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CRS Products and Experts on North Korea [May 1, 2018]
From the Document: "North Korea has posed one of the most persistent U.S. foreign policy challenges of the post-Cold War period. With recent advances in its nuclear and missile capabilities under leader Kim Jong-un, North Korea has become a grave security threat to the United States and its allies. Beginning in January 2018, North Korea launched a diplomatic campaign of engagement with South Korea, the United States, China, and other countries that produced an inter-Korean summit in late April. As of early May 2018, plans were underway for a summit between President Donald J. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.' This document contains a selective list of CRS [Congressional Research Service] products covering North Korea, followed by a list of CRS experts and their contact information."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manyin, Mark E.
2018-05-01
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High Court Strikes Down Provision of Crime of Violence Definition as Unconstitutionally Vague [May 7, 2018]
"A non-U.S. national (alien) may be subject to removal and face other serious immigration-related consequences if he has been convicted of an aggravated felony. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) defines an aggravated felony to include a 'crime of violence' for which the term of imprisonment is at least one year, and incorporates the federal crime of violence (COV) definition found in 18 U.S.C. § 16. Recently, the Supreme Court in Sessions v. Dimaya affirmed a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit) holding that the language of the second prong of the COV definition, which covers any felony offense that involves a 'substantial risk' of physical force, is unconstitutionally vague (the first prong of the COV definition, covering an offense that includes as an element the actual, attempted, or threatened use of force, remains in effect). The Supreme Court relied on its decision in Johnson v. United States, which held that a similarly worded component of the federal violent felony definition found in the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), which was employed for sentencing enhancement purposes, was void for vagueness under the Due Process Clause. By striking down part of the COV definition, the Supreme Court's ruling in Dimaya potentially narrows the scope of criminal offenses that may subject an alien to removal. Beyond the immigration context, the Supreme Court's decision narrows the scope of numerous other statutes that incorporate the federal COV definition when imposing heightened criminal or civil penalties on those who have committed a 'crime of violence.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Hillel R.
2018-05-07
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Compelling Presidential Compliance with a Judicial Subpoena [May 04, 2018]
"Special Counsel Robert Mueller reportedly warned President Trump's lawyers in a March meeting that if the President declined to participate in a voluntary interview, Mueller could issue a subpoena compelling the President's testimony before a grand jury. The alleged exchange raises the question of whether a sitting President, consistent with the separation of powers and Article II of the Constitution, may be required to comply with a subpoena for his testimony as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Before addressing this question, it is necessary to define the type of subpoena that may be envisioned by the Special Counsel. Special Counsel Mueller, who has been vested with the powers and duties of 'any United States Attorney,' has not been provided independent and unilateral authority to issue generalized subpoenas for testimony. Instead, any subpoena to the President would likely be issued by a grand jury-- at the request of the Special Counsel--but under the authority of the judiciary. The subpoena would therefore accurately be framed as an attempt by the judicial branch to compel testimony from the President, giving rise to possible concerns under the separation of powers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garvey, Todd
2018-05-04
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Withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal: Legal Authorities and Implications [May 17, 2018]
"President Trump recently announced that the United States is withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) related to Iran's nuclear program, which is often referred to as the 'Iran nuclear deal.' The JCPOA identified a series of 'voluntary measures' in which Iran agreed to impose limits on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief from the 'P5+1'--the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China) plus Germany. As discussed here, the JCPOA called for lifting or easing of three forms of sanctions: (1) U.S. 'secondary' sanctions designed to discourage non-U.S.-parties from doing business with Iran; (2) sanctions imposed by the U.N. Security Council; and (3) European Union (EU) sanctions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mulligan, Stephen P.
2018-05-17
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United States Off the Hook for Vacated Terror Judgment against Libya [May 8, 2018]
"The United States Court of Federal Claims in late December 2016 denied the claim of the family of a U.S. victim of Libyan-sponsored terrorism for compensation from the United States. The lawsuit essentially seeks to make up the difference between what a federal district court judge had awarded against Libya (about $1.3 billion) and what the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States (FCSC) awarded ($10.8 million) under the 2008 Claims Settlement Agreement with Libya, as ratified by the Libyan Claims Resolution Act (LCRA). At the time, Libya's government was led by Muammar al Qadhafi, who was toppled by an uprising in 2011. The family of Mihai Alimanestianu, who was killed in 1989 by the bombing of UTA Flight 772 over Niger, argued that the U.S. government's settlement of terrorism claims against Libya effected a taking of their previously obtained district court judgment and therefore required just compensation under the Fifth Amendment's Taking Clause."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elsea, Jennifer K.
