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Global Economic Effects of COVID-19 [Updated February 19, 2021]
From the Summary:"In the months since the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] outbreak was first diagnosed, it has spread to over 200 countries and all U.S. states. The pandemic has negatively affected global economic growth beyond anything experienced in nearly a century. Estimates so far indicate the virus could reduce global economic growth to an annualized rate of -4.5% to -6.0% in 2020, with a partial recovery of a rate of 2.5% to 5.2% in 2021. Major advanced economies, which comprise 60% of global economic activity, are forecasted to operate below their potential output level through at least 2024. Compared with the synchronized nature of the global economic slowdown in the first half of 2020, the global economy showed signs of a two-track recovery in the third quarter of 2020 with developed economies experiencing a nascent recovery and economic growth in developing economies lagging behind. A resurgence in infectious cases in Europe, the United States, and various developing economies since September renewed calls for lockdowns and curfews and threatened to weaken or delay a sustained economic recovery into at least the first or second quarters of 2021. [...] The full economic impact of the pandemic likely will remain unclear until the negative health effects peak. This report provides an overview of the global economic costs to date and the response by governments and international institutions to address these effects."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K., 1949-; Weiss, Martin A.; Schwarzenberg, Andres B. . . .
2021-02-19
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U.S. Agricultural Aid in Response to COVID-19 [February 19, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This In Focus summarizes the major COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]-related agricultural programs, the types of support they provide (Table 2), and their implementation period, funding levels, outlays to date, and underlying authorities (Table 3). Relevant CRS reports on COVID-19-related programs for agriculture and other areas,such as for nutrition assistance programs, are identified in Table 1."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schnepf, Randall Dean, 1954-; Rosch, Stephanie
2021-02-19
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Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated February 19, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Navy's Columbia (SSBN-826) class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) program is a program to design and build a class of 12 new SSBNs to replace the Navy's current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. The Navy has identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy's top priority program. The Navy procured the first Columbia-class boat in FY2021 and wants to procure the second boat in the class in FY2024."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-02-19
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U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South and East China Seas: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated February 18, 2021]
From the Summary: "In an international security environment described as one of renewed great power competition, the South China Sea (SCS) has emerged as an arena of U.S.-China strategic competition. U.S.- China strategic competition in the SCS formed an element of the Trump Administration's confrontational overall approach toward China and its efforts for promoting its construct for the Indo-Pacific region, called the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). China's actions in the SCS in recent years--including extensive island-building and base construction activities at sites that it occupies in the Spratly Islands, as well as actions by its maritime forces to assert China's claims against competing claims by regional neighbors such as the Philippines and Vietnam--have heightened concerns among U.S. observers that China is gaining effective control of the SCS, an area of strategic, political, and economic importance to the United States and its allies and partners. Actions by China's maritime forces at the Japan administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea (ECS) are another concern for U.S. observers. [...] The issue for Congress is whether and how the Biden Administration's strategy for competing strategically with China in the SCS and ECS will differ from the Trump Administration's strategy, whether the Biden Administration's strategy is appropriate and correctly resourced, and whether Congress should approve, reject, or modify the strategy, the level of resources for implementing it, or both."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-02-18
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Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated February 18, 2021]
From the Summary: "The aircraft carriers CVN-78, CVN-79, CVN-80, and CVN-81 are the first four ships in the Navy's new 'Gerald R. Ford' (CVN-78) class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers (CVNs). The Navy's proposed FY2021 budget requested $2,714.1 million (i.e., about $2.7 billion) in procurement funding for CVN-78 class ships, including $71.0 million for CVN-78, $997.5 million for CVN-80, and $1,645.6 million for CVN-81. Congress, as part of its action on the Navy's FY2021 budget, provided a total of $2,565.4 million (i.e., about $2.6 billion), including $71.0 million for CVN-78, $958.9 million for CVN-80, and $1,606.4 million for CVN-81."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-02-18
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National Emergency Powers [Updated February 16, 2021]
From the Summary: "The President of the United States has available certain powers that may be exercised in the event that the nation is threatened by crisis, exigency, or emergency circumstances (other than natural disasters, war, or near-war situations). Such powers may be stated explicitly or implied by the Constitution, assumed by the Chief Executive to be permissible constitutionally, or inferred from or specified by statute. Through legislation, Congress has made a great many delegations of authority in this regard over the past 230 years. There are, however, limits and restraints upon the President in his exercise of emergency powers. With the exception of the habeas corpus clause, the Constitution makes no allowance for the suspension of any of its provisions during a national emergency. Disputes over the constitutionality or legality of the exercise of emergency powers are judicially reviewable. Both the judiciary and Congress, as co-equal branches, can restrain the executive regarding emergency powers. So can public opinion. Since 1976, the President has been subject to certain procedural formalities in utilizing some statutorily delegated emergency authority. The National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. §§1601-1651) eliminated or modified some statutory grants of emergency authority, required the President to formally declare the existence of a national emergency and to specify what statutory authority activated by the declaration would be used, and provided Congress a means to countermand the President's declaration and the activated authority being sought. The development of this regulatory statute and subsequent declarations of national emergency are reviewed in this report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Halchin, L. Elaine
