| Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress |
23-Nov-2009 |
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| Authors:
Ronald O'Rourke; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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 | Consistent with a proposal announced by the Navy in July 2008, the Administration's FY2010 defense budget proposed ending procurement of DDG-1000 (Zumwalt) class destroyers with the third ship, which was authorized and partially funded in FY2009, and restarting procurement DDG-51 (Arleigh Burke) class Aegis destroyers, which were last procured in FY2005. The proposed FY2010 defense budget requested procurement funding to complete the cost of the third DDG-1000 and to procure ... |
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| Sea-Based Ballistic Missile Defense - Background and Issues for Congress |
22-Oct-2009 |
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| Authors:
Ronald O'Rourke; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| The eventual role of sea-based systems in the worldwide U.S. BMD architecture has not been determined. The overall issue for Congress discussed in this report is: What should be the role of sea-based systems in U.S. ballistic missile defense, and are DOD's programs for sea-based BMD capabilities appropriately structured and funded? The Aegis BMD system in its current configuration is intended to track ballistic missiles of all ranges, including intercontinental ... |
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| Air Force Next-Generation Bomber: Background and Issues for Congress |
18-Sep-2009 |
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| Authors:
Ronald O'Rourke; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| As part of its proposed FY2010 defense budget, the Administration is proposing to defer the start of a program to develop a next-generation bomber (NGB) for the Air Force, pending the completion of the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) and associated Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), and in light of strategic arms control negotiations with Russia. The Administration's proposed FY2010 budget requests no funding specifically identified in public budget documents as ... |
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| Overseas Contingency Operations: Reported Obligations for the Department of Defense |
10-Jul-2009 |
14 pages |
| Authors:
Ann Borseth; Sharon Pickup; Lonnie McAllister; Ron Lake; Bruce La Due Brown; Sara Cradic; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
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 | As of March 2009, Congress has appropriated a total of about $888 billion primarily for OCO since 2001. Of that amount, about $65.9 billion was appropriated in the fiscal year 2009 DOD Appropriations Act and about $80 billion was appropriated in the June 2009 supplemental appropriation for a total of about $145.9 billion for use in fiscal year 2009. DOD has reported obligations of about $714.3 billion for OCO from ... |
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| Foreign Operations Appropriations: General Provisions |
30-Apr-2009 |
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| Authors:
Dianne E Rennack; Lisa Mages; Susan G Chesser; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| This report identifies the legislative origins of General Provisions that pertain to foreign aid in the current Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2009 (division J of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009; P.L. 111-8; 123 Stat. 524 at 831). Foreign assistance law requires Congress to authorize funding for programs before appropriated funds are spent. Through 1985, Congress regularly enacted new authorization legislation or amended the Foreign ... |
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| DoD Components' Use of Global War on Terror Supplemental Funding Provided for Procurement and Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation |
08-Apr-2009 |
72 pages |
| Authors:
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AUDITING OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ARLINGTON VA
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| The primary audit objective was to evaluate the adequacy of Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Defense-wide agencies, National Guard, and Reserve Components financial controls over the use of Global War on Terror (GWOT) supplemental and bridge funding provided for procurement and research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E). We also determined whether the funds were placed on contracts and used for the purposes stipulated by Congress. See Appendix A for a discussion ... |
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| Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress |
02-Apr-2009 |
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| Authors:
Ronald O'Rourke; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| Names for Navy ships traditionally have been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President and in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress. Rules for giving certain types of names to certain types of Navy ships have evolved over time. The Navy states that while it has attempted to be systematic in naming its ships, like all institutions it has been subject to ... |
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| The Marines' Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV): Background and Issues for Congress |
02-Apr-2009 |
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| Authors:
Andrew Feickert; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| The Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) is an armored amphibious vehicle program that originated two decades ago to replace the 1970s-era Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV). The EFV has experienced a variety of developmental difficulties, resulting in significant program delays and cost growth. While the Marine Corps and Department of Defense remain optimistic about the future of the EFV program, there continue to be major concerns about the EFV's reliability, vulnerability to ... |
