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Caribbean Basin Security Initiative [Updated August 12, 2022]
From the Document: "The United States developed the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), a regional U.S. foreign assistance program, in 2009 through a process of dialogue with Caribbean countries. The initiative seeks to reduce illicit trafficking in the region, advance public safety and security, and promote social justice. Because of their geographic location, many Caribbean nations are vulnerable to being used as transit countries for illicit drugs from South America destined for the U.S. and European markets. Strengthened U.S. counternarcotics cooperation with Mexico and Central America led U.S. policymakers to anticipate a potential increase in narcotics trafficking through the Caribbean. Many Caribbean countries have also suffered high rates of violent crime, including murder, often associated with drug trafficking activities. [...] Congress has supported funding for the CBSI. From FY2010 through FY2022, Congress appropriated $831 million for the CBSI[.] [...] For FY2023, the Administration requested $63.5 million for the CBSI, almost 21% less than appropriated by Congress for FY2022 and 15% less than provided for FY2021. The House Appropriations Committee's reported FY2023 foreign aid appropriations bill, H.R. 8282 (H.Rept. 117-401), would provide for not less than $82 million for the CBSI and would require a spend plan for the funding. The explanatory statement to the Senate FY2023 foreign aid appropriations bill, S. 4662, would recommend not less than $80 million for the CBSI and also would require a spend plan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2022-08-12
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Campaign Finance Policy and Email Spam Filtering: The Google Advisory Opinion Request [Updated August 12, 2022]
From the Document: "Political campaigns rely heavily [hyperlink] on email and the internet to raise money and court voters. On August 11, 2022, the Federal Election Commission [hyperlink] (FEC) approved an advisory opinion request (AOR) from Google [hyperlink] permitting the company to establish a pilot program enabling Gmail users to provide feedback affecting which political fundraising messages they receive rather than relying on the service's existing spam filters. The AOR is one component of a much larger debate in Congress and beyond about the role that social media platforms and technology companies play in American politics. This CRS [Congressional Research Service] Insight provides congressional readers with brief background on the AOR and related campaign finance policy [hyperlink] issues. Other CRS products linked herein discuss policy and legal topics that are beyond the scope of this Insight."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-
2022-08-12
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Climate Liability Suits: Is There a Path to Federal Court? [August 12, 2022]
From the Document: "Many of the most prominent court cases related to climate change in recent years have been decided by federal courts, including the Supreme Court, based on federal law. A growing number of cases, however, allege state-law claims against fossil fuel companies in state courts. A key issue that has emerged early in that litigation is whether those state courts will ultimately consider liability related to climate change, or whether federal courts should instead assume responsibility for those claims. On July 7, 2022, in 'City and County of Honolulu v. Sunoco LP' [hyperlink], the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed an order from a federal trial court returning a climate change lawsuit to Hawaii state court, where it was filed initially. The case was the fifth federal appeals court case to consider whether federal courts should hear state-law climate lawsuits since the Supreme Court's 2021 decision in 'BP p.l.c. v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore' [hyperlink]. The Supreme Court in 'BP' directed [hyperlink] federal appeals courts to entertain a broader scope of arguments from the fossil fuel industry that climate liability suits belong in federal court--not state court. Since 'BP', the First [hyperlink], Fourth [hyperlink], Ninth [hyperlink], and Tenth [hyperlink] Circuits have considered appeals from the fossil fuel industry arguing that state-law climate lawsuits should be heard in federal court. Each court of appeals sent each case back to state court, frustrating defendants' attempts to secure a federal forum. This Legal Sidebar provides analysis of legal issues related to removal of climate liability suits and considerations for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Barczewski, Benjamin M.
