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Afghanistan: Background and U.S. Policy: In Brief [Updated June 11, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and analysis on U.S. policy in Afghanistan, with a focus on the ongoing U.S. military withdrawal and its implications for a number of factors, including: [1] security dynamics and the ongoing conflict between the Afghan government and the Taliban; [2] the social and political gains made in Afghanistan since 2001; and [3] intra-Afghan negotiations, which began in Doha, Qatar, in September 2020, but appear to have since stalled. The report also provides information on questions about the future of U.S. development and security aid to Afghanistan (which has totaled approximately $144 billion since 2001)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs)
2021-06-11
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Origins of the COVID-19 Pandemic [Updated June 11, 2021]
From the Document: "In late 2019, a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], was identified in Wuhan, China. The virus, which causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), has contributed to significant morbidity (illness) and mortality (death), as well as severe public health and economic effects, among other impacts. Several Members of Congress have made public statements and introduced legislation calling for an investigation into the origin of SARS-CoV-2. Determining the origin and pathway by which a zoonotic disease (i.e., one that originated in animals) emerges and is transmitted to humans can help scientists prevent further outbreaks, inform the public health response, and aid in the development of therapeutics and vaccines. Further, such knowledge may guide the development of policies and practices that reduce the potential for the emergence of other zoonotic diseases. Determining the origin of zoonotic diseases can take years, and in some cases, an origin may never be conclusively identified."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji; Sheikh, Pervaze A.; Sheikh, Hassan Z. . . .
2021-06-11
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Defense Health Primer: U.S. Coast Guard Health Services [Updated June 10, 2021]
From the Document: "Established in 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is a military service in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and a branch of the armed forces of the United States. The role of USCG is to provide security, maritime safety, and environmental stewardship on the high seas and in the ports, inland waterways, and maritime economic zones of the United States. To support these tasks, 14 U.S.C. §504 authorizes USCG to administer a Health Services program to sustain the medical readiness of approximately 47,000 active duty and reserve servicemembers of the Coast Guard. The USCG program also collaborates with the Military Health System (MHS) of the Department of Defense (DOD) to offer health care services to 9.6 million beneficiaries eligible for TRICARE. [...] There are a number of perceived challenges facing the USCG Health Services program, many of which have attracted congressional attention and ongoing oversight. [1] Electronic Health Record Modernization; [...] [2] USPHS [U.S. Public Health Service] Support to USCG; [...] [and 3] Disability Evaluation System."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mendez, Bryce H. P.
2021-06-10
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Energy and Water Development Appropriations for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation: In Brief [Updated June 10, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Department of Energy's (DOE's) nonproliferation and national security programs provide technical capabilities to support U.S. efforts to 'prevent, counter, respond' to the proliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide, including by both states and non-state actors. These programs are administered by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a semiautonomous agency established within DOE in 2000. NNSA is responsible for maintaining the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, providing nuclear fuel to the Navy, nuclear and radiological emergency response, and nuclear nonproliferation activities. NNSA's Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation is funded under the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) account. This report addresses the programs in the DNN account, appropriated by the Energy and Water appropriations bill. The FY2022 request for DNN appropriations was $2.26 billion. The proposal included unobligated prior year balances. The reduction continues an earlier trend to reduce prior-year carryover balances. According to the budget justification, the increase of $4 million, or 0.2%, from the FY2021-enacted level includes increases in Nonproliferation and Arms Control and DNN R&D [research and development] programs, offset by the completion of Material Management and Minimization and Global Material Security."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham
2021-06-10
