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• Area Maritime Security Committees and the Maritime Transportation System

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  From the thesis abstract: "The purpose of this thesis was to explore the modern threats to the maritime homeland security environment and the effectiveness of Area Maritime Security Committees (AMSCs) in preventing and responding to transportation security incidents. AMSCs are deliberately designed to encompass senior representatives of numerous stakeholders in the maritime homeland security enterprise, such as law enforcement, fire, industry, and labor. There were two research questions used in this project: What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the effectiveness of AMSCs, and how can AMSCs improve their interagency collaboration to enhance the homeland security enterprise? Two rounds of Delphi surveys were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of AMSCs. These were issued to 24 people from five Captain of the Port Zones across the West Coast of the United States. The survey answers were then evaluated against open-source reports produced by AMSCs. Between these research sources, AMSCs were shown to be positive collaboration and information-sharing mechanisms, but geography creates barriers to participation and effectiveness. In order to improve, AMSCs must increase funding, change policy to fund the travel and training of AMSC members, recruit and provide engaging training for new personnel, and establish metrics of performance. On the national level, all AMSCs should target and monitor common threats to better secure the maritime transportation system."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Crowell, Ben

  2018-12
• Submersible Threat to Maritime Homeland Security

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  From the thesis abstract: "Small submersible vessels have been used for years by nation states, terrorist groups, and criminal organizations to achieve operational objectives. These entities have sought to capitalize on the overriding tactical advantage of submersible technology which is stealth. For example, drug trafficking organizations in Central and South America have been routinely using self-propelled semi-submersible vessels to clandestinely transport large quantities of illicit drugs to North America. Small submersible vessels can also be nefariously used in the maritime domain to transport persons or weapons or they could be used as waterborne improvised explosive devices. Terrorists and criminals are complex adaptive adversaries and are driven to innovate when confronted with threats to their operational effectiveness. Innovation and adaption are driving these foes to leverage disruptive technology towards the development or acquisition of fully-submersible vessels. Furthermore, there is a growing population of privately owned submersibles within the U.S. that policymakers have little visibility of. Homeland security policymakers lack adequate situational awareness regarding the vulnerabilities, threats, and consequences to the maritime transportation system from the malicious use of submersibles. The core challenge for the maritime homeland security enterprise with regards to submersibles is developing effective strategies to mitigate their potential risk."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Davis, Donald B.

  2013-09
• Regional Perspectives on Agricultural Guestworker Programs, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Second Session, February 9, 2012

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  From the opening statement of Elton Gallegly: "Today's Subcommittee hearing represents our third hearing on the issue of seasonal agricultural labor and legislative proposals regarding a guestworker program. This is a complex issue which impacts not only foreign farm workers and agricultural employers but also U.S. workers, local communities throughout the United States, and, of course, the American taxpayer. This is a critical issue to U.S. agriculture because real-world experience has shown that there are simply not enough Americans willing to work as migrant farm workers. The labor-intensive branch of agriculture--fruits, vegetables, and horticulture specialties-- employs over 1.2 million individual farm workers a year. Each year, farm workers are interviewed by the U.S. Department of Labor's National Agricultural Workers Survey. The survey found that, over the 2007 and 2009 period, 48 percent of farm workers openly admitted being illegally in the country. The actual figure may be even higher, and the NAWS [National Agricultural Workers Survey] shows that 85 percent of firsttime farm workers openly admit to being illegally in the country. What options for legal workers do growers really have? Since 1986, the H-2A program has made visas available for temporary AG [Agricultural Guest] workers. However, 16 years ago, American agriculture told the Subcommittee that the H-2A program was 'characterized by extensive, complex regulations that hamstring employers who try to use it, and by costly litigation challenging its use when admissions of alien workers are sought.' They alleged that the Department of Labor was 'implacably opposed to the program." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Elton Gallegly, Zoe Lofgren, Lamar Smith, Gary W. Black, Paul Wenger, H. Lee Wicker, Bruce Goldstein, Sam Farr, Daniel E. Lungren, Doc Hastings, Santiago Margarita, Robert L. Gunther, and Gary W. Black.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012
• National Ocean Policy: 2016 Annual Work Plan