2022-08-12
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Armed Career Criminal Act (18 U.S.C. § 924(e)): An Overview [Updated August 11, 2022]
From the Summary: "The Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), 18 U.S.C. [United States Code] § [section] 924(e), requires imposition of a mandatory minimum 15-year term of imprisonment for recidivists convicted of prohibited possession of a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), who have three prior state or federal convictions for violent felonies or serious drug offenses. Section 924(e) defines serious drug offenses as those punishable by imprisonment for 10 years or more. It defines violent felonies as those (1) that have an element of threat, attempt, or use of physical force against another; (2) that involve burglary, arson, or extortion; (3) that constitute crime similar to burglary, arson, or extortion; or (4) under the section's 'residual clause.' The U.S. Sentencing Commission recommended that Congress consider clarifying the statutory definitions of the violent felony categories. Thereafter in 'Johnson v. United States', the Supreme Court declared the residual clause (predicated on the 'risk of violence') unconstitutionally vague and thus effectively void. The residual clause aside, constitutional challenges to the application of § 924(e) have been largely unsuccessful, regardless of whether they were based on arguments of cruel and unusual punishment, double jeopardy, due process, grand jury indictment or jury trial rights, the right to bear arms, or limits on Congress's legislative authority."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Doyle, Charles
2022-08-11
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State Laws Restricting or Prohibiting Abortion [Updated August 11, 2022]
From the Document: "The Supreme Court's decision in 'Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization' [hyperlink] overruled 'Roe v. Wade' [hyperlink], providing states with greater discretion to restrict abortion access, including by limiting abortion prior to fetal viability. This Sidebar provides an overview of existing or recently passed state laws prohibiting or limiting abortion prior to 24 weeks' gestational age, which for many years was widely considered [hyperlink] the point of viability, though medical advancements may have moved that point earlier. The Sidebar also identifies 'trigger laws' that generally prohibit abortion that were set to go into effect, either automatically or following action by a state official, if the Supreme Court ever overturned 'Roe v. Wade.' This Sidebar does not address any exceptions to these restrictions, such as in the case of a medical emergency, or restrictions to specific methods of abortion, such as medication abortion."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Deal, Laura
2022-08-11
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Biden Administration's Cuba Policy Changes [Updated August 11, 2022]
From the Document: "In May 2022, the Biden Administration announced several changes to U.S. policy [hyperlink] toward Cuba, with the overarching goal of increasing support for the Cuban people. The changes, which emanated from a policy review begun in 2021, fall into four broad areas--facilitating family reunification, expanding authorized travel, easing restrictions on remittances, and supporting Cuba's private sector. According to a State Department spokesperson, the changes will provide Cubans with 'additional tools to pursue life free from Cuban government oppression and to seek greater economic opportunities [hyperlink].' The Administration has begun implementing the policy changes through various steps and regulatory changes undertaken by relevant U.S. departments and agencies. Although the changes have involved easing some restrictions on travel and remittances, including amendments [hyperlink] to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR; 31 C.F.R. [Code of Federal Regulations] 515 [hyperlink]), the United States maintains comprehensive economic sanctions [hyperlink] on Cuba, including restrictions on transactions with entities on a 'Cuba Restricted List [hyperlink]' that are controlled by the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services. Administration officials assert that human rights [hyperlink] issues will remain at the center of U.S. policy toward Cuba. In the aftermath of the Cuban government's harsh response to government-wide protests in July 2021, the Administration imposed several rounds of targeted financial sanctions [hyperlink] and visa restrictions [hyperlink] on Cuban officials found to be responsible for the repression."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2022-08-11
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Offshore Wind Provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act [Updated August 11, 2022]
From the Document: "On August 7, 2022, the Senate passed its version of budget reconciliation legislation (H.R. 5376), commonly known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). The Senate-passed bill contains multiple provisions related to offshore wind, including provisions on offshore wind leasing, transmission planning, and tax credits." The document goes on to provide summaries of the aforementioned offshore wind provisions.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Comay, Laura B.; Clark, Corrie E.; Sherlock, Molly F.
