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• S. Rept. 115-410: National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2017, Report of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, to Accompany S. 594 to Authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to Work with Cybersecurity Consortia for Training, and for Other Purposes, December 4, 2018

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  From the Purpose and Summary: "The purpose of S. 594, the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2018, is to codify the Secretary of Homeland Security's existing authority to work with consortia, primarily composed of academic institutions and nonprofit entities with expertise in cybersecurity, to address cybersecurity risks and incidents. The Secretary may work with a consortium to provide assistance to the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or the Department) to provide cybersecurity related training and expertise to state and local first responders and critical infrastructure owners and operators."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2018-12-04
• Bahrain: Unrest, Security, and U.S. Policy [December 4, 2018]

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  "The Bahrain government's repression has presented a policy dilemma for the United States because Bahrain is a longtime ally that is pivotal to maintaining Persian Gulf security. The country has hosted a U.S. naval command headquarters for the Gulf region since 1948; the United States and Bahrain have had a formal Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) since 1991; and Bahrain was designated by the United States as a 'major non-NATO ally' in 2002. There are over 7,000 U.S. forces, mostly Navy, in Bahrain. Bahrain relies on U.S.-made arms, but, because of the government's use of force against protesters, the Obama Administration held up some new weapons sales to Bahrain and curtailed U.S. assistance to Bahrain's internal security organizations. In 2014, Bahrain joined the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State and flew strikes against the group's fighters in Syria that year, and has expressed willingness to join a U.S.-backed concept for a broad Arab coalition to counter Iran, the 'Middle East Strategic Alliance.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2018-12-04
• Kuwait: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy [December 4, 2018]

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  "Kuwait has been pivotal to the decades-long U.S. effort to secure the Persian Gulf region because of its consistent cooperation with U.S. military operations in the region and its key location in the northern Gulf. Kuwait and the United States have a formal Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA), under which the United States maintains over 13,000 military personnel in country and prepositioned military equipment in Kuwait to project power in the region. Only Germany, Japan, and South Korea host more U.S. troops than does Kuwait. Kuwait usually acts in concert not only with the United States but also with allies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman). However, Kuwait tends to favor mediation of regional issues over commitments of military force. Kuwaitis the lead Gulf mediator of the intra-GCC rift that erupted in June 2017 when Saudi Arabia, UAE,and Bahrain moved to isolate Qatar. Kuwait hosts the operational command center for U.S.-led Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) that has combatted the Islamic State. Refraining from intervening in Syria's civil war, Kuwait has instead hosting donor conferences for civilian victims of the conflict and providing aid to Jordan for its hosting of Syrian refugees."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2018-12-04
• CBP Did Not Maximize Its Revenue Collection Efforts for Delinquent Debt Owed from Importers

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  "U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does not fully enforce Customs laws over its revenue collection process. CBP failed to ensure the timely collection, write-off, and processing of delinquent debt from importers during fiscal years 2014-2016. Instead, CBP settled for collecting funds from importer surety bonds, which yielded less than 1 percent of the more than $189 million owed from importers. The 'Tariff Act' of 1930 requires CBP to collect all duties owed including interest thereon. Additionally, 'The Debt Collection and Improvement Act of 1996' requires CBP to maximize its collections of delinquent debts owed to the Government. These laws entail quick action to enforce recovery of debts and the use of all appropriate collection tools. CBP did not exhaust all administrative efforts in its collection duties. This included completing required research -- currently known as viability analysis worksheets -- to determine the importer's ability to pay the debt, and the availability of assets to ensure the timely collection or termination of a debt. Additionally, CBP's inability to properly track debt prevented the processing of more than $84 million of the delinquent debt during fiscal years 2014-2016. As of FY 2017, CBP had more than $4.3 billion of cumulative uncollectible duties, taxes, and fees -- some dating back almost 40 years. This outstanding cumulative debt will continue to increase without CBP completing the viability analysis worksheets to enable the timely pursuit or termination of delinquent debt, and the ability to monitor and properly track debt collection and write-offs."

