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Understanding Federal Legislation: A Section-By-Section Guide to Key Legal Considerations [Updated September 27, 2021]
From the Summary: "Federal bills are increasingly complex, making them difficult to understand for the average reader and the seasoned practitioner alike. What a congressional drafter understands to be the import of a given provision could later be discussed and interpreted in committee or on the floor of the House or the Senate. If the bill is enacted, federal agencies may then consider its meaning, either behind the scenes when evaluating their own compliance with the law or through guidance, rules, or agency orders governing third parties. If a litigant challenges an agency's interpretation of the law, a court may need to resolve the law's meaning. Although the court's ultimate goal is to effectuate Congress's intent, judges may draw on different philosophies or use different tools to arrive at their conclusions about what the law means. A basic awareness of the rules and presumptions that apply when construing different components of a bill can help Members and congressional staff identify potential issues with the help of legislative counsel when formulating legislation or avoid interpretive pitfalls when reviewing bills proposed by other offices."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Killion, Victoria L.
2021-09-27
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H. Rept. 117-130: Build Back Better Act, Report of the Committee on the Budget, House of Representatives, to Accompany H.R. 5376, Together with Minority Views, September 27, 2021 (Book 3 of 3)
Froom Book 1 of the Report: "The Build Back Better Act makes the transformative investments at the scale necessary to meet the needs of the American people, address dangerous deficits in our society, improve our economic outlook, and set America up to compete and win in the decades ahead. With the Build Back Better Act, we will: 'Cut taxes for the middle class'. [...] 'Create jobs'. [...] 'Lower costs for working families'. [...] 'Tackle the climate crisis and strengthen resilience'. [...] 'Ensure Fiscal Responsibility'." Book 1 of this report can be accessed here: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=859475]. Book 2 can be accessed here: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=859477].
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021-09-27
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H. Rept. 117-130: Build Back Better Act, Report of the Committee on the Budget, House of Representatives, to Accompany H.R. 5376, Together with Minority Views, September 27, 2021 (Book 1 of 3)
From the Document: "The Build Back Better Act makes the transformative investments at the scale necessary to meet the needs of the American people, address dangerous deficits in our society, improve our economic outlook, and set America up to compete and win in the decades ahead. With the Build Back Better Act, we will: 'Cut taxes for the middle class'. [...] 'Create jobs'. [...] 'Lower costs for working families'. [...] 'Tackle the climate crisis and strengthen resilience'. [...] 'Ensure Fiscal Responsibility'." Book 2 of this report can be accessed here: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=859477]. Book 3 can be accessed here: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=859478].
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021-09-27
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Pandemic Highlights Need for Additional Tribal Drinking Water Assistance and Oversight in EPA Regions 9 and 10
From the Document: "The Office of Inspector General initiated [hyperlink] this evaluation to determine how the coronavirus pandemic--that is, the SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] virus and resultant COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] disease--affected the ability of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regions 9 and 10 to provide oversight to help public water systems in Indian Country deliver safe drinking water to customers. Our work focused on oversight of tribal drinking water systems in Regions 9 and 10, as more federally recognized tribes are located in these two regions than in other EPA regions. We sought to understand the conditions facing tribal drinking water systems and how the pandemic affected the regions' direct implementation and use of existing regulations and tools during the pandemic."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of the Inspector General
2021-09-27
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Care Concerns and the Impact of COVID-19 on a Patient at the Fayetteville VA Coastal Health Care System in North Carolina
From the Executive Summary: "The VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a healthcare inspection at the Fayetteville VA Coastal Health Care System (facility) in North Carolina to assess concerns related to quality, coordination, and timeliness of a patient's care in 2020. The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the care of the patient was also evaluated. The patient later died at another Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility."
