Advanced search Help
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
WaterSense® Program: Congressional Authorization [Updated June 3, 2021]
From the Document: "WaterSense is a voluntary labeling program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to encourage the development and use of water-efficient products and services. Through WaterSense, EPA develops water efficiency specifications for products, certain services, and homes; licenses third-party certification bodies; and maintains a registry of WaterSense-labeled products and certified services. [...] Funding levels for WaterSense have remained consistent for several years, notwithstanding the Trump Administration's FY2018 through FY2021 proposals to eliminate such funding. The Biden Administration does not propose an elimination for WaterSense funding in FY2022. FY2021 funding for WaterSense is the same as the FY2020 and FY2019 enacted funding levels of $4.5 million, according to the joint explanatory statement that accompanied the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2021-06-03
-
Immigration Arrests in the Interior of the United States: A Primer [Updated June 3, 2021]
From the Document: "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [hyperlink] (ICE), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is primarily responsible for immigration enforcement in the interior of the United States. ICE has substantial authority to arrest and detain non-U.S. nationals (aliens) identified for removal because of immigration violations. In recent years, there had been a marked increase [hyperlink] in arrests and removals conducted by ICE. As discussed in this Legal Sidebar [hyperlink] and as compared to prior administrations, the Trump Administration made enforcement a touchstone of its immigration policy, and ICE generally sought to enforce federal immigration laws against a broader range of aliens who had committed immigration violations. A recalibration of priorities by the Biden Administration has led ICE to prioritize immigration enforcement actions pertaining to a narrower category of aliens [hyperlink]; namely, those who present terrorism or national security concerns, those who recently came to or attempted to unlawfully enter the United States, or those who pose a threat to public safety based on the commission of certain crimes. While immigration enforcement priorities may change over time, the governing authorities for ICE's activities have largely remained constant. This Legal Sidebar provides an overview of ICE's authority to conduct arrests and other enforcement actions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Hillel R.
2021-06-03
-
Navy Constellation (FFG-62) Class Frigate Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated June 3, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and discusses potential issues for Congress regarding the Navy's Constellation (FFG-62) class frigate program, a program to procure a new class of 20 guided-missile frigates (FFGs). The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $1,087.9 million (i.e., about $1.1 billion) for the procurement of the third FFG-62, and $69.1 million in advance procurement (AP) funding for the fourth and fifth FFG-62s, which are programmed for procurement in one or more future fiscal years. The FFG-62 program presents several potential oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on the program could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-06-03
-
NATO: Key Issues for the 117th Congress [Updated June 3, 2021]
From the Summary: "Heads of state and government from the 30 member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are due to meet in Brussels, Belgium, on June 14, 2021, to discuss security challenges and consider proposals to bolster political cohesion within the alliance. When allied leaders last met in London, United Kingdom, in December 2019, deliberations exposed heightened political tension and divergent views on a number of issues. Former President Trump's criticisms of NATO and individual European allies and his Administration's perceived lack of consultation with allies on key foreign policy issues were points of contention. [...] In response to recent transatlantic tensions and questions about NATO's longer-term relevance, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg launched the NATO 2030 Initiative to advance proposals to strengthen the alliance, both militarily and politically. At the June 14 summit, the allies are expected to consider Stoltenberg's recommendations to reinforce alliance unity, broaden NATO's approach to security, and defend the rules-based international order. Recommendations could include updating NATO's strategic concept, last updated in 2010, to better reflect today's security environment, especially with respect to Russia and China; enhancing NATO's capacity to counter nonmilitary threats; and strengthening NATO's commitment to democratic values and enhancing its relationships with like-minded partners across the globe."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Belkin, Paul
2021-06-03
-
National Security Council: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated June 3, 2021]
From the Summary: "On February 4, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden signed National Security Memorandum (NSM)- 2, 'Renewing the National Security Council System.' In it, the Biden Administration articulates how it intends to manage and coordinate national security issues among relevant departments and agencies. This report offers a brief historical overview of the formation of the National Security Council (NSC), clarifies the terms and structures associated with it, and provides a table of the NSC's current composition."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McInnis, Kathleen J.; Rollins, John W.
