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Homeland Security Advisory System Increased to ORANGE for Financial Institutions in Specific Geographical Areas
"Based on this notification, the United States Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) level for the financial services sectors in New York City, Northern New Jersey, and Washington, DC, was raised from YELLOW - ELEVATED to ORANGE - HIGH on August 1, 2004. The threat level for the rest of the nation remains at YELLOW - ELEVATED. This is a joint DHS and FBI Advisory The following information is meant to advise state and local officials and private sector owners and operators of critical facilities about indicators of terrorist attack planning. Our understanding of this threat could change as new information becomes available." This advisory provides details regarding the threat, as well as suggested protective measures for personnel at the affected locations.
United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States. Department of Homeland Security
2004-08-01
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Presidential Succession in Turkmenistan: Issues for Congress [March 29, 2022]
From the Overview: "Turkmenistan, an authoritarian country rich in hydrocarbons that borders Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Caspian Sea, held a snap presidential election on March 12, 2022. Serdar Berdimuhamedov [hyperlink], son of incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, won with a reported 73% [hyperlink] of the vote and was inaugurated [hyperlink] on March 19. Analysts had long speculated [hyperlink] that Serdar was being positioned by his father to succeed to the presidency. The younger Berdimuhamedov was elected [hyperlink] to parliament in 2016 and went on to hold a number of increasingly senior government positions. In September 2021 he turned 40, the minimum age for presidential candidates. Despite rumors about Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov's health, analysts were surprised [hyperlink] by the timing of the election. Some speculate that it may have been motivated [hyperlink] by January unrest in neighboring Kazakhstan, while others emphasize [hyperlink] that it was the culmination of a long-term process rather than a 'knee-jerk reaction.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blackwood, Maria A.
2022-03-29
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Fact Sheet: US-VISIT
"US-VISIT is a top priority for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security because it enhances security for our citizens and visitors while facilitating legitimate travel and trade across our borders. US-VISIT helps to secure our borders, facilitate the entry and exit process and enhance the integrity of our immigration system while respecting the privacy of our visitors. US-VISIT is part of a continuum of security measures that begins outside U.S. borders and continues through a visitors arrival in and departure from the United States. It incorporates eligibility determinations made by both the Departments of Homeland Security and State."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2004
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Strengthening National Preparedness: Capabilities-Based Planning
"Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8: National Preparedness (HSPD-8) calls for an all-hazards National Preparedness Goal (the Goal) that establishes measurable priorities, targets, and a common approach to developing needed capabilities. The Goal sets forth a Capabilities-Based Planning approach to help balance the potential threat and magnitude of terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies with the resources required to prevent, respond to, and recover from them. Defining risk-based target levels of capability for the Goal involves identifying a plausible range of major events; the tasks to be performed in prevention, protection, response, and recovery that would require a coordinated national effort; and the specific capabilities and levels of capability that would minimize the impact on lives, property, and the economy."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2005-04-13
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National Response Plan (Final) Full Version
"In Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5, the President directed the development of a new National Response Plan (NRP) to align Federal coordination structures, capabilities, and resources into a unified, alldiscipline, and all-hazards approach to domestic incident management. This approach is unique and far reaching in that it, for the first time, eliminates critical seams and ties together a complete spectrum of incident management activities to include the prevention of, preparedness for, response to, and recovery from terrorism, major natural disasters, and other major emergencies. The end result is vastly improved coordination among Federal, State, local, and tribal organizations to help save lives and protect America's communities by increasing the speed, effectiveness, and efficiency of incident management."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2004-12
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On the Frontlines in Turbulent Times: Workforce Perspectives on the State of Transportation Security, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, November 16, 2021
