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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 585: Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017
"S. 585 would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to prepare two reports and would modify several personnel and administrative procedures at federal agencies-some of which would be specific to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing S. 585 would cost $3 million over the 2018-2022 period; that spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Enacting S. 585 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. The two reports by GAO would discuss retaliation against employees on probationary status and assess management and staffing levels of police officers at VA medical centers. On the basis of costs for similar reports, CBO estimates that completing those reports would cost $2 million over the 2018-2022 period. Additionally, on the basis of information from VA and the Office of Special Counsel, CBO expects that individually, provisions modifying procedures at VA and other federal agencies would have an insignificant budgetary effect because they would either largely codify current practice or affect few people. In total, however, CBO estimates that implementing those provisions would, in total, cost $1 million over the 2018-2022 period."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2017-05-01
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DHS Tracking of Visa Overstays is Hindered by Insufficient Technology
"DHS has primary responsibility for identifying visa overstays and taking enforcement action to address security risks. We conducted this audit to determine the effectiveness of Immigration and Custom Enforcement's (ICE) information technology (IT) systems to review, track, and share information associated with visas."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2017-05-01
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Capital Punishment, 2014-2015
"This report provides information on persons under sentence of death on December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2015. It includes summary trends on the population of inmates under sentence of death, admissions and releases from death row, and the number of persons executed. Also, it includes advance counts on executions in 2016."
United States. Bureau of Justice Statistics
Snell, Tracy L.
2017-05
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Final Sequestration Report for Fiscal Year 2017
"In general, after a session of Congress ends, the Congressional Budget Office [CBO] is required to issue a report that provides estimates of the limits (often called caps) on discretionary budget authority that are in effect for each fiscal year through 2021. As part of that requirement, CBO also must report whether, according to its estimates, enacted legislation for the current fiscal year has exceeded those caps. If so, a sequestration (that is, a cancellation of budgetary resources) would be required. [...] In CBO's estimation, a sequestration will not be required for 2017. However, the authority to determine whether a sequestration is required and, if so, exactly how to make the necessary cuts in budget authority rests with the Administration's Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Those determinations are based on OMB's own estimates of federal spending."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2017-05
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Border Security: Additional Actions Could Strengthen DHS Efforts to Address Subterranean, Aerial, and Maritime Smuggling, Report to Congressional Requesters
"As DHS has increased the security of overland smuggling routes, transnational criminal organizations have adapted their techniques to smuggle drugs and humans through alternative methods. These methods include cross-border tunnels, ultralight aircraft, panga boats, and recreational maritime vessels. While these methods account for a small proportion of known smuggling, they can be used to transport significant quantities of drugs or for terrorist activity. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review DHS's efforts to address subterranean, aerial, and maritime smuggling. This report addresses, among other things, (1) the known prevalence of the aforementioned smuggling methods, (2) efforts to address them, and (3) efforts to assess the results of activities to counter them. GAO analyzed relevant procedures, reports, and data for fiscal years 2011 through 2016. GAO also interviewed DHS officials and conducted site visits to locations in California, Arizona, and Florida, chosen based upon past detection of smuggling by the selected methods, among other things. The information from the site visits is not generalizable, but provided valuable insights."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-05
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Nuclear Waste: Opportunities Exist to Reduce Risks and Costs by Evaluating Different Waste Treatment Approaches at Hanford, Report to Congressional Addressees
