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Child Tax Credit: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Child Credit for 2021 as Expanded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2) [Updated September 15, 2021]
From the Document: "In March of 2021, Congress passed legislation significantly expanding the child tax credit for one year as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2). ARPA expanded the eligibility for and the amount of the credit for 2021, especially for low- and middle-income taxpayers. The law also directed the Treasury Secretary to establish a program to advance up to half of the total credit amount 'before' 2021 income taxes are filed. This is a departure from most other tax benefits, which are typically delivered annually in a lump sum after federal income tax returns are filed. The 117th Congress is considering proposals to extend and/or modify the temporary child credit expansion included in APRA. In April 2021, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal released a discussion draft of the Building an Economy for Families Act that includes a provision to permanently extend the ARPA changes to the child credit. The Biden Administration has proposed making the full refundability provision included in ARPA permanent, while extending other ARPA provisions through the end of 2025. This report provides answers to selected frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the ARPA-expanded child credit for 2021."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.
2021-09-15
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Provider Relief Fund: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated September 15, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Provider Relief Fund (PRF) was established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, P.L. [Public Law] 116-136) to reimburse, through grants or other mechanisms, eligible health care providers for increased expenses or lost revenue attributable to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The CARES Act provided $100 billion to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus, domestically and internationally. The amounts were subsequently increased by $78 billion, with $75 billion added in the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PPPHCEA, P.L. 116-139) and $3 billion in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260). The latter was the first time the Provider Relief Fund was referred to in statute and required changes to the fund's reporting requirements and requirements for future fund allocations. The answers to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) in this report provide overview information on the PRF, how funds have been allocated, and the fund's requirements for provider reporting. In addition, this report describes the use of the PRF to pay providers for providing coronavirus testing, treatment, and vaccines to uninsured individuals and the use of the fund to pay providers for costs associated with vaccinating individuals who are underinsured (e.g., who do not have insurance that covers vaccine administration)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-
2021-09-15
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COVID-19-Related Impact on the Banking Industry: Conditions in the First Quarter 2021 [September 9, 2021]
From the Document: "Although bank regulation is designed to allow banks to withstand some amount of unexpected losses, some worry that the economic ramifications of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could result in enough borrowers missing loan payments to cause distress for banks [hyperlink]. This Insight presents certain bank industry statistics for the first quarter 2021 and examines how the pandemic might be affecting the industry."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gnanarajah, Raj; Perkins, David W.
2021-09-09
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Pandemic Relief: The Emergency Rental Assistance Program [Updated September 8, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program was created to help cover the unmet rent and utility expenses of low-income households affected by the economic consequences of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. [Public Law] 116-260) initially funded the ERA program with an appropriation of $25 billion. The ERA was 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. While the CARES Act CRF appropriation could be used for multiple purposes, the ERA appropriation in P.L. 116-260 was directed only to rent and utility assistance and related housing stability services. A second appropriation--of $21.550 billion--for ERA was included in Section 3201 of the American Rescue Plan Act (P.L. 117-2). This report briefly describes the need for rental assistance during the 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.; McCarty, Maggie; Perl, Libby
2021-09-08
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [Updated September 3, 2021]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean. As of September 1, 2021, the region had 43.3 million confirmed cases (almost 21% of cases worldwide) and more than 1.4 million deaths (almost 32% of deaths worldwide). Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and Argentina had the region's highest numbers of deaths. Looking at mortality (death) rates per 100,000 population, Peru had the highest recorded COVID-19 mortality rate in the region, followed by Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Paraguay. [...] The rollout of vaccines has varied considerably, and there is concern that widespread vaccine access in some countries could be delayed until 2022 or 2023, making populations vulnerable to new waves and more transmittable variants of the virus. According to PAHO's [Pan American Health Organization's] director, as of September 1, 2021, 25% of the population of Latin America and the Caribbean had been fully vaccinated. [...] As of June 2021, the U.S. Agency for International Development had obligated nearly $218 million to support the region's pandemic response. Congress is now considering the Biden Administration's FY2022 budget request, which would provide nearly $2.1 billion of aid to help the region recover from the pandemic and address other challenges."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Meyer, Peter J.
