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Northern Ireland's 2022 Assembly Election: Outcome and Implications [May 11, 2022]
From the Document: "On May 5, 2022, voters in Northern Ireland--a part of the United Kingdom (UK)--went to the polls in elections for Northern Ireland's Assembly, its regional legislature. In a landmark outcome [hyperlink], the all-Ireland Sinn Fein party--which supports a united Ireland--came in first place. The Assembly is a key institution in Northern Ireland's devolved government, established by the 1998 peace agreement [hyperlink] aimed at ending 'the Troubles,' a 30-year sectarian conflict in which roughly 3,500 people died. The peace accord mandates power sharing in the devolved government between Northern Ireland's two dominant communities: 'unionists,' or Protestants who largely define themselves as British and support remaining part of the UK, and 'nationalists,' or Catholics who consider themselves Irish and may favor a united Ireland. Despite a much improved security situation since 1998, peace and stability in Northern Ireland remain fragile and of continued interest to many in Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Archick, Kristin
2022-05-11
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U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress [Updated May 11, 2022]
From the Summary: "Special Operations Forces (SOF) play a significant role in U.S. military operations and have been given greater responsibility for planning and conducting worldwide counterterrorism operations. U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has about 70,000 Active Duty, National Guard, and reserve personnel from all four services and Department of Defense (DOD) civilians assigned to its headquarters, its four service component commands, and eight sub-unified commands. In 2013, based on a request from USSOCOM (with the concurrence of Geographic and Functional Combatant Commanders and the Military Service Chiefs and Secretaries), the Secretary of Defense assigned command of the Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs) to USSOCOM. USSOCOM has the responsibility to organize, train, and equip TSOCs. While USSOCOM is responsible for the organizing, training, and equipping of TSOCs, the Geographic Combatant Commands will have operational control over the TSOCs. Because the TSOCs are now classified as sub-unified commands, the services are responsible to provide non-SOF support to the TSOCs in the same manner in which they provide support to the Geographic Combatant Command headquarters. [...] USSOCOM's FY2022 budget request was for $12.6 billion, representing a decrease of $495 million (4%) of the FY2021-enacted position of $13.1 billion. A potential issue for Congress includes potential implications of the Ukraine Conflict for U.S. SOF."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2022-05-11
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Joint Cybersecurity Advisory: Protecting Against Cyber Threats to Managed Service Providers and Their Customers
From the Summary: "The cybersecurity authorities of the United Kingdom (NCSC-UK [hyperlink]), Australia (ACSC [hyperlink]), Canada (CCCS [hyperlink]), New Zealand (NCSC-NZ [hyperlink]), and the United States (CISA [hyperlink]), (NSA [hyperlink]), (FBI [hyperlink]) are aware of recent reports that observe an increase in malicious cyber activity targeting managed service providers (MSPs) and expect this trend to continue. This joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) provides actions MSPs and their customers can take to reduce their risk of falling victim to a cyber intrusion. This advisory describes cybersecurity best practices for information and communications technology (ICT) services and functions, focusing on guidance that enables transparent discussions between MSPs and their customers on securing sensitive data. Organizations should implement these guidelines as appropriate to their unique environments, in accordance with their specific security needs, and in compliance with applicable regulations. MSP customers should verify that the contractual arrangements with their provider include cybersecurity measures in line with their particular security requirements."
United Kingdom. National Cyber Security Centre; Australian Cyber Security Centre; Canadian Centre for Cyber Security . . .
2022-05-11
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 10, 2022: 'Vital Signs': Changes in Firearm Homicide and Suicide Rates -- United States, 2019-2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "'Vital Signs': Changes in Firearm Homicide and Suicide Rates -- United States, 2019-2020." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2022.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2022-05-10
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Biden-Harris Permitting Action Plan to Rebuild America's Infrastructure, Accelerate the Clean Energy Transition, Revitalize Communities, and Create Jobs
From the Document: "With the passage of President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the United States is making generational investments in our infrastructure and competitiveness that will create well-paying union jobs, grow our economy, invest in communities, combat climate change, and conserve and restore the natural places we value. To ensure the timely and sound delivery of much-needed upgrades to America's infrastructure, the Biden-Harris Administration is today releasing an Action Plan to strengthen and accelerate Federal permitting and environmental reviews, fully leveraging the permitting provisions in the BIL. The Biden-Harris Permitting Action Plan establishes that Federal environmental review and permitting processes will be: [1] 'Effective, efficient, and transparent' to accelerate delivery of well-designed infrastructure projects, to ensure predictability and timeliness for project sponsors and stakeholders; [2] 'Guided by the best science', information, and complete environmental effects analysis to promote the best outcomes; and [3] 'Shaped by early and meaningful public input' - particularly from disadvantaged communities - and through 'partnership with State, territorial, and local governments' and in consultation with 'Tribal Nations' to deliver results for all Americans."
