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Pension Provisions in the American Rescue Plan of 2021 [Updated March 18, 2021]
From the Document: "This In Focus describes all but one of the pension provisions in Title IX, Subtitle H, of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2). [...] Multiemployer defined benefit (DB) pension plans annually certify the plan's financial status--known as the plan's 'zone status'. A plan can be in 'endangered', 'seriously endangered', 'critical', or 'critical and declining' status (or no category if none of these apply). Multiemployer DB plans that report a status other than no category must take measures to improve their financial condition. Section 9701 permits plans to keep their zone status from the previous plan year, at the discretion of the plan, for either (1) the first plan year beginning during the period from March 1, 2020, through February 28, 2021, or (2) the succeeding plan year."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Myers, Elizabeth A.; Topoleski, John J.
2021-03-18
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Palestinians: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated March 18, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Palestinians are an Arab people whose origins are in present-day Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Congress pays close attention--through legislation and oversight--to the ongoing conflict between the Palestinians and Israel. The current structure of Palestinian governing entities dates to 1994. In that year, Israel agreed with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to permit a Palestinian Authority (PA) to exercise limited rule over Gaza and specified areas of the West Bank, subject to overarching Israeli military administration that dates back to the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. After the PA's establishment, U.S. policy toward the Palestinians focused on encouraging a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, countering Palestinian terrorist groups, and aiding Palestinian goals on governance and economic development. Since then, Congress has appropriated more than $5 billion in bilateral aid to the Palestinians, who rely heavily on external donor assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zanotti, Jim
2021-03-18
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U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South and East China Seas: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 18, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress regarding U.S.-China strategic competition in the South China Sea (SCS) and East China Sea (ECS). In an international security environment described as one of renewed great power competition, the South China Sea (SCS) has emerged as an arena of U.S.-China strategic competition. U.S.-China strategic competition in the SCS formed an element of the Trump Administration's confrontational overall approach toward China and its efforts for promoting its construct for the Indo-Pacific region, called the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). China's actions in the SCS in recent years have heightened concerns among U.S. observers that China is gaining effective control of the SCS, an area of strategic, political, and economic importance to the United States and its allies and partners. Actions by China's maritime forces at the Japan-administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea (ECS) are another concern for U.S. observers. Chinese domination of China's near-seas region could substantially affect U.S. strategic, political, and economic interests in the Indo-Pacific region and elsewhere."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-03-18
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Overview of Department of Defense Use of the Electromagnetic Spectrum [Updated March 18, 2021]
From the Summary: "Communication using the electromagnetic spectrum ('the spectrum') enables a number of modern military capabilities. The Department of Defense (DOD) uses electromagnetic radiation to enable military communications, navigation, radar, nonintrusive inspection of aircraft, and other equipment. [...] The U.S. government manages access to and use of spectrum. As the nation continues to experience significant growth in commercial wireless services (e.g., mobile phones, mobile applications, video streaming, Wi-Fi), demand for spectrum has increased. Congress has enacted policies to make additional spectrum available for commercial use, in some cases reallocating spectrum from federal agency use to commercial use. As Congress considers policies that reallocate spectrum from DOD to commercial use, it may consider the following issues: [1] 'Interoperability' (i.e., the ability of one radio or computer system to talk to another). [...] [2] 'DOD's ability to keep pace with technological advances by potential adversaries.' [...] [3] 'The private sector's increasing interest in using frequencies traditionally reserved for the military.' [...] [4] Spectrum sharing. [...] [5] The interagency process for spectrum allocation. [...] [6] Anticipating future spectrum needs for both commercial and military users."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.; Sayler, Kelley M.; Gallagher, Jill C.
2021-03-18
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Joint All-Domain Command and Control: Background and Issues for Congress [March 18, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Department of Defense (DOD) is in the process of a once-in-a-generation modernization of its approach to commanding military forces. Senior DOD leaders have stated that the department's existing command and control architecture is insufficient to meet the demands of the 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS). Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) is DOD's concept to connect sensors from all of the military services--Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force--into a single network. DOD points to ride-sharing service Uber as an analogy to describe its desired end state for JADC2. Uber combines two different apps--one for riders and a second for drivers. Using the respective users' positions, the Uber algorithm determines the optimal match based on distance, travel time, and passengers (among other variables). In the case of JADC2, that logic would find the optimal platform to attack a given target, or the unit best able to address an emerging threat. For JADC2 to work effectively, DOD is pursuing two emerging technologies: automation and artificial intelligence, and new communications methods."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoehn, John R.
