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Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices [November 20, 2019]
From the Document: "This report provides a regional snapshot of the political climate in Latin America and the Caribbean, based on the U.S. Department of State's description of each country's political system and selected nongovernmental indices that measure democracy trends worldwide."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Davis-Castro, Carla Y.
2019-11-20
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Impeachment and the Constitution [November 20, 2019]
From the Introduction: "The Constitution grants Congress authority to impeach and remove the President, Vice President, and other federal 'civil Officers' for treason, bribery, or 'other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.' Impeachment is one of the various checks and balances created by the Constitution, serving as a crucial tool for holding government officers accountable for abuse of power, corruption, and conduct considered incompatible with the nature of an individual's office."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cole, Jared P.; Garvey, Todd
2019-11-20
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Iran: Internal Politics and U.S. Policy and Options [Updated November 20, 2019]
From the Document: "U.S.-Iran relations have been adversarial--to varying degrees of intensity--since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. U.S. officials have consistently identified Iran's support for militant Middle East groups as a significant threat to U.S. interests and allies, and Iran's nuclear program took precedence in U.S. policy after 2002 as that program advanced."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2019-11-20
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Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA): A Legal Overview [Updated November 20, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides an overview of the FTCA [Federal Tort Claims Act]. It first discusses the events and policy concerns that led Congress to enact the FTCA, including the background principle of sovereign immunity. The report then explains the effect, scope, and operation of the FTCA's waiver of the United States' immunity from certain types of tort claims. In doing so, the report describes categorical exceptions to the government's waiver of sovereign immunity, statutory limitations on a plaintiff's ability to recover monetary damages under the FTCA, and the procedures that govern tort claims against the United States. The report concludes by discussing various legislative proposals to amend the FTCA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lewis, Kevin M.
2019-11-20
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Overview of the Federal Tax System in 2019 [Updated November 20, 2019]
From the Summary: "This report describes the federal tax structure and system in effect for 2019. The report also provides selected statistics on the tax system as a whole. Historically, the largest component of the federal tax system, in terms of revenue generated, has been the individual income tax. For fiscal year (FY) 2019, an estimated $1.7 trillion, or 50% of the federal government's revenue, will be collected from the individual income tax. The corporate income tax is estimated to generate another $216 billion in revenue in FY2019, or just over 6% of total revenue. Social insurance or payroll taxes will generate an estimated $1.2 trillion, or 36% of revenue in FY2019. For 2019, it is estimated that revenues will be 16.1% of gross domestic product (GDP), slightly below the post-World War II average of 17.2% of GDP."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Marples, Donald
2019-11-20
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Resolutions to Censure the President: Procedure and History [Updated November 20, 2019]
From the Summary: "Censure is a reprimand adopted by one or both chambers of Congress against a Member of Congress, President, federal judge, or other government official. While Member censure is a disciplinary measure that is sanctioned by the Constitution (Article 1, Section 5), 'non'-Member censure is not. Rather, it is a formal expression or 'sense of' one or both houses of Congress. [...] Resolutions attempting to censure the President are usually simple resolutions. These resolutions are not privileged for consideration in the House or Senate. They are, instead, considered under the regular parliamentary mechanisms used to process 'sense of' legislation. [...] This report summarizes the procedures that may be used to consider resolutions of censure and the history of attempts to censure the President (1st-115th Congresses). It also provides citations to additional reading material on the subject."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hudiburg, Jane A.; Davis, Christopher M., 1966-
2019-11-20
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POWER Initiative: Energy Transition as Economic Development [November 20, 2019]
From the Introduction: "U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has forecast U.S. coal production to decline through 2050, with the sharpest reduction to occur by the mid-2020s. Consequently, the coal industry's decline has contributed to economic distress in coal-dependent communities, including increased unemployment and poverty rates. In response, the Obama Administration launched the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Plus Plan, which addressed the coal sector's decline through funding for (1) economic stabilization, (2) social welfare efforts, and (3) environmental efforts. [...] This report considers the background of the POWER Initiative and the broader effort of which it was originally a part, the POWER Plus Plan. It broadly surveys the state of POWER elements in the current administration, including elements of the initiative in the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), and funded efforts for abandoned mine land reclamation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cecire, Michael H.
