Celebrating 100 Years of Working Women

"In 1920, Old Glory boasted only 48 stars, the country was two years removed from the First World War and it was the year of the 19th Amendment — which allowed women to make their voices heard at the voting booth. In that same year, Congress passed a law establishing the first government institution in the United States dedicated solely to the economic prosperity and well-being of women in the workplace, the Women’s Bureau.

At the time, the public may have considered a Women’s Bureau or even women’s suffrage a radical idea, but decades of brave women entering public life had already permanently altered American culture. In just a decade, from 1910 to 1920, the number of women in the workforce increased from 5 million to 8 million. In an era when the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire — where 123 women and girls lost their lives — was still fresh in the American psyche, it was evident that women deserved and were entitled to representation.

With Mary Anderson as its first leader, the Women’s Bureau charged forward representing women in industry and labor. In its first decade, the Women’s Bureau performed 87 studies on women in the workforce, including 16 state studies on women working in textile mills. According to Women’s Bureau Bulletin No. 63, published in 1929, women were nearly three times as likely to miss work because of home duties as men were.

A century later, the Women’s Bureau continues to study and address the challenges facing women. Today, those challenges include:

• What is the long-term impact of a pandemic on women workers?
• How does access to child care affect women’s careers?.."
  Working women

Congress and Law Enforcement Reform: Constitutional Authority

"Nationwide protests in response to the publication of video footage of a Minneapolis police officer pressing his knee into the neck of George Floyd leading to his death have generated renewed interest in the issue of reforming the policing practices of state and local officials. As discussed in more detail in this companion sidebar, several existing federal laws seek to prevent and redress constitutional violations by state and local law enforcement officials. However, because the Constitution generally grants states the authority to regulate issues of local concern—which includes policing and criminal law—Congress is limited in its ability to legislate on matters related to state and local law enforcement—limits that may inform any new laws Congress seeks to enact on this evolving issue. This Sidebar begins with an overview of Congress’s authority to enact legislation and the limits on those powers. It then discussesin more detail two of the enumerated powers—congressional powers that are found within the Constitution—that may be most relevant when Congress legislates on matters relating to state and local law enforcement..."
Law enforcement reform

Section 230 and the Executive Order on Preventing Online Censorship

"On May 28, 2020, President Trump issued the Executive Order on Preventing Online Censorship (EO), expressing the executive branch’s views on Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act. As discussed in this Legal Sidebar, Section 230, under certain circumstances, immunizes online content providers from liability for merely hosting others’ content. The EO stakes out a position in existing interpretive disputes about the law’s meaning and instructs federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Department of Justice, to take certain actions to implement this understanding.

This Legal Sidebar explores the legal implications of the EO. It first briefly describes how courts have interpreted Section 230 before explaining what the EO says. Next, the Sidebar discusses the FCC and FTC’s authority to enforce Section 230, focusing on the EO’s instructions to these agencies, before concluding with a discussion of how international trade obligations affect the United States’ ability to modify Section 230.
Preventing online censorship

Women in Congress, 1917-2020: Service Dates and Committee Assignments by Member, and Lists by State and Congress

"In total 366 women have been elected or appointed to Congress, 247 Democrats and 119 Republicans. These figures include six nonvoting Delegates, one each from Guam, Hawaii, the District of Columbia, and American Samoa, and two from the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as one Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico. Of these 366 women, there have been

 309 (211 Democrats, 98 Republicans) women elected only to the House of Representatives;
 41 (25 Democrats, 16 Republicans) women elected or appointed only to the Senate; and  16 (11 Democrats, 5 Republicans) women who have served in both houses.

A record 131 women were initially sworn in for the 116th Congress. One has since resigned, and one has been appointed.

