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More Hires, Fewer Hacks: Developing the U.S. Cybersecurity Workforce, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Research and Technology of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Second Session, February 11, 2020
This is the February 11, 2020 hearing on "More Hires, Fewer Hacks: Developing the U.S. Cybersecurity Workforce," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Research and Technology of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. From the opening statement of Haley Stevens: "Almost every day, we hear news about security breaches, poor system design, and vulnerabilities disrupting businesses and individuals' lives. Part of the reason cybersecurity issues are so prevalent is that the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals far exceeds the supply of those individuals. According to CyberSeek, a tool funded by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), as of last month there are over a half a million job openings related to cybersecurity in the United States. That's job openings. That means nearly one in three cybersecurity jobs go unfilled." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Rodney Petersen, Ambareen Siraj, Joseph Sawasky, and Sonya Miller.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021
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Statutes of Limitation in Federal Criminal Cases: An Overview [October 1, 2012]
From the Introduction: "The Constitution's speedy trial clause protects the criminally accused against unreasonable delays between his indictment and trial. Before indictment, the statutes of limitation, and in extreme circumstances, the due process clauses protect the accused from unreasonable delays. The anti-terrorism measures of the USA PATRIOT Act made substantial alterations in the statutes of limitation that govern a number of federal crimes. This is an overview of federal law relating to the statutes of limitation in criminal cases, including those changes produced by the act. The phrase 'statute of limitations' refers to the time period within which formal criminal charges must be brought after a crime has been committed. 'The purpose of a statute of limitations is to limit exposure to criminal prosecution to a certain fixed period of time following the occurrence of those acts the legislature has decided to punish by criminal sanctions. Such a limitation is designed to protect individuals from having to defend themselves against charges when the basic facts may have become obscured by the passage of time and to minimize the danger of official punishment because of acts in the far-distant past. Such a time limit may also have the salutary effect of encouraging law enforcement officials promptly to investigate suspected criminal activity.' Therefore, in most instances, prosecutions are barred if the defendant points out that there was no indictment or other formal charge within the time period dictated by the statute of limitations. Statutes of limitation are creatures of statute. The common law recognized no period of limitation. An indictment could be brought at any time. Limitations are recognized today only to the extent that a statute or due process dictates their recognition. Congress and most state legislatures have enacted statutes of limitation, but declare that prosecution for some crimes may be brought at any time."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Doyle, Charles
2012-10-01
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Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): An Explanation [August 22, 2012]
From the Summary: "Recognizing the special burdens that members of the military may encounter trying to meet their financial obligations while serving their country, in 1940 Congress passed the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act (SSCRA). The law was amended from time to time, ordinarily in response to military operations that required the activation of the Reserves. P.L. 108-189, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), was enacted on December 19, 2003, as a modernization and restatement of the protections contained in the SSCRA. Much like with the SSCRA, the SCRA has been amended since its initial passage and proposed changes continue to be introduced in Congress [...]. The SCRA provides protections for servicemembers in the event that their military service impedes their ability to meet financial obligations incurred before entry into active military service. Forgiving of all debts or the extinguishment of contractual obligations on behalf of servicemembers who have been called up for active duty is not required, nor is absolute immunity from civil lawsuits provided. Instead, the act suspends civil claims against servicemembers and protects them from default judgments. The SCRA includes provisions that prohibit the eviction of military members and their dependents from rental or mortgaged property; create a cap on interest at 6% on debts incurred prior to an individual entering active duty military service; protect against the cancellation of life insurance or the non-reinstatement of health insurance policies; allow some professionals to suspend malpractice or liability insurance while on active duty; and proscribe taxation in multiple jurisdictions and forced property sales in order to pay overdue taxes. The U.S. Attorney General is authorized to commence a civil action to enforce provisions of the SCRA. Additionally, servicemembers and their dependents have the right to commence a civil action, that is, a private cause of action, to enforce protections afforded them under the SCRA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mason, R. Chuck
2012-08-22
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Veterans' Medical Care: FY2006 Appropriations [January 17, 2006]