United States. White House Office
2022-05-10?
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Veterans Health Administration Needs to Do More to Promote Emotional Well-Being Supports Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
From the Executive Summary: "The VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a review to assess how the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) addressed the emotional well-being of employees during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The OIG also conducted an overview of VHA programs, including what specialized programs, if any, were developed and deployed in response to the unique psychological challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic for VHA's staff. Mental health needs generally surge during and after disasters, including pandemics. In March 2020, after declaring COVID-19 a pandemic, the World Health Organization highlighted the importance of maintaining the mental health and emotional well-being of healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients. On March 23, 2020, the VHA Office of Emergency Management issued the initial COVID-19 Response Plan with its four-phase approach and a second, updated version on August 7, 2020. The August 2020 response plan update included language allowing VHA to delegate responsibility to program offices to develop resources for response plan strategies. With that delegated authority, the National Center for Organization Development created and maintained resources for leaders and the VHA Organizational Health Council created and maintained across multiple program offices. The OIG initiated the review on November 30, 2020, and conducted virtual interviews with VA and VHA leaders in multiple offices. The OIG developed a series of survey questions about VHA guidance regarding employees' emotional well-being during the pandemic, available resources, monitoring of available support programs, and employee engagement with available support programs."
United States. Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Inspector General
2022-05-10
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FEMA's Waiver Authority Under the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018
From the Document: "Several challenges limited our ability to fulfill the mandate in Section 1216 of the 'Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018' (DRRA). For instance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) data system does not capture Individuals and Households Program (IHP) assistance data in a manner that allows us to accurately calculate a percentage of distributions made in error in any 12-month period. In addition, the amount of data required to conduct the audit represents millions of rows of data, as well as underlying supporting documents. These efforts require considerable resources for FEMA to provide, and the Office of Inspector General to review, the IHP information. Facing these limitations, we adopted an alternate approach to estimate FEMA's percentage of distributions made in error. Specifically, we analyzed FEMA's IHP Recoupment Processing Executive Summary for fiscal years 2015 through 2019 and concluded that, for these fiscal years, FEMA's percentage of distributions identified for recoupment was, on average, less than 1 percent -- well below the DRRA's 4 percent threshold."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2022-05-10
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Lessons Learned from DHS' Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Initiative
From the Document: "In advance of Federal approval for emergency use of the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, DHS prepared to coordinate employee vaccinations by tasking its components to identify eligible personnel in health care and frontline occupations in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. DHS acted swiftly to identify employees in vaccination priority groups, but provided minimal guidance to components, resulting in inconsistent responses across the Department as to which types of employees were deemed eligible. DHS only partially committed staff resources and delayed establishing a comprehensive, full-time task force to manage the effort. Also, at times, DHS' communications to its employees were inconsistent or unclear, causing confusion among some employees. DHS successfully vaccinated some employees, but missing and erroneous personnel data in DHS systems used to facilitate vaccinations contributed to DHS falling short of reaching its vaccination goals. This report identifies areas of consideration for DHS to better prepare for future emergencies and pandemics. We make one recommendation to improve DHS' ability to identify essential employees, when necessary, in future emergency situations. Also, DHS should consider improving its preparedness by developing incident response protocols that include a plan for establishing and staffing an incident response team. To foster trust among its workforce, DHS should strive to communicate directly and consistently with personnel during future initiatives. Finally, DHS should consider devising and implementing a methodology for conducting oversight of employee data."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2022-05-10
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Is Unauthorized Dissemination of a Draft Supreme Court Opinion a Federal Crime? [May 10, 2022]
From the Document: "On May 2, 2022, it was first reported that a news organization had obtained a draft Supreme Court majority opinion in 'Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization' and received confirmation from [hyperlink] 'a person familiar with the court's proceedings' in the case. The Court subsequently authenticated [hyperlink] the draft opinion, and Chief Justice Roberts ordered an internal investigation. Beyond discussion of the substance of the draft opinion and its implications for the constitutional right recognized in 'Roe v. Wade'--and setting aside potential [hyperlink] employment or professional consequences for the person or persons who shared the draft--a number [hyperlink] of commentators [hyperlink] have questioned [hyperlink] whether the act of providing [hyperlink] the draft opinion to a media organization was a federal crime. Several Members of the House Oversight Committee wrote a letter [hyperlink] to the Attorney General on May 3, 2022, calling for, among other things, a Department of Justice investigation and a briefing on 'whether criminal charges are being considered against the individual or individuals responsible for this breach.' Although federal law does prohibit the dissemination of certain kinds of government information [hyperlink]--such as 'classified' information related to national security--there does not appear to be a federal criminal statute expressly prohibiting unauthorized sharing of Supreme Court documents like draft opinions. [...] The provenance of the disclosure is unknown, so the laws addressed in this Legal Sidebar may or may not apply depending on the facts. [...] As relevant to the disclosure itself, this Legal Sidebar will briefly describe three federal criminal provisions that have been cited by commentators in the context of apparently unauthorized Supreme Court information dissemination and identify some of the potential issues that application of each of those laws could raise."