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Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Impact in Africa [Updated May 11, 2020]
From the Document: "As Congress considers the global impact of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], some Members may examine the implications for sub-Saharan Africa ('Africa'). Most African health systems struggle with low capacity, trailing world averages in per capita numbers of doctors, hospital beds, ventilators, and oxygen cylinders. Although lessons from past disease outbreaks (e.g., recent Ebola outbreaks) led some countries to quickly ramp up disease surveillance and behavior change campaigns, overall state capacity tends to be low. Confirmed caseloads in Africa have been relatively low to date, but may be underreported. The pandemic has disrupted efforts to prevent and contain other diseases, including polio, measles, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. [...] African economies have been severely affected. Global prices for key commodity exports (e.g., oil, natural gas, and certain minerals) have cratered. Job-rich sectors such as transportation and tourism are largely suspended, and remittances from African workers abroad have withered. Informal workers have lost meager incomes due to COVID-19 control measures, and prices for basic goods have risen. In April, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected that African economies would contract by 1.6% overall in 2020, the most severe regional recession in decades. The World Bank estimated that 23 million more Africans could fall into extreme poverty due to the pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Arieff, Alexis; Blanchard, Lauren Ploch; Cook, Nicolas . . .
2020-05-11
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COVID-19: Global Implications and Responses [Updated May 8, 2020]
From the Overview: "Congressional interest in the global implications of pandemics and the novel coronavirus pandemic is high, with over 50 pieces of related legislation introduced in the 116th Congress to date (see CRS Report R46319, 'Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19): Q&A on Global Implications and Responses').The virus, which is believed to have started in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, is now named 'severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2' (SARSCoV-2) and is known by the disease it causes, 'coronavirus disease 2019' (COVID-19). The virus has spread across the globe and is now concentrated in the United States and Europe. As of May 7, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 3.6 million people had contracted the disease, with over 250,000 deaths. WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on January 30 and labeled it a 'pandemic' on March 11."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tharakan, Sara M.; Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji; Gottron, Frank . . .
2020-05-08
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COVID-19 and the Indian Health Service [Updated May 1, 2020]
From the Document: "The Indian Health Service (IHS) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the lead federal agency charged with improving the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives. In FY2019, IHS provided health care to approximately 2.6 million eligible American Indians/Alaska Natives. Its total FY2020 annual appropriation was $6.2 billion. As of April 30, IHS has seen more than 3,000 positive tests for coronavirus among its service population. In particular, the Navajo Nation has experienced one of the largest outbreaks nationally."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-
2020-05-01
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Offshore Royalty Relief: Status During the COVID-19 Pandemic [Updated May 13, 2020]
From the Document: "U.S. oil and gas producers face financial challenges stemming from demand reduction, oversupply, and commodity price drops during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. Some Members of Congress have asked the Department of the Interior (DOI) to offer 'royalty relief' on federal oil and gas leases--a temporary reduction or waiver of the royalties that companies pay the federal government on production from these leases. Some other Members have opposed a comprehensive royalty relief program for federal oil and gas producers. DOI has stated that affected producers may apply for royalty relief individually using existing options, clarifying that the Department does not plan to pursue a new program of blanket royalty relief at this time."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Comay, Laura B.