2021-03-18
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Confucius Institutes in the United States: Selected Issues [Updated March 18, 2021]
From the Document: "The People's Republic of China (PRC)'s Confucius Institutes, which offer Chinese language instruction in universities around the world, have been the subject of controversy since appearing on U.S. campuses in 2005, particularly for their perceived effects on academic freedom and lack of transparency. They have attracted further attention in recent years as the broader U.S.-China relationship has deteriorated. Some Members of Congress and others have alleged that they may play a role in China's efforts to influence public opinion abroad, recruit 'influence agents' on U.S. campuses, and engage in cyber espionage and intellectual property theft. PRC officials and scholars deny such charges, and suggest that the Institutes have become victims of a U.S. 'Cold War mentality.' Supporters of the Institutes emphasize that they provide Chinese language and cultural programs that benefit students, universities, and surrounding communities and that may not otherwise be available. [...] Congress has proposed legislation that include restrictions and requirements related to the operation of Confucius Institutes, and which aim to ensure academic freedom, greater transparency, and greater managerial authority by U.S. institutions, and to prohibit the application of PRC laws at U.S. institutions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Fischer, Hannah
2021-03-18
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DHS' Fragmented Approach to Immigration Enforcement and Poor Planning Resulted in Extended Migrant Detention During the 2019 Surge
From the Highlights: "A key issue preventing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from transferring detainees out of its facilities within 72 hours was insufficient Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations' (ICE ERO) bed space. ICE ERO also could not increase capacity quickly enough to keep pace with CBP's apprehensions, and available bed space was not always appropriate for the aliens in need of placement. As a result, CBP's Border Patrol faced rapidly increasing numbers of detainees -- especially single adults -- who remained in CBP's holding facilities intended for short-term custody. Despite worsening conditions, Border Patrol generally did not exercise its authority to release single adults from its custody. Border Patrol sectors created ad-hoc solutions to manage the growing detainee populations in its facilities, because their local response plans did not adequately account for ICE ERO's detention limitations. Furthermore, longstanding fragmentation in immigration enforcement operations between CBP and ICE ERO further exacerbated these challenges. DHS was aware of a potential land migration surge and the challenges it would pose. DHS had both a multicomponent task force in place at the border and a plan for land migration surges, but used neither during the 2019 surge. In May 2019, DHS created a headquarters coordination group to advise leadership and help manage future emergencies, like a migrant surge. However, if the Department does not develop a DHS-wide framework for surges and address day-to-day fragmentation, CBP and ICE ERO will face the same challenges in future surges."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
Martell, Tatyana; Lang, Erika; Bacon, Brendan . . .
2021-03-18
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Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2021 Budget and Appropriations [Updated March 18, 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. The Administration's FY2021 request was about 3% higher than its FY2020 request for SFOPS accounts but nearly 24% below the FY2020 SFOPS funding level enacted by Congress (including COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] supplemental funds, which were enacted after the FY2021 request was submitted)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gill, Cory R.; Lawson, Marian Leonardo; Morgenstern, Emily M.
2021-03-18
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Department of Justice's Role in Investigating and Prosecuting Hate Crimes [Updated March 18, 2021]
From the Document: "In 2019, law enforcement agencies reported 7,314 hate crimes involving 8,812 victims and 6,406 known offenders to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Most hate crimes are investigated by local law enforcement agencies and prosecuted by local district attorneys' offices. However, in some cases hate crimes are investigated and prosecuted by the Department of Justice (DOJ). In the wake of high-profile hate crimes, policymakers might have an interest in the circumstances under which DOJ has jurisdiction over hate crime cases. This In Focus describes when DOJ can investigate hate crimes and how these investigations are conducted."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan
2021-03-18
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FEMA Advisory: FEMA COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Update [March 17, 2021]
From the Key Messages: "[1] As of March 16, FEMA has provided more than $4.38 billion to 40 states, Washington D.C., four tribes and five territories for expenses related to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccination at 100% federal cost share. These funds cover critical supplies, staffing, training and transportation needs that support increased vaccination efforts. [2] FEMA is working to speed up vaccinations by supporting states as they open community vaccine centers across the country, and working with its interagency partners continue to stand-up and provide support to additional sites daily. Each state determines its own vaccination priority groups and procedures. Community vaccination centers are led by states, but may be supported by the federal government, including FEMA. [3] FEMA and its partners have established Mobile Vaccination Centers, including pop-up locations, to bring vaccines closer to the communities and people that need them. The mobile vaccination capability is another way FEMA is supporting communities and getting vaccine services to hard-to-reach and high-risk populations who cannot access services from larger, fixed sites."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2021-03-17
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Science and Technology: Strengthening and Sustaining the Federal Science and Technology Workforce, Statement of Candice N. Wright, Acting Director, Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The federal workforce is critical to agencies' ability to address the complex social, economic, and security challenges facing the United States. However, across government, mission critical skill gaps are undermining the ability of federal agencies to carry out their missions. Federal agencies face the difficult task of staying apace of advances in science and technology while competing for talent with the private sector, universities, and nonprofit research centers. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has had long-standing concerns about federal agencies' strategic human capital management, an issue highlighted in GAO's High Risk Series since 2001. This testimony summarizes GAO's insights based on a wide range of GAO work covering various human capital management- and science and technology-related issues from March 2015 through February 2021. In particular, the statement focuses on (1) workforce planning to help ensure agencies are better positioned to implement their missions; (2) opportunities and challenges to recruiting a diverse, high-qualified science and technology workforce; and (3) factors that can affect the work environment."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Wright, Candice L.
