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U.S.-China Phase One Trade Deal [May 27, 2022]
From the Document: "On January 15, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed a trade agreement with Vice Premier Liu He of the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) that sought to resolve some long-standing U.S. government and business concerns about China's unfair trade, investment, and technology practices. The negotiations were conducted in response to actions, including imposing tariffs, that the U.S. government took under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. [United States Code] §2411). The deal is called the 'Phase One' agreement because it was to be the first of subsequent agreements to address key U.S. concerns. Many experts assess that PRC negotiators pushed most issues identified by USTR [U.S. Trade Representative] to future talks, but the deal has several commitments from China that were difficult to secure and could help shape U.S. trade policy going forward."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sutter, Karen M.
2022-05-27
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Federal Support for School Safety and Security [Updated May 27, 2022]
From the Summary: "In the United States, more than 70 million students are enrolled in public elementary and secondary (K-12) schools or degree-granting postsecondary institutions. School and campus safety and security for these students encompasses many issues, including violence prevention and response, school climate, and the physical and mental health of the school community. Students' safety and security while in school is an area of concern for the federal government and state and local governments, as well as school districts, institutions of higher education, students' families, and Members of Congress. [...] State and local governments oversee K-12 education in public schools. Colleges and universities are a mix of public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit entities with varying governance structures. The federal government's main avenue for supporting schools in general and school and campus safety specifically is through grant programs. This report provides an overview of grant programs at the U.S. Department of Education (ED), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that provide direct or indirect funding for school and campus safety and security initiatives. The report also provides an overview of programs and initiatives administered by these departments that support school safety and security efforts in other ways, such as through data collection and reporting and technical assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dragoo, Kyrie E.; James, Nathan; Duff, Johnathan H. . . .
2022-05-27
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U.S. Gun Policy: Framework and Major Issues [Updated May 27, 2022]
From the Document: "Federal firearms regulation has been a subject of continuous interest for legislators. In recent Congresses, a range of proposals has been introduced, with some seeking to ease various federal firearms restrictions or facilitate reciprocity in state treatment of persons authorized to carry firearms by other states. Other proposals have sought greater restrictions on the federal rules concerning the possession, transfer, or sale of firearms or the expansion of background checks for firearm purchases. These various approaches, in turn, prompt debate about not only their pros and cons but also their legalities, as Congress's ability to legislate on such matters must comport with the Second Amendment and other constitutional constraints."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Foster, Michael A. (Legislative attorney); Krouse, William J.
2022-05-27
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Coast Guard IT: Actions Needed to Improve Processes for Overseeing Non-Major Acquisition Programs, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "The U.S. Coast Guard, a component within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), invests millions of dollars in IT [information technology] systems to help execute its various missions. DHS oversees the Coast Guard's major IT acquisition programs--assets with total costs of $300 million or more--while the Coast Guard generally manages non-major IT acquisition programs--assets with total costs of less than $300 million. Since 2017, GAO has identified gaps in the Coast Guard's oversight of its non-major acquisition programs, including IT systems. GAO was asked to review the Coast Guard's management of its non-major IT acquisitions. This report addresses the extent to which the Coast Guard (1) developed and implemented a process to identify non-major IT acquisition programs and (2) effectively oversees its non-major IT acquisition programs. GAO reviewed relevant DHS and Coast Guard policies, guidance, and documentation. GAO also interviewed DHS and Coast Guard officials. [...] GAO is making three recommendations to improve Coast Guard non-major IT acquisition oversight processes, including defining risk levels to evaluate potential acquisition programs, and clearly communicating how programs should establish, revise, and communicate baseline information consistently. DHS concurred with all three recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-05-26