"DOE [Department of Energy] oversees the treatment and disposal of about 90 million gallons of radioactive waste from the nation's nuclear weapons program. Most of this waste is stored in tanks at DOE sites in Hanford, Washington, and Savannah River, South Carolina. The less radioactive portion of the tank waste, called LAW [low-activity waste], comprises more than 90 percent of the waste's volume but less than 10 percent of the total radioactivity. DOE has chosen different approaches for treating LAW at the two sites, but it has not made a final decision on how to treat Hanford's supplemental LAW. GAO [Government Accountability Office] examined (1) DOE's reasons for choosing its treatment approaches for LAW at the Savannah River and Hanford Sites, (2) the status of DOE's treatment of LAW at these sites, and (3) experts' views on the likely performance of approaches for treating Hanford's LAW. GAO reviewed technical reports on DOE's waste treatment strategies at the two sites, interviewed DOE officials at headquarters and the sites, and convened an experts' meeting through the National Academies to discuss the effectiveness and risks of vitrification and grout. […] Congress should consider specifically authorizing DOE to classify Hanford's supplemental LAW based on risk, consistent with existing regulatory authorities. GAO also recommends that DOE develop updated information on the performance of treating LAW with alternate methods, such as grout, before it selects an approach for treating supplemental LAW. DOE agreed with both recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-05
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Housing Counseling Disaster Program Guide
From the introduction: "Whether a disaster is brought on by a force of natural or man-made, and no matter what the magnitude of the disaster is, confusion and shock always abound. Households and businesses reeling from a disaster typically find it difficult to understand the wide range of options and resources available to them as they look to rebuild or relocate to permanent housing or base of operations. [...] The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is no stranger to these types of challenges. Since 1968, HUD has helped people overcome barriers to safe, affordable housing through its housing counseling program. This program supports a national network of approved housing counseling agencies which provides education, information, and referrals to address a wide range of financial and housing needs. The Office of Housing Counseling currently has over 1,900 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (HCAs). Many are known and trusted in their communities for providing knowledgeable, individualized housing assistance to individuals and families who live nearby. Housing counseling works. Extensive research, summarized in Appendix 3, documents that households working with a HUD-approved housing counseling agency are more likely to succeed in homeownership, avoid default, and - if in default - obtain a more favorable loan modification and avoid foreclosure when compared with similar families who did not work with HUD-approved housing counseling agencies."
United States. Department of Housing and Urban Development
2017-05-01
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Navy Force Structure: Actions Needed to Ensure Proper Size and Composition of Ship Crews, Report to Congressional Committees
"In 2001, the Navy began reducing crew sizes on surface ships through an initiative called optimal manning, which was intended to achieve workload efficiencies and reduce personnel costs. In 2010, the Navy concluded that this initiative had adversely affected ship readiness and began restoring crew sizes on its ships. The conference report accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 included a provision that GAO [Government Accountability Office] review the Navy's reduced manning initiatives in the surface fleet. This report examines (1) any trends in ship operating and support costs and maintenance backlogs, (2) the extent to which the Navy's manpower requirements process accounts for ship workload, and (3) any manning challenges and implications for the future. GAO analyzed and reviewed data from fiscal years 2000 through 2015 (the most current available) on crew sizes, operating and support costs, material readiness, and the Navy's manpower requirements determination process. GAO also interviewed Department of Defense (DOD) officials and ship crews to discuss workload, manning levels, enablers of smaller crew size, and implications for the future. GAO is making four recommendations that the Navy (1) reassess the standard workweek, (2) require examination of in-port workload, (3) require reassessment of the factors used to develop manpower requirements, and (4) identify the personnel costs needed to man a larger fleet. DOD concurred with each recommendation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-05
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Can Public Diplomacy Survive the Internet?: Bots, Echo Chambers, and Disinformation
"Scientific progress continues to accelerate, and while we've witnessed a revolution in communication technologies in the past ten years, what proceeds in the next ten years may be far more transformative. It may also be extremely disruptive, challenging long held conventions behind public diplomacy (PD) programs and strategies. In order to think carefully about PD in this ever and rapidly changing communications space, the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy (ACPD) convened a group of private sector, government, and academic experts at Stanford University's Hoover Institution to discuss the latest trends in research on strategic
communication in digital spaces. The results of that workshop, refined by a number of follow-on interviews and discussions, are included in this report. I encourage you to read each of the fourteen essays that follow, which are divided into three thematic sections: Digital's Dark Side, Disinformation, and Narratives."
