Advanced search Help
Resource Type or Special Collection is CRS Reports
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Federal Contested Elections Act: Overview and Recent Contests in the House of Representatives [January 19, 2021]
From the Document: "The Federal Contested Elections Act (FCEA; 2 U.S.C. §§381-396), enacted in 1969, rests at the intersection of federal election law and policy, legislative procedure, and constitutional provisions regarding congressional authority over House elections and membership. This CRS [Congressional Research Service] In Focus provides a brief overview of the FCEA and highlights recent contests initiated under the statute. FCEA contests rarely change election results, as doing so typically requires the House to overturn a state-certified election result."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-; Whitaker, L. Paige; Davis, Christopher M., 1966-
2021-01-19
-
COVID-19 Relief Assistance to Small Businesses: Issues and Policy Options [Updated January 15, 2021]
From the Summary: "The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several types of programs to support small businesses, including direct disaster loan programs for businesses, homeowners, and renters; loan guaranty and venture capital programs; management and technical assistance training programs; and contracting programs. Congressional interest in these programs has always been high, primarily because small businesses are viewed as a means to stimulate economic activity and create jobs, but it has become especially acute in the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's widespread adverse economic impact on the national economy. This report provides a brief description of the SBA's programs and examines congressional action to assist small businesses during and immediately following the Great Recession (2007- 2009) and during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Lowry, Sean
2021-01-15
-
Impeachment and Trial of a Former President [January 15, 2021]
From the Document: "For the second time in just over a year, the House of Representatives has voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump. The House previously voted to impeach President Trump on December 18, 2019, and the Senate voted to acquit the President on February 5, 2020. Because the timing of this second impeachment vote is so close to the end of the Trump Administration, it is possible that any resulting Senate trial may not occur until after President Trump leaves office on January 20, 2021. This possibility has prompted the question of whether the Senate can try a former President for conduct that occurred while he was in office."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cole, Jared P.; Garvey, Todd
2021-01-15
-
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative [Updated January 15, 2021]
From the document: "The United States developed the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), a regional U.S. foreign assistance program, in 2009 through a process of dialogue with Caribbean countries. The initiative seeks to reduce illicit trafficking in the region, advance public safety and security, and promote social justice. Because of their geographic location, many Caribbean nations are vulnerable to being used as transit countries for illicit drugs from South America destined for the U.S. and European markets. Strengthened U.S. counternarcotics cooperation with Mexico and Central America--through the Mérida Initiative and the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI)--led U.S. policymakers to anticipate a potential increase in narcotics trafficking through the Caribbean. Many Caribbean countries have also suffered high rates of violent crime, including murder, often associated with drug trafficking activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2021-01-15
-
CRS Series: Introduction to Financial Services-117th Congress [Updated January 15, 2021]
From the document: "The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has created a series providing an introduction to various financial services issues in the 117th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc; Gnanarajah, Raj
2021-01-15
-
Aviation Security Measures and Domestic Terrorism Threats
From the document: "After the January 6, 2021, security breach of the United States Capitol, some Members of Congress have advocated restricting the air travel of individuals who may seek to incite or carry out further violence. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)is reportedly considering placing individuals who illegally entered the Capitol on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) No-Fly List. This In Focus discusses the circumstances under which air carriers, TSA, and other federal authorities may restrict domestic airline travel in response to security threats."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elias, Bartholomew
2021-01-15
-
Defense Primer: Commanding U.S. Military Operations [Updated January 15, 2021]
From the Document: "Military operations, both in peacetime and in war, are an inherently complex undertaking. One key to success, therefore, is a clear, unified chain of command. This enables senior leaders in the U.S. government--in particular, the President and the Secretary of Defense--to command and control military forces around the world."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McInnis, Kathleen J.
2021-01-15
-
Defense Primer: Navigating the NDAA [Updated January 15, 2021]
From the Document: "The annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has a legacy of regular passage. FY2021 marked the 60th consecutive year for which an annual defense authorization was enacted. Many defense policymakers and officials see the bill as a reliable legislative vehicle for a range of policy matters. In recent years, the NDAA has included more than 1,000 pages of policy provisions and annual authorizations of appropriations in excess of $700 billion. Unlike an appropriations bill, the NDAA does not provide budget authority for the Department of Defense (DOD). Instead, the NDAA establishes or continues defense programs, policies, projects, or activities at DOD and other federal agencies, and provides guidance on how the appropriated funds are to be used in carrying out those authorized activities. This primer provides an overview of the structure and organization of the NDAA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McGarry, Brendan W.; Heitshusen, Valerie
2021-01-15
-
Defense Primer: The Department of Defense [Updated January 15, 2021]
From the Document: "The Department of Defense (DOD) was established after World War II through the 1947 National Security Act. At the time, some, including President Truman, took the view that the different components of the U.S. military had been insufficiently integrated to wage World War II effectively. The intention of the 1947 Act was therefore to create, for the first time, an integrated institution that combined the Departments of War and Navy, and to establish a policy architecture for overseeing the newly reorganized military apparatus. Over time, DOD has grown into one of the largest bureaucracies in the world, comprising over 3 million employees stationed across the United States and around the globe."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McInnis, Kathleen J.
