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Role of Russian Natural Gas [March 23, 2022]
From the Document: "Russian natural gas exports have been and continue to be of interest to Congress, whether regarding the Nord Stream 2 [hyperlink] and TurkStream [hyperlink]natural gas pipelines, European energy security [hyperlink], or geopolitical influences. Particularly for Europe, Russia's natural gas industry holds greater geopolitical significance than Russian oil. Most of Russia's natural gas exports to Europe, its largest market, are by pipeline, which limits Europe's supply flexibility. Some European countries are wholly reliant on Russian natural gas imports, and Russia has appeared [hyperlink] to adjust its natural gas prices and, occasionally, supplies on the basis of its relationship with consuming countries and as leverage in contract negotiations. In recent years, Russia has widened the market for its natural gas exports, primarily by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Russia has looked to Asia, particularly China, for future natural gas exports. In 2020, 17% of Russia's natural gas exports were LNG transported by ships and 83% were non-LNG transported by pipelines. In 2020, 78% of Russian natural gas exports went to Europe, including Turkey, 11% went to Asia, and 11% went elsewhere. Energy is the most important sector in Russia's economy, and natural gas is a key resource. Russia is the second largest consumer and producer of natural gas in the world, and the top reserve holder and exporter. Natural gas accounts for more than half of Russia's primary energy consumption and exports are a major source of foreign currency and revenues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ratner, Michael
2022-03-23
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National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Reinsurance, and Catastrophe Bonds [Updated March 23, 2022]
From the Document: "Insurance transfers risk from one entity who does not want to bear that risk to another entity that does. An initial insurance purchase, such as homeowners buying a policy to cover damage to their home, is often only the first transfer of that risk. The initial (or 'primary') insurer may then transfer (or 'cede') some or all of this risk to another company or investor, such as a 'reinsurer.' Reinsurers may also further transfer (or 'retrocede') risks to other reinsurers. Such transfers are, on the whole, a net cost for primary insurers, just as purchasing insurance is a net cost for homeowners. The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (P.L. [Public Law] 113-89 [hyperlink]) revised the authority of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to secure reinsurance from 'private reinsurance and capital markets.' Risk transfer to the private market could reduce the likelihood of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) borrowing from the Treasury [hyperlink] to pay claims. In addition, it could allow the NFIP to recognize some of its flood risk up front through premiums it pays for risk transfers rather than after-the-fact borrowing, and could help the NFIP to reduce the volatility of its losses over time. However, because reinsurers charge premiums to compensate for the assumed risk as well as the reinsurers' costs and profit margins, the primary benefit of reinsurance is to manage risk, not to reduce the NFIP's long-term fiscal exposure [hyperlink]."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.; Webel, Baird
2022-03-23
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Crude Oil Windfall Profits Taxes: Background and Policy Considerations [March 23, 2022]
From the Document: "Recent increases in gasoline prices and reports of high profits from large oil companies have contributed to congressional interest in a crude oil windfall profits tax. [...] Windfall (or excess) profits taxes are, in theory, designed to tax the portion of profits a firm derives from an external event. Windfall profits are generally believed to be those that represent an excessive, unearned, or unfair gain. Oftentimes, windfall profits taxes are discussed in the context of oil markets, where fluctuations in the price of oil are associated with volatile profits in the industry. It is possible windfall or excess profits may be realized in other industries. It has been suggested that some companies (certain technology companies, for example) may have realized excess or windfall profits as a result of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Rising oil prices can be associated with rising industry profits, and falling oil prices may be associated with losses in the industry. [...] Oil industry profits have fluctuated with oil prices over time. Profits have tended to be stronger in periods when prices are relatively high, with losses occurring during periods when prices are comparatively low. Numerous economic factors affect industry profitability. Oil prices are highlighted here, as high oil prices are a motivation behind current windfall profit tax proposals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Gravelle, Jane
2022-03-23
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FEMA Hazard Mitigation: A First Step Toward Climate Adaptation [Updated March 23, 2022]
From the Summary: "With the increasing severity and frequency of natural disasters, attributed at least in part to climate change, policymakers often view mitigation funding as a way to control disaster-related spending. The importance of federal mitigation funding is illustrated by a recent study that looked at the impacts of 23 years of federal mitigation grants and found that for every $1 invested by federal grant programs, society as a whole saved $6 due to reduced future losses. FEMA has a lead role in guiding nationwide mitigation of extreme weather events, including those resulting from the impacts of climate change. In particular, FEMA administers the federal government's most significant grant programs for pre-and post-disaster mitigation. FEMA has identified hazard mitigation as one of the main ways in which the agency will enhance resilience to the effects of climate change and lead federal climate change adaptation efforts. [...] This report gives an overview of FEMA funding for mitigation, including issues related to equity, and suggests considerations for Congress that may enhance FEMA's support for hazard mitigation and climate adaptation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2022-03-23
