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Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress [December 23, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report presents background information and issues for Congress concerning the Navy's force structure and shipbuilding plans. The current and planned size and composition of the Navy, the annual rate of Navy ship procurement, the capacity of the naval shipbuilding industry, and the prospective affordability of the Navy's shipbuilding plans have been oversight matters for the congressional defense committees for many years. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's proposed FY2021 shipbuilding program and the Navy's longer-term shipbuilding plans. Decisions that Congress makes on this issue can substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-23
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Resources for Grantseekers [Updated December 23, 2020]
From the Summary: "Federal grants are intended to meet goals authorized by Congress and often target community needs. Federal grants are not guaranteed benefits or entitlements to individuals. Most federal grant funds go to state and local governments, which in turn may award funds as sub-awards to local entities, such as nonprofit organizations. Because of this, contacting federal departments and agencies, state-level grants administering agencies (SAAs), or both to discuss grant opportunities is likely to be an important step for many grantseekers. However, due to limited purposes of grants and competition for available funding, grantseekers seeking government aid might need to search for funding options other than grants. [...] This report provides a brief introduction to the grant process, describes key sources of information on government and private funding, and outlines eligibility for federal grants. This report also includes some sources for information on writing grant proposals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kreiser, Maria
2020-12-23
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Ozone and Particulate Matter Air Standards: EPA Review [Updated December 23, 2020]
From the Document: "The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review standards for national ambient air quality every five years. In 2018, EPA announced strategies to expedite the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) review while concurrently disbanding a pollutant-specific scientific review panel that has historically advised agency staff during their reviews. Although the CAA allows the EPA Administrator to specify the procedures for review of the NAAQS, past EPA reviews and revisions have garnered considerable congressional oversight. In December 2020, EPA completed the particulate matter (PM) NAAQS review and retained the standards. This In Focus discusses the recently completed PM NAAQS review and the ongoing ozone review."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shouse, Kate C.
2020-12-23
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U.S.-Taiwan Trade Relations [Updated December 23, 2020]
From the Document: "Taiwan is a top U.S. trade partner and key link in global technology supply chains, supplying both the U.S. and China markets, although this position is increasingly tenuous with U.S. government efforts to restrict China's access to advanced technologies. Taiwan's economy is highly dependent on global trade, with exports accounting for almost 70% of gross domestic product (GDP). Taiwan is seeking to overcome economic challenges (such as labor mismatches and energy shortages); generate new sources of growth in emerging technologies; and diversify away from its economic dependence on the People's Republic of China (PRC or China). Central to these ambitions is the Taiwan government's effort to start trade talks with the United States. [...] In December 2020, the U.S. Department of Treasury added Taiwan to its monitoring list of major trading partners that merit close attention to their currency practices and macroeconomic policies. Treasury cited a significant expansion in Taiwan's trade (current) account surplus and Taiwan's net foreign exchange purchases of $10.5 billion between July 2019 and June 2020."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sutter, Karen M.
2020-12-23
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Navy Lasers, Railgun, and Gun-Launched Guided Projectile: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 23, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on three new ship-based weapons being developed by the Navy--solid state lasers (SSLs), the electromagnetic railgun (EMRG), and the gun-launched guided projectile (GLGP), also known as the hypervelocity projectile (HVP)--that could substantially improve the ability of Navy surface ships to defend themselves against surface craft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and eventually anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs). Any one of these three new weapons, if successfully developed and deployed, might be regarded as a 'game changer' for defending Navy surface ships against enemy missiles and UAVs. If two or three of them are successfully developed and deployed, the result might be considered not just a game changer, but a revolution. Rarely has the Navy had so many potential new types of surface-ship air-defense weapons simultaneously available for development and potential deployment. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's acquisition strategies and funding requests for these three potential new weapons. Congress's decisions on this issue could affect future Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the defense industrial base. This report supersedes an earlier CRS [Congressional Research Service] report that provided an introduction to potential Navy shipboard lasers. Another CRS report provides an overview of the strategic and budgetary context in which the programs covered in this report, and other Navy programs, may be considered."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-23
