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EMR-ISAC: Infogram, Volume 20 Issue 26, June 25, 2020
The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "Emergency Services Sector Active Shooter Guide"; "Webinar: 911 DataPath provides framework for future needs"; "National Fire Academy application deadline approaching"; "Data from 200 US police departments, fusion centers published online"; "Free security resources for those working from home" and "Ransomware operators lurk on your network after their attack."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2020-06-25
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 5139, Stop Sexual Assault and Harassment in Transportation Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on November 20, 2019. From the Document: "H.R. 5139 would require transportation carriers to create policies for reporting and combating sexual assault and sexual harassment that occurs on vehicles they operate, including procedures for reporting incidents, procedures for employees after such reports are filed, training for personnel who may receive such reports, and procedures for prohibiting future travel by passengers who cause such an incident. Covered carriers would include air carriers, certain motor carriers, commuter and intercity rail entities, transit entities, passenger vessels, transportation network companies, and for-hire vehicle companies."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2020-06-25
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 2748, SAFE Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on January 29, 2020. From the Document: "H.R. 2748 would establish three groups to work on the expected effects of climate change. One group, the National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy Joint Implementation Working Group, would be required to create and implement a national strategy with respect to climate change and to report biannually on its activities. The National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and an advisory committee on Climate Change and Natural Resources would provide support for the working group."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2020-06-25
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 5804, DHS Blue Campaign Enhancement Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on February 12, 2020. From the Document: "H.R. 5804 would direct that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) develop Internet-based training programs to train federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers and others as part of the department's Blue Campaign. The Blue Campaign is aimed at combating human trafficking. The bill also would create an advisory board of DHS officials who would provide information and data on human trafficking to the Blue Campaign."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2020-06-25
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State and Local Fiscal Conditions and COVID-19: Lessons from the Great Recession and Current Projections [Updated June 25, 2020]
From the Document: "Federal assistance to state and local governments has been a central part of the fiscal policy discussion surrounding the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. Economic downturns tend to depress the tax bases of federal, state, and local governments, and may also increase demands for certain spending programs. Unlike at the federal level, however, most states and localities have statutory requirements to balance their budgets every one or two years. Absent other measures, these balanced budget requirements can necessitate tax rate increases or spending cuts that could exacerbate economic distress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Driessen, Grant A.; Gravelle, Jane
2020-06-25
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Development and Regulation of Medical Countermeasures for COVID-19 (Vaccines, Diagnostics, and Treatments): Frequently Asked Questions [June 25, 2020]
From the Summary: "In recent months, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread globally, with the United States now reporting the highest number of cases of any country in the world. Currently, there are few treatment options available to lessen the health impact of the disease and no vaccines or other prophylactic treatments to curb the spread of the virus. [...] This report answers frequently asked questions about current efforts related to research and development of medical countermeasures, their regulation, and related policy issues. Although several efforts are underway, medical product research, development, and approval is a difficult and high-risk endeavor that takes years in typical circumstances. In response to COVID-19, this process has been expedited, including through several federal programs and mechanisms covered in this report. However, expedited medical product development can carry certain risks, such as a more limited safety profile for new products upon approval."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dabrowska, Agata; Gottron, Frank; Sarata, Amanda K. . . .
2020-06-25
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Employment Tax Incentives to Promote Recovery from the COVID-19 Recession: Policy Options [June 25, 2020]
From the Document: "Some Members of Congress and the Trump Administration have shown interest in additional tax benefits to encourage employee retention or hiring as a response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) recession. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136), signed into law on March 27, 2020, created an employee retention tax credit equal to 50% of qualified wages paid by eligible employers to qualifying employees between March 12, 2020, and December 31, 2020. This refundable payroll tax credit can be claimed for up to $10,000 in wages, making the maximum credit per employee $5,000. The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act (H.R. 6800), as passed in the House on May 15, 2020, would increase the amount of the credit. Employer tax relief is one option for supporting employment and promoting economic recovery from the COVID-19 recession. This Insight highlights some considerations that may inform the policy debate regarding this approach, and examines the federal government's past experience with hiring tax incentives."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Guenther, Gary L.; Sherlock, Molly F.
