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• 2017 Hurricane Season FEMA After-Action Report

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  "The 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season was one of the most active seasons in U.S. history, causing widespread damage to, or destruction of, critical infrastructure, livelihoods, and property. The hurricane season was accompanied by devastating wildfires in California that burned for months. Between April and November there were 17 named storms, of which 10 became hurricanes [...]. This After-Action Report focuses on three of these storms that made landfall as major hurricanes in the United States in quick succession. Specifically, this report focuses on the response and initial recovery from August 25 to November 30, 2017."

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

  2018-07-12
• EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 18 Issue 28, July 12, 2018

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  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: "EPA rollsout national electronic hazardous waste tracking system"; "New Disaster Health Core Curriculum program announced"; "Why people keep clicking on phishing emails"; and "Effects of wildfire smoke on community health".

  Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)

  2018-07-12
• ADA Presentations: ADA National Network Learning Session: The Disaster Response Efforts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

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  "The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) leads the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) commitment to protecting civil rights in natural and man-made disasters. In this session, CRCL's Rebekah Tosado and Brian Parsons will introduce CRCL's disaster related responsibilities drawing upon examples from CRCL's experiences during the 2017 and prior disasters. They will describe CRCL's collaboration with FEMA (a Component of DHS) and federal civil rights partners to provide proactive guidance, address emerging issues, and engage members of the disability community."

  Americans with Disabilities Act

  Parsons, Brian S.; Tosado, Rebekah

  2018-07-12
• Military Transition Assistance Program (TAP): An Overview [July 12, 2018]

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  "The military Transition Assistance Program (TAP) was established by Congress in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 1991 (P.L. 101510). The original purpose of the program was to help ease the transition to civilian life for military servicemembers who were involuntarily separated as part of the force structure drawdowns of the late 1980s. From 1991 to 2011, Congressional interest in the program remained high, particularly in regard to troops who served in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2011, Congress passed the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act (Title II of P.L. 112-56), which made a pre-separation counseling program mandatory for all servicemembers with at least 180 continuous days of active duty. Current law requires servicemembers to begin participating in TAP as soon as possible during the 24-month period preceding an anticipated retirement date or 12-month period preceding the anticipated separation date. It also specifies that preseparation counseling should commence no later than 90 days before the date of discharge or release unless precluded by unanticipated circumstances or operational requirements."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kamarck, Kristy N.

  2018-07-12
• Colombia's 2018 Elections [July 12, 2018]

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  "Colombians elected a new congress in March 2018 and a new president in June 2018. Because no presidential candidate won more than 50% of the vote on May 27, 2018, as required for a victory in the first round, a second-round runoff was held June 17. That contest resulted in a victory for a popular far-right candidate, Iván Duque, who will assume office on August 7, 2018."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Beittel, June S.; Gracia, Edward Y.

  2018-07-12
• Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings for a Supreme Court Nominee: Overview [July 12, 2018]

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  "On July 9, 2018, President Trump announced his selection of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill the impending vacancy that will be created on the U.S. Supreme Court by the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy on July 31, 2018. Supreme Court nominations since 1949 have routinely received public confirmation hearings before either the Senate Judiciary Committee or a Judiciary subcommittee. In 1955, hearings on the Supreme Court nomination of John M. Harlan marked the beginning of a practice, continuing to the present, of Court nominees testifying in-person before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Since 1955, however, there have been 2 nominees (out of a total of 31) who did not receive hearings after being nominated to the Court. In one instance, the nomination of Harriet Miers was withdrawn by President George W. Bush after committee hearings had been scheduled, and in another instance, the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland by President Obama was not given hearings following decisions by Majority Leader McConnell and Senator Grassley, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, not to have the Senate act on the nomination"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McMillion, Barry J.