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EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 22 Issue 21, May 26, 2022
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: "New iTAK [iOS Team Awareness Kit] app enhances situational awareness for wildland firefighters"; "Guidance for EMS [emergency medical services] on response to the current monkeypox outbreak"; "National Hurricane Program offers virtual training on HURREVAC [Hurricane Evacuation] decision support tool, June 6-10"; "CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency]-FBI webinars: emergency services awareness on criminal use of veterinary medicines, bioterrorism, food and agriculture threats"; "CISA and DoD release 5G [fifth generation] Security Evaluation Process Investigation Study"; "Nation-state malware could become a commodity on dark web soon, Interpol warns"; "HHS [Department of Health and Human Services]: Major cyber organizations of the Russian intelligence services"; "CISA adds 41 vulnerabilities to list of bugs used in cyberattacks"; and "US car giant General Motors hit by cyberattack exposing car owners' personal info."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2022-05-26
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Anti-Asian Hate, Social Isolation, and Mental Health Among Asian American Elders During COVID-19
From the Executive Summary: "Over the past two years, COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] exacerbated threats to the safety and wellbeing for Asian American elders ages 60 and up -- a community that was already highly vulnerable prior to the pandemic. Early shelter-in-place orders and recommendations to limit contact with others outside their homes made seniors more physically and socially isolated. Further, anti-Asian hate and violence instilled a sense of fear and anxiety, especially among Asian American older adults in dense, urban areas. Together, these factors led to a community in crisis, with vulnerable Asian American older adults needing significant support from their families, social networks, broader communities, and government to stay safe and well."
Stop AAPI Hate; Chinese for Affirmative Action (Organization); Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council . . .
Jeung, Russell, 1962-; Yellow Horse, Aggie J.; Chen, Theresa . . .
2022-05-26
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Factors Associated with Protective Mask-Wearing Behavior to Avoid COVID-19 Infection in China: Internet-Based Cross-Sectional Study
From the Abstract: "The novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] is likely to spread from person to person in close-contact settings. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a handbook on COVID-19, which introduced health information to the public, specifically related to wearing masks correctly and adopting preventive measures to avoid COVID-19 infection. [...] The aim of this study was to assess the level of mask knowledge, behavior related to mask usage, and major information channels used for obtaining mask- and COVID-19-related information in China. [...] Data were collected from a total of 10,304 respondents to the survey. More than half of the respondents were under 30 years old and nearly three-quarters were women. [...] This study elucidated that Chinese netizens' protective mask behavior is far lower than their mask-related knowledge. Improved information channels and adequate information on wearing masks are necessary to improve the public's protective mask behavior, particularly among men, the elderly, and people with less education." This article was originally published on the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Public Health and Surveillance website: [https://publichealth.jmir.org/2022/5/e32278].
JMIR Publications
Xu, Yue; Wu, Qingqing; Xu, Shuiyang . . .
2022-05-26
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China's Interests in U.S. Agriculture: Augmenting Food Security Through Investment Abroad
From the Introduction: "This report reviews China's food security challenges and how these vulnerabilities drive interests in U.S.-China agricultural relations. Specifically, it evaluates the motivations behind China's agricultural investments, including challenges to food production and relevant CCP [Chinese Communist Party] efforts to reduce import reliance, conserve farmland, and modernize agricultural technologies. It then examines the main areas of Chinese investment in the United States, including land, livestock, grains, and relevant infrastructure, like agricultural equipment and technology. Finally, the report presents considerations for lawmakers regarding further Chinese integration in the U.S. agriculture sector."
