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Federal Land Management Agencies: Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations [January 19, 2022]
From the Document: "Each year, thousands of visitors to federal lands require the assistance of search and rescue (SAR) services. SAR operations take place in a wide range of environments and conditions and can include brief searches of buildings, medical assistance on trails, or more significant multiday aviation and maritime rescue efforts. This CRS [Congressional Research Service] product provides an overview of SAR operations and policies across the four federal land management agencies: the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), and Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), all within the Department of the Interior (DOI), and the Forest Service (FS), within the Department of Agriculture (USDA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
DeSantis, Mark K.
2022-01-19
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State and Local Law Enforcement Officer Staffing [January 19, 2022]
From the Document: "Some policymakers have raised concerns about a perceived police staffing crisis and what this might mean for public safety. This In Focus provides an overview of state and local law enforcement officer (LEO) staffing levels, a discussion of some factors identified as potentially contributing to LEO attrition, what effect attrition might have on public safety, and federal funding to help law enforcement agencies (LEAs) hire officers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan
2022-01-19
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Russian Troop Movements and Tensions Along the Ukrainian Border [Updated January 19, 2022]
From the Document: "In mid-October 2021 [hyperlink], social media and news outlets [hyperlink] began reporting [hyperlink] significant movement by Russian military forces, with limited Russian transparency [hyperlink], on or near the Ukrainian border and within Ukraine's occupied Crimea region. These movements, which follow a similar military buildup in March-April 2021 and Russia's Zapad military exercises [hyperlink] in September 2021, have come amid increasingly aggressive rhetoric [hyperlink] reported from Russian policymakers about the so-called encroachment of NATO near Russia's borders and the geopolitical status of Ukraine [hyperlink]. This rhetoric [hyperlink] has continued despite new bilateral negotiations between the United States and Russia, as well as joint meetings [hyperlink] with NATO and within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), in January 2022. On January 14, Ukraine was hit by a cyberattack that many observers [hyperlink] attributed to Russia. That same day, the Biden administration accused Russia [hyperlink] of sending saboteurs to Ukraine 'to have the option of fabricating a pretext for invasion.' Many observers [hyperlink] and policymakers [hyperlink], including some in Congress, have expressed concerns about a possible new Russian invasion of Ukraine or other aggressive actions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bowen, Andrew S.
2022-01-19
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 2116, CROWN Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate for H.R. 2116, CROWN [Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair] Act of 2021, as ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on September 30, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 2116 would prohibit discrimination based on a person's hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. Specifically, the bill would prohibit this type of discrimination against individuals participating in or receiving benefits provided by federally funded programs, such as housing programs under the Fair Housing Act. The legislation also would prohibit this type of discrimination in employment settings and in public accommodations. To enforce the prohibitions, H.R. 2116 would allow aggrieved parties to file civil suits in federal courts in the same manner as discrimination suits filed for other violations under the Civil Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act. Using information from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), CBO expects that the EEOC would receive roughly 200 to 300 more employment discrimination claims each year under H.R. 2116. To meet that additional workload, CBO estimates that the commission would need the equivalent of four additional employees, at a cost of about $3 million over the 2022-2026 period."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-01-19
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2991, Countering Human Trafficking Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on November 3, 2021. From the Document: "S. 2991 would codify and expand the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). [...] S. 2991 would authorize $14 million to carry out the bill's requirements. CCHT currently has 21 full-time employees funded by ICE. Furthermore, DHS has seven additional employees dedicated to combatting human trafficking, for a total of 28 full-time department employees that would be allocated to the expanded CCHT under the bill. Using information from ICE about the cost of similar programs, and assuming S. 2991 is enacted in mid-fiscal year 2022, CBO estimates it would cost approximately $1 million in 2022 and between $4 million and $5 million each year thereafter above current funding amounts for DHS activities to counter human trafficking to hire the remaining 17 employees and implement the other requirements of the bill. In total, CBO estimates the agency would require $18 million over the 2022-2026 period to implement S. 2991, or $4 million more than the authorized amount. Such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-01-19