This is the November 16, 2021 hearing on "On the Frontlines in Turbulent Times: Workforce Perspectives on the State of Transportation Security," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the Opening Statement of Watson Coleman: "The safety of front-line workers and passengers is paramount, particularly as we continue to battle a pandemic that has turned many of our usual travel customs and norms on their head. While this is not the first year that our country will celebrate the holidays with COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] in our midst, it is heartening that almost 60 percent of the population is fully vaccinated against this virus. While we still have a ways to go, strong protection from the worst effects of the virus means more families can safely reunite during this special time of the year. Last Monday was the deadline for Federal employees, including Transportation Security Officers, to receive their last shot of a two-dose vaccine regimen, or a single dose in the case of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, to meet the November 22 deadline to be fully vaccinated, per President Biden's recent Executive Order. In addition, many major airlines have required their employees to receive their shots ahead of the January 4 deadline for Federal contractors. I look forward to hearing from our witnesses about how vaccination efforts are progressing among their memberships and the partnerships between employees and employers that these efforts have borne." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Everett B. Kelley, Sara Nelson, John Samuelsen, and John A. Casaretti.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022
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Incident Communications Emergency Reference: A Guide for Communication Professionals
"The Secretary of Homeland Security has the responsibility to manage major domestic incidents. A critical component of that national effort is communications- our ability to inform our citizens accurately and promptly about homeland security issues and incidents. As communicators, this is our challenge at the Federal, State, local, and private levels. This incident communications reference is intended to provide you with basic information on homeland security public affairs organization, communications response activity for an incident, and supporting background and contact information."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2005
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Learning from Experience: The Public Health Response to West Nile Virus, SARS, Monkeypox, and Hepatitis A Outbreaks in the United States
"State and local public health systems play a critical role in responding to emergencies and are central to the nation's efforts to improve its preparedness for bioterrorism. But public health departments have faced some significant challenges over the years. During the last half of the 20th century, the capacity of state and local public health systems in the United States seriously declined. Problems in the systems-such as weaknesses in laboratory capacity and poor communications with the public and health care professionals-were vividly displayed during the anthrax attack in 2001. In the aftermath of these events, Congress and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) accelerated efforts to strengthen the public health infrastructure. In the spring of 2002, approximately $1.1 billion was distributed through the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as part of cooperative agreements to strengthen state and local public health as well as hospital preparedness, with an additional $2.9 billion provided to the states in 2003 and 2004 (Schuler, 2004). After three years of major federal investment, it is appropriate to take stock of the current state of preparedness in local and state public health departments. Four recent disease outbreaks from 1999 to 2003 provide a rare opportunity to assess the quality of the public health response and to gain insights into overall preparedness for a bioterrorist attack."
RAND Corporation
Davis, Lois M.; Stoto, Michael A.; Dausey, David J.
2005
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Interim National Infrastructure Protection Plan
"To provide a consistent, unifying structure for integrating critical infrastructure protection (CIP) efforts into a national program, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is developing the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP). Development of the NIPP is an ongoing, evolving process that requires the participation of all stakeholders from the private sector, State, local, and tribal entities, and the Federal Government. The NIPP outlines how DHS and its stakeholders will develop and implement the national effort to protect infrastructures across all sectors. As these CIP efforts are developed, implemented, and refined, the NIPP will be updated to reflect this progress."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2005-02
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Homeland Security Presidential Directive 13: Maritime Security Policy [Fact Sheet]
"The President has signed a maritime security policy directive outlining his vision for a fully coordinated U.S. Government effort to protect U.S. interests in the maritime domain. This document, the Maritime Security Policy National Security/Homeland Security Presidential Directive (NSPD/HSPD), reiterates the President's commitment to maritime security and aims to integrate and align all U.S. Government maritime security programs and initiatives into a comprehensive and cohesive national effort involving appropriate Federal, State, local and private sector entities."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2005
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HSPD-8 Accomplishments and Future Milestones
This document summarizes the accomplishments and future milestones of the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8 (HSPD-8): National Preparedness.
