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).
-
Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG): An Overview [Updated February 11, 2021]
From the Document: "States and localities make most decisions about the voting systems used in U.S. elections, from what equipment to acquire to how to pay for it. Since 1990, however, the federal government has issued voluntary guidance states and localities may use to inform their choices. This Insight examines the current iteration of that guidance, the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shanton, Karen L.
2021-02-11
-
Temporary Enhancements to Charitable Contributions Deductions in the CARES Act [Updated February 5, 2021]
From the Document: "Individuals and corporations are allowed a deduction for charitable contributions on their tax returns. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136) provided temporary increased benefits for 2020 for some of these deductions. These provisions were extended through 2021 by Division EE of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gravelle, Jane
2021-02-05
-
U.S. Military Drawdown in Afghanistan: Frequently Asked Questions [February 4, 2021]
From the Summary: "In 2021, a year that will mark the twentieth anniversary of the entry of U.S. troops into Afghanistan, U.S. forces there are at the lowest level since 2001 due to the Trump Administration's reduction of U.S. forces to 2,500 and its conditional commitment to the Taliban to withdraw fully by April 2021. [...] U.S. commanders state that the reduction of U.S. troops to 2,500 will not result in any major changes to the two complementary U.S. missions in Afghanistan, namely counterterrorism and training, advising, and assisting Afghan forces. However, some have implied that the troop level might result in adjustments to U.S. operations and limits to U.S. options. [...] The February 2020 U.S.-Taliban agreement also commits the United States to withdrawing from Afghanistan all 'private security contractors,' which have played an important role in U.S. operations. The drawdown also has implications for U.S. physical assets in the country and the considerable U.S. diplomatic presence at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. [...] Experts have laid out a number of approaches that the Biden Administration, which is reportedly conducting a review of the U.S.-Taliban agreement and broader U.S. Afghanistan policy, might take in light of the U.S. troop drawdown. These include withdrawing all U.S. forces by April 2021 as scheduled, pausing or reversing the withdrawal pending certain Taliban actions, and indefinitely supporting Afghan forces. This report will be updated to reflect related developments or new considerations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs); Gill, Cory R.; Hacker, Tyler F. . . .
2021-02-04
-
Trump Administration's 'Zero Tolerance' Immigration Enforcement Policy [Updated February 2, 2021]
From the Introduction: "In recent years, Central American migrant families have been arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border in relatively large numbers, many seeking asylum. While some request asylum at U.S. ports of entry, others do so after attempting to enter the United States illegally between U.S. ports of entry. On May 7, 2018, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) implemented a 'zero tolerance' policy toward illegal border crossing, both to discourage illegal migration into the United States and to reduce the burden of processing asylum claims that Trump Administration officials contended are often fraudulent. Under the zero tolerance policy, DOJ prosecuted 100% of adult aliens apprehended crossing the border illegally, making no exceptions for whether they were asylum seekers or accompanied by minor children. [...] This report briefly reviews the statutory authority for prosecuting persons who enter the United States illegally and the policies and procedures for processing apprehended illegal border entrants and any accompanying children. It explains enforcement policies under past administrations and then discusses the Trump Administration's zero tolerance policy on illegal border crossers and the attendant family separations. The report concludes by presenting varied policy perspectives on the zero tolerance policy and briefly reviews recent related congressional activity."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kandel, William
2021-02-02
-
National Emergency Powers [Updated February 16, 2021]
From the Summary: "The President of the United States has available certain powers that may be exercised in the event that the nation is threatened by crisis, exigency, or emergency circumstances (other than natural disasters, war, or near-war situations). Such powers may be stated explicitly or implied by the Constitution, assumed by the Chief Executive to be permissible constitutionally, or inferred from or specified by statute. Through legislation, Congress has made a great many delegations of authority in this regard over the past 230 years. There are, however, limits and restraints upon the President in his exercise of emergency powers. With the exception of the habeas corpus clause, the Constitution makes no allowance for the suspension of any of its provisions during a national emergency. Disputes over the constitutionality or legality of the exercise of emergency powers are judicially reviewable. Both the judiciary and Congress, as co-equal branches, can restrain the executive regarding emergency powers. So can public opinion. Since 1976, the President has been subject to certain procedural formalities in utilizing some statutorily delegated emergency authority. The National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. §§1601-1651) eliminated or modified some statutory grants of emergency authority, required the President to formally declare the existence of a national emergency and to specify what statutory authority activated by the declaration would be used, and provided Congress a means to countermand the President's declaration and the activated authority being sought. The development of this regulatory statute and subsequent declarations of national emergency are reviewed in this report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Halchin, L. Elaine
