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Defense Primer: Military Installations Management [Updated November 22, 2019]
From the Document: "The Department of Defense (DOD) and the Military Departments (MILDEPs) maintain distinctive organizational structures (Figure 1), policies, and programs for managing their installations. According to 16 U.S.C. §670(1)(A), a 'military installation' 'means any land, or interest in land owned by the United States and administered by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a [MILDEP], except land under the jurisdiction of the Assistant Secretary of the Army having responsibility for civil works.' The term is further defined in 10 U.S.C. §2801(c)(4) to mean 'a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, or other activity.' In general, this includes facilities, training ranges, and other supporting infrastructure that reside on a military installation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Herrera, G. James
2019-11-22
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Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated October 21, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's programs for procuring 8 National Security Cutters (NSCs), 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), and 58 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs). The Coast Guard's proposed FY2020 budget requests a total of $657 million in procurement funding for the NSC, OPC, and FRC programs. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Coast Guard's funding requests and acquisition strategies for the NSC, OPC, and FRC programs. Congress's decisions on these three programs could substantially affect Coast Guard capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-10-21
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Impact of the Federal Income Tax on Poverty: Before and After the 2017 Tax Revision ('TCJA'; P.L. 115-97) [October 17, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report is structured to first provide a brief overview of the major federal income tax provisions that affect lower-income individuals and families, including a comparison of how these provisions changed under the TCJA [Tax Cuts and Jobs Act]. The report then provides an analysis of how the pre-TCJA federal income tax affected poverty, followed by a comparison of how the post-TCJA federal income tax affected poverty. The report concludes with some observations on the benefits and limitations of the federal income tax system and refundable tax credits in reducing poverty."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.; Falk, Gene; Carter, Jameson A.
2019-10-17
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Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy [Updated October 17, 2019]
From the Document: "Georgia is one of the United States' closest partners among the states that gained their independence after the USSR collapsed in 1991. With a history of strong economic aid and security cooperation, the United States has deepened its strategic partnership with Georgia since Russia's 2008 invasion of Georgia and 2014 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. policy expressly supports Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and Georgia is a leading recipient of U.S. aid to Europe and Eurasia. Many observers consider Georgia to be one of the most democratic states in the post-Soviet region, even as the country faces ongoing governance challenges. The center-left Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party (GD) holds a dominant political position, with about 70% of seats in parliament. Although Georgia faces high rates of poverty and underemployment, its economy has performed better since 2017 than it did in the previous four years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Welt, Cory
2019-10-17
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Hong Kong: Recent Developments and U.S. Relations [Updated October 18, 2019]
From the Document: "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR, or Hong Kong) is a city located off the southern coast of China's Guangdong Province. More than 90% of Hong Kong's population is ethnically Chinese. The first language of the vast majority is Cantonese, a variety of Chinese different from what is spoken in most of China. In part because of its different language and long history as a British colony (1842 to 1997), the people of Hong Kong ('Hong Kongers') have a cultural and social identity distinct from that of Mainland China ('Mainlanders'). This includes a unique legacy in Asia of laissez-faire economics and the rule of law, part of their common law legacy from the British, along with the passionate support for universal human rights."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Martin, Michael F.
2019-10-18
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Hong Kong's Protests of 2019 [Updated October 18, 2019]
From the Overview: "Every week since June 9, 2019, tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents, or 'Hong Kongers,' have held marches and rallies to protest the perceived erosion of their city's 'high degree of autonomy' promised by the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration and Beijing's efforts to 'Mainlandize' Hong Kong's culture, economy, and society. The Hong Kong government, led by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, and China's central government have characterized the largely peaceful protests as 'riots' and 'terrorism.' The Hong Kong Police Force has employed increasingly aggressive tactics to stop the protests, resulting in allegations that its officers are violating international standards for responding to civil demonstrations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Martin, Michael F.