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| The Proposed 2009 War Powers Consultation Act |
19-Mar-2009 |
50 pages |
| Authors:
Michael L Smidt; ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA
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| President Obama and the 111th Congress should repeal the 1973 War Powers Resolution (Resolution) and enact the Proposed 2009 War Powers Consultation Act (Act) in its place. The Act will correct the constitutional issues and policy defects associated with the Resolution. More importantly, the Act will serve to restore the proper balance of power between the President and Congress relating to any decision to commit U.S. Armed Forces to significant ... |
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| Peacekeeping/Stabilization and Conflict Transitions: Background and Congressional Action on the Civilian Response/Reserve Corps and Other Civilian Stabilization and Reconstruction Capabilities |
05-Feb-2009 |
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| Authors:
Nina M Serafino; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| The 111th Congress will face a number of issues regarding the development of civilian capabilities to carry out stabilization and reconstruction activities. In September 2008, Congress passed the Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act, 2008, as Title XVI of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (S. 3001, P.L. 110-417, signed into law October 14, 2008). This legislation codified the existence and functions of the State ... |
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| War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance |
02-Feb-2009 |
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| Authors:
Richard F Grimmett; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| Two separate but closely related issues confront Congress each time the President introduces armed forces into a situation abroad that conceivably could lead to their involvement in hostilities. One issue concerns the division of war powers between the President and Congress, whether the use of armed forces falls within the purview of the congressional power to declare war and the War Powers Resolution (WPR). The other issue is whether or ... |
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| Science and Technology Policymaking: A Primer |
27-Jan-2009 |
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| Authors:
Deborah D Stine; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| Scientific and technical knowledge and guidance influences not just policy related to science and technology, but also many of today's public policies as policymakers seek knowledge to enhance the quality of their decisions. Science and technology policy is concerned with the allocation of resources for and encouragement of scientific and engineering research and development, the use of scientific and technical knowledge to enhance the nation's response to societal challenges, and ... |
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| The Proposed U.S.-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement |
26-Jan-2009 |
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| Authors:
Michael F Martin; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| This report addresses the proposed U.S.-Malaysia free trade agreement (FTA). It provides an overview of the current status of the negotiations, a review of the 2008 talks, an examination of leading issues that have arisen during the negotiations, a review of U.S. interests in the proposed agreement, a summary of the potential effects of a FTA on bilateral trade, and an overview of the legislative procedures to be followed if ... |
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| The Marine's Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV): Background and Issues for Congress |
19-Dec-2008 |
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| Authors:
Andrew Feickert; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| The Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) is an armored amphibious vehicle program that originated two decades ago to replace the 1970s-era Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV). The EFV has experienced a variety of developmental difficulties, resulting in significant program delays and cost growth. While the Marine Corps and Department of Defense remain optimistic about the future of the EFV program, there continue to be ma or cone ems about the EFV's reliability ... |
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| Earmark Reform Within the 110th Congress: Policy, Transparency and Effectiveness |
Dec-2008 |
153 pages |
| Authors:
Arleigh B Lacefield; NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA
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| Earmark spending has come under attack by and scrutiny of government watchdog groups, the media and some fiscal conservatives in Congress because of the political corruption that has centered around its use, the increase in the amount of new earmarks being requested and funded, and because of the waste thought to be associated with earmarked spending. As a result, Congress has considered a series of earmark reforms, focused primarily on ... |
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| Sea-Based Ballistic Missile Defense - Background and Issues for Congress |
02-Oct-2008 |
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| Authors:
Ronald O'Rourke; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| As part of its effort to develop a global ballistic missile defense (BMD) system, the Department of Defense (DOD) has modified three Navy cruisers and 15 Navy destroyers for BMD operations, and has deployed a large BMD radar the Sea- Based X-Band Radar (SBX) on a modified floating oil platform. In August 2008 it was reported that the Navy has decided to increase the number of BMD-capable destroyers from 15 ... |
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| An Analysis of the Future Combat Systems (FCS) Spin Out 1 Low-Rate of Initial Production (LRIP) Contract |
16-Sep-2008 |
52 pages |
| Authors:
Alan San Laverson; Joseph Miguel; NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND PUBLIC POLICY