2022-08-11
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Forecasting Tropical Cyclones: NOAA's Role [Updated August 10, 2022]
From the Document: "Timely and accurate forecasts of tropical cyclones, including tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes (hereinafter TCs or storms), can provide life-and property-saving warnings to parts of the U.S. coastline vulnerable to a storm's impacts. The National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center (NHC), part of the National Weather Service (NWS) within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is responsible for forecasting TCs in the Northern Atlantic Ocean and the Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean. (Other entities are responsible for these storms in other parts of the world.) A tropical cyclone forecast uses a broad array of resources and capabilities within NOAA, which must be coordinated and interpreted by NHC. NHC estimates a tropical cyclone's track (i.e., the storm's path) and intensity (i.e., its wind speed), as well as the size and structure of the storm. NHC works with other parts of NOAA, such as the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), National Ocean Service (NOS), and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, on these estimates and on predictions of associated storm surge, rainfall, and tornadoes. This In Focus describes NHC TC-related activities, from storm formation through forecasts and warnings. It also sets out ongoing TC forecasting challenges that Congress may consider via oversight or legislative actions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2022-08-10
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Carbon Cycle: Key Component of the Climate System, with Implications for Policy [August 10, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Congress is considering several legislative strategies that would reduce U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases--primarily carbon dioxide (CO2)--and/or increase uptake and storage of CO2 from the atmosphere. Both approaches are viewed by many observers as critical to forestalling global climate change caused, in part, by the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from human activities. Others point out that the human contribution of carbon to the atmosphere is a small fraction of the total quantity of carbon that cycles naturally back and forth each year between the atmosphere and two large carbon reservoirs: the global oceans and the planet's land surface. A key question is how CO2 emissions from human activities are changing the global carbon cycle--the exchange, or flux, of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, and land surface--and how the changes affect the rate of CO2 buildup in the atmosphere. There is a scientific consensus that human disturbances, or perturbations, to the carbon cycle are a main factor driving climate change over the past 50 years. [...] An understanding of the global carbon cycle has shifted from being of mainly academic interest to being also of policy interest. Policymakers are grappling with, for example, how the United States could achieve a state of net-zero CO2 emissions, in which emissions to the atmosphere are balanced by removals. This is likely to require the implementation of human methods of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and would depend inherently on continued uptake of carbon by the oceans and land surface. Yet how much CO2 forests or farmland are capable of taking up in the future, and for how long, is not clear. How the oceans and the land surface carbon reservoirs will behave in the future--how much CO2 they will take up or release and at what rate--are topics of active scientific inquiry. [...] This report puts the human contribution of carbon to the atmosphere into the larger context of the global carbon cycle."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Haskett, Jonathan D.
2022-08-10
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Federal Role in Responding to Potential Risks of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) [Updated August 10, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large, diverse group of fluorinated compounds that have been used in numerous commercial, industrial, and U.S. military applications. Among other uses, PFAS have been used in fire-fighting foams and in the processing and manufacture of many commercial products (e.g., nonstick cookware, stain- and water-resistant fabrics). PFAS are persistent in the environment, and studies of several PFAS suggest that exposures above certain levels may lead to adverse health effects. Detections of PFAS contamination in drinking water and the environment have increased in recent years with the availability of new analytical methods and increased monitoring. PFAS have been detected in soil, surface water, groundwater, and public water supplies in numerous locations. These detections have been associated primarily with releases from manufacturing and processing facilities, and from U.S. military installations and other facilities that use firefighting foams (e.g., civilian airports and fire departments). These detections have prompted calls for increased federal action and authority to prevent and mitigate exposures to PFAS. [...] This report focuses on federal authorities under which EPA and other agencies have taken actions to address potential risks of PFAS. It does not discuss other laws under which EPA or other agencies may take additional actions, or actions under state laws. The report begins with a brief discussion of the chemical properties, uses, and varying risks of PFAS, followed by discussions of federal actions, relevant legislation enacted in the 115th and 116th Congresses, and relevant enacted and proposed legislation in the 117th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Bearden, David M.; Gatz, Laura . . .
2022-08-10
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulation of Employee Exposure to Heat [Updated August 10, 2022]
From the Document: "Employees who work outdoors, including those in industries such as construction and agriculture, may be exposed to extreme heat conditions. Similarly, certain indoor work situations--such as bakeries, warehouses, and steel mills--may also expose employees to unsafe heat levels. The lead federal agency that regulates worker safety and health, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), does not have any standards that specifically address outdoor or indoor heat exposure. [...] In the 117th Congress, H.R. 2193 and S. 1068, both titled as the Asuncion Valdivia Heat Illness and Fatality Prevention Act of 2021, would require OSHA to propose within two years of enactment and promulgate within 42 months of enactment a heat exposure standard to cover outdoor and indoor workplaces. This standard would have to be at least as protective as any state standard and would have to meet specific requirements outlined in the legislation. Both bills are named after Asuncion Valdivia, a California farmworker who died from heat stroke in 2004. On July 27, 2022, H.R. 2193, as amended, was ordered to be reported by the House Committee on Education and Labor."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2022-08-10
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Education Department Proposes New Title IX Regulations: Responding to Sex Discrimination and Harassment at School [August 10, 2022]
From the Document: "The Department of Education (ED) recently issued [hyperlink] a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend its current regulations that implement Title IX [hyperlink] of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (Title IX). Title IX prohibits [hyperlink] discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. As explained in more depth in an earlier Legal Sidebar [hyperlink], ED previously overhauled [hyperlink] its Title IX regulations in 2020. The changes ED made in 2020 focused in large part on delineating how schools must respond to allegations of sexual harassment. The new NPRM, if adopted, would change a school's responsibilities with respect to such responses in several ways. In addition, the proposal would define [hyperlink] Title IX's prohibition of sex discrimination to extend to 'sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity.' This Legal Sidebar focuses on the changes the NPRM would make regarding a school's response to allegations of sex discrimination. It begins with an examination of the NPRM's provisions for a school's responsibilities under the statute, including training and monitoring requirements, as well as what conduct counts as sex-based harassment for purposes of Title IX. The Sidebar then focuses on the NPRM's requirements for recipient schools' grievance procedures when responding to allegations of sex discrimination generally and concludes by addressing the NPRM's more specific grievance procedures proposed for postsecondary institutions when investigating and adjudicating allegations of sex-based harassment."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cole, Jared P.