2021-06-03
-
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Scenarios: Background, Issues, and Policy Relevance [June 3, 2021]
From the Summary: "Projecting future climate change, and what drives it, is difficult, with many uncertainties. Computer models, however, can be useful tools for exploring the long-term implications of climate change and evaluating policy options. For example, models can help construct plausible scenarios of future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions based on socioeconomic, environmental, and technological trends and drivers. Integrated assessment models (IAMs), coupled models of the economy, energy, land use, and climate systems, are used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the main international scientific body for assessing global climate change. This report explores the results of a selected set of IAM scenarios consistent with keeping the increase in global mean surface temperature to 1.5°C or 2°C above preindustrial levels in 2100, the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Westphal, Michael I.
2021-06-03
-
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) [Updated June 3, 2021]
From the Background: "According to the Army, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles (FoV) is an Army-led, joint-service program designed to replace a portion of each service's light tactical wheeled vehicle fleets. The JLTV FoV consists of two variants: the four-seat Combat Tactical Vehicle (CTV) and the two-seat Combat Support Vehicle (CSV). The CTV is to support the General Purpose, Heavy Gun Carrier, and Close Combat Weapon Carrier missions. The CSV is to support the Utility/Shelter Carrier mission. The JLTV is transportable by a range of lift assets, including rotary-wing aircraft. Its maneuverability enables activities across the spectrum of terrain, including urban areas, while providing inherent and supplemental armor against direct fire and improvised explosive device threats."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2021-06-03
-
Initial Progress Report: Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families
From the Executive Summary: "On February 2, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14011 (E.O. 14011), 'Establishment of Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families,' in response to the prior Administration's use of immigration laws to intentionally separate children from their parents and legal guardians (families), including through the use of the Zero-Tolerance Policy. E.O. 14011 directs the Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families (Task Force) to identify children who were separated and facilitate and enable the reunification of the families. Additionally, E.O. 14011 directs the Task Force to provide recommendations on providing additional services and support for the reunified families, including behavioral health services with a focus on trauma-informed care. The Task Force submits to the President its initial 120- day progress report on its accomplishments and ongoing challenges. In its first 120 days, the Task Force (1) identified nearly all of the children who were separated from their parents as a result of the Zero-Tolerance Policy and related initiatives; (2) established a reunification process for these families; and (3) began reunifying parents and legal guardians with their separated children in the United States. The Task Force is also exploring options to provide additional services and support to reunited families."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2021-06-02
-
Consumption of Prescription Opioids for Pain: A Comparison of Opioid Use in the United States and Other Countries [June 2, 2021]
From the Summary: "Beginning in the late 1990s, the consumption of medical opioids used to treat pain increased in many countries worldwide. Since that time, the United States has outpaced every other country in per capita opioid consumption. Most research suggests that high levels of prescription opioid consumption in the United States have contributed to the current epidemic of opioid misuse and overdose deaths. In response, several states and the U.S. federal government have demonstrated an interest in reducing opioid misuse and overdose deaths through legislation and executive initiatives. Understanding why the United States consumes more opioids per capita than other countries may help Congress construct effective legislation to reduce inappropriate or excess opioid consumption and mitigate related consequences, such as opioid misuse and overdose deaths. In addition, lawmakers in the United States could examine policies in peer countries for possible approaches to curb excessive prescription opioid use. A review of the scientific literature through February 2020 on international opioid consumption and prescribing practices pointed to several possible underlying reasons explaining the difference in opioid consumption per capita in the United States. [...] This report describes trends in opioids use across industrialized countries and identifies possible factors explaining the disproportionate use of prescription opioids in the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Duff, Johnathan H.; Tharakan, Sara M.; Davis-Castro, Carla Y. . . .