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 5616, DHS Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on October 26, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 5616 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report annually to the Congress on the accreditation status of all basic law enforcement training programs within the department. The reporting requirement would end after all programs are accredited. The bill also would require DHS to inform the Congress when a program's accreditation lapses. Additionally, the bill would require the DHS Science and Technology Directorate to carry out research and development to enhance state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement access to training on homeland security threats. According to information from DHS, the department is currently carrying out research and development activities similar to those required in the bill. Furthermore, based on the cost of similar activities, CBO estimates that meeting the reporting requirements of the bill would cost DHS less than $500,000 over the 2022-2026. Any such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-01-19
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Testing as an Alternative to Quarantining: Key Considerations and Best Practices for Implementing Test to Stay
From the Introduction: "As schools reopened for in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 academic year, students, families, and teachers expressed concerns about the effectiveness of Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] safety protocols and the burden of quarantines. In 2021, states reported lower in-person student attendance compared to previous years, with students missing in-person days due to quarantine after being identified as close contacts of classmates who tested positive for Covid-19. [...] State policymakers and school administrators across the U.S. began piloting programs in 2021 to safely increase in-person instruction time that otherwise would be lost to quarantining students who did not ultimately test positive for Covid-19. Under a 'Test to Stay' program (also called a 'close contact testing program'), certain close contacts [hyperlink] of a person who tests positive for Covid-19 undergo repeated testing after an exposure and can stay in school as long as they continue to test negative. [...] In this issue brief, we provide states considering Test to Stay programs in K-12 schools practical guidance on key technical and health equity strategies to inform planning, design, and implementation efforts."
Duke University. Margolis Center for Health Policy
Thoumi, Andrea; Roades, Thomas; Silcox, Christina . . .
2022-01-19
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Management Advisory Regarding Results from Research for Future Audits and Evaluations Related to the Effects of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus on DoD Operations
From the DoD Cares Act Funds: "The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, and on March 13, 2020, the President declared the COVID-19 pandemic a national emergency. Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act enacted on March 27, 2020, the DoD received $10.6 billion in funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19, domestically and internationally. [...] The rest of the report discusses the DoD's use of the CARES Act funds and areas of concern over the reporting status of DoD's CARES Act funds."
United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Inspector General
2022-01-19
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Supplemental Appropriations: SBA Disaster Loan Account [Updated January 19, 2022]
From the Document: "The Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program provides direct loans to businesses, private nonprofit organizations, and households to help them rebuild and recover from federally certified disasters. [...] The SBA Disaster Loan Account is a 'no year' account, meaning that funding does not lapse at the end of the fiscal year. Rather, any remaining funds are rolled over to the next fiscal year. In addition to rolled over funds (if available), the SBA Disaster Loan Account is may receive annual appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and revenue from disaster loan payments (including interest on the loans). Appropriations for disaster loan administration and servicing (including disaster loan credit subsidies to account for loan defaults), and disaster loan revenues (loan payments and default collateral recoveries) replenish the SBA Disaster Loan Account. As funding comes into the account, SBA disaster loans are paid as installments. Each dollar of disaster loan credit subsidy supports about seven dollars in disaster lending authority. [...] The SBA's FY2022 appropriations have not been finalized. Federal agencies, including the SBA, are currently operating under continuing appropriations through February 18, 2022, as provided by P.L. [Public Law] 117-43, the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lindsay, Bruce R.; Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Nagel, Jared C. . . .
