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• Digital Surveillance: The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act [Updated May 3, 2005]

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  "The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA, P.L. 103- 414, 47 USC 1001-1010), enacted October 25, 1994, is intended to preserve the ability of law enforcement officials to conduct electronic surveillance effectively and efficiently despite the deployment of new digital technologies and wireless services that have altered the character of electronic surveillance. CALEA requires telecommunications carriers to modify their equipment, facilities, and services, wherever reasonably achievable, to ensure that they are able to comply with authorized electronic surveillance actions. The modifications, originally planned to be completed by 1998, have been delayed due to disagreements among the telecommunications industry, law enforcement agencies, and privacy rights groups, over equipment standards, and other technical issues. Disagreements over amount of federal funds to be provided to the telecommunications carriers for CALEA implementation, which carriers are eligible to receive those funds, and privacy concerns, have also impeded implementation. After receiving petitions from the industry and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over the dispute, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1999 ruled in favor of most of the FBI's requests. This decision resulted in lawsuits being filed by industry and privacy rights groups. In August 2000, a federal appeals court upheld parts of the FCC's decision, but remanded most of it for reconsideration. Since that time, the FCC established June 30, 2002, as the final CALEA compliance date, but it has granted numerous waivers and full CALEA implementation remains incomplete."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Figliola, Patricia Moloney

  2005-05-03
• State's 'Declaration of Emergency' for Border Security Purposes: Selected Issues of Federal Assistance [August 19, 2005]

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  "Pursuant to your request, this memorandum discusses the implications (under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) hereafter referred to as the 'Stafford Act') of the recent 'state of emergency' announcements by the Governors of Arizona and New Mexico due to border security concerns. In particular, this memorandum focuses on (1) whether border security concerns may qualify as an emergency under the Stafford Act, and if so, (2) the availability and type of federal assistance under the Stafford Act for such an emergency. This memorandum also discusses some of the possible roles that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may play in aiding the states of Arizona and New Mexico."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Viña, Stephen R.

  2005-08-19
• USA PATRIOT Act: Background and Comparison of House- and Senate-Approved Reauthorization and Related Legislative Action [Updated September 15, 2005]

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  "The House and Senate have each passed USA PATRIOT Reauthorization Acts, H.R. 3199 and S. 1389. 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 America's 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."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Doyle, Charles

  2005-09-15
• Davis-Bacon Act: Suspension [Updated September 26, 2005]

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  "The Davis-Bacon Act is one of several statutes that deals with federal government procurement. (See also the Walsh-Healey Act of 1936 and the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act of 1965.) Enacted in 1931, Davis-Bacon requires, inter alia, that not less than the locally prevailing wage be paid to workers engaged in federal contract construction. The act does not deal directly with non-federal construction. In addition to the act, per se, the prevailing wage principle has been incorporated within a series of federal program statutes through the years. And, many states have enacted little Davis-Bacon acts of their own [...] In the suspensions of 1934 and 1971, the suspension applied to the entire country--possibly with the understanding that it would be restored once the immediate emergency was over. In 1992 and in 2005, only portions of the country were involved. In 1992, it remains unclear how long the suspension might have lasted--if George H. W. Bush had been re-elected. Similarly, the suspension under George W. Bush is, in the short-term, open-ended--i.e., 'until otherwise provided.' The suspensions are also separated by the definition of 'national emergency' used to invoke them: administrative convenience in 1934, inflationary pressures in the construction industry in 1971, and issues associated with hurricane damages in 1992 and in 2005."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Whittaker, William G.

  2005-09-26
• Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan and Enhanced Base Security Since 9/11 [October 3, 2005]

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  "Since the 9/11 attacks, CRS estimates that funds for Iraq and Afghanistan and enhanced security for defense installations total about $361 billion, including $50 billion in 'bridge funds' to cover the first six months of FY2006 that was just received by the Department of Defense (DOD) in H.J.Res. 68 /P.L.109-77, a FY2006 Continuing Resolution. More funding will be needed by DOD to cover the rest of the year. That total includes some $330 billion for the Department of Defense and about $31 billion for foreign aid programs and embassy operations and construction. The $330 billion for the Department of Defense (DOD) is primarily for military operations, special pay, supporting deployed personnel, repairing and buying equipment, and additional security. The State Department and USAID have received about $31 billion for reconstruction, embassy operations and construction, and foreign aid programs. About 75% of the total was provided in supplemental appropriations and 25% in regular or omnibus appropriations or through transfers from DOD's peacetime funds that were made to meet higher-than-anticipated expenses."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Belasco, Amy

