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Protection of Classified Information by Congress: Practices and Proposals [March 30, 2007]
"The protection of classified national security and other controlled information is of concern not only to the executive branch -- which determines what information is to be safeguarded, for the most part1 -- but also to Congress, which uses the information to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. It has established mechanisms to safeguard controlled information in its custody, although these arrangements have varied over time between the two chambers and among panels in each. Both chambers, for instance, have created offices of security to consolidate relevant responsibilities, although these were established two decades apart. Other differences exist at the committee level. Proposals for change, some of which are controversial, usually seek to set uniform standards or heighten requirements for access. This report will be updated as conditions require."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kaiser, Frederick M.
2007-03-30
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Protection of Classified Information by Congress: Practices and Proposals [March 5, 2008]
"The protection of classified national security and other controlled information is of concern not only to the executive branch -- which determines what information is to be safeguarded, for the most part -- but also to Congress, which uses the information to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. It has established mechanisms to safeguard controlled information in its custody, although these arrangements have varied over time between the two chambers and among panels in each. Both chambers, for instance, have created offices of security to consolidate relevant responsibilities, although these were established two decades apart. Other differences exist at the committee level. Proposals for change, some of which are controversial, usually seek to set uniform standards or heighten requirements for access. This report will be updated as conditions require."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kaiser, Frederick M.
2008-03-05
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Proposed U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA): Provisions and Implications [November 12, 2010]
"On June 30, 2007, U.S. and South Korean trade officials signed the proposed U.S.-South Korean Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) for their respective countries. If approved, the KORUS FTA would be the second largest FTA that South Korea has signed to date, after the agreement with the European Union (EU). It would be the second largest (next to North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA) in which the United States participates. South Korea is the seventh-largest trading partner of the United States and the United States is South Korea's third largest trading partner. Various studies conclude that the agreement would increase bilateral trade and investment flows. The final text of the proposed KORUS FTA covers a wide range of trade and investment issues and, therefore, could have substantial economic implications for both the United States and South Korea. The agreement will not enter into force unless Congress approves implementation legislation. The negotiations were conducted under the trade promotion authority (TPA), also called fast-track trade authority, that the Congress granted the President under the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Act of 2002 (P.L. [Public Law] 107-210). The authority allows the President to enter into trade agreements that receive expedited congressional consideration (no amendments and limited debate)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cooper, William H., 1949-; Manyin, Mark E.; Jurenas, Remy . . .
2010-11-12
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Proposed South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) [Updated June 25, 2007]
"Close to midnight on April 1, 2007, President Bush sent a message to the leaders of the House and Senate, notifying them of his intent to enter into a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea. The President's notification to Congress signified the completion of the negotiations on the U.S.-South Korea FTA (KORUS FTA) that the two countries launched on February 2, 2006, at South Korea's request. The negotiations covered a wide range of subjects, including a number of sensitive issues -- autos, agriculture, trade remedies, among others -- that have plagued the U.S.-South Korean trading relationship for decades. As a result, the FTA negotiations were at times contentious and their successful completion in doubt. Congress will have to approve implementation legislation for the KORUS FTA before it can enter into force. The negotiations were conducted under the trade promotion authority (TPA), also called fast-track trade authority, that the Congress granted the President under the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Act of 2002 (the Act) (P.L. [Public Law] 107-210). The authority allows the President to enter into trade agreements that receive expedited congressional consideration (no amendments and limited debate). The United States and South Korea conducted the FTA negotiations with a high degree of political risk for both countries, and that risk will likely carry over as their respective legislatures debate the merits of the FTA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cooper, William H., 1949-; Manyin, Mark E.
