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Hawaii Emergency Management and Homeland Security Authorities Summarized [March 23, 2004]
"Chapter 128, Hawaii's Civil Defense and Emergency Act, confers comprehensive powers on the governor and the emergency management agency. Statutes authorize provision of assistance from the state including the extension of unemployment benefits and the construction of public housing on public land. The governor may move the seat of government during an emergency resulting from enemy attack or imminent attack. This report is one of a series that profiles the emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. Congressional readers may wish to conduct further searches for related provisions using the Internet link presented in the last section of this report. The National Conference of State Legislatures provided primary research assistance in the development of these profiles under contract to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Summary information on all of the profiles is presented in CRS Report RL32287. This report will be updated as developments warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl; Warnock, Kae M.
2004-03-23
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Missouri Emergency Management and Homeland Security Authorities Summarized [March 23, 2004]
"Missouri addresses emergencies under civil defense and natural disaster statutes. The Joint Committee on Terrorism, Bioterrorism and Homeland Security of the General Assembly is responsible for terrorism preparedness and evaluating the need for policy changes. Aid is provided through the Missouri disaster fund, and relief funds are accepted from the federal government and private contributors. Both the governor and the legislature can declare an emergency. Earthquake response is a significant part of Missouri's disaster codes. This report is one of a series that profiles emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. Congressional readers may wish to conduct further searches for related provisions using the Internet link presented in the last section of this report. The National Conference of State Legislatures provided primary research assistance in the development of these profiles under contract to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Summary information on all of the profiles is presented in CRS Report RL32287. This report will be updated as developments warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl; Richardson, Sula P.
2004-03-23
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Oklahoma Emergency Management and Homeland Security Authorities Summarized [March 23, 2004]
"The Oklahoma legislature has enacted four statutes that address emergency management issues: the Emergency Response Act, the Emergency Management Act of 2003, the Emergency Response and Notification Act, and the Catastrophic Health Emergency Powers Act. There are six entities with key responsibility during an emergency, including the governor and the state Emergency Management Agency. [...] The Emergency Interim Executive and Judicial Succession Act provides for succession of judiciary and other public offices in emergencies. The Emergency Management Interim Legislative Succession Act provides for the continued operation of the legislature. Alternate locations for both the state seat of government and local seats of government are provided for in statute. Oklahoma uses mutual aid agreements and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact to facilitate the exchange of aid. This report is one of a series that profiles emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. Congressional readers may wish to conduct further searches for related provisions using the Internet link presented in the last section of this report. The National Conference of State Legislatures provided primary research assistance in the development of these profiles under contract to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Summary information on all of the profiles is presented in CRS Report RL32287. This report will be updated as developments warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl; Warnock, Kae M.
2004-03-23
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Mississippi Emergency Management and Homeland Security Authorities Summarized [March 22, 2004]
"Mississippi's Emergency Management Law requires the coordination of activities relating to emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation among state agencies, as well as with similar agencies of other states, local and federal governments, interstate organizations, and the private sector. The law created the state Emergency Management Agency (EMA), authorizes the establishment of local organizations for emergency management, and confers emergency powers upon the governor, EMA, and governing bodies of the municipalities and counties. The state government may be relocated during an emergency. This report is one of a series that profiles emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. Congressional readers may wish to conduct further searches for related provisions using the Internet link presented in the last section of this report. The National Conference of State Legislatures provided primary research assistance in the development of these profiles under contract to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Summary information on all of the profiles is presented in CRS Report RL32287. This report will be updated as developments warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl; Warnock, Kae M.
2004-03-22
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Energy: Useful Facts and Numbers [Updated March 18, 2004]
"Energy supplies and prices are a major economic factor in the United States, and energy markets are volatile and unpredictable. For both these reasons, energy policy is of frequent interest to the Congress. This report presents a statistical view of the supply and consumption of various forms of energy. Both long-term trends and short-term variations are given. After an introductory overview of aggregate energy consumption, the report presents detailed analysis of trends and statistics regarding specific energy sources: oil, electricity, natural gas, and coal. A section on trends in energy efficiency is also presented. This report will be frequently updated with the latest available figures."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Behrens, Carl E.; Glover, Carol F.
