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General Debate on the Impact of Long Covid on the UK Workforce
From the Background: "The latest data from the Office for National Statistics [hyperlink] (ONS) estimates that 1.5 million people in the UK (2.4% of the population) were experiencing long Covid [coronavirus disease] as of the end of January. This is based on self-reporting of Covid symptoms persisting for over four weeks. 71% of those reporting long Covid first had (or suspected they had) Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] at least twelve weeks prior to the study. 65% of those reporting long Covid said that it adversely affected their day-to-day activities. Fatigue is the most common reported symptom of long Covid (reported in 51% of cases), followed by shortness of breath (35%). Reported long Covid was most common in those aged 35-49, females, people living in more deprived areas, those employed in education or health and social care, and people who already had another health condition or disability that limits their day-to-day activities."
Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Library
Powell, Andrew; Powell, Tom, 1976-; Baker, Carl . . .
2022-03-22
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Russia's Nuclear Weapons: Doctrine, Forces, and Modernization [Updated March 21, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Congress has shown growing concern about the challenges Russia poses to the United States and its allies. It has expressed concerns about Russia's nuclear doctrine and nuclear modernization programs and has held hearings focused on Russia's compliance with arms control agreements and the future of the arms control process. Moreover, Members have raised questions about whether U.S. and Russian nuclear modernization programs, combined with the potential demise of restraints on U.S. and Russian nuclear forces, may be fueling an arms race and undermining strategic stability. This report seeks to advise this debate by providing information about Russia's nuclear doctrine, its current nuclear force structure, and its ongoing nuclear modernization programs. It begins with a brief summary of recent developments related to Russia's nuclear forces, then is divided into five sections. The first section describes Russia's nuclear strategy and focuses on ways in which that strategy differs from that of the Soviet Union. The second section provides a historical overview of the Soviet Union's nuclear force structure. The third section details Russia's current force structure, including its long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), and heavy bombers and shorter-range nonstrategic nuclear weapons. This section also highlights key elements of relevant infrastructure, including early warning, command and control, production, testing, and warhead storage. It also describes the key modernization programs that Russia is pursuing to maintain and, in some cases, expand its nuclear arsenal. The fourth section focuses on how arms control has affected the size and structure of Russia's nuclear forces. The fifth section discusses several potential issues for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2022-03-21
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Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management: An Introduction [Updated March 21, 2022]
From the Introduction: "A supply chain consists of the system of organizations, people, activities, information, and resources that provide products or services to consumers. Like other types of goods, a global supply chain exists for the development, manufacture, and distribution of information technology (IT) products (i.e., hardware and software) and information communications technology (ICT). As with other goods and services, risks exist to this cyber supply chain. This field is known as cyber supply chain risk management (C-SCRM or Cyber SCRM). Congress and federal agencies have taken actions to bolster cyber supply chain security. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ordered federal agencies to remove Kaspersky security products from their networks because of the risk posed. Legislation was subsequently enacted codifying that order. In addition, Congress in 2018 instructed federal agencies and contractors not to use ICT made by certain Chinese companies. Congress established the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC), which issued an initial rule in 2020. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA, a part of DHS) hosts a public-private ICT SCRM Task Force. The Federal Communications Commission authorized the use of Universal Service Fund money to rip-and-replace certain ICT. The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission issued a report highlighting supply chain concerns. Additional legislation has been debated as part of national economic competition bills (e.g., the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 and the America COMPETES act of 2022). While interest in cyber supply chain security has increased recently, there have been other periods of intense scrutiny on supply chain issues. [...] This In Focus reviews C-SCRM, discusses ways in which it is currently managed, and highlights issues that Congress may consider for federal agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jaikaran, Chris
2022-03-21
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Delegates to the U.S. Congress: History and Current Status [Updated March 21, 2022]
From the Summary: "Delegates, representing territories that had not yet achieved statehood, have served in the House since the late 1700s. In the 20th century, the concept of delegate grew to include representation of territories where the United States exercises some degree of control but were not expected to become states. In the 117 th Congress (2021-2022), the U.S. insular areas of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and the federal municipality of the District of Columbia are each represented in Congress by a delegate to the House of Representatives. In addition, Puerto Rico is represented by a resident commissioner, whose position is treated the same as a delegate. This report provides historical background on the development of the position of delegate to Congress and on the rights of a delegate once seated. [...] In the 1970s, delegates gained the right to be elected to standing committees (in the same manner as Members of the House) and to exercise in those committees the same powers and privileges as Members of the House, including the right to vote. Today, delegates enjoy powers, rights, and responsibilities identical, in most respects, to those of House Members from the states. Like these Members, delegates can speak, introduce bills and resolutions, and offer amendments on the House floor; they can speak, offer amendments, and vote in House committees. Under the rules of the 117 th Congress (2021-2022), delegates may not vote in House floor sessions or preside over them. However, they may preside over the Committee of the Whole and vote in those sessions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hudiburg, Jane A.
