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• Arizona Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized [March 17, 2004]

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  "Arizona's emergency response statutes established a Division of Emergency Management under the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. The governor and legislature share duties of declaration and government continuity. Aid is provided for through the Interstate Mutual Aid Compact, local jurisdiction agreements and federal assistance. This report is one of a series that profiles the emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. Congressional readers may wish to conduct further searches for related provisions using the Internet link presented in the last section of this report. The National Conference of State Legislatures provided primary research assistance in the development of these profiles under contract to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Summary information on all of the profiles is presented in CRS Report RL32287. This report will be updated as developments warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl; Richardson, Pat

  2004-03-17
• USA PATRIOT Act: Background and Comparison of House- and Senate-approved Reauthorization and Related Legislative Action [August 9, 2005]

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  "The House and Senate have each passed USA PATRIOT Reauthorization Acts, H.R. 3199 and S. 3189. Both make permanent most of the expiring USA PATRIOT Act sections, occasionally in modified form. After amending two of the more controversial expiring sections, 206 (roving Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) wiretaps) and 215 (FISA tangible item access orders (business records-library records)), they postpone their expiration date, S. 1389 until December 31, 2009; H.R. 3199 until December 31, 2015. Both address questions raised as to the constitutionality of various 'national security letter' (NSL) statutes by providing for review, enforcement and exceptions to the attendant confidentiality requirements in more explicit terms. S. 1389 limits its NSL adjustments to the statute that affords federal foreign intelligence investigators access to communications records; H.R. 3199 amends the communications, and the financial institution and credit bureau NSL statutes. H.R. 3199 contains a substantial number of sections that have no counterpart in S. 1389, although many of them have been passed or reported by committee in one House or the other. Its treatment of seaport security, for example, is similar in many respects to that of S. 378, the Reducing Crime and Terrorism at Americas Seaports Act of 2005, as reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Its first responder grant program sections are virtually identical to legislation which the House sent to the Senate as H.R. 1544. And its death penalty sections are reminiscent of sections found in H.R. 10 in the 108th Congress as reported the House Judiciary Committee. H.R. 3199 alone permits wiretapping in the investigation of a greater range of federal crimes. It alone expands the use of forfeiture authority against money laundering particularly in terrorism cases."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Doyle, Charles

  2005-08-09
• Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2006 [Updated July 20, 2005]

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  "The Bush Administration has requested $132.2 billion in federal research and development (R&D) funding for FY2006. This sum represents a $505 million increase over the FY2005 estimated funding level of $131.7 billion. In real dollars, total federal R&D would decline for the first time since FY1996. The proposed FY2006 R&D budget reflects the Administrations objective of constraining the growth of federal discretionary spending. For the first time since FY1995, funding for defense R&D (the sum of the Department of Defense's (DOD) and the Department of Energy's (DOE) defense R&D programs) would be flat with a requested $74.9 billion. This is due primarily to a proposed 21% reduction in DOD's science and technology programs. Funding for federal civilian R&D is proposed to increase $188 million to $57 billion, a 0.3% increase over the FY2005 estimated funding level. Most of this increase can be attributed to increases in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) budget and the Department of Transportation. Based on current funding proposals, most of the other civilian R&D agencies' budgets are proposed to decline, in real dollars, in FY2006."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Davey, Michael E. (Michael Earl), 1947-

  2005-07-20
• 'Bunker Busters': Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator Issues, FY2005 and FY2006 [Updated August 2, 2005]

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  "Earth penetrator weapons, often called 'bunker busters,' burrow into the ground some tens of feet before detonating, greatly increasing their ability to destroy buried targets. The United States has several types of conventional earth penetrators. The current U.S. nuclear earth penetrator, the B61-11 bomb, cannot penetrate certain types of terrain in which hardened underground facilities may be located, so the Air Force and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) are studying a more effective penetrator, the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (RNEP). While Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld said in 2003 that RNEP was a study, NNSA's FY2005 budget document showed a five-year total of $484.7 million if RNEP were to proceed beyond the study phase. NNSA stated that no decision had been made to proceed with RNEP and that out-year figures were shown to meet congressionally-mandated budgeting requirements and were not a request. RNEP requests are, of course, subject to congressional approval, rejection, or modification."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Medalia, Jonathan E.