  2005-10-03
• Agriculture and FY2006 Budget Reconciliation [Updated May 4, 2005]

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  "On April 29, 2005, Congress completed action on the FY2006 budget resolution (H.Con.Res. 95, H.Rept. 109-62). This measure contains reconciliation instructions that require authorizing committees to report legislation to reduce spending on mandatory programs within each committees jurisdiction. To reduce spending in mandatory U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, conferees instructed the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to reduce mandatory spending by $173 million in FY2006 and $3.0 billion over five years (FY2006-FY2010). The Bush Administration earlier proposed changes to several mandatory USDA programs, which it said would save $5.7 billion over five years (and which the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) subsequently scored at $9.4 billion in reductions). The agriculture committees must determine how to divide the cuts among the various programs under their jurisdiction by September 16, 2005."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Chite, Ralph M.

  2005-05-04
• General Services Administration Federal Facilities Affected by Hurricane Katrina [September 27, 2005]

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  "Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf coast on August 29, 2005, causing widespread flooding and significant property and infrastructure damage to federal facilities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The General Services Administration (GSA) is the federal governments primary federal real property and asset management agency, with 11 regional offices that oversee GSA owned and leased federal buildings and courthouses. Twelve federal facilities have been closed because of Hurricane Katrina in GSA's Southeast Region 4, which includes Alabama and Mississippi. In GSA's Greater Southwest Region 7, all federal facilities in the New Orleans, Louisiana, area are closed until further notice. While not all GSA owned and leased facilities suffered major structural damage, there is no supporting critical infrastructure, such as water supply, electricity, or accessible roads. More than 30 GSA technical and building specialists are conducting building inspections to assess when or if federal facilities in these areas may be reopened. GSA is using trailers and obtaining emergency 180 day leases in surrounding areas to relocate federal tenants. GSA owned courthouse facilities in New Orleans, LA, and Gulfport, MS, have temporarily relocated1 to Houston, TX, Houma, LA, and Jackson, MS. Senate bill S. 1708, the Emergency Lease Requirements Act of 2005, would amend current law to authorize the GSA Administrator to enter into emergency lease agreements for up to five years following a major disaster. This report will be updated as additional information is received."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Smith, Stephanie

  2005-09-27
• Katrina Relief: U.S. Labor Department Exemption of Contractors from Written Affirmative Action Requirements [September 27, 2005]

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  From the Document: "On September 9, 2005, the Employment Standards Administration (ESA) issued a memorandum to all federal contracting agencies waiving for a three-month period written affirmative action program, reporting, and notice requirements imposed by E.O. 11246 and related disability laws with respect to federal contracts for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Generally, regulations of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) under E.O. 11246 require federal contractors and subcontractors, with 50 or more employees, and contracts in excess of $50,000, to refrain from discrimination and to take affirmative action with respect to the employment of racial and ethnic minorities, women, and religious adherents. Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, requires contractors to take affirmative action and make reasonable accommodations in hiring qualified individuals with disabilities. The Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRA) requires employers with government contracts in excess of $100,000 or more to take affirmative action 'to employ and advance in employment' disabled veterans and qualified veterans of the Vietnam era."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dale, Charles V.

  2005-09-27
• Risk-Based Funding in Homeland Security Grant Legislation: Analysis of Issues for the 109th Congress [Updated October 21, 2005]

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  "This CRS report addresses the following four policy issues that may confront the conferees as they consider how homeland security funds are to be allocated to the states: [1] What is the difference between a guaranteed base allocation and a guaranteed minimum allocation? What is the conceptual difference, and how would the difference affect the amount of money states would receive? [2] What risk factors should be included in a risk-based funding formula? [3] Should natural and technical disaster risks be considered as factors? [4] Who should determine the risk factors? This report will be updated as congressional action warrants."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2005-10-21
• Disaster Response and Appointment of a Recovery Czar: The Executive Branch's Response to the Flood of 1927 [October 25, 2005]