2018-05-08
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DOJ Grant Conditions Targeting Sanctuary Jurisdictions: Litigation Update [May 4, 2018]
"On April 19, 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (Seventh Circuit) upheld a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking the Department of Justice (DOJ) from implementing two new conditions that the agency imposed on the receipt of federal funds from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Program. This litigation is one of several lawsuits stemming from Section 9 of President Trump's January 30, 2017 Executive Order targeting 'sanctuary jurisdictions' and executive implementation of that order. One group of lawsuits has sought to enjoin the executive order's enforcement. Another group of lawsuits, including one filed by the City of Chicago, Illinois, were brought after the DOJ announced new conditions for certain federal grant programs that made the receipt of funds contingent on grant recipients' compliance with particular federal immigration policies. The focus of this Sidebar discusses the Chicago litigation, including potential legislative responses to the injunction."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Peck, Sarah Herman
2018-05-04
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Votes on Measures to Adjust the Statutory Debt Limit, 1978 to Present [March 30, 2017]
From the Summary: "Almost all borrowing by the federal government is conducted by the Treasury Department, within the restrictions established by a single, statutory limit (ceiling) on the total amount of debt that may be outstanding at any time. By law, the Treasury cannot exceed federal debt limits, so the Treasury periodically has had to ask Congress to enact new debt limits so it can fulfill its financial commitments. Since 1978, Congress has passed, and the President has signed into law, 56 measures adjusting the statutory debt limit either as stand-alone legislation or as part of legislation dealing with other matters. This report provides roll call vote data identified by the Congressional Research Service for measures to adjust the statutory debt limit. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Murray, Justin
2017-03-30
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Keystone XL Pipeline: Development Issues [March 30, 2017]
From the Document: "On March 23, 2017, the U.S. State Department issued a Presidential Permit for the border facilities of the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline, having determined that issuing the permit 'would serve the national interest.' If constructed, the pipeline would transport oil sands crude from Canada as well as oil produced in North Dakota and Montana to a hub in Nebraska for further delivery to Gulf Coast refineries (Figure 1). The U.S. pipeline section would be 875 miles long with the capacity to deliver 830,000 barrels per day. Keystone XL requires a Presidential Permit because it would cross an international border."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Parfomak, Paul W.
2017-03-30
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FirstNet's Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network Moves Forward [April 4, 2017]
"On March 30, 2017, FirstNet announced a public-private partnership with AT&T to build a dedicated interoperable wireless broadband network for use by public safety agencies nationwide. Under terms of the 25 year agreement, FirstNet will provide AT&T with up to $6.5 billion for initial network construction over the next five years. Additionally, AT&T will spend about $40 billion of its own funds to build, operate, and maintain the network over the life of the contract. To conduct the buildout, AT&T has assembled a team including Motorola Solutions, General Dynamics, Sapient Consulting, Inmarsat Government, and others. While first responders will have priority and pre-emption access over the FirstNet network, AT&T will be able to monetize the excess network capacity to secondary commercial users. In exchange, AT&T will make annual lease payments to FirstNet, totaling at least $5.625 billion over the period of the contract. Additional penalty payments to FirstNet are possible, depending on AT&T's ability to meet contractual and public safety adoption targets."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kruger, Lennard G.