2020-05-13
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Emergency Assistance for Agricultural Land Rehabilitation [Updated May 12, 2020]
From the Overview: "Natural disasters can have varying effects on the landscape. For agricultural producers, natural disasters are part of the inherent risk of doing business. The federal role for mitigating weather risk is primarily through federal crop insurance and a suite of agricultural disaster assistance programs to address a producer's crop or livestock production loss. Other, separate U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs are designed to repair agricultural and forest land following a natural disaster and potentially mitigate future risk. [...] This report describes these emergency agricultural land assistance programs. It presents background on the programs--purpose, activities, authority, eligibility requirements, and authorized program funding levels--as well as current congressional issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stubbs, Megan
2020-05-12
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Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act: Division B--Revenue Provisions [May 15, 2020]
From the Document: "Congress continues to consider proposals intended to alleviate the economic effects associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19, pandemic. One such proposal, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act (H.R. 6800), was introduced in the House on May 12, 2020. Division B of the HEROES Act, or the COVID-19 Tax Relief Act of 2020, contains a number of individual and business tax provisions, including [1] a one-time direct payment for eligible individuals, and an expansion of eligibility for the direct payments provided in the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act; [2] enhanced benefits and/or expanded eligibility for the earned income tax credit (EITC), child tax credit, and child and dependent care tax credit, and suspension of the limitation on the deduction for state and local taxes paid; [3] expansions of tax credits for paid sick leave and paid family leave; [4] tax credits for employers and employees in businesses susceptible to COVID-19- related interruptions; [5] expanded utilization options for certain employee health and dependent care benefits; and [6] a permanent limitation on using noncorporate business losses to offset nonbusiness income, and reduced ability to carry back recent net operating losses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.; Sherlock, Molly F.; Driessen, Grant A. . . .
2020-05-15
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Election 2020 and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Legal Issues in Absentee and All-Mail Voting [May 15, 2020]
From the Document: "As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there have been concerns about the potential impact on the 2020 federal election cycle. Some states have delayed primary elections, and, in other jurisdictions, officials have moved polling places away from high-risk populations. As the public health crisis continues, new questions are emerging about the safety and accessibility of voting in the remaining federal primaries and the November 3 general election. These concerns are coupled with questions about how to maintain election integrity. [...] In this Sidebar, absentee voting generally refers to state laws that permit eligible voters to request and cast ballots by mail without physically going to the polls on Election Day. All-mail voting generally refers to state laws that provide for automatic mailing of ballots to all eligible voters. This Sidebar outlines the legal landscape for state and federal election laws, examines recent challenges to state laws in response to the pandemic, and briefly discusses select legislation introduced in the 116th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Whitaker, L. Paige
2020-05-15
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Federal Authority to Lift or Modify State and Local COVID-19 'Stay-At-Home' Orders: Frequently Asked Questions [May 15, 2020]
From the Document: "To contain the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), roughly 20 states and the District of Columbia continue to operate under so-called 'stay-at-home' orders closing nonessential businesses and limiting the circumstances in which individuals can leave their residences. In other states, some counties and cities remain subject to similar orders. These directives fall within the traditional police powers of state and local governments to protect the health and safety of their citizens. But stay-at-home orders also implicate federal interests, raising questions about the balance between federal and state power if federal authorities disagree with the content or duration of specific state or local mandates. Besides these federalism issues, disputes over the proper response to COVID-19 raise separation-of-powers questions about the President's authority to override stay-at-home orders. This Legal Sidebar responds to certain frequently asked questions concerning the federal government's power to lift or modify such orders."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sykes, Jay B.
2020-05-15
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Export Restrictions in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic [May 15, 2020]
From the Document: "In response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, countries all over the world, including the United States, have imposed temporary restrictions on exports of certain medical goods and some foodstuffs in order to mitigate potential shortages of key supplies. Many measures are not explicit bans, but vary from licensing requirements to mandates for sales to the state. These restrictions have raised debate about the consistency of such actions with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and the potential impact on the global trading system. Some markets depend heavily on countries that have implemented restrictions. Most leading exporters are also major importers of critical supplies, with integrated supply chains at risk. The proliferation of such measures has prompted some countries to commit to limit restrictions or to abide by certain principles in their temporary application. Members of Congress have weighed in on both sides of the issue, both in terms of the immediate disruption from COVID-19, but also on the future of supply chains."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Casey, Christopher A.; Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D.