2021-03-17
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Puerto Rico: Efforts to Improve Competition for Medicaid Procurement, Statement of Carolyn L. Yocom, Director Health Care, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Health, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives
From the Document: "Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the Medicaid program in Puerto Rico. Among the U.S. territories, Puerto Rico administers the largest Medicaid program, covering over 1 million beneficiaries at a total cost of $2.5 billion in 2018. Like other states and territories, Puerto Rico implements major functions of its Medicaid program by procuring a variety of administrative and other services from contractors. In calendar year 2018, states and territories paid contractors at least half of the $619 billion in total Medicaid expenditures. In that same year, Puerto Rico paid contractors at least 96 percent ($2.4 billion) of its $2.5 billion in total Medicaid expenditures, primarily to managed care organizations (MCO) for coverage of Medicaid services."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Yocom, Carolyn L.
2021-03-17
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Debt Limit [Updated March 17, 2021]
From the Overview: "The debt limit places a statutory constraint on the amount of money that Treasury may borrow to fund federal operations. The debt limit is currently suspended, and scheduled for reinstatement on August 1, 2021, at a level precisely accommodating federal borrowing at that point. Congress may debate the merits of various debt limit modifications in advance of that date or later if Treasury implements 'extraordinary measures' to prevent a binding debt limit after reinstatement. This 'In Focus' provides background information and discusses recent legislative activity."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Driessen, Grant A.
2021-03-17
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Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Workers' Compensation for Federal Employees [Updated March 17, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) is the workers' compensation program for federal employees. Like all workers' compensation programs, FECA pays disability, survivors, and medical benefits, without regard to who was at fault, to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their federal employment and to the survivors of employees killed on the job. The FECA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the costs of benefits are paid by each employee's host agency. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees currently comprise the largest group of FECA beneficiaries and are responsible for the largest share of FECA benefits. [...] This report also focuses on several key policy issues facing the program, including the disproportionate share of claims and program costs attributed to postal workers, the payment of FECA benefits after retirement age, the overall level of FECA disability benefits as compared with those offered by the states, the administration of the FECA program, the costs associated with prescriptions for compounded medications, and efforts to limit the use of opioids by FECA beneficiaries. In 2020, DOL issued guidance establishing special procedures for federal employees with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to determine if their exposure was related to their employment, and thus compensable under FECA. Section 4016 of P.L. [Public Law] 117-2, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, created a presumption of eligibility for FECA benefits for federal employees with COVID-19."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2021-03-17
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Do Warrantless Searches of Electronic Devices at the Border Violate the Fourth Amendment? [Updated March 17, 2021]
From the Document: "The Fourth Amendment commands that searches and seizures be reasonable [hyperlink], and generally requires the government to secure a warrant based on probable cause [hyperlink] before arresting or searching an individual. But the Supreme Court has long recognized [hyperlink] that the government may conduct routine inspections and searches of individuals entering at the U.S. border without a warrant or any individualized suspicion of criminal activity. In recent decades, some federal courts have applied [hyperlink] the 'border search exception' to allow relatively limited, manual searches [hyperlink] at the border of electronic devices such as computers and cell phones. Courts, however, have disagreed over whether more intrusive, forensic examinations [hyperlink] of such devices require heightened suspicion of criminal activity. Recently in 'Alasaad v. Mayorkas' [hyperlink], the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit overturned a federal district court's ruling that any 'non-cursory' border search of an electronic device--whether conducted manually or forensically--requires reasonable suspicion that the device contains contraband. This Legal Sidebar examines the application of the Fourth Amendment's border search exception to searches of electronic devices and the 'Alasaad' litigation concerning the reach of the government's border search authority."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Hillel R.
