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• FY2022 Electronic Warfare Funding Trends [Updated September 16, 2021]

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  From the Document: "Many defense analysts consider electronic warfare [hyperlink] (EW), which disrupts an adversary's command and control networks, a critical 21st -century combat capability. During a March 19, 2021, House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies and Information Systems hearing [hyperlink], several EW experts noted that China and Russia have developed sophisticated EW expertise. Such expertise raises potential concerns that either country may challenge the U.S. military's ability to access the electromagnetic spectrum. At the hearing, Representative Langevin remarked, 'Future combat will be less about the capability of individual weapon systems and more about how a network of systems communicate and work together through the use of the electromagnetic spectrum.' EW has become a priority issue for both the executive branch and Congress. To facilitate congressional oversight, this Insight analyzes changes in FY2019-FY2022 Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) and procurement funding requests, tracks the proportions of RDT&E investments by budget activity, and examines funding trends within military departments."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hoehn, John R.; Leahy, Katherine

  2021-09-16
• President Biden's U.S. Circuit Court Nominees (As of August 31, 2021): Overview and Comparative Analysis [September 16, 2021]

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  From the Document: "This Insight provides, as of August 31, 2021, demographic and other background information related to President Biden's U.S. circuit court nominees. It also provides comparative historical data for the U.S. circuit court nominees of his three immediate predecessors (Presidents Trump, Obama, and George W. Bush). A circuit court [hyperlink] determines whether or not the law was applied correctly by a trial court [hyperlink] or by a federal administrative agency. A President's nominees to U.S. circuit court vacancies have often been of particular interest to the Senate given that circuit courts are often the first and final level of appeal for many cases heard in the federal judicial system [hyperlink] (barring a relatively rare decision by the U.S. Supreme Court [hyperlink] to accept an appeal to review a decision by a circuit court)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McMillion, Barry J.

  2021-09-16
• World Trade Organization Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations [September 16, 2021]

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  From the Document: "World Trade Organization (WTO) members are currently negotiating a multilateral agreement to curb fisheries subsidies that lead to excess capacity, which may contribute to overfishing, as well as those that support illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Subsidies are defined as a financial contribution, made by a government or any public body that confers a benefit, and are generally considered to be trade distorting. They provide cost advantages to subsidized fisheries and disadvantage unsubsidized fisheries. Negotiations began in 2001 at the Doha Ministerial Conference and the mandate was renewed at the 11th Ministerial Conference in 2017, with a goal of concluding negotiations by 2020. WTO members missed that goal due to persistent disagreements on certain issues and delays caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic. Members hope to conclude negotiations before the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) is set to begin on November 30, 2021. Many observers view a successful outcome of the talks, which is the only ongoing multilateral trade negotiation, as important to preserving the WTO's credibility and relevance as a negotiating body. Members of Congress have generally supported prior U.S. negotiating efforts to ban harmful fisheries subsidies at the WTO."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Wong, Liana

  2021-09-16
• Drought in the United States: Science, Policy, and Selected Federal Authorities [September 16, 2021]

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  From the Document: "Drought―a deficiency of moisture that results in adverse effects―occurs to some extent almost every year in areas of the United States. Droughts can simultaneously reduce available water supplies and increase demands for water. Drought has the potential to affect economic and environmental conditions on local, regional, and national scales, as well as to cause disruptions in water supplies for households and communities. Droughts are a component of climate variability and may be seasonal, multiyear, or multi-decadal in duration. According to an August 2021 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on the physical science of climate change, variable precipitation and rising temperatures are intensifying droughts in some U.S. regions. According to the report, certain types of droughts, such as those causing agricultural impacts, are expected to be more likely in the western and central regions of the United States in the future."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Stern, Charles V.; Lipiec, Eva; Benson, Lisa S. . . .

  2021-09-16
• Israel: Background and U.S. Relations in Brief [Updated September 16, 2021]

