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Executive Order 13843: Excepting Administrative Law Judges from the Competitive Service
"The Federal Government benefits from a professional cadre of administrative law judges (ALJs) appointed under section 3105 of title 5, United States Code, who are impartial and committed to the rule of law. As illustrated by the Supreme Court's recent decision in Lucia v. Securities and Exchange Commission, No. 17-130 (June 21, 2018), ALJs are often called upon to discharge significant duties and exercise significant discretion in conducting proceedings under the laws of the United States. As part of their adjudications, ALJs interact with the public on issues of significance. Especially given the importance of the functions they dis-charge--which may range from taking testimony and conducting trials to ruling on the admissibility of evidence and enforcing compliance with their orders--ALJs must display appropriate temperament, legal acumen, impartiality, and sound judgment. They must also clearly communicate their decisions to the parties who appear before them, the agencies that oversee them, and the public that entrusts them with authority."
United States. Office of the Federal Register
Trump, Donald, 1946-
2018-07-10
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S. Rept. 115-294: America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, Report to Accompany S. 2800, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, July 10, 2018
"The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was referred the bill (S. 2800) to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2018-07-10
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S. Rept. 115-293: National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act, Report of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on S. 2202, July 10, 2018
From the Purpose of the Bill: "The purpose of S. 2202 is to do the following: authorize the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) at sufficient funding levels; increase the transparency of the NTSB's safety recommendations and Most Wanted List; enhance certain NTSB investigation authorities; and improve the NTSB's operations."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2018-07-10
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Puerto Rico - Status of Electric Power Recovery [Updated July 10, 2018]
From the Background: "On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico as a Category 4 storm with sustained wind speeds of over 155 miles per hour. At that time, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the Commonwealth) was already in recovery mode following the glancing blow struck by Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017, which left 70% of electricity customers without power. [...] Congress continues to follow the recovery of Puerto Rico from the 2017 hurricanes, and the restoration of power. The electric power infrastructure for transmission and delivery of power was largely destroyed by the hurricanes, and PREPA's [Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority's] aging power generation facilities have been struggling to provide electricity. Whether, and how, Puerto Rico rebuilds its system into a reliable, efficient, and resilient electricity system will be of key interest to Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Campbell, Richard J.
2018-07-10
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First Responder's Toolbox: Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED): Preparedness, Recognition, and Response
From the Document: "Terrorists may pursue efforts to use VBIEDs [Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device] to conduct mass-casualty attacks in the Homeland. We base this assessment on interest communicated via online platforms and in terrorist publications, as well as on previous VBIED-related incidents and attacks. VBIEDs are typically constructed using common vehicles found locally, making them inconspicuous and potentially difficult to detect just by observation. VBIEDs have been used effectively overseas, and previous attacks serve as examples of how they might be employed in the West. This product seeks to increase VBIED awareness among first responders to aid in preparedness, recognition, and response."
National Counterterrorism Center (U.S.)