2020-05-15
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Helping U.S. Citizens Abroad During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other International Crises: Role of the Department of State [May 13, 2020]
From the Document: "The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has long provided consular services to American citizens around the world pursuant to laws passed by Congress. Such services include disseminating information regarding any major disaster or incident abroad affecting the safety of U.S. citizens and, when their lives are endangered by such crises, facilitating their safe and efficient evacuation. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has required DOS to scale up consular services in response to unprecedented demand. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress has conducted oversight of DOS's consular services and passed two supplemental appropriations laws that include additional funds for DOS to maintain consular operations and carry out evacuations. Some Members of Congress have also introduced legislation seeking to adjust or eliminate the statutory requirement that private U.S. citizens evacuated by DOS reimburse the department for a portion of the expenses associated with their evacuation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gill, Cory R.
2020-05-13
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IRS Guidance Says No Deduction is Allowed for Business Expenses Paid with Forgiven PPP Loans [Updated May 13, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) created Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to provide short-term, economic relief to certain small businesses and nonprofits. [...] The initial authorization of $349 billion for PPP loans was exhausted by April 16, 2020. Congress authorized another $310 billion ($659 billion total) for PPP loans in the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (P.L. 116-139). On April 30, 2020, IRS issued Notice 2020-32, which clarifies the IRS position, under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 265(a)(1), that PPP-recipients cannot claim a deduction for expenses funded from the forgiven PPP loans. IRS's guidance could reduce the perceived economic benefit of PPP loans, and require some taxpayers to alter how they compute their taxes for 2020 compared to previous years. With this said, many businesses could still find that the economic benefits of PPP loans outweigh the potential costs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lowry, Sean; Gravelle, Jane
2020-05-13
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Impact of COVID-19-Related Forbearances on the Federal Mortgage Finance System [May 13, 2020]
From the Document: "One of the major economic impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been loss of income, which has left many Americans unable to repay their financial obligations--including their mortgage payments. In response, regulators have encouraged financial institutions to work with customers to allow them to defer payments on mortgages through a process known as 'forbearance.' Provisions in the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act (P.L. 116-136) require mortgage servicers to provide several months of forbearance to borrowers (at the borrowers' requests, after they demonstrate a COVID-19-related financial hardship) with a 'federally backed mortgage.' This Insight explains the term federally backed mortgage and examines some of the potential impacts that forbearance on these mortgages may have on the mortgage finance system"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Scott, Andrew P.
2020-05-13
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Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated May 14, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Columbia-class program, a program to design and build a class of 12 new ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy's current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. The Navy has identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy's top priority program. The Navy wants to procure the first Columbia-class boat in FY2021. The Navy's proposed FY2021 budget requests $2,891.5 million in procurement funding, $1,123.2 million in advance procurement (AP) funding, and $397.3 million in research and development funding for the program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-05-14
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Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated May 12, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides an overview of political and economic conditions in Mexico, followed by assessments of selected issues of congressional interest in Mexico: security and foreign aid, extraditions, human rights, trade, migration, energy, water, and border environmental issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2020-05-12
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Multiyear Procurement (MYP) and Block Buy Contracting in Defense Acquisition: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated May 14, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on multiyear procurement (MYP) and block buy contracting (BBC), which are special contracting mechanisms that Congress permits the Department of Defense (DOD) to use for a limited number of defense acquisition programs. Compared to the standard or default approach of annual contracting, MYP and BBC have the potential for reducing weapon procurement costs by a few or several percent."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2020-05-14
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Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA): Overview of Workers' Compensation for Certain Private-Sector Maritime Workers [Updated May 14, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) requires that private-sector firms provide workers' compensation coverage for their employees engaged in longshore, harbor, or other maritime occupations on or adjacent to the navigable waters of the United States. Although the LHWCA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL), most benefits are paid either through private insurers or self-insured firms. The LHWCA is a workers' compensation system and not a federal benefits program. Like other workers' compensation systems in the United States, the LHWCA ensures that all covered workers are provided medical and disability benefits in the event they are injured or become ill in the course of their employment, and it provides benefits to the survivors of covered workers who die on the job. In 2017, the LHWCA paid approximately $2.06 billion in cash and medical benefits to injured workers and the families of deceased workers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2020-05-14
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Iraq and U.S. Policy [Updated May 14, 2020]
From the Document: "In May 2020, the Iraqi Council of Representatives (COR), confirmed Iraqi National Intelligence Service director Mustafa al Kadhimi as Prime Minister and approved 15 of his 22 cabinet nominees, bringing months of political deadlock over government leadership to a close. Upon taking office, Al Kadhimi declared that his government would serve in a transitional capacity and would work to improve security and fight corruption while preparing for early elections.Iraqi authorities have instituted curfews and travel restrictions in response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, which poses serious public health, economic, and fiscal risks to the country."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Christopher M.