2017-04-04
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President's Budget Blueprint Seeks Changes for Public Health Service Agencies [March 30, 2017]
"The White House has released a 'budget blueprint' that outlines President Trump's priorities for funding the federal government in FY2018. The document covers only discretionary spending, which is controlled through the annual appropriations process. It does not address mandatory spending-including spending on entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security or interest payments on the federal debt. The complete FY2018 budget is expected to be released in May. Although the budget blueprint provides limited details on the agency, account, or program level, it indicates Trump Administration support for billions of dollars in cuts to government agencies to counterbalance increases in military and national security spending. The blueprint includes several recommendations that would make significant changes to the budget and operations of the Public Health Service (PHS) agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Redhead, C. Stephen
2017-03-30
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Army's Sustainable Readiness Model (SRM) [March 31, 2017]
"The Army defines readiness as the capability of its forces to conduct the full range of military operations, including the defeat of all enemies regardless of the threats they pose. In this regard, readiness is a function of how well units are 'manned, equipped, trained', and 'led.' Readiness models are the means by which the Army generates the forces that are then made available to Combatant Commanders for operations. From the 1980s until 2001, the Army employed a 'Tiered Readiness Model' with units manned, equipped, and trained at different levels (tiers) and was focused on fighting potential overseas adversaries with Reserve Components (RC) (Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve) relegated largely to the role of strategic reserve (i.e., to be employed in the event of a crisis or emergency that exceeded the Regular Army's capacity). In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Army adopted the 'Army Force Generation Model (ARFORGEN)', designed to provide fully manned, equipped, and trained forces for the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2014, as the United States began to substantially decrease troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan and focused more on threats from Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, the Army determined ARFORGEN was no longer an adequate readiness model. The Army began implementing the 'Sustainable Readiness Model (SRM)' in FY2017."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2017-03-31
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How People Talk About the FY2017 National Defense Budget: Some of the Ways People Group Various Parts of the National Defense Budget in Everyday Discussion [2017]
This CRS document titled "How People Talk About the FY2017 National Defense Budget: Some of the Ways People Group Various Parts of the National Defense Budget in Everyday Discussion" is a one page infographic that visually represents how people think about the U.S. national defense budget. The graphic breaks down six categories into budget functions that represent the total national defense budget as estimated by the DoD comptroller for the fiscal year 2017. The functions of the budget are DoD Military, Atomic Energy, Defense-Related, Discretionary, Mandatory, and Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO).
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Towell, Pat; Williams, Lynn M.; Nelson, Gabriel M. . . .
2017?
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Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies [April 6, 2017]
"Iran's national security policy is the product of many, and sometimes competing, factors: the ideology of Iran's Islamic revolution; Iranian leadership's perception of threats to the regime and to the country; long-standing Iranian national interests; and the interaction of the Iranian regime's various factions and constituencies. Some experts assert that the goal of Iran's national security strategy is to overturn a power structure in the Middle East that Iran asserts favors the United States and its allies Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Sunni Muslim Arab regimes. Iran characterizes its support for Shiite and other Islamist movements as support for the 'oppressed' and asserts that Saudi Arabia, in particular, is instigating sectarian tensions and trying to exclude Iran from regional affairs. Others interpret Iran as primarily attempting to protect itself from U.S. or other efforts to invade or intimidate it or to change its regime. Its strategy might, alternatively or additionally, represent an attempt to enhance Iran's international prestige or restore a sense of "greatness" reminiscent of the ancient Persian empires. From 2010 until 2016, Iran's foreign policy also focused on attempting to mitigate the effects of international sanctions on Iran."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2017-04-06
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Factors Related to the Use of Planned Parenthood Affiliated Health Centers (PPAHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) [April 5, 2017]
"Recent debates about federal funding for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and its affiliated health centers (PPAHCs) have raised questions about the services that PPAHCs provide and the availability of alternative facilities to provide similar services to disadvantaged populations. This report provides background information and data that may be useful for policymakers evaluating these recent debates. Although a number of other facility types could potentially provide similar services as PPAHCs, this report focuses on federally qualified health centers (FQHCs)-a term used interchangeably with health centers or community health centers-because these facilities have been the focus of recent policy discussions, including the American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628, AHCA) in the 115th Congress. This report provides information on three central dimensions of health care. For one health facility to begin to provide services to patients that had previously been seen at a different facility, one could argue that the receiving facility should [1] provide similar services, [2] serve a similar population, and [3] be located in a similar geographic area. This report provides national-level data on these three dimensions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-; Elliott, Victoria L.
2017-04-05
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Introduction to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress [April 7, 2017]
From the Executive Summary: "This report introduces the main steps through which a bill (or other item of business) may travel in the legislative process-from introduction to committee and floor consideration to possible presidential consideration. However, the process by which a bill can become law is rarely predictable and can vary significantly from bill to bill. In fact, for many bills, the process will not follow the sequence of congressional stages that are often understood to make up the legislative process."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heitshusen, Valerie
2017-04-07
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Burma's Political Prisoners and U.S. Policy: In Brief [March 30, 2017]
From the Summary: "With Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD) in control of Burma's Union Parliament and the government's executive branch, prospects may have improved for ending the arrest, detention, prosecution, and imprisonment of political prisoners in Burma, a reality which has overshadowed U.S. policy toward Burma for more than 25 years. Burma's military, or Tatmadaw, however, may not support the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Burma, and potentially has the power to block such an effort. The 115th Congress may have an opportunity to influence Burma's future efforts to address political prisoner issues. Whether by providing technical or other forms of assistance to address the underlying causes of political imprisonment, or by restricting relations with Burma until political prisoners have been released, Congress potentially could influence the behavior of the NLD-led government and the Tatmadaw with respect to political prisoners." [...] "The 115th Congress may consider these issues when it examines U.S. policy toward Burma, and if and how to integrate concerns regarding political imprisonment into overall policy. Congress may also choose to assess how other important issues in Burma should influence U.S. policy, including efforts to end the nation's ongoing low-grade civil war; ethnic tensions between the Rakhine and the Rohingya in Rakhine State; and prospects for constitutional and legal reform designed to establish a democratically elected civilian government that respects the human rights and civil liberties of all Burmese people."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Martin, Michael F.
