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Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Free Trade, and the 2001 Summit in Shanghai [Updated October 26, 2001]
"On October 20-21, 2001, the Ninth APEC Leaders' Meeting (summit) was hosted by China in Shanghai. President Bush, Secretary of State Powell, U.S. Trade Representative Zoellick, Commerce Secretary Evans, and other members of the Administration attended. The office theme for APEC 2001 was 'Meeting New Challenges in the New Century: Achieving Common Prosperity through Participation and Cooperation' with the sub-themes of: (1) sharing the benefits of globalization and the new economy, (2) advancing trade and investment, and (3) promoting sustained economic growth. The war on terrorism and slowing world economic growth, however, dominated discussions. The leaders' statement on counterterrorism was the first time APEC dealt explicitly with a non-economic issue. APEC leaders also reaffirmed the goal of achieving free trade and investment among APEC members and to provide support for a new round of multilateral trade negotiations under the World Trade Organization. [...] For the United States, APEC raises fundamental questions that are of special interest to Congress. One is whether consensus can be achieved on the APEC vision of free trade and investment in the Asia Pacific or whether future trade liberalization will be confined primarily to bilateral free-trade agreements or multilateral trade negotiations under the World Trade Organization. In the 107th Congress, APEC-related legislation includes bills to provide trade promotion authority to the President (H.R. 1446) and several that would establish free trade between the United States and various APEC countries. U.S. financial support for APEC in the State Department's budget has been $601,000 per year."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nanto, Dick Kazuyuki
2001-10-26
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Terrorism Funding: FY2002 Appropriation Bills [October 25, 2001]
From the Summary: "Using baseline data provided by the Office of Management and Budget, this report organizes and tracks U.S. spending to combat terrorism across the 13 appropriation bills, including amounts allocated from the $40 billion emergency supplemental. Over 80% of the estimated $11 billion requested for FY2002 to combat terrorism falls in two appropriation measures: the Defense Department appropriation and the Departments of Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies appropriation. Table 1 provides a summary for each bill and a total for all 13. Tables 2 through 13 present separate pages for each appropriation measure, listing in most cases spending at the account level. [...] Data presented in this report indicate where funds are concentrated and highlight new spending initiatives that have emerged since September 11."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nowels, Larry Q.
2001-10-25
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Operation Enduring Freedom: Foreign Pledges of Military & Intelligence Support [Updated October 17, 2001]
From the Summary: "In response to the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, a number of countries and organizations have pledged military and intelligence support of operations against the Al [Qaeda] network and the Taliban in Afghanistan. This report summarizes public and media statements concerning military and intelligence support; it does not track humanitarian or law enforcement assistance. It will be updated as necessary."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hildreth, Steven A.; Gerleman, David J.; Stevens, Jennifer E.
2001-10-17
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Nuclear Arms Control: The U.S.-Russian Agenda [Updated October 15, 2001]
"Although arms control negotiations are not as important to the U.S.-Russian relationship as they were to the U.S.-Soviet relationship during the Cold War, the United States and Russia have continued to implement existing nuclear arms control agreements and to pursue negotiations on further reductions in their strategic offensive weapons and modifications to limits on ballistic missile defenses. This issue brief summarizes the contents of these agreements and tracks progress in their ratification and implementation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2001-10-15
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Hazardous Materials Transportation: Vulnerability to Terrorists, Federal Activities, and Options to Reduce Risks [October 15, 2001]
"In the wrong hands, hazardous materials (hazmat) in transportation pose a major threat to national security, property, and life. There are over 800,000 shipments each day of these materials-over 90% of which occur via the highway mode. The sheer number and volume of shipments, the numerous routes used, and the logistics and infrastructure involved create many points of exposure. Although an array of measures can be taken to promote security, the vulnerabilities cannot be eliminated. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has taken numerous actions to increase the sensitivity of industry and the state enforcement community to the vulnerabilities associated with hazmat transportation. DOT is asking that additional safety precautions and inspections be conducted and that the hazmat industry should review its security measures and strengthen them as appropriate. Other options to reduce risk or to increase preparedness include: requiring additional background checks on drivers obtaining hazmat endorsements on their commercial drivers licenses; requiring DOT to issue regulations requiring high hazard hazmat carriers and shippers to develop and implement security plans and procedures; increasing funding for the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant Program; and amending the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to clarify the role of the DOT in promoting the security of hazmat shipments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rothberg, Paul F.
