Congressional Oversight Manual

"Today’s lawmakers and congressional aides, as well as commentators and scholars, recognize that Congress’s lawmaking role does not end when it passes legislation. Oversight is considered fundamental to making sure that laws work and are being administered in an effective, efficient, and economical manner. This function is seen as one of Congress’s principal roles as it grapples with the complexities of American government.

A fundamental objective of the Congressional Oversight Manualis to assist Members, committees, and legislative staff in carrying out this vital legislative function. It is intended to provide a broad overview of the procedural, legal, and practical issues that are likely to arise as Congress conducts oversight. This includes information on the mechanics of oversight practice based on the House and Senate rules, common investigative techniques, and an inventory of statutes that impact oversight activity. In addition, the Manual discusses important legal principles that have developed around Congress’s oversight practice. It is not intended to address all the legal issues that committees, Members, and staff may encounter when engaged in investigative activities. The Manual is organized both to address specific questions and to support those seeking a general introduction to or broader understanding of oversight practice..."
Congressional Oversight 

Executive Orders: An Introduction

"Executive orders are written instruments through which a President can issue directives to shape policy. Although the U.S. Constitution does not address executive orders and no statute grants the President the general power to issue them, authority to issue such orders is accepted as an inherent aspect of presidential power, though their legal effect depends on various considerations. This report discusses the following:

 Issuance of Executive Orders.
The typical process for issuing an executive order is set forth in an executive order issued by President John F. Kennedy. That process is coordinated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which receives comments and language from impacted and interested agencies. Once OMB and stakeholder agencies have reviewed the draft language, the draft order is sent to the Attorney General and Director of the Office of the Federal Register for review, and then on to the President for signing. After signing, executive orders are generally published in the Federal Register. Not all executive orders go through this process.

 Authority for Executive Orders
Executive orders typically convey presidential directives intended to have the force and effect of law. To have legal effect, those directives must be issued pursuant to one of the President’s sources of power: either Article II of the Constitution or a delegation of power from Congress. One way that Congress can delegate power to the President is by enacting a statute before the order issues. Congress can also ratify an already-issued executive order by enacting a statute, or can in rare circumstances impliedly ratify an executive order through inaction.

 Judicial Review of Executive Orders.
Courts sometimes review the legality of executive orders. For example, a court may determine whether the President may act at all. In those circumstances, the court will employ a three-part analysis articulated by Justice Robert Jackson in his concurring opinion to the Supreme Court’s decision in Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer. In other cases, a reviewing court may determine the scope of Congress’s delegation of power to the President. To perform that analysis, courts will generally use traditional tools of statutory interpretation. Courts may also be required to determine the scope of the President’s action in the executive order. Courts will begin with the text of the executive order, and may defer to agency interpretations of that order (depending on the circumstances of the particular case). Separately, courts may also review other constitutional issues raised by the executive order (for example, whether the order violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution).

 Modification and Revocation of Executive Orders.
A President may amend, rescind, or revoke a prior executive order issued by his or an earlier Administration. Although executive orders can be flexible and powerful, they can also be impermanent because a later President can, generally, revoke or modify any previously issued executive order with which he disagrees. Similarly, Congress may nullify the legal effect of an executive order issued pursuant to power that it delegated to the President..."
Executive Orders 

Annual Business Survey Provides Data on Minority-Owned, Veteran-Owned and Women-Owned Businesses

"The U.S. Census Bureau today released new estimates on the characteristics of employer businesses. According to the 2019 Annual Business Survey (ABS), covering reference year 2018, approximately 18.3% (1.0 million) of all U.S. businesses were minority-owned and about 19.9% (1.1 million) of all businesses were owned by women.

Additional statistics released include:

• In the United States, the four sectors with the most businesses were Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services; Construction; Health Care and Social Assistance; and Retail Trade. Combined, these estimated 2.8 million businesses employed about 51.1 million people and had an annual payroll of approximately $2.6 trillion.
• Veteran-owned businesses made up about 5.9% (337,934) of all businesses, with an estimated $947.7 billion in receipts, approximately 3.9 million employees, and about $177.7 billion in annual payroll.
• The number of Hispanic-owned businesses had a growth of about 3.0% from 2017. In 2018, Hispanic-owned businesses made up about 5.8% (331,625) of all businesses, with an estimated $455.6 billion in annual receipts, approximately 3.0 million employees, and about $101.1 billion in annual payroll.
• There were an estimated 577,835 Asian-owned businesses with about 24.5% (141,746) in the Accommodation and Food Services sector. Asian-owned businesses had the largest estimated receipts ($863.3 billion) among minority groups.
• Blacks or African Americans owned approximately 124,551 businesses, with about 28.5% (35,547) of these businesses in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector, the highest percentage of any minority group.
• There were an estimated 24,433 American Indian and Alaska Native-owned businesses with approximately $33.7 billion in receipts, an estimated 200,256 employees, and about $8.2 billion in annual payroll..."
  Annual Business Survey 

HIV Prevention

"How can I prevent getting HIV from sex?

Choose Sexual Activities With Little to No Risk

• Choose sex that is less risky than anal or vaginal sex. There is little to no risk of getting HIV through oral sex.
• You can’t get HIV from sexual activities that don’t involve contact with body fluids (semen, vaginal fluid, or blood).
• Learn more about how HIV is and is not transmitted.

Use Condoms the Right Way Every Time You Have Sex

• Condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), like gonorrhea and chlamydia.
• Use water-based or silicone-based lubricants to help prevent condoms from breaking or slipping during sex.
• Learn the right way to use an external condom (sometimes called a male condom) and an internal condom (sometimes called a female condom).

Take PrEP

• PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine people at risk for HIV take to prevent HIV.
• If taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV from sex.
• PrEP is much less effective when it is not taken as prescribed.
• Find out if PrEP is right for you..."
  HIV 

Salmonella and Eggs

"Eggs are one of nature’s most nutritious and economical foods. But it’s important that you take care when handling and preparing fresh eggs and egg products.

The inside of eggs that appear normal can contain a germ called Salmonella that can make you sick, especially if you eat raw or lightly cooked eggs. Eggs are safe when you cook and handle them properly.

How can I reduce my chance of getting a Salmonella infection?

• Keep eggs refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder at all times. Only buy eggs from stores and suppliers that keep them refrigerated.
• Discard cracked or dirty eggs.
• Consider buying and using pasteurized eggs and egg products, which are widely available.
• Cook eggs until both the yolk and white are firm. Egg dishes should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) or hotter.
• Make sure that foods that contain raw or lightly cooked eggs, such as hollandaise sauce, Caesar salad dressing, and tiramisu, are made only with pasteurized eggs.
• Eat or refrigerate eggs and foods containing eggs promptly after cooking. Do not keep eggs or foods made with eggs warm or at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is 90°F or hotter.
• Wash hands and items that came into contact with raw eggs—including counter tops, utensils, dishes, and cutting boards—with soap and water.
• Do not taste or eat any raw dough or batter, such as cookie dough and cake mix, made with raw eggs. Bake or cook raw dough and batter before eating..."
  Salmonella 

Ignore bogus COVID vaccine survey

"Ignore bogus COVID vaccine survey

Scammers are using a new trick to steal your money and personal information: a bogus COVID vaccine survey.

People across the country are reporting getting emails and texts out of the blue, asking them to complete a limited-time survey about the Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca vaccine. (And no doubt, there may be one for Johnson & Johnson, too.) In exchange, people are offered a free reward, but asked to pay shipping fees.

If you get an email or text like this, STOP. It’s a scam.

   

No legitimate surveys ask for your credit card or bank account number to pay for a “free” reward.

If you get an email or text you’re not sure about:

• Don’t click on any links or open attachments. Doing so could install harmful malware that steals your personal information without you realizing it.
• Don’t call or use the number in the email or text. If you want to call the company that supposedly sent the message, look up its phone number online.

Remember:

• Don’t give your bank account, credit card, or personal information to someone who contacts you out of the blue.
• You can filter unwanted text messages on your phone, through your wireless provider, or with a call-blocking app.
• If you get an email or text that asks for your personal information and you think it could be a scam, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

To learn more about COVID-related frauds and scams, visit ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams..."
Bogus COVID-19 survey

Federal Deficits, Growing Debt, and the Economy in the Wake of COVID-19

"The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused a swift and deep economic downturn from which the country has yet to fully recover. In response to COVID-19, the federal government enacted expansionary fiscal policy to provide relief and stimulus to the economy. Several bills were enacted in FY2020, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136). The FY2020 federal budget deficit totaled $3.1 trillion, more than triple its FY2019 value, and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) project the bills enacted in FY2020 to increase FY2020-FY2030 deficits by $2.6 trillion.