United States. Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Inspector General
2021-09-27
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H. Rept. 117-128, Part 1: Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act of 2021, Report to Accompany H.R. 1693, September 27, 2021
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 1693, the 'Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act of 2021' or the 'EQUAL Act of 2021,' would amend current law to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine offenses. The bill applies to pending and past cases, allowing individuals who were convicted or sentenced for a federal offense involving crack cocaine to petition for a sentence reduction."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021-09-27
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U.S. Postal Service: Better Use of Climate Data Could Enhance the Climate Resilience of Postal Facilities, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "USPS [United States Postal Service] has one of the largest asset portfolios in the United States. Its post offices and other facilities are essential to the processing and delivery of mail, which millions of Americans rely on for communication and commerce. Weather-related natural disasters resulting from extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, can damage USPS's facilities and present financial and operational risks. According to a recent study, some extreme weather events are projected to become more frequent and intense due to climate change. Investing in climate resilience--taking actions to reduce potential damage by planning for extreme weather events--can help to manage climate change risks. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the climate resilience of USPS's facilities. This report addresses: (1) how USPS's facilities have been affected by recent weather-related natural disasters; (2) the extent to which USPS's facilities may be affected by climate change effects; and (3) the extent to which USPS has taken steps to incorporate climate resilience into its facilities. GAO analyzed USPS facilities' data and financial data as well as federal climate data; reviewed prior GAO work on climate resilience, the 'Fourth National Climate Assessment,' USPS policies and facility inspection reports; and interviewed USPS officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-09-27
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H. Rept. 117-129: Agricultural Fairs Rescue Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 2424, September 27, 2021
From the Document: "The Committee on Agriculture, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 2424) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program under which the Secretary awards grants to States or State departments of agriculture for the purposes of providing support to agricultural fairs for losses sustained due to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021-09-27
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate for H.R. 5305, the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act as Passed by the House of Representatives on September 21, 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate for H.R. 5305, the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act as Passed by the House of Representatives on September 21, 2021. From the Document: "Division A would provide for the continuation, through December 3, 2021, of the appropriations and authorities contained in the 12 annual appropriation acts for 2021, which are contained in divisions A through L of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260). The legislation would exclude from continuation some appropriations and authorities contained in those laws and would specify changes to annualized funding levels and authorities for certain accounts. The table compiles CBO's estimates of discretionary budget authority for 2022 under division A; those estimates are annualized--that is, estimated as if appropriations were provided for the entire fiscal year. Consistent with section 114 of division A, and in consultation with the House Budget Committee, this table delineates CBO's estimate of discretionary appropriations for certain categories of funding for which allocation adjustments are authorized in the House of Representatives under S. Con. Res. [Senate Concurrent Resolution] 14, the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2022."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-09-24
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 2119, Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Education and Labor on July 15, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 2119 would reauthorize and amend programs authorized by the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), including the FVPSA program, the Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA) program, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Although the authorizations for those programs expired at the end of 2015, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have continued to allocate funds for them, including $201 million in 2021. The bill also would amend FVPSA to authorize new programs and activities, including grants for tribal domestic violence coalitions, a national Indian domestic violence hotline, grants to assist underserved populations, and grants for culturally specific services for domestic violence victims. Over the 2022-2026 period, the bill would specifically authorize $327.5 million in annual appropriations[.] [...] For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 2119 will be enacted before the end of calendar year 2021 and that the authorized amounts will be appropriated each year. Estimated outlays are based on historical spending patterns for similar programs. On that basis, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $1.3 billion over the 2022-2026 period."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-09-24
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 4435, Fight Notario Fraud Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on July 21, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 4435 would prohibit fraudulent schemes involving immigration law, making it a federal crime to falsely represent oneself as an immigration attorney or to threaten retaliation in connection with a fraudulent immigration service. The bill also would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish new district attorneys positions, to enforce the new law, and to publish information about fraudulent immigration schemes. Because the bill would establish new federal crimes, the government could pursue cases that it otherwise could not prosecute. Using information from the department, CBO expects H.R. 4435 would apply to a relatively small number of people, so any increase in costs for law enforcement, court proceedings, or prison operations would not be significant. Any such costs would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-09-24