  2005-08-02
• Africa, the G8, and the Blair Initiative [Updated July 20, 2005]

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  "Prior to the July 2005 G8 summit, Britains Prime Minister Tony Blair launched a major diplomatic effort to marshal the resources he sees as needed to eradicate extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. As summit chair, he focused the meeting, held at Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, July 6-8, on this initiative. Blair pushed for a substantial aid increase for Africa beginning in 2006, through an 'International Finance Facility' (IFF), and for 100% forgiveness of poor country debt to the international financial institutions. The IFF would have issued bonds to finance an additional $25 billion in annual aid to Africa for three to five years, followed by another $25 billion boost if African governments improved their managerial and administrative capabilities. IFF bonds would have been backed by a promise from the G7 leading economic powers to repay them after 2015. Poor country debts to the World Bank and the African Development Bank would have been repaid by the G7, while debts to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would have been paid by revaluing or selling IMF gold. Finally, Blair sought the removal of barriers to Africas exports."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Copson, Raymond W.

  2005-07-20
• Detainees at Guantanamo Bay [Updated July 20, 2005]

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  From the Document: "After the U.S. Supreme Court held that U.S. courts have jurisdiction to hear legal challenges on behalf of more than 500 persons detained at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in connection with the war against terrorism, the Pentagon established administrative hearings, called 'Combatant Status Review Tribunals' (CSRTs), to allow the detainees to contest their status as enemy combatants. This report provides an overview of the CSRT procedures and summarizes court cases related to the detentions and the use of military commissions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Elsea, Jennifer

  2005-07-20
• FY2006 Supplemental Appropriations: Iraq and Other International Activities; Additional Katrina Hurricane Relief [Updated April 27, 2006]

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  From the Document: "On February 16, 2006, the Administration submitted two separate FY2006 supplemental appropriations requests. The first, totaling $72.4 billion, would fund ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan ($67.9 billion), and State Department operations in Iraq and various foreign aid programs, including additional assistance for Iraq ($4.2 billion). The other supplemental would provide $19.8 billion for recovery and reconstruction activities in hurricane-affected Gulf Coast areas. Thus, Congress is considering a combined spending proposal of $92.2 billion. For the military component of the supplemental, several potential issues may arise in Congress, including whether DOD's funding requests for training Afghan and Iraqi security forces are necessary in light of the pace of implementation, how to make transparent the DOD assumptions about military personnel levels for active-duty and reserve forces that underlie the request, whether DOD could better contain increases in operating costs, and whether DOD's investment request finances peacetime as well as wartime needs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nowels, Larry Q.; Irwin, Paul

  2006-04-27
• Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [Updated April 28, 2006]

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  "According to an Administration national security strategy document released on March 16, 2006, the United States 'may face no greater challenge from a single country than Iran.' To date, the Bush Administration has pursued several avenues to attempt to contain or end what it views as the potential threat posed by Iran, including pursuing limited engagement directly or through allies. However, support for a longer term policy of changing Iran's regime has apparently gained favor within the Administration as Iran has resisted permanent curbs on its nuclear program. In the nearer term, the Administration is intent on slowing or blunting Iran's nuclear program through diplomatic and economic pressure by the United Nations Security Council or a coalition of like-minded major countries. Because Iran continues to advance its nuclear program despite international criticism, some advocate military action against Iran's nuclear infrastructure. International concerns on nuclear issues and other strategic issues have been heightened by the threatening statements of Iran's new president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iran's nuclear program is not the only major U.S. concern on Iran. Successive administrations have pointed to the threat posed by Iran's policy in the Near East region, particularly material support to groups that use violence against the U.S.-led Middle East peace process, including Hizballah in Lebanon and the Palestinian groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2006-04-28
• Nuclear Command and Control: Current Programs and Issues [May 3, 2006]

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  "The Nuclear Command and Control System (NCCS) infrastructure supports the President and his combatant commanders when they direct nuclear forces. This report discusses the current role of the NCCS in light of the 2001 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) and the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), examines current issues surrounding the NCCS, reviews modernization initiatives, summarizes NCCS functions and characteristics, and reviews NCCS platforms. Key NCCS platforms include fixed locations such as the National Military Command Center (NMCC), the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Global Operations Center (GOC), and Site-R, and mobile platforms such as the E-4B National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC), the E-6B Airborne Command Post (ABNCP), and the Mobile Consolidated Command Center (MCCC). The NCCS must support situation monitoring, tactical warning and attack assessment of missile launches, senior leader decision making, dissemination of Presidential force-direction orders, and management of geographically dispersed forces."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Critchlow, Robert D.