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Projected Coverage and Subsidy Impacts If the American Rescue Plan's Marketplace Provisions Sunset in 2023
From the Background: "The American Rescue Plan (ARP) reduces the amount of income individuals and families are expected to contribute toward premiums for individual market coverage through the Marketplace exchanges and extends premium tax credits to households with income above 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). Previous ASPE analyses have shown the impacts of the ARP in lowering Marketplace premiums and improving plan affordability through increased access to zero- and low-premium plans on the HealthCare.gov platform. [...] If the ARP premium tax credit provisions are extended, millions of people will continue to benefit from the enhanced and expanded premium subsidies. If the ARP premium tax credit provisions are allowed to sunset, these consumer benefits will be eliminated, likely leading to increases in the number of uninsured and higher out-of-pocket costs for individuals and families purchasing insurance through the Marketplace. This report projects the potential impacts if the ARP premium tax credits expire in 2023, with both national and state level estimates developed using the Comprehensive Assessment of Reform Efforts (COMPARE) microsimulation model."
United States. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. Office of Health Policy
Branham, Keith; Eibner, Christine; Girosi, Federico . . .
2022-03-23
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Revisit of the Domain Name System After Russia's Invasion of Ukraine [March 23, 2022]
From the Document: "Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov asked [hyperlink] the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to sanction Russia's internet access. Federov requested changes to the domain name system (DNS) [hyperlink]--revoking the top-level domains '.ru,' '.pф,' and '.su' and shutting down four DNS root servers located in Russia--to 'help users seek for reliable information in alternative domain zones.' ICANN responded [hyperlink] that (1) ICANN does not 'take unilateral action to disconnect' domains, and (2) independent operators maintain the geographically distributed DNS root server system. Further, ICANN stated it has neither the authority nor ability to impose sanctions as it 'does not control internet access or content.' Days after ICANN turned down Ukraine's request, two top-tier U.S.-based internet service providers terminated [hyperlink] their services in Russia. In an open letter [hyperlink] to the Biden Administration, 41 civil society organizations that advocate for digital rights cautioned against sanctions that would disrupt internet access for Russian users and inhibit their ability to access factual information and organize opposition to the war."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zhu, Ling
2022-03-23
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Recent Funding Increases for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance [Updated March 23, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that $3.46 billion in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding [hyperlink] (HMGP) will be made available to states, territories, and tribes (STTs) with major disaster declarations for the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic [hyperlink]. FEMA also announced increased funding for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program for FY2021 [hyperlink]. In addition, significant new mitigation funding will be available from FY2022 through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act [hyperlink] (IIJA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2022-03-23
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1540, Report Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on March 2, 2022. From the Document: "H.R. 1540 would require any federal agency that investigates an act of terrorism committed in the United States to report to the Congress within one year of completing an investigation, identifying weaknesses, and recommending measures to improve national security. The bill would direct the investigating agency to collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies as appropriate. Using information about similar investigations, CBO expects that few reports would be necessary each year and estimates that preparing all reports would cost less than $500,000 annually; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-03-23
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FEMA Followed Its Declaration Request Policies, but Could Improve Its Records Management
From the Highlights: "States, territories, and tribes may request Presidential disaster declarations through FEMA, which reviews the requests and makes recommendations to the President. From January 2017 to July 2020, total obligated funding exceeded $113.6 billion for 572 approved disaster declarations. Our objective was to determine whether FEMA followed its policies and procedures consistently when responding to state, territorial, and tribal declaration requests."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2022-03-23
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 6826, CTPAT Pilot Program Act of 2022
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on March 2, 2022. From the Document: "H.R. 6826 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to carry out a fiveyear pilot program to include certain third-party logistics providers in the customs trade partnership against terrorism (CTPAT) program. CTPAT is a voluntary program that encourages entities involved in international trade to cooperate with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to strengthen international supply chains, improve border security, and facilitate the movement of secure cargo through the supply chain. [...] CBO estimates implementing the bill would cost $1 million over the 2022-2026 period. All spending under the bill would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-03-23
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Stratospheric Ozone Treaties and the Kigali Amendment: Ratification Considerations [March 23, 2022]
