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Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress [September 20, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report presents background information and issues for Congress concerning the Navy's force structure and shipbuilding plans. The current and planned size and composition of the Navy, the rate of Navy ship procurement, and the prospective affordability of the Navy's shipbuilding plans have been oversight matters for the congressional defense committees for many years. [...] The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's proposed FY2020 shipbuilding program and the Navy's longer-term shipbuilding plans. Decisions that Congress makes on this issue can substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-09-20
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1305, Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on June 19, 2019. From the Document: "H.R. 1305 would authorize the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out activities--like controlling invasive species and researching pollutants--intended to conserve and protect albatrosses and petrels. The bill also would direct USFWS and NOAA to designate officials to attend meetings of the international Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2019-09-20
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Effects of H.R. 3190, the BURMA Act of 2019, as Posted on the Website of the House Majority Leader on September 20, 2019
From the Document: "H.R. 3190 would require the Administration to impose sanctions on current and former officials of the Burmese military who are responsible for human rights abuses. Sanctions also would apply to any person who has knowingly provided support to those officials or their family members. CBO [Congressional Budget Office] expects that revenues would increase from penalties for violating economic sanctions on foreign individuals and entities. Under current law, half of all civil penalty revenues collected from violations of any licenses, orders, regulations, or prohibitions issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act is deposited into the Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. U.S. persons affected by acts of international terrorism can be compensated with payments from the fund, and demand for compensation generally exceeds the balances in the fund. Thus, increasing deposits into the fund would increase direct spending for compensation."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2019-09-20
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Global Research and Development Expenditures: Fact Sheet [Updated September 19, 2019]
From the Document: "Research and development (R&D) plays a central role in advanced economies in areas such as economic growth and job creation, industrial competitiveness, national security, energy, agriculture, transportation, public health and well-being, environmental protection, and expanding the frontiers of human knowledge understanding. Accordingly, companies, governments, universities, nonprofit organizations, and others around the world have made substantial investments in R&D. Since 2000, total global R&D expenditures have nearly tripled in current dollars, from $676 billion to $2.0 trillion. The United States emerged as a global leader in science and technology in the second half of the 20th century. During this period, U.S. public and private investments in R&D grew rapidly and helped to propel the United States to a position of global economic leadership."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F.
2019-09-19
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 19, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, and gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition strategies and proposed funding levels for the Aegis BMD program. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-09-19
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Defense Primer: Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) [September 19, 2019]
From the Overview and Mission: "The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) is a voluntary high school (grades 9-12) program of instruction administrated by the Department of Defense (DOD) through the military departments. The purpose of JROTC, according to 10 U.S.C. §2031, is 'to instill in students in U.S. secondary educational institutions the value of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment. JROTC was established as an Army program by the National Defense Act of 1916 (P.L. 64-85) and in 1964 expanded to the Navy and Air Force. Congress authorized Coast Guard units at two specific schools: one in 1989 (P.L. 101-225) and one in 2005 (P.L. 109-241)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kamarck, Kristy N.; Arriaga, Xavier L.
2019-09-19
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Defense Primer: Naval Forces [Updated September 19, 2019]
From the Document: "U.S. naval forces give the United States the ability to convert the world's oceans--a global commons that covers more than two-thirds of the planet's surface--into a medium of maneuver and operations for projecting U.S. power ashore and otherwise defending U.S. interests around the world. The ability to use the world's oceans in this manner--and to deny other countries the use of the world's oceans for taking actions against U.S. interests--constitutes an immense asymmetric advantage for the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-09-19
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 398, Saudi Arabia Accountability and Yemen Act of 2019
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on July 30, 2019. From the Bill Summary: "S. 398 would suspend through fiscal year 2020 several pending arms sales to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also would require the Administration to impose sanctions on foreign persons (individuals or entities) who have interfered with humanitarian aid in Yemen, supported Houthi forces, or are responsible for the death of Jamal Khashoggi. Finally, the bill would require the Administration and the Government Accountability Office to provide several reports and briefings to the Congress."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2019-09-19
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Navy Lasers, Railgun, and Gun-Launched Guided Projectile: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 19, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on three new ship-based weapons being developed by the Navy--solid state lasers (SSLs), the electromagnetic railgun (EMRG), and the gun-launched guided projectile (GLGP), also known as the hypervelocity projectile (HVP)--that could substantially improve the ability of Navy surface ships to defend themselves against surface craft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and eventually anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-09-19
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Afghanistan: Background and U.S. Policy in Brief [Updated September 19, 2019]
From the Document: "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 seventeen in combat in 2019 to date) and Congress has appropriated approximately $133 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.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton
2019-09-19
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U.S. Research and Development Funding and Performance: Fact Sheet [Updated September 19, 2019]
From the Document: "Research and development (R&D) in the United States is funded and performed by a number of sectors--including the federal government, state governments, businesses, academia, and nonprofit organizations--for a variety of purposes. This fact sheet begins by providing a profile of the U.S. R&D enterprise, including historical trends and current funding by sector and by whether the R&D is basic research, applied research, or development. The final section of this fact sheet includes data on R&D performance by sector."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F.