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  "In the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the press and policymakers have looked to the past for examples of federal responses to natural disasters that might serve as models for emulation today. Some Members of Congress have expressed an interest in creating a cabinet-level czar to administer Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief programs. Since the federal response to the flood of 1927 featured Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover as the director of the flood response and wielding immense executive powers, this episode in federal history may be of particular interest to Congress. This report describes the flood of 1927, and assesses the federal governments response thereto. In short, the federal response was an executive branch response. President Calvin Coolidge created a quasi-governmental commission that included members of his Cabinet and the American National Red Cross. This commission encouraged the public to donate funds to the relief effort. It also gave Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover near-absolute authority to organize and oversee its response. Hoover used this authority to weave together federal resources, American National Red Cross volunteers, and the private sector to carry out the relief and recovery program. The concentration of power and the blending of the governmental and private sectors in Hoovers hands enabled the relief effort to be carried out expeditiously and creatively. President Coolidge's empowerment of Hoover alone as director of the flood response clarified to federal, state, and local officials and the public who was in charge."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kosar, Kevin R.

  2005-10-25
• Israel's Disengagement from Gaza [Updated September 16, 2005]

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  "In December 2003, Prime Minister Sharon announced that Israel would unilaterally withdraw from the Gaza Strip; the evacuation of settlers began on August 17, 2005, and was completed on August 23. Disengagement was carried out efficiently, rapidly, and without major violence. Related issues coordinated with the Palestinians included disposition of settler assets and security. The implications of disengagement for the West Bank, the 'Road Map,' and a future Palestinian state are uncertain. The total cost of disengagement exceeds $2 billion, and Congress may deal with a special Israeli aid request in the future. See also CRS Issue Brief IB91137, 'The Middle East Peace Talks,' and CRS Issue Brief IB82008, 'Israel: Background and Relations with the United States."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Migdalovitz, Carol

  2005-09-16
• Hubble Space Telescope: Should NASA Proceed with a Services Mission? [Updated September 16, 2005]

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  "The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) estimates that without a servicing mission to replace key components, the Hubble Space Telescope will cease scientific operations in 2008 instead of 2010. In January 2004, then-NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe announced that the space shuttle would no longer be used to service Hubble. He indicated that this decision was based primarily on safety concerns in the wake of the space shuttle 'Columbia' accident in 2003. Many critics, however, saw it as the result of the new vision for NASA, announced by President Bush in January 2004, which focuses NASA's priorities on human and robotic exploration of the solar system. Hubble supporters hope to reverse the decision and proceed with a shuttle servicing mission. Developing a capability for robotic servicing has also been proposed, but now appears unlikely. Dr. Michael Griffin, who became NASA Administrator in April 2005, has stated that he will reassess whether to use the shuttle to service Hubble after there have been two successful post-'Columbia' shuttle flights. Problems during the first flight in July 2005 led to indefinite postponement of the second until some time in 2006. This report will be updated."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Morgan, Daniel (Daniel L.)

  2005-09-16
• China: Suspected Acquisition of U.S. Nuclear Weapon Secrets [Updated December 20, 2000]

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  "This CRS Report discusses China's suspected acquisition of U.S. nuclear weapon secrets, including that on the W88, the newest U.S. nuclear warhead, since the late 1970s. This current controversy, began in early 1999, raises policy issues about whether U.S. security is further threatened by the PRC's suspected use of U.S. nuclear weapon secrets in its development of nuclear forces, as well as whether the Administrations response to the security problems is effective or mishandled and whether it fairly used or abused its investigative and prosecuting authority. The Clinton Administration acknowledged that improved security was needed at the weapon labs but says that it has taken actions in response to indications in 1995 that China may have obtained U.S. nuclear weapon secrets. Critics in Congress and elsewhere argued that the Administration was slow to respond to security concerns, mishandled the too narrow investigation, downplayed information potentially unfavorable to China and the labs, and failed to notify Congress fully."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kan, Shirley

  2000-12-20
• Computer Attack and Cyberterrorism: Vulnerabilities and Policy Issues for Congress [Updated April 1, 2005]