Joint Counterterrorism Assessment Team
2018-07-10
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 4467, Strengthening Aviation Security Act of 2018
From the Document: "The Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), part of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), promotes the safety of the U.S. aviation system, particularly by protecting airline passengers and crew members against the risk of criminal and terrorist violence. H.R. 4467 would require FAMS to use a risk-based strategy when allocating resources between international and domestic flights, and to report to the Congress on its compliance with that requirement. Using information from TSA, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing H.R. 4467 would not significantly affect the federal budget. Because the act's requirements are consistent with existing administrative policy, CBO expects that any change in federal costs to meet them would be negligible. Such spending would be subject to appropriation. Enacting H.R 4467 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2018-07-10
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Letter from CBO Director Keith Hall to Honorable John Barrasso Regarding [Direct Spending and Revenue Effects of H.R. 8, the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018] [July 10, 2018]
From the Letter: "CBO [Congressional Budget Office] has prepared an estimate of the direct spending and revenue effects of H.R. 8, the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, as posted on the website of the Committee on Environment and Public Works on July 9, 2018, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 8 would decrease direct spending by $1 million over the 2019-2028 period. The legislation would authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to construct projects to improve navigation and flood management, to mitigate storm and hurricane damage, and to restore aquatic ecosystems. The bill also would authorize the Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants and loans to state and local governments, public water systems, and other entities to support a wide range of water infrastructure projects and programs to improve water quality. The legislation would increase offsetting receipts (which are treated as reductions in direct spending) in 2020 by authorizing the Corps to convey nine acres of federal land to the city of Nashville, Tennessee, in exchange for the fair market value of the property. Using information from the Corps, CBO estimates sale proceeds would total about $1 million. Because the legislation would affect direct spending pay-as-you-go procedures apply. Enacting the legislation would not affect revenues."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2018-07-10
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U.S. Global Health Assistance: FY2001-FY2019 Request [July 9, 2018]
"Congressional interest in and support for global health programs has remained strong for several years. In FY2018, Congress provided $8.7 billion for global health programs through State, Foreign Operations appropriations and $488.6 million through Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor-HHS) appropriations. These funds are managed by several U.S. agencies and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund)--a multilateral organization aimed at combating the three diseases worldwide. Concern about infectious diseases, especially HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria (HTAM), continues to drive budget growth. In FY2001, roughly 47% of the U.S. global health budget was aimed at these three diseases. By FY2018, almost 75% of U.S. global health funding was provided for fighting HTAM."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji
2018-07-09
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Next Generation 911 Technologies: Select Issues for Congress [July 9, 2018]
"Since 1968, state and local 911 systems have provided assistance to people in need. 911 systems are fast, reliable, and effective, and are credited with saving many lives. However, many 911 centers (also known as Public Safety Answering Points or PSAPs) continue to use legacy telephone technologies that can receive 911 voice calls, but cannot accept data (e.g., text, photos). Recent advancements in technology have enabled the creation of a more advanced 911 system that can interact more easily with modern communication devices. Next Generation 911 (NG911) technologies offer callers the ability to either call 911 or send data (e.g., text, photos, or video) to PSAPs. NG911 technologies offer PSAPs the ability to accept data, share data with first responders, provide accurate location information, interconnect with other centers, and re-route calls during emergencies. There is general consensus that PSAPs should migrate to NG911; however, the migration will be costly and complex, and will require coordination between state and local 911 agencies and telecommunication providers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gallagher, Jill C.
2018-07-09
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Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress [July 9, 2018]
"The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region's future. Issues such as Arctic territorial disputes; commercial shipping through the Arctic; Arctic oil, gas, and mineral exploration; endangered Arctic species; and increased military operations in the Arctic could cause the region in coming years to become an arena of international cooperation or competition. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial political, economic, energy, environmental, and other interests in the region. Decisions that Congress makes on Arctic-related issues could significantly affect these interests. This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress, and refers readers to more in-depth CRS reports on specific Arctic-related issues. Congressional readers with questions about an issue discussed in this report should contact the author or authors of the section discussing that issue. The authors are identified by footnote at the start of each section."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2018-07-09
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Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Program: Background and Issues for Congress [July 9, 2018]
"This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's program for acquiring new polar icebreakers. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2019 budget requests $750 million in acquisition funding for the program. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Administration's FY2019 acquisition funding request for the polar icebreaker 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. This report does not cover the icebreakers that the Coast Guard operates on the Great Lakes. A separate CRS report covers acquisition of general-purpose cutters for the Coast Guard. Another CRS report provides an overview of various issues relating to the Arctic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2018-07-09
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United States Special Operations Command Acquisition Authorities [July 9, 2018]
"In recent years, a number of observers have suggested that United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is generally more effective at acquisitions than the U.S. military departments, in part because of the perception that SOCOM has unique acquisition authorities. This report describes SOCOM's acquisition authorities for unclassified acquisition programs and compares these authorities to those granted to the military departments. It also compares the military departments' and SOCOM's chains of command, and the scope of acquisition activity and program oversight for those organizations. Finally, the report explores whether SOCOM has unique characteristics that influence how it conducts acquisition."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwartz, Moshe; Purdy, Jason A.