2020-05-14
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Protecting Against Rogue Drones [May 14, 2020]
From the Document: "As of March 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had registered more than 1.5 million unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), often referred to as drones. More than 70% are operated by recreational users. FAA estimates that by 2024, about 2.3 million UAS, including 1.5 million recreational drones and model aircraft and about 800,000 commercial UAS, will be registered to fly in U.S. airspace. As the UAS market expands, there may be an increasing risk that rogue drones that either fail to obey safety rules or are operated for nefarious purposes could threaten manned aircraft operations, airports, critical infrastructure facilities, and high-profile events. These concerns have prompted Congress to examine options for detecting and interdicting drones."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elias, Bartholomew
2020-05-14
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Legal Framework of the National Environmental Policy Act [May 14, 2020]
From the Document: "The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq., declared a national policy 'to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans.' To implement this policy, NEPA requires federal agencies to identify and evaluate impacts of 'major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.' 42 U.S.C. § 4332(2)(C). Although an agency must consider these impacts, it need not elevate these environmental concerns above others. Instead, NEPA requires agencies to 'take a hard look at environmental consequences' of their proposed actions, consider alternatives, and publicly disseminate such information before taking final action."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hart, Nina M.; Tsang, Linda
2020-05-14
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Low Oil Prices May Trigger Certain Tax Benefits, but Not Others [May 11, 2020]
From the Document: "Benchmark crude oil prices--such as U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI)--have steeply declined since January 2020. Oil market oversupply, the result of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] travel restrictions and increased global supply levels in March and April, has exerted downward pressure on prices. Although the duration of low oil prices is uncertain, price levels for the remainder of 2020 may largely be a function of demand recovery, supply adjustments, and return to a balanced market. Energy Information Administration (EIA) price forecasts, as of April 2020, indicate that WTI spot prices may average just over $29 per barrel during calendar year 2020, less than half the price at the beginning of the year. Some federal oil production tax incentives are triggered when a reference price of crude oil--estimated and published annually by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)--drops below a statutory oil price level. The reference price is an 'estimate of the annual average wellhead price per barrel for all domestic crude oil the price of which is not subject to regulation.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Brown, Phillip (Specialist in Energy Policy)
2020-05-11
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New U.S. Marine Corps Force Design Initiatives [Updated May 12, 2020]
From the Document: "On March 23, 2020, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) announced a major force design initiative planned to occur over the next 10 years. The Marine Corps aims to redesign the force for naval expeditionary warfare and to better align itself with the National Defense Strategy, in particular, its focus on strategically competing with China and Russia. The Marines intend to eliminate or reduce certain types of units and eliminate some military occupational specialties (MOS). The Marines also plan to reorganize higher echelon Marine formations and get smaller--reducing forces by 12,000 personnel by 2030. Congress in its regulatory, oversight, and authorization and appropriations roles could take interest in this major proposed force design initiative."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2020-05-12
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U.S. Military Electronic Warfare Program Funding: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated April 16, 2020]
From the Document: "Congress, in the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act, and the Department of Defense (DOD) has identified electronic warfare (EW) as a critical capability supporting military operations to fulfil [sic] the current National Defense Strategy. Collectively, DOD considers procurement appropriations and research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) appropriations as part of its investment accounts. Using programs identified by the EW Executive Commission (EW EXCOM), this report traces funding for three of the military services (Air Force, Army, and Navy) along with several defense agencies (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Defense Information Systems Agency, the Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of Defense Operational Test and Evaluation, and U.S. Special Operations Command). This report compares DOD's funding requests for FY2019, FY2020, and FY2021 to assess if DOD seeks to increase the funding of the EW portfolio (by increasing funding), decrease its funding, or keep the portfolio relatively unchanged."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.
