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COVID-19 Economic Stimulus: Business Payroll Tax Cuts [March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "The economic fallout from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has accelerated rapidly. Policymakers continue to evaluate tax policy economic relief options. Payroll tax cuts for businesses are one option that would provide economic assistance to business activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Marples, Donald J.
2020-03-20
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Defense Primer: Geography, Strategy, and U.S. Force Design [Updated March 17, 2020]
From the Document: "World geography is an influence on U.S. strategy, which in turn helps shape the design of U.S. military forces."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-03-17
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Tax Cuts and Economic Stimulus: How Effective Are the Alternatives? [Updated March 18, 2020]
From the Summary: "The economic effects of the COVID [coronavirus disease]-19 pandemic may lead Congress to consider a general fiscal stimulus in the form of tax cuts. This report discusses tax cuts enacted during the previous recessions and their potential effectiveness."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gravelle, Jane
2020-03-18
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Sunshine Week: Selected Issues for Congress [March 13, 2020]
From the Document: "Coinciding with former President James Madison's birthday, Sunshine Week recognizes the importance of transparency in government operations, and the work of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA; 5 U.S.C. §552) professionals across the federal government. Considered a defender of open government, Madison wrote, 'A popular Government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; And the people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power, which knowledge gives.' Recognition of the people's right to know what their government is doing through access to government information can be traced back to the early days of the nation; however, modern statutes provide guidance on how the public may access government information. One critical statute, which is celebrated alongside Madison's legacy during Sunshine Week, is FOIA. This Insight provides a brief summary of FOIA and its administration, and then provides an overview of selected issues relating to FOIA that may be of interest to Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stuessy, Meghan M.
2020-03-13
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Tax Credit for Paid Sick and Family Leave in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) (Updated) [Updated March 17, 2020]
From the Document: "The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) includes an employer tax credit for the paid sick and family leave required as part of this legislation. This tax credit is intended to cover the cost to businesses of providing paid leave to address the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This Insight provides an overview of the tax credits, including the corrections included in H.Res. 904, as passed by the House on March 16, 2020."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.
2020-03-17
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Targeted Tax Relief for Industries Impacted by the Coronavirus: Selected Policy Issues [March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "One of the policy options being considered to minimize the damage to the U.S. economy from the domestic spread of the coronavirus is tax relief targeted at industries that have experienced substantial drops in revenue. To date, growing numbers of cruise lines, airlines, hotels, restaurants, retailers, and energy producers seem to have been hit the hardest by the economic impact of the virus. Depending on what happens to the spread of the coronavirus within the United States in coming weeks, other industries could be similarly affected. The prospect of a prolonged domestic coronavirus outbreak raises concerns about the solvency of severely affected companies and the job security of their employees. This is a particular concern for smaller firms. Without lines of credit, many of them may find it difficult to stay in business."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Guenther, Gary L.
2020-03-20
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State and Local Fiscal Conditions and Economic Shocks [March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "Policymaker attention to the COVID [coronavirus disease]-19 economic shock has included its potential effect on state and local governments. This Insight summarizes the underlying forces affecting state and local finances following a negative economic shock, examines tools available to them in response to such forces, and briefly discusses federal assistance offered in recent recessions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Driessen, Grant A.
2020-03-20
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Arms Control and Nonproliferation: A Catalog of Treaties and Agreements [Updated March 26, 2020]
From the Summary: "Arms control and nonproliferation efforts are two of the tools that the United States has occasionally used to implement its national security strategy. Although some believe these tools do little to restrain the behavior of U.S. adversaries, while doing too much to restrain U.S. military forces and operations, many others see them as an effective means to promote transparency, ease military planning, limit forces, and protect against uncertainty and surprise. Arms control and nonproliferation efforts have produced formal treaties and agreements, informal arrangements, and cooperative threat reduction and monitoring mechanisms."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.; Kerr, Paul K.; Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham
2020-03-26
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COVID-19 Response: Constitutional Protections for Private Property [March 27, 2020]
From the Document: "The federal government lacks 'a general federal authority akin to the police power.' But acting under its enumerated authorities, including under the Commerce Clause and the General Welfare Clause (as supplemented by the Necessary and Proper Clause), Congress has ample power to enact legislation to deter the spread of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease], and indeed several laws enacted long before COVID-19's outbreak afford the President and executive agencies significant discretion to take measures to curtail the outbreak. [...] Many of these measures may impair a person's use of their property, directly or indirectly. [...] The Supreme Court has recognized that 'Congress routinely creates burdens for some that directly benefit others,' and that 'a State in the exercise of its police power may adopt reasonable restrictions on private property.' In limited circumstances, though, the Constitution requires federal or state governments to provide a property owner 'just compensation' where government action leads to a 'taking' of 'private property.' (State constitutions include similar requirements.) This Sidebar summarizes federal takings law and analyzes how it may apply to property restrictions in a national public health emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stiff, Sean M.