United States. Department of State
Powers, Shawn; Kounalakis, Markos
2017-05
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DoD Health: Actions Needed to Ensure Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury Are Considered in Misconduct Separations, Report to Congressional Committees
"The Carl Levin and Howard P. 'Buck' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 contains a provision that GAO [Government Accountability Office] examine the effect of PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], TBI [traumatic brain injury], and certain other conditions on separations for misconduct. This report examines (1) the number of servicemembers separated for misconduct who were diagnosed with PTSD, TBI, or certain other conditions and were potentially ineligible for VA [Veterans Affairs] benefits and services; (2) the extent to which military services' policies to address the impact of PTSD and TBI on separations for misconduct are consistent with DOD's policies; (3) the extent to which Army and Marine Corps have adhered to their policies; and (4) the extent to which DOD, Army, and Marine Corps monitor adherence to the policies. GAO analyzed DOD data; reviewed applicable policies; interviewed DOD, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy officials; visited two Army and
one Marine Corps sites selected on factors such as separation rates; and reviewed a nongeneralizable sample of Army and Marine Corps servicemember misconduct separation documents. GAO is making five recommendations, including that DOD direct the Air Force and Navy to address inconsistencies in their screening and training policies and ensure that the military services monitor adherence to their screening, training, and counseling policies. DOD agreed with four of GAO's recommendations, but did not agree to address inconsistencies in training policies. GAO maintains inconsistencies should be addressed, as discussed in the report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-05
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Jihadist Maritime Strategy: Waging a Guerrilla War at Sea
"Jihadists have long presented a threat at sea as well as on land but although jihadist military strategy has been the object of considerable analysis and writing over the years, it has been the land-based aspect that has drawn the most attention, while the jihadists' maritime strategy has been relatively neglected. The present study seeks to focus attention on and to better understand the maritime component of jihadist military strategy in order to stimulate thinking and discussion that will help formulate more effective responses to this threat. [...] The thesis of the study is that over the years, rather than maritime attacks being random (apart from some spontaneous lone-wolf attacks), discernible patterns have emerged and that jihadists-and al-Qaeda, in particular-have developed an increasingly coherent maritime strategy. The intent here is to provide an analytical reference source for professional military education, as well as to stimulate thinking and discussion there and in the policy and academic sectors and, at the same time, to develop ideas on how best to deal with this threat."
Marine Corps University (U.S.)
Cigar, Norman L.
2017-05
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Police Response to Domestic Violence, 2006-2015
"An average of 1.3 million nonfatal domestic violence victimizations occurred annually in the United States during the 10-year aggregate period from 2006 to 2015. Police were notified of more than half (56%) of these victimizations (figure 1). When police responded to the scene, they took a report 78% of the time. The victim or other household member signed a criminal complaint against the offender in about half (48%) of victimizations reported to police. The offender was arrested or charges were filed in 39% of reported victimizations, either during the initial response or during the follow-up period. This report primarily uses data from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) for the 10-year aggregate period 2006-15 to examine the reporting of nonfatal domestic violence victimizations to police and police
response to these victimizations."
United States. Bureau of Justice Statistics
Reaves, Brian (Brian A.)