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Defense Primer: Department of the Navy [Updated June 9, 2021]
From the Document: "The Department of the Navy (DON) is a single military department that includes two military services--the Navy and the Marine Corps. As such, DON has a single civilian leader, the Secretary of the Navy, and two four-star military service chiefs--an admiral whose title is the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), and a general whose title is the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Although the title 'Secretary of the Navy' includes only the term 'Navy,' the secretary serves as the civilian leader for both the Navy and Marine Corps. The CNO and the Commandant of the Marine Corps are members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). [...] Although the term 'naval' is often used to refer specifically to the Navy, it more properly refers to both the Navy and Marine Corps, because both the Navy and Marine Corps are naval services. [...] DON's proposed FY2022 budget requests $211.7 billion, of which, DON states, $163.9 billion (77.4%) is for the Navy and $47.9 billion (22.6%) is for the Marine Corps. In terms of appropriation groups, about 26.7% is for military personnel, about 33.6% is for operations and maintenance, about 27.5% is for procurement, about 10.7% is for research and development, about 1.4% is for infrastructure, and about 0.1% is for revolving and management funds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-06-09
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Defense Primer: Geography, Strategy, and U.S. Force Design [Updated June 9, 2021]
From the Document: "Most of the world's people, resources, and economic activity are located not in the Western Hemisphere, but in [...] Eurasia. In response to this basic feature of world geography, U.S. policymakers for the last several decades have chosen to pursue, as a key element of U.S. national strategy, a goal of preventing the emergence of regional hegemons in Eurasia. This objective reflects a U.S. perspective on geopolitics and grand strategy developed by U.S. strategists and policymakers during and in the years immediately after World War II that incorporates two key judgments: [1] that given the amount of people, resources, and economic activity in Eurasia, a regional hegemon in Eurasia would represent a concentration of power large enough to be able to threaten vital U.S. interests; and [2] that Eurasia is not dependably self-regulating in terms of preventing the emergence of regional hegemons, meaning that the countries of Eurasia cannot be counted on to be fully able to prevent, though their own choices and actions, the emergence of regional hegemons, and may need assistance from one or more countries outside Eurasia to be able to do this dependably. [...] The fact that U.S. policymakers for the last several decades have chosen to pursue, as a key element of U.S. national strategy, a goal of preventing the emergence of regional hegemons in Eurasia, does not necessarily mean that this goal was a correct one for the United States to pursue, or that it would be a correct one for the United States to pursue in the future."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-06-09
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Defense Primer: Naval Forces [Updated June 9, 2021]
From the Document: "Although the term 'naval forces' is often used to refer specifically to Navy forces, it more properly refers to both Navy and Marine Corps forces, because both the Navy and Marine Corps are naval services. [...] The Navy and DOD since 2019 have been working to develop a new Navy force-level goal that is expected to introduce at least some elements of a new fleet architecture featuring a smaller proportion of larger ships (such as large-deck aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, large amphibious ships, and large resupply ships); a larger proportion of smaller ships (such as frigates, corvettes, smaller amphibious ships, smaller resupply ships, and perhaps smaller aircraft carriers); and a new third tier of large unmanned surface and underwater vessels. On December 9, 2020, the Trump Administration released a document that presents an envisioned Navy force-level goal for achieving by 2045 a Navy with a more distributed fleet architecture, including 382 to 446 manned ships and 143 to 242 large unmanned vessels. The Biden Administration can choose to adopt, revise, or set aside this document."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-06-09
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Army Corps of Engineers: FY2022 Budget Request [June 9, 2021]
From the Document: "Congress generally funds the civil works activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts. These activities include the planning and construction of authorized water resource projects and the operation and maintenance of infrastructure and navigation improvements managed by USACE. For USACE civil works, President Biden requested$6.79 billion for FY2022."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Normand, Anna E.; Carter, Nicole T.