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Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 23, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress for three types of large unmanned vehicles (UVs) that the Navy wants to develop and procure in FY2021 and beyond: [1] Large Unmanned Surface Vehicles (LUSVs); [2] Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicles (MUSVs); and [3] Extra-large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (XLUUVs). The Navy wants to acquire these large UVs as part of an effort to shift the Navy to a new fleet architecture (i.e., a new combination of ships and other platforms) that is more widely distributed than the Navy's current fleet architecture. The Navy is requesting $579.9 million in FY2021 research and development funding for these large UVs and their enabling technologies. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's acquisition strategies and FY2021 funding requests for these large UVs. The Navy's proposals for developing and procuring them pose a number of oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on these issues could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding and UV industrial bases."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-23
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 23, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, a program carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy that gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition strategies and proposed funding levels for the Aegis BMD program. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-23
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U.S.-India Trade Relations [Updated December 23, 2020]
From the Background: "The United States and India view[ing] one another as important strategic partners to advance common interests regionally is considered to be a key aspect of strategic ties with potential for more growth. Bilateral trade is about 3% of U.S. world trade. It is more consequential for India; in 2019, the United States was India's largest goods export market (17% share), and third-largest goods import supplier (7%), after China (14%) and the European Union (9%). U.S.-India foreign direct investment (FDI) is limited, but growing. Defense sales also are significant in bilateral trade. Civilian nuclear commerce, stalled for years over differences on liability protections, has produced major potential U.S. supply contracts, dating to the second Obama Administration. Market access and other barriers to trade with India have been long-standing concerns among some Members of Congress and U.S. exporters, and successive U.S. Administrations. Efforts under the Trump Administration to reach a limited bilateral trade deal to address certain frictions did not conclude. President-Elect Joe Biden has expressed interest in cooperating with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on global challenges, but it is uncertain what priority the new Administration will place on bilateral trade issues. Some analysts expect that U.S.- India trade relations may be less strained, but that Congress and the new Administration will continue to seek resolution to ongoing trade frictions in the bilateral relationship."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias; Kronstadt, K. Alan
2020-12-23
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Inaugural Tickets: Past Practices and Considerations for 2021 [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Document: "Since the 20th Amendment was ratified, the oath of office for President of the United States has been administered every four years on January 20. The next presidential inauguration is scheduled to take place on January 20, 2021. The move to the West Front of the Capitol not only accommodated larger crowds who could view the ceremony from the Capitol grounds, but also allowed for use of the National Mall. Additionally, the Architect of the Capitol has been able to build a larger platform on the West Front, which in recent years has accommodated more than 1,600 people. For the 2021 swearing-in ceremony, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) has announced that as a result of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] the in-person audience will be reduced to a size that 'resembles the State of the Union,' with congressional attendance limited to Members of Congress and one guest. Given the limited in-person attendance at the ceremony, the JCCIC is 'working on enhanced opportunities to watch the ceremonies online, in addition to the traditional televised national broadcast.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straus, Jacob R.
2020-12-22
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Lawsuits Against the Federal Government: Basic Federal Court Procedure and Timelines [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Document: "Many federal laws and policy initiatives are challenged in court. In recent years, for instance, plaintiffs have brought cases challenging the Department of Homeland Security's rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the Secretary of Commerce's decision to include a citizenship question on the 2020 Census, and the President's decision to expend certain funds to construct a 'border wall.' Because the defendant in these cases is the United States or an executive official, the cases generally proceed in federal court. By understanding the procedures governing federal court litigation, legislators can consider potential outcomes, estimate timelines, and appreciate the importance of a court's ruling at a particular stage. This In Focus reviews the most common procedures that govern civil suits against the federal government, tracing the path from federal district court to the Supreme Court."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lampe, Joanna R.