From the Summary: "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefits to veterans who meet certain eligibility rules. Benefits to veterans range from disability compensation and pensions to hospital and medical care. VA provides these benefits to veterans through three major operating units: the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). VHA is primarily a direct service provider of primary care, specialized care, and related medical and social support services to veterans through an integrated health care system. […] On November 30, 2005, the Military Construction, Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2006 (P.L.109-114) was signed into law. This act provided $22.5 billion for medical services, of which $1.2 billion was designated as an emergency appropriation. P.L. 109-114 also appropriated $2.9 billion for medical administration, $3.3 billion for medical facilities, and $412 million for medical and prosthetic research. On December 30, 2005, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006 (P.L.109-148, H.Rept. 109-359) was signed into law, providing an additional $225 million for VHA for FY2006 and excluding VA programs from a 1% across-the-board rescission for all non-emergency discretionary programs. The total amount of funds appropriated for VHA for FY2006 is $29.3 billion. The total amount of funds available for VHA is $31.5 billion, including $2.2 billion in collections. In its FY2006 budget submission to Congress, the Administration proposed several legislative and regulatory changes to increase certain copayments and other cost-sharing charges for certain veterans. P.L.109-114 did not include any of the Administration's cost-sharing proposals for VHA. This report will be not be updated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Panangala, Sidath Viranga
2006-01-17
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United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Issues in the U.S. Ratification Debate [September 20, 2012]
From the Introduction: "The Senate may consider providing its advice and consent to U.S. ratification of the United Nations (U.N.) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD, or the Convention) during the second session of the 112th Congress. CRPD is the only multilateral treaty that specifically aims to protect the rights of those who are disabled. To date, 153 countries, including the United States, have signed the Convention, and it has been ratified or acceded to by 119 countries. President Barack Obama signed CRPD on behalf of the United States on July 30, 2009. He transmitted it to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification in May 2012, where it was received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations (SFRC). The committee reported the Convention favorably to the full Senate on July 31, 2012 […]. Generally, issues related to disability rights have received bipartisan agreement in Congress, and there has been support for CRPD among some Senators from both parties. Many policymakers--including those in the Obama Administration--agree that existing U.S. laws are generally in line with CRPD's provisions, and that no U.S. laws or policies would change as a result of U.S. ratification of the Convention. At the same time, other policymakers contend that ratification of CRPD would adversely affect U.S. sovereignty and interests. If the full Senate were to consider providing its advice and consent to CRPD ratification, a number of issues may be discussed. For example, some policymakers have expressed concern regarding the Convention's possible impact on existing U.S. laws and policies, particularly the role and authority of CRPD's monitoring body, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
DeBergh, James V.; Blanchfield, Luisa; Brougher, Cynthia M.
2012-09-20
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Electoral College: How It Works in Contemporary Presidential Elections [October 22, 2012]
From the Introduction: "The President and Vice President of the United States are chosen indirectly by a group of persons elected by American voters. These officials are known as electors, and the institution is referred to collectively as the electoral college. The electoral college, and the system that has grown up around it, are criticized by some as an undemocratic anachronism, and praised by others as a pillar of political stability and the federal system. Absent a constitutional amendment, or the success of non-governmental 'reform' initiatives, however, this system will continue to govern U.S. presidential elections for the foreseeable future. While the electoral college has delivered 'the people's choice' in 47 of 51 elections since ratification of the 12th Amendment, it can and has delivered Presidents who received fewer popular votes than their major opponents. Moreover, in the highly charged political atmosphere of contemporary presidential elections, a tie vote in the college, the failure of any candidate to receive a majority of electoral votes, or an extremely close election--in either popular or electoral votes--could lead to an acrimonious and protracted political struggle, or even a constitutional crisis. Historically, since ratification of the 12th Amendment, the elections of 1824, 1876, and 1888 revealed the weaknesses of the system, and in the case of 1824 and 1876, arguably brought the nation to the brink of civil violence. More recently, the controversial presidential election of 2000, in which George W. Bush narrowly won the electoral vote and the presidency with fewer popular votes than his major opponent, Al Gore, Jr., continues to influence the tone and content of American political discourse more than a decade later. The potential for a similar or even more bitterly contested struggle in a future election argues for a reasonable level of familiarity with the various components and functions of this complex institution, which this report seeks to provide."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Neale, Thomas H.
