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• South Korea: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated May 18, 2021]

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  From the Overview: "South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea, or ROK) is one of the United States' most important strategic and economic partners in Asia. The U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty, signed in 1953 at the end of the Korean War, commits the United States to help South Korea defend itself, particularly from North Korea (officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK). The alliance also helps the United States promote its interests in East Asia and around the globe, including by deploying ROK troops to U.S.-led military conflicts in the Middle East. [...] On May 21, President Joseph Biden and ROK President Moon Jae-in are scheduled to meet in Washington, DC. The meeting, Biden's second in-person summit after one with Japan's prime minister, appears to signal the Administration's priority on the Indo-Pacific region and on reinvigorating U.S. alliances. Under the Trump Administration, the U.S.-ROK alliance was strained by disputes over South Korean contributions to cost-sharing arrangements to host U.S. troops. During the upcoming summit, the two leaders reportedly are expected to discuss North Korea policy, a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine partnership, the challenges of dealing with China's rise, U.S.-South Korea-Japan coordination, and cooperation to make semiconductor supply chains more resilient."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manyin, Mark E.; Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Williams, Brock R.

  2021-05-18
• Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program: Frequently Asked Questions [May 6, 2021]

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  This Congressional Research Service (CRS) Insight addresses the following frequently asked questions: [1] What Is the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program? [2] How Much Funding Is Available? [3] Who Is Eligible for Reimbursement Funding? [4] What Are "Covered" Equipment and Services? [5] When Will Funding Be Available? [6] What Progress Has the FCC [Federal Communications Commission] Made on Establishing the Program? and [7] What Factors May Affect the Program's Timeline?

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gallagher, Jill C.

  2021-05-06
• Weather and Climate Change: What's the Difference? [Updated May 11, 2021]

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  From the Document: "With much discussion of climate change in Congress, in the news, and among constituents, some commonly used words may be misunderstood or misused. Below are explanations of several key terms: 'weather', 'climate', 'climate variability', and 'climate change', as well as some associated concepts."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Leggett, Jane A.

  2021-05-11
• Update on Military Funding for the Border Wall [May 21, 2021]

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  From the Document: "In a proclamation [hyperlink] released on his first day in office, January 20, 2021, President Joseph Biden declared, 'Like every nation, the United States has a right and a duty to secure its borders and protect its people against threats. But building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution…It shall be the policy of my Administration that no more American taxpayer dollars be diverted to construct a border wall.' The President's proclamation directed a series of steps designed to interrupt southern border barrier construction, and included [1] terminating the state of national emergency on the southern border, [2] pausing border barrier funding and construction activity, and [3] developing a plan for redirection of funds managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for border projects. (In a subsequent implementation memorandum, the USACE Commander was authorized to approve [hyperlink] exceptions to avert immediate physical dangers.)"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mann, Christopher T.

  2021-05-21
• H. Rept. 116-654: Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act of 2019, Together with Minority Views, Report to Accompany H.R. 4403, December 15, 2020

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  From the Purpose and Summary: "On September 19, 2019, Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D- MO [Democrat-Missouri]) introduced H.R. 4403, the 'Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act of 2019,' which extends the protections in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) as it relates to debt owed to a federal agency, and limits the fees debt collectors can charge. The legislation clarifies that debt buyers are subject to FDCPA and requires a GAO [Government Accountability Office] study on the use of debt collectors by state and local government agencies. Representative French Hill (R-AK [Republican-Alaska]) was the Republican sponsor of the bill."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2020-12-15
• Space Acquisitions: DOD Faces Challenges and Opportunities with Acquiring Space Systems in a Changing Environment, Statement of Jon Ludwigson, Director, Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives

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  From the Highlights: "DOD space systems provide critical capabilities that support military and other government operations. Space systems can be expensive to acquire and field, costing billions of dollars each year. The U.S. Space Force was recently established as the sixth branch of the U.S. military. As planned, the Space Force will consolidate leadership, planning, and management for some DOD space programs, as appropriate and authorized. This statement discusses the challenges and opportunities DOD faces as it acquires space systems amid changes to the acquisition environment. This statement is based on GAO [Government Accountability Office] reports issued over the past 10 years on DOD space programs. It also draws on recent work supporting GAO's 2021 annual report on the progress of major defense acquisition programs."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  Ludwigson, Jon

