Homeland Security Digital Library

Homeland Security Digital Library

SEARCH THE HSDL

Advanced search Help

Set an Alert to get future results

Results 481 - 510 (of 140,650) sort by relevance sorted by date

Clear all search criteria

Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).

Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of Facilities' COVID-19 Pandemic Readiness and Response in Veterans Integrated Service Networks 2, 5, and 6

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Report Overview: "This Office of Inspector General (OIG) Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program (CHIP) report examines key clinical and administrative processes that are associated with promoting quality care. Comprehensive healthcare inspections are one element of the OIG's overall efforts to ensure that the nation's veterans receive high-quality and timely VA [Veterans Affairs] healthcare services. The inspections are performed approximately every three years for each medical facility. The OIG selects and evaluates specific areas of focus each year. Starting in July 2020, the OIG added pandemic readiness and response as an issue for examination. CHIP staff have aggregated findings that relate to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] readiness and response from these routine inspections to ensure that the information is provided in a comprehensive manner, given the constantly changing landscape as infection rates and demands on facilities continually shift. To promote this objective, CHIP staff have combined the findings of inspected medical facilities by Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), which are regional systems that provide oversight of medical centers in their area.1 This report is the fourth in a series. It provides a descriptive evaluation of VISN 2, 5, and 6 facility responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. This examination is based on findings from healthcare inspections performed during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2021 (April 1 through September 30, 2021). The report also provides a more recent snapshot of the pandemic's demands on facility operations based on data compiled as of September 2021. Additionally, it includes information on COVID-19 vaccination efforts, based on a review of VA's vaccination statistics as of September 29, 2021."

United States. Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Inspector General

2022-04-07
EMR-ISAC: Infogram, Volume 22 Issue 14, April 7, 2022

Show summary Open resource [html] (open full abstract)
The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "USFA [United States Fire Administration] releases Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2020"; "DIY [do it yourself] tech for bomb technicians' X-ray generator batteries from DHS S&T [Science and Technology Directorate]"; "CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency] kicks of [sic] its inaugural Emergency Communications Month"; "Webinar: Preventing DNS [Domain Name System] Infrastructure Tampering"; "These ten hacking groups have been targeting critical infrastructure and energy"; "Spring4Shell flaw: Here's why it matters, and what you should do about it"; "Breach reports show diversity of healthcare cyber targets"; and "State Department launches cyber bureau amid rising global tensions."

Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)

2022-04-07
Provider Relief Fund: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated April 7, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Summary: "The Provider Relief Fund (PRF) was established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, P.L. 116-136) to reimburse, through grants or other mechanisms, eligible health care providers for increased expenses or lost revenue attributable to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The CARES Act provided $100 billion to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus, domestically and internationally. The amounts were subsequently increased by $78 billion, with $75 billion added in the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PPPHCEA, P.L. 116-139) and $3 billion in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116- 260). The latter was the first time the Provider Relief Fund was referred to in statute and required changes to the fund's reporting requirements and requirements for future fund allocations. The answers to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) in this report provide overview information on the PRF, how funds have been allocated, and the fund's requirements for provider reporting. In addition, this report describes the use of the PRF to pay providers for providing COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccines to uninsured individuals and the use of the fund to pay providers for costs associated with vaccinating individuals who are underinsured (e.g., who do not have insurance that covers vaccine administration)."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-

2022-04-07
U.S.-Singapore Relations [Updated April 7, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Overview: "Though geographically only about three times the size of Washington, DC, and with a population of about 5.9 million, the city-state of Singapore exerts economic and diplomatic influence on par with much larger countries. Its stable government, strong economic performance, educated citizenry, and strategic position along key shipping lanes afford it a large role in regional and global affairs. For the United States, Singapore has been a partner in both trade and security initiatives and an advocate of a strong U.S. role in the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, Singapore's leaders have aimed to maintain close relations with China, and to maintain positive ties with all regional powers. [...] Although not a U.S. treaty ally, Singapore is one of the strongest U.S. security partners in the region. A formal strategic partnership agreement allows the United States to access Singaporean military facilities and promotes cooperation on issues ranging from counterterrorism to counter-proliferation."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dolven, Ben; Chanlett-Avery, Emma

