Congressional Research Service Reports - 59 Matching Results
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- Access to Broadband Networks
- From Summary: "This report analyzes these three components to identify the parameters that network providers have within their control (such as their choices about network architecture, overall bandwidth capacity, bandwidth reserved for their own use, traffic prioritization, the terms and rates for access to their networks and for their own use, traffic prioritization, the terms and rates for access to their networks and for their retail services) that can affect how end users and independent applications providers can access their networks, how those parameters might be used strategically to harm competition for, and consumers of, voice over internet protocol (VOIP), video, and other applications that ride over broadband networks."
- Biennial Budgeting: Issues and Options
- This report is categorized into five categories: (I) Introduction, (II) Arguments Favoring and Opposing Biennial Budgeting, (III) Legislative History of Biennial Budgeting, (IV) Types of Biennial Budgeting and (V) Biennial Budgeting in the states.
- The Budget for Fiscal Year 2006
- Much higher than expected receipts reduced the estimated deficits for fiscal year 2006 in both the Administrations Mid-session review and in the Congressional Budget Office's The Budget and Economic Outlook: An Update. These were over $100 billion below the Administration's previous estimate and $70 billion below the Congressional Budget Office's previous baseline estimate. This report contains information on the background and analysis for the federal budget in the fiscal year 2006, the financial situation at that time, budgeting tools, budgetary actions, outlays, receipts, deficits, and related materials.
- Clean Air Act Issues in the 109th Congress
- The report discusses the Clean Air Act (CAA) that issues in legislation that it passed and sent to the President in late July 2005. It also points out Clear Skies/Multi-Pollutant Legislation.
- Clean Air Permitting: Status of Implementation and Issues
- This report describes the statutory background of the Title V program and the status of implementation, in terms of federal approval of state and local permitting authorities and permit issuance. It also discusses broad policy issues identified by various stakeholders, including program complexity and costs, and inconsistencies due to a lack of sufficient federal guidance.
- The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)
- No Description Available.
- The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC): An Overview
- No Description Available.
- Employment Discrimination and Retaliation Claims: A Legal Analysis of the Supreme Court Ruling in Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co. v. White
- No Description Available.
- Energy Efficiency Policy: Budget, Electricity Conservation, and Fuel Conservation Issues
- No Description Available.
- Energy Prices and Tourism: Some Preliminary Observations
- No Description Available.
- Extraterritorial Application of American Criminal Law: An Abbreviated Sketch
- No Description Available.
- Farm and Food Support Under USDA’s Section 32 Program
- This report provides information about the Farm and Food Support Under USDA’s Section 32 Program which is funded by a permanent appropriation of 30% of previous year' s custom receipts to support the farm sector.
- Faster Productivity Growth: Who Benefits?
- This report discusses about productivity, the link between Productivity and Wages, Measuring Labor Income and Labor's Share of National Income.
- Federal and State Laws Regarding Pharmacists Who Refuse to Distribute Contraceptives
- No Description Available.
- Federal and State Quarantine and Isolation Authority
- This report provides an overview of federal and state public health laws as they relate to the quarantine and isolation of individuals, a discussion of constitutional issues that may be raised should individual liberties be restricted in a quarantine situation, and federalism questions that may arise where federal and state authorities overlap. In addition, the possible role of the armed forces in enforcing public health measures is discussed, specifically whether the Posse Comitatus Act would constrain any military role, and other statutory authorities that may be used for the military enforcement of health measures.
- Federal and State Quarantine and Isolation Authority
- This report provides an overview of federal and state public health laws as they relate to the quarantine and isolation of individuals, a discussion of constitutional issues that may be raised should individual liberties be restricted in a quarantine situation, and federalism questions that may arise where federal and state authorities overlap. In addition, the possible role of the armed forces in enforcing public health measures is discussed, specifically whether the Posse Comitatus Act would constrain any military role, and other statutory authorities that may be used for the military enforcement of health measures.
- Federal Counter-Terrorism Training: Issues for Congressional Oversight
- This report is an overview of the major training activities and facilities of the federal departments and agencies that provide counter-terrorism training. It identifies some of the issues associated with the training, including the possible duplication of federal counter-terrorism training programs; determination of Department of Homeland Security counterterrorism training priorities; and possible redundancy and coordination of DHS counter-terrorism training programs.
- Federal Counter-Terrorism Training: Issues for Congressional Oversight
- This report is an overview of the major training activities and facilities of the federal departments and agencies that provide counter-terrorism training. It identifies some of the issues associated with the training, including the following: possible duplication of federal counter-terrorism training programs; determination of Department of Homeland Security counterterrorism training priorities; and possible redundancy and coordination of DHS counter-terrorism training programs.
- Federal Deposit and Share Insurance: Proposals for Change
- No Description Available.