2017-05
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Missile Defense: Some Progress Delivering Capabilities, but Challenges with Testing Transparency and Requirements Development Need to Be Addressed, Report to Congressional Committees
"Since 2002, MDA [Missile Defense Agency] has been developing a Ballistic Missile Defense System [BMDS] comprised of a command and control system, radars that can identify incoming threats, and intercepting missiles. MDA has received approximately $123 billion and is planning to spend an additional $37 billion through fiscal year 2021 to continue its efforts. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 included a provision that GAO [Government Accountability Office] assess the extent to which MDA has achieved its acquisition goals and objectives. This report addresses the progress and challenges in fiscal year 2016 associated with MDA: (1) achieving fiscal year 2016 testing, asset, and capability delivery goals, (2) ensuring transparency of test schedules and costs, and (3) establishing a sound business case for future efforts. GAO reviewed the planned fiscal year 2016 baselines as stated in the BMDS Accountability Report and other program documentation and assessed them against program and baseline reviews and GAO's acquisition best practices guides. In addition, GAO interviewed DOD and MDA officials. [...] GAO is making four recommendations to the Department of Defense to increase transparency into testing and cost estimates, and improve acquisition strategies for MDA's future efforts. DOD concurred with part of GAO's first recommendation, but it did not concur with the remaining parts or other three recommendations. GAO continues to believe the recommendations are valid as discussed in this report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-05
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Indian Affairs: Further Actions Needed to Improve Oversight and Accountability for School Safety Inspections, Report to the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives
"Indian Affairs is responsible for ensuring safe and healthy learning environments for about 41,000 Indian students at 185 BIE [Bureau of Indian Education] schools. In March 2016, GAO [Government Accountability Office] identified numerous weaknesses with BIA's [Bureau of Indian Affairs] school inspections. GAO was asked to review Interior's oversight of BIA's safety program and inspections of BIE schools. Among other issues, GAO examined the extent to which Interior has taken actions to address weaknesses with BIA's safety program, and the extent to which Indian Affairs monitors BIE school safety inspection reports and uses timeliness information to evaluate employee performance. GAO reviewed Interior's internal evaluations; a nongeneralizable sample of 50 randomly selected fiscal year 2016 BIE school inspection reports covering the nine BIA regions with inspection responsibilities for schools; BIA regional documentation of employee appraisals; and performance management practices in four BIA regions selected for geographic diversity and a range of safety inspection results. [...] GAO is making six recommendations to Interior, including to take steps to address previously identified weaknesses in BIA's safety program; establish processes to monitor the quality and timeliness of BIE school inspection reports; and use timeliness information to better assess employee performance. Interior agreed with all six recommendations and noted several actions it plans to take to address them."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-05
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Iraq: DOD Needs to Improve Visibility and Accountability Over Equipment Provided to Iraq's Security Forces, Report to Congressional Requesters
"In 2014, Congress authorized the creation of ITEF [Iraq Train and Equip Fund] to provide equipment and other assistance to Iraq's security forces, including the Kurdistan Regional Government forces, to counter the expansion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. As of December 2016, DOD had disbursed about $2 billion of the $2.3 billion Congress appropriated for ITEF in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 to purchase, for example, personal protective equipment, weapons, and vehicles for these forces. DOD's web-based SCIP [Security Cooperation Information Portal] provides U.S. government personnel and others transportation information on DOD equipment imported from other DOD data systems or reported by SCIP users. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review DOD's accountability of ITEF-funded equipment. This report assesses the extent to which DOD maintains visibility and accountability of ITEF-funded equipment from acquisition through transfer to the government of Iraq or the Kurdistan Regional Government. GAO analyzed DOD guidance, procedures, SCIP data, and transfer documentation and interviewed officials from DOD agencies with a role in the ITEF equipping process in the United States, Kuwait, and Iraq. [...] GAO is making four recommendations that include identifying the root causes for addressing why DOD is not capturing ITEF-funded equipment transportation dates in SCIP and developing an action plan to address these issues. DOD generally concurred with GAO's recommendations and stated that it would develop a plan."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-05
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Political Violence Against Americans 2016
"Since its inception in 1987, the goal of 'Political Violence Against Americans' has been to provide the reader with an awareness of the hazards facing U.S. interests abroad by chronicling incidents of terrorism and political violence impacting U.S. citizens and facilities overseas. This publication is not an all-inclusive compendium of acts targeting U.S. interests, but rather a sampling of events involving private Americans and U.S. Government personnel (including locally hired foreign nationals serving at U.S. diplomatic missions), as well as U.S. diplomatic and private sector installations. Whenever possible, the goals and ideologies of those responsible have been included; however, in some cases, incidents have been included despite a lack of clarity as to the motive or direct target, due to the clear intent to cause harm. In addition, some incidents may have been omitted due to their sensitive nature, as have the names of American citizens for privacy purposes."