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2004-12-31
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Portable Heater Fires in Residential Buildings (2017-2019)
From the Document: "From 2017 to 2019, portable heater fires in residential buildings -- a subset of heating fires in residential buildings -- accounted for an estimated annual average of 1,100 fires in the U.S. These fires resulted in an estimated annual average of 65 deaths, 150 injuries and $51 million in property loss. The term 'portable heater fires' applies to those fires that are caused by catalytic heaters, oil-filled heaters or other heaters, such as electric heaters, that are designed to be carried or moved for use in a variety of locations. Portable heaters are a subset of space heaters -- small heaters designed to heat specific areas or rooms of a building. While portable heater fires in residential buildings were only 3% of all heating fires in residential buildings, their consequences were substantial, accounting for 41% of fatal heating fires in residential buildings. Many of these fires were preventable, as human error was a contributing factor to the fire -- for example, placing the heater too close to combustible items or leaving the heater unattended. As part of a series of topical reports that addresses fires in types of residential buildings, this report addresses the characteristics of portable heater fires in residential buildings as reported to the NFIRS [National Fire Incident Reporting System]."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States Fire Administration
2021-12
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Freedom of Information Act: Selected Agencies Adapted to COVID-19 Challenges but Actions Needed to Reduce Backlogs, Statement of James R. Mctigue, Jr., Director, Strategic Issues, Testimony Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate
From the Highlights: "FOIA [Freedom of Information Act] seeks to improve the public's access to government information and promote openness and accountability in government. However, the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic presented challenges for FOIA administration by significantly affecting how federal employees performed their work as agencies adopted a maximum telework posture and limited on-site work. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to testify on FOIA government-wide performance and the associated impact of the pandemic. Specifically, this statement summarizes the results from GAO's previously issued reports on (1) government-wide FOIA performance for fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019 and long-term trends from fiscal years 2012 through 2020; (2) selected agencies' initial pandemic-related challenges and their use of leading practices to maintain FOIA operations; (3) selected agencies' continuing challenges with FOIA request backlogs; and (4) selected agencies' use of proactive information disclosures--making records publicly available without waiting for specific requests."
United States. Government Accountability Office
McTigue, James R., Jr.
2022-03-29
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National Response Plan (Final) Base Plan and Appendices
"In Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5, the President directed the development of a new National Response Plan (NRP) to align Federal coordination structures, capabilities, and resources into a unified, all-discipline, and all-hazards approach to domestic incident management. This approach is unique and far reaching in that it, for the first time, eliminates critical seams and ties together a complete spectrum of incident management activities to include the prevention of, preparedness for, response to, and recovery from terrorism, major natural disasters, and other major emergencies. The end result is vastly improved coordination among Federal, State, local, and tribal organizations to help save lives and protect America's communities by increasing the speed, effectiveness, and efficiency of incident management."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2004-12
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Vehicle Data Privacy: Industry and Federal Efforts Under Way but NHTSA Needs to Define Its Role, Report to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The prevalence of connected vehicles--those with technology that wirelessly transmits and receives data--has raised questions about how the collection, use, and sharing of these data affect consumer privacy. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review consumer privacy issues related to connected vehicles. This report: (1) examines the types, use, and sharing of data collected by connected vehicles; (2) determines the extent to which selected automakers' privacy policies for these data align with leading practices; and (3) evaluates related federal roles and efforts, among other objectives. GAO interviewed relevant industry associations, organizations that work on consumer privacy issues, and a non-generalizable sample of 16 automakers selected based on their U.S. passenger vehicle sales. In addition, GAO analyzed selected automakers' privacy policies (written notices and reported practices) against a set of leading privacy practices determined to be relevant to connected vehicles. To identify these practices, GAO reviewed a variety of privacy frameworks developed by federal agencies and others. GAO reviewed relevant federal statutes, regulations, and reports, and interviewed agency officials, including those from DOT [Department of Transportation], the Department of Commerce, and FTC [Federal Trade Commission]. GAO recommends that NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] define, document, and externally communicate its roles and responsibilities related to the privacy of data generated by and collected from vehicles. NHTSA concurred with our recommendation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-07-28
