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Meeting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Mandate for Cellulosic Biofuels: Questions and Answers [July 13, 2011]
"The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was expanded under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140) in an effort to reduce dependence on foreign oil, promote biofuel use, and stabilize transportation fuel prices, among other goals. Over a 15-year period, the RFS seeks to establish a market for biofuels in the transportation sector by requiring that increasing amounts of biofuels--36 billion gallons by 2022--be blended into transportation fuel. The mandate is to be accomplished with an assortment of advanced biofuels, including cellulosic biofuels--fuels produced from cellulosic materials including grasses, trees, and agricultural and municipal wastes. However, analysis suggested the United States did not have sufficient cellulosic biofuel production capacity to meet the 2010 and 2011 RFS mandate instituted by Congress in EISA, and this is likely to continue for the 2012 mandate. […] Many questions regarding cellulosic biofuels and the RFS may arise as the 112th Congress engages in energy legislation debates. EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] compliance data indicate that there was no commercial production of cellulosic biofuel (RINS or volume) under the RFS for 2010. Can and will the 2011, 2012, and future RFS mandates for cellulosic biofuels be met? What impact will the continued lowering of the cellulosic ethanol mandate have on investment in cellulosic ethanol production? What are the next steps the 112th Congress could take to influence cellulosic biofuel production? This report, in a question and answer format, discusses some of the concerns facing the cellulosic biofuel community, including feedstock supply estimates, and potential legislative options to address cellulosic biofuel production uncertainty for the RFS."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bracmort, Kelsi
2011-07-13
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Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program: Background, Funding, and Activities [January 30, 2013]
"In the early 1990s, Congress recognized that several federal agencies had ongoing highperformance computing programs, but no central coordinating body existed to ensure long-term coordination and planning. To provide such a framework, Congress passed the High-Performance Computing and Communications Program Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-194) to enhance the effectiveness of the various programs. In conjunction with the passage of the act, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released 'Grand Challenges: High- Performance Computing and Communications'. That document outlined a research and development (R&D) strategy for high-performance computing and a framework for a multiagency program, the High-Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) Program. The HPCC Program has evolved over time and is now called the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program, to better reflect its expanded mission."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Figliola, Patricia Moloney
2013-01-30
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Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program: Background, Funding, and Activities [August 30, 2012]
"In the early 1990s, Congress recognized that several federal agencies had ongoing high-performance computing programs, but no central coordinating body existed to ensure long-term coordination and planning. To provide such a framework, Congress passed the High-Performance Computing and Communications Program Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-194) to enhance the effectiveness of the various programs. In conjunction with the passage of the act, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released 'Grand Challenges: High- Performance Computing and Communications.' That document outlined a research and development (R&D) strategy for high-performance computing and a framework for a multiagency program, the High-Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) Program. The HPCC Program has evolved over time and is now called the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program, to better reflect its expanded mission. Current concerns are the role of the federal government in supporting IT [information technology] R&D and the level of funding to allot to it."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Figliola, Patricia Moloney
2012-08-30
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Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-2013 [May 16, 2013]
"The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the nation's highest award for military valor. It is presented by the President in the name of Congress and thus is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since its first presentation in 1863, 3,477 Medals of Honor have been awarded. In 1973, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs issued a committee print, 'Vietnam Era Medal of Honor Recipients 1964-72', followed by the committee print, 'Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1978', in 1979. Both committee prints list recipients and provide the full text of the citations describing the actions that resulted in the awarding of the medal. This report covers additions and changes to the list of recipients of the medal since the release of the committee print. For further information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report 95-519, 'Medal of Honor: History and Issues', by David F. Burrelli. The official citations are not always consistent for all recipients. Some of the citations do not contain information such as company, division, date of birth, or place of birth. An asterisk (*) indicates those individuals who were awarded their medal posthumously. This report will be updated as new recipients are named."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Leland, Anne
2013-05-16
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Technical Specification for the Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP): SCAP Version 1.0
"The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) produced this publication to facilitate the development of Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) tools and content. SCAP seeks to standardize system security management, promote interoperability of security products, and foster the use of standard expressions of security content. This technical specification describes the requirements and conventions that are to be employed to ensure the consistent and accurate exchange of SCAP content and the ability of the content to reliably operate on SCAP validated tools. This specification is technically oriented, and assumes that readers possess a basic understanding of system security. The use cases described in this document do not represent an exhaustive list of all possible applications of SCAP. This publication describes the details of how the elements of SCAP interoperate and defines SCAP Version 1.0 in terms of both its component specifications and the requirements for SCAP content."