From the Document: "For at least four decades, the United States has been engaged in global efforts to protect the earth's stratospheric ozone layer. The stratospheric ozone [hyperlink] layer absorbs ultraviolet solar radiation that can otherwise result in increased risks of skin cancers, cataracts, and harm to agricultural crops and marine life. Global measures to restore stratospheric ozone include the framework Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer [hyperlink], ratified with Senate consent in 1986, and its affiliated Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer [hyperlink], ratified with Senate consent in 1988. Both treaties have universal membership [hyperlink] of all United Nations member and observer states. Consistent with their Montreal Protocol obligations, countries have effectively reduced ozone-depleting substances. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the atmospheric levels of nearly all substances subject to the Montreal Protocol have declined substantially in the past two decades, resulting in improvements to the ozone layer [hyperlink]. However, some of the chemicals known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which [hyperlink] emerged in the 2000s as substitutes for some of the regulated ozone-damaging substances, are greenhouse gases many times more potent than carbon dioxide. To address HFC emissions, in 2016, countries adopted the fifth amendment to the Montreal Protocol [hyperlink] in Kigali, Rwanda (the 'Kigali Amendment'). The Kigali Amendment adds HFCs as a new class of substances subject to control measures and requires their gradual phasedown. [...] This Legal Sidebar addresses the context, content, and legal implications of possible ratification of the Kigali Amendment."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hite, Kristen A.
2022-03-23
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Kenya [Updated March 22, 2022]
From the Document: "Successive U.S. Administrations have viewed Kenya as a strategic partner and critical to counterterrorism efforts in East Africa. It is sub-Saharan Africa's third largest economy, a regional finance and transportation hub, and a top tourism destination known for its biodiversity. Kenya holds a nonpermanent seat on the U.N. Security Council until 2023, and is home to one of four major U.N. offices worldwide. It hosts the largest U.S. embassy in Africa and U.S. forces supporting regional counterterrorism efforts. Kenya ranks among the top U.S. aid recipients globally. The country's reputation as an anchor state in a volatile region has been threatened by periodic domestic turmoil, including ethnic tensions and election violence. Economic frustrations, corruption, and other abuses of power have fueled grievances among the diverse population. Perceived impunity has also been a source of tension with donors."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Lauren Ploch
2022-03-22
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2172, Building Solutions for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on July 28, 2021. From the Bill Summary: "S. 2172 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase payment rates for programs that assist homeless veterans with housing, job training, and other supportive services. In addition, the bill would increase authorizations for employment service grants from the Department of Labor (DOL). The bill also would require VA to institute three pilot programs to provide grants to entities that offer services to homeless veterans involving treatment for substance use disorders, access to health care, and transportation assistance. In total, CBO estimates, implementing the bill would cost $990 million over the 2022-2026 period. That spending would be subject to appropriation of the estimated amounts."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-03-22
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 3541, Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as passed by the Senate on February 16, 2021. From the Document: "Under current law, combat veterans who were discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003, may receive enhanced health care benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for 5 years after separating from the military, regardless of whether they have disabilities connected to military service, whether their income exceeds certain thresholds, or whether they receive other benefits from VA. Enhanced benefits include substantially lower copayments and higher priority for care. S. 3541 would extend the period of eligibility to 10 years after separation. Some veterans who separated between 5 and 10 years before enactment of the act would become immediately eligible for those health care benefits. [...] Using data from VA, CBO estimates that under S. 3541, about 19,000 veterans would newly enroll or start using VA health care in 2022; by 2026, enrollment would increase to 66,000. Based on health care costs for current enrollees in the same priority group for care, CBO estimates that, on average, newly enrolled veterans would receive $6,600 in VA health care each year."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-03-22
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2021 Internet Crime Report
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) produces a yearly report highlighting their work to combat internet crime. This report covers internet crime discovered in 2021. From the Introduction: "In 2021, America experienced an unprecedented increase in cyber attacks and malicious cyber activity. These cyber attacks compromised businesses in an extensive array of business sectors as well as the American public. As the cyber threat evolves and becomes increasingly intertwined with traditional foreign intelligence threats and emerging technologies, the FBI continues to leverage our unique authorities and partnerships to impose risks and consequences on our nation's cyber adversaries. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) provides the American public with a direct outlet to report cyber crimes to the FBI. We analyze and investigate the reporting to track the trends and threats from cyber criminals and then share this data with our intelligence and law enforcement partners. [...] In 2021, IC3 continued to receive a record number of complaints from the American public: 847,376 reported complaints, which was a 7% increase from 2020, with potential losses exceeding $6.9 billion. Among the 2021 complaints received, ransomware, business e-mail compromise (BEC) schemes, and the criminal use of cryptocurrency are among the top incidents reported. In 2021, BEC schemes resulted in 19,954 complaints with an adjusted loss of nearly $2.4 billion." This document includes charts, tables, and graphs to illustrate the text.