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  "In April 2013, the National Ocean Council (NOC) published the National Ocean Policy (NOP) Implementation Plan. The Implementation Plan aligned the efforts of the Federal government under five major themes: Ocean Economy, Safety and Security, Coastal and Ocean Resilience, Local Choices, and Science and Information. Since then, Federal agencies have made tremendous progress in carrying out actions described in the Implementation Plan. In March 2015, the NOC released the 'Report on the Implementation of the National Ocean Policy,' providing the status of all 214 actions described in the Implementation Plan. The Implementation Plan provides a solid foundation for enhanced agency collaboration and effectiveness, and resulted in meaningful, beneficial results. The many accomplishments realized through the original Implementation Plan set the stage for a targeted approach to future NOP implementation. As many of the actions in the current Implementation Plan are completed, progress on the NOP will continue under Annual Work Plans to focus on pressing issues in a defined timeframe. A longer-term, higher-level implementation guide (Guide) based on the original Implementation Plan themes will provide the overarching context and vision for crafting the Annual Work Plans and implementing the NOP in future years."

  United States. White House Office; National Ocean Council (U.S.)

  2016-01
• International Child Abduction: Broken Laws and Bereaved Lives, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, May 24, 2011

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  From the opening statement of Christopher H. Smith: "International child abduction rips children from their homes and lives, taking them to a foreign land and alienating them from a left-behind parent who loves them and whom they have a right to know. Their childhood is disrupted, in limbo, or sometimes in hiding as the taking parent seeks to evade the law or to conjure legal cover for his or her immoral actions. Abducted children often lose their relationship with their mom or their dad, half of their identity, and half of their culture. They are at risk of serious emotional and psychological problems and may experience anxiety, eating problems, nightmares, mood swings, sleep disturbances, aggressive behavior, resentment, guilt, and fearfulness. As adults, they may struggle with identity issues, their own personal relationships, and parenting. In 1983, the United States ratified the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction to try to address this serious issue. The Convention creates a civil framework for the quick return of children who have been abducted and for rights of access to both parents. Under the Convention, courts are not supposed to open or reopen custody determinations, but rather decide the child's country of habitual residence--usually where the child was living for a year before the abduction." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: David Goldman, Sara Edwards, Carlos Bermudez, Michel Elias, Joshua Izzard, Colin Bower, Patricia Apy, Kristin Wells, Jesse Eaves, Ted Poe, and Christopher H. Smith.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2011
• Out of the Shadows: The Global Fight Against Human Trafficking, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, Second Session, September 30, 2010

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  From the statement of David Abramowitz: "Human trafficking, or ''trafficking in persons,'' is an affront to human dignity that links communities across the world in a web of money, exploitation, and victimization. Trafficking encompasses many types of exploitative activities, including sex trafficking, slavery, forced labor, peonage, debt bondage, involuntary domestic servitude, and making children into soldiers. The International Labor Organization estimates that 12.3 million children and adults are currently suffering from forced labor, bonded labor, and forced prostitution worldwide. Of that number, approximately 2.4 million are trafficked either internally or across national borders. Human trafficking is a $32 billion global criminal enterprise, second only to illegal drugs in the profits it generates for its perpetrators, which range from sophisticated criminal syndicates, to independently owned businesses with labor recruiters, to family operations. Trafficking is a problem that can be effectively confronted only through cross-border cooperation, but it has proven very difficult to combat." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Luis CdeBaca, Mark P. Lagon, Aruna Uprety, Neha Misra, Beryl D'souza, Howard L. Bermann, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Neha Misra, Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, Russ Carnahan, Gerald E. Connolly, and Gene Green.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2010
• Review of the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Programs, 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, March 14, 2018