2001-10-15
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Special Operations Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom: Background and Issues for Congress [October 15, 2001]
From the Summary: "Special Operations Forces (SOF) are elite, specialized military units that can be inserted 'behind the lines' through land, sea, or air to conduct a variety of operations, many of them clandestine. SOF units are expected to play an important role in U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and possibly elsewhere as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S. military campaign against terrorists. This short report provides background information and issues for Congress on U.S. SOF units and will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bruner, Edward F.; Bolkcom, Christopher C.; O'Rourke, Ronald
2001-10-15
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Latin America: Terrorism Issues and Implications for U.S. Policy [October 13, 2001]
From the Document: "Latin American nations strongly condemned the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington and took action through the Organization of American States and the Rio Treaty to strengthen hemispheric cooperation against terrorism and express solidarity with the United States. Many nations are taking actions to investigate possible regional linkages with the Osama bin Laden terrorist network, and to ensure that their financial sectors are not being used by terrorists. In the aftermath of the attacks, U.S. policy toward the region will likely include a re-invigorated security agenda, with the development of new-cooperative mechanisms against terrorism. The terrorist attacks will have implications in several areas, including the extent of hemispheric cooperation against terrorism, anti-money laundering efforts, Andean counter-narcotics strategy, the trade agenda, regional economic stability, and policy toward Mexico and Cuba."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2001-10-13
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Unemployment Related to Terrorist Attacks: Proposals To Assist Affected Workers in the Airlines and Related Industries [October 12, 2001]
Since Congress passed the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act (P.L. 107-42) to provide $15 billion in relief to the airline industry, some Members of Congress have called for a relief package for the workers who lost their jobs. Four bills (S. 1454, H.R. 2946, H.R. 2955, and H.R. 3405) have been introduced to provide assistance for workers who have been laid off in the airline and related industries. All four bills base their proposed benefits and administrative procedures on the design of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. They would extend cash benefits for unemployed workers in these industries up to a total of 78 weeks and provide training, health care coverage, and job search allowances * all with federal funds.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Graney, Paul J.
2001-10-12
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India and Pakistan: Current U.S. Economic Sanctions [Updated October 12, 2001]
"In 1998, India and Pakistan each conducted tests of nuclear explosive devices, drawing world condemnation. The United States and a number of India's and Pakistan's major trading partners imposed economic sanctions in response. Most U.S. economic sanctions were lifted or eased within a few months of their imposition, however, and Congress gave the President the authority to remove all remaining restrictions in 1999. The sanctions were lifted incrementally. President Bush issued a final determination on September 22, 2001, to remove the remaining restrictions, finding denying export licenses and assistance not to be in the national security interests of the United States. Today, the United States imposes no economic sanctions against India. Pakistan continues to be denied U.S. foreign assistance as a result of its military overthrowing its democratically elected government in 1999, and for falling into arrears in servicing its debt to the United States in 2000. U.S. and Pakistani representatives signed an agreement to reschedule the debt on September 24; sanctions can be lifted 30 days after Congress is so notified. The Senate passed S. 1465 on October 4, 2001, which would remove the impediments on foreign assistance for Pakistan for the next two fiscal years, if that aid is granted as part of the war against international terrorism. On September 23, 2001, the President issued Executive Order 13224 to block property and transactions with 27 organizations or individuals who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism. The Secretary of the Treasury added another 39 entities and individuals to the list on October 12, 2001, in part to include the 22 persons listed among the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Most Wanted. Some of the organizations listed are based in Pakistan and others may have ties to that country."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rennack, Dianne E.