2021-06-02
-
Changes to Postal Regulatory Commission Administration in the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 [June 2, 2021]
From the Document: "The Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 (H.R. 3076 and the similar, but not identical, S. 1720) includes a number of provisions that would alter the authority and operations of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). The chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Representative Carolyn Maloney, a co-sponsor of H.R. 3076, has described [hyperlink] the legislation as 'crucial to help the Postal Service get on a sustainable financial path for the future and ensure that the Postal Service is transparent with Congress and the American People.' Discussion of the legislation [hyperlink] has focused on the finances of USPS but has also highlighted other changes, such as the provision of paid leave for postal employees. This Insight discusses two provisions of the legislation that would affect the operations of the PRC and certain aspects of its relationship to USPS. The Insight begins with a brief summary of relevant aspects of the PRC's organization and authority and then proceeds to describe and analyze Sections 205 and 209 of the Postal Service Reform Act, as introduced in the House."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wilhelm, Ben
2021-06-02
-
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and COVID-19 [Updated June 2, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not currently have a specific standard that protects health care or other workers from airborne or aerosol transmission of disease or diseases transmitted by airborne droplets. Some in Congress, and some groups representing health care, meat and poultry processing, and other workers, are calling on OSHA to promulgate an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect workers from exposure to SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) gives OSHA the ability to promulgate an ETS that would remain in effect for up to six months without going through the normal review and comment process of rulemaking. [...] On January 21, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order directing OSHA to review whether a COVID-19 ETS is necessary and,if necessary, issue an ETS by March 15, 2021. To date, OSHA has not issued a COVID-19 ETS. As of January 14, 2021, OSHA had issued citations from 315 inspections related to COVID-19 resulting in a total of $4,034,288 in proposed civil penalties. These citations have been issued for violations of the OSH Act's General Duty Clause and other existing OSHA standards, such as those for respiratory protection that may apply to COVID-19. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker have raised concerns about the low amount of penalties being assessed for COVID-19-related violations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2021-06-02
-
Bahamas: An Overview [Updated June 2, 2021]
From the Document: "The Bahamas, a Caribbean nation of some 700 islands off the southeast coast of the United States, has been a stable parliamentary democracy since its independence from the United Kingdom (UK) in 1973. The country's bicameral legislature has a 39-seat House of Assembly directly elected for five-year terms and a 16-member appointed Senate. [...] Since 2019, the Bahamas has faced two major challenges: recovery and reconstruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian that struck in September 2019, and response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Hurricane Dorian caused widespread damage to the northwestern Bahamian islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama, with 74 confirmed deaths and many more missing. An Inter-American Development Bank-led assessment estimated $3.4 billion in damages and losses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2021-06-02
-
Select Mail Delivery Provisions in the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 (H.R. 3076) [June 2, 2021]
From the Document: "On May 11, 2021, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee [hyperlink] Chair Carolyn Maloney introduced H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act (PSRA). H.R. 3076 proposes a series of large- and small-scale changes to the organization and operations of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in order to 'put the USPS on the path towards fiscal sustainability and efficiency [hyperlink].' On May 13, 2021, the committee by voice vote ordered H.R. 3076 to be reported. This Insight provides a summary of the operational reforms proposed in Sections 202, 206, and 208 of the bill."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2021-06-02
-
Navy John Lewis (TAO-205) Class Oiler Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated June 2, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the John Lewis (TAO-205) class oiler shipbuilding program, a program to build a new class of 20 fleet oilers for the Navy. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's annual ship authorization and funding requests for the program. Congress's decisions on this issue could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-06-02
-
Postal Reform Legislation in the 117th Congress: Operational Transparency and Performance Provisions [June 2, 2021]
From the Document: "Postal reform has been a subject of sustained congressional interest [hyperlink] for many years. In the 117th Congress, bipartisan legislation--the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 (PSRA)--was introduced during May 2021 in the House and the Senate with very similar contents (H.R. 3076, introduced May 11, 2021, and S. 1720, introduced May 19, 2021; draft Senate bill language posted online [hyperlink]). Each version of the legislation includes a number of potential alterations to the authority and operations of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). Among many other topics [hyperlink], the legislation addresses the financial condition of USPS and postal worker retirees' health care. This Insight focuses on two provisions in the proposed PSRA relating to USPS [hyperlink] operational transparency and performance (Sections 201 and 207). After briefly outlining the provisions, the Insight provides selected background information relating to the existing statutory landscape of related laws and administratively driven developments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brass, Clinton T.