2022-01-19
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Tráfico de armas de fuego: Se necesita más información para fundamentar las iniciativas de los Estados Unidos en Centroamérica
"La Agencia de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF, por sus siglas en inglés) del Departamento de Justicia recibe solicitudes de rastreo de armas de fuego de los gobiernos de Belice, El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras para algunas, pero no todas, las armas de fuego declaradas recuperadas en esos países. Los datos de la ATF sobre el rastreo de aproximadamente 27.000 armas de fuego declaradas recuperadas entre 2015 y 2019--los datos más recientes disponibles--muestran que el 40 por ciento provino de los Estados Unidos y el resto de otros 39 países. Los datos de la ATF también indican que casi la mitad de las armas de fuego de origen estadounidense probablemente se desviaron del comercio legítimo en los cuatro países en lugar de considerarse contrabando proveniente de los Estados Unidos. Desde enero de 2015 hasta marzo de 2021, se exportaron legalmente más de 100.000 armas de fuego de los Estados Unidos a los cuatro países, según datos de las agencias. En estos países no se fabrican armas de fuego, pero funcionarios estadounidenses y extranjeros afirmaron que los delincuentes pueden obtenerlas a través de mercados ilegales y robo, entre otros medios. Los datos de la ATF muestran que la mayoría de las armas de fuego sometidas a rastreo eran pistolas."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01-19
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Global Pandemics: Gain-of-Function Research of Concern [January 19, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Gain-of-Function (GOF) research is a broad area of scientific inquiry where an organism gains a new property or an existing property is altered. The terms 'gain of function' and 'loss of function' refer to any genetic mutation in an organism that either confers a new or enhanced ability or causes the loss of an ability. Such changes often occur naturally. Additionally, scientists can induce some changes to organisms through experimentation. A key area of GOF research is the study of both naturally occurring and experimentally induced changes in organisms to better understand the transmission, infection, and pathogenesis of viruses. Through such knowledge, scientists hope to improve our understanding of human-pathogen interactions, aid in assessments of potential pandemic pathogens, and further public health preparedness. Some analysts have raised concerns that studies designed to understand how viruses might evolve may have the potential to generate pathogens that affect humans with the potential to cause a pandemic. To focus attention on this small subset of studies, the scientific and policy communities have begun to use the terms 'gain of function research of concern' (GOFROC) and 'enhanced potential pandemic pathogens' (PPP). However, all three terms (GOF, GOFROC, PPP) have been used interchangeably in some public discussions and media."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kuiken, Todd
2022-01-19
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Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated January 19, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress for three types of large unmanned vehicles (UVs) that the Navy wants to develop and procure in FY2022 and beyond: [1] Large Unmanned Surface Vehicles (LUSVs); [2] Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicles (MUSVs); and [3] Extra-large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (XLUUVs). The Navy wants to acquire these large UVs as part of an effort to shift the Navy to a new fleet architecture (i.e., a new combination of ships and other platforms) that is more widely distributed than the Navy's current fleet architecture. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $434.1 million in research and development funding for these large UVs and their enabling technologies. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's acquisition strategies and funding requests for these large UVs. The Navy's proposals for developing and procuring them pose a number of oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on these issues could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding and UV industrial bases. In addition to the large UVs covered in this report, the Navy also wants to develop and procure smaller USVs and UUVs, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of various sizes. Other U.S. military services are developing, procuring, and operating their own types of UVs. Separate CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports address some of these efforts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-01-19
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 2617, Performance Enhancement Reform Act [January 18, 2022]
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the e Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on November 3, 2021. From the Document: "Under current law, federal agencies must publicly release plans that detail performance goals and measurements for all program activities. H.R. 2617 would require agencies to include information about the human capital, technology, and other resources necessary to achieve those goals. The act also would require collaboration among the chief performance officer and other executives within the agency as they prepare those plans. Because most of the act's requirements would codify existing guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2617 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2022-2026 period. [...] On July 23, 2021, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 2617 [hyperlink], the Performance Enhancement Reform Act, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. The two pieces of legislation are similar and CBO's estimates of their budgetary effects is the same." The previous cost estimate can be found at [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=856667].
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-01-18
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 2746, a Bill to Amend Title 28, United States Code, to Redefine the Eastern and Middle Judicial Districts of North Carolina
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on May 18, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 2746 would realign the geographic jurisdictions of the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina. Using information from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, CBO estimates that implementing the changes would increase administrative costs by an insignificant amount and would have no effect on overall caseloads for the districts."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-01-18
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Cybersecurity: Deterrence Policy [January 18, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The United States government has long sought to effectively deter (or stop) cyberattacks and to respond to attacks in a manner that prevents future ones. Both goals have appeared elusive as the frequency of cyberattacks, from petty to significant, have increased over time. These attacks show that deterrence is difficult to achieve in cyberspace. There are nuances surrounding cyberattacks that invert previous notions of deterrence policy. Despite challenges, many regard deterrence as a necessary step to establishing order for cyberspace operations, and as a building block for future actions, and policymakers continue to pursue a strategy of deterrence for cyberspace and cyberattack. This report analyzes the strategy of deterrence in relation to cyberattacks and discusses options Congress may pursue in advancing deterrence policy. In March 2020 the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (Commission) launched its report advocating for a 'layered cyber deterrence' strategic approach for cybersecurity. As the second anniversary of the Commission's report approaches, policymakers may seek to examine a deterrence strategy in light of recent advancements in cybersecurity policy and recently evolved cyberattacks. While this report discusses deterrence policy strategically, it does not discuss in depth potential capabilities related to deterring cyberattack. Policies surrounding the use of instruments of national power (e.g., diplomacy, intelligence activities, armed forces, and sanctions) are not significantly discussed in this report. Types of attacks also are not discussed in this report, as deterrence policy is intended to apply broadly to all types of attacks."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jaikaran, Chris
2022-01-18
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U.S. Foreign Assistance [Updated January 18, 2022]
From the Document: "Foreign assistance is an instrument of U.S. policy through which the U.S. government provides resources to another country's government, civil society, or other private sector entity on a grant or concessional loan basis. Most U.S. foreign assistance is administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC); the U.S. Departments of State, Agriculture (USDA), the Treasury, and Defense (DOD); or is channeled through multilateral organizations. U.S. foreign assistance can take many forms. Most aid is provided through projects implemented by U.S. and international agencies, contractors, or nongovernmental organizations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morgenstern, Emily M.; Brown, Nick M.