  2018-07-12
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2680, Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018

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  "S. 2680 would authorize appropriations totaling an estimated $7.9 billion, for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families, and other agencies within HHS for programs to address the opioid epidemic in the United States. The bill also would make related changes to those agencies' programs. In addition, S. 2680 contains provisions that would: [1] Authorize appropriations totaling $500 million over the 2019-2023 period for the Department of Labor to establish a grant program to alleviate the economic and workforce effects of opioid abuse, [2] Authorize appropriations totaling $1.5 billion over the 2019-2021 period for grants to states and Indian tribes to respond to the opioid abuse crisis, and [3] Direct the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to modify and strengthen its oversight of opioids and other controlled substances and medications that are used to manage pain."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2018-07-11
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 3776, Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2018

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  "H.R. 3776 would codify the role and responsibilities of an existing office within the Department of State that works to advance U.S. interests in cyberspace and coordinates U.S. efforts to promote open, reliable, and secure communications technology. In addition, the act would require the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess and report to the Congress on the extent to which international actors threaten the personal information of U.S. citizens and the department's efforts to protect such personal information. Finally, H.R. 3776 would require the department to brief or report to the Congress on: [1] Executive agreements on cyberspace policy made with other countries; [2] Updates to an existing international policy on cyberspace; and [3] Freedom of expression through electronic means in foreign countries. The department indicated that implementing H.R. 3776 would not change the current policies and practices of the office nor would it impose any additional costs. Using information about the costs of similar reports, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing the reporting requirements under H.R. 3776 would cost less than $500,000 each year and total $1 million over the 2019-2023 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2018-07-11
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 1158, Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018

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  "S. 1158 would require the Department of State to train Foreign Service officers (FSOs) on preventing and responding to genocide and other atrocities. It also would require annual reports to the Congress on that training, on which countries and regions are most at risk of atrocities, on the federal government's current efforts and funding to prevent and respond to atrocities, and on recommendations to enhance that capacity. On the basis of information from the department about current training for FSOs, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] expects that the department would add material on genocide prevention to its ongoing training on human rights. In addition, CBO expects that implementing the reporting requirements under the bill would have insignificant costs; that estimate is based on information from the department about similar reports. In total, CBO estimates that implementing S. 1158 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2019-2023 period. Any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Enacting S. 1158 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2018-07-11
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2645, Access to Increased Drug Disposal Act of 2018

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  "S. 2645 would direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to five states to increase participation in programs to collect and dispose of unused prescription drugs. CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing S. 2645 would cost $19 million over the 2019-2023 period, assuming appropriation of the necessary funds. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. CBO estimates that enacting S. 2645 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029. S. 2645 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2018-07-11
• Privacy Impact Assessment for HRM 5000

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  "The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Human Resources Management (HRM) has selected contract support to improve and streamline the recruiting, hiring, and personnel security processes for CBP 'Frontline' positions, including U.S. Border Patrol Agents, CBP Officers, and Air and Marine Interdiction Agents. HRM 5000 is CBP's contract with Accenture Federal Services (AFS) LLC. This contract addresses surge hiring to support the President's Executive Order for an additional 5,000 Border Patrol Agents (BPA). It will also be used to support the hiring of additional law enforcement positions within the Office of Air and Marine and the Office of Field Operations. CBP is publishing this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) because HRM 5000 requires AFS to collect, use, and retain personally identifiable information (PII) belonging to members of the public on behalf of CBP, as well as to identify and mitigate privacy concerns associated with the program as a whole."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2018-07-11
• Membership of the 115th Congress: A Profile [July 11, 2018]