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 4682, UAS Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on July 28, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 4682 would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from operating, financing, or procuring unmanned aircraft systems (drones), and certain components of or software for drones, that are manufactured in or by companies headquartered in countries deemed to be foreign adversaries by the department or the intelligence community. The bill would allow DHS to waive the prohibition if the department submits a certification to the Congress that the drone use is either in the national interest of the United States or is required for certain other intelligence purposes. Under the bill, DHS would be allowed to operate for one year after the bill's enactment any drones it currently owns that would be prohibited under the bill. Lastly, H.R. 4682 would require DHS to report to the Congress on risks associated with operating drones manufactured in countries deemed foreign adversaries. CBO expects that any changes required under the bill would not require substantial action by DHS because the department could waive the prohibition or procure drone materials from other sources. On that basis and using information about the costs of similar activities, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2021-2026 period; any such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-09-24
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2305, Cybersecurity Opportunity Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on August 4, 2021. From the Document: "S. 2305 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to distribute grants to colleges and universities to expand their cybersecurity research programs and class offerings. Under the bill, DHS would award at least half of the grant funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other minority-serving institutions. The bill also would require DHS to report to the Congress annually on the effectiveness of the new grant program. Based on funding for similar grant programs, CBO estimates that implementing S. 2305 would cost $16 million over the 2021-2026 period (detailed in Table 1). That estimate includes $12 million for grants and $4 million for salaries and expenses over the 2021-2026 period for the administrative costs of reviewing grant applications and reporting on the program's implementation. Such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriations. For this estimate, CBO assumes that the bill will be enacted in fiscal year 2022."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-09-24
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 4589, Diversity and Inclusion at the Department of State Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on July 29, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 4589 would require the Department of State to take several steps to promote diversity and inclusion in the department's workforce and operations and to report annually to the Congress on those efforts. [...] CBO estimates that most of the bill's requirements would be met under current law and that any additional efforts, including the reporting requirements, would cost less than $500,000 each year and total $1 million over the 2021-2026 period. Such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-09-24
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 4089, Darren Drake Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on September 14, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 4089 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and disseminate best practices for vehicle rental companies and dealers to report suspicious behavior when a rental vehicle is sold. DHS would be required to consult with state, local, and tribal governments and industry stakeholders and report to the Congress on implementation of the best practices after one year. Based on the cost of similar activities, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2021-2026 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-09-24
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Offshore Energy Agency Appropriations, FY2022 [September 24, 2021]
From the Document: "Three entities in the Department of the Interior (DOI) share responsibility for managing the nation's ocean energy resources on almost 2.5 billion acres of the U.S. outer continental shelf (OCS). The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) administers offshore energy leasing and mineral development; the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) oversees offshore operational safety and environmental protection; and the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) manages public revenues from federally regulated offshore and onshore energy and natural resource projects. BOEM, BSEE, and ONRR receive appropriations in the annual Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Issues include determining the aggregate and program-level appropriations for each entity."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Comay, Laura B.
2021-09-24
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Central Asia: Background and U.S. Relations [September 24, 2021]
From the Document: "U.S. security cooperation with Central Asian states may evolve in light of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. On September 1, 2021, the U.S. embassy in Dushanbe announced a project to construct new border guard facilities in Tajikistan along the Tajik-Afghan-Uzbek border. The United States has overflight agreements in place with all Central Asian countries other than Kyrgyzstan. Some speculate that the United States may request access to bases in the region to support counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan. Russia has expressed opposition to a U.S. military presence in Central Asia, however. Following a CSTO [Collective Security Treaty Organization] summit held in Dushanbe on September 16, 2021, the government of Kazakhstan reportedly stated that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev 'supported the joint CSTO position that the placement of Afghan refugees or foreign military bases on our countries' territories is unacceptable.' Prior to the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the United States expanded its diplomatic engagement to encompass multilateral meetings involving Afghanistan and Central Asian countries. In May 2020, officials from the United States, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan held an inaugural trilateral meeting to discuss deepening cooperation on regional security and other issues. A similar meeting between the United States, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan took place in March 2021. In July 2021, the United States, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan announced a new quadrilateral format focused on enhancing regional connectivity. It remains unclear whether the United States will establish diplomatic relations with the Taliban government, as does the future of such multilateral meetings."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blackwood, Maria A.
