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• H. Rept. 117-251: Emmett Till Antilynching Act, Report Together with Additional Views, To Accompany H.R. 55, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, February 25, 2022

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  From the Document: "The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 55) to amend section 249 of title 18, United States Code, to specify lynching as a hate crime act, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass. [...] Section 249(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: [...] 'Whoever conspires to commit any offense under paragraph (1), (2), or (3), shall-- '(A) if death results from the offense, be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both; or '(B) in any other case, be subject to the same penalties as the penalties prescribed for the offense the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.' [...] H.R. 55, the 'Emmett Till Antilynching Act,' would amend section 249 of title 18, United States Code, to specify lynching as a hate crime under federal law. The bill corrects a longstanding omission from federal civil rights law. [...] Lynchings were violent and public acts of torture used for nearly a century to enforce racial segregation. Despite claiming the lives of thousands of victims, most of the perpetrators of these acts of terror were never held accountable and official inaction has left lasting scars on impacted communities. Despite enacting a broad range of civil rights protections, the federal government has never specifically outlawed lynching, despite the unique damage it caused to the fabric of democratic society."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2022-02-25
• Biden Administration Plans for an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework [Updated February 25, 2022]

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  From the Document: "During the East Asia Summit in October 2021, President Biden announced [hyperlink] plans for a U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). In November, Secretary Raimondo and USTR [United States Trade Representative] Tai, who are to co-lead the initiative [hyperlink], held exploratory talks with Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea during overseas visits, but no official negotiations have been launched yet. Questions remain over an IPEF's scope, potential participants, and the congressional role. In February 2022, the Biden Administration released its broader Indo-Pacific strategy [hyperlink], which said the IPEF would be launched 'in early 2022.' An IPEF would be the Administration's first major trade and economic initiative in the region. [...] . Several U.S. business associations recently urged [hyperlink] the Administration to conclude IPEF modules this year, and include binding commitments, such as on market access, and provisions for future expansion of commitments and participants. Other stakeholders identified specific commitments [hyperlink] they support and urged the Administration to seek formal legislative approval to ensure the IPEF is 'binding and durable.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Williams, Brock R.; Manyin, Mark E.; Fefer, Rachel F.

  2022-02-25
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 1880, Protecting Indian Tribes from Scams Act

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  This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on December 17, 2021. From the Document: "S. 1880 would require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study and report to the Congress on unfair or deceptive acts or practices that target Indian Tribes or members of Indian Tribes and to update its website to include information for consumers and businesses on avoiding such acts or practices. Using information from the FTC about the cost of similar activities, CBO estimates that it would cost the agency less than $500,000 to complete the required study and update its website; any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2022-02-25
• Federal Reserve and Inflation [February 25, 2022]

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  From the Document: "By statute [hyperlink], the Federal Reserve [hyperlink] (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. In response to the large decline in employment caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Fed set the federal funds rate (FFR), its main monetary policy tool, near zero. As the economy has recovered, it has maintained that target, even though unemployment has fallen to 4% and inflation (as measured by the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index) has risen to 6%, the highest it has been since 1982. The Fed has signaled [hyperlink] that it is planning to begin raising the FFR soon. This Insight provides historical context on whether the Fed has waited too long to raise interest rates in response to rising inflation." This document includes charts, tables, and graphs to illustrate the text.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Labonte, Marc

  2022-02-25
• Fact Sheet: Posture Updates in Support of Allies in Europe [February 25, 2022]

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  From the Document: "As part of our commitment to upholding the principles of the rules-based international order and to the security of our NATO Allies, the United States maintains significant combat-capable forces in Europe. These forward-deployed forces help to deter aggression and if deterrence fails, stand shoulder to shoulder with our Allies to maintain security and stability in Europe. At the President's direction and following Secretary Austin's recommendation, the Department of Defense will reposition certain Europe-based units further east, forward deploy additional U.S.-based units to Europe, and maintain the heightened state of readiness of response forces to meet these commitments. These forces are not going to fight in Ukraine. They are not permanent moves. They respond to current conditions. We will adjust our posture as those conditions evolve, and we will continue to consult closely with NATO Allies to ensure an appropriate collective posture of deterrence and defense. We welcome the announcements by other Allies - including France, Germany, Spain, UK, the Netherlands, and Denmark - of their consideration to provide additional contributions to enhancing NATO's posture on the eastern flank."