2004-03-18
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California Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized [March 17, 2004]
"The key emergency management and homeland security statutes for the state of California include the Emergency Services Act, the Disaster Recovery Reconstruction Act and the Disaster Assistance Act. These statutes allow the governor to declare an emergency, provide funds to small businesses and residents for disaster recovery, plan for and mitigate the effects of disasters, and establish a process for the continuation of government should gubernatorial or legislative vacancies occur as the result of a disaster. Although California is not a member of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact the legislature has enacted intrastate mutual aid agreements; the governor has authority to enter into interstate agreements. Other statutes address issues such as disaster dog teams, state employees volunteering for emergency service and agricultural terrorism. This report is one of a series that profiles the emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and three territories (American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. Congressional readers may wish to conduct further searches for related provisions using the Internet link presented in the last section of this report. The National Conference of State Legislatures provided primary research assistance in the development of these profiles under contract to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Summary information on all of the profiles is presented in CRS Report RL32287. This report will be updated as developments warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl; Warnock, Kae M.
2004-03-17
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Qatar: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated March 17, 2004]
"In April 2003, the Bush Administration announced that the U.S. Combat Air Operations Center for the Middle East will be moved from Prince Sultan Airbase in Saudi Arabia to Qatar's Al-Udeid airbase, which served as a logistics hub for U.S. operations in Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as a key center for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Camp As-Sayliyah, the largest pre-positioning facility of U.S. equipment in the world, served as the forward command center for CENTCOM personnel during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Qatar also has assisted the United States in the war on terrorism by stepping up its efforts to prevent Al Qaeda from engaging in money laundering. With the third largest proven gas reserves in the world, U.S. companies, such as ExxonMobil, have worked to increase trade and economic ties with Qatar. Qatar has the highest per capita income of any country in the Middle East. As part of Qatar's experiment with limited political liberalization, the Qatari monarchy started Al Jazeera, the Arab world's first all-news network. In a national referendum in April 2003, Qatari voters approved a new constitution that provides for a partially elected national assembly and grants women the right to vote and run for office. This report will be updated when significant changes occur. For further information, see CRS Report RL31889, The Al-Jazeera News Network: Opportunity or Challenge for U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East, and CRS Report RL31533, The Persian Gulf: Issues for U.S. Policy, 2003."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell
2004-03-17
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Arkansas Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized [March 17, 2004]
"The 'Arkansas Emergency Services Act of 1973' confers emergency powers upon the governor and outlines extensive duties of the state Department of Emergency Management (DEM) as well as political subdivisions. Several funding mechanisms are established in state law, with initial capitalization levels specified and limits set on the use of the funds. Local governments may commit to interjurisdictional agreements for the provision of emergency services. An emergency volunteer reserve cadre is authorized to be established within the DEM. The Arkansas 'Emergency Interim Legislative Succession Act and Emergency Interim Executive and Judicial Succession Act' provide for lines of succession for all levels of government. The governor may change the location of legislative sessions and call an emergency session in the event of an attack. This report is one of a series that profiles the emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and three territories (American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. Congressional readers may wish to conduct further searches for related provisions using the Internet link presented in the last section of this report. The National Conference of State Legislatures provided primary research assistance in the development of these profiles under contract to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Summary information on all of the profiles is presented in CRS Report RL32287."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl; Warnock, Kae M.
2004-03-17
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Alaska Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized [March 17, 2004]
"Alaska's emergency management statute clarifies and strengthens the roles of the governor, state agencies, and local governments in prevention and preparation for response and recovery from a disaster. The statute also addresses the prevention of disasters caused or aggravated by inadequate planning for, and regulation of, public and private facilities and land use. State and local emergency management plans are tied to environmental plans to create a coordinated response to disasters. Other provisions reside in the civil defense statute which expands gubernatorial and emergency powers and mutual aid agreements to respond to an enemy attack. This report is one of a series that profiles the emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and three territories (American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. Congressional readers may wish to conduct further searches for related provisions using the Internet link presented in the last section of this report. The National Conference of State Legislatures provided primary research assistance in the development of these profiles under contract to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Summary information on all of the profiles is presented in CRS Report RL32287. This report will be updated as developments warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl; Warnock, Kae M.
