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Employee Benefits Security Administration: Enforcement Efforts to Protect Participants' Rights in Employer-Sponsored Retirement and Health Benefit Plans, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "Millions of Americans rely on employer benefits for their health care and future financial security. Private sector retirement plans are a key source of income for many retirees and employer-sponsored group health plans cover over one-half of all Americans. Consequently, effective oversight and enforcement are critically important to ensure the integrity of the private employee benefit system, especially in light of the economic and health effects of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] on American workers and their families. EBSA [Employee Benefits Security Administration] is charged with protecting the rights of participants in employer-sponsored benefit plans. As of fiscal year 2020, this included about 154 million participants in 722,000 retirement plans and 2.5 million health plans with combined assets of over $10.7 trillion. This report examines (1) how EBSA manages its enforcement process, (2) EBSA's strategies to improve investigative processes and ensure enforcement quality, and (3) the immediate and long-term challenges of COVID-19 for EBSA and private sector retirement and health plans."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-05-27
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Areas with High Poverty: Changing How the 10- 20-30 Funding Formula is Applied Could Increase Impact in Persistent-Poverty Counties, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "Since 2009, the 10-20-30 formula has been applied to appropriations for certain federal programs and accounts. This includes programs and accounts administered by USDA's Rural Development, Treasury's CDFI [Community Development Financial Institutions] Fund, and Commerce's EDA [Economic Development Administration] that averaged more than $10 billion in each fiscal year from 2017 to 2020. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review certain issues related to the 10-20-30 formula. This report examines (1) the proportion of funds subject to the 10-20-30 formula that these agencies awarded in persistent-poverty counties in 2017- 2020 and the effects on funding levels to these areas, and (2) how agencies identify persistent-poverty counties."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-05-27
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Civil Monetary Penalties: Federal Agencies' Compliance with the 2020 Annual Inflation Adjustment Requirements
From the Document: "Civil monetary penalties provide federal agencies with the ability to punish willful and egregious violators, deter future violations, and enforce regulatory policies government-wide. However, if agencies do not periodically adjust these penalties for the effects of inflation, the penalties may lose their effectiveness and agencies may lose opportunities to collect significant federal receipts. Thus, Congress passed the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 to allow for agencies to adjust their covered civil monetary penalties for inflation, to promote compliance, and to improve the collection of penalties. The act, as amended, hereinafter referred to as the Inflation Adjustment Act (IAA), includes a provision added in 2015 for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to annually submit to Congress a report assessing the compliance of agencies with the required civil monetary penalty adjustments. This fifth annual review responds to the statutory provision for us to assess agencies' compliance with the civil monetary penalty adjustments for inflation as required by the IAA. Specifically, our objective was to determine if each agency subject to the IAA published 2020 civil monetary penalty inflation adjustments in the 'Federal Register' as of December 31, 2020, and reported information about civil monetary penalties within the agency's jurisdiction in its 2020 agency financial report (AFR) submitted under Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-136. This circular provides guidance to agencies that produce either AFRs or performance and accountability reports and government corporations that produce annual management reports."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-05-27
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Strategic Studies Quarterly (Summer 2021)
This Summer 2021 Civil-Military Relations (CMR) Special Edition of Strategic Studies Quarterly contains the following articles: "Foreword" by Jim Golby; "Civil-Military Relations: 'What Does It Mean?'" by Martin E. Dempsey; "Civil-Military Relations in the United States: What Senior Leaders Need to Know (and Usually Don't)" by Peter D. Feaver and Richard H. Kohn; "The Line Held: Civil-Military Relations in the Trump Administration" by Kori Schake; "An 'Unprincipled Principal': Implications for Civil-Military Relations" by Pauline Shanks Kaurin; "Through the Looking Glass: Trump-Era Civil-Military Relations in Comparative Perspective" by Risa Brooks; "Maximum Toxicity: Civil-Military Relations in the Trump Era" by Mackubin Thomas Owens; "Trump's Generals: A Natural Experiment in Civil-Military Relations" by James Joyner; and "Uncivil-Military Relations: Politicization of the Military in the Trump Era" by Jim Golby.