2018-07-09
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U.S. District Court Holds U.S. Citizen Can Challenge His Inclusion on 'Kill List' [July 10, 2018]
"In a decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the court held that a U.S. citizen who could allege sufficient facts to credibly demonstrate he is being targeted by the U.S. military in Syria can challenge the alleged governmental decision to place him on the 'Kill List' as a suspected terrorist. The Kill List is the colloquial name for the list of individuals deemed to be properly subject to targeted killing or capture under the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) Congress passed in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The interagency process for placing individuals on the list was set forth by President Obama in a Presidential Policy Guidance (PPG) in 2013. In Zaidan v. Trump, plaintiffs Ahmad Muaffaq Zaidan and Bilal Abdul Kareem, both journalists covering terrorism and hostilities in the Middle East, believe that they are included on the Kill List and brought suit against various government agencies in an effort to challenge this designation. In order for their claims to survive the government's motion to dismiss, plaintiffs had to demonstrate that they have standing to bring suit and that Congress has waived the government's sovereign immunity for this type of claim. They also had to contend with the United States' assertion that the claims are inappropriate for judicial review under the political question doctrine."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elsea, Jennifer
2018-07-09
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PrepTalks: Children and Disasters - Reducing Vulnerability and Building Capacity [Transcript]
This is the transcript for Dr. Lori Peek's presentation on "Children and Disasters - Reducing Vulnerability and Building Capacity." "In her PrepTalk, Peek acknowledges improvements in addressing the needs of children in disasters, and gives emergency managers five specific ideas to reduce the vulnerability of children to disasters."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States. Department of Homeland Security
Peek, Lori A.
2018-07-09?
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PrepTalks: Children and Disasters - Reducing Vulnerability and Building Capacity [video]
This is a 21-minute and 25-second video resource. "Dr. Lori Peek is director of the Natural Hazards Center and professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder. In her PrepTalk, Peek acknowledges improvements in addressing the needs of children in disasters, and gives emergency managers five specific ideas to reduce the vulnerability of children to disasters: [1] Ensure that every child attends a safe school; [2] Educate children about risk and risk reduction; [3] Listen to and involve children so they can help themselves, other children, and adults; [4] Encourage children's ingenuity and creativity; [5] Cultivate anchors, advocates, and strong institutions for children."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States. Department of Homeland Security
Peek, Lori A.
2018-07-09
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Who Interprets Foreign Law in U.S. Federal Courts? [July 9, 2018]
"Federal courts are frequently called upon to evaluate foreign law in a variety of contexts--from routine breach of contract and tort claims to complex cases implicating the judicial branch's role in international affairs. In Animal Science Products, Inc. v. Hebei Welcome Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., the Supreme Court announced the standard of deference for U.S. federal courts to apply when considering a foreign government's interpretation of its own law. Prior to the Court's ruling, federal courts took a range of approaches on the degree of deference given to a foreign government's official explanation of its domestic law. Some courts viewed a foreign nation's interpretation as effectively binding (at least as long as it was reasonable), but others were willing to deviate from the nation's position if it was inconsistent with prior statements or not supported by affidavits and expert testimony. In Animal Science Products, Inc., the Supreme Court unanimously held that federal courts must give 'respectful consideration' to a foreign government's interpretation, but they are not 'bound to defer' to that position."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mulligan, Stephen P.