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| Program managers would like to minimize the risk associated with the acquisition of their system in order to better control costs, schedule, and performance. It is especially important to do so in cutting-edge programs with a history of complexity, difficulty or controversy. Deservedly or not, the lead system integrator (LSI) approach used in the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program has been criticized for relying too heavily on private industry to ... |
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| The Specialty Metal Provision and the Berry Amendment: Issues for Congress |
02-Sep-2008 |
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| Authors:
Valerie B Grasso; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| Congress took action in the FY2007 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 109-364) to move the specialty metal provision from the Berry Amendment (Title 10, United States Code [U.S.C.] 2533a) into a separate section of Title 10 (10 U.S.C. 2533b). Section 843 of P.L. 109-364 directed the Secretary of Defense to establish a Strategic Materials Protection Board to determine, analyze, and recommend strategies to ensure the domestic availability of materials designated ... |
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| Sea-Based Ballistic Missile Defense - Background and Issues for Congress |
02-Sep-2008 |
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| Authors:
Ronald O'Rourke; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| As part of its effort to develop a global ballistic missile defense (BMD) system, the Department of Defense (DOD) has modified three Navy cruisers and 15 Navy destroyers for BMD operations, and has deployed a large BMD radar - the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX) - on a modified floating oil platform. In August 2008 it was reported that the Navy has decided to increase the number of BMD-capable destroyers from ... |
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| The United Nations Human Rights Council: Issues for Congress |
31-Jul-2008 |
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| Authors:
Luisa Blanchfield; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| On March 15, 2006, the U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution replacing the Commission on Human Rights with a new Human Rights Council (the Council). The U.N. Secretariat and some governments, including the United States, view the establishment of the Council as a key component of comprehensive U.N. reform. The Council was designed to be an improvement over the Commission, which was widely criticized for the composition of its membership ... |
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| Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E): Background, Status, and Selected Issues for Congress |
20 MAY 2008 |
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| Authors:
Deborah D. Stine; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| In August 2007, Congress authorized the establishment of the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) within the Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the America COMPETES Act (P.L. 110-69) Modeled on the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), ARPA-E would support transformational energy technology research projects with the goal of enhancing the nation's economic and energy security. |
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| Congressional Oversight and Related Issues Concerning the Prospective Security Agreement Between the United States and Iraq |
01 APR 2008 |
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| Authors:
Michael J. Garcia; R. C. Mason; Jennifer K. Elsea; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| On November 26, 2007, U.S. President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Kamel Al-Maliki signed a Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America. Pursuant to this Declaration, the parties pledged to begin as soon as possible, with the aim to achieve, before July 31, 2008, agreements between the two governments with respect to ... |
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| Mental Reservation and Military Testimony before Congress |
23 MAR 2008 |
33 pages |
| Authors:
Gordon R. Roberts; ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA
|
| American civilian-military relations appear to be approaching a boiling point. As a result, the military is increasingly turning away from its traditional role as brokers of honesty and, consequently, Congress sees the military as little more than peddlers of hope for the executive branch. This circumstance weakens the effectiveness of the civilian-military relationship, curtails the ability of Congress to perform its constitutional role of oversight, and all but eliminates the ... |
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| The Next Generation Bomber: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress |
07 MAR 2008 |
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| Authors:
Anthony Murch; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| The Air Force is in the initial stages of formalizing a new bomber aircraft acquisition program. This program, in accordance with Department of Defense (DOD) and congressional mandates, is to produce a new long-range strike aircraft to be operational by 2018. Air Force plans for acquiring a new bomber aircraft have been accelerated by about 20 years from earlier projections because of a combination of the Air Force s desire ... |
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| Congressional Influences on Rulemaking Through Appropriations Provisions |
11 FEB 2008 |
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| Authors:
Curtis W. Copeland; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| The statutory provision known as the "Congressional Review Act" (CPA) (5 U.S.C. 80l-808) established expedited procedures by which Congress may disapprove agencies' rules by enacting a joint resolution of disapproval, with subsequent presentation to the President for signature or veto. Although initially viewed as a reassertion of congressional authority over rulemaking and regulatory agencies, the CPA is now viewed by some as much less effective having been used to overturn ... |