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  "This report presents a profile of the membership of the 115th Congress (2017-2018) as of July 11, 2018. Statistical information is included on selected characteristics of Members, including data on party affiliation, average age, occupation, education, length of congressional service, religious affiliation, gender, ethnicity, foreign births, and military service. In the House of Representatives, there are 238 Republicans (including 1 Delegate and the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico), 197 Democrats (including 4 Delegates), and 6 vacant seats. The Senate has 51 Republicans, 47 Democrats, and 2 Independents, who both caucus with the Democrats. The average age of Members of the House at the beginning of the 115th Congress was 57.8 years; of Senators, 61.8 years, among the oldest in U.S. history. The overwhelming majority of Members of Congress have a college education. The dominant professions of Members are public service/politics, business, and law. Most Members identify as Christians, and Protestants collectively constitute the majority religious affiliation. Roman Catholics account for the largest single religious denomination, and numerous other affiliations are represented, including Jewish, Mormon, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Greek Orthodox, Pentecostal Christian, Unitarian Universalist, and Christian Science."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manning, Jennifer E.

  2018-07-11
• Tit-for-Tat Tariff Measures and U.S. Trade Policy [July 11, 2018]

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  "U.S. trade policy under President Trump has involved greater use of trade laws to address imports that threaten to impair U.S. national security (Section 232), and trade practices that may violate trade agreements or are 'unjustifiable' or 'unreasonable' (Section 301). Congress has held several hearings on controversial presidential actions under these laws, raising questions about their economic and broader policy implications. As a result of Section 232 investigations launched by the Administration, the United States has unilaterally applied new tariffs on steel (25%), aluminum (10%), and potentially auto imports from the EU, Canada, Mexico, China, and other countries. Some countries were exempted, generally based on quota agreements to limit the amount of steel and/or aluminum exports to the United States. The last time a president had taken restrictive trade action under this law was based on a 1983 petition submitted by the U.S. machine tool industry."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Irace, Mary A.

  2018-07-11
• Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs [July 11, 2018]

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  "The United States has an abundance of natural resources. For much of the nation's history, energy availability was not a concern as commerce and industry needs could be met by domestic supplies. However, industrialization and population growth, and the continuing development of a consumer-oriented society, led to growing dependence on foreign sources of energy during the 20th century to supplement the demands of a growing economy. Recognition of the implications of dependence on foreign sources of energy, coupled with concerns over the volatility of prices driven by fluctuations in supply spurred by world events, prompted federal efforts to increase U.S. energy independence and reduce domestic consumption. A major result has been the establishment of a number of programs focused on energy efficiency and conservation of domestic resources and on research programs that target the development of renewable sources of energy. Many of these programs have roots going back almost 40 years and have been redesigned many times over that period."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Cunningham, Lynn J.

  2018-07-11
• Justice Anthony Kennedy: His Jurisprudence and the Future of the Court [July 11, 2018]

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  "On June 27, 2018, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy announced that, effective July 31, 2018, he would retire from active service as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. His decisive role on the Court, particularly since the Roberts Court era began in 2005, cannot be overstated. The Roberts Court era has witnessed the Court issue a number of landmark rulings, many of which have involved matters where the sitting Justices were closely divided. Justice Kennedy typically voted with the majority of the Court in such cases. Since the October 2005 term that marked the beginning of the Roberts Court, Justice Kennedy voted for the winning side in a case more often than any of his colleagues in 9 out of 12 terms."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nolan, Andrew; Lewis, Kevin M.; Brannon, Valerie C.

  2018-07-11
• Healthcare Challenges After Radiological Incidents Q&A

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  "On July 11, 2018, ASPR TRACIE [Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange] held a webinar discussing the impact of radiological incidents on health and healthcare, and planning strategies related to different incidents. The speakers also shared guidance and lessons learned from recent exercises and research in assessing, triaging, treating, and following-up on casualties of radiological and nuclear emergencies. The presentation and recording from this webinar are now available. The link to the recording is on the title page of the presentation; you will need to enter you email address prior to viewing. Due to time constraints, speakers were not able to respond to all of the questions received during the Question and Answer (Q&A) portion of the webinar. ASPR TRACIE sent remaining questions to panelists and their answers are provided below."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response