2019-11-20
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H. Rept. 116-303, Part 1: Pipeline and LNG Facility Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 370, November 20, 2019
From the Purpose and Summary: "Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI) and David Loebsack (D-IA) introduced H.R. 370, the 'Pipeline and LNG Facility Cybersecurity Preparedness Act', on January 9, 2019. H.R. 370 requires the Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary to carry out a program to coordinate Federal agencies, States, and the energy sector to ensure the security, resiliency, and survivability of natural gas pipelines, hazardous liquid pipelines, and liquefied natural gas facilities. H.R. 370 also requires the Secretary of Energy to coordinate response and recovery to physical and cyber incidents affecting the energy sector, develop advanced cybersecurity applications and technologies, perform pilot demonstration projects, develop workforce development curricula relating to physical and cybersecurity, and provide mechanisms to help the energy sector evaluate, prioritize, and improve physical and cybersecurity capabilities."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019-11-20
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Israel and the Palestinians: Chronology of a Two-State Solution [Updated November 20, 2019]
From the Document: "The idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict developed gradually in the years after Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the 1967 ArabIsraeli war. This product highlights the evolution of this idea. In 2002, U.S. policy became explicitly supportive of creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Since then, unsuccessful negotiating efforts and other developments have led many observers to doubt the viability of a twostate solution. These doubts have grown during the Trump Administration amid speculation that the plan the Administration has pledged to release may use economic measures to elicit Palestinian concessions on core issues of dispute with Israelis (security, borders, settlements, Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees), without specifically calling for an independent Palestinian state."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zanotti, Jim
2019-11-20
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Expansion of Benefits to Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans [November 20, 2019]
From the Document: "The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-23) is the most recent action taken by Congress to grant disability compensation benefits to veterans exposed to Agent Orange, a combination of tactical herbicides used by the U.S. military in Vietnam. Earlier legislation directed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide some veterans with VA benefits for specific disabilities without requiring proof of actual exposure to Agent Orange."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Salazar, Heather M.
2019-11-20
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2779, Luke and Alex School Safety Act of 2019
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on November 6, 2019. From the Document: "S. 2779 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with other federal agencies, to disseminate information on school safety measures to state and local education agencies. The bill would direct DHS to work with other federal agencies to identify existing grant programs that can support school safety improvements. The bill also would require DHS to establish an advisory board to provide external feedback and recommendations for additional school safety resources. On the basis of information from DHS about the costs of similar activities, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that staff salaries, travel costs, and other expenses would be about $1 million each year and $5 million over the 2020-2024 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriations."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2019-11-19
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Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress [Updated November 19, 2019]
From the Summary: "Names for Navy ships traditionally have been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President and in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress. Rules for giving certain types of names to certain types of Navy ships have evolved over time. There have been exceptions to the Navy's ship-naming rules, particularly for the purpose of naming a ship for a person when the rule for that type of ship would have called for it to be named for something else. Some observers have perceived a breakdown in, or corruption of, the rules for naming Navy ships. On July 13, 2012, the Navy submitted to Congress a 73-page report on the Navy's policies and practices for naming ships."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-11-19
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Tribal Programs: Resource Constraints and Management Weaknesses Can Limit Federal Program Delivery to Tribes, Statement of Anna Maria Ortiz, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Testimony Before the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States, House of Representatives
From the Document: "As Congress affirmed in the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act, the United States has undertaken a unique trust responsibility to protect and support Indian tribes and Indians. Thus, federal agencies have many programs that provide services to tribes. However, in 2018, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights found that, due to a variety of reasons--including historical discriminatory policies, insufficient resources, and inefficient federal program delivery--Native Americans continue to rank near the bottom of all Americans in terms of health, education, and employment. In February 2017 GAO [Government Accountability Office] designated federal management of programs that serve tribes in education, health care and energy as high risk. This designation is neither reflective of the performance of programs administered by tribes nor directed at tribal activities. This testimony, which is based on reports GAO issued from June 2015 through March 2019 primarily related to education, health care, and energy development, provides examples of (1) capacity and funding constraints and budget uncertainty and (2) management weaknesses that limit the effective delivery of federal programs for tribes and their members."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Ortiz, Anna Maria
