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• Counterfeit Drugs: Fighting Illegal Supply Chains, Hearing Before the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, February 27, 2014

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  This testimony compilation is from the February 27, 2014 hearing, "Counterfeit Drugs: Fighting Illegal Supply Chains" before the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. From the opening statement of Tim Murphy: "The subcommittee meets to examine the growing problem of counterfeit drugs. Another fitting title for our hearing today: 'Poison Pills in Your Medicine Cabinet: Counterfeiters Deliver Deadly Drugs.' Last year Congress took an important first step against this threat by enacting the new track-and-trace law known as the Drug Quality and Security Act of 2013. This new law will secure the legitimate distribution channels, and when implemented will solve the legal supply chain part of the counterfeit drug problem. However, many Americans purchase medicines through illegal supply chains, such as rogue Internet pharmacies and other black markets. It is that part of the counterfeit drug threat we address today. This hearing focuses on the illegal supply chains of counterfeit drugs, and on efforts to deter and disrupt these illegal supply chains. […] Drug counterfeiting is highly profitable, and the criminals only face the maximum penalties under the FDA law of $10,000 or three years in prison. In contrast, penalties for trafficking narcotics can have prison sentences up to life and fines in the millions of dollars." Statements, letters, and other materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Tim Murphy, Howard Sklamberg, Lev Kubiak, Marcia Crosse, Prashant Yadav, John P. Clark, Jean-Luc Moreau, Bruce Longbottom, and Elizabeth Jungman.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Energy and Commerce

  2014-02-27
• WUI Structure/Parcel/Community Fire Hazard Mitigation Methodology

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  From the Abstract: "In the last twenty years, wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires have grown in severity and size. The structures destroyed by WUI fires have devastated entire communities and have cost billions of dollars while significantly impacting the social fabric and economic wellbeing of entire regions. Structure losses are attributed to exposures from both embers (firebrands) and fire (radiation and/or convection). As structure losses continue to increase, there is a growing need for a comprehensive hazard assessment and mitigation methodology to harden appropriate structures and parcels effectively and efficiently against ember and fire exposures. To address this need, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) embarked on a sixteen-month collaborative effort, culminating in this Hazard Mitigation Methodology (HMM)."

  National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.)

  Maranghides, Alexander; Link, Eric D.; Hawks, Steven . . .

  2022-03
• 'We Choose to Go to the Moon': An Analysis of a Cold War Means-Developing Strategy

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  From the Executive Summary: "Strategists often ask 'With the means available right now, what end can we achieve?' However, in strategy design it can be more appropriate to ask, 'What is the desired end, and what means are available to achieve it?' The answer to this question may be, 'If this is the desired end, first this new capability has to be created.' Essentially, what President John Kennedy was asking Vice President Lyndon Johnson in April 1961 was, 'What means do I need to generate if I want to beat the Soviets in a space race?' To succeed, the United States had to use the available instruments and elements of national power to create new means to reach the desired end within the time frame that Kennedy set. With the National War College 'National Security Strategy Primer' as its guide, and using primary and secondary sources, this case study examines how Kennedy determined he could achieve his ends (beat the Soviets in the world competition) in a particular way (shape the world conversation) using means yet to be created (the moon landing)."

  National War College (U.S.); National Defense University Press

  Arnold, David Christopher, 1967-

  2022-01
• Traffic Safety: Alcohol Ignition Interlocks are Effective While Installed; Less is Known about How to Increase Installation Rates, Report to the Chairman, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate

