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Department of Homeland Security: FY2013 Appropriations [Updated June 21, 2013]
From the Document: "This report presents an analysis of the discretionary appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2013 (FY2013). It compares the President's request for FY2013 funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the enacted FY2012 appropriations for DHS, the House-passed and Senate-reported DHS appropriations legislation for FY2013, and the final DHS appropriations legislation included in Division D of P.L. 113-6. It tracks legislative action and congressional issues related to these bills with particular attention paid to discretionary funding amounts. The report does not provide indepth analysis of specific issues related to mandatory funding--such as retirement pay--nor does the report systematically follow any other legislation related to the authorization or amendment of DHS programs, activities, or fee revenues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Painter, William L.; Schwemle, Barbara L.; Bjelopera, Jerome P. . . .
2013-06-21
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2019 California Wildfires: Brief Overview of FEMA Programs and Resources [November 1, 2019]
From the Document: "This Insight provides a brief overview of current Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declarations and federal assistance programs that may be available. The National Weather Service (NWS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides fire weather outlooks intended to delineate areas of the continental United States where 'preexisting fuel conditions, combined with forecast weather conditions during the next eight days, will result in a significant threat for the ignitions and/or spread of wildfires.' [...] NWS reports that various portions of California have experienced or are expected to experience weather conditions, including Santa Ana winds, which are conducive to igniting and spreading wildfires as well as making those wildfires difficult to suppress or contain. [...] Section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act; P.L. 93-288, as amended; 42 U.S.C. §§5121 et seq.) authorizes the President to declare a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Regional Administrators have been delegated the authority to authorize an FMAG because of the need to expedite assistance when the threat of a major disaster exists. [...] FMAGs have been authorized in 2019 for multiple wildfires, including the Kincade, Getty, Tick, Easy, Hill, 46, and Hillside Fires."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webster, Elizabeth M.; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Horn, Diane P. . . .
2019-11-01
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Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA): Implementation Updates for Select Provisions [April 27, 2021]
From the Summary: "This report describes select significant implementation updates since DRRA's [Disaster Recovery Reform Act's] enactment, and includes policy considerations for Congress. A companion product, CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report R46774, 'The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA): Implementation Update Tables for Select Provisions', provides tables that include updates on the status of FEMA's implementation of select DRRA provisions (i.e., implemented, in progress, or unverified). Further, detailed overviews of many DRRA sections, including descriptions of how various disaster assistance programs operated prior to DRRA's implementation and analysis of how DRRA's provisions modified these programs, as well as policy considerations, were previously examined in CRS Report R45819, 'The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA): A Summary of Selected Statutory Provisions.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webster, Elizabeth M.; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Horn, Diane P. . . .
2021-04-27
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Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA): Implementation Update Tables for Select Provisions [Updated April 27, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA, Division D of P.L. [public law] 115-254) was enacted on October 5, 2018, and is the most comprehensive reform of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) disaster assistance programs since the passage of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 (SRIA, Division B of P.L. 113-2) and the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA, P.L. 109-295). DRRA's purpose is to improve pre-disaster planning and mitigation, response, and recovery, and increase FEMA's accountability. To accomplish these objectives, DRRA amended many sections of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act, P.L. 93-288, as amended; 42 U.S.C. [United States Code] §§5121 et seq.). The Stafford Act is the foundational legislation for federal emergency authorities and disaster relief to local, state, territorial, and Indian tribal governments, certain private nonprofit organizations, and individuals and families, as well as emergency management policy. DRRA also provided new standalone authorities, and required rulemaking, reporting to Congress, and other actions by FEMA to support disaster preparedness, and increase FEMA transparency and accountability. [...] This report provides implementation status updates for select DRRA provisions that FEMA says it has implemented or is in the process of implementing."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webster, Elizabeth M.; Horn, Diane P.; Keegan, Natalie . . .