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  This is the March 14, 2018 hearing of the "Review of the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Programs," held before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. From the opening statement of Duncan Hunter: "The United States Coast Guard is a multimission service and the only armed service with law enforcement authorities. I have ongoing concerns with the Coast Guard being an armed service within the Department of Homeland Security. On its face, the Coast Guard should fit comfortably within the Department due to its role in defense and homeland security; however, under the Department, the Coast Guard doesn't fare well. The Service is hampered by lackluster funding requests that don't meet the needs of the Service, and as we heard at last week's hearing, the Department restricts what performance measures the Coast Guard publicly reports." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Paul F. Zukunft, Mark H. Buzby and Michael A. Khouri.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2018
• Review of Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request for the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Programs, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session, May 21, 2019

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  This is the May 21, 2019 hearing on the "Review of Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request for the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Programs," held before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. From the opening statement of Sean Patrick Maloney: "At any given moment more than 20 million shipping containers full of raw materials and finished products are transecting the ocean, neatly stacked on ships. They might cross the Atlantic, enter the bustling port of New York and New Jersey, and make their way up the Hudson River, past Manhattan, to my district. The Hudson River, the 315-mile conduit of commerce that lies at the heart of my community, moves over 17 million tons of cargo worth over $32 billion in State commerce annually. [...] For hundreds of years it has been that way. And today the Marine Transportation System, or MTS, is an almost invisible network that facilitates roughly $45.4 trillion in U.S. commerce across oceans, and thousands of miles of inland waterways. Yet the MTS and the regulatory agencies that oversee its function are perpetually under-resourced. This is surprising, considering the importance of the MTS to the U.S. supply chain." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Karl L. Schultz, Jason M. Vanderhaden, Mark H. Buzby, and Michael A. Khouri.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2019
• Implementation of an Entry-Exit System: Still Waiting After All These Years, Hearing Before the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session

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  This is the November 13, 2013 hearing, "Implementation of an Entry-Exit System: Still Waiting After All These Years" before the House Committee on the Judiciary. From the opening statement of Bob Goodlatte: "Successful immigration reform must address effective interior enforcement. An important component of interior enforcement is dealing with legal immigrants who violate the terms of their visas and thus become unlawfully present in the United States. [...] In 2004, Congress added the requirement that the exit program be implemented using biometric technology. Yet despite numerous pieces of legislation enacted by Congress, these statutorily mandated requirements have never been implemented by either present or past Administrations. [...] The ability to effectively track who arrives and subsequently departs from the United States is a necessary first step for immigration reform. An effective exit tracking program must help identify all those who arrived lawfully but remain in the U.S. in violation of the law." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Bob Goodlatte, John Conyers, Jr., Trey Gowdy, Lamar Smith, Zoe Lofgren, Janice Kephart, James N. Albers, Julie Myers Wood, and David F. Heyman.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2014
• Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for 2014, Hearings Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session, February 27, 2013 and March 13-14, 2013

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  These are the hearings on "Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for 2014," held before the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of John Pistole: "This morning, we are welcoming Administrator John Pistole to explain how TSA uses the risk-based approach to transportation security. Administrator, thank you for joining us. We are pleased to have you here. And I look forward to hearing from you as to what your ideas are today and what is going on. Our aviation sector remains a primary target. From 9/11, to Richard Reid, to the Christmas Day and the printer cartridge plots, terrorists have demonstrated their diseased intent to bring down planes and harm our citizens in our aviation system. We have seen other transportation systems attacked around the world. Transportation security has and will remain a priority of this subcommittee. But budgetary reality means we simply cannot throw money at the problem. Even as we agree on this real threat to our security, we can't throw money at it. We must make the wise use of our limited resources and apply these resources to activities that have real, measurable security impacts. The risk-based approach to screening and other TSA activities has been long overdue. We have paid billions since 9/11 to build up a TSA workforce and infrastructure. It is nearly an $8 billion per year operation. Our goal is to achieve the best possible security at the lowest possible costs." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Randy Beers, W. Fugate, Gary Mead, John Morton, J. Pistole, D. Ragsdale, and Suzanne Spaulding.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2013
• Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for 2010, Part 4: Hearings before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, First Session, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, February 26, March 17, March 25, April 1, and April 22, 2009

