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Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program [June 1, 2011]
From the Summary: "The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program makes federal funds available to metropolitan areas and states to assist in health care costs and support services for individuals and families affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The Ryan White program currently serves more than half a million low-income people with HIV/AIDS in the United States; 33% of those served are uninsured, and an additional 56% are underinsured. The program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). […] In October 2009, the 111th Congress passed and President Obama signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-87), which reauthorized the Ryan White program through September 30, 2013. P.L. 111-87 maintains the hold-harmless provision for Part A and Part B and provides a continuation of the transition period for states that do not have a fully mature name-based HIV reporting system. The law requires that the Secretary establish a national HIV/AIDS testing goal of 5 million tests annually through programs administered by HRSA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It requires the Part A Planning Councils to develop a strategy for identifying individuals with HIV/AIDS who do not know their HIV status, making them aware of their status and connecting them with health care and support services. It also requires the Part B grant application to provide a comprehensive plan for the identification of such individuals and enable their access to medical treatment."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Johnson, Judith A. (Judith Ann), 1957-
2011-06-01
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Veterans' Benefits: Burial Benefits and National Cemeteries [June 1, 2011]
From the Summary: "Burial benefits are monetary and nonmonetary benefits that eligible veterans receive for their military service. Nonmonetary burial benefits have been provided to servicemembers and veterans since the Civil War. Monetary burial benefits have been provided to servicemembers and veterans since World War I. Eligible veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces can be interred in national cemeteries and can receive government-furnished headstones or markers, presidential memorial certificates, and burial flags. Their spouses or surviving spouses, minor children, and, under certain conditions, unmarried adult children may also be buried in national cemeteries. […] This report provides a descriptive analysis of both nonmonetary and monetary burial benefits and national cemeteries. It addresses congressional and constituent issues, such as who is eligible to receive burial benefits; who can be buried in a national cemetery; what plans does the VA have to build new or expand existing national cemeteries; and what benefits does the Veterans Affairs (VA) provide, among others. These issues may be of particular interest to Congress due to the aging of the veteran population, the changes to eligibility requirements, and recent VA report findings and recommendations related to the establishment of national cemeteries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Scott, Christine A.
2011-06-01
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Venezuela: Issues for Congress [March 11, 2011]
From the Summary: "The United States traditionally has had close relations with Venezuela, a major supplier of foreign oil, but there has been friction in relations for almost a decade under the government of populist President Hugo Chávez. U.S. officials have expressed concerns about human rights, Venezuela's military arms purchases, its relations with Cuba and Iran, and its efforts to export its brand of populism to other Latin American countries. Declining cooperation on anti-drug and antiterrorism efforts has also been a concern. In September 2008, bilateral relations worsened when President Chávez expelled the U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela, and the United States responded in kind. Under the Obama Administration, Venezuela and the United States reached an agreement for the return of respective ambassadors in July 2009. While some observers were hopeful that the return of ambassadors would mark an improvement in relations, this has not been the case. [...] As in past years, there were concerns in the 111th Congress regarding the state of Venezuela's democracy and human rights situation and its deepening relations with Iran. On July 1, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Disinvestment Act of 2010 ( CISADA, P.L. 111-195), which includes a provision making gasoline sales to Iran subject to U.S. sanctions. In 2009, Venezuela had promised to supply some gasoline to Iran in the case of U.S. sanctions. U.S. officials are examining whether Venezuela is in violation of the sanctions legislation. Several other bills and resolution were introduced in the 111th Congress with provisions regarding Venezuela and proliferation, terrorism, and human rights concerns, but none of these were acted upon. The 112th Congress may continue to pay close attention to these issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2011-03-11
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Coast Guard Deepwater Acquisition Programs: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress [March 18, 2011]