United States. Department of State. Bureau of Diplomatic Security
2017-05
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Wildland Fire Risk Reduction: Multiple Factors Affect Federal-Nonfederal Collaboration, but Action Could Be Taken to Better Measure Progress, Report to Congressional Requesters
"Dense vegetation, drought, and other factors have resulted in more severe wildland fires in recent years. At the same time, development in and around wildlands continues to increase, with some communities experiencing devastating effects from wildland fire. To reduce risk to communities, federal agencies and nonfederal stakeholders can collaborate in various ways. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review collaboration to reduce wildland fire risk to communities. This report examines federal officials' and stakeholders' views on (1) factors that affect federal-nonfederal collaboration aimed at reducing wildland fire risk to communities and (2) actions that could improve their ability to reduce risk to communities. GAO reviewed laws and documents about collaboration on wildland fire management; compared agency efforts with guidance; and interviewed officials from a nongeneralizable sample of 10 federal land management units selected based on wildland fire potential, geographic diversity, and other factors. GAO also interviewed stakeholders including community members near the selected units and representatives of nonfederal entities involved in fire risk-reduction efforts. [...] GAO recommends that the Forest Service and Interior work with WFLC [Wildland Fire Leadership Council] to develop measures to assess progress toward achieving the Cohesive Strategy's goals. The Forest Service agreed with GAO's recommendation, while Interior did not. GAO believes the recommendation is valid, as discussed in the report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-05
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Exploring Elder Financial Exploitation Victimization: Identifying Unique Risk Profiles and Factors to Enhance Detection, Prevention and Intervention
The purpose of this report is to "explore risk factors across the socioecological framework (i.e. individual, perpetrator and community-levels) to identify the most important factors that differentiate elder
financial exploitation (FE) from other forms of abuse as well as pure FE from hybrid FE." According to the results and conclusion in the abstract, "financially-based variables are the best predictors of FE versus other forms of abuse, but apparent injury appears to be the most important indicator of other forms of abuse even in the presence of FE. [...] Different factors across the socioecological context are needed to reliably differentiate between elder FE and other forms of abuse as well as pure versus hybrid FE. These factors will also vary depending on the perspective one takes regarding the linearity of the interactions between the different factors. The findings provide support for the need to differentiate between types of abuse and subtypes of elder FE and the need for frontline workers and social service agencies and researchers to account for variables across the socioecological context when developing surveillance, intervention and prevention programs."
National Institute of Justice (U.S.)
Burnett, Jason; Xia, Rui; Suchting, Robert . . .
2017-05
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Incident Response Plan Guidance
"Under the provisions of select agent regulations (7 CFR §331.14, 9 CFR §121.14, and 42 CFR §73.14), an entity registered with the Federal Select Agent Program is required to have plans in place in the event of a natural and/or man-made disaster. This guide is to assist the regulated community in developing a site-specific incident response plan to ensure the security and safeguarding of select agents and toxins from natural and man-made disasters."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2017-05
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HSx Core Competency: Expeditionary Learning [presentation]
This presentation and resource list is from the HSx Core Competency Course on Expeditionary Learning. "Expeditionary learning is a learning philosophy based on the notion that learning is most effective when done within the context of its application, and through a series of hands-on, self-directed, experiments and experiences." Advanced Thinking in Homeland Security (HSx) is an 18-month collaborative program from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security. Additional information about the HSx program can be found at the following link: [https://www.chds.us/hsx/].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Argonne National Laboratory
2017-05
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U.S. Policy Response to Cyber Attack on SCADA Systems Supporting Critical National Infrastructure
"This paper discusses federal efforts to unify the public and private domestic sectors in the defense against cyber attack on the industrial control systems (ICS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems that underpin US critical national infrastructure, to offer policy recommendations for synchronizing foreign and domestic cybersecurity efforts, and to realize a resilient and secure infrastructure. The paper intends to provide a policy-level rather than technically-focused discussion. The research was conducted using open-source methods with an intentional focus on US government and media perspectives found in the public record. That is where US international and domestic policies truly take shape. The discussion begins with an examination of what constitutes critical national infrastructure and the roles of ICS and SCADA systems within it. The paper then describes the panoply of actors, vulnerabilities, late-to-need cybersecurity, and threat trends. The examination also touches on the political and social challenges in achieving greater cybersecurity, and then shifts to a description of how the US government divides efforts among its lead cybersecurity agencies and what responses to a cyber attack on ICS or SCADA might look like. The discussion finishes with recommendations for strengthened international consensus on norms for state behavior, formalized public-private relationships, and interagency efforts to realize a more secure and resilient national infrastructure. Actions on many of these recommendations are under way now in dynamic virtual and policy environments, but their momentum should not diminish or the United States risks ceding its strategic power and security."
