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  "Arguably, the three most important homeland security public laws enacted following the terrorist attacks on September 2001 are: P.L. 107-56, 'Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (USA PATRIOT Act)'; P.L. 107-296, 'Homeland Security Act of 2002'; and P.L. 108-458, 'Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.' The PATRIOT Act focused on enhancing domestic security through antiterrorism measures, specifically, law enforcement and legal responses to terrorism. The Homeland Security Act established the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act restructured the U.S. intelligence community to better assist in terrorism preparedness and response. These key laws not withstanding, a host of important state and local homeland security policy issues remain, which the 109th Congress might address. Some of the issues include reportedly unmet emergency responder needs, the proposed reduction in appropriations for federal homeland security assistance, the determination of state and local homeland security risk assessment factors, the absence of emergency responder equipment standards, the development of state and local homeland security strategies, and the limited number of state and local officials with security clearances."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2006-08-03
• FY2003 and FY2004 State Allocations for Selected Homeland Security Assistance Programs [Updated August 16, 2004]

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  From the Summary: "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide assistance programs to state and local first responders and public health officials to prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, including weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents. Most of the programs provide assistance funding to states, which in turn allocate funding to localities. Some programs, however, provide assistance directly to localities. Programs of this type include the Assistance to Firefighters Program (FIRE) and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), both administered by the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP). These two federal departments (DHS and HHS) have allocated roughly $8.2 billion to states and localities in FY2003 and FY2004 for homeland security assistance. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Congress has shown great interest in these assistance programs' allocations to states and localities. This report shows the state allocations for DHS and HHS homeland security assistance programs, as reported by their department documents or press releases. Additionally, this report shows per capita amounts for each program, as calculated by CRS [Congressional Research Service], using 2002 census estimates."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2004-08-16
• FY2006 Homeland Security Grant Guidance Distribution Formulas: Issues for the 109th Congress [Updated July 28, 2006]

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  From the Document: "In FY2003 and FY2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allocated State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) and Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP) funding based on a formula that consisted of guaranteeing each state a 0.75% amount of total program appropriations. The Department of Homeland Security chose to allocate the remainder of appropriations based on the state's population percentage of the national population. In FY2005, Congress required the Department of Homeland Security to allocate funding in the same manner as in FY2004. Congress, in P.L. 109-90 (FY2006 Department of Homeland Security appropriations), legislated similar allocation guidance as in the FY2003 and FY2004 appropriations. In FY2006, DHS decided it will allocate funding to states based on risk and need, rather than on population. This report summarizes the distribution method the Department of Homeland Security expects to use in allocating FY2006 state and local homeland security grant funding. Additionally, it discusses some potential issues associated with the department's new grant allocation guidance. The report does not discuss administrative changes to the department's homeland security programs beyond the changes to the distribution method."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2006-07-28
• State and Urban Area Homeland Security Plans and Exercises: Issues for the 110th Congress [Updated January 3, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "As the 110th Congress begins to address state and urban area homeland security matters, it might opt to review activities funded with federal homeland security assistance to ensure readiness for both terrorist attacks and natural disasters. Two potential activities that Congress might choose to focus on are the certification of state and urban area homeland security plans and the conduct of exercises to test the plans. The Department of Homeland Security requires some plans, but does not certify them, nor does it require regular testing of the plans with exercises. The department, however, has reviewed federal, state, and urban area emergency operations plans and issued a report on their findings in June 2006. This CRS report addresses possible policy questions associated with homeland security plans and exercises. These questions might be considered important by Congress because they address issues that go beyond the federal allocation of homeland security assistance to how states and urban areas use federal funding to prepare for terrorist attacks and natural disasters. This report will be updated when the Department of Homeland Security issues its FY2007 Homeland Security Grant Program guidance and application kit."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2007-01-03
• FY2007 Appropriations for State and Local Homeland Security [Updated October 6, 2006]