2021-06-09
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Emergency Rental Assistance Through the Coronavirus Relief Fund [Updated June 8, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260) included an appropriation of $25 billion to help low-income households make rent and utility payments through an Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program. The ERA is funded through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), a program created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136), and administered by the Department of the Treasury, to assist state, local, territorial, and tribal governments. [...] This report briefly describes the need for rental assistance during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, provides information about the allocation of ERA funds, describes the parameters of the ERA program, and discusses outstanding questions about the program and renter needs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Driessen, Grant A.; Perl, Libby; McCarty, Maggie
2021-06-08
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Crime Victims' Rights Act: A Sketch of 18 U.S.C. § 3771 [Updated June 8, 2021]
From the Summary: "Section 3771 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code is a statutory bill of rights for the victims of crimes committed in violation of federal law or the laws of the District of Columbia. It defines a victim as anyone directly and proximately harmed by such an offense, individuals and legal entities alike. It does not appear to otherwise include family members of a deceased, child, or incapacitated victim except in a representative capacity. Numbered among the rights it conveys are: (1) the right to be reasonably protected from the accused; (2) the right to notification of public court and parole proceedings and of any release of the accused; (3) the right not to be excluded from public court proceedings under most circumstances; (4) the right to be heard in public court proceedings relating to bail, the acceptance of a plea bargain, sentencing, or parole; (5) the right to confer with the prosecutor; (6) the right to restitution under the law; (7) the right to proceedings free from unwarranted delays; (8) the right to be treated fairly and with respect to one's dignity and privacy; (9) the right to be informed in a timely manner of any plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement; and (10) the right to be informed of the statutory rights and services to which one is entitled. The section directs the federal courts and law enforcement officials to see to it that the rights it creates are honored."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Doyle, Charles
2021-06-08
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Crime Victims' Rights Act: A Summary and Legal Analysis of 18 U.S.C. § 3771 [Updated June 8, 2021]
From the Summary: "Section 3771 of Title 18 of the 'United States Code' is a statutory bill of rights for the victims of crimes committed in violation of federal law or the laws of the District of Columbia. It defines a victim as anyone directly and proximately harmed by such an offense, individuals and legal entities alike. It does not appear to otherwise include family members of a deceased, child, or incapacitated victim except in a representative capacity. Numbered among the rights it conveys are: (1) the right to be reasonably protected from the accused; (2) the right to notification of public court and parole proceedings and of any release of the accused; (3) the right not to be excluded from public court proceedings under most circumstances; (4) the right to be heard in public court proceedings relating to bail, the acceptance of a plea bargain, sentencing, or parole; (5) the right to confer with the prosecutor; (6) the right to restitution under the law; (7) the right to proceedings free from unwarranted delays; (8) the right to be treated fairly and with respect to one's dignity and privacy; (9) the right to be informed in a timely manner of any plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement; and (10) the right to be informed of the statutory rights and services to which one is entitled. The section directs the federal courts and law enforcement officials to see to it that the rights it creates are honored. Both victims and prosecutors may assert the rights and seek review from the appellate courts should the rights be initially denied."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Doyle, Charles
2021-06-08
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Deep Fakes and National Security [Updated June 8, 2021]
From the Document: "'Deep fakes'--a term that first emerged in 2017 to describe realistic photo, audio, video, and other forgeries generated with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies--could present a variety of national security challenges in the years to come. As these technologies continue to mature, they could hold significant implications for congressional oversight, U.S. defense authorizations and appropriations, and the regulation of social media platforms. [...] Some analysts have noted that algorithm-based detection tools could lead to a cat-and-mouse game, in which the deep fake generators are rapidly updated to address flaws identified by detection tools. For this reason, they argue that social media platforms--in addition to deploying deep fake detection tools--may need to expand the means of labeling and/or authenticating content. This could include a requirement that users identify the time and location at which the content originated or that they label edited content as such. Other analysts have expressed concern that regulation of deep fake technology could impose undue burden on social media platforms or lead to unconstitutional restrictions on free speech and artistic expression. These analysts have suggested that existing law is sufficient for managing the malicious use of deep fakes. Some experts have asserted that responding with technical tools alone will be insufficient and that instead the focus should be on the need to educate the public about deep fakes and minimize incentives for creators of malicious deep fakes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.; Harris, Laurie A.
2021-06-08
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Defense Primer: Hypersonic Boost-Glide Weapons [Updated June 8, 2021]
From the Document: "The U.S. Department of Defense is pursuing two types of hypersonic weapons technologies: boost-glide systems that place a maneuverable glide vehicle atop a ballistic missile or rocket booster, and cruise missiles that would use high-speed, air-breathing engines known as scramjets to travel to hypersonic speeds. This In Focus addresses only the first of these technologies. The Pentagon's FY2022 budget request for hypersonic-related research is $3.8 billion--up from $3.2 billion in the FY2021 request. This increased funding and statements from Pentagon officials demonstrate growing support for weapons that could attack priority targets promptly and with improved accuracy without facing defeat by an adversary's air or missile defense systems. Pentagon officials have also expressed concerns about advances in hypersonic weapons technologies in Russia and China, and on the potential threats to U.S. forces, allies, and territory."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.; Woolf, Amy F.