2019-09-19
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Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 19, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program--the Coast Guard's program for acquiring new polar icebreakers. The PSC program has received a total of $1,034.6 million (i.e., about $1.0 billion) in procurement funding through FY2019. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2020 budget requests $35 million in procurement funding for the PSC program, which is enough to cover FY2020 programmanagement costs. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Administration's FY2020 procurement funding request for the PSC program, and, more generally, whether to approve, reject, or modify the Coast Guard's overall plan for procuring new polar icebreakers. Congress's decisions on this issue could affect Coast Guard funding requirements, the Coast Guard's ability to perform its polar missions, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-09-19
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Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 19, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's programs for procuring 8 National Security Cutters (NSCs), 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), and 58 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs). The Coast Guard's proposed FY2020 budget requests a total of $657 million in procurement funding for the NSC, OPC, and FRC programs. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Coast Guard's funding requests and acquisition strategies for the NSC, OPC, and FRC programs. Congress's decisions on these three programs could substantially affect Coast Guard capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-09-19
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Coast Guard's Need for Experienced Marine Safety Personnel [September 19, 2019]
From the Introduction: "The U.S. Coast Guard is the agency charged by law with overseeing the safety of vessels and maritime operations. For at least four decades, Congress has been concerned about the Coast Guard's ability to maintain an adequate staff of experienced marine safety personnel with technical knowledge of vessel construction and accident investigation. Recent incidents, particularly the 2015 sinking of the U.S.-flag cargo ship El Faro with the loss of 33 lives during a hurricane near the Bahamas, have revived questions about the Coast Guard's persistent difficulty with hiring and training a marine safety workforce. The safety inspections of the vessel were found to have been inadequate. [...] This report examines the staffing challenges the Coast Guard faces in assuring marine safety at a time when its responsibilities in this area are increasing significantly. It also considers proposals to realign marine safety functions within the federal government."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Frittelli, John
2019-09-19
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Evaluation of DHS' Information Security Program for Fiscal Year 2018
From the Document: "We reviewed DHS' information security program for compliance with 'Federal Information Security Modernization Act' requirements. We conducted our evaluation according to this year's reporting instructions. Our objective was to determine whether DHS' information security program and practices adequately and effectively protected data and information systems supporting DHS' operations and assets for Fiscal Year 2018."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2019-09-19
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H. Rept. 116-213, Part 1: Domestic and International Terrorism Documentation and Analysis of Threats in America Act, Report, Together with Minority Views, to Accompany H.R. 3106, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, September 19, 2019
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 3106, the Domestic and International Terrorism Documentation and Analysis of Threats in America ('Domestic and International Terrorism DATA') Act, seeks to foster transparency and facilitate informed policymaking on domestic and international terrorism by: (1) requiring the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to produce an annual, unclassified joint report that provides data on domestic and international terrorist incidents; assessments, investigations, indictments, prosecutions, and convictions with a domestic or international terrorism nexus; and the number of full-time staff working on domestic terrorism employed by DOJ and DHS; (2) requiring FBI, DOJ, and DHS to affirm that they have complied with relevant privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties protections in compiling this data and to explain the methodology they use to categorize domestic terrorism; (3) requiring the Government Accountability Office to audit the annual reports as well as adherence to privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties protections and the agencies' stated methodologies; and (4) requiring DHS' Science and Technology Directorate to study transnational links between groups linked to domestic terrorism in the United States, such as white supremacists, and their counterparts abroad."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019-09-19
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Executive Order 13887: Modernizing Influenza Vaccines in the United States to Promote National Security and Public Health
From Sec. 2: "It is the policy of the United States to modernize the domestic influenza vaccine enterprise to be highly responsive, flexible, scalable, and more effective at preventing the spread of influenza viruses. This is a public health and national security priority, as influenza has the potential to significantly harm the United States and our interests, including through large-scale illness and death, disruption to military operations, and damage to the economy. This order directs actions to reduce the United States' reliance on egg-based influenza vaccine production; to expand domestic capacity of alternative methods that allow more agile and rapid responses to emerging influenza viruses; to advance the development of new, broadly protective vaccine candidates that provide more effective and longer lasting immunities; and to support the promotion of increased influenza vaccine immunization across recommended populations."