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  From the Highlights: "Motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers killed 10,322 people in 2012 and account for almost one third of all traffic fatalities annually. Ignition interlocks are one strategy states use to combat DWI [driving while intoxicated]. In 2012, MAP-21 [Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act] established a grant program for states that adopt and implement mandatory alcohol ignition-interlock laws for all convicted DWI offenders. Funding authorization for this program expires at the end of fiscal year 2014. GAO [U.S. Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the effectiveness of ignition interlocks and NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]'s implementation of the new grant program. This report discusses (1) what is known about ignition interlock effectiveness and (2) the extent to which NHTSA has assisted states in implementing ignition interlock programs, including the grant program. GAO reviewed 25 studies that analyzed relationships between ignition interlocks and DWI arrests and fatalities; interviewed NHTSA officials and reviewed reports about NHTSA's assistance to states; and interviewed representatives from safety-advocacy and research organizations, and officials involved with ignition-interlock programs from 10 states. The states were selected based on grant program qualification and the number of alcohol-impaired fatalities, among other factors. The information from these states is not generalizable. DOT [Department of Transportation] officials reviewed a draft of this report and generally agreed with the findings. DOT offered technical corrections, which we incorporated as appropriate."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2014-06-20
• U.S. Merchant Marine: Maritime Administration Should Assess Potential Mariner-Training Needs, Report to Congressional Committees

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  From the Highlights: "The U.S. merchant marine--the nation's domestic and oceangoing commercial ships and mariners--supports both U.S. commerce and national defense. MARAD [Maritime Administration], an agency within the Department of Transportation, is responsible for fostering, promoting, and developing the maritime industry; providing for the education and training of U.S. mariners; and studying all problems related to merchant-marine commerce and national-defense policies. Proper education and training of mariners is important to the success of the merchant marine. The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 mandated that GAO [Government Accountability Office] review mariner training. This report examines (1) the availability of maritime training, (2) the availability of financial assistance for maritime training, and (3) MARAD's actions to ensure mariners meet commerce and defense needs and industry stakeholder views on those actions. GAO analyzed documents and interviewed officials from MARAD, the Coast Guard, the Department of Defense, maritime-training providers, unions, and companies. GAO recommends that MARAD study and identify potential problems in ensuring that U.S. mariners are adequately trained to meet the needs of the entire maritime industry. The Department of Transportation did not agree or disagree with the recommendation."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2014-01
• Examining Physical Security and Cybersecurity at Our Nation's Ports, Field Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, October 30, 2017

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  This is October 30, 2017 field hearing on "Examining Physical Security and Cybersecurity at Our Nation's Ports," held before the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Michael T. McCaul: "Today Members of our committee have gathered here to examine the physical and cybersecurity of our Nation's ports. I would like to thank everyone who has traveled a great distance to be here and to CBP [Customs and Border Protection] and the Coast Guard for the tour of Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. I would also like to thank each of the witnesses and look forward to hearing your thoughts on how we can work together to strengthen the security of America's ports. America's port system is an industrial engine that drives much of our economic success. Currently, U.S. seaports support 23 million American jobs and 4.6 trillion in economic activity, or 26 percent of our economy. This year alone, the Port of Los Angeles has processed over 6 million containers. These ports will only continue to remain busy, as our trade volume is expected to quadruple by 2030. A safe and unrestricted flow of goods and services through our marine transportation system has allowed the United States to become a global economic superpower." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Todd A. Sokalzuk, Carlos C. Martel, Eugene D. Seroka, Mario Cordero, and Ray Familathe.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2018
• Cross-Sectional Study of Factors Associated with COVID-19 Testing Among People Who Inject Drugs: Missed Opportunities for Reaching Those Most at Risk

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  From the Abstract: "People who inject drugs (PWID) are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] infection. We examined correlates of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] testing among PWID in the U.S.-Mexico border region and described encounters with services representing potential opportunities (i.e., 'touchpoints') where COVID-19 testing could have been offered. [...] We identified several factors independently associated with COVID-19 testing and multiple touchpoints where COVID-19 testing could be scaled up for PWID, such as SUD [substance use disorder] treatment programs and syringe service programs. Integrated health services are needed to improve access to rapid, free COVID-19 testing in this vulnerable population."