  2006-05-03
• Federal Stafford Act Disaster Assistance: Presidential Declarations, Eligible Activities, and Funding [Updated April 28, 2006]

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  "The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act) authorizes the President to issue major disaster or emergency declarations in response to catastrophes that overwhelm state and local governments. Such declarations result in the distribution of a wide range of federal aid to individuals and families, certain nonprofit organizations, and public agencies. The forms of assistance authorized by the Stafford Act include temporary housing, grants for personal uninsured needs of families and individuals, repair of public infrastructure, emergency communications systems, and other forms of assistance. Congress appropriates money for activities authorized by the Stafford Act to the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Appropriations to the DRF remain available until expended. Because the Stafford Act provides the President with permanent authority to direct federal aid to stricken states, Congress need not enact new authorizing legislation to meet immediate needs when disasters occur. However, the widespread and costly damages from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma, and other disasters continue to raise questions in the 109th Congress about the reach and effectiveness of the Stafford Act."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bea, Keith

  2006-04-28
• Federal Counter-Terrorism Training: Issues for Congressional Oversight [Updated April 24, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "Federal counter-terrorism training programs are varied and are provided by numerous federal agencies and departments. Some of these departments and agencies include the Departments of Defense (DOD), Energy (DOE), Homeland Security (DHS), Health and Human Services (HHS), Justice (DOJ), Transportation (DOT), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Each department and agency provides specific counter-terrorism training targeted to given categories of recipients. Training recipients include federal, state, and local government personnel, emergency responders, and private and public critical infrastructure personnel. The programs train individuals to prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks. Most of these federal departments and agencies provide training in conjunction with private and public educational institutions, federal laboratories, and federal research and development centers. [...] This report is an overview of the major training activities and facilities of the federal departments and agencies that provide counter-terrorism training."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2006-04-24
• Social Unrest in China [May 8, 2006]

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  "In the past few years, the People's Republic of China (PRC) has experienced rising social unrest, including protests, demonstrations, picketing, and group petitioning. According to PRC official sources, 'public order disturbances' have grown by nearly 50% in the past two years, from 58,000 incidents in 2003 to 87,000 in 2005. Although political observers have described social unrest among farmers and workers since the early 1990s, recent protest activities have been broader in scope, larger in average size, greater in frequency, and more brash than those of a decade ago. Fears of greater unrest have triggered debates with the Communist Party leadership about the pace of economic reforms and the proper way to respond to protesters. Workers in state-owned enterprises and the special economic zones producing goods for export, peasants and urban residents who have lost their farmland or homes to development projects, and others have engaged in mass protests, some of them violent, often after having exhausted legal channels for resolving grievances. A December 2005 clash between villagers and police in Dongzhou village, southeastern Guangdong province, in which 3-20 villagers were killed, has became a symbol of the depth of anger of those with grievances and the inability of Chinese administrative, legal, and political institutions to resolve disputes peacefully. U.S. interests regarding social unrest in China include human rights concerns, ongoing U.S.-funded democracy and rule-of-law programs in the country, the effects of social unrest on U.S. investments in China, and the effects on PRC foreign policy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-

  2006-05-08
• FY2006 Supplemental Appropriations: Iraq and Other International Activities; Additional Hurricane Katrina Relief [Updated May 23, 2006]

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  From the Document: "On February 16, 2006, the Administration submitted two separate FY2006 supplemental appropriations requests. The first, totaling $72.4 billion, would fund ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan ($67.9 billion), and State Department operations in Iraq and various foreign aid programs, including additional assistance for Iraq ($4.2 billion). The other supplemental would provide $19.8 billion for recovery and reconstruction activities in hurricane-affected Gulf Coast areas. Thus, Congress is considering a combined spending proposal of $92.2 billion...For hurricane recovery, half the funds- $9.9 billion- are designated for the Department of Homeland Security, mostly for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Department of Housing and Urban Development would receive $4.4 billion, most of which would be used for community planning and development. DOD would receive $1.8 billion and the Army Corps of Engineers $1.5 billion, primarily to be used for flood control and coastal emergencies, procurement, and construction. The Small Business Administration would receive $1.3 billion for loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nowels, Larry Q.; Irwin, Paul