  2021-05-24
• Canadian Railroads Competing to Acquire Major U.S. Freight Line [Updated May 18, 2021]

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  From the Document: "Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS), two of the seven Class I companies that handle long-distance U.S. rail traffic, announced a merger agreement in March. In April, another Class I carrier, Canadian National (CN), submitted what it termed a 'superior proposal' to acquire KCS, which was accepted in May. CP may submit a counter-offer. Either deal, if approved by shareholders and federal regulators, would be the largest consolidation of major railroads in several decades, and would create the first railroad network to serve Canada, the United States, and Mexico under a single corporate owner. While this could lead to better service for some shippers, it could also have adverse consequences for competition in freight transportation. Any transaction is likely to undergo lengthy review by the Surface Transportation Board (STB)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Goldman, Ben

  2021-05-18
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 443, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act

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  This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on May 5, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 443 would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to convey a parcel of land in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC). The conveyance would be made by a warranty deed, which is a type of deed that guarantees a clear title to the new owner of the property. The Indian Self-Determination and Education Act (ISDEAA) allows tribal entities to assume responsibility for providing health care services funded by the Indian Health Service (IHS). The ANTHC is a nonprofit health care and social services corporation that operates facilities under the ISDEAA in communities throughout Alaska. According to IHS, the ANTHC currently does not pay rent or any other remuneration to IHS for the use of the land to be transferred. Consequently, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that enacting H.R. 443 would not affect direct spending or revenues and would have an insignificant effect on spending subject to appropriation for IHS staff to facilitate the land transfer."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2021-05-24
• Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy [September 13, 2013]

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  "The uprising against Bahrain's Al Khalifa royal family that began in Bahrain on February 14, 2011, amidst other regional uprisings, has not come close to changing Bahrain's regime. However, the mostly Shiite opposition shows no signs of ending its campaign to achieve its stated goal of establishing a constitutional monarchy or, at the very least, winning greatly increased political influence and rights. The crisis has demonstrated that the grievances of the Shiite majority over the distribution of power and economic opportunities were not satisfied by the modest reform efforts instituted during 1999-2010. The government has held dialogue with the opposition to try to address its grievances. A 'national dialogue' held in July 2011 reached consensus on a few modest political reforms. Hopes for resolution were elevated further by a pivotal report by a government-appointed 'Independent Commission of Inquiry' (BICI), released November 23, 2011, which was critical of the government's actions against the unrest. The government asserts it implemented most of the 26 BICI recommendations, but outside human rights groups assessed that overall implementation has been modest. After more than one year of impasse, both sides resumed a dialogue in February 2013, but it has made little concrete progress, by all accounts. […] The United States signed a formal defense pact with Bahrain in 1991 and has designated it a 'major non-NATO ally.' The designation qualifies Bahrain for sales of sophisticated U.S. weapons systems but, partly to address criticism from human rights advocates and some Members of Congress, since 2011 the Administration has held up sales of armored vehicles, anti-tank weapons, and some small arms and light weapons that could potentially be used against protesters. In May 2012 the Administration announced that it would proceed with the sale to Bahrain of other arms that can be used only for external defense."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2013-09-13
• Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, Committee on Education and Labor, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session, September 19, 2019

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  This is the September 19, 2019 hearing on "Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)," held before the House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, of the Committee on Education and Labor. From the opening statement of Suzanne Bonamici: "Today's hearing will examine the policies and priorities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the EEOC, and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, OFCCP. These are the two primary agencies responsible for combating workplace discrimination and harassment and their oversight is as necessary today as ever before. Today the median Black worker earns only 75 percent of the wage earned by the median White worker. One in four LGBTQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer] workers reports experiencing some form of discrimination in the workplace. And more than 60 percent of workers over the age of 45 report seeing or experiencing age discrimination in the workplace. [...] [A]s our workplace becomes increasingly diverse, we need the EEOC and the OFCCP to get back on track." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Cindy Brown Barnes, Janet Dhillon, and Craig Leen.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021
• Performance Audit of the Implementation of OMB COVID-19 Flexibilities - University of New Mexico

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  From the Audit Objective: "The National Science Foundation [NSF] Office of Inspector General engaged Cotton & Company LLP [limited liability partnership] (C&C) to conduct a performance audit of the implementation of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) flexibilities at the University of New Mexico (UNM) for the period March 1 to September 30, 2020. The auditors tested approximately $187,000 of the more than $15.6 million of costs claimed to NSF. The audit objective was to determine if UNM used the administrative COVID-19 flexibilities authorized by OMB and, if so, whether UNM complied with the associated guidelines. See Appendix E for the audit's objective, scope, and methodology."