2004-03-17
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Arizona Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized [March 17, 2004]
"Arizona's emergency response statutes established a Division of Emergency Management under the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. The governor and legislature share duties of declaration and government continuity. Aid is provided for through the Interstate Mutual Aid Compact, local jurisdiction agreements and federal assistance. This report is one of a series that profiles the emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. Congressional readers may wish to conduct further searches for related provisions using the Internet link presented in the last section of this report. The National Conference of State Legislatures provided primary research assistance in the development of these profiles under contract to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Summary information on all of the profiles is presented in CRS Report RL32287. This report will be updated as developments warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl; Richardson, Pat
2004-03-17
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Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities in the States, District of Columbia, and Insular Areas: A Summary [March 17, 2004]
"Homeland security requires a partnership among all levels of government. As Congress continues to debate federal responsibilities in this new policy arena, Members may wish to assess the reach of state policies. The information presented in this report, along with summaries of statutory authorities presented in the companion reports on each jurisdiction (the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and the insular areas), are intended to help Members evaluate the relationships among federal and state policies. [...] To a considerable extent, state statutory authorities appear to be relatively uniform. All state statutes provide considerable discretionary authority to the governor in emergency situations. Also, since federal law requires or encourages certain actions, all states have enacted similar laws in some areas, such as the establishment of state and local entities with responsibility for hazardous material or chemical incidents or the acceptance of federal disaster assistance. Some differences exist among the state authorities, such as the types, amount, and conditions under which aid is to be provided to disaster victims. Also, some states have enacted provisions to ensure that nonfederal funds are made available for preparedness or recovery, while others rely upon federal sources, with state funds authorized to meet cost share requirements."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl; Warnock, Kae M.
2004-03-17
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Homeland Security: Banking and Financial Infrastructure Continuity [Updated March 16, 2004]
"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has many responsibilities for ensuring the continuity of the 'real' economy: production, distribution, and consumption of public and private goods and services. Other agencies, however, have long had similar responsibilities for the 'financial' sectors of the economy, which interact with the sectors DHS oversees pursuant to P .L. 107-296. DHS has some responsibilities for financial sectors through Treasury Department links. Financial agencies carry out recovery and security activities independently but also coordinately with DHS. For additional information on homeland security, please consult the CRS current legislative issue 'Homeland Security,' on congressional web site [http://www.crs.gov/products/browse/is-homelandsecurity.shtml]. This report outlines recovery modes to mitigate disasters in financial markets that events have tested, and recovery arrangements. (Such disasters are of two kinds: inability to conduct transactions, and large losses of asset value.) Homeland security requires the financial institutions important in supporting and maintaining domestic and international commerce to take steps to safeguard their ability to carry out basic functions. The backbone of the financial economy-the payment system-comes through banks, and monetary policy affects them immediately. Other crucial intermediation functions come through a variety of financial companies, including brokers, exchanges, other secondary market facilities, and insurance companies. So, many regulators and trade associations need to be involved."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, William
2004-03-16
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Detention of American Citizens as Enemy Combatants [Updated March 15, 2004]
"This report, which will be updated as necessary, analyzes the authority to detain American citizens who are suspected of being members, agents, or associates of Al Qaeda, the Taliban and possibly other terrorist organizations as 'enemy combatants.' The Department of Justice cites two World War II era cases, Ex parte Quirin and In re Territo, to support its contention that the President may order that certain U.S. citizens as well as non-citizens be held as enemy combatants pursuant to the law of war and Article II of the Constitution. Critics, however, question the assertion of executive authority to detain U.S. citizens, without ordinary due process of law, in order to prevent terrorist acts or gather intelligence; and some argue that Congress
has prohibited such detention of U.S. citizens when it enacted 18 U.S.C. § 4001(a). While the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has agreed with the Bush Administration that Congress authorized such detentions in its authorization for the President to use force against those he determines are responsible for the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, the Second Circuit recently held that Congress has not authorized such detentions. The Supreme Court has granted certiorari in both cases and will hear them together on April 28, 2004."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elsea, Jennifer
2004-03-15
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Free Trade Area of the Americas: Major Policy Issues and Status of Negotiations and Major Policy Issues [Updated March 12, 2004]
"In 1994, 34 Western Hemisphere nations met at the first Summit of the Americas, envisioning a plan for a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by January 2005. Nine years later, the third draft text of the agreement was presented at the Miami trade ministerial held November 20-21, 2003. Deep differences remain unresolved, however, and, as reflected in the Ministerial Declaration, have taken the FTAA in a new direction. It calls for a two-tier framework comprising a set of 'common rights and obligations' for all countries, augmented by voluntary plurilateral arrangements with country benefits related to commitments. A follow-up meeting in Puebla, Mexico was unable to clarify the details of this arrangement and negotiations will continue in late April 2004, when it is hoped that specific commitments will be defined. This report provides background and analysis for Congress on the proposed FTAA and will be updated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.)