2020-03-27
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Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [March 22, 2020]
From the Summary: "The Navy has been procuring Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) since FY1998. The one Virginia-class boat that the Navy is requesting for procurement in FY2021 would be the 33 rd boat in the class. The Navy's FY2020 budget submission had projected that the Navy would request two Virginia-class boats in FY2021. Virginia-class boats scheduled for procurement in FY2019-FY2023 are being procured under a multiyear procurement (MYP) contract. Most Virginia-class boats procured in FY2019 and subsequent years are to be built with the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), an additional, 84-footlong, mid-body section equipped with four large-diameter, vertical launch tubes for storing and launching additional Tomahawk missiles or other payloads."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-03-22
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Resolving Subpoena Disputes Between the Branches: Potential Impacts of Restricting the Judicial Role [March 25, 2020]
From the Document: "An 'en banc' panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) is set to consider what could turn out to be one of the circuit's more consequential decisions on congressional power. In 'Committee on the Judiciary v. McGahn', the question before the court is whether the House can invoke the authority of the courts to compel former White House counsel Don McGahn to comply with a House Judiciary Committee subpoena for his testimony. In February, a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit determined that the House could not, holding that because the House lacked standing, the court lacked authority to hear the dispute (the reasoning behind that decision is explored in a companion Sidebar). The Judiciary Committee quickly filed its petition for rehearing before an 'en banc' panel of the D.C. Circuit, which was granted last week. The order granting rehearing also vacated the February three-judge panel decision and set oral arguments in the case for April 28, 2020."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garvey, Todd
2020-03-25
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Withdrawals and Loans from Retirement Accounts for COVID-19 Expenses [Updated March 27, 2020]
From the Document: "The economic repercussions of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] could reduce Americans' economic security; in response, individuals may view their retirement accounts as a source of funds to help meet current expenses. They may be able to withdraw from their defined contribution (DC) retirement accounts (such as 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)) or from their traditional or Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). In addition, DC plans may allow participants to borrow from their accounts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Topoleski, John J.; Myers, Elizabeth A.
2020-03-27
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New U.S. Marine Corps Force Design Initiatives [March 26, 2020]
From the Background: "On March 23, 2020, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) announced a major force design initiative planned to occur over the next 10 years. The Marine Corps aims to redesign the force for naval expeditionary warfare and to better align itself with the National Defense Strategy, in particular, its focus on strategically competing with China and Russia. The Marines intend to eliminate or reduce certain types of units and eliminate some military occupational specialties (MOS). The Marines also plan to reorganize higher echelon Marine formations and get smaller--reducing forces by 12,000 personnel by 2030. Congress in its regulatory, oversight, and authorization and appropriations roles could take interest in this major proposed force design initiative."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2020-03-26
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Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 30, 2020]
From the Summary: "The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region's future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial interests in the region. The seven other Arctic states are Canada, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark (by virtue of Greenland), and Russia. [...] Record low extents of Arctic sea ice over the past decade have focused scientific and policy attention on links to global climate change and projected ice-free seasons in the Arctic within decades. These changes have potential consequences for weather in the United States, access to mineral and biological resources in the Arctic, the economies and cultures of peoples in the region, and national security. The geopolitical environment for the Arctic has been substantially affected by the renewal of great power competition. Although there continues to be significant international cooperation on Arctic issues, the Arctic is increasingly viewed as an arena for geopolitical competition among the United States, Russia, and China. Russia in recent years has enhanced its military presence and operations in the Arctic. China's growing activities in the Arctic have become a matter of increasing curiosity or concern among observers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; Comay, Laura B.; Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin) . . .