2018-07-09
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Financial Reform: Overview of the Volcker Rule [July 9, 2018]
"Legislators and regulators have long grappled with whether restricting the types of activities banks can engage in, or reforming banks' structures, might reduce the risk of large bank failures and the risk of systemic financial instability, such as that seen in the 2008 financial crisis. The Volcker Rule is an example of a means of addressing this issue. The statutory basis of the Volcker Rule is Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in 2010 following the crisis. It was conceived of by Paul Volcker, a former Federal Reserve (Fed) chair, and implemented as 'the Volcker Rule' in a 2013 joint final rule by five financial regulators: the Fed, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The Volcker Rule generally prohibits a depository bank (or company that owns one) from engaging in proprietary trading or investing in (or sponsoring) a hedge fund or private equity fund. The rule has been subject to debate and was recently amended through legislative action. Regulators have also proposed further changes to the rule."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Miller, Rena S.
2018-07-09
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FEMA Daily Operations Briefings, July 8 - 14, 2018
This document is a compilation of all the FEMA Daily Operations Briefings from July 8 - 14, 2018. The FEMA Daily Operations Briefing provides an overview of the current emergency management situation nationwide and includes a summary of current significant events, weather activity, recent emergency declarations and projections for the coming week.
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2018-07-08?
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Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [July 6, 2018]
"The Coast Guard's acquisition program of record (POR) calls for procuring 8 National Security Cutters (NSCs), 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), and 58 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) as replacements for 90 aging Coast Guard high-endurance cutters, medium-endurance cutters, and patrol craft. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2019 budget requests a total of $705 million in acquisition funding for the NSC, OPC, and FRC programs. NSCs are the Coast Guard's largest and most capable general-purpose cutters; they are intended to replace the Coast Guard's 12 aged Hamilton-class high-endurance cutters. NSCs have an estimated average procurement cost of about $682 million per ship. Although the Coast Guard's POR calls for procuring a total of 8 NSCs to replace the 12 Hamilton-class cutters, Congress through FY2018 has funded 11 NSCs, including two (the 10th and 11th) in FY2018. Six NSCs are now in service, and the seventh, eighth, and ninth are scheduled for delivery in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2019 budget requests $65 million in acquisition funding for the NSC program; this request does not include additional funding for a 12th NSC."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2018-07-06
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Designation of Election Systems as Critical Infrastructure [July 6, 2018]
"Prior to the 2016 federal election, a series of cyberattacks occurred on information systems of state and local election jurisdictions. Subsequently, in January 2017 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated the election infrastructure used in federal elections as a component of U.S. critical infrastructure. The designation sparked some initial concerns by state and local election officials about federal encroachment of their prerogatives, but progress has been made in overcoming those concerns and providing assistance to election jurisdictions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fischer, Eric A.
2018-07-06
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Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress [July 6, 2018]
"Names for Navy ships traditionally have been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President and in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress. Rules for giving certain types of names to certain types of Navy ships have evolved over time. There have been exceptions to the Navy's ship-naming rules, particularly for the purpose of naming a ship for a person when the rule for that type of ship would have called for it to be named for something else. Some observers have perceived a breakdown in, or corruption of, the rules for naming Navy ships. On July 13, 2012, the Navy submitted to Congress a 73-page report on the Navy's policies and practices for naming ships."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2018-07-06
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Multilateral Development Banks: Overview and Issues for Congress [July 6, 2018]
"Multilateral development banks (MDBs) are international institutions that provide financial assistance, typically in the form of loans and grants, to developing countries in order to promote economic and social development. The United States is a member and significant donor to five major MDBs. These include the World Bank and four smaller regional development banks: the African Development Bank (AfDB); the Asian Development Bank (AsDB); the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD); and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Congress plays a critical role in shaping U.S. policy at the MDBs through funding and oversight of U.S. participation in the institutions. This report provides an overview of the MDBs and highlights major issues for Congress. The first section discusses how the MDBs operate, including the history of the MDBs, their operations and organizational structure, and the effectiveness of MDB financial assistance. The second section discusses the role of Congress in the MDBs, including congressional legislation authorizing and appropriating U.S. contributions to the MDBs and congressional oversight of U.S. participation in the MDBs. The third section discusses broad policy debates about the MDBs, including their effectiveness, the trade-offs between providing aid on a multilateral or bilateral basis, the changing landscape of multilateral aid, and U.S. commercial interests in the MDBs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nelson, Rebecca M.