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Foster, Michael A. (Legislative attorney)
2022-05-10
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Brazil: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated May 10, 2022]
From the Introduction: "As the 6th -most populous country and the 12th -largest economy in the world, Brazil plays an important role in global governance[.] Over the past 20 years, Brazil has forged coalitions with other large, developing countries to push for changes to multilateral institutions and to ensure that global agreements on issues ranging from trade to climate change adequately protect their interests. Brazil also has taken on a greater role in promoting peace and stability, contributing to U.N. peacekeeping missions and mediating conflicts in South America and further afield. Although recent domestic challenges have led Brazil to turn inward and weakened its appeal globally, the country continues to exert considerable influence on international policy issues that affect the United States. U.S. policymakers have often viewed Brazil as a natural partner in regional and global affairs, given its status as a fellow multicultural democracy. Repeated efforts to forge a close partnership have left both countries frustrated, however, as their occasionally divergent interests and policy approaches have inhibited cooperation. [...] Congress has expressed considerable interest in Brazil in recent years, recognizing Brazil's potential to affect U.S. foreign policy initiatives and interests."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.
2022-05-10
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H. Rept. 117-315: Empowering States to Protect Seniors from Bad Actors Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 5914, May 10, 2022
From the Purpose and Summary: "On November 9, 2021, Representative Gottheimer introduced H.R. 5914, the 'Empowering States to Protect Seniors from Bad Actors Act', which would move the responsibility for administering the Senior Investor Protection Grant Program established by Sec. 989A of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to the Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC]. The bill would establish an interdivisional task force within the SEC to review grant applications and oversee the administration of the program. The bill would authorize $10 million annually in appropriations for the program for the period of FY 2023-2028. The bill would provide that the entities that would be eligible to apply for grants under the program are state securities regulators and state insurance regulators, and would cap the amount of grant funding that could be awarded to any single 'eligible entity' at $500,000."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-10
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Islamic State [Updated May 10, 2022]
From the Document: "The Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIL, ISIS, or the Arabic acronym 'Da'esh') is a transnational Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group. At its 2015 height, the group controlled large areas of Iraq and Syria, including some cities, from which it launched attacks in the region and beyond. While the group no longer controls territory outright in Syria and Iraq, U.S. military officials warn that it maintains a low-level insurgency and has worked to expand its global presence via a burgeoning number of affiliate groups. The 2022 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) stated that 'ISIS leaders remain committed to their vision of building a self-styled global caliphate headquartered in Iraq and Syria and are working to rebuild capabilities and wear down opponents until conditions are ripe for seizing and holding territory.' [...] The Islamic State continues to wage a low-level insurgency across Syria and Iraq. In 2021, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) assessed that, 'ISIS likely has sufficient manpower and resources to operate indefinitely at its present level in the Syrian desert.' [...] The 2022 IC Annual Threat Assessment reported that the threat posed by the Islamic State to U.S. persons and interests 'probably will remain greatest in regions where the group has an operational presence; ISIS's ideology and propaganda, however, almost certainly will continue to inspire attacks in the West, including in the United States.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humud, Carla E.
2022-05-10
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Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs: An Overview and Issues for Congress [May 10, 2022]
From the Document: "Congress is considering the establishment of a new regional technology and innovation hub program in U.S. competition legislation. The House and Senate are reconciling H.R. 4521 [hyperlink], the America COMPETES Act of 2022, as agreed to by the House on February 4, 2022, with the version [hyperlink] as agreed to by the Senate on March 28, 2022. The Senate substituted the text of H.R. 4521 with S. 1260, the United States Competitiveness and Innovation Act. Both bills would establish a competitive award program to plan for or implement regional consortia in an effort to advance innovation and technology-based economic development. This Insight provides a brief overview of regional innovation and technology-based economic development; describes key features of the proposed program--including differences in the House and Senate bills; and highlights potential considerations for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lawhorn, Julie M.; Gallo, Marcy E.