2020-12-22
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South China Sea Disputes: Background and U.S. Policy [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Overview: "Multiple Asian governments assert sovereignty over rocks, reefs, and other geographic features in the heavily trafficked South China Sea (SCS), with the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) arguably making the most assertive claims. The United States has no territorial claim in the SCS and does not take a position on sovereignty over any of the geographic features in the SCS, but has urged that disputes be settled without coercion and on the basis of international law. Separate from the sovereignty disputes, the United States and China disagree over what rights international law grants foreign militaries to fly, sail, and operate in a country's territorial sea or Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Since 2013, the sovereignty disputes and the U.S.-China dispute over freedom of the seas for military ships and aircraft have converged in the controversy over military outposts China has built on disputed features in the SCS. Of particular concern to the U.S. military is the possibility that the outposts may be part of a Chinese effort to dominate the South China Sea, with the ultimate goal of making China a regional hegemon that can set the rules by which other regional actors must operate. A long-standing goal of U.S. strategy has been to prevent the emergence of such a regional hegemon. U.S. and regional observers have been alert to other actions China might take to achieve dominance in the SCS."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dolven, Ben; Lawrence, Susan V.; O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-22
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United Nations Issues: Cabinet Rank of the U.S. Permanent Representative [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Document: "The U.S. Permanent Representative is the chief representative of the United States to the United Nations. The President appoints the Permanent Representative with the advice and consent of the Senate. Of the 30 individuals who have served since 1946, approximately two-thirds have been accorded Cabinet rank by Presidents. Some Members of Congress have demonstrated an ongoing interest in the Cabinet rank of the Permanent Representative in the context of the Senate confirmation process and broader U.S. policy toward the United Nations. On November 24, 2020, President-elect Biden announced his intent to nominate Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be Permanent Representative, with Cabinet rank. Biden stated that he will accord Cabinet status to Greenfield 'because I want to hear her voice on all the major foreign policy discussions we have.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchfield, Luisa; Hogue, Henry B.; Chesser, Susan G.
2020-12-22
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2020 Census Fieldwork Delayed by COVID-19 [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Introduction: "In a March 18, 2020, press release (CB20-RTQ.08), U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham announced that the bureau was suspending all 2020 decennial census field operations until April 1. This action, a response to the novel coronavirus disease first observed in 2019 (COVID-19) and designated a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, came at a critical time for the census. Although April 1 was the official Census Day, early data collection began in remote Toksook Bay, Alaska, on January 21. Other tightly timed field operations were underway or imminent, including the bureau's personal outreach to hard-to-count areas and groups. Dr. Dillingham stated on March 18 that if 'additional adjustments' became necessary, the bureau would make them known 'promptly.' [...] A press release dated October 13, 2020 (CB20-CN.119), stated that all 2020 census data collection operations would end not later than October 15, and the deadline held. This In Focus discusses the various major components of the bureau's 2020 census fieldwork, their original and adjusted schedules, and related issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Williams, Jennifer Dingledine, 1945-
2020-12-22
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Defense Primer: The Military Departments [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Document: "There are three military departments within the Department of Defense (DOD): Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, and Department of the Air Force. A military department provides and embodies traditional civilian control of the military. The authority, function, and organization of each military department are established in Title 10 of the United States Code. Since 1947, the military departments have fallen under the Secretary of Defense's authority, direction, and control. According to the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-433), combatant commands are responsible for military operations, whereas military departments are responsible for personnel, training, services, supply, and procurement. Under the leadership of its Secretary, each military department provides conventional, strategic, and special operations forces to conduct military operations within a combatant command. A military department consists of an executive headquarters and various agencies, installations, or field headquarters."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ott, Alan
2020-12-22
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Energy and Water Development Appropriations: Nuclear Weapons Activities [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Summary: "The annual Energy and Water Development appropriations bill funds civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy (DOE), and several independent agencies. The DOE budget funds the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a semiautonomous agency within DOE. NNSA operates three programs: Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, and Weapons Activities. The last is the subject of this report. The Weapons Activities account supports U.S. nuclear warheads, provides the materials and components for those weapons, and sustains the infrastructure that supports that mission. They provide for 'the maintenance and refurbishment of nuclear weapons to continue sustained confidence in their safety, reliability, and performance; continued investment in scientific, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities to enable production and certification of the enduring nuclear weapons stockpile; and manufacture of nuclear weapon components.' NNSA's budget request for FY2021 sought $15.6 billion for Weapons Activities, an increase of 25% over the enacted funding of $12.6 billion in FY2020, within a total budget of $19.8 billion for NNSA. Congress provided $15.3 billion in H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. NNSA has reorganized and renamed its programs areas in its FY2021 budget request."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.; Ryder, Samuel D.
2020-12-22
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Operation Warp Speed Contracts for COVID-19 Vaccines and Ancillary Vaccination Materials [December 22, 2020]
From the Document: "Operation Warp Speed (OWS) is an interagency partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD) that coordinates federal efforts to accelerate the development, acquisition, and distribution of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] medical countermeasures. Collaborating HHS components include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). Although the stated goals of OWS include therapeutics and diagnostics, most of the money awarded to date has focused on vaccines. This Insight summarizes OWS's vaccine-related contracts, including those for ancillary vaccination materials (e.g., needles and vials)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Siddalingaiah, Simi V.
