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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 12, 2021

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The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR contains the following: "Health Care Utilization and Outcomes Associated with Accidental Poisonous Mushroom Ingestions -- United States, 2016-2018"; "Screening for HIV Among Patients at Tuberculosis Clinics -- Results from Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment Surveys, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, 2015-2016"; "First Identified Cases of SARS-CoV-2 Variant P.1 in the United States -- Minnesota, January 2021"; "Travel from the United Kingdom to the United States by a Symptomatic Patient Infected with the SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] B.1.1.7 Variant -- Texas, January 2021"; "Association of State-Issued Mask Mandates and Allowing On-Premises Restaurant Dining with County-Level COVID-19 Case and Death Growth Rates -- United States, March 1-December 31, 2020"; "Body Mass Index and Risk for COVID-19-Related Hospitalization, Intensive Care Unit Admission, Invasive Mechanical Ventilation, and Death -- United States, March-December 2020"; "'Notes from the Field': Opioid Overdose Deaths Before, During, and After an 11-Week COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Order -- Cook County, Illinois, January 1, 2018-October 6, 2020"; and "'QuickStats': Rates of Firearm-Related Deaths Among Persons Aged ≥15 Years, by Selected Intent and Age Group -- National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2019." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)

2021-03-12
Central America's Northern Triangle: Challenges for U.S. Policymakers in 2021 [Updated March 12, 2021]

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From the Document: "Instability in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras (the Northern Triangle of Central America) is among the most pressing challenges for U.S. policymakers in the Western Hemisphere. The United States historically has played a prominent role in the political and economic development of the region, which has long struggled with widespread insecurity, fragile democratic institutions, and high levels of poverty and inequality. Already difficult living conditions have deteriorated over the past year due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and two hurricanes. [...] Approximately 2.9 million [hyperlink] Hondurans, 1 million [hyperlink] Salvadorans, and 3.7 million [hyperlink] Guatemalans are contending with crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity. Although the pandemic and government lockdowns initially disrupted criminal activities, reports suggest [hyperlink] domestic violence increased and gangs and illicit trafficking groups quickly adapted to the changed circumstances. Some government officials have sought to take advantage of the disorder, allegedly engaging in corruption [hyperlink], repressing dissent [hyperlink], and undermining the rule of law [hyperlink] to advance their personal and political interests. These interrelated socioeconomic, security, and political challenges could have far-reaching implications for the United States. Although the Biden Administration has urged potential irregular migrants not to make the 'dangerous journey [hyperlink],' U.S. authorities have encountered growing numbers [hyperlink] of Guatemalans, Hondurans, and Salvadorans at the Southwest border. Many analysts expect these mixed migration flows of asylum-seekers and economic migrants to swell over the course of 2021, especially once governments ease COVID-19-related border restrictions."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Meyer, Peter J.

2021-03-12
Long-Term Plan for Long Covid

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From the Overview: "We last wrote about Long Covid [coronavirus disease 2019] when we published 'Long Covid: Reviewing the Science and Assessing the Risk' [hyperlink] in October which was followed up by a blog [hyperlink] from members of Long Covid support groups. Since then, various studies and research have confirmed what many suspected in October: that Long Covid will have a significant impact on the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people, regardless of the severity of their initial Covid-19 infection. [...] In our previous report we set out a series of recommendations on how the government could make progress in responding to Long Covid. These recommendations covered: [1] Addressing the need for further research on Long Covid. [2] Launching an awareness campaign. [3] Improving diagnosis of Long Covid. [4] Putting in place specialist support for sufferers. [5] Using the Covid Symptom Study data to screen for those likely to develop Long Covid. 'Below we include': 1. More detail on the recommendations we made. 2. An update on what has happened in each area. 3. Where appropriate, what more could be done."

Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

Miller, Brianna; Sleat, Daniel

2021-03-12
EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 21 Issue 10, March 11, 2021

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The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "Resources for ensuring physical security at COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccine Points of Distribution"; "New POINTER [Precision Outdoor and Indoor Navigation and Tracking for Emergency Responders] location-tracking technology for emergency responders shows groundbreaking accuracy in field tests"; "Educational map products help coastal communities understand and plan for their unique flood risks"; "On-demand, virtual training for emergency response to exposure from radioactive materials and toxic chemicals"; and "Cyber Threats."

Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)

2021-03-11
FEMA Needs Revised Policies and Procedures to Better Manage Recovery of Disallowed Grant Funds

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From the Highlights: "FEMA grants billions of dollars each year to help recipients (states, territories, and tribal and local governments) and subrecipients (counties, cities, and nonprofit organizations) respond to and recover from disasters. We performed this audit to determine whether FEMA allowed grant costs consistent with Office of Management and Budget circulars and other cost guidance and to determine the effectiveness of FEMA's process for recovering disallowed grant costs."

United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General

2021-03-11
U.S. Public Health Service: COVID-19 Supplemental Appropriations in the 116th Congress [March 11, 2021]

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From the Introduction: "This report summarizes coronavirus supplemental funding for the public health service agencies and to the PHSSEF [ Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund] in the 116th Congress. It also includes resources for tracking spending. Funding has been provided across five supplemental appropriations measures: [1] 'First Measure:' Division A of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. [public law] 116-123), enacted on March 6, 2020. [2] 'Second Measure:' Division A of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA, P.L. 116-127), enacted on March 18, 2020. [3] 'Third Measure:' Division B of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, P.L. 116-136), enacted on March 27, 2020. [4] 'Fourth Measure:' Division B, of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PPPHCEA, P.L. 116-139), enacted on April 24, 2020. [5] 'Fifth Measure:' Division M of Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116- 260), enacted on December 27, 2020. This report provides an overview of each of the PHS [U.S. Public Health Service] agencies, as well as the PHSSEF."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Sekar, Kavya; Bodie, Agata; Cornell, Ada S. . . .

2021-03-11
Arms Control and Nonproliferation: A Catalog of Treaties and Agreements [Updated March 11, 2021]

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From the Introduction: "This report provides an overview of many of the key arms control and nonproliferation agreements and endeavors of the past 40 years. It is divided into three sections. The first describes arms control efforts between the United States and the states of the former Soviet Union, covering both formal, bilateral treaties, and the cooperative threat reduction process. The second section describes multilateral nuclear nonproliferation efforts, covering both formal treaties and less formal accommodations that have been initiated in recent years. The final section reviews treaties and agreements that address chemical, biological, and conventional weapons. The report concludes with several appendices. These provide a list of treaties and agreements that the United States is a party to, a description of the treaty ratification process, and a list of the bilateral and international organizations tasked with implementation of arms control efforts."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Woolf, Amy F.; Kerr, Paul K.; Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham

2021-03-11
Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 11, 2021]

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From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program--the Coast Guard's program for acquiring new PSCs (i.e., heavy polar icebreakers). The PSC program has received a total of $1,169.6 million (i.e., about $1.2 billion) in procurement funding through FY2020, including $135 million in FY2020, which was $100 million more than the $35 million that the Coast Guard had requested for FY2020. With the funding it has received through FY2020, the first PSC is now fully funded and the second PSC has received initial funding. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2021 budget requests $555 million in procurement funding for the PSC program. It also proposes a rescission of $70 million in FY2020 funding that Congress had provided for the procurement of long lead time materials (LLTM) for a 12th National Security Cutter (NSC), with the intent of reprogramming that funding to the PSC program. The Coast Guard states that its proposed FY2021 budget, if approved by Congress, would fully fund the second PSC. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Administration's FY2021 procurement funding request for the PSC program and the proposed rescission of FY2020 NSC funding, and, more generally, whether to approve, reject, or modify the Coast Guard's overall plan for procuring new polar icebreakers."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

O'Rourke, Ronald

2021-03-11
Defense Primer: Military Service Academies [March 11, 2021]

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From the Overview: "The U.S. military service academies are tuition-free, four-year degree-granting institutions operated by the military departments. The academies are a major officer commissioning source, along with the Reserve Officer Training Corps and Officer Candidate School. The military service academies include the: [1] U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, New York, under the Department of the Army; [2] U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, Maryland, under the Department of the Navy (Navy and Marine Corps); and [3] U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, Colorado, under the Department of the Air Force (Air Force and Space Force). There are two other federal service academies, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, in New London, Connecticut, under the Department of Homeland Security; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York, under the Department of Transportation. While graduates of these service academies may also receive an officer commission upon graduation, they differ from the military service academies in many respects (e.g., statutory authorities, application and acceptance processes)."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Kamarck, Kristy N.; Kaileh, Hibbah

2021-03-11
Earmark Disclosure Rules in the House: Member and Committee Requirements [Updated March 11, 2021]