Internet Crime Complaint Center (U.S.); United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation
2022-03-22?
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Establishment of the Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee
From the Memorandum: "We have the strongest military in the world because we have the strongest team in the world. It is imperative that we take care of all our teammates and continue to reinforce that mental health and suicide prevention remain a key priority. One death by suicide is one too many. And suicide rates among our Service members are still too high. So, clearly we have more work to do. To that end, I hereby establish the 'Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee' (SPRIRC) to address and prevent suicide in the military, pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (section 738). The SPRIRC will conduct a comprehensive review of the Department's efforts to address and prevent suicide. The result of this review will be a report to me and to the congressional armed services committees detailing actionable improvements to policies, programs, processes, and resources to prevent these tragedies in our military. The review will require visits to specific military installations, focus groups, individual interviews, and a confidential survey of Service members at the designated locations. The SPRIRC will review relevant suicide prevention and response activities, as well as actions underway on my immediate actions on addressing sexual assault and recommendations of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military, to ensure SPRIRC recommendations are synchronized with current prevention activities and capabilities. The SPRIRC shall conduct such other activities as it deems appropriate."
United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Secretary of Defense
Austin, Lloyd J. (Lloyd James), 1953-
2022-03-22
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Evaluation Process and Ratings of Supreme Court Nominees by the American Bar Association [March 22, 2022]
From the Document: "This Insight provides information related to the evaluation and rating of a Supreme Court nominee by the American Bar Association [hyperlink] (ABA). Once a President nominates [hyperlink], or announces an intention to nominate, an individual to a vacancy on the Court, the nominee is evaluated by the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary [hyperlink]. The committee states [hyperlink] that each evaluation 'focuses solely on a nominee's professional qualifications' and 'does not take into consideration a nominee's philosophy, political affiliation or ideology.' A nominee's professional qualifications include his or her integrity, professional competence, and judicial temperament. According to the committee [hyperlink], it 'conducts the most extensive nationwide peer review possible [of the nominee] on the premise that the highest court in the land requires a lawyer or judge with exceptional professional qualifications.' Consequently, the evaluation process typically involves [hyperlink] conducting hundreds of interviews with those 'persons most likely to have information regarding the professional qualifications of the nominee.' It also involves [hyperlink] an examination of the nominee's legal writings by law school professors (often recognized experts in areas of law related to the nominee's writings) and practicing lawyers with experience arguing before the Court. In reporting the result of its evaluation, the ABA committee rates a nominee as 'Well Qualified,' 'Qualified,' or 'Not Qualified.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McMillion, Barry J.; Teefy, Jennifer
2022-03-22
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VA's Compliance with the VA Transparency & Trust Act of 2021
From the Introduction: "In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Congress passed legislation to provide VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] with funding to support uninterrupted care and benefits to veterans: the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA); the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act; and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) of 2021 Act. To provide oversight of VA's spending of this emergency relief funding, Congress passed the VA Transparency & Trust Act of 2021 (the Transparency Act). The Transparency Act requires VA to provide a detailed plan to Congress outlining its intent for obligating and expending funds covered by the act, to include a justification for each type of obligation. Additionally, the act requires VA to submit reports to Congress every 14 calendar days (biweekly) detailing its obligations, expenditures, and planned uses of the funds, as well as justification for any deviation from the plan. [...] This inaugural report focuses on whether the spend plans VA provided to Congress on December 22, 2021, satisfy the requirements of the act. In subsequent reports, the OIG [Office of Inspector General] will assess VA's reported obligation and expenditure of funds as detailed in its biweekly reports."