Air University (U.S.). Press
2021-05-27
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Panama: An Overview [Updated May 27, 2021]
From the Document: "Panama's central location in the Americas (linking North and South America), large financial sector, use of the U.S. dollar as currency, and transportation infrastructure-- especially the Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans--make the country a global trade hub and a strategic partner for the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2021-05-27
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Discretionary Waivers of Criminal Grounds of Inadmissibility Under INA § 212(h) [May 27, 2021]
From the Document: "Federal immigration laws provide for the exclusion and removal of non-U.S. nationals ('aliens,' as the term is used in the Immigration and Nationality Act [hyperlink] [INA]) who lack authorization to enter or remain in the United States. The grounds for removal differ depending on whether an alien has already been lawfully admitted into the country. Those who have not yet been admitted--whether applying for a visa from abroad to come to the United States, initially presenting themselves at a U.S. port of entry, or found in the country after entering surreptitiously--may be removed if they fall within any of the grounds of inadmissibility listed under INA § 212(a) [hyperlink], including on account of committing enumerated criminal offenses. These inadmissibility grounds--particularly those relating to criminal activity--are cross-referenced by a host of other INA provisions relevant to unadmitted 'and' admitted aliens alike, including provisions establishing aliens' eligibility for relief from removal (e.g., asylum) and their ability to adjust to lawful permanent resident [hyperlink] (LPR) status. INA § 212(h) [hyperlink] enables immigration authorities to waive many criminal grounds of inadmissibility in some circumstances, but a waiver applicant must meet various eligibility requirements, must not be subject to certain bars to relief, and, ultimately, must show that relief is warranted as a matter of discretion. This Legal Sidebar discusses the scope of waiver authority under INA § 212(h)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Hillel R.
2021-05-27
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S. Rept. 117-23: Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act of 2021, Report to Accompany S. 272, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, May 27, 2021
From the Purpose and Summary: "The purpose of S. 272, the Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act of 2021, is to provide the public with more information regarding agencies' budget justifications. This bill requires Federal agencies, or components of Federal agencies, to post their congressional budget justification materials on the agency website. The bill also requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to maintain a public website that includes the links to the congressional budget justification materials for each agency that submits them each fiscal year, along with additional relevant information to provide transparency into the budget justification process. The bill also requires the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) to post the congressional budget justification materials for each Federal agency, or component of a Federal agency, on USAspending.gov. In addition, the bill requires OMB, in consultation with Treasury, to establish policies and issue guidance and standards to Federal agencies and components of Federal agencies to ensure budget justification materials will be produced and made available in an accessible and user-friendly format."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021-05-27
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EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 21 Issue 21, May 27, 2021
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: "Minimizing smoke exposure and protecting the wildland firefighting workforce during the 2021 wildfire season"; "FEMA releases COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Pandemic Operational Guidance: All-Hazards Incident Response and Recovery, webinars in June"; "Microchip shortages impacting auto industry lead to shortages in ambulance production, supply chain disruptions"; "NIST [National Institute for Standards and Technology] Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) 2021 free virtual event, June 21-24"; and "Cyber Threats."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2021-05-27
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Overview of Community Engagement in Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP)
From the Overview: "Prevention practitioners and community leaders share a common goal: protecting our communities and families from those who wish to commit violent acts, and helping those who might be radicalizing to violence to get the wrap-around support they need before a violent act is committed. Engaging members of your community--including peers, teachers, law enforcement, and community leaders--is critical for empowering bystanders--those who observe concerning behavior--to identify and prevent susceptible individuals from radicalizing and mobilizing to violence 'before' it becomes a law enforcement matter. This guide provides practical information for conducting effective community engagement in this realm."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2021-05-26
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National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Laura (20-29 August 2020)
From the Document: "Laura was a powerful category 4 hurricane (on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale) that made landfall near Cameron, Louisiana, accompanied by a catastrophic storm surge of up to 18 feet above ground level. Laura was responsible for 47 direct deaths in the United States and Hispaniola, and about $19 billion in damage in the United States."
United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; United States. National Weather Service
Pasch, Richard J.; Berg, Robbie; Roberts, David P. . . .