2021-09-03
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Canadian Railroads Competing to Acquire Major U.S. Freight Line [Updated September 2, 2021]
From the Document: "Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS), two of the seven Class I companies that handle long-distance U.S. rail traffic, announced a merger agreement in March. In April, another Class I carrier, Canadian National (CN), submitted what it termed a 'superior proposal' to acquire KCS, which was accepted in May. Either deal, if approved by shareholders and federal regulators, would be the largest consolidation of major railroads in several decades, and would create the first railroad network to serve Canada, the United States, and Mexico under a single corporate owner. While this could lead to better service for some shippers, it could also have adverse consequences for competition in freight transportation. Any transaction is likely to undergo lengthy review by the Surface Transportation Board (STB). On August 31, all five STB commissioners voted to deny [hyperlink] CN's request to create a 'voting trust' to hold shares of KCS, an arrangement that would have allowed CN to acquire shares while the merger is still pending before the Board. The decision follows President Biden's July executive order [hyperlink] encouraging federal agencies to take steps to preserve competition throughout the economy. While STB's decision may or may not reflect the merger's prospects, it signals that regulators are considering the potential implications closely."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Goldman, Ben
2021-09-02
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Inflation in the Wake of COVID-19 [September 1, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has led to many unexpected and unprecedented economic developments. One of those developments is higher price inflation than the United States has experienced in recent decades. According to several measures, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index, prices have risen more rapidly than usual on both a monthly and an annual basis for several months, most notably since March 2021. [...] Inflation is a policy concern for Congress in multiple ways. First, higher prices affect spending on government programs and the capacity of government programs at a given spending level. Second, high inflation is unpopular with the general public because it erodes purchasing power. Third, rising inflation might be a leading signal of an overheating economy. [...] This report begins by explaining what inflation is and how it is measured. It then discusses the costs of inflation, as well as the costs of inflation being too low. Next, it discusses the potential causes of inflation. Then it discusses the history of inflation in the United States since World War II. Finally, it analyzes the causes and implications of the current situation and prospects for future inflation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc; Weinstock, Lida R.
2021-09-01
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Potential FEMA Emergency Sheltering Options During the COVID-19 Pandemic [Updated September 1, 2021]
From the Document: "Some hazards (e.g., hurricanes, wildfires) may result in evacuations and the displacement of disaster survivors. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), state, local, tribal, and territorial governments (SLTTs) are responsible [hyperlink] for conducting emergency sheltering operations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [hyperlink] and FEMA [hyperlink] have provided SLTTs with guidance and assistance to safely shelter disaster survivors during the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This Insight discusses emergency sheltering models used by FEMA, FEMA's pandemic-modified emergency sheltering policies [hyperlink], pandemic-related emergency sheltering challenges faced by SLTTs, and policy considerations for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webster, Elizabeth M.; Lee, Erica A.