2021-02-16
-
Public Trust and Law Enforcement-- A Discussion for Policymakers [Updated December 13, 2018]
"Several high-profile incidents where the police have apparently used excessive force against citizens have generated interest in what role Congress could play in facilitating efforts to build trust between the police and the people they serve. This report provides a brief overview of the federal government's role in police-community relations. Public confidence in the police declined in 2014 and 2015 after several high-profile incidents in which men of color were killed during confrontations with the police. Confidence in the police has rebounded in recent years and is now back to the historical average. However, certain groups, such as Hispanics, blacks, people under the age of 35, and individuals with liberal political leanings say they have less confidence in the police than whites, people over the age of 35, and people with conservative political leanings."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan; Finklea, Kristin; Keegan, Natalie . . .
2018-12-13
-
Protection of Classified Information: The Legal Framework [May 18, 2017]
"This report provides an overview of the relationship between executive and legislative authority over national security information. It summarizes the current laws that form the legal framework protecting classified information, including current executive orders and some agency regulations pertaining to the handling of unauthorized disclosures of classified information by government officers and employees. The report also summarizes criminal laws that pertain specifically to the unauthorized disclosure of classified information, as well as civil and administrative penalties. Finally, the report describes some recent developments in executive branch security policies and relevant legislative activity."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elsea, Jennifer
2017-05-18
-
Recruiting and Retention: An Overview of FY2005 and FY2006 Results for Active and Reserve Component Enlisted Personnel [Updated July 18, 2006]
"This report provides a brief overview of the recruiting and retention rates for Active and Reserve Component enlisted personnel during FY2005 and the first nine months of FY2006. Since the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the United States has launched several major military operations which have dramatically increased the operations tempo of the military services, required the large scale mobilization of reservists, and resulted in significant battle casualties. These factors have been particularly applicable to the Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard, which have shouldered the bulk of the manpower burden associated with the occupation of Iraq. The Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve have also been heavily involved in Iraq. Many observers have expressed concern that these factors might lead to lower recruiting and retention rates, thereby jeopardizing the vitality of today's all-volunteer military. Recruiting and retention results for FY2005 and FY2006 to date are summarized below."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kapp, Lawrence
2006-07-18
-
New START Treaty: Central Limits and Key Provisions [Updated February 3, 2021]
From the Summary: "The United States and Russia signed the New START [Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty] Treaty on April 8, 2010. After more than 20 hearings, the U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent to ratification on December 22, 2010, by a vote of 71-26. Both houses of the Russian parliament--the Duma and Federation Council-- approved the treaty in late January 2011 and it entered into force on February 5, 2011. Both parties met the treaty's requirement to complete the reductions by February 5, 2018. On February 3, 2021, the two parties agreed to extend the treaty for five years, as permitted in the treaty text. [...] The Obama Administration and outside analysts argued that New START strengthens strategic stability and enhances U.S. national security. Critics, however, questioned whether the treaty would serve U.S. national security interests[.] [...] The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review confirmed that the United States would continue to implement the treaty, at least through 2021. The Trump Administration raised questions about the value of the treaty and suggested that the United States might allow it to lapse while negotiating a new treaty that would include Russia and China, and capture all types of Russian nuclear weapons. It eventually sought, but failed, to negotiate a short-term extension in the latter half of 2020. The incoming Biden Administration announced that it would seek a five-year extension of the treaty, and Russia accepted this proposal."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2021-02-03
-
Emergency Management Preparedness Standards: Overview and Options for Congress [Update August 30, 2006]