  2006-05-23
• Army's Future Combat System (FCS): Background and Issues for Congress [Updated May 5, 2006]

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  From the Document: "The Future Combat System (FCS) is the U.S. Army's multiyear, multibillion dollar program at the heart of the Army's transformation efforts. It is to be the Army's major research, development, and acquisition program consisting of 18 manned and unmanned systems tied together by an extensive communications and information network. FCS is intended to replace such current systems as the M-1 Abrams tank and the M-2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle with advanced, networked combat systems. The FCS program has been characterized by the Army and others as a high- risk venture due to the advanced technologies involved as well as the challenge of networking all of the FCS subsystems together so that FCS equipped units can function as intended. The FCS program exists in a dynamic national security environment which could significantly influence the program's outcome. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and potential defense budget cuts could play a role in shaping the FCS program. The revised FCS program timeline- including four 'Spin-Outs' whereby equipment is to be tested first by a FCS evaluation brigade and then introduced into the current force- has extended the program's timeline by four years and has added additional funding requirements, but it has also served to reduce some of the risk associated with this admittedly high-risk venture."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Feickert, Andrew

  2006-05-05
• Changing Demographic Profile of the United States [Updated May 5, 2006]

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  "The United States, the third most populous country globally, accounts for about 4.6% of the world's population. Within the next few years, the U.S. population- currently estimated at 299 million persons- is expected to reach twice its 1950 level of 152 million. More than just being double in size, the population has become qualitatively different from what it was in 1950. As noted by the Population Reference Bureau, 'The U.S. is getting bigger, older, and more diverse.' The objective of this report is to highlight some of the demographic changes that have already occurred since 1950 and to illustrate how these and future trends will reshape the nation in the decades to come (through 2050)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Shrestha, Laura B.

  2006-05-05
• Legal Analysis of Issues Related to INS v. Chadha and the Atomic Energy Act [March 27, 2006]

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  From the Document: "This memorandum is in response to your request for a legal analysis of legislation proposed by the Bush Administration that would appear to create an exception for India from certain sections of the Atomic Energy Act (AEA). Given that both proposed versions of legislation provide express waivers of sections of the AEA containing Congressional approval or disapproval provisions, an analysis of these provisions in light of the Supreme Court's decision in 'INS [Immigration and Naturalization Service] v. Chadha' appears relevant in evaluating the impact that enactment of such legislation might have. A separate CRS [Congressional Research Service] memorandum prepared by Sharon Squassoni from our Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division addresses additional concerns and questions raised by this proposed legislation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Tatelman, Todd

  2006-03-27
• Funding Emergency Communications: Technology and Policy Considerations [May 27, 2011]

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  From the Document: "The United States has yet to find a solution that assures seamless communications among first responders and emergency personnel at the scene of a major disaster. Since September 11, 2001, when communications failures contributed to the tragedies of the day, Congress has passed several laws intended to create a nationwide emergency communications capability. The 111th Congress considered pivotal issues, such as radio frequency spectrum license allocation and funding programs for a Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN), without finding a solution that satisfied the expectations of both public safety and commercial network operators. Congressional initiatives to advance public policies for Next Generation 911 services (NG9-1-1) also remained incomplete. The 112th Congress is under renewed pressure to come to a decision about the assignment of a block of radio frequency spectrum licenses referred to as the D Block, and to provide a plan for federal support of broadband networks for emergency communications. The cost of constructing new networks (wireless and wireline) is estimated by experts to be in the tens of billions of dollars over the long term, with similarly large sums needed for maintenance and operation. Identifying money for federal support in the current climate of budget constraints provides a challenge to policy makers. The greater challenge, however, may be to assure that funds are spent effectively toward the national goals that Congress sets."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Moore, L. K. S. (Linda K. S.)

