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).
-
MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 24, 2022: Post-COVID Conditions Among Adult COVID-19 Survivors Aged 18-64 and ≥65 Years -- United States, March 2020-November 2021
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: "Post-COVID [coronavirus disease] Conditions Among Adult COVID-19 Survivors Aged 18-64 and ≥65 Years -- United States, March 2020-November 2021." 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.)
2022-05-24
-
Planning America's Capital: Strategic Plan: 2022-2026
From the Plan and Project Review: "The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) reviews and approves plans and projects for federal and certain District of Columbia buildings and installations. Through planning, policymaking, and plan review, the NCPC defines and protects both federal interests and broader national interests in the region's development. These interests are wide-ranging and multi-faceted, from ensuring that government agencies and foreign missions have safe, well-served facilities to addressing multiple uses of parks and open spaces. The NCPC encourages forward looking outcomes that achieve shared federal and local interests, including efficient infrastructure, a thriving economy, sustainable and safe development patterns, and natural and cultural resource stewardship."
United States. National Capital Planning Commission
2022-05-24
-
S. Rept. 117-117: Disaster Resiliency Planning Act, Report of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, to Accompany S. 3510, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, May 24, 2022
From the Purpose and Summary: "S. 3510, the Disaster Resiliency Planning Act, requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance to federal agencies on how to incorporate natural disaster resilience into investment and asset management decisions. The legislation is in response to a 2021 report issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which found that while the federal government has issued guidance to address risks such as climate change, there were no specific directives for incorporating natural disaster resilience into asset-management decisions."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-24
-
Risk Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Breakthrough Infections in Fully mRNA-Vaccinated Individuals: Retrospective Analysis
From the Abstract: "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] messenger RNA [ribonucleic acid] (mRNA) vaccines have demonstrated efficacy and effectiveness in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, while being relatively safe in trial studies. However, vaccine breakthrough infections have been reported. [...] This study aims to identify risk factors associated with COVID-19 breakthrough infections among fully mRNA-vaccinated individuals. [...] We conducted a series of observational retrospective analyses using the electronic health records (EHRs) of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center/New York Presbyterian (CUIMC/NYP) up to September 21, 2021. New York City (NYC) adult residences with at least 1 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) record were included in this analysis. Poisson regression was performed to assess the association between the breakthrough infection rate in vaccinated individuals and multiple risk factors--including vaccine brand, demographics, and underlying conditions--while adjusting for calendar month, prior number of visits, and observational days in the EHR. [...] Although we found both mRNA vaccines were effective, Moderna/mRNA-1273 had a lower incidence rate of breakthrough infections. Immunocompromised and male individuals were among the highest risk groups experiencing breakthrough infections. Given the rapidly changing nature of the SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] pandemic, continued monitoring and a generalizable analysis pipeline are warranted to inform quick updates on vaccine effectiveness in real time." This article was originally published on the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Public Health and Surveillance website: [https://publichealth.jmir.org/2022/5/e35311].
JMIR Publications
Liu, Cong; Lee, Junghwan; Ta, Casey . . .
2022-05-24
-
2022 Summit of the Americas [May 24, 2022]
From the Document: "The United States is scheduled to host the Ninth Summit of the Americas [hyperlink] in Los Angeles on June 6-10, 2022. The Summits of the Americas, held roughly every three years, serve as opportunities for the Western Hemisphere's heads of government to engage directly with one another and address issues of collective concern. In May 2021, the Senate passed S.Res. 120, calling on the President to 'lead a strong and coordinated diplomatic effort' during the summit process to strengthen democratic governance, support post-pandemic economic recovery efforts, enhance security cooperation, and address displacement and migration in the Western Hemisphere. Depending on what, if any, commitments or proposals the President makes at the summit, he could call on Congress to approve policy changes and/or appropriate resources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.