2007-06-25
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Proposed South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) [Updated April 23, 2007]
"Close to midnight on April 1, 2007, President Bush sent a message to the leaders of the House and Senate, notifying them of his intent to enter into a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea. The President's notification to Congress signified the completion of the negotiations on the U.S.-South Korea FTA (KORUS FTA) that the two countries launched on February 2, 2006, at South Korea's request. The negotiations covered a wide range of subjects, including a number of sensitive issues -- autos, agriculture, trade remedies, among others -- that have plagued the U.S.-South Korean trading relationship for decades. As a result, the FTA negotiations were at times contentious and their successful completion in doubt. Congress will have to approve implementation legislation for the KORUS FTA before it can enter into force. The negotiations were conducted under the trade promotion authority (TPA), also called fast-track trade authority, that the Congress granted the President under the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Act of 2002 (the Act) (P.L. [Public Law] 107-210). The authority allows the President to enter into trade agreements that receive expedited congressional consideration (no amendments and limited debate)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cooper, William H., 1949-
2007-04-23
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Proposed South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) [Updated January 23, 2007]
"On February 2, 2006, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Portman and South Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong, announced their two countries' intention to negotiate a Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (KORUS FTA). The announcement came after many years of official and unofficial discussions of the feasibility of concluding an FTA. The reaction in the United States to the negotiations has ranged from bipartisan support to some skepticism and opposition. The negotiations on a KORUS FTA will likely be of considerable interest to 110th Congress, because the Congress would have to approve an FTA before it could enter into force, and the negotiations touch on many sensitive trade issues. The KORUS FTA negotiations being conducted under the trade promotion authority (TPA) that the Congress granted to the President under the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Act of 2002 (P.L. [Public Law] 107-210). The authority allows the President to negotiate trade agreements that would receive expedited congressional consideration (no amendments and limited debate). However, the TPA is due to expire July 1, 2007, placing tight time restrictions on the negotiations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cooper, William H., 1949-; Manyin, Mark E.
2007-01-23
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Defense Authorization and Appropriations Bills: FY1970-FY2013 [June 5, 2013]
"The passage of the Department of Defense (DOD) authorization and appropriations bills through Congress often does not follow the course laid out in textbooks on legislative procedure. Tracking DOD authorization or appropriation bills can be confusing and time-consuming. This has been particularly true in recent years, when continuing resolutions (CRs) containing the DOD and other appropriation bills have been passed in lieu of the 12 regular appropriations bills for the entire U.S. government. This report is a research aid which lists the DOD authorization bills (Table 1) and appropriations bills (Table 2) for FY1970-FY2013. This report includes all the pertinent information on the passage of these bills through the legislative process: bill numbers, report numbers, dates reported and passed, recorded vote numbers and vote tallies, dates of passage of the conference reports with their numbers and votes, vetoes, substitutions, dates of final passage, and public law numbers. Key definitions are also included. This report will be updated as legislative activity warrants."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
DeBruyne, Nese F.
2013-06-05
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Presidential Nominating Process: Current Issues [October 24, 2007]
"Every four years, the presidential nominating process generates complaints and proposed modifications, and the rapid pace of primaries and caucuses that characterized the 2000 and 2004 cycles will continue in 2008. Because many states scheduled early contests in the 2000 cycle, both parties subsequently created task forces on the process. For a time the parties pursued a cooperative effort to confront problems associated with front-loading for 2004. In the end, Democrats approved moving up state primary dates for 2004, but retained Iowa and New Hampshire's early events; Republicans rejected a proposed reform plan. At the state level, the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) supports a regional primary plan that would rotate regional dates every four years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Coleman, Kevin J.
2007-10-24
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Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board: 109th Congress Proposed Refinements [Updated May 16, 2005]
"Among the recommendations made by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission) in its final report was the creation of a board within the executive branch to oversee adherence to guidelines on, and the commitment to defend, civil liberties by the federal government. This report examines the realization of this recommendation with the creation of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, and efforts in the 109th Congress to refine the mandate and the mission of the board (H.R. 1310). This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Relyea, Harold
2005-05-16
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Privacy: An Overview of Federal Statutes Governing Wiretapping and Electronic Eavesdropping [October 9, 2012]