2021-04-27
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2019 Midwest Flooding: FEMA and Other Federal Programs and Resources [March 26, 2019]
From the Document: "This Insight provides a brief overview of the major disaster declaration process and federal assistance programs potentially available to those affected by the current flooding in the Midwest. As authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 93-288, as amended; 42 U.S.C. §§5121 et seq.), the President may issue a major disaster declaration due to catastrophic flooding. This allows for a broad range of federal assistance programs to be made available to state and local governments, private nonprofit organizations, and individuals through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webster, Elizabeth M.; Horn, Diane P.; Keegan, Natalie . . .
2019-03-26
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Status of Puerto Rico's Recovery and Ongoing Challenges Following Hurricanes Irma and María: FEMA, SBA, and HUD Assistance [November 13, 2020]
From the Summary: "Three years after Hurricanes Irma and María, Puerto Rico is still recovering from the devastation to communities, homes and property, businesses, and infrastructure that was caused by the hurricanes. At the same time, Puerto Rico has faced destruction caused by an earthquake swarm, which began in 2019 and is continuing into 2020, as well as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. These consecutive disasters have complicated response and recovery for each incident."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webster, Elizabeth M.; Cecire, Michael H.; Horn, Diane P. . . .
2020-11-13
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Issues Raised by a Federal Government Shutdown: Grants to State and Local Governments and the COVID-19 Pandemic [December 14, 2020]
From the Document: "At the end of the day on December 18, 2020, the second continuing appropriations measure for FY2021, Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 (Division A of H.R. 8900, signed into law December 11, 2020) will expire. If additional funding is not provided, funding for federal agencies and activities funded through all 12 of the regular annual appropriations acts will lapse on December 19. The resulting lapse in appropriations will require a shutdown of most federal agency operations, including those necessary to administer federal aid to state and local governments. [...] The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136) provided additional funding to states and local governments to address needs arising from the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, including $150 billion for the Coronavirus Relief Fund, and $5 billion for the Community Development Fund for grants provided under the Community Development Block Grant program. A federal government shutdown may cause disruption to, or may result in the cessation of, grant administration activities depending on the following factors: [1] the timing and duration of a federal government shutdown; and [2] the choices made by federal, state, and local officials in anticipation of, or during, a shutdown regarding grant program administration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keegan, Natalie
2020-12-14
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Delayed Federal Grant Closeout: Issues and Impact [September 12, 2014]
"Federal outlays for grants to state and local governments have grown from $15.4 billion in 1940 (in constant FY2009 dollars) to $509.7 billion in 2013 (in constant FY2009 dollars). The number of congressionally authorized grant programs has also increased over time, with over 2,179 congressionally authorized grant programs currently being administered by federal agencies. Recently, congressional interest has focused on the efficient and effective management of federal grant programs. […] This report is designed to assist Congress in its oversight of federal grants-in-aid programs by first providing a summary of relevant processes and authorities and then analyzing the causes of undisbursed grant funds in expired grant accounts. The report also presents congressional options to reform federal grant administration to increase the timeliness, reliability, and comprehensiveness of grant management-related information."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keegan, Natalie
2014-09-12
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Federal Aid to State and Local Governments: Select Issues Raised by a Federal Government Shutdown [April 7, 2014]
"State and local governments rely upon federal aid to fund projects and provide services that benefit communities and individuals. Interruptions in these activities can have a negative effect on the beneficiaries of federal aid. These activities rely upon the following grant administration activities: [1] Executing grant award agreements; [2] Processing payments to grantees; and [3] Investigating waste, fraud, and abuse allegations. A federal government shutdown may cause a minor disruption or may result in the cessation of these activities depending on the following factors: [1] The timing and length of the federal government shutdown; [2] Choices made by federal, state, and local officials; and [3] Congressional action since the last federal government shutdown. Federal, state, and local officials make choices involving: [1] Covering gaps in federal funding with uncertainty of reimbursement; [2] Furloughing grants administration personnel; and [3] Including grants administration personnel in contingency planning. The administrative, political, and economic environment will vary in every potential and actual federal government shutdown. Predicting the effect of a federal government shutdown on federal grant recipients and beneficiaries relies upon evaluation of these factors at the time of the lapse in federal funding and consideration of Congressional action since the last shutdown. This report will evaluate these factors and present a selection of legislative options to mitigate the effect of a future federal government shutdown."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keegan, Natalie