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| Economic Stimulus Proposals for 2008: An Analysis |
01 FEB 2008 |
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| Authors:
Jane G. Gravelle; Thomas L. Hungerford; Marc Labonte; N. E. Weiss; Julie M. Whittaker; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| In response to fears of an economic downturn, legislators and the President have proposed economic stimulus packages. After negotiations with the Administration, the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008 (H.R. 5140) was introduced and passed by the House on January 29. On January 30, the Senate Committee on Finance reported the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, which contains provisions not included in the House ... |
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| Intelligence Issues for Congress |
18 DEC 2007 |
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| Authors:
Richard A. Best Jr; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| To address the challenges facing the U.S. Intelligence Community in the 21st century, congressional and executive branch initiatives have sought to improve coordination among the different agencies and to encourage better analysis. In December 2004, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (P.L. 108- 458) was signed, providing for a Director of National Intelligence (DNI) with substantial authorities to manage the national intelligence effort. The legislation also established a separate ... |
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| Defense: FY2008 Authorization and Appropriations |
13 DEC 2007 |
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| Authors:
Pat Towell; Stephen Daggett; Amy Belasco; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| The President's FY2008 federal budget request, released February 5, 2007, included $647.4 billion in new budget authority for national defense. In addition to $483.2 billion for the regular operations of the Department of Defense (DOD), the request included $141.7 billion for continued military operations, primarily to fund the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, $17.4 billion for the nuclear weapons and other defense-related programs of the Department of Energy, and $5.2 ... |
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| Open Source Intelligence (OSINT): Issues for Congress |
05 DEC 2007 |
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| Authors:
Jr. Best Richard A.; Alfred Cumming; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| Open source information (OSINT) is derived from newspapers, journals, radio and television, and the Internet. Intelligence analysts have long used such information to supplement classified data, but systematically collecting open source information has not been a priority of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC). In recent years, given changes in the international environment, there have been calls, from Congress and the 9/11 Commission among others, for a more intense and focused ... |
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| Defense: FY2008 Authorization and Appropriations |
28 NOV 2007 |
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| Authors:
Pat Towell; Stephen Daggett; Amy Belasco; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| The President's FY2008 federal budget request, released February 5, 2007, included $647.4 billion in new budget authority for national defense. In addition to $483.2 billion for the regular operations of the Department of Defense (DoD), the request included $141.7 billion for continued military operations, primarily to fund the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, $17.4 billion for the nuclear weapons and other defense-related programs of the Department of Energy, and $5.2 ... |
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| Operation Iraqi Freedom and Detainee Issues: Major Votes from the 110th Congress |
27 NOV 2007 |
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| Authors:
Kim W. Klarman; Lisa Mages; Pat Towell; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| Both the Iraq War and what the Bush Administration terms the Global War on Terror (GWOT) have been the subjects of considerable legislative activity since the opening days of the 110th Congress. After the Iraq Study Group released its recommendations on December 6, 2006, President Bush followed on January 10, 2007, with an announcement of a new strategy for the Iraq War. The President's plan proposed an increase of 28,500 ... |
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| Intelligence Issues for Congress |
19 OCT 2007 |
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| Authors:
Jr Best Richard A.; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| To address the challenges facing the U.S. Intelligence Community in the 21st century, congressional and executive branch initiatives have sought to improve coordination among the different agencies and to encourage better analysis. In December 2004, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (P.L. 108- 458) was signed, providing for a Director of National Intelligence (DNI) with substantial authorities to manage the national intelligence effort. The legislation also established a separate ... |
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| Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress |
27 SEP 2007 |
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| Authors:
Emma Chanlett-Avery; Mark E. Manyin; William H. Cooper; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| The post-World War II U.S.-Japan alliance has long been an anchor of the U.S. security role in East Asia. The alliance, with its access to bases in Japan, where about 53,000 U.S. troops are stationed, facilitates the forward deployment of U.S. military forces in the Asia-Pacific, thereby undergirding U.S. national security strategy. For Japan, the alliance and the U.S. nuclear umbrella provide maneuvering room in dealing with its neighbors, particularly ... |