2020-06-25
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Federal Housing Policy Responses to COVID-19 [Updated June 25, 2020]
From the Document: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] global pandemic and resulting economic recession presents many housing challenges, ranging from public health concerns about large populations of unsheltered homeless individuals to the impact of rising unemployment on housing stability. Housing in the United States is primarily a private market function regulated at the state and local level, and states and local governments have implemented a variety of housing policy responses to the pandemic. However, there has been demand for federal action to supplement and support those efforts. In response, the federal government increased its funding for housing programs and made policy changes to protect renters and homeowners and support other housing market participants. In addition to housing-specific interventions, policies such as one-time relief payments to individuals, federal increases to Unemployment Insurance (UI), and some fiscal relief to states and localities may be used directly or indirectly for housing needs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarty, Maggie; Jones, Katie; Perl, Libby
2020-06-25
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Afghanistan: Background and U.S. Policy: In Brief [Updated June 25, 2020]
From the Summary: "Afghanistan was elevated as a significant U.S. foreign policy concern in 2001, when the United States, in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, led a military campaign against Al Qaeda and the Taliban government that harbored and supported it. In the intervening 18 years, the United States has suffered around 2,400 military fatalities in Afghanistan (including four in combat in 2020 to date) and Congress has appropriated approximately $137 billion for reconstruction there.In that time, an elected Afghan government has replaced the Taliban, and most measures of human development have improved, although future prospects of those measures remain mixed. The fundamental objective of U.S. efforts in Afghanistan is 'preventing any further attacks on the United States by terrorists enjoying safe haven or support in Afghanistan,' according to the State Department's Integrated Country Strategy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs)
2020-06-25
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Congress and Police Reform: Current Law and Recent Proposals [Updated June 25, 2020]
From the Document: "In May and June 2020, protests erupted nationwide after the publication of video footage of a Minneapolis police officer pressing his knee into the neck of George Floyd, leading to his death. That incident and its aftermath have sparked heightened interest in Congress's ability to implement reforms of state and local law enforcement. [...] This Sidebar provides an overview of existing federal authorities intended to prevent and redress constitutional violations by state and local public safety officials. It then presents some recent proposals that would change federal regulation of state and local law enforcement. The Sidebar concludes with a list of additional CRS [Congressional Research Service] resources related to law enforcement reform."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lampe, Joanna R.
2020-06-25
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Comparing Police Reform Bills: The Justice in Policing Act and the JUSTICE Act [Updated June 25, 2020]
From the Document: "On May 25, 2020, George Floyd died in the custody of the Minneapolis police after an officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck while restraining him. That incident, others like it, and subsequent nationwide protests have sparked heightened interest in the federal government's ability to prevent and remedy police misconduct, especially the use of excessive force against people of color. The events of May and June 2020 have prompted action by the Executive Branch and legislative proposals in both houses of Congress. On June 16, 2020, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order on Safe Policing for Safe Communities. On June 8, 2020, Members of the House of Representatives, led by the Congressional Black Caucus, introduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 (Justice in Policing Act), and on June 17, 2020, Senate Republicans unveiled the Just and Unifying Solutions To Invigorate Communities Everywhere Act of 2020 (JUSTICE Act). [...] The Sidebar first outlines subject matters that both bills cover, detailing similarities and differences between each bill on those subjects. It concludes by discussing provisions unique to each bill."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lampe, Joanna R.