2001-10-12
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Agriculture and Fast Track or Trade Promotion Authority [Updated October 11, 2001]
"New 'fast track' (or, trade promotion) authority (TPA) is at issue in the 107th Congress. Such authority could enable the Administration to submit negotiated foreign trade agreements to Congress for consideration under expedited procedures. Efforts to renew this authority, which expired in 1994, have not succeeded since then. Many agricultural and food industry interests are among the export-oriented enterprises that support TPA, arguing that foreign trading partners will not seriously negotiate with an Administration that lacks it. However, some farm groups argue that fast track ultimately will lead to new agreements that could have adverse effects on U.S. producers, at least in some commodity sectors. This report will be updated if events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Becker, Geoffrey S.; Hanrahan, Charles
2001-10-11
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Federal Hiring Flexibilities for Emergency Situations: Fact Sheet [October 11, 2001]
"In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in a September 13, 2001 memorandum to executive branch agencies, identified various hiring flexibilities that can be used to meet staffing needs in emergency situations. Table 1, below, provides information on each of the flexibilities. Terms used in the table can be defined as follows."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwemle, Barbara L.
2001-10-11
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Homeland Security: The Presidential Coordination Office [October 10, 2001]
From the Summary: "As part of his response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, DC, President George W. Bush announced in his September 20 address to a joint session of Congress that he was creating, within the White House Office, an Office of Homeland Security (OHS), headed by a director who would have Cabinet rank and would report directly to the President. OHS, as subsequently chartered with E.O. 13228 of October 8, 2001, is an agency of the Executive Office of the President. The success of this office as a coordinator of a comprehensive national strategy to safeguard the nation against terrorism may be guided by past experience with similar such entities. This report reviews past experience--principally with the Office of War Mobilization and its successor, the Office of War Mobilization and Reconversion--and its possible significance for OHS; it will be updated as events recommend."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Relyea, Harold
2001-10-10
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China-U.S. Aircraft Collision Incident of April 2001: Assessments and Policy Implications [Updated October 10, 2001]
"The serious incident of April 2001 between the United States and the People's Republic of China (PRC) involved a collision over the South China Sea between a U.S. Navy EP-3 reconnaissance plane and a People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval F-8 fighter that crashed. After surviving the near-fatal accident, the U.S. crew made an emergency landing of their damaged plane onto the PLA's Lingshui airfield on Hainan Island, and the PRC detained the 24 crew members for 11 days. Washington and Beijing disagreed over the cause of the accident, the release of the crew and plane, whether Washington would "apologize," and the PRC's right to inspect the EP- 3. In the longer term, the incident has implications for the right of U.S. and other nations' aircraft to fly in international airspace near China. (This CRS Report, first issued on April 20, 2001, includes an update on the later EP-3 recovery.) The incident prompted assessments about PRC leaders, their hardline position, and their claims. While some speculated about PLA dominance, President and Central Military Commission Chairman Jiang Zemin and his diplomats were in the lead, while PLA leaders followed in stance with no more inflammatory rhetoric. Still, the PLA is likely to benefit from this incident. Despite PRC claims that the EP-3 plane caused the accident, it appears that the PLA pilot, executing a close pass in an apparent attempt to impress or intimidate the EP-3 crew, made a fatal error in judgment. International law is clear that all aircraft have a right of overflight with respect to ocean areas beyond the territorial sea (past 12 miles out). There are implications for U.S. policy toward the PRC and Taiwan, and defense policy. This incident of April 2001 is the third in a series of major troubling difficulties since the mid-1990s that could have serious implications for U.S.-PRC relations. The standoff raised questions about whether the issues of the incident and arms sales to Taiwan should be linked and whether to change the process of annual arms sales talks with Taipei. A further worsening of political ties could negatively affect the business climate in China for U.S. firms and disrupt negotiations over China's WTO accession. Airborne reconnaissance remains a vital component of intelligence collection for military and other national security purposes. Observers speculate that the chief benefit to the PRC from inspecting the EP-3 would be to gather information about U.S. targets and degree of success that could enable them to prepare countermeasures to hinder future U.S. surveillance efforts. The incident has potential implications for U.S. military surveillance operations in at least four areas: operational strain on the EP-3 fleet, conditions for conducting airborne surveillance missions in the future, the need for escorts or other protective forces, and using unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) for airborne surveillance missions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2001-10-10
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NAFTA Labor Side Agreement: Lessons for the Worker Rights and Fast-Track Debate [Updated October 9, 2001]