  DeAtley, Craig A.; Buddemeier, B.R.; Case, Cullen

  2018-07-11
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 8, Direct Spending and Revenue Effects of H.R. 8, the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018

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  "CBO [Congressional Budget Office] has prepared an estimate of the direct spending and revenue effects of H.R. 8, the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, as posted on the website of the Committee on Environment and Public Works on July 9, 2018, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 8 would decrease direct spending by $1 million over the 2019-2028 period. The legislation would authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to construct projects to improve navigation and flood management, to mitigate storm and hurricane damage, and to restore aquatic ecosystems. The bill also would authorize the Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants and loans to state and local governments, public water systems, and other entities to support a wide range of water infrastructure projects and programs to improve water quality. The legislation would increase offsetting receipts (which are treated as reductions in direct spending) in 2020 by authorizing the Corps to convey nine acres of federal land to the city of Nashville, Tennessee, in exchange for the fair market value of the property. Using information from the Corps, CBO estimates sale proceeds would total about $1 million. Because the legislation would affect direct spending pay-as-you-go procedures apply. Enacting the legislation would not affect revenues."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2018-07-10
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 4467, Strengthening Aviation Security Act of 2018

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  "The Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), part of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), promotes the safety of the U.S. aviation system, particularly by protecting airline passengers and crew members against the risk of criminal and terrorist violence. H.R. 4467 would require FAMS to use a risk-based strategy when allocating resources between international and domestic flights, and to report to the Congress on its compliance with that requirement. Using information from TSA, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing H.R. 4467 would not significantly affect the federal budget. Because the act's requirements are consistent with existing administrative policy, CBO expects that any change in federal costs to meet them would be negligible. Such spending would be subject to appropriation. Enacting H.R 4467 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2018-07-10
• Executive Order 13843: Excepting Administrative Law Judges from the Competitive Service

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  "The Federal Government benefits from a professional cadre of administrative law judges (ALJs) appointed under section 3105 of title 5, United States Code, who are impartial and committed to the rule of law. As illustrated by the Supreme Court's recent decision in Lucia v. Securities and Exchange Commission, No. 17-130 (June 21, 2018), ALJs are often called upon to discharge significant duties and exercise significant discretion in conducting proceedings under the laws of the United States. As part of their adjudications, ALJs interact with the public on issues of significance. Especially given the importance of the functions they dis-charge--which may range from taking testimony and conducting trials to ruling on the admissibility of evidence and enforcing compliance with their orders--ALJs must display appropriate temperament, legal acumen, impartiality, and sound judgment. They must also clearly communicate their decisions to the parties who appear before them, the agencies that oversee them, and the public that entrusts them with authority."

  United States. Office of the Federal Register

  Trump, Donald, 1946-

  2018-07-10
• Executive Order 13842: Establishing an Exception to Competitive Examining Rules for Appointment to Certain Positions in the United States Marshals Service, Department of Justice

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  "Good administration of the executive branch necessitates that the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), a component of the Department of Justice, have a hiring authority that is currently available to other Federal law enforcement agencies and that would, among other things, enable the USMS to be competitive in recruiting high-quality Deputy U.S. Marshals and Criminal Investigators, to better hire and retain qualified individuals in certain duty locations, and to more expeditiously fill vacant positions consistent with law enforcement needs. Accordingly, it is appropriate to place Deputy U.S. Marshals and Criminal Investigators of the USMS in Schedule B of the excepted service, as it is impracticable to hold open competition or to apply usual competitive examining procedures for those positions related to Federal law enforcement."