2021-05-26
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European Commission Guidance on Strengthening the Code of Practice on Disinformation
From the Introduction: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] crisis has starkly illustrated the threats and challenges disinformation poses to our societies. The 'infodemic' - the rapid spread of false, inaccurate or misleading information about the pandemic - has posed substantial risks to personal health, public health systems, effective crisis management, the economy and social cohesion. The pandemic has also elevated the role digital technology plays in our lives, making it increasingly central to how we work, learn, socialise, provide for material needs, and participate in the civic discourse. It has raised the stakes to ensure that the online ecosystem is a safe space, and it has shown that, despite considerable efforts made to date, there is an urgent need to step-up efforts to fight disinformation . From its inception, the EU approach to countering disinformation has been grounded in the protection of freedom of expression and other rights and freedoms guaranteed under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. In line with those rights and freedoms, rather than criminalising or prohibiting disinformation as such, the EU strategy aims to make the online environment and its actors more transparent and accountable, making content moderation practices more transparent, empowering citizens and fostering an open democratic debate. To this end, the EU has sought to mobilise all relevant."
European Commission
2021-05-26
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The European Parliament and U.S. Interests [Updated May 26, 2021]
From the Document: "The European Parliament (EP) is the only directly elected institution of the 27-country European Union (EU). The EP's 705 members represent the EU's roughly 445million citizens. The most recent EP elections were in May 2019. The EP has accumulated more power over time as part of EU efforts to improve democratic accountability and transparency in EU policymaking. Enhanced powers since the 2009 Lisbon Treaty have made the EP a more important actor on several issues of U.S. concern, including trade, data privacy, and counterterrorism. Congress-EP ties are long-standing, and Congress may be interested in EP activities given the EP's potential to influence key aspects of U.S.-EU relations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Archick, Kristin
2021-05-26
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Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation Program Network Security Management - What is Happening on the Network? How is the Network Protected?
From the Document: "The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Program is a dynamic approach to fortifying the cybersecurity of government networks and systems. The CDM Program provides cybersecurity tools, integration services, and dashboards to participating agencies to help them improve their respective security postures. The CDM Program ultimately reduces the threat surface and improves federal cybersecurity response through four capability areas: Asset Management, Identity and Access Management, Network Security Management (NSM), and Data Protection Management. The NSM capability is designed to provide agencies with greater visibility into what is happening on their networks, which also gives them a better understanding of how the networks are being protected. This capability makes use of defense-in-depth boundary protection mechanisms and incident detection and response procedures to protect agencies against hacking, misuse, and unauthorized changes of network devices. NSM capabilities protect the external and internal boundaries of agency systems by providing visibility into network behavior, firewall traffic, encrypted and decrypted data, virtual private network connection, and ports and protocols. NSM consists of four overarching component capabilities, including: boundary protection (BOUND); manage events (MNGEVT); operate, monitor, and improve (OMI); and design and build in security (DBS)."
United States. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
2021-05-26?
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Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation Program Data Protection Management - How is Data Protected?
From the Document: "The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Program is a dynamic approach to fortifying the cybersecurity of government networks and systems. The CDM Program provides cybersecurity tools, integration services, and dashboards to participating agencies to help them improve their respective security postures. The CDM Program ultimately reduces the threat surface and improves federal cybersecurity response through four capability areas: Asset Management, Identity and Access Management, Network Security Management, and Data Protection Management (DPM). The DPM capability is intended to provide additional protections to the most critical mission data and systems on federal civilian networks. While the other CDM capabilities provide broader protections across federal networks, the DPM capability is focused on protecting sensitive (especially private) data within the agency. Protecting sensitive data requires security and privacy protections at rest, in use, and in transit to ensure the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of data and data assets. The CDM Program employs the DPM capability to help agencies and industry partners strengthen data protections to include identifying sensitive data, classifying data assets based on severity and impact, supporting timely response procedures to notify stakeholders of data breaches or spillage, and more. DPM helps agencies protect sensitive data through five capabilities: data discovery/classification (DATA_DISCOV), data protection (DATA_PROT), data loss prevention (DATA_DLP), data breach/spillage mitigation (DATA_SPIL), and information rights management (DATA _IRM)."
United States. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
2021-05-26?
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Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation Program Asset Management - What is on the Network?
From the Document: "The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Program is a dynamic approach to fortifying the cybersecurity of government networks and systems. The CDM Program provides cybersecurity tools, integration services, and dashboards to participating agencies to help them improve their respective security postures. The CDM Program ultimately reduces the threat surface and improves federal cybersecurity response through four capability areas: Asset Management, Identity and Access Management, Network Security Management, and Data Protection Management. The Asset Management capability is aimed at providing agencies with a centralized overview of their network devices and the risks associated with such devices. Asset Management enables an agency to maintain and improve its cyber hygiene through five capabilities: hardware asset management (HWAM), software asset management (SWAM), configuration settings management (CSM), vulnerability management (VUL), and enterprise mobility management (EMM). Asset Management is the foundation of a strong cybersecurity strategy--it allows agencies to supervise network assets as they are being configured and deployed on the network, which ensures the assets are properly configured and that vulnerabilities have been identified and remediated. CDM's automated asset management tools have been deployed to federal civilian agencies since 2014. These tools continue to be important today as shadow Information Technology (IT) (i.e., hardware/software that is on the network but is managed outside of, and without the knowledge of, the primary IT department) at agencies continue to expand."