2021-01-15
-
Economic Sanctions: Overview for the 117th Congress [January 15, 2021]
From the Document: "Economic sanctions in furtherance of foreign policy and national security objectives are coercive economic measures taken against a target to bring about a change in behavior. In U.S. foreign policy and national security, sanctions can include such measures as trade embargoes; restrictions on particular exports or imports; denial of foreign assistance, loans, and investments; blocking of foreign assets under U.S. jurisdiction; and prohibition on economic transactions that involve U.S. citizens or businesses. Secondary sanctions are sometimes used to put additional pressure on the sanctions target. They penalize third parties engaged in activities with the primary sanctions target that undermine or evade the purpose of the sanctions regime."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rennack, Dianne E.; Nelson, Rebecca M.
2021-01-15
-
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) [January 15, 2021]
From the Background: "According to the Army, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles (FoV) is an Army-led, joint-service program designed to replace a portion of each service's light tactical wheeled vehicle fleets. The JLTV FoV consists of two variants: the four-seat Combat Tactical Vehicle (CTV) (Figure 1) and the two-seat Combat Support Vehicle (CSV) (Figure 2). The CTV is to support the General Purpose, Heavy Gun Carrier, and Close Combat Weapon Carrier missions. The CSV is to support the Utility/Shelter Carrier mission. The JLTV is transportable by a range of lift assets, including rotary-wing aircraft. Its maneuverability enables activities across the spectrum of terrain, including urban areas, while providing inherent and supplemental armor against direct fire and improvised explosive device threats."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2021-01-15
-
Internal Revenue Service's Enforcement Budget and Tax Compliance [January 15, 2021]
From the Document: "This Insight examines key considerations in the debate over whether the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS's) current enforcement budget is adequate to improve tax compliance--especially among high-income persons and pass-through business owners."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Guenther, Gary L.
2021-01-15
-
Open Skies Treaty: Background and Issues [Updated January 15, 2021]
From the Document: "The United States announced its intention to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies on May 22, 2020; this withdrawal took effect on November 22, 2020. Russia has also announced its plans to withdraw, noting that it would begin the domestic procedures for withdrawal on January 15, 2021, and would then send the official notification to the other treaty parties. The United States, Canada, and 22 European nations signed this treaty on March 24, 1992. It entered into force on January 1, 2002, and had 34 members before the U.S. withdrawal. The parties permit unarmed observation aircraft to fly over their entire territories to observe military forces and activities. The treaty is designed to increase transparency, build confidence, and encourage cooperation among European nations. [...] With the United States withdrawal from the Treaty, it will no longer participate in flights or share data collected by others. Russian officials insisted that the remaining participants not share data collected on Open Skies flights with the United States. They also indicated that they expected to continue to fly over U.S. bases and facilities located on the territories of other treaty parties. After the other parties rejected these conditions, Russia announced its plans to withdraw from the treaty."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2021-01-15
-
U.S. Export Control Reforms and China: Issues for Congress [Updated January 15, 2021]
From the Document: "Over the past two years, the U.S. government has reformed--through legislation, regulation, and licensing practices--the export control system that regulates dual-use exports (goods and technology that have both civilian and military uses). These changes largely aim to address concerns about China's attempts to seek global civilian and military leadership in advanced and emerging technologies through coordinated industrial policies. Some of these reforms have prompted U.S. business concerns because they tighten technology trade with China, which is a growing market for many firms. Other reforms--such as setting emerging technology controls, expanding controls on existing technologies of concern, and reforming the licensing process--are ongoing. Congress has an important role in overseeing the reforms it legislated and shaping the evolving U.S. export control regime."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sutter, Karen M.; Fergusson, Ian F.