2021-06-08
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Defense Primer: Emerging Technologies [Updated June 8, 2021]
From the Document: "Both U.S. national strategy documents and Congress's own bipartisan 'Future of Defense Task Force Report' have identified a number of emerging technologies that could have a disruptive impact on U.S. national security in the years to come. These technologies include [1] artificial intelligence, [2] lethal autonomous weapons, [3] hypersonic weapons, [4] directed-energy weapons, [5] biotechnology, and [6] quantum technology. As these technologies continue to mature, they could hold significant implications for congressional oversight, U.S. defense authorizations and appropriations, military concepts of operations, and the future of war." Some potential issues for Congress to consider are: "[1] What is the appropriate balance of funding across these and other emerging technologies, given the potential military utility and technological maturity of each? [2] Some analysts have argued that DOD should develop a technology strategy to establish long-term priorities across these and other emerging technologies. What impact would such a strategy have on Congress's ability to conduct oversight or evaluate budget requests? [3] Some reports indicate that both DOD and defense industry have difficulty recruiting and retaining personnel with expertise in emerging technologies. In addition, analysts have noted that the development of many emerging technologies requires experts from a number of disparate fields (e.g., development of quantum technology could require experts in quantum information science, machine learning, materials science, and other fields). What measures, if any, should the United States take to ensure that the emerging technology workforce is sufficient to support U.S. competitiveness and military superiority?"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.
2021-06-08
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and On-the-Street Police Encounters [June 8, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The Americans with Disabilities Act [hyperlink] (ADA) mandates, as its core imperative, that both public and private sector entities offer 'reasonable accommodations' in their policies and practices for those with disabilities. Courts have applied the ADA's Title II reasonable accommodation provision, which prohibits discrimination by 'public entities,' to a broad array of public programs and services, ranging from use of city streets [hyperlink] to municipal contracting [hyperlink] to access to public benefits [hyperlink]. Although the courts have consistently held that police departments are 'public entities' and that Title II applies to at least some state and local law enforcement functions, the courts are split on whether the ADA's reasonable accommodation requirement applies to on-the-street encounters with law enforcement officers, such as use-of-force situations or arrests. [...] [T]he lower courts are still in conflict about how police must handle encounters with individuals with disabilities. This issue has drawn attention again as some Members of Congress have pushed for alternative policing techniques, such as training in de-escalation tactics. This Legal Sidebar provides background on Title II of the ADA, reviews the case law applying the ADA to law enforcement activities, discusses the circuit split on the ADA's application to on-the-street police encounters, and surveys relevant legislation introduced in the 117th Congress. This Legal Sidebar provides background on Title II of the ADA, reviews the case law applying the ADA to law enforcement activities, discusses the circuit split on the ADA's application to on-the-street police encounters, and surveys relevant legislation introduced in the 117th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thompson, Richard M., II
2021-06-08
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Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated June 8, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's programs for procuring 8 National Security Cutters (NSCs), 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), and 58 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs). The Coast Guard's proposed FY2022 budget requests a total of $695 million in procurement funding for the NSC, OPC, and FRC programs. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Coast Guard's funding requests and acquisition strategies for the NSC, OPC, and FRC programs. Congress's decisions on these three programs could substantially affect Coast Guard capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base. The NSC, OPC, and FRC programs have been subjects of congressional oversight for many years, and were previously covered in other CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports dating back to 1998 that are now archived. CRS testified on the Coast Guard's cutter acquisition programs most recently in October and November of 2018. The Coast Guard's plans for modernizing its fleet of polar icebreakers are covered in a separate CRS report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-06-08
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Army's Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated June 8, 2021]
From the Document: "The Army's Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) is the Army's third attempt to replace the M-2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) which has been in service since the early 1980s. Despite numerous upgrades since its introduction, the Army contends the M-2 is near the end of its useful life and can no longer accommodate the types of upgrades needed for it to be effective on the modern battlefield. Because the OMFV would be an important weapon system in the Army's Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs), Congress may be concerned with how the OMFV would impact the effectiveness of ground forces over the full spectrum of military operations. Moreover, Congress might also be concerned with how much more capable the OMFV is projected to be over the M-2 Bradley to ensure that it is not just a costly marginal improvement over the current system. A number of past unsuccessful Army acquisition programs have served to heighten congressional oversight of Army programs, and the OMFV may be subject to a high degree of congressional interest."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2021-06-08