2019-10-18
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The Emoluments Clauses of the U.S. Constitution [Updated October 16, 2019]
From the Document: "Recent litigation involving President Trump has raised a number of legal issues concerning formerly obscure constitutional provisions that prohibit the acceptance or receipt of 'emoluments' in certain circumstances. This In Focus provides an overview of these constitutional provisions, highlighting several unsettled legal areas concerning their meaning and scope, and reviewing the status of ongoing litigation against President Trump based on alleged violations of the Emoluments Clauses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hickey, Kevin J.; Foster, Michael A. (Legislative attorney)
2019-10-16
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Hong Kong's Legislative Council (Legco) [Updated October 18, 2019]
From the Document: "The United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 (22 U.S.C. 5701, P.L. 102-383) states, 'Support for democratization is a fundamental principle of United States foreign policy.' The development of Hong Kong's Legislative Council, or Legco, has been a fundamental part of Hong Kong's complex and incomplete process of democratization, and as such has become a key concern of some U.S. policymakers. As currently constituted, some of Legco's members are elected via a democratic process, and others are selected by a restricted mandate. Under the 1990 Chinese law establishing the governance system for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), known as the 'Basic Law,' 'the ultimate aim' is the election of 'all the members of the Legislative Council' (as well as the Chief Executive) by universal suffrage 'in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress.' As a result, Legco plays a critical role in both an assessment of democratization in Hong Kong, as well as progress toward democratization."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Martin, Michael F.
2019-10-18
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FY2020 Mandatory Sequester Reduces Medicare $15.3 Billion, Other Mandatory Spending $5.39 Billion [October 15, 2019]
From the Document: "On October 1, 2019, the first day of FY2020, the FY2020 mandatory sequester order became effective. 'Sequestration' is a budgetary mechanism that requires automatic cancellation of budgetary authority--the legal authority Congress grants agencies to enter into financial obligations. The FY2020 mandatory sequester order reduced Medicare payments by $15.31 billion and other (nonexempt) mandatory spending by $5.392 billion. The reductions are required by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA; P.L. 112-25). The BCA, as amended, requires similar reductions on the first day of each fiscal year through FY2029."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Konigsberg, Charles S.
2019-10-15
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Funding U.S.-Mexico Border Barrier Construction: Current Issues [November 5, 2019]
From the Document: "The construction of barriers on the U.S-Mexico borders to control unauthorized crossings has been a matter of significant debate since President Donald Trump made construction of a border wall a key element of his campaign for the presidency. This Insight provides a brief overview of the funding history for these barriers, and how the current administration is redirecting federal funds to support construction of additional mileage."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mann, Christopher T.; Painter, William L.
2019-11-05
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Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated November 27, 2019]
From the Introduction: "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, tension, 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 [Congressional Research Service] 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; Comay, Laura B.; Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin) . . .
2019-11-27
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Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated November 27, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's programs for procuring 8 National Security Cutters (NSCs), 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), and 58 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs). The Coast Guard's proposed FY2020 budget requests a total of $657 million in procurement funding for the NSC, OPC, and FRC programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-11-27
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Colombia: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated November 29, 2019]
From the Document: "Colombia, a key Latin American ally, endured half a century of internal armed conflict. Drug trafficking fueled the violence, funding left- and right-wing armed groups. Some analysts feared in the 1990s that Colombia would become a failed state, but the Colombian government devised a novel security strategy, known as Plan Colombia, to counter the insurgencies. Plan Colombia and follow-on programs ultimately became a 17-year U.S.-Colombian bilateral effort. [...] Congress appropriated more than $10 billion for Plan Colombia and its follow-on programs between FY2000 and FY2016, about 20% of which was funded through the U.S. Department of Defense. Since 2017, Congress has provided nearly $1.2 billion in additional assistance for Colombia. For FY2019, Congress appropriated $418.1 million in foreign aid for Colombia, which encompassed efforts to promote peace and reconciliation, assist rural communities, and continue counternarcotics support through the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Congress has signed two continuing resolutions for FY2020 appropriations, with FY2020 aid levels set to match FY2019 levels through late December 2019."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.