2022-05-24
-
China's Global Investments: Data and Transparency Challenges [Updated May 24, 2022]
From the Document: "During the past 20 years, the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) has significantly increased its investment overseas. In 1999, China launched its 'Go Global Strategy' to support the expansion of Chinese firms abroad and make them more globally competitive. Since then, these firms-- many of which are closely tied to the PRC government-- have acquired foreign assets and pledged billions of dollars to finance infrastructure abroad. Many in Congress and the Biden Administration are focusing on the critical implications of China's growing global economic reach for U.S. economic and geopolitical strategic interests. [...] Data limitations, combined with the number of unknown variables that drive China's foreign economic policy decisionmaking processes, can affect how Members of Congress perceive and address the challenges that China's overseas economic activities pose to U.S. and global interests. These limitations and uncertainties also complicate efforts to understand trends and assess the ways in which China's global economic reach may differ from that of the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwarzenberg, Andres B.
2022-05-24
-
China's Economic and Trade Ties with Russia [May 24, 2022]
From the Document: "Two developments in February 2022--the announcement by leaders of the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) and the Russian Federation (Russia) of a strategic partnership that 'knows no limits' and Russia's renewed invasion of Ukraine with tacit PRC support--may raise new considerations for Congress about the deepening China-Russia ties. China's trade, financial, and technology ties with Russia may affect the strength of U.S.-led efforts to constrain Russia, including through sanctions and export controls. China's alignment with Russia also appears to be part of broader efforts to create alternative global systems in trade, finance, and technology that could intensify and challenge the liberal global economic order. Also see CRS In Focus IF12100, 'China-Russia Relations.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sutter, Karen M.; Sutherland, Michael D.
2022-05-24
-
Europe: Fact Sheet on Parliamentary and Presidential Elections [Updated May 24, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides a map of parliamentary and presidential elections that have been held or are scheduled to be held at the national level in Europe in 2022, and a table of recent and upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections at the national level in Europe. It includes dates for direct parliamentary elections only, and excludes indirect elections.1 Europe is defined in this product as the fifty countries under the portfolio of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. The report does not include the Holy See (Vatican City), as there are not any direct presidential or parliamentary elections held there. Electoral rules and governance structures can vary widely across European countries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Plagakis, Sofia
2022-05-24
-
Dynamic Scoring in the Congressional Budget Process [Updated May 24, 2022]
From the Document: "When Congress considers legislation, it takes into account the proposal's potential budgetary effects. This helps Members to weigh the legislation's merits, and to consider whether it complies with the budgetary rules that Congress has created for itself. While information on the potential budgetary effects of legislation may come from numerous sources, the authority to determine whether legislation complies with congressional budgetary rules is given to the House and Senate Budget Committees. In this capacity, the budget committees generally rely on estimates provided by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT). As described in the following section, cost estimates provided by CBO and JCT are guided by certain requirements that Congress has articulated in different forms. These requirements are not completely prescriptive, however, and as a result both CBO and JCT adopt practices and conventions that guide the creation of cost estimates. [...] This report provides information on the authorities and requirements under which cost estimates are prepared, as well as a summary of the debate surrounding dynamic cost estimates, and previous rules and requirements related to dynamic estimates. Currently, no congressional rules explicitly require dynamic estimates, and Congress may examine what rules changes, if any, are needed in the area of dynamic estimates. This report, therefore, includes information on options for the creation of dynamic scoring rules, and general considerations for Congress related to dynamic estimates."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lynch, Megan Suzanne; Gravelle, Jane
2022-05-24
-
mRNA Technologies: A Primer [May 24, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The unprecedented development speed of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]) vaccines highlight just one application of emerging technologies based on messenger RNA [Ribonucleic acid] (mRNA [messenger Ribonucleic acid]), which have many promising uses and benefits. In addition to enabling rapid vaccine development for emerging infectious diseases, these technologies may soon have wider application in preventing and treating other diseases. This report discusses what mRNA is and why it has so many potential uses; how the federal government and private companies developed these technologies; federal and other investments in research and development (R&D) related to these technologies; future potential uses; and congressional considerations raised by these technologies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gallo, Marcy E.; Gottron, Frank
2022-05-24
-
NIBRS Participation Rates and Federal Crime Data Quality [May 24, 2022]
From the Document: "Since 1930, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI's) Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program has collected and published annual crime data. These data are typically delayed by about nine months, and since 2020 the FBI has also released quarterly crime data. Although the release of 2021 crime data is not anticipated until late summer or fall 2022, data for the first quarter of 2021 was expected to be released in early 2022. However, the FBI has announced that due to low participation rates [hyperlink] it was unable to release all of the quarterly 2021 crime data. The FBI stated that it was not releasing the expected quarterly data due to agency participation falling below a 60% participation threshold.[...] The FBI plans to release the full year of 2021 data [hyperlink] with confidence intervals to indicate a lack of precision in the data; however, the FBI said it would not publish percentage change estimates or compare estimates to prior years. The FBI further stated that it will not release state-level estimates if the participating LEAs in a state cover less than 80% of the state population. Given these participation rates, Congress may consider a range of options to expand implementation of the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hanson, Emily J.