2021-09-24
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Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2021 Budget and Appropriations [Updated September 24, 2021]
From the Summary: "Each year, Congress considers 12 distinct appropriations measures to fund federal programs and activities. One of these is the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) bill, which includes funding for U.S. diplomatic activities, cultural exchanges, development and security assistance, and participation in multilateral organizations, among other international activities. On February 10, 2020, the Trump Administration submitted to Congress its SFOPS budget proposal for FY2021, totaling $44.12 billion (including $158.90 million in mandatory State Department retirement funds). None of the requested SFOPS funds were designated as Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gill, Cory R.; Lawson, Marian Leonardo; Morgenstern, Emily M.
2021-09-24
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China and Taiwan Both Seek to Join the CPTPP [September 24, 2021]
From the Document: "On September 16, China announced it had formally submitted [hyperlink] a request to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the trade-opening agreement formed among 11 members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) following U.S. withdrawal from the TPP in 2017. On September 22, Taiwan formally submitted [hyperlink] an application to join CPTPP, as a separate customs territory, in a similar approach as it used to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) [hyperlink] in 2002. China's ability to join CPTPP faces questions over its intent to comply with or accept CPTPP rules, while Taiwan's bid faces various political constraints. Both bids raise issues for the United States and Congress regarding the United States' trade leadership and economic role in Asia. China is also a member of the 15-member Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) [hyperlink] concluded in 2020."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Williams, Brock R.; Sutherland, Michael D.
2021-09-24
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1297, Air America Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on May 25, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 1297 would establish the service of certain former employees of Air America (or specified affiliated companies) between January 1, 1950, and December 31, 1976, as creditable toward a federal civil service retirement annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that the additional retirement annuity payments authorized by the bill would increase direct spending by $9 million over the 2021-2031 period. That estimate is based on data collected in 2014 by the Air America Association (the most recent data available) and was adjusted for expected mortality. CBO estimates that there are about 80 former Air America employees still living who would be eligible under H.R. 1297 to begin receiving a federal retirement benefit based on their Air America (or related) service, provided that the period of service meets the eligibility requirements for a CSRS benefit. (There are several tiers of eligibility based on age and years of service that can confer eligibility for a CSRS annuity; five years of service is the minimum requirement.)"
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-09-24
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2520, State and Local Government Cybersecurity Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on August 4, 2021. From the Document: "S. 2520 would authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to enhance the cybersecurity of their information systems. Under the bill, DHS would continue to assist those governments by conducting cybersecurity exercises, providing training, and notifying them of cybersecurity threats. The bill also would require the department to report to the Congress on the effectiveness of its efforts."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-09-24
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 24, 2021: Association Between K-12 School Mask Policies and School-Associated COVID-19 Outbreaks -- Maricopa and Pima Counties, Arizona, July-August 2021
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This Early Release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Association Between K-12 School Mask Policies and School-Associated COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Outbreaks -- Maricopa and Pima Counties, Arizona, July-August 2021." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from WWMR can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-09-24
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 24, 2021: COVID-19-Related School Closures and Learning Modality Changes -- United States, August 1-September 17, 2021
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This Early Release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]-Related School Closures and Learning Modality Changes -- United States, August 1-September 17, 2021." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from WWMR can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-09-24
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 24, 2021: Pediatric COVID-19 Cases in Counties with and Without School Mask Requirements -- United States, July 1-September 4, 2021
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This Early Release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Pediatric COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Cases in Counties With and Without School Mask Requirements -- United States, July 1-September 4, 2021." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-09-24
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COVID-19 Workplace Safety: Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors
From the Introduction: "On September 9, President Biden announced his Path Out of the Pandemic: COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Action Plan [hyperlink]. One of the main goals of this science-based plan is to get more people vaccinated. As part of that plan, the President signed Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors [hyperlink], ('the order') which directs executive departments and agencies, including independent establishments subject to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, 40 U.S.C. § 102(4)(A), to ensure that covered contracts and contract-like instruments include a clause ('the clause') that the contractor and any subcontractors (at any tier) shall incorporate into lower-tier subcontracts. This clause shall specify that the contractor or subcontractor shall, for the duration of the contract, comply with all guidance for contractor or subcontractor workplace locations published by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force ('Task Force'), provided that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget ('OMB') approves the Task Force Guidance (the or this 'Guidance') and determines that the Guidance, if adhered to by covered contractors, will promote economy and efficiency in Federal contracting. The actions directed by the order will ensure that parties who contract with the Federal Government provide COVID-19 safeguards in workplaces with individuals working on or in connection with a Federal Government contract or contract-like instrument. [...] Pursuant to this Guidance, and in addition to any requirements or workplace safety protocols that are applicable because a contractor or subcontractor employee is present at a Federal workplace, Federal contractors and subcontractors with a covered contract will be required to conform to the following workplace safety protocols: 1. COVID-19 vaccination of covered contractor employees, except in limited circumstances where an employee is legally entitled to an accommodation; 2. Compliance by individuals, including covered contractor employees and visitors, with the Guidance related to masking and physical distancing while in covered contractor workplaces; and 3. Designation by covered contractors of a person or persons to coordinate COVID-19 workplace safety efforts at covered contractor workplaces."