2012-10-22
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Normal-Trade-Relations (Most-Favored-Nation) Policy of the United States [Updated December 15, 2005]
From the Summary: "In international trade, the term most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment has a meaning at variance with what it appears to mean: the expression means equal--rather than exclusively favorable--treatment and is often used interchangeably with 'nondiscriminatory.' To make this distinction clearer and avoid a possibly misleading interpretation of the most-favored-nation term, legislation was enacted in 1998 to replace it in U.S. law with the term 'normal trade relations,' or NTR. In this report, both terms are used interchangeably with 'nondiscriminatory.' The United States accords general MFN treatment as a matter of international obligation as well statutory policy to all trading partners; however, MFN tariff treatment of several countries has been suspended under specific legislation. Virtually all such suspensions, initially applied to 21 countries or political entities, took place under the mandate of the Trade Agreements Extension Act of 1951, and two more under country-specific legislation. MFN tariff treatment of countries suspended under the 1951 law can be restored and maintained in effect for one-year periods by using the procedure provided under Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 for such restoration to 'nonmarket economy' (NME) countries. Under this procedure, an NME country needs to conclude with the United States a trade agreement containing a reciprocal MFN clause, and be in compliance with the criteria of the Jackson-Vanik (J-V) freedom-of-emigration provision of that act. The two countries whose MFN status was suspended by country-specific legislation could -- and did -- have it restored by Presidential action under conditions specified in the suspending law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Pregelj, Vladimir N.
2005-12-15
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Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's Financial Problems [July 23, 2012]
From the Summary: "The continuing conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac at a time of uncertainty in the housing, mortgage, and financial markets has raised doubts about the future of these enterprises, which are chartered by Congress as government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) and whose debts are widely believed to be implicitly guaranteed by the federal government. In 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) replaced the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) as the GSEs' safety and soundness regulator and took them into conservatorship. OFHEO had repeatedly assured investors that Fannie and Freddie had adequate capital, but as highly leveraged financial intermediaries, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had limited capital to cushion themselves against losses. […] Once Treasury's support for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ends, sometime after 2012, the GSEs will be challenged to pay the 10% annual cash dividend contained in their contracts. The enterprises could instead pay a 12% annual senior preferred stock dividend indefinitely. In August 2011, Standard & Poor's downgraded the debt of the federal government, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac. To date, there is no evidence that this has increased mortgage interest rates, but the impact may take longer to occur or to be detected. Legislation introduced in the 112th Congress, the future of the GSEs, and ways to reduce the cost to the federal government are analyzed in CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report R41822, 'Proposals to Reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the 112th Congress', by N. Eric Weiss."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weiss, N. Eric
2012-07-23
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Puerto Rico's Political Status and the 2012 Plebiscite: Background and Key Questions [October 2, 2012]
From the Summary: "For the first time since 1998, voters in Puerto Rico are preparing to reconsider the island's relationship with the federal government. Voters will be asked to answer two questions: (1) whether they wish to maintain the status quo or pursue a new relationship and (2) regardless of the choice in the first question, whether they prefer statehood, independence, or to be a 'sovereign free associated state.' Although the November 2012 status vote, termed a 'plebiscite,' is nonbinding, Congress will likely be asked to consider the result and may choose to engage in oversight or legislation on the issue. Regardless of the outcome, the plebiscite is likely to be followed closely in Puerto Rico and Washington. Whether initiated by the Puerto Rican people or Congress, any change in the island's political status would require congressional action. Beyond the plebiscite, Congress has broad jurisdiction over territories and routinely monitors status developments. Some Members of Congress--especially those with large Puerto Rican constituencies or personal connections to Puerto Rico--also closely follow the issue. 'Political status'--a term of art referring to the relationship between the federal government and a territorial government--is perhaps the defining issue in Puerto Rican politics and the island's interactions with the mainland. This report will be updated periodically as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-