Additional relief and stimulus was enacted in FY2021 in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260), which CBO and JCT estimate would increase deficits by $1 trillion over the 2021-2031 period, $868 billion of which comes from COVID-19 related provisions. This was followed by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2), enacted on March 11, 2021, which CBO and JCT estimate will increase deficits by nearly $2 trillion over the 2021-2031 period.Before P.L. 117-2 was enacted, CBO projected the FY2021 deficit to be 10.3% of gross domestic product (GDP).

To finance these deficits, the government needs to borrow money. The federal debt-to-GDP ratio rose significantly in FY2020, reaching slightly above 100%. CBO projects that deficits and debt will trend upwards in the coming decades, with the debt-to-GDP ratio surpassing 200% by 2051 under current policy. The current and projected size of deficits and the rising debt-to-GDP ratio are a topic of concern for many economists and policymakers given that FY2020 deficits and debt as a share of GDP were the largest on record since World War II. Some of the possible consequences of persistent deficit spending include the crowding out of private investment, which can in turn stunt long-term growth; increasingly large portions of the federal budget being directed toward interest payments on debt, which can crowd out other policy priorities; and an unsustainable level of debt, which can lead to a fiscal crisis..."
Federal Deficits 

Federal Data on Hate Crimes in the United States

"A number of recent and high-profile crimes where the offenders’ actions appeared to be motivated by their bias or animosity towards a particular race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity has contributed to a perception that hate crimes are on the rise in the United States. These incidents might also generate interest among policymakers about how the federal government collects data on hate crimes committed in the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) started its Hate Crime Statistics program pursuant to the requirement in the Hate Crime Statistics Act (HSCA, P.L. 101-275) that the Department of Justice (DOJ) collect and report data on crimes that “manifest evidence of prejudice based on race, gender and gender identity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, including where appropriate the crimes of murder, non-negligent manslaughter; forcible rape; aggravated assault, simple assault, intimidation; arson; and destruction, damage or vandalism of property.” In addition to the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics program, DOJ also collects data on hate crime victimizations through the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS’) National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). The NCVS measures self-reported criminal victimizations including those perceived by victims to be motivated by an offender’s bias against them for belonging to or being associated with a group largely identified by the characteristics outlined in the HSCA.

Scholars, advocates, and members of the media have pointed out that there is a significant disparity between the number of hate crimes reported by the FBI each year and the number of hate crime victimizations reported by BJS. This has led some to criticize the hate crime data published by the FBI as an undercount of the number of hate crimes committed in the United States each year. However, this statistics gap can be partially explained by the different measures and methodologies utilized by the FBI and BJS to collect these data. For example, the FBI only reports on crimes that have been reported to the police, while BJS collects reports of criminal victimizations that may or may not meet the statutory definition of a hate crime and may or may not have been reported to the police. There are a number of reasons why some victims do not report their victimization to the police, including fear of reprisal, not wanting the offender to get in trouble, believing that police would not or could not do anything to help, and believing the crime to be a personal issue or too trivial to report.."
Hate crimes 

Proposals to Modify Supreme Court Justices’ Tenure: Legal Considerations

"To insulate the federal judiciary from political influence, the Constitution specifies that Supreme Court Justices “shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour.” While the Constitution does not define “good Behaviour,” the prevailing interpretation is that Congress cannot remove Supreme Court Justices from office except via impeachment. Thus, under existing law and longstanding historical practice, Supreme Court Justices generally enjoy life tenure.

Some maintain that life tenure for Supreme Court Justices promotes important values, including judicial independence and expertise. Others support establishing age or term limits for Supreme Court Justices for various reasons, including regularizing judicial appointments and reducing the risk that failing health will negatively affect a Justice’s work. While many proposals to modify Supreme Court Justices’ tenure involve amending the Constitution, some maintain that Congress could impose term or age limits legislatively. While no court has yet considered that question directly, a court might conclude that the Constitution’s text, structure, and history prohibits legislative adjustments to judicial tenure.