2021-01-15
-
U.S.-China Investment Ties: Overview [Updated January 15, 2021]
From the Background: "Investment is playing a growing role in U.S. commercial ties with the People's Republic of China (PRC or China). For many years, the PRC government invested much of its foreign exchange reserves in U.S. assets, particularly U.S. Treasury securities. China is the world's largest holder of foreign exchange reserves and had $3.2 trillion in reserves as of November 2020. [...] Since 1999, the PRC government has pushed an outward investment policy that has sought to diversify its overseas investments into hard assets by encouraging its companies--many of them state-tied firms--to invest overseas. These investments have targeted gaining access to critical raw materials and cutting-edge technology and establishing an overseas presence to expand infrastructure and create markets for Chinese goods and services. While a significant share of China's investment in the United States is in U.S. public and private securities, U.S. capital flowing into China largely has taken the form of foreign direct investment (FDI), in part due to China's restrictions on portfolio investment and investment rules that tie sales and procurement requirements or incentives to an investment or manufacturing presence. Initial U.S. investment in China focused on export-oriented manufacturing. Since the 1990s, U.S. investment has expanded into manufacturing, distribution, and services for the domestic market as well. In recent years, China has also sought to open gradually certain participation in its capital and debt markets to foreign investors."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwarzenberg, Andres B.; Sutter, Karen M.
2021-01-15
-
U.S. Agent Orange/Dioxin Assistance to Vietnam [Updated January 15, 2021]
From the Summary: "U.S. assistance to Vietnam for the environmental and health damage attributed to a dioxin contained in Agent Orange and other herbicides sprayed over much of the southern portion of the country during the Vietnam War remains a significant bilateral issue. Between fiscal years (FY) 2007 and 2021, Congress appropriated nearly $390 million to address these two issues. This includes $60 million in Department of Defense funds transferred to the Secretary of State, for use by the U.S. Agency for International Development [USAID], for the dioxin clean-up at the Bien Hoa airbase. Most of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for the environmental remediation of Danang airport, one of the major airbases used for storing and spraying the herbicides between 1961 and 1971. Following completion of the Danang project in 2017, the environmental remediation funds have been obligated for preparatory work on the Bien Hoa airbase. A lesser amount of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for assistance to Vietnam's persons with disabilities, generally, but not always, in the vicinity of Danang or other dioxin-contaminated areas. Congressional interest in Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam has largely been focused on two issues. The first issue is determining the appropriate amount and type of assistance to provide to address the environmental damage and the health effects of dioxin contamination in Vietnam. The second issue is oversight of how such assistance has been utilized by the State Department and USAID."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Martin, Michael F.
2021-01-15
-
U.S. Secret Service: Threats to and Assaults on Presidents and Vice Presidents [January 15, 2021]
From the Overview: "On January 6, 2021, Vice President Mike Pence was presiding over a joint session of Congress to certify the November 2020 presidential election electoral votes when a crowd breached the U.S. Capitol's security. Due to these events, some Members of Congress have expressed a renewed interest in U.S. Secret Service (USSS) protective detail operations. USSS has two mandated missions: (1) criminal investigations, and (2) protection of persons and facilities. Criminal investigations focus primarily on financial crimes, whereas protection focuses on the safety and security of specific government officials and specifically identified government facilities. The criminal investigation mission is the USSS's oldest mission; however, the protection mission is the one that often receives the most public and media attention. USSS protects the President, Vice President, their families, former Presidents, and major candidates for those offices, along with the White House and the Vice President's official residence. Protective activities also extend to foreign missions in the District of Columbia (embassies, consulates, residences, and other buildings used by foreign governments) and to designated individuals, such as the Secretary of Homeland Security and visiting dignitaries. Separate from protecting these specific mandated individuals and facilities, USSS is responsible for coordinating security activities for National Special Security Events (NSSE), including inauguration ceremonies, major party quadrennial national conventions, and certain international conferences and events held in the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2021-01-15
-
Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated January 15, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Columbia (SSBN-826) class program is 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. Research and development work on the program has been underway for several years, and advance procurement (AP) funding for the first boat began in FY2017. [...] Issues for Congress for the Columbia-class program include the following: [1] the risk--due to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] situation, technical challenges, and/or funding-related issues-- of a delay in designing and building the lead Columbia-class boat, which could put at risk the Navy's ability to have the boat ready for its first scheduled deterrent patrol in 2031, when it is to deploy in the place of the first retiring Ohio-class SSBN; [2] whether the Navy has accurately priced the work it is proposing to do in the Columbia-class program in FY2021; [3] the risk of cost growth in the program; [4] the potential impact of the Columbia-class program on funding that will be available for other Navy programs, including other shipbuilding programs; and [5] potential industrial-base challenges of building both Columbia-class boats and Virginia-class attack submarines (SSNs) at the same time."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-01-15
-