2012-10-02
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America COMPETES Acts: FY2008-FY2013 Funding Tables [October 16, 2012]
From the Summary: "Major provisions of the America COMPETES [Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science] Reauthorization Act of 2010 are set to expire in 2013. As such, the 113th Congress will have the opportunity to reconsider this act and its policy contributions. Those contributions include, among other things, funding authorizations for certain federal physical sciences and engineering research programs, as well as selected STEM (i.e., science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education programs. To aid Congress in its deliberations over future funding for these policies, this report tracks historical federal funding associated with the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-358) and its predecessor, the America COMPETES Act (P.L. 110-69). This report includes two tables summarizing authorizations and funding status for selected provisions of these acts over the course of their respective authorization periods. This report will be updated to reflect FY2013 congressional funding decisions when those decisions are final."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gonzalez, Heather B.
2012-10-16
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Ocean Climate Action: Solutions to the Climate Crisis H.R. 8632, H.R. 3548, H.R. 3919, H.R. 4093, H.R. 5390, H.R. 5589, H.R. 7387, H.R. 8253, and H.R. 8627, Legislative Hearing Before the Committee on Natural Resources, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Second Session, November 17, 2020
This is the November 17, 2020 hearing on "Ocean Climate Action: Solutions to the Climate Crisis H.R. 8632, H.R. 3548, H.R. 3919, H.R. 4093, H.R. 5390, H.R. 5589, H.R. 7387, H.R. 8253, and H.R. 8627," held before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources. From the opening statement of Raul M. Grijalva: "Thank you to all the Members of Congress and witnesses for joining us today, as we have a conversation about my bill, the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act. At over 300 pages long, the bill includes a number of provisions, many of which are bipartisan, to address the very serious problem of climate change. As the incoming Biden administration is going through its transition process, we must lay the groundwork to address climate change with the speed that this crisis demands. Turning to the legislation, the idea here is simple: A healthy ocean can help us fight the climate crisis. Our ocean has absorbed over one-third of our carbon emissions and 90 percent of the excess heat we have generated." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Ray Hilborn, Kelly Kryc, Kelsey Leonard, and Jane Lubchenco.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021
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Promising Practices from Law Enforcement's COVID-19 Response: Protecting the Public
From the Webpage: "To better understand how the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has affected the criminal justice system in terms of the challenges it created and how agencies adapted to those challenges, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative conducted a series of panel workshops with representatives of different sectors within the system. One of the key goals of the discussions was to identify which adaptations presented promising practices that agencies should consider continuing beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Two panel workshops were held with law enforcement representatives, one of which focused on agency management and the other of which focused on services and operations. Participants represented jurisdictions that are geographically dispersed and that included both large urban areas and smaller suburban or rural areas. There were representatives of police departments and sheriffs' offices and of crime laboratories and universities. A separate community workshop provided input on the broader effects of changes made by law enforcement agencies and the justice system more broadly."
RAND Corporation
Jackson, Brian A., 1972-; Vermeer, Michael J.D.; Woods, Dulani . . .
2021
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Promising Practices from the Court System's COVID-19 Response: Ensuring Access to Justice While Protecting Public Health
From the Webpage: "To better understand how the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has affected the criminal justice system in terms of the challenges it created and how agencies adapted to those challenges, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative conducted a series of panel workshops with representatives of different sectors within the system. One of the key goals of the discussions was to identify which adaptations presented promising practices that agencies should consider continuing beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. One such panel workshop brought together judges, court administrators, prosecutors, defense counsel, and academics to discuss how the pandemic has affected the court system. Participants represented jurisdictions that are geographically dispersed and included representatives from individual courts, statewide court systems, and cross-cutting organizations with national-level perspective. In addition, a separate community workshop provided input on the broader effects of changes made by court systems and the justice system more generally."