2017-03-30
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Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline [April 4, 2017]
From the Summary: "TransCanada's proposed Keystone XL Pipeline would transport oil sands crude from Canada and shale oil produced in North Dakota and Montana to a market hub in Nebraska for further delivery to Gulf Coast refineries. The pipeline would consist of 875 miles of 36-inch pipe with the capacity to transport 830,000 barrels per day. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) receives frequent requests for congressional votes taken on Keystone XL Pipeline legislation. This report provides roll call vote data on Keystone XL Pipeline legislation identified by CRS using CQ.com's Roll Call Vote Report database as well as the Congress.gov legislative database. Roll call votes listed in the tables are broken down by chamber, Congress, and type of legislation-substantive votes (i.e., votes on amendments or passage of bills) versus procedural votes (e.g., votes to recommit the bill to a committee or to provide for the consideration of a bill). Votes are also listed in chronological order for each Congress. This report is current through the end of the 114th Congress and will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cunningham, Lynn J.
2017-04-04
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Water Infrastructure Financing: The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program [April 5, 2017]
From the Summary: "In recent years, policymakers have considered several legislative options to help finance water infrastructure projects, including projects to build and upgrade wastewater and drinking water treatment systems. This report examines one particular option, a 'Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act' (WIFIA) program, which Congress included in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA, P.L. 113-121)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Tiemann, Mary
2017-04-05
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Major Disaster Assistance from the Disaster Relief Fund: State Profiles [March 29, 2017]
From the Summary: "The primary source of funding for federal assistance authorized by a major disaster declaration is the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), which is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Major disaster declarations have occurred in every U.S. state since FY2000, with obligations for each incident ranging from a few hundred thousand dollars to more than $31 billion. This report summarizes DRF actual and projected obligations as a result of major disaster declarations at the national level for the period FY2000 through FY2015. CRS [Congressional Research Service] profiles for each state and the District of Columbia are linked to this report. Information on major disaster assistance from the DRF for tribal lands, U.S. territories, and freely associated states is available upon request. This report also includes lists of additional resources and key policy staff who can provide more information on the emergency management issues discussed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Petruzzelli, Jaclyn
2017-03-29
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U.S. Climate Change Regulation and Litigation: Selected Legal Issues [April 3, 2017]
From the Summary: "On March 28, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order to encourage and promote energy development by modifying climate change policies. As the Trump Administration implements its environmental policies, various legal challenges to Obama Administration climate change regulations remain pending before courts. During the last term of the Obama Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration finalized a series of regulations to address emissions from cars, trucks, and their engines that may contribute to climate change. In addition, EPA finalized regulations pursuant to its authority under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to reduce GHG [Green House Gas] emissions from stationary sources such as power plants, GHG-emitting oil and gas sources, and landfills. Various stakeholders have challenged a majority of these rules generally contesting the scope of EPA's authority and its methods for regulating GHG emissions." […] "This report will cover a brief history of U.S. climate change regulation; review the different types of regulation and legal actions that have been pursued in the national debate over GHGs; examine selected legal issues and next steps in related litigation; and address what these legal and regulatory developments mean for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tsang, Linda
2017-04-03
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Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [April 6, 2017]
From the Summary: "The Navy has been procuring Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered attack submarines since FY1998. The two Virginia-class boats requested for procurement in FY2017 are to be the 25th and 26th boats in the class. The 10 Virginia-class boats programmed for procurement in FY2014-FY2018 (two per year for five years) are being procured under a multiyear-procurement (MYP) contract. The Navy estimates the combined procurement cost of the two Virginia-class boats requested for procurement in FY2017 at $5,408.9 million, or an average of $2,704.5 million each. The boats have received a total of $1,623.3 million in prior-year advance procurement (AP) funding and $597.6 million in prior-year Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) funding. The Navy's proposed FY2017 budget requests the remaining $3,188.0 million needed to complete the boats' estimated combined procurement cost. The Navy's proposed FY2017 budget also requests $1,767.2 million in AP funding for Virginia-class boats to be procured in future fiscal years, bringing the total FY2017 funding request for the program (excluding outfitting and post-delivery costs) to $4,955.2 million."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2017-04-06