2014-04-07
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Federal Grant Financial Reporting Requirements and Databases: Frequently Asked Questions [February 11, 2016]
"Congress and federal agencies frequently undertake initiatives to conduct oversight of federal grant programs and expenditures. The ability to oversee is influenced by the existing reporting requirements placed on recipients of federal grant funds. Limitations in accessing information contained in federal databases used to collect grant data also influence the level of transparency into the use of federal grant funds. Congress has also debated the reporting burden placed on federal grant recipients and how to balance grant recipient capacity with the desire for transparency into the use of federal grant funds. This report provides an introduction to reporting requirements placed on federal grant recipients, including requirements that must be met to seek federal grant funds. It also describes the databases containing information about grant awards, the types of information collected on grant recipients, and the availability of that information to the public."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keegan, Natalie
2016-02-11
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Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant Legislation in the 114th Congress [June 7, 2016]
"In May 2016, the House Ways and Means Committee approved six bills related to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. The bills include separate demonstration projects of social impact partnerships and subsidized employment, as well as four bills altering specific provisions of TANF. The TANF block grant funds grants to states, tribes, and territories for providing benefits, services, and activities to broadly address both the effects and root causes of childhood economic and social disadvantage. It was created in the 1996 welfare reform law, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193), which culminated decades of debate over how to change public assistance programs for needy families with children. Most TANF policy dates back to the 1996 welfare law, as a full reauthorization of the block grant has never been enacted."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Falk, Gene; Keegan, Natalie; Brass, Clinton T.
2016-06-07
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Sanctuary Jurisdictions and Select Federal Grant Funding Issues: In Brief [March 16, 2017]
"On January 25, 2017, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 13768, 'Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States.' Among other things, the EO raises questions regarding whether, and to what extent, federal agencies will withhold federal grant funds that would have otherwise been awarded to a designated 'sanctuary jurisdiction.' Under the EO, the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is directed to designate a jurisdiction as a sanctuary jurisdiction at his discretion, and to the extent consistent with law, for those jurisdictions found to have willfully refused to comply with 8 U.S.C. 1373, 'Communication between government agencies and the Immigration and Naturalization Service.' Among other things, the EO raises questions regarding potential restrictions of federal grant funding for sanctuary jurisdictions. This report discusses several questions that might be raised regarding the implementation of the executive order by federal grant-making agencies (also known as 'federal awarding agencies') and the impact on federal grant funding for designated sanctuary jurisdictions. Because of the complexity of implementing a centralized policy such as the EO through the decentralized structure of federal grants administration practices, there is uncertainty in determining the impact of the EO on federal grant funding for sanctuary jurisdictions. [...] The impact of the EO on federal grant funding could also be affected by how federal grant awarding agencies utilize discretion in administering the grant programs, including review of eligibility and conditioning federal grant awards."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keegan, Natalie
2017-03-16
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2020 Hurricane Season FAQ: Federal Disaster Assistance for Hurricanes During the COVID-19 Pandemic [June 1, 2020]
From the Summary: "The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and the peak months are mid-August through late October. The central Pacific hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with the peak months being July through October. The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 through November 30, with July through September being the peak. Although in the central and eastern Pacific, near- or below-normal season are most likely, in the Atlantic, an 'above-normal' hurricane season is predicted for 2020. Regardless of the forecast, one hurricane or tropical storm can cause a disaster. [...] This report provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding: [1] emergency and major disaster declarations under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act [...]), including legal authorities and information related to the declaration request process; [2] types of assistance that may be available to state, territorial, and tribal governments, private nonprofit organizations, private entities, and individuals and households pursuant to a Stafford Act emergency or major disaster declaration; [3] considerations related to concurrently responding to a hurricane during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic; [4] the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), the source of funding for the Stafford Act emergency and major disaster declarations; [5] other federal assistance that may be available through the Small Business Administration (SBA); and [6] additional references."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webster, Elizabeth M.; Horn, Diane P.; Lee, Erica A. . . .