2020-12-22
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Department of the Interior (DOI) Law Enforcement Programs [December 22, 2020]
From the Overview: "As of November 2020, the Department of the Interior (DOI) employed nearly 3,400 law enforcement officers (LEOs) assigned to seven distinct organizational units within five DOI bureaus. These seven units are the Bureau of Land Management (BLM); Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); Bureau of Reclamation (BOR); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS's) Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) and Division of Refuge Law Enforcement (REF); National Park Service (NPS); and U.S. Park Police (USPP) within NPS. DOI's law enforcement contingent is the fourth-largest among executive branch departments, after the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and Veterans Affairs. Law enforcement on lands owned and administered by the federal government is of perennial interest to Congress. This includes issues related to funding, jurisdictional disputes between federal and nonfederal law enforcement agencies, and more recent concerns around excessive force and police-community relations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
DeSantis, Mark K.
2020-12-22
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Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's programs for procuring 8 National Security Cutters (NSCs), 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), and 58 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs). The Coast Guard's proposed FY2021 budget requests a total of $597 million in procurement funding for the NSC, OPC, and FRC programs. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Coast Guard's funding requests and acquisition strategies for the NSC, OPC, and FRC programs. Congress's decisions on these three programs could substantially affect Coast Guard capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-22
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Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [December 22, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) program. The Navy's original FY2021 budget submission requests $4,235.9 million (i.e., about $4.2 billion) in procurement and advance procurement (AP) funding for the program. Press reports in late November 2020 stated that the Trump Administration, as an 11th-hour amendment to the Navy's original FY2021 budget submission, had decided to request the procurement of a second Virginia-class boat in FY2021, and will work with Congress to identify offsets to the Department of Defense's (DOD's) FY2021 budget to pay for procuring a second Virginia-class boat in FY2021. CRS [Congressional Research Service] as of December 1, 2020, had not received any documentation from the Administration detailing the exact changes to the Virginia-class program procurement and AP funding lines that would result from this reported change. Pending the delivery of that information from the Administration, this CRS report continues to use the originally requested FY2021 procurement and AP funding figures for the Virginia-class program in its tables and narrative discussions. Decisions that Congress makes on procurement of Virginia-class boats could substantially affect U.S. Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-22
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Obesity in the United States and Effects on Military Recruiting [December 22, 2020]
From the Background: "Congress has a sustained interest in maintaining capable military forces. To this end, a population of healthy and eligible recruits is important to sustain the military services and meet the annual requirements established by Congress. Though many aspects of health are important, a 2016 Department of Defense (DOD) report found that obesity was one of the main disqualifiers from joining U.S. military service. Obesity in the United States is not a new issue. A report published in 'Health Economics' in 2012 estimated that the percentage of military-age adults ineligible for enlistment because of excessive body fat more than doubled for men and tripled for women during 1959-2008. Since 2008, the percentage of obese youth has continued to increase. The increasing proportion of obese American youth reduces the pool of eligible military recruits. This trend may pose particular challenges with recruiting highly-qualified individuals to service in the U.S. Armed Forces."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tompkins, Erin
2020-12-22
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Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Columbia-class program, a program to design and build a class of 12 new ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy's current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. The Navy has identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy's top priority program. The Navy wants to procure the first Columbia-class boat in FY2021. The Navy's proposed FY2021 budget requests $2,891.5 million in procurement funding, $1,123.2 million in advance procurement (AP) funding, and $397.3 million in research and development funding for the program. The program poses a number of funding and oversight issues for Congress. Decisions that Congress makes on the Columbia-class program could substantially affect U.S. military capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base. [...] This report focuses on the Columbia-class program as a Navy shipbuilding program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-22
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Coast Guard Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The Coast Guard's Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) program envisages procuring up to 35 replacements for the Coast Guard's 35 aging river buoy tenders (WLRs), inland construction tenders (WLICs), and inland buoy tenders (WLIs). The Coast Guard wants to award the first contract for constructing the new WCCs in FY2022, and to have the first new WCC be in service by 2025. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2021 budget requests $25.0 million in procurement funding for the WCC program. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Coast Guard's proposed acquisition strategy and FY2021 funding request for the WCC program. Decisions that Congress makes on this issue could affect Coast Guard capabilities and funding requirements, the U.S. shipbuilding industry, and U.S. waterway commerce."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-22