2022-08-10
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Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP): Limits on Administrative and Operating Subsidies [August 10, 2022]
From the Document: "The federal crop insurance program (FCIP) offers farmers the opportunity to purchase insurance coverage against financial losses caused by a wide variety of perils, including certain adverse growing and market conditions. The federal government regulates the policies offered and subsidizes the premiums that farmers pay in order to encourage farmer participation in the program. The FCIP plays a prominent role in helping farmers manage financial risk, with more than 444 million acres and $150 billion in crop and livestock value insured in crop year 2021. Annual federal program outlays averaged $9.1 billion for FY2012-FY2021, adjusting for inflation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not sell FCIP policies to farmers directly. Private sector companies--referred to as Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs)--sell and service FCIP policies under two annual agreements with USDA: the Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA) and the Livestock Price Reinsurance Agreement (LPRA). USDA provides subsidies to the AIPs to compensate for the cost of selling and servicing FCIP policies, as per the terms specified in the SRA and LPRA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rosch, Stephanie
2022-08-10
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Inflation Reduction Act: Agricultural Conservation and Credit, Renewable Energy, and Forestry [Updated August 10, 2022]
From the Overview: "On August 7, 2022, the Senate passed what is often referred to as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 [hyperlink], a substitute to the House-passed Build Back Better Act (BBBA, H.R. 5376). Both bills are budget reconciliation measures, which allow for an increase in spending pursuant to the FY2022 budget resolution [hyperlink]. Programs in the jurisdiction of the House and Senate Agriculture committees are included in each bill. The BBBA would have increased [hyperlink] agriculture spending by $82 billion over the 10-year period FY2022- FY2031. The Senate bill includes a subset of nearly $38 billion for agricultural conservation, credit, renewable energy, and forestry. Funding would remain available only through FY2031. The Senate bill excludes entirely BBBA sections for agriculture research and facilities and rural water."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Monke, James; Stubbs, Megan; Bracmort, Kelsi . . .
2022-08-10
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Criminal Justice Data: Human Trafficking [August 10, 2022]
From the Document: "Human trafficking occurs across the United States and around the world. Traffickers exploit vulnerable individuals for commercial sex and forced labor in a variety of legal and illegal industries. While some estimates exist, comprehensive data on the incidence of human trafficking within the United States are not available. Some metrics suggest that more foreign victims may be involved in labor trafficking than in sex trafficking, and that more U.S. citizen victims may be involved in sex trafficking than labor trafficking. In addition, the federal government prosecutes more individuals for sex trafficking than for labor trafficking offenses. For over two decades, Congress has been legislating to counter human trafficking in the United States. Through the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA, Division A of P.L. [Public Law] 106-386) and its subsequent reauthorizations, Congress has passed legislation aimed at preventing human trafficking, strengthening criminal laws aimed at investigating and prosecuting traffickers, and providing protections and services for survivors. Nonetheless, while Congress has taken steps to bolster data collection on human trafficking, there remains a knowledge gap about its true prevalence. This report provides an overview of human trafficking and a discussion of the challenges involved in gathering data on its prevalence. It outlines existing human trafficking datasets and their limitations, and highlights issues that policymakers may consider in debates about expanding data and building knowledge on the extent and nature of human trafficking."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hanson, Emily J.; Finklea, Kristin M.