National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.)
Scarfone, Karen; Johnson, Christopher A.; Quinn, Stephen D. . . .
2009-11
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Technical Specification for the Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP): SCAP Version 1.2: Recommendations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
"The Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) is a suite of specifications that standardize the format and nomenclature by which software flaw and security configuration information is communicated, both to machines and humans. SCAP is a multi-purpose framework of specifications that support automated configuration, vulnerability and patch checking, technical control compliance activities, and security measurement. Goals for the development of SCAP include standardizing system security management, promoting interoperability of security products, and fostering the use of standard expressions of security content. [...] This document provides the definitive technical specification for version 1.2 of the Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP). SCAP (pronounced ess-cap) consists of a suite of specifications for standardizing the format and nomenclature by which software flaw and security configuration information is communicated, both to machines and humans. This document defines requirements for creating and processing SCAP source content. These requirements build on the requirements defined within the individual SCAP component specifications. Each new requirement pertains either to using multiple component specifications together or to further constraining one of the individual component specifications. The requirements within the individual component specifications are not repeated in this document; see those specifications to view their requirements."
Information Technology Laboratory (National Institute of Standards and Technology). Computer Security Division
Waltermire, David; Quinn, Stephen D.; Scarfone, Karen
2011-09
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Meat and Poultry Inspection: Background and Selected Issues [Updated April 21, 2008]
This CRS Report discusses the current state of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Services. Issues covered in this document include: "Is enough being done to address longstanding concerns about naturally occurring microbiological contamination? [...] Should USDA have new authority to recall suspect meat and poultry products? [...] Is legislation needed to improve the ability to trace animals, meat, and poultry products? [...] Does FSIS have adequate funding and resources, and/or should industry pay more for inspection? [...] Should state-inspected meat and poultry products be allowed in interstate commerce?"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Becker, Geoffrey S.
2008-04-21
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Meat and Poultry Inspection Issues [Updated August 3, 2004]
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responsible for inspecting most meat, poultry, and processed egg products for safety, wholesomeness, and proper labeling. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for ensuring the safety of all other foods, including seafood. In the early 1990s, food safety officials recognized that most food-borne illness cases traced to meat and poultry products were being caused by naturally occurring microbiological contamination that was no longer being adequately addressed by the traditional, sight-, smell-, and touch-based system of inspection. Through the federal rule-making process, FSIS developed and initiated the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system at all federally inspected slaughtering and processing plants. HACCP regulations require all firms to implement preventive actions at each point along the manufacturing chain where microbial contamination is likely to occur. FSIS inspectors monitor the performance of firms' HACCP systems in addition to performing traditional inspection under the existing statutes. Despite data suggesting HACCP-related reductions in pathogen levels, periodic recalls of very large amounts of product continue to illustrate the difficulty of preventing contamination in processed products. Several bills addressing aspects of this issue have been introduced in the 108th Congress. These include proposals to give FSIS the authority to (1) mandate recalls of suspected contaminated products (H.R. 2273); (2) set and enforce performance standards for food-borne pathogens under HACCP (S. 1103/H.R. 2203); and (3) impose civil penalties for violations of the inspection laws and regulations (H.R. 1003)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rawson, Jean M.