  United States. Department of Defense

  2022-02-25
• Biden-⁠Harris Plan to Revitalize American Manufacturing and Secure Critical Supply Chains in 2022

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  From the Webpage: "One year ago, President Biden signed Executive Order 14017 [hyperlink] directing an all-of-government approach to assessing vulnerabilities in - and strengthening the resilience of - the United States' critical supply chains. Within six months of taking office, the Administration completed a comprehensive review of the supply chains for four critical products, identified solutions to secure those supply chains against a wide range of risks and vulnerabilities, and established a first-of-its-kind Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force (SCDTF) to address the challenges arising from a pandemic-affected economic recovery. [...] Today, on the one-year anniversary of President Biden's executive order, seven cabinet agencies published reports identifying key weaknesses in some of the nation's most crucial supply chains, and devising multi-year strategies to address those weaknesses. The White House also published a capstone report [hyperlink] that provides an overview of the key actions the Biden-Harris Administration has taken over the past year to reduce the vulnerability of U.S. supply chains across a range of key sectors."

  United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary

  2022-02-24
• America's Strategy to Secure the Supply Chain for a Robust Clean Energy Transition [February 24, 2022]

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  From the Summary: "Demand for clean energy technologies such as wind turbines and batteries for electric vehicles has increased significantly as technology costs have plummeted over the last decade and countries seek to diversify their energy systems with more reliable clean energy sources to lower costs for businesses and consumers. The global clean energy market is expected to grow exponentially -- reaching $23 trillion at a minimum by 2030. Without new domestic raw materials production and manufacturing capacity, the U.S. will continue to rely on clean energy imports, exposing the nation to supply chain vulnerabilities while simultaneously losing out on the enormous job opportunities associated with the energy transition. Yet, in many cases, the United States has untapped potential to support greater domestic production. 'America's Strategy to Secure the Supply Chain for a Robust Clean Energy Transition' is the first comprehensive plan to build the U.S. Energy Sector Industrial Base (ESIB) that will be required to support the rapidly accelerating transition to clean energy. The report is part of a whole of government approach to chart a course for revitalizing the U.S. economy and domestic manufacturing by securing the country's most critical supply chains. This strategy will lead to stronger, more resilient, and diverse energy supply chains that will help the nation meet our climate change goals, establish the United States as a global leader in clean energy innovation and manufacturing, and create millions of family-sustaining jobs for American workers." The full report can be found here: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=864503].

  United States. Department of Energy

  2022-02-24
• Robust COVID Relief Achieved Historic Gains Against Poverty and Hardship, Bolstered Economy

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  From the Document: "When COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] began to rapidly spread across the United States in March 2020, the economy quickly shed more than 20 million jobs. Amid intense fear and hardship, federal policymakers responded, enacting five relief bills in 2020 that provided an estimated $3.3 trillion of relief and the American Rescue Plan in 2021, which added another $1.8 trillion. This robust policy response helped make the COVID-19 recession the shortest on record and helped fuel an economic recovery that has brought the unemployment rate, which peaked at 14.8 percent in April 2020, down to 4.0 percent. One measure of annual poverty declined by the most on record in 2020, in data back to 1967, and the number of uninsured people remained stable, rather than rising as typically happens with large-scale job loss. Various data indicate that in 2021, relief measures reduced poverty, helped people access health coverage, and reduced hardships like inability to afford food or meet other basic needs."

  Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (Washington, D.C.)