2021-02-16
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Unemployment Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic: In Brief [Updated February 15, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The National Bureau of Economic Research declared the start of the current economic downturn in February 2020, marking the end of the longest period of expansion in U.S. history. This expansion followed the Great Recession (December 2007 to June 2009), a downturn widely considered to be the worst since the Great Depression (August 1929 to March 1933). The unemployment rate rose quickly in March 2020, and by April 2020 it had greatly surpassed its previous peaks observed during and just after the Great Recession. This spike in unemployment coincided with various mandated stay-at-home orders implemented in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and other pandemic-related factors affecting U.S. demand. Although unemployment rates have declined since April 2020, the rate in January 2021 (6.3%) remains much higher than the rate observed in February 2020 (3.5%). This report discusses recent unemployment rate patterns at the national and state levels using Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Falk, Gene; Carter, Jameson A.; Nicchitta, Isaac A. . . .
2021-02-15
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$400 Question: Financial Insecurity and the COVID-19 Pandemic [February 12, 2021]
From the Document: "The economic disruption caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic heightened awareness of household financial insecurity. Financial insecurity was not new for some households―they were financially insecure at the onset of the pandemic. Adults with children were disproportionately financially insecure. For some households, financial security improved between fall 2019 and summer 2020, following extraordinary economic relief provided in response to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This Insight uses survey data on responses to 'the $400 question' to analyze the above trends. The question asks those surveyed how they would finance an unexpected $400 expense."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Falk, Gene
2021-02-12
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Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) Rule and Review Process [February 12, 2021]
From the Introduction: "On January 19, 2021, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) issued an interim final rule (86 FR 4909) implementing Executive Order 13873, which created a new process for the Secretary to review transactions involving information and communications technology and services (ICTS) and determine whether those transactions present certain national security and economic risks. When a transaction in ICTS involves foreign persons or governments designated as 'foreign adversaries' and presents certain 'undue or unacceptable risks' to the United States, the new rule (ICTS Rule) allows Commerce to either block the transaction or negotiate risk-mitigation measures. The ICTS review process regulates individual 'ICTS transactions'--broadly defined as 'any acquisition, importation, transfer, installation, dealing in, or use of any [ICTS].' As such, it could subject a wide range of commercial interactions to a new federal approval process."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mulligan, Stephen P.
2021-02-12
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Libya and U.S. Policy [Updated February 12, 2021]
From the Document: "Ten years after a 2011 uprising toppled longtime authoritarian leader Muammar al Qadhafi, Libya has yet to make a transition to stable governing arrangements. Militias, local leaders, and coalitions of national figures backed by competing foreign patrons have remained the most powerful arbiters of public affairs. Conflict re-erupted in Libya in April 2019, when a coalition of armed groups led by Qadhafi-era military defector Khalifa Haftar known as the Libyan National Army movement (LNA, in Arabic: 'Libyan Arab Armed Forces,' LAAF) leveraged support from Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt to attempt to seize the capital, Tripoli, from the interim Government of National Accord (GNA) and local militias. With Turkish military support, the GNA and western Libyan militias forced the LNA to withdraw. Libya has remained divided since, with opposing forces separated by a line of control west of Sirte."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Christopher M.
2021-02-12
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Federal Resources for State and Local Economic Development [February 12, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Congress currently supports funding for over 130 programs to meet varied economic development challenges and conditions, create opportunities for economic growth and job creation, and assist a range of economic sectors, geographic regions and localities, and demographic groups. These programs are administered by multiple federal departments and independent federal agencies--typically in partnership with state and local stakeholders--and oversight of them is assigned to multiple congressional committees. Many current federal programs support infrastructure, workforce development, and business assistance activities. Others fund planning, technical assistance, economic adjustment assistance, disaster recovery, entrepreneurship, the development of scientific research capabilities, and other activities. [...] This report provides a broad overview of available resources and potential metrics that Congress can use to compare various programs. Following a brief, abbreviated history of economic development policy, this report discusses the characteristics of major federal programs and services that assist with state and local activities. This report concludes with considerations for policymakers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lawhorn, Julie M.