2004-08-03
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Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program: Funding Issues and Activities [July 20, 2010]
"In the early 1990s, Congress recognized that several federal agencies had ongoing highperformance computing programs, but no central coordinating body existed to ensure long-term coordination and planning. To provide such a framework, Congress passed the High-Performance Computing and Communications Program Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-194) to enhance the effectiveness of the various programs. In conjunction with the passage of the act, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released Grand Challenges: High- Performance Computing and Communications. That document outlined a research and development (R&D) strategy for high-performance computing and a framework for a multiagency program, the High-Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) Program. The HPCC Program has evolved over time and is now called the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program, to better reflect its expanded mission. Proponents assert that federal support of information technology (IT) R&D has produced positive outcomes for the country and played a crucial role in supporting long-term research into fundamental aspects of computing. Such fundamentals provide broad practical benefits, but generally take years to realize. Additionally, the unanticipated results of research are often as important as the anticipated results. Another aspect of government-funded IT research is that it often leads to open standards, something that many perceive as beneficial, encouraging deployment and further investment. Industry, on the other hand, is more inclined to invest in proprietary products and will diverge from a common standard when there is a potential competitive or financial advantage to do so. Finally, proponents of government support believe that the outcomes achieved through the various funding programs create a synergistic environment in which both fundamental and application-driven research are conducted, benefitting government, industry, academia, and the public."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Figliola, Patricia Moloney
2010-07-20
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Merida Initiative: Proposed U.S. Anticrime and Counterdrug Assistance for Mexico and Central America [March 18, 2008]
"Increasing violence perpetrated by drug cartels, youth gangs, and other criminal groups is threatening citizen security and democracy in Mexico and Central America. Mexican and Central American government efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime have been hindered by inadequate resources, corruption, and weak judicial systems. On October 22, 2007, the United States and Mexico issued a joint statement announcing the Mérida Initiative, a multi-year plan for U.S. assistance to Mexico and Central America aimed at helping those governments combat drug trafficking and other criminal organizations. The Administration requested $500 million for Mexico and $50 million for Central America in the FY2008 supplemental appropriations request. To date, there is no legislative vehicle for the funding request. The Administration requested another $450 million for Mexico and $100 million for Central America in the FY2009 budget request."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cook, Colleen W.; Rush, Rebecca G.; Seelke, Clare Ribando
2008-03-18
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Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-2008 [June 4, 2008]
"The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest award for military valor. It is presented by the President in the name of Congress and thus is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since its first presentation in 1863, 3,467 Medals of Honor have been awarded to a total of 3,448 individuals (there have been 19 double recipients). In 1979, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee issued the committee print, 'Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1978', which lists recipients and provides the full text of the citations describing the actions that resulted in the awarding of the Medal. This report covers additions and changes to the list of recipients of the Medal since the release of the committee print. For further information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report 95- 519, 'Medal of Honor: History and Issues', by David F. Burrelli. This report will be updated as new recipients are named."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gomez, Julissa
2008-06-04
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Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-2008 [April 11, 2008]
"The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest award for military valor. It is presented by the President in the name of Congress and thus is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since its first presentation in 1863, 3,466 Medals of Honor have been awarded to a total of 3,447 individuals (there have been 19 double recipients). In 1979, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee issued the committee print, 'Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1978', which lists recipients and provides the full text of the citations describing the actions that resulted in the awarding of the Medal. This report covers additions and changes to the list of recipients of the Medal since the release of the committee print. For further information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report 95- 519, 'Medal of Honor: History and Issues', by David F. Burrelli. This report will be updated as new recipients are named."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gomez, Julissa
2008-04-11
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Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-2007 [November 13, 2007]