2022-04-07
U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation: From the Mérida Initiative to the Bicentennial Framework [Updated April 7, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "In recent years, escalating violence in Mexico and drug overdose deaths in the United States have led Congress to question the efficacy of U.S.-Mexican security cooperation. Homicides in Mexico reached record levels from 2016 to 2019, followed by a slight decline during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Since 2019, Mexico has replaced China as the primary U.S. supplier of synthetic opioids, which cause a majority of U.S. drug overdoses. As Congress deliberates on the future of U.S.-Mexican security cooperation, it may reevaluate the Mérida Initiative, including implementation of security and rule-of-law initiatives supported by $3.5 billion in congressional appropriations. It also may assess the Biden Administration's FY2023 budget request to support the new U.S.-Mexico Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Heath, and Safe Communities."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Seelke, Clare Ribando

2022-04-07
U.S. Border Patrol Encounters at the Southwest Border: Titles 8 & 42 [April 7, 2022] [infographic]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "When the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) encounters a migrant entering illegally between ports of entry, they are processed for removal under Title 8 (immigration law) and asked whether they fear persecution or intend to seek asylum. However, at the start of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in March 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order requiring USBP to use an additional procedure at the border under Title 42 (public health code). The policy prohibits the entry of certain migrants to prevent the introduction of COVID-19 into border facilities and the United States. Individuals subject to the order are not held in congregate areas for processing and not given a credible fear interview to pursue the asylum process. Instead they are swiftly expelled to Mexico or their counties of origin. The focus of this infographic is on the Southwest border; migrants arriving at the Northern border between ports of entry are subject to the same processes but make up a small share of total USBP encounters."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Singer, Audrey

2022-04-07
Hungary's 2022 Election: Issues for Congress [April 7, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "Hungary's parliamentary election on April 3, 2022, resulted in a victory for the incumbent Fidesz party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Fidesz defeated a six-party alliance of opposition parties, winning [hyperlink] 53.1% of the popular vote and 135 out of 199 seats in Hungary's unicameral parliament. The conservative-nationalist Fidesz has won the past four Hungarian elections, each with a two-thirds parliamentary supermajority, and has led the government of Hungary since 2010. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe concluded [hyperlink] that the 2022 election was well-managed but was conducted on an uneven playing field due to overlap between state and party and the dominance of pro-government media. Orbán's renewed leadership likely signifies continued tensions between Hungary and the rest of the European Union (EU), as well as the United States, over various issues."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Mix, Derek E.

2022-04-07
Indonesia [Updated April 7, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Overview: "With over 270 million citizens, Indonesia is the most populous country in Southeast Asia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, and the world's third-largest democracy (after India and the United States). It has the world's 16th-largest economy and the 10th-largest when ranked by purchasing power parity. It straddles important sea lanes and borders the Strait of Malacca, one of the world's busiest trade routes, as well as the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Over the past two decades, Indonesia has become a robust democracy, holding four direct presidential elections, each considered by international observers to have been largely free and fair. In the most recent, held in April 2019, President Joko Widodo was reelected to a second five-year term. The U.S.-Indonesia relationship has broadened in recent years, with closer military and counterterrorism cooperation and a range of new educational, environmental, and energy initiatives that were initiated in the Obama Administration. However, Indonesia's foreign policy is guided by its historical role as a leader of the Non-Aligned Movement, and successive Indonesian governments have bristled at the notion of aligning too closely with the United States or with others, including China."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dolven, Ben

2022-04-07
FEMA Individual Assistance Programs: An Overview [Updated April 7, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Introduction: "When a disaster occurs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may assist individuals with their recovery when the Individual Assistance (IA) program is authorized pursuant to a presidential declaration of emergency or major disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act; P.L. [Public Law] 93-288, as amended; 42 U.S.C. [United States Code] §§5121 et seq.). This report provides brief descriptions of the IA categories authorized under the Stafford Act, including the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP); Disaster Case Management (DCM), Disaster Legal Services (DLS); Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA); and assistance for housing and/or other needs (referred to as other needs assistance or ONA) through the Individuals and Households Program (IHP). Also included is a brief overview of Mass Care and Emergency Assistance (MC/EA)."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Webster, Elizabeth M.