United States. Office of the Federal Register
Trump, Donald, 1946-
2019-09-19
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EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 19 Issue 34, September 19, 2019
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 sections: "Robots find safer ways to map, search subterranean environments"; "National Fire Academy admissions process goes online"; "Public Health System Training for Disaster Recovery"; "Webinar: Staffing 911 Centers in the Era of NG911 [Next Generation 911]"; "Mayor describes city's decision not to pay $5.3 million ransom"; "How much cybercriminals pay for hacked information"; "Emotet is back, why you should be concerned"; and "Widespread security flaw in GPS [Global Positioning System] trackers."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2019-09-19
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H. Rept. 116-211: U.S. Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act, Report Together with Minority Views to Accompany H.R. 3525, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, September 18, 2019
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 3525, the 'U.S. Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act,' improves on existing medical screenings performed by U.S. Border Patrol. The bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in conjunction with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department), to establish uniform standards and training for an initial medical screening of all individuals apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol, with priority given to children under the age of 18. The bill provides deadlines for screenings to be completed and specifies elements that must be a part of the screening. These efforts would establish a consistent medical screening process to be carried out by trained personnel at all U.S. borders. To further improve medical screenings by U.S. Border Patrol, H.R. 3525 requires the Department to establish a pediatric medical presence along the border, research innovative solutions to address any capability gaps, and mandates the use of electronic health records for individuals in DHS custody. These are critical steps to safeguard against further deaths at our borders."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019-09-18
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State-By-State Examination of the Economic Costs of Gun Violence
From the Document: "It is difficult to measure the economic costs of gun violence because in the past Congress has blocked federal funding for research at the Centers for Disease Control. The more than 20-year ban has had a chilling effect on private and other research. More study is needed to better understand both the costs of gun violence and the actions that can be taken to reduce it. This report compiles estimates of the economic cost of gun violence in each state, based on data from the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and the Centers for Disease Control. It provides an estimate of the overall economic cost in each state and presents it as share of state gross domestic product. It also includes data on the annual number of homicides, suicides, non-fatal shootings and accidental shootings. It is likely that the numbers underestimate the total costs of gun violence."
United States. Congress. Joint Economic Committee
2019-09-18
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Tribal Broadband: FCC Should Take Efforts to Promote Tribal Access to Spectrum, Statement of Andrew Von Ah, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Broadband service on tribal lands continues to lag behind the rest of the country, especially on rural tribal lands. Broadband service can be delivered through wireless technologies using radio frequency spectrum. According to FCC [Federal Communications Commission], increasing tribal access to spectrum would help expand broadband service on tribal lands. This statement is based on GAO's [Government Accountability Office] November 2018 report (GAO-19-75) related to spectrum use for broadband services by tribal entities and selected updates. Specifically, it discusses (1) tribal entities' ability to obtain and access spectrum to provide broadband services and the reported barriers that may exist, and (2) the extent to which FCC promotes and supports tribal efforts to obtain and access spectrum."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Von Ah, Andrew
2019-09-18
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Israel: Background and U.S. Relations in Brief [Updated September 18, 2019]
From the Introduction: "Strong relations between the United States and Israel have led to bilateral cooperation in many areas. Matters of particular significance include the following: [1] Israel's own capabilities for addressing threats, and its cooperation with the United States. [2] Shared U.S.-Israel concerns about Iran's nuclear program and regional influence, including with Iran's Lebanon-based ally Hezbollah. Israel has reportedly engaged in airstrikes against Iranian or Iran-allied targets in Syria and Iraq. [3] Israeli-Palestinian issues and U.S. policy, including the Trump Administration's actions on political and economic matters to date. [4] Israeli domestic political issues, including the uncertainty surrounding efforts to form a government following elections held on September 17, 2019. The process may extend into November, or another round of elections could occur if neither Kahol Lavan leader Benny Gantz nor Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu succeeds in attracting majority support from the Knesset (Israel's parliament)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zanotti, Jim
2019-09-18
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Veterans Affairs: Sustained Leadership Attention Needed to Address Long-Standing Workforce Problems, Statement of Robert Goldenkoff, Director, Strategic Issues, Testimony Before the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] operates one of the largest health care delivery systems in the nation and provides billions of dollars in benefits and services to veterans and their families. However, VA faces serious and long-standing problems with management challenges and veterans' access to health care and disability benefits. These issues contributed to GAO's [Government Accountability Office] decision to list several areas involving VA on GAO's High-Risk List, including managing acquisitions, managing risk and improving veterans' health care, and improving and modernizing VA's disability programs. This testimony discusses (1) human capital challenges facing VA and its components, (2) GAO recommendations addressing some of those challenges, and (3) how those challenges are related to a broader set of government-wide human capital problems."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Goldenkoff, Robert
2019-09-18
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NASA: Actions Needed to Improve the Management of Human Spaceflight Programs, Statement of Cristina T. Chaplain, Director, Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "NASA is undertaking a trio of closely related programs to continue human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit. These three programs include a launch vehicle, a crew capsule, and the associated ground systems at Kennedy Space Center. All three programs are working towards a launch readiness date of June 2020 for the first mission. NASA then plans for these systems to support future human space exploration goals, which include seeking to land two astronauts on the lunar surface. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has a body of work highlighting concerns over NASA's management and oversight of these programs. This statement discusses (1) the cost and schedule status of NASA's human spaceflight programs and (2) lessons that NASA can apply to improve its management of its human spaceflight programs. This statement is based on eight reports issued from 2014 to 2019 and selected updates as of September 2019."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Chaplain, Cristina T.