United States. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
2021-05-26
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Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation Program Identity and Access Management - Who is on the Network?
From the Document: "The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Program is a dynamic approach to fortifying the cybersecurity of government networks and systems. The CDM Program provides cybersecurity tools, integration services, and dashboards to participating agencies to help them improve their respective security postures. The CDM Program ultimately reduces the threat surface and improves federal cybersecurity response through four capability areas: Asset Management, Identity and Access Management (IDAM), Network Security Management, and Data Protection Management. The IDAM capability is intended to manage the access and privileges of agency network users. Managing who is on the network requires the management and control of account and access privileges, trust determination for people granted access, credentials and authentication, and security-related behavioral training. IDAM is deployed within the CDM Program through four component capabilities: trust determination for people granted access (TRUST), security-related behavioral training (BEHAVE), credentials and authentication (CRED), and management and control of account and access privileges (PRIV). These four capabilities have significant interdependencies and are managed together as part of the IDAM capability area. IDAM encourages enhanced cyber hygiene through the utilization of identification, authentication, and authorization."
United States. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
2021-05-26
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Filling Critical Gaps: Comprehensive Recommendations for Public Health Preparedness, Response, and Recovery from the National Biodefense Science Board
From the Recommendations: "The United States is just beginning to identify key lessons learned from the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic as they relate to strengths and gaps in our country's disaster preparedness and response system, which are of central concern to ASPR [Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response], HHS [Department of Health and Human Services], and the country as a whole. One overarching lesson that is abundantly clear and of pressing importance from the perspective of the NBSB [National Biodefense Science Board] is the need to ensure that the United States is always prepared to implement an immediate, effective, and coordinated public health response 'that is guided by scientific knowledge and protected from undue political influence.' Similar to the Congressional Budget Office or the Federal Reserve Bank, HHS should consider how to develop a centralized, core public health emergency communication and coordination function that is inherently insulated from political considerations, with the ability to independently develop, directly distribute, and frequently update public health messages with scientific principles in mind, guided by analysis of available data, with inputs from the nation's leading experts. [This document includes] more specific recommendations to enhance the country's disaster preparedness and response."
National Biodefense Science Board
2021-05-26
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Emergent Cyber R&D Priorities Beyond 2020: Meeting of the Minds at Sandia National Laboratories, Summary Report
From the Executive Summary: "On May 26, 2021, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) convened a diverse group of experts spanning private industry, academia, the United States military and federal government, and the national laboratories, and hosted a series of panels to gain their insight on critical emergent research and capability development needs to support national cyber strategy objectives. Two panelists of experts presented their prepared remarks, followed by open discussion from over 250 audience members. The overarching questions guiding each discussion were: 1. How might we advance cybersecurity in the public interest through strategic research and development (R&D) investments? 2. In an increasingly complex and integrated digital world, how do we make progress on the two intractable problems of secure, low-defect software and the authentication of trusted users? This summary report incorporates ideas shared by participants, both panelists and audience members, without attribution."
Sandia National Laboratories
Boggs, Mathias; Minner, Michael F.; Uribe, Eva C.