2022-01-18
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State and Federal Authority to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccination [Updated January 18, 2022]
From the Summary: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines licensed or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are a critical tool to reduce the spread and severity of COVID-19. FDA initially authorized the vaccines, between December 2020 and February 2021, under Section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), a regulatory pathway that allows certain medical products to be made available in the market prior to full FDA approval under specified circumstances, including during a public health emergency. In August 2021, FDA licensed the first COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer's Comirnaty, for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older, after determining that the vaccine, for the licensed use, meets the standards for safety, purity, and potency (i.e., effectiveness) under the Public Health Service Act. Given the data supporting the safety and efficacy of the licensed and authorized COVID-19 vaccines, many public health experts view promoting high COVID-19 vaccination rates--along with continued engagement in community mitigation activities that prevent transmission, such as mask wearing in certain settings--as key components of the United States' pandemic response. [...] This report provides an overview of state and federal authority to mandate vaccination."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shen, Wen W.
2022-01-18
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Status of Federal COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate Litigation [Updated January 18, 2022]
From the Document: "In 2021, various federal, state [hyperlink], and private [hyperlink] entities instituted Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination requirements to address the pandemic, particularly as the Delta variant [hyperlink]--a highly contagious strain of SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] (the virus that causes COVID-19)--spread in the United States. The federal COVID-19 vaccination requirements issued to date by the President or executive agencies include those directed at (1) federal executive agency civilian employees [hyperlink] (federal employee mandate); (2) federal contractors for executive departments, agencies, and offices [hyperlink] (federal contractor mandate); (3) most Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers [hyperlink] (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' [CMS's] Medicare/Medicaid provider mandate); and (4) employers with 100 or more employees [hyperlink] (Occupational Safety and Health Administration's [OSHA's] large employer vaccination and testing mandate). These employment- or workforce-based mandates--subject to accommodations required by federal law--either directly require certain employees to receive COVID-19 vaccinations or direct certain employers to impose a vaccination or vaccination-and-testing requirement on their employees or staff. These federal vaccination mandates have generated numerous legal challenges that have moved quickly through the courts. To date, some of these mandates have been enjoined by courts either on a nationwide basis or only in certain states."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shen, Wen W.
2022-01-18
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Implement Cybersecurity Measures Now to Protect Against Potential Critical Threats
From the Document: "Every organization in the United States is at risk from cyber threats that can disrupt essential services and potentially result in impacts to public safety. Over the past year, cyber incidents have impacted many companies, non-profits, and other organizations, large and small, across multiple sectors of the economy. Most recently, public and private entities in Ukraine have suffered a series of malicious cyber incidents, including website defacement [hyperlink] and private sector reports of potentially destructive malware [hyperlink] on their systems that could result in severe harm to critical functions. The identification of destructive malware is particularly alarming given that similar malware has been deployed in the past--e.g., NotPetya [hyperlink] and WannaCry [hyperlink] ransomware--to cause significant, widespread damage to critical infrastructure. This CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency] Insights is intended to ensure that senior leaders at every organization in the United States are aware of critical cyber risks and take urgent, near-term steps to reduce the likelihood and impact of a potentially damaging compromise."