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  From the Document: "U.S.-Israel security cooperation--a critical part of the bilateral relationship--is multifaceted. U.S. law requires the executive branch to take certain actions to preserve Israel's 'qualitative military edge,' or QME, and expedites aid and arms sales to Israel in various ways. Additionally, a 10- year bilateral military aid memorandum of understanding (MOU)--signed in 2016--commits the United States to provide Israel $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and to spend $500 million annually on joint missile defense programs from FY2019 to FY2028, subject to congressional appropriations. Israel was the first foreign country to purchase and operate the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Congress also has authorized and encouraged bilateral cooperation in a number of specific security-related areas, including anti-tunnel defense and countermeasures for drone aircraft. Additional issues to be discussed below with significant implications for U.S.-Israel relations include: Challenges facing the Israeli power-sharing government that took office in June 2021, headed by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Israeli-Palestinian issues, including the aftermath of May 2021 Israel-Gaza Strip violence, some human rights considerations and heightened scrutiny of U.S. aid, and Israel's normalization of relations with various Arab states. Concerns about Iran's nuclear program and regional influence, including with Lebanon-based Hezbollah. Chinese investment in Israeli companies and infrastructure, and U.S. concerns about implications for U.S. national security."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Zanotti, Jim

  2021-09-16
• EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 21 Issue 37, September 16, 2021

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  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: "Upcoming COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccination and testing requirements for EMS [emergency medical services] agencies"; "Lessons learned from 9/11 and responders' evolving roles in today's threat environment"; "FEMA updates National Risk Index"; "Webinar: CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency] Cybersecurity Advisor discusses the cyber threat landscape and resources from CISA"; "Ransomware Risk Management: Draft NISTIR [National Institute of Standards and Technology Interagency (or Internal) Report] 8374 available for comment"; "MS-ISAC [Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center]: End-of-Support Software Report - September 2021"; "Hackers could increase medication doses through infusion pump flaws"; "Microsoft rolls out passwordless login for all Microsoft accounts."

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

  2021-09-16
• Joint Cybersecurity Advisory: APT Actors Exploiting Newly Identified Vulnerability in ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus

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  From the Summary: This joint advisory is the result of analytic efforts between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Coast Guard Cyber Command (CGCYBER), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to highlight the cyber threat associated with active exploitation of a newly identified vulnerability (CVE-2021-40539) in ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus--a self-service password management and single sign-on solution."

  United States. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency; United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States. Coast Guard. Cyber Command

  2021-09-16
• Origins of SARS-CoV-2: A Critical Review

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  From the Summary: "Since the first reports of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-like coronavirus in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, there has been intense interest in understanding how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in the human population. Recent debate has coalesced around two competing ideas: a 'laboratory escape' scenario and zoonotic emergence. Here, we critically review the current scientific evidence that may help clarify the origin of SARS-CoV-2."

  Elsevier; Cell Press

  Holmes, Edward C.; Goldstein, Stephen A.; Rasmussen, Angela L. . . .

  2021-09-16
• Federal Debt Levels on Presidential Inauguration Days [September 15, 2021]

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  From the Document: "This Insight presents data on federal debt on or near Inauguration Days since 1961 taken from U.S. Treasury statements. 'Table 1' presents current-dollar debt levels. 'Table 2' presents inflation-adjusted debt levels. Finally, 'Table 3' presents debt as a proportion of the U.S. economy. Levels for August 2, 2021, the first business day after the most recent reset of the debt limit, and September 14, 2021, the date of the most recent Daily Treasury Statement [hyperlink], are also included."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  2021-09-15
• Venezuela: Political Crisis and U.S. Policy [Updated September 15, 2021]

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  From the Document: "Venezuela, under the authoritarian rule of Nicolás Maduro, remains in a deep economic and humanitarian crisis worsened by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Maduro has consolidated power over all of Venezuela's democratic institutions since his narrow 2013 election following the death of President Hugo Chávez (1999-2013). His 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 quashed dissent and resisted international pressure to step down since his reelection in a May 2018 presidential vote that was widely condemned as fraudulent. 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 other countries, has dissipated. The Biden Administration and Congress have maintained pressure on Maduro and support for Guaidó. U.S. policy could change, however, if recently restarted negotiations between the opposition and Maduro officials bring meaningful progress toward democracy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seelke, Clare Ribando