2020-06-01
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Public Trust and Law Enforcement-- A Discussion for Policymakers [Updated December 13, 2018]
"Several high-profile incidents where the police have apparently used excessive force against citizens have generated interest in what role Congress could play in facilitating efforts to build trust between the police and the people they serve. This report provides a brief overview of the federal government's role in police-community relations. Public confidence in the police declined in 2014 and 2015 after several high-profile incidents in which men of color were killed during confrontations with the police. Confidence in the police has rebounded in recent years and is now back to the historical average. However, certain groups, such as Hispanics, blacks, people under the age of 35, and individuals with liberal political leanings say they have less confidence in the police than whites, people over the age of 35, and people with conservative political leanings."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan; Finklea, Kristin; Keegan, Natalie . . .
2018-12-13
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Public Trust and Law Enforcement - A Brief Discussion for Policymakers [March 22, 2016]
"Events over the past several years involving conflict between the police and citizens have generated interest in what role Congress could play in facilitating efforts to build trust between law enforcement and the people they serve while promoting effective crime reduction. This report provides a brief overview of police-community relations and how the federal government might be able to promote more accountability and better relationships between citizens and law enforcement. Gallup poll data show that, overall, Americans are confident in the police; but, confidence in the police varies according to race, place of residence, and other factors. In 2014, less than 50% of Americans favorably rated the honesty and ethics of police, the lowest percentage since 1998. If they conclude that low public ratings of the police are at least partially attributable to police policies, Congress may decide to address state and local law enforcement policies and practices they believe erode public trust in law enforcement. Federalism limits the amount of influence Congress can have over state and local law enforcement policy. Regardless, the federal government might choose to promote better law enforcement-community relations and accountability through (1) federal efforts to collect and disseminate data on the use of force by law enforcement, (2) statutes that allow the federal government to investigate instances of alleged police misconduct, and (3) the influence the Department of Justice (DOJ) has on state and local policing through its role as an enforcer, policy leader, convener, and funder of law enforcement."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan; Bjelopera, Jerome P.; Finklea, Kristin M. . . .
2016-03-22
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Federal Grants to States and Local Governments Under Continuing Resolutions [January 5, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Congress uses an annual appropriations process to fund the routine activities of most federal agencies. This process anticipates the enactment of 12 regular appropriations bills before the beginning of the fiscal year. When this process is delayed beyond the start of the fiscal year, one or more continuing appropriations acts (commonly known as 'continuing resolutions' or 'CRs') can be used to provide funding until action on regular appropriations is completed. Federal agencies operating under a CR may encounter difficulties with the budgetary execution of their programs. In particular, CRs can limit the ability of agencies to take actions that would obligate funds beyond the expiration of the CR. This can have an impact on the ability of federal agencies to review and process applications for federal grant programs, and on fiscal planning by state and local governments anticipating federal grant funding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keegan, Natalie
2022-01-05
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Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes, and Effects [December 10, 2018]
"When federal agencies and programs lack funding after the expiration of full-year or interim appropriations, the agencies and programs experience a funding gap. If funding does not resume in time to continue government operations, then, under the Antideficiency Act, an agency must cease operations, except in certain situations when law authorizes continued activity. Funding gaps are distinct from shutdowns, and the criteria that flow from the Antideficiency Act for determining which activities are affected by a shutdown are complex. Failure of the President and Congress to reach agreement on full-year or interim funding measures occasionally has caused shutdowns of affected federal government activities. The longest such shutdown lasted 21 full days during FY1996, from December 16, 1995, to January 6, 1996. More recently, a relatively long funding gap commenced on October 1, 2013, the first day of FY2014, after funding for the previous fiscal year expired. Because funding did not resume on October 1, affected agencies began to cease operations and furlough personnel that day. A 16-full-day shutdown ensued, the first to occur in over 17 years. Subsequently, two comparatively brief shutdowns occurred during FY2018, in January and February 2018, respectively."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brass, Clinton T.; Brudnick, Ida A.; Keegan, Natalie . . .