RAND Corporation
Jackson, Brian A., 1972-; Vermeer, Michael J.D.; Woods, Dulani . . .
2021
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Promising Practices from Victim Services Providers' COVID-19 Response Protecting Victims and Those Who Serve Them
From the Webpage: "To better understand how the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has affected the criminal justice system in terms of the challenges it created and how agencies adapted to those challenges, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative conducted a series of panel workshops with representatives of different sectors within the system. One of the key goals of the discussions was to identify which adaptations presented promising practices that agencies should consider continuing beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. One such panel workshop brought together both justice agency-based and community-based VSPs [victim services providers] and other experts to discuss how the pandemic has affected VSPs and their respective responses. In addition, a separate community workshop provided input on the broader effects of changes made by VSPs and the justice system more generally."
RAND Corporation
Jackson, Brian A., 1972-; Vermeer, Michael J.D.; Woods, Dulani . . .
2021
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Promising Practices from Community Corrections Organizations' COVID-19 Response: Ensuring Safety in the Community
From the Webpage: "To better understand how the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic affected the criminal justice system in terms of the challenges it created and how agencies adapted to those challenges, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative conducted a series of panel workshops with representatives of different sectors within the system. One of the key goals of the discussions was to identify which adaptations presented promising practices that agencies should consider continuing beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. One such panel workshop brought together representatives of federal, state, and local community supervision agencies, service providers, and subject-matter experts to discuss how the pandemic has affected these organizations and their respective responses to the pandemic. In addition, a separate community workshop provided input on the broader effects of changes made by community corrections agencies and the justice system more generally."
RAND Corporation
Jackson, Brian A., 1972-; Vermeer, Michael J.D.; Woods, Dulani . . .
2021
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Promising Practices from the Institutional Corrections System's COVID-19 Response: Managing Safety and Security on the Inside
From the Webpage: "To better understand how the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has affected the criminal justice system in terms of the challenges the pandemic created and how agencies adapted to those challenges, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative conducted a series of panel workshops with representatives of different sectors within the system. One of the key goals of the discussions was to identify which adaptations presented promising practices that agencies should consider continuing beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. One such panel workshop brought together administrators of both jail and prison systems, correctional health care providers and other experts to discuss how the pandemic has affected these facilities and their systems' respective responses. In addition, a separate community workshop provided input on the broader effects of changes made by institutional corrections agencies and the justice system more generally."
RAND Corporation
Jackson, Brian A., 1972-; Vermeer, Michael J.D.; Woods, Dulani . . .
2021
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Chemical Facility Security: Issues and Options for the 112th Congress [October 2, 2012]
From the Summary: "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has statutory authority to regulate chemical facilities for security purposes. [...] Congressional policymakers have debated the scope and details of reauthorization and continue to consider legislation establishing an authority with longer duration. Some Members of Congress support an extension, either short- or long-term, of the existing authority. Other Members call for revision and more extensive codification of chemical facility security regulatory provisions. Questions regarding the current law's effectiveness in reducing chemical facility risk and the sufficiency of federal funding for chemical facility security exacerbate the tension between continuing current policies and changing the statutory authority. Congressional policymakers have questioned DHS's [Department of Homeland Security's] effectiveness in implementing the authorized regulations, called chemical facility anti-terrorism standards (CFATS). […] No chemical facilities have completed the CFATS [chemical facility anti-terrorism standards] process, which starts with information submission by chemical facilities and finishes with inspection and approval of facility security measures by DHS [Department of Homeland Security]. Several factors, including the amount of detailed information provided to DHS [Department of Homeland Security], effectiveness of DHS [Department of Homeland Security] program management, and the availability of CFATS [chemical facility anti-terrorism standards] inspectors, likely complicate the inspection process and lead to delays in inspection. […] Both appropriation and authorization legislation in the 112th Congress address chemical facility security. P.L. 112-175 extended the existing authority until March 27, 2013. Both FY2013 homeland security appropriations bills (S. 3216 and H.R. 5855, as passed by the House) would extend the existing authority until October 4, 2013."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shea, Dana A.
