Congressional Research Service Reports - 151 Matching Results
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- Aggressive Driving: Is There a Solution?
- This report considers the problem of aggressive drivers on U.S. roads and highways. Moreover, the report notes that there is pending federal legislation to address this problem.
- Agreements to Promote Fishery Conservation and Management in International Waters
- Declining fish populations threaten an important food source. Natural catastrophes, pollution, habitat destruction, and overfishing contribute to the depletion of fish stocks. Overexploitation of fishery resources often occurs when management allows expanding and increasingly efficient fishing fleets to continue harvesting dwindling supplies. Although prevalent, overexploitation is not universal and its extent varies among areas, species, and fisheries. This report discusses the issue of overfishing and its possible consequences, as well as domestic and international efforts to combat overfishing.
- Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension Issues in the 105th Congress
- The public agricultural research, education, and extension system is comprised of a nationwide network of federal and state agricultural research laboratories and departments, land grant Colleges of Agriculture, colleges of forestry and veterinary medicine, and the nationwide Cooperative Extension System. Although the basic authority to conduct agricultural research and extension programs is permanent, Congress since 1977 has provided funding authority and policy guidance for USDA's in-house research programs, and for federal support for cooperative research, higher education, and extension programs in the states, through a title contained in omnibus farm legislation. This report discusses specific pieces of such legislation and details certain agricultural and food-related appropriations.
- Agricultural Wetlands: Current Programs and Legislative Proposals
- Amending Federal laws to protect wetlands, especially agricultural wetlands, is a contentious issue for the 104th Congress. Critics contend that current programs are excessive in their reach and unfairly restrict private landowners. Supporters counter that these programs are critical if the Nation is to achieve the stated goal of no-net-loss of wetlands. The two major statutes under which agricultural wetlands are protected are swampbuster, enacted in the Agriculture, Food, Trade, and Conservation Act of 1985, and section 404, enacted in the 1972 Clean Water Act. This report describes both programs, emphasizing how they relate to each other. It explains how each program works, especially on agricultural wetlands, and the likely effect of proposed revisions to swampbuster. Also, it briefly considers other legislative proposals that would amend the section 404 program, which, if enacted, would further affect how agricultural wetlands are protected.
- Air Quality and Vehicle Emission Standards: An Overview of the National Low Emission Vehicle Program and Related Issues
- This report provides background information on federal emission standards for motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act and stricter standards originally developed to address the severity of air quality problems in California, explains the low emission standards and flexible compliance mechanisms to which states and manufacturers have voluntarily agreed under the National Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program, discusses the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) estimates of the program's air quality benefits and costs, and examines regulatory issues related to its implementation including sulfur levels in gasoline and the relative stringency of emission standards for light trucks.
- Alternative Transportation Fuels and Clean Gasoline: Background and Regulatory Issues
- This report discusses legislative initiatives underway to tighten emission standards, produce cleaner cars, and develop alternative fuels, such as clean gasoline, natural gas, ethanol, and electricity. Specifically, the report focuses on the reformulate gasoline (RFG) program and the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
- Alternative Transportation Fuels and Vehicles: Energy, Environment, and Development Issues
- This report reviews several issues relating to alternative fuels and vehicles, mainly to combat dependence on petroleum imports and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The report discusses the advantages and drawbacks of various alternative fuels and vehicles, as well as related legislation.
- American Federalism, 1776 to 1997: Significant Events
- This report identifies several significant eras and events in the evolution of American federalism and provides a capsule description or discussion of each. It should be noted that among experts in the field of federalism there may be a general consensus concerning the evolution of American federalism; however, the choice of events and scholarly interpretations of such events may vary and are by nature subjective.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act and Rights to Community Care: Olmstead v. L.C.
- This report addresses the issue of whether the public treatment for the plaintiff mentally disadbled persons in community placement when such treatment could be provided in a state mental institute.