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  This hearing includes testimonies on Disaster Response: Is FEMA up to the Challenge?, Interoperable Communications, Secret Service Protective Missions and Inaugural Security, Cargo and Container Security Keeping a lid on Threats, and U.S. Coast Guard: Measuring Mission Needs. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: David Price, Harold Rogers, David Garratt, Edward W. Tonini, Chet Edwards, Ken Calvert, Nita Lowey, John Carter, David G. Boyd, Chris Essid, W. Ross Ashley, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Steven LaTourette, David Obey, Phillip D. Morse, Mark Sullivan, Jayson P. Ahren, Thomas S. Winkowski, Charles R. Gallaway, Ciro Rodriguez, Thad W. Allen, John P. Hutton, and Lucille Roybal-Allard.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2009
• Compilation of Maritime Laws [As Amended through the First Session of the 110th Congress - Plus Public Law 110-181, Approved January 28, 2008 (122 Stat.3)]

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  "Each year since 1995, the Maritime Administration has published the Compilation of Maritime Laws as an essential reference for its Agency leadership and staff. The Compilation is also widely used by the Members of Congress, their staffs and committees, attorneys practicing in the area of Federal Maritime Law and interested members of the general public. The Maritime Administration believes that it is essential that this publication be made available to ensure access to the current state of significant Maritime Laws including current statutory amendments. This publication has been changed considerably from earlier editions to reflect the codification of Title 46 Appendix, United States Code, in Public Law 109-304. An Index giving the old and new citations for various provisions of law has been included at the very end to help the reader find new section numbers. This convenient volume is current through the first session of the 110th Congress. It also contains Public Law 110-181, approved January 28, 2008 (122 STAT. 3). While this Compilation is a helpful research tool, citation to the law should be made by reference to the United States Code or other official reporters."

  United States. Maritime Administration

  2008-01
• America's New Welcome Mat: A Look at the Goals and Challenges of the US-VISIT Program, Hearing Before the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, Second Session, March 4, 2004

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  From the opening statement of Tom Davis: "In 2003 there were over 427 million inspections at U.S. ports of entry. Of these inspections, 62 percent involved people from other countries. There are over 300 land, air, and seaports of entry in the United States, from Dulles International Airport to the land crossing at Del Rio, TX. The vast majority of these inspections, 79 percent, take place at land border crossings. Unfortunately, it is at these crossings where the constraints of space and time combine to place a potentially dangerous burden on legitimate travelers to the United States. Even though only 18 percent of all travelers seek entry at airports, the interrelated nature of our domestic hub system creates special problems for airports as well." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Asa Hutchinson, David Z. Plavin, Dan Burton, Elijah E. Cummings, Tom Davis, Maura Harty, Randel K. Johnson, Carolyn B. Maloney, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Edolphus Towns, and Jessica Vaughan.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2004
• CBO Report: Estimated Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Employment and Economic Output from July 2010 through September 2010

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  This document is the fifth in a series of quarterly reports published by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The report series is intended to provide updates on the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on the United States economy and employment. From the report: "The effects of ARRA on output peaked in the first half of 2010 and are now diminishing, CBO estimates. The effects of ARRA on employment and unemployment are estimated to lag slightly behind the effects on output; they are expected to wane gradually beginning in the fourth quarter. CBO's current estimates reflect small revisions to its earlier projections of the timing and magnitude of changes to federal revenues and spending under ARRA. Although CBO has examined data on output and employment during the period since ARRA's enactment, those data are not as helpful in determining ARRA's economic effects as might be supposed because isolating the effects would require knowing what path the economy would have taken in the absence of the law. Because that path cannot be observed, the new data add only limited information about ARRA's impact."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2010-11
• CBO Working Paper: The Outlook for U.S. Production of Shale Oil