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School Bus Safety: Crash Data Trends and Federal and State Requirements, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "School buses transport over 26 million students to school and other activities every day. While school buses have a strong safety record, crashes with fatalities and injuries do occur. Since school buses transport precious cargo--our children--government and industry strive to further improve their safety. Federal and state agencies both oversee school bus safety, and locally, school buses can be operated by school districts or private contractors, working on behalf of school districts. The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review school bus safety. GAO examined (1) fatal crashes involving school buses for 2000 to 2014 and (2) federal and state school-bus-related laws and regulations, among other objectives. GAO analyzed two sets of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute on fatal school bus crashes for 2000 to 2014, the latest year for which data were available; reviewed federal laws and regulations; and systematically searched state laws and regulations on school-bus inspections, driver training, and maximum vehicle age and capacity in all 50 states. GAO also interviewed federal officials from the Department of Transportation (DOT), school bus industry associations and manufacturers, and other stakeholders. DOT reviewed a draft of this report and provided technical comments that GAO incorporated as appropriate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-01-12
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Examination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Limited Role in Local Land-Use Development Decisions, Hearing Before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, September 21, 2016
This is the September 21, 2016 hearing on "Examination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Limited Role in Local Land-Use Development Decisions" held before the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. From the opening statement of Chairman Bill Shuster: "Today's hearing will focus on two important issues, particularly. The first is the extent of FEMA's authority to implement the National Flood Insurance Program, and the second is the national implications of FEMA's implementation of the National Flood Insurance Program. [...] It is important that local land-use and development decisions ultimately reside with local officials who understand the risks and challenges of a particular area. Additionally, it is critical that Federal agencies understand the limitations of their authorities and work within their authorities". Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Michael Grimm, Christine Shirley, Denny Doyle, Heather Carruthers, and Jon Chandler.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2017
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Railroad Safety: Quiet Zone Analyses and Inspections Could Be Improved, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "Accidents at grade crossings are a major source of fatalities in the railroad industry. FRA [Federal Railroad Administration]--the federal agency responsible for providing regulatory oversight of grade-crossing safety---issued regulations on the use of train horns in 2005. Railroads generally support sounding the horn, whereas, communities often support quiet zones to reduce noise. Congress included a provision in statute for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to examine FRA's train horn regulations, including those on quiet zones. Among other things, this report: (1) describes benefits and costs of quiet zones, and (2) examines how FRA evaluates the effectiveness of its train horn regulations. GAO analyzed FRA's documentation on quiet zones, including FRA's train horn regulations and 2011 and 2013 studies on quiet zone safety; reviewed literature; and interviewed FRA program officials in headquarters, Grade Crossing Managers in FRA's 8 regions, and a nongeneralizable sample of another 32 stakeholders from 6 states, railroads, public authorities, and private industry consulting firms. State and public authorities were selected based on the number of quiet zones, geographic diversity, and FRA's recommendations. [...] GAO recommends that FRA: (1) revise its methodology for analyzing the safety of quiet zones, and (2) develop guidance on conducting quiet zone inspections. The Department of Transportation partially concurred with the first recommendation, saying it would consider it, and fully concurred with the second. GAO continues to believe changes to the methodology are needed, as discussed in the report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-10
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Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority: Improved Planning of Future Rehabilitation Projects Could Prevent Limitations Identified with SafeTrack, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Recent inquiries into WMATA's [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority] Metrorail system have revealed a range of serious safety issues. In response to some of these issues, as well as a backlog of track maintenance, WMATA announced in May 2016 that it was undertaking SafeTrack, a large-scale rehabilitation project. The SafeTrack project is overseen by FTA [Federal Transit Administration]. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review a range of safety and oversight issues regarding WMATA. This report examines the extent to which WMATA's (1) planning and (2) implementation of SafeTrack was consistent with leading project management practices as well as (3) the steps taken by FTA to oversee SafeTrack. GAO reviewed documentation on WMATA's planning and project implementation, and FTA's oversight of SafeTrack. GAO also interviewed officials from WMATA, FTA, and local jurisdictions, and compared WMATA's planning and implementation of SafeTrack to leading project management practices developed by professional organizations. GAO recommends that WMATA develop a policy that requires and includes procedures for it to, prior to starting future large-scale rehabilitation projects: (1) use asset data to develop project objectives; (2) analyze alternatives; and (3) develop a project management plan for those projects that may not be designated as major capital projects. WMATA agreed with GAO's findings and said that it is working to address the recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-03