2020-03-30
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Concurrent Receipt of Military Retired Pay and Veteran Disability: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 25, 2020]
From the Summary: "'Concurrent' receipt in the military context typically means simultaneously receiving two types of federal monetary benefits: military retired pay from the Department of Defense (DOD) and disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Prior to 2004, existing laws and regulations dictated that a military retiree could not receive two payments from federal agencies for the same purpose; military retired pay and VA disability compensation were considered to fall under that restriction. As a result, military retirees with physical disabilities recognized by the VA had their (taxable) military retired pay 'offset', or reduced dollar-for-dollar, by the amount of their (nontaxable) VA compensation. Legislative activity on the issue of concurrent receipt began in the late 1980s and culminated in the provision for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) in the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (P.L. 107-314). Since then, Congress has added Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP) for those retirees with a disability rated at 50% or greater, extended concurrent receipt to additional eligible populations, and further refined and clarified the program. Concurrent receipt is applicable only to persons who are both (1) military retirees and (2) eligible for VA disability compensation. An eligible retiree cannot receive both CRDP and CRSC. The retiree may choose whichever is most financially advantageous to him or her and may make benefit changes during an annual open season."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kamarck, Kristy N.; Schwartz, Mainon A.
2020-03-25
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and COVID-19 [March 26, 2020]
From the Document: "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not currently have a specific standard that protects healthcare or other workers from airborne or aerosol transmission of disease or diseases transmitted by airborne droplets. Some in Congress, and some groups representing healthcare and other workers, are calling on OSHA to promulgate an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect workers from exposure to SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) gives OSHA the ability to promulgate an ETS that would remain in effect for up to six months without going through the normal review and comment process of rulemaking. OSHA, however, has rarely used this authority in the past--not since the courts struck down its ETS on asbestos in 1983."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2020-03-26
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National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers: COVID-19 Assistance [March 26, 2020]
From the Introduction: "On January 31, 2020, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) a Public Health Emergency (PHE). During this public health emergency, the Secretary of HHS has taken action to encourage the use of 'telehealth.' Telehealth generally refers to a health care provider's use of information and communication technology in the delivery of clinical and nonclinical health care services.3 The use of telehealth during public health emergencies can assist health care professionals with, for example, reserving in-person care for patients with critical health care needs and diminishing the spread of communicable diseases. Some stakeholders, however, are experiencing challenges with establishing, implementing, and offering virtual health care services through telehealth programs. This report provides a brief overview of the National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers and describes its capacity to help various stakeholders adapt telehealth to provide care during national public health emergencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elliott, Victoria L.
2020-03-26
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Emergency Funding for Public Transportation Agencies Due to COVID-19 [March 23, 2020]
From the Document: "The COVID-19 pandemic has reportedly resulted in a swift and large loss of public transportation ridership and fare revenue. Examples in the early days of the crisis include an 88% loss of ridership for New Jersey Transit, a 60% loss of subway ridership for New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority, a 60% loss for Denver's Regional Transportation District, and a 90% loss for Bay Area Rapid Transit in San Francisco. Many transit agencies, including the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, have responded by cutting service, encouraging people to travel only when necessary, and requiring riders to enter buses through the rear doors without paying a fare. Fare revenue losses are likely to be compounded by a less immediate decline in local tax revenue dedicated to transit agency budgets, particularly sales and property taxes. In 2018, fare revenue was 31% of operating budgets and 22% of overall transit agency funding. Taxes dedicated directly to transit agencies were another 12% of overall funding. With both of these revenue sources under pressure, many transit agencies will likely find it difficult to meet current commitments, such as staff pay and benefits, and to restore service to previous levels once passenger demand rebounds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mallett, William J.