From the Summary: "The term Deepwater refers to more than a dozen separate Coast Guard acquisition programs for replacing and modernizing the service's aging fleet of deepwater-capable ships and aircraft. Until April 2007, the Coast Guard pursued these programs as a single, integrated acquisition program that was known as the Integrated Deepwater System (IDS) program or Deepwater program for short. The now-separated Deepwater acquisition programs include plans for, among other things, 91 new cutters, 124 new small boats, and 247 new or modernized airplanes, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). [...] The Coast Guard's management of Deepwater acquisition programs, including implementation of recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), is a topic of continuing congressional oversight. Additional oversight issues include cost growth in Deepwater acquisition programs. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2012 budget submission states that it 'proposes the elimination of the Integrated Deepwater System (IDS) sub-appropriation and disaggregation of the IDS construct from the Coast Guard's Acquisition, Construction and Improvement (AC&I) appropriation…. Consistent with the dissolution of Integrated CG Systems and the disaggregation of the Deepwater Acquisition into asset-based Acquisition Program Baselines, the proposed changes align projects that were formerly grouped under Integrated Deepwater Systems (IDS) with the existing authorized structure for Vessels, Aviation, Shore, Other Equipment, and Personnel and Management.' The Coast Guard's FY2012 budget appears to request $957.2 million in acquisition funding for Deepwater programs, including $271.6 million for aircraft, $512.0 million for surface ships and boats, and $173.6 million for other items."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2011-03-18
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Earthquakes: Risk, Detection, Warning, and Research [March 18, 2011]
From the Summary: "The United States faces the possibility of large economic losses from earthquake-damaged buildings and infrastructure. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has estimated that earthquakes cost the United States, on average, over $5 billion per year. California, Oregon, and Washington account for nearly $4.1 billion (77%) of the U.S. total estimated average annualized loss. California alone accounts for most of the estimated annualized earthquake losses for the nation. A single large earthquake, however, can cause far more damage than the average annual estimate. The 1994 Northridge (CA) earthquake caused as much as $26 billion (in 2005 dollars) in damage and was one of the costliest natural disasters to strike the United States. One study of the damage caused by a hypothetical magnitude 7.8 earthquake along the San Andreas Fault in southern California projected as many as 1,800 fatalities and more than $200 billion in economic losses. An issue for the 112th Congress is whether existing federally supported programs aimed at reducing U.S. vulnerability to earthquakes are an adequate response to the earthquake hazard. […] Legislation was introduced during the 111th Congress (H.R. 3820) that would have made changes to the program and would have authorized appropriations totaling $906 million over five years for NEHRP. Ninety percent of the funding would have been designated for the USGS [United State Geological Survey] and NSF [National Science Foundation], and the remainder for FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] and NIST [National Institute of Standards and Technology]. The bill passed the House but not the Senate. Similar legislation will likely be introduced in the 112th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin)
2011-03-18
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Project BioShield: Legislative History and Side-by-Side Comparison of H.R. 2122, S. 15, and S. 1504 [August 27, 2004]
From the Summary: "Few effective countermeasures currently exist to deal with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear terror agents. In early 2003, the Bush administration proposed Project BioShield to stimulate the development of such countermeasures and to procure them for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Congress considered three bills that incorporated much of the administration's proposal: S. 15 (Gregg), H.R. 2122 (Tauzin), and S. 1504 (Gregg). H.R. 2122 passed the House on July 16, 2003. S. 15 passed the Senate on May 25, 2004 in an amended form similar to H.R. 2122. This version of S. 15 passed the House on July 14, 2004. President Bush signed S. 15 into law as the Project BioShield Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-276) on July 21, 2004. Although many of the details of Project BioShield changed during Congressional consideration, all the proposals shared similar key provisions. Each bill would have provided expedited hiring, procurement, and grant awarding procedures for bioterrorism-related products and services. Each bill would have provided a market guarantee for countermeasure producers by allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to contract to procure countermeasures still in development. Thus, several years before a company plans to be able to deliver a countermeasure, the company would have been assured that if they successfully develop the countermeasure the government is obligated to purchase a set amount of it at a set price. Each bill would have authorized the HHS Secretary to allow the emergency use of countermeasures that lack Food and Drug Administration approval. Congress changed many important aspects of the Administration's proposal."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gottron, Frank
2004-08-27
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Berry Amendment: Requiring Defense Procurement to Come from Domestic Sources [May 4, 2011]
From the Summary: "In order to protect the U.S. industrial base during periods of adversity and war, Congress passed domestic source restrictions as part of the 1941 Fifth Supplemental Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations Act. These provisions later became known as the Berry Amendment. The current Berry Amendment (Title 10 United States Code [U.S.C.] Section 2533a, Requirement to Buy Certain Articles from American Sources; Exceptions) contains a number of domestic source restrictions that prohibit DOD from acquiring food, clothing, fabrics (including ballistic fibers), stainless steel, and hand or measuring tools that are not grown or produced in the United States. [...] Some policymakers believe that policies like the Berry Amendment contradict free trade policies, and that the presence and degree of such competition is the most effective tool for promoting efficiencies and improving quality. On the other hand, some other policymakers believe that key domestic sectors need the protections afforded by the Berry Amendment. The debate over the Berry Amendment raises several questions, among them (1) If the United States does not produce a solely domestic item, or if U.S. manufacturers are at maximum production capability, should DOD restrict procurement from foreign sources, and (2) to what extent do U.S. national security interests and industrial base concerns justify waiver of the Berry Amendment? This report examines the original intent and purpose of the Berry Amendment and legislative proposals to amend the application of domestic source restrictions, as well as potential options for Congress"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Grasso, Valerie Bailey