  2021-09-15
• Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Backgroundand Issues for Congress [Updated September 15, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "The Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program is a program to acquire three new PSCs (i.e., heavy polar icebreakers), to be followed years from now by the acquisition of up to three new Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) (i.e., medium polar icebreakers). The PSC program has received a total of $1,754.6 million (i.e., about $1.8 billion) in procurement funding through FY2021, including $300 million that was provided through the Navy's shipbuilding account in FY2017 and FY2018. With the funding the program has received through FY2021, the first two PSCs are now fully funded. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2022 budget requests $170.0 million in procurement funding for the PSC program, which would be used for, among other things, procuring long leadtime materials (LLTM) for the third PSC."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2021-09-15
• Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 15, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "NSCs [National Security Cutters] are the Coast Guard's largest and most capable general-purpose cutters; they are replacing the Coast Guard's 12 Hamilton-class high-endurance cutters. NSCs have an estimated average procurement cost of about $670 million per ship. Although the Coast Guard's POR [program of record] calls for procuring 8 NSCs to replace the 12 Hamilton-class cutters, Congress through FY2021 has fully funded 11 NSCs, including the 10th and 11th in FY2018. In FY2020, Congress provided $100.5 million for procurement of long lead time materials (LLTM) for a 12th NSC, so as to preserve the option of procuring a 12th NSC while the Coast Guard evaluates its future needs. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2022 budget requests $78.0million in procurement funding for activities within the NSC program; this request does not include further funding for a 12th NSC. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2022 budget also proposes rescinding $65.0 million of the $100.5 million in FY2020 funding for LLTM for a 12th NSC, 'allowing the Coast Guard to focus investments on building, homeporting, and crewing Polar Security Cutters and Offshore Patrol Cutters.' The remaining $35.5 million appropriated in FY2020 for LLTM would be used to pay NSC program costs other than procuring LLTM for a 12th NSC. Nine NSCs have entered service; the ninth was commissioned into service on March 19, 2021."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2021-09-15
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 629, GAO Database Modernization Act of 2021

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  This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on July 14, 2021. From the Document: "S. 629 would require federal agencies to report to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) whenever the agency revokes, suspends, replaces, amends, or makes ineffective a rule. Such reports must include a description of the provisions of the rule. The requirement would terminate in six years. Because the bill would not impose a significant additional administrative burden on federal agencies or GAO, CBO estimates that implementing the legislation would cost less than $500,000 over the 2022-2026 period; any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Enacting S. 629 could affect direct spending by some agencies that are allowed to use fees, receipts from the sale of goods, and other collections to cover operating costs. CBO estimates that any net changes in direct spending by those agencies would be negligible because most of them can adjust amounts collected to reflect changes in operating costs."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2021-09-15
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 533, Guidance Clarity Act of 2021

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  This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on July 14, 2021. From the Document: "S. 533 would require federal agencies to include text in their guidance documents to clarify that such guidance is not legally binding. Guidance documents typically explain how regulations are interpreted by the agency but do not carry the force of law. Agencies disseminate guidance to the public in memorandums, notices, bulletins, directives, news releases, letters, blog posts, or speeches. CBO expects that placing a clarifying statement in each guidance document would not significantly increase agencies' administrative costs. CBO estimates that the administrative expenses associated with implementing S. 533 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2022[-]2026 period; any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Enacting S. 533 could affect direct spending by some agencies that are allowed to use fees, receipts from the sale of goods, and other collections to cover operating costs. CBO estimates that any net changes in direct spending by those agencies would be negligible because most of them can adjust amounts collected to reflect changes in operating costs."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2021-09-15
• Child Tax Credit: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Child Credit for 2021 as Expanded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2) [Updated September 15, 2021]

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  From the Document: "In March of 2021, Congress passed legislation significantly expanding the child tax credit for one year as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2). ARPA expanded the eligibility for and the amount of the credit for 2021, especially for low- and middle-income taxpayers. The law also directed the Treasury Secretary to establish a program to advance up to half of the total credit amount 'before' 2021 income taxes are filed. This is a departure from most other tax benefits, which are typically delivered annually in a lump sum after federal income tax returns are filed. The 117th Congress is considering proposals to extend and/or modify the temporary child credit expansion included in APRA. In April 2021, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal released a discussion draft of the Building an Economy for Families Act that includes a provision to permanently extend the ARPA changes to the child credit. The Biden Administration has proposed making the full refundability provision included in ARPA permanent, while extending other ARPA provisions through the end of 2025. This report provides answers to selected frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the ARPA-expanded child credit for 2021."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.