United States. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
2022-01-18
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COVID-19 Mask Usage and Social Distancing in Social Media Images: Large-Scale Deep Learning Analysis
From the Abstract: "The adoption of nonpharmaceutical interventions and their surveillance are critical for detecting and stopping possible transmission routes of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. A study of the effects of these interventions can help shape public health decisions. The efficacy of nonpharmaceutical interventions can be affected by public behaviors in events, such as protests. We examined mask use and mask fit in the United States, from social media images, especially during the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests, representing the first large-scale public gatherings in the pandemic. [...] This study assessed the use and fit of face masks and social distancing in the United States and events of large physical gatherings through public social media images from 6 cities and BLM protests." This article was originally published on the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Public Health and Surveillance website: [https://publichealth.jmir.org/2022/1/e26868].
JMIR Publications
Singh, Asmit Kumar; Mehan, Paras; Sharma, Divyanshu . . .
2022-01-18
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Hawai'i Marine Debris Action Plan: Accomplishments Report
From the Acknowledgements: "The Hawai'i Marine Debris Action Plan is the result of the time, energy, and input of the many government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, industry, and private businesses that make up the marine debris management community in Hawai'i. Their engagement is the foundation that the Action Plan is built upon, and their continued collaboration has nurtured it over the last 10 years. Their continued stewardship will guide efforts over the next several years to address and reduce the environmental, socioeconomic, and human health and safety impacts of marine debris."
United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
2022-01-18?
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SBA's Oversight of the Grant Recipient's Implementation of the Cares Act Resource Partners Training Portal
From the Executive Summary: "Our objective was to determine whether SBA [Small Business Administration] provided effective oversight to ensure the portal was implemented in accordance with CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act and grant requirements. To meet our objective, we reviewed applicable legislation and federal regulations, as well as SBA's grant management policies and oversight procedures. We also reviewed the funding opportunity announcement, notice of award, and the grant recipient's technical proposal. Finally, we interviewed program officials and the grant recipient. [...] We found SBA ensured the grant recipient developed and launched the hub on schedule, the hub functioned properly and met the technical requirements for federal websites. However, SBA did not ensure the grant recipient developed and implemented an effective marketing and outreach strategy to ensure the hub successfully achieved the legislative purpose of the CARES Act. In addition, neither SBA nor the grant recipient set targets for any of the performance goals."
United States. Small Business Administration. Office of the Inspector General
2022-01-18
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U.S. Sanctions on Russia [Updated January 18, 2022]
From the Summary: "In early 2022, Congress, the Biden Administration, and other stakeholders are considering the prospect of new sanctions on Russia. In response to a Russian military buildup near and in Ukraine, the United States and European allies have said they would impose additional sanctions in the event of further Russian aggression against Ukraine. Such sanctions could include greater restrictions on transactions with Russian financial institutions and U.S. technology exports, as well as the suspension of Russia's pending Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project. Further additional sanctions, including on Russia's energy sector and secondary market transactions in Russian sovereign debt, also may be under consideration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Welt, Cory; Archick, Kristin; Nelson, Rebecca M. . . .
2022-01-18
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Patterns of Suicide Ideation Across Eight Countries in Four Continents During the COVID-19 Pandemic Era: Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
From the Abstract: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic and countries' response measures have had a globally significant mental health impact. This mental health burden has also been fueled by an infodemic: an information overload that includes misinformation and disinformation. Suicide, the worst mental health outcome, is a serious public health problem that can be prevented with timely, evidence-based, and often low-cost interventions. Suicide ideation, one important risk factor for suicide, is thus important to measure and monitor, as are the factors that may impact on it. [...] This investigation had 2 primary aims: (1) to estimate and compare country-specific prevalence of suicide ideation at 2 different time points, overall and by gender and age groups, and (2) to investigate the influence of sociodemographic and infodemic variables on suicide ideation. [...] Suicide ideation is prevalent and significantly increasing over time in this COVID-19 pandemic era, with considerable variability between countries. Younger adults and those residing in Hong Kong carried disproportionately higher rates. Social media appears to have an increasingly detrimental association with suicide ideation, although having a stronger SOC [sense of coherence] had a larger protective effect. Policies and promotion of SOC, together with disseminating health information that explicitly tackles the infodemic's misinformation and disinformation, may importantly reduce the rising mental health morbidity and mortality triggered by this pandemic." This article was originally published on the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Public Health and Surveillance website: [https://publichealth.jmir.org/2022/1/e32140].