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

  2018-12-04
• Russia, the Skripal Poisoning, and U.S. Sanctions [December 4, 2018]

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  "On August 6, 2018, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo determined that in March 2018 the government of Russia had used a chemical weapon in the United Kingdom in contravention of international law. When such a determination is made, U.S. law requires the President to impose economic and diplomatic measures that initially cut off foreign aid, arms sales, and export licenses for controlled goods, services, and technology, and ratchet up in intensity if certain conditions are not met within 90 days."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Rennack, Dianne E.; Welt, Cory

  2018-12-04
• Debt and Deficits: Spending, Revenue, and Economic Growth [December 4, 2018]

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  "The Constitution provides Congress with the authority to manage the federal budget through its 'power of the purse.' This In Focus summarizes federal budget and borrowing outcomes and trends for federal spending and revenues. The federal government incurs a budget deficit when total spending exceeds revenues over the course of a fiscal year. A budget surplus occurs when revenues exceed outlays. Budget outcomes are dependent on general economic conditions. Net deficits tend to decline in periods of high economic growth due to both increased revenues (through arise in earnings and subsequent tax payments) and reduced outlays (through a decline in demand for unemployment benefits and other programs). Conversely, deficits tend to increase in periods with lower economic growth."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Driessen, Grant A.; Sherlock, Molly F.; Marples, Donald J.

  2018-12-04
• Congressional Oversight of Intelligence: Background and Selected Options for Further Reform [December 4, 2018]

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  "This report provides a review of congressional oversight of the intelligence community (IC) since establishment of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), particularly since the 9-11 Commission published its recommendations in its 2004 report. It also explores selected options for further reform, and offers questions that Congress may consider to assess the effectiveness of its oversight. In legislating, confirming appointees, authorizing programs, and appropriating funds, Congress enables the IC, a community of 17 discrete intelligence elements, to conduct the business of intelligence in support of U.S. national security. In addition, Congress has perspective that few others outside of the IC have. Oversight of the IC enables Congress to determine whether classified intelligence programs that are restricted from public disclosure are legal, ethical,and respectful of civil liberties. When there have been perceived abuses, Congress has often intervened to conduct hearings and legislate changes in intelligence process or organization."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  DeVine, Michael E.

  2018-12-04
• Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy [December 4, 2018]

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  "The State of Qatar has employed its ample financial resources to exert regional influence separate from and independent of Saudi Arabia, the de facto leader of the alliance of six Gulf monarchies called the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman). Qatar has intervened in several regional conflicts, including in Syria and Libya, and has engaged both Sunni Islamist and Iran-backed Shiite groups in Lebanon, Sudan, the Gaza Strip, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Qatar has maintained consistent dialogue with Iran while also supporting U.S. and GCC efforts to limit Iran's regional influence. However, Qatar's independent policies, which include supporting regional Muslim Brotherhood organizations and establishing a global media network called Al Jazeera, have caused a backlash against Qatar by Saudi Arabia and some other GCC members. The GCC has been on the verge of dissolution since June 5, 2017, when Saudi Arabia, the UAE [United Arab Emirates], and Bahrain, joined by Egypt and a few other governments, severed relations with Qatar and imposed limits on the entry and transit of Qatari nationals and vessels in their territories, waters, and airspace."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2018-12-04
• Bahrain: Unrest, Security, and U.S. Policy [December 3, 2018]

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  "An uprising against Bahrain's Al Khalifa ruling family that began on February 14, 2011, has diminished in intensity, but punishments of oppositionists and periodic demonstrations continue. The mostly Shiite opposition to the Sunni-minority-led regime has not achieved its goal of establishing a constitutional monarchy, but the unrest has compelled the ruling family to undertake some modest reforms. The mainstream opposition uses peaceful forms of dissent, but small factions, reportedly backed by Iran, have claimed responsibility for bombings and other attacks on security officials. Elections for a legislative body, held most recently during November 24-December 1, 2018, have been marred by the banning of opposition political societies and allegations of gerrymandering to prevent opposition victories."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2018-12-03
• European Union: Ongoing Challenges and Future Prospects [December 3, 2018]