"The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), between the United States, Mexico, and Canada was the first trade agreement ever linked to worker rights provisions in a major way. Its companion 'side agreement,' the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC, which rhymes with 'talc') went into effect with NAFTA on January 1, 1994. The NAALC agreement is 'broad' in that NAFTA signatories agree to enforce their own labor laws and standards while promoting 11 worker rights principles over the long run. However, under NAALC, sanctions as an enforcement tool are applicable to only three of the 11 labor principles (pertaining to minimum wages, child labor, and occupational safety and health), and are not applicable to three basic rights: the right to organize, bargain collectively, and strike. [...] Trade liberalization ultimately results in gains to all economies; however, there are winners and losers (both industries and workers) along the way. Worker rights provisions could mitigate the effects of trade liberalization on both winners and losers by increasing labor costs in developing countries. However, NAALC as a worker rights promotion vehicle with a developing country has mitigated the effects of trade expansion from NAFTA very little so far, because most compliance is voluntary."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bolle, Mary Jane
2001-10-09
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Nuclear Sanctions: Section 102(b) of the Arms Export Control Act and its Application to India and Pakistan [Updated October 5, 2001]
From the Summary: "Section 102(b) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) requires the President to impose sanctions on any country that he has determined is a 'non-nuclear-weapon state' and has received or detonated a 'nuclear explosive device.' [...] The statute does not provide for terminating or suspending sanctions once imposed. The President placed §102(b) sanctions on India and Pakistan in May 1998 following nuclear tests by those countries earlier that month. The statute had never before been invoked and its full implementation give rise to various legal and policy issues. [...] Congress has since authorized the President to waive indefinitely, as they apply to India and Pakistan, all sanctions imposed under §§ 101 or 102 of the AECA; a nuclear-related restriction in the Export-Import Bank Act; and § 620E(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) (Pressler Amendment), which restricts military aid and exports to Pakistan[.] [...] Following the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the President waived for both India and Pakistan prohibitions on exports of defense items and sensitive technology and military financing, citing U.S. national security interests; also waived were any remaining sanctions in §§ 101 or 102 of the AECA, the Export-Import Bank Act, and the Pressler Amendment. Foreign assistance to Pakistan continues to be restricted because of an anti-coup provision in appropriations legislation and other debt-related restrictions; also, three Pakistani entities are subject to two-year AECA missile proliferation sanctions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Grimmett, Jeanne J.
2001-10-05
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Taliban and the Drug Trade [October 5, 2001]
From the Summary: "There is evidence that many terrorist organizations and some rogue regimes pressed for cash rely on the illicit drug trade as a source of income. In the case of Afghanistan, reports indicating that the drug trade is a major source of income for the Taliban have received growing attention. According to some reports, the regime uses poppy-derived income to arm, train and support fundamentalist groups including the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and the Chechen resistance. There have also been allegations of Osama bin Laden's personal involvement in drug trafficking to finance al Qaeda's activities. U.S. foreign drug policy currently focuses on reducing illicit drug supply to the United States, and only to a lesser extent on denying funding to organized international criminal or terrorist groups. Should the latter objectives receive greater priority, some policy and organizational realignment may be necessary."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Perl, Raphael
2001-10-05
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Party Leaders in the House: Election, Duties, and Responsibilities [October 5, 2001]
This Congressional Research Service (CRS) report discusses and defines the various House of Representatives party leader roles and responsibilities. Roles included are as follows: Speaker of the House, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, and Party Whips.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carr, Thomas P.
2001-10-05
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Embassy Security: Background, Funding, and the Budget [Updated October 4, 2001]
From the Summary: "The September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon led to the closing the following day of 50 of the nearly 260 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. In the months prior to the attack, travel warnings were issued and embassies were put on high alert as Osama bin Laden had issued vague, but credible, threats against Americans and American interests around the world. In June 2000 the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan was put on full alert after receiving 'credible evidence' that Osama bin Laden followers were planning to attack it. Additionally, the Department of State advised American travelers to be mindful of the August 7th anniversary of the bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The August 7, 1998 terrorist attacks on U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania resulted in a number of actions by the Administration and Congress. In October 1999, the UN Security Council imposed limited sanctions on the Taliban, and in August 2000 both the United States and Russia agreed to work together to tighten the sanctions. Embassy security budget ramifications of the 1998 bombings continue. In November 1999, Congress expanded authority for State's FY2000 through FY2004 expenditures on overseas security within the Embassy Security, Construction and Maintenance (ESCM) account to $900 million annually, in addition to security funds in the Diplomatic and Consular Programs account (D&CP) for FY2000-FY2004 (P.L. 106-113). In early 2001, Secretary of State Colin Powell had testified before Congress that embassy security is among his highest priorities. The Administration requested a total of $1.3 billion for embassy security and worldwide security upgrades for FY2002. The House concurred; the Senate passed a total of $1.07 billion."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.