If Congress chose to amend the Constitution to alter the Justices’ tenure, it would have to decide how to structure that amendment. For instance, Congress could consider whether to impose an age or a term limit, as well as how long the Justices’ tenure will last. These options pose various legal issues that Congress may explore. Besides modifying judicial tenure, Congress could also consider other ways to influence the Court’s composition and operations, such as changing the Court’s size..."
Supreme Court Justice Tenure 

Demonstration of protest and mourning for Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of March 25, 191

"On March 25, 1911, fire swept through the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City, killing 146 employees, most of them women.

This photo was part of the exhibit The Way We Worked, on display at the National Archives in Washington DC in 2006..."
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire 

5 Facts About the State of the Gender Pay Gap

"March 24 is Equal Pay Day, a symbolic day that represents the number of extra days women, on average, must work to earn what men, on average, earned the year before. And for mothers and many women of color, this date falls much later in the year.  

Many systemic issues are at the root of lower wages for working women – not just gender discrimination, but also racial discrimination, the devaluation of “women’s” work, the absence of supports for essential family care and more. Though these issues have been longstanding labor market structures, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed their devastating consequences – and the urgent need for better solutions that support all working women.   

Here are five facts about the current status of working women in America that may shock you, but will hopefully inspire you to join our efforts to promote pay equity. 

1. Women earn 82 cents for every dollar a man earns 

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, in 2020, women’s annual earnings were 82.3% of men’s, and the gap is even wider for many women of color. Though women only made 57 cents per dollar earned by men in 1973 when this Department of Labor PSA was made, progress has stalled and we’re still far from closing the pay gap. 

2. There is more than one Equal Pay Day 

The wage gap is even greater for many women. To earn what white, non-Hispanic men earned in 2020, Asian American and Pacific Islander women had to work until March 9. Mothers won’t catch up until June 4 (compared with fathers, on average). For many women of color, Equal Pay Day falls later and later into the year. For Black women it is not until Aug. 3. For Native American women it is not until Sept. 8. Lastly, for Latinas, Equal Pay Day is more than 9 months into the year on Oct. 21..."
Gender pay gap 

Women in the Labor Force

"

Working women 

Federal Trade Commission: 2020 Annaul Highlights

"A year ago when the ABA gathered (virtually) for Spring Meeting, we could not have anticipated the full scope of what was to come: loss, sickness, isolation and economic devastation for so many. Like most organizations, it has been more than a year since FTC staff came together in the office, had regular childcare, or enjoyed a true respite from the cares of work and home. Despite these incredible challenges, the talented and dedicated staff of our agency never wavered in their commitment to our missions of promoting competition and protecting consumers. Their resourcefulness and tenacity over the past year is reflected in the collection of important enforcement actions, policy initiatives and outreach efforts highlighted here—I’m incredibly proud of their work and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Acting Chair during this pivotal time.."
Federal Trade Commission 

Eight Facts to Know about Women's Health

"Women and girls face unique health challenges across their lifespans. Learn how some of these health conditions affect millions of women and girls each year.

lite icon1.

Two out of every three caregivers in the United States are women. Women who are caregivers have a greater risk for poor physical and mental health, including depression and anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic can add even more stressors to the role of caregiving. Maintaining healthy behaviors, managing stress, and seeking extra support, are important, especially during COVID-19.

• Simple ways to maintain healthy behaviors include participating in regular exercise, practicing good sleep habits, and avoiding excessive alcohol.
• To help manage stress, caregivers should take breaks, make time to unwind, and consider respite careexternal icon as needed.
• Recognize when more help is needed. Support groups provide a safe place for people in similar situations to find comfort. Learn more about coping with stress during COVID-19.

lite icon2.

Asthma occurs more often in women than men. In 2019, the asthma rate was higher among non-Hispanic Black women, and lower among Hispanic women compared with non-Hispanic white women.

• Changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause may make asthma symptoms worse in womenexternal icon. Asthma can also cause problems for women and their baby during pregnancy.
• Women’s lungs are smaller than men’s, which may make women more sensitive to asthma triggers and make it harder for women to breathe during an asthma attack.
• Persons with asthma should avoid asthma triggers. Known asthma triggers include but are not limited to pets, outdoor air pollution, mold, and tobacco smoke.
• Work with a doctor or health provider to develop an asthma action plan that will help to prevent and control asthma attacks..."
  Women's health 

COVID-19 Vaccination: Selected U.S. Data Sources

"The sources below can help congressional staff track the progress of the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination campaign at the national, state, and local levels.