- Federal Emergency Management and Homeland Security Organization: Historical Developments and Legislative Options
- This report provides background information about the establishment and evolution of federal emergency management and related homeland security organization since 1950. Post-Katrina assessments of current arrangements by Congress and the White House are also discussed. Finally, the report provides a brief summary of related legislation that had been introduced as of July 17, 2006.
- FEMA Reorganization Legislation in the 109th Congress
- No Description Available.
- Fiscal Year 2005 Homeland Security Grant Program: State Allocations and Issues for Congressional Oversight
- No Description Available.
- Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 109th Congress
- Fish and marine mammals are important resources in open ocean and nearshore coastal areas; many federal laws and regulations guide their management. This report discusses a variety of laws and legislation pertaining to this issue.
- Free Trade Agreements: Impact on U.S. Trade and Implications for U.S. Trade Policy
- In the last few years, the United States has considered bilateral and regional free trade areas (FTAs) with a number of trading partners. Such arrangements are not new in U.S. trade policy. The United States has had a free trade arrangement with Israel since 1985 and with Canada since1989. The latter was suspended when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that included the United States, Canada, and Mexico, went into effect in January 1994. This report monitors pending and possible proposals for U.S. FTAs, relevant legislation and other congressional interest in U.S. FTAs.
- Free Trade Agreements: Impact on U.S. Trade and Implications for U.S. Trade Policy
- In the last few years, the United States has considered bilateral and regional free trade areas (FTAs) with a number of trading partners. Such arrangements are not new in U.S. trade policy. The United States has had a free trade arrangement with Israel since 1985 and with Canada since1989. The latter was suspended when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that included the United States, Canada, and Mexico, went into effect in January 1994. This report monitors pending and possible proposals for U.S. FTAs, relevant legislation and other congressional interest in U.S. FTAs.
- FY2005 Appropriations for First Responder Preparedness: Issues and Analysis
- No Description Available.
- Global Climate Change: Major Scientific and Policy Issues
- No Description Available.
- Great Lakes Water Withdrawals: Legal and Policy Issues. August 2006
- This report describes the characteristics of the Great Lakes, the interests they support, and possible threats to lake levels.
- Gun Legislation in the 109th Congress
- This report discusses the ongoing debate over the efficacy and constitutionality of federal regulation of firearms and ammunition. The report provides background information and analysis over the pros and cons of the debate and gun related statistics. It is a contentious debate, with strong advocates for and against the further federal regulation of firearms.
- Gun Legislation in the 109th Congress
- This report discusses the gun legislation in the 190th Congress. It presents the views of a contentious debate, with strong advocates for and against the further federal regulation of firearms.
- Health Insurance Coverage: Characteristics of the Insured and Uninsured Populations in 2005. August 2006
- This report examines characteristics of both the insured and the uninsured people.
- Homeland Security and Labor-Management Relations: NTEU v. Chertoff
- This report examines the opinions of the district court and court of appeals in National Treasury Employees Union (“NTEU”) v. Chertof.
- Homeland Security: Coast Guard Operations - Background and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the Coast Guard, which is the lead federal agency for maritime homeland security. For FY2007, the Coast Guard is requesting a total of about $4.5 billion for missions defined in The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) as the Coast Guard’s homeland security missions. This equates to about 54% of the Coast Guard’s total requested FY2007 budget. The Coast Guard’s homeland security operations pose several potential issues for Congress, including adequacy of Coast Guard resources for performing both homeland security and non-homeland security missions, and Coast Guard coordination with other agencies involved in maritime homeland security.
- Homeland Security: Coast Guard Operations - Background and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the Coast Guard, which is the lead federal agency for maritime homeland security. For FY2007, the Coast Guard is requesting a total of about $4.5 billion for missions defined in The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) as the Coast Guard’s homeland security missions. This equates to about 54% of the Coast Guard’s total requested FY2007 budget. The Coast Guard’s homeland security operations pose several potential issues for Congress, including adequacy of Coast Guard resources for performing both homeland security and non-homeland security missions, and Coast Guard coordination with other agencies involved in maritime homeland security.
- Homeland Security: Establishment and Implementation of the United States Northern Command
- This report discusses the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which was established by the Department of Defense (DOD) to fight terrorism at home. Significant organizational and procedural progress has been made in setting up this organization. However, questions remain concerning interagency relationships and information sharing.
- Homeland Security: Establishment and Implementation of the United States Northern Command
- This report discusses the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which was established by the Department of Defense (DOD) to fight terrorism at home. Significant organizational and procedural progress has been made in setting up this organization. However, questions remain concerning interagency relationships and information sharing.
- Homeland Security Grants: Evolution of Program Guidance and Grant Allocation Methods
- This report explains the evolving administrative guidance that governs the three homeland security assistance programs.
- Homeland Security Grants: Evolution of Program Guidance and Grant Allocation Methods
- This CRS report explains the evolving administrative guidance that governs the three homeland security assistance programs, discusses the changing DHS requirements for grant applications and subsequent reporting by recipients, describes the DHS grant allocation methods, and identifies pertinent oversight questions that may be of interest to Congress.