United States. Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Inspector General
2022-03-22
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General Debate on the Impact of Long Covid on the UK Workforce
From the Background: "The latest data from the Office for National Statistics [hyperlink] (ONS) estimates that 1.5 million people in the UK (2.4% of the population) were experiencing long Covid [coronavirus disease] as of the end of January. This is based on self-reporting of Covid symptoms persisting for over four weeks. 71% of those reporting long Covid first had (or suspected they had) Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] at least twelve weeks prior to the study. 65% of those reporting long Covid said that it adversely affected their day-to-day activities. Fatigue is the most common reported symptom of long Covid (reported in 51% of cases), followed by shortness of breath (35%). Reported long Covid was most common in those aged 35-49, females, people living in more deprived areas, those employed in education or health and social care, and people who already had another health condition or disability that limits their day-to-day activities."
Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Library
Powell, Andrew; Powell, Tom, 1976-; Baker, Carl . . .
2022-03-22
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Russia's Nuclear Weapons: Doctrine, Forces, and Modernization [Updated March 21, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Congress has shown growing concern about the challenges Russia poses to the United States and its allies. It has expressed concerns about Russia's nuclear doctrine and nuclear modernization programs and has held hearings focused on Russia's compliance with arms control agreements and the future of the arms control process. Moreover, Members have raised questions about whether U.S. and Russian nuclear modernization programs, combined with the potential demise of restraints on U.S. and Russian nuclear forces, may be fueling an arms race and undermining strategic stability. This report seeks to advise this debate by providing information about Russia's nuclear doctrine, its current nuclear force structure, and its ongoing nuclear modernization programs. It begins with a brief summary of recent developments related to Russia's nuclear forces, then is divided into five sections. The first section describes Russia's nuclear strategy and focuses on ways in which that strategy differs from that of the Soviet Union. The second section provides a historical overview of the Soviet Union's nuclear force structure. The third section details Russia's current force structure, including its long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), and heavy bombers and shorter-range nonstrategic nuclear weapons. This section also highlights key elements of relevant infrastructure, including early warning, command and control, production, testing, and warhead storage. It also describes the key modernization programs that Russia is pursuing to maintain and, in some cases, expand its nuclear arsenal. The fourth section focuses on how arms control has affected the size and structure of Russia's nuclear forces. The fifth section discusses several potential issues for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2022-03-21
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Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management: An Introduction [Updated March 21, 2022]
From the Introduction: "A supply chain consists of the system of organizations, people, activities, information, and resources that provide products or services to consumers. Like other types of goods, a global supply chain exists for the development, manufacture, and distribution of information technology (IT) products (i.e., hardware and software) and information communications technology (ICT). As with other goods and services, risks exist to this cyber supply chain. This field is known as cyber supply chain risk management (C-SCRM or Cyber SCRM). Congress and federal agencies have taken actions to bolster cyber supply chain security. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ordered federal agencies to remove Kaspersky security products from their networks because of the risk posed. Legislation was subsequently enacted codifying that order. In addition, Congress in 2018 instructed federal agencies and contractors not to use ICT made by certain Chinese companies. Congress established the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC), which issued an initial rule in 2020. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA, a part of DHS) hosts a public-private ICT SCRM Task Force. The Federal Communications Commission authorized the use of Universal Service Fund money to rip-and-replace certain ICT. The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission issued a report highlighting supply chain concerns. Additional legislation has been debated as part of national economic competition bills (e.g., the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 and the America COMPETES act of 2022). While interest in cyber supply chain security has increased recently, there have been other periods of intense scrutiny on supply chain issues. [...] This In Focus reviews C-SCRM, discusses ways in which it is currently managed, and highlights issues that Congress may consider for federal agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jaikaran, Chris
2022-03-21
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Delegates to the U.S. Congress: History and Current Status [Updated March 21, 2022]
From the Summary: "Delegates, representing territories that had not yet achieved statehood, have served in the House since the late 1700s. In the 20th century, the concept of delegate grew to include representation of territories where the United States exercises some degree of control but were not expected to become states. In the 117 th Congress (2021-2022), the U.S. insular areas of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and the federal municipality of the District of Columbia are each represented in Congress by a delegate to the House of Representatives. In addition, Puerto Rico is represented by a resident commissioner, whose position is treated the same as a delegate. This report provides historical background on the development of the position of delegate to Congress and on the rights of a delegate once seated. [...] In the 1970s, delegates gained the right to be elected to standing committees (in the same manner as Members of the House) and to exercise in those committees the same powers and privileges as Members of the House, including the right to vote. Today, delegates enjoy powers, rights, and responsibilities identical, in most respects, to those of House Members from the states. Like these Members, delegates can speak, introduce bills and resolutions, and offer amendments on the House floor; they can speak, offer amendments, and vote in House committees. Under the rules of the 117 th Congress (2021-2022), delegates may not vote in House floor sessions or preside over them. However, they may preside over the Committee of the Whole and vote in those sessions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hudiburg, Jane A.