"The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest award for military valor. It is presented by the President in the name of Congress and thus is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since its first presentation in 1863, 3,464 Medals of Honor have been awarded to a total of 3,445 individuals (there have been 19 double recipients). In 1979, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee issued the committee print, 'Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1978', which lists recipients and provides the full text of the citations describing the actions that resulted in the awarding of the Medal. This report covers additions and changes to the list of recipients of the Medal since the release of the committee print. For further information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report 95- 519, 'Medal of Honor: History and Issues', by David F. Burrelli. This report will be updated as new recipients are named."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gomez, Julissa
2007-11-13
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Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-2007 [May 29, 2007]
"The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest award for military valor. It is presented by the President in the name of Congress and thus is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since its first presentation in 1863, 3,463 Medals of Honor have been awarded to a total of 3,444 individuals (there have been 19 double recipients). In 1979, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee issued the committee print, 'Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1978', which lists recipients and provides the full text of the citations describing the actions that resulted in the awarding of the Medal. This report covers additions and changes to the list of recipients of the Medal since the release of the committee print. For further information, see CRS Report 95- 519, 'Medal of Honor: History and Issues', by David F. Burrelli. This report will be updated as new recipients are named."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gomez, Julissa
2007-05-29
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Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-2005 [January 12, 2006]
"The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest award for military valor. Since its inception in 1863, 3,461 Medals of Honor have been awarded to a total of 3,442 individuals (there have been 19 double recipients). In 1979, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee issued the committee print, 'Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863- 1978', which lists recipients and provides the full text of the citations describing the actions that resulted in the awarding of the Medal. This report describes and discusses changes to the list of recipients of the Medal since the release of the committee print. For further information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report 95-519, 'Medal of Honor: History and Issues', by David F. Burrelli. This report will be updated as new recipients are named."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gomez, Julissa
2006-01-12
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Mercosur: Evolution and Implications for U.S. Trade Policy [March 26, 2008]
"Mercosur is the Common Market of the South established by Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay in 1991 to promote economic integration and political cooperation among the four countries. Since then, Mercosur has struggled to achieve deep economic integration, but has maintained a cooperative economic and political framework, which has also become an influential voice in determining the fate of the hemisphere's regional integration initiatives. In particular, the U.S. vision for hemispheric integration, the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), has stalled largely because of opposition from within Mercosur, which in turn has focused on its own, albeit limited, expansion. […] It appears that Mercosur has opted to emphasize its expansion both in the region and with other developing countries over agreements with its largest developed country trade partners, looking to the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the preferred alternative for achieving many of its trade policy goals. Nonetheless, U.S.- Mercosur commercial and economic ties are expanding and the United States is pursuing deeper bilateral trade relations with Uruguay that could provide new ideas for a broader integration commitment. The alternative may be for Mercosur and the United States to expand their mutually exclusive bilateral agreements, increasing the potential for overlapping trading systems, which few, if any, view as either economically or administratively optimal."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.)
2008-03-26
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Mercosur: Evolution and Implications for U.S. Trade Policy [August 27, 2007]
"Mercosur is the Common Market of the South established by Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay in 1991 to improve political and economic cooperation in the region following a lengthy period of military rule and mutual distrust. On July 2, 2006, Venezuela acceded to the pact as its first new full member, making Mercosur the undisputed economic counterweight to U.S. trade policy in the region, but raising questions about how it may shift regional political and trade dynamics. Collectively, the Mercosur countries have a diversified trade relationship with the world. The United States is the largest trade partner, the European Union (EU) a close second, with each claiming about 25% of total Mercosur trade. By contrast, the four Mercosur countries together account for only 2% of total U.S. trade. Including U.S. imports of Venezuelan oil, the 'Mercosur 5' constitute 3.5% of total U.S. trade. […] It appears Mercosur has opted for political accommodation over deep economic integration. Mercosur, especially with Venezuela, will likely continue to resist movement toward a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), with Brazil in particular viewing the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the preferred alternative for achieving its trade policy goals. Given this impasse, it seems that the United States and Mercosur may continue to expand their influence through smaller trade agreements, presenting the possibility of two very different overlapping trading systems emerging in the Western Hemisphere centered around the U.S. and Brazilian economies. Few, if any, view this as an economically and administratively optimal alternative, presenting a formidable challenge to the future direction of U.S. trade policy in Latin America."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.)