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  "The European Union (EU) is a unique partnership in which member states have pooled sovereignty in certain policy areas and harmonized laws on a wide range of economic and political issues. The EU is the latest stage in a process of European integration begun after World War II, initially by six Western European countries, to promote peace, security, and economic development. The EU currently consists of 28 member states, including most of the formerly communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The EU is largely viewed as a cornerstone of European stability and prosperity. For much of the last decade, however, many EU countries have faced considerable economic difficulties. Despite an improved economic situation in the EU since 2017, economic pressures and societal changes have contributed to the rise of populist and antiestablishment political parties, at least some of which harbor anti-EU or 'euroskeptic' sentiments."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Archick, Kristin

  2018-12-03
• National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP): Issues in Brief [December 3, 2018]

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  "Under the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), four federal agencies have responsibility for long-term earthquake risk reduction: the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These agencies assess U.S. earthquake hazards, deliver notifications of seismic events, develop measures to reduce earthquake hazards, and conduct research to help reduce overall U.S. vulnerability to earthquakes. Congressional oversight of the NEHRP program encompasses how well the four agencies coordinate their activities to address the earthquake hazard. Better coordination was a concern that led to changes to the program in legislation enacted in 2004 (the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2004; P.L. 108-360; 42 U.S.C. 7704)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin)

  2018-12-03
• CBP's Searches of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry - Redacted

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  "The 'Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015' (TFTEA) requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) t o establish standard operating procedures (SOP) for searching, reviewing, retaining, and sharing information in communication, electronic, or digital devices at U.S. ports of entry. The TFTEA also requires the DHS Office of Inspector General to conduct three annual audits to determine to what extent CBP conducted searches of electronic devices in accordance with the SOPs."

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

  2018-12-03
• U.S. Gun Policy: Framework and Major Issues [December 3, 2018]

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  "Federal firearms regulation has been a subject of continuous interest for legislators. In recent Congresses, a range of proposals has been introduced, with some seeking to ease various federal firearms restrictions or facilitate reciprocity in state treatment of persons authorized to carry a firearm by another state. Other proposals have sought greater restrictions on the federal rules concerning the possession, transfer or sale of firearms,or the expansion of background checks for firearm purchases. These various approaches, in turn, prompt debate about not only their pros and cons but also their legalities, as Congress's ability to legislate on such matters must comport with the Second Amendment and other constitutional constraints."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Peck, Sarah Herman; Krouse, William J.

  2018-12-03
• U.S. Trade Trends and Developments [December 3, 2018]

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  "The United States is the world's biggest economy (in nominal dollars), leading trading nation (goods and services), and largest source of and destination for foreign direct investment. The U.S. output of goods and services, or gross domestic product (GDP), totaled $19.5 trillion in 2017. That is almost the combined GDP of the next three largest economies. All told, the United States, with close to 5% of the world's population, accounted for almost 25% of the world's output and more than 16% of its growth in 2017. While the United States is the world's largest exporter (goods and services combined), U.S. exports are overshadowed by the large U.S. demand for imported products. However, the level of both U.S. exports and imports of goods and services depends on many interrelated domestic and international factors, including the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies, global demand for other dollar-denominated assets--including U.S. Treasury securities, and the relative strength of the U.S. and world economies. While the United States is still by far the dominant economy in the world, its relative position has shifted in the past two decades."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Schwarzenberg, Andres B.

  2018-12-03
• Presidential Funerals and Burials: Selected Resources [December 3, 2018]

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  "This fact sheet is a brief resource guide for congressional staff on funerals and burials for Presidents of the United States. It contains an overview of past practices for presidential funerals and selected online information resources related to official and ceremonial protocols, past presidential funerals, congressional documents, and other documents and books."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kreiser, Maria; Mast, Brent W.