  2011-05-27
• U.S. Foreign Assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa: The FY2012 Request [May 20, 2011]

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  "The Obama Administration has identified a number of other policy objectives in Africa, including food security, democracy, economic growth, conflict prevention and mitigation, and addressing transnational threats. This range of objectives reflects the continent's size and diversity. It also challenges policy makers to balance foreign aid priorities and achieve strategic focus. While health programs represent the bulk of U.S. bilateral spending, other types of assistance, such as democracy promotion and security cooperation, may be more powerful in defining U.S. bilateral relations with African countries and in achieving U.S. diplomatic leverage. Given the inability of many African countries to meet basic development and governance criteria, policy makers often debate whether poor performance justifies terminating or, rather, continuing aid. Analysts, practitioners, and aid advocates have long debated the value and design of aid programs in Africa. Critics allege that aid has done little to improve socioeconomic outcomes in Africa, and that in some cases it may serve to prolong conflicts or empower undemocratic regimes or rebel groups. Aid advocates counter that programs should be reformed or scaled up, not terminated, and that seeking to improve the welfare of impoverished populations abroad is both a humanitarian imperative and in the U.S. national interest. The methods and metrics for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of aid programs are also a topic of debate. Congress authorizes, appropriates funding for, and oversees aid programs in Africa. U.S. assistance is also subject to a number of legislative restrictions imposed by Congress, including some which directly or indirectly pertain to African countries."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Cook, Nicolas; Blanchard, Lauren Ploch; Arieff, Alexis

  2011-05-20
• Litigation Seeking to Establish Climate Change Impacts as a Common Law Nuisance [May 9, 2011]

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  From the Document: "Congressional inaction on climate change has led various entities to pursue climate change measures off Capitol Hill. Either in hopes of realizing substantive measures or to pressure Congress to act, such entities have looked to international forums, treaty negotiations, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action under the Clean Air Act, state and regional efforts, and-the topic here-common law suits, principally seeking to establish climate change impacts as a nuisance. Many argue that courts will (and should) be unreceptive to dealing with a global problem such as climate change through individual common law suits. [...] As well, nuisance law offers no clear standards to apply, asking courts, for example, to weigh vague policy factors. This is a recipe, it is argued, for inconsistent and confusing results from different courts. Questions of causation are also substantial: even if the court accepts that man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contribute to climate change, how can a plaintiff show that a particular adverse impact was caused by climate change, and further was caused by the GHG emissions of the defendants? And should the defendants' contribution to worldwide GHG emissions be viewed as de minimis--too small for a court to bother with? Questions of remedy are likely to be particularly intractable: what amount of emission reduction, or monetary compensation, should be required of a defendant given the likely miniscule fraction of worldwide GHG emissions contributed by that defendant? Finally, the law affords courts several easy ways of blocking nuisance-based climate change litigation, discussed in Part II, should courts decide it is inappropriate. At a minimum, no one argues that piecemeal litigation is preferable to a coherent legislative scheme."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Meltz, Robert

  2011-05-09
• Issues and Challenges for Federal Geospatial Information [May 18, 2011]

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  "Congress has recognized the challenge of coordinating and sharing geospatial data from the local, county, and state level to the national level, and vice versa. The cost to the federal government of gathering and coordinating geospatial information has also been an ongoing concern. As much as 80% of government information has a geospatial component, according to various sources. The federal government's role has changed from being a primary provider of authoritative geospatial information to coordinating and managing geospatial data and facilitating partnerships. Congress explored issues of cost, duplication of effort, and coordination of geospatial information in hearings during the 108th Congress. However, challenges to coordinating how geospatial data are acquired and used--collecting duplicative data sets, for example--at the local, state, and federal levels, in collaboration with the private sector, are not yet resolved."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin)

  2011-05-18
• Geospatial Information and Geographic Information Systems (GIS): An Overview for Congress

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  "Geospatial information is data referenced to a place--a set of geographic coordinates--which can often be gathered, manipulated, and displayed in real time. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer data system capable of capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced information. The federal government and policy makers increasingly use geospatial information and tools like GIS for producing floodplain maps, conducting the census, mapping foreclosures, congressional redistricting, and responding to natural hazards such as wildfires, earthquakes, and tsunamis. For policy makers, this type of analysis can greatly assist in clarifying complex problems that may involve local, state, and federal government, and affect businesses, residential areas, and federal installations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin)