2022-04-07
Evolution of Marijuana as a Controlled Substance and the Federal-State Policy Gap [Updated April 7, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Introduction: "This report provides an historical background on federal marijuana policy; an overview of state trends with respect to marijuana decriminalization and legalization, for both medical and recreational uses; and an analysis of the gap between federal and state marijuana law and policy and certain implications and consequences of the gap. It reviews federalism and federal authority to preempt state marijuana laws and analyzes relevant issues for federal law enforcement and the consequences of state marijuana legalization. The report also outlines a number of related policy questions and options that Congress may consider, including federal tax treatment of marijuana, financial services for marijuana businesses, the medical nature of cannabis, oversight of federal law enforcement, evaluation of marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance, and some options for addressing the gap."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Sacco, Lisa N.

2022-04-07
Contested Deployment

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Foreword: "This study, undertaken in 2018 for an integrated research project headed by the Homeland Defense and Security Issues Group of the Army War College Center for Strategic Leadership, contributes to the thinking that will be required to prepare US forces--and, especially, the US Army--for 'contested deployment.' While acknowledging a broad swath of issue areas, the study focuses predominantly on physical infrastructure issues that will impact the ability of the United States to mobilize, deploy, employ, and sustain its forces. While the study's findings and recommendations are not always intuitive when compared to effective business practices, they promote a necessary redundancy made urgent by the threat of determined nation-state opponents or their proxies."

Army War College (U.S.)

Tussing, Bert B.; Powell, John Eric; Leitzel, Benjamin

2022-04-07
Global Human Rights: International Religious Freedom Policy [Updated April 7, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "For decades, U.S. policymakers have sought to promote religious freedom abroad, reflecting both a prioritization of human rights in U.S. foreign policy generally as well as an emphasis on religious freedom in U.S. domestic law and political culture. Protection of religious freedom is also affirmed in international law through the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and other instruments. Congress has sought to ensure continued support for religious freedom as a focus of U.S. foreign policy, most prominently through passage of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. [...] The IRF [international religious freedom] report, which is statutorily required by May 1 each year, covers developments in each foreign country during the prior calendar year and includes information on the status of religious freedom, violations of religious freedom, and relevant U.S. policies. The IRF report is the official U.S. government account of religious freedom conditions abroad, and is a primary information source for the executive branch's 'country of particular concern' designations."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Weber, Michael A.

2022-04-07
H. Doc. 117-106: Prohibiting New Investment in and Certain Services to the Russian Federation in Response to Continued Russian Federation Aggression, April 07, 2022

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act [...], the National Emergencies Act [...], and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order in order to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14024 of April 15, 2021, with respect to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States posed by specified harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation. The order prohibits the following: (i) new investment in the Russian Federation by a United States person, wherever located; (ii) the exportation, re-exportation, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States, or by a United States person, wherever located, of any category of services as may be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to any person located in the Russian Federation; and (iii) any approval, financing, facilitation, or guarantee by a United States person, wherever located, of a transaction by a foreign person where the transaction by that foreign person would be prohibited by this section if performed by a United States person or within the United States. I am enclosing a copy of the Executive Order I have issued."

United States. Government Publishing Office

2022-04-07
Fact Sheet: U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine [April 7, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "The security assistance the Biden Administration is providing to Ukraine is enabling critical success on the battlefield against the Russian invading force. [1] The Administration is working around the clock to fulfill Ukraine's priority security assistance requests, delivering weapons from U.S. stocks when they are available, and facilitating the delivery of weapons by allies and partners when their systems better suit Ukraine's needs. [...] [2] The Administration is continuing to work with allies and partners to identify additional weapons systems to help the Ukrainian military defend its country. [...] [3] On April 5, the Administration announced an additional $100 million in security assistance to Ukraine through Presidential Drawdown Authority. The Administration also announced $300 million in security assistance on April 1 under authorities provided by the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. [4] These announcements bring the U.S. commitment to more than $1.7 billion in security assistance since Russia's February 24 invasion, and $2.4 billion since the beginning of the Administration."