- Homeland Security Intelligence: Perceptions, Statutory Definitions, and Approaches
- Although the activities involved in homeland security intelligence (HSINT) itself are not new, the relative importance of state, local, and private sector stakeholders; the awareness of how law enforcement information might protect national security; and the importance attached to homeland security intelligence have all increased substantially since the events of September 11, 2001. This report provides a potential conceptual model of how to frame HSINT, including geographic, structural/statutory, and holistic approaches. Given that state, local, tribal, and private sector officials play such an important role in HSINT, the holistic model, one not constrained by geography or levels of government, strikes many as the most compelling. The report argues that there is, in effect, a Homeland Security Intelligence Community (HSIC). While this community may not necessarily be a useful construct from a management perspective, it is nevertheless a community as traditionally defined. Although the HSIC’s members are diffused across the nation, they share a common counterterrorism interest.
- Homeland Security Research and Development Funding, Organization, and Oversight
- The Homeland Security Act consolidated some research and development (R&D) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), whose FY2007 R&D budget (excluding management/procurement) was requested at $1.1 billion, about 10% less than FY2006, and represents the first decline in DHS's R&D funding since the agency started funding R&D in 2002. DHS is mandated to coordinate all federal agency homeland security R&D, which was requested at about $5.1 billion. This report lists related legislation and policy issues relating to DHS's R&D programs.
- Homeland Security Research and Development Funding, Organization, and Oversight
- The Homeland Security Act consolidated some research and development (R&D) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), whose FY2007 R&D budget (excluding management/procurement) was requested at $1.1 billion, about 10% less than FY2006, and represents the first decline in DHS's R&D funding since the agency started funding R&D in 2002. DHS is mandated to coordinate all federal agency homeland security R&D, which was requested at about $5.1 billion. This report lists related legislation and policy issues relating to DHS's R&D programs.
- International Terrorism: Threat, Policy, and Response
- This report examines international terrorist actions, threats, U.S. policies and responses. It reviews the nation’s use of tools at its disposal to combat terrorism, from diplomacy, international cooperation, and constructive engagement to physical security enhancement, economic sanctions, covert action, and military force.
- International Terrorism: Threat, Policy, and Response
- This report examines international terrorist actions, threats, U.S. policies and responses. It reviews the nation’s use of tools at its disposal to combat terrorism, from diplomacy, international cooperation, and constructive engagement to physical security enhancement, economic sanctions, covert action, and military force.
- Internet: An Overview of Key Technology Policy Issues Affecting Its Use and Growth
- The continued growth of the Internet for personal, government, and business purposes may be affected by a number of technology policy issues being debated by Congress. Among them are access to and regulation of broadband (high-speed) Internet services, computer and Internet security, Internet privacy, the impact of “spam,” concerns about what children may encounter (such as pornography) when using the Internet, management of the Internet Domain Name System, and government information technology management. This report provides overviews of those issues, plus appendices providing a list of pending legislation, a list of acronyms, a discussion of legislation passed in earlier Congresses, and a list of other CRS reports that provide more detail on these and related topics.
- Internet: An Overview of Key Technology Policy Issues Affecting Its Use and Growth
- The continued growth of the Internet for personal, government, and business purposes may be affected by a number of technology policy issues being debated by Congress. Among them are access to and regulation of broadband (high-speed) Internet services, computer and Internet security, Internet privacy, the impact of “spam,” concerns about what children may encounter (such as pornography) when using the Internet, management of the Internet Domain Name System, and government information technology management. This report provides overviews of those issues, plus appendices providing a list of pending legislation, a list of acronyms, a discussion of legislation passed in earlier Congresses, and a list of other CRS reports that provide more detail on these and related topics.
- Iraq: Summary of U.S. Casualties
- This report provides statistics on fatalities during Operation Iraqi Freedom, which began on March 19, 2003, and is ongoing, as well as on the number of fatalities since May 1,2003, plus statistics on those wounded, but not killed, since March 19, 2003.
- Legal Developments in International Civil Aviation
- This report provides background on U.S. civil aviation agreements, updates the current status of U.S. “Open Skies” negotiations with the EU, and addresses the status of the legal debate concerning both the foreign ownership and control rules and the cabotage laws.
- Military Construction, Military Quality of Life and Veterans' Affairs, FY2007 Appropriations
- This report is a guide to one of the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittees. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant.
- Millenium Challenge Account
- This report discusses the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) that is managed by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and provides assistance, through a competitive selection process, to developing nations that are pursing political and economic reforms in three areas: ruling justly, investing in people, and fostering economic freedom.
- Millenium Challenge Account
- This report discusses the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) that provides assistance, through a competitive selection process, to developing nations that are pursing political and economic reforms in three areas: ruling justly, investing in people, and fostering economic freedom.