2022-03-21
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Federal Reserve and Inflation [Updated March 21, 2022]
From the Document: "On March 16, 2022, the Federal Reserve [hyperlink] (Fed) raised the federal funds rate [hyperlink] (FFR), its main monetary policy tool, by 0.25 percentage points. This was the first time that rates were raised above zero since the onset of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, when the Fed set rates near zero in response to the large decline in employment. As the economy has recovered, it maintained that target, even as unemployment fell to 3.8% and inflation--as measured by the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index--rose to 6.1%, the highest it has been since 1982. By statute [hyperlink], the Fed has been tasked with setting monetary policy to maintain maximum employment and stable prices. The two goals can involve a tradeoff--Fed actions that can boost employment can spur inflation, and actions that fight inflation may also reduce employment. The Fed has defined stable prices as an inflation rate of 2% [hyperlink] since 2012. The Fed raised rates--and indicated that it intends to continue raising rates [hyperlink]--primarily because inflation was above its target. This Insight provides historical context on whether these plans will be sufficient to restore price stability."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2022-03-21
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Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated March 21, 2022]
From the Summary: "Mexico, the 10th most populous country and 15th largest economy in the world, is bound to the United States by geography and strong economic, cultural, and historical ties. In addition to sharing a nearly 2,000-mile border with the United States, Mexico is among the top U.S. trade partners and a major U.S. energy supplier. These ties frequently manifest themselves in legislative activity and interest across a wide spectrum of issues in Congress. Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the populist leader of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party, which he created in 2014, took office for a six-year term in December 2018. President López Obrador has remained popular (54% approval in February 2022), likely as a result of his delivery on social programs and ability to connect with voters, even as his government has struggled to address organized crime-related violence, corruption, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mexico's economy contracted by 8.2% in 2020. The economy expanded 5.3% in 2021, but the IMF predicts 2.8% growth this year."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando; Klein, Joshua
2022-03-21
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 6837, No Tiktok on Department of Homeland Security Devices Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on March 2, 2022. From the Document: "H.R. 6837 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prohibit the use of TikTok on and remove the application from the department's information technology systems and devices. TikTok is a social networking application that allows users to create and share short videos. Several federal laws, regulations, and policies prohibit the use of government property for unauthorized purposes. H.R. 6837 would expand those prohibitions at DHS to include TikTok or any successor service provided by its developer. Some federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, have already banned TikTok from their devices. Using information from those agencies, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 6837 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2022-2026 period for DHS to develop the guidelines and for component agencies to comply with the new restriction. Such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-03-21
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Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: NATO Response [Updated March 21, 2022]
From the Description: "The 30-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO; see 'Figure 1') has condemned Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which it has characterized as the 'most dangerous moment in European security in a generation [hyperlink].' Underscoring its role as a defensive alliance, NATO has joined the United States in declaring that it would not deploy forces to Ukraine, which is not a NATO member. NATO has, however, significantly enhanced its defensive force posture in the eastern part of the alliance and reiterated its solidarity with Ukraine. NATO officials also have expressed support [hyperlink] for substantial bilateral assistance, including arms transfers, provided to Ukraine by NATO members since the invasion. According to some reports [hyperlink], as of early March, arms transfers from NATO allies to Ukraine had included [hyperlink] more than 17,000 anti-tank missiles and 2,000 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Belkin, Paul
2022-03-21
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2021 On-Site Installation Evaluation Report
From the Executive Summary: "On February 26, 2021, Secretary of Defense Austin directed On-Site Installation Evaluations (OSIEs) at select installations. OSIEs focus on an installation's prevention capabilities and ability to effectively address risk for sexual assault, harassment, and suicide. They were designed to provide early detection of risk factors so leaders can take corrective actions and enhance prevention. OSIEs aim to provide insights on risk and protective factors on the ground, what works, what does not, how the Department can improve efforts more comprehensively, and support efforts to implement the approved recommendations of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military (IRC). An additional purpose of the inaugural OSIEs was to pilot a process and metrics to establish an enduring installation evaluation capability that can be replicated in subsequent evaluations. [...] Based on the results from a force-wide climate survey in 2021, 20 sites with high risk or protective percentile scores were selected for OSIEs. Of these, 13 OSIEs were completed July through September 2021[.] [...] Seven site visits were delayed due to mission requirements of the units of interest and were subsequently completed November 2021 through January 2022[.] [...] Within each installation, the units with the highest risk or protective percentile scores on the installation were evaluated, in addition to the helping agencies and prevention personnel that supported these units. On-site evaluations verified installation self-assessed compliance with sexual assault, sexual harassment, and integrated violence prevention policy and prevention best practice. In addition, evaluations assessed prevention capabilities of installations and units of interest. This report summarizes findings and recommendations for the 20 sites that completed OSIEs[.]"