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  "The FY2007 Department of Homeland Security appropriations (P.L. 109-295) provides approximately $3.0 billion for state and local homeland security assistance programs- $41 million more than Congress appropriated for these programs in FY2006. P.L. 109-295 does not modify or alter the distribution method that allocates funding from the programs to states and localities. The Administration had proposed approximately $2.6 billion for these programs and proposed to consolidate the infrastructure security grant programs into the Targeted Infrastructure Protection Program. Additionally, the Administration had proposed to change the current distribution method used to allocate State Homeland Security Grant Program funds to states and did not request funding for the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program. The House had proposed approximately $2.8 billion for these programs, and the Senate had proposed approximately $2.9 billion. Neither the House or Senate versions of H.R. 5441, nor P.L. 109-295 include appropriations for a consolidated Targeted Infrastructure Protection Program."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2006-10-06
• Inauguration Security and Operations [Updated January 8, 2021]

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  From the Introduction: "Since the 20th Amendment was ratified, the oath of office for President of the United States has been administered every four years at noon on January 20. In 2021, the President-elect Joseph R. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris are to be officially sworn in at noon on Wednesday, January 20. Planning for the 2021 inauguration is being challenged by the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic and the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, during Congress's counting and certification of the November 2020 presidential election electoral votes. Inauguration security and operations adjustments to traditional ceremonies, customs, and practices are being made. This In Focus presents information related to 2021 inauguration security and operations based on past inaugural activities and announced activities to date. Additional security details are expected to be implemented due to the Capitol security breach. This document will be updated if they are publicly announced."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn; Straus, Jacob R.; Finch, Christina Miracle

  2021-01-08
• U.S. Secret Service: Threats to and Assaults on Presidents and Vice Presidents [January 15, 2021]

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  From the Overview: "On January 6, 2021, Vice President Mike Pence was presiding over a joint session of Congress to certify the November 2020 presidential election electoral votes when a crowd breached the U.S. Capitol's security. Due to these events, some Members of Congress have expressed a renewed interest in U.S. Secret Service (USSS) protective detail operations. USSS has two mandated missions: (1) criminal investigations, and (2) protection of persons and facilities. Criminal investigations focus primarily on financial crimes, whereas protection focuses on the safety and security of specific government officials and specifically identified government facilities. The criminal investigation mission is the USSS's oldest mission; however, the protection mission is the one that often receives the most public and media attention. USSS protects the President, Vice President, their families, former Presidents, and major candidates for those offices, along with the White House and the Vice President's official residence. Protective activities also extend to foreign missions in the District of Columbia (embassies, consulates, residences, and other buildings used by foreign governments) and to designated individuals, such as the Secretary of Homeland Security and visiting dignitaries. Separate from protecting these specific mandated individuals and facilities, USSS is responsible for coordinating security activities for National Special Security Events (NSSE), including inauguration ceremonies, major party quadrennial national conventions, and certain international conferences and events held in the United States."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2021-01-15
• Inauguration Security and Operations [December 23, 2020]

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  From the Introduction: "Since the 20th Amendment was ratified, the oath of office for President of the United States has been administered every four years at noon on January 20. In 2021, the President- and Vice President-elect are to be officially sworn in at noon on Wednesday, January 20. Planning for the 2021 inauguration is being challenged by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic; adjustments to traditional ceremonies, customs, and practices are being made. This In Focus presents information related to 2021 inauguration security and operations based on past inaugural activities and announced activities to date."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn; Straus, Jacob R.; Finch, Christina Miracle

  2020-12-23
• Protection of Federal Government Officials [Updated January 8, 2021]

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  From the Overview: "In the aftermath of the breach of the U.S. Capitol security on January 6, 2021--while a joint session of Congress was counting and certifying the 2020 presidential election electoral votes--and in response to increased political tension across the nation, there is renewed congressional interest in protective details for government officials. Attacks against political leaders and other public figures have been an ongoing security issue in the United States. Since the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) started protecting Presidents in 1906, seven assaults or assassination attempts have occurred, with one resulting in a death (President John F. Kennedy). Prior to USSS protection, three sitting Presidents had been assassinated (Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, and William McKinley). In addition, official records and news accounts show that there have been at least 20 attacks against Members of Congress since 1789."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn; Nagel, Jared C.