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From the Summary: "Earmark disclosure rules in both the House and Senate establish certain administrative responsibilities that vary by chamber. Under House rules, a Member requesting that an earmark be included in legislation is responsible for providing specific written information, such as the purpose and recipient of the earmark, to the committee of jurisdiction. Further, House committees are responsible for compiling, presenting, and maintaining such requests in accord with House rules. In the House, disclosure rules apply to any congressional earmark, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit included in either the text of a bill or any report accompanying the measure, including a conference report and joint explanatory statement. The disclosure requirements apply to earmarks in appropriations legislation, authorizing legislation, and tax measures. Furthermore, they apply not only to measures reported by committees but also to measures not reported by committees, 'manager's amendments,' and conference reports. This report will be updated as needed."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Lynch, Megan S.

2021-03-11
Kosovo: Background and U.S. Policy [Updated March 11, 2021]

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From the Overview: "The Republic of Kosovo is a landlocked country in the Western Balkans. Ethnic Albanians comprise about 90% of Kosovo's population, and Serbs and other minority groups comprise about 10%. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, nearly a decade after the end of a brief but lethal conflict between Serbian forces and a Kosovo Albanian insurgency led by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Since 2008, Kosovo has been recognized by more than 100 countries. The United States and most European Union (EU) member states recognize Kosovo. Serbia, Russia, China, and various other countries (including some EU member states) do not. The United States has strongly supported Kosovo's state-building and development efforts, as well as an EU-led dialogue aimed at normalizing Kosovo and Serbia's relations. Kosovo generally regards the United States as a security guarantor and key ally. Congress has maintained interest in Kosovo for many decades--from concerns over Serbia's treatment of ethnic Albanians in the former Yugoslavia to the armed conflict in Kosovo in 1998- 1999 after Yugoslavia disintegrated. Many Members were active in debates over the U.S.- and NATO-led military intervention in the conflict. After Serbian forces withdrew in 1999, many Members backed Kosovo's independence. Today, many in Congress continue to support Kosovo through country- or region-specific hearings, congressional visits, and foreign assistance funding levels averaging around $50 million in recent years."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Garding, Sarah E.

2021-03-11
Policing Reform Legislation: Conditions on Funding and New Grant Authorizations [Updated March 11, 2021]

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From the Summary: "The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN, while he was in the custody of law enforcement, combined with several other recent high-profile deaths of African Americans at the hands of the police, have generated congressional interest in legislation to reform state and local policing practices, and to require law enforcement agencies to collect more data on law enforcement actions and activities and share these data with the public. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 (H.R. [House Report] 7120, 116th Congress) was introduced and passed by the House in June 2020, but it was not taken up by the Senate. The legislation has been reintroduced in the current Congress as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 (JIPA, H.R. 1280). The House passed JIPA on March 3, 2021. The legislation is an omnibus measure that would address a variety of policing reform topics and approaches. These include attempting to reform state and local policing practices through two means: placing conditions on existing Department of Justice (DOJ) grant programs, such as the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) or Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs; and authorizing new grant programs."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

James, Nathan

2021-03-11
Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) and Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) Programs [Updated March 11, 2021]

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From the Summary: "The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides cash benefits to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers; firefighters; employees of emergency management agencies; and members of emergency medical services agencies who are killed or permanently and totally disabled as the result of personal injuries sustained in the line of duty. The Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program, a component of the PSOB program, provides higher-education assistance to the children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The PSOB and PSOEA programs are administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). Claimants dissatisfied with denials of benefits may pursue administrative appeals within DOJ and may seek judicial review before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Szymendera, Scott

2021-03-11
U.S. Aluminum Manufacturing: National Security and Tariffs [March 11, 2021]

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From the Document: "Aluminum--a lightweight, ductile, malleable, and corrosion-resistant metal--is increasingly used in many industrial and technological applications, including in products used for national defense and lower emission vehicles. In Congress, views on the aluminum industry generally diverge between those who support policies to increase domestic production for national security and economic reasons and others who argue that such policies may raise aluminum prices and harm aluminum-consuming sectors (e.g., transportation equipment, containers and packaging, and construction)."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Fefer, Rachel F.