  National Science Foundation (U.S.). Office of Inspector General

  2021-05-13
• MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 21, 2021: Mask Use and Ventilation Improvements to Reduce COVID-19 Incidence in Elementary Schools -- Georgia, November 16-December 11, 2020

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  The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Mask Use and Ventilation Improvements to Reduce COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Incidence in Elementary Schools -- Georgia, November 16-December 11, 2020." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from MMWR can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)

  2021-05-21
• Legal Framework for Waiving World Trade Organization (WTO) Obligations [May 17, 2021]

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  From the Document: "On May 6, 2021, the Biden Administration announced [hyperlink] that it supported negotiating a waiver of certain obligations in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement [hyperlink]) at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The announcement represents a shift in the U.S. position at the WTO on South Africa and India's October 2020 proposal [hyperlink] to waive some TRIPS obligations to address the 'prevention, containment or treatment' of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). To date, WTO members remain divided as to the need for or appropriateness of the proposed waiver. As of this writing, South Africa and India are revising [hyperlink] the proposal with the aim of submitting a revised text later this month. [...] After the Biden Administration's announcement, some Members of Congress have asked, including during a Senate Finance Committee hearing [hyperlink], about the Administration's authority to agree to such a waiver. This Sidebar discusses how waivers are negotiated at the WTO, and the President's authority, delegated to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), to agree to waivers of WTO obligations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hart, Nina M.

  2021-05-17
• Marine Corps Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) [May 13, 2021]

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  From the Document: "According to the Marine Corps, the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) aims to be a new armored vehicle family to replace the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Feickert, Andrew

  2021-05-13
• Immigration Enforcement: Major Provisions in H.R. 2278, the Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act (SAFE Act) [August 20, 2013]

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  "Reforming the nation's immigration laws has been the subject of significant legislative activity in the 113th Congress. In June, the Senate passed an omnibus immigration bill (S. 744) that addresses a broad array of issues, including immigration enforcement and border security, verification of aliens' employment eligibility, the temporary and permanent admission of foreign nationals into the country, and the creation of mechanisms for some unauthorized aliens to acquire legal status. The House, in contrast, has focused legislative activity on a number of standalone bills that would reform specific aspects of immigration law. The House Judiciary Committee has ordered several of these bills to be reported, including proposals that focus on strengthening immigration control and enforcement. […] The SAFE Act generally imposes more significant penalties for immigration-related violations and more stringent requirements relating to the detention and removal of aliens than the Senate-passed bill. Perhaps most significantly, the SAFE Act would make an alien's knowing unauthorized presence a criminal offense, whereas the Senate bill would not make unlawful presence a crime. In fact, the Senate bill would establish procedures whereby some of the current unauthorized population could potentially acquire legal status, while neither the SAFE Act nor the other bills ordered to be reported by the House Judiciary Committee, to date, make similar provisions for legalization. The SAFE Act more closely resembles the last comprehensive immigration enforcement legislation passed by the House, H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (109th Congress), though it differs from the earlier legislation on many specific matters. This report discusses the SAFE Act, as reported out of the House Judiciary Committee. For discussion of other immigration reform proposals in the 113th Congress and prior Congresses, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report CRS Report R43097, Comprehensive Immigration Reform in the 113th Congress: Major Provisions in Senate-Passed S. 744, by Marc R. Rosenblum and Ruth Ellen Wasem, and CRS Report R42980, Brief History of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Efforts in the 109th and 110th Congresses to Inform Policy Discussions in the 113th Congress, by Ruth Ellen Wasem."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Garcia, Michael John; Manuel, Kate