2022-03-21
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Federal Reserve and Inflation [Updated March 21, 2022]
From the Document: "On March 16, 2022, the Federal Reserve [hyperlink] (Fed) raised the federal funds rate [hyperlink] (FFR), its main monetary policy tool, by 0.25 percentage points. This was the first time that rates were raised above zero since the onset of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, when the Fed set rates near zero in response to the large decline in employment. As the economy has recovered, it maintained that target, even as unemployment fell to 3.8% and inflation--as measured by the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index--rose to 6.1%, the highest it has been since 1982. By statute [hyperlink], the Fed has been tasked with setting monetary policy to maintain maximum employment and stable prices. The two goals can involve a tradeoff--Fed actions that can boost employment can spur inflation, and actions that fight inflation may also reduce employment. The Fed has defined stable prices as an inflation rate of 2% [hyperlink] since 2012. The Fed raised rates--and indicated that it intends to continue raising rates [hyperlink]--primarily because inflation was above its target. This Insight provides historical context on whether these plans will be sufficient to restore price stability."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2022-03-21
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Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated March 21, 2022]
From the Summary: "Mexico, the 10th most populous country and 15th largest economy in the world, is bound to the United States by geography and strong economic, cultural, and historical ties. In addition to sharing a nearly 2,000-mile border with the United States, Mexico is among the top U.S. trade partners and a major U.S. energy supplier. These ties frequently manifest themselves in legislative activity and interest across a wide spectrum of issues in Congress. Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the populist leader of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party, which he created in 2014, took office for a six-year term in December 2018. President López Obrador has remained popular (54% approval in February 2022), likely as a result of his delivery on social programs and ability to connect with voters, even as his government has struggled to address organized crime-related violence, corruption, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mexico's economy contracted by 8.2% in 2020. The economy expanded 5.3% in 2021, but the IMF predicts 2.8% growth this year."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando; Klein, Joshua
2022-03-21
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 6837, No Tiktok on Department of Homeland Security Devices Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on March 2, 2022. From the Document: "H.R. 6837 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prohibit the use of TikTok on and remove the application from the department's information technology systems and devices. TikTok is a social networking application that allows users to create and share short videos. Several federal laws, regulations, and policies prohibit the use of government property for unauthorized purposes. H.R. 6837 would expand those prohibitions at DHS to include TikTok or any successor service provided by its developer. Some federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, have already banned TikTok from their devices. Using information from those agencies, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 6837 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2022-2026 period for DHS to develop the guidelines and for component agencies to comply with the new restriction. Such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-03-21
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Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: NATO Response [Updated March 21, 2022]
From the Description: "The 30-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO; see 'Figure 1') has condemned Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which it has characterized as the 'most dangerous moment in European security in a generation [hyperlink].' Underscoring its role as a defensive alliance, NATO has joined the United States in declaring that it would not deploy forces to Ukraine, which is not a NATO member. NATO has, however, significantly enhanced its defensive force posture in the eastern part of the alliance and reiterated its solidarity with Ukraine. NATO officials also have expressed support [hyperlink] for substantial bilateral assistance, including arms transfers, provided to Ukraine by NATO members since the invasion. According to some reports [hyperlink], as of early March, arms transfers from NATO allies to Ukraine had included [hyperlink] more than 17,000 anti-tank missiles and 2,000 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Belkin, Paul
2022-03-21
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2021 On-Site Installation Evaluation Report