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  "Many international terrorist groups now actively use computers and the Internet to communicate, and several may develop or acquire the necessary technical skills to direct a coordinated attack against computers in the United States. A cyberattack intended to harm the U.S. economy would likely target computers that operate the civilian critical infrastructure and government agencies. However, there is disagreement among some observers about whether a coordinated cyberattack against the U.S. critical infrastructure could be extremely harmful, or even whether computers operating the civilian critical infrastructure actually offer an effective target for furthering terrorists goals. While there is no published evidence that terrorist organizations are currently planning a coordinated attack against computers, computer system vulnerabilities persist worldwide, and initiators of the random cyberattacks that plague computers on the Internet remain largely unknown. Reports from security organizations show that random attacks are now increasingly implemented through use of automated tools, called 'bots', that direct large numbers of compromised computers to launch attacks through the Internet as swarms. The growing trend toward the use of more automated attack tools has also overwhelmed some of the current methodologies used for tracking Internet cyberattacks. This report provides background information for three types of attacks against computers (cyberattack, physical attack, and electromagnetic attack), and discusses related vulnerabilities for each type of attack. The report also describes the possible effects of a coordinated cyberattack, or computer network attack (CNA), against U.S. infrastructure computers, along with possible technical capabilities of international terrorists."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Wilson, Clay

  2005-04-01
• Agroterrorism: Threats and Preparedness [Updated February 4, 2005]

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  "The potential of terrorist attacks against agricultural targets (agroterrorism) is increasingly recognized as a national security threat, especially after the events of September 11, 2001. Agroterrorism is a subset of bioterrorism, and is defined as the deliberate introduction of an animal or plant disease with the goal of generating fear, causing economic losses, and/or undermining stability. Attacks against agriculture are not new, and have been conducted or considered by both nation-states and substate organizations throughout history. The results of an agroterrorist attack may include major economic crises in the agricultural and food industries, loss of confidence in government, and possibly human casualties. Humans could be at risk in terms of food safety or public health, especially if the chosen disease is transmissible to humans (zoonotic). Public opinion may be particularly sensitive to a deliberate outbreak of disease affecting the food supply. Public confidence in government could be eroded if authorities appear unable to prevent such an attack or to protect the populations food supply. Agriculture has several characteristics that pose unique problems for managing the threat. Agricultural production is geographically disbursed in unsecured environments. Livestock are frequently concentrated in confined locations, and then transported and commingled with other herds. Pest and disease outbreaks can quickly halt economically important exports. Many veterinarians lack experience with foreign animal diseases that are resilient and endemic in foreign countries."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Monke, James

  2005-02-04
• F/A-22 Raptor [Updated March 3, 2005]

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  From the Document: "The F/A-22 Raptor is a next-generation fighter/attack aircraft that features the latest stealth technology to reduce detection by radar. Using more advanced engines and avionics than the current F-15 Eagle, the F/A-22 is intended to maintain U.S. Air Force capabilities against more sophisticated aircraft and missiles in the 21st century. This report examines the Air Forces F/A-22 Raptor program, including costs and schedule; considers several key issues, and concludes with a synopsis of recent legislative activity the program [...] The F/A-22 has had strong congressional support, although some have criticized the program on grounds of cost, requirements, and coordination with other tactical aircraft programs. Deletion of procurement funds in the FY2000 defense appropriation bill passed by the House made the future of the program a major issue for House and Senate conferees in 1999. Some question the urgency of procuring of the F/A-22 when production of comparable or better aircraft by other countries appears unlikely. Others argue that the F/A-22 should enter production as early as possible to cope with future threats from more advanced air defenses of potential enemies and to maintain the preeminent U.S. position in aviation technology and production. The airframe will be produced by Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA, and Ft. Worth, TX, and by Boeing in Seattle, WA, with engines by Pratt & Whitney in Middletown, CT. This report will be updated."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bolkcom, Christopher C.