  2022-02-24
• U.S.-South Korea Relations [Updated February 24, 2022]

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  From the Overview: "South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea or ROK) is one of the United States' most important strategic and economic partners in Asia. The 1953 U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty commits the United States to help South Korea defend itself. Approximately 28,500 U.S. troops are based in the ROK, which is included under the U.S. 'nuclear umbrella.' The two countries' economies are joined by the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). South Korea is the United States' seventh-largest trading partner and the United States is South Korea's second-largest trading partner. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, a left-of-center politician elected in 2017, is due to leave office in May 2022. In recent years, Members of Congress have expressed interest in and conducted oversight over U.S.-ROK cooperation over North Korea policy, the U.S. military presence in South Korea, bilateral trade and investment flows, the state of political and civil rights in South Korea, and other issues. South Korea's rise into the ranks of the world's top industrialized economies and most powerful militaries has prompted many Members to explore whether and how the ROK government, companies, and organizations can serve as partners in many U.S. Indo-Pacific initiatives, particularly on those that involve the People's Republic of China (PRC, or China). ROK officials generally are reluctant to raise objections about PRC behavior that does not directly affect South Korea, though this may be changing due to rising negative attitudes towards China among South Koreans."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manyin, Mark E.; Campbell, Caitlin; Chanlett-Avery, Emma . . .

  2022-02-24
• Memes, Magnets and Microchips: Narrative Dynamics Around COVID-19 Vaccines

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  From the Executive Summary: "Since the start of the global COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, global authority figures, institutions, and the public have struggled to share accurate health information. As early as February 2020, the World Health Organization declared an 'infodemic,' a glut of news pouring in and harming peoples' ability to find trustworthy sources. Mis- and disinformation spread widely. Social media companies, pressured and incentivized to curate the news, sought to surface 'accurate' information about the pandemic, but faced a problem: What should they amplify in the absence of clear scientific consensus? As they pondered, anti-vaccine sentiments grew. Were the vaccines safe? Had our governments overstepped? Misinformation distorted answers to these questions. The global crisis created opportunities for governments, financially motivated actors, and conspiracy theorists to construct or amplify narratives that served their interests. The preexisting US anti-vaccine movement began to insert itself into the national conversation. As far back as January 2020, when talk of a COVID-19 vaccine was purely theoretical, anti-vaccine activists perceived an opportunity to undermine confidence in any and all vaccinations. As vaccinations rolled out in the US in late 2020, anti-vaccine activists became increasingly focused on undermining their uptake. It was against this backdrop that the Virality Project (VP) came together. [...] Drawing on scholarship documenting the who, what, and how of the anti-vaccine movement, the Virality Project identified four categories of well-established narratives that were considered in-scope for VP research on social media platforms: (1) safety, (2) efficacy and necessity, (3) development and distribution, and (4) conspiracy theory. The VP team developed technology to identify emerging narratives, to understand what communities they appeared within, and to gauge their scope, speed, and spread. In addition, the analysts assessed social media platforms' published policies to understand how (if at all) platforms might limit or action the spread of misleading vaccine-related content."

  Virality Project

  DiResta, Renee; Cryst, Elena; Meyersohn, Lily

  2022-02-24
• Malware Analysis Report

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  From the Summary: "This Malware Analysis Report (MAR) is the result of analytic efforts by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the U.S. Cyber Command Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF), the United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-UK), and the National Security Agency (NSA) to provide detailed analysis of 23 files identified as MuddyWater tools. MuddyWater is a group of Iranian government-sponsored advanced persistent threat actors that conducts cyber espionage and other malicious cyber operations targeting a range of government and private-sector organizations across sectors --including telecommunications, defense, local government, and oil and natural gas--in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. FBI, CISA, CNMF, NCSC-UK, and NSA are distributing this MAR to enable network defense and reduce exposure to Iranian government malicious cyber activity. For more information on malicious Iranian government cyber activity, visit CISA's webpage at [https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/iran]."

  United States. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency

  United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States. Cyber Command. Cyber National Mission Force; United Kingdom. National Cyber Security Centre . . .

  2022-02-24
• Joint Cybersecurity Advisory: Iranian Government-Sponsored Actors Conduct Cyber Operations Against Global Government and Commercial Networks

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  From the Summary: "The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the U.S. Cyber Command Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF), and the United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-UK) have observed a group of Iranian government-sponsored advanced persistent threat (APT) actors, known as MuddyWater, conducting cyber espionage and other malicious cyber operations targeting a range of government and private-sector organizations across sectors--including telecommunications, defense, local government, and oil and natural gas--in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. 'Note:' MuddyWater is also known as Earth Vetala, MERCURY, Static Kitten, Seedworm, and TEMP.Zagros."