2011-05-04
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Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy [March 10, 2011]
From the Summary: "After experiencing serious unrest during the late 1990s, Bahrain's Sunni Muslim-dominated government undertook several steps to enhance the inclusion of the Shiite majority in governance. However, protests erupting following the uprising that overthrew Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on February 11, 2011, demonstrate that Shiite grievances over the distribution of power and economic opportunities remain unsatisfied. The continuing unrest--in which some opposition factions have escalated their demands in response to the initial use of force by the government--comes four months after the October 23, 2010, parliamentary election. That election, no matter the outcome, would not have unseated the ruling Al Khalifa family from power, but the Shiite population was hoping that winning a majority in the elected lower house could give it greater authority. In advance of the elections, the government launched a wave of arrests intended to try to discredit some of the hard-line Shiite leadership as tools of Iran. The main Shiite faction, an Islamist group called 'Wifaq' (Accord), won one more seat than it did in the 2006 election but still ended up short of a majority (18 out of the 40 seats) in the elected lower house. Possibly because of concerns that a rise to power of the Shiite opposition could jeopardize the U.S. military cooperation with Bahrain discussed below, the Obama Administration criticized the early use of violence by the government but has subsequently praised the Al Khalifa regime for its offer of a dialogue with the demonstrators to resolve the crisis. It has not called for the King to step down. Administration contacts with the regime are widely credited for the decision of the regime to cease using force against the protesters as of February 19, 2011."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2011-03-10
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Federal Crime Control: Background, Legislation, and Issues [Updated May 6, 2005]
From the Summary: "States and localities have the primary responsibility for prevention and control of domestic crime, while the federal government's role is limited. As crime became more rampant, the federal government has increased its involvement in crime control efforts. Over a period of 20 years, Congress enacted five major anti-crime bills and increased appropriations for federal assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies. Since the terrorist attacks, however, federal law enforcement efforts have been focused more on countering terrorism and maintaining homeland security. Amid these efforts, however, Congress continues to address many crime-related issues. [...] Recently passed legislation aimed at protecting the public from sex offenders has come into question with respect to its effectiveness. Congress may want to examine more closely registration and notification laws and the sufficiency of federal funding for state registration enforcement. Other possible issues include providing oversight to the Department of Justice with respect to the development of national standards for preventing sexual assaults in prisons. Additionally, Congress may consider broadening the federal definition of hate crimes. Congress has begun to consider a measure (H.R. 1279) that would broaden the scope of the federal government's role in prosecuting violent crimes committed by members of youth gangs. With respect to gun control, Congress may consider legislation that would extend the semiautomatic assault weapons ban, which expired last year, as well as legislation that would regulate gun shows, among other things. This report will be updated as legislation warrants."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seghetti, Lisa M.; Hill, Cindy; Franco, Celinda
2005-05-06
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Assistance to Firefighters Program: Distribution of Fire Grant Funding [March 11, 2011]
From the Summary: "The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, also known as fire grants or the FIRE Act grant program, was established by Title XVII of the FY2001 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 106-398). Currently administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the program provides federal grants directly to local fire departments and unaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations to help address a variety of equipment, training, and other firefighter-related and EMS needs. A related program is the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters (SAFER) program, which provides grants for hiring, recruiting, and retaining firefighters. The fire grant program is now in its 11th year. The Fire Act statute was reauthorized in 2004 (Title XXXVI of P.L. 108-375) and provides overall guidelines on how fire grant money should be distributed. There is no set geographical formula for the distribution of fire grants--fire departments throughout the nation apply, and award decisions are made by a peer panel based on the merits of the application and the needs of the community. However, the law does require that fire grants be distributed to a diverse mix of fire departments, with respect to type of department (paid, volunteer, or combination), geographic location, and type of community served (e.g., urban, suburban, or rural). [...] S. 550, the Fire Grants Authorization Act of 2011, was introduced into the 112th Congress on March 10, 2011. The 112th Congress is also likely to consider appropriate funding levels for firefighter assistance in FY2011 and FY2012."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kruger, Lennard G.