  2005-03-03
• Nuclear Terrorism: A Brief Review of Threats and Responses [Updated February 10, 2005]

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  "It would be difficult for terrorists to mount a nuclear attack on a U.S. city, but such an attack is plausible and would have catastrophic consequences, in one scenario killing over a half-million people and causing damage of over $1 trillion. Terrorists or rogue states might acquire a nuclear weapon in several ways. The nations of greatest concern as potential sources of weapons or fissile materials are widely thought to be Russia and Pakistan. Russia has many tactical nuclear weapons, which tend to be lower in yield but more dispersed and apparently less secure than strategic weapons. It also has much highly enriched uranium (HEU) and weapons-grade plutonium, some said to have inadequate security. Many experts believe that technically sophisticated terrorists could, without state support, fabricate a nuclear bomb from HEU; opinion is divided on whether terrorists could make a bomb using plutonium. The fear regarding Pakistan is that some members of the armed forces might covertly give a weapon to terrorists or that, if President Musharraf were overthrown, an Islamic fundamentalist government or a state of chaos in Pakistan might enable terrorists to obtain a weapon. Terrorists might also obtain HEU from the more than 130 research reactors worldwide that use HEU as fuel."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Medalia, Jonathan E.

  2005-02-10
• U.S. Military Overseas Basing: New Developments and Oversight Issues for Congress [October 31, 2005]

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  "In August 16, 2004, President Bush announced a program of sweeping changes to the numbers and locations of military basing facilities at overseas locations, now known as the Integrated Global Presence and Basing Strategy (IGPBS) or Global Posture Review, a component of ongoing force transformation efforts. Roughly 70,000 personnel would return from overseas locations from Europe and Asia to bases in the continental United States (CONUS). Other overseas forces would be redistributed within current host nations such as Germany and South Korea, and new bases would be established in nations of Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Africa. In the Department of Defenses (DOD) view, these locations would be closer, and better able, to respond to potential trouble spots. Recent international diplomatic and security developments could further influence debate on overseas basing. Host nations such as South Korea have begun to voice limits on the use of forces based in their country. Uzbekistan, one of the test cases for the new strategy, recently evicted U.S. forces from the base in that Central Asian nation. Some analysts argue this eviction was prompted from Russia and China, who have begun to express concern with U.S. expansion of influence in the region. This report will be updated as necessary."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Critchlow, Robert D.

  2005-10-31
• Iraq and Al Qaeda: Allies or Not? [February 5, 2004]

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  "In building a case for invading Iraq and ousting Saddam Hussein from power, the Administration asserted that the regime of Saddam Hussein had a working relationship with the Al Qaeda terrorist network. The Administration stated that the relationship dated to the early 1990s, and was based on a common interest in confronting the United States. The Administration assertions were derived from U.S. intelligence showing a pattern of contacts with Al Qaeda when its founder, Osama bin Laden, was based in Sudan in the early to mid-1990s and continuing after he relocated to Afghanistan in 1996. Another pillar of the Administration argument rested on reports of contacts between Baghdad and an Islamist Al Qaeda affiliate group, called Ansar al-Islam, based in northern Iraq in the late 1990s. Some Administration officials have said there are indications Iraq was involved in the September 11, 2001 plot, although there are major differences within the Administration on this analysis. Critics maintain that the Administration argument did not demonstrate that the relationship, if it existed, was systematic or institutionalized, and that no hard data has come to light indicating the two entities conducted any joint terrorist attacks. Some major hallmarks of a consistent relationship were absent, and several experts outside and within the U.S. government believe that contacts between Iraq and Al Qaeda were sporadic, unclear, or subject to alternate explanations. Others believe there is evidence that Al Qaeda has, at times, been a rival or opponent of Saddam Hussein's regime and its secular outlook."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2004-02-05
• Reauthorizing and Restructuring the Transportation Security Administrations Aviation Security Functions: Legislative Issues and Approaches [February 8, 2006]

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  "Authorization for aviation security functions carried out by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are set to expire at the end of FY2006. In the Senate, a reauthorization bill (S. 1052) has been introduced that would set authorized amounts for aviation security near current appropriated levels, but would increase funding for maritime and land security functions, which make up a relatively small component of the TSA's overall budget. In the House, a reauthorization bill has not yet been introduced, but a proposal to restructure the TSA's aviation security functions (H.R. 4439) has been offered. Under the proposed restructuring plan, a performance-based Aviation Screening Organization (ASO) would be established within the TSA to carry out day-to-day federal screening operations. The bill also seeks to improve the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) under which airports can elect to use private screeners instead of federal TSA screeners in an effort to increase participation in this program. By separating out TSA's regulatory oversight functions from screening operations and promoting the use of private screening partners, the bill seeks to address, in part, a concern expressed by some over the TSA's dual role as both the policymaker and regulator of aviation security at airports and the provider of screening services for airline passengers and their baggage."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Elias, Bartholomew