"This report provides an overview of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). ECPA consists of three parts. The first, often referred to as Title III, outlaws wiretapping and electronic eavesdropping, except as otherwise provided. The second, the Stored Communications Act, governs the privacy of, and government access to, the content of electronic communications and to related records. The third outlaws the use and installation of pen registers and of trap and trace devices, unless judicially approved for law enforcement or intelligence gathering purposes. FISA consists of seven parts. The first, reminiscent of Title III, authorizes electronic surveillance in foreign intelligence investigations. The second authorizes physical searches in foreign intelligence cases. The third permits the use and installation of pen registers and trap and trace devices in the context of a foreign intelligence investigation. The fourth affords intelligence officials access to business records and other tangible items. The fifth directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the specifics of the exercise of FISA authority. The sixth, scheduled to expire on December 30, 2012, permits the acquisition of the communications of targeted overseas individuals and entities. The seventh creates a safe harbor from civil liability for those who assist or have assisted in the collection of information relating to the activities of foreign powers and their agents."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stevens, Gina Marie; Doyle, Charles
2012-10-09
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Army Drawdown and Restructuring: Background and Issues for Congress [February 28, 2014]
"On January 26, 2012, senior DOD leadership unveiled a new defense strategy based on a review of potential future security challenges, current defense strategy, and budgetary constraints. This new strategy envisions a smaller, leaner Army that is agile, flexible, rapidly deployable, and technologically advanced. This strategy will rebalance the Army's global posture and presence, emphasizing where potential problems are likely to arise, such as the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East. […] The Army drawdown will likely be achieved in large degree by controlling accessions (i.e., the number of people allowed to join the Army). If limiting accessions is not enough to achieve the desired endstrength targets, the Army can employ a variety of involuntary and voluntary drawdown tools authorized by Congress, such as Selective Early Retirement Boards (SERBs) and Reduction-in-Force (RIF). Voluntary tools that the Army might use include the Voluntary Retirement Incentive, the Voluntary Separation Incentive, Special Separation Bonuses, Temporary Early Retirement Authority, the Voluntary Early Release/Retirement Program, and Early Outs. Potential issues for Congress include what is the appropriate size of the active component force and the balance between active and reserve components. This report will be updated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2014-02-28
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Presidential Records Act: Background and Recent Issues for Congress [May 30, 2014]
"Presidential documents are historical resources that capture each incumbent's conduct in presidential office. Pursuant to the Presidential Records Act ((PRA) 44 U.S.C. §§2201-2207), the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) collects most records of former Presidents and former Vice Presidents at the end of each Administration. They are then disclosed to the public--unless the Archivist of the United States, the incumbent President, or the appropriate former President requests the records be kept private. The PRA is the primary law governing the collection and preservation of, and access to, records of a former President. Although the PRA has remained relatively unchanged since enactment in 1978, successive presidential Administrations have interpreted its meaning differently. Moreover, it is unclear whether the PRA accounts for presidential recordkeeping issues associated with increasing and heavy use of new and sometimes ephemeral technologies, like email, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, by the President and his immediate staff. […] This report examines the provisions of the PRA, reviews the two most recent presidential interpretations of the PRA, and analyzes legislation seeking to amend the law. The report also explores the complexities of capturing all presidential records in a digital environment, providing potential policy options for Congress. The appendices of the report analyze a legal controversy over the PRA's applicability to certain records of the Vice President and provide a review of amendments that were introduced, but not enacted, during the 111th and the 112th Congresses that would have amended the PRA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ginsberg, Wendy R.
2014-05-30
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Private Health Insurance Market Reforms Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) [March 13, 2014]
"The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), as amended, greatly expanded the scope of federal regulation over health insurance provided through employment-based group health plans, as well as coverage sold in the individual insurance market. Federal health insurance standards created by ACA require an extension of dependent coverage to age 26 if such coverage is offered; the elimination of preexisting condition exclusions; coverage of certain essential health benefits; a bar on lifetime or annual limits on the dollar value of certain benefits; a prohibition on health insurance rescissions except under limited circumstances; and coverage of preventive health services without cost-sharing, among many other things. While some of these changes took effect in 2010, others begin in 2014. In large part, ACA does not explicitly include any means for enforcing these health insurance requirements. However, these requirements were added to Title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), and incorporated by reference into Part 7 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and Chapter 100 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Accordingly, if these ACA provisions are not followed, enforcement may be carried out through mechanisms (such as judicial review and other penalties) that existed prior to ACA in these three federal statutes. The PHSA, ERISA, and the IRC apply to different types of health coverage and contain different types of enforcement mechanisms. […] This report provides background information about the private health insurance market, including market segments and regulation. It then describes each ACA market reform. The reforms are grouped under the following categories: obtaining coverage; keeping coverage; cost of purchasing coverage; covered services; cost-sharing limits; consumer assistance and other health care protections; and plan requirements related to health care providers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fernandez, Bernadette; Mach, Annie L.