2018-07-06
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Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress [July 6, 2018]
"This report presents background information and issues for Congress concerning the Navy's force structure and shipbuilding plans. The current and planned size and composition of the Navy, the rate of Navy ship procurement, and the prospective affordability of the Navy's shipbuilding plans have been oversight matters for the congressional defense committees for many years. The Navy's FY2019 budget submission includes proposed increases in shipbuilding rates that are intended as initial steps for increasing the size of the Navy toward a goal of a fleet with 355 ships of certain types and numbers. The Navy's proposed FY2019 budget requests funding for the procurement of 10 new ships, including two Virginia-class attack submarines, three DDG-51 class Aegis destroyers, one Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), two John Lewis (TAO-205) class oilers, one Expeditionary Sea Base ship (ESB), and one TATS towing, salvage, and rescue ship. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's proposed FY2019 shipbuilding program and the Navy's longer-term shipbuilding plans. Decisions that Congress makes on this issue can substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2018-07-06
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China-U.S. Trade Issues [July 6, 2018]
"Economic and trade reforms begun in 1979 have helped transform China into one of the world's biggest and fastest-growing economies. China's economic growth and trade liberalization, including comprehensive trade commitments made upon its entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, have led to a sharp expansion in U.S.-China commercial ties. Yet, bilateral trade relations have become increasingly strained in recent years over a number of issues, including China's mixed record on implementing its WTO obligations; infringement of U.S. intellectual property (such as through cyber-theft of U.S. trade secrets and forced technology requirements placed on foreign firms); increased use of industrial policies to promote and protect domestic Chinese firms; extensive trade and foreign investment restrictions; lack of transparency in trade rules and regulations; distortionary economic policies that have led to overcapacity in several industries; and its large merchandise trade surplus with the United States. China's economic and trade conditions, policies, and acts have a significant impact on the U.S. economy as whole as well as specific U.S. sectors and thus are of concern to Congress. This report provides an overview of U.S.-China commercial ties, identifies major issues of contention, describes the Trump Administration's trade policies toward China, and reviews possible outcomes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morrison, Wayne M.
2018-07-06
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New START Treaty Aggregate Numbers of Strategic Offensive Arms
"Data in this Fact Sheet comes from the biannual exchange of data required by the Treaty [Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty]. It contains data declared current as of February 5, 2018."
United States. Department of State; United States. Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance
2018-07-06
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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, July 6, 2018
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR contains the following: "Evaluation of Occupational Exposure Limits for Heat Stress in Outdoor Workers -- United States, 2011-2016"; "Chagas Disease Surveillance Activities -- Seven States, 2017"; "Measles-Rubella Supplementary Immunization Activity Readiness Assessment -- India, 2017-2018"; "Notes from the Field: Adverse Event Associated with Unintentional Exposure to the Brucella abortus RB51 Vaccine -- Oregon, December 2017"; "Notes from the Field: HIV Testing in Health Care Facilities -- Lesotho, 2017"; and "QuickStats: Percentage of Injury Deaths that Occurred in the Decedent's Home for the Five Most Common Causes of Injury Death -- United States, 2016."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2018-07-06
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Supreme Court Nominations, 1789 to 2017: Actions by the Senate, the Judiciary Committee, and the President [July 6, 2018]
"The procedure for appointing a Justice to the Supreme Court of the United States is provided for by the Constitution in only a few words. The 'Appointments Clause' (Article II, Section 2, clause 2) states that the President 'shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint ... Judges of the supreme Court.' The process of appointing Justices has undergone changes over two centuries, but its most basic feature--the sharing of power between the President and Senate--has remained unchanged. To receive a lifetime appointment to the Court, a candidate must first be nominated by the President and then confirmed by the Senate. An important role also has come to be played midway in the process (after the President selects, but before the Senate considers) by the Senate Judiciary Committee. On rare occasions, Presidents also have made Supreme Court appointments without the Senate's consent, when the Senate was in recess. Such 'recess appointments,' however, were temporary, with their terms expiring at the end of the Senate's next session. The last recess appointments to the Court were made in the 1950s."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McMillion, Barry J.; Rutkus, Denis Steven