2022-05-24
-
Assessing North Korean Media Coverage of a Domestic COVID-19 Outbreak
From the Document: "North Korea's official acknowledgment of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, though not shocking, was an unusually bold step. State-run media for more than two years have been saturated with reports sounding the alarm about the virus and highlighting the country's quarantine efforts, all clear indicators that the leadership harbored strong concern about the possibility of an outbreak. However, both the level of detail disclosed and the targeting of the domestic audience are remarkable, given the regime's general reluctance to explicitly acknowledge any disease outbreak. That said, we are left with the question of why North Korea decided to now disclose this damning information after more than two years of denying any cases (contrary to many outside reports [hyperlink]). Moreover, why is the North reporting on the status of suspected COVID [coronavirus disease] cases in such detail, providing daily tallies--down to city and provincial levels--of new cases and even deaths?"
38 North
Lee, Rachel Minyoung
2022-05-24
-
Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations [Updated May 24, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Iran ratified the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1970. Article III of the treaty requires nonnuclear-weapon states-parties to accept comprehensive International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards; Tehran concluded a comprehensive safeguards agreement with the IAEA in 1974. In 2002, the agency began investigating allegations that Iran had conducted clandestine nuclear activities; the IAEA ultimately reported that some of these activities had violated Tehran's safeguards agreement. Following more than three years of investigation, the IAEA Board of Governors reported the matter to the U.N. Security Council in February 2006. Since then, the council adopted six resolutions requiring Iran to take steps to alleviate international concerns about its nuclear program. This report provides a brief overview of Iran's nuclear program and describes the legal basis for the actions taken by the IAEA board and the Security Council."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.
2022-05-24
-
S. Rept. 117-114: Deepfake Task Force Act, Report to Accompany S. 2559, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, May 24, 2022
From the Background and the Need for Legislation: "Deepfakes are highly realistic images and sounds that are created through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Deepfake creators can use deepfake technology to manipulate media and replace an actual person's image or voice with artificial likenesses or voices. As the software underpinning these technologies becomes easier to acquire and use, the dissemination of deepfake content across trusted media platforms has the potential to undermine national security and erode public trust in our democracy, among other nefarious impacts. The threat that deepfakes could pose if used in misinformation campaigns is well known and well-documented. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has noted that '[s]tate adversaries or politically motivated individuals could release falsified videos of elected officials or other public figures making incendiary comments or behaving inappropriately. Doing so could, in turn, erode public trust, negatively affect public discourse, or even sway an election.'"