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  From the Abstract: "This paper models the production of energy from shale resources and examines the outlook for that production. Four key regions account for most U.S. oil from shale. Drilling activity in those regions is modeled as operating along an elastic supply curve, which has drifted down over time as mining productivity has improved. The elastic response of production to prices is gradual, making production insensitive to prices in the short run but quite sensitive within two to three years. That model, coupled with a forecast of crude oil prices that CBO [Congressional Budget Office] published in January 2016, indicates that the rig count, a simple measure of drilling activity, will probably fall until mid-2016. Thereafter, the gradual response of production to that decrease in drilling activity is expected to cause shale oil production to decline until mid-2017; the fastest rate of decline will probably occur in mid-2016. After 2017, however, continued improvements in mining productivity are expected to help production of shale oil regain its early-2015 peak by 2020 despite much lower prices than those in the 2013-2014 period. The large medium-term response of production to prices means that, absent a major supply shock, oil prices are unlikely to stray outside a range of $33 per barrel to $73 per barrel for a sustained period during the next five years."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  Lasky, Mark J.

  2016-05
• CBO Presentation: U.S. Overview: When Will Growth Resume?

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  This presentation published by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), entitled "U.S. Overview: When Will Growth Resume?" was presented at 2009 Milken Institute Global Conference, April 27-29 in Beverly Hills, California. The presentation examines with graphs and other data, economic forecasts for growth in the context of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The presentation includes 11 slides.

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  Elmendorf, Douglas W.

  2009-04-27
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 678, Economic Espionage Penalty Enhancement Act

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  "S. 678 would increase the maximum penalty for revealing trade secrets to foreign entities and would direct the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) to review and, if necessary, amend sentencing guidelines for economic espionage. Based on information provided by the USSC, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing S. 678 would have no significant impact on the federal budget. Enacting S. 678 could affect direct spending and revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. However, CBO estimates that the net effects would be insignificant for each year. Because those prosecuted and convicted under S. 678 could be subject to criminal fines, the federal government might collect additional fines if the legislation is enacted. Criminal fines are recorded as revenues, deposited in the Crime Victims Fund, and later spent. CBO expects that any additional revenues and direct spending would not be significant because of the small number of cases likely affected."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2012-01-24
• CBO Estimate of the Direct Spending Effects for H.R. 3362, the Exchange Information Disclosure Act as Introduced in the House of Representatives on October 29, 2013

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  This Congressional Budget Office (CBO) document estimates the changes in direct spending that would result from H.R. 3362. "The legislation would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide weekly reports on exchange enrollment, website functionality and customer services call centers; and would require public disclosure of navigators, application counselors, trained agents and brokers."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2014-01-08
• Combating Human Trafficking: Achieving Zero Tolerance, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations of the Committee on International Relations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session, March 9, 2005

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  From the opening statement of Christopher H. Smith: "The Subcommittee will today hear testimony concerning the continuing problem of human trafficking. The U.S. Government, as we all know, now estimates that some 600,000 to 800,000 women, children and men are bought and sold across international borders each year and exploited through forced labor or commercial sex exploitation. Potentially millions more are trafficked internally within the borders of their countries. Eighty percent of the victims are women and girls. An estimated 14,500 to 17,500 foreign citizens are trafficked into the U.S. each and every year. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights in the late 1990s, I led an effort to end the scourge of trafficking, and it is probably better called slavery, by sponsoring the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), P.L. 106--386, which was signed into law in December 2000. In 2003, I sponsored a reauthorization of that act which also became law. These two pieces of legislation created a comprehensive framework for combatting trafficking in persons abroad, as well as the trafficking of foreign nationals into the United States. As a result, our Government has been a leader in addressing this human rights violation and encouraging other governments to do the same." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: John R. Miller, Beatrice Fernando, Linda Smith, Shirley E. Barnes, Sarah E. Mendelson, Julianne Duncan, Christopher H. Smith, and Donald M. Payne.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Assistance for Elderly and Disabled Refugees, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support of the Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, March 22, 2007

