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Airport Improvement Program Reauthorization Legislation in the 106th Congress
This report discusses the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides federal grants to airports for capital development. This report also discusses the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century, also referred to as AIR21, which includes provisions for increases in AIP spending, among other things. Primarily, this report discusses the legislative processes surrounding the enaction of these laws and the various appropriations the laws authorize.
Appropriations for FY2001: Interior and Related Agencies
Appropriations are one part of a complex federal budget process that includes budget resolutions, appropriations (regular, supplemental, and continuing) bills, rescissions, and budget reconciliation bills. This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress passes each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations.
Appropriations for FY2001: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
Appropriations are one part of a complex federal budget process that includes budget resolutions, appropriations (regular, supplemental, and continuing) bills, rescissions, and budget reconciliation bills. This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress passes each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.
Appropriations for FY2001: VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies (P.L. 106-377)
Appropriations are one part of a complex federal budget process that includes budget resolutions, appropriations (regular, supplemental, and continuing) bills, rescissions, and budget reconciliation bills. This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress passes each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Subcommittees on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations.
Army Aviation: The RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter Issue
Although it has been a high priority Army program, a number of factors have complicated the RAH-66 Comanche program. Since its inception, the program has been restructured several times–postponing the initial operational capability (IOC) and increasing overall program costs. Presently, there is debate within the Army regarding whether the program should be reduced significantly to make funds available to pursue other modernization priorities.
China: The National People’s Congress
The National People’s Congress (NPC), a unicameral legislature, is the People’s Republic of China (PRC)'s counterpart to the U.S. Congress. In recent years, there has been increasing interaction between the two legislatures. This report briefly considers recent developments in the NPC, describes how the NPC works, and discusses exchanges between the two congresses.
Court Rulings During 1998 on Constitutional Takings Claims Against the United States
This report addresses court rulings during 1998 on Constitutional takings claims against the United States.
Energy Independence: Would It Free the United States From Oil Price Shocks?
Over the past 25-years, the U.S. economy has experienced four large oil price shocks (1973-74, 1979-80, 1990-91, and 1999-2000). Each has been a catalyst for discussions about a proper national energy policy. Many analysts have suggested that energy independence should be an integral part of such a policy. Both major party candidates for president in the 2000 election expressed similar views. However, U.S. suppliers of energy participate in the world energy market. So long as prices are determined in that market, energy independence will not free the United States from oil price shocks.
Federal Civilian Employees and the FY2001 Budget
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Flat Tax Proposals and Fundamental Tax Reform: An Overview
The idea of replacing our current income tax system with a "flat-rate tax" is receiving renewed congressional interest. Although referred to as "flat-rate taxes," many of the current proposals go much further than merely adopting a flat rate tax structure. Some involve significant income tax base broadening while others entail changing the tax base from income to consumption.
Joint Negotiation by Health-Care Professionals: H.R. 1304, “Quality Health-Care Coalition Act of 2000"
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Middle East: The Multilateral Peace Talks
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Military Airlift: C-17 Aircraft Program
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MISSILES FOR STANDOFF ATTACK: AIR-LAUNCHED AIR-TO-SURFACE MUNITIONS PROGRAMS
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Mozambique and Other Recent Flood Disasters: Comparing the U.S. and International Responses
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National Monuments and the Antiquities Act
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The Natural Resources and Environment Function in the FY2001 Federal Budget: An Overview of Programs and Funding
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Paying Off the National Debt: Some Intergenerational Consequences
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Police and Law Enforcement: Selected Issues
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Presidential Elections in the United States: A Primer
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Prisons: Policy Options for Congress
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Restructuring DOE and Its Laboratories: Issues in the 106th Congress
A number of legislative proposals to restructure or eliminate the Department of Energy (DOE) and the DOE laboratories have been introduced since the end of the Cold War, especially since the beginning of the 104th Congress. This legislation has been introduced because of perceived major problems with DOE, including its overall mission. Sponsors state, for example, that about 85% of DOE's budget is for non-energy programs, even though the nation's dependency on foreign energy sources has increased since the establishment of the department. Also of concern is the department's failure to go far enough, in their view, in solving its long-term management problems, downsizing, and reducing budgets.
The Retirement of the National Debt: Will It Increase the Economic Size of the Federal Government?
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Russian President Putin's Prospective Policies: Issues and Implications
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Section 301 of The Trade Act of 1974, As Amended: Its Operation and Issues Involving its Use by the United States
This report describes the Section 301 process (including the related Special 301 and Super 301 processes) and examines questions that arise from its use. Section 301 is one of the principal means by whichthe United States attempts to combat unfair trading practices and enforce U.S. rights under trade agreements
START II Debate in the Russian Duma: Issues and Prospects
The Russian Duma, the lower house of the Russian Parliament approved ratification of the START II Treaty on April 14, 2000, after 7 years of debate and dissension. (The United States Senate approved ratification of the treaty in January 1996.) This report describes key concerns raised by Members of the Duma during their discussions of START II. These include concerns with treaty provisions, such as its ban on multiple warhead ICBMs and its warhead "downloading" provisions, and concerns with Russia's ability to maintain and finance its strategic nuclear forces in the future.
Wetlands Regulation and the Law of Property Rights "Takings"
When a wetland owner is denied permission to develop, or offered a permit with very burdensome conditions, the property's value may drop substantially. Wetlands programs also may impose costly development delays. For these reasons, federal and state wetlands regulation continues to generate "takings" lawsuits by land owners. Such suits allege that by narrowing or eliminating the economic uses to which a wetland can be put, the government has "taken" (permanently or temporarily) the wetland under the Fifth Amendment Takings Clause.
World Heritage Convention and U.S. National Parks
On July 13, 2000, the House passed H.R. 4811, the FY 2001 Foreign Operations bill, containing language prohibiting the use of any funds in the bill for the United Nations World Heritage Fund. This Fund provides technical assistance to countries requesting help in protecting World Heritage sites. On May 20, 1999, the House passed (by voice vote) the American Land Sovereignty Protection Act (H.R. 883), which requires congressional approval to add any additional U.S. national parks and monuments to the World Heritage List, a UNESCO-administered list established by the 1972 World Heritage Convention. This paper describes the operation of the UNESCO Convention and will be updated periodically.
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