United States. Department of Defense
2022-03-21
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COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Installation Status Update [As of March 21, 2022]
This is the U.S. Department of Defense Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)-related military travel restriction guide as of March 21, 2022, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As reported in the document, "Travel Restrictions 'LIFTED' at 215 of 230 Installations (94%)[.] [...] Of the 215 installations with lifted travel restrictions this week, 0 reinstated travel restrictions while 1 lifted restrictions."
United States. Department of Defense
2022-03-21
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LIBOR Transition [Updated March 21, 2022]
From the Document: "LIBOR [London Interbank Offered Rate] is a key benchmark interest rate underpinning many financial contracts, but it is being discontinued between December 2021 and June 2023. This In Focus discusses efforts to transition away from the use of LIBOR in financial products in order to avoid disruption if LIBOR disappears, including Division U of P.L. 117-103. [...] LIBOR is a benchmark or reference rate that helps financial market participants gauge prevailing interest rates. In the United States, many financial instruments are tied to dollar LIBORs, including certain floating-rate loans, bonds, securitized products, and financial derivatives. For example, an adjustable mortgage rate might be set at LIBOR plus a fixed markup. Each month, the rate on the mortgage would be reset based on the prevailing LIBOR. A type of derivative called an interest rate swap might also reference LIBOR. One party to the swap would receive a periodic payment based on a predetermined fixed interest rate, while the other party would receive a payment tied to a rate that adjusts based on the current LIBOR. As of 2020, LIBOR was referenced in an estimated $223 trillion of financial instruments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2022-03-21
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Comparing DHS Component Funding Proposals, FY2022: In Brief [Updated March 18, 2022]
From the Document: "The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act includes all annual appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), providing resources to every departmental component. Its accompanying conference report or explanatory statement provides guidance for the department in terms of how DHS should account for reprogramming and transferring a range of non-appropriated funds as well. Together, they form a snapshot of a significant amount of the DHS budget. This report reviews that snapshot at the DHS component level, comparing [1] the budget authority outlined in the FY2021 annual appropriations measure; [2] annual appropriations requested by the Joseph R. Biden Administration for FY2022; [3] funding levels recommended by the House Appropriations Committee in H.R. 4431 and H.Rept. 117-87; [4] funding levels proposed by the Senate Appropriations Committee in the committee draft released on October 18, 2021, and its accompanying explanatory statement; and [5] annual appropriations enacted in P.L. 117-103, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Division F of which is the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022. The report makes note of supplemental appropriations provided through various measures for FY2021 and FY2022, but identifies such funding distinctly, to allow for clear comparison on the annual appropriations packages. The report makes special note of 'net discretionary appropriations' for DHS--a perspective on the net impact the legislation that funds DHS has on congressionally-tracked budget totals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Painter, William L.
2022-03-18
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FY2022 NDAA: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Authorizations [March 18, 2022]
From the Document: "The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) typically authorizes appropriations for Department of Defense (DOD) research, development, test and evaluation [hyperlink] (RDT&E) programs in Title II of Division A. RDT&E accounts fund a range of activities [hyperlink] carried out by DOD, as well as laboratories in other federal agencies, universities, private-sector companies, and other entities. The NDAA authorizes appropriations for RDT&E accounts of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force. The Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide, account funds activities of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and other agencies reporting to the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The Operational Test and Evaluation, Defense account funds the Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation and related activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McGarry, Brendan W.