2021-09-01
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Bolivia: An Overview [Updated September 1, 2021]
From the Document: "After a year of political instability and more than a decade of tense relations with the United States, Bolivia has a new president who has vowed to work with the Biden Administration. Luis Arce took office in November 2020 after winning 55% of the vote in October 2020 elections in which his Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party maintained a legislative majority. President Arce is seeking to help Bolivia recover from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and pursuing justice for human rights violations committed in 2019. [...] The COVID-19 pandemic, which had caused more than 18,400 deaths through August 2021, weakened demand for Bolivia's gas exports and pushed the country into a deep recession. The economy shrank by 7.7% in 2020, but the IMF [International Monetary Fund] predicts growth of 5.5% in 2021. Poverty increased, but the government lacked funding for social programs, aside from cash transfers to the poor paid for with a World Bank loan. A wealth tax enacted in December 2020 has raised some revenue, but the Arce government is seeking multilateral debt relief and foreign investment. International financial institutions likely would condition debt relief on fiscal adjustments, which have generated protests and impeded governability elsewhere in the region. As of September 1, 2021, the Bolivian government had fully vaccinated 23% of the population, according to Johns Hopkins University."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2021-09-01
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CDC's Federal Eviction Moratorium [Updated August 31, 2021]
From the Document: "On August 26, 2021, the Supreme Court blocked enforcement [hyperlink] of the new order temporarily imposing an eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Court determined [hyperlink] that the plaintiffs were 'virtually certain to succeed on the merits of their argument that the CDC has exceeded its authority.' The Supreme Court did not rule on the merits of the moratorium, and lower courts may still issue decisions on its legality even as evictions are allowed to proceed. (See this Legal Sidebar [hyperlink] for discussion of the Supreme Court ruling.) The CDC originally imposed a nationwide, temporary federal moratorium on residential evictions for nonpayment of rent on September 4, 2020 ('initial order') [hyperlink]. The CDC extended the initial order several times, until it expired on July 31, 2021. On August 3, 2021, the CDC issued a new order [hyperlink] implementing another eviction moratorium through October 3, 2021 [hyperlink] ('new order'). The new order was applicable only in counties with heightened rates of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] [hyperlink] community transmission. Both CDC orders were intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by preventing homelessness and overcrowded housing conditions resulting from eviction. The CDC's actions, which followed an Executive Order [hyperlink] directing it to consider such measures, are unprecedented, both in terms of the breadth of the agency's use of this public health authority [hyperlink] and its reach into what is traditionally [hyperlink] state and local governance of landlord-tenant law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarty, Maggie; Perl, Libby; Carpenter, David Hatcher
2021-08-31
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COVID-19-Related Fiscal Response: Recent Actions and Future Options [August 31, 2021]
From the Document: "The federal response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has included programs providing economic relief to individuals, businesses, and state and local governments. Expiration or exhaustion of several of these programs has generated congressional discussions on the effect extending some of these programs could have on the U.S. economy's short- and long-term performance. This Insight briefly summarizes the fiscal policy response to COVID-19, highlights some programs that are near expiration or exhaustion of funding, and discusses underlying economic issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Driessen, Grant A.; Weinstock, Lida R.
2021-08-31
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Supreme Court Blocks Enforcement of the CDC's Eviction Moratorium [August 30, 2021]
From the Document: "On August 26, 2021, the Supreme Court blocked enforcement [hyperlink] of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) nationwide temporary eviction moratorium issued on August 3, 2021. In granting [hyperlink] the plaintiffs' emergency motion to vacate a lower court's ruling allowing the moratorium to remain in place pending appeal, the Court determined [hyperlink] that the plaintiffs were 'virtually certain to succeed on the merits of their argument that the CDC has exceeded its authority.' The Court did not reach a decision on the merits of the underlying case regarding whether the CDC has the legal authority to impose an eviction moratorium, as that case is on appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ('D.C. Circuit'). The CDC originally imposed a nationwide, temporary federal moratorium on residential evictions for nonpayment of rent on September 4, 2020 [hyperlink], shortly after a narrower set of eviction protections established by the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act (§ 4024) expired [hyperlink]. [...] Citing [hyperlink] a surge of cases spurred by the Delta variant, the CDC issued a new order [hyperlink] on August 3, 2021 implementing another eviction moratorium through October 3, 2021 [hyperlink]."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carpenter, David Hatcher
