Congressional Research Service Reports - 21 Matching Results

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The Federal Role in Rail Transit Safety

Description: On June 22, 2009, two transit trains in Washington, DC, collided, resulting in nine deaths and dozens of injuries. It was the worst crash in the history of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's rail transit system. This crash has raised questions about the safety of rail transit and the government's role in ensuring that safety. Nationwide, rail transit is considered one of the safest modes of transportation. This report discusses the State Safety Oversight Program, which went in… more
Date: July 6, 2009
Creator: Peterman, David Randall & Mallett, William J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Amtrak: Budget and Reauthorization

Description: This report discusses the background and funding of Amtrak, which was created by Congress in 1970 to provide intercity passenger railroad service. It operates approximately 44 routes over 22,000 miles of track, 97% of which is owned by freight rail companies. It runs a deficit each year, and requires federal assistance to cover operating losses and capital investment. Without a yearly federal grant to cover operating losses, Amtrak would not survive as presently configured.
Date: February 6, 2009
Creator: Frittelli, John & Peterman, David R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress

Description: This issue brief discusses the increasing attention being paid to alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles, the proponents of which point to their potential to improve urban air quality, decrease dependence on foreign oil, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The brief also discusses the major barriers currently preventing widespread use of such technologies, and discusses these technologies in the particular contexts of the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes and the Energy Policy Act of 2005. more
Date: January 6, 2006
Creator: Yacobucci, Brent D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Federal Railroad Safety Program and Reauthorization Issues

Description: The Federal Railroad Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation is the primary federal agency that promotes and regulates railroad safety. To implement its safety responsibilities, the Federal Railroad Administration uses numerous strategies including the Safety Assurance and Compliance Program, field inspections; and to help improve its regulations, the administration uses the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee. This report contains information on the Federal Railroad Administrati… more
Date: May 6, 2003
Creator: Rothberg, Paul F. & Williamson, John
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Ocean Piracy and Its Impact on Insurance

Description: This report examines the issue of piracy off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. The report looks into the impact of such piracy on the insurance industry and explains the available options for Congress to mitigate piracy's negative effects on the industry.
Date: February 6, 2009
Creator: King, Rawle O.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Aviation Security: Issues Before Congress Since September 11, 2001

Description: The events of September 11, 2001 heightened concerns regarding aviation security in the United States. The ensuing debate in Congress focused on the degree of federal involvement needed to improve aviation security and restore public confidence in air travel. The Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA, P.L. 107-71, 115 Stat. 597) established the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and contained provisions establishing a federal screener workforce and requiring screening of chec… more
Date: February 6, 2004
Creator: Elias, Bartholomew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Coast Guard Deepwater Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The Coast Guard’s FY2007 budget requests $934.431 million for the Deepwater acquisition program. The House-reported version of H.R. 5441, the FY2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill, recommends $892.64 million for the Deepwater program; the Senate-reported version recommends $993.631 million.
Date: September 6, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Advanced Vehicle Technologies: Energy, Environment, and Development Issues

Description: This report discusses four major vehicle technologies — electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and fuel cell vehicles — as well as advanced component technologies. Each technology is discussed in terms of cost, fueling and maintenance infrastructure, and performance.
Date: December 6, 2007
Creator: Yacobucci, Brent D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation: The Future of Commercial Trucking Across the Mexican Border

Description: This report discusses the implementation of trucking provisions set forth by NAFTA that would have opened the border states to cross-border trucking competition in 1995 and all of North America in 2000. The full implementation of the provisions has been stalled because of concern with the safety of Mexican trucks.
Date: May 6, 2009
Creator: Frittelli, John
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Environmental Streamlining Provisions in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century: Status of Implementation

Description: At the state and local level, many observers have expressed long-standing concerns over delays, duplication of effort, and additional costs frequently associated with the environmental review process for highway projects that must be completed under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, P.L. 91-190). To address these concerns, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA21, P.L. 105-178), enacted in 1998, requires the Federal Highway Administration(FHWA) to streamline … more
Date: August 6, 2002
Creator: Bearden, David M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Environmental Streamlining Provisions in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century: Status of Implementation

Description: This report describes the environmental documents required for highway projects, discusses the average amount of time to complete this documentation, summarizes the environmental streamlining provisions under TEA-21, and examines administrative and legislative actions taken to implement these requirements.
Date: February 6, 2003
Creator: Bearden, David M. & Luther, Linda G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Detection of Explosives on Airline Passengers: Recommendation of the 9/11 Commission and Related Issues

Description: The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, known as the 9/11 Commission, recommended that Congress and the Transportation Security Administration give priority attention to screening airline passengers for explosives. The key issue for Congress is balancing the costs of mandating passenger explosives trace detection against other aviation security needs. Passenger explosives screening technologies have been under development for several years and are now being deployed… more
Date: February 6, 2006
Creator: Shea, Dana A. & Morgan, Daniel
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Coast Guard Deepwater Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The Coast Guard's budget requests $934.431 million for the Deepwater acquisition program. The House-reported version of H.R. 5441, the FY2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill, recommends $892.64 million for the Deepwater program; the Senate-reported version recommends $993.631 million.
Date: September 6, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Coast Guard Deepwater Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The Coast Guard’s FY2007 budget requests $934.431 million for the Deepwater acquisition program. The House-reported version of H.R. 5441, the FY2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill, recommends $892.64 million for the Deepwater program; the Senate-reported version recommends $993.631 million.
Date: September 6, 2006
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Ethanol Imports and the Caribbean Basin Initiative

Description: Fuel ethanol consumption has grown significantly in the past several years. Most of the U.S. market is supplied by domestic refiners producing ethanol from American corn. However, imports do play a role, albeit small, in the U.S. market. One reason for the relatively small role is a 54-cent-per-gallon tariff on imported ethanol. This tariff offsets an economic incentive of 51 cents per gallon for the use of ethanol in gasoline. However, to promote development and stability in the Caribbean regi… more
Date: January 6, 2005
Creator: Yacobucci, Brent D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004: National Standards for Drivers' Licenses, Social Security Cards, and Birth Certificates

Description: In its comprehensive report to the nation, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission) recommended that the federal government set national standards for the issuance of identification documents including drivers’ licenses, social security cards, and birth certificates. The Commission noted that identity fraud is no longer simply a matter of theft, but now complicates the government’s ability to adequately ensure public safety at vulnerable facilities i… more
Date: January 6, 2005
Creator: Tatelman, Todd B.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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