2020-03-23
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Comparison of the FY2020 and FY2021 Precision-Guided Munitions Procurement Requests [March 25, 2020]
From the Document: "Precision-guided munitions (PGMs) have become an important capability for the Department of Defense (DOD). Recent operations, including counter-insurgency and counterterrorism missions, have demonstrated a high demand for all types of PGMs, which DOD defines as a 'guided weapon intended to destroy a point target and minimize collateral damage.' Some analysts argue a high-intensity conflict would require large stockpiles of such weapons, in addition to the demand from operations in the Middle East. Then-Secretary of Defense James Mattis stated that PGMs are required to help rebuild readiness."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.; Ryder, Samuel D.
2020-03-25
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Data Flows, Online Privacy, and Trade Policy [Updated March 26, 2020]
From the Summary: "'Cross-border data flows' refers to the movement or transfer of information between computer servers across national borders. Such data flows enable people to transmit information for online communication, track global supply chains, share research, provide cross-border services, and support technological innovation. Ensuring open cross-border data flows has been an objective of Congress in recent trade agreements and in broader U.S. international trade policy. The free flow of personal data, however, has raised security and privacy concerns. U.S. trade policy has traditionally sought to balance the need for cross-border data flows, which often include personal data, with online privacy and security. Some stakeholders, including some Members of Congress, believe that U.S. policy should better protect personal data privacy and security, and have introduced legislation to set a national policy. Other policymakers and analysts are concerned about increasing foreign barriers to U.S. digital trade, including data flows."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fefer, Rachel F.
2020-03-26
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Department of Veterans Affairs: Caregiver Support [March 24, 2020]
From the Summary: "The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have presented a new challenge for the United States as servicemembers returned from combat with serious injuries that may have been fatal in previous conflicts. These servicemembers require ongoing personal care services, which are often provided by family members and loved ones. In recognition of this significant challenge, Congress enacted the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (P.L. 111- 163), which required the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish specific supports for caregivers of veterans."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sussman, Jared S.
2020-03-24
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Federal Reserve's Legal Authorities for Responding to the Economic Impacts of COVID-19 [Updated March 27, 2020]
From the Document: "The COVID-19 coronavirus has upended financial markets and the real economy. As the virus has spread, businesses across the country have closed their doors, major stock indexes have lost over a quarter of their value, and debt and commodity markets have experienced extreme volatility. While Congress is considering the appropriate fiscal response to these developments, the Federal Reserve (the Fed) has implemented several monetary policies and lending programs to stimulate demand and inject liquidity into the financial system. This Sidebar discusses the Fed's responses to the coronavirus, the legal bases for those actions, and the central bank's authority to take further steps to contain the economic fallout from the virus."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sykes, Jay B.
2020-03-27
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Congressional Use of Advisory Commissions Following Crises [March 25, 2020]
From the Document: "Throughout U.S. history, Congress has used advisory commissions to assist in the development of public policy. Among other contexts, commissions have been used following crisis situations, including the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Advisory commissions can provide Congress with a potential high-visibility forum to assemble expertise that might not exist within the legislative environment and allow for the in-depth examination of complex, cross-cutting policy issues. As Congress considers its range of responses to the coronavirus pandemic, the creation of one or more congressional advisory commissions is an option that could provide a platform for, over time, evaluating a myriad of pandemic-related policy issues. Past congressional advisory commissions have retrospectively evaluated policy responses, brought together diverse groups of experts, and supplemented existing congressional oversight mechanisms."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straus, Jacob R.; Egar, William T.