2019-11-29
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China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress [Updated November 18, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on China's naval modernization effort and its implications for U.S. Navy capabilities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-11-18
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Cuba: U.S. Policy Overview [Updated November 18, 2019]
From the Document: "Since the early 1960s, when the United States imposed a trade embargo on Cuba, the centerpiece of U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted of economic sanctions aimed at isolating the government. In 2014, the Obama Administration initiated a major policy shift moving away from sanctions toward engagement and the normalization of relations. The policy change included the rescission of Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of international terrorism in May 2015; the restoration of diplomatic relations in July 2015; and efforts to increase travel, commerce, and the flow of information to Cuba by easing restrictions on travel, remittances, trade, telecommunications, and banking and financial services. [...] President Trump unveiled a new policy toward Cuba in 2017, introducing new sanctions and rolling back some of the Obama Administration's efforts to normalize relations. By 2019, the Trump Administration had largely abandoned the previous Administration's policy of engagement by increasing economic sanctions significantly to pressure the Cuban government on its human rights record and its support for the regime of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2019-11-18
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Brief Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program [Updated November 26, 2019]
From the Document: "The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the primary source of flood insurance coverage for residential properties in the United States. The NFIP has two main policy goals: (1) to provide access to primary flood insurance, thereby allowing for the transfer of some of the financial risk of property owners to the federal government; and (2) to mitigate and reduce the nation's comprehensive flood risk through the development and implementation of floodplain management standards. A longer-term objective of the NFIP is to reduce federal expenditure on disaster assistance after floods."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2019-11-26
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Brief Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program: Homeland Security Issues in the 116th Congress [Updated November 26, 2019]
From the Document: "The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is authorized by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (Title XIII of P.L. 90-448, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§4001 et seq.) and is the primary source of flood insurance coverage for residential properties in the United States. The NFIP has two main policy goals: (1) to provide access to primary flood insurance, thereby allowing for the transfer of some of the financial risk from property owners to the federal government, and (2) to mitigate and reduce the nation's comprehensive flood risk through the development and implementation of floodplain management standards. A longer-term objective of the NFIP is to reduce federal expenditure on disaster assistance after floods. The NFIP engages in many 'noninsurance' activities in the public interest: it identifies and maps flood hazards, disseminates flood-risk information through flood maps, requires community land-use and building-code standards, contributes to community resilience by providing a mechanism to fund rebuilding after a flood, and offers grants and incentive programs for household- and community-level investments in flood-risk reduction."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2019-11-26
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Closing the Flood Insurance Gap [Updated November 26, 2019]
From the Document; "There is a large flood insurance gap in the United States, where many people that are exposed to flood risk are not covered by flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the primary source of residential flood insurance. More than 22,000 communities participate in the NFIP, with more than five million policies providing more than $1.3 trillion in coverage. The NFIP identifies areas at high risk of flooding as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Property owners are required to purchase flood insurance only if (1) their properties are in SFHAs, (2) their communities participate in the NFIP, and (3) they have federally backed mortgages. Because the SFHA boundary is central to NFIP mapping, it may create a false belief that flood risk changes abruptly at the boundary and that properties outside the SFHA are safe and do not need flood insurance. However, about 20% of NFIP claims are for properties outside SFHAs, and all 50 states and five territories have experienced floods since May 2018."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2019-11-26
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Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations [Updated October 17, 2019]
From the Summary: "This report provides a brief overview of Iran's nuclear program and describes the legal basis for the actions taken by the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] board and the Security Council. It will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.
2019-10-17
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Overtime Exemptions in the Fair Labor Standards Act for White-Collar Employees: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated October 11, 2019]
From the Document; "The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), enacted in 1938, is the main federal law that establishes general wage and hour standards for most, but not all, private and public sector employees. Among other protections, the FLSA establishes that covered nonexempt employees must be compensated at one-and-a-half times their regular rate of pay for each hour worked over 40 hours in a workweek. [...] This report answers frequently asked questions about the overtime provisions of the FLSA, the EAP [employee assistance program] exemptions, and the 2019 final rule that defines and delimits the EAP exemptions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bradley, David H.
2019-10-11
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Limits on TRICARE for Reservists: Frequently Asked Questions [October 17, 2019]
From the Background: "The Department of Defense (DOD) operates a Military Health System (MHS) that delivers certain health entitlements under Chapter 55 of Title 10, U.S. Code. The Defense Health Agency (DHA)--a component of the MHS--administers the TRICARE program, which offers health care services to approximately 9.5 million beneficiaries, composed of military personnel, retirees, and their families. [...] This report answers frequently asked questions about TRICARE health plan options tailored for certain reservists, retired reservists, and their families (i.e., TRICARE Reserve Select and TRICARE Retired Reserve) and certain statutory prohibitions that limit their participation in the plans."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mendez, Bryce H. P.; Torreon, Barbara Salazar
2019-10-17
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Parliamentary Rights of the Delegates and Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico [Updated October 16, 2019]
From the Summary: "As officers who represent territories and properties possessed or administered by the United States but not admitted to statehood, the five House delegates and the resident commissioner from Puerto Rico do not enjoy all the same parliamentary rights as Members of the House. They may vote and otherwise act similarly to Members in legislative committee. They may not vote on the House floor but may participate in debate and make most motions there. Under the rules of the 116th Congress (2017-2018), the delegates and resident commissioner may preside over the Committee of the Whole and may vote in the committee--subject to an automatic revote in the House in cases in which their votes were decisive. Delegates and the resident commissioner may not vote in, or preside over, the House."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Davis, Christopher M., 1966-
2019-10-16
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Uruguay: An Overview [Updated October 24, 2019]
From the Document: "Uruguay, a small nation of 3.5 million people, is located on the Atlantic coast of South America between Brazil and Argentina. The country stands out in Latin America for its strong democratic institutions; high per capita income; and low levels of corruption, poverty, and inequality. Due to its domestic success and commitment to international engagement, Uruguay plays a more influential role in global affairs than its size might suggest. Successive U.S. Administrations have sought to work with Uruguay to address political and security challenges in the Western Hemisphere and around the world."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.