2019-11-19
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H. Rept. 116-298: Covert Testing and Risk Mitigation Improvement Act of 2019, Report to Accompany H.R. 3469, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, November 19, 2019
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 3469, the 'Covert Testing and Risk Mitigation Improvement Act of 2019,' seeks to make improvements to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)'s covert testing processes and requires TSA to identify, document, and mitigate risks found through these tests. H.R. 3469 was introduced by late-Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD) to foster reforms to enhance TSA's capacity to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities to the security of U.S. transportation systems."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019-11-19
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H. Rept. 116-299: Inland Waters Security Review Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 4402, November 19, 2019
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 4402, the 'Inland Waters Security Review Act,' will require DHS to submit to Congress an analysis of the following: (1) current and potential terrorism and criminal threats with respect to inland waters; (2) security challenges at inland water ports; (3) security mitigation efforts with respect to inland waters; (4) any vulnerabilities related to law enforcement cooperation or international agreements with respect to inland waters that may affect security, counterterrorism, anti-trafficking efforts, or trade; and (5) any metrics used by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assess inland waters security. In doing so, DHS must take into account technology, personnel, law enforcement cooperation, publicprivate partnerships, and challenges posed by geography."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019-11-19
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H. Rept. 116-301: Drone Origin Security Enhancement Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 4753, November 19, 2019
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 4753, the 'Drone Origin Security Enhancement Act,' would prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from operating, providing financial assistance for, or entering into or renewing a contract for the procurement of certain unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Specifically, the prohibition applies to UAS manufactured in or consisting of parts made in foreign countries that the Department of Defense defines as 'strategic competitors' in its 2018 National Defense Strategy."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019-11-19
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H. Rept. 116-300: Department of Homeland Security Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act, Report Together with Additional Views to Accompany H.R. 4713, November 19, 2019
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 4713, the 'Department of Homeland Security Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act,' was introduced to strengthen the role of the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department) as it works to ensure the protection of individual rights for those affected by DHS programs and activities. This bill authorizes CRCL to integrate civil rights and civil liberties into all Department programs and activities by reviewing Departmental policies, procedures, and activities; reviewing, assessing, and investigating complaints and information indicating possible abuses of civil rights and civil liberties; conducting civil rights and civil liberties impact assessments; and providing recommendations and other technical assistance to the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) and heads of the operational components of the Department, among other functions. The bill seeks to improve the effectiveness of CRCL within the Department by granting the DHS CRCL Officer authority to access all Department records necessary to carry out the Officer's work and to issue subpoenas, as necessary and subject to the approval of the Secretary, to non-federal entities. Additionally, the bill requires the head of each operational component to designate a CRCL officer within its respective component to coordinate with and provide information to the DHS CRCL Officer on matters related to civil rights and civil liberties. To improve transparency regarding CRCL findings, at the conclusion of any investigation conducted by CRCL, the investigatory report is required to be submitted to Congress without any prior comment or amendment by the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, or any other officer or employee of the Department, unless the DHS CRCL Officer seeks such comment."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019-11-19
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Air Force OA-X Light Attack Aircraft Program [Updated November 19, 2019]
From the Document: "On October 24, 2019, the U.S. Air Force issued a final request for proposals declaring its intent to acquire a new type of aircraft. The OA-X light attack aircraft is a small, two-seat turboprop airplane designed for operation in relatively permissive environments. The announcement of a formal program follows a series of Air Force 'experiments' to determine the utility of such an aircraft."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gertler, Jeremiah
2019-11-19
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Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations [Updated November 19, 2019]
From the Summary: "Several U.N. Security Council resolutions adopted between 2006 and 2010 required Iran to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA's) investigation of its nuclear activities, suspend its uranium enrichment program, suspend its construction of a heavywater reactor and related projects, and ratify the Additional Protocol to its IAEA safeguards agreement. [...] This report provides a brief overview of Iran's nuclear program and describes the legal basis for the actions taken by the IAEA board and the Security Council. It will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.
