The Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (RNEP) program has been the most controversial nuclear weapon program in Congress for the last several years. Supporters argue that it is needed to attack hard and deeply buried targets (such as leadership bunkers) in countries of concern, thereby deterring or defeating challenges from such nations; critics assert that RNEP would lower the threshold for use of nuclear weapons and prompt other nations to develop nuclear weapons to deter U.S. attack. This report presents a brief technical background on RNEP, then discusses the history of RNEP in Congress and the Administration for the FY2005 and FY2006 budget cycles.

This report discusses how and when the USA PATRIOT ACT P.L. 107-56 applies to libraries and bookstores under Section 215 of the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence planned legislation to permanently rework Section 215 which was set to expire on December 31, 2005. Updated July 6, 2005.

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This report includes a brief description regarding funding for the arts and humanities as a perennial issue in Congress. Although arts funding represents less than 1% of the Bush Administration’s FY2006 total estimated budget authority, Congress continues to address the concern of whether federal funding is crucial to sustain arts institutions.

A number of issues affecting U.S. agriculture are receiving attention during the 109th Congress. Some are related to new initiatives or to unfinished legislation from the 108th Congress; others have been the focus of ongoing congressional oversight. The agriculture committees are required by the FY2006 budget resolution to report legislation this year that reduces spending on mandatory food and agriculture support programs by $3 billion over the next five years. Other issues of importance to agriculture during the 109th Congress include the possible reauthorization of an expiring dairy support program; multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations; concerns about agroterrorism, food safety, and animal and plant diseases (e.g., “mad cow” disease and Asian soybean rust); high energy costs; environmental issues; and a number of agricultural marketing matters. Although the current (2002) farm bill (P.L. 107-171) generally does not expire until 2007, the agriculture committees could begin hearings on a new measure later this year. This report will be updated if significant developments ensue.

Congress has broad plenary authority to determine classes of aliens who maybe admitted into the United States and the grounds for which they may be removed. Pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended, certain conduct may either disqualify an alien from entering the United States (“inadmissibility”) or provide grounds for his or her removal/deportation. Prominently included among this conduct is criminal activity. “Criminal activity” comprises acts violative of federal, state, or, in many cases, foreign criminal law. It does not cover violations of the INA that are not crimes, most notably, being in the U.S. without legal permission. Thus, the term “illegal alien” — an alien without legal status — is not synonymous with “criminal alien.”

The Advanced Technology Program (ATP) was created by P.L. 100-418, the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, to encourage public-private cooperation in the development of pre-competitive technologies with broad application across industries. This activity has been targeted for elimination as a means to cut federal spending. Since FY2000, the original House-passed appropriation bills have not included funding for ATP. Many of the Administration’s budget requests have proposed termination of the program. However, ATP continues to be supported, although at levels below that achieved in FY1995 when the activity was expanded significantly. This report discusses funding (or lack thereof) appropriated for the ATP for FY2006.

Department of Defense Clearinghouse response: DoD Clearinghouse response to and e-mail from the BRAC Commission regarding the following questions: 1. Were Homeland Security/Air Sovereignty requirements factored into MCI scoring? If so, how, e.g. what questions provided insights into this mission? 2. Please describe how the site protection and response time criteria stipulated by NORTHCOM and PACOM were considered, e.g. BCEG deliberations? (Attached document is the Clearinghouse response)

Base Visit Report of BRAC Commission Visit to Boise International Airport AGS, ID dtd 9 June 2005.

Department of Defense Clearinghouse response: Attached is a talking paper on DoD's BRAC recommendation to consolidate the Civilian Personnel Offices from the 3 Air Logistics Centers and Wright-Patterson at Randolph which I hope the Commission will consider. This recommendation has potentially significant adverse impacts on the ability to recruit, train and retain the large civilian workforces at these sustainment/acquisition centers.

Base Visit Report of BRAC Commission Visit to Springfield-Beckley Municipal Air Guard Station dtd 14 June 2005.

Base Visit Book from BRAC Commission Visit to Cannon Air Force Base, NM dtd 23 June 2005. Document includes itinerary, base summary sheet, SECDEF recommendation, military capabilities index, installation review, state map and statistical data, state closure history list, and press articles and correspondence.

Community Input from Charleston, South Carolina dtd 7 June 2005. Document includes information on Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southern Division; Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Charleston; US Naval Submarine School, Charleston; and Charleston, SC: A Joint Military Complex.

Base Visit Report of BRAC Commission Visit to Portland International Airport (OR), 142nd Fighter Wing (ANG) dtd 30 June 2005.

Base Visit Report from BRAC Commission Visit to Rock Island Arsenal, IL dtd 1 June 2005.

Base Visit Report from BRAC Commission Visit to Yeager Airport Air National Guard, WV dtd 13 June 2005.

Base Visit Report from BRAC Commission Visit to Bradley International Airport, CT dtd 6 June 2005.

Base Visit Report from BRAC Commission Visit to Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD dtd 20 June 2005.

Base Visit Report from BRAC Commission Visit to Mansfield-Lahm Municipal Airport Air Guard Station, Ohio dtd 14 June 2005.

Community Input from BRAC Commission Visit to Fort Lee, VA dtd 27 June 2005.

Department of Defense Clearinghouse response: E-mail from the BRAC Commission to the DoD clearinghouse regarding a request for the following information with respect to Air National Guard aircraft that were purchased over the past 20 years with congressional add money. Specifically, we need the type aircraft, tail number, location, date received by gaining unit, source of funding (FY, appropriation, etc). Please forward this information NLT than 31 Jun 05 as it supports a commission event. (Attached document is the clearinghouse response)