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  From the opening statement of Jim McDermott: "Today, we are going to talk about Social Security benefits for refugees. Refugees come to American fleeing injustice or persecution or torture and/or the threat of death. So, these are folks who have arrived here under a variety of circumstances. As the beacon of freedom around the world, we have become a safe haven for many humanitarian immigrants who usually leave their homelands in haste, sometimes with a little more than the clothes on their back, and some of the refugees are elderly, disabled or both. Now we try to help them with the bare essentials. [...] Over the last few years, this modest safety net has gradually been ripped away from an increasing number of disabled and elderly refugees, roughly 12,000 refugees and other humanitarian immigrants have had their SSI terminated over the last few years. [...] The Administration's proposal is less comprehensive than I think is needed but it really is headed in the right direction, and I think the President deserves credit for that. Hopefully, today's hearing will begin to light a fire under the Congress to act on this issue. For my part, I look forward to working with Mr. Weller and other members of the Subcommittee toward a meaningful and immediate solution. I do not intend to see another year go by without the Committee acting on this issue. We surely can find a way to provide basic assistance to elderly and disabled individuals fleeing persecution." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jim McDermott, K'Keng, Doua Thor, Candy Hill, Mark Krikorian, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, and Alliance for Retired Americans.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2008
• What Accounts for the Slow Growth of the Economy After the Recession?

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  From the Summary and Introduction: "The U.S. economy has grown slowly since the deep recession in 2008 and 2009, which was triggered by a sharp drop in house prices and a subsequent financial crisis. During the three years following the recession (that is, the third quarter of 2009 through the second quarter of 2012), the economy's output grew at less than half the rate exhibited, on average, during other recoveries in the United States since the end of World War II. All told, between the end of the recession and the second quarter of 2012, the cumulative rate of growth of real (inflation-adjusted) gross domestic product (GDP) was nearly 9 percentage points below the average for previous recoveries. Researchers continue to grapple with understanding the roles that steep declines in house prices and financial crises play in slowing the growth of output."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2012-11
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2464, A Bill to Revise a Provision Relating to a Repayment Obligation of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Under the Fort McDowell Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 1990, and for Other Purposes

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  "S. 2464 would cancel the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation's obligation to repay a loan it received from the Secretary of the Interior to build an irrigation project on the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation. The Fort McDowell Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 1990 provided a $13 million loan to the Yavapai Nation, to be repaid over a term of 50 years without interest. S. 2464 also would relieve the Secretary of the Interior of the environmental mitigation responsibilities created by the earlier act. That act authorized appropriations of the necessary amounts to complete the environmental mitigation. Based on information from the department, CBO estimates that forgiving the loan would increase direct spending by almost $5 million in 2006, assuming enactment by the end of the fiscal year. (The tribe has not yet repaid any of the $13 million loan.) The increase in direct spending represents the net present value of the expected repayments over the remaining life of the loan. Any savings from relieving the Secretary of the Interior from environmental mitigation costs for the tribe would depend on future appropriation acts. Based on information from the department, such costs could be a few million dollars."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2006-07-13
• Transportation Security Administration: TSA Executive Attrition Has Declined, but Better Information is Needed on Reasons for Leaving and Executive Hiring Process, Report to Congressional Committees

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  From the Highlights: "The Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Transportation Security Executive Service (TSES) consists of executive-level staff serving in key agency positions just below political appointees. Committees of Congress have raise questions about the frequency of turnover within the TSES and have directed GAO to examine turnover among TSES staff. Accordingly, this report examines: (1) TSES attrition and how it compares with that of Senior Executive Service (SES) staff in other DHS components and cabinet-level departments, (2) the reasons TSES staff separated from TSA, and (3) TSA efforts to mange TSES attrition consistent with effective management practices. To answer these objectives, GAO [Government Accountability Office] analyzed data within the Office of Personnel Management's Central Personnel Data File, reviewed TSA human capital policies and procedures, and interviewed former TSES staff. The results of these interviews are not generalizable, but represent the views of about half the TSES staff who separated from fiscal years 2005 through 2008. GAO recommends the TSA enable TSES staff to identify their level of employment when completing exit surveys and better document how it applies merit staffing requirements when hiring TSES staff. TSA concurred with GAO's recommendations and has taken steps to implement them."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2009-10
• Traffic Safety Data: State Data System Quality Varies and Limited Resources and Coordination Can Inhibit Further Progress, Report to Congressional Committees