U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
Greenwood, Lauren
2022-05-26
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Oversight of Gain of Function Research with Pathogens: Issues for Congress [May 26, 2022]
From the Summary: "The term 'gain of function' refers to any genetic mutation in an organism that confers a new or enhanced ability. Such changes often occur naturally. Additionally, scientists can induce such changes to organisms through experimentation. Gain of function (GOF) research is a broad area of scientific inquiry involving organisms that gain a new property or have an existing property altered. A key area of GOF research is the study of both naturally occurring and experimentally induced changes in viruses to better understand transmission, infection, and pathogenesis. Current U.S. policy focuses on GOF research involving enhanced potential pandemic pathogens. Some in the scientific community argue that this research is needed to better understand how viruses evolve in order to develop better medical countermeasures and surveillance regimes for emerging pathogens. However, an accident, or deliberate misuse of this research, has the potential to impact the larger public, potentially globally. This concern leads some observers to argue that the risks of such research outweigh any potential benefits. An overlapping set of policies and guidance address aspects of biosafety and biosecurity associated with GOF research with pathogens in the United States--some impose requirements, some provide guidance, some apply only to research with select biological agents, and some policies only apply to federally funded research. These policies and guidance include federal regulation of research with select biological agents and toxins, best practice guidance for microbiological and biomedical laboratories, agency guidance on funding research with potential pandemic pathogens, and the institutions and researchers conducting it."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kuiken, Todd
2022-05-26
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Military Applications of Extended Reality [Updated May 26, 2022]
From the Document: "Although commercial and consumer industries have been investing in extended reality (XR) for decades, recent advances have expanded the number of potential applications for the U.S. military. Indeed, in February 2022, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering identified human-machine interfaces for XR as 1 of 14 critical technology areas for the Department of Defense (DOD). As DOD increases spending on XR and related applications, Congress may consider the implications for defense authorizations and appropriations, military force structure, and cybersecurity."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.
2022-05-26
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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) [Updated May 26, 2022]
From the Background: "The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles (FoV) is an Army-led, joint-service program designed to replace a portion of each service's light tactical wheeled vehicle fleets. The JLTV FoV consists of two variants: the four-seat Combat Tactical Vehicle (CTV) ('Figure 1') and the two-seat Combat Support Vehicle (CSV) ('Figure 2'). The CTV is to support the General Purpose, Heavy Gun Carrier and Close Combat Weapon Carrier missions. The CSV is to support the Utility/Shelter Carrier mission. The JLTV is transportable by a range of lift assets, including rotary-wing aircraft. Its maneuverability enables activities across the spectrum of terrain, including urban areas, while providing inherent and supplemental armor against direct fire and improvised explosive device threats."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2022-05-26
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Regulating Drinking Water Contaminants: EPA PFAS Actions [Updated May 26, 2022]
From the Document: "The detection of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in some public water supplies has generated public concern and increased attention to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) actions to respond to PFAS using Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorities. For more than a decade, EPA has been evaluating PFAS under SDWA to determine whether a national drinking water regulation is warranted for one or more of these substances. In March 2021, EPA finalized determinations to develop SDWA regulations for the two most frequently detected PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) (86 'Federal Register' 12272). EPA's determination triggers a SDWA requirement to propose a regulation within 24 months (e.g., by March 2023 for PFOA and PFOS), and finalize the rule within 18 months of the proposal. In EPA's October 2021 'PFAS Strategic Roadmap,' the agency states that it intends to propose a PFOA and PFOS drinking water regulation by fall 2022, and finalize the rule by fall 2023. In addition, the 116 th Congress enacted legislation directing EPA to increase PFAS monitoring in water supplies, and authorizing appropriations for grants to address PFAS in public water supplies, among other provisions. The 117th Congress provided appropriations for such grants."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2022-05-26
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Supplemental Funding for Ukraine: Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) [Updated May 26, 2022]
From the Document: "As of May 26, 2022, the Biden Administration has submitted to Congress two emergency supplemental funding requests to address the crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The first, submitted on March 2, 2022, included $5 billion for Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations accounts, among other funding. On March 15, 2022, Congress enacted the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act (USAA, P.L. [Public Law] 117-103, Div. [division] N), which provided $6.8 billion for SFOPS accounts. The Administration's second supplemental funding request, submitted to Congress on April 28, called for an additional $14.75 billion in SFOPS funding related to Ukraine. On May 21, 2022, Congress enacted the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act (AUSAA, P.L. 117-128), which included $18.946 billion for SFOPS accounts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morgenstern, Emily M.