2018-07-06
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Roundtable Policy Discussion on 'Counter UAS Issues'
"Unmanned aircraft systems ('UAS' or 'drones') have been used in the United States for nearly a century. In recent years, the number of UAS has grown dramatically due to rapid advances in technology and resulting reductions in price. The FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] estimates that the number of model 'small' UAS, those weighing 55 pounds or less, may double from 1.1 million to more than 2.4 million between 2017 and 2022. Similarly, the FAA estimates the number of commercial UAS may grow from 110,604 in 2017 to more than 700,000 by 2022. Interest in UAS operations continues to expand as the number of potential applications grows and technology improves. The economic potential of drones is valued in the billions of dollars across various sectors including agriculture, construction, defense, energy, entertainment, and transportation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates all civil aircraft, including UAS. Applicable laws include the 'FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012' (P.L. 112-95) and the 'FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016' (P.L. 114-190). Together, these laws comprise a substantial part of statutory framework applicable to the operation of UAS. In addition, the FAA promulgated 14 C.F.R. Part 107 in 2016, which applies to the operation of small UAS. Part 107 includes a waiver process to enable more advanced UAS operations. Finally, the House passed 'FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018' (H.R. 4) includes several provisions intended to further advance the safe integration and operation of UAS."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
2018-07-06
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Department of Homeland Security: Procurement, Construction, and Improvements FY 2019 Unfunded Priorities List (Report to Congress)
"The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (Pub. L. No. 112-213, codified at 14 U.S.C. § 2902) includes the following requirement: § 2902. Capital Investment Plan '(a) In General.-On the date on which the President submits to Congress a budget pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate( 2) a list of each unfunded priority for the Coast Guard.' '(c) Definitions.-In this section- (1) the term 'unfunded priority' means a program or mission requirement that- (A) has not been selected for funding in the applicable proposed budget; (B) is necessary to fulfill a requirement associated with an operational need; and (C) the Commandant would have recommended for inclusion in the applicable proposed budget had additional resources been available or had the requirement emerged before the budget was submitted;' This report also responds to the language set forth in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act (P.L. 115-141), which states: 'The Commandant is directed to provide to the Committees, at the time of each budget submission, a list of approved but unfunded Coast Guard priorities and the funds needed for each."
United States. Department of Homeland Security; United States. Coast Guard
2018-07-06
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Questions Remain, Litigation Continues, over Military Service by Transgender Individuals [July 5, 2018]
"At present, the ability of openly transgender individuals to enlist and serve in the military, and receive certain military-funded medical care, remains unclear. Four lawsuits challenging the President's August 25, 2017, memorandum concerning transgender individuals in the military continue to work their way through federal courts in the District of Columbia (Doe v. Trump), Maryland (Stone v. Trump), California (Stockman v. Trump), and Washington (Karnoski v. Trump). While this litigation was underway, the President issued a second memorandum on March 23, 2018, revoking the first memorandum, and providing for further policies with respect to transgender persons. The effect of this second memorandum on these four cases and the legal arguments they raise--including a constitutional challenge to the President's first memorandum on Fifth Amendment equal protection grounds--has yet to be definitively resolved by the courts. This sidebar discusses the procedural background of these lawsuits, the President's first and second memoranda, and the issues that may come before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit), which could be the first federal appellate court to determine the constitutionality of the President's latest policies on military service by transgender persons."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Back, Christine J.
2018-07-05