2012-10-02
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Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education: A Primer [August 1, 2012]
From the Summary: "The term 'STEM education' refers to teaching and learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It typically includes educational activities across all grade levels--from pre-school to post-doctorate--in both formal (e.g., classrooms) and informal (e.g., afterschool programs) settings. Federal policymakers have an active and enduring interest in STEM education and the topic is frequently raised in federal science, education, workforce, national security, and immigration policy debates. For example, more than 200 bills containing the term 'science education' were introduced between the 100th and 110th congresses. The United States is widely believed to perform poorly in STEM education. However, the data paint a complicated picture. By some measures, U.S. students appear to be doing quite well. For example, overall graduate enrollments in science and engineering (S&E) grew 35% over the last decade. Further, S&E enrollments for Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native, and African American students (all of whom are generally underrepresented in S&E) grew by 65%, 55%, and 50%, respectively. […] This report is intended to serve as a primer for outlining existing STEM education policy issues and programs. It includes assessments of the federal STEM education effort and the condition of STEM education in the United States, as well as an analysis of several of the policy issues central to the contemporary federal conversation about STEM education. 'Appendix A' contains frequently cited data and sources and 'Appendix B' includes a selection of major STEM-related acts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gonzalez, Heather B.; Kuenzi, Jeffrey J., 1965-
2012-08-01
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California's Future [2021]
From the Webpage: "The past year highlighted and heightened California's key challenges. Millions of Californians lost jobs and income during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] crisis; low-income families, communities of color, and women were hit hardest. As schools and universities shifted rapidly to remote learning, educators and parents scrambled to provide all students with high-quality instruction, technology, and support. In addition, California endured a terrible wildfire season, widespread protests pushed the state and the nation to address racial inequities, and historic numbers of Californians voted in the highly consequential November election. As California emerges from the pandemic, can policymakers pave the way for an equitable recovery? And how can California--the most diverse state in the nation--expand opportunity across all of its communities and regions? PPIC [Public Policy Institute of California] examines these questions in rigorous and innovative ways. Our nonpartisan, independent, fact-based research explores effective, efficient, and equitable public policies that improve the well-being of our state's people, communities, and environment. This multi-topic publication addresses the state's most pressing policy challenges in several key areas: [1] criminal justice; [2] economy; [3] education; [4] safety net; [5] water and a changing climate."
Public Policy Institute of California
Bohn, Sarah; Cha, Paulette; Chappelle, Caitrin . . .
2021-01
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Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): An Overview [September 7, 2012]
From the Summary: "The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides workers with minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor protections. The FLSA covers most, but not all, private and public sector employees. In addition, certain employers and employees are exempt from coverage. Provisions of the FLSA that are of current interest to Congress include the basic minimum wage, subminimum wage rates, exemptions from overtime and the minimum wage for persons who provide companionship services, the exemption for employees in computer-related occupations, compensatory time ('comp time') in lieu of overtime pay, and break time for nursing mothers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bradley, David H.; Mayer, Gerald
2012-09-07
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Open Letter to G7 Leaders: A G7 Action Plan to Ensure the World is Vaccinated Quickly and Equitably
From the Document: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has cost millions of lives and trillions of dollars in lost economic activity. We are in the midst of a rapidly accelerating global crisis, triggering a cascade of humanitarian and economic disasters in many countries, as well as the proliferation of dangerous new variants that threaten to intensify the pandemic's impact in the United States and throughout the world. The continuing crisis has one principal cause: an increasingly stark gap in affordable and timely access by most of the world to safe and effective vaccines and the capacity to deliver them. [...] G7 [Group of Seven] members must use their unparalleled political and financial might, their combined vaccine expertise and manufacturing capacities, and their proven ability to shape the world's response to global public health emergencies, to accelerate global equitable access to highly effective vaccines."