2022-05-26
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Section 301 Tariff Exclusions on U.S. Imports from China [Updated May 26, 2022]
From the Document: "In 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) determined, pursuant to an investigation under 'Section 301' (Title III of the Trade Act of 1974, 19 U.S.C. [United States Code] §§2411-2420), that China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property (IP), and innovation were unreasonable or discriminatory and burdened or restricted U.S. commerce. In order to counter them and obtain their elimination, the Trump Administration used Section 301 authorities to impose four rounds of increased tariffs on about two-thirds of U.S. imports from China. However, to avoid harm to U.S. interests, the USTR introduced a new policy allowing stakeholders to request 'tariff exclusions' for U.S. imports that would otherwise have been subject to tariffs. Some policymakers and stakeholders have raised concerns about the implementation of the exclusion request process. [...] The Biden Administration continues to review its trade strategy for China. Actions by the USTR during 2021 and early 2022 were not aimed at providing broader tariff relief. They were limited to extending unexpired exclusions on medical supplies relevant to combatting the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic and reinstating certain exclusions that were previously extended. In May 2022, the agency announced a review of all Section 301 actions against China."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwarzenberg, Andres B.
2022-05-26
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Russia Sanctions and Cryptocurrencies: Policy Issues [May 26, 2022]
From the Document: "The G-7 [Group of Seven] (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States), the European Union (EU), and other countries have responded to Russia's expanded invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 with swift, coordinated, and broad sanctions [hyperlink] designed to exert significant pressure on key Russian individuals and companies, as well as the broader Russian economy. As the multilateral coalition seeks to sustain economic pressure on Russia, and Russia seeks ways to mitigate the impact of sanctions, some in Congress [hyperlink] are asking whether cryptocurrencies offer Russia a way to evade sanctions. This Insight discusses related policy issues and proposed legislation[.]"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nelson, Rebecca M.; Scott, Andrew P.
2022-05-26
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Audit of the Implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Section 3610
From the Executive Summary: "On 27 March 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) national emergency. Section 3610 of the CARES Act permits federal agencies, under certain circumstances, to modify terms of existing contracts or agreements, and to reimburse federal contractors' compensation due to COVID 19 [sic] related issues. The CARES Act, Section 3610 provides agencies the discretion to reimburse paid leave to federal contractors confronted with the inability of their employees or subcontractors to perform work at a federal government-approved work site due to facility closures or restrictions when their job duties could not be performed remotely. Reimbursement under the CARES Act, Section 3610 has several limitations related to contractor status, billing rates, hours, and whether the contractor has received other COVID-19 relief. As of 8 June 2021 , the National Security Agency (NSA)/ Central Security Service (CSS)-hereinafter referred to as NSA-reported $917 million in CARES invoices for a total of 81 ,000 CARES hours. The overall objective of this Office of the Inspector General (OIG) audit was to determine whether NSA economically, effectively, and efficiently implemented Section 3610 of the CARES Act."