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EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program [June 8, 2021]
From the Document: "The EB-5 Regional Center Program (RCP) allows foreign national investors to qualify for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in exchange for foreign capital investment and job creation in specified geographic areas in the United States. The RCP is part of the EB-5 (fifth employment-based preference category) Immigrant Investor Program, established by Congress in 1990. [...] Since 2015, the RCP has been re-authorized on short-term bases of less than one year. Those reauthorizations typically had been included in consolidated appropriations bills. Most recently, P.L. [Public Law] 116-260, enacted in December 2020, extended the program through June 30, 2021. If Congress seeks to reauthorize the RCP prior to its June 30, 2021, sunset date, it would apparently do so separately from the annual appropriations process. A lapse in funding would likely put a pause on application processing for RCP investors and on regional center designations. [...] Since their establishment, EB-5 and the RCP have been subject to controversy. Some Members of Congress have expressed concerns over instances of fraud and abuse in the RCP and the EB-5 program--some have sought to reform the program, and others to eliminate it. The RCP has been scrutinized for TEA [targeted employment area] investments funding projects, such as luxury real estate, in affluent urban areas. The previously mentioned 2019 federal regulation implemented changes that addressed some concerns, including changes to the TEA designation process intended to avoid gerrymandering. In recent years, bipartisan measures have been introduced that would pair RCP extensions with reforms to address fraud and security concerns."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straut-Eppsteiner, Holly
2021-06-08
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Armed Forces Retirement Home [Updated June 7, 2021]
From the Document: "Since the late 1700s, Congress has established numerous federal programs to provide housing, housing assistance, and health care support to certain wounded, ill, or injured servicemembers, military retirees, and other veterans. Some of those programs included the establishment of military asylums for temporarily or permanently disabled servicemembers. Most military asylums have since closed or been transferred to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or state agencies that separately or jointly administer a variety of residential social support programs. Congress also later established the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) as the only federal military retirement community. In so doing, AFRH absorbed two previously existing military asylums, later converted to Department of Defense (DOD)-affiliated retirement homes. AFRH now provides residential care to military retirees and certain other veterans."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mendez, Bryce H. P.
2021-06-07
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Belarus: An Overview [Updated June 7, 2021]
From the Document: "In 2020, protests against allegedly widespread electoral fraud and a brutal crackdown on protesters led to the rise of a mass opposition movement in Belarus, on a scale unseen since the country became independent in 1991 (Belarus previously was part of the Soviet Union). The protests emerged in the wake of Belarus's August 2020 presidential election, during which opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya mounted an unexpectedly strong campaign against Aleksandr Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for more than 26 years. Since August 2020, about 35,000 Belarusians reportedly have been detained or imprisoned. More than 450, including 65 women, are considered political prisoners. At least 10 individuals have been killed or have died under suspicious circumstances. The United States, the European Union (EU), and others have called for an end to the crackdown and for the government to hold free and fair presidential elections. [...] In recent years, U.S. assistance to Belarus has focused on independent media and civil society, private sector development, and vulnerable populations. From FY2015 to FY2019, the United States provided a total of about $49 million in obligated foreign assistance to Belarus. For FY2020, the State Department allocated $9.67 million in aid to Belarus. The President's FY2022 State and Foreign Operations budget request includes $15 million 'to support the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Welt, Cory
2021-06-07
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China Primer: Uyghurs [Updated June 7, 2021]
From the Document: "Uyghurs (also spelled 'Uighurs') are a Muslim ethnic group living primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in the far northwest of the People's Republic of China (PRC). They have garnered the attention of U.S. policymakers, particularly since 2018 following reports of the mass internment of Uyghurs in 'reeducation' centers. The detentions are part of a PRC government effort to systematically transform the thought and behavior of Uyghurs and forcefully assimilate them into Chinese society, which some observers believe may result in the destruction of Uyghur culture and identity. The U.S. government has responded by implementing targeted restrictions on trade with Xinjiang and imposing visa and economic sanctions on some PRC officials."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Weber, Michael A.