2018-12-10
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Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes, and Effects [November 30, 2017]
"When federal agencies and programs lack funding after the expiration of full-year or interim appropriations, the agencies and programs experience a funding gap. If funding does not resume in time to continue government operations, then, under the Antideficiency Act, an agency must cease operations, except in certain situations when law authorizes continued activity. The criteria that flow from the Antideficiency Act for determining which activities are affected are complex. Failure of the President and Congress to reach agreement on full-year or interim funding measures occasionally has caused shutdowns of affected federal government activities. The longest such shutdown lasted 21 full days during FY1996, from December 16, 1995, to January 6, 1996. More recently, a funding gap commenced on October 1, 2013, the first day of FY2014, after funding for the previous fiscal year expired. Because funding did not resume on October 1, affected agencies began to cease operations and furlough personnel that day. A 16-full-day shutdown ensued, the first to occur in over 17 years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brass, Clinton T.; Brudnick, Ida A.; Keegan, Natalie . . .
2017-11-30
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Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes, and Effects [May 5, 2017]
"When federal agencies and programs lack funding after the expiration of full-year or interim appropriations, the agencies and programs experience a funding gap. If funding does not resume in time to continue government operations, then, under the Antideficiency Act, an agency must cease operations, except in certain situations when law authorizes continued activity. The criteria that flow from the Antideficiency Act for determining which activities are affected are complex. [...] This CRS [Congressional Research Service] report is intended to address questions that arise frequently related to the topic of government shutdowns. However, the report does not closely track developments related to the appropriations process for a given fiscal year."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brass, Clinton T.; Brudnick, Ida A.; Glassman, Matthew . . .
2017-05-05
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Locally Operated Levees: Issues and Federal Programs [April 5, 2011]
From the Document: "Locally operated levees and the federal programs that assist and accredit them are receiving increasing congressional attention. Congressional authorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), expires on September 30, 2011. The pending reauthorization has increased congressional awareness of the link between the condition of locally operated levees, FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and levee accreditation (which determine which NFIP requirements and premiums apply in an area), and programs providing federal disaster assistance for these levees. Congress is considering whether and how to change current programs, federal funding, and the existing division of levee responsibilities. Options are complicated by the desire to promote state, local, and individual decisions and investments that reduce flood risk; concerns about the local costs associated with NFIP purchase and levee accreditation requirements; and consideration of whether to expand federal responsibilities and potential liability. Even though similar issues also exist for some of the federally operated levees, this report focuses on locally operated levees since these dominate the national levee portfolio. Approximately 22% of U.S. counties across the country, representing almost half of the U.S. population, contain levees. Economic damage from floods in leveed areas ranges between $5 billion and $10 billion annually. Levees play an important role in protecting property against flood damage. More than 100,000 miles of levees may exist, with the federal government operating roughly 2,100 miles. One estimate puts the five-year level of investment needed for new construction or maintenance of the nation's levees at $50 billion."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stubbs, Megan; Keegan, Natalie
2011-04-05
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FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: Overview and Issues [July 10, 2009]
"Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), as federal law and a program activity, began in 1997. Congress established a pilot program, which FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] named 'Project Impact,' to test the concept of investing prior to disasters to reduce the vulnerability of communities to future disasters. P.L. 106-390, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, authorized the PDM program in law as Section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. From its beginnings as 'Project Impact' to its current state, the PDM program has grown in its level of appropriated resources and the scope of participation nationwide. Along with that growth have come issues for Congressional consideration, including the approach for awarding grant funds, the eligibility of certain applicants, the eligibility of certain projects, the degree of commitment by state and local governments, and related questions. Authorization for the PDM program expires on September 30, 2009. In the 111th Congress, Representative Oberstar and other sponsors introduced H.R. 1746 to re-authorize the program for an additional three years at $250 million per year and to remove the sunset provision. The bill would also increase the minimum amount each state can receive from $500,000 to $575,000. H.R. 1746 includes provisions that have been part of appropriations statutes that award funds both through a formula (with, as noted, a minimum amount available per state) as well as a competitive process for the majority of the funds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.; Keegan, Natalie
2009-07-10
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FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: Overview and Issues [February 18, 2010]
"Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), as federal law and a program activity, began in 1997. Congress established a pilot program, which FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] named 'Project Impact,' to test the concept of investing prior to disasters to reduce the vulnerability of communities to future disasters. P.L. 106-390, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, authorized the PDM program in law as Section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. [...] Authorization for the PDM program expires on September 30, 2010. In the 111th Congress, Representative Oberstar and other sponsors introduced H.R. 1746 to re-authorize the program for an additional three years at $250 million per year and to remove the sunset provision. The bill would also increase the minimum amount each state can receive from $500,000 to $575,000. [...] It is notable that the Administration's budget for FY2010 requested that the competitive process be dropped in favor of a risk-based assessment by FEMA. The Administration's budget for FY2011 does not contain any reference to a risk-based assessment by FEMA. However, Congress may wish to hear more regarding the risk-based allocation formula before enacting the authorizing legislation for the coming years. [...] This report will be updated as warranted by events."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.; Keegan, Natalie
2010-02-18
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National Commission on Children and Disasters: Overview and Issues [February 22, 2010]
"The National Commission on Children and Disasters (the Commission) is authorized under the provisions of the Kids in Disasters Well-being, Safety, and Health Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-161) and given federal advisory committee statutory authority under the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009 (P.L. 110-329). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), provides financial and administrative support to the Commission, whose purpose is to assess the needs of children in the preparation for, response to, and recovery from natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.[...] The 111th Congress is currently considering amending the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) to enhance disaster response, recovery, preparedness and mitigation capabilities (H.R. 3377). Congress is also considering legislation that would establish provisions for education, child care, emergency planning, and health care guidance to address the safety of children after a disaster (S. 2898). Issues Congress may wish to consider include expanding proposed legislation or introducing new legislation to amend the Stafford Act, or amending the Homeland Security Act, to include recommendations of the Commission. Additional issues Congress may wish to consider include what administrative options are available to implement the Commission recommendations and where there may be a need for congressional action."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keegan, Natalie
2010-02-22
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Federal Grants-in-Aid Administration: A Primer [October 3, 2012]
"Congressional authorization of federal assistance to state and local governments can be traced back to the Continental Congress and its approval of the granting of nationally owned land to states formed out of the Northwest Territory. Those lands were to be sold for the support of public education. Congress subsequently granted millions of acres for wagon road and canal construction, 64 million acres for improvements to river navigation, and several thousand acres for the establishment and support of land grant colleges. The first federal cash grant program was adopted in 1808, to provide funds to states to support the National Guard. Since that time, there has been dramatic growth in federal cash assistance programs, now commonly referred to as 'federal grant programs' or 'federal domestic assistance programs.' These programs transfer money, property, services, or other items of value for which the principal purpose is to accomplish a goal authorized by Congress. A broader definition of federal domestic assistance would include loans. There are currently 2,179 congressionally authorized federal domestic assistance programs. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) indicates that of these, 1,714 are federal grant programs, which can be further broken out as formula (225) and project (1489) grant programs administered by 26 federal agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keegan, Natalie
2012-10-03
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Government Transparency: An Examination of Meaning and Its Use in the Executive Branch [November 14, 2012]
"The Obama Administration has undertaken its own transparency initiative, known as the Open Government Initiative, to make executive branch agencies more transparent, publicly accessible, and collaborative than they have historically been. Watchdog organizations have offered mixed reviews of the initiative's ability to promote and institute government transparency. Transparency may be defined as the disclosure of government information and its use by the public. Transparency, under this definition, requires a public that can access, understand, and use the information it receives from the federal government. This report first assesses the meaning of transparency and discusses its scholarly and practical definitions. It also provides an analysis of the concept of transparency, with a focus on federal government transparency in the executive branch. This report subsequently examines the statutes, initiatives, requirements, and other actions that make information more available to the public or protect it from public release. It also examines transparency and secrecy from the standpoint of how the public accesses government information, and whether the release of government data and information may make operation of the federal government more or, counter-intuitively, less transparent. Finally, this report analyzes whether existing transparency initiatives are effective in reaching their stated goals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ginsberg, Wendy R.; Carey, Maeve P.; Halchin, L. Elaine . . .