  United States. Office of the Federal Register

  Trump, Donald, 1946-

  2018-07-10
• President Trump Nominates Judge Brett Kavanaugh: Initial Observations [July 10, 2018]

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  "On July 9, 2019, President Trump announced the nomination of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) to fill the impending vacancy on the Supreme Court caused by Justice Kennedy's scheduled retirement on July 31, 2018. As noted in this earlier Sidebar, Justice Kennedy's retirement is likely to have significant implications for the Court, Congress, and the nation as a whole. Justice Kennedy, as the Roberts Court's median vote, was often at the epicenter of legal debates on the High Court, casting decisive votes on issues ranging from the powers of the federal government vis-à-vis the states, to separation-of-powers disputes, to key civil liberties issues. A critical question now before the Senate as it considers providing its advice and consent to the President's nomination to the High Court is how Judge Kavanaugh may view the many legal issues in which Justice Kennedy's vote was often determinative. This Sidebar provides some initial observations on Judge Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court, noting his background and some initial clues as to how the nominee may impact the future of the Court. CRS is preparing products that discuss Judge Kavanaugh's views on the law in greater detail. Existing CRS products discuss Justice Kennedy's jurisprudence and other aspects of the Court vacancy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nolan, Andrew

  2018-07-10
• Mongolia [July 10, 2018]

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  "Mongolia is a landlocked nation of 3 million people between Russia and China. It is often viewed as a democratic success story both among former Soviet satellite states and in Asia. In 1989, democratic activists staged protests against communist rule and formed the Mongolian Democratic Union. The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), which had ruled the country since 1921, allowed multiparty elections in 1990 and relinquished power in 1996, when a Democratic Party (DP)-led coalition of opposition forces won nationwide elections. Since then, the Mongolian legislature and presidency have peacefully exchanged power several times. Mongolia's foreign relations are driven by a desire to preserve the nation's autonomy by balancing relations between major partners, including the United States, the People's Republic of China (PRC), and Russia, and also Japan and South Korea. Its economy is supported by extensive mineral resources, but growth remains uneven, driven by fluctuations in mineral and petroleum prices."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lum, Thomas; Dolven, Ben

  2018-07-10
• Energy Credit: An Investment Tax Credit for Renewable Energy [July 10, 2018]

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  "Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 48 provides an investment tax credit (ITC) for certain energy-related investments. The incentive was enacted in 1978 and has been substantially modified over time. Under current law, the ITC for most non-solar technologies will expire at the end of 2021. There is a permanent 10% ITC for solar and geothermal technologies. Increased credit rates for solar are available through 2021."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sherlock, Molly F.

  2018-07-10
• Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) FY2018 Appropriations: Independent Agencies and General Provisions [July 10, 2018]

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  "The Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill includes funding for more than two dozen independent agencies primarily in Title V. These agencies perform a wide range of functions, including the management of federal real property, the regulation of financial institutions and markets, and mail delivery. This report focuses on funding for those independent agencies in Title V of the FSGG appropriations bill. It also addresses general provisions that apply government-wide, which appear in Title VII, and provisions on Cuba sanctions, which appear in Title I. In addition, the FSGG bill funds the Department of the Treasury (Title I), the Executive Office of the President (EOP; Title II), the judiciary (Title III), the District of Columbia (Title IV), and it typically funds mandatory retirement accounts in Title VI, which also contains general provisions applying to the FSGG agencies. The FSGG bills also occasionally address other issues, particularly those involving financial regulation, in additional titles. Although financial services are a major focus of the bills, FSGG appropriations bills do not fund many financial regulatory agencies, which are instead funded outside of the appropriations process."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Webel, Baird

  2018-07-10
• Risk and Needs Assessment in the Federal Prison System [July 10, 2018]

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  "The number of people incarcerated in federal prisons increased dramatically over the past three decades. While the number of inmates in the federal prison system has decreased since FY2013, the federal prison population remains substantially larger than it was three decades ago. Concerns about both the economic and social consequences of the country's reliance on incarceration have led to calls for reforms to the nation's criminal justice system, including improving the federal prison system's ability to rehabilitate incarcerated offenders by better assessing their risk for recidivism and addressing their criminogenic needs. 'Criminogenic needs,' are factors that contribute to criminal behavior that can be changed and/or addressed through interventions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2018-07-10
• U.S. Global Health Assistance: FY2001-FY2019 Request [July 9, 2018]