  Springer Nature (Firm)

  Yeager, Samantha; Abramovitz, Daniela; Harvey-Vera, Alicia Yolanda . . .

  2022-04-27
• Trinidad and Tobago [Updated April 19, 2022]

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  From the Document: "Trinidad and Tobago, the second-most-populous English-speaking Caribbean nation after Jamaica, is located in the southeast Caribbean, just seven miles from Venezuela at its closest point. The country's population is largely of African and East Indian descent, each comprising about 35% of the total, with those of mixed descent and other ethnic groups comprising the remainder. In 1962, the country became one of the first British territories in the Caribbean to attain independence, retaining the parliamentary political system it inherited from the United Kingdom (UK). In 1976, Trinidad and Tobago became a parliamentary republic, with a president elected by parliament as head of state (in a largely ceremonial role) replacing the British monarch."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Klein, Joshua; Sullivan, Mark P.

  2022-04-19
• Cyber-Securing the Vote: Ensuring the Integrity of the U.S. Election System, Hearing Before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Second Session, July 24, 2018

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  This is the July 24, 2018 hearing on "Cyber-Securing the Vote: Ensuring the Integrity of the U.S. Election System," held before the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. From the opening statement Trey Gowdy: "Our intelligence community, both past and present, concluded this, as did the House Intelligence Committee report, as I am quite certain will the Senate Intelligence Committee report, and, equally importantly, as did our fellow Americans who served on the two grand juries which returned true bills. Just 10 days ago, the current Deputy Attorney General announced Russians engaged in cyber operations to interfere in the 2016 Presidential election. They hacked into computer networks and installed malicious software that allowed them to spy on users, capture keystrokes, take screenshots, and exfiltrate and remove data from these computers. They also discussed the timing of the release in an attempt to enhance the impact on the election." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Christopher Krebs, Thomas Hicks, Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Ricky Hatch.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2018
• Examining the Cryptocurrencies and ICO Markets, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Securities, and Investment of the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Second Session, March 14, 2018

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  This is the March 14, 2018 hearing titled "Examining the Cryptocurrencies and ICO Markets," held before the House Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Securities, and Investment of the Committee on Financial Services. From the opening statement of Bill Huizenga: "The cryptocurrency and initial coin offering (ICO) markets have grown rapidly in recent years, and actually it is more like recent months. Specifically ICOs have been increasingly used by companies to raise capital for their business and products. To that end, people often equate them with a new type of initial public offering or an IPO; however, an ICO is not an IPO. ICOs, whether they represent offerings of securities or not, offer potential for entrepreneurs to raise more effective, transformative, and efficient funding for an innovative project as opposed to a traditional IPO. Although an ICO has the same characteristics of raising capital and accessing new sources of investment, it does not involve an investment in some amount of equity in a company, which is afforded under an IPO, nor does it offer the same amount of investor protections." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Chris Brummer, Mike Lempres, Robert Rosenblum, and Peter Van Valkenburgh.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2018
• Connecting Veterans with PTSD with Service Dogs, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on National Security of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, April 14, 2016

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  This is the April 14, 2016 hearing on "Connecting Veterans with PTSD [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder] with Service Dogs" held before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on National Security of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. From the opening statement of Subcommittee Chairman Ron DeSantis: "Veteran suicides continue to be a national epidemic. Veterans are estimated to have a suicide rate that is 50 percent higher than those who did not serve in the military. A major driver of suicide rates is the incident of posttraumatic stress among our veterans. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), between 11 and 20 percent of those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and/or Enduring Freedom suffer from PTS. [...] One treatment that complements existing therapies is the connection of veterans with PTS with service dogs. These are not comfort dogs or therapy dogs, as useful as those might be. Service dogs perform valuable services for veterans, calming them during a panic attack, turning on lights in a dark home, waking them from nightmares. [...] Veterans cannot wait until 2018 for the VA to introduce the low-cost, low-risk, and high-reward treatment option. The problem of veteran suicide is too urgent. For this reason, I have introduced the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act of 2016, cosponsored by many of my fellow committee members, including members on both sides of the aisle." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Michael Fallon, Rory Diamond, Cole Lyle, and Steve Feldman.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2017
• Unmanned Aerial System Threats: Exploring Security Implications and Mitigation Technologies, Hearing Before Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency of the Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, March 18, 2015