  2018-12-03
• Transportation Spending Under an Earmark Ban [December 3, 2018]

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  "Since the beginning of the 112th Congress, convened in January 2011, the House and Senate have observed a ban on earmarks, formally known as congressionally directed spending. The ban has led to changes in the way transportation funding decisions are made. This report explains what earmarks are and discusses their use in surface transportation finance. It then discusses how federal transportation funding is distributed with a ban in place and how Members of Congress might influence the distribution."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kirk, Robert S.; Mallett, William J.; Peterman, David Randall

  2018-12-03
• Public Health and Other Related Provisions in P.L 115-271, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act [December 3, 2018]

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  "On October 24, 2018, President Donald J. Trump signed into law H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (P.L. 115-271; SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, or the SUPPORT Act). The final agreement on the bill was approved by the House 393-8 on September 28, 2018, and cleared by the Senate by a vote of 98-1 on October 3, 2018. Over the past several years, there has been growing concern among the public and lawmakers in the United States about rising drug overdose deaths. Opioid overdose deaths, in particular, have increased significantly in the past 15 years. In 2015, an estimated 33,091 Americans died of opioid-related overdoses. Provisional data for 2017 estimate 49,068 deaths involving opioids, representing a fourfold increase over 2002 during the beginning of the epidemic. In October of 2017, President Trump declared the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-; Duff, Johnathan H.; Bradley, David H.; Christensen, Michelle D.; Elliott, Victoria L.; Finklea, Kristin; Green, Victoria R.; Heniff, Bill; James, Nathan; Lister, Sarah A.; Peterman, David Randall; Rosso, Ryan J.; Sacco, Lisa N.; Sarata, Amanda K.; Sekar, Kavya; Staman, Jennifer A.; Stoltzfus, Emilie

  2018-12-03
• FEMA Daily Operations Briefings, December 2 - 8, 2018

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  This document is a compilation of all the FEMA Daily Operations Briefings from December 2 - 8, 2018. The FEMA Daily Operations Briefing provides an overview of the current emergency management situation nationwide and includes a summary of current significant events, weather activity, recent emergency declarations and projections for the coming week.

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

  2018-12-02?
• Human Trafficking: State and USAID Should Improve Their Monitoring of International Counter-Trafficking Projects, Report to Congressional Committees

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  "Human trafficking is a pervasive problem throughout the world. Victims are often held against their will in slave-like conditions. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on the programs conducted by specific agencies, including State, DOL [Department of Labor], and USAID [United States Agency for International Development], that address trafficking in persons. Among other objectives, this report (1) identifies the recent projects in international counter-trafficking in persons that key U.S. agencies have awarded to implementing partners; and, for selected projects, assesses the extent to which key agencies have (2) documented their monitoring activities and (3) ensured the reliability of project performance information. GAO reviewed State, DOL, and USAID project documents and interviewed agency officials. GAO reviewed monitoring documents for 54 of the 57 projects that were active from the beginning of fiscal year 2016 through the end of fiscal year 2017. Of these 54 projects, GAO selected a nongeneralizable sample of 5 projects, based primarily on largest total award amounts, for review of the reliability of project performance information."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2018-12
• Islamic State Khorasan's Network and Organizational Capacity in Afghanistan and Pakistan

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  "When the Islamic State officially declared the formation of its province in Afghanistan and Pakistan (AfPak)--Wilayat Khorasan, or Islamic State Khorasan (ISK)--in January 2015, many global and regional policymakers dismissed the threat of an Islamic State affiliate in the AfPak theater. In the years following its formation, ISK unleashed some of the most devastating attacks in the AfPak region, persisting in the face of U.S. airstrikes, Pakistani military operations, and clashes with the Afghan Taliban. Although the potential threat of ISK is acknowledged today, questions about the nature of the nascent group and its efficacy, resilience, and trajectory remain unanswered. What are the broader contours of ISK's lethality, targets, and tactics in Afghanistan and Pakistan? How do ISK's operational trends compare and contrast across the two countries? How have ISK's alliances contributed to its overall capacity and resilience? More broadly, what explains ISK's demonstrated ability to survive and thrive in the AfPak region, and what do its operational trends and alliances collectively tell us about its future trajectory?"