  2021-01-08
• National Special Security Events: Fact Sheet [Updated January 11, 2021]

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  From the Introduction: "Major federal government or public events that are considered to be nationally significant may be designated by the President--or his representative, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)--as National Special Security Events (NSSE). P.L. 106-544 designated the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) as the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating, planning, exercising, and implementing security for NSSEs. The January 20, 2021, inauguration of President-elect Joseph R. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris has been designated an NSSE. The joint session of Congress that met at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, to open, certify, and count the November 2020 presidential election electoral votes was not designated an NSSE."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2021-01-11
• Presidential State Funerals: Past Practices and Security Considerations [Updated December 3, 2018]

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  From the Document: "On November 30, 2018, former President George H.W. Bush died. In the tradition of past presidential deaths, President Bush will receive a state funeral (designated as a National Special Security Event), which includes several ceremonial events in Washington, DC, prior to his burial at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Center at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. The state funeral process is carried out by the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, a division of the Military District of Washington (MDW). The official schedule for President Bush's state funeral is available from MDW's website."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Straus, Jacob R.; Reese, Shawn; Kreiser, Maria

  2018-12-03
• Homeland Security: Air Passenger Prescreening and Counterterrorism [March 4, 2005]

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  From the Summary: "The adequacy of existing systems to screen air passengers against terrorist watch lists has been questioned, most notably by the 9/11 Commission. Yet, considerable controversy surrounds air passenger prescreening systems, such as the 'No Fly' or 'Automatic Selectee' lists, underscoring that screening passengers for more intensive searches of their persons or baggage, or to prevent them from boarding an aircraft in the event of a terrorist watch list hit, is likely to be a difficult proposition for the federal agencies tasked with aviation security. Today, those agencies principally include the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)-administered Terrorist Screening Center (TSC)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.; Rappaport, Edward B.; Elias, Bartholomew

  2005-03-04
• Department of Homeland Security: Proposals to Consolidate Border and Transportation Security Agencies [August 30, 2002]

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  "To better prepare the United States against terrorist attacks, the Bush Administration released its plan to create a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on June 6, 2002. To prevent terrorists from entering, or smuggling 'instruments of terrorism' into, the United States and to prevent attacks on U.S. transportation, the plan calls for consolidating several federal agencies in a Border and Transportation Security division within a proposed DHS. These agencies include the Department of Justices Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); the Department of the Treasury's U.S. Customs Service; the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Department of Transportation's U.S. Coast Guard and Transportation Security Administration; and the General Services Administrations Federal Protective Service. On July 25, 2002, the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs revised the National Homeland Security and Combating Terrorism Act of 2002 (S. 2452). This bill was previously ordered reported by the Committee on May 22, 2002. While it differs from the Administrations plan, particularly in regard to personnel management flexibility, the new version of S. 2452 was modified to more closely reflect not only that plan, but also other recommendations that had emerged in the course of congressional hearings and House consideration of similar proposals. This bill is scheduled for Senate consideration immediately following the August recess."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.

  2002-08-30
• Terrorist Watchlist Checks and Air Passenger Prescreening [Updated March 1, 2007]

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  "Considerable controversy continues to surround U.S. air passenger prescreening and terrorist watchlist checks. In the past, such controversy centered around diverted international flights and misidentified passengers. While screening agencies have taken some steps to ameliorate those problems, other related issues have arisen, underscoring that screening passengers for more intensive searches of their person or baggage, or to prevent them from boarding an aircraft in the event of a terrorist watchlist hit, is likely to be a difficult proposition for the federal agencies tasked with aviation and border security, principally the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Recent developments underscore the difficulties encountered by frontline-screening agencies. In the 110th Congress, meanwhile, the House passed a bill (H.R. 1) to implement further the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission on January 9, 2007. This bill includes two provisions that would require the DHS Secretary to (1) establish a timely and fair appeals process for persons delayed or prevented from boarding a commercial aircraft by any homeland security agency, and (2) formulate a strategic plan to test and implement an advanced passenger prescreening system. And, the Senate is currently considering similar provisions in S. 509, as an amendment to S. 4 - the Senate alternative to H.R. 1. Congress included similar provisions in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (P.L. 108-458)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.; Elias, Bartholomew

  2007-03-01
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): Budget and Operations [May 30, 2008]

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  This CRS report discusses the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) mission, budget, and programs. "The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is the lead federal law enforcement agency charged with administering and enforcing federal laws related to the manufacture, importation, and distribution of firearms and explosives. Congress transferred ATF's enforcement and regulatory functions for firearms and explosives from the Department of the Treasury to the Department of Justice as part of the Homeland Security Act (P.L. 107-296). ATF is also responsible for investigating arson cases with a federal nexus, as well as criminal violations of federal laws governing the manufacture, importation, and distribution of alcohol and tobacco."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.