- Amtrak and Energy Conservation: Background and Selected Public Policy Issues
- A rationale for federal financial support to Amtrak has been that rail service conserves energy, compared to other forms of intercity passenger transportation. The numbers discussed in this report suggest that the rationale might not be valid with regard to autos and buses. The report discusses some public policy implications that could follow from that conclusion.
- Amtrak: Federal Financial Assistance
- This report discusses federal financial assistance to Amtrak, an intercity rail service created by Congress in 1971. It discusses the possibility of significantly reducing, or even eliminating, federal financial assistance to Amtrak, in an effort to reduce the federal budget deficit.
- The Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997 and Related Developments
- The Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997, enacted December 2, 1997, authorized appropriations to Amtrak through FY2002. This CRS report summarizes the provisions of the Act and discusses related developments.
- Appropriations for FY1999: An Overview
- This is a funding level summary of each of the 13 annual appropriation acts for FY1999 appears in the summaries of annual appropriations spending section of this report.
- Appropriations for FY1999: Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies
- This report tracks action by the 105th Congress on FY1999 appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and other related agencies.
- The Au Pair Program
- Legislation passed late in the 103rd Congress granted the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) authority to design and implement more rigorous rules regulating the au pair program. In 1997, the au pair program received considerable media attention as a result of the Louise Woodward court case regarding possible involvement of an au pair in the death of a child in Massachusetts. The U.S. Information Agency amended existing federal regulations for the au pair program in September 1997 to underscore the cultural exchange aspect of the program and strengthen au pair recruiting and training.
- Bills and Resolutions: Examples of How Each Kind is Used
- This report provides background information regarding the bill and joint resolution, which must be passed by both houses in identical form, then presented to the President for his approval or disapproval.
- Bills, Resolutions, Nominations, and Treaties: Origins, Deadlines, Requirements, and Uses
- In addition to bill and/or joint resolution this report presents two other acts of congress; 1) nominations and 2) treaties. It also discusses the characteristics and uses of six different kind of business before Congress, such as designation, origin, deadline for action, requirements for approval, and use.
- Border Environment Cooperation Commission and North American Development Bank : Background and Issues
- This report presents Background and Issues of Border Environment Cooperation Commission and North American Development Bank.
- Bosnia: Civil Implementation of the Peace Agreement
- No Description Available.
- Bosnia: Civil Implementation of the Peace Agreement
- Since Dayton Peace Accords, the civilian side of peace implementation has been challenged by the scope of the tasks, and by the lack of commitment demonstrated by the Bosnian parties to various aspects of the peace agreement. In addition, issues such as International Framework for peace implementation, formation of governmental institution, election, civil police task force and displaced persons are discussed in this report.
- Bosnia Implementation Force (IFOR) and Stabilization Force (SFOR): Activities of the 104th Congress
- No Description Available.
- Bosnia Stabilization Force (SFOR) and U.S. Policy
- This report provides background and analysis on the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Bosnia Stabilization Force (SFOR) and U.S. Policy
- In December 1995, a NATO-led implementation force (IFOR) was deployed to Bosnia to enforce the military aspects of the Bosnian peace agreement. After fierce debate, the House and Senate passed separate resolutions in December 1995 expressing support for the U.S. troops in Bosnia, although not necessarily for the mission itself. Legislative efforts to bar funds for the deployment of U.S. troops to Bosnia were narrowly rejected. In the 105th Congress, similar efforts to bar a U.S. deployment after June 1998 were also rejected, although the FY 1998 defense authorization and appropriations laws contain reporting requirements that must be fulfilled before an extended deployment may take place. The defense appropriation measure requires the President to seek a supplemental appropriation for any deployment after June 1998.
- Budget FY1999: A Chronology with Internet Access
- This report consists of a chronology with internet access budget FY1999.
- Budget FY1999: A Chronology with Internet Access
- This is a select chronology of, and a finding guide for information on, congressional and presidential actions and documents related to major budget events in calendar year 1998, covering the FY1999 budget. Brief information is provided for the President’s budget, congressional budget resolutions, appropriations measures (regular, continuing, supplementals, and rescissions), budget reconciliation, House and Senate