2007-08-27
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Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-2008 [March 10, 2008]
"The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest award for military valor. It is presented by the President in the name of Congress and thus is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since its first presentation in 1863, 3,465 Medals of Honor have been awarded to a total of 3,446 individuals (there have been 19 double recipients). In 1979, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee issued the committee print, 'Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1978', which lists recipients and provides the full text of the citations describing the actions that resulted in the awarding of the Medal. This report covers additions and changes to the list of recipients of the Medal since the release of the committee print. For further information, see CRS Report 95- 519, 'Medal of Honor: History and Issues', by David F. Burrelli. This report will be updated as new recipients are named."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gomez, Julissa
2008-03-10
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Medal of Honor: History and Issues [March 30, 2006]
"The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military award for bravery. It is awarded by the President in the name of Congress. For this reason, it is often referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since it was first presented in 1863, the medal has been awarded 3,461 times. Nineteen individuals have been double recipients of the award. Recipients of the Medal of Honor are afforded a number of benefits as a result of this award. Since the award's inception, the laws and regulations that apply to it have changed. In certain cases, the award has been rescinded. Six rescinded awards have been reinstated. On a number of occasions, legislation has been offered to waive certain restrictions and to encourage the President to award the Medal of Honor to particular individuals. Generally speaking, this type of legislation is rarely enacted. In a very limited number of cases, the medal has been awarded outside the legal restrictions concerning time limits. These cases are often based on technical errors, lost documents or eyewitness accounts, or other factors that justify reconsideration. These cases, however, represent the exception and not the rule."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Burrelli, David F., 1958-
2006-03-30
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Mercosur: Evolution and Implications for U.S. Trade Policy [August 23, 2006]
"Mercosur is the Common Market of the South established by Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay in 1991 to improve political and economic cooperation in the region following a lengthy period of military rule and mutual distrust. On July 2, 2006, Venezuela acceded to the pact as its first new full member, making Mercosur the undisputed economic counterweight to U.S. trade policy in the region, but raising questions about how it may shift regional political and trade dynamics. Collectively, the Mercosur countries have a diversified trade relationship with the world. The United States is the largest trade partner, the European Union (EU) a close second, with each claiming about 25% of total Mercosur trade. By contrast, the four Mercosur countries together account for only 2% of total U.S. trade. Including U.S. imports of Venezuelan oil, the 'Mercosur 5' constitute 3.5% of total U.S. trade. […] It appears Mercosur has opted for political cohesion over deeper economic integration. Mercosur, especially with Venezuela, will likely continue to resist movement toward a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), with Brazil in particular viewing the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the preferred alternative for achieving its trade policy goals. Given this impasse, it seems that the United States and Mercosur may continue to expand their influence through smaller trade agreements, presenting the possibility of two very different overlapping trading systems emerging in the Western Hemisphere centered around the U.S. and Brazilian economies. Few if any view this as an economically and administratively optimal alternative, raising a number of questions regarding the future direction of U.S. trade policy in Latin America."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.)
2006-08-23
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Meeting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Mandate for Cellulosic Biofuels: Questions and Answers [January 11, 2012]
"The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was expanded under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140) in an effort to reduce dependence on foreign oil, promote biofuel use, and stabilize transportation fuel prices, among other goals. Over a 15-year period, the RFS seeks to establish a market for biofuels in the transportation sector by requiring that increasing amounts of biofuels--36 billion gallons by 2022--be blended into transportation fuel. The mandate is to be accomplished with an assortment of advanced biofuels, including cellulosic biofuels--fuels produced from cellulosic materials including grasses, trees, and agricultural and municipal wastes--which will ramp up over time to comprise some 44% of the RFS in 2022."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bracmort, Kelsi
2012-01-11
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Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program: Background, Funding, and Activities [April 20, 2012]