2014-03-13
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Private Health Insurance Market Reforms in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) [May 6, 2014]
"The Affordable Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111-148, as amended) includes reforms of the health insurance market that impose requirements on private health insurance plans. Such reforms relate to the offer, issuance, generosity, and pricing of health plans, among other requirements. Certain reforms also require the participation of public agencies and officials, such as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in order to facilitate administrative or operational elements of the insurance market. This report first provides background information about the private health insurance market and then describes the market reforms included in ACA. The Appendix of the report provides additional information about how ACA market reforms apply to different market segments and types of health plans."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mach, Annie L.; Fernandez, Bernadette
2014-05-06
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Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program [November 19, 2013]
"The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides three different types of benefits to public safety officers and their survivors: a death, a disability, and an education benefit. The PSOB program is administered by the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA's), PSOB Office. The PSOB program provides a one-time lump sum death benefit to eligible survivors of public safety officers whose deaths are the direct and proximate result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty or from certain line-of-duty heart attacks, strokes, and vascular ruptures. For deaths occurring after October 1, 2013, the one-time lump sum benefit is $333,605. The PSOB program provides a one-time lump sum disability benefit to public safety officers who have been permanently and totally disabled by a catastrophic injury sustained in the line of duty, if the injury permanently prevents the officer from performing any gainful work. For injuries that result in permanent disability that occur on or after October 1, 2013, the benefit is $333,605. […] As of October 1, 2013, the maximum award for a full-time student was $1,003 per month. […] The PSOB death benefit is a mandatory program, and the disability and education benefits are discretionary programs. As such, Congress appropriates 'such sums as are necessary' each fiscal year to fund the PSOB death benefit program while appropriating separate amounts for both the disability and education benefits programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan
2013-11-19
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Privacy Protection for Customer Financial Information [January 9, 2014]
"GLBA [Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999] prohibits financial institutions from sharing nonpublic personally identifiable customer information with non-affiliated third parties without providing customers an opportunity to opt out and mandates various privacy policy notices. It requires financial institutions to safeguard the security and confidentiality of customer information. FCRA [Fair Credit Reporting Act] regulates the credit reporting industry by prescribing standards that address information collected by businesses that provide data used to determine eligibility of consumers for credit, insurance, or employment and limits purposes for which such information may be disseminated. [...] The creation of CFPB alters the regulatory landscape for these laws. It has primary enforcement authority over non-depository institutions (subject to certain exceptions) and over depository institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. For depository institutions with assets of $10 billion or less, the CFPB's rules apply but enforcement authority remains with the banking regulators, subject to certain prerogatives of the CFPB. In the first session of the 113th Congress, the House passed H.R. [House Resolution] 749, which would eliminate the GLBA requirement for an annual privacy notice if the financial institution has not changed its policies and practice with respect to sharing nonpublic personal information since its last disclosure. A similar bill, S. 635, would require that any financial institution eliminating its annual privacy notice must provide electronic access to its privacy policies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Murphy, M. Maureen
2014-01-09
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Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy [June 14, 2016]
"Outward signs of the uprising against Bahrain's Al Khalifa ruling family that began on February 14, 2011, have diminished, but continued incarceration of dissident leaders, opposition boycotts of elections, and small demonstrations counter government assertions that Bahrain has 'returned to normal.' The mostly Shiite opposition has not achieved its goal of establishing a constitutional monarchy, but the unrest has compelled the ruling family to undertake some relatively minor political reforms. […] The Bahrain government's use of repression against the dissent has presented a policy dilemma for the Obama Administration because Bahrain is a longtime ally that is pivotal to maintaining Persian Gulf security. The country has hosted the U.S. naval headquarters for the Gulf region since 1946; the United States and Bahrain have had a formal Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) since 1991; and Bahrain was designated by the United States as a 'major non-NATO ally' in 2002. There are over 8,000 U.S. forces in Bahrain, mostly located at the naval headquarters site, which has been consistently expanded. Apparently to address the use of force against protesters, in 2011 the Administration held up sales to Bahrain of arms that could be used for internal security purposes, and has reduced Bahrain's Foreign Military Financing (FMF) assistance. The hold was lifted on June 29, 2015, coincident with U.S. efforts to reassure the Gulf states of U.S. support in conjunction with a comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran. Bahrain's opposition asserts that the United States is downplaying regime abuses in order to protect the security relationship."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2016-06-14
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Private Flood Insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program [Updated May 7, 2019]
From the Summary: "In recent years, private insurers have expressed increased interest in providing flood coverage. Advances in the analytics and data used to quantify flood risk along with increases in capital market capacities may allow private insurers to take on flood risks that they shunned in the past. Private flood insurance may offer some advantages over the NFIP [National Flood Insurance Program], including more flexible flood polices, integrated coverage with homeowners insurance, or lower-cost coverage for some consumers. Private marketing might also increase the overall amount of flood coverage purchased, reducing the amount of extraordinary disaster assistance necessary to be provided by the federal government. Increased private coverage could reduce the overall financial risk to the NFIP, reducing the amount of NFIP borrowing necessary after major disasters."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.; Webel, Baird
2019-05-07
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Selected Trump Administration Foreign Aid Priorities: A Wrap-Up [Updated January 21, 2021]
From the Summary: "Congressional interest in and support for U.S. foreign aid has remained consistent throughout numerous Administrations. The Trump Administration pursued changes to foreign aid funding and policy priorities consistent with its 'America First' foreign policy orientation, a stated desire to reduce federal spending, and with goals identified in its December 2017 National Security Strategy, including ending the need for foreign assistance. Some initiatives built on the work of previous Administrations, while others conflicted with, and in some instances sought to dismantle, long-standing U.S. programs and policies. The Trump Administration pursued some policies that would have substantially reshaped the vast majority of foreign aid programs. These included proposals to reduce or rescind foreign aid funding; to consolidate appropriations accounts; and to reorganize, consolidate, or eliminate selected foreign aid agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morgenstern, Emily M.; Brown, Nick M.; Blanchfield, Luisa . . .