  United States. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency

  United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States. Cyber Command. Cyber National Mission Force; United Kingdom. National Cyber Security Centre . . .

  2022-02-24
• Nuclear Fundamentals Orientation Module 1: Weapons Production Directorate Overview [presentation]

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  The presentation covers the following topics: "[1] Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP) Overview; [2] Plutonium Center and Science; [3] Detonators; [4] Hydro Program; [and 5] ALDWP Today[.]"

  Los Alamos National Laboratory

  Scarlett, Harry Alan

  2022-02-24
• EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 22 Issue 8, February 24, 2022

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  The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "National Fire Incident Reporting System [NIFRS] training during NFIRS Week, March 14-18"; "New prehospital pain management guidelines published, webinar March 9"; "National 911 Program Annual Report shows states' progress toward NG911 [Next Generation 911] implementation"; "FEMA offers exercise assistance through the National Exercise Program"; "CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency]: Free cybersecurity services and tools"; "NCSC-NZ [New Zealand National Cyber Security Centre] releases advisory on cyber threats related to Russia-Ukraine tensions"; "New Sandworm Malware Cyclops Blink replaces VPNFilter"; "NIST [National Institute of Standards and Technology] issues final guidance on RPM [remote patient monitoring], telehealth security"; and "New York opens joint cybersecurity center to serve state and city needs."

  Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)

  2022-02-24
• Coup-Related Restrictions in U.S. Foreign Aid Appropriations [Updated February 24, 2022]

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  From the Document: "Recent events in Burkina Faso, Sudan, Guinea, Burma, and Mali have brought attention to a provision that has appeared in annual State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations legislation since 1986 that restricts U.S. foreign assistance following a coup d'état. [...] In its current form (P.L. 116-260, Division K, extended into FY2022 by continuing resolution), Section 7008 states that: None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available pursuant to titles III through VI of this Act shall be obligated or expended to finance directly any assistance to the government of any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup d'etat or decree or, after the date of enactment of this Act, a coup d'etat or decree in which the military plays a decisive role: Provided, That assistance may be resumed to such government if the Secretary of State certifies and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that subsequent to the termination of assistance a democratically elected government has taken office: Provided further, That the provisions of this section shall not apply to assistance to promote democratic elections or public participation in democratic processes: Provided further, That funds made available pursuant to the previous provisos shall be subject to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. Key elements in determining whether Section 7008 restrictions apply to a situation are: [1] whether a country's military has overthrown, or played a decisive role in overthrowing, the government, and [2] whether the deposed leader was 'duly elected,' a term not defined in statute. [...] As Congress considers SFOPS appropriations for FY2022 and beyond, it may revisit Section 7008 and consider whether its application supports congressional intent."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Arieff, Alexis; Lawson, Marian Leonardo; Chesser, Susan G.

  2022-02-24
• China's Engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean [Updated February 24, 2022]

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  From the Document: "As the People's Republic of China (PRC) has increased its engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) over the past 20 years, U.S. policymakers have raised questions regarding potential implications for U.S. interests in the region. China's engagement with the region has grown significantly since 2001, particularly in terms of diplomatic and economic ties. This growth reflects China's global 'soft power' efforts and 'influence operations' worldwide. A succession of Chinese leaders and other officials have visited the region to court governments. In turn, regional leaders and officials have frequently visited China. The PRC has signed various bilateral partnership agreements with countries throughout LAC, including 'comprehensive strategic partnerships' with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-

  2022-02-24
• Littoral Combat Ship: Actions Needed to Address Significant Operational Challenges and Implement Planned Sustainment Approach, Report to the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives

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  From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "The LCS [Littoral Combat Ship] is designed to operate in shallow waters close to shore--known as the littorals. The Navy estimates it will cost over $60 billion to operate and support the 35 LCS it plans to build, including the 17 it has already delivered. A House report accompanying a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 included a provision for GAO to review the LCS's affordability and sustainability. This report examines the extent to which the Navy has (1) demonstrated that the LCS has the operational and warfighting capabilities to perform its missions; (2) implemented the recommendations in the Navy's 2016 Review; and (3) updated its cost estimates to account for revised operational and sustainment concepts. GAO reviewed relevant laws, regulations, Navy guidance; analyzed LCS cost data for fiscal years 2009 to 2019; and interviewed relevant officials. This is a public version of a sensitive report that GAO issued in August 2021. Information that the Navy deemed sensitive has been omitted. [...] GAO recommends, and the Navy concurs with, developing a comprehensive plan to address deficiencies, performing adequate testing of the mission modules, and implement lessons learned; making deployments contingent on progress in addressing gaps in capabilities, and determining tasks Navy personnel and contractors will perform, among others. GAO also recommends, and the Navy partially concurs with, updating and improving LCS cost data, as discussed in the report."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2022-02-24
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 2088, Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

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  This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as passed by the House of Representatives on November 2, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 2088 would take into trust, for the benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, approximately 96 acres of land located in Monroe County, Tennessee, that is currently administered by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The act would require TVA to submit revised maps of those lands to the Congress and would prohibit certain types of gaming on them. Using information from TVA, CBO estimates that compiling the information to revise the maps of the lands taken into trust would cost about $30,000 in 2022. Under current law, TVA sells electricity at prices sufficient to recover any costs it incurs in lieu of receiving annual appropriations. On that basis, CBO expects that any increase in direct spending for mapping would be treated as an operating expense and recovered quickly in TVA's rates for electricity. Thus, CBO estimates that the net effect on direct spending would be negligible. The Department of the Interior (DOI) also would incur costs to take the land into trust. Using information from DOI, CBO estimates that the administrative costs to implement H.R. 2088 would not be significant; any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2022-02-24
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 4513, Small Business Advanced Cybersecurity Enhancements Act of 2021

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  This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as reported by the House Committee on Small Business on October 12, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 4513 would direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a central small business cybersecurity assistance unit to coordinate information sharing between small businesses and the federal government on cybersecurity threats and defensive measures. Under the bill, 62 small business development centers would be required to establish regional cybersecurity assistance units to work with small businesses and to coordinate with the central unit. Using information from the General Services Administration and the SBA, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 4513 would cost about $3 million annually, on average, totaling $15 million over the 2022-2026 period."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2022-02-24
• Achieving American Leadership in the Solar Photovoltaics Supply Chain

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  From the Document: "Developing U.S. photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing could mitigate global supply chain challenges and lead to tremendous benefits for the climate as well as for U.S. workers, employers, and the economy. The solar supply chain is global and reliant on products from China or companies with close ties to China. Significant growth in U.S. manufacturing across the supply chain is possible with incentives that offset the higher cost of manufacturing in the United States. Existing polysilicon production facilities are currently idle or supplying polysilicon to other industries. Expansion in the ingot and wafer sectors outside of China would create demand for existing U.S. polysilicon producers to run at high capacity. The United States can expand production of thin-film modules, which do not rely on obtaining materials from Chinese companies. The thin film supply chain is concentrated in Ohio. There is a cluster of solar module manufacturers in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, which presents an opportunity to grow a competitive supply chain of module components in the region."

  United States. Department of Energy. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

  2022-02-24
• America's Strategy to Secure the Supply Chain for a Robust Clean Energy Transition

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  From the Document: "This document, 'America's Strategy to Secure the Supply Chain for a Robust Clean Energy Transition,' lays out the challenges and opportunities faced by the United States in the energy supply chain as well as the Federal Government plans to address these challenges and opportunities. It is accompanied by several issue-specific deep dive assessments produced in response to Executive Order 14017, 'America's Supply Chains,' which directs the Secretary of Energy to submit a report on supply chains for the Energy Sector Industrial Base. The Executive Order is spurring the Federal Government to build more secure and diverse U.S. supply chains, including energy supply chains."