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  This is the March 18, 2015 hearing "Unmanned Aerial System Threats: Exploring Security Implications and Mitigation Technologies," held before the House Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Subcommittee Chairman Scott Perry: "Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released proposed rules to allow for operation of small UAS for non-recreational purposes into domestic airspace. The proposed rules would place numerous limitations on flying small UAS [unmanned aerial systems]: flights could take place only in daylight, the area of operations would be limited, and only visual-line-of-sight operations would be permitted. These proposed rules now are open for public comment. Our hearing today will focus on the security implications of opening our skies to small UAS and how agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), federal, state, and local law enforcement should prepare. Several recent security incidents are concerning. In January, a small quadcopter crashed on the White House lawn. Although the incident seemingly was accidental, it exposed the larger issue of how law enforcement should respond to UAS threats and, subsequently, the Secret Service quickly scheduled exercises in the D.C. area in response. Next, a September 2013 incident where a small UAS landed only inches away from German Chancellor Angela Merkel also exposed serious concerns and the challenge that protective services around the world now face. Last but not least, French police recently were confounded when several unidentified small UAS flew over key Paris landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower as well as nuclear power plants. French authorities are investigating, but again, this incident showcases the challenges for law enforcement to respond swiftly to this new technology." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Todd E. Humphreys, Frederick Roggero, Richard Beary, and Gregory S. McNeal.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2015
• Roadmap for Resilience: Leveraging Technology to Adapt and Thrive Post-Pandemic

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  From The Challenge: "The global disruption of transportation networks due to the impact of a viral pandemic forced governments and agencies to modify, adapt and strategically plan in a way they have rarely done before. Due to the highly infectious nature of this virus, which flourishes in enclosed environments such as planes and trains, public transportation has become a focal point. Whether real or perceived, travelers are wary of their risks of exposure when taking transit creating a simultaneous decrease in transit ridership and subsequent revenues, and an expected increase in traffic congestion. [...] Many of the control measures being applied by cities and transport agencies today are based on World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control recommendations and include measures such as sanitization, personal protective equipment and social distancing. 'This paper focuses on how the latest transportation technologies can also support cities in managing the viral spread while also helping make our networks and services safer, more efficient and more resilient in the long term.'"

  Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc.

  2020-07-07?
• United States Bomb Data Center (USBDC) Arson Incident Report 2021

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  From the Executive Summary: "The 2021 'Arson Incident Report' (AIR) is an informational product prepared by the United States Bomb Data Center (USBDC), using incident data reported in the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS) by its nearly 1,861 interagency partners and more than 9,000 registered users. This report examines the total number of fire-related incidents reported in BATS for calendar year 2021 and includes Incendiary (Arson), Undetermined, Accidental, Threats, Natural, and Wildland fire incidents. It is important to note that BATS is a real-time dynamic incident management system that is strictly user dependent; therefore, it is possible that the data represented in this report may differ slightly from previously reported data due to updates or changes made by the owner of individual records. The reader should also be aware that when compared to the data reflected in the Uniform Crime Report and/or National Fire Incident Reporting System, the number of incidents reflected in BATS captures approximately 20 percent of the annual incendiary (arson) fires reported. Due to this limited dataset, the USBDC cautions the use of this report for analytical purposes."