Of 131 women currently in Congress, there are
 26 in the Senate (17 Democrats and 9 Republicans);
 101 Representatives in the House (88 Democrats and 13 Republicans); and
 4 women in the House (2 Democrats and 2 Republicans) who serve as Delegates or Resident Commissioner, representing the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

This report includes brief biographical information, committee assignments, dates of service, district information, and listings by Congress and state, and (for Representatives) congressional districts of the 366 women who have been elected or appointed to Congress. It will be updated when there are relevant changes in the makeup of Congress..."
Women in Congress, 1917-2020

Testing, Testing, (Phase) 1-2-3: Legal Considerations for Clinical Trials of Potential COVID-19 Vaccines

"In the race to develop a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, several pharmaceutical companies, governments, and educational institutions around the world have begun testing their potential COVID-19 vaccines in clinical trials. Clinical trials are used to assess whether a new pharmaceutical product, such as a vaccine, is safe for humans and effective in achieving its intended purpose. Companies must generally test new pharmaceutical products on humans through clinical trials to obtain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to market the product. But using human subjects to test these novel products exposes them to unknown health and safety risks, raising ethical considerations for FDA and for the sponsors and Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) overseeing the investigations. These stakeholders—sponsors, IRBs, and FDA—aim to balance the need to ensure that the product is safe and effective against the desire to bring the product to market quickly, tensions that are heightened during a worldwide pandemic. Existing law requires FDA and IRBs to weigh these considerations when evaluating proposed clinical trial designs for COVID-19 vaccines.

This Sidebar describes the legal and regulatory framework that governs clinical trials for pharmaceutical products, such as vaccines, and some avenues researchers and Congress may consider for accelerating that process during the COVID-19 pandemic. (For ease of reference, this Sidebar uses the term drugs includes both traditional drugs and biological products, including vaccines.).."
Testing and clinical trails

Hurricane season 2020 and COVID-19

"June 1 is the official start of hurricane season, and now is a great time to make a plan to deal with weather emergencies. Especially because this year, we have the added concern of the COVID-19 pandemic, including what you need know if you have to go to a shelter. (Hint: it involves packing hand sanitizer and masks.)

Extreme weather events, like hurricanes and other natural disasters, can occur with little warning, and the effects come in many forms. Hurricanes may include heavy rainfall, high winds, storm surge, inland flooding, tornadoes, and rip currents. Are you ready to leave your home at a moment’s notice? Even if you’re a seasoned storm pro, have you thought through the differences in how you prepare during a pandemic?

The FTC’s site, Dealing with Weather Emergencies, has practical tips to help you prepare for, deal with, and recover from a weather emergency. Like all our materials, the site is mobile-friendly, so you’ll have ready access to information when and where you need it..."
Hurricanes and COVID-19

Digital Contact Tracing Technology: Overview and Considerations for Implementation

"Digital Contact Tracing Technology: Overview and Considerations for Implementation

Background

 “Contact tracing” is a public health measure used to control disease spread. Trained public health workers assist patients with an infectious disease recall their close contacts within a given timeframe, notify them of potential exposure, and provide advice to patients and contacts. Given the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic, some public health authorities are automating part of the tracing process with smartphone applications (apps). Some apps take advantage of Bluetooth signals to track individuals proximity to one another, otherwise known as “digital exposure notification (DEN)” Bluetooth allows short-range wireless communications between electronic devices. Apps may also be used by public health authorities to enable “digital contact tracing” (DCT), which may also use location data.

 Development of DCT and DEN Apps in the United States

 In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries have developed nationwide apps to support contact tracing among their citizens. Singapore developed and adopted both the BlueTrace protocol and TraceTogether app. Although the app is used only in Singapore, its Government Technology Agency has made the BlueTrace protocol available to other countries; Australia has adopted the protocol for its app. South Korea, Bulgaria, Iceland, Germany, and France are among the countries that have released or are developing nationwide apps.