  United States. Department of Energy

  Igogo, Tsisilile

  2022-02-24
• Cybersecurity and Digital Components: Supply Chain Deep Dive Assessment

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  This is the "U.S. Department of Energy [DOE] Response to Executive Order 14017, 'America's Supply Chains.'" From the Document: "The DOE energy supply chain strategy report summarizes the key elements of the energy supply chain a s well as the strategies the U.S. government is starting to employ to address them. Additionally, it describes recommendations for Congressional action. DOE has identified technologies and crosscutting topics for analysis in the one-year time frame set by the Executive Order. Along with the capstone policy report, DOE is releasing 11 deep dive assessment documents, including this one, covering the following technology sectors: [1] carbon capture materials, [2] electric grid including transformers and high voltage direct current (HVDC), [3] energy storage, [4] fuel cells and electrolyzers, [5] hydropower including pumped storage hydropower (PSH), [6] neodymium magnets, [7] nuclear energy, [8] platinum group metals and other catalysts, [9] semiconductors, [10] solar photovoltaics (PV), and [11] wind[.] DOE is also releasing two deep dive assessments on the following crosscutting topics: [1] commercialization and competitiveness, and [2] cybersecurity and digital components."

  United States. Department of Energy

  Caddy, Cherylene

  2022-02-24
• COVID-19 State of Vaccine Confidence Insights Report 23 (January 11 - 31, 2022)

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  From the Summary: "The first major theme of this report is that consumers and news outlets discussed the superiority of infection-induced immunity over COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccine-induced immunity with many concluding that infection-induced immunity is superior to vaccine-induced immunity. The second major theme is that consumers questioned the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines as a surge in breakthrough cases is being reported. A third theme is that consumers continued to have concerns about adverse events and unknown side effects of COVID-19 vaccines. The fourth and fifth findings during this report period are regarding consumers' concerns and opposition to pediatric COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine requirements. [...] Federal, state, and local partners should continue to work together to explain the rationale for updated guidance, respond to gaps in information, and confront misinformation with evidence-based messaging. These efforts aim to increase confidence in COVID-19 vaccines and expand vaccine uptake more broadly. Partners should create and disseminate messages about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 primary series and booster doses compared to acquiring SARSCoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] infection-induced immunity."

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)

  2022-02-24
• Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: NATO Response [February 24, 2022]

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  From the Document: "The 30-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, describing it as the 'most dangerous moment in European security in a generation [hyperlink].' In the leadup to the invasion, NATO joined the United States in stating it would not deploy forces to defend Ukraine, which is not a NATO member. NATO has, however, enhanced its defensive force posture in the eastern part of the alliance and reiterated its solidarity with Ukraine. Russia's invasion follows almost a decade of deteriorating relations between NATO and Russia, during which NATO suspended most cooperation with Russia following Russia's 2014 occupation of Ukraine's Crimea region and parts of eastern Ukraine. In 2021, NATO declared [hyperlink], 'there can be no return to 'business as usual' until Russia demonstrates compliance with international law and its international obligations and responsibilities.' Noting an end-goal of improved relations, NATO continued to express openness to political dialogue with Russia as part of a dual-track approach of deterrence and dialogue. NATO officials stress, however, that by invading Ukraine, 'Russia has shut the door on a political solution [hyperlink]' to the crisis."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Belkin, Paul

  2022-02-24
• Executive Order on America's Supply Chains: A Year of Action and Progress

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  From the Executive Summary: "Over the past year, the Biden-Harris Administration navigated an unprecedented period in economic history. The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic exposed structural weaknesses in the U.S. domestic industrial base and critical supply chains - the result of decades of preferencing underinvestment, outsourcing, and offshoring over long-term security, sustainability, and resilience. From the beginning of his Administration, President Biden prioritized strengthening critical supply chains and revitalizing the U.S. industrial base. In February 2021, one month after taking office, President Biden signed E.O. [Executive Order] 14017, 'America's Supply Chains,' which initiated an all-of-government review of the supply chains that underlie the U.S. industrial base, with an initial focus on four critical products: semiconductors and advanced packaging; high-capacity batteries, including electric-vehicle batteries; critical minerals and materials, including rare earth elements; and pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)."