Sources were selected for having commonly cited and frequently requested data. This list is not intended to be comprehensive. Additional sources may be added in future updates. Because different resources use different methodologies, readers should check websites’ notes, definitions, and caveats. Readers should also use caution when comparing data across sources or geographies. For assistance in interpreting or analyzing these data, congressional staff should contact CRS (202-707-5700, or place a request at the CRS website).

For an overview of vaccine data systems and considerations for Congress, see CRS Insight IN11584, Tracking COVID-19 Vaccines: U.S. Data Systems and Related Issues.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) COVID-19 Vaccine website can assist constituents with vaccine questions, including “How Do I Get a Vaccine?” Vaccine eligibility varies by state, locality, and provider. Sources tracking state eligibility policies include Kaiser Family Foundation, New York Times, USAFacts, National Governors Association, Johns Hopkins University, and NationalAcademy for State Health Policy.

Example data sources on public attitudes toward vaccination include Census Bureau (tables), Universityof Southern California, Kaiser Family Foundation, Carnegie Mellon University, AP-NORC, University ofMinnesota, Pew, and scholarly articles..."
COVID-19 Vaccination 

Internet Crime Report: 2020

"In 2020, while the American public was focused on protecting our families from a global pandemic and helping others in need, cyber criminals took advantage of an opportunity to profit from our dependence on technology to go on an Internet crime spree. These criminals used phishing, spoofing, extortion, and various types of Internet-enabled fraud to target the most vulnerable in our society - medical workers searching for personal protective equipment, families looking for information about stimulus checks to help pay bills, and many others.
 

 Crimes of this type are just a small part of what the FBI combats through our criminal and cyber investigative work. Key to our cyber mission is the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which provides the public with a trustworthy source for information on cyber criminal activity, and a way for the public to report directly to us when they suspect they are a victim of cyber crime.

IC3 received a record number of complaints from the American public in 2020: 791,790, with reported losses exceeding $4.1 billion. Thisrepresents a 69% increase in total complaints from 2019. Business E-mail Compromise (BEC) schemes continued to be the costliest: 19,369 complaints with an adjusted loss of approximately $1.8 billion. Phishing scams were also prominent: 241,342 complaints, with adjusted losses of over $54 million. The number of ransomware incidents also continues to rise, with 2,474 incidents reported in 2020.

Public reporting is central to the mission and success of IC3. Submitting a cyber crime complaint to IC3.gov not only helps the FBI address specific complaints—and provide support and assistance to victims —but also helps us prevent additional crimes by finding and holding criminal actors accountable. Information reported to the IC3 helps the FBI better understand the motives of cyber-criminals, the evolving threat posed, and tactics utilized, enabling us to most effectively work with partners to mitigate the damage to victims..."
Internet crime 

EWG’s 2021 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™

[Environmental Working Group]
"Collard and mustard greens join kale among the most pesticide-contaminated fresh produce on the Environmental Working Group’s 2021 Dirty Dozen™ list. For the first time, bell peppers and hot peppers have made the list.

The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen™ together make up EWG’s annual Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™, which analyzes Department of Agriculture test data to identify which fresh fruits and vegetables are most and least contaminated with pesticide residues.

“Whether organic or conventionally grown, fruits and vegetables are critical components of a healthy diet,” said EWG toxicologist Thomas Galligan, Ph.D. “We urge consumers who are concerned about their pesticide intake to consider, when possible, purchasing organically grown versions of the foods on EWG’s Dirty Dozen, or conventional produce from our Clean Fifteen.”

This year, the USDA’s tests found residues of potentially harmful chemical pesticides on nearly 70 percent of the non-organic fresh produce sold in the U.S. Before testing fruits and vegetables, the USDA washes, scrubs and peels them, as consumers would..."
Pesticide in produce 

Appointment and Confirmation of Executive Branch Leadership: An Overview

"The Constitution divides the responsibility for populating the top positions in the executive branch of the federal government between the President and the Senate. Article II, Section 2 empowers the President to nominate and, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint the principal officers of the United States, as well as some subordinate officers.