  2006-02-08
• NPT Compliance Issues [Updated January 25, 2006]

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  "President Bush remarked in 2005 that NPT [Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty] Parties must take strong action to confront the threat of noncompliance with the NPT...We cannot allow rogue states that violate their commitments...to undermine the NPT's fundamental role in strengthening international security. North Korea and Iran pose two clear compliance challenges to the treaty. However, some NPT parties are adamant that the United States and other nuclear weapon states are not complying with their own obligations to pursue nuclear disarmament. This report, which will be updated as needed, discusses different views and issues of NPT compliance."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Squassoni, Sharon A.

  2006-01-25
• Military Base Closures: Redevelopment Assistance Programs [Updated January 17, 2006]

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  "On September 15, 2005, President Bush approved the list of military facilities that the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission recommended be closed or realigned in the current round of base closures, known generally as BRAC. The list includes 22 major base closures and 33 major realignments and would result in a net reduction of more than 8,000 military and civilian personnel2 On October 27, the House failed to pass H.J.Res. 65, a motion of disapproval of this list. Thus, barring some future congressional action, the recommendations will take effect over the next six years. Despite the difficulties inherent in a base closure, communities near facilities on the list must now face a very high probability of life without a local military base. Recognizing that closures and realignments can have a major impact on the economies of the affected regions, Congress has created a variety of different resources available both to communities and individual workers to help mitigate the resulting economic dislocation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Webel, Baird

  2006-01-17
• Foreign Operations (House)/State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (Senate): FY2006 Appropriations [Updated January 27, 2006]

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  "The annual Foreign Operations appropriations bill in the House, and the State, Foreign Operations measure in the Senate are the primary legislative vehicles through which Congress reviews the U.S. international affairs budgets and influences executive branch foreign policy making generally. They contain the largest shares - the House bill, about two-thirds; the Senate bill, about 97% - of total U.S. international affairs spending. Funding for Foreign Operations and State Department/Broadcasting programs have been rising for five consecutive years, while amounts approved in FY2004 reached an unprecedented level compared with the past 40 years. Emergency supplementals enacted since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to assist the front line states in the war on terrorism, Afghanistan and Iraq reconstruction, and for State Department operations and security upgrades have pushed spending upward."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Epstein, Susan B.; Nowels, Larry Q.

  2006-01-27
• Border Security: The Role of the U.S. Border Patrol [Updated January 25, 2006]

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  "The United States Border Patrol (USBP) has a long and storied history as our nations first line of defense against unauthorized migration. Today, the USBP's primary mission is to detect and prevent the entry of terrorists, weapons of mass destruction, and illegal aliens into the country, and to interdict drug smugglers and other criminals along the border. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 dissolved the Immigration and Naturalization Service and placed the USBP within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Within DHS, the USBP forms a part of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection under the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security...Some issues for Congress to consider could include the slow rate of integration between the USBP's biometric database of illegal aliens and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) biometric database of criminals and terrorists; the number of unauthorized aliens who die attempting to enter the country each year; the organized human smuggling rings that have proliferated as entering the country has become more difficult; and the threat posed by terrorists along the sparsely defended Northern border as well as the more porous Southwest border."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nunez-Neto, Blas

  2006-01-25
• Combating Terrorism: 2001 Congressional Debate on Emergency Supplemental Allocations [Updated September 27, 2002]

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  "Within days of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Congress approved a $40 billion emergency supplemental appropriations (P.L. 107-38/H.R. 2888) to aid victims of the terrorist attacks, to bolster security at airports and other sites, to pursue the investigation and prosecution of those responsible, and to support national security. The appropriation measure partitioned the $40 billion into three clusters. The first $10 billion was available immediately for allocation by the President. The second $10 billion was available 15 days after the President notified Congress about how he would distribute the funds. The final $20 billion would be allocated within an enacted FY2002 appropriation bill. Through notifications beginning on September 21, the Administration fully allocated the first $20 billion over the following five months. Between February and August 2002, the White House has made some adjustments to these earlier distributions, primarily to provide additional funds for the Transportation Security Administration. Congress allocated the final $20 billion as a separate title in the FY2002 Defense Department Appropriation (P.L. 107-117; H.R. 3338), cleared for the White House on December 20."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Belasco, Amy; Nowels, Larry Q.