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Surface Transportation: A Comprehensive Plan Could Facilitate Implementation of a National Performance Management Approach, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Since 2008, Government Accountability Office (GAO) has highlighted the need to demonstrate the outcomes of the billions of dollars the Department of Transportation (DOT) provides to states and other grantees for surface transportation programs. Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) included provisions for DOT and its grantees to move toward a performance-based approach, transforming federal surface transportation programs by holding states and other grantees accountable for results, in many cases for the first time. GAO was asked to review DOT's implementation of transportation performance management (TPM). This report focuses on Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which administers the largest grant program of the three DOT agencies involved, and (1) examines the progress made in developing rules to establish a national performance-based approach and (2) evaluates how FHWA is guiding the transition to TPM, among other objectives. GAO reviewed proposed and final rules and information on rulemaking activities and interviewed FHWA officials, national transportation organizations, and a non-generalizable sample of 10 state departments of transportation, among others. States were selected based on factors such as geographic distribution, population, and urban and rural characteristics. FHWA should develop a TPM implementation plan that includes goals and specific actions and timelines, and publicly communicate that plan. DOT concurred with the recommendation. The agency also provided technical comments, which were incorporated as appropriate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-07-27
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Federal Aviation Administration: Stakeholders' Perspectives on Potentially Moving the Office of Commercial Space Transportation, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The Office of Commercial Space Transportation, which regulates and promotes the U.S. commercial space launch industry, was established in 1984 within the Office of the Secretary of Transportation and transferred to FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] in 1995. In 2015, GAO [Government Accountability Office] reported that the Office of Commercial Space Transportation faced challenges associated with the growth of the commercial space launch industry such as licensing more launches. To help meet these and other challenges such as updating regulations, some industry stakeholders and others suggested that the Office of Commercial Space Transportation should be moved back to the Office of the Secretary of Transportation. GAO was asked to review issues regarding transferring the Office of Commercial Space Transportation from FAA to the Office of the Secretary of Transportation. This report addresses: (1) selected stakeholders' and officials' perspectives on transferring the Office of Commercial Space Transportation from FAA to the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, (2) what steps would be required to make this transfer, and (3) key practices and considerations GAO has previously identified for organizational changes that could be instructive for such a transfer. GAO interviewed industry stakeholders and FAA and DOT [Department of Transportation] officials, reviewed the steps taken during the office's 1995 transfer, and reviewed prior reports on key practices and questions to consider regarding organizational changes. GAO is making no recommendations in this report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-10
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Border Security: Progress and Challenges in DHS's Efforts to Address High-Risk Travelers and Strengthen Visa Security, Statement of Rebecca Gambler, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Task Force on Denying Terrorists Entry into the United States, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "DHS seeks to identify and interdict travelers who are potential security threats to the United States, such as foreign fighters and potential terrorists, human traffickers, drug smugglers and otherwise inadmissible persons, at the earliest possible point in time. DHS also adjudicates petitions for certain visa categories and has certain responsibilities for strengthening the security of the visa process, including oversight of VSP [Visa Security Program] and VWP [Visa Waiver Program]. State manages the visa adjudication process for foreign nationals seeking admission to the United States. This statement addresses (1) CBP [Customs and Border Protection] programs aimed at preventing high-risk travelers from boarding U.S.-bound flights; (2) ICE's [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] management of VSP; and (3) DHS's oversight of VWP. This statement is based on prior products GAO [Government Accountability Office] issued from March 2011 through January 2017, along with selected updates conducted in April 2017 to obtain information from DHS on actions it has taken to address prior GAO recommendations. […] GAO previously made recommendations to improve evaluation of CBP's predeparture programs' performance and strengthen DHS's oversight of VSP and VWP. DHS agreed with GAO's recommendations related to CBP's predeparture programs and VWP. DHS did not agree with some of GAO's recommendations related to VSP. GAO has ongoing work related to, among other things, DHS's management and oversight of VSP and plans to report later this year on the results of this work."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Gambler, Rebecca
2017-05-03