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-24
-
S. Rept. 117-116: End Human Trafficking in Government Contracts Act of 2022, Report to Accompany S. 3470, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, May 24, 2022
From the Purpose and Summary: "S. 3470, the 'End Human Trafficking in Government Contracts Act of 2022', requires that if an agency receives an inspector general report substantiating an allegation that a contract recipient of that agency is engaged in a trafficking crime, that such matter be referred to the agency's suspension and debarment official for action. The bill also requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to submit to Congress a report on the implementation of the 'Ending Trafficking in Government Contracting Act', passed in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2013."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-24
-
H. Rept. 117-337: Securing the Checkpoint Property Screening System (S-CPSS) Act of 2022, Report to Accompany H.R. 6827
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 6827, the 'Securing the Checkpoint Property Screening System (S-CPSS) Act of 2022,' seeks to accelerate the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) procurement and deployment of computed tomography (CT) equipment at airport checkpoints by authorizing $1.6 billion to be appropriated for the Checkpoint Property Screening System (CPSS) program through fiscal year (FY) 2026. The procurement and deployment of CT equipment at the scale authorized by the bill will enhance the detection capability of carry-on baggage screening at TSA security checkpoints. An important feature of this measure is the $82.1 million authorized for participation in the CPSS program by small businesses that have displayed an ability to develop or produce advanced checkpoint property screening technology. This provision is in furtherance of TSA's January 2020 strategy to diversify the security technology marketplace, which included 12 initiatives to increase small business participation, that was required under the 'TSA Modernization Act' (Pub. L. [Public Law] 115-254)."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-24
-
S. Rept. 117-118: Homeland Security Acquisition Professional Career Program Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 367, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, May 24, 2022
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 367, the Homeland Security Acquisition Professional Career Program Act, would establish an acquisition career development program within DHS. The program would designate the relevant occupational series, grades, and number of positions eligible for the program; provide specialized training to participants; and seek to recruit candidates with military service, diverse work experience outside the Federal Government, or from institutions of higher education with established acquisition specialties and courses of study, historically Black colleges and universities, and Hispanic-serving institutions. The bill requires DHS annually to report to Congress on acquisition professional retention rates and other aspects of the program."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-24
-
S. Rept. 117-115: Federal Secure Cloud Improvement and Jobs Act of 2021, Report of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, to Accompany S. 3099 , Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, May 24, 2022
From the Document: "S. 3099, the 'Federal Secure Cloud Improvement and Jobs Act of 2021,' provides a statutory framework for the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) to make the program more accountable and transparent and help ensure that agencies' processes of moving safely to the cloud are streamlined and efficient. As cloud computing technology continues its growth in our society and economy, it is important that federal agencies quickly, securely, and effectively adopt these capabilities to improve digital service delivery and protect against malicious foreign threats. S. 3099 would codify and reform the FedRAMP program at the General Services Administration (GSA) to ensure continuous growth in the number of cloud service providers (CSP) securely authorized in government, empower greater reuse of CSPs across agencies, and strengthen transparency measures to promote engagement and consensus recommendations from leaders in both industry and government that will accelerate cloud adoption. This bill would also ensure that CSPs and independent assessment services are protected from foreign threats by requiring additional steps to mitigate any malicious activity and increase reporting transparency to the government. S. 3099 also creates new requirements for agencies to affirmatively leverage high-quality security authorization packages rather than forcing CSPs to perform duplicative and costly work that slows agency efforts to modernize their information technology (IT). Finally, S. 3099 provides for stronger oversight authorities of agency cloud computing processes and protocols by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and creates a Federal Secure Cloud Advisory Committee, comprising IT and cybersecurity leaders from both industry and the public sector, to provide recommendations to the GSA Administrator for improving the FedRAMP program and the government's adoption of cloud capabilities."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-24
-
H. Rept. 117-338: Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Pilot Program Act of 2022, Report to Accompany H.R. 6826, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, May 24, 2022
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 6826, 'Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Pilot Program Act of 2022,' establishes a 5-year pilot program for 10 non-asset-based third-party logistics providers and 10 asset-based third-party logistics providers to participate in the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) pilot program upon meeting program requirements. The Act directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to publish a Federal Register Notice for eligible entities to apply to participate in the program and to submit a report to Congress assessing the entities' participation in the pilot program and recommending whether these types of third-party logistics providers should join CTPAT on a permanent basis. The legislation requires the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to issue a report analyzing CTPAT's effectiveness in preventing security incidents in the cargo supply chain, as well as recommendations, as appropriate, to improve the CTPAT program and its participant benefits."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2022-05-24
-
Executive Budget Process: An Overview [Updated May 24, 2022]
From the Summary: "The Constitution vests Congress with the power of the purse, with several provisions referring to congressional authority to levy taxes, authorize the issuance of debt, and make appropriations to fund the federal government. The Constitution does not provide an explicit role for the President in the budget process. The executive budget process, as currently constituted, exists primarily due to statutes enacted by Congress. [...] The federal budget sustains government functions and plays an important role in shaping policy decisions. Congress regularly reviews the appropriate balance of budgetary responsibilities between the legislative and executive branches, the transparency of budget execution decisions made by the President and OMB [Office of Management and Budget], and whether the existing budget timeline continues to meet the needs of the federal government. In light of these considerations, Congress may evaluate legislative or oversight options that amend aspects of the executive budget process."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fiorentino, Dominick A.; Riccard, Taylor N.