2004-03-12
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U.N. Convention Against Torture: Overview of U.S. Implementation Policy Concerning the Removal of Aliens [March 11, 2004]
The United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) requires signatory parties to take
measures to end torture within their territorial jurisdiction. For purposes of the
Convention, torture is defined as an extreme form of cruel and unusual punishment
committed under the color of law. The Convention allows for no circumstances or
emergencies where torture could be permitted. Additionally, CAT Article 3 requires
that no state party expel, return, or extradite a person to another country where there
are substantial grounds to believe he would be subjected to torture.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garcia, Mike; Nordin, Johannes
2004-03-11
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Weapons of Mass Destruction: Trade Between North Korea and Pakistan [Updated March 11, 2004]
"In October 2002, the United States confronted North Korea about its alleged clandestine uranium enrichment program. Soon after, the Agreed Framework collapsed; North Korea expelled international inspectors, and withdrew from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). U.S. intelligence officials claimed Pakistan was a key supplier of uranium enrichment technology to North Korea, and some media reports suggested that Pakistan had exchanged centrifuge enrichment technology for North Korean help in developing longer range missiles. U.S. official statements leave little doubt that cooperation occurred, but there are significant details missing on the scope of cooperation and the role of Pakistan's government. This report describes the nature and evidence of the cooperation between North Korea and Pakistan in missiles and nuclear weapons, the impact of cooperation on their weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs and on the international nonproliferation regime. The roots of cooperation are deep. North Korea and Pakistan have been engaged in conventional arms trade for over thirty years. WMD trade between North Korea and Pakistan raises significant issues for congressional oversight. Are there sources of leverage over proliferators outside the nonproliferation regime? Do sanctions, interdiction, and intelligence as nonproliferation tools need to be strengthened? How is the threat of proliferation interpreted within the nexus of terrorism and WMD? Further, has counterterrorism cooperation taken precedence over nonproliferation cooperation? If so, are there approaches that would make both policies mutually supportive?" - From "Summary"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Squassoni, Sharon A.
2004-03-11
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War Powers Resolution: After Thirty Years [March 11, 2004]
From the Summary: "This report discusses and assesses the War Powers Resolution, its application since enactment in 1973, providing detailed background on a variety of cases where it was utilized, or issues of its applicability were raised. It will be revised biannually. In the post-Cold War world, Presidents have continued to commit U.S. Armed Forces into potential hostilities, sometimes without a specific authorization from Congress. Thus the War Powers Resolution and its purposes continues to be a potential subject of controversy. On June 7, 1995 the House defeated, by a vote of 217-201, an amendment to repeal the central features of the War Powers Resolution that have been deemed unconstitutional by every President since the law's enactment in 1973. In 1999, after the President committed U.S. military forces to action in Yugoslavia without congressional authorization, Rep. Tom Campbell used expedited procedures under the Resolution to force a debate and votes on U.S. military action in Yugoslavia, and later sought, unsuccessfully, through a federal court suit to enforce Presidential compliance with the terms of the War Powers Resolution."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Grimmett, Richard F.