From the Summary: "The deficiencies of the troubled and much-criticized governmental response to Hurricane Katrina in September 2005 has been attributed, in part, to the failure to establish adequate emergency preparedness standards or to adhere to standards that were established. This is not a new issue for congressional concern. The report issued by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also referred to as the '9/11 Commission') also identified emergency response gaps evident after the attacks of September 11, 2001. In short, while heroic actions after both catastrophes saved thousands of people, many lives were lost, in part because standard procedures were not in place, or were not followed, and because standardized technologies had not yet been developed or were not used by participating agencies. To correct those deficiencies, the 9/11 Commission report included recommendations that emergency response standards be adopted nationwide. Investigations and reviews conducted after Hurricane Katrina address the same concerns, and the Senate and White House reports included recommendations as well."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith
2006-08-30
-
Global Refugee Resettlement: Selected Issues and Questions [Updated January 29, 2021]
From the Document: "Congress has demonstrated a continued interest in refugee 'resettlement', although such opportunities are available to only a small percentage of the global refugee population. (For more information on the refugee 'admissions' process to the United States, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL31269, 'Refugee Admissions and Resettlement Policy'.) Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) travel bans, on March 17, 2020, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced the suspension of global resettlement travel for refugees. On June 18, 2020, they announced the resumption of resettlement departures for refugees, although many travel restrictions remain in place."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Margesson, Rhoda
2021-01-29
-
Is Mandatory Detention of Unlawful Entrants Seeking Asylum Constitutional? [Updated January 27, 2021]
From the Document: "Non-U.S. nationals (aliens) apprehended by immigration authorities when attempting to unlawfully enter the United States are generally subject to a streamlined, expedited removal process, but may be placed in 'formal' removal proceedings and pursue asylum claims if found to have a credible fear of persecution. In 2019, Attorney General (AG) William Barr, who had power to review adjudicatory decisions of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the highest administrative body responsible for interpreting immigration laws, concluded in 'Matter of M-S-' that federal law requires the continued detention of aliens screened for expedited removal who are transferred to formal removal proceedings pending adjudication of their asylum claims. (Additional discussion of the AG's decision can be found here.) Later that year, a federal district court held in 'Padilla v. ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement]' that this mandatory detention scheme 'violates the U.S. Constitution' because it denies aliens who have entered the United States the opportunity to seek their release on bond. This ruling was largely affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in March 2020, but the reasoning of these decisions--at least when applied to aliens apprehended shortly after arriving in the United States--may be in tension with the Supreme Court's ruling in 'DHS v. Thuraissigiam', decided a few months later. In 'Thuraissigiam', the Court recognized that aliens seeking initial entry to the United States, including those apprehended just within the border, have limited constitutional protections. Ultimately, in the 'Padilla' case, the Supreme Court vacated the Ninth Circuit's decision and remanded the case for further consideration in light of 'Thuraissigiam'. As a result, immigration authorities may, for the time being, detain unlawful entrants transferred to formal removal proceedings for consideration of their asylum applications without a bond hearing."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Hillel R.
2021-01-27
-
Nuclear Ban Treaty: An Overview [Updated January 25, 2021]
From the Document: "Since the founding of the United Nations in 1945, the UN General Assembly (UN GA) has called for the elimination of nuclear weapons. UNGA Resolution A/71/258 (2016) called on UN member states to negotiate in 2017 a legally binding Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), also known as the nuclear 'ban treaty.' Negotiations ended on July 7, 2017, when 122 countries voted to approve the treaty. Singapore abstained, and the Netherlands voted against it, citing conflicts between the treaty and its commitments as a member of NATO. The United States and 40 other states did not participate in negotiations. To date, 84 countries have signed and 50 countries have ratified the treaty. In accordance with Article 15, the TPNW entered into force 90 days following the 50th ratification on January 22, 2021. Civil society groups advocated for a nuclear ban, and in 2017, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the nongovernmental International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) for its advocacy role."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham
2021-01-25
-
U.S. Health Care Coverage and Spending [Updated January 26, 2021]
From the Document: "In 2019, the United States had an estimated population of 323 million individuals. Most of those individuals had private health insurance or received health care services under a federal program (such as Medicare or Medicaid). About 9.2% of the U.S. population was uninsured. Individuals (including those who were uninsured), health insurers, and federal and state governments spent approximately $3.6 trillion on various types of health consumption expenditures (HCE) in 2019, which accounted for 16.8% of the nation's gross domestic product."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rosso, Ryan J.