2011-03-11
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Innovation and Intellectual Property Issues in Homeland Security [August 8, 2003]
From the Summary: "The U.S. government and private firms alike seek high technology solutions to detect and prevent future terrorist attacks, as well as to respond to any future attacks that do occur. Some concerns exist, however, that patents, trade secrets or other intellectual rights may impede the prompt, widespread and cost-effective distribution of innovations that promote homeland security. These concerns recently arose with respect to pharmaceutical CIPRO, an antibiotic that treats inhalation anthrax. Some commentators called for the U.S. government to 'override' a privately owned patent in order to distribute CIPRO to persons who were potential anthrax victims. Although the patent holder ultimately chose to increase production of CIPRO and lower costs, this scenario remains a possibility for other technologies that bear upon homeland security. […] If an invention was developed using federal government funding, the government may possess certain rights in that invention even though the government contractor obtained a patent. Many entities of the federal government enjoy the statutory authority to purchase a patent or other intellectual property right. Several other statutes and legislative proposals also concern issues at the intersection of homeland security and intellectual property. The Invention Secrecy Act controls the disclosure of inventions that raise national security concerns. Legislative proposals would also call for patent term extensions to award technological progress in anti-terrorism technologies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, John R.
2003-08-08
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Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy [April 26, 2011]
From the Summary: "On February 7, 2010, Viktor Yanukovych defeated Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko to win Ukraine's presidency. International monitors praised the conduct of the election, although Tymoshenko charged that the election had been fraudulent. Yanukovych was able to quickly to form a new parliamentary majority in the current parliament by inducing dozens of supporters of the previous government to change sides. The global economic crisis hit Ukraine hard. Ukraine's real Gross Domestic Product fell by an estimated 15% in 2009. The economy began to recover in 2010, due in part to a surge in demand for Ukrainian steel exports. However, living standards for many Ukrainians remain low, leading to a rapid drop in Yanukovych's popularity when compared to the period soon after his inauguration. [...] The Obama Administration has worked to 'reset' relations with Russia, but has warned that it will not accept any country's assertion of a sphere of influence, a reminder of U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty. The Administration has not publicly expressed concern about what some observers view as the increasing pro-Russian tilt of Ukraine's foreign policy under Yanukovych. The Administration has focused on practical issues, such as helping Ukraine rid itself of its supplies of highly enriched uranium, and diversifying Ukraine's sources of energy, including advice on unconventional natural gas development. Administration officials have expressed concerns about regression in Ukraine's democratic development since Yanukovych took power, including in such areas as media freedoms, election laws and the conduct of elections, and perceived selective prosecution of the government's political opponents."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woehrel, Steven J.