2001-10-04
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Race-based Civil Detention for Security Purposes [October 4, 2001]
From the Introduction: "The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 dramatically increased awareness of the need for more stringent security measures, but this awareness is tempered with caution against implementing measures that could undermine civil liberties. Because the source of the current foreign threat, there is some concern that measures implemented to fight that threat will have a disproportionate negative effect on innocent Arab-Americans, Muslims, and aliens with ties to the Middle East. The purpose of this report is to address the issues surrounding race-based civil detention for security purposes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elsea, Jennifer
2001-10-04
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Terrorism at Home: A Quick Look at Applicable Federal and State Criminal Laws [October 3, 2001]
From the Summary: "Terrorists' attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City and the American Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania have stimulated demands that the terrorists responsible and those like them be brought to justice. American criminal law already proscribes many of these acts of terrorism and there have been proposals to expand that coverage. The conduct we most often associate with terrorism bombings, assassinations, armed assaults, kidnapping, threats are generally outlawed by both federal and state law. The federal approach builds upon individual national interests: the protection of federal officers, ensuring the safety of foreign diplomatic officials, guaranteeing the safety and integrity of the mails and the channels of interstate and foreign commerce, and honoring our international obligations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Doyle, Charles
2001-10-03
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Terrorism Abroad: A Quick Look at Applicable Federal and State Laws [October 3, 2001]
"Terrorists' attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City and the American Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania have stimulated demands that the terrorists responsible and those like them be brought to justice. American criminal law already proscribes many of these acts of terrorism and there have been proposals to expand that coverage. Ordinarily, crime is proscribed by the law of the place where it occurs, but more than a few American criminal laws apply to terrorism committed outside the United States. The power to enact such laws flows from the Constitution and is usually limited by little more than due process notice. Practicality and reluctance to offend other nations have traditionally limited American exercise of such authority to instances where there is a discernible nexus to the United States. Yet where there is a clear connection to the United States, American criminal law, primarily federal law generally permits prosecution of terrorism committed overseas."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Doyle, Charles
2001-10-03
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Costs of Major U.S. Wars and Recent U.S. Overseas Military Operations [Updated October 3, 2001]
"The direct costs of U.S. military operations have varied greatly, with a high of some $4.7 trillion (in constant FY2002 dollars) for the incremental costs of World War II, to a few million per operation for U.S. peacekeeping efforts in Cambodia, Angola, and the Western Sahara. The incremental military costs of the war in Vietnam to the United States was $572 billion in FY2002 dollars, and the Persian Gulf War incremental costs totaled some $80 billion in FY2002 dollars, most of which was covered by allied contributions. For the decade after the war, from FY1991 through FY2000, the DOD has incurred some $9.2 billion in incremental costs (in FY2002 dollars) performing peacekeeping and related security missions in Southwest Asia, i.e., in and around Iraq. For the same period, the incremental costs of DOD peacekeeping and related operations in the Balkans was $17 billion in constant FY2002 dollars. The total of U.S. military costs for peacekeeping and related security efforts over that decade was $29.6 billion in FY2002 dollars."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Daggett, Stephen; Serafino, Nina M.
2001-10-03
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Legislative Issues in 2001 [Updated October 10, 2001]
"This report provides an overview of the major legislative issues facing Congress in 2001 relating to the Latin American and Caribbean region, and provides reference and linkages to other reports covering the issues in more detail. The report is organized by the regions and subregions of the Western Hemisphere."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-; Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.); Sullivan, Mark P. . . .