"In the early 1990s, Congress recognized that several federal agencies had ongoing high-performance computing programs, but no central coordinating body existed to ensure long-term coordination and planning. To provide such a framework, Congress passed the High-Performance Computing and Communications Program Act of 1991 (P.L. [Public Law] 102-194) to enhance the effectiveness of the various programs. In conjunction with the passage of the act, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released 'Grand Challenges: High- Performance Computing and Communications.' That document outlined a research and development (R&D) strategy for high-performance computing and a framework for a multiagency program, the High-Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) Program. The HPCC Program has evolved over time and is now called the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program, to better reflect its expanded mission. Current concerns are the role of the federal government in supporting IT [information technology] R&D and the level of funding to allot to it."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Figliola, Patricia Moloney
2012-04-20
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Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program: Background, Funding, and Activities [March 27, 2012]
"In the early 1990s, Congress recognized that several federal agencies had ongoing high-performance computing programs, but no central coordinating body existed to ensure long-term coordination and planning. To provide such a framework, Congress passed the High-Performance Computing and Communications Program Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-194) to enhance the effectiveness of the various programs. In conjunction with the passage of the act, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released Grand Challenges: High- Performance Computing and Communications. That document outlined a research and development (R&D) strategy for high-performance computing and a framework for a multiagency program, the High-Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) Program. The HPCC Program has evolved over time and is now called the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program, to better reflect its expanded mission. Current concerns are the role of the federal government in supporting IT [Information Technology] R&D and the level of funding to allot to it. Proponents of federal support of information technology (IT) R&D assert that it has produced positive outcomes for the country and played a crucial role in supporting long-term research into fundamental aspects of computing. Such fundamentals provide broad practical benefits, but generally take years to realize. […] Proponents of government support believe that the outcomes achieved through the various funding programs create a synergistic environment in which both fundamental and application-driven research are conducted, benefitting government, industry, academia, and the public. Supporters also believe that such outcomes justify government's role in funding IT R&D, as well as the growing budget for the NITRD Program. Critics assert that the government, through its funding mechanisms, may be picking 'winners and losers' in technological development, a role more properly residing with the private sector."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Figliola, Patricia Moloney
2012-03-27
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Merida Initiative: Proposed U.S. Anticrime and Counterdrug Assistance for Mexico and Central America [June 3, 2008]
"In October 2007, the United States and Mexico announced the Mérida Initiative, a multi-year proposal for $1.4 billion in U.S. assistance to Mexico and Central America aimed at combating drug trafficking, gangs, and organized crime. On May 14, 2008, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs approved a bill, H.R. 6028 (Berman), which would authorize $1.6 billion for the Initiative from FY2008 through FY2010. The Bush Administration requested $500 million for Mexico and $50 million for Central American countries in its FY2008 supplemental appropriations request. In legislative action on H.R. 2642, the second FY2008 supplemental appropriations measure, the House approved $400 million for Mexico and $61.5 million for Central America, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic on May 15, 2008. The Senate version of H.R. 2642, as amended on May 22, 2008, would provide $350 million for Mexico and $100 million for Central America, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Both versions have human rights conditions, among other restrictions. The supplemental measure will now go to conference. The Administration has also requested an additional $450 million for Mexico and $100 million for the Central American countries under the Mérida Initiative in its FY2009 budget request. This report will be updated. See also: CRS Report RL32724, 'Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress and CRS Report RL34112, Gangs in Central America.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cook, Colleen W.; Rush, Rebecca G.; Seelke, Clare Ribando
2008-06-03
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CAESARS Framework Extension: An Enterprise Continuous Monitoring Technical Reference Architecture (Draft)
"This publication presents an enterprise continuous monitoring technical reference architecture that extends the framework provided by the DHS Federal Network Security CAESARS [Continuous Asset Evaluation, Situational Awareness, and Risk Scoring] architecture. This extension enables added functionality, defines each subsystem in more detail, and further leverages security automation standards. It also extends CAESARS to allow for large implementations that need a multi-tier architecture. The goal of this document is to facilitate enterprise continuous monitoring by presenting a reference architecture that enables organizations to aggregate collected data from across a diverse set of security tools, analyze that data, perform scoring, enable user queries, and provide overall situational awareness. The architecture design is focused on enabling organizations to realize this capability by leveraging their existing security tools and thus avoiding complicated and resource intensive custom tool integration efforts."
National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.)