2021-01-21
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Presidential Directives: An Introduction [November 13, 2019]
From the Document: "Presidential directives, such as proclamations and executive orders, are a tool used by Presidents to announce official policy and make declarations in their roles as leader of the executive branch, commander in chief of the Armed Forces, and head of state. Presidents have used directives throughout American history for a wide variety of purposes, but they have taken on a more central policy role in recent Administrations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wilhelm, Ben
2019-11-13
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Private Flood Insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) [Updated November 26, 2019]
From the Document: "The NFIP [National Flood Insurance Program] was first authorized by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. §4001 et seq.) and was reauthorized until the end of FY2017 by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12; Title II of P.L. 112-141). [...] In statute, Congress has found that (1) many factors have made it uneconomic for the private insurance industry alone to make flood insurance available to those in need of such protection on reasonable terms and conditions; but (2) a program of flood insurance with large-scale participation of the Federal Government and carried out to the maximum extent practicable by the private insurance industry is feasible and can be initiated. (42 U.S.C. §4001(b)). By law or regulation, federal agencies, federally regulated lending institutions, and government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) must require certain property owners to purchase flood insurance as a condition of any mortgage that these entities make, guarantee, or purchase. [...] In BW-12, Congress explicitly provided for private flood insurance to fulfill this mortgage requirement instead of the SFIP [Standard Flood Insurance Policy], 'if' the private flood insurance met the conditions defined further in statute at 42 U.S.C. §4012a(b)(7)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webel, Baird; Horn, Diane P.
2019-11-26
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Private Flood Insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) [Updated August 1, 2019]
From the Document: "The NFIP [National Flood Insurance Program] was first authorized by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. §4001 et seq.) and was reauthorized until the end of FY2017 by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12; Title II of P.L. 112-141). After a series of short-term reauthorizations, the NFIP was reauthorized until September 30, 2019 (P.L. 116-20). In statute, Congress has found that (1) many factors have made it uneconomic for the private insurance industry alone to make flood insurance available to those in need of such protection on reasonable terms and conditions; but (2) a program of flood insurance with large-scale participation of the Federal Government and carried out to the maximum extent practicable by the private insurance industry is feasible and can be initiated. (42 U.S.C. §4001(b))."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webel, Baird; Horn, Diane P.
2019-08-01
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Private Flood Insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) [Updated October 8, 2019]
From the Document: "The NFIP [National Flood Insurance Program] was first authorized by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. §4001 et seq.) and was reauthorized until the end of FY2017 by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12; Title II of P.L. 112-141). After a series of short-term reauthorizations, the NFIP was reauthorized until November 21, 2019 (P.L. 116-59)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webel, Baird; Horn, Diane P.