United States. Department of Defense

2022-04-07
Sexual Harassment and Assault at School: Divergence Among Federal Courts Regarding Liability [April 7, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "Under Title IX [hyperlink] of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), schools that receive federal financial assistance are liable for a 'deliberately indifferent' response to the sexual harassment and assault of students by teachers, as well as by fellow students in certain circumstances. While this standard is a stringent [hyperlink] one to meet, federal courts have not applied it uniformly. In particular, federal courts of appeals have taken diverging [hyperlink] positions over whether [hyperlink] a school's insufficient response to a single incident of student-on-student harassment itself can establish liability under Title IX, or whether further incidents of harassment are required in order for liability to attach. This disagreement turns, at least in part, on language in Supreme Court decisions [hyperlink] establishing the general parameters of school liability for sexual harassment under Title IX, as well as the interpretation of legislation enacted pursuant to Congress's spending power [hyperlink] under the Constitution."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Cole, Jared P.

2022-04-07
Women in National Governments Around the Globe: Fact Sheet [Updated April 6, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Introduction: "Women and girls make up half of the world's population; however, in most countries, women are underrepresented in the political process at the national level. Possible causes include discriminatory laws and practices, gender stereotypes, low levels of education, lack of access to health care, and the disproportionate effect of poverty on women. Many experts, including some U.S. policymakers and Members of Congress, have found that women's political participation, including representation in elected governments, contributes to the overall well-being of women and their communities. [...] This report provides a global snapshot of women's political participation in national governments worldwide by compiling statistics and other information from a variety of sources, including the annual 'Global Gender Gap Report' issued by the World Economic Forum, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, the CIA 'World Factbook', news reports, and other sources."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Chesser, Susan G.

2022-04-06
Executive Order 14071: Prohibiting New Investment in and Certain Services to the Russian Federation in Response to Continued Russian Federation Aggression

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, in order to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14024 of April 15, 2021, expanded by Executive Order 14066 of March 8, 2022, and relied on for additional steps taken in Executive Order 14039 of August 20, 2021, and Executive Order 14068 of March 11, 2022, hereby order: Section 1. (a) The following are prohibited: (i) new investment in the Russian Federation by a United States person, wherever located; (ii) the exportation, reexportation, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States, or by a United States person, wherever located, of any category of services as may be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to any person located in the Russian Federation; and (iii) any approval, financing, facilitation, or guarantee by a United States person, wherever located, of a transaction by a foreign person where the transaction by that foreign person would be prohibited by this section if performed by a United States person or within the United States. (b) The prohibitions in subsection (a) of this section apply except to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or license or permit granted prior to the date of this order."

United States. Office of the Federal Register

Biden, Joseph R., Jr.

2022-04-06
SEVIS by the Numbers: Annual Report on International Student Trends

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) [hyperlink] is part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). SEVP manages the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) [hyperlink], the web-based system DHS uses to maintain and manage information on nonimmigrant students whose primary purpose for coming to the United States is to study. [...] SEVIS by the Numbers is an annual report that highlights key SEVIS data. The data illustrates trends, values and information specifically on F and M international students studying in the United States. The report includes the following sections: [1] STUDENTS [hyperlink] - Data on international students who come to the United States to study. -[2] SCHOOLS [hyperlink] - Data on SEVP-certified schools that enroll international students in the United States. [3] STATES AND TERRITORIES [hyperlink] - Data about international student demographics within individual U.S. states and territories. This SEVIS by the Numbers report uses SEVIS data from calendar year 2021 and compares it to data from calendar year 2020. This report can also be compared to calendar year data in the SEVP Data Library on ICE.gov [hyperlink] as well as the 2020 SEVIS by the Numbers report [hyperlink]."

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

2022-04-06?
H. Rept. 117-290: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 3807) to Amend the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to Increase Appropriations to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and for Other Purposes, Report to Accompany H. Res. 1033, April 6, 2022

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Summary of Provisions of the Resolution: "The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3807, the Relief for Restaurants and other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act of 2022, under a closed rule. The resolution provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Small Business or their designees. The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The resolution provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 117- 39, modified by the amendment printed in this report, shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The resolution waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended. The resolution provides one motion to recommit."

United States. Government Publishing Office

2022-04-06
Critical Infrastructure Protection: DHS Actions Urgently Needed to Better Protect the Nation's Critical Infrastructure, Statement of Tina Won Sherman, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Highlights: "The nation's critical infrastructure consists of physical and cyber assets and systems that are vital to the United States. Their incapacity or destruction could have a debilitating impact on security, national public health and safety, or national economic security. Critical infrastructure provides the essential functions--such as supplying water, generating energy, and producing food--that underpin American society. Protecting this infrastructure is a national security priority. GAO [Government Accountability Office] first designated information security as a government-wide high-risk area in 1997. This was expanded to include protecting (1) cyber critical infrastructure in 2003 and (2) the privacy of personally identifiable information in 2015."