2021-06-02
-
House Office of Congressional Ethics: History, Authority, and Procedures [Updated June 2, 2021]
From the Summary: "The House Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) was established on March 11, 2008, with the passage of H.Res. 895. It was most recently reauthorized by the House as part of the rules package (H.Res. 8, §4(c)) adopted by the 117 th Congress on January 4, 2021. The office's establishment followed years of efforts by groups within and outside Congress to create an independent entity to investigate allegations of misconduct by Members, officers, and employees of Congress. During the 110th Congress (2007-2008), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader John Boehner created the bipartisan Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement, chaired by Representative Michael Capuano, to consider whether the House should create an 'outside' ethics-enforcement entity. The task force worked for nearly a year before issuing its recommendations for the creation of the OCE. [...] This report describes the history and rationale behind the creation of the OCE, its operations, its relationship with the House Committee on Ethics, and options potentially available for Congress if further amendments to the House ethics process are desired."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straus, Jacob R.
2021-06-02
-
Limpieza efectuada por el DOD: Se anticipa que los esfuerzos que se llevan a cabo en los antiguos sitios militares en Vieques y Culebra, Puerto Rico, continúen hasta el año 2032, Informe para los comités del Congreso
"Durante varias décadas, el Departamento de Defensa (DoD, por sus siglas en inglés) utilizó las islas de Vieques y Culebra, Puerto Rico, como sitios de entrenamiento que generaron grandes cantidades de municiones, sustancias peligrosas y otros agentes contaminantes en las islas y sus aguas circundantes. El DoD comenzó los esfuerzos de limpieza en Culebra a principios de la década de 1990, y en Vieques, a mediados de la década de 2000. Ambas gestiones se llevan a cabo de conformidad con la Ley de Responsabilidad, Compensación y Respuesta Ambiental Integral (CERCLA, por sus siglas en inglés) de 1980, en su versión enmendada. La Marina de los EE. UU. financia y dirige las iniciativas de limpieza en Vieques, y la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los EE. UU. (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) tiene a su cargo la supervisión de estas. El Cuerpo de Ingenieros del Ejército de los EE. UU. financia y dirige las iniciativas de limpieza en Culebra, y el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico tiene a su cargo la supervisión de estas."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06
-
Review of U.S. Park Police Actions at Lafayette Park
From the Document: "At the request of then Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior David Bernhardt and Members of Congress, we reviewed the actions the U.S. Park Police (USPP) took to disperse protesters in and around Lafayette Park in Washington, DC, on June 1, 2020. Our review focused on events that occurred in and around the park from May 29 through June 3 amid the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests. We sought to describe what occurred primarily from an operational perspective, including how and when the USPP, in coordination with its law enforcement partners, developed and executed its plan to clear the park and the USPP's reasons for dispersing protesters from the area. We also sought to determine whether the warnings the USPP provided to protesters before it executed the plan complied with applicable guidance."