United States. National Security Agency. Office of Inspector General
2022-05-26
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Energy Resilience: DOE's Northeast Petroleum Product Reserves
From the Document: "The Department of Energy (DOE) maintains two regional petroleum product reserves to reduce the impact of severe disruptions in the supply of petroleum products in the Northeast. Such disruptions could occur when extreme storms or pipeline outages limit the supply or distribution of petroleum products or dramatically increase their price. DOE established the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve (NEHHOR) in 2000 after home heating oil prices nearly doubled in the winter of 1999-2000. DOE established the Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve (NGSR) in 2014 in the aftermath of gasoline supply issues following Hurricane Sandy in 2012. [...] NEHHOR was used following Hurricane Sandy to provide fuel for first responder vehicles when the storm shut down other supplies. This was the only time either reserve has been used. [...] This report (1) assesses the effectiveness of the existing product reserves in mitigating supply risks in the Northeast and (2) identifies the extent to which DOE has considered future risks to petroleum product supplies and the benefits of alternative federal actions to mitigate these risks."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-05-25
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Management Report: IRS Needs to Improve Financial Reporting and Information System Controls
From the Document: "On November 10, 2021, we issued our auditor's report on the results of our audit of the fiscal years 2021 and 2020 financial statements of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). As part of this audit, we assessed IRS's key financial reporting controls, including information system controls. As we reported in connection with our audit of IRS's fiscal years 2021 and 2020 financial statements, although certain internal controls could be improved, IRS maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2021. Those controls provided reasonable assurance that misstatements material to IRS's financial statements would be prevented, or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. However, our fiscal year 2021 audit continued to identify two significant deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting concerning IRS's unpaid assessments and financial reporting systems. We also identified other deficiencies in IRS's internal control over financial reporting that we do not consider to be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies. Nonetheless, these deficiencies warrant IRS management's attention. This report presents the new control deficiencies we identified during our fiscal year 2021 testing of IRS's internal control over financial reporting. This report also includes the results of our follow-up on the status of IRS's corrective actions to address recommendations from our prior years' reports related to internal control over financial reporting that remained open as of September 30, 2020."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-05-25
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Workplace Safety and Health: Data and Enforcement Challenges Limit OSHA's Ability to Protect Workers During a Crisis, Statement of Thomas M. Costa, Director Education, Workforce, and Income Security, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic raised concerns about OSHA's preparedness for a future crisis. OSHA [Occupational Safety and Health Administration], within the Department of Labor, helps ensure safe and healthful worker conditions by setting mandatory standards, conducting inspections, and investigating incoming complaints and referrals, among other efforts. This testimony is based on work in GAO's October 2021 CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act report (GAO-22-105051) and January 2021 report on OSHA's injury and illness reporting requirement (GAO-21- 122). It examines OSHA's efforts regarding (1) COVID-19-related enforcement actions, (2) developing and using standards related to COVID19, and (3) obtaining injury and illness data to support its enforcement efforts. For the prior reports, GAO reviewed OSHA policies and federal laws and regulations, analyzed OSHA enforcement and employer-reported injury and illness data, and interviewed OSHA officials. For this testimony, GAO obtained updated data covering OSHA enforcement activity from February 2020 through December 2021, reviewed documentation, and interviewed OSHA officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Costa, Thomas
2022-05-25
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Technology Modernization Fund: Past Awards Highlight Need for Continued Scrutiny of Agency Proposals, Statement of David B. Hinchman, Acting Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Government Operations, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "Enacted in 2017, the provisions commonly referred to as the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act established the TMF [Technology Modernization Fund] in recognition of the challenges in modernizing federal information systems. OMB [Office of Management and Budget] and GSA [General Services Administration] administer the TMF, and a Technology Modernization Board comprised of federal IT [information technology] executives reviews agency project proposals. Since the program's creation, it has received over $1.1 billion in appropriations and made awards to over 20 projects that sought to address the federal technology challenges on which GAO has extensively reported. The MGT Act included a provision for GAO to report biannually on the TMF and the projects receiving these funds. This testimony summarizes past GAO reporting on the TMF, including (1) the status of the fund and approved projects and (2) the reliability of selected projects' cost saving estimates. This statement is primarily based on the results of GAO's prior work, which includes the reports cited in this statement. GAO also reviewed the status of approved projects as of May 2022, and agencies' efforts to address its recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Hinchman, David B.
2022-05-25
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Executive Order 14074: Advancing Effective, Accountable Policing and Criminal Justice Practices to Enhance Public Trust and Public Safety
From the Document: "Our criminal justice system must respect the dignity and rights of all persons and adhere to our fundamental obligation to ensure fair and impartial justice for all. This is imperative--not only to live up to our principles as a Nation, but also to build secure, safe, and healthy communities. Protecting public safety requires close partnerships between law enforcement and the communities it serves. Public safety therefore depends on public trust, and public trust in turn requires that our criminal justice system as a whole embodies fair and equal treatment, transparency, and accountability. [...] Through this order, my Administration is taking a critical step in what must be part of a larger effort to strengthen our democracy and advance the principles of equality and dignity. While we can make policing safer and more effective by strengthening trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve, we must also reform our broader criminal justice system so that it protects and serves all people equally."