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Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy [March 29, 2017]
From the Summary: "Libya's political transition has been disrupted by armed nonstate groups and threatened by the indecision and infighting of interim leaders. After an armed uprising ended the 40-plus-year rule of Muammar al Qadhafi in late 2011, interim authorities proved unable to form a stable government, address pressing security issues, reshape the country's public finances, or create a viable framework for post-conflict justice and reconciliation. […] Congress has conditionally appropriated funding for limited U.S. transition assistance and security assistance programs for Libya since 2011. In parallel with more robust counterterrorism measures in 2016, the Obama Administration notified Congress of plans to support the GNA [Government of National Accord]. The Trump Administration has yet to articulate a detailed Libya policy. Libya is among the countries identified in a 2017 Executive Order restricting the entry of nationals of certain countries to the United States, with some exceptions. Political consensus among Libyans remains elusive, and insecurity may continue to preclude the return to Libya of U.S. diplomats and the development of U.S.-Libyan relations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Christopher M.
2017-03-29
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Civil Service Reform Act: Due Process and Misconduct-Related Adverse Actions [March 29, 2017]
"Federal employees receive statutory protections that differ from those of the private sector, including more robust limits on when they can be removed or demoted. Although a number of laws apply to various aspects of the federal civil service system, the primary governing framework is the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA), as amended. The CSRA created a comprehensive system for reviewing actions taken by most federal agencies against their employees, and the act provides a variety of legal protections and remedies for federal employees. It also funnels review of agency decisions to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), subject to review by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit). In addition to these statutory protections, the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment requires the federal government to observe certain procedures when depriving individuals of life, liberty, or property. The CSRA's requirement that covered employees may not be removed from federal service, except for cause or unacceptable performance, creates a constitutional property interest in continued employment. The government cannot deprive covered employees of this property interest without adhering to due process requirements."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cole, Jared P.
2017-03-29
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Filibusters and Cloture in the Senate [April 7, 2017]
From the Summary: "The filibuster is widely viewed as one of the Senate's most characteristic procedural features. Filibustering includes any use of dilatory or obstructive tactics to block a measure by preventing it from coming to a vote. The possibility of filibusters exists because Senate rules place few limits on Senators' rights and opportunities in the legislative process. […] This report concentrates on the operation of cloture under the general provisions of Senate Rule XXII, paragraph 2, though it also identifies key modifications to its application in recent years. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heitshusen, Valerie; Beth, Richard S.
2017-04-07
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Federal Disaster Assistance: The National Flood Insurance Program and Other Federal Disaster Assistance Programs Available to Individuals and Households After a Flood [April 6, 2017]
From the Summary: "After a flood, people are often uncertain if their eligibility for federal disaster assistance is linked in any way to whether or not they have flood insurance. Because much of the other disaster assistance that is available to individuals comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), there may be confusion between possible claims provided through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP, which is also managed by FEMA), and other disaster assistance programs. This report provides an overview of the assistance available to individuals and households following a flood and provides links to more comprehensive guidance on both flood insurance and disaster assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2017-04-06
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Five-Year Program for Federal Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing: Status and Issues in Brief [March 31, 2017]
"Under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), as amended, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) must prepare and maintain forward-looking five-year plans-referred to by BOEM as 'five-year programs' for proposed public oil and gas lease sales on the U.S. outer continental shelf (OCS). Most recently, under the Obama Administration, BOEM released a final program for the period from mid-2017 through mid-2022.2 The program schedules 11 lease sales on the OCS during the five-year period: 10 in the Gulf of Mexico region (occurring twice each year), 1 in the Cook Inlet planning area of the Alaska region (scheduled for 2021), and none in the Atlantic or Pacific regions. Three sales proposed in earlier versions of the program-one in the Atlantic and two off Alaska-were not ultimately included in the program. The leasing decisions in BOEM's five-year programs may affect the economy and environment of individual coastal states and of the nation as a whole. Accordingly, Congress typically has been actively involved in planning and oversight of the five-year programs. The following discussion summarizes developments in the 2017-2022 program and considers selected congressional issues and actions related to the program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Comay, Laura B.