2022-03-18
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Enforcement of Economic Sanctions: An Overview [March 18, 2022]
From the Document: "As part of the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United States and many other international actors have imposed economic restrictive measures ('economic sanctions') on individuals and entities financing or otherwise connected with the Russian and Belarusian governments. In the United States, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) within the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) often leads sanctions implementation. OFAC and the Department of Justice (DOJ) serve as the primary enforcers of economic sanctions measures, although other federal agencies play a role in enforcement efforts. This In Focus provides a brief overview of the economic sanctions regime and how it is enforced."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hart, Nina M.
2022-03-18
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Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: Overview of U.S. And International Sanctions and Other Responses [Updated March 18, 2022]
From the Document: "On February 24, 2022, Russia launched [hyperlink] an undeclared war against Ukraine. The United States [hyperlink] and countries [hyperlink] around the world [hyperlink] have condemned Russia's 'unprecedented military aggression' as 'unprovoked and unjustified.' The United States, the European Union (EU), and member countries of the EU and NATO have provided or pledged new military assistance to Ukraine ($1.35 billion in immediate U.S. security assistance [hyperlink] since the start [hyperlink] of the war). Members of legislatures, local governments, businesses, and publics [hyperlink] in the United States and elsewhere have expressed support for Ukraine and have condemned Russia's invasion. Many U.S. and other companies [hyperlink] have suspended or withdrawn operations in Russia. On March 2, 2022, the U.N. General Assembly voted [hyperlink] 141-5 to demand Russia 'immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw' from Ukraine (34 countries, including China and India, abstained)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Welt, Cory
2022-03-18
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 6873, Bombing Prevention Act of 2022
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on March 2, 2022. From the Document: "H.R. 6873 would authorize the Department of Homeland Security to publish information on threats posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and coordinate federal efforts to protect against IED attacks in the United States. The bill also would codify the department's Office of Bombing Prevention and would require the department to report to the Congress on the effectiveness of its efforts. The department is already performing the functions that would be required by H.R. 6873; thus, the bill would codify those responsibilities and would not impose any new operating requirements. CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 6873 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2022-2026 period to prepare and deliver the required reports; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriations."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-03-18
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 18, 2022: COVID-19-associated Hospitalizations Among Adults During SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron Variant Predominance, by Race/Ethnicity and Vaccination Status -- COVID-NET, 14 States, July 2021-January 2022
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This Early Release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]-associated Hospitalizations Among Adults During SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] Delta and Omicron Variant Predominance, by Race/Ethnicity and Vaccination Status -- COVID-NET, 14 States." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from MMWR can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2022.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2022-03-18
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 18, 2022: Effectiveness of mRNA Vaccination in Preventing COVID-19-associated Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and Death -- United States, March 2021-January 2022, March 18, 2022
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: "Effectiveness of mRNA [Messenger Ribonucleic Acid] Vaccination in Preventing COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]-Associated Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and Death -- United States, March 2021-January 2022." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from MMWR can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2022.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2022-03-18
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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 18, 2022
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 issue of MMWR contains the following: "Tobacco Product Use Among Adults -- United States, 2020"; "Progress Toward Achieving and Sustaining Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination -- Worldwide, 2000-2020"; "Reported Cases of End-Stage Kidney Disease -- United States, 2000-2019"; "The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' Recommendation for Use of Moderna COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Vaccine in Adults Aged ≥18 Years and Considerations for Extended Intervals for Administration of Primary Series Doses of mRNA [Messenger Ribonucleic Acid] COVID-19 Vaccines -- United States, February 2022"; "Effectiveness of 2-Dose BNT162b2 (Pfizer BioNTech [Biopharmaceutical New Technologies]) mRNA Vaccine in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] Infection Among Children Aged 5-11 Years and Adolescents Aged 12-15 Years -- PROTECT [Pediatric Research Observing Trends and Exposures in COVID-19] Cohort, July 2021-February 2022"; "Hospitalization of Infants and Children Aged 0-4 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 -- COVID-NET [Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network], 14 States, March 2020-February 2022"; and "QuickStats: Rate of Unintentional Traumatic Brain Injury-Related Deaths Among Persons Aged ≤19 Years, by Age Group and Sex -- National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2018-2020." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2022.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2022-03-18