  United States Bomb Data Center; United States. Department of Justice

  2022?
• Dynamic Terrorism Landscape and What it Means for America, Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, Second Session, February 2, 2022

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  This is the February 2, 2022 hearing on "Dynamic Terrorism Landscape and What it Means for America," held before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security. From the Opening Statement of Bennie G. Thompson: "Today the committee is meeting to examine the dynamic terrorism threat landscape and discuss why the threat is dominated by domestic violent extremists, including White supremacists. Almost 1 year ago, this committee held its first hearing of the 117th Congress, examining the threat of domestic terrorism in the wake of the January 6 Attack on the Capitol. Since that hearing, I have taken on a new role, Chairman of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, where I am working across the aisle to get the bottom of that attack. Here, on the Homeland Security Committee, our mandate is to carry out broader oversight to better understand what DHS, the FBI, and other Federal agencies must do, together with their State and local and private-sector partners, to detect, prevent, and respond to terrorism. Too often our public spaces are subject to shootings or hostage-taking or other violent plots that see grocery stores, schools, houses of worship, or concerts become crime scenes.[...] Our job on this committee is to focus on security and keep our fellow Americans safe. We must prioritize helping people congregate in a manner that allow at-risk communities to live their religious tenets and show kindness to those in need. Today, we have an expert panel of witnesses that will outline the dynamic terrorism threat landscape we face and present their ideas about what we ought to do moving forward." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Nicholas J. Rasmussen, Jonathan Greenblatt, Cynthia Miller-Idriss, and, Bill Roggio.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022
• Nonprofit Security Grant Program and Protecting Houses of Worship: A View from the American Jewish Community, Joint Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, Second Session, February 8, 2022

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  This is the February 8, 2022 hearing on "Nonprofit Security Grant Program and Protecting Houses of Worship: A View from the American Jewish Community," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the Opening Statement of Val Butler Demings: "As someone who spent nearly 3 decades in law enforcement, I was extremely troubled to see neo-Nazis shouting anti-Semitic slurs while parading through the streets of Central Florida. I am relieved that the individuals who viciously attacked a Jewish student have been charged with hate crime assault and grand theft. For one of the group's leaders this is the second time he has been charged with committing violent acts against innocent bystanders this year. These hateful and violent acts followed several incidents in which anti-Semitic flyers were left outside homes across Central Florida. [...] As the terrorism landscape has grown more complex and houses of worship are increasingly being targeted, the demand for this program has risen exponentially. To meet this demand, Congress has increased funding for Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Even with the recent increases, we still see a growing need for organizations to access this funding. With the risk of attacks against faith-based communities, we must continue to invest in their security." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Charlie Cytron-Walker, Yosef Konikov, Eric Fingerhut, and Michael Masters.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022
• H. Rept.117-292, P.1: Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022, Report Together with Minority Views to Accompany H.R. 350, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, April 21, 2022

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  From the Purpose and Summary: "Federal law enforcement agencies have reported that domestic violent extremists pose a steady and evolving threat of violence to our communities and especially to minority institutions. As threats and attacks have moved from one community to the next, the underlying drivers for domestic violent extremism--anti-government sentiment, racism, and anti-Semitism--have remained constant. H.R. 350, the ''Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022'' (DTPA), authorizes the creation of three offices, one each within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to monitor, investigate and prosecute cases of domestic terrorism. The newly created offices would provide joint biannual reports to Congress assessing the state of domestic terrorism threats, with a specific focus on white supremacists. In preparing the reports, the offices would review hate crime incidents to determine if those incidents also constituted domestic terrorism. Based on the data collected, DTPA requires the newly created offices to focus their resources on the most significant threats, as described in detail to Congress in the joint biannual report. DTPA also codifies the Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee, which would coordinate with United States Attorneys and other public safety officials to promote information sharing and ensure an effective, responsive, and organized joint effort to combat domestic terrorism. The legislation requires DOJ, FBI, and DHS to provide training and resources to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in understanding, detecting, deterring, and investigating acts of domestic terrorism and white supremacy. Finally, DTPA directs DHS, DOJ, FBI, and the Department of Defense (DoD) to establish an interagency task force to combat white supremacist infiltration of the uniformed services and federal law enforcement."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022-04-21
• Vaccine Diplomacy in Latin America and the Caribbean: The Importance of U.S. Engagement, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, November 18, 2021