2011-04-26
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Homeland Security: 9/11 Victim Relief Funds [Updated December 10, 2004]
From the Summary: "In the first days following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 an unprecedented number of Americans contributed over $2.7 billion in donations to assist in the relief of victims. According to a 2004 Rand Corporation study, that money amounted to only a modest share (7%) of the $38.1 billion 'quantified benefits' provided to victims of the terrorist attacks. The Rand study reported that payments worth $19.6 billion (51%) were disbursed by insurers and $15.8 billion (42%) were disbursed by government programs. The federal government responded to the attacks in various ways. In the first week after the disaster, Congress passed the 2001 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States (P.L. 107-38), part of which provided at least $20 billion for disaster recovery in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Twelve days after the attack, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (P.L. 107-42) became law. This program was intended to compensate any individual (or the personal representative of a deceased individual) who was physically injured or killed as a result of the attack. [...] This report also discusses the amounts of money collected and distributed by some of the larger victim relief funds such as the New York State's World Trade Center Relief Fund Distribution, the Twin Towers Fund, the Red Cross Liberty Disaster Relief Fund and several Firefighters and Police Relief Funds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wolfe, M. Ann
2004-12-10
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China/Taiwan: Evolution of the 'One China' Policy-Key Statements from Washington, Beijing, and Taipei [June 24, 2011]
From the Summary: "Despite apparently consistent statements in four decades, the U.S. 'one China' policy concerning Taiwan remains somewhat ambiguous and subject to different interpretations. Apart from questions about what the 'one China' policy entails, issues have arisen about whether U.S. Presidents have stated clear positions and have changed or should change policy, affecting U.S. interests in security and democracy. In Part I, this Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report, updated as warranted, discusses the 'one China' policy since the United States began in 1971 to reach presidential understandings with the People's Republic of China (PRC) government in Beijing. Part II records the evolution of policy as affected by legislation and key statements by Washington, Beijing, and Taipei. Taiwan formally calls itself the Republic of China (ROC), celebrating in 2011 the 100th anniversary of its founding. Policy covers three major issue areas: sovereignty over Taiwan; PRC use of force or coercion against Taiwan; and cross-strait dialogue. The United States recognized the ROC until the end of 1978 and has maintained an official, non-diplomatic relationship with Taiwan after recognition of the PRC in 1979. The United States did not explicitly state the sovereign status of Taiwan in the U.S.-PRC Joint Communiques of 1972, 1979, and 1982. The United States 'acknowledged' the 'one China' position of both sides of the Taiwan Strait. […] Based on open sources and interviews, this report also reviews comprehensively the evolution of the 'one China' issue, as it has been articulated in key statements by Washington, Beijing, and Taipei."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kan, Shirley
2011-06-24
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Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS): Current Legislative Issues [June 1, 2011]
From the Background: "The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program was created by Title I of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (the '94 Crime Act). The mission of the COPS program is to advance community policing in all jurisdictions across the United States. The COPS program awards grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies throughout the United States so they can hire and train law enforcement officers to participate in community policing, purchase and deploy new crime-fighting technologies, and develop and test new and innovative policing strategies. COPS grants are managed by the COPS Office, which was created in 1994 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to oversee the COPS program. […] The COPS program was originally authorized as a multiple-grant program, and appropriations for the program were authorized through FY2000. The Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-162) reauthorized the COPS program through FY2009. Along with reauthorizing the COPS program, the act amended current law to change the COPS program into a single-grant program. Authorized appropriations for the COPS program expired in FY2009. As such, Congress could consider legislation to reauthorize the COPS program. Debate about reauthorization of the program could be contentious because the COPS program is one of the primary means for providing federal assistance to state and local law enforcement, but at the same time, Congress is considering ways to reduce discretionary spending in order to shrink the federal budget deficit. This report provides an overview and analysis of issues Congress might consider if it chooses to take up legislation to reauthorize the COPS program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan
2011-06-01
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Federal R&D, Drug Discovery, and Pricing: Insights from the NIH-University-Industry Relationship [June 10, 2011]
From the Summary: "Public interest in approaches that might provide prescription drugs at lower cost, particularly for the elderly, has rekindled discussion over the role the federal government plays in facilitating the creation of new pharmaceuticals for the marketplace. In the current debate, some argue that the government's financial, scientific, and/or clinical support of health-related research and development (R&D) entitles the public to commensurate considerations in the prices charged for any resulting drugs. Others view government intervention in price decisions based upon initial federal funding as contrary to a long-term trend of government promotion of innovation, technological advancement, and the commercialization of technology by the business community leading to new products and processes for the marketplace. […] The particular nature and expense of health-related R&D have focused attention on the manner in which the National Institutes of Health (NIH) undertakes research activities. Critics maintain that any need for technology development incentives in the pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology sectors is mitigated by industry access to government-supported work at no cost, monopoly power through patent protection, and additional regulatory and tax advantages such as those conveyed through the Hatch-Waxman Act, the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act, and the Orphan Drug Act. Supporters of the existing approach argue that these incentives are precisely what are required and have given rise to robust pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. It remains to be seen whether or not decisions related to federal involvement in issues related to pharmaceutical R&D will change the nature of the current approach to governmentindustry- university cooperation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schacht, Wendy H.