United States. Government Accountability Office

Sherman, Tina Won

2022-04-06
Military Suicide: Preliminary Observations on Actions Needed to Enhance Prevention and Response Affecting Certain Remote Installations, Statement of Brenda S. Farrell, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Personnel, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Higlights: "Suicide deaths and attempts within the military community are devastating events for families. They can also harm unit morale and readiness. Remote OCONUS [outside the contiguous U.S.] installations may pose challenges that increase suicide risk. This statement examines, among other things, (1) the incidence of suicide and related risk factors among servicemembers at remote OCONUS installations during 2016-2020. It also discusses the extent to which DOD and the military services have, in relation to remote OCONUS installations (2) established and ensured implementation of policies, programs, and activities that address suicide prevention; (3) established privacy protections for servicemembers and dependents seeking suicide prevention care and integrated suicide prevention into primary care; and (4) established guidance and training for key personnel for responding to suicide deaths and attempts."

United States. Government Accountability Office

Farrell, Brenda S.

2022-04-06
Space Acquisitions: Changing Environment Presents Continuing Challenges and Opportunities for DOD, Statement of Jon Ludwigson, Director, Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Highlights: "DOD space systems provide critical capabilities that support military and national security operations. Such systems are expensive to acquire and field, costing billions of dollars each year. The recently established U.S. Space Force will consolidate leadership, planning, and management for selected DOD space programs, as appropriate and authorized. This statement (1) provides a description of key space system development efforts and summarizes the results of GAO [Government Accountability Office]'s recent related reports, and (2) addresses challenges and opportunities facing acquisitions of new space systems."

United States. Government Accountability Office

Ludwigson, Jon

2022-04-06
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 6871, DHS Acquisition Reform Act

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on March 2, 2022. From the Document: "H.R. 6871 would designate the undersecretary for management at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the chief acquisition officer at the agency. Under the bill, the chief acquisition officer would be required to advise the Secretary of DHS on acquisition management activities and to help maintain best practices, among other responsibilities. The bill also would establish an Office of Test and Evaluation to ensure compliance with department policies and a Program Accountability and Risk Management office to evaluate the performance of major acquisition programs and developing certification standards. Based on a 2017 directive and other information from DHS's website, DHS is currently carrying out activities similar to those required by the bill. Thus, CBO estimates that implementing the requirements in the bill would not have a significant cost; any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."

United States. Congressional Budget Office

2022-04-06
H. Rept. 117-289: Increase Federal Disaster Cost Share Act of 2021, Report to Accompany H.R. 1951, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, April 6, 2022

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Purpose and Summary: "The purpose of H.R. 1951, as amended, is to modify the federal cost share of certain assistance provided under the 'Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act' for major disaster declarations from calendar year 2020."

United States. Government Publishing Office

2022-04-06
Department of Homeland Security's Authority to Expand Expedited Removal [Updated April 6, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "Non-U.S. nationals ('aliens', as the term is used in federal statute [hyperlink]) apprehended by immigration authorities when attempting to unlawfully enter the United States are generally subject to a streamlined, expedited removal process [hyperlink], in which there is no hearing or further review of an administrative determination that the alien should be removed. Since the enactment of the expedited removal statute in 1996, expedited removal has been used primarily with respect to [hyperlink] aliens who have either arrived at a designated port of entry or were apprehended near the border shortly after surreptitiously entering the United States. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), however, authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to apply expedited removal more broadly to aliens in 'any part' of the United States who have not been admitted or paroled [hyperlink] by immigration authorities, if those aliens have been physically present in the country for less than two years and either did not obtain valid entry documents or procured their admission through fraud or misrepresentation. In 2019, during the Trump Administration, DHS issued notice that it was expanding the use of expedited removal to the full extent permitted under the INA. A federal appellate court upheld [hyperlink] the expansion against a legal challenge seeking to stop its implementation. However, in March 2022, during the Biden Administration, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas rescinded [hyperlink] the expansion. As a result, expedited removal remains limited in its application to aliens apprehended at or near the border. Nonetheless, DHS retains the authority to expand the use of expedited removal, and that authority may continue to prompt significant questions concerning the relationship between the federal government's broad power over the entry and removal of aliens and the due process rights of aliens located within the United States."