Air University (U.S.). Air Force Research Institute
Weed, Scott A.
2017-05
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HSx Homeland Security: Drought Constrains Economic Development
This presentation and resource list is from the HSx Homeland Security Course on Drought Constrains Economic Development. "While not exhaustive, the following resources provide a roadmap to understanding the impact of drought on economic development, both domestically and globally. These resources provide a baseline of understanding, but as the scientific research continues to evolve, new data will become available and resource lists will require updates." Advanced Thinking in Homeland Security (HSx) is an 18-month collaborative program from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security. Additional information about the HSx program can be found at the following link: [https://www.chds.us/hsx/].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Argonne National Laboratory
2017-05
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Command of the Trend: Social Media as a Weapon in the Information Age
"This study demonstrates how social media is a tool for modern warfare in the information age. The report builds on analysis of three distinct topics: social networking, propaganda, and news and information sharing. Two case studies are used to show how state and non-state actors can use social media to employ time-tested propaganda techniques to yield far-reaching results. The spread of the propaganda message is accomplished by tapping into an existing narrative, then amplifying that message with a network of automatic bot accounts to force the social media platform algorithm to recognize that message as a trending topic. The first case study analyzes ISIS as the non-state actor, and the second observes Russia as the state actor, with each providing evidence of successful weaponizing of social media. The paper concludes that weaponization of social media will continue to be a decisive factor in future warfare as more countries attempt to build influence operations on social media in the same way Russian operators conducted information warfare against the United States in the 2016 Presidential Election."
Air University (U.S.). School of Advanced Air and Space Studies
Prier, Jarred
2017-05-01
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Counter-Social Movement Approach to Deconstructing Daesh
From the thesis abstract: "Current operational approaches against Daesh are predicated upon its categorization as either a state or terrorist organization. When viewed as a state, Daesh seems most likely to succumb to the application of decisive action as described in US Army unified land operations doctrine. For those who see Daesh as a terrorist organization, Army counterinsurgency doctrine seems to offer the best approach. If, however, Daesh does not fit neatly into either of these categories, one must question the effectiveness of combating Daesh according to either of these operational approaches. As an alternative, the US military could view Daesh as a transnational social movement organization (SMO), and by doing so, planners could develop a more effective operational approach to counteract movements like Daesh. This argument hinges on analyzing Daesh according to the political process model (PPM) of social movement theory (SMT) to determine lines of effort (LOE) against which US military forces could best apply resources to counteract the SMO. This study is divided into four sections. The first section constitutes an overview of SMT as a form of contentious politics. The second section presents a comprehensive history of Daesh. The third section explicitly applies the PPM to Daesh. The final section analyzes the US government's current counter-Daesh strategy, and offers, as an alternative based upon the PPM, a set of LOE against which resources could best be applied to effectively counteract the movement."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Sweatland, Jacob
2017-05
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National Fire Estimation Using NFIRS Data White Paper
From the Overview: "This white paper presents two methodologies to derive a national estimate for the total number of fire incidents in the U.S. using the incident data submitted to the NFIRS [National Fire Incident Reporting System]. The 2010 validated fire incident data from the NFIRS was used as the basis. There were several reasons for this choice. First, at the time of the initial study in 2012, it was the most recent NFIRS fire incident data available. Second, in using the 2010 NFIRS data, there would be no lag between the population characteristics collected from the 2010 Census and the 2010 fire incidents as reported in the NFIRS. Lastly, demographic data at appropriate geographic levels was available for geographies in 2010. A subsequent application of the methodology to 2009 and 2011 NFIRS fire incident data was undertaken to assess the robustness of the methodology."