2021-02-12
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Removal of Nazi Symbols and Inscriptions on Headstones of Prisoners of War in VA National Cemeteries [Updated February 12, 2021]
From the Overview: "During World War II, hundreds of thousands of German, Italian, and Japanese prisoners of war (POWs) were held in the United States at various military installations. During this time, the U.S. military standardized gravestones for its servicemembers but not for POWs. Under article 120 of the 1949 Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the United States must 'ensure that prisoners of war who have died in captivity are honourably buried ... and that their graves are respected, suitably maintained and marked so as to be found at any time.' [...] In 2020, three of these POW headstones became a topic of controversy. [...] On May 12, 2020, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation's Founder and President, Michael L. Weinstein, called on then-Secretary of VA [Department of Veterans Affairs], Robert Wilkie, to immediately remove the three World War II-era headstones located in the two VA national cemeteries. VA said it appears that these three headstones are the only ones bearing a swastika or a Nazi Germany-related inscription, and proceeded with the Section 106 Review process under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). On December 23, 2020, the VA cemetery director and workers at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery removed and replaced the two controversial headstones. As of February 2021, it is unknown whether the third headstone, located in Utah, has been removed or replaced."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Salazar, Heather M.; DeSantis, Mark K.; Torreon, Barbara Salazar . . .
2021-02-12
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Handguns, Stabilizing Braces, and Related Components [February 12, 2021]
From the Document: "On December 18, 2020, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) published guidance in the 'Federal Register' for public comment that indicated that it was preparing to reclassify certain 'heavier, larger handguns (pistols) equipped with stabilizing braces' as more stringently regulated 'short-barreled rifles'. Such a reclassification would have retroactively triggered the more extensive paperwork and background check requirements of the 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA), and required registration of the owner and firearm with ATF. On December 23, 2020, however, ATF withdrew its guidance, pending further Department of Justice review."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Krouse, William J.
2021-02-12
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Supreme Court Preview of 2020-2021 Environmental and Energy Law Cases and Review of 2019-2020 Rulings [Updated February 11, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Supreme Court 2019-2020 term, which started on October 1, 2019, was historic in unexpected ways. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in the Court indefinitely closing its building to the public, postponing oral arguments, and conducting telephonic oral arguments for the first time in history. Beyond the effects of the pandemic, the 2019-2020 Term was notable for the substantive opinions that the Supreme Court issued on environmental, energy, and natural resources (EENR) law issues. [...] The Supreme Court's 2020-2021 term, which began on October 5, 2020, features cases relating to states' competing claims to several interstate rivers, disclosure of agency documents produced during an Endangered Species Act consultation, the appropriate court to decide climate change liability suits, the small refinery exemptions under the Clean Air Act's renewable fuel standard, the relationship between separate CERCLA [Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act] provisions for recouping cleanup costs, eminent domain authority under the Natural Gas Act, and other areas of EENR law. [...] This report reviews some the major EENR decisions from the Supreme Court's 2019-2020 term and previews the legal disputes and arguments in selected EENR cases and petitions for certiorari in the 2020-2021 term. The report also highlights the broader implications of these decisions and cases for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tsang, Linda; Bowers, Kate R.; Holmes, Eric N. . . .
2021-02-11
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Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG): An Overview [Updated February 11, 2021]
From the Document: "States and localities make most decisions about the voting systems used in U.S. elections, from what equipment to acquire to how to pay for it. Since 1990, however, the federal government has issued voluntary guidance states and localities may use to inform their choices. This Insight examines the current iteration of that guidance, the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shanton, Karen L.