2004-03-11
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Enforcing Immigration Law: The Role of State and Local Law Enforcement [March 11, 2004]
From the Document: "Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the enforcement of our nation's immigration laws has received a significant amount of attention. Some observers contend that the federal government does not have adequate resources to enforce immigration law and that state and local law enforcement entities should be utilized. Several proposals introduced in the 108th Congress, such as the Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act of 2003 (CLEAR Act; H.R. 2671) and the Homeland Security Enhancement Act of 2003 (S. 1906) would enhance the role of state and local officials in the enforcement of immigration law. This proposed shift has prompted many to question what role state and local law enforcement agencies should have in the enforcement of immigration law, if any. This report examines some of the policy and legal issues that may accompany the increasing role of state and local law officials in the enforcement of immigration law. The discussion is limited to the role of state and local law enforcement in the investigation, arrest, and detention of immigration law violators. This report will be updated as warranted."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ester, Karma; Seghetti, Lisa M.; Viña, Stephen R.
2004-03-11
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Budget for Fiscal Year 2005 [March 10, 2004]
"For fiscal year 2005, the President's budget request reduces defense spending from FY2004, increases domestic discretionary spending, most of which goes to homeland security, leaving the rest to low or no growth, and proposes extending and making permanent many of the tax cuts adopted in 2001 and 2003. The deficit would drop from an estimated $521 billion in FY2004 to $364 billion in FY2005. The Administration's request shows the deficit falling to $237 billion in FY2009, the last year in the budget. The budget proposals do not include estimates of the cost of the war on terror or reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq beyond FY2004 (September 30, 2004), do not provide estimates of the effect on the deficit or surplus of extending the tax cuts past FY2009 (which is when most of the effects would occur), and do not provide a proposal for alternative minimum tax (AMT) relief for the increasingly affected middle-class taxpayers, beyond the current expiration at the end of FY2005. These latter omissions, if addressed and accommodated in the future, would increase the deficit above what the Administration has estimated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Winters, Philip D.
2004-03-10
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Terrorism and Security Issues Facing the Water Infrastructure Sector [Updated March 9, 2004]
"Damage to or destruction of the nations water supply and water quality infrastructure by terrorist attack could disrupt the delivery of vital human services in this country, threatening public health and the environment, or possibly causing loss of life. Interest in such problems has increased greatly since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon. Across the country, water infrastructure systems extend over vast areas, and ownership and operation responsibility are both public and private but are overwhelmingly non-federal. Since the attacks, federal dam operators and water and waste water utilities have been under heightened security conditions and are evaluating security plans and measures. There are no federal standards or agreed upon industry best practices within the water infrastructure sector to govern readiness, response to security incidents, and recovery. Efforts to develop protocols and tools are ongoing since the 2001 terrorist attacks. This report presents an overview of this large and diverse sector, describes security-related actions by the government and private sector since September 11, and discusses additional policy issues and responses, including congressional interest."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copeland, Claudia; Cody, Betsy A.