2022-05-24
-
Use of Defense Production Act Authorities to Respond to the U.S. Infant Formula Shortage [May 24, 2022]
From the Document: "On May 18, 2022, as part of a broader response to a domestic shortage of infant formula, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. issued Presidential Determination 2022-13 [hyperlink] (the Determination), delegating several authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA; 50 U.S.C. [United States Code] §§ 4501 'et seq.' [hyperlink]) to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure availability of infant formula. This Insight summarizes the Determination, provides background on use of the DPA to address food supply chain issues, and explores potential considerations for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Peters, Heidi M.; Hart, Nina M.; Lee, Erica A.
2022-05-24
-
Training Aid for the Definition of Frame or Receiver & Identification of Firearms: Overview of Final Rule 2021R-05F
From the Document: "Final Rule 2021R-05F was signed by the Attorney General on April 11, 2022 and was published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2022. The rule will become effective August 24, 2022, 120 days from the date it was published. [...] The Final Rule 'does': [1] Provide regulatory definitions of 'frame' and 'receiver' reflecting technological advancements and judicial developments since the regulatory definitions were originally issued; [2] Identify a single part of each weapon as a 'frame' or 'receiver;' [3] Provide specific examples and pictures of those parts of popular firearms that are classified as the 'frame' or 'receiver;' [4] Address the classification of partially complete (commonly referred to as '80%') frames or receivers that are sold, distributed, or possessed with the associated templates, jigs, molds, equipment, tools, instructions, guides. [5] Address partially complete, disassembled, or nonfunctional frames or receivers that are sold, distributed, or possessed within parts kits."
United States. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
2022-05-24?
-
Children Born in the United States in CBP Custody and/or at a CBP Facility
"This directive establishes U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) policy governing the processing of children born in the United States in CBP custody and/or at a CBP facility, as well as the processing of their parent(s) and any additional minor child(ren) accompanying the parent(s)."
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
2022-05-24
-
Use of Cryptocurrency in Ransomware Attacks, Available Data, and National Security Concerns
From the Executive Summary: "Ransomware is a dangerous form of cyber-attack where threat actors prevent access to computer systems or threaten to release data unless a ransom is paid. It has the power to bankrupt businesses and cripple critical infrastructure - posing a grave threat to our national and economic security. The use of cryptocurrencies has further enabled ransomware attacks, particularly because cryptocurrency is decentralized and distributed and illicit actors can take steps to obscure transactions and make them more difficult to track. [...] To better understand this growing threat, U.S. Senator Gary Peters, Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, announced in July 2020 an investigation into the role of cryptocurrency in incentivizing and enabling ransomware attacks, and the resulting harm of such attacks to victims. As a part of this ten-month investigation, Committee staff conducted interviews with federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies as well as private companies that assist ransomware victims with ransom demands. While not exhaustive, this report addresses key pieces of the larger landscape of the increasing national security threat from ransomware attacks and the use of cryptocurrency for ransom payments. The report details recommendations to address current gaps in information on ransomware attacks and use of cryptocurrency as ransom payments in these attacks."
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
2022-05-23?
-
Korea's Response to COVID-19 According to Set Time Frames, With a Focus on the Network Between the Government and Responding Agencies: Social Network Analysis
From the Abstract: "In December 2019, COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] was first confirmed in Wuhan, China, and as the respiratory disease spread around the globe, there was a spike in interest worldwide in combating such contagious diseases. When such disasters occur, the central government of South Korea and its affiliated local governments--together with nongovernmental organizations--play a crucial role in crisis management systems. [...] The purpose of this paper is to corroborate the characteristics government ministries and domestic and foreign institutions exhibit through their interconnection when the parties are undergoing a disease-related catastrophe such as the COVID-19 pandemic. [...] Using the social network analysis technique, the span of the COVID-19 pandemic was segmented into 3 time frames, and the relational characteristics of the COVID-19 contagious disease response department and related agencies at home and abroad were analyzed based on 3 centralities." This article was originally published on the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Public Health and Surveillance website: [https://publichealth.jmir.org/2022/5/e35958].