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and COVID-19 [Updated January 14, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not currently have a specific standard that protects health care or other workers from airborne or aerosol transmission of disease or diseases transmitted by airborne droplets. Some in Congress, and some groups representing health care, meat and poultry processing, and other workers, are calling on OSHA to promulgate an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect workers from exposure to SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) gives OSHA the ability to promulgate an ETS that would remain in effect for up to six months without going through the normal review and comment process of rulemaking. OSHA, however, has rarely used this authority in the past--not since the courts struck down its ETS on asbestos in 1983."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2021-01-14
-
Brexit and Outlook for a U.S.-UK Free Trade Agreement [Updated January 14, 2021]
From the document: "The United Kingdom (UK) is a major U.S. trade and economic partner, and foreign direct investment (FDI) and affiliated activity are key aspects of bilateral ties. The United States is the UK's largest trading partner by country, while the European Union (EU), as a bloc, is its largest overall partner. Brexit, the UK's withdrawal from the EU, and the conclusion of a new UK-EU trade agreement are significant for a potential U.S.-UK free trade agreement (FTA), initiated by the Trump Administration. If a Biden Administration continues FTA negotiations, Congress may actively monitor and shape them, and could consider implementing legislation for any final agreement"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias; Fefer, Rachel F.; Schwarzenberg, Andres B.
2021-01-14
-
Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated January 14, 2021]
From the document: "The Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program is a program to acquire three new PSCs (i.e., heavy polar icebreakers), to be followed years from now by the acquisition of up to three new Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) (i.e., medium polar icebreakers). The PSC program has received a total of $1,169.6 million (i.e., about $1.2 billion) in procurement funding through FY2020, including $135 million in FY2020, which was $100 million more than the $35 million that the Coast Guard had requested for FY2020. With the funding it has received through FY2020, the first PSC is now fully funded and the second PSC has received initial funding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-01-14
-
Global Human Rights: International Religious Freedom Policy [Updated January 14, 2021]
From the Introduction: "For decades, U.S. policymakers have sought to promote religious freedom abroad, reflecting both support for human rights in U.S. foreign policy as well as the particular emphasis on freedom of religion in U.S. domestic law and political culture. Protection of religious freedom is also affirmed in international law through the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and other instruments. Congress has been an advocate for international religious freedom issues and has sought to ensure continued support for religious freedom as a focus of U.S. foreign policy, most prominently through passage of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weber, Michael A.
2021-01-14
-
Export Controls: Key Challenges [Updated January 14, 2021]
From the Overview: "Congress has authorized the President to control the export of various items for national security, foreign policy, and economic reasons. Separate programs and statutes exist for controlling different types of exports, including nuclear materials and technology, defense articles and services, and dual-use items and technology--items that have both civilian and military uses. Under each program, U.S. government review and licenses of various types are required before export. The Departments of Commerce, State, and Energy administer these programs, in cooperation with input from other relevant agencies. At the same time, Congress also legislates country-specific sanctions that restrict aid, trade, and other transactions to address U.S. policy concerns about weapons proliferation, regional stability, and human rights, some of which are administered by the Department of the Treasury."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fergusson, Ian F.
2021-01-14
-
House Sergeant at Arms: A Primer [January 14, 2021]
From the Document: "The Sergeant at Arms is an elected officer of the House of Representatives and is the chamber's primary law enforcement official and protocol officer, responsible for maintaining security on the House floor and the House side of the U.S. Capitol complex. Initially established during the First Congress, when the House elected Joseph Wheaton of Rhode Island on May 12, 1789, the Sergeant at Arms performs duties according to law, House rules, and custom."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straus, Jacob R.
2021-01-14
-
U.S. Government Procurement and International Trade [Updated January 14, 2021]
From the Document: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has demonstrated that U.S. companies and the federal government rely heavily on global supply chains. This has prompted congressional interest in better understanding the role of international trade in U.S. government procurement. In particular, Members have sought ways to incentivize U.S. domestic production by prioritizing the procurement of domestic goods and services, while upholding U.S. commitments under various international trade agreements. Separately, the Trump Administration issued executive orders that aim to incentivize companies to relocate to the United States by limiting waivers that would allow government purchases of foreign goods. Within this context, Members have raised questions regarding how federal agency acquisitions comply with two domestic sourcing laws: namely, the Buy American Act of 1933 (BAA, 41 U.S.C. §§8301-8305) and Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (TAA, 19 U.S.C. §§2501- 2581). Although both BAA and TAA have provisions that affect trade, there is a critical difference between their respective requirements. Whereas BAA operates as a 'price preference' for U.S. products, TAA establishes a 'prohibition' on procuring products and services from non designated foreign countries, unless one of TAA's exceptions applies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwarzenberg, Andres B.