2019-10-24
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Turkey Sanctions in Pending Legislation: Issues for Congress [October 23, 2019]
From the Document: "Congress is actively considering a variety of bills that could impose sanctions on Turkey. The pending legislation is largely in response to a Turkish-led incursion into Syria (which Turkey calls Operation Peace Spring, or OPS) that began in early October after the Trump Administration announced that the United States was relocating some U.S. Special Forces away from the Syria-Turkey border area. Sanctions imposed via legislation would add to sanctions that the Administration imposed on Turkey in response to OPS, and many would stand until Turkey withdraws from areas it has already occupied."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs); Zanotti, Jim
2019-10-23
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Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy Overview [Updated November 13, 2019]
From the Document: "U.S. interests in Latin America and the Caribbean are diverse and include economic, political, security, and humanitarian concerns. Geographic proximity has ensured strong economic linkages between the United States and the region, with the United States being a major trading partner and source of foreign investment for many Latin American and Caribbean countries. Free-trade agreements (FTAs) have augmented U.S. economic relations with 11 countries in the region. The Western Hemisphere is a large source of U.S. immigration, both legal and illegal; geographic proximity and economic and security conditions are major factors driving migration trends."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2019-11-13
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Kinship Care [November 14, 2019]
From the Document: "Children who do not live with their parents, but whose grandparents, other relatives, or close family friends provide them with a home are said to be in 'kinship care.' [...] There are multiple reasons that children's parents may be unwilling or unable to offer care or support, including military service, mental health issues, substance use disorder, or incarceration. [...] Children in kinship care are generally eligible for a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) child-only benefit, provided they are living with a grandparent or other relative."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stoltzfus, Emilie; Boyle, Conor F.
2019-11-14
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Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) [Updated November 26, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides introductory information on key components of the NFIP [National Flood Insurance Program], ranging from floodplain mapping to the standard flood insurance forms. This report will be updated as significant revisions are made to the NFIP through legislation or administrative action. However, this report does not provide detail on current or future legislative issues for Congress, which are covered in a separate report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.; Webel, Baird
2019-11-26
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Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations [Updated November 19, 2019]
From the Summary: "Several U.N. Security Council resolutions adopted between 2006 and 2010 required Iran to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA's) investigation of its nuclear activities, suspend its uranium enrichment program, suspend its construction of a heavywater reactor and related projects, and ratify the Additional Protocol to its IAEA safeguards agreement. [...] This report provides a brief overview of Iran's nuclear program and describes the legal basis for the actions taken by the IAEA board and the Security Council. It will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.
2019-11-19
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Immigration: Recent Apprehension Trends at the U.S. Southwest Border [November 19, 2019]
From the Introduction: "Understanding changing migration patterns over the past decade may help inform Congress as it considers immigration-related legislation. This report discusses recent migrant apprehension trends at the Southwest border. It describes how unauthorized migration to the United States has changed in terms of the absolute numbers of migrants as well as their origin countries, demographic composition, and primary migratory motivations. The report concludes with a brief discussion of related policy implications."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Singer, Audrey; Kandel, William
2019-11-09
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Financial Services for Marijuana Businesses [November 27, 2019]
From the Document: "A number of states have adopted laws permitting marijuana sales and other marijuana-related activities, even though those same activities remain unlawful under federal drug and financial laws. Because of the legal risks under federal law, many financial institutions reportedly are unwilling to provide state-authorized marijuana businesses common banking products and services, such as debit or credit card payment services, electronic payroll services, and checking accounts. This, in turn, reportedly has stifled growth of state-authorized marijuana businesses and forced these businesses to operate exclusively in cash, raising concerns about, among other things, public safety and tax collection compliance. This In Focus analyzes the legal liability that financial institutions risk by serving marijuana businesses given the discordant state and federal marijuana legal regimes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carpenter, David Hatcher
2019-11-27