JMIR Publications
Schluter, Philip J.; Généreux, Mélissa; Hung, Kevin KC . . .
2022-01-17
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MMWR Supplement: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, January 14, 2022: Standards Required for the Development of CDC Evidence-Based Guidelines
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 Supplement issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Standards Required for the Development of CDC Evidence-Based Guidelines." 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.)
2022-01-14
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, January 14, 2022: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Receipt of Medications for Treatment of COVID-19 -- United States, March 2020-August 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: "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Receipt of Medications for Treatment of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] -- United States, March 2020-August 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.)
2022-01-14
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1311, Energy Diplomacy Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on September 30, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 1311 would authorize the Department of State to establish an Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources. That official would be responsible for promoting U.S. energy interests abroad and for coordinating associated policies within the department. The legislation would also require the department to ensure that a sufficient number of staff are available to formulate policy, provide analysis, and coordinate with other federal and international entities on energy policies. [...] On the basis of information about the Bureau's organizational structure, CBO estimates that the addition of a Senate confirmed appointee would cost less than $500,000 each year and total $1 million over the 2022-2026 period. Additional personnel requirements prescribed by H.R. 1311 would be satisfied by the current staffing level of the Bureau of Energy Resources. Such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-01-14
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F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program [Updated January 14, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), also called the Lightning II, is a strike fighter airplane being procured in different versions for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. The F-35 program is DOD's largest weapon procurement program in terms of total estimated acquisition cost. Current Department of Defense (DOD) plans call for acquiring a total of 2,456 F-35s for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy at an estimated total acquisition cost, as of December, 2019, of about $397.8 billion in constant (i.e., inflation-adjusted) FY2012 dollars. U.S. allies are expected to purchase hundreds of additional F-35s, and eight foreign nations are cost-sharing partners in the program. The Administration's proposed FY2022 defense budget requested about $12.0 billion in procurement funding for the F-35 program. This would fund the procurement of 48 F-35As for the Air Force, 17 F-35Bs for the Marine Corps, 20 F-35Cs for the Navy and Marines, advance procurement for future aircraft, and continuing modifications. The proposed budget also requested about $2.1 billion for F-35 research and development."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gertler, Jeremiah
2022-01-14
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FY2022 NDAA: Overseas Contingency Operations [January 14, 2022]
From the Document: "Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Congress provided funding designated for emergency requirements and later for Overseas Contingency Operations [hyperlink]/Global War on Terrorism (OCO/GWOT) to support U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and other countries, in addition to other activities. When statutory spending limits were enacted as part of the Budget Control Act of 2011 [hyperlink] (BCA; P.L. [Public Law] 112-25), the law specified OCO/GWOT funding would be exempt [hyperlink] from the limits. Some observers argued OCO funding allowed for flexible response to contingencies, and provided a 'safety valve' [hyperlink] to the spending caps. Others described OCO as a loophole [hyperlink]--evolving from an account for replacing combat losses of equipment, resupplying expended munitions, and transporting troops through war zones, to a 'slush fund' [hyperlink] for activities unrelated to contingency operations (e.g., planned or regularly occurring costs to man, train, and equip the military force typically requested in the base budget of the Department of Defense). The BCA discretionary spending limits expired [hyperlink] in FY2021. The FY2022 President's budget request was the first in a decade not subject to the BCA caps. The budget proposed [hyperlink] discontinuing 'requests for Overseas Contingency Operations as a separate funding category, instead funding direct war costs and enduring operations in the DOD base budget.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McGarry, Brendan W.
2022-01-14
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2989, DHS Blue Campaign Enhancement Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on November 3, 2021. From the Document: "S. 2989 would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop Internet-based training programs for federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers and others as part of the department's Blue Campaign. The Blue Campaign is aimed at combating human trafficking. The bill also would create an advisory board of DHS officials who would provide information and data on human trafficking to the Blue Campaign. [...] CBO estimates that any new activities required under S. 2989 would not require substantial action by the department and would cost less than $500,000 over the 2022-2026 period; any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-01-14