2020-04-16
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COVID-19: Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Supplemental Appropriations in the CARES Act [April 24, 2020]
From the Summary: "On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law (P.L. 116-136). The CARES Act includes $3.5 billion in supplemental appropriations for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). These funds are to be used to 'prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.' The CCDBG Act (42 U.S.C. §§9858 et seq.) is the main federal law supporting child care programs for low-income working families. The CCDBG is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS allocates CCDBG funds to states, territories, and tribes according to a statutory formula. State, territory, and tribal lead agencies submit CCDBG plans to HHS every three years describing how their child care programs will operate. CCDBG funds are used to subsidize the cost of child care for eligible children of low-income working parents. Funds are also used to support activities to improve the quality of child care and for certain other activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lynch, Karen E.
2020-04-24
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From Clickwrap to RAP Sheet: Criminal Liability Under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act for Terms of Service Violations [Updated April 27, 2020]
From the Document: "Computers and the internet are ubiquitous, and so too are contractual restrictions on their use. Users of smartphones, tablets, personal computers, social media websites, apps, online shopping platforms, streaming services, and more are generally bound by terms of service (ToS) agreements--contracts that govern the use of a product. Often, ToS agreements take the form of clickwrap agreements requiring users to click a box indicating that they are aware of, and agree to, certain terms on a website. In other instances ToS agreements may simply amount to a written notification that by using a product, the user agrees to be bound by the product's ToS. Either way, at least according to some empirical studies, users generally do not read TOS agreements. That is perhaps unsurprising given that ToS agreements are often lengthy, covering everything from the number of authorized users of a product to the types of content that may be shared through a device or service. But providers of computer and internet products and services rely on ToS for a variety of purposes, including limiting liability, protecting proprietary data, and preventing their products or services from being used in a harassing, threatening, or abusive manner. Against this backdrop, federal courts have diverged on the issue of whether an individual may--under certain circumstances--be criminally liable under federal law for ToS violations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Berris, Peter G.
2020-04-27
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Entry Restrictions at the Northern and Southern Borders in Response to COVID-19 [Updated April 27, 2020]
From the Document: "In response to the global spread of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], the federal government has issued several orders restricting the entry of foreign nationals into the United States. Many of these restrictions were implemented through President Trump's authority under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to suspend the entry of non-U.S. nationals (aliens) whose entry the President 'finds ... would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.' [...] The Trump Administration has taken other action, relying on authority outside INA Section 212(f), to restrict the movement of foreign nationals over land borders into the United States. Two orders restrict non-essential travel by foreign nationals into the United States through ports of entry on the land borders with both Canada and Mexico. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has issued an order (along with implementing regulations) suspending the 'introduction' of foreign nationals from countries with COVID-19. These new orders raise a number of legal issues--most notably their effect on migrants seeking asylum in the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Santamaria, Kelsey Y.; Harrington, Ben
2020-04-27
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Fourth COVID-19 Relief Package (P.L. 116-139): In Brief [April 24, 2020]
From the Summary: "On April 23, 2020, Congress passed its fourth measure including supplemental appropriations to respond to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (the act; P.L. 116-139) includes enhancements for the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and Emergency EIDL grants, and emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Small Business Administration (SBA). The President signed the bill into law on April 24, 2020. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the act will result in $321.3 billion in additional direct spending for the PPP, and $162.1 billion in additional discretionary spending, including $50 billion for EIDL and $10 billion for Emergency EIDL grants. This report provides a brief overview of that measure."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Painter, William L.; Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lindsay, Bruce R. . . .