  2013-08-20
• Nuclear Energy: Overview of Congressional Issues [Updated May 6, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "The policy debate over the role of nuclear power in the nation's energy mix is rooted in the technology's fundamental characteristics. Nuclear reactors can produce potentially vast amounts of useful energy with relatively low consumption of natural resources and emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. However, facilities that produce nuclear fuel for civilian power reactors can also produce materials for nuclear weapons. In addition, the process of nuclear fission (splitting of atomic nuclei) to generate power produces radioactive material that can remain hazardous for thousands of years and must be contained. How to manage the weapons proliferation and safety risks of nuclear power, or whether the benefits of nuclear power are worth those risks, are issues that have long been debated in Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Holt, Mark

  2021-05-06
• Oman: Politics, Security, and U.S. Policy [Updated May 19, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "The Sultanate of Oman has been a strategic partner of the United States since 1980, when it became the first Persian Gulf state to sign a formal accord permitting the U.S. military to use its facilities. Oman has hosted U.S. forces during every U.S. military operation in the region since then, and it is a partner in U.S. efforts to counter terrorist groups and other regional threats. In January 2020, Oman's long-time leader, Sultan Qaboos bin Sa'id Al Said, passed away and was succeeded by Haythim bin Tariq Al Said, a cousin selected by Oman's royal family immediately upon Qaboos's death. Sultan Haythim espouses policies similar to those of Qaboos and has not altered U.S.-Oman ties or Oman's regional policies."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2021-05-19
• Military Benefits for Former Spouses: Legislation and Policy Issues [Updated May 20, 2021]

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  From the Purpose: "This report provides a general discussion of legislative provisions and proposals relating to the military benefits for former spouses. It is not designed to answer detailed questions about specific issues arising in individual cases. Thus, it does not deal with case law nor does it apply legal or judicial interpretations of enacted statutes to specific situations. Questions that this report seeks to answer include the following: [1] What benefits can former spouses of members or retirees of the uniformed services receive under law? [2] What role do the services play in facilitating delivery of those benefits? What practical problems arise in the implementation of and service involvement in claims on those benefits? [3] How does the current system for a divorce-related division of military retired pay work? These frequently asked questions reflect confusion and controversy over social policy and economic equity issues. The administrative and legal implementation has proven complex, due to the large number of couples affected and the variety of circumstances surrounding their military service and divorce."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kamarck, Kristy N.

  2021-05-20
• Navy Next-Generation Attack Submarine (SSN[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [May 10, 2021]

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  From the Introduction and Issue for Congress: "The Navy wants to begin procuring a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), called the Next-Generation Attack Submarine or SSN(X), in FY2031. The SSN(X) would be the successor to the Virginia-class SSN design, which the Navy has been procuring since FY1998. Congress approved $1 million in initial research and development funding for the SSN(X) program in FY2021. An issue for Congress for FY2022 and subsequent years is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's funding requests and acquisition strategy for the SSN(X) program. Congress's decisions on this issue could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2021-05-10
• Steel: Legislative and Oversight Issues [Updated April 2, 2003]

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  "The U.S. steel industry has faced increasing difficulties since the late 1990s. More than 30 U.S. steel producers have gone into bankruptcy and many workers have lost their jobs. Many retirees have lost company-funded health care benefits, while their pensions are being taken over by the federally chartered Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. The condition of the industry is discussed in detail in CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL31748, The American Steel Industry: A Changing Profile. U.S. policymakers responded with a variety of measures. The House of Representatives in 1999 approved a bill that would have required the President to roll back imports. The Clinton Administration reacted with expedited enforcement of U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) laws, as well as Section 201 import safeguard measures on wire rod and line pipe products, which expired as of March 1, 2003. The 106th Congress approved and President Clinton signed a law to establish a steel loan guarantee program (P .L. 106-51), and to distribute to petitioners duties collected from AD/CVD cases, (known as the Byrd Amendment to the Agriculture appropriations bill, P.L. 106-387). These measures did not prevent a new downturn in the domestic steel industry. Moreover, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has found that the Byrd Amendment violates its rules. The Bush Administration in its FY2004 budget request proposed elimination of both programs, butbothcontinuetooperate. On March 26, 2003, the Emergency Steel Loan Board approved a $250 million loan guarantee for Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Cooney, Stephen

  2003-04-02
• Distributed Amplification: The Plandemic Documentary

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  From the Webpage Overview: "'Plandemic,' a 26-minute trailer video about coronavirus conspiracy theories, went viral in May 2020 because of 'distributed amplification' [hyperlink]. In response to its high viewership, major social media platforms moderated 'Plandemic' and prepared for the full-length video. The platforms' efforts slowed the spread of 'Indoctornation,' the anticipated 75-minute movie. 'Indoctornation' failed to achieve the virality 'Plandemic' had."