  2021-09-15
• Provider Relief Fund: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated September 15, 2021]

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

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-

  2021-09-15
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 4350, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022

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  This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as reported by the House Committee on Armed Services on September 10, 2021. From the Bill Summary: "H.R. 4350 would authorize appropriations totaling an estimated $770.3 billion over the 2022-2024 period. Nearly all of that amount, $767.6 billion for 2022, would be specifically authorized for defense programs and activities of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Energy. An additional $2.7 billion would be authorized for the Maritime Administration and various other nondefense programs over the 2022-2024 period--$2.5 billion in specified authorizations and $0.2 billion in estimated authorizations. Of those amounts, a total of $2.5 billion would be authorized for 2022. CBO estimates that appropriation of the authorized amounts would increase outlays by $743.1 billion over the 2022-2026 period. The bill also contains provisions that would affect the costs of defense programs that would be funded with discretionary appropriations in 2023 and future years. Those provisions mainly would affect force structure, compensation and benefits, and multiyear procurement of weapons systems. CBO has analyzed the costs of some of those provisions and estimates that they would, on a net basis, increase the cost of those programs compared to current law by about $12.2 billion over the 2023-2026 period. The net costs of those provisions in 2023 and beyond are not included in the total amount of outlays described above because CBO expects that appropriations for those activities would be specifically authorized in National Defense Authorization Acts in future years."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2021-09-15
• Pursuant to the President's Memorandum on Restoring the Department of Justice's Access-To-Justice Function

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  From the Document: "In response to your May 18 Memorandum, the Justice Department has engaged in an extensive 120-day stakeholder review. Our review surfaced significant gaps in equal access to justice and revealed inequities that have become exacerbated as a consequence of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The Justice Department is committed to meeting today's difficult moment. As this report explains in more detail, based upon our coordination with the Office of Management and Budget and our extensive conversations with a wide-ranging group of stakeholders, the Justice Department will immediately launch a phased strategic plan to restore and expand our access-to-justice function."

  United States. Department of Justice. Office of the Attorney General

  2021-09-15
• Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress [Updated September 14, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "Names for Navy ships traditionally have been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President and in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress. Rules for giving certain types of names to certain types of Navy ships have evolved over time. There have been exceptions to the Navy's ship-naming rules, particularly for the purpose of naming a ship for a person when the rule for that type of ship would have called for it to be named for something else. Some observers have perceived a breakdown in, or corruption of, the rules for naming Navy ships. Section 370 of the FY2021 NDAA (H.R. 6395/P.L. 116-283 of January 1, 2021) establishes a commission regarding the removal and renaming of certain assets of the Department of Defense (including ships) that commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2021-09-14
• Supreme Court's October 2020 Term: A Review of Selected Major Rulings [September 14, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "The Supreme Court issued the last merits decision of its 2020-2021 Term on July 1, 2021. This term was also Justice Amy Coney Barrett's first term as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. The Court issued 55 merits decisions in all, addressing a wide range of issues in American public law. Many of these decisions have potential implications for federal law or litigation and thus are likely to be of general interest to Congress. Among the Court's major rulings was 'Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee,' where, for the first time, the Supreme Court issued a decision interpreting Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in the context of state voting rules. While it did not establish a standard to govern all Section 2 challenges, the Court identified five specific circumstances for courts to consider. Going forward, the ruling will guide lower courts in determining if recently enacted state election laws comply with the Voting Rights Act. In another case with potential ramifications for election law, 'Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta,' the Court held that a California requirement that charities disclose their significant donors to the state violated the First Amendment freedom of association." Other rulings discussed in this document are "Cedar Point Nursery v. Hassid," "TransUnion LLC v. Ramirez," "United States v. Arthrex," and "Collins v. Yellen."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gunter, David; Killion, Victoria L.; Cole, Jared P. . . .

  2021-09-14
• Automated Vehicles: Safety Implications of Computers on Wheels [September 14, 2021]

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  From the Document: "On August 13, 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced an investigation [hyperlink] of crashes involving 'Autopilot' systems in Tesla electric vehicles. The investigation shows that technologies that seek to automate tasks traditionally performed by drivers are becoming an increasing part of NHTSA's safety oversight. Traditional vehicles powered by gasoline and diesel engines with human drivers have been regulated by NHTSA for over 50 years. During that time, many types of vehicle defects have been addressed and millions of vehicles have been recalled for safety-related modifications at the manufacturers' expense. In 2020 alone, nearly 900 recalls [hyperlink] of vehicles and parts were issued, affecting nearly 55 million vehicles."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Canis, Bill

  2021-09-14
• Clean Energy Standards: Selected Issues for the 117th Congress [Updated September 14, 2021]

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  From the Introduction: "Congress continues to study and discuss a range of policies to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the Biden Administration has made reducing GHG emissions a priority. Several legislative and executive actions could achieve such a goal. One legislative option, targeting the U.S. electricity system, is a clean energy standard. A clean energy standard (CES), sometimes called a clean electricity standard, aims to increase the share of U.S. electricity generated from qualified clean energy sources. No agreed-upon definition of 'clean energy' exists, so the exact set of energy sources supported by a CES proposal is one of its defining characteristics. Members of Congress have introduced legislation to establish a national clean energy standard in every Congress since at least the 105th (1997-1998). [...] Experts disagree about the extent to which achieving a 100% CES presents cost or feasibility challenges. Assessing the cost and feasibility of a 100% CES is beyond the scope of this report. This report provides some analysis and discussion to inform potential CES policy debate in the 117th Congress, including a summary of CES proposals to date in the 117th and 116th Congresses."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lawson, Ashley J.