2021-02-11
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Coast Guard Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated February 11, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The Coast Guard's Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) program envisages procuring up to 35 replacements for the Coast Guard's 35 aging river buoy tenders (WLRs), inland construction tenders (WLICs), and inland buoy tenders (WLIs). The Coast Guard wants to award the first contract for constructing the new WCCs in FY2022, and to have the first new WCC be in service by 2025. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2021 budget requested $25.0 million in procurement funding for the WCC program; Congress, as part of its action on the Coast Guard's FY2021 budget, approved this request. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Coast Guard's proposed acquisition strategy and funding requests for the WCC program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-02-11
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Tax Provisions for COVID-19 Relief: Subtitle G--Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Promoting Economic Security [February 11, 2021]
From the Document: "The 117th Congress is considering Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related relief and economic stimulus legislation. On February 8, 2021, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal released nine legislative proposals to be considered under the budget reconciliation instructions. This report summarizes the tax provisions in Subtitle G, 'Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Promoting Economic Security.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.; Gravelle, Jane
2021-02-11
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OSHA Jurisdiction Over Public Schools and Other State and Local Government Entities: COVID-19 Issues [Updated February 11, 2021]
From the Document: "As states and their public school systems consider how to provide education to students during the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, they face the safety and health of their students and the potential occupational exposure of their teachers and other employees, including support staff and transportation providers, to the SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] virus, the virus that causes COVID-19. In 24 states and the District of Columbia, local educational agencies (LEAs),such as public school districts, and other state and local government entities are not subject to federal regulation, inspection, or enforcement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or state regulation under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act). LEAs in these states may be covered by OSHA-approved state occupational safety and health plans (state plans) or other state laws."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2021-02-11
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Navy Constellation (FFG-62) Class Frigate (Previously FFG[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated February 11, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and discusses potential issues for Congress regarding the Navy's Constellation (FFG-62) class frigate program, previously known as the FFG(X) program. The FFG-62 class program is a program to procure a new class of 20 guided-missile frigates (FFGs). Congress funded the procurement of the first FFG-62 class ship in FY2020 at a cost of $1,281.2 million (i.e., about $1.3 billion), and the second FFG-62 class ship in FY2021 at a cost of $1,053.1 million (i.e., about $1.1 billion). The Navy's FY2021 budget submission estimated that subsequent ships in the class will cost roughly $940 million each in then-year dollars."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-02-11
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Defense Primer: Department of the Navy [Updated February 11, 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)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-02-11
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Navy Next-Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated February 11, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The Navy's Next-Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) program envisages procuring a new class of medium-sized at-sea resupply ships for the Navy. The Navy's proposed FY2021 budget requested $30.0 million in research and development (R&D) funding for the program. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's proposed FY2021 funding request and emerging acquisition strategy for the NGLS program. Congress's decisions on this issue could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-02-11
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Navy DDG(X) Future Large Surface Combatant Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated February 11, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The Navy's DDG(X) program, also known as the Future Large Surface Combatant program or DDG Next program, envisages procuring a class of next-generation guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) to replace the Navy's aging Ticonderoga (CG-47) class Aegis cruisers. The Navy wants to procure the first DDG(X) around FY2028, although that date could change. The Navy's proposed FY2021 budget requested $46.5 million in research and development (R&D) funding for the program in one R&D line item and some additional funding for the program in another R&D line item. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's FY2022 funding request and emerging acquisition strategy for the program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-02-11
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Foreign Government-Sponsored Broadcast Programming [February 11, 2021]
From the Overview: "Congress has enacted several laws to enable U.S. citizens and the federal government to monitor attempts by foreign governments to influence public opinion on political matters. Nevertheless, radio and television viewers may have difficulty distinguishing programs financed and distributed by foreign governments or their agents. In October 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed new requirements for broadcast radio and television stations to identify foreign government-provided programming."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Scherer, Dana A.
2021-02-11
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Defense Primer: Geography, Strategy, and U.S. Force Design [Updated February 11, 2021]
From the Document: "World geography is an influence on U.S. strategy, which in turn helps shape the design of U.S. military forces."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-02-11
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Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing: President Biden's 'Pause' [February 11, 2021]
From the Document: "On January 27, 2020, President Biden issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14008, directing multiple administrative actions to address climate change. Section 208 of the order directed the Secretary of the Interior to 'pause new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or in offshore waters pending completion of a comprehensive review and reconsideration of Federal oil and gas permitting and leasing practices....' The E.O. stated that this review must evaluate 'potential climate and other impacts' associated with oil and gas leasing, as well as whether to adjust royalties paid to the federal government from onshore and offshore oil and gas production to account for 'climate costs.' The required 'pause' and review must be 'consistent with applicable law.' This CRS [Congressional Research Service] product briefly examines potential effects of the E.O. on federal offshore oil and gas leasing activities on the U.S. outer continental shelf. The E.O. could have both short-term and longer-term effects on these activities, depending partly on the duration of the leasing pause and on any changes to the offshore oil and gas leasing program as a result of the required review. The agencies responsible for leasing in federal waters--the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)--thus far have altered some activities based on the E.O. and kept others as before."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Comay, Laura B.