2019-11-19
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FEMA Individual Assistance Programs: An Overview [November 19, 2019]
From the Document: "Following a presidential declaration of emergency or major disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may provide three primary forms of assistance: Individual Assistance (IA), Public Assistance (PA), and Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA). IA, which is the focus of this report, provides aid to affected individuals and households."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webster, Elizabeth M.
2019-11-19
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Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress [November 19, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report presents background information and issues for Congress concerning the Navy's force structure and shipbuilding plans. The current and planned size and composition of the Navy, the rate of Navy ship procurement, and the prospective affordability of the Navy's shipbuilding plans have been oversight matters for the congressional defense committees for many years. [...] The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's proposed FY2020 shipbuilding program and the Navy's longer-term shipbuilding plans. Decisions that Congress makes on this issue can substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-11-19
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U.S.-China Trade and Economic Relations: Overview [Updated November 19, 2019]
From the Document: "As U.S.-China economic ties have grown, so too have U.S. concerns about the business environment in China and China's trade practices. Top U.S. concerns include the Chinese state's increasingly direct and powerful role in the economy and China's policies requiring U.S. firms to disclose increasingly sensitive information as a precondition to operate in China. Beijing's slowness to acknowledge and address priority U.S. concerns while Chinese firms expand their activities in the United States and globally has highlighted uneven levels of market openness, divergent approaches to global rules, and significant differences in the operating conditions and tenets of the U.S. and Chinese economic systems."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sutter, Karen M.
2019-11-19
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Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership: Status and Recent Developments [November 19, 2019]
From the Document: "The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a prospective trade agreement between the ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and five of their major FTA [free trade agreement] partners--Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. [...] India, the primary holdout in recent negotiations, announced its withdrawal from the pact, though indicated it may consider rejoining. Despite India's announcement, the other RCEP members indicated that they aim to sign the deal in 2020. The text or exact details of the agreement are not yet public, limiting analysis of its implications, though some members have released general summaries. [...] Although RCEP is not considered likely to be as comprehensive as other agreements in terms of the scope and depth of prospective commitments, its current members constitute about 30% of global trade and GDP [gross domestic product], giving it the potential to restructure some trade patterns in Asia. As these initiatives advance without U.S. participation, Congress may consider how U.S. commercial interests in the region, as well as the U.S. role in shaping trade rules and economic integration efforts in the Indo-Pacific and globally, could be affected."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D.; Sutherland, Michael D.
2019-11-19
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Is a TSA Screener a 'Law Enforcement Officer'? Court Allows Lawsuit Against United States to Proceed [November 19, 2019]
From the Document: "According to a complaint that air traveler Nadine Pellegrino filed in 2009 against the United States in federal court, several Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) working for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) detained Pellegrino, damaged her property, and fabricated criminal charges against her after she attempted to pass through a security checkpoint at Philadelphia International Airport in 2006. In relevant part, Pellegrino's complaint demanded monetary compensation from the federal government under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). After a divided panel of judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (Third Circuit) initially ruled that one of the FTCA's provisions barred Pellegrino from pursuing her claims, the Third Circuit voted to rehear the case as a full court. Then, last August, a majority of the participating judges concluded--contrary to the panel's determination--that Pellegrino's suit could proceed. [...] [T]his Sidebar (1) describes the law governing when a plaintiff may pursue tort litigation against the United States, (2) explains how the Third Circuit applied those laws in 'Pellegrino,' and (3) identifies potential considerations for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lewis, Kevin M.