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  This is the November 18, 2021 hearing on "Vaccine Diplomacy in Latin America and the Caribbean: The Importance of U.S. Engagement," held before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues of the Committee on Foreign Relations. From the Opening Statement of Tim Kaine: "Americans have learned a lot of hard lessons since the COVID- 19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic first reached our shores in early 2020: the importance of a strong public health system, the vulnerability of and the valuable work performed by our essential health workers, disparities in our economic system that can be exacerbated by unforeseen crises, the effectiveness of vaccines, and the difficulties of achieving political consensus even when faced with a common threat. Another lesson the pandemic has taught us is that we are inextricably linked to other nations, particularly our neighbors in the Americas. Disease does not stop at borders. Our health, to a degree, depends on the health of our brothers and sisters in Latin America and the Caribbean. [...] We talked in those nations about the effect of a pandemic, but we also heard the gratitude of these nations for U.S. vaccine diplomacy in the region, a common story, and we were arriving in capitals and talking to presidents at about the same time as significant American vaccines were arriving to be distributed in these countries. [...] So after almost 2 years now of living with COVID, this hearing is an opportunity to consider our successes and failures in responding to the pandemic in the Americas and what we can do to continue to improve our efforts in the region." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Kevin O'Reilly, and Peter Natiello.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022
• Afghanistan 2001 to 2021: U.S. Policies Lessons Learned, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, November 17, 2021

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  This is the November 17, 2021 hearing on "Afghanistan 2001 to 2021: U.S. Policies Lessons Learned," held before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the Opening Statement of Robert Menendez: "We are here today to examine the missteps and miscalculations over the past 20 years that led to the ultimate failure of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. The tragic events of this past summer were the culmination of poor decision making by both Republican and Democratic administrations, going back to 2001. The failure to cement democratic gains in Afghanistan and to prevent the reemergence of a terrorist safe haven is a collective failure. It is a tragedy with many authors and origins. We are here today to find out exactly who and what those are." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Laurel E. Miller, and Ryan Crocker.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022
• Oh, Canada! How Outdated U.S. Immigration Policies Push Top Talent to Other Countries, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship of the Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, July 13, 2021

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  This is the July 13, 2021 hearing on "Oh, Canada! How Outdated U.S. Immigration Policies Push Top Talent to Other Countries," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship of the Committee on the Judiciary. From the Opening Statement of Zoe Lofgren: "I would like to welcome our Witnesses and the Members of the Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee to today's hearing to explore how outdated immigration systems damage our ability to compete in a global economy. This brain-drain problem is unfortunately nothing new, but it has taken on a new sense of urgency, as illustrated by this quote from the website of a new company based in Canada: Quote, ''The U.S. work visa crisis continues to worsen. As frustration and uncertainty rises for companies losing talent and professionals facing U.S. work visa issues, we have a compelling solution.'' The compelling solution that this company offers is to help U.S. entities establish virtual subsidiaries in Canada and relocate highly skilled individuals who have been failed by the immigration system out of the United States. Companies are now profiting from our outdated immigration laws. If we want to compete in an increasingly global and technology-driven marketplace, we have to do what we've failed to do for the past 30 years, and that's reform the immigration system so that it is responsive to the changing needs of our country." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Stuart Anderson, Jennifer Grundy Young, Sudip Parikh, and Ronil Hira.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022
• Veterans Health Administration Needs to Do More to Promote Emotional Well-Being Supports Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  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
• Clean Future Act: Powering a Resilient and Prosperous America, Virtual Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Energy of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, March 24, 2021