These positions are generally filled through the advice and consent process, which can be divided into three stages:
1. The White House selects and clears a prospective appointee before sending a formal nomination to the Senate.
2. The Senate determines whether to confirm a nomination. For most nominations, much of this process occurs at the committee level.
3. The confirmed nominee is given a commission and sworn into office, after which he or she has full authority to carry out the duties of the office.

The President may also be able to fill vacancies in advice and consent positions in the executive branch temporarily through other means. In some cases, the President may be able to designate an official to serve in a vacant position on a temporary basis under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act or under statutory authority specific to the position. Alternatively, if circumstances permit and certain conditions are met, the President could choose to give a recess appointment to an individual. Such an appointment would last until the end of the next session of the Senate. In practice, recess appointments have become less common in recent years.

Congress has selectively included certain types of statutory provisions when establishing specific executive branch positions. These provisions include those that require appointees to have specified qualifications, set fixed terms of office, limit the circumstances under which the President can remove an officeholder, specify how the chair of a collegial board or commission will be selected and may be removed, and allow an incumbent to remain in office past the end of a term until a successor is appointed (also referred to as a holdover provision). Although these types of provisions may be found in the establishing statutes for a variety of positions, they are particularly common for members of regulatory and other collegial boards and commissions. In some cases, these types of provisions have influenced the dynamics of the Senate confirmation process. They may also be factored into the selection and vetting process in the Administration..."
Executive Branch Leadership 

Hungry for Healthier Eating Habits? Feast on These Ag Statistics

"Many people want to cultivate healthier eating habits and March, National Nutrition Month, may be a great time to start.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service’s MyPlate website is a resource available to help get on (or back on) the nutrition track. MyPlate itself is divided into five major food groups – vegetables, fruits, grains, protein foods, and dairy and fortified soy alternatives. But do you ever wonder where your food comes from, and how much our hardworking farmers and ranchers produce in a year?

Here are facts about some of America’s favorite, nutritious foods:

According to USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS), the tomato is one of the most commonly eaten vegetables in the country. In 2020, U.S. farmers produced 24.1 billion pounds of tomatoes with California producing more than 97%.

Apples are also a big hit in the U.S.. In 2019, our growers produced nearly 11 billion pounds, nearly 69% of which came from Washington state. The average yield from each of Washington’s 172,000 total apple bearing acres was 44,200 pounds! For 2020 data, check out the Non-Citrus Fruits & Nuts Annual Report.

Wheat, a health-promoting grain found in many foods, is one of our largest field crops. In 2020, U.S. farmers produced 1.8 billion bushels of it, with North Dakota producing more than 17% of the total.

For animal protein, according to ERS, chicken still tops the list in American diets. In 2019, 58.3 billion pounds of chicken were produced in the U.S., more than 14% or 8.3 billion pounds in the top producing state of Georgia. New data will be available on April 29 in the Poultry Production and Value Report..."
Healthy eating 

Dengue

"Avoid Dengue by Preventing Mosquito Bites

Use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and control mosquitoes inside and outside your home.

Each year, an estimated 400 million people are infected with dengue virus. About 100 million get sick. Outbreaks have occurred in Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Americas, the Caribbean, and Africa.

Signs and Symptoms of Dengue

Most people infected have mild or no symptoms. About 1 in 4 people infected with dengue will get sick. Mild symptoms of dengue may be confused with other illnesses that cause fever and flu-like illness. Most people will recover after about one week.

The most common symptoms are fever and one or more of the following:

• Headache
• Eye pain (typically behind the eyes)
• Muscle, joint, or bone pain
• Rash
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unusual bleeding (nose or gum bleed, small red spots under the skin, or unusual bruising)

Severe dengue is an emergency. Recognize the warning signs.

• Warning signs: Watch for signs and symptoms of severe dengue to develop 24-48 hours after fever goes away.
• If you or a family member develops any of these warning signs, go to a local clinic or emergency room immediately:
  • Stomach or belly pain, tenderness
  • Vomiting (at least 3 times in 24 hours)
  • Bleeding from the nose or gums
  • Vomiting blood, or blood in the stool
  • Feeling tired, restless, or irritable.."
    Dengue 

Hemophilia Surveillance

"Data from CDC’s hemophilia surveillance programs can help prevent or reduce hemophilia-related health problems

For more than 20 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has successfully developed, implemented, and maintained a surveillance (monitoring) program for hemophilia to advance our understanding of the condition and the needs of the hemophilia community.  