2020-04-24
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Domestic Public Health Response to COVID-19: Current Status [Updated April 20, 2020]
From the Document: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic is affecting communities throughout the United States, with case counts changing daily. Over 760,000 cases have been reported in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with over 35,000 deaths reported. (Data from compiled state and local reports.) Containment and mitigation efforts by federal, state, and local governments have been undertaken to 'flatten the curve'--that is, to slow widespread transmission that could overwhelm the nation's health care system. This CRS [Congressional Research Service] Insight presents selected information and resources relevant to the 'domestic public health response' to COVID-19 in containing and mitigating the spread and impact of the disease. As the situation evolves, this Insight will be updated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sekar, Kavya; Cornell, Ada S.
2020-04-20
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COVID-19 Testing: Key Issues [April 23, 2020]
From the Document: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic is affecting communities throughout the United States, with the country reporting the highest number of cases and deaths from the disease globally. Containment and mitigation efforts by federal, state, and local governments have been undertaken to 'flatten the curve'--that is, to slow widespread transmission that could overwhelm the nation's health care system. Diagnostic testing is a critical part of the clinical management of COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] virus. In addition, both diagnostic and serology testing at scale may be a key component of efforts to ease mitigation measures prior to the development, manufacture, and broad distribution of a vaccine or effective therapeutic. Efforts in the United States to rapidly develop, scale up, and disseminate testing for COVID-19 have faced challenges, including supply chain issues; a shifting regulatory landscape; a lack of consensus around federal coordination of or strategy for testing; concerns with the accuracy of both molecular and serology tests; an early lack of data on test results and capacity; and a delayed ramp-up by commercial laboratories and test manufacturers of both centralized and point-of-care testing. In addition, manufacturing and quality issues with the nation's initial test--developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)--resulted in significant delay in early access to testing throughout the country."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sarata, Amanda K.
2020-04-23
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Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Federal Employee Leave [April 24, 2020]
From the Document: "The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA; P.L. 116-127) established two types of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) related leave for employees: [1] Division C of the FFCRA, titled the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA), amended the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to make FMLA leave available to an employee unable to work or telework because a child's school or place of care is closed or a childcare provider is unavailable for COVID-19-related reasons. The first 10 days of this new emergency FMLA leave may be unpaid leave, but an employer must provide paid leave, up to a possible 10 weeks, for leave taken after 10 days. [2] Division E of the FFCRA, titled the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA), requires employers to provide paid sick time to an employee unable to work or telework for specified COVID-19-related reasons, such as being subject to a quarantine or isolation order. Although the paid sick time provided by the EPSLA is available for most federal employees, emergency FMLA leave is available only for certain federal employees. This In Focus explores the differences in federal employee coverage under the EFMLEA and the EPSLA, and discusses how the EFMLEA's amendment of the FMLA created coverage for only a subset of federal employees."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Donovan, Sarah A.; Shimabukuro, Jon O.
2020-04-24
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Crude Oil Futures Prices Turn Negative [April 22, 2020]
From the Document: "On April 20, 2020, the futures contract price for the immediate month (May) of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the U.S. benchmark crude, went negative (see Figure 1). The May futures contract price fell $55.90 during the day, to close at negative $37.62 per barrel. The futures price is a contract, usually monthly, for delivery of a certain amount of crude oil, on a specified date in the future, and at a particular location (Cushing, OK for WTI). WTI crude oil futures contracts are traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), this is the first time in history that WTI prices became negative. However, other commodity prices, including natural gas and propane, have previously traded negatively."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ratner, Michael; Greenley, Heather L.
2020-04-22