2011-06-10
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Proposed U.S. - South Korea Free Trade Agreement: Potential National Sector-Specific and State Export Effects [June 20, 2011]
From the Summary: "In February 2011, the United States and South Korea finalized negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement. As a result, the Obama Administration is expected to submit implementing legislation to the 112th Congress on the proposed U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). This report addresses congressional interest in the effects of this agreement on exports by state to South Korea by using two sets of data. Data developed by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) are used to identify the possible direction of trade change for 40 industries at the national level. These results are paired with lists of each state's top 10 exports which provide a guide to the possible direction of trade for various state industries as a result of tariff elimination and tariff rate quota reductions under the proposed KORUS FTA. Improved access for services, liberalized investment regimes, and elimination of non-tariff barriers for a few goods and agricultural products are not captured in this analysis. […] The discussion in this report is limited to presenting the effects of the KORUS FTA on U.S. exports to South Korea on a national level with possible implications at the state level. It does not present data on U.S. imports from South Korea at the state level because of data issues. Nevertheless, increases in imports in some sectors and in some states could be higher than increases in exports as a consequence of the FTA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jurenas, Remy; Bolle, Mary Jane; Jackson, James K., 1949- . . .
2011-06-20
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Foreign Assistance: Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) [June 13, 2011]
From the Summary: "The flow of private sector resources to developing countries has increased significantly in recent decades. Seeking opportunity in this changing environment, government development assistance agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department are working with private sector entities in unprecedented ways to determine when and if such partnerships can lead to improved development results. As explained in the Obama Administration's 2010 Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR), 'private sector partners can add value to our missions through their resources, their capacity to establish presence in places we cannot, through the technologies, networks, and contacts they can tap, and through their specialized expertise or knowledge.' More than 1,000 such partnerships, involving more than 3,000 private entities, have been established since 2001. […] This report discusses the evolution of private sector involvement in U.S. foreign assistance programs over recent decades, how globalization has driven the modern approach to development partnerships, potential benefits and drawbacks of PPPs, and how partnerships are being used by other bilateral donors and multilateral development agencies. The report then discusses partnership-related issues that may be of interest to Congress as part of the foreign assistance authorization and reform process."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lawson, Marian Leonardo
2011-06-13
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Democratic Republic of Congo: Background and Current Developments [June 8, 2011]
From the Summary: "Eastern Congo has been in a state of chaos for over a decade. The first rebellion to oust the late President Mobutu Sese Seko began in the city of Goma in the mid-1990s. The second rebellion in the late 1990s began also in eastern Congo. The root causes of the current crisis are the presence of over a dozen militia and extremist groups, both foreign and Congolese, in eastern Congo, and the failure to fully implement peace agreements signed by the parties. Over the past 14 years, the former Rwandese armed forces and the Interhamwe militia have been given a safe haven in eastern Congo and have carried out many attacks inside Rwanda and against Congolese civilians. A Ugandan rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), is also in Congo, despite an agreement reached between the LRA and the government of Uganda. […] The United States has been actively engaged in facilitating the Tripartite Plus talks among the four key players in the Great Lakes region: Rwanda, DRC, Burundi, and Uganda. The Tripartite Plus process has led to a number of agreements over the past several years, including the creation of a Joint Verification Mechanism (JVM) to address cross-border issues. The United States provided $205.1 million in FY2008 and $111.6 million in FY2009. The DRC received a total of $296.5 million in FY2009 and an estimated $183 million in FY2010. The Obama Administration has requested $213.2 million for FY2011 and $230.8 million for FY2012."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dagne, Theodore S.
2011-06-08
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Economic Development Administration: Reauthorization Issues in the 112th Congress [June 2, 2011]
From the Summary: "The primary focus of the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to help regions experiencing long-term economic distress or sudden economic dislocation attract private-sector capital and create higher-skill, higher-wage jobs through investments in public infrastructure, the provision of technical assistance and research, and the development and implementation of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS). EDA was created with the passage of the Public Works and Economic Development Act (PWEDA) of 1965, P.L. 89-136 (79 Stat. 552, 42 U.S.C. § 3121. […] The reauthorization of EDA and its programs will take place within the context of more prominent policy debates regarding efforts to reduce federal spending to address growing budget deficits and the national debt; concerns about the duplication, fragmentation, and effectiveness of federal economic development assistance; and efforts to support economic recovery and job creation following the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. This report will discuss EDA reauthorization and appropriations-related issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Boyd, Eugene; Gonzales, Oscar R.