2022-05-10
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United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S. Policy [Updated May 10, 2022]
From the Summary: "The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven principalities or 'emirates.' Its population is nearly 10 million, of which 90% are expatriates from within and outside the region who work in its open economy. The UAE is a significant U.S. security partner that hosts about 3,500 U.S. military personnel at UAE military facilities and buys sophisticated U.S. military equipment, including missile defenses and combat aircraft. A January 20, 2021, deal signed with the UAE to allow the country to procure up to 50 F-35s and 18 Reaper Drones was placed under review by the Biden Administration, but finalizing the sale has been delayed over several issues, including the UAE's ability to secure the F-35 and its technology from other large powers, including China, with which the UAE has been expanding relations. Furthermore, U.S.-UAE differences on the F-35 sale, as well as issues including energy production, Iran, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the conflict in Yemen, appear to have widened since late 2021. The UAE abstained on a February 24, 2022, U.N. Security Council resolution denouncing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. With ample financial resources and a U.S.-armed and advised military, the UAE has been asserting itself in the region, in many cases seeking to keep authoritarian Arab leaders in power and work against Islamist organizations that UAE leaders assert are regional and domestic threats."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2022-05-10
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U.S.-Proposed Missile Technology Control Regime Changes [Updated May 10, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Beginning in 2017, the United States has submitted a series of proposals to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) partners that would relax the regime's export guidelines for certain Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Advocates of altering the guidelines to ease such exports argue that increasing competition from foreign UAS manufacturers is undermining the competitive advantage of their U.S. counterparts. Other observers have emphasized the need to maintain the MTCR's standards, which are widely regarded as effective. [...] The MTCR, according to its website, 'seeks to limit the risks of proliferation of' nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons (NBC weapons) 'by controlling exports of goods and technologies that could make a contribution to delivery systems (other than manned aircraft) for such weapons.' Established in 1987 by the United States and six other countries, the MTCR, which holds several meetings per year and currently consists of 35 partner countries, is an informal voluntary arrangement whose partners agree to apply common export policy guidelines to an annex containing two categories of controlled items. Partner countries implement these guidelines pursuant to national legislation and regularly exchange information on relevant export licensing issues, including denials of technology transfers. The MTCR guidelines apply to both armed and unarmed UAS."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.
2022-05-10
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1546, Combating Online Wildlife Trafficking Act of 2021
From the Document: "The authorization for the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking expired on October 7, 2021. H.R. 1546 would renew the authorization through October 7, 2026. However, the task force continued to operate and fulfill ongoing responsibilities under an Executive Order for combating wildlife trafficking; therefore, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that extending its authorization would not affect the federal budget."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-05-09
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CBO's Estimate of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Effects of S. 4119, the RECA Extension Act of 2022, as Passed by the Senate on April 28, 2022
From the Document: "The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or revenues. The net changes in outlays that are subject to those procedures are shown here. The Radiation Exposure Compensation Program provides lump-sum cash compensation to people who participated in or lived downwind of certain atmospheric nuclear tests or who worked in the uranium industry if they contracted specified diseases. Those payments are made from mandatory appropriations. Under current law, the program expires on July 10, 2022. The RECA [Radiation Exposure Compensation Act] Extension Act of 2022 would extend the program's authorization for two years. For this estimate, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] assumes that claims filed before the program terminates would be paid even if they were not adjudicated by the termination date."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-05-09
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Public Law 117-118: Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022
From the Document: "An Act [t]o provide enhanced authority for the President to enter into agreements with the Government of Ukraine to lend or lease defense articles to that Government to protect civilian populations in Ukraine from Russian military invasion, and for other purposes. [...] [F]or fiscal years 2022 and 2023, the President may authorize the United States Government to lend or lease defense articles to the Government of Ukraine or to governments of Eastern European countries impacted by the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine to help bolster those countries' defense capabilities and protect their civilian populations from potential invasion or ongoing aggression by the armed forces of the Government of the Russian Federation."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-09
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Farm Bill Primer: Disaster Assistance [May 9, 2022]
From the Document: "A number of federal programs help agricultural producers recover from the effects of natural disasters, including the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), livestock and fruit tree disaster programs, and ad hoc assistance. With the exception of ad hoc assistance, all programs are permanently authorized and receive 'such sums as necessary' from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). As such, these programs require neither reauthorization in a future farm bill nor annual appropriations. Since 2018, Congress has authorized ad hoc assistance through supplemental appropriations to assist with natural disaster losses that generally were not covered under the permanent programs. As Congress works on another farm bill, it could consider whether to amend the permanent disaster assistance programs or create new programs to address emerging situations that are being addressed with ad hoc assistance. This In Focus provides a summary of existing permanent and ad hoc disaster assistance programs that help farmers recover financially from natural disasters."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stubbs, Megan
2022-05-09
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Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Air Pollution, and Climate Change [Updated May 9, 2022]
From the Document: "On August 5, 2021, the Biden Administration announced plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other air pollutants from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and engines through a series of rulemakings over three years (Executive Order 14037, 'Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks,' 86 'Federal Register' 43583). The first rule, to be promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and slated to be finalized in 2022, applies to heavy-duty vehicles starting in model year (MY) 2027. The rule would set new standards for nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions for the sector as well as targeted updates to the current GHG emission standards. A second rule, to be promulgated by EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), would set more stringent GHG emission and fuel efficiency standards for new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and engines beginning with MY2030."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lattanzio, Richard K.