2017-03-31
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Trump Administration's March 2017 Defense Budget Proposals: Frequently Asked Questions [April 3, 2017]
From the Introduction: "On March 16, 2017, the Trump Administration released two defense budget proposals a proposal for national defense (budget function 050) discretionary spending for fiscal year (FY) 2018 as part of the Administration's 'Budget Blueprint' for federal spending, and a detailed request for additional FY0217 funding for Department of Defense (DOD) military activities. For FY2017, the Administration is seeking $30 billion for DOD military activities (budget subfunction 051) in addition to the amounts requested by the Obama Administration. Of this amount, $24.9 billion is slated for 'base budget' activities and $5.1 billion is associated with Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO). The 'Budget Blueprint' includes a $603 billion request for national defense (budget function 050) discretionary budget authority for FY2018 base budget requirements and $65 billion for OCO. This report addresses several 'frequently asked questions' regarding these proposals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Williams, Lynn M.; Towell, Pat
2017-04-03
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Iran Sanctions [April 14, 2017]
"U.S. sanctions-and U.S. attempts to achieve imposition of multilateral and international sanctions on Iran-have been a significant component of U.S. Iran policy for several decades. In the 1980s and 1990s, U.S. sanctions were intended to try to compel Iran to cease supporting acts of terrorism and to limit Iran's strategic power in the Middle East more generally. Since the mid-2000s, U.S. sanctions have focused on ensuring that Iran's nuclear program is for purely civilian uses and, since 2010, the international community has cooperated with a U.S.-led and U.N.-authorized sanctions regime in pursuit of that goal. Still, sanctions against Iran have multiple objectives and address multiple perceived threats from Iran simultaneously. This report analyzes U.S. and international sanctions against Iran and provides some examples, based on open sources, of companies and countries that conduct business with Iran. CRS [Congressional Research Service] has no way to independently corroborate any of the reporting on which these examples are based and no mandate to assess whether any firm or other entity is complying with U.S. or international sanctions against Iran. The sections below are grouped by function, in the chronological order in which these themes have emerged."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2017-04-14
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Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response [April 7, 2017]
"A deadly chemical weapons attack in Syria on April 4, 2017, and a U.S. military strike in response on April 6 have returned the conflict--now in its seventh year--to the forefront of international attention. In response to the April 4 attack, some Members of Congress called for the United States to conduct a punitive military operation. These Members and some others since have praised President Trump's decision to launch a limited strike, with some calling on the president to consult with Congress about Syria strategy. Other Members have questioned the president's authority to launch the strike in the absence of specific prior authorization from Congress. In the past, some in Congress have expressed concern about the international and domestic authorizations for such strikes, their potential unintended consequences, and the possibility of undesirable or unavoidable escalation. Since taking office in January 2017, President Trump has stated his intention to 'destroy' the Syria-and Iraq-based insurgent terrorist group known as the Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIL, ISIS, or the Arabic acronym Da'esh), and the president has ordered actions to 'accelerate' U.S. military efforts against the group in both countries. U.S. officials and Members of Congress continue to debate how best to pursue U.S. regional security and counterterrorism goals in Syria without inadvertently strengthening U.S. adversaries or alienating U.S. partners. The Trump Administration and Members of the 115th Congress-like their predecessors-face challenges inherent to the simultaneous pursuit of U.S. nonproliferation, counterterrorism, civilian protection, and stabilization goals in a complex, evolving conflict."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humud, Carla E.; Blanchard, Christopher M.; Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham
2017-04-07
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Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: An Overview and Resources for Outreach and Management [April 13, 2017]
"Members of Congress are authorized by law to nominate candidates for appointment to four U.S. service academies. These schools are the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. These institutions prepare college-age Americans to be officers of the U.S. uniformed services. Upon graduation, service academy graduates are commissioned as officers in the active or reserve components of the military or merchant marine for a minimum of five years. […] This report describes statutory requirements for allocating congressional nominations to service academies. It also identifies the qualifications that must be met by potential nominees, as established by statute and each academy. Finally, sample documents that could be used by congressional offices at various stages of the nomination selection process are included. These documents provide basic information and can be customized to fit the specific needs of individual office policies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Petersen, R. Eric; Eckman, Sarah J.
2017-04-13