  2008-05-30
• Gun Control Legislation [November 14, 2012]

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  "Congress has debated the efficacy and constitutionality of federal regulation of firearms and ammunition, with strong advocates arguing for and against greater gun control. During the 112th Congress, several mass-casualty shootings punctuated public discourse on gun control. In a January 8, 2011, Tucson, AZ, shooting, 6 people were killed and 14 wounded, including Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was grievously wounded. In a July 20, 2012, Aurora, CO, theater shooting, 12 people were killed and 58 wounded. In an August 5, 2012, Milwaukee, WI, Sikh temple shooting, 6 people were killed and three wounded. Several Members of Congress called for reconsideration of an expired ban on high capacity ammunition feeding devices (H.R. [House Resolution] 308 and S. 32), strengthening provisions designed to encourage states to make firearms-related disqualifying records more accessible to federal authorities (S. 436/H.R.1781), and tightening regulation of interstate ammunition transfers (S. 3458/H.R. 6241). [...] This report also includes discussion of other salient and recurring gun control issues that have generated past or current congressional interest. Those issues include (1) screening firearms background check applicants against terrorist watch lists, (2) combating gun trafficking and straw purchases, (3) reforming the regulation of federally licensed gun dealers, (4) requiring background checks for private firearms transfers at gun shows, (5) more-strictly regulating certain firearms previously defined in statute as 'semiautomatic assault weapons,' and (6) banning or requiring the registration of certain long-range .50 caliber rifles, which are commonly referred to as 'sniper' rifles. To set these and other emerging issues in context, this report provides basic firearms-related statistics, an overview of federal firearms law, and a summary of legislative action in the 111th and 112th Congresses."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.

  2012-11-14
• Gun Control: National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Operations and Related Legislation [October 17, 2019]

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  From the Document: "The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) administers a computer system of systems that is used to query federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial criminal history record information (CHRI) and other records to determine an individual's firearms transfer/receipt and possession eligibility. This FBI-administered system is the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). NICS, or parallel state systems, must be checked and the pending transfer approved by the FBI or state point of contact before a federally licensed gun dealer may transfer a firearm to any customer who is not also a federally licensed gun dealer. Current federal law does not require background checks for intrastate (same state), private-party firearms transactions between nondealers, though such checks are required under several state laws. In the 116th Congress, the House of Representatives passed three bills that would expand federal firearms background check requirements and firearms transfer/receipt and possession ineligibility criteria related to domestic violence."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.

  2019-10-17
• Gun Control Legislation [April 18, 2011]

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  "Congress has debated the efficacy and constitutionality of federal regulation of firearms and ammunition, with strong advocates arguing for and against greater gun control. The tragic shootings in Tucson, AZ, on January 8, 2011, in which six people were killed and 13 wounded, including Representative Gabrielle Giffords, could prompt the 112th Congress to examine issues related to the shooter's mental illness and drug use (see S. 436) and his use of large capacity ammunition feeding devices (LCAFDs) (see H.R. 308 and S. 32), as well as a proposal to ban firearms within the proximity of certain high-level federal officials (see H.R. 367 and H.R. 496). Other emerging issues include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives's (ATF) proposal to require multiple rifle sales reports from Southwest border state gun dealers and its conduct of Operation Fast and Furious. To set these and other emerging issues in context, this report provides basic firearms-related statistics, an overview of federal firearms law, and a summary of legislative action in the 111th Congress. The report concludes with salient issues that have generated significant congressional interest, including the 1994-2004 LCAFD ban."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.

  2011-04-18