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Patient Safety: Hospitals Face Challenges Implementing Evidence-Based Practices, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "While millions of Americans benefit from the medical care they receive each year, this care also has the potential to harm patients. Medical care can be unsafe when it leads to adverse events, such as infections. Such adverse events occur even though evidence indicates that some could be reduced or eliminated through implementation of evidence-based patient safety practices. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review information on the implementation of patient safety practices in hospitals. This report describes (1) key factors that affect hospitals' implementation of evidence-based patient safety practices and their reported effects on adverse events; (2) the types of programs health care payers use to promote hospital patient safety and their reported effects on adverse events; and (3) gaps, if any, that experts identify in the available information on patient safety practices. GAO interviewed patient safety experts and officials from six selected hospitals, six selected insurers, and officials from CMS [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] and AHRQ [Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality]. GAO selected the hospitals based in part on their performance on certain quality measures related to patient safety and selected the insurers because they operated relevant patient safety programs. The information GAO obtained on the hospitals and insurers is not generalizable. GAO also reviewed literature on the field of patient safety research. In commenting on a draft of this report, HHS [Department of Health and Human Services] generally agreed with GAO's findings. GAO also received technical comments from HHS and incorporated them as appropriate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2016-02-25
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Data Center Consolidation: Agencies Making Progress, but Planned Savings Goals Need to be Established, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "In 2010, as the focal point for information technology management across the government, OMB's [U.S. Office of Management and Budget] Federal Chief Information Officer launched the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative to reduce the growing number of centers. Information technology reform legislation was subsequently enacted in December 2014 that included a series of provisions related to the federal data center consolidation effort, including requiring agencies to report on cost savings and requiring GAO [U.S. Government Accountability Office] to annually review agency inventories and strategies. GAO's objectives were to (1) review agencies' data center closures to date and plans for further closures, (2) evaluate agencies 'progress in achieving consolidation savings and describe plans for future savings, and (3) assess agencies' progress against OMB's data center optimization targets. To do so, GAO assessed agencies' data center inventories, reviewed agency-reported cost savings and avoidance documentation, and compared agencies' data center optimization data as of November 2015 against OMB's established targets. […] GAO is recommending that 10 agencies take action to address challenges in establishing, and to complete, planned data center cost savings and avoidance targets. GAO is also recommending that 22 agencies take action to improve optimization progress, including addressing any identified challenges. Fourteen agencies agreed with GAO's recommendations, 4 did not state whether they agreed or disagreed, and 6 stated that they had no comments."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2016-03
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 5892, Water Resources Development Act of 2010
From the Summary: "H.R. 5892 would authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to study and participate in the construction of more than 200 new water projects. Assuming appropriation of the authorized and necessary amounts, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing H.R. 5892 would cost $1.3 billion over the 2011-2015 period. The bill also would allow the Corps to collect and spend funds contributed by private firms to expedite the evaluation of permit applications. Because the legislation would affect direct spending, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. However, based on information from the Corps, CBO estimates that amounts collected and spent for such purposes would total less than $500,000 annually and that the net budgetary impact would be negligible. Enacting the legislation would not affect revenues. H.R. 5892 contains no intergovernmental mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). Any costs to state, local, or tribal governments to comply with conditions of federal assistance would be incurred voluntarily. H.R. 5892 would impose a private-sector mandate as defined in UMRA if the Army Corps of Engineers acquires any real estate interests by means of condemnation. CBO estimates that the cost of the mandate, if imposed, would fall well below the annual threshold established in UMRA for private-sector mandates ($141 million in 2010, adjusted annually for inflation)."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2010-09-23
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1331, Local Water Protection Act
"H.R. 1331 would authorize the appropriation of $200 million each year over the 2020-2024 period for those grant programs. Assuming appropriation of the specified amounts, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing the bill would cost $810 million over the 2020-2024 period and $190 million after 2024 (see Table 1). The costs of the legislation fall in budget function 300 (natural resources and environment)."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2019-04-05
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Immigration Benefits System: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Can Improve Program Management, Report to Congressional Requestors