  2011-05-18
• Status of Mexican Trucks in the United States: Frequently Asked Questions [May 16, 2011]

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  "In the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which took effect in January 1994, the United States and Mexico agreed to allow each other's trucks to carry goods across the border to make deliveries anywhere inside their respective countries. This provision was controversial in the United States, and a trial program begun in September 2007 by the Bush Administration was defunded by Congress in March 2009. Mexico imposed tariffs on certain U.S. goods in response to the program's termination, as permitted by NAFTA. After bilateral negotiations, the Obama Administration recently announced a new pilot program to allow long-haul Mexican trucks into the United States. This report answers frequently asked questions regarding the current plan to permit Mexican trucks into the United States. For more detailed information on the background of this program, the customs processes at the border, and the economics of cross-border trucking, see CRS Report RL31738, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation: The Future of Commercial Trucking Across the Mexican Border, by John Frittelli."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Frittelli, John

  2011-05-16
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Illicit Drug Trafficking and U.S. Counterdrug Programs [May 12, 2011]

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  "Drug trafficking is viewed as a primary threat to citizen security and U.S. interests in Latin America and the Caribbean despite decades of anti-drug efforts by the United States and partner governments. The production and trafficking of popular illicit drugs - cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and methamphetamine - generate a multi-billion dollar black market in which Latin American criminal and terrorist organizations thrive. These groups challenge state authority in source and transit countries where governments are often fragile and easily corrupted. Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) largely control the U.S. illicit drug market and have been identified by the U.S. Department of Justice as the 'greatest organized crime threat to the United States.' Drug trafficking-related crime and violence in the region has escalated in recent years, raising the drug issue to the forefront of U.S. foreign policy concerns. [...] Congress has influenced U.S. drug control policy in Latin America by appropriating certain types and levels of funding for counterdrug assistance programs and conditioning the provision of antidrug funding on the basis of human rights and other reporting requirements. Congress has also sought to ensure that counterdrug programs are implemented in tandem with judicial reform, anti-corruption, and human rights programs. The 112th Congress has held hearings evaluating drug assistance programs and related domestic initiatives and border security efforts. This report provides an overview of the drug flows in the Americas and U.S. antidrug assistance programs in the region. It also raises some policy issues for Congress to consider as it exercises oversight of U.S. antidrug programs and policies in the Western Hemisphere."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Wyler, Liana Sun; Seelke, Clare Ribando; Beittel, June S.

  2011-05-12
• Motor Vehicle Supply Chain: Effects of the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami [May 23, 2011]

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  "The March 2011 Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami devastated the northeast coast of Japan with the most powerful natural disaster in Japan's modern history. Compounding the challenge for Japanese government, businesses, and communities was the resulting destruction of several nuclear reactors in the region which supplied electricity for homes and industry. Not only was electricity unavailable, but a large area was temporarily evacuated, making rapid reopening of affected industries impossible. Located in the disaster region and adversely affected by these forces are a number of manufacturing facilities which are integral to the global motor vehicle supply chain. They include plants that assemble automobiles and many suppliers which build parts and components for vehicles. Some of the Japanese factories that were forced to close provide parts and chemicals not easily available elsewhere. This is particularly true of automotive electronics, a major producer of which was located near the center of the destruction. The effect of these disasters has been first and foremost borne by Japanese automakers, which closed many of their Japanese assembly plants for several weeks as they assessed their supply chain issues and impact on their Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Canis, Bill

  2011-05-23
• Imports from North Korea: Existing Rules, Implications of the KORUS FTA, and the Kaesong Industrial Complex [June 02, 2011]

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  "In early 2011, many Members of Congress focused their attention on U.S. rules and practices governing the importation of products and components from North Korea. Their interest was stimulated by debate over the proposed South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) and the question of whether the agreement could lead to increased imports from North Korea. [...] This report examines the issue of U.S. imports from North Korea in three parts: 1)U.S. rules and practices governing imports from North Korea. The United States does not maintain a comprehensive embargo against North Korea. However, imports from North Korea require approval from the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). [...] 2) North Korea's exports to South Korea (via the KIC) and China, its dominant export markets. In 2010, over three-quarters of North Korea's export shipments went to China and South Korea. Most of North Korea's $1.2 billion in exports to China in 2010 were mineral resources or primary products (such as fish, shellfish, and agro-forest products). [...] 3) The KORUS FTA's potential effect on U.S. imports of North Korean content. The KORUS FTA appears likely to have only a minimal impact on whether U.S. sanctions on North Korean imports are put to the test."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manyin, Mark E.; Grimmett, Jeanne J.