2021-08-30
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Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy [Updated August 27, 2021]
From the Summary: "The State of Qatar, a small Arab Gulf monarchy which has about 300,000 citizens in a total population of about 2.4 million, has employed its ample financial resources to exert regional influence, often independent of the other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Oman) alliance. Qatar has fostered a close defense and security alliance with the United States and has maintained ties to a wide range of actors who are often at odds with each other, including Sunni Islamists, Iran and Iran-backed groups, and Israeli officials. [...] Qatar's leaders work with the United States to secure the Persian Gulf, as do the other GCC leaders. The United States and Qatar have had a formal Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) that reportedly addresses a U.S. troop presence in Qatar, consideration of U.S. arms sales to Qatar, U.S. training, and other defense cooperation. Under the DCA, Qatar hosts more than 8,000 U.S. forces and the regional headquarters for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) at various military facilities, including the large Al Udeid Air Base. U.S. forces deployed at these facilities participate in operations throughout the region. Qatar is a significant buyer of U.S.-made weaponry, including combat aircraft. In January 2018, Qatar and the United States inaugurated a 'Strategic Dialogue' that has included discussion of efforts to improve accommodations for U.S. personnel deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, which has been used extensively in the U.S. operation to evacuate U.S. personnel and Afghan allies from Afghanistan in August 2021."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2021-08-27
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U.S. Military Withdrawal and Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated August 27, 2021]
From the Summary: "On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered the Afghan capital of Kabul, completing a rapid takeover over the country with a speed that surprised many Afghans and Americans alike. The Taliban's advance came as the United States was completing the military withdrawal to which it agreed in the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban accord. The fall of the elected Afghan government, supported by billions of dollars in U.S. assistance over the course of nearly two decades, raises significant questions about past, present, and future U.S. policy for Members of Congress. This report provides material related to select questions associated with U.S. policy in Afghanistan, including [1] Background information useful for understanding the current situation in Afghanistan; [2] The Taliban takeover and Afghan government's collapse; [3] U.S. policy implications of the Taliban takeover; [4] Social and economic implications of the Taliban takeover; [5] Regional reactions to the Taliban's takeover; [6] U.S. military operations; [7] Evacuation of U.S. citizens and some Afghans; and [8] Budgetary implications of the U.S. withdrawal. [...] The report concludes with some strategic considerations Congress may wish to contemplate as it assesses the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for the future. [...] This report will be updated to reflect major changes in U.S. policy or developments in Afghanistan that may significantly affect U.S. decisions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs); McGarry, Brendan W.; McInnis, Kathleen J. . . .
2021-08-27
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'Shadow Docket': The Supreme Court's Non-Merits Orders [Updated August 27, 2021]
From the Document: "The Supreme Court's non-merits or motions docket, sometimes informally called the Court's 'shadow docket,' has recently attracted attention from legislators [hyperlink], legal commentators [hyperlink], and the popular press [hyperlink]. While the Supreme Court's motions docket has existed almost as long as the Court itself [hyperlink], many observers believe that in recent years the Court has increasingly [hyperlink] disposed of high-profile matters via non-merits rulings, and some have raised legal questions and concerns about that trend. This Legal Sidebar provides an overview of the Supreme Court's non-merits docket and discusses selected related considerations for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lampe, Joanna R.