2020-06-25
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Federal Workforce: Key Considerations for Agencies Returning Employees to Workplaces During Pandemics, Statement of J. Christopher Mihm, Managing Director, Strategic Issues, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Government Operations, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the Document: "Federal employees perform critical functions across multiple mission areas, from those vital to the long-term well-being of the country to those directly charged with aspects of public safety. Major emergencies, such as the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, can pose threats to employees' safety and conditions may ebb and flow over an extended period. During these situations, federal agencies have a responsibility to provide an environment for employees to perform their jobs safely and effectively. This statement provides (1) key considerations based on GAO's [Government Accountability Office] prior work for federal agencies as federal workers reenter the workplace; (2) an illustrative example of how the Census Bureau was forced to suspend major Decennial Census field operations and the process it used to resume operations; and (3) key practices for ensuring telework contributes to continuity of operations. This statement is based on a large body of GAO work on pandemic preparedness, reviews of the Decennial Census, and federal human capital management issued from July 2003 through June 2020."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Mihm, J. Christopher
2020-06-25
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 3717, Spectrum IT Modernization Act of 2020
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on May 20, 2020. From the Document: "S. 3717 would require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to establish goals and performance measures to modernize the infrastructure of federal agencies that is related to the electromagnetic spectrum they use. Under the bill, the NTIA would report to the Congress on its own management of spectrum infrastructure. Additionally, each agency that uses federally assigned spectrum would submit a plan to the NTIA describing its plans to modernize its infrastructure to use it more effectively."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2020-06-25
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Weekly Update: Coronavirus Pandemic Whole-Of-America Response (Thursday, June 25)
This June 25, 2020 weekly FEMA update on the coronavirus pandemic address the following: "Medical Supplies and Equipment"; "Testing"; "Federal Funding"; and "Additional Federal Support."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2020-06-25
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DHS Has Limited Capabilities to Counter Illicit Unmanned Aircraft Systems
From the Document: "Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly referred to as 'drones,' present an emerging threat to the Nation as their popularity grows. Terrorists, criminal organizations, and lone actors have used UAS for malicious purposes. The Department of Homeland Security is tasked with protecting and securing the homeland from these evolving threats. We conducted this audit to determine to what extent DHS counters illicit use of UAS while protecting the homeland."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2020-06-25
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New START Treaty: Central Limits and Key Provisions [Updated June 25, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The United States and Russia signed the New START [Strategic Arms Reductions Treaty] Treaty on April 8, 2010. After more than 20 hearings, the U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent to ratification on December 22, 2010, by a vote of 71-26. Both houses of the Russian parliament--the Duma and Federation Council-- approved the treaty in late January 2011 and it entered into force on February 5, 2011. Both parties met the treaty's requirement to complete the reductions by February 5, 2018. The treaty is due to expire in February 2021, unless both parties agree to extend it for no more than five years. New START provides the parties with 7 years to reduce their forces, and will remain in force for a total of 10 years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2020-06-25
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Framing in Times of Crisis: Responses to COVID-19 Amongst Far Right Movements and Organisations
From the Document: "This paper examines various framing processes have been developed by Far Right groups specifically in response to the global health crisis brought about by the spread of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. Through an examination of statements by six Identitarian and National Socialist movement organisations issued over a two month period from late February to late April 2020 on the open source platform Telegram, six 'crisis frames' were identified which extended central Far Right ideological ideas and cast COVID-19 as directly linked to concepts of migration, globalisation, governance, liberty, resilience and conspiracy. As well as identifying the crisis frames used by Far Right, this paper found that these Far Right groups emphasised engagement in activity designed to develop community resilience and - in contrast to initial commentary by analysts - conspiracy theories and practices of misinformation were largely not used. These findings suggest that the early stages of the COVID crisis has seen a shift by certain Far Right groups not towards practices of encouraging violent contention but rather using propaganda to emphasise their contribution in supporting the family unit, communities and the nation, against the failures of authorities in dealing with the virus. This paper represents an early foray into understanding the development of contemporary 'crisis frames' within the Far Right, highlighting the interactive processes that take place between Far Right groups, global events and authorities."