2011-06-02
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Full Committee Hearing to Receive Updates on Research, Investigations, and Programs Involving Persian Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses, Hearing Before the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifth Congress, Second Session, February 5, 1998
This is the March 26, 1998 hearing on "Oversight of the 1998 National Drug Control Strategy," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. From the Opening Statement of Chris Smith: "For more than 6 years, there have been questions about the health conditions of Persian Gulf War veterans. The Committee on Veterans' Affairs has been diligent in investigating these concerns. In fact, today marks the 15th time this Committee has heard testimony on this matter and I expect that with the vigorous leadership of our Chairman, &b Stump, it will not be the last." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Stephen Backhus, Arthur Caplan, Gary Christoperson, Donna Heivilin, Kenneth W. Kizer, Donald Mattison, Bernard Rostker, and Joseph Thompson.
United States. Government Printing Office
1998
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Homeland Cybersecurity: Assessing Cyber Threats and Building Resilience, Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, February 10, 2021
This is the February 10, 2021 hearing on "Homeland Cybersecurity: Assessing Cyber Threats and Building Resilience," held before the House Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Bennie G. Thompson: "In the not-too-distant past, when our witnesses were serving in Government, most of us had never heard of SolarWinds, but now it dominates cybersecurity conversation. Late last year, we learned that Russian actors breached targeted Federal networks and critical infrastructure, in part through a sophisticated supply chain compromise of the SolarWinds Orion platform. For almost a year, Russian actors burrowed into networks, hiding their tracks and patiently stealing data. Although we are engaged in an in-depth investigation with other key House committees to learn more about this malicious Russian campaign, we know enough to begin asking difficult questions and start correcting course. [...] The task before us is to zero in on how we can mature our defenses to match the capabilities of our adversaries. The Russian SolarWinds campaign threatens our Nation and cannot be tolerated." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Christopher C. Krebs, Susan M. Gordon, Michael Daniel, and Dmitri Alperovitch.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021
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Resiliency Roadmap for FDA Inspectional Oversight
From the Background: "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA] protects the public health by ensuring the safety, effectiveness and security of human and veterinary drugs, medical devices, vaccines and other biological products for human use. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's human and animal food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that emit electromagnetic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products. FDA uses many tools in its oversight of these products. Inspections are an important part of our toolkit and are part of a comprehensive approach to carrying out our oversight responsibilities. [...] Manufacturers of FDA-regulated commodities maintain primary responsibility for ensuring that the products reaching American consumers are safe and of high quality. Manufacturers and processors are generally required to employ a robust quality management system, also referred to as Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP), or as 'preventive controls' in the food industry, to ensure their products are safe and suitable for the U.S. consumer. FDA's role in conducting periodic surveillance inspections, and when using other oversight tools, is to verify that these quality systems are established and operating as required. FDA also conducts inspections to verify that other regulated entities, such as those involved in the conduct and reporting of FDA-regulated research, are complying with regulatory requirements. If problems are found, FDA uses a variety of oversight and enforcement tools to ensure corrections are made, including additional inspections."
United States. Food and Drug Administration
2021-05
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Improving Public Messaging for Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place: Findings and Recommendations for Emergency Managers from Peer-Reviewed Research [Presentation]
This slideshow is a supplemental presentation to the report of the same name in the HSDL library located here: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=853703] From the Purpose: "An examination of published peer-reviewed research on evacuation and shelter-in-place protective actions to: [1] Document research findings; and [2] Present research-based recommendations to emergency managers on: [a] Informing community members about risk, and [b] Providing effective messaging to increase compliance with instructions to evacuate or to shelter-in-place."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2021-04
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Child Tax Credit: Temporary Expansion for 2021 Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2) [Updated May 3, 2021]
From the Document: "In recent years, there has been increased interest [hyperlink] in providing direct benefits to families with children to reduce child poverty in the United States, sometimes in the form of tax benefits. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) [hyperlink] included a 'child allowance' as part of a package of policies to reduce child poverty [hyperlink] over 10 years. (Senator Romney [hyperlink] has also proposed a child allowance.) Some research [hyperlink] has suggested that increasing the amount of the child tax credit that low-income families receive would substantially reduce child poverty[hyperlink], boost future earnings, and potentially improve future health and education outcomes [hyperlink]. In the 116th Congress, there were several legislative proposals [hyperlink] to expand the child tax credit, especially for lower-income families that tend to receive little or no benefit from the current credit. In the 117th Congress, a temporary one-year expansion of the child credit (for 2021) was included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. [Public Law] 117-2). The Biden Administration has proposed [hyperlink] making the full refundability provision included in the ARPA expansion of the child credit permanent, while extending other ARPA provisions through the end of 2025. This Insight provides a summary of the child tax credit prior to ARPA and an overview of the temporary child credit expansion under ARPA for 2021."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.