Mell, Peter; Waltermire, David; Booth, Harold
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Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-2013 [November 8, 2013]
"The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the nation's highest award for military valor. It is presented by the President in the name of Congress and thus is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since its first presentation in 1863, 3,480 Medals of Honor have been awarded. In 1973, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs issued a committee print, 'Vietnam Era Medal of Honor Recipients 1964-72', followed by the committee print, 'Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1978', in 1979. Both committee prints list recipients and provide the full text of the citations describing the actions that resulted in the awarding of the medal. This report covers additions and changes to the list of recipients of the medal since the release of the committee print. For further information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report 95-519, 'Medal of Honor: History and Issues', by David F. Burrelli. The official citations are not always consistent for all recipients. Some of the citations do not contain information such as company, division, date of birth, or place of birth. An asterisk (*) indicates those individuals who were awarded their medal posthumously. This report will be updated as new recipients are named."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Leland, Anne
2013-11-08
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Greenhouse Gas Legislation: Summary and Analysis of H.R. 2454 as Reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce [June 17, 2009]
"H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, was introduced May 15, 2009, by Representatives Waxman and Markey, and was subsequently modified (both technical and substantive changes) and ordered reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on May 21, 2009. The bill was reported (amended) June 5 (H.Rept. [House Report] 111-137, Part I). Among the major provisions of the bill are the following: H.R. 2454 contains provisions that would amend the Clean Air Act to establish a cap-and-trade system designed to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 83% below 2005 levels by 2050. The market-based approach would establish an absolute cap on the emissions and would allow trading of emissions permits ('allowances'). The bill achieves its broad coverage through an upstream compliance mandate on petroleum and most fluorinated gas producers and importers, and a downstream mandate on electric generators, industrial sources, and natural gas local distribution companies (LDCs). The bill allocates a substantial percentage of the allowances for the benefit of energy consumers and low-income households. As the program proceeds through the mid-2020s it shifts to more government auctioning with most of the proceeds returned to households. The bill's allocation scheme includes free allowance allocations to energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries, merchant coal-fired electric generators, and petroleum refiners. An important cost control mechanism in the cap-and-trade program is the availability of domestic and international offsets."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Holt, Mark; Whitney, Gene
2009-06-17
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Issues in Green Building and the Federal Response: An Introduction [January 16, 2009]
"The environmental impact of human activity has been a source of controversy and concern for decades. Much of the focus over that time has been on impacts such as pollution and the destruction or degradation of wildlife habitats and ecosystems. Over the past several years, however, concerns have increased greatly about greenhouse gases, resource depletion, and degradation of ecological services such as water supply. […] Without significant transformation of building construction and operations, such impacts are expected to increase with population growth and changes in other demographic and economic factors. One significant tool in efforts to achieve the desired transformation is 'green building'. While it is widely considered desirable, the concept is used in a variety of different ways, and its application also raises concerns about actual performance, cost, and the sufficiency of the approach to solve the problems it is intended to address. This report discusses what the concept of green building means, major federal policies and programs relating to green building, and associated issues, including some that may confront the 111th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fischer, Eric A.
2009-01-16
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Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 109th Congress: Conflicting Values and Difficult Choices [Updated January 25, 2006]
"The 109th Congress is considering various proposals to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; P.L. 93-205, 16 U.S.C. §§1531-1543). Major issues in recent years have included changing the role of science in decision-making, modifying critical habitat (CH) procedures, reducing conflicts with Department of Defense activities, incorporating further protection and incentives for property owners, and increasing protection of listed species, among others. In addition, many have advocated enacting as law some ESA regulations promulgated during the Clinton Administration. The ESA has been one of the more contentious environmental laws. This may stem from its strict substantive provisions, which can affect the use of both federal and nonfederal lands and resources. Under the ESA, species of plants and animals (both vertebrate and invertebrate) can be listed as 'endangered' or 'threatened' according to assessments of their risk of extinction. Once a species is listed, powerful legal tools are available to aid its recovery and protect its habitat. The ESA may also be controversial because dwindling species are usually harbingers of broader ecosystem decline: the most common cause of listing species is habitat loss."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Buck, Eugene H.; Corn, M. Lynne (Mary Lynne), 1946-; Sheikh, Pervaze A. . . .
2006-01-25
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Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 109th Congress: Conflicting Values and Difficult Choices [Updated November 16, 2005]
"The 109th Congress is considering various proposals to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; P.L. 93-205; 16 U.S.C. §§1531-1543). Major issues in recent years have included changing the role of science in decision-making, modifying critical habitat (CH) procedures, reducing conflicts with Department of Defense activities, incorporating further protection and incentives for property owners, and increasing protection of listed species, among others. In addition, many have advocated enacting as law some ESA regulations promulgated during the Clinton Administration. The ESA has been one of the more contentious environmental laws. This may stem from its strict substantive provisions, which can affect the use of both federal and nonfederal lands and resources. Under the ESA, species of plants and animals (both vertebrate and invertebrate) can be listed as 'endangered' or 'threatened' according to assessments of their risk of extinction. Once a species is listed, powerful legal tools are available to aid its recovery and protect its habitat. The ESA may also be controversial because dwindling species are usually harbingers of broader ecosystem decline: the most common cause of listing species is habitat loss."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Corn, M. Lynne (Mary Lynne), 1946-; Buck, Eugene H.; Sheikh, Pervaze A. . . .
2005-11-16