2022-05-09
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S. Rept. 117-107: To Amend the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to Repeal Certain Obsolete Requirements, and for Other Purposes, Report of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United State Senate, to Accompany S. 3499, May 9, 2022
From the Purpose and Summary: "S. 3499 repeals Section 692 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA) to conform with government-wide requirements. Section 692 of PKEMRA placed a limitation on certain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) emergency response and recovery contracts to prevent excessive subcontracting. Subsequently, a provision in the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 resulted in government-wide changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to prevent excessive subcontracting, making Section 692 unnecessary."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-09
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Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA): Compensation Related to Exposure to Radiation from Atomic Weapons Testing and Uranium Mining [Updated May 9, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) was enacted in 1990 and provides one-time cash benefits to certain persons who participated in atomic weapons testing or lived near the Nevada Test Site during periods of atmospheric (above-ground) atomic weapons testing. Benefits under RECA are also available to certain uranium miners, mill workers, and ore transporters who worked in the uranium industry between 1942 and 1971, when the federal government stopped its procurement of uranium for the atomic weapons program. All RECA claimants must have contracted one of the medical conditions specified in the statute after possible exposure to ionizing radiation from the detonation of an atomic weapon or after working in the uranium industry. The RECA program is administered by the Civil Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). To date, DOJ has approved more than 36,000 RECA claims for more than $2.3 billion in benefits. The majority of RECA claims are related to atomic weapons testing rather than the uranium industry. Complete RECA program data are provided in [this document]. Benefits under RECA are paid out of general revenue and are considered mandatory spending."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2022-05-09
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections [Updated May 9, 2022]
From the Document: "This report provides the results of recent presidential elections in Latin America and the Caribbean. [In this document] 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.
2022-05-09
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Navy Shipboard Lasers: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated May 9, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on shipboard solid state lasers (SSLs) that the Navy is developing for surface-ship self-defense. The Navy's proposed FY2023 budget requests continued research and development funding for these efforts. The issue for Congress is whether to modify, reject, or approve the Navy's acquisition strategies and funding requests for shipboard laser development programs. Decisions that Congress makes on this issue could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the defense technology and industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-05-09
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Military Service Records, Awards, and Unit Histories: A Guide to Locating Sources [Updated May 9, 2022]
From the Summary: "This guide provides information on locating military unit histories and individual service records of discharged, retired, and deceased military personnel. It also provides information on locating and replacing military awards and medals. Included is contact information for military history centers, websites for additional sources of research, and a bibliography of other publications, including related CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Torreon, Barbara Salazar
2022-05-09
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Preparing Secrets for a Post-Quantum World--National Security Memorandum 10 [May 9, 2022]
From the Document: "On May 4, 2022, President Biden signed National Security Memorandum 10 (NSM 10 [hyperlink]) on 'Promoting United States Leadership in Quantum Computing While Mitigating Risks to Vulnerable Cryptographic Systems.' Along with an accompanying Executive Order [hyperlink] (EO), the memorandum seeks to promote U.S. leadership in quantum information science [hyperlink] (QIS). NSM 10 also addresses potential threats that quantum computers may pose to encrypted data and systems. This Insight discusses the cybersecurity risks posed by quantum computing, details about the memorandum, and potential issues for Congress"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jaikaran, Chris
2022-05-09
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Vehicle Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas Standards [Updated May 9, 2022]