2021-03-11
Contagion of Institutional Distrust: Viral Disinformation of the COVID Vaccine and the Road to Reconciliation

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From the Foreword: "'A Contagion of Institutional Distrust,' the latest research from the Network Contagion Research Institute, maps how a broad swath of Americans are mobilizing against vaccines and public health restrictions and seeks to map that mistrust in the same way we are mapping the virus itself. The report offers us incredibly important new tools, such as methods to detect and predictively map emerging threats to our democracy and public health at the county level, from social media platforms that are becoming increasingly sovereign from democratic control. More importantly, it maps the underlying concerns of our fellow Americans, who, as it turns out, are mothers who want their children to return to school or people understandably concerned about government excess, more often than they are people who believe Aliens are stealing our election. With these maps in hand, we must now come together as Americans to look past the caricatures, blame, and the lies because the path to public health, the path to healing, is now sewn directly to our commitments to one another and to renewing our democracy. Our fight against tyranny, conspiracy, and corrosive mutual distrust now stands on our ability as Americans to reject the disgust of blame and appeal, and, through coherent reason, to reach toward a sober consensus of unlikely collaborators."

Network Contagion Research Institute; Rutgers University

Ross, Alexander Reid; Modi, Malav; Paresky, Pamela B. . . .

2021-03-11?
One Year Later, a New Wave of Pandemic Health Concerns

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From the Webpage: "On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] a global pandemic. [...] One year later, more than 500,000 U.S. residents have died from the coronavirus, while the nation also has grappled with racial injustice, a brutal election cycle and civil unrest. In our October 2020 report, 'Stress in America 2020: A National Mental Health Crisis', the American Psychological Association issued a warning about the impact of these stressful events on long-term physical and mental health. We warned that Americans faced a second pandemic -- one that would persist even after the physical threat of the virus has been addressed. Our most recent survey of U.S. adults, conducted in late February 2021 by The Harris Poll, indicates that this is coming to fruition. Survey responses reveal that physical health may be declining due to an inability to cope in healthy ways with the stresses of the pandemic. Many reported they have gained or lost an undesired amount of weight, are drinking more alcohol to cope with stress and are not getting their desired amount of sleep. This is particularly true of parents, essential workers, young people and people of color. These reported health impacts signal many adults may be having difficulties managing stressors, including grief and trauma, and are likely to lead to significant, long-term individual and societal consequences, including chronic illness and additional strain on the nation's health care system."

American Psychological Association

2021-03-11
Programs to Collect Data on Law Enforcement Activities: Overview and Issues [Updated March 11, 2021]

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From the Summary: "The death of George Floyd in May 2020, in Minneapolis, MN, while he was in the custody of law enforcement, and several other recent high-profile deaths of African Americans at the hands of police, have generated interest in legislation to reform policing practices. Law enforcement reform legislation--the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act of 2021 (JIPA; H.R. 1280)--has been introduced in the 117th Congress. The House passed JIPA on March 3, 2021. Similar legislation passed the House in the 116th Congress; it was not taken up by the Senate. JIPA would establish programs for law enforcement agencies to collect data on a variety of activities, such as the use of force, racial profiling, and in-custody deaths."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

James, Nathan; Finklea, Kristin

2021-03-11
Veterans Health Administration: Gender-Specific Health Care Services for Women Veterans [Updated March 11, 2021]

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From the Introduction: "VHA [Veterans Health Administration] had predominately provided general health care and gender-specific services (e.g., prostate exams)that were geared to men, because the demographics of the veteran population had been predominately male. [...] Today, VHA offers a full suite of gender-specific health care services for women veterans. Gender-specific care is specialized care that is sensitive to the unique needs of women. It includes not only reproductive system specific care but also general care that is sensitive to gender differences. Of the total population of about 2.03 million women veterans, 755,807 were enrolled in the VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] health care system in FY2019. [...] Demand for gender-specific care may grow, as the proportion of women veterans to the total veteran population is projected to increase by 0.6% annually through 2045."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Sussman, Jared S.

2021-03-11
Electricity Grid Resilience: Climate Change is Expected to Have Far-Reaching Effects and DOE and FERC Should Take Actions, Statement of Frank Rusco, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Testimony Before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate

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From the Document: "According to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, changes in the earth's climate are under way and expected to increase, posing risks to the electricity grid that may affect the nation's economic and national security. Annual costs of weather-related power outages total billions of dollars and may increase with climate change, although resilience investments could help address potential effects, according to the research program. Private companies own most of the electricity grid, but the federal government plays a significant role in promoting grid resilience--the ability to adapt to changing conditions; withstand potentially disruptive events; and, if disrupted, to rapidly recover. DOE [Department of Energy], the lead agency for grid resilience efforts, conducts research and provides information and technical assistance to industry. FERC [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] reviews mandatory grid reliability standards. This testimony summarizes GAO's [Government Accountability Office] report on grid resilience to climate change. Specifically, the testimony discusses (1) potential climate change effects on the electricity grid; and (2) actions DOE and FERC have taken since 2014 to enhance electricity grid resilience to climate change effects, and additional actions these agencies could take. GAO reviewed reports and interviewed agency officials and 55 relevant stakeholders."