2021-02-11
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Canada-U.S. Relations [Updated February 10, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report presents an overview of Canada's political situation, foreign and defense policies, and economic and trade policies, focusing particularly on issues that may be relevant to U.S. policymakers. It also examines several environmental and transboundary issues that may be of interest to Members of the 117th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.; Fergusson, Ian F.; Ek, Carl
2021-02-10
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Overview of Department of Defense Use of the Electromagnetic Spectrum [Updated February 10, 2021]
From the Document: "The Department of Defense (DOD) is the largest federal user of the electromagnetic spectrum ('the spectrum'). It holds frequencies across multiple bands to support a number of technologies and uses. DOD utilizes spectrum on a day-to-day basis, for training, and for military operations. Thus, any changes to spectrum could affect DOD operations, both domestically and with allies abroad. Further, DOD has invested significantly in spectrum-dependent technologies. A summary of some of these technologies, including wireless communications, satellites, radar technologies that support situational awareness, signal intelligence and electronic warfare technologies, is provided below. Changes in spectrum may affect how DOD can use, manipulate, or develop these technologies. The Department of Defense (DOD), partly through congressional action, has begun to reprioritize its management and use of the spectrum. Since 2018, the DOD has created new organizational structures and is in the process of developing new strategies and policies, recognizing the importance the spectrum plays in military operations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.; Sayler, Kelley M.; Gallagher, Jill C.
2021-02-10
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COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: Potential Constraints on Employer Mandates Under Federal Law [February 10, 2021]
From the Document: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has forced unprecedented workplace changes and raised a host of legal issues. Employers may struggle with how to protect workers from infection, avoid disruptions that may result from sick leave and employee quarantines, and manage potential liability if an employee contracts the virus at work. Some have noted employers' plans to encourage or require COVID-19 vaccinations for workers as they become available. Policies will undoubtedly vary. Observers expect that health care, travel, and retail businesses will more likely mandate or encourage vaccines, while those with less customer interaction and more work-at-home capacity may defer to employee choice on whether to seek vaccination. [...] This Sidebar provides a general background, in light of recent EEOC [Equal Employment Opportunity Commission] guidance and courts' prior adjudication of employer vaccine mandates, on federal antidiscrimination statutes (including the Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA] and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) relevant to employers or lawmakers crafting vaccination requirements. In addition, the Sidebar briefly considers other laws that could constrain employer vaccine mandates, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). RFRA may limit some government employers' adoption of vaccine mandates and affect future legislation governing vaccine mandates, even legislation that would compel private employers to adopt vaccine mandates or require certain categories of employees to be vaccinated. Finally, the Sidebar concludes by identifying potential legislative options for Congress to clarify how these statutes apply in pandemic circumstances."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Anderson, April J.; Killion, Victoria L.
2021-02-10
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COVID-19 Vaccine Doses: Selected Data Sources on Allocation, Distribution, and Administration [Updated February 10, 2021]
From the Document: "The selected sources below can help congressional staff track the progress of the U.S. COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccination campaign at the national, state, and local levels. Sources were selected for having commonly cited and frequently requested data. This is not intended to be a comprehensive source list. Additional sources may be added in future updates. Because different resources use different methodologies, readers should check websites' notes, definitions, and caveats. Readers should also use caution when comparing data across sources or geographies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cornell, Ada S.; Napili, Angela
2021-02-10
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U.S. Agent Orange/Dioxin Assistance to vi etnam [Updated February 10, 2021]
From the Summary: "U.S. assistance to Vietnam for the environmental and health damage attributed to a dioxin contained in Agent Orange and other herbicides sprayed over much of the southern portion of the country during the Vietnam War remains a significant bilateral issue. Between fiscal years (FY) 2007 and 2021, Congress appropriated nearly $390 million to address these two issues. This includes $60 million in Department of Defense funds transferred to the Secretary of State, for use by the U.S. Agency for International Development [USAID], for the dioxin clean-up at the Bien Hoa airbase. [...] Congressional interest in Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam has largely been focused on two issues. The first issue is determining the appropriate amount and type of assistance to provide to address the environmental damage and the health effects of dioxin contamination in Vietnam. The second issue is oversight of how such assistance has been utilized by the State Department and USAID."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Martin, Michael F.
2021-02-10