2004-03-09
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Restricting Trademark Rights of Cubans: WTO Decision and Congressional Response [March 9, 2004]
The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has
ruled against certain restrictions on the trademark rights of Cubans imposed under § 211 ofthe Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1998. Congress has responded with several proposals to comply with the ruling, some focused on repeal of § 211 as part of broader proposed amendments to Cuban trade sanctions, others on repeal coupled with alternative methods of ensuring Cuba's protection of trademark rights of Americans. This report will be updated as legislative activity occurs or other events warrant.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lee, Margaret Mikyung
2004-03-09
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Terrorism in South Asia [March 8, 2004]
"This report reviews the terrorist environment in South Asia. With U.S.-led counterterrorism efforts focused especially on Southwest Asia, the existence of international terrorist groups and their supporters in South Asia is identified as a threat to both regional stability and to the attainment of central U.S. policy goals. Al Qaeda forces that fled from Afghanistan with their Taliban supporters remain active on Pakistani territory, and Al Qaeda is believed to have links with indigenous Pakistani terrorist groups that have conducted anti-Western attacks and that support separatist militancy in Indian Kashmir. A significant portion of Pakistan's ethnic Pashtun population is reported to sympathize with the Taliban and even Al Qaeda. The United States maintains close counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan aimed especially at bolstering security and stability in neighboring Afghanistan. In the latter half of 2003, the Islamabad government began limited military operations in the traditionally autonomous tribal areas of western Pakistan. There are indications that such operations are intensifying in coordination with U.S. and Afghan forces just across the international frontier. The relationships between Al Qaeda, the Taliban, indigenous Pakistani terrorist groups, and some elements of Pakistan's political-military structure are complex and murky, but may represent a serious threat to the attainment of key U.S. policy goals. A pair of December 2003 attempts to assassinate Pakistan's President Musharraf reportedly were linked to both Al Qaeda and a Pakistan-based terrorist group. There also are indications that elements of Pakistan's intelligence service and Pakistani Islamist political parties may have provided assistance to U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations. It is thought that some Al Qaeda elements fled to Bangladesh." -- Abstract
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2004-03-08
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Nuclear Weapon Initiatives: Low-Yield R&D, Advanced Concepts, Earth Penetrators, Test Readiness [Updated March 8, 2004]
"The Bush Administration completed its congressionally-mandated Nuclear Posture Review in December 2001. The review led to major changes in U.S. nuclear policy. It found that the Cold War relationship with Russia was "very inappropriate" and that this nation must be able to deal with new threats. It planned to retain Cold War-era nuclear weapons, which would suffice for many contingencies, though at reduced numbers. To complement these weapons so as to improve U.S. ability to deal with new, more dispersed threats in various countries, the Administration sought to explore additional nuclear capabilities...These initiatives are controversial. Supporters claim that the first three initiatives would enhance deterrence, thereby reducing the risk of war, and that some weapons that might result from the initiatives could enable the United States to destroy key targets in nations that may pose a threat. Critics are concerned that these initiatives would lead to nuclear testing, increase the risk of nuclear proliferation, and make U.S. use of nuclear weapons more likely...This report provides the policy context for the four initiatives. For each, it then presents a description, history, FY2004 legislative actions, the FY2005 request (for all but low-yield R&D), and issues for Congress. It is designed for those who want a detailed introduction to the debate, those seeking arguments and counterarguments, and those looking for answers to specific questions. It will track congressional and executive actions on these initiatives through updates as developments warrant." -- Summary
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Medalia, Jonathan E.
2004-03-08
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Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator Budget Request and Plan, FY2005-FY2009 [March 8, 2004]
"The FY2005 budget document for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) shows funding for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (RNEP) increasing sharply after FY2005 as the weapon proceeds beyond the study phase. NNSA states that these developments are shown for budgeting purposes and do not represent an actual plan. It further states that the out-year figures are already out of date, but that no new figures are available. A feasibility and cost study of RNEP currently under way was projected to cost $45 million between FY2003 and FY2005, but is now projected to cost $71 million between FY2003 and FY2006. This report explains the budget request and plan, and will be updated as needed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Medalia, Jonathan E.
2004-03-08
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NATO's Decision-Making Procedure [Updated March 8, 2004]
"This report provides a brief analysis of NATO's decision-making procedures, with several examples of how the allies have handled sensitive issues in the past. It describes the February 2003 dispute over providing NATO defense planning and equipment to Turkey, and analyzes the debate over the decision-making process, including possible alterations of that process. This report will be periodically updated. See also CRS Report RS21354, The Nato Summit at Prague, 2002."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gallis, Paul E.
2004-03-08
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Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator Budget Request and Plan, FY2005-FY2009 March 8, 2004
"The FY2005 budget document for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) shows funding for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (RNEP) increasing sharply after FY2005 as the weapon proceeds beyond the study phase. NNSA states that these developments are shown for budgeting purposes and do not represent an actual plan. It further states that the out-year figures are already out of date, but that no new figures are available. A feasibility and cost study of RNEP currently under way was projected to cost $45 million between FY2003 and FY2005, but is now projected to cost $71 million between FY2003 and FY2006. This report explains the budget request and plan, and will be updated as needed." -- Summary
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Medalia, Jonathan E.