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Composite Materials: Strengthening Infrastructure Development, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Research and Technology Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Second Session, April 18, 2018
This document is the April 18, 2018 hearing titled "Composite Materials: Strengthening Infrastructure Development" before the House Subcommittee on Research and Technology Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. From the opening statement of Daniel Webster: "The purpose of this morning's hearing is to review a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) report on overcoming barriers to the adoption of composites in sustainable infrastructure and discuss the value of developing composite standards for infrastructure applications. While not widely adopted yet, composites have been used in select construction projects across the country. As we will hear from our experts today, fiber-reinforced polymer composites produced in the United States offer durable, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions in a variety of infrastructure applications as diverse as dams, levees, highways, bridges, tunnels, railroads, harbors, utility poles and buildings. However, without proper design guidelines and data tables to harmonize standards and create a uniform guidance, the practical use of composites to build durable and cost-effective infrastructure will continue to lag." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Daniel Webster, Daniel Lipinski, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Joannie Chin, Hota V. GangaRao, David Lange, and Shane E. Weyant.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2018
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Passengers with Disabilities: Air Carriers' Disability-Training Programs and the Department of Transportation's Oversight, Briefings to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
From the Document: "According to the most recent census, 57 million Americans (roughly 1 in 5) have a disability, more than half of whom have mobility issues. Without effective accommodations--such as effective communication of flight information, accessible seats, appropriate boarding assistance, and careful handling and stowage of wheelchairs and other assistive devices--people with disabilities may face challenges when flying on a commercial air carrier [...] In 2015, air carriers reported over 30,000 disability-related complaints to DOT's [Department of Transportation] Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings, which is responsible for oversight and enforcement of air carriers' compliance. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 included a provision that GAO [Government Accountability Office] submit a report to Congress assessing required disability training programs for air carrier and contractor personnel. This report discusses: (1) how selected air carriers' disability training programs vary, if at all, in addressing federal requirements and (2) how DOT oversees air carrier compliance with the ACAA [Air Carrier Access Act] and what enforcement actions DOT has taken, including corrective actions sought, with regard to air carriers' training programs since 2005. GAO reviewed the training programs of 12 air carriers that account for nearly 75 percent of passenger enplanements in 2015; statutes and regulations, and analyzed DOT and air carrier complaint data; 51 ACAA related enforcement cases since 2005 of which 13 cases required training related corrective actions. GAO also met with five disability advocacy groups, two airline contractors and their employees; and the Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-05-31
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Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority: Improved Planning of Future Rehabilitation Projects Could Prevent Limitations Identified with SafeTrack, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Government Operations, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives
The purpose of this testimony was to evaluate the effectiveness of the SmartTrack program implemented by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority [WMATA]. The Government Accountability Office [GAO] established three findings: " [1] Although WMATA inspected its track assets when planning SafeTrack, those inspections were not comprehensive and did not collect detailed data on the condition of all track infrastructure, such as all 'interlockings,' where trains cross from one track to another. As a result, WMATA's decision makers may not have used sufficient information to develop project objectives and to properly prioritize SafeTrack work. [2] Though WMATA developed three alternatives for SafeTrack, it did not determine the costs and impacts of each alternative, or assess them to determine which approach may have resulted in greater efficiencies, lower costs, or less disruption for riders and local jurisdictions. [3] Before WMATA began SafeTrack, it lacked a comprehensive project management plan, which is a key tool to ensure a project is completed on-time, within-budget, and according to quality standards."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-03-29
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Information Technology: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Needs to Strengthen Its Strategic Planning and Oversight to Modernize Legacy Systems