2021-01-26
-
Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated February 1, 2021]
From the Summary: "The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region's future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial interests in the region. The seven other Arctic states are Canada, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark (by virtue of Greenland), and Russia. [...] The Arctic Council, created in 1996, is the leading international forum for addressing issues relating to the Arctic. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) sets forth a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world's oceans, including the Arctic Ocean. The United States is not a party to UNCLOS. Record low extents of Arctic sea ice over the past decade have focused scientific and policy attention on links to global climate change and projected ice-free seasons in the Arctic within decades. These changes have potential consequences for weather in the United States, access to mineral and biological resources in the Arctic, the economies and cultures of peoples in the region, and national security."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; Leggett, Jane A.; Comay, Laura B. . . .
2021-02-01
-
Israel: Background and U.S. Relations in Brief [Updated January 27, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Israel [...] has forged close bilateral cooperation with the United States in many areas; issues with significant implications for U.S.-Israel relations include the following. [1] Israeli domestic political issues, including an election scheduled for March 2021 and an ongoing criminal trial against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. [2] Israel's security cooperation with the United States. [3] Israeli-Palestinian issues and Israel's normalization of relations with various Arab states. [4] Concerns about Iran's nuclear program and regional influence, including with Lebanon-based Hezbollah, Syria, and Iraq. [5] Chinese investment in Israeli companies and infrastructure, and U.S. concerns about implications for U.S. national security."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zanotti, Jim
2021-01-27
-
National Flood Insurance Program: The Current Rating Structure and Risk Rating 2.0 [Updated January 25, 2021]
From the Summary "The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the primary source of flood insurance coverage for residential properties in the United States, with more than five million policies in over 22,000 communities in 56 states and jurisdictions. FEMA is planning to introduce the biggest change to the way the NFIP calculates flood insurance premiums, known as Risk Rating 2.0, since the inception of the NFIP in 1968. The new premium rates are scheduled to go into effect on October 1, 2021, for all NFIP policies across the country."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2021-01-25
-
Kyrgyz Republic [Updated January 25, 2021]
From the Overview: "The Kyrgyz Republic (commonly known as Kyrgyzstan) is a mountainous, landlocked country that borders China and maintains close ties with Russia. Formerly a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan became independent in 1991. As a parliamentary republic that holds contested elections, Kyrgyzstan has long been considered the most democratic country in Central Asia, with a vibrant civil society and a higher degree of press freedom than found elsewhere in the region. Corruption is pervasive, however, and political institutions remain weak. In recent years, international observers have voiced concerns about democratic backsliding in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in light of the political upheaval that followed the annulment of the country's 2020 parliamentary elections. Some Members of Congress have also expressed concerns about Kyrgyz government pressure on independent media outlets, including the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Because Kyrgyzstan is an impoverished country that relies heavily on foreign remittances, the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is causing significant economic strain."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blackwood, Maria A.
2021-01-25
-
Yemen: Recent Terrorism Designations [January 29, 2021]
From the Overview: "On January 19, 2021, the Trump Administration designated the Yemeni group 'Ansar Allah' (Arabic for 'the Partisans of God'), commonly referred to as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). In notifying Congress, (per 8 U.S.C. §1189), then Secretary of State Michael Pompeo identified that the Houthis were closely linked to Iran and that the designations were intended to hold the Houthis accountable for terrorist acts. The designations reportedly had been under consideration for months, though aid organizations repeatedly cautioned that designations would exacerbate what the United Nations presently considers the world's worst humanitarian crisis."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell; Margesson, Rhoda; Rennack, Dianne E. . . .