United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office

Smith, Hillel R.

2022-04-06
Education for Afghan Girls Under the Taliban: Status and Issues for Congress [April 6, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "On March 23, 2022, the Taliban government reversed its previously announced intention to resume secondary education for Afghan girls. The last-minute policy change has prompted widespread U.S. and international criticism and drawn renewed attention to the status of women and girls in Afghanistan, a longstanding issue of congressional concern. The Taliban decision, together with other recently imposed restrictions, raises questions about how Taliban policies on women's rights may be evolving, as well as about the group's responsiveness to outside pressure. Many Members of Congress have expressed deep concerns about the fate of Afghan women and girls (a focus of prior [hyperlink] U.S. development efforts), and the issue has significant policy implications for Congress and for U.S. approaches to the Taliban's rule."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs)

2022-04-06
China's Economy: Current Trends and Issues [Updated April 6, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "The People's Republic of China (PRC or China) was the first major economy to announce a return to economic growth in June 2020 since the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; its economic performance since then has been uneven. Repeated lockdowns under zero-COVID tolerance policies have periodically disrupted manufacturing and transportation. Tightened border controls have curtailed two-way goods and services trade, tourism, and student and business travel. Weak domestic demand and debt pressures, particularly in the property sector, are also constraining growth. In 2021, China relied on government spending and exports to boost economic growth by 8.1%, from a low 2020 base of 2.2% growth. The PRC government targets 5.5% growth for 2022, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects 4.8% growth. Some economists assess China may struggle to meet these targets due to domestic constraints and global economic pressures with Russia's invasion of Ukraine."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Sutter, Karen M.; Sutherland, Michael D.

2022-04-06
Taiwan: Political and Security Issues [Updated April 6, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "Taiwan, which officially calls itself the Republic of China (ROC), is a democracy of 23.5 million people located across the Taiwan Strait from mainland China. Its government claims 'effective jurisdiction' over the island of Taiwan, the archipelagos of Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, and some smaller islands. It also claims disputed islands in the East and South China Seas. U.S.-Taiwan relations have been unofficial since January 1, 1979, when the Carter Administration established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC, or China) and broke diplomatic ties with self-ruled Taiwan, over which the PRC claims sovereignty. The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA, P.L. [Public Law] 96-8; 22 U.S.C. [United States Code] §§3301 et seq.) provides a legal basis for this unofficial bilateral relationship."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Lawrence, Susan V.; Campbell, Caitlin

2022-04-06
Major Questions Doctrine [April 6, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Document: "Congress frequently delegates authority to agencies to regulate particular aspects of society, in general or broad terms. However, in a number of decisions, the Supreme Court has declared that if an agency seeks to decide an issue of major national significance, its action must be supported by 'clear' statutory authorization. Courts, commentators, and individual Supreme Court Justices have referred to this doctrine as the 'major questions doctrine' (or major rules doctrine), although the Court has never used that term in a majority opinion. This In Focus provides an overview of the major questions doctrine. It discusses the doctrine's framework, provides examples of its application, explores recent Supreme Court developments, and offers considerations for Congress in crafting legislation against the backdrop of the doctrine."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Sheffner, Daniel J.

2022-04-06
Emerging Military Technologies: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated April 6, 2022]

Show summary Open resource [pdf] (open full abstract)
From the Summary: "Members of Congress and Pentagon officials are increasingly focused on developing emerging military technologies to enhance U.S. national security and keep pace with U.S. competitors. The U.S. military has long relied upon technological superiority to ensure its dominance in conflict and to underwrite U.S. national security. In recent years, however, technology has both rapidly evolved and rapidly proliferated--largely as a result of advances in the commercial sector. [...] This report provides an overview of selected emerging military technologies in the United States, China, and Russia: [1] artificial intelligence, [2] lethal autonomous weapons, [3] hypersonic weapons, [4] directed energy weapons, [5] biotechnology, and [6] quantum technology."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Sayler, Kelley M.

2022-04-06

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22