2021-01-14
-
The Tax Treatment of Canceled Mortgage Debt [Updated January 14, 2021]
From the Document: "Historically, if a lender forgives or cancels mortgage debt (and most other debts), tax law has treated the amount of canceled debt as a cancellation of debt income (CODI) subject to ordinary income tax rates. Section 108 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) contains two exceptions that are particularly relevant in the case of canceled home mortgage debt: a borrower may exclude canceled debt from gross income if (1) the debt is discharged in Title 11 bankruptcy; or (2) the borrower is insolvent (that is, has liabilities that exceed the fair market value of his or her assets, determined immediately prior to discharge). These exceptions are permanent tax provisions. Near the beginning of the housing downturn and Great Recession, Congress enacted a temporary provision that provided distressed borrowers another option for excluding canceled mortgage debt. This provision has been extended a number of times since its original enactment, most recently by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116- 260), which extended it through the end of 2025. The latest extension also reduced the maximum amount of debt that qualifies for the exclusion. This In Focus provides a brief overview of the tax treatment of canceled mortgage debt."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keightley, Mark P.
2021-01-14
-
Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper: A Primer [January 14, 2021]
From the Document: "The Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper (Sergeant at Arms) is an elected officer of the Senate and is the chamber's primary law enforcement and protocol official, responsible for the protection, security, decorum, and other administrative aspects of the Senate floor, Senate wing of the Capitol, Senate office buildings, and adjacent grounds. The office was initially established during the First Congress, when the Senate elected James Mathers as Senate Doorkeeper. The Senate Sergeant at Arms performs duties according to law, Senate rules, and custom."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straus, Jacob R.
2021-01-14
-
U.S. Challenges to China's Farm Policies [Updated January 14, 2021]
From the Document: "In early 2019, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled in favor of the United States in two cases that the U.S. Office of the Trade Representative (USTR) filed against China, alleging that China's agricultural policies were inconsistent with its WTO obligations. While China agreed to conform to the WTO rulings, USTR contends that Beijing failed to act on one of the cases by the agreed-upon deadline of June 30, 2020. On July 16, 2020, USTR submitted a notification to the WTO requesting authorization to take countermeasures against imports from China."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Regmi, Anita
2021-01-14
-
SelectUSA Program: U.S. Inbound Investment Promotion [Updated January 14, 2021]
From the Document: "U.S. efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) primarily take place at U.S. state and local levels, such as through economic development organizations (EDOs), which work to attract business investment locally and regionally. At the same time, federal efforts to coordinate investment promotion also exist. Currently, federal efforts are focused through SelectUSA, a Department of Commerce program established in 2011 (Executive Order 13577), which aims to coordinate federal efforts to attract and retain 'job-creating' business investment in the United States. SelectUSA focuses both on drawing foreign investors to the United States and working to 're-shore' U.S. firms. For the 117th Congress, SelectUSA may present issues as to its possible codification, funding, economic impact, and implications for other investment policy issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias
2021-01-14
-
WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) [Updated January 14, 2021]
From the Document: "During the past 50 years, the United States has played a prominent role in developing international trade rules on government procurement. Most U.S. free trade agreements include government procurement obligations. The most notable international procurement agreement to which the United States is a party is the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). The GPA has opened procurement opportunities around the world to foreign competition, worth trillions of U.S. dollars annually. It also requires parties to establish transparent and nondiscriminatory rules for covered procurement. In particular, the agreement enables U.S. businesses to bid for certain government contracts in the markets of other GPA parties. Likewise, it allows foreign businesses to bid for contracts tendered by U.S. procuring entities in areas where federal and state governments have agreed to open up their procurement markets. [...] The Trump Administration reviewed the benefits of the GPA, and according to one news report, considered withdrawal from the agreement. While some Members reportedly contend that the GPA is 'imbalanced' and support U.S. withdrawal from it, others have called for modifying U.S. commitments under the agreement and modernizing rules regarding government procurement. Others argue that participation in the GPA not only maintains U.S. companies' ability to compete for foreign government contracts, but it also gives the United States leverage to negotiate greater market access and better terms with WTO members in accession negotiations (e.g., China)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwarzenberg, Andres B.
2021-01-14