United States. Department of the Interior. Office of Inspector General
2021-06
-
Nuclear Security Enterprise: NNSA Should Use Portfolio Management Leading Practices to Support Modernization Efforts, Report to the Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "NNSA [National Nuclear Security Administration] is simultaneously modernizing the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile and the infrastructure on which weapons research and production programs depend. These efforts include multi-billion-dollar defense programs and projects that provide the capabilities needed for maintenance and modernization programs. Congress previously directed NNSA to identify its needed capabilities. The Senate report accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review NNSA's approach to managing its defense programs and to identifying capabilities. This report examines the extent to which NNSA (1) used selected portfolio management leading practices to manage its maintenance and modernization programs and projects and (2) developed a comprehensive and complete capability assessment to support portfolio management."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06
-
Science & Tech Spotlight: Renewable Ocean Energy
From the Document: "Renewable ocean energy has the potential to reduce global carbon emissions from fossil fuels by 500 million tons by 2050, and could also meet the energy needs of isolated communities, which may not have access to reliable electricity sources. However, the technologies can be costly and more research is needed to understand their potential effects on marine wildlife."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06
-
CTC Sentinel [June 2021]
This June 2021 issue of the U.S. Military Academy's Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) Sentinel features an article about far-right extremism in Germany titled "The Insider Threat: Far-Right Extremism in the German Military and Police," by Florian Flade. Other reports include: "A View from the CT Foxhole: Idriss Mounir Lallali, Deputy Director, African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT)" by Jason Warner; "The Threat Is the Network: The Multi-Node Structure of Neo-Fascist Accelerationism" by Alex Newhouse; and "Iran's Currency Laundromats in the Emirates," by Peter Kirechu.
Combating Terrorism Center (U.S.)
2021-06
-
Imported Agriculture: Updated Planning and Communication Could Enhance Agency Coordination of Inspections, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "USDA estimates that over 50,000 invasive species are already in the U.S., costing almost $120 billion annually in environmental damages and losses. Federal inspectors at U.S. ports of entry help prevent threats from invasive species by inspecting agricultural products (e.g., plants, seeds, and animals) entering the U.S. CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] conducts the majority of inspections, APHIS [Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service] sets inspection standards, and FWS [Fish and Wildlife Service] inspects imported wildlife. The Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019 authorized $221.6 million in appropriations to increase CBP staffing levels for inspectors for fiscal years 2020, 2021, and 2022. The act includes a provision that GAO [Government Accountability Office] review federal efforts to address risks to the agricultural supply. This report examines, among other things, how federal agencies coordinate responsibilities for inspection of imported agriculture."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06
-
Small Business Administration: Use of Supplemental Funds for Administering COVID-19-Related Programs, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic disrupted small businesses and generated an immediate need for emergency funding to keep businesses operating. In response, Congress dramatically increased the amount of loans, grants, and other financial assistance available from SBA [Small Business Administration]. To help SBA manage the large volume of assistance, Congress provided the agency additional funds for administrative expenses. Congress included a provision in statute for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on SBA's use of supplemental appropriations provided in fiscal year 2020 for administrative expenses. This report discusses (1) the amount of supplemental appropriations SBA received in fiscal year 2020 for administrative expenses and SBA's planned uses for these funds, and (2) the extent to which SBA had obligated and expended these funds as of January 31, 2021, and for what purposes."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06
-
MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 1, 2021: Excess Death Estimates in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease -- United States, February-August 2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Excess Death Estimates in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease -- United States, February-August 2020." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-06-01
-
Navy Next-Generation Attack Submarine (SSN[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated June 1, 2021]
From the Introduction and Issue for Congress: "The Navy wants to begin procuring a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), called the Next-Generation Attack Submarine or SSN(X), in FY2031. The SSN(X) would be the successor to the Virginia-class SSN design, which the Navy has been procuring since FY1998. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $98.0 million in research and development funding for the SSN(X) program. An issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's funding requests and acquisition strategy for the SSN(X) program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-06-01
-
Navy TAGOS(X) Ocean Surveillance Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated June 1, 2021]
From the Document: "The Navy wants to procure in FY2022 the first of a planned new class of seven TAGOS(X) ocean surveillance ships. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $434.4 million for the procurement of the first TAGOS(X). The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's funding requests and acquisition strategy for the program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-06-01
-
One for All: An Updated Action Plan for Global Covid-19 Vaccination
From the Foreword: "Right now, the world is only a little closer to ending the Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic than it was at this time last year. Despite the tireless work of health care workers, the miracles of vaccine researchers and producers, and the trillions of dollars spent by governments, there are still too many people falling ill around the world and too many who have yet to receive the benefits of vaccination. And, with each new infection, we risk a mutation that could produce a variant - like the B1.1.7, B1.351 and B.1.617 variants we are seeing now - that could break out, cross borders and challenge vaccine efficacy. Nearly everyone agrees that we must vaccinate the world as soon as possible, or risk wasting all this work, sacrifice and investment. Unfortunately, until this report, 'One for All: An Updated Action Plan for Global Covid-19 Vaccination', there have been few workable, comprehensive plans to meet that objective nor the support to achieve it. The result has been inertia - a global vaccination initiative that lacks resources and ambition - and a growing gulf between the vaccinated world and the unvaccinated world."