2021-08-27
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Moldova: An Overview [Updated August 27, 2021]
From the Document: "Moldova is one of three post-Soviet states--together with Ukraine and Georgia--that has sought greater integration with the West while dealing with separatist territories occupied by Russian forces. Many Members of Congress have long supported Moldova's democratic trajectory and territorial integrity and have called on Russia to respect Moldova's sovereignty and withdraw its military forces. Moldova's political environment has been contentious for years. However, the twin victories of reformist Maia Sandu in the 2020 presidential elections and her pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) in 2021 snap parliamentary elections point to renewed efforts to reinvigorate Moldova's governance reforms and boost its European integration efforts. PAS's victory ends years of rule by shifting and unstable parliamentary coalitions that often included allegedly corrupt political forces."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Welt, Cory
2021-08-27
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Caribbean Basin Security Initiative [Updated August 27, 2021]
From the Document: "The United States developed the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), a regional U.S. foreign assistance program, in 2009 through a process of dialogue with Caribbean countries. The initiative seeks to reduce illicit trafficking in the region, advance public safety and security, and promote social justice. Because of their geographic location, many Caribbean nations are vulnerable to being used as transit countries for illicit drugs from South America destined for the U.S. and European markets. Strengthened U.S. counternarcotics cooperation with Mexico and Central America--through the Mérida Initiative and the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI)--led U.S. policymakers to anticipate a potential increase in narcotics trafficking through the Caribbean. Many Caribbean countries have also suffered high rates of violent crime, including murder, often associated with drug trafficking activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2021-08-27
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Recent Funding Increases for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance [August 26, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced that $3.46 billion in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding [hyperlink] will be made available to states, territories, and tribes (STTs) with major disaster declarations for the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic [hyperlink]. FEMA also announced increased funding for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program for FY2021 [hyperlink]. In addition, further funding for BRIC and the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program [hyperlink] (FMA) may be available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act [hyperlink] (IIJA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2021-08-26
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Climate Change and U.S. Financial Regulators: Overview and Recent Actions [Updated August 26, 2021]
From the Document: "Under the Biden Administration, financial regulators have announced a range of new measures to address financial risks associated with climate change. The Department of the Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Federal Reserve have each announced new steps: [1] The Treasury's announcement covers a range of issues including public spending, macroeconomic effects, and international cooperation. [2] The SEC's addresses investor disclosure requirements relating to climate risks and the classification of funds marketed to investors as environmentally friendly. [3] The Fed's relates to lending risks for individual financial institutions and to systemic financial risks related to climate change. This Insight provides an overview of these actions and how they interrelate."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Miller, Rena S.
2021-08-26
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Dominican Republic [Updated August 26, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. The Dominican Republic is a key U.S. partner in the Caribbean because of its comparatively large size, strong economy, and relative stability. The United States and the Dominican Republic have maintained close commercial ties under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) and cooperated on regional security concerns under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando; Martin, Rachel L.
2021-08-26
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Russia: The Navalny Poisoning, Chemical Weapons Use, and U.S. Sanctions [Updated August 26, 2021]
From the Document: "On March 2, 2021, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined that in August 2020 the Russian government used a chemical weapon in an attack on opposition figure and anticorruption activist Alexei Navalny in violation of international law and against one of its own nationals. This finding triggered requirements under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (CBW Act; title III, P.L. 102-182; 22 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.). The CBW Act requires the President to impose economic and diplomatic measures that could cut off foreign aid, arms sales, and export licenses for controlled goods, services, and technology, and ratchet up in intensity if certain conditions are not met within 90 days. The March 2021 determination is the second time the United States has determined that Russia has used a chemical weapon and imposed sanctions under the CBW Act."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rennack, Dianne E.; Welt, Cory
2021-08-26
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Afghanistan Evacuation: The Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) and the Defense Production Act (DPA) [August 25, 2021]
From the Document: "Created in 1951, the Civil Reserve Air Fleet [hyperlink] (CRAF) operates under the Defense Production Act's (DPA) Title I allocations authority and is available to respond to national defense needs or other contingencies. CRAF is a cooperative emergency airlift program involving U.S. civil air carriers, DOD, and the Department of Transportation (DOT). On August 22, 2021 [hyperlink], Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III ordered the Department of Defense's (DOD) United States Transportation Command [hyperlink] (USTRANSCOM) to activate the CRAF."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cecire, Michael H.; Peters, Heidi M.
2021-08-25
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Amending Eligibility Rules for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals: Background and Policy Options [August 25, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report focuses on the federal eligibility rules for F/RP [free and reduced-price] school meals. It does not address all policies that can facilitate changes in eligibility and participation in school meals, such as changes to the funding structure (e.g., block granting the programs), errors in eligibility determinations, or eligibility rules in intertwined programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The eligibility rules discussed in the report pertain to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. Certain Pacific Islands (the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa) receive block grants in lieu of normal child nutrition program funding and are not discussed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Billings, Kara Clifford; Landers, Patrick A.; Minter, Alyse N.