2019-11-19
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 135, Elijah E. Cummings Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act of 2019
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on November 6, 2019. From the Document:"Using information from the Office of Personnel Management and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] expects that most of the provisions in the act would build on the current policies and practices of the federal government. Currently, the federal government, through laws, regulations, and agency policies, prohibits discrimination in all phases of employment. CBO expects that agencies would incur costs to track and report discriminatory acts and to notify the public of any violations of antidiscrimination laws. Based on the costs of similar activities, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 135 would cost $1 million over the 2020-2024 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2019-11-18
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 3469, Covert Testing and Risk Mitigation Improvement Act of 2019
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on October 23, 2019. From the Document: "The bill also would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the effectiveness of the program's processes and report to the Congress. According to TSA, most of the requirements in the bill, other than the reporting requirements for TSA and GAO, are already being planned and implemented. Based on the cost of similar reports, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing H.R. 3469 would have no significant cost over the 2020-2024 period."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2019-11-18
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 565, Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2019
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
on November 6, 2019. From the Document: "S. 565 would require agencies to report on any government project that is $1 billion or more over budget or more than five years behind schedule. The report would include a description of the project, any changes to the project's requirements, the original due date and expected completion date, and some financial information. The bill also would require the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance on the reporting requirements. Because the information is already available for those projects, CBO estimates that implementing S. 565 would have no significant effect on the federal budget."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2019-11-18
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2769, Congressional Reporting Burden Reduction Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on November 6, 2019. From the Document: "S. 2769 would modify or eliminate several reports that the Department of Homeland Security, the General Services Administration, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the Office of Management and Budget must prepare for the Congress. Using information from those agencies about those reports, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing the bill would, on net, reduce costs that are subject to appropriation by about $1 million over the next five years."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2019-11-18
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 1069, Digital Coast Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on November 13, 2019. From the Document: "S. 1069 would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to continue implementing the agency's Digital Coast Program. [...] The bill would authorize the appropriation $4 million annually over the 2020-2024 period for NOAA to implement the program. In 2019, NOAA used $2 million of appropriated funds to carry out the program. Because CBO [Congressional Budget Office] scores continuing resolutions on an annualized basis, in 2020, CBO assumes that the NOAA will allocate the same amount from funds made available under the current continuing resolution (Public Law 116-59). As a result, CBO estimates that S. 1069 would authorize an increase in spending subject to appropriation in 2020 of $2 million, the difference between the authorized amount and the annualized amount under the continuing resolution. Based on historical spending patterns for the affected grants, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $16 million over the 2020-2024 period and $2 million after 2024 (see Table 1)."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2019-11-18
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Effects of H.R. 4634, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Financial Services on October 31, 2019. From the Document: "The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or revenues. The net changes in outlays and revenues that are subject to those procedures are shown here. H.R. 4634 would extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program for seven years through the end of calendar year 2027. That program requires the Treasury to provide financial assistance to property and casualty insurance companies that receive claims from commercial policyholders affected by a qualifying terrorist attack. Outlays reflect CBO's [Congressional Budget Office] estimate of the annual expected value of federal payments to insurance companies; revenues reflect an assessment placed on all property and casualty insurance companies equal to 140 percent of the expected federal costs that are less than a statutorily specified amount. Under H.R. 4634, all of those assessments must be collected by the Treasury by the end of fiscal year 2029. CBO anticipates that the Treasury would pay a substantial amount of insurance claims after the end of fiscal year 2029 because the value of such claims are typically disputed for many years following a catastrophic loss."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2019-11-18