International Centre for Counter-Terrorism
McNeil-Willson, Richard
2020-06-25
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Preparing for COVID-19 in Nursing Homes
From the Background: "Given their congregate nature and resident population served (e.g., older adults often with underlying chronic medical conditions), nursing home populations are at high risk of being affected by respiratory pathogens like COVID-19 and other pathogens, including multidrug-resistant organisms (e.g., Carbapenemase-producing organisms, 'Candida auris'). As demonstrated by the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, a strong infection prevention and control (IPC) program is critical to protect both residents and healthcare personnel (HCP)."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-06-25
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Policing Reform Legislation: Conditions on Funding and New Authorizations [June 25, 2020]
From the Document: "The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN, while in the custody of law enforcement, along with several other high-profile deaths of African Americans at the hands of the police (including Eric Garner in Staten Island, NY; Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, MN; and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, KY), have served as the catalyst for protests against police violence in cities across the country. These deaths and the resulting protests have spurred interest in policing reform legislation in Congress. On June 8, 2020, Representative Karen Bass introduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 (H.R. 7120). Ten days later, Senator Tim Scott introduced the Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere Act of 2020 (JUSTICE Act; S. 3985). [...] This report provides an overview of the new conditions that would be placed on existing grant programs and the authorizations for new grant programs contained in both pieces of legislation. The report does not discuss provisions of either bill that do not establish new requirements for state and local governments or authorize new funding (e.g., proposals to make lynching a federal crime or to make the use of chokeholds a federal civil rights violation)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan
2020-06-25
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Policing the Police: Qualified Immunity and Considerations for Congress [Updated June 25, 2020]
From the Document: "Qualified immunity is a judicially created doctrine shielding public officials who are performing discretionary functions from civil liability. The doctrine plays a particularly prominent role in defense of civil rights lawsuits against federal law enforcement officials under the 'Bivens' doctrine and against state and local police under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (Section 1983). With regard to its role in civil lawsuits concerning violations of constitutional norms regulating the police, defenders of the doctrine have suggested that qualified immunity plays an important role in affording police officers some level of deference when making split-second decisions about whether to, for example, use force to subdue a fleeing or resisting suspect. Critics of the doctrine have questioned its legal origins and have argued that its practice has provided too much deference to the police at the expense of accountability and the erosion of criminal suspects' constitutional rights. With increasing focus on whether Congress should legislate to abrogate or otherwise modify the doctrine, this Sidebar explores the legal basis for qualified immunity, how it has operated in practice, and current debate over the efficacy of the doctrine. The Sidebar concludes by discussing considerations for Congress regarding qualified immunity."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Novak, Whitney K.
2020-06-25
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Proposals for Systems of Records on 'Wandering Officers' [June 25, 2020]
From the Document: "Two major policing reform bills before Congress would attempt to reform law enforcement practices, especially practices that are considered to be biased against people of color. The two bills, H.R. 7120 and S. 3985, would, among other things, require state and local governments to report data on the use of force, promote the use of body-worn cameras, expand de-escalation training, and reduce racial profiling. Both pieces of legislation would also attempt to curb so-called 'wandering officers' (i.e., law enforcement officers who are fired or resign under threat of termination but are later hired by another law enforcement agency, often in another state)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan
2020-06-25
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U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications [Updated June 25, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The U.S.-Mexico bilateral economic relationship is of key interest to the United States because of Mexico's proximity, the extensive cultural and economic ties between the two countries, and the strong economic relationship that developed over the past 26 years under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), soon to be replaced by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA). The United States and Mexico share many common economic interests related to trade, investment, and regulatory cooperation. The two countries share a 2,000-mile border and have extensive interconnections through the Gulf of Mexico. There are also links through migration, tourism, environmental issues, health concerns, and family and cultural relationships."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Villarreal, M. Angeles
2020-06-25
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Sri Lanka [Updated June 25, 2020]
From the Document: "The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon until 1972, is a constitutional democracy in South Asia with relatively high levels of development. It is strategically located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern tip of India's Deccan Peninsula. The island nation was settled by successive waves of migration from India beginning in the 5th -century BC. Indo-Aryans from northern India established Sinhalese Buddhist kingdoms in the central part of the island. Tamil Hindus from southern India also settled in northeastern coastal areas and established a kingdom on the Jaffna Peninsula. Beginning in the 16th century, Sri Lanka was colonized in succession by the Portuguese, Dutch, and English."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-
2020-06-25
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Short-Time Compensation Programs as a COVID-19 Response and Recovery Strategy
From the Document: "This memo provides governors and state officials with an overview of the Short-Time Compensation (STC) program - also known as work-sharing - and opportunities for developing, promoting, and expanding state STC programs during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] crisis."