Rockefeller Foundation
2021-06
-
H. Rept. 117-49: DHS Medical Countermeasures Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 3263, June 1, 2021
From the Document: "H.R. 3263, the 'DHS Medical Countermeasures Act,' requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary to establish a medical countermeasures program to facilitate personnel readiness and protection for the Department's employees and working animals in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosives attack, naturally occurring disease outbreak, or pandemic, and to support Department mission continuity. First introduced in the 114th Congress, and passed by the House of Representatives in the 115th Congress as part of H.R. 2825, the 'Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019,' this legislation is responsive to findings of an August 2014 DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) report entitled, 'DHS Has Not Effectively Managed Pandemic Personal Protective Equipment and Antiviral Medical Countermeasures.' At the time, it was developed due to concern about the possibility of a severe pandemic that could cause illnesses, fatalities, and disrupt U.S. economic and social stability. The concerns of the DHS OIG report were realized on December 31, 2019, when the World Health Organization (WHO) identified a media report from the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission in China regarding dozens of patients receiving treatment for a 'viral pneumonia' from an unknown source. The virus, 'severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2' (SARS-CoV-2), causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since the initial cases, COVID-19 has resulted in a global pandemic. In the U.S. alone, the pandemic has resulted in the death of at least 590,000 people. COVID-19's impact was felt within the DHS workforce, which stands at more than 240,000 employees. With nearly 85 percent of the DHS personnel working on the frontlines and unable to work remotely or practice social distancing, keeping personnel safe during the pandemic has had homeland security implications."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021-06-01
-
Streamlining State Business Regulatory Processes to Support Economic Recovery: 'Learning from Administrative and Compliance Process Improvements During COVID-19'
From the Executive Summary: "As Governors work to facilitate a strong, rapid and equitable economic recovery from the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, Governors have made reviewing business regulations and regulatory processes a priority. Innovations and changes to business regulations and their associated administrative processes were explored by many states to counter the economic fallout from the pandemic and can provide valuable lessons moving forward. This paper explores high-profile state-level changes to regulatory compliance and administrative processes from the past year, and addresses ways to assess their value and the benefit of continuing them with improved procedures for more streamlined implementation. It suggests policy areas that might be considered 'low hanging fruit' for Governors and state agencies interested in streamlining the administration of their regulations, as well as next steps to consider."
National Governors' Association; Pew Charitable Trusts
Rood, Sally A.; Rahn, Madelyn; Stephens, Rachel . . .
2021-06-01?
-
Racial Disparities in Policing: An Advisory Memorandum of the Oklahoma Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
From the June 2021 Advisory Memorandum from The Oklahoma Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights: "The Oklahoma Advisory Committee (Committee) to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) convened a series of online public meetings to hear testimony regarding racial disparities in policing in November and December of 2020. The following advisory memorandum results from the testimony provided during the online panels, as well as related testimony submitted to the Committee in writing during the relevant period of public comment. It begins with a brief background of the issue to be considered by the Committee. It then identifies primary findings as they emerged from the testimony. Finally, the Committee conveys their recommendations for addressing related civil rights concerns. This memo is intended to focus specifically on racial disparities in policing practices. While other important topics may have surfaced throughout the Committee's inquiry, those matters that are outside the scope of this specific civil rights mandate are left for another discussion. This memo and the recommendations included within it were adopted unanimously by the Committee on May 25, 2021."
United States Commission on Civil Rights; United States Commission on Civil Rights. Oklahoma Advisory Committee
2021-06