From the Highlights: "Each year, USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] processes millions of applications for persons seeking to study, work, visit, or live in the United States, and for persons seeking to become a U.S. citizen. In 2006, USCIS began the Transformation Program to enable electronic adjudication and case management tools that would allow users to apply and track their applications online. In 2012, to address performance concerns, USCIS changed its acquisition strategy to improve system development. In May 2015, GAO [Government Accountability Office] reported that USCIS expected the program to cost up to $3.1 billion and be fully operational by March 2019. This includes more than $475 million that was invested in the initial version of the program's key case management component, USCIS ELIS [Electronic Immigration System], which has since been decommissioned. This report evaluates the extent to which the program is using information technology program management leading practices. To perform this work, GAO identified agency policy and guidance and leading practices in, among other things, cost estimation, Agile software development, and systems integration and testing, and compared these with practices being used by the program. [...] GAO is making 12 recommendations to improve Transformation Program management, including ensuring alignment among policy, guidance, and leading practices in areas such as Agile software development and systems integration and testing. DHS concurred with the recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2016-07-07
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Federal Acquisitions: Use of 'Other Transaction' Agreements Limited and Mostly for Research and Development Activities, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Federal agencies use a variety of acquisition and financial assistance mechanisms, such as contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, to help meet their missions. Some federal agencies have received authorization to use other transaction agreements, which allow an agency to enter into agreements other than traditional mechanisms, such as contracts. As a result, agencies can customize their other transaction agreements to help meet project requirements and mission needs. As the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported in May 2002, this authority carries risks, however, because such agreements may be exempt from the Federal Acquisition Regulation and other requirements that are intended to protect taxpayers' interests. GAO was asked to review federal agencies' use of other transaction authority. This report describes (1) which agencies are authorized to use other transaction agreements and the extent to which agencies have guidance to implement the authority, (2) why agencies used other transaction agreements and for what types of activities, and (3) the extent to which agencies used other transaction agreements for fiscal years 2010 through 2014. GAO reviewed statutory authorizations, agencies' guidance, and information on agencies' other transaction agreements and use for fiscal years 2010 through 2014, and interviewed officials from each of the agencies authorized to use other transaction agreements."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2016-01-07
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Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process [June 10, 2022]
From the Summary: "This report reviews the process and procedures that apply to congressional consideration of foreign arms sales proposed by the President. This includes consideration of proposals to sell major defense equipment, defense articles and services, or the retransfer to third-party states of such items. Under the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), the President must formally notify Congress 30 calendar days before the Administration can take the final steps to conclude a government-to-government foreign military sale of major defense equipment valued at $14 million or more, defense articles or services valued at $50 million or more, or design and construction services valued at $200 million or more. In the case of such sales to NATO member states, NATO, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Israel, or New Zealand, the President must formally notify Congress 15 calendar days before the Administration can proceed with the transaction. However, the prior notice threshold values are higher for sales to these destinations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.
2022-06-10
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 745, Magna Water District Water Reuse and Groundwater Recharge Act of 2009
From the Summary: "S. 745 would authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to participate in developing a water project in the Magna Water District in Salt Lake County, Utah. Assuming appropriation of the authorized amount, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing S.745 would cost $12 million over the 2011-2015 period. Enacting the legislation would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. S. 745 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2010-08-05
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Circumvention Inquiry into Solar Imports [June 8, 2022]
From the Document: "On April 1, 2022, the Commerce Department initiated [hyperlink] an inquiry into whether Chinese manufacturers of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (CSPV) cells and panels are circumventing U.S. measures intended to counteract unfair trade practices. Commerce initiated the inquiry in response to a petition [hyperlink] by Auxin Solar Inc., a U.S. manufacturer, alleging that solar cells and panels imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam use Chinese-made parts and components to avoid high U.S. tariffs on solar equipment imported directly from China. The investigation has been controversial, including among Members of Congress. Some stakeholders assert that uncertainty about the tariffs could slow deployment of solar energy in the United States while others insist that action is needed to protect U.S. solar manufacturing. While the Biden Administration recently used emergency authorities in effort to support U.S. solar deployment, a final decision in this circumvention inquiry is expected no later than April 2023."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wong, Liana; Casey, Christopher A.; Singh, Manpreet