2004-03-08
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Missile Survey: Ballistic and Cruise Missiles of Foreign Countries [Updated March 5, 2004]
"This report provides a current inventory of ballistic and cruise missiles throughout the world and discusses implications for U.S. national security policy. Ballistic and cruise missile development and proliferation continue to pose a threat to United States national security interests both at home and abroad. While approximately 16 countries currently produce ballistic missiles, they have been widely proliferated to many countries- some of whom are viewed as potential adversaries of the United States. Nineteen countries produce cruise missiles which are also widely proliferated and many analysts consider cruise missile proliferation to be of more concern than that of ballistic missile proliferation, primarily due to their low threshold of use, availability and affordability, and accuracy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2004-03-05
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Regulation of Broadcast Indecency: Background and Legal Analysis [Updated March 5, 2004]
Two recent events have placed increased attention on the FCC and its indecency
regulations . The airing of the 2003 Golden Globe Awards and the subsequent ruling
by the FCC's Enforcement Bureau, coupled with the controversy surrounding the
2004 Super Bowl half-time show, have brought broadcast indecency to the forefront
of the congressional agenda. Bills have been introduced to increase the penalties
imposed for broadcast indecency (H.R. 3717, S. 2056, S . 2147) and to prohibit the
broadcast of certain words and phrases in any grammatical form (H.R. 3687).
Resolutions have been introduced to express disapproval of the FCC Enforcement
Bureau's decision regarding the Golden Globe Awards broadcast : H.Res. 482, H.Res.
500, and S . Res. 283, which the Senate passed on December 9, 2003 . In addition,
both the House and Senate have held or scheduled hearings on broadcast indecency.
This report provides background on the two events in question, discusses the legal
evolution of the FCC's indecency regulations, and provides an overview of how the
current regulations have been applied . The final section of the report considers
whether prohibiting the broadcast of "indecent" words regardless of context would
violate the First Amendment.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cohen, Henry, 1949-; Welborn, Angie A.
2004-03-05
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Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti: 2004 [Updated March 5, 2004]
From the Summary: "Since armed rebels seized control of Haiti's fourth largest city, Gonaives, on February 5, 2004, and protests calling for President Aristide's resignation culminated in his departure on February 29, there has been increasing concern about a looming humanitarian crisis in Haiti. With events on the ground constantly shifting and an increasing lack of security, assessments of the humanitarian situation remain fluid and subject to change. This report covers recent developments and the humanitarian response to the crisis by the United States and other international actors. It will be updated as events warrant. For further information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Issue Brief IB96019, 'Haiti: Issues for Congress' by Maureen Taft-Morales."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Margesson, Rhoda
2004-03-05
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Visa Policy: Roles of the Departments of State and Homeland Security [March 4, 2004]
Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, considerable concern has been
raised because the 19 terrorists were aliens who apparently entered the United States
on temporary visas despite provisions in immigration laws that bar the admission of
terrorists. Fears that lax enforcement of immigration laws regulating the admission
of foreign nationals into the United States may continue to make the United States
vulnerable to further terrorist attacks have led many to call for revisions in the policy
as well as changes in who administers immigration law.
Foreign nationals not already legally residing in the United States who wish to
come to the United States generally must obtain a visa to be admitted, with certain
exceptions noted in law. Prior to establishment of the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS), two departments the Department of State (DOS) Bureau of
Consular Affairs and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS) each played key roles in administering the law and
policies on the admission of aliens. Although DOSs Consular Affairs remains
responsible for issuing visas, DHSs Bureau of Citizenship and Immigrant Services
approves immigrant petitions, and DHSs Bureau of Customs and Border Protection
inspects all people who enter the United States. In FY2002, DOS issued
approximately 6.2 million visas and rejected over 2.2 million aliens seeking visas.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wasem, Ruth Ellen
2004-03-04