2021-01-29
-
Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections [Updated January 25, 2021]
From the Document: "This report provides the results of recent presidential elections in Latin America and the Caribbean. Below are three tables organized by region, that include the date of each country's independence, the name of the most recently elected president or prime minister, and the projected date of the next presidential election. Information in this report was gathered from numerous sources, including the U.S. State Department, Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA's) World Fact Book, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Election Guide, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and other news sources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Davis-Castro, Carla Y.; Blum, David A.
2021-01-25
-
Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress [January 26, 2021]
From the Summary: "The current and planned size and composition of the Navy, the annual rate of Navy ship procurement, the prospective affordability of the Navy's shipbuilding plans, and the capacity of the U.S. shipbuilding industry to execute the Navy's shipbuilding plans have been oversight matters for the congressional defense committees for many years. In December 2016, the Navy released a force-structure goal that calls for achieving and maintaining a fleet of 355 ships of certain types and numbers. The 355-ship goal was made U.S. policy by Section 1025 of the FY2018 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2810/P.L. 115- 91 of December 12, 2017). The Navy and the Department of Defense (DOD) have been working since 2019 to develop a successor for the 355-ship force-level goal. The new goal is expected to introduce a new, more distributed fleet architecture featuring a smaller proportion of larger ships, a larger proportion of smaller ships, and a new third tier of large unmanned vehicles (UVs)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-01-26
-
Securing Nuclear Materials: The 2012 Summit and Issues for Congress [March 7, 2012]
"In an April 2009 speech in Prague, President Obama pledged that his Administration would launch 'a new international effort to secure all vulnerable nuclear material around the world within four years.' To motivate world leaders to achieve this goal, the President hosted a Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC, on April 12-13, 2010. Leaders of 47 countries attended the summit, including many heads of state. Attendees represented a wide geographic range of states and nuclear capabilities, and include China, India, Israel, and Pakistan. The summit resulted in a joint statement saying that international cooperative action is necessary to prevent an act of nuclear terrorism. Summit attendees also pledged to improve nuclear security standards, bring international agreements into force, and share best practices. A second summit will be held in South Korea in March 2012. Nuclear security measures refer to a wide range of actions to prevent theft or diversion of nuclear material or sabotage at an installation or in transit. […] Congress will continue to decide on funding for the U.S. domestic and international programs focused on nuclear material security and nuclear terrorism prevention. Congress is also likely to assess implementation of the Administration's efforts to secure nuclear materials by the end of 2013. The Obama Administration's FY2011, FY2012, and FY2013 congressional budget requests proposed overall increases in funding for nuclear security-related accounts, with the stated purpose of ramping up programs to meet the President's four-year goal."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham
2012-03-07
-
Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated February 18, 2021]
From the Summary: "The aircraft carriers CVN-78, CVN-79, CVN-80, and CVN-81 are the first four ships in the Navy's new 'Gerald R. Ford' (CVN-78) class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers (CVNs). The Navy's proposed FY2021 budget requested $2,714.1 million (i.e., about $2.7 billion) in procurement funding for CVN-78 class ships, including $71.0 million for CVN-78, $997.5 million for CVN-80, and $1,645.6 million for CVN-81. Congress, as part of its action on the Navy's FY2021 budget, provided a total of $2,565.4 million (i.e., about $2.6 billion), including $71.0 million for CVN-78, $958.9 million for CVN-80, and $1,606.4 million for CVN-81."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-02-18
-
Too Small to Collect Big Data: Financial Inclusion Implications [January 27, 2021]
From the Document: "Congress has demonstrated an ongoing interest in promoting financial inclusion (i.e., increasing the access of traditionally underserved populations and markets to affordable financial services and products). The concept of financial inclusion has evolved to include the adoption of digital technologies, which can enhance the effectiveness of 'regtech'--the use of technology by both regulators and regulated entities to facilitate compliance with applicable regulations and policy objectives. While regtech can be used to monitor prudential financial (e.g., credit, liquidity, interest rate) risks, it can also be deployed to analyze the circulation of financial products and services, thus monitoring the breadth of inclusiveness. Regtech relies upon collecting and organizing digital data, which may be costly for certain institutions--especially those that serve predominantly customers facing appreciable financial challenges."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Getter, Darryl E.