2022-08-10
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International Responses to the 2022 Monkeypox Outbreak [August 10, 2022]
From the Introduction: "In May 2022, the International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Point for the United Kingdom notified the World Health Organization (WHO) that an individual who travelled from the United Kingdom to Nigeria had a confirmed case of monkeypox. The disease has since spread to more than 75 countries and territories; as of August 5, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 28,000 cases worldwide. Almost 90% of the reported cases were from 10 countries: the United States (27%), Spain (18%), Germany (10%), the United Kingdom (10%), France (9%), Brazil (5%), the Netherlands (3%), Canada (3%), Portugal (3%), and Italy (2%). All related deaths have occurred in Nigeria (3) and Central African Republic (2). In July, several Members of Congress sent letters to President Biden urging his Administration to declare a Public Health Emergency (PHE) and to accelerate the federal response to the outbreak. The WHO Director-General declared monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on July 23, 2022, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra declared the outbreak a PHE on August 4, 2022."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji
2022-08-10
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Management of the Colorado River: Water Allocations, Drought, and the Federal Role [Updated August 10, 2022]
From the Introduction: "From its headwaters in Colorado and Wyoming to its terminus in the Gulf of California, the Colorado River Basin covers more than 246,000 square miles. The river runs through seven U.S. states (Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California) and Mexico. Pursuant to federal law, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation, part of the Department of the Interior [DOI]) plays a prominent role in the management of the basin's waters. In the Lower Basin (i.e., Arizona, Nevada, and California), Reclamation also serves as 'water master' on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior, a role that elevates the status of the federal government in basin water management. The federal role in the management of Colorado River water is magnified by the multiple federally owned and operated water storage and conveyance facilities in the basin, which provide low-cost water and hydropower supplies to water users. [...] Congress and the federal government play a prominent role in the management of the Colorado River. Specifically, Congress funds and oversees Reclamation's management of Colorado River Basin facilities, including facility operations and programs to protect and restore endangered species. Congress has also approved and continues to actively consider Indian water rights settlements involving Colorado River waters, and development of new and expanded water storage in the basin. In addition, Congress has approved funding to mitigate drought and stretch basin water supplies and has considered new authorities for Reclamation to combat drought and enter into agreements with states and Colorado River contractors. This report provides background on management of the Colorado River, with a focus on recent developments. It also discusses the congressional role in the management of basin waters."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stern, Charles V.; Sheikh, Pervaze A.
2022-08-10
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Israel: Background and U.S. Relations in Brief [Updated August 10, 2022]
From the Document: "Israel has forged close bilateral cooperation with the United States in many areas. A 10-year bilateral military aid memorandum of understanding--signed in 2016--commits the United States to provide Israel $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing and to spend $500 million annually on joint missile defense programs from FY2019 to FY2028, subject to congressional appropriations. Some Members of Congress have increased their scrutiny over Israel's use of U.S. security assistance, contributing to debate on the subject. [...] [I]ssues to be discussed below with significant implications for U.S.-Israel relations include [1] Israel's ongoing political instability and the upcoming fall 2022 election. [2] Israeli-Palestinian problems and their implications for U.S. policy, including violence and controversy in 2022, Gaza and its challenges, and human rights considerations. [3] Developments regarding Israel's normalization or improvement of relations with various Arab and Muslim-majority states since the Abraham Accords. [4] Concerns about Iran's nuclear program and regional influence, including with Lebanon-based Hezbollah. [5] Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zanotti, Jim
2022-08-10
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2022 Hurricane Outlooks and 2021 Hurricane Season Review [Updated August 9, 2022]
From the Document: "Many in Congress have expressed interest in increasing scientific understanding of tropical cyclones and improving forecasts to help their constituents prepare for the yearly hurricane season and potentially decrease a storm's impact on an individual or community. The Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is responsible for issuing tropical cyclone forecasts, including track, intensity, storm surge, and rainfall. [...] NOAA releases seasonal hurricane outlooks [hyperlink] relevant to the United States, including the North Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, and Central Pacific Oceans, before each hurricane season begins. Such outlooks include information on potential named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes. The Eastern Pacific season begins May 15, whereas the Atlantic and Central Pacific seasons begin June 1. All seasons run through November 30. Tropical cyclones, however, may form outside of these time frames [hyperlink]. In August, NOAA typically updates the Atlantic outlook but not the Pacific outlooks. Multiple nonfederal entities [hyperlink] also publish outlooks. These forecasts rely, in part, on NOAA's collected and shared information."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lipiec, Eva
2022-08-09
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Gun Control: Straw Purchase and Gun Trafficking Provisions [August 9, 2022]
From the Document: "On June 25, 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938; P.L. [Public Law] 117-159). This law includes the Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act, provisions of which amend the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA, 18 U.S.C. [United States Code] §§ [sections] 921 et seq.) to more explicitly prohibit straw purchases and illegal gun trafficking. Related provisions expand federal law enforcement investigative authorities. [...] P.L. 117-159 amends the GCA with a follow-on provision, 18 U.S.C. §934, that makes any person convicted under either Sections 932 or 933 subject to civil forfeiture and fines. Convicted persons could forfeit any property constituting, or derived from, any proceeds obtained, directly or indirectly, from straw purchasing or gun trafficking, as well as any property used, or intended to be used, in the commission of such crimes. Persons convicted of such crimes could also be fined twice the gross profits or other proceeds of such offenses. P.L. 117-159 amends federal electronic surveillance, racketeering, and money laundering provisions, making violations of 18 U.S.C. §§932 or 933 predicate offenses. [...] To deter unlawful firearms commerce, or gun trafficking, the GCA requires all persons 'engaged in the business' of importing, manufacturing, and selling firearms to be licensed as federal firearms licensees (FFLs). The GCA generally prohibits anyone who is not an FFL from acquiring a firearm from an out-of-state source."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Krouse, William J.