  2011-06-02
• Cuba's Offshore Oil Development: Background and U.S. Policy Considerations [May 20, 2011]

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  From the Introduction: "This report first examines Cuba's oil sector, including current production and consumption levels. It then looks at Cuba's offshore development, including the Repsol project, other offshore projects involving state-owed foreign oil companies, and the outlook for Cuba's offshore oil production. The report then analyzes considerations for the United States raised by Cuba's offshore oil development, examining oil spill risks and environmental dangers if spilled oil reaches U.S. waters, the status of disaster coordination between the United States and Cuba, and potential approaches on the issue. The report then examines the debate over broader U.S. involvement in Cuba's offshore oil development, and touches on two outstanding boundary issues related to Cuba's offshore oil development. Finally, the report examines legislative initiatives that have been advanced to deal with Cuba's offshore oil development."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Nerurkar, Neelesh

  2011-05-20
• Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [May 13, 2011]

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  "The Obama Administration views Iran as a major threat to U.S. national security interests, a perception generated not only by Iran's nuclear program but also by its materiel assistance to armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan, to the Palestinian group Hamas, and to Lebanese Hezbollah. Throughout its first year, the Obama Administration offered Iran's leaders consistent and sustained engagement with the potential for closer integration with and acceptance by the West. To try to convince Iranian leaders of peaceful U.S. intent, the Obama Administration downplayed any discussion of potential U.S. military action against Iranian nuclear facilities or efforts to try to change Iran's regime."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2011-05-13
• Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [May 17, 2011]

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  "Restrictions on travel to Cuba have been a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba's communist government since the early 1960s. Under the George W. Bush Administration, restrictions on travel and on private remittances to Cuba were tightened. In March 2003, the Administration eliminated travel for people-to-people educational exchanges unrelated to academic coursework. In June 2004, the Administration further restricted family and educational travel, eliminated the category of fully-hosted travel, and restricted remittances so that they could only be sent to the remitter's immediate family. Initially there was mixed reaction to the Administration's June 2004 tightening of Cuba travel and remittance restrictions, but opposition to the policy grew, especially within the Cuban American community regarding the restrictions on family travel and remittances."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2011-05-17
• China's Relations with Central Asian States and Problems with Terrorism [December 17, 2001]

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  Over a number of years, the United States has been actively engaged in efforts to improve human rights conditions in the People's Republic of China (PRC). In the United States Congress, numerous pieces of legislation have been passed that censure, and in many cases impose sanctions against, the PRC for violations of human rights and religious freedoms. However, some analysts suggest that the events of September 11, 2001, may make it more difficult to pressure the Chinese government on human rights and religious freedom violations particularly as they relate to the plight of Uighur Muslims in northwestern Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Although the Chinese and Central Asian governments have been making claims of this nature for a number of years, it was not until after the events of September 11, 2001 that Western governments seemed interested in learning about the composition of the Uighur resistance movements in Xinjiang and how they operate in and around the Sino-Russian-Central Asian Corridor.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McNeal, Dewardric L.

  2001-12-17
• Aviation Security Technologies and Procedures: Screening Passengers and Baggage [Updated October 26, 2001]

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  Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, there is intense congressional interest in improving the security screening process for airline passengers and their baggage. In the United States, screening is the responsibility of the airlines, which generally contract the work out to screening companies. The Federal Aviation Administration has regulatory authority, deploys security equipment in airports, and conducts research and development on security technology. The current screening process includes technologies and procedures for screening passengers themselves, their carry-on baggage, and their checked baggage. In each of these areas there are technology options for improving the process. A key issue is the performance of screener personnel. Issues of congressional interest include ways to improve screener performance, possibly including federalization; funding and oversight of the security equipment deployment program; and funding and oversight of security technology development efforts. Congress has begun to consider several bills in this area that have been introduced since the September 11 attacks, as well as Administration proposals and actions.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Morgan, Daniel (Daniel L.)

  2001-10-26