  2021-09-14
• Veterans Justice Outreach Program: Further Actions to Identify and Address Barriers to Participation Would Promote Access to Services, Report to Congressional Committees

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  From the Highlights: "In response to the Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) data show the agency hired 51 Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) specialists, though VA completed its hiring and reporting after the statute's deadline. The program relies on nearly 400 VJO specialists-- primarily social workers--who work with jails and municipal courts to identify and assess the needs of arrested or incarcerated veterans, and connect them to VA health care services. In addition, VA's reporting to Congress lacked required information, such as the number of veterans who lack access to VJO specialists. Although VA does not collect these data, VJO program officials said that future research will help them estimate this number. VA has identified and taken some steps to address barriers that veterans may face in accessing VJO specialists and receiving services. GAO [Government Accountability Office] additionally found that veterans with other-than-honorable discharges--often at greater risk of mental health issues and suicide--may not know they are eligible under a 2020 VA policy that extends mental health care services to certain members of this subgroup. In addition, this policy change and newly available services are not reflected in training for VJO specialists. As a result, veterans may not meet with VJO specialists and miss an opportunity to get help accessing VA's health care services."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2021-09-14
• Federal Real Property Asset Management: Additional Direction in Government-Wide Guidance Could Enhance Natural Disaster Resilience, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  From the Highlights: "The federal government spends billions of dollars each year to manage real property assets, such as buildings, levees, and roads. The rising frequency and severity of natural disasters expose these assets to damage and the government to fiscal liabilities. In 2020, the United States experienced 22 separate billion-dollar natural disasters. As the owner of real property assets, federal agencies can enhance the natural disaster resilience of real property through asset management. This can include actions to prepare for disasters. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to determine how agencies prevent or reduce damage to real property caused by natural disasters. This report addresses (1) how selected agencies have incorporated natural disaster resilience into their assets and (2) the extent to which government-wide guidance directs agencies to incorporate natural disaster resilience into asset management. To conduct this work, GAO reviewed key characteristics and principles for asset management and natural disaster resilience from GAO's prior work; reviewed agency documents; interviewed officials from four selected agencies that owned a large number of assets (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, General Services Administration, National Park Service, and FWS [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]); and reviewed OMB [Office of Management and Budget] guidance. GAO recommends that OMB direct agencies to incorporate assessments of natural disaster risk information, such as from vulnerability assessments, into asset management investment decisions. OMB had no comments on this recommendation."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2021-09-14
• Public Transportation: Identifying Lessons Learned Could Help Improve FTA's Process to Manage Safety Risks, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  From the Highlights: "In recent years, new laws gave the Department of Transportation's FTA [Federal Transit Administration] additional requirements and authorities to oversee transit safety. In turn, FTA now requires, among other things, transit agencies to develop new safety plans that incorporate SMS [Safety Management Systems] to manage and mitigate safety risk. FTA also incorporated SMS in its transit agency oversight to better identify and assess safety risks, and determine appropriate mitigation efforts, including mandatory safety standards. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to examine how FTA is implementing its new responsibilities and authorities. This report examines (1) selected transit agencies' experiences in incorporating SMS in their new safety plans; (2) steps FTA is taking to identify, assess, and mitigate safety risks; and (3) FTA's status on mandating safety standards and stakeholders' views on the benefits and challenges of such standards. GAO reviewed FTA documents on safety oversight policies and practices and interviewed officials from 12 transit agencies and their 9 respective state oversight agencies. GAO selected transit agencies to reflect a variety of modes, sizes, age, and geographic diversity. GAO recommends that FTA identify and document lessons learned from the camera pilot, including a plan to implement needed changes. DOT [Department of Transportation] concurred with this recommendation and provided technical changes to the draft report, which we incorporated as appropriate."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2021-09-14
• Science & Tech Spotlight: Advanced Plastic Recycling