2022-06-08
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Climate Information: A National System Could Help Federal, State, Local, and Private Sector Decision Makers Use Climate Information, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Over the last decade, the federal government incurred over $300 billion in costs due to extreme weather and fire, according to the President's 2016 budget request. Costs are expected to grow as rare events become more common and intense due to climate change, according to the National Academies. State, local, and private sector decision makers also drive fiscal exposures, as they are responsible for infrastructure paid for with federal funds or eligible for disaster aid. GAO's [Government Accountability Office] 2015 High-Risk update prioritized improving federal efforts to provide the best available climate information and technical assistance to help decision makers use the information to build resilience in up front. This report examines (1) the extent to which federal efforts meet the climate information needs of decision makers; (2) examples of how other countries organized climate information systems; (3) whether and how federal efforts could be improved; and (4) the strengths and limitations of different options to provide climate information. GAO analyzed reports; reviewed systems in three other countries; and interviewed stakeholders with knowledge of climate information. […] GAO recommends that the Executive Office of the President (EOP) direct a federal entity to develop a set of authoritative climate change projections and observations and create a national climate information system with defined roles for federal agencies and nonfederal entities. Relevant EOP entities provided only technical comments, which GAO incorporated as appropriate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-11
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Biden Administration's Immigration Enforcement Priorities: Background and Legal Considerations [Updated June 8, 2022]
From the Document: "Almost immediately after taking office, President Biden issued a series of directives [hyperlink] on immigration matters. Some of these directives focused on altering the immigration enforcement priorities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the agency primarily charged with the enforcement of federal immigration laws [hyperlink]. Federal statute confers immigration authorities with 'broad discretion' [hyperlink] to determine when it is appropriate to pursue the removal of a non-U.S. national ('alien' under federal law [hyperlink]) who lacks a legal basis to remain in the country. Resource or humanitarian concerns have typically led authorities to prioritize enforcement actions against subsets of the removable population (e.g., those who have committed certain crimes or pose national security risks). The Trump Administration made enforcement a touchstone of its immigration policy, and generally sought to enforce [hyperlink] federal immigration laws against a broader range of aliens who had committed immigration violations than the Obama Administration. President Biden rescinded [hyperlink] some of the Trump Administration's immigration initiatives and directed DHS to review its immigration enforcement policies and priorities. In January 2021, DHS issued temporary immigration enforcement guidance [hyperlink] that generally focused enforcement activities toward aliens who pose a threat to national security, border security, or public safety."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Hillel R.
2022-06-08
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Bahamas: An Overview [Updated June 7, 2022]
From the Document: "The Bahamas, a Caribbean nation of some 700 islands off the southeast coast of the United States, has been a stable parliamentary democracy since its independence from the United Kingdom (UK) in 1973. The country's bicameral legislature has a 39-seat House of Assembly directly elected for five-year terms and a 16-member appointed Senate. Since independence, two political parties have dominated elections, the center-left Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the center-right Free National Movement (FNM). The PLP was formed in 1953 as an opposition party to the United Bahamian Party (UBP), which governed the Bahamas when the country was under British rule. In 1967, the PLP won control of the government and oversaw the country's independence from the UK. It ruled continuously from 1967 until 1992 under the leadership of Lynden Pindling, commonly referred to as the 'father of the nation.' The FNM was formed in 1971 by former members of the UBP and dissidents from the PLP. Under the leadership of Hubert Ingraham, the FNM won the 1992 general elections, governing over the next decade until 2002. Since then, the two parties have alternated winning national elections."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2022-06-07
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 5078, Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2014
This is a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimate for H.R. 5078. "H.R. 5078 would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) from implementing or enforcing certain proposed regulations regarding the use of the nation's waters and wetlands. The legislation would affect direct spending because it would reduce fees collected by the Corps for issuing permits under the Clean Water Act (CWA). However, CBO estimates that the change in those fees would be negligible. Because the legislation would affect direct spending, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. Enacting H.R. 5078 would not affect revenues. In addition, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 5078 would have no significant effect on discretionary spending by EPA or the Corps."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2014-08-01
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 4252, Inland Empire Perchlorate Ground Water Plume Assessment Act of 2010