United States. Office of the Federal Register
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.
2022-05-25
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Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on HIV Testing Utilization Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China: Cross-Sectional Online Survey
From the Abstract: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has created disruptions in HIV prevention and sexual health services for men who have sex with men (MSM). [...] This study compared HIV testing utilization in 3 different reference periods (period 1: before the COVID-19 outbreak, November 2019-January 2020; period 2: after the outbreak, February-April 2020; and period 3: after the pandemic was under initial control, May-July 2020). Factors associated with HIV testing utilization after the COVID-19 outbreak (combined periods 2 and 3) were also investigated. [...] Participants were MSM aged ≥18 years living in Shenzhen, China. Those self-reporting as HIV positive were excluded. A total of 595 participants recruited through multiple sources completed a self-administered online survey during August-September 2020. HIV testing utilization after the COVID-19 outbreak was the dependent variable, and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted. [...] HIV testing utilization among Chinese MSM declined after the COVID-19 outbreak and did not increase after the pandemic was under initial control. Removing structural barriers to accessing HIV testing caused by COVID-19, modifying perceptions related to HIV testing, and making use of HIV self-testing (HIVST) might be useful strategies to improve HIV testing among MSM during the pandemic." This article was originally published on the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Public Health and Surveillance website: [https://publichealth.jmir.org/2022/5/e30070].
JMIR Publications
Zhang, Ke Chun; Fang, Yuan; Cao, He . . .
2022-05-25
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International Atrocity Crimes and Their Domestic Counterparts [May 25, 2022]
From the Document: "Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine has prompted widespread attention to the legal framework governing wartime atrocities. In a 2006 article, former U.S. Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Issues David J. Scheffer coined the term 'atrocity crimes' [hyperlink] to describe criminal conduct that is, among other elements, of a significant magnitude, prohibited under international criminal law, and led in its execution by a ruling government group or power elite in society. In 2014, the United Nations defined [hyperlink] atrocity crimes as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. International law also criminalizes related conduct that can take place in wartime, such as torture and the crime of aggression. Some, but not all, of these offenses have counterparts in the United States' criminal code. The Human Rights and Special Prosecution Section [hyperlink] in the Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible [hyperlink] for investigating and prosecuting atrocity crimes and related offenses under U.S. law, but prosecutions can be limited by the lack of extraterritorial jurisdiction[hyperlink], statutes of limitation [hyperlink], and other facets of the offenses. This Sidebar introduces international atrocity crimes and related offenses, examines their domestic counterparts, and discusses proposals for congressional reform."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mulligan, Stephen P.