From the Document: "On August 5, 2021, the Biden Administration proposed amendments to the federal standards that regulate fuel economy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new light-duty vehicles--a category that includes passenger cars and most sports utility vehicles, vans, and pickup trucks. These standards include the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards promulgated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Light-Duty Vehicle GHG emission standards promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA finalized its amendments on December 30, 2021; NHTSA finalized its amendments on May 2, 2022. President Biden also signed Executive Order 14037, 'Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks' (86 'Federal Register' 43583), which (1) requires EPA and NHTSA to begin work on future rulemakings for multipollutant and fuel efficiency standards for both light-duty vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles and engines that would take effect beginning in model year (MY) 2027, and (2) sets a nonbinding electrification goal that '50 percent of all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in 2030 be zero-emission vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles.' Some policymakers see these pending rulemakings as an opportunity to re-envision the goals and structures of the federal vehicle fuel economy and GHG emission program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lattanzio, Richard K.; Canis, Bill
2022-05-09
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U.S. International Climate Finance: FY2023 [Updated May 9, 2022]
From the Document: "Over the past several decades, to varying degrees, the United States has delivered financial and technical assistance for climate change activities in the developing world through a variety of bilateral and multilateral channels with appropriations passed by Congress and implemented by the executive agencies. Climate finance is funded primarily through programs at the Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Funds for these programs are requested in the President's budget under the International Affairs function (Function 150) and funded through the annual State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriation. [...] U.S. Administrations have typically divided international climate finance into three main programmatic initiatives or categories: [1] 'Adaptation:' programs that aim to assist low-income countries with reducing their vulnerability to climate change impacts and building climate resilience. [2] 'Clean Energy:' programs that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation and energy use by accelerating the deployment of clean energy technologies, policies, and practices. [3] 'Sustainable Landscapes:' programs that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Congress oversees U.S. government assistance to lower-income countries for climate change initiatives. [...] With Executive Order (E.O.) 14008, 'Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad,' of February 1, 2021 (86 'Federal Register' 7619), President Joe Biden directed that climate change 'shall be an essential element of United States foreign policy and national security. The United States will work with other countries and partners, both bilaterally and multilaterally, to put the world on a sustainable climate pathway.' As called for by the E.O., the United States released the U.S. International Climate Finance Plan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lattanzio, Richard K.
2022-05-09
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Analyzing How the Effects of Federal Policies May Differ by Race and Ethnicity
From the Document: "Many Members have asked whether the Congressional Budget Office [CBO] can provide information on how the effects of federal policies differ by race and ethnicity. This letter updates you regarding the agency's efforts to increase its capacity to analyze how budgetary and economic conditions or developments may affect various demographic groups (including groups based on race and ethnicity) differently. Over the past few years, CBO has examined different outcomes among demographic groups in a number of contexts. For example, in July 2020, CBO described the race and ethnicity, sex, age, education, and household earnings of the 19 million people who were expected to receive regular unemployment benefits in that month. More recently, CBO examined the effects of the pandemic on the employment of men and women of different races and ethnicities. Those types of analyses can be challenging to produce because of limitations in the data. In response to Congressional interest in how policies affect people in different groups, CBO is seeking to enhance its capabilities, building on its earlier work and existing models. For example, CBO may use methods to statistically combine detailed income tax data from tax returns with survey data, and it has proposed to the Census Bureau a project to evaluate the accuracy of such statistically matched data. This letter provides more detail on the challenges regarding data availability and describes CBO's ongoing efforts to increase the agency's capacity to analyze budgetary and economic outcomes for various demographic groups."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
Swagel, Phillip
2022-05-06
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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 06, 2022
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR contains the following: "Geographic Differences in Sex-Specific Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Mortality Rate Trends Among Adults Aged ≥25 Years -- United States, 1999-2019"; "Use of a Modified Preexposure Prophylaxis Vaccination Schedule to Prevent
Human Rabies: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices -- United States, 2022"; "West Nile Virus and Other Domestic Nationally Notifiable Arboviral Diseases -- United States, 2020"; "Effectiveness of a COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Additional Primary or Booster Vaccine Dose in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] Infection Among Nursing Home Residents During Widespread Circulation of the Omicron Variant -- United States, February 14-March 27, 2022"; and "Acute Hepatitis and Adenovirus Infection Among Children -- Alabama, October 2021-February 2022." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2022.html]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2022-05-06