Safer Federal Workforce Task Force
2021-09-24
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DHS Did Not Effectively Oversee TSA's Acquisition of Computed Tomography Systems
From the Highlights: "The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) plans to spend over $1.2 billion to procure and maintain computed tomography (CT) systems at passenger screening checkpoints. Given the security mission and significant investment, we conducted this audit to determine to what extent TSA's acquisition of CT systems addresses needed capabilities."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2021-09-23
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Management Alert - The United States Coast Guard Discontinued the Use of Functional Firearms in DVD Simulation Training
From the Summary of Issues: "We issued this management alert to advise the Department of Homeland Security and United States Coast Guard (Coast Guard) of a risk to the health and safety of personnel posed by using functional firearms (emptied of ammunition) during Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)-based simulation training. After receiving our draft management alert, the Coast Guard took immediate corrective actions to discontinue the use of functional firearms during DVD-based simulation training."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2021-09-23
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CBP Continues to Experience Challenges Managing Searches of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry (REDACTED)
From the Highlights: "'The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015' (TFTEA) requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to establish standard operating procedures (SOP) for searching, reviewing, retaining, and sharing information in communication, electronic, or digital devices at U.S. ports of entry (POE). TFTEA also requires the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General to conduct three annual audits to determine to what extent CBP conducted searches of electronic devices at POEs in accordance with its SOPs. This is the second audit in the series."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2021-09-23
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Post-9/11 GI Bill: A Primer [Updated September 23, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers several educational assistance programs, most notably the GI Bills, that provide funds to or on behalf of veterans and servicemembers and their family members to facilitate their enrollment in and pursuit of approved programs of education. The Post-9/11 GI Bill has represented more than 70% of total GI Bill participation and more than 80% of spending in each year since FY2013. In FY2022, the program is estimated to benefit over 600,000 individuals and expend almost $10 billion. For a description of the other veterans educational assistance programs, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report R42785, 'Veterans' Educational Assistance Programs and Benefits: A Primer.' The Post-9/11 Veterans' Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Post-9/11 GI Bill)--enacted as Title V of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110-252) on June 30, 2008--is the newest GI Bill and went into effect on August 1, 2009. There were four main drivers for the Post-9/11 GI Bill: (1) providing parity of benefits for reservists and members of the regular Armed Forces, (2) ensuring comprehensive educational benefits, (3) meeting military recruiting goals, and (4) improving military retention through transferability of benefits."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2021-09-23
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Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 23, 2021]
From the Introduction: "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 geopolitical competition in the region between the United States, Russia, and China; increased military operations in the region by the United States, Russia, and other Arctic countries; growth in commercial shipping through the Arctic; and oil, gas, and mineral exploration in the Arctic could cause the region in coming years to become an arena of international cooperation, tension, and/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 [Congressional Research Service] reports on specific Arctic-related issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; Comay, Laura B.; Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin) . . .
2021-09-23