  2002-09-27
• Bioterrorism Countermeasure Development: Issues in Patents and Homeland Security [Updated January 17, 2006]

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  From the Document: "Congressional interest in the development of bioterrorism countermeasures remains strong, even after passage of legislation establishing Project BioShield. In the 109th Congress, several bills have been introduced, including S. 3, the Protecting America in the War on Terror Act, S. 975, the Project Bioshield II Act, and S. 1873, the Biodefense and Pandemic Vaccine and Drug Development Act, that would generate additional incentives for the creation of new technologies to counteract potential biological threats. These bills propose reforms to current policies and practices associated with intellectual property, particularly patents, and the marketing of pharmaceuticals and related products...Encouraging the development of new counterterrorism technologies and ensuring affordable access to new drugs and medical devices are both significant goals. These aspirations may potentially conflict, however. Introducing augmented patent- and exclusivity-based incentives may stimulate innovative firms to engage in the R&D for new countermeasures, as well as to shepherd these products through time-consuming and costly marketing approval procedures. Commentators have expressed concern, however, over whether such heightened protections for innovators will be in proportion with the risks and costs of developing new countermeasures. Striking a balance between encouraging the development of new countermeasures and maintaining the traditional goals of our public health system is a central concern of the current discussion with respect to homeland security."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Thomas, John R.; Schacht, Wendy H.

  2006-01-17
• Bolivia: Political and Economic Developments and Implications for U.S. Policy [Updated January 25, 2006]

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  "In the past few years, Bolivia has experienced extreme political unrest resulting in the country having three presidents since 2003 and the election of a fourth at the end of 2005. All recent Bolivian presidents have been unable to resolve continuing discord over issues relating to the exploitation of Bolivia's natural resources, coca eradication programs, indigenous rights, and the extent of power sharing between the central government and the country's nine departments. Evo Morales, elected on December 18, 2005, was inaugurated on January 22, 2006. Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in Latin America, with a sizeable and active indigenous population, a long history of coca cultivation, and weak political institutions. Despite these challenges, the country has made some social and economic progress over the past several decades. Coca cultivation has decreased from its peak production years in the 1990s, but is still a source of conflict between the government and coca growers."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Veillette, Connie; Seelke, Clare Ribando

  2006-01-25
• Libya: Legislative Basis for U.S. Economic Sanctions [Updated January 23, 2006]

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  From the Document: "This report discusses U.S. laws and executive orders that impose economic sanctions currently in place against Libya, including whether they can be changed by executive action, and exemptions to the sanctions that could make foreign assistance available."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Rennack, Dianne E.

  2006-01-23
• H.R. 10 (9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act) and S. 2845 (National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004): A Comparative Analysis [October 19, 2004]

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  "This comparative analysis of H.R. 10 (9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act) and S. 2845 (National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004) is an assessment of major similarities and differences between the two bills as passed by the House (October 8, 2004) and Senate (October 6, 2004) and under conference consideration. References to the two bills are to engrossed versions. The presentation is organized to follow the basic construct of the House bill, because its coverage remained more stable through the legislative process to date. For purposes of clarity, we refer to the House-passed bill as H.R. 10. This assessment was prepared under a stringent time-frame. Analysis of this complex and far-reaching legislation was complicated by the absence of clean final bills as passed by either chamber during much of the preparation of this product. This report now reflects the substance and the structure of the engrossed bills."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  2004-10-19
• FY2006 Supplemental Appropriations: Iraq and Other International Activities; Additional Katrina Hurricane Relief [March 3, 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), non-DOD intelligence operations ($0.3 billion), State Department operations in Iraq and various foreign aid programs, including additional assistance for Iraq ($4.2 billion), and other counter-terrorism funding for other agencies ($12 million). The other supplemental would provide $19.8 billion for recovery and reconstruction activities in hurricane affected Gulf Coast areas. Thus, Congress is to consider during the early months of 2006 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

  2006-03-03