2021-08-25
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Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated August 25, 2021]
From the Introduction: "[This] report reviews the hypersonic weapons programs in the United States, Russia, and China, providing information on the programs and infrastructure in each nation, based on unclassified sources. It also provides a brief summary of the state of global hypersonic weapons research development. It concludes with a discussion of the issues that Congress might address as it considers DOD's funding requests for U.S. hypersonic technology programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.
2021-08-25
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Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW):budget and U.S. Contributions [August 25, 2021]
From the Document: "The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), located in The Hague, Netherlands, is the international organization responsible for overseeing implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC, or Convention). The parties to the CWC have agreed to destroy and prevent the development and use of chemical weapons, as well as to restrict the use of dual-use chemicals while promoting technical cooperation. Assessed use of chemical weapons by Syria, North Korea, and Russia since 2013 has drawn renewed U.S. and international attention to chemical weapons issues and placed additional demands on the OPCW."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.; Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham; Blanchfield, Luisa
2021-08-25
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Use of Militia, National Guard, or Federal Armed Forces Within the District of Columbia Prior to 2020 [August 25, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides information on 10 instances in which the militia, National Guard, or federal armed forces were used for operations within the geographic boundaries of Washington, DC, due to violence or anticipated violence. Congress may find these cases helpful when considering the contemporary or future role of the National Guard and federal armed forces in the nation's capital."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kapp, Lawrence; Blum, David A.; Ott, Alan . . .
2021-08-25
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International COVID-19 Data and Vaccine Distribution: Selected Resources [August 25, 2021]
From the Document: "The ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to nearly every country worldwide, causing millions of cases and deaths as reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). The resources below provide information on tracking the international spread of the virus and global efforts to contain it through vaccine distribution, tests, and treatments. These resources are not a comprehensive list of COVID-19 international data sources. Rather, they are a starting point that may help congressional staff find resources for frequently requested data. [...] Readers may consider using caution when comparing data across sources, time frames, and geographies, as each resource may have differing methodologies and definitions that may change over time."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fischer, Hannah
2021-08-25
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Cryptocurrency Transfers and Data Collection [August 25, 2021]
From the Overview: "The extent to which the government should collect data on and require reporting of cryptocurrency ('crypto') transfers has been the focus of recent policy discussions. Both the Biden Administration's FY2022 budget proposal and H.R. 3684, as amended and passed by the Senate on August 10, 2021, would enhance and expand tax information reporting for certain crypto transfers. Requiring more data collection on crypto transfers presents policymakers with a potential trade-off. On the one hand, enhanced data collection and reporting could lead to increased tax revenue and lower levels of illicit financial activity. On the other hand, enhanced data collection could lead some crypto market participants to move their operations offshore to avoid government oversight, which may negatively impact a burgeoning sector of the U.S. economy. This In Focus summarizes current data reporting requirements for certain crypto transfers, reviews recent policy proposals, and presents selected policy considerations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keightley, Mark P.; Scott, Andrew P.
2021-08-25
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Noncitizen Eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP [August 25, 2021]
From the Document: "Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide a health care safety net for low-income populations. The availability of these programs for noncitizens (i.e., 'aliens' in immigration law) depends on the noncitizen's immigration status and certain other factors. The Migration Policy Institute estimates 2.4 million low-income noncitizens were enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP, or another public health insurance program in 2019. This In Focus provides an overview of Medicaid/CHIP eligibility rules for non-U.S. citizens."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Baumrucker, Evelyne P.; Kolker, Abigail F.
2021-08-25
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Connecting Constituents with Federal Programs for Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Projects [August 25, 2021]
From the Document: "Congress has established programs to assist constituents-- including individuals, organizations, and local governments--with drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. This In Focus includes a list of selected federal grant, loan, and other programs that support such projects. The following programs vary in scope and funding level and are not a comprehensive list of all potentially relevant programs for a given project."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eck, Rachel J.; Procita, Kezee
2021-08-25