2022-08-09
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Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables [Updated August 8, 2022]
From the Document: "This report provides historical tables on the rate of pay for Members of Congress since 1789; details on enacted legislation with language prohibiting the automatic annual pay adjustment since the most recent adjustment; the adjustments projected by the Ethics Reform Act as compared with actual adjustments in Member pay; and Member pay in constant and current dollars since 1992."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brudnick, Ida A.
2022-08-08
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FY2023 NDAA: Status of Legislative Activity [August 8, 2022]
From the Document: "By law ('31 U.S.C. [United States Code] §1105(a)'), the President is to send the federal budget request to Congress by the first Monday in February. In practice, Presidents sometimes send it later. On March 28, 2022, President Joseph R. Biden submitted the 'FY2023 budget request,' including proposed funding for the Department of Defense (DOD), nuclear weapons programs of the Department of Energy, and other national defense-related activities. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) typically sets policy and authorizes appropriations for the vast majority of these activities. This product provides the status of congressional activity on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY2023 NDAA; H.R. 7900; S. 4543)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McGarry, Brendan W.; Heitshusen, Valerie
2022-08-08
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Modernizing Access to Military Service Records: Frequently Asked Questions [August 8, 2022]
From the Summary: "As the world increasingly relies on digital access and electronic material as means to apply for jobs, educational programs, disability or military benefits, etc., documents that are not digitized are met with greater frustration by individuals trying to apply for various programs. One area that has received significant attention is the means of accessing military service records because only a small portion is currently digitized. [...] The main repository of military service records, outside of DOD, is in St. Louis, MO, at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). [...] Only 10% of these records are digitized, while the remainder are in paper form, making it more challenging for veterans and other federal agencies to access the records. Digitization of materials may allow for the expedited consideration of veterans benefits, but concerns about the durability of digital formats and associated costs compared to paper records remain. As the federal government increasingly manages information in digital formats, efforts to modernize access to military service records have warranted congressional attention and oversight. This report explains how records are created, how military service records are managed and stored, and the processes that surround digitizing and modernizing these records. In addition, this report responds to several questions frequently posed to CRS regarding funding for digitization and modernization efforts, along with challenges or obstacles that agencies may face while attempting to digitize their records."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Salazar, Heather M.; Stuessy, Meghan M.
2022-08-08
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections [Updated August 8, 2022]
From the Document: "This report provides the results of recent presidential elections in Latin America and the Caribbean. [In the report] are three tables, organized by region, that include the date of each country's independence, the name of the most recently elected president or prime minister, and the projected date of the next presidential election. Information in this report was compiled from numerous sources, including the U.S. State Department, Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA's) World Fact Book, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Election Guide, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and other news sources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Davis-Castro, Carla Y.