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  From the Highlights: "Traffic crashes kill or injure millions of people each year. High-quality traffic safety data is vital to allocate resources and target programs as the Department of Transportation's (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and states work to improve traffic safety through data-driven approaches. To qualify for federal funding, states must submit plans which include fatality and crash data analyses to identify areas for improvement. This requested report provides information on (1) the extent to which state traffic safety data systems meet NHTSA performance measures for assessing the quality of data systems, and (2) progress states have made in improving traffic safety data systems, and related challenges. To conduct this work, GAO [Government Accountability Office] analyzed state traffic records assessments, visited eight states, and interviewed federal officials and other traffic safety experts. GAO recommends that NHTSA take steps to ensure state traffic records assessments are complete and consistent to provide an in-depth evaluation of all state traffic safety data systems across all performance measures. NHTSA should also study and communicate to Congress on the value of requiring an executive-level traffic records coordinating committee for states to qualify for traffic safety grant funding. DOT agreed with those recommendations."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2010-04
• Organ Harvesting: An Examination of a Brutal Practice, Joint Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations and the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, June 23, 2016

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  This is the June 23, 2016 joint hearing on "Organ Harvesting: An Examination of a Brutal Practice" held before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, And International Organizations and the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The purpose of this hearing is to bring to light the horrific practice of organ harvesting for profits which has been perpetrated by the Chinese government. Substantial evidence has come about showing that the Chinese government has been implicated in this black market which is valued at over $1 billion a year. This practice has been utilized by not only the Chinese regime but terrorist groups alike. Bringing an end to this phenomenon requires efforts from various institutions including U.S. agencies. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: David Matas, Ethan Gutmann, Francis Delmonico, and Charles Lee, M.D..

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2016
• Aviation Safety: Improved Planning Could Help FAA Address Challenges Related to Winter Weather Operations, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  From the Highlights: "Ice formation on aircraft can disrupt the smooth flow of air over the wings and prevent the aircraft from taking off or decrease the pilot's ability to maintain control of the aircraft. Takeoff and landing operations can also be risky in winter weather. Despite persistent efforts by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and others to mitigate icing risks, icing remains a serious concern. GAO [Government Accountability Office] reviewed (1) the extent to which commercial airplanes have experienced accidents and incidents related to icing, (2) FAA's inspection and enforcement activities related to icing, (3) the efforts of FAA and others to improve safety in winter weather, and (4) the challenges that continue to affect aviation safety in winter weather. GAO analyzed data obtained from FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and others. Further, GAO obtained information from FAA and NTSB officials and representatives of key aviation industry stakeholders. To help facilitate FAA's efforts to address challenges to improving safety in winter weather conditions, GAO recommends that FAA develop a plan focused on winter operations holistically that includes detailed goals and milestones. In response, the Department of Transportation agreed to consider GAO's recommendation and provided technical comments, which were incorporated as appropriate."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2010-07
• Transportation Safety: Medical Certification and Background Check Requirements for Pilots, Vessel Masters, and Commercial Drivers Vary