  Media Manipulation Casebook

  Nilsen, Jennifer

  2020-10-20
• Annual Report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

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  From the Introduction and Overview: "USCIRF [United States Commission on International Religious Freedom]'s 2021 Annual Report assesses religious freedom violations and progress during calendar year 2020 in 26 countries and makes independent recommendations for U.S. policy. [...] The report's primary focus is on two groups of countries: first, those that USCIRF recommends the State Department should designate as 'countries of particular concern,' or CPCs, under IRFA [International Religious Freedom Act], and second, those that USCIRF recommends the State Department should place on its Special Watch List (SWL). The report also includes USCIRF's recommendations of violent nonstate actors for designation by the State Department as 'entities of particular concern,' or EPCs, under IRFA. In addition, the report analyzes the U.S. government's implementation of IRFA during the reporting year and provides recommendations to bolster overall U.S. efforts to advance freedom of religion or belief abroad. It also includes a section discussing key trends and developments in religious freedom globally during the reporting period, including in countries that are not recommended for CPC or SWL status. This year, that section covers COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] and religious freedom, attacks on houses of worship, political unrest leading to religious freedom violations, blasphemy laws, global antisemitism, and China's international influence on religious freedom and human rights. Finally, the report's last section highlights key USCIRF recommendations that the U.S. government has implemented since USCIRF's previous annual report."

  United States Commission on International Religious Freedom

  Manchin, Gayle; Perkins, Tony; Bhargava, Anurima . . .

  2021-04
• S. Rept. 116-325: The Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act, Together with Additional Views, Report to Accompany S. 2765, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, December 15, 2020

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  From the Purpose: "The purpose of S. 2765, the Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act, is to provide a more deliberative and transparent budget process focused on long-term fiscal planning. The legislation would transition the congressional budget process to a biennial cycle, improve procedures for Senate consideration and enforcement of budget resolutions, enhance fiscal transparency, and help end the brinksmanship surrounding the debt limit."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2020-12-15
• H. Rept. 116-635: Protecting Innocent Consumers Affected by a Shutdown Act, Report Together with Minority Views, to Accompany H.R. 4328, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, December 8, 2020

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  From the Purpose and Summary: "On September 13, 2019, Chairwoman Maxine Waters introduced H.R. 4328, the 'Protecting Innocent Consumers Affected by a Shutdown Act,' which amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to protect government employees, contractors, and other consumers affected by a Federal government shutdown. H.R. 4328 restricts 'furnishers' and the credit rating agencies from including any adverse financial information resulting from a government shutdown in the affected consumers' credit profiles for the duration of a shutdown, plus 90 days. H.R. 4328 also prohibits banks, employers and other users of consumer reports from considering adverse credit information regarding such consumers from the applicable period."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2020-12-08
• H. Rept. 116-656: Small Business Fair Debt Collection Protection Act, Together with Minority Views, Report to Accompany H.R. 5013, December 16, 2020

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  From the Purpose and Summary: "On November 8, 2019, Congressman Al Lawson introduced H.R. 5013, the 'Small Business Fair Debt Collection Protection Act,' which expands the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act's (FDCPA) protections to cover small business loans, as determined by CFPB [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau] in consultation with the Small Business Administration."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2020-12-16
• Forest Service Payments to Counties- Title I of the Federal Forests County Revenue, Schools, and Jobs Act of 2012: Issues for Congress [March 26, 2012]