2022-08-08
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Global Human Rights: Security Forces Vetting ('Leahy Laws') [Updated August 5, 2022]
From the Document: "The 'Leahy Laws' prohibit U.S. assistance to foreign security force units when there is credible information that the unit has committed a 'gross violation of human rights' (GVHR). Pursuant to the laws, before providing relevant assistance, the U.S. government 'vets'--that is, screens--potential recipients for information about GVHR involvement. The origins of the laws date back to appropriations provisions sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) in the 1990s; they were preceded by a series of provisions beginning in the 1970s that sought to restrict U.S. security assistance to governments with poor human rights records. Today's 'Leahy Laws' are permanent law and located in both Title 22 (Foreign Relations) and Title 10 (Armed Forces) of the 'U.S. Code.' They generally restrict security assistance otherwise funded by the Departments of State (DOS) and Defense (DOD). The laws remain of ongoing interest to Congress and continue to be modified as Congress reacts to their implementation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weber, Michael A.
2022-08-05
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Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs): Frequently Asked Questions [Updated August 5, 2022]
From the Summary: "Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) offer a range of services for veterans, servicemembers, dependents, and survivors. Some VSOs may provide programming for veterans in their communities, such as job fairs; others may organize events to raise money for a subset of veterans, such as housing for homeless veterans. Some VSOs train individuals to meet federal regulatory requirements to become accredited representatives who can represent claimants before the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) regional offices and its Board of Veterans' Appeals. This report answers frequently asked questions to clarify how VSOs are funded, administered, and connected to the federal government."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Breslauer, Tamar B.; Davis, Carol D.
2022-08-05
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Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations in Brief [Updated August 5, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and analysis on key issues affecting U.S.-Turkey relations, including domestic Turkish developments and various foreign policy and defense matters. Under President Joe Biden, some existing U.S.-Turkey tensions have continued alongside cooperation on other matters and opportunities to improve bilateral ties. He has limited his meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the sidelines of multilateral conferences. This approach may reflect a U.S. and European inclination to keep Turkey at arms' length until after the 2023 elections. Nevertheless, Turkey's cautious support for Ukraine's defense against Russia's 2022 invasion and openness to rapprochement with Israel, some Arab states, and Armenia have somewhat improved U.S.-Turkey relations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zanotti, Jim; Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs)
2022-08-05
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Beyond January 6th: White House Confidentiality and Congressional Investigations [August 5, 2022]
From the Document: "One significant aspect of the recent hearings held by the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol [hyperlink] (Committee) has been the frequency and prevalence of testimony by White House staffers and executive branch officials about private conversations and interactions they had with each other and sometimes directly with then-President Donald Trump. Presidential advisers have testified to congressional committees before [hyperlink]--both voluntarily and under compulsion--but rarely has Congress been given such a clear window into the inner workings of the White House during a time of crisis. Recent history provides a number of high-profile examples [hyperlink] of Congress struggling [hyperlink] to obtain information from the White House and other executive branch officials regarding presidential decisions and actions. The Committee's recent successes are likely due to a combination of political, legal, and practical factors. One salient factor contributing to the Committee's robust and timely access to relevant evidence appears to have been a series of decisions by the Biden Administration, all of which have prioritized transparency and accountability over the confidentiality of executive branch communications."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garvey, Todd
2022-08-05
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Cuba: U.S. Policy Overview [Updated August 5, 2022]
From the Document: "Since the early 1960s, when the United States imposed a trade embargo on Cuba, the centerpiece of U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted of economic sanctions aimed at isolating the Cuban government. [...] In May 2022, the Administration announced several Cuba policy changes aimed at increasing support for the Cuban people. The Administration increased immigrant visa processing at the U.S. Embassy in Havana and said it would reinstate the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program. It eased travel restrictions by reauthorizing scheduled and charter flights to cities beyond Havana and reinstating group people-to-people travel. It eased restrictions on sending cash remittances by eliminating the dollar and frequency limits for family remittances and reauthorizing donative remittances to Cuban nationals. The Administration also announced that it would increase support for independent Cuban entrepreneurs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2022-08-05
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Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2023 Budget and Appropriations [Updated August 5, 2022]
From the Document: "Each year, Congress considers 12 distinct appropriations measures to fund federal programs and activities. One of these is the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations bill, which includes funding for U.S. diplomatic activities, cultural exchanges, development, security, humanitarian assistance, and participation in multilateral organizations, among other international activities. On March 28, 2022, the Biden Administration released its proposed FY2023 budget request, which called for $66.00 billion in new budget authority for SFOPS accounts ($65.94 billion after rescissions of prior year funding). [...] This report tracks SFOPS budget requests and appropriations, comparing funding levels for accounts and purposes. It does not provide extensive analysis of international affairs policy issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morgenstern, Emily M.; Gill, Cory R.
2022-08-05