2019-09-18
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Defense Primer: Electronic Warfare [Updated September 18, 2019]
From the Document: "Electronic warfare (EW), as defined by the Department of Defense (DOD), are military activities that use electromagnetic energy to control the electromagnetic spectrum ('the spectrum') and attack an enemy. The spectrum is a range of frequencies for electromagnetic energy. EW supports command and control (C2) by allowing military commanders' access to the spectrum to communicate with forces, while preventing potential adversaries from accessing the spectrum to develop an operational picture and communicate with their forces. Some have argued that EW is a component of anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) campaigns."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.
2019-09-18
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Attacks Against Saudi Oil Rattle Markets [Updated September 18, 2019]
From the Document: "September 14, 2019, saw a successful attack against major oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia (the largest oil exporter), which disrupted 5.7 million barrels of daily production (mb/d), over half of Saudi oil production and about 5% of global supply. For context, U.S. crude oil production is approximately 12 mb/d. Global oil markets have responded with an initial price increase and subsequent pullback. The magnitude and duration of the price rise will depend on many factors, such as repair time, additional supplies, the potential confirmation of the perpetrator, and any related security responses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ratner, Michael; Blanchard, Christopher M.; Greenley, Heather L.
2019-09-18
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Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 18, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Columbia-class program, a program to design and build a class of 12 new ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy's current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. The Navy has identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy's top priority program. The Navy wants to procure the first Columbia-class boat in FY2021. The Navy's proposed FY2020 budget requests $1,698.9 million in advance procurement (AP) funding and $533.1 million in research and development funding for the program. The program poses a number of funding and oversight issues for Congress. Decisions that Congress makes on the Columbia-class program could substantially affect U.S. military capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-09-18
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Designation of Election Systems as Critical Infrastructure [Updated September 18, 2019]
From the Document: "Prior to the 2016 federal election, a series of cyberattacks occurred on information systems of state and local election jurisdictions. Subsequently, in January 2017 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated the election infrastructure used in federal elections as a component of U.S. critical infrastructure. The designation sparked some initial concerns by state and local election officials about federal encroachment of their prerogatives, but progress has been made in overcoming those concerns and providing assistance to election jurisdictions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Brian E.
2019-09-18
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 2328, Reauthorizing and Extending America's Community Health Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on July 17, 2019. From the Bill Summary: "H.R. 2328 would extend funding for several federal public health programs, change portions of Medicare, and reduce scheduled cuts to allotments for Medicaid disproportionate share hospitals (DSH) that defray the costs of treating uninsured and Medicaid patients. In addition, H.R. 2328 would protect patients from surprise medical bills, and it would reduce payments to health care providers who work in facilities where surprise bills are likely, particularly providers of emergency care and ancillary services such as anesthesia. The bill also would increase federal funding for Medicaid in the U.S. territories."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2019-09-18
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 3111, National Flood Insurance Program Administrative Reform Act of 2019
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Financial Services on June 11, 2019. From the Document: "H.R. 3111 would direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make several administrative changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) related to determinations for paying claims, processing timelines, and other matters. The costs of administering the NFIP are covered by annual appropriations. The premiums that property owners pay for flood insurance and payments for claims are classified as direct spending."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2019-09-18