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Invasion of Ukraine: Russia's Trade Status, Tariffs, and WTO Issues [Updated March 18, 2022]
From the Document: "Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United States and its allies have imposed financial sanctions [hyperlink] and taken trade actions [hyperlink]. Some Members of Congress have introduced legislation (e.g., H.R. 6835, H.R. 6905, H.R. 7014, S. 3725, S. 3717, S. 3786) to revoke Russia's permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status, which provides unconditional nondiscriminatory, most-favored nation (MFN) treatment to goods and services traded with Russia. On March 11, 2022, President Biden announced [hyperlink] his support for legislation revoking Russia's PNTR status, in coordination with G7 [Group of Seven] countries. On March 17, the House passed H.R. 7108, which suspends PNTR with Russia (and Belarus); provides the President authority to further increase non-MFN tariffs; provides authority to restore NTR under certain conditions; and directs the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to use its voice and influence at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to encourage other WTO members to suspend trade concessions and to consider further steps toward suspending Russia from the WTO. Removing Russia's PNTR status would increase applicable import duties on U.S. imports from Russia [hyperlink], potentially impacting certain sectors reliant on Russian inputs and raising issues under U.S. WTO obligations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D.; Wong, Liana
2022-03-18
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Humanitarian and Refugee Crisis in Ukraine [Updated March 18, 2022]
From the Document: "The humanitarian situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate following Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022. Russia's war against Ukraine threatens to trigger a wider humanitarian crisis and has resulted in massive refugee flows to neighboring countries. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated [hyperlink] that the war could cause 'Europe's largest refugee crisis this century.' With strong bipartisan support for the humanitarian response, Congress has increased U.S. humanitarian funding for Ukraine (see P.L. 117-103) while considering related challenges such as humanitarian access and protection."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Margesson, Rhoda; Mix, Derek E.
2022-03-18
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Role of International Tribunals in the Response to the Invasion of Ukraine [Updated March 18, 2022]
From the Document: "The Ukrainian government and much [hyperlink] of the international community contend that actions taken by Russian forces during Russia's invasion of Ukraine violate international law. A number of officials have also expressed concern that actions during the invasion may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity [hyperlink]; others, including the Secretary General of the United Nations [hyperlink] (U.N.) and the U.S. Secretary of State [hyperlink] have claimed that the situation in Ukraine is leading to increased human rights violations. This Sidebar addresses the role of international tribunals in addressing issues involving international humanitarian and human rights law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hart, Nina M.; Mulligan, Stephen P.
2022-03-18
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: Estimated Budgetary Effects of H.R. 7108, the Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as passed by the House of Representatives on March 17, 2022. From the Document: "The act would suspend normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus. By suspending normal trade relations, some U.S. imports from Russia and Belarus would be subject to higher customs duties than under current law. H.R. 7108 would modify the authority to impose sanctions on individuals who commit serious human rights abuses or significant acts of corruption under current law. Using information about similar sanctions, CBO estimates that the sanctions in the act would affect a small number of people. Thus, enacting the legislation would have insignificant effects on revenues and direct spending. Implementing the legislation would have insignificant effects on spending subject to appropriation; any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-03-17
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Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank [Updated March 17, 2022]
From the Document: "In October 2013, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Bali, Indonesia, China proposed creating a new multilateral development bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). As its name suggests, the Bank's stated purpose is to provide financing for infrastructure needs throughout Asia. The AIIB has also been active in the response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and is providing up to $20 billion in support to member countries to support their pandemic responses through the end of 2023. The AIIB's Crisis Recovery Facility (CRF) was created in April 2020, and is supporting various health sector and economic resilience projects. As of February 2022, 46 CRF projects have been approved, totaling $11.6 billion across 25 member countries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weiss, Martin A.