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  From the Document: "To obtain a professional certificate or license, pilots, vessel masters, and commercial drivers must meet a variety of minimum federal requirements that vary according to the type of certificate. Generally, the certification requirements for these transportation workers include skills and knowledge tests, medical examinations, and background checks. Federal regulations require that pilots have both pilot certificates and medical certificates prior to operating an aircraft and meet several requirements, depending on the level of certificate FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] issues the applicant. In order for FAA to issue a pilot certificate, applicants must demonstrate various piloting skills; pass written tests of aeronautical knowledge; log specified hours of flying time; read, speak, write, and understand the English language; and meet certain age restrictions, in addition to meeting the physical qualifications for a medical certificate and undergoing certain background checks. FAA authorizes pilots to fly specific types of airplanes or use specific types of aeronautical instruments after they meet certain training and testing requirements. During calendar year 2006, FAA received 439,885 applications for medical certification, including applications for new certificates and renewals of certificates. Coast Guard issues merchant mariner licenses and documents to officers such as vessel masters only after they meet certain regulatory requirements. For example, officers must meet physical requirements, pass written knowledge tests, and have specified amounts and types of experience and training, among other requirements. Vessel masters also must undergo certain background checks prior to obtaining a license or document to ensure they can safely assume the responsibilities of a credentialed mariner, do not present a threat to national or transportation security, and do not have connections to terrorism. According to Coast Guard officials, about 60,000 mariners apply for mariner credentials each year."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2008-02-27
• Aviation Safety: Preliminary Information on Aircraft Icing and Winter Operations, Statement of Gerald L. Dillingham, Ph.D., Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives

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  From the Highlights: "Ice formation on aircraft can disrupt the smooth flow of air over the wings and prevent the aircraft from taking off or decrease the pilot's ability to maintain control of the aircraft. Taxi and landing operations can also be risky in winter weather. Despite a variety of technologies designed to prevent ice from forming on planes, as well as persistent efforts by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other stakeholders to mitigate icing risks, icing remains a serious concern. As part of an ongoing review, this statement provides preliminary information on (1) the extent to which large commercial airplanes have experienced accidents and incidents related to icing and contaminated runways, (2) the efforts of FAA and aviation stakeholders to improve safety in icing and winter weather operating conditions, and (3) the challenges that continue to affect aviation safety in icing and winter weather operating conditions."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  Dillingham, Gerald L.

  2010-02-10
• Energy Security: Challenges to National Security [powerpoint]

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  This presentation outlines energy-related trends impact on global security; the implications these trends hold for policy-makers, intelligence, and homeland security; and how the U.S. should respond to these emerging threats to our national security. In 2015, the global drivers of change: demographics, natural resources, science and technology, globalization, national/international governance, future conflict, and role of U.S. Global trends are: fossil fuel, renewable energy, nuclear energy and GNEP, and new energy sources. There is a global increase in energy consumption. It is at the crossroads of: proliferation, nuclear terrorism, resource competition in a unipolar world, environment, and science and technology. The wild cards: large scale/WMD terrorist attack, large scale disruption of energy supplies, global renaissance of nuclear specialties, and free exchange of ideas on the Internet. Practical solutions: Develop a comprehensive National Energy Security Strategy with a long term focus; fully integrate policy, intelligence and homeland security; develop a comprehensive collection strategy that unifies foreign and domestic intelligence; change culture; and promote the creativity and innovation required to find unique solutions to unique problems.

  United States. Department of Energy

  Mowatt-Larssen, Rolf

  2006-10-06
• Transit Rail: Potential Rail Car Cost-Saving Strategies Exist, Report to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, U.S. Senate

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  From the Highlights: "Rail transit offers society a number of benefits, including reduced congestion and pollution and increased mobility. However, rail systems and cars are costly: Transit agencies can pay more than $3 million per car, often using federal funds. As requested, this report describes (1) characteristics of the U.S. market for transit rail cars, (2) the federal government's role in funding and setting standards for transit rail cars, and (3) challenges transit agencies face when procuring rail cars. GAO [Government Accountability Office] analyzed U.S. and worldwide rail car market data for commuter, heavy, and light rail systems and interviewed Department of Transportation (DOT) officials and domestic and international industry stakeholders, including the American Public Transportation Association (APTA)."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2010-06