Center for Strategic and International Studies (Washington, D.C.)
2021-06-07
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U.S. Foreign Aid to East and South Asia: Selected Recipients [Updated December 27, 2003]
From the Summary: "The war on terrorism has given new impetus to U.S. foreign aid to Asia. Since September 2001, the United States has raised military, economic, and development assistance for anti-terrorism objectives in the East Asia Pacific (EAP) and South Asia regions. Pakistan, India, the Philippines, and Indonesia have received the bulk of the increases in U.S. foreign assistance to EAP and South Asia since 2001. This report discusses U.S. aid trends and programs in 16 East Asian and South Asian countries. This report does not cover North Korea, the Pacific Islands, and Afghanistan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2003-12-27
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Countries of the World and International Organizations: Sources of Information [Updated May 2, 2001]
This report provides a selection of materials for locating information on foreign countries and international organizations. In the general information section, it presents sources giving an overview of politics, economics, and recent history. A specialized information section cites sources on human rights, immigration, international organizations, military strengths, terrorism, and other topics. Included are titles of some of the most frequently consulted bibliographic sources that are available for use in many libraries. Electronic information on foreign countries is also provided, via the Internet, by agencies of the federal government, international organizations, and related sources. Included is a list of foreign chanceries located in Washington, D.C.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Salazar, Barbara A.
2001-05-02
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Homeland Security: The Presidential Coordination Office [Updated March 30, 2004]
"Responding to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President George W. Bush, among other actions, announced in his September 20 address to a joint session of Congress, his intention to create an Office of Homeland Security (OHS), headed by a director who would have Cabinet rank and would report directly to the President. OHS, as subsequently chartered with E.O. 13228 of October 8, 2001, is an agency of the Executive Office of the President. The success of this office as a coordinator of federal preparations and response to terrorism, including the development of a comprehensive National Strategy for Homeland Security, may be guided by past experience with similar such entities. This report reviews past experience- principally with the Office of War Mobilization and its successor, the Office of War Mobilization and Re-conversion- and its significance for OHS, as well as the administrative development of the new agency. That OHS was not altogether successful in its efforts at homeland security leadership may have prompted the President to propose the creation of a Department of Homeland Security in June 2002. However, during the course of the establishment of the department, attempts to replace or re-charter OHS legislatively were not successful. The establishment of the new department and the new Homeland Security Council diminished the role of OHS by assuming most of its functions. Although a presidential assistant for homeland security may be retained in the White House, the continued need for OHS waned in 2003, and the agency disappeared from the President's FY2005 budget. This report is no longer being updated. CRS Report RL31493, Homeland Security: Department Organization and Management- Legislative Phase, assesses the development and enactment of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. CRS Report RL31751, Homeland Security: Department Organization and Management- Implementation Phase, assesses the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Relyea, Harold
2004-03-30
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Internet Privacy: Overview and Pending Legislation [Updated April 1, 2004]
"Internet privacy issues encompass concerns about the collection of personally identifiable information (PII) from visitors to government and commercial Web sites, as well as debate over law enforcement or employer monitoring of electronic mail and Web usage". There is a current debate over Web site information policies, with regard to industry self regulation and legislation. This report presents an overview of Internet privacy issues. It also tracks Internet privacy legislation pending before the 108th Congress and describes the four laws that were enacted in the 107th Congress. This document is an updated version of the original report.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Marcia S.
2004-04-01
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North-South Korean Relations: A Chronology of the 'New' Dialogue [Updated April 30, 2001]
This report chronicles major developments in the thaw between North and South Korea that followed the historic inter-Korean summit meeting in June 2000. The sheer breadth and depth of the dialogue indicates to some analysts that Seoul and Pyongyang are trying in earnest to regularize and institutionalize the rapprochement, in contrast to previously ephemeral thaws in 1972, 1985 and the early 1990s. Inter-Korean diplomacy has effectively come to a halt since the March 7, 2001 summit between Presidents Bush and Kim. Following the Bush-Kim summit, North Korea cancelled scheduled inter-ministerial talks and Red Cross talks.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manyin, Mark E.