United States. Government Accountability Office

Rusco, Frank

2021-03-10
Davis-Bacon Act: Army Corps of Engineers Provides Guidance on Wage Requirements, but Opportunities Exist to Improve Monitoring

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From the Document: "The Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (the Act), requires contractors working on certain federally funded construction projects to pay their workers at least locally prevailing wages, as determined by the Department of Labor (DOL) for various job categories. The Act was enacted, in part, to protect workers from contractors hiring lower-wage workers from outside their local area, thus obtaining federal construction contracts by underbidding competitors who pay local wage rates. Each federal agency that contracts for construction work covered by the Act is primarily responsible for enforcing the Act's requirements."

United States. Government Accountability Office

2021-03-10
MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 10, 2021: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Incidence by Age, Sex, and Period Among Persons Aged <25 Years -- 16 U.S. Jurisdictions, January 1-December 31, 2020

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The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Incidence by Age, Sex, and Period Among Persons Aged

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)

2021-03-10
Venezuela: Political Crisis and U.S. Policy [Updated March 10, 2021]

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From the Document: "Venezuela remains in a deep crisis under the authoritarian rule of Nicolás Maduro of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). Maduro, narrowly elected in 2013 after the death of populist President Hugo Chávez (1999-2013), began a second term in January 2019that is widely considered illegitimate. Despite U.S. and international pressure on him to leave office and a worsening economic and humanitarian crisis, Maduro remains firmly in power. His party now controls a de facto National Assembly seated on January 5, 2021. Since January 2019, the United States has recognized Juan Guaidó, president of the democratically elected, opposition-controlled National Assembly elected in December 2015, as interim president. Guaidó, once recognized as Venezuela's leader by more than 55 countries, has been losing international and Venezuelan domestic support. Although the Biden Administration and many in Congress support Guaidó, some are calling for a new strategy for Venezuela."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Seelke, Clare Ribando

2021-03-10
Private Industry Notification: Malicious Actors Almost Certainly Will Leverage Synthetic Content for Cyber and Foreign Influence Operations

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From the Summary: "Malicious actors almost certainly will leverage synthetic content for cyber and foreign influence operations in the next 12-18 months. Foreign actors are currently using synthetic content in their influence campaigns, and the FBI anticipates it will be increasingly used by foreign and criminal cyber actors for spearphishing and social engineering in an evolution of cyber operational tradecraft."

United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation

2021-03-10
Antarctica: Overview of Geopolitical and Environmental Issues [March 10, 2021]

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From the Introduction: "Geopolitical and environmental developments are increasing international focus on Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. The interdisciplinary nature of various stakeholders concerned with Antarctica--including scientists, diplomats, defense personnel, members of the media, academics, and others in both domestic and international contexts--makes for a complex dynamic. Some of these stakeholders contend that current developments could have environmental, political, economic, and security implications for the United States and the rest of the world. [...] Geopolitical, climate, and natural resource concerns in Antarctica might stimulate Congress to explore a number of questions related to the region, including what role Antarctica may play in the changing global order and its potential to contribute to sea-level rise."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Sheikh, Pervaze A.; Procita, Kezee; Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-

2021-03-10
Global Economic Effects of COVID-19 [Updated March 10, 2021]

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From the Document: "In the months since the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] outbreak was first diagnosed, it has spread to over 200 countries and all U.S. states. The pandemic has negatively affected global economic growth beyond anything experienced in nearly a century. Estimates so far indicate the virus reduced global economic growth to an annualized rate of -4.5% to -6.0% in 2020, with a partial recovery of 2.5% to 5.2% projected for 2021. [...] The full economic impact of the pandemic likely will remain unclear until the negative health effects peak. This report provides an overview of the global economic costs to date and the response by governments and international institutions to address these effects."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Jackson, James K., 1949-; Nelson, Rebecca M.; Weiss, Martin A. . . .