2020-03-25
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Federal Reserve: Recent Actions in Response to COVID-19 [Updated March 31, 2020]
From the Document: "Coronavirus (COVID-19) has created significant economic disruption. In response, the Federal Reserve (Fed) has taken a number of steps to promote economic and financial stability involving the Fed's monetary policy and 'lender of last resort' roles. Some of these actions are intended to stimulate economic activity by reducing interest rates and others are intended to provide liquidity to financial markets so that firms have access to needed funding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2020-03-31
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Required Minimum Distributions from Retirement Accounts Under the Economic Stimulus Proposals Related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
From the Document: "On March 22, 2020, the Senate released an updated version of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act containing a provision for suspending the penalty for failure to make the required minimum distribution (RMD) from retirement accounts for 2020. A similar provision was included in a proposal in the House released on March 23, the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gravelle, Jane
2020-03-24
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Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act-Tax Relief for Individuals and Businesses [Updated April 1, 2020]
From the Document: "Congress is considering a number of proposals that seek to mitigate the economic effects of the Coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, pandemic. One such proposal, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (S. 3548), was introduced in the Senate on March 19, 2020. On March 22, 2020, an updated version of the CARES Act was circulated, as a proposed amendment to H.R. 748. A cloture vote on a motion to proceed, which was designed to allow consideration of the CARES Act, was rejected on March 22.1 A third version of the CARES Act was released on March 25, 2020.2 On March 25, the Senate voted 96-0 to pass H.R. 748, having previously amended it with the CARES Act. The House passed this version of the CARES Act on March 27, 2020, and President Trump signed the CARES Act (P.L. 116-136) into law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.; Driessen, Grant A. . . .
2020-04-01
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COVID-19: Legal Considerations for Bringing a New Vaccine to Market [March 24, 2020]
From the Document: "As the number of confirmed COVID [coronavirus disease]-19 cases increases at an accelerating rate, interest has grown in developing a COVID-19 vaccine as an avenue for addressing the pandemic. Media reports indicate that a number of countries and companies are working on developing a vaccine. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the biotechnology company Moderna, Inc., recently initiated the first clinical trials of a potential vaccine in the United States at a hospital in Seattle. However, developing a new vaccine and obtaining approval to market it can take a long time. This Sidebar discusses the licensure (i.e., approval) process for vaccines under the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) and the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), as well as potential legal avenues for expediting that process to bring a new vaccine to market sooner."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ward, Erin H.
2020-03-24
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COVID-19: Response of the Oil and Gas Pipelines Sector [March 27, 2020]
From the Document: "The spread of the novel coronavirus and the measures put in place to control it are impacting U.S. oil and natural gas pipelines--a critical infrastructure sector. Pipelines are essential not only in providing liquid fuel for transportation and natural gas for consumer and industrial uses, but also as a critical source of fuel for electric power plants. [...] On March 11, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic associated with the novel coronavirus which causes 'coronavirus disease 2019' (COVID-19). Due to the spread of the coronavirus in the United States, President Trump declared a national emergency on March 13. The virus also has prompted emergency restrictions in some states intended to slow community transmission, such as limits on public movement, requirements for 'social distancing,' and the mandatory closure of certain businesses and places of public assembly."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Parfomak, Paul W.
2020-03-27
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Global Compact on Migration (GCM) and U.S. Policy [Updated March 27, 2020]
From the Document: "Congress has demonstrated interest in the global migration crisis, particularly with recent flows of migrants and refugees to the United States from Central America and Mexico. In 2019 an estimated 272 million international migrants formed roughly 3.5% of the world's population. [...] In response to increasing numbers of people on the move, the U.N. General Assembly High-Level Plenary Summit on Refugees and Migrants in September 2016 adopted the 'New York Declaration,' which aims to save lives, protect rights, and share responsibility for refugees and migrants on a global scale. Building on this initiative, U.N. member states developed two global compacts--a Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and a Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). In December 2017, the Trump Administration withdrew the United States from the GCM negotiations. (In November 2018, it also withdrew U.S. participation in the GCR.) Refugees are distinct from migrants because of their specific status and protections under international law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Margesson, Rhoda
2020-03-27
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Bolivia Postpones May Elections Amidst COVID-19 Outbreak [March 24, 2020]
From the Document: "On March 22, 2020, Bolivia's Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) suspended preparations for national elections scheduled for May 3 following Interim President Jeanette Añez's declaration of a two-week national quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID [coronavirus disease]-19. Bolivia remains extremely polarized following annulled October 2019 elections alleged to be marred by fraud and the November resignation of President Evo Morales of the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party. Morales's former finance minister Luis Arce had been leading the polls. According to the TSE, the MAS-led Congress may need to enact legislation to select a new election date. The United States remains concerned about the political volatility in Bolivia. The Trump Administration and Congress have supported efforts to ensure the elections are free and fair."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2020-03-24