2021-05-26
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 234, Korean American Vietnam Allies Long Overdue for Relief Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on May 4, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 234 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide health care to any U.S. citizen who served in Vietnam as a member of the armed forces of the Republic of Korea during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending May 7, 1975. Using information from the department, CBO estimates that about 3,000 people would become eligible to enroll in the VA health care system."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-05-26
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Venezuela: International Efforts to Resolve the Political Crisis [Updated May 26, 2021]
From the Background: "Venezuela, still under the authoritarian rule of Nicolás Maduro, is mired in a deep economic and humanitarian crisis worsened by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Maduro--narrowly elected in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez (president, 1999-2013)--and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) took de facto control of the National Assembly, the last independent branch of government, in January 2021. Maduro has resisted U.S. and international pressure to step down. Meanwhile, international support for opposition leader Juan Guaidó, the former National Assembly president once regarded as interim president by the United States and nearly 60 countries, appears to have stagnated. Maduro has consolidated political control over Venezuela, but the country's economy and social conditions continue to deteriorate. Since April 2021, the Maduro government has made gestures that some observers say demonstrate a willingness to negotiate with the opposition in exchange for relief from U.S. sanctions. Maduro allowed the World Food Program to begin operating, released six U.S.-Venezuelan oil executives to house arrest, and backed the legislature's selection of an electoral commission with two of five rectors from the opposition. On May 11, 2021, Guaidó called for, and Maduro appeared to agree to, resuming Norway-led negotiations suspended in September 2019. Guaidó seeks foreign aid and COVID-19 vaccines, as well as a broad electoral accord leading to free and fair elections."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2021-05-26
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Infertility in the Military [Updated May 26, 2021]
From the Document: "In recent years, Congress has become increasingly interested in the provision of infertility services and expanded reproductive care for servicemembers. Federal regulation (32 C.F.R. §199.4(g)) generally prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from paying for certain infertility services for most servicemembers and other beneficiaries eligible for the TRICARE program. Some Members of Congress argue that TRICARE coverage of infertility services is an essential benefit to recruit and retain an all-volunteer force, while others express concern that expanded coverage would make the benefit too costly. This In Focus describes the prevalence of infertility among servicemembers, available treatment options, and considerations when addressing expanded TRICARE coverage of infertility services for servicemembers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mendez, Bryce H. P.
2021-05-26
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H.R. 3233, the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act [Updated May 26, 2021]
From the Document: "On May 14, 2021, House Homeland Security Committee [hyperlink] Chair Bennie Thompson and Ranking Member John Katko introduced H.R. 3233, the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act (hereinafter, January 6 Commission). The January 6 Commission would study [hyperlink] 'the facts and circumstances surrounding the January 6th attack on the Capitol as well as the influencing factors that may have provoked the attack on our democracy.' The House considered and passed [hyperlink] H.R. 3233 on May 19, 2021. This Insight provides an overview of congressional advisory commission structures and outlines key features of the proposed January 6 Commission in H.R. 3233."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straus, Jacob R.
2021-05-26
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South Korea: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated May 26, 2021]
From the Overview: "South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea, or ROK) is one of the United States' most important strategic and economic partners in Asia. The U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty, signed in 1953 at the end of the Korean War, commits the United States to help South Korea defend itself, particularly from North Korea (officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK). The alliance also helps the United States promote its interests in East Asia and around the globe, including by deploying ROK troops to U.S.-led military conflicts in the Middle East. Approximately 28,500 U.S. troops are based in the ROK. The economic relationship is bolstered by the U.S.- South Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). In 2020, South Korea was the United States' seventh-largest trading partner, and the United States was South Korea's second-largest trading partner, behind China."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manyin, Mark E.; Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Williams, Brock R.
2021-05-26
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Palestinians: Overview, 2021 Aid, and U.S. Policy Issues [Updated May 26, 2021]
From the Document: "The Palestinians and their ongoing disputes and interactions with Israel raise significant issues for U.S. policy (see 'U.S. Policy Issues and 2021 Aid Announcements' below). After a serious rupture in U.S.-Palestinian relations during the Trump Administration, the Biden Administration has started reengaging with the Palestinian people and their leaders, and resuming some economic development and humanitarian aid--with hopes of preserving the viability of a negotiated two-state solution. In the aftermath of the May 2021 conflict involving Israel and Gaza, U.S. officials have announced additional aid (also see below) and other efforts to help with recovery and engage with the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority (PA), but near-term prospects for diplomatic progress toward Israeli-Palestinian peace reportedly remain dim. Palestinian leaders have lamented some Arab states' recent normalization of relations with Israel because it could undermine past Arab efforts to link such improvements with addressing Palestinian negotiating demands."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zanotti, Jim
2021-05-26
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Paperwork Reduction Act and Federal Collections of Information: A Brief Overview [May 26, 2021]
From the Document: "Congress enacted the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) in 1980 and reauthorized the law in 1995 (codified at 44 U.S.C. §§3501-3521) primarily to address a concern that the federal government was requiring businesses, individuals, and other entities to spend too much time filling out paperwork at the behest of federal agencies. The PRA contemplated a centralized system for controlling and minimizing the amount of information that federal agencies collect while considering the public benefit and utility of the information. To this end, the PRA requires agencies to justify collecting information from the public by establishing the need and intended use of the information, estimating the paperwork burden to result from the information collection, and providing public input on each proposed collection. The PRA also created the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) primarily to implement government-wide efforts to manage the federal paperwork burden. This In Focus provides an overview of the information collection aspects of the PRA, including OMB and agency responsibilities for managing paperwork burden. Other elements of the PRA, including information resources management and statistical policy, are not covered here."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carey, Maeve P.