  United States. White House Office

  2022-02-24?
• Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province [Updated February 24, 2022]

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  From the Document: "Armed Islamist violence continues to roil northeast Nigeria and nearby border regions more than a decade since Boko Haram launched an insurgency against the Nigerian state. In recent years, an Islamic State-affiliated offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (IS-WA, aka ISIS-WA or ISWAP), has established itself as the stronger faction and one of the most active IS affiliates globally. The conflict in the Lake Chad Basin has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and fueled a vast humanitarian crisis. The United States has provided counterterrorism and other assistance to governments battling Boko Haram and ISWA, and has been the top country donor of humanitarian assistance in the Lake Chad Basin. Abuses by local security forces in the region have been a source of concern among some Members of Congress and have raised challenges for U.S. security assistance and military sales."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Husted, Tomas F.

  2022-02-24
• Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Airport Funding [February 24, 2022]

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  From the Document: "The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, also referred to as the bipartisan infrastructure law [hyperlink]; P.L. [Public Law] 117-58), enacted on November 15, 2021, appropriated $25 billion over a five-year period (FY2022-FY2026) for airport and air traffic control projects. This aviation funding includes $15 billion in grants for airport infrastructure projects that increase safety and expand capacity; $5 billion in competitive grants for airport terminals including replacing aging terminals and airport-owned control towers; and $5 billion to improve the physical condition of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control facilities. The entirety of the $25 billion in the IIJA specified for civil aviation derives from the Treasury general fund. This departs from the usual practice of funding civil aviation infrastructure in the United States largely from user taxes and fees. In addition, the IIJA provides money for aviation purposes that previously were not eligible to receive federal funding."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Tang, Rachel Y.

  2022-02-24
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1975, Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2021 [February 24, 2022]

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  From the Document: "H.R. 1975 would direct the Department of the Interior (DOI) to take into trust approximately 720 acres of land in San Diego County, California, owned by the Pala Band of Mission Indians. Under the act, DOI would hold title to that land for the benefit of the tribe. The legislation also would prohibit certain types of gaming on those lands. Using information provided by DOI, CBO estimates that the administrative costs the agency would incur to implement H.R. 1975 would not be significant."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2022-02-24
• U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean: FY2022 Appropriations Updated [February 23, 2022]

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  From the Introduction: "This report provides an overview of U.S. assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean. It examines trends in aid to the region; the Biden Administration's FY2022 budget request for aid administered by the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Inter-American Foundation (IAF); and congressional action on FY2022 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations. It also analyzes several issues that Congress may consider as it deliberates on FY2022 appropriations and other legislation. These issues include how to respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the region, the effectiveness of foreign assistance for managing migration, and the challenges Department of Defense (DOD) security cooperation programs present for congressional efforts to guide security assistance policy in the region."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Meyer, Peter J.

  2022-02-23
• Burkina Faso [Updated February 23, 2022]

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  From the Document: "Burkina Faso has a history of military intervention in politics and social unrest. Kaboré's election in 2015 capped a political transition after mass protests, backed by some military commanders, ousted semi-authoritarian President Blaise Compaoré. A towering figure in West African politics, Compaoré had come to power in a 1987 coup; his attempt to evade term limits again by changing the constitution sparked the protests that unseated him. A counter-coup by Compaoré loyalists nearly derailed the civilian-led transition, but protesters and conventional army units induced the coup leaders to stand down. [...] Burkina Faso enjoyed relative peace and stability prior to 2016, when an Islamist insurgency known as Ansarul Islam emerged in the rural north and regional Al Qaeda affiliates claimed a large attack in Ouagadougou that killed 30 people, including an American. [...]In mid-2020, U.S. officials publicly threatened to suspend security assistance unless Burkinabè authorities addressed human rights concerns. As noted above, abuses appeared to decrease. The FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act required the executive branch to submit a 'plan to address gross violations of human rights and civilian harm' in Burkina Faso and other Sahel countries (P.L. 116-283, §1294). A plan was submitted to Congress in June 2021."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Arieff, Alexis

  2022-02-23