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  This is the March 24, 2021 hearing on "Clean Future Act: Powering a Resilient and Prosperous America," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. From the Opening Statement of Bobby L. Rush: "Today, the Subcommittee on Energy will hold a legislative hearing as a continuation of the committee's work to address recent grid failures in the south-central region of our Nation. This morning, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing to identify the nature of this problem. We now convene to identify policies that will relaunch a much-needed Federal grid investment in the wake of these tragic failures. In February, extremely frigid, Chicago-like temperatures spread across the south-central region, resulting in historically high energy demand and disastrously low energy supply. This sharp energy decline was a result of every single source of power supply underperforming during the same weather event." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Yvonne McIntyre, Alison Silverstein, Karen G. Wayland, and Eric Hofmann.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022
• United States Coast Guard Ready Workforce 2030

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  From the Executive Summary: "The resiliency, flexibility, and adaptability of our workforce is at the heart of what has made the Coast Guard successful for well over 200 years, and it remains our greatest strength. However, the environment the Coast Guard must navigate to build its force has changed dramatically since 2000 and increasingly since the start of 2020. This rate of change will only continue to accelerate. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is well underway, with deep implications for Service missions, capabilities, and challenges. Continuing demographic and social trends are fundamentally altering the American population from which the Service recruits and serves. The Service is trying to retain its top talent in an increasingly competitive job market shaped by exceptional growth in emerging technology and science. Specialists and generalists alike will increasingly be in high demand, and top performers will want to jump in quickly wherever they are needed. 'Ready Workforce 2030 focuses on creating a system with the ability to generate the force we need, when and where we need it,' moving away from our current predictive workforce modeling."

  United States. Coast Guard

  2022-04
• Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hearing Before the Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives One Hundred Sixteenth Congress Second Session, February 5, 2020

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  This is the February 5, 2020 hearing on "Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation," held before the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary. From the Opening Statement of Jerrold Nadler: "The FBI is filled with brave, devoted public servants who work hard to keep us safe from threats both domestic and foreign, but it is clear that more work needs to be done to shore up public confidence in the Bureau. The FBI's jurisdiction is broad. Among other critical matters, the FBI is responsible for election security, criminal and counterterrorism investigations, our fight against domestic terrorism, and oversight of our public servants. [...] As you testify today, I will be listening to how the FBI plans to counter these threats and secure our elections. I will also be listening for your plans to counter attempts to undermine the integrity of our elections from within." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Christopher A. Wray.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022
• Law Enforcement Departments Have Not Adequately Guarded Against Biased Conduct

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  From the opening letter of Michael S. Tilden: "Our audit of five law enforcement departments throughout the State uncovered the actions of some officers at each department who engaged in biased conduct, either during their on-duty interactions with individuals or online through their social media posts. Although we did not find officers who were members of hate groups, some officers made statements indicating that they support problematic groups. We have included in this report some disturbing content (with some redactions) because we believe that it is important to accurately reflect the nature of the conduct that we observed. We depend on law enforcement departments and the peace officers they employ to ensure that they exercise their unique authority without regard for individuals' identity characteristics, such as race, national origin, or mental or physical disability. What we found is that these five departments have not adequately guarded against biased conduct among their officers: [1] They have not used sufficient strategies to achieve representative diversity in hiring. [2] They have not implemented robust community engagement strategies or employee training practices. [3] They have not established sufficient, proactive processes to identify possibly biased behavior. [4] They have not consistently conducted adequate investigations of alleged biased behavior. [...] This report makes specific recommendations about steps each department can take to better ensure that Californians receive fair and impartial policing services. We also make several recommendations to the Legislature to better align expectations in state law with best practices for addressing bias in policing, such as by adopting a uniform definition of biased conduct, requiring more frequent and thorough training, and increasing independent oversight."