2021-05-26
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Artemis: NASA's Program to Return Humans to the Moon [Updated May 26, 2021]
From the Document: "Between 1969 and 1972, the Apollo program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) landed 12 American men on the Moon and returned them safely to Earth (see Figure 1). Since then, no human has been farther from Earth than low-Earth orbit, a few hundred miles up; the distance to the Moon is about 240,000 miles. Artemis, named for Apollo's twin sister in ancient Greek mythology, is NASA's program for a return to the Moon by American astronauts--one of them a woman--in 2024."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morgan, Daniel (Daniel L.)
2021-05-26
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COVID-19 Resources for India: Be a Part of the Solution, A Communication Toolkit
From the Document: "India is amid its worst health crisis in recent history, with the unprecedented second wave of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] leaving millions of citizens infected and many still who have lost their lives. A decrease in the daily number of cases earlier this year led to a sense of complacency among citizens, with a decreased compliance to healthy behaviors such as wearing masks, hand washing and physical distancing among others, which have been shown to be effective at preventing COVID-19 transmission. This, in addition to sociopolitical factors, contributed to an increase in the number of daily infections in March 2021 and pushed the health system to the brink of collapse, causing a dearth of medical supplies and hospital beds and a constant state of uncertainty and panic. [...] [This toolkit aims] to provide partners, affiliates, and citizens with shareable easy-to-understand facts, mythbusters, and guidelines on COVID-19 prevention and mitigation and on maintaining physical and emotional wellbeing. Our hope is that this toolkit serves as a useful resource for all and allows users to access and disseminate 'evidence-based' accurate information."
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Viswanathan, Kristin
2021-05-26
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Oversight Review: DC National Guard's Use of Helicopters on June 1, 2020
From the Webpage Description: "Our oversight review determined that the Department of the Army Inspector General (DAIG) analysis of the facts was reasonable based on the available evidence in this case and the declared emergency nature of the situation on June 1, 2020. The evidence supports a determination that the decision by DCNG [District of Columbia National Guard] officials, including BG [Brigadier General] Ryan, to use helicopters in support of the civil disturbance operation based on the emergent nature of the situation and broad directions from the President of the United States (POTUS), the Secretary of Defense (SD), and the Secretary of the Army (SECARMY) was reasonable. We also reviewed the recommendations contained in the DAIG ROI [Report of
Investigation] and agree that the DCNG AR [Army Regulation] 15-6 findings merit reconsideration because our review found insufficient evidence to support them. We reviewed the other recommendations in the DAIG ROI and recommend that DoD review and consider extending those recommendations to other DoD units that may provide similar helicopter support to law enforcement authorities in civil disturbance operations."
United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Inspector General
2021-05-26
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Implementing Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Department of Defense
From the Document: "As the DoD embraces artificial intelligence (AI), it is imperative that we adopt responsible behavior, processes, and outcomes in a manner that reflects the Department' s commitment to its ethical principles, including the protection of privacy and civil liberties. A trusted ecosystem not only enhances our military capabilities, but also builds confidence with end-users, warfighters, and the American public. By leading in military ethics and AI safety, we reflect our Nation's values, encourage Responsible AI (RAI) development globally, and strengthen partnerships around the world. To that end, I reaffirm the DoD Al Ethical Principles adopted by the Department on February 21, 2020, for the design, development, deployment, and use of Al capabilities."
United States. Department of Defense
2021-05-26
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 2543, Federal Reserve Racial and Economic Equity Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Financial Services on April 21, 2021. From the Bill Summary: "H.R. 2543 would amend the Federal Reserve Act to require the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and the Federal Open Market Committee to exercise their duties in a way that fosters the elimination of certain racial and ethnic disparities. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 2543 would decrease revenues by $10 million over the 2021-2031 period."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-05-26