2001-04-30
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Computer Security: Summary of Selected Federal Laws, Executive Orders, and Presidential Directives [April 16, 2004]
"This report provides a short summary of selected federal laws, executive orders, and presidential directives, currently in force, that govern computer security. The report focuses on the major roles and responsibilities assigned various federal agencies in the area of computer security." Areas covered in this report include the following: securing federal computer systems, protecting information on private systems, working with the private sector, investigating and prosecuting computer crimes, and research and development of information security.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moteff, John D.
2004-04-16
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Greece: Threat of Terrorism and Security at the Olympics [April 30, 2004]
"The summer 2004 Olympic Games will take place in Athens, Greece, where their
success is a point of national pride. The Greek government is planning unprecedented security measures to deal with possible terrorist threats. Attacks by Al Qaeda or its allies in Europe and elsewhere heightened the government's awareness of the potential for terrorism at the Olympics. Athens believes that it has effectively dismantled major domestic terrorist groups in recent years and is preparing mainly for external threats, although anarchists and anti-globalization groups may be disruptive as well. The Greek Ministry of Public Order is in charge of security and Greece requested assistance from NATO and others, including the United States. The U.S. Administration is taking its
own steps to protect the U.S. Olympic team. This report will be updated if developments warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Migdalovitz, Carol
2004-04-30
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Immigration-Related Provisions of Selected Bills on Religious Persecution [Updated June 4, 1998]
"On May 14, 1998, the House passed H.R. 2431, the 'Freedom From Religious Persecution Act' by a vote of 375-41. As a result of amendments by the House Judiciary Committee, the immigration-related provisions of the House-passed bill are narrower than those in previous versions. The leading religious persecution bill in the Senate appears to be S. 1868, the 'International Religious Freedom Act.' A hearing was held on it by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on May 12. The asylum and training provisions of H.R. 2431 now more closely resemble those of S. 1868, but the refugee proposals in the two bills continue to differ significantly. Unlike earlier versions of H.R. 2431, the House-passed bill would not revise procedures for considering asylum claims made by aliens who allege membership in certain religious minorities. Instead, the asylum proposals now focus on enhanced training about religious persecution and on addressing potential biases and inaccuracies within the asylum process. Unlike S. 1868, however, H.R. 2431 retains provisions intended to ensure that members of persecuted religious groups are considered for admission as refugees on an equal basis with members of other groups of special humanitarian concern to the U.S. At the same time, the House-passed bill emphasizes its intent to give persecuted religious communities parity, rather than preference, in the refugee admission process."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eig, Larry M.; Vialet, Joyce C.
1998-06-04
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Disarming Libya: Weapons of Mass Destruction [April 22, 2004]
"On December 19, 2003, Libya announced it would dismantle its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs and open the country to immediate and comprehensive verification inspections. According to the Bush Administration, Libya pledged to: Eliminate all elements of its chemical and nuclear weapons programs; Declare all nuclear activities to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Eliminate ballistic missiles beyond a 300-kilometer (km) range with a payload of 500 kilograms (kgs); Accept international inspections to ensure Libya's complete adherence to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), and sign the Additional Protocol; Eliminate all chemical weapons stocks and munitions and accede to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC); and Allow immediate inspections and monitoring to verify all of these actions. Since December 2003, Libya has also agreed to abide by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) guidelines, and signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. U.S., British, and international officials have inspected and removed or destroyed key components of those programs, and Libya has provided valuable information, particularly about foreign suppliers. Libya's WMD disarmament is a critical step towards reintegration into the world community, and a necessary but probably not sufficient prerequisite for lifting U.S. sanctions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Squassoni, Sharon A.; Feickert, Andrew
2004-04-22