"H.R. 4252 would direct the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct a study of water resources in the Rialto-Colton Basin located east of Los Angeles, California. The study would identify the location of aquifers in the basin, evaluate the impact of perchlorate contamination in the basin, and include analysis of other related water issues in the basin. Based on information from the U.S. Geological Survey and assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing H.R. 4252 would cost $4 million over the next two years. Enacting the legislation would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. H.R. 4252 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. On March 3, 2010, CBO provided a cost estimate for H.R. 4252 as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on February 24, 2010. The two versions of the legislation and CBO's cost estimates are similar."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2010-08-06
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Water Infrastructure: EPA and USDA Are Helping Small Water Utilities with Asset Management; Opportunities Exist to Better Track Results, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Recent catastrophic breaks in water mains and sewer discharges during storms are indicators of the nation's old and deteriorating water and wastewater infrastructure. EPA estimates that small water utilities-those serving fewer than 10,000 people--may need about $143 billion for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure repairs and replacement over 20 years. EPA and USDA provide the three largest sources of federal funding for water infrastructure. In a March 2004 report, GAO [Government Accountability Office] found that water utilities may benefit from implementing asset management-a tool used across a variety of sectors to manage physical assets, such as roads and buildings. GAO was asked to review water utilities' use of asset management. This report examines (1) what is known about the use of asset management among the nation's water utilities-particularly small water utilities-including benefits and challenges and (2) steps EPA and USDA are taking to help small water utilities implement asset management. GAO selected a nongeneralizable sample of 25 water utilities in 10 states based on largest infrastructure needs and interviewed EPA, USDA, state, and water utility officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2016-01-27
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Open App Markets Act [June 8, 2022]
From the Document: "Efforts to reform competition law proceed at different levels of generality. Some bills [hyperlink] would tackle [hyperlink] antitrust writ large. Others are more focused [hyperlink], applying special rules [hyperlink] to a handful of Big Tech companies [hyperlink]. The Open App Markets Act (OAMA) is narrower still, targeting one segment of the digital economy-- mobile software application (app) stores--with sectoral regulation. While limited in scope, the legislation would reshape key technology markets. Last year, the two largest app stores--Apple's App Store and Google Play--generated combined sales of $133 billion, which reportedly contributed a fifth of the operating profits [hyperlink] at Apple and at Google parent Alphabet. The OAMA (S. 2710 [hyperlink], H.R. 5017 [hyperlink], and H.R. 7030 [hyperlink]) would require these firms to make major changes to their business practices in the name of protecting app developers and consumers from alleged abuses of monopoly power. This Sidebar provides an overview of S. 2710 [hyperlink], a version of the OAMA which the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced with amendments in February 2022."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sykes, Jay B.
2022-06-08
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CBO Study: Past and Future of U.S. Passenger Rail Service
From the Summary: "This study reviews Amtrak's history and the economics of passenger rail. It also examines four options for the future of intercity passenger rail: [1] Eliminating federal subsidies and shutting down service; [2] Ending national service and focusing instead on passenger rail's strongest areas (relatively short, densely populated corridors, such as the Northeast and parts of California); [3] Keeping national long-distance service as it is today but upgrading the corridors; and [4] Substantially improving Amtrak's entire network through a major increase in funding, with a view to giving rail a much bigger role in transportation between U.S. cities. Those four options are by no means the only ones available, but they represent the broad range of policy choices that lawmakers face."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2003-09
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Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations in Brief [Updated June 7, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and analysis on key issues affecting U.S.-Turkey relations, including domestic Turkish developments and various foreign policy and defense matters. Under President Joe Biden, some existing U.S.-Turkey tensions have continued alongside cooperation on other matters and opportunities to improve bilateral ties. He has limited his meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the sidelines of multilateral conferences. This approach may reflect a U.S. and European inclination to keep Turkey at arms' length until after the 2023 elections. Nevertheless, Turkey's geostrategic significance, cautious support for Ukraine's defense against Russia's 2022 invasion, and openness to rapprochement with Israel, some Arab states, and Armenia have somewhat improved U.S.-Turkey relations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Zanotti, Jim; Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs)
2022-06-07
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 294, Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2007