2021-03-17
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COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment-- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated March 17, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the pandemic will have such effects. This report provides a brief overview of some potential implications the pandemic might have for the international security environment, and a bibliography of CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports and other writings for further reading. [...] Appendix A [hyperlink] presents a list of CRS reports that provide more in-depth discussions of issues presented in this report. Appendix B [hyperlink] presents a list of additional writings reflecting various perspectives on these issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Moodie, Michael, 1948-
2021-03-17
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EU Data Transfer Requirements and U.S. Intelligence Laws: Understanding 'Schrems II' and Its Impact on the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield [March 17, 2021]
From the Document: "On July 16, 2020, in 'Data Protection Commissioner v. Facebook Ireland, Ltd. and Maximillian Schrems (Schrems II)', the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) invalidated the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield (Privacy Shield), a program developed by the European Union (EU) and the United States to facilitate cross-border transfers of personal data for commercial purposes. The CJEU determined that U.S. surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes does not provide protections necessary under EU law for the transfer of personal data from the EU to the United States. [...] This Report gives an overview of EU law governing international transfers of personal data, including the 'Schrems II' decision, and how it interacts with U.S. surveillance laws. The Report starts by laying out the requirements for international transfers under the EU's principal data protection law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It then discusses how the European Commission--the EU's 'executive arm'--has sought to enforce these requirements with respect to personal data transferred to the United States through the Privacy Shield framework and various SCCs [Standard Contractual Clauses]. The Report next reviews the CJEU's 'Schrems II' decision and its impact on data transfers. After taking a closer look at the U.S. surveillance laws at issue in 'Schrems II'--including Section 702 of FISA [U.S. Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Act], E.O. [Executive Order]12333, and PPD [Presidential Policy Directive]-28--the Report closes by briefly discussing some considerations for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Linebaugh, Chris D.; Liu, Edward C.
2021-03-17
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COVID-19 Impact on the Banking Industry: Conditions at the End of 2020 [March 17, 2021]
From the Document: "Although bank regulation is designed to allow banks to withstand some amount of unexpected losses, the economic ramifications of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic could result in enough borrowers missing loan payments to cause distress for banks [hyperlink]. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) releases comprehensive data on bank condition and income quarterly, and it recently released the 'Quarterly Banking Profile: Fourth Quarter 2020' [hyperlink], which reports aggregate data from all 5,001 FDIC-insured institutions as of December 31, 2020. This Insight presents certain bank industry statistics as of the end of 2020 and examines how the pandemic might be affecting the industry."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Perkins, David W.; Gnanarajah, Raj
2021-03-17
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Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 17, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the 'Gerald R. Ford' (CVN-78) class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN) aircraft carrier program. The Navy's proposed FY2021 budget requested $2,714.2 million (i.e., about $2.7 billion) in procurement funding for the program. Congress's decisions on the CVN-78 program could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-03-17
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Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated March 17, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress for three types of large unmanned vehicles (UVs) that the Navy wants to develop and procure in FY2021 and beyond: [1] Large Unmanned Surface Vehicles (LUSVs); [2] Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicles (MUSVs); and [3] Extra-large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (XLUUVs). The Navy wants to acquire these large UVs as part of an effort to shift the Navy to a new fleet architecture (i.e., a new combination of ships and other platforms) that is more widely distributed than the Navy's current fleet architecture. The Navy requested $579.9 million in FY2021 research and development funding for these large UVs and their enabling technologies. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's acquisition strategies and funding requests for these large UVs. The Navy's proposals for developing and procuring them pose a number of oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on these issues could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding and UV industrial bases. In addition to the large UVs covered in this report, the Navy also wants to develop and procure smaller USVs and UUVs, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of various sizes. Other U.S. military services are developing, procuring, and operating their own types of UVs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-03-17
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COVID-19 in Nursing Homes: HHS Has Taken Steps in Response to Pandemic, but Several GAO Recommendations Have Not Been Implemented, Statement of John E. Dicken, Director, Health Care, Testimony Before the Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on the 1.4 million elderly or disabled residents in the nation's more than 15,000 Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes, who are often in frail health and living in close proximity to one another. HHS [Department of Health and Human Services], primarily through CMS [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] and CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], has led the pandemic response in nursing homes. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to conduct monitoring and oversight of the federal government's efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. GAO has examined the government's response to COVID-19 in nursing homes through its CARES Act reporting (GAO-21-265 [hyperlink], GAO-21-191 [hyperlink], GAO-20-701 [hyperlink], and GAO-20-625 [hyperlink]). This testimony will summarize the findings from these reports. Specifically, it describes COVID-19 trends in nursing homes and their experiences responding to the pandemic, and HHS's response to the pandemic in nursing homes."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Dicken, John E.