The United States has taken a decentralized approach, with states engaging the private sector to develop tracing tools. North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah have independently deployed DCT apps using both location data and Bluetooth signals. Companies such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and Salesforce are developing apps to allow corporate clients to track the proximity of their employees within an office or on a campus. In both contexts, if a citizen or employee tests positive for COVID-19, other individuals who may be at risk can be identified and contacted. The possibility of widespread, and perhaps mandatory, monitoring, whether by the public or private sector, has drawn scrutiny from privacy advocates..."
Digital contact tracing

Pet Safety in Emergencies

"Emergencies come in many forms: fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, violent storms and even terrorism. In the event of extreme weather or a disaster, would you know what to do to protect your pet? Leaving pets out of evacuation plans can put pets, pet owners, and first responders in danger. Even if you try to create a safe place for them, pets left behind during a disaster are likely to be injured, lost, or worse.  Be prepared: make a plan and prepare a disaster kit for your pet.

Before an Emergency

To get started, familiarize yourself with the types of disasters that could affect your area and consider your options for providing care for your pet(s).

Disasters can happen without warning, so be prepared:

• Make sure your pet(s) wear collars and tags with up-to-date contact information and other identification.
• Microchip your pet(s) – this is one of the best ways to ensure that you and your pet are reunited if you are separated. Always be sure to register the microchip with the manufacturer and keep your contact information up to date with the microchip company.
• Keep a leash and/or carrier near the exit.
• Make sure you have proper equipment for pets to ride in the car (carriers, harnesses, pet seatbelts).
• Prepare a Pet Disaster Kitso evacuation will go smoothly for your entire family. Ask your veterinarian for help in putting together your pet’s veterinary records..."
  Pet safety

Tourette Syndrome: Behavioral Treatment for Tics That Works

"A decade ago, a promising behavior therapy option for tic disorders was developed. Learn what CDC is doing to raise awareness and increase access to effective behavioral treatment for Tourette syndrome.

Tourette syndrome is a disorder that affects the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves) and causes people to have “tics.” Tics are sudden twitches, movements, or sounds that people do repeatedly. For people with Tourette syndrome, tics can happen without them knowing and can be hard to stop or control. Many people with Tourette syndrome also have conditions such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)..."
Tourette Syndrome

Key Facts About Food Poisoning

"Every year, an estimated 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases.
 

Tips to Prevent Food Poisoning

• Cleanexternal icon
  • Wash your hands and work surfaces before, during, and after preparing food. Germs can survive in many places around your kitchen, including your hands, utensils, cutting boards, and countertops.
• Separateexternal icon
  • Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from ready-to-eat foods. Use separate cutting boards and keep raw meat away from other foods in your shopping cart and refrigerator.
• Cookexternal icon
  • Cook food to the right internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer.
• Chillexternal icon
  • Keep your refrigerator 40°F or below. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking (or within 1 hour if food is exposed to a temperature above 90°F, like in a hot car).."
    Food poisoning

Executive Order on Preventing Online Censorship

"...Online platforms are engaging in selective censorship that is harming our national discourse.  Tens of thousands of Americans have reported, among other troubling behaviors, online platforms “flagging” content as inappropriate, even though it does not violate any stated terms of service; making unannounced and unexplained changes to company policies that have the effect of disfavoring certain viewpoints; and deleting content and entire accounts with no warning, no rationale, and no recourse...

Sec. 3.  Protecting Federal Taxpayer Dollars from Financing Online Platforms That Restrict Free Speech.  (a)  The head of each executive department and agency (agency) shall review its agency’s Federal spending on advertising and marketing paid to online platforms.  Such review shall include the amount of money spent, the online platforms that receive Federal dollars, and the statutory authorities available to restrict their receipt of advertising dollars.

(b)  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the head of each agency shall report its findings to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

(c)  The Department of Justice shall review the viewpoint-based speech restrictions imposed by each online platform identified in the report described in subsection (b) of this section and assess whether any online platforms are problematic vehicles for government speech due to viewpoint discrimination, deception to consumers, or other bad practices..."