2021-06-07
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Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated June 7, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program--the Coast Guard's program for acquiring new PSCs (i.e., heavy polar icebreakers). The Coast Guard's proposed FY2022 budget requests $170.0 million in procurement funding for the PSC program. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Administration's FY2022 procurement funding request for the PSC program, and, more generally, whether to approve, reject, or modify the Coast Guard's overall plan for procuring new polar icebreakers. Congress's decisions on this issue could affect Coast Guard funding requirements, the Coast Guard's ability to perform its polar missions, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-06-07
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Defense Primer: Quantum Technology [Updated June 7, 2021]
From the Document: "Quantum technology translates the principles of quantum physics into technological applications. In general, quantum technology has not yet reached maturity; however, it could hold significant implications for the future of military sensing, encryption, and communications, as well as for congressional oversight, authorizations, and appropriations. [...] The Defense Science Board (DSB), an independent Department of Defense (DOD) board of scientific advisors, has concluded that three applications of quantum technology hold the most promise for DOD: quantum sensing, quantum computers, and quantum communications."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.
2021-06-07
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Department of Defense Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems [Updated June 7, 2021]
From the Document: "Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly called drones, have proliferated rapidly and are available to nation states and to nonstate actors and individuals. These systems could provide U.S. adversaries with a low-cost means of conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions against--or attacking--U.S. forces. Furthermore, many smaller UASs cannot be detected by traditional air defense systems due to their size, construction material, and flight altitude. As a result, in FY2022, the Department of Defense (DOD) plans to spend at least $636 million on counter-UAS (C-UAS) research and development and at least $75 million on C-UAS procurement; this represents a $134 million overall increase from FY2021. As DOD continues to develop, procure, and deploy these systems, congressional oversight of their use may increase, and Congress may have to make decisions about future authorizations, appropriations, and other legislative actions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.; Sayler, Kelley M.
2021-06-07
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Director of National Intelligence (DNI) [Updated June 7, 2021]
This Congressional Research Service (CRS) report describes the history and duties of the Director of National Intelligence, as well as of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. It also describes how Congress has played an influential role. From the Document: "The United States Intelligence Community (IC) is a collection of 18 statutory elements within 6 cabinet departments and an independent agency that all carry out intelligence-related functions. As provided in statute, the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) oversees the integration of these intelligence functions, spearheads the support the IC provides to the military and senior policymakers across the government, and serves as principal intelligence advisor to the President."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
DeVine, Michael E.
2021-06-07
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Department of Veterans Affairs: Burial Benefits and the National Cemetery Administration [June 7, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) within Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides eligible veterans and their next of kin monetary and non-monetary burial benefits upon the veterans' deaths. Servicemembers and veterans have received non-monetary burial benefits since the Civil War and monetary burial benefits since World War I. Eligible veterans and active-duty servicemembers eligible for burial benefits can be interred in VA national cemeteries and can receive government-furnished headstones or markers, and in their honor, next of kin can receive presidential memorial certificates and burial flags. Spouses, minor children, and, under certain conditions, unmarried adult children may also be buried in national cemeteries. A deceased veteran interred in a private cemetery may be eligible for a medallion that can be affixed to a privately purchased headstone. Monetary burial benefits are partial reimbursements that an eligible veteran's next of kin can receive for burial and funeral costs. The amount of the reimbursement depends on the manner of the veteran's death: whether it was service-connected or was non-service-connected or occurred in a VA facility. The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is responsible for maintaining VA national cemeteries and for providing grants to states or federally recognized tribal governments for establishing, expanding, or improving state, tribal, or territorial veterans cemeteries. [...] This report provides a description of both VA's monetary and non-monetary burial benefits and NCA's national cemeteries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Salazar, Heather M.; Breslauer, Tamar B.