2001-10-01
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Campaign Finance [Updated September 28, 2001]
"Concerns over financing federal elections have become a seemingly perennial aspect of our political system, centered on the enduring issues of high campaign costs and reliance on interest groups for needed campaign funds. Rising election costs have long fostered a sense in some quarters that spending is out of control, with too much time spent raising funds and elections 'bought and sold.' Debate has also focused on the role of interest groups in campaign funding, especially through political action committees (PACs). The differences in perceptions of the campaign finance system have long been compounded bydifferent reform approaches of the major parties. Democrats have tended to favor more regulation, with spending limits and some form of public funding or benefits a part of their past proposals. Republicans have generally opposed such limits and public funding. [...] Reform supporters vowed a renewed effort in the 107th Congress. On April 2, the Senate passed S. 27 (McCain-Feingold), as amended, following a two-week debate. House debate, planned for July 12, did not occur because the proposed rule for consideration was rejected that day by the House."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cantor, Joseph E.
2001-09-28
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Campaign Finance: Constitutional and Legal Issues of Soft Money [Updated September 28, 2001]
"Soft money is a major issue in the campaign finance reform debate because these generally unregulated funds are perceived as resulting from a loophole in the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). Generally, soft money is funds that are raised and spent according to applicable state laws, which FECA prohibits from being spent directly on federal elections, but that may have an indirect influence on federal elections. This Issue Brief discusses three major types of soft money: political party soft money, corporate and labor union soft money, and soft money used for issue advocacy communications."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Whitaker, L. Paige
2001-09-28
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Declarations of War and Authorizations for the Use of Military Force: Background and Legal Implications [September 27, 2001]
"This report provides historical background on the enactment of declarations of war and authorizations for the use of force and reproduces their texts in two appendices. It also provides extensive analysis of their effects under international and domestic law. [...] The report includes an extensive listing and summary of the statutes that are triggered by a declaration of national emergency, a state of war, and/or a declaration of war. The report concludes with a summary of the Congressional procedures applicable to a declaration of war and authorization for the use of force and to measures under the War Powers Resolution."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Grimmett, Richard F.; Ackerman, David M.
2001-09-27
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Martial Law and National Emergency [September 27, 2001]
From the Summary: "Crises in public order, both real and potential, often evoke comments concerning a resort to martial law. While some ambiguity exists regarding the conditions of a martial law setting, such a prospect, nonetheless, is disturbing to many Americans who cherish their liberties, expect civilian law enforcement to prevail, and support civilian control of military authority. An overview of the concept of, exercise of, and authority underlying martial law is provided in this report, which will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Relyea, Harold
2001-09-27
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'Terrorism' and Related Terms in Statute and Regulation: Selected Language [September 26, 2001]
"Congress is considering revised definitions of 'terrorism' and related terms in the context of the proposed 'Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001.' While the proposed definitions relate to criminal law and immigration law, hundreds of other federal statutes and regulations already define 'terrorism' and related terms in a variety of other contexts. However, these statutes and regulations ultimately refer to an extremely small set of statutory definitions, current criminal law and immigration definitions being among them. This report provides the current text of these fundamental definitions. The report will be updated as action on new antiterrorism law proceeds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Martin, Elizabeth
2001-09-26
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Global Climate Change [Updated September 26, 2001]
"There is concern that human activities are affecting the heat/energy-exchange balance between Earth, the atmosphere, and space, and inducing global climate change, often termed 'global warming.' Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and other trace greenhouse gases. If these gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere at current rates, most scientists believe global warming would occur through intensification of Earth's natural heat-trapping 'greenhouse effect.' Possible impacts might be seen as both positive and negative. A warmer climate would probably have far reaching effects on agriculture and forestry, managed and un-managed ecosystems, including natural habitats, human health, water resources, and sea level depending on climate responses. Although causal relationships between projected long-range global climate trends and record-setting warmth and severe weather events of the past two decades have not been firmly established, attention has been focused on possible extremes of climate change and the need for better understanding of climate processes to improve climate model forecasts. The basic policy question is: Given scientific uncertainties about the magnitude, timing, rate, and regional consequences of potential climatic change, what are the appropriate responses for U.S. and world decisionmakers?"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Justus, John R.; Fletcher, Susan R.
2001-09-26
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National Emergency Powers [Updated September 23, 2004]
"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). The National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601-1651) eliminated or modified some statutory grants of emergency authority, required the President to declare formally 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
Relyea, Harold
2001-09-25