2021-01-27
-
DOD Concerns About the FCC-Approved Ligado Network [Updated February 5, 2021]
From the Document: "On April 20, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously approved an application by Ligado Networks LLC (Ligado) to 'deploy a low-power [9.8 decibel watts (dBW)] terrestrial nationwide network in the 1526-1536 MHz, 1627.5-1637.5 MHz, and 1646.5-1656.5 MHz bands [of the electromagnetic spectrum] that will primarily support Internet of Things (IoT) services.' These frequency bands are traditionally used for satellite operations. The Department of Defense (DOD) opposed this decision--along with the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Interior, Department of Justice, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and others. That opposition related to concerns that Ligado's proposed network could interfere with signals from satellites to Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. Congress may consider federal agency concerns, including DOD concerns related to mission-critical systems and the FCC's response, as it conducts oversight of the FCC's ruling. Congress may also consider broader issues related to fifth generation (5G) mobile technologies, such as the allocation of spectrum among competing users and the impact of spectrum decisions on national security."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.; Hoehn, John R.
2021-02-05
-
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Infrastructure Financing Program (CWIFP): Status and Issues [January 14, 2021]
From the Document: "In the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA 2014, P.L. 113-121), Congress authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to provide credit assistance, in the form of secured or direct loans, for a range of water resource projects. This authority was provided in the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (WIFIA 2014, Title V, Subtitle C of P.L. 113-121; 33 U.S.C. §§3901-3914, as amended). WIFIA 2014 authorized an analogous program for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for water projects outside of USACE mission areas [...]. While Congress has appropriated funding since FY2017 for EPA's WIFIA program to provide assistance to projects, it first funded USACE's program in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, FY2021 (P.L. 116- 260). In Division D of that act, Congress created a WIFIA account for USACE and provided appropriations to support credit assistance for nonfederal dam safety projects. Recently, USACE has referred to its program as the Civil Works Infrastructure Financing Program (CWIFP)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Normand, Anna E.; Humphreys, Elena H.
2021-01-14
-
Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2020 [Updated January 26, 2021]
From the Summary: "Article I, Section 6, of the U.S. Constitution requires that compensation for Members of Congress be 'ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.' Congress has relied on three different methods in adjusting salaries for Members. Specific legislation was last used to provide increases in 1990 and 1991. It was the only method used by Congress for many years. The second method, under which annual adjustments took effect automatically unless disapproved by Congress, was established in 1975. From 1975 to 1989, these annual adjustments were based on the rate of annual comparability increases given to the General Schedule (GS) federal employees. This method was changed by the 1989 Ethics Act to require that the annual adjustment be determined by a formula based on certain elements of the Employment Cost Index (ECI). [...] This report contains information on actions taken affecting each pay year since the establishment of the Ethics Reform Act adjustment procedure. It also provides information on other floor action related to pay for Members of Congress. [...] Members of Congress only receive salaries during the terms for which they are elected. Former Members of Congress may be eligible for retirement benefits."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brudnick, Ida A.
2021-01-26
-
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
-
Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated February 19, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Navy's Columbia (SSBN-826) class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) program is a program to design and build a class of 12 new 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 procured the first Columbia-class boat in FY2021 and wants to procure the second boat in the class in FY2024."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-02-19
-
Sexual Violence in African Conflicts [November 25, 2009]
"This report focuses on current conflicts in Africa in which sexual violence is reported to be widespread or systematic. It describes the context in which such violence takes place, selected cases where it is currently occurring, and U.S. policy responses. It concludes with a discussion of potential policy considerations for Congress, including the design and effectiveness of U.S. programs; coordination between agencies and between international donors; and the question of whether policy responses to sexual violence can be separated from the broader context in which such violence occurs. The report includes a detailed case study of DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo], which has drawn particular attention from the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Arieff, Alexis
2009-11-25