From the Executive Summary: "On February 26, 2021, Secretary of Defense Austin directed On-Site Installation Evaluations (OSIEs) at select installations. OSIEs focus on an installation's prevention capabilities and ability to effectively address risk for sexual assault, harassment, and suicide. They were designed to provide early detection of risk factors so leaders can take corrective actions and enhance prevention. OSIEs aim to provide insights on risk and protective factors on the ground, what works, what does not, how the Department can improve efforts more comprehensively, and support efforts to implement the approved recommendations of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military (IRC). An additional purpose of the inaugural OSIEs was to pilot a process and metrics to establish an enduring installation evaluation capability that can be replicated in subsequent evaluations. [...] Based on the results from a force-wide climate survey in 2021, 20 sites with high risk or protective percentile scores were selected for OSIEs. Of these, 13 OSIEs were completed July through September 2021[.] [...] Seven site visits were delayed due to mission requirements of the units of interest and were subsequently completed November 2021 through January 2022[.] [...] Within each installation, the units with the highest risk or protective percentile scores on the installation were evaluated, in addition to the helping agencies and prevention personnel that supported these units. On-site evaluations verified installation self-assessed compliance with sexual assault, sexual harassment, and integrated violence prevention policy and prevention best practice. In addition, evaluations assessed prevention capabilities of installations and units of interest. This report summarizes findings and recommendations for the 20 sites that completed OSIEs[.]"
United States. Department of Defense
2022-03-21
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COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Installation Status Update [As of March 21, 2022]
This is the U.S. Department of Defense Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)-related military travel restriction guide as of March 21, 2022, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As reported in the document, "Travel Restrictions 'LIFTED' at 215 of 230 Installations (94%)[.] [...] Of the 215 installations with lifted travel restrictions this week, 0 reinstated travel restrictions while 1 lifted restrictions."
United States. Department of Defense
2022-03-21
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LIBOR Transition [Updated March 21, 2022]
From the Document: "LIBOR [London Interbank Offered Rate] is a key benchmark interest rate underpinning many financial contracts, but it is being discontinued between December 2021 and June 2023. This In Focus discusses efforts to transition away from the use of LIBOR in financial products in order to avoid disruption if LIBOR disappears, including Division U of P.L. 117-103. [...] LIBOR is a benchmark or reference rate that helps financial market participants gauge prevailing interest rates. In the United States, many financial instruments are tied to dollar LIBORs, including certain floating-rate loans, bonds, securitized products, and financial derivatives. For example, an adjustable mortgage rate might be set at LIBOR plus a fixed markup. Each month, the rate on the mortgage would be reset based on the prevailing LIBOR. A type of derivative called an interest rate swap might also reference LIBOR. One party to the swap would receive a periodic payment based on a predetermined fixed interest rate, while the other party would receive a payment tied to a rate that adjusts based on the current LIBOR. As of 2020, LIBOR was referenced in an estimated $223 trillion of financial instruments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2022-03-21
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Comparing DHS Component Funding Proposals, FY2022: In Brief [Updated March 18, 2022]
From the Document: "The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act includes all annual appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), providing resources to every departmental component. Its accompanying conference report or explanatory statement provides guidance for the department in terms of how DHS should account for reprogramming and transferring a range of non-appropriated funds as well. Together, they form a snapshot of a significant amount of the DHS budget. This report reviews that snapshot at the DHS component level, comparing [1] the budget authority outlined in the FY2021 annual appropriations measure; [2] annual appropriations requested by the Joseph R. Biden Administration for FY2022; [3] funding levels recommended by the House Appropriations Committee in H.R. 4431 and H.Rept. 117-87; [4] funding levels proposed by the Senate Appropriations Committee in the committee draft released on October 18, 2021, and its accompanying explanatory statement; and [5] annual appropriations enacted in P.L. 117-103, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Division F of which is the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022. The report makes note of supplemental appropriations provided through various measures for FY2021 and FY2022, but identifies such funding distinctly, to allow for clear comparison on the annual appropriations packages. The report makes special note of 'net discretionary appropriations' for DHS--a perspective on the net impact the legislation that funds DHS has on congressionally-tracked budget totals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Painter, William L.
2022-03-18