2019-10-08
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Federal Support for Law Enforcement: Selected Department of Justice Programs [February 5, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Historically, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has provided financial assistance to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to assist them with addressing crime, purchasing equipment, providing training, and supporting community policing efforts. The major offices within DOJ that administer grants are the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW). This report focuses on those grants administered by OJP and COPS that provide direct assistance to law enforcement agencies. These include grants that support police hiring, equipment procurement, officer safety and wellness, drug task forces, community policing, school violence response, and crisis intervention. This report does not include information on grants targeting other DOJ priorities, such as assistance for victims of crime, drug courts, improvements to the juvenile justice system, or research on justice-related issues. This report includes brief descriptions of each grant program, summary information on eligibility, purpose areas, matching requirements, links to agency information and the grant program solicitation, and related CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ester, Karma
2021-02-05
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Resources for Tracking Federal COVID-19 Spending [Updated February 1, 2021]
From the Summary: "Congress has responded to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with supplemental appropriations measures providing relief and assistance to individuals and families, state and local governments, businesses, health care providers, and other entities. [...] This report provides selected sources for tracking COVID-19 relief and assistance spending. It includes links to and information on government sources detailing spending amounts at various levels, including consolidated spending by multiple government agencies, spending by individual government agencies, and spending to specific recipients and geographies. The sources themselves are large government databases, individual agencies, oversight entities, and selected nongovernmental entities that attempt to repackage information on spending amounts obtained from available government sources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kreiser, Maria; Teefy, Jennifer
2021-02-01
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EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program [February 4, 2021]
From the Document: "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) requires certain facilities to report their emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In addition, the GHGRP requires suppliers of specific products, such as natural gas and petroleum, to report the GHG emissions that would ultimately result from the use of their products. Since 2011, the GHGRP has collected annual emissions data from nearly 8,000 large industrial facilities and other sources in the United States. According to EPA, 85%-90% of annual man-made U.S. GHG emissions have been reported under the program. [...] Congress may consider several policy issues related to GHGRP statutory authority and regulatory oversight. Congress may consider how the application and scope of GHGRP regulations align with EPA's stated goal of enhanced understanding of GHG emissions in the United States now and in the future. [...] Congress may consider whether EPA resources are adequate and being used efficiently to carry out the GHGRP under the CAA [Clean Air Act]. [...] Congress may also consider how GHGRP data might inform future legislative efforts. EPA has now collected 10 years of data on direct GHG emissions, fuel and GHG suppliers, and industry-specific emissions trends. Policymakers may consider how this information, as well as future GHGRP data, could be used in potential future legislation relating to GHG mitigation or climate change policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jones, Angela C.
2021-02-04
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GameStop-Related Market Volatility: Policy Issues [February 3, 2021]
From the Document: "Video game chain GameStop triggered a market frenzy in early 2021 when its stock price rapidly increased from around $18 to well over $400 in intraday trading. The developments soon spread to some other stocks and markets. The episode raises several policy issues, including social media's influence over investment decisions, zero-commission trading, short selling, investor protection, market functionality, and financial stability."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Su, Eva
2021-02-03
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African Elections in 2021 [Updated February 1, 2021]
This report is a consolidated snapshot of election schedules for various countries in Africa. From the Document: "Seventeen African countries are slated to hold presidential and/or legislative polls in 2021. Scheduled election dates are listed below; some may be subject to change due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic or other factors."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Collins, Sarah R.
2021-02-01
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Biden Administration's Initial Presidential Directives in Context [February 3, 2021]
From the Document: "The beginning of the Biden Administration has brought a steady stream of presidential directives that have drawn significant public attention for their speed and range of purposes. A review of the pace with which recent presidential Administrations issued executive orders shows the Biden Administration issued more executive orders than its predecessors during the first week of a first term. This Insight provides a brief overview of activity in the first week of President Joe Biden's term and what it might mean for the rest of his Administration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wilhelm, Ben
2021-02-03
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Army Drawdown and Restructuring: Background and Issues for Congress [April 20, 2012]
"On January 26, 2012, senior DOD [Department of Defense] leadership unveiled a new defense strategy based on a review of potential future security challenges, current defense strategy, and budgetary constraints. This new strategy envisions a smaller, leaner Army that is agile, flexible, rapidly deployable, and technologically advanced. This strategy will rebalance the Army's global posture and presence, emphasizing where potential problems are likely to arise, such as the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East. As part of the Administration's proposal, two heavy brigade combat teams (HBCTs) in Europe will be eliminated out of a total of eight BCTs that will be cut from Active Army force structure. The Army has stated that it may cut more than eight BCTs. Army endstrength will go from 570K in 2010 to 490K during the Future Year Defense Plan (FYDP) period. As part of this reduction, the Army would no longer be sized to conduct large-scale, protracted stability operations but would continue to be a full-spectrum force capable of addressing a wide range of national security challenges. The Army National Guard and Army Reserves were not targeted for significant cuts. Army leadership stated the impending decrease in Active Duty Army force structure would place an even greater reliance on the National Guard and Reserves."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew; Henning, Charles A.
2012-04-20