2021-03-17
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Early Development and Regulation of Diagnostic Testing for COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated March 17, 2021]
From the Document: "On December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) was informed of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. Illnesses have since been linked to a disease caused by a previously unidentified strain of coronavirus, designated Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19. Despite containment efforts in China, the United States, and elsewhere, by late February there were indications that the COVID-19 outbreak may have entered a new phase, with community spread occurring or suspected in several countries other than China, including in the United States. Since this time, the virus has spread widely, resulting in millions of cases and more than 500,000 deaths in the United States. Diagnostic testing is a critical part of the public health response to and clinical management of COVID-19. The earliest efforts in the United States to develop and disseminate a test for COVID-19 faced challenges. Manufacturing and quality issues with the nation's test--developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)--resulted in essentially all testing going through CDC's laboratory facility in Atlanta through early March 2020, despite distribution of test kits to state and local public health laboratories beginning in early February 2020. [...] In June 2020, HHS [Department of Health and Human Services] Office of the General Counsel released findings of an internal investigation into CDC's production of its test kit, finding generally that the test was likely contaminated, and that time pressure may have 'compromised sufficient QC/QA [quality control/quality assurance] to identify certain anomalies in data and realize the possibility of contamination before shipment.' In addition, the matter is currently under investigation by HHS Office of the Inspector General, with an audit underway to 'review CDC's process of producing and distributing the COVID-19 test kits.' This report is reportedly expected sometime in FY2021."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sarata, Amanda K.
2021-03-17
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Business Case for Climate Solutions, Before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, March 17, 2021 [video]
This is a video of the March 17, 2021 hearing titled "The Business Case for Climate Solutions" held before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. From the Video Description: "The hearing will explore private sector actions to develop and implement solutions to climate change, with an emphasis on the surface transportation sector." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jack Allen, Shameek Konar, Troy Rudd, Rafael Santana, Frederick W. Smith, Laurie Giammona, Tom Lewis, and Charles Hernick. The duration of this video is 3 hours, 57 minutes, and 14 seconds.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
2021-03-17
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Unemployment Insurance Provisions in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 [Updated March 17, 2021]
From the Document: "The Unemployment Insurance (UI) provisions in Title IX, Subtitle A, of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. [Public Law] 117-2; enacted March 11, 2021) make four significant changes to UI programs and benefits-- specifically, ARPA [1] reauthorizes and expands the enhanced UI benefits created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136, enacted March 27, 2020) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260, enacted December 27, 2020; the UI provisions are titled the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020 [Continued Assistance Act]); [2] extends the authorization for additional, temporary UI provisions first authorized under the CARES Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA; P.L. 116-127, enacted March 18, 2020) and extended under the Continued Assistance Act; [3] authorizes a federal income tax exclusion of up to $10,200 in UI benefits in 2020 for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $150,000; and [4] provides two sources of additional UI administrative funding: (1) $2 billion to U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for federal and state administration of UI benefits, including for fraud prevention and benefit processing purposes; and (2) $8 million to DOL for federal activities related to UI programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Isaacs, Katelin P., 1980-; Whittaker, Julie M.