2022-03-17
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Fundamentals of Unemployment Compensation [Updated March 17, 2022]
From the Document: "The joint federal-state Unemployment Compensation (UC) program provides income support through UC benefit payments. Although there are broad requirements under federal law regarding UC benefits and financing, the specifics are set out under each state's laws. States administer UC benefits with U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) oversight, resulting in 53 different UC programs operated in the states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Total UC expenditures include benefits and administrative costs. During economic expansions, states fund approximately 85%-90% of all UC expenditures--as almost all of the benefits are state-financed by state unemployment taxes. In comparison, federal expenditures are relatively small during these expansions (approximately 10%-15%) in which federal expenditures are primarily administrative grants to the states financed by federal unemployment taxes. During FY2021, federal expenditures were 27% of total permanent-law, regular UC program outlays. Almost 88% of all FY2021 Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefit expenditures were federally financed once the temporary COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] UI benefits outlays are included in the calculation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Whittaker, Julie M.; Isaacs, Katelin P., 1980-
2022-03-17
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Questioning Judicial Nominees: Legal Limitations and Practice [Updated March 17, 2022]
From the Summary: "The U.S. Constitution vests the Senate with the role of providing 'advice' and granting or withholding 'consent' when a President nominates a candidate to be an Article III judge--a federal judge potentially entitled to life tenure, such as a Supreme Court Justice. To carry out this 'advice and consent' role, the Senate typically holds a hearing at which Senators question the nominee. After conducting the hearing, the Senate generally either 'consents' to the nomination by voting to confirm the nominee or rejects the nominee. Many prior judicial nominees have refrained from answering certain questions during their confirmation hearings on the ground that responding to those questions would contravene norms of judicial ethics or the Constitution. [...] Beyond judicial ethics rules, broader constitutional values, such as due process and the separation of powers, have informed the Senate's questioning of judicial nominees. As a result, historical practice can help illuminate which questions a judicial nominee may or should refuse to answer during confirmation. For example, recent Supreme Court nominees have invoked the so-called 'Ginsburg Rule' to decline to discuss any cases that are currently pending before the Court or any issues that are likely to come before the Court. Senators and nominees have disagreed about whether any given response would improperly prejudge an issue that is likely to be contested at the Supreme Court. Although nominees have reached varied conclusions regarding which responses are permissible or impermissible, nominees have commonly answered general questions regarding their judicial philosophy, their prior statements, and judicial procedure."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brannon, Valerie C.; Lewis, Kevin M.; Lampe, Joanna R.
2022-03-17
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New Financial and Trade Sanctions Against Russia [March 17, 2022]
From the Document: "On February 24, the Russian Federation (Russia) launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The United States and allies have responded with sanctions and other actions, affecting economic engagement, access to financial instruments and resources, and trade, against Russia that are unprecedented in terms of their comprehensiveness, coordination, and swiftness. Within the United States, the new measures were primarily imposed by the executive branch. Congress has sought to widen the range of economic targets and to curtail further the Russian government's access to financial and other resources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nelson, Rebecca M.; Casey, Christopher A.; Schwarzenberg, Andres B.
2022-03-17
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Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: Implications for Agricultural Trade and Production [March 17, 2022]
From the Document: "On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a widespread invasion of Ukrainian territory, including Russian attacks from forces deployed in Belarus. In response to the invasion, the United States [hyperlink] and other countries imposed financial and trade sanctions on Russia and Belarus. The combined impacts of the invasion and sanctions have disrupted commercial air, rail, and ocean shipping [hyperlink] from Ukraine and Russia and have impacted international trade patterns, including for certain agricultural commodities [hyperlink] and fertilizers [hyperlink]. For more on U.S. and allied responses to Russia's invasion, see CRS Insight IN11869, 'Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: Overview of U.S. and International Sanctions and Other Responses' and CRS Insight IN11871, 'Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: New Financial and Trade Sanctions.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rosch, Stephanie
2022-03-17
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Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress [March 17, 2022]
From the Summary: "The United States has actively pursued the development of hypersonic weapons--maneuvering weapons that fly at speeds of at least Mach 5--as a part of its conventional prompt global strike program since the early 2000s. In recent years, the United States has focused such efforts on developing hypersonic glide vehicles, which are launched from a rocket before gliding to a target, and hypersonic cruise missiles, which are powered by high-speed, air-breathing engines during flight. As former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former Commander of U.S. Strategic Command General John Hyten has stated, these weapons could enable 'responsive, long-range, strike options against distant, defended, and/or time-critical threats [such as road-mobile missiles] when other forces are unavailable, denied access, or not preferred.' Critics, on the other hand, contend that hypersonic weapons lack defined mission requirements, contribute little to U.S. military capability, and are unnecessary for deterrence."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.
2022-03-17
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What Happens If the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Lapses? [Updated March 17, 2022]
From the Document: "This Insight provides a short overview of what would happen if the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) were not to be reauthorized by September 30, 2022, and allowed to lapse. [...] Unless reauthorized or amended by Congress, the following will occur on September 30, 2022: [1] The authority to provide 'new' flood insurance contracts will expire [hyperlink]. Flood insurance contracts entered into before the expiration would continue until the end of their policy term of one year. [2] The authority for NFIP to borrow funds from the Treasury will be reduced from $30.425 billion to $1 billion [hyperlink]. Other activities of the program would technically remain authorized, such as the issuance of Flood Mitigation Assistance Grants [hyperlink]. However, the expiration of the key authorities listed above would have potentially significant impacts on the remaining NFIP activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2022-03-17