Hemophilia is a rare, inherited (passed from parents to child) bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. Our blood contains many proteins called clotting factors that can help someone stop bleeding. People with hemophilia have low levels of either factor VIII (8) or factor IX (9) blood clotting proteins. Hemophilia can lead to excessive bleeding after an injury or trauma, as well as spontaneous bleeding that can occur for no apparent reason. Hemophilia primarily affects men, but women can have hemophilia too.

Public health tracking systems can help scientists learn more about the health problems and challenges people with hemophilia face. This information can ultimately help improve their long-term health and quality of life. Prior to 1990s, however, there was a lack of uniform health information on people with hemophilia. It is a challenging condition to track, given how rare the condition is and the complexities in characterizing both hemophilia and the chronic health problems related to hemophilia. To address this challenge, CDC collaborated with federally funded hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs) to create a national public health surveillance program called the Universal Data Collection (UDC) system (1998–2011) and the expanded next-generation Community Counts program, which began in 2011.."
Hemophilia Surveillance 

The Digital Divide: What Is It, Where Is It, and Federal Assistance Programs

"As the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began to unfold, many federal, local, and state governments, in addition to large and small businesses, implemented remote working or distance learning options to help abate the spread of the virus. As these decisions were made, some of the population had the option and the capability to shift activities online, while others did not. The digital divide has been used to characterize a gap between those Americans who have access to telecommunications and information technologies and those who do not. One subset of the digital divide debate concerns access to high-speed internet, also known as broadband. Broadband is provided by a variety of technologies (e.g., cable, telephone wire, fiber, satellite, and mobile and fixed wireless) that give users the ability to send and receive data at volumes and speeds that support a wide range of applications, including voice communications, entertainment, telemedicine, distance education, telework, ecommerce, civic engagement, public safety, and energy conservation.

Broadband technologies are currently being deployed, primarily by the private sector, throughout the United States. While the number of new broadband subscribers continues to grow, in general, rural areas—and tribal areas in particular—tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment and the speed of service offered. Some policymakers, believing that disparities in broadband access across American society could have adverse economic and social consequences on those left behind, assert that the federal government should play a more active role to address the “digital divide” in broadband access, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which further revealed discrepancies in broadband availability and accessibility.

Federal support for broadband infrastructure occurs mainly through the Universal Service Fund (USF) programs under the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the broadband and telecommunications programs at the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and newly established broadband programs within the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260) at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The USF, which was originally designed to ensure rural, high-cost areas have access to voice service, is undergoing a major transition, which is targeted to the deployment, adoption, and utilization of both fixed and mobile broadband.As currently designed, the USF consists of four programs: the High Cost/Connect America Fund Program; the Schools and Libraries Program; the Rural Health Care Program; and the Low Income (Lifeline) Program. While the overall purpose of each program is to help ensure the universal availability of telecommunications and broadband services, each program addresses specific aspects of that goal to fulfill the universal service mandate and help to close the digital divide. The USDA, through its Rural Utilities Service, administers five programs that provide loans and grants to increase access to broadband service in rural areas.These programs include the Community Connect Program, the ReConnect Program, the Rural Broadband Access Program, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Program, and the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program. Three new broadband programs are to be administered by the NTIA—a pilot program to connect minority communities, a grant program to support broadband connectivity on tribal lands throughout the country, and a grant programto support broadband infrastructure deployment to areas lacking broadband..."
Digital Divide 

Vaccine (Shot) for Hepatitis A

"Two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine are recommended for children by doctors as the best way to protect against hepatitis A.

Why should my child get the hepatitis A shot?

• Protects your child from hepatitis A, a potentially serious disease.
• Protects other people from the disease because children under 6 years old with hepatitis A usually don’t have symptoms, but they often pass the disease to others without anyone knowing they were infected.
• Keeps your child from missing school or childcare and you from missing work.

When should my child get the hepatitis A shot?

Your child will need two doses of the Hepatitis A shot for best protection. One dose at each of the following ages:

12 through 23 months

6 months after last dose

The hepatitis A shot is safe.

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The hepatitis A vaccine is very safe, and it is effective at preventing the hepatitis A disease. Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own.

What are the side effects?

The most common side effects are usually mild and last 1 or 2 days. They include:

• Sore arm from the shot
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Fever
• Loss of appetite (not wanting to eat).."
  Hepatitis A