2012-11-14
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Louisiana Road Home Program: Federal Aid for State Disaster Housing Assistance Programs [July 31, 2009]
"The devastation resulting from Hurricane Katrina created an unprecedented housing crisis in the Gulf Coast region. In response to this need, Congress appropriated funds to address disasterrelated housing needs in the coastal states. At the state level, Louisiana developed a homeowner's assistance program (HAP) under its Road Home recovery initiative. One source of funding for the Road Home program is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Since December 2005, Congress has appropriated $19.85 billion for the Community Development Block Grant program, of which $13.41 billion went to the state of Louisiana to help with housing recovery in the state. CDBG appropriations currently provide the core funding for the Road Home program. Additional funding from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is being sought by Louisiana to supplement the CDBG funds in order to expand the housing assistance in Louisiana. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5), the 111th Congress expanded the use of HMGP funds for damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita by prohibiting the FEMA Administrator from restricting the use of HMGP funds for eligible homeowners who began the mitigation activity prior to receiving written approval from FEMA. Congress may also wish to consider the use of HMGP funds for state housing assistance programs such as the Road Home program. Issues other than funding that Congress may wish to consider include the waiver of HMGP regulatory provisions, federal agency information sharing, redundancy of disaster inspections, standardization of program cost projections, and cost and availability of hazard insurance. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keegan, Natalie
2009-07-31
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Public Trust and Law Enforcement-A Brief Discussion for Policy Makers [February 9, 2015]
"Recent events involving conflict between the police and citizens have generated interest in what role Congress could play in facilitating efforts to build trust between law enforcement and the people they serve while promoting effective crime reduction. This report provides a brief overview of police-community relations and how the federal government might be able to promote more accountability and better relationships between citizens and law enforcement. Gallup poll data show that, overall, Americans are confident in the police; but, confidence in the police varies according to race, place of residence, and other factors. In 2014, less than 50% of Americans favorably rated the honesty and ethics of police, the lowest percentage since 1998. If they conclude that low public ratings of the police are at least partially attributable to police policies, Congress may decide to address state and local law enforcement policies and practices they believe erode public trust in law enforcement. Federalism limits the amount of influence Congress can have over state and local law enforcement policy. Regardless, the federal government might choose to promote better law enforcement-community relations and accountability through (1) federal efforts to collect and disseminate data on the use of force by law enforcement, (2) statutes that allow the federal government to investigate instances of alleged police misconduct, and (3) the influence the Department of Justice (DOJ) has on state and local policing through its role as an enforcer, policy leader, convener, and funder of law enforcement."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan; Bjelopera, Jerome P.; Finklea, Kristin M. . . .
2015-02-09
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Issues Raised by a Federal Government Shutdown: Grants to State and Local Governments and the Covid-19 Pandemic [Updated September 29, 2021]
From the Document: "Midnight September 30, 2021, will be the end of FY2021. In the absence of new funding legislation for FY2022, funding for federal agencies and activities funded through all 12 of the regular annual appropriations acts will lapse. The resulting lapse in appropriations will require a shutdown of most federal agency operations [hyperlink], including those necessary to administer federal aid to state and local governments. [...] Since March 2020, COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic response legislation has provided additional funding for federal grant programs to state and local governments. According to the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, $582.3 billion [hyperlink] has been provided to state, local, and tribal governments for pandemic response, not including additional grant funding provided under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 [hyperlink] (American Rescue Plan, P.L. 117-2, enacted March 11, 2021). The American Rescue Plan provided an additional $360 billion [hyperlink], of which $219.8 billion was appropriated for the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund [hyperlink], $130.2 billion for the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund [hyperlink], and $10 billion for the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund [hyperlink]. A federal government shutdown may cause disruption to, or cessation of, grant administration activities for normal grant program appropriations, as well as pandemic-related supplemental funding, depending on the following factors: [1] the timing and duration of a federal government shutdown; and [2] the choices made by federal, state, and local officials in anticipation of, or during, a shutdown regarding grant program administration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keegan, Natalie
2021-09-29
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