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  "Congressional interest in and support for global health programs has remained strong for several years. In FY2018, Congress provided $8.7 billion for global health programs through State, Foreign Operations appropriations and $488.6 million through Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor-HHS) appropriations. These funds are managed by several U.S. agencies and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund)--a multilateral organization aimed at combating the three diseases worldwide. Concern about infectious diseases, especially HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria (HTAM), continues to drive budget growth. In FY2001, roughly 47% of the U.S. global health budget was aimed at these three diseases. By FY2018, almost 75% of U.S. global health funding was provided for fighting HTAM."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji

  2018-07-09
• Who Interprets Foreign Law in U.S. Federal Courts? [July 9, 2018]

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  "Federal courts are frequently called upon to evaluate foreign law in a variety of contexts--from routine breach of contract and tort claims to complex cases implicating the judicial branch's role in international affairs. In Animal Science Products, Inc. v. Hebei Welcome Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., the Supreme Court announced the standard of deference for U.S. federal courts to apply when considering a foreign government's interpretation of its own law. Prior to the Court's ruling, federal courts took a range of approaches on the degree of deference given to a foreign government's official explanation of its domestic law. Some courts viewed a foreign nation's interpretation as effectively binding (at least as long as it was reasonable), but others were willing to deviate from the nation's position if it was inconsistent with prior statements or not supported by affidavits and expert testimony. In Animal Science Products, Inc., the Supreme Court unanimously held that federal courts must give 'respectful consideration' to a foreign government's interpretation, but they are not 'bound to defer' to that position."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mulligan, Stephen P.

  2018-07-09
• United States Special Operations Command Acquisition Authorities [July 9, 2018]

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  "In recent years, a number of observers have suggested that United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is generally more effective at acquisitions than the U.S. military departments, in part because of the perception that SOCOM has unique acquisition authorities. This report describes SOCOM's acquisition authorities for unclassified acquisition programs and compares these authorities to those granted to the military departments. It also compares the military departments' and SOCOM's chains of command, and the scope of acquisition activity and program oversight for those organizations. Finally, the report explores whether SOCOM has unique characteristics that influence how it conducts acquisition."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Schwartz, Moshe; Purdy, Jason A.

  2018-07-09
• Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress [July 9, 2018]

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  "The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region's future. Issues such as Arctic territorial disputes; commercial shipping through the Arctic; Arctic oil, gas, and mineral exploration; endangered Arctic species; and increased military operations in the Arctic could cause the region in coming years to become an arena of international cooperation or competition. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial political, economic, energy, environmental, and other interests in the region. Decisions that Congress makes on Arctic-related issues could significantly affect these interests. This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress, and refers readers to more in-depth CRS reports on specific Arctic-related issues. Congressional readers with questions about an issue discussed in this report should contact the author or authors of the section discussing that issue. The authors are identified by footnote at the start of each section."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2018-07-09
• Financial Reform: Overview of the Volcker Rule [July 9, 2018]

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  "Legislators and regulators have long grappled with whether restricting the types of activities banks can engage in, or reforming banks' structures, might reduce the risk of large bank failures and the risk of systemic financial instability, such as that seen in the 2008 financial crisis. The Volcker Rule is an example of a means of addressing this issue. The statutory basis of the Volcker Rule is Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in 2010 following the crisis. It was conceived of by Paul Volcker, a former Federal Reserve (Fed) chair, and implemented as 'the Volcker Rule' in a 2013 joint final rule by five financial regulators: the Fed, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The Volcker Rule generally prohibits a depository bank (or company that owns one) from engaging in proprietary trading or investing in (or sponsoring) a hedge fund or private equity fund. The rule has been subject to debate and was recently amended through legislative action. Regulators have also proposed further changes to the rule."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Miller, Rena S.

  2018-07-09