Prevenint online censorship

CDC’s Tracking Network in Action: Extreme Heat

"Extremely hot weather can make you sick. Stay cool and hydrated to protect yourself. The Tracking Network provides data and tools that you can use to see how extreme heat may affect your health.

CDC’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Network (Tracking Network) is a dynamic surveillance system that provides information and data about environmental hazards and the health problems that may be related to them. It presents what we know about where environmental hazards exist, where exposures happen, and how targeted action can protect health, reduce illness, and save lives. The Tracking Network is a unique resource that brings together environmental and health information that cannot be found, or is hard to find, anywhere else..."
Extreme heat

COVID-19: Resources for Tracking Federal Spending

"COVID-19: Resources for Tracking Federal Spending


Congress has responded to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with various legislation providing relief to individuals and families, state and local governments, businesses, health care providers, and other entities.

This CRS Insight provides information on selected sources for tracking COVID-19 relief funding provided through these bills.
For general information on resources for tracking federal funds, see CRS Report R44027, Tracking Federal Awards: USAspending.gov and Other Data Sources, by Jennifer Teefy.

Consolidated Data on COVID-19 Federal Funding

 USAspending.gov According to an Office of Management and Budget memorandum (April 10, 2020), there are plans to identify COVID-19-related federal awards linked to specific funding legislation in the Treasury database USAspending.gov, beginning with the June 2020 reporting period. USAspending.gov tracks federal contract and grant awards and other federal spending at the state, congressional district, and local levels. For more information, see CRS In Focus IF10231, Tracking Federal Awards in States and Congressional Districts Using USAspending.gov, by Jennifer Teefy.."
COVID-19 and federal spending

Presidential Removal of IGs Under the Inspector General Act

"Presidential Removal of IGs Under the Inspector General Act


President Trump has recently removed or replaced a number of acting and permanent Inspectors General (IGs), including the Intelligence Community IG, the State Department IG, and acting IGs at the Department of Transportation and Department of Defense. These actions have stirred both immediate concern by some within Congress and a larger conversation on IG independence. While governing statutes provide that IGs are intended to be “independent and objective units” tasked with auditing and investigating agency programs, they are not entirely insulated from presidential influence. In most cases it is the President that both selects and removes IGs, subject to checks on that authority discussed below..."
Inspector General

What’s the Difference?—Comparing U.S. and Chinese Trade Data

"The size of the U.S. bilateral trade deficit with the People’s Republic of China (China) has been and continues to be an important issue in bilateral trade relations. President Trump and some Members of Congress view the deficit as a sign of unfair economic policies in China. In the 116 th Congress, the Fair Trade with China Enforcement Act (H.R. 704 and S. 2) and the United States Reciprocal Trade Act (H.R. 764) mention U.S. trade deficits as a reason for the proposed legislation.

The escalation of the Sino-U.S. trade tensions and both sides’ imposition of tariffs on one anothers’ trade since spring 2018 contributed to a significant decline in bilateral merchandise trade in 2019, and the corresponding merchandise trade balance. According to the U.S. International Trade Commission, the 2019 bilateral merchandise trade deficit with China was $345.6 billion, down from $419.2 billion in 2018. According to China’s General Administration of Customs, China’s trade surplus with the United States in 2019 was $295.5 billion, a decline of $27.9 billion from 2018. The difference between the officially reported trade balances of the two nations was less than $55 billion for the first time in 20 years.

This report examines the differences in the trade data reported by the Chinese and U.S. governments in two ways. First, it compares the trade figures using the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System) to discern any patterns in the discrepancies between the U.S. and Chinese data. This comparison reveals that 96% of the difference in the value of China’s exports to the United States in 2019 arises primarily from differences in the reported values for four types of goods. Those four types of goods, in order of the size of the discrepancy, were electrical machinery, toys and sporting goods, machinery, and footwear; all four have been major sources of the discrepancy for over a decade."
Trade data