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  "Since 1908, the Forest Service (USFS) in the Department of Agriculture has paid 25% of its receipts to the states for use on roads and schools in the counties where the national forests are located. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Department of the Interior has paid 50% of its receipts to the Oregon counties where the revested (returned to federal ownership) Oregon and California Railroad (O&C) grant lands are located. Payments under these programs dropped substantially in the 1990s, largely because of declining timber sales. In the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-393; SRS), Congress created an optional alternative payment system for these lands, but the law expired at the end of FY2011. The 112th Congress has considered options for addressing the lower payments from federal lands due to lower timber sales. One bill, H.R. 4019 (Title I, the County, Schools, and Revenue Trust for Federal Forest Land), would establish a new payment program; the House Committee on Natural Resources has ordered the bill reported. The bill would establish the trust with receipts from certain projects, and give the USFS [U.S. Forest Service] the "fiduciary responsibility" to undertake projects to achieve annual revenue requirements in counties that do not opt out of the trust program. The bill would direct the USFS to calculate the revenue requirements and, to implement trust projects, establish procedures for public involvement, environmental reporting, and judicial review. The bill also would direct the allocation and use of the trust payments, and provide appropriations for the payments until trust projects generated receipts for the trust payments."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Corn, M. Lynne (Mary Lynne), 1946-; Alexander, Kristina

  2012-03-26
• International Crises and Disasters: U.S. Humanitarian Assistance Response Mechanisms [August 1, 2013]

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  "The majority of humanitarian emergencies worldwide stem from natural disasters or from conflicts. Congress has consistently supported humanitarian efforts as a means of responding to crises in the short term, taking the lead, and promoting a U.S. presence. Intervention results in varying amounts of relief and recovery assistance and can have an important impact not only on the relief operation itself but on broader foreign policy issues. In the 113th Congress, international humanitarian and refugee assistance is expected to continue to have a strong measure of bipartisan support, with key policy issues focused on budget priorities, levels and types of funding, the sources of other support available worldwide, and the ways in which operational assistance is delivered. Factors that may impact decision-making include the type of humanitarian assistance required, the impact of conflict and refugee flows on stability in the region in question, and the role of neighboring countries in contributing to the relief effort. Examples of issues likely to remain of congressional interest include competing aid and budget priorities, reimbursing U.S. government agencies for their expenditures (to replenish the emergency accounts or other accounts that have been used to provide assistance), and civilian and military coordination, including the evolving role of the Department of Defense in humanitarian assistance. Other priorities may include an examination of the disparity between numbers of internally displaced persons and refugees worldwide and the available funding for these groups; physical protection of refugees and other vulnerable populations in addition to the protection of human rights; programs to address gender based violence; and the creation of durable solutions for displaced populations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda

  2013-08-01
• Supreme Court's Climate Change Decision: 'Massachusetts v. EPA' [May 18, 2007]

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  "On April 2, 2007, the Supreme Court handed down 'Massachusetts v. EPA' [Environmental Protection Agency], its first pronouncement on climate change. By 5-4, the Court held that (1) Massachusetts had standing to sue, (2) Section 202 of the Clean Air Act authorizes EPA to regulate emissions from new motor vehicles on the basis of their possible climate change impacts, and (3) Section 202 does not authorize EPA to inject policy considerations into its decision whether to so regulate. The Court's decision leaves EPA with three options under the section: find that motor vehicle greenhouse gas emissions may 'endanger public health or welfare' and issue emission standards, find that they do not satisfy that prerequisite, or decide that climate change science is so uncertain as to preclude making a finding either way. The decision also has implications for other climate-change- related litigation, particularly a pending suit seeking to compel EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources of emissions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Meltz, Robert

  2007-05-18
• Authorization and Appropriations for FY2005: Defense [Upddated May 27, 2004]

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  "The annual consideration of appropriations bills (regular, continuing, and supplemental) by Congress is part of a complex set of budget processes that also encompasses the consideration of budget resolutions, revenue and debt-limit legislation, other spending measures, and reconciliation bills. In addition, the operation of programs and the spending of appropriated funds are subject to constraints established in authorizing statutes. Congressional action on the budget for a fiscal year usually begins following the submission of the President's budget at the beginning of each annual session of Congress. Congressional practices governing the consideration of appropriations and other budgetary measures are rooted in the Constitution, the standing rules of the House and Senate, and statutes, such as the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant. The report lists the key CRS [Congressional Research Service] staff relevant to the issues covered and related CRS products."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Daggett, Stephen

  2004-05-27
• Navy Role in Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) - Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 11, 2008]

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  "The Navy for several years has carried out a variety of activities related to what the Administration refers to as the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The Navy states that as of February 2008, more than 11,300 Navy sailors (including Individual Augmentees) were ashore supporting ground forces in the U.S. Central Command region (including Iraq and Afghanistan). The Navy's role in the GWOT raises several potential oversight issues for Congress. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2008-09-11