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  From the Document: "Plastics are found in many everyday items--including food packaging, water bottles, bags, and appliances. They are largely made from fossil fuel-based chemicals combined with various additives--such as stabilizers or flame retardants--to achieve a desired result (e.g., strength, rigidity, color, heat resistance). The majority of plastic waste in the U.S. ends up in landfills, with a relatively small portion incinerated and an even smaller portion recycled. The accumulating plastic waste in landfills generally does not biodegrade or break down. Plastic recycling technologies reprocess or remanufacture plastic waste for reuse. Currently, the dominant technology for plastic recycling is mechanical recycling, which uses physical processes--such as sorting, grinding, washing, separating, drying, and re-granulating--to recover plastics that can be substituted for virgin, or new, plastics. However, mechanical recycling technology is expensive, labor intensive, and generally results in lower quality plastics than virgin plastics. Consequently, industry is considering advanced recycling technologies-- namely, chemical recycling--as an alternative or complement to mechanical recycling. Chemical recycling technologies use heat, chemical reactions, or both, to recycle used plastic into virgin-equivalent plastic, fuel, or other chemicals. In addition, recent advances in sorting technology--one of the physical processes common to both chemical and mechanical recycling technologies--may also increase the efficiency of chemical recycling and lead to increased plastic recycling. For example, artificial intelligence technologies have the potential to increase automated sorting efficiency. Similarly, another advanced technology efficiently sorts materials by identifying their molecular vibrations."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2021-09-14
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 1875, Veterans' Emergency Care Claims Parity Act

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  This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs on July 28, 2021. From the Document: "S. 1875 would require any health care provider not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit a claim for reimbursement within 180 days of providing emergency care to veterans. Under current law, providers may take two years to submit claims for emergency care provided without prior authorization for conditions that are connected to or were caused by their military service; the deadline is 90 days for conditions that are not connected to veterans' military service. The bill also would shield veterans from financial liability for unpaid claims that are not submitted on time or that are delayed as a result of administrative errors made by the provider or the department."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2021-09-14
• H. Rept. 117-120: DHS Software Supply Chain Risk Management Act of 2021, Report to Accompany H.R. 4611, September 14, 2021

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  From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 4611, the 'DHS Software Supply Chain Risk Management Act of 2021,' seeks to enhance the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) ability to protect its networks from malicious cyberattacks by modernizing how the Department procures information and communications technology or services (ICT(S)). The bill would require the Under Secretary for Management (USM) to issue Department-wide guidance to improve DHS's insight into the software it purchases from new and existing ICT(S) contractors. Specifically, contractors are to provide DHS with a software bill of materials that identifies key information, such as the origin of each part or component of new or reused software supplied to the Department. Contractors are also required to certify that each item listed on the software bill of materials is free from all known vulnerabilities or defects that affect the security of supplied ICT(S) capabilities and to notify DHS of any identified issues and plans for addressing them. The Comptroller General, in turn, is required to report to Congress on DHS's implementation of the guidance required by this Act, engagement with industry, and compliance with Executive Order 14208 related to improving the Nation's cybersecurity, among other things."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021-09-14
• H. Rept. 117-122: K-12 Cybersecurity Act of 2021, Report to Accompany H.R. 4691, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, September 14, 2021

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  From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 4691, the 'K-12 Cybersecurity Act' requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to conduct a study of the cybersecurity risks facing K-12 educational institutions, in consultation with teachers, school administrators, other Federal agencies, and private sector organizations. The bill further directs CISA to develop recommendations based on this study, including cybersecurity guidelines for K-12 educational institutions and an online training toolkit with information on the guidelines and how to implement them. Additionally, the bill requires CISA to make the study, recommendations, and online toolkit publicly available on the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) website."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021-09-14
• H. Rept. 117-119: Darren Drake Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 4089, September 14, 2021

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  From the Purpose and Summary: "The purpose of H.R. 4089, the 'Darren Drake Act,' is to enhance the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) efforts to prevent and mitigate acts of terrorism committed using rental vehicles. Specifically, the bill requires DHS to develop and disseminate best practices for vehicle rental companies and dealers to report suspicious behavior to law enforcement. These best practices, which must contain guidance on identifying suspicious behavior in a manner that protects civil rights and civil liberties, will be developed and updated in consultation with Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and relevant transportation security stakeholders. The bill also requires DHS to report to Congress regarding the implementation of these best practices and other potential ways to improve coordination between DHS, Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement, and rental vehicle providers."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021-09-14