2021-06-07
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WTO: Ministerial Delay, COVID-19, and Ongoing Issues [Updated June 5, 2021]
From the Overview: "Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the World Trade Organization (WTO) postponed its 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) until November 2021. The biennial meeting, which usually involves active U.S. participation, was widely anticipated as an action-forcing event for the WTO amid serious challenges facing the global trading system. Some members had hoped key results for ongoing negotiations could help bolster the WTO's relevance. In addition, a dispute settlement crisis continues, with the Appellate Body ceasing to operate in December 2019, and no consensus on solutions. Broader reforms of the institution also remain under active discussion, including some U.S. proposals. While MC12 and other meetings were suspended, members have attempted to continue some WTO operations virtually. The new WTO Director-General (DG) is also getting settled into her new role. The post had been vacant since fall 2020, after the Trump Administration objected to Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the candidate who had received the majority of WTO member support. The Biden Administration supported her candidacy, removing a major obstacle to her official appointment on February 15, 2021. [...] Some Members of Congress have expressed support for ongoing WTO reform efforts, sought clarification on the positions of the Administration, and proposed trade-related legislation in response to COVID-19."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D.; Fefer, Rachel F.; Fergusson, Ian F.
2021-06-05
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Potential WTO TRIPS Waiver and COVID-19 [Updated June 4, 2021]
From the Document: "On May 5, 2021, the Biden Administration announced [hyperlink] its support for a proposed waiver of intellectual property rights (IPR) obligations [hyperlink] in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) [hyperlink] for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. This is significant, given the United States' history of advancing stronger IPR protections and enforcement globally."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias; Fergusson, Ian F.
2021-06-04
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Argentina: An Overview [Updated June 4, 2021]
From the Document: "Situated on the Atlantic coast of South America's Southern Cone, Argentina is an electoral democracy and has Latin America's third-largest economy. U.S.-Argentine relations have been strong in recent years. [...] Current President Alberto Fernández of the center-left Peronist-led 'Frente de Todos' (FdT, Front for All) coalition won the October 2019 presidential election and was inaugurated to a four-year term in December 2019. [...] Upon taking office, President Fernández faced an economy in recession, high poverty, and unsustainable public debt. He pledged to restructure Argentina's debt and opened talks with bondholders and other creditors. He also rolled out several measures, including a food program and price controls on basic goods, aimed at helping low-income Argentines cope with inflation and increased poverty. [...] Like other South American countries, Argentina has been hard hit by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Cases and deaths have surged in recent months. As of June 4, 2021, the country reported almost 80,000 deaths, with a mortality rate of 177 per 100,000 people, according to Johns Hopkins University. The procurement and rollout of vaccines has been slow compared with some other countries, and some analysts maintain that vaccine availability will not be widespread until 2022. [...] Amid the pandemic and its economic fallout, President Fernández's popularity has declined. Midterm legislative elections, delayed a month until November 2021due to the pandemic, will be a key test for Fernández and his FdT coalition."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2021-06-04
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Defense Primer: U.S. Precision-Guided Munitions [Updated June 4, 2021]
From the Document: "The Department of Defense (DOD) defines a precision-guided munition (PGM) as a 'guided weapon intended to destroy a point target and minimize collateral damage.' This includes air- and ship-launched missiles, multiple launched rockets, and guided bombs. PGMs typically use the global positioning system (GPS), laser guidance, or inertial navigation systems to improve a weapon's accuracy to reportedly less than 3 meters (approximately 10 feet). Recent operations have heavily relied on PGMs for counter-insurgency operations. The recent National Defense Strategy articulates a renewed focus on great power competition to combat anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems. The wide proliferation of A2/AD is likely to increase the operational utility of PGMs. In particular, peer competitors like China and Russia have developed sophisticated air defenses and anti-ship missiles that increase the risk to U.S. forces entering and operating in these regions. As a result, DOD has argued it requires longer-range precision munitions to meet these new threats."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.
2021-06-04