2021-03-17
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as posted on the House Rules Committee website on March 8, 2021. From the Document: "Section 703 of H.R. 1620 would expand eligibility for unemployment compensation benefits to people who voluntarily separate from work because they are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or sexual or other harassment. Most states already have similar policies or regulations for victims of domestic violence and sexual harassment. Using data from states with similar policies, CBO estimates that enacting this section would increase direct spending by $11 million over the 2021-2031 period. Because of its effects on balances in state unemployment accounts, enacting this title also would increase revenues by $6 million over the 2021-2031 period, CBO estimates. The bill also would broaden the coverage of existing crimes relating to violence against women. Enacting the legislation could increase collections of criminal fines for violations of these offenses. Criminal fines are recorded as revenues, deposited in the Crime Victims Fund, and subsequently spent without further appropriation. CBO estimates that any additional collections and associated spending would not be significant because of the relatively small number of additional cases likely to be affected."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-03-16
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Student Loan Programs Authorized by the Public Health Service Act: An Overview [March 16, 2021]
From the Document: "The Public Health Service Act (PHSA, 42 U.S.C. §§201 et. seq.) authorizes five student loan programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): (1) Health Professions Student Loans, (2) Loans for Disadvantaged Students, (3) Primary Care Loans, (4) Nursing Student Loans, and the (5) Nurse Faculty Loan Program. [...] This report describes PHSA student loan programs, including borrower eligibility requirements, loan terms and conditions, and administrative rules. It also briefly describes the Health Education Assistance Loan (HEAL) program, a related student loan program authorized under the PHSA that was previously administered by HRSA and is now administered by ED [Department of Education]. The report concludes with a table comparing these programs by borrower type, repayment terms, the number of participating schools, and the number and financial amount of outstanding loans."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-; Hegji, Alexandra
2021-03-16
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American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2): Title IX, Subtitle G--Tax Provisions Related to Promoting Economic Security [Updated March 16, 2021]
From the Document: "The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. [Public Law] 117-2) was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021. ARPA is the latest in a series of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related relief and economic stimulus legislation. Consideration of ARPA began early in the 117th Congress. On February 8, 2021, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal released nine legislative proposals to be considered under the budget reconciliation instructions. On February 27, 2021, the House passed these proposals as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; H.R. 1319). On March 4, 2021, the Senate version of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, S.Amdt. 891 to H.R. 1319, was proposed. On Saturday March 6, 2021, the Senate passed H.R. 1319, as amended by S.Amdt. 891. On March 10, 2021, the House passed H.R. 1319, as amended by S.Amdt. 891. On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2) was signed into law. The versions of the bill passed on March 6 in the Senate and March 10 in the House are identical to the law as enacted. This report summarizes the tax provisions in Title IX, Subtitle G of the American Rescue Plan Act."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Gravelle, Jane; Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.
2021-03-16
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Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA): Overview of Workers' Compensation for Certain Private-Sector Maritime Workers [Updated March 16, 2021]
From the Summary: "The LHWCA [Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act] pays for all medical care associated with a covered injury or illness. Disability benefits are based on a worker's pre-injury wage, and, unlike comparable state workers' compensation benefits, are adjusted annually to reflect national wage growth. Covered workers with employment-related Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be eligible for LHWCA benefits but may find it difficult to demonstrate a link between their employment and diagnoses. Section 2014 of H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, as passed by the House of Representatives, would have created a presumption of eligibility for LHWCA benefits for covered workers with COVID-19 and reimbursed their employers or employers' insurance carriers for the costs of these benefits from a newly created Longshore COVID-19 Fund. This legislation would have appropriated from the general fund such sums as necessary to reimburse the Longshore COVID-19 Fund for these reimbursements. The provision creating a presumption of eligibility for LHWCA benefits for covered workers with COVID-19 was not included in the version of H.R. 1319 passed by the Senate or the version that was enacted as P.L. [public law] 117-2."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2021-03-16
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U.S. Energy in the 21st Century: A Primer [March 16, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides an overview of U.S. energy issues, and it serves as an initial resource document for related information, data, and CRS [Congressional Research Service] contacts. The report is organized around the major fuels and energy sources used in the United States. It also highlights the role of the federal government, particularly the use of federal lands in energy production. It does not focus on security, research and development, or environmental issues, although those subjects are also critical to the U.S. energy sector."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Diaz, Melissa N.; Bracmort, Kelsi; Brown, Phillip (Specialist in Energy Policy) . . .
2021-03-16
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COVID-19 Vaccination: Selected U.S. Data Sources [Updated March 16, 2021]
From the Document: "The sources [in this document] can help congressional staff track the progress of the U.S. COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccination campaign at the national, state, and local levels. Sources were selected for having commonly cited and frequently requested data. This list is not intended to be comprehensive. Additional sources may be added in future updates. Because different resources use different methodologies, readers should check websites' notes, definitions, and caveats. Readers should also use caution when comparing data across sources or geographies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cornell, Ada S.; Napili, Angela
2021-03-16