From the Summary: "CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing S. 294 would cost $10.1 billion over the 2008-2017 period. S. 294 authorizes the appropriation of about $8.9 billion over the 2008-2012 period for grants to Amtrak to cover operating expenses, capital projects, debt repayment, and security improvements. The legislation also would authorize the appropriation of about $1.8 billion over the 2008-2012 period to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for new grant programs for certain projects completed by state railroad entities, to enable Amtrak and participating states to share railroad equipment, for grants to improve rail security, and for assessments and research of rail operations. The bill would require Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to expand its operations at its leased rail facility in Vancouver, Canada. In addition to those amounts specifically authorized to be appropriated, S. 294 would impose additional costs on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and certain agencies within DOT by requiring them to oversee Amtrak operations, to assess rail operations and rail security, and to submit reports to the Congress."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2007-05-17
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2459, GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act
From the Summary: "CBO estimates that S. 2459 would authorize the appropriation of $5.2 billion over the 2007-2012 period for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) programs to improve the security of U.S. ports. The bill would specifically authorize the appropriation of $835 million a year over the 2007-2012 period for port security programs. In addition, S. 2459 would require DHS, not later than December 31, 2007, to examine all containers entered through the busiest 22 U.S. seaports for radiation emissions."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2006-05-09
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 386, Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers Act of 2011
"CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing H.R. 386 would have no significant cost to the federal government. The legislation could affect direct spending and revenues, so pay-as-you-go procedures apply, but we estimate that any such effects would not be significant. H.R. 386 would establish a new federal crime for aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft or at the aircraft's flight path. Thus, the government might be able to pursue cases against violators that it otherwise would not be able to prosecute. However, CBO expects that H.R. 386 would apply to a relatively small number of offenders, so any increase in costs for law enforcement, court proceedings, or prison operations would not be significant. Any such costs would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Because those prosecuted and convicted under H.R. 386 could be subject to criminal fines, the federal government might collect additional amounts if the legislation is enacted. Criminal fines are recorded as revenues, deposited in the Crime Victims Fund, and later spent. CBO estimates that any additional revenues and direct spending would not be significant because of the small number of cases likely to be affected."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2011-02-02
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 4561, Security Assessment Feasibility for Equipment Testing and Evaluation of Capabilities for Our Homeland Act
"Under current law, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for testing facilities, equipment, and systems related to transportation security. As an alternative, H.R. 4561 would direct TSA to establish a program to allow technology developers to obtain testing from a third party, subject to requirements specified in the bill. H.R. 4561 also would require the Government Accountability Office to study the effects of the proposed program and would direct TSA to develop, in consultation with the European Civil Aviation Conference, processes to promote reciprocal recognition of security-related standards among international organizations."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2018-01-08
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 5830, Wright Amendment Reform Act
"H.R. 5830 would amend provisions of federal law that set certain restrictions on commercial air transportation to and from Love Field, an airport located near the cities of Dallas and Forth Worth, Texas. Based on information from the Department of Transportation, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that enacting H.R. 5830 would have no significant impact on the federal budget. The bill would not affect direct spending or revenues. H.R. 5830 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. The bill would make the necessary changes in federal law to implement an agreement among the cities of Dallas and Forth Worth and American and Southwest Airlines. Any costs to those cities or the state of Texas would be incurred voluntarily. On July 21, 2006, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for S. 3661, a bill to amend section 29 of the International Air Transportation Competition Act of 1979 relating to air transportation to and from Love Field, Texas, as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 19, 2006. The two bills are similar, and our cost estimates are the same."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2006-07-24
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Loan Limits for Government-Backed Mortgages [Updated June 9, 2022]
From the Summary: "The federal government supports homeownership in different ways. One of the main ways is through programs or support from quasi-government entities that promise lenders or investors that if a homeowner defaults on a covered mortgage, the lender or investor will still receive some--or all--of the amount it was owed. These types of guarantees can support homeownership by making private lenders more willing to offer certain types of mortgages. Additionally, they can increase the number of private investors who are willing to invest in mortgages, thereby increasing the amount of capital available for mortgage lending. The details of the programs differ, but most have limits on the size of mortgages that are eligible. This report contains brief program descriptions and discusses the maximum mortgage amounts for each."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacks-Jones, Katharine; Perl, Libby; Scott, Andrew P.