2021-05-03
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'Childless' EITC: Temporary Expansion for 2021 Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2) [Updated May 3, 2021]
From the Document: "The earned income tax credit (EITC) is the largest need-tested antipoverty program that provides cash to families. Workers with 'qualifying children'--that is, dependent children who live with the taxpayer for more than half the year--receive the majority of EITC benefits. For 2018 [hyperlink], 26.5 million taxpayers received a total of $64.9 billion from the EITC. Of that total, there were 6.9 million recipients without qualifying children (about 26% of the total) who received $2.1 billion (about 3% of the total dollars), receiving an average credit of $302. This Insight provides an overview of the EITC for workers without qualifying children at home, often called the 'childless' EITC."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.
2021-05-03
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Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC): Temporary Expansion for 2021 Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2) [Updated May 3, 2021]
From the Document: "The child and dependent care tax credit (CDCTC) can help to partially offset working families' child care expenses. The American Rescue Plan Act (P.L. 117-2; ARPA) provided a temporary expansion of the CDCTC for 2021. This Insight summarizes the temporary change, highlighting the credit amount for 2021 before and after the temporary expansion. The Biden Administration has proposed [hyperlink] making the ARPA expansion of the CDCTC permanent."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.
2021-05-03
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H.R. 4243, Government Waste, Fraud, and Error Reduction Act of 1998; H.R. 2347, the Federal Benefit Verification and Integrity Act; and H.R. 2063, the Debt Collection Wage Information Act of 1997, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information, and Technology, of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifth Congress, Second Session, March 2, 1998
This is the March 2, 1998 hearing on "H.R. [House of Representatives Bill] 4243, Government Waste, Fraud, and Error Reduction Act of 1998; H.R. 2347, the Federal Benefit Verification and Integrity Act; and H.R. 2063, the Debt Collection Wage Information Act of 1997," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Government Management, Information, and Technology. From the opening statement of Stephen Horn: "Today, we are going to examine proposals to improve Federal management practices in the areas of credit management, debt collection, and benefit fraud. As the Government approaches a balanced budget, we must collect delinquent debts owed the United States and ensure that benefits do not go to those who are ineligible. The executive branch of the Federal Government has about $50 billion in delinquent nontax debts." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Danielle Brian, G. Edward DeSeve, Don Hammond, Karen Lee, and David Longanecker.
United States. Government Printing Office
1998
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Status of Efforts to Identify Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses: Tumor Data, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Human Resources of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifth Congress, Second Session, May 14, 1998
This is the May 14, 1998 hearing on "Status of Efforts to Identify Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses: Tumor Data," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Human Resources of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. From the Opening Statement of Christopher Shays: "This much we know: Gulf war veterans were exposed to a variety of toxins long associated with the formation of neoplasms, tumors, and certain cancers. What we don't know and what troubles many veterans is whether current health surveillance and research programs by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense are sensitive enough to detect exposure-related tumors in Gulf war veterans before they appear as mortality statistics." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Kwai-Cheung Chan, Gary Christophers, Alexander Cianflone, Larry Hawkins, Jack Kem, Susan Mather, Richard Miller, and Christopher Shays.
United States. Government Printing Office
1998
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Oversight of U.S. Regional Counterdrug Efforts, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifth Congress, Second Session, March 12, 1998
This is the March 12, 1998 hearing on "Oversight of U.S. Regional Counterdrug Efforts," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. From the Opening Statement of J. Dennis Hastert: "Drug abuse in America, especially among our youth, is at a tragic level, and international drug-trafficking, as many of you know, is a growing national security threat. No less than 10,000 Americans lose their lives each year to drugs and drug crime. [...] Today, as we listen to these witnesses, I urge you to keep in mind that there is a close link between drug violence in our cities and towns, and Federal efforts to stop these drugs before they get to America." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Robert E. Kramek, Donnie Marshall, and Charles E. Wilhelm.
United States. Government Printing Office
1998