From the Highlights: "FMCSA [Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration], established within the Department of Transportation in January 2000, is charged with reducing crashes involving commercial motor carriers (i.e., large trucks and buses) and saving lives. IT [Information Technology] systems and infrastructure serve as a key enabler for FMCSA to achieve its mission. The agency reported spending about $46 million for its IT investments in fiscal year 2016. In December 2015, the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act was enacted and required GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review the agency's IT, data collection, and management systems. GAO's objectives were to (1) assess the extent to which the agency has plans to modernize its existing systems, (2) assess the extent to which FMCSA has implemented an IT governance structure, and (3) determine the extent to which FMCSA has ensured selected IT systems are effective. To do so, GAO analyzed FMCSA's strategic plan and modernization plans; compared governance documentation to best practices; selected four investments based on operations and maintenance spending for fiscal year 2016, among other factors, and compared assessments for the investments against OMB [Office of Management and Budget] criteria; and interviewed officials. GAO is making five recommendations to FMCSA to improve its IT strategic planning, oversight, and operational analyses. The Department of Transportation concurred with all of the recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-07
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Blue Technologies: Use of New Maritime Technologies to Improve Efficiency and Mission Performance, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Second Session, May 8, 2018
This is the May 8, 2018 hearing titled "Blue Technologies: Use of New Maritime Technologies to Improve Efficiency and Mission Performance," held before the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. From the opening statement of Duncan Hunter: "This subcommittee has urged the Coast Guard to strongly advocate for the resources it needs to acquire the assets necessary to conduct its missions. The National Security Cutter acquisition program has exceeded the program of record; the Fast Response Cutter acquisition program is getting close to completing the program of record; while the Offshore Patrol Cutter and polar icebreaker acquisition programs are only just beginning. The reality of the Coast Guard's operational situation is that even with new assets, the Coast Guard has a big job to do. This subcommittee recognizes that technology can be a tool to fill any operational gaps in a cost-effective manner." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Michael J. Haycock, Eric J. Terrill, Michael B. Jones, Thomas S. Chance, Christopher J. Coyle, H. Tuba Ozkan-Haller, and Jonathan White.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2018
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No Surprises Act's Independent Dispute Resolution Process and Related Litigation [April 1, 2022]
From the Document: "On December 27, 2020, the No Surprises Act (NSA), part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260), was enacted to address 'surprise billing' [hyperlink] (i.e., circumstances where individuals receive large, unexpected medical bills when they are unknowingly, and potentially unavoidably, treated by out-of-network providers). Surprise billing is rooted in most private insurers' use of provider networks, which generally results in consumers paying more for out-of-network care [hyperlink] (relative to the same in-network care). The NSA established federal surprise billing requirements [hyperlink] with respect to out-of-network emergency services, out-of-network nonemergency services provided during a visit at an in-network facility, and out-of-network air ambulance services. In these situations and for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2022, the NSA generally limits the amount consumers pay for care and specifies a methodology used to determine how much insurers must pay providers for care, including the use of an independent dispute resolution (IDR) process. Taken together, these requirements effectively result in the provider and insurer recognizing the same total price for care. This Insight provides an overview of the NSA's IDR process; the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury's (tri-agencies') implementation of these requirements; and related litigation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rosso, Ryan J.; Shen, Wen W.
2022-04-01
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Overview of U.S. International Food Assistance [March 25, 2022]
From the Document: "The U.S. government administers international food assistance programs that aim to alleviate hunger and improve food security around the world. Some of these programs provide emergency assistance to people affected by conflict or natural disaster. Other programs provide nonemergency assistance to help communities improve agricultural productivity and strengthen local food systems. This In Focus provides an overview of U.S. international food assistance programs, including legislative authority, funding trends, statutory requirements, and selected issues for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nair, Amber D.
2022-03-25
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Roll Call Votes to Confirm Supreme Court Nominations: Historical Analysis of Support and Opposition (1900-2020) [April 1, 2022]
From the Document: "This Insight provides analysis of the roll call votes used to confirm Supreme Court nominees from 1900 through 2020. Specifically, the Insight examines historical patterns of partisan support and opposition among Senators in casting votes on whether to confirm nominees to the Court. [...] A roll call vote to confirm a nominee requires a simple majority of Senators present and voting, a quorum being present. Overall, from 1900 to 2020 [hyperlink], there were 38 Supreme Court nominations that received a roll call vote on whether to confirm a nominee to the Court. Since 1967 (starting with the confirmation vote for Thurgood Marshall [hyperlink]), each of the 24 Senate votes on whether to confirm a nominee has been by roll call vote. By contrast, from 1900 to 1966, 14 (or 33%) of the 42 votes on whether to confirm nominees to the Court were by roll call vote, whereas 28 (67%) were by voice vote or unanimous consent. During this period there was notable variation in how Democratic and Republican Senators voted on nominations to the Court."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McMillion, Barry J.
2022-04-01