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Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the 'Gerald R. Ford' (CVN-78) class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN) aircraft carrier program. The Navy's proposed FY2021 budget requests $2,714.2 million (i.e., about $2.7 billion) in procurement funding for the program. Congress's decisions on the CVN-78 program could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-22
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Navy Constellation (FFG-62) Class Frigate (Previously FFG[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and discusses potential issues for Congress regarding the Navy's Constellation (FFG-62) class frigate program, previously known as the FFG(X) program. The FFG-62 class program is a program to procure a new class of 20 guided-missile frigates (FFGs). The Navy's proposed FY2021 budget requests $1,053.1 million (i.e., about $1.1 billion) for the procurement of the second FFG-62. The FFG-62 program presents several potential oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on the program could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base. This report focuses on the FFG-62 program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-22
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Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report presents background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy's Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and Zumwalt (DDG-1000) class destroyer programs. The Navy's proposed FY2021 budget requests funding for the procurement of two DDG-51s. Decisions that Congress makes concerning destroyer procurement could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-22
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Navy LPD-17 Flight II and LHA Amphibious Ship Programs: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on two types of amphibious ships being procured for the Navy: LPD-17 Flight II class amphibious ships and LHA-type amphibious assault ships. Both types are built by Huntington Ingalls Industries/Ingalls Shipbuilding (HII/Ingalls) of Pascagoula, MS. The Navy's FY2021 budget submission poses multiple issues for Congress concerning these two types of ships, including potentially significant institutional issues regarding the preservation and use of Congress's power of the purse under Article 1 of the Constitution, and for maintaining Congress as a coequal branch of government relative to the executive branch. Congress's decisions on the LPD-17 Flight II and LHA programs could also affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-22
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Navy Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Navy's new Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) program, which envisions procuring a class of 28 to 30 new amphibious ships to support the Marine Corps, particularly in implementing a new Marine Corps operational concept called Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO). The Navy's proposed FY2021 budget requests $30 million in research and development funding for initial industry studies and concept design work on the ship. The Navy envisions procuring the ships on an expedited schedule, with the first LAWs potentially being procured in FY2023 and a total of 28 notionally being procured by FY2026. The LAW program poses a number of potential oversight matters for Congress. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's FY2021 funding request and envisioned acquisition strategy for the program. Congress's decisions regarding the program could affect Navy and Marine Corps capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-22
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Navy John Lewis (TAO-205) Class Oiler Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the John Lewis (TAO-205) class oiler shipbuilding program, a program to build a new class of 20 fleet oilers for the Navy. The Navy's proposed FY2021 budget does not request any funding for the procurement of additional TAO-205s. Issues for Congress regarding the TAO-205 program include the number of TAO-205s to procure in FY2021, the number of oilers the Navy will require in coming years to support its operations, and whether to encourage or direct the Navy to build TAO-205s with more ship self-defense equipment than currently planned by the Navy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-22
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SolarWinds Attack--No Easy Fix [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Document: "On December 13, 2020, the cybersecurity firm FireEye published research that a malicious actor was exploiting a supply chain vulnerability in SolarWinds products to hack into government and private sector information technology (IT) networks. SolarWinds confirmed the security incident. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an emergency directive requiring federal agencies to remove certain SolarWinds products from agency networks. Media initially reported that the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments were susceptible to this attack; subsequent reports added additional agencies. The list of compromised agencies and companies is expected to expand. As private sector and government researchers continue investigating this incident, the cybersecurity community expects to learn more about the attack, the adversary, their targets, compromised data and systems, and ways to recover from the incident. This Insight provides an overview of the incident, federal actions, and policy considerations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jaikaran, Chris
2020-12-22
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Navy Large Surface Combatant (LSC) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 22, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The Navy's Large Surface Combatant (LSC) program envisages procuring a class of next-generation cruisers or destroyers to replace the Navy's aging Ticonderoga (CG-47) class Aegis cruisers. The Navy wants to procure the first LSC around FY2028, although that date could change. The Navy's proposed FY2021 budget requests $46.5 million in research and development (R&D) funding for the LSC program in one R&D line item and some additional funding for the program in another R&D line item. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's FY2021 funding request and emerging acquisition strategy for the program. Congress's decisions on this issue could affect future Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-12-22