2022-05-25
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Biden Administration's Cuba Policy Changes [May 25, 2022]
From the Document: "On May 16, 2022, the Biden Administration announced several forthcoming changes to U.S. policy [hyperlink] toward Cuba, with the overarching goal of increasing support for the Cuban people. The changes, which emanate from a policy review begun by the Administration in 2021, fall into four broad areas-- facilitating family reunification, expanding authorized travel, supporting Cuba's private sector, and easing some restrictions on remittances. According to the State Department spokesperson, the changes will provide Cubans with 'additional tools to pursue life free from Cuban government oppression and to seek greater economic opportunities [hyperlink].' The Administration stated that it plans to implement the policy changes in the coming weeks through various steps and regulatory changes undertaken by relevant U.S. departments and agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2022-05-25
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Army's Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) [Updated May 25, 2022]
From the Document: "The Army describes the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), a tracked support vehicle, as follows: The Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) is the replacement for the M113 Family of Vehicles (FoV) within the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT), comprising approximately 30% of its tracked vehicle fleet. [...] The AMPV is currently produced by BAE [British Aerospace] Systems in York, PA. On January 25, 2019, the AMPV entered the low-rate initial production phase (LRIP). The Army originally planned for acquiring a total of 2,907 AMPVs, with initial vehicle delivery in 2020. The current AMPV program plans to replace 2,897 M113 vehicles at the brigade and below level within the ABCT. There are an additional 1,922 M113s supporting non-ABCT affiliated units (referred to as Echelons Above Brigade [EAB] units) that are not included in the Army's modernization plan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2022-05-25
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Foreign Holdings of Federal Debt [Updated May 25, 2022]
From the Summary: "This report presents current data on ownership of U.S. Treasury securities and major holders of federal debt by country. Federal debt represents the accumulated balance of borrowing by the federal government. The gross debt is composed of debt held by the public and intragovernmental debt held by federal trust funds. To finance the publicly held debt, U.S. Treasury securities are sold to investors. Treasury securities may be purchased directly from the Treasury or on the secondary market by individual private investors; the Federal Reserve; financial institutions in the United States or overseas; and foreign, state, or local governments. As of December 2021, there was $23.1 trillion of publicly held debt outstanding, up from $14.8 trillion in December 2017, an $8.3 trillion increase. During the same period, foreign holdings of debt increased by $1.5 trillion to a total of approximately $7.7 trillion. After increasing for several years, overall foreign holdings were relatively flat from 2013 to 2018 in dollar terms before increasing in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Because the total debt has increased faster than the debt held by foreigners has, the share of federal debt held by foreigners has declined in recent years. In December 2021, foreigners held 33% of the publicly held debt. Interest on the debt paid to foreigners in 2021 was $132.6 billion."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc; Nagel, Jared C.
2022-05-25
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Responding to State 'Fragility' in Coastal West Africa [May 25, 2022]
From the Document: "In April 2022, the Biden Administration identified [hyperlink] part of coastal West Africa--Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo--as a priority region pursuant to the 2019 Global Fragility Act (GFA, Title V of Division J, P.L. 116-94). U.S. military officials [hyperlink] and some Members of Congress [hyperlink] have expressed concern over a southward expansion of Islamist insurgent violence from the neighboring Sahel region, centering on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger (see Figure 1). Benin and Côte d'Ivoire have been the hardest hit, recording at least two dozen attacks since 2020, many targeting military personnel near their northern borders. Togo has suffered [hyperlink] two attacks on northern security outposts since late 2021. Ghana and Guinea have not recorded attacks to date. Analysts have attributed most of these attacks to Sahel-based affiliates of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State that have moved south [hyperlink] to procure supplies and seek refuge, including in wildlife preserves in northern Benin and Côte d'Ivoire. Some warn [hyperlink] that armed groups may expand their presence by exploiting local tensions and grievances, extending approaches pioneered in the Sahel. Disputes between pastoralists and farmers [hyperlink], along with anger at security force abuses [hyperlink], have reportedly driven extremist recruitment elsewhere in West Africa."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Husted, Tomas F.; Arieff, Alexis
2022-05-25
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 977, No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2021
From the Document: "S. 977 would seek to prohibit foreign states from working collectively to limit the production, set the price, or otherwise restrain the trading of petroleum and natural gas when such actions affect U.S. markets. The bill would authorize the Department of Justice (DOJ) to enforce the legislation by filing antitrust actions in federal courts. Under the bill, foreign states that restrain trade in petroleum and natural gas would not be immune from the judgment of U.S. courts under the doctrine of sovereign immunity. CBO [Congressional Budget Office] has no basis to predict whether DOJ would initiate antitrust actions against foreign states under the bill. The cost of investigating alleged antitrust violations like those that might be brought under S. 977 could cost millions of dollars per year, subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-05-24
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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
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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