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| The Military Commissions Act of 2006: Analysis of Procedural Rules and Comparison with Previous DOD Rules and the Uniform Code of Military Justice |
27 SEP 2007 |
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| Authors:
Jennifer K. Elsea; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| On November 13, 2001, President Bush issued a Military Order (M.O.) pertaining to the detention, treatment, and trial of certain non-citizens in the war against terrorism. Military commissions pursuant to the M.O. began in November 2004 against four persons declared eligible for trial, but proceedings were suspended after a federal district court found that one of the defendants could not be tried under the rules established by the Department of ... |
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| Protection of Classified Information by Congress: Practices and Proposals |
05 SEP 2007 |
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| Authors:
Frederick M. Kaiser; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| The protection of classified national security and other controlled information is of concern not only to the executive branch -- which determines what information is to be safeguarded, for the most part -- but also to Congress, which uses the information to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. It has established mechanisms to safeguard controlled information in its custody, although these arrangements have varied over time between the two chambers and among ... |
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| The National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility: Issues for Congress |
04 SEP 2007 |
|
| Authors:
Dana A. Shea; Jim Monke; Frank Gottron; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| The agricultural and food infrastructure of the United States is potentially susceptible to terrorist attack using biological pathogens. In addition to the impacts of such an attack on the economy, some animal diseases could potentially be transmitted to humans. (These diseases are known as zoonotic diseases.) Scientific and medical research on plant and animal diseases may lead to the discovery and development of new diagnostics and countermeasures, reducing the risk ... |
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| Industrial Competitiveness and Technological Advancement: Debate Over Government Policy |
01 AUG 2007 |
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| Authors:
Wendy H. Schacht; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| There is ongoing interest in the pace of U.S. technological advancement due to its influence on U.S. economic growth, productivity, and international competitiveness. Because technology can contribute to economic growth and productivity increases, congressional attention has focused on how to augment private-sector technological development. Legislative activity over the past two decades has created a policy for technology development, albeit an ad hoc one. Because of the lack of consensus on ... |
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| Congress's Contempt Power: A Sketch |
01 AUG 2007 |
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| Authors:
Morton Rosenberg; Todd B. Tatelman; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| Congress's contempt power is the means by which Congress responds to certain acts that in its view obstruct the legislative process. Contempt may be used either to coerce compliance (inherent contempt), punish the contemnor (criminal contempt), and/or to remove the obstruction (civil contempt). Although arguably any action that directly obstructs the effort of Congress to exercise its constitutional powers may constitute a contempt, in the last seventy years the contempt ... |
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| Congress's Contempt Power: Law, History, Practice, and Procedure |
24 JUL 2007 |
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| Authors:
Morton Rosenberg; Todd B. Tatelman; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| Congress's contempt power is the means by which Congress responds to certain acts that in its view obstruct the legislative process. Contempt may be used either to coerce compliance (inherent contempt), punish the contemnor (criminal contempt), and/or to remove the obstruction (civil contempt). Although arguably any action that directly obstructs the effort of Congress to exercise its constitutional powers may constitute a contempt, in the last 70 years the contempt ... |
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| The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) |
23 JUL 2007 |
|
| Authors:
James K. Jackson; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is comprised of 12 members representing major departments and agencies within the federal Executive Branch. While the group generally operates in relative obscurity, the proposed acquisition of commercial operations at six U.S. ports by Dubai Ports World in 2006 placed the group s operations under intense scrutiny by Members of Congress and the public. Prompted by this case, some Members ... |
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| DOD's HIGH-RISK ARES: Efforts to Improve Supply Chain Can Be Enhanced by Linkage to Outcomes, Progress in Transforming Business Operations, and Reexamination of Logistics Governance and Strategy |
10 JUL 2007 |
31 pages |
| Authors:
William M. Solis; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The most recent update to the plan shows that DOD has made progress developing and implementing its supply chain management improvement initiatives, but the current performance measures in the plan do not fully demonstrate results. DOD is generally staying on track for implementing its initiatives, although there have been delays in meeting certain milestones. Notwithstanding this overall progress and the commitment of DOD leadership to resolving supply chain problems, the ... |
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| Presidential Claims of Executive Privilege: History, Law, Practice and Recent Developments |
05 JUL 2007 |
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| Authors:
Morton Rosenberg; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| Presidential claims of a right to preserve the confidentiality of information and documents in the face of legislative demands have figured prominently, though intermittently, in executive-congressional relations since at least 1792. Few such interbranch disputes over access to information have reached the courts for substantive resolution, the vast majority achieving resolution through political negotiation and accommodation. It was not until the Watergate-related lawsuits in the 1970s seeking access to President ... |
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| Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests |
05 JUL 2007 |
|
| Authors:
Jim Nichol; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States recognized the independence of all the former Central Asian republics, supported their admission into Western organizations, and elicited Turkish support to counter Iranian influence in the region. Congress was at the forefront in urging the formation of coherent U.S. policies for aiding these and other Eurasian states of the former Soviet Union. Soon after the terrorist attacks on ... |
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| The War Powers Resolution: After Thirty-Three Years |
01 MAY 2007 |
|
| Authors:
Richard F. Grimmett; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| This report discusses and assesses the War Powers Resolution, its application since enactment in 1973, providing detailed background on a variety of cases where it was utilized, or issues of its applicability were raised. It will be revised biannually. In the post-Cold War world, Presidents have continued to commit U.S. Armed Forces into potential hostilities, sometimes without a specific authorization from Congress. Thus the War Powers Resolution and its purposes ... |
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| The Coast Guard Intelligence Program Enters the Intelligence Community. A Case Study of Congressional Influence on Intelligence Community Evolution |
MAY 2007 |
122 pages |
| Authors:
Kevin E. Wirth; NATIONAL DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE COLL WASHINGTON DC CENTER FOR STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH
|
| This work builds on earlier publications in this series, particularly Occasional Paper Number Nine, The Creation of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency: Congress's Role as Overseer, by Anne Daugherty Miles. The author of the present paper has examined how the Coast Guard became a member of the Intelligence Community, how Congress was involved, and how Congress will likely be increasingly involved in the organization of the Community. Although the ... |
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| Federal Advisory Committees: A Primer |
20 MAR 2007 |
|
| Authors:
Stephanie Smith; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| Federal advisory committees are frequently chartered by the Chief Executive, Congress, and agency heads to render independent advice and to make recommendations. By virtue of their ad hoc status, advisory committees can circumvent normal bureaucratic constraints to provide diverse points of view in matters of public policy within a definite time frame. Whether designated as commissions, committees, councils, or task forces, these independent study bodies have dealt with social crises, ... |
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| Project BioShield: Appropriations, Acquisitions, and Policy Implementation Issues for Congress |
08 MAR 2007 |
|
| Authors:
Frank Gottron; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| The Project BioShield Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-276) established a 10-year program to acquire civilian medical countermeasures to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) agents for the Strategic National Stockpile. Provisions of this act were designed to encourage private companies to develop these countermeasures by guaranteeing a government market for successfully developed countermeasures. Both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have ... |
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| Congressional Authority to Limit U.S. Military Operations in Iraq |
29 JAN 2007 |
|
| Authors:
Jennifer K. Elsea; Thomas J. Nicola; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| On October 16, 2002, President Bush signed the Authorization for Use of Military Force against Iraq Resolution of 2002. Since the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, Congress has enacted appropriation bills to fund the continuation of the Iraq war, including military training, reconstruction, and other aid for the government of Iraq. The situation in Iraq has focused attention on whether Congress has the constitutional authority to legislate limits on the ... |
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| Intelligence Issues for Congress |
25 JAN 2007 |
|
| Authors:
Jr Best Richard A.; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| To address the challenges facing the U.S. Intelligence Community in the 21st century, congressional and executive branch initiatives have sought to improve coordination among the different agencies and to encourage better analysis. In December 2004, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (P.L. 108- 458) was signed, providing for a Director of National Intelligence (DNI) with substantial authorities to manage the national intelligence effort. The legislation also established a separate ... |
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| DOD Budget and Transformation: Challenges and Opportunities |
24 JAN 2007 |
37 pages |
| Authors:
David M. Walker; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| SELECTED POTENTIAL DOD TRANSFORMATION RELATED ACTIONS: * Revise the current approach to developing national military strategy * Take a longer range, and more enterprise-wide approach to program planning and budget integration * Employ a more strategic and integrated approach to business information system efforts and financial audit initiatives * Differentiate between war fighting and business systems development, implementation, and maintenance * Focus on achieving real success in connection with financial ... |
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