  Combating Terrorism Center (U.S.)

  Jadoon, Amira

  2018-12
• 2017 Disaster Contracting: Action Needed to Better Ensure More Effective Use and Management of Advance Contracts, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  "Following Hurricane Katrina, Congress required FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] to establish advance contracts for goods and services to enable the government to quickly and effectively mobilize resources in the aftermath of a disaster, like those that affected the United States in 2017. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the federal government's response to the three 2017 hurricanes and California wildfires. This report assesses, among other things, (1) FEMA and USACE's [United States Army Corps of Engineers] use of advance contracts, (2) FEMA's planning and reporting of selected advance contracts, and (3) challenges, if any, with FEMA's use of these contracts. GAO analyzed data from the Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation through May 31, 2018; selected a non-generalizable sample of 14 FEMA and USACE advance contracts that were competed and obligated over $50 million, or non-competed and obligated over $10 million, in response to the 2017 disasters; and interviewed FEMA and USACE officials."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2018-12
• National Strategy for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism

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  From the Executive Summary: "The National Strategy for Countering WMD [weapons of mass destruction] Terrorism describes the United States Government's approach to countering non-state WMD threats, emphasizing the need for continuous pressure against WMD-capable terrorist groups, enhanced security for dangerous materials throughout the world, and increased burden sharing among our foreign partners. The United States will draw on the full range of our nation's and partner nations' capabilities to place WMD and associated materials and expertise beyond the reach of terrorists. We will also strengthen our defenses at home to ensure the peace and security to which every American is entitled. [...] The National Strategy for Countering WMD Terrorism is designed to achieve a set of strategic objectives whose common purpose is to greatly reduce the probability that extremist groups and individuals will conduct attacks using WMD."

  United States. White House Office

  2018-12
• 2020 Census: Additional Steps Needed to Finalize Readiness for Peak Field Operations, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  "The cost of the decennial census has steadily increased over the past several decades, with self-response rates declining over the same period. The largest and costliest operation that the Bureau undertakes, NRFU [Non-Response Follow-Up] is the Bureau's attempt to enumerate households not initially self-responding to the census. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review NRFU implementation during the 2018 Census Test as well as the Bureau's overall readiness for peak field operations, which cover the actual enumeration of residents. This report examines (1) how peak field operations, including NRFU, were implemented during the test; and (2) the extent to which prior test implementation issues have been addressed. GAO reviewed test planning and training documentation, as well as production and payroll data. At the test site, GAO observed and interviewed enumerators, field supervisors, and managers conducting peak operations."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2018-12
• Terror Threat Snapshot [December 2018]

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  The "Terror Threat Snapshot" is a monthly assessment of the House Homeland Security Committee that highlights the growing threat to America, the West, and the world from ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] and other Islamist terrorists.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2018-12
• Fraud Risk Management: OMB Should Improve Guidelines and Working-Group Efforts to Support Agencies' Implementation of the Fraud Reduction and Data Analytics Act, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  "Fraud poses a significant risk to the integrity of federal programs and erodes public trust in government. Implementing effective fraud risk management processes can help ensure that federal programs fulfill their intended purpose, spend their funding effectively, and safeguard assets. FRDAA [Fraud Reduction and Data Analytics Act of 2015] requires agencies to establish internal controls to manage their fraud risks and to report implementation progress for the first 3 years after enactment. It also directs OMB [Office of Management and Budget] to (1) develop guidelines for agencies to establish fraud risk management controls and (2) establish a working group to share best practices in fraud risk management and data analytics. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review agencies' and OMB's efforts to implement FRDAA. This report examines steps (1) agencies and (2) OMB have taken to implement FRDAA. GAO conducted a survey of the 72 agencies subject to the act, held a roundtable discussion with 14 selected agencies, reviewed 24 selected annual financial reports, examined OMB guidelines, and interviewed OMB staff."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2018-12
• Food Insecurity: Better Information Could Help Eligible College Students Access Federal Food Assistance Benefits, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  "This report examines (1) what is known about the extent of food insecurity among college students and their use of SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program]; (2) how selected colleges are addressing student food insecurity; and (3) the extent to which federal programs assist students experiencing food insecurity. GAO [Government Accountability Office] reviewed relevant federal laws and agency documents and studies on student food insecurity; analyzed 2016 federal student data (the most recent available), and visited four states, selected based on actions taken to address student food insecurity, geographic diversity, and other factors. GAO interviewed researchers; officials from Education, FNS [Food and Nutrition Service] national and regional offices; and officials at 14 colleges, including students at 8 of these colleges. GAO also emailed all state SNAP agencies about their efforts related to students."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2018-12
• Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan

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  "This report is submitted in accordance with Sections 1225 and 1532 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. 'Buck' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 [...] It includes a description of the strategy of the United States for enhancing security and stability in Afghanistan, a current and anticipated threat assessment, and a description and assessment of the size, structure, strategy, budget, and financing of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. [...] This report describes efforts to enhance security and stability in Afghanistan from June 1, 2018, through November 30, 2018. This report complements other reports and information about Afghanistan provided to Congress and is not intended to be the single source of all information about the combined efforts or the future strategy of the United States, its coalition partners, or Afghanistan. A classified annex accompanies this report. The next report will include an analysis of efforts to enhance security and stability in Afghanistan from December 1, 2018, through May 31, 2019."

  United States. Department of Defense

  2018-12
• Health Resources and Services Administration Has Controls and Strategies to Mitigate Hurricane Preparedness and Response Risk

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  "Three major hurricanes hit the United States between August and September of 2017. On September 8, 2017, the President signed the first Federal Disaster Assistance package of the 2017 hurricane season following Hurricane Harvey. On February 9, 2018, the President signed into law the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which provided disaster relief totaling approximately $89.3 billion. The Department of Health and Human Services received $5.97 billion ($1.07 billion for discretionary programs), of which the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) received $60 million. Our objectives were to identify HRSA's potential risks for preparing for and responding to hurricanes and other natural disasters and to determine whether HRSA has designed and implemented controls and strategies to mitigate these potential risks."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Inspector General

  Jarmon, Gloria L.

  2018-12
• Safety Enhancements After Fukushima

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  "On March 11, 2011, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake, followed by a 45-foot tsunami, heavily damaged the nuclear power reactors at Japan's Fukushima Dai-ichi facility. Following this accident, the NRC [Nuclear Regulatory Commission] required significant enhancements to U.S. commercial nuclear power plants. The enhancements included: adding capabilities to maintain key plant safety functions following a large-scale natural disaster; updating evaluations on the potential impact from seismic and flooding events; new equipment to better handle potential reactor core damage events; and strengthening emergency preparedness capabilities. Combined, these actions ensure that the nuclear industry and the NRC are prepared for the unexpected."

  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

  2018-12
• Federal Law Enforcement: Purchases and Inventory Controls of Firearms, Ammunition, and Tactical Equipment, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  "Federal law enforcement agencies purchase firearms, ammunition, and tactical equipment, such as riot shields, to support their missions. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review these purchases for federal law enforcement agencies, and inventory controls at HHS [Department of Health and Human Services], EPA [Environmental Protection Agency], and IRS [Internal Revenue Service] specifically. This report examines, among other objectives (1) firearms, ammunition, and selected tactical equipment spending by federal agencies with 250 or more FLEOs [federal law enforcement officers] from fiscal years 2010 through 2017; (2) the extent to which select agencies accurately reported purchases of firearms and ammunition in publicly-available data; and (3) inventory controls in place at HHS, EPA, and IRS. GAO obtained available data on purchases from 20 agencies and from USASpending.gov, and reviewed inventory information and controls within HHS, EPA, and IRS. GAO also conducted site visits to HHS, EPA, and IRS offices to observe inventory controls, selected based on data discrepancies or reports of loss or theft, among other factors."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2018-12