  California. State Auditor (2013- )

  2022-04
• Review of Department of State Evacuations from Wuhan, China in Response to COVID-19

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  From the Summary of Review: "OIG [Office of Inspector General] undertook this review in response to a request made in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. [Public Law] 116-260). The request, detailed in the House Committee on Appropriations report (House Report 116-444), directed OIG to assess the Department of State's (Department) handling of repatriation flights from Wuhan, China, in response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic in early 2020. Congress asked that the review include the Department's interagency coordination, its coordination with state and local officials, its communication with the general public, and its implementation of screening and quarantine protocols for those on the Wuhan evacuation flights. OIG also reviewed the Department's communication with Congress and the extent to which the Department conducted lessons learned reviews or other internal assessments following the Wuhan evacuation flights to improve future pandemic emergency preparedness. Overall, OIG concluded that the Department carried out evacuations of over 800 Americans and others from Wuhan effectively and in accordance with applicable policies and guidelines. OIG found Department personnel coordinated with interagency partners at numerous levels in Washington and in China in planning and carrying out the Wuhan evacuation flights. However, the Department struggled to deliver accurate flight manifests to partner agencies. [...] In carrying out its review, OIG made three observations that, if addressed, could help improve the Department's handling of evacuations in the future: (1) the role of the Department's crisis manager needs further definition, (2) preparation of flight manifests needs more attention, and (3) use of social media during crises needs improvement. These observations are discussed in more detail in the report."

  United States. Department of State. Office of the Inspector General

  2022-05
• Report: Impact of COVID-19 on PSAP Activities

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  From the Executive Summary: "'Emergency services across the world have faced many challenges during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. This report explores the impact on and the response of emergency organisations, primarily in Europe, during the first peak of the crisis'. The report highlights that although some countries did not experience a significant change in the overall number of emergency calls, certain countries, particularly those hit hardest by the outbreak, saw an influx of calls which challenged the capacity of their emergency call centres. Alternative numbers, such as non-emergency medical numbers and dedicated crisis information hotlines, were a useful tool to reduce the number of emergency calls and prevent the saturation of emergency call centres. It is particularly useful if these numbers are already well-established and well-known among the population. In addition, services were often impacted differently, with many countries noting an increase in emergency medical calls and a decrease in non-medical emergency calls (fire and rescue, police). This highlights the importance of fostering synergies between emergency services. Inter-agency cooperation and the pooling of resources should be taken into consideration. Emergency call centres responded in various ways to the challenges faced, including by introducing new protocols and making efforts to increase the number of staff. However, improvements can still be made."

  European Emergency Number Association

  Silva, Marta Azevedo; Michael, Rose

  2020-09-15
• Report: Impact of COVID-19 on PSAP Activities; Appendices

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  This 2020 European Emergency Number Association Appendix features the following appendices: "Appendix 1[:] Call Handling & COVID-19- Related Information Per Country"; "Appendix 2[:] Type of Calls in Data Set"; and "Appendix 3[:] Detailed Reports Per Country."

  European Emergency Number Association

  Silva, Marta Azevedo; Michael, Rose

  2020-09-15
• Agricultural Disaster Assistance [Updated April 29, 2022]

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  From the Document: "The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers several programs to help farmers recover financially from natural disasters, including drought and floods. Most programs have permanent authorization, and one requires a federal disaster designation (the emergency loan program). Most permanent programs receive mandatory funding amounts that are 'such sums as necessary' and are not subject to annual discretionary appropriations. The federal crop insurance program offers subsidized policies designed to protect crop producers from risks associated with adverse weather, as well as weather-related plant diseases and insect infestations and declines in commodity prices. Policies must be purchased prior to the planting season. Eligible commodities include most major crops and many specialty crops (including fruit, tree nut, vegetable, and nursery crops), as well as forage and pastureland for livestock producers. Producers who grow a crop that is currently ineligible for the federal crop insurance program may apply for the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). NAP provides a basic level of coverage (when loss exceeds 50% of expected production) as well as options to purchase additional coverage. Similar to crop insurance, policies must be purchased prior to the planting season."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Stubbs, Megan

  2022-04-29
• Public Law 117-118: Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022

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  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