2021-03-10
Firearms Eligibility: Stalking- and Domestic Violence-Related Provisions in H.R. 1620 [March 10, 2021]

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From the Document: "The 117th Congress is considering the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (H.R. 1620). This bill includes several provisions that seek to reduce firearms-related intimate partner violence (homicides and injury) by amending federal law to prohibit persons convicted of misdemeanor stalking crimes from receiving or possessing a firearm or ammunition, as well as revising related provisions governing domestic violence protection orders and amending a definition of 'intimate partner' under current law. This bill also includes other provisions related to leveraging state, local, tribal, and territorial resources to increase federal investigation and prosecution of firearms-related eligibility offenses related to domestic violence and stalking. The House passed a bill with identical provisions in the 116th Congress (H.R. 1585)."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Krouse, William J.

2021-03-10
COVID-19: Selected Financial and Social Service Resources for Older Americans [Updated March 10, 2021]

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From the Document: "This Insight provides links to selected financial and social service resources for older Americans who may have suffered economic distress due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Breslauer, Tamar B.; Napili, Angela; Overbay, Abigail R.

2021-03-10
Application of Internal Revenue Code Section 280E to Marijuana Businesses: Selected Legal Issues [March 10, 2021]

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From the Summary: "The marijuana industry has grown as an increasing number of states have relaxed state law prohibitions on the use of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes. Under federal law, marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), meaning that the production, distribution, and possession of marijuana remains illegal, except in the narrow context of federally approved research studies. Regardless of marijuana's status under federal or state law, marijuana businesses are subject to the federal income tax. The Schedule I status of marijuana means that marijuana businesses are treated differently from many other businesses for tax purposes. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 280E (Section 280E) denies deductions and credits for amounts paid or incurred in carrying on the trade or business of trafficking controlled substances (within the meaning of Schedules I and II of the CSA) in violation of federal or state law. Consistent with marijuana's classification as a Schedule I controlled substance, Section 280E disallows taxpayers from taking tax deductions and claiming tax credits attributable to marijuana businesses. [...] Recent legislative proposals aim to relax federal restrictions on marijuana or to mitigate the disparity between federal and state marijuana regulation. Many of these proposals would alter the tax treatment of marijuana businesses by re-scheduling or descheduling marijuana under the CSA or by making marijuana-specific exceptions. Under these proposals, Section 280E would no longer prohibit marijuana businesses from taking deductions and credits."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Ball, Milan N.

2021-03-10
Libya and U.S. Policy [Updated March 10, 2021]

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From the Document: "Ten years after a 2011 uprising toppled longtime authoritarian leader Muammar al Qadhafi, Libya has yet to make a transition to stable governing arrangements. Militias, local leaders, and coalitions of national figures backed by competing foreign patrons have remained the most powerful arbiters of public affairs. [...] The U.N. Security Council has authorized financial and travel sanctions on those responsible for threatening 'the peace, stability or security of Libya,' obstructing or undermining 'the successful completion of its political transition,' or supporting others who do so. In parallel to these U.N. measures, U.S. executive orders provide for U.S. sanctions on those threatening peace in Libya. Congress has conditionally appropriated funding for transition support, stabilization, security assistance, and humanitarian programs for Libya since 2011. In the 117th Congress, companion legislation introduced in the House of Representatives and Senate (H.R. 1228 and S. 379), would authorize future U.S. assistance, provide a legislative basis for U.S. sanctions, and establish new reporting requirements. Congress allocated not less than $30 million in FY2021 aid for 'stabilization assistance for Libya, including support for a United Nations-facilitated political process and border security' under P.L. [Public Law] 116-260."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Blanchard, Christopher M.

2021-03-10
Potential State Impacts of a Pause on Federal Onshore Oil and Natural Gas Leases [March 10, 2021]

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From the Document: "On January 27, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order (E.O.) 14008, 'Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad'. Among other actions, this E.O. instructs the Secretary of the Interior (SOI) to 'pause new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or in offshore waters pending completion of a comprehensive review and reconsideration of Federal oil and gas permitting and leasing practices.' This E.O. was preceded by Secretarial Order (S.O.) 3395, issued by the Department of the Interior on January 20, 2021. The S.O. suspends certain delegated authorities to bureaus and offices for 60 days, including the authority to issue an authorization, including 'a lease, amendment to a lease, affirmative extension of a lease, contract, or other agreement, or permit to drill'; the authority to authorize such actions is retained in a number of indicated positions."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Tracy, Brandon S., 1973-

2021-03-10

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