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2017-05
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How the Virginia Uses Collaboration and Coordination to End Homelessness Statewide
From the Document: "The Commonwealth of Virginia has made significant progress in the work to prevent and end homelessness. We've reduced overall homelessness by 31% and family homelessness by 37.6% from 2010 to 2016. And in November 2015, we became the first state to effectively end Veteran homelessness. We credit that progress to leadership from successive Governors, strong state agency partnerships, and the dedication of local communities to working collaboratively to embrace the strongest practices"
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
Kestner, Pamela; Robertson, Kathy
2017-05
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Net Neutrality Debate: Access to Broadband Networks [May 1, 2017]
"As congressional policymakers continue to debate telecommunications reform, a major discussion point revolves around what approach should be taken to ensure unfettered access to the Internet. The move to place restrictions on the owners of the networks that compose and provide access to the Internet, to ensure equal access and nondiscriminatory treatment, is referred to as 'net neutrality.' While there is no single accepted definition of 'net neutrality,' most agree that any such definition should include the general principles that owners of the networks that compose and provide access to the Internet should not control how consumers lawfully use that network, and they should not be able to discriminate against content provider access to that network. [...] The FCC's [Federal Communications Commission] move to reexamine its existing open Internet rules has reopened the debate over whether Congress should consider a more comprehensive measure to amend existing law to provide greater regulatory stability and guidance to the FCC. Whether Congress will choose to address more comprehensive legislation, to amend the 1934 Communications Act, to provide a broad-based framework for such regulation, remains to be seen."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gilroy, Angele A.
2017-05-01
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Executive Order for Review of National Monuments [May 1, 2017]
"The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes the President to proclaim national monuments on federal lands that contain 'historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest.' The President is to reserve 'the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected.' From 1906 to date, Presidents have established 157 monuments and have enlarged, diminished, or otherwise modified previously proclaimed monuments. On April 26, 2017, President Trump issued an executive order requiring the Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI) to review national monuments established or expanded by Presidents since 1996. (See Table 1.) The order requires review of national monuments where the size at establishment or after expansion exceeded 100,000 acres or where the Secretary determines that the action was taken 'without adequate public outreach and coordination.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hardy Vincent, Carol; Hanson, Laura A.
2017-05-01
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Financial CHOICE Act (H.R. 10) and the Dodd- Frank Act [May 1, 2017]
"Representative Jeb Hensarling, chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, introduced the Financial CHOICE Act of 2017(H.R. 10) on April 26, 2017. The House Committee on Financial Services has scheduled a markup of H.R. 10 on May 2, 2017. The bill is a wide-ranging proposal with 12 titles that would alter many parts of the financial regulatory system. H.R. 10 is similar to, but has several major differences from, H.R. 5983 from the 114th Congress (called the Financial CHOICE Act of 2016). The next section highlights major proposals included in the bill, as introduced. It is not a comprehensive summary."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2017-05-01
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UPDATE: A Steely Look at Steel: Commerce Directed to Prioritize Investigation of the Effects of Steel Imports on National Security [May 1, 2017]
"On April 20, 2017, President Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum ('Memorandum') directing the Secretary of Commerce ('Secretary') to prioritize investigating the effects of steel imports on national security pursuant to Section 232(b) of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Under the Act, if the Secretary determines that steel 'is being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security,' the President is authorized to take actions 'to adjust the imports of the article and its derivatives so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security.' While not explicitly specified by the statute, such actions might include imposing import quotas, imposing license fees on imported goods, or negotiating trade agreements that otherwise restrict the importation into or exportation to the United States of the imported article."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2017-05-01