JMIR Publications
Cho, Jungyun; Kang, Wook; Lee, Julak
2022-05-23
-
Industrial Policy and International Trade [May 23, 2022]
From the Document: "Supply-chain vulnerabilities revealed by the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic have intensified debate in Congress about the proper role of the government in the U.S. economy. The debate also reflects growing concerns about how some foreign governments use state support and guidance to boost their industries, thereby potentially causing the United States and others to lose global market share and competitiveness. China's statist model of economic development, for example, relies on a comprehensive industrial policy that nurtures a wide range of strategic and emerging industries through government measures, including subsidies and protection against import competition. The scope and scale of these market-distorting practices can create an uneven playing field for U.S. firms."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwarzenberg, Andres B.
2022-05-23
-
Child Soldiers Prevention Act: Security Assistance Restrictions [Updated May 23, 2022]
From the Document: "The recruitment and use of children in armed conflict is broadly viewed as a human rights problem, a form of trafficking in persons, among the worst forms of child labor, and a war crime. The United Nations (U.N.) has identified the recruitment and use of child soldiers as among six 'grave violations' affecting children in war and has established numerous monitoring and reporting mechanisms and initiatives to combat this practice. The United Nations verified that more than 8,000 children were used as soldiers in 2020, including in Somalia (1,716), Syria (813), Burma/Myanmar (790), Democratic Republic of the Congo (788), Central African Republic (584), and Mali (284), among other countries. Most children were recruited by non-state actors. U.S. efforts to eradicate this phenomenon internationally are guided largely by the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008 (CSPA, Title IV of P.L. [Public Law] 110-457), which defines the term 'child soldier' and restricts certain security assistance to countries that recruit or use child soldiers, among other provisions. The Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2018 (Title II, Subtitle B of P.L. 115-425), which became law in January 2019, strengthened some of the CSPA's provisions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weber, Michael A.
2022-05-23
-
Crisis in Mali [Updated May 23, 2022]
From the Document: "Once seen as a regional democratic leader, Mali has become an epicenter of conflict and instability over the past decade. A military junta ousted an elected president in 2020, then overthrew civilian transitional leaders the following year. Colonel Assimi Goïta now serves as 'Transition President' and populist politician Choguel Maïga as prime minister. The junta has engaged in an increasingly bitter confrontation with former colonial power France--which has led counterterrorism operations in Mali since 2013--and with other leaders in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), who have imposed sanctions in response to Mali's failure to adhere to a previously agreed election timeline. Local insurgent groups affiliated with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State are active across central and northern Mali. Other rebel groups, communal militias, and criminal bands are also active, some with apparent state backing. A 2015 peace deal between Bamako and northern separatist rebels has not been fully implemented. Insurgents, state security forces, allied militias, and private military contractors (PMCs) have been implicated in massacres and other abuses. Conflict-affected areas are experiencing crisis-level food insecurity in 2022; overall, Mali has one of the world's highest rates of acute malnutrition, while global food and fuel price spikes pose additional burdens. The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has compounded hardships."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Arieff, Alexis
2022-05-23
-
Inspectors General and the Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act [May 23, 2022]
From the Document: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic brought increased attention [hyperlink] to the risk of fraud and waste in large federal spending programs. Congress created substantial oversight [hyperlink] for pandemic programs, but many Members have expressed concern with reports of fraud in some programs. As the Biden Administration implements the bipartisan infrastructure bill (the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act [IIJA]; P.L. 117-58), which provides over $500 billion in new infrastructure spending, it has announced a more proactive approach to addressing potential fraud and waste. This approach includes an emphasis on risk management and increased engagement with inspectors general (IGs) to identify and address potential risks before they arise.[...] This Insight begins with a brief summary of the new guidance memorandum as it relates to IGs, followed by discussion of its broader link to enterprise risk management. Finally, the Insight identifies aspects of this issue that congressional stakeholders may wish to monitor."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wilhelm, Ben
2022-05-23
-
Opioid Block Grants [May 23, 2022]
From the Document: "Beginning in the late 1990s, the United States experienced a significant increase in opioid-related drug overdose deaths, which rose from 8,050 in 1999 to 49,860 in 2019. To address the rising rates of opioid use and overdose deaths, Congress created new opioid-specific block grant programs that provide funding to increase access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid-use disorder."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Duff, Johnathan H.
2022-05-23