National Governors' Association
McBride, Bill
2020-06-25
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Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Situation Report - 157
From the Highlights: "Speaking at the 24 June media briefing on COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], the Director-General highlighted work by WHO [World Health Organization] and UN partners to ensure global supplies of oxygen for treating patients, and discussed the difficult choices all countries must make in holding gatherings of large numbers of people. The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo today declared the end of the country's 10th outbreak of Ebola virus disease. Many of the public health measures that have been successful in stopping Ebola remaining essential for suppressing COVID-19. Healthcare workers trained in clinical management, and infection prevention and control, as part of the Ebola response are redeploying to fight COVID-19. As cases of COVID-19 in the Americas remain high, WHO's Regional Director for the Americas, Dr Carissa F. Etienne cautioned that 'We must be realistic about the future: all of us must adjust to a new way of life and redefine our sense of normal.' She reiterated 'though we rejoice when one country successfully flattens its COVID-19 epidemic curve, the risk of re-emergence will always remain unless we flatten the curve regionally and globally.' Today's 'Subject in Focus' discusses an update on the interim guidance on Critical preparedness, readiness and response actions for COVID-19."
World Health Organization
2020-06-25
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Rapid Hospital Readiness Checklist: Harmonized Health Service Capacity Assessment in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
From the Summary: "The 'Harmonized health facility assessment modules in the context of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic' is a suite of health facility assessment tools to support rapid and accurate assessments of current, surge and future capacities of health facilities throughout the different phases of COVID-19 preparedness, response and recovery. The suite comprises of modules related to facility readiness and response planning and COVID-19 case management, as well as in-depth modules on the availability of essential medicines, diagnostics, supplies, and essential biomedical equipment for COVID-19, infection prevention and control capacities, and treatment centre design and structural capacities. Additionally, it includes a module on the continuity of essential health services during the COVID-19 outbreak to help assess changes in service utilization, service delivery modifications, and required capacities to ensure the maintained delivery of non-COVID-19 essential health services."
World Health Organization
Huda, Qudsia; Lapitan, Jostacio; Warren, Kathleen
2020-06-25
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Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers: IntelliPlex SARS-CoV-2 Detection Kit - PlexBio Co., Ltd.
From the Document: "This Fact Sheet informs you of the significant known and potential risks and benefits of the emergency use of the IntelliPlex SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] Detection Kit. The IntelliPlex SARS-CoV-2 Detection Kit is authorized for use with respiratory specimens collected from individuals who are suspected of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] by their healthcare provider."
United States. Food and Drug Administration
2020-06-25
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Veterans Accredited Representatives: Frequently Asked Questions [June 25, 2020]
From the Summary: "Veterans accredited representatives are individuals accredited by the Office of General Counsel (OGC) at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help veterans, their survivors, and their dependents ('claimants') submit benefits claims to VA. Accredited representatives also may assist claimants in appeals to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. To be accredited, individuals must file a formal application with VA's OGC, accompanied by evidence that the representative has successfully completed a VA-approved training process."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Salazar, Heather M.; Breslauer, Tamar B.
2020-06-25
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WaterSense® Program: Congressional Authorization [Updated June 25, 2020]
From the Document: "WaterSense is a voluntary labeling program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to encourage the development and use of water-efficient products and services. Through WaterSense, EPA develops water efficiency specifications for products, certain services, and homes; licenses third-party certification bodies;and maintains a registry of WaterSense-labeled products and certified services. EPA initially established WaterSense in 2006. The 115th Congress authorized and expanded WaterSense in America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA; P.L. 115-270), Section 4306 (42 U.S.C. §6294b)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2020-06-25
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Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers: Fastplex Triplex SARS-CoV-2 Detection Kit (RT-Digital PC), PreciGenome LLC
From the Document: "This Fact Sheet informs you of the significant known and potential risks and benefits of the emergency use of the Fastplex Triplex SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] Detection Kit (RT-digital PCR [reverse transcription digital polymerase chain reaction]). The Fastplex Triplex SARS-CoV-2 Detection Kit (RT-digtial PCR) is authorized for use with oropharyngeal swab specimens collected from individuals suspected of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] by their healthcare provider."
United States. Food and Drug Administration
2020-06-25