2022-06-09
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NATO: Finland and Sweden Seek Membership [June 10, 2022]
From the Document: "On May 18, 2022, Finland and Sweden applied [hyperlink] to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO[...]). Prompted by growing security concerns about Russia and its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Finland's [hyperlink] and Sweden's decisions [hyperlink] mark a historic shift [hyperlink] for these traditionally militarily nonaligned countries. The Biden Administration [hyperlink] and many Members of Congress [hyperlink] have responded positively to the prospect of Finland and Sweden joining NATO, arguing that the addition of these two mature democracies [hyperlink] with advanced militaries [hyperlink] will enhance security [hyperlink] in the Baltic Sea region and the broader EuroAtlantic area. NATO enlargement must be approved by all 30 current NATO members; U.S. approval requires Senate advice and consent."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Archick, Kristin; Belkin, Paul; Bowen, Andrew S.
2022-06-10
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School Safety and Target Hardening [June 10, 2022]
From the Document: "The May 2022 deaths of 19 students and 2 teachers in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, has led some Members of Congress to discuss a range of policy options to address gun violence in schools, several of which have been considered after previous mass shootings in schools. One option that has again gained the attention of policymakers is 'target hardening' of schools, which generally involves attempts to fortify schools against gun violence through their physical design and additional security measures."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan
2022-06-10
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: Public Transportation Safety Act of 2010
From the Summary: "The Public Transportation Safety Act of 2010 would authorize the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to establish uniform safety standards for public transportation systems and would authorize appropriations for grants to certain states to implement those standards. Assuming appropriation of the specified amounts, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing the bill would cost $61 million over the 2011-2015 period. Pay-as-you-go procedures apply to this legislation because enacting it could affect revenues. The bill would allow the Department of Transportation (DOT) to impose civil penalties in certain situations where safety standards are violated; such collections are classified as revenues in the budget. Based on information from the FTA, however, CBO estimates that the new penalties would have no significant impact on the federal budget in any year. The bill would impose an intergovernmental mandate as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) by preempting state laws related to public transportation safety if those laws do not meet the minimum requirements of a uniform national standard. While that preemption would limit the application of state law, CBO estimates that it would impose no duty on state, local, or tribal governments that would result in additional spending. The legislation contains no new private-sector mandates."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2010-07-23
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 3566, Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011
From the Summary: "S. 3566 would authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for programs carried out by the Maritime Administration (MARAD). Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing S. 3566 would cost $169 million over the 2011-2015 period. Enacting S. 3566 would not affect revenues or direct spending; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2010-09-17
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Congressional Budget Cost Estimate: S. 554, Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2009
From the Summary: "S. 554 would require two agencies within the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish new safety standards and regulations for most interstate buses, complete research on bus safety, and create a new training curriculum for operators of interstate buses. Based on information from DOT, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing the bill would cost $34 million over the 2010-2015 period, assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2010-05-11
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Interstate Natural Gas Pipeline Siting: FERC Policy and Issues for Congress [Updated June 9, 2022]
From the Summary: "Growth in U.S. natural gas production has driven the development of new pipelines from producing regions to consuming markets. Over 300,000 miles of transmission pipeline already transport natural gas across the country. However, if domestic natural gas trends continue, the need for new pipelines could still be substantial. As a result of military conflict in Europe, demand for U.S. liquefied natural gas exports is growing as well, which is driving associated natural gas infrastructure development. This new infrastructure could amount to several thousand miles of new interstate pipeline and on the order of $40 billion in capital investment. Under the Natural Gas Act (NGA), companies seeking to build interstate natural gas pipelines need certificates of public convenience and necessity from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The commission's regulatory process for certificate applications consists of pre-filing, certificate application, application review (including environmental review), authorization, and post-certificate proceedings. Several aspects of FERC's review practices have been the subject of FERC dissent, debate in Congress, or litigation. Key challenges to FERC certification involve environmental review, evaluating project need, review timing, relations with other agencies, changes in industry structure, export issues, environmental justice, and public participation. The Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden Administrations issued executive orders intended to change federal permitting of infrastructure, specifically including energy infrastructure. Exactly how these orders may have affected natural gas pipeline siting is not clear."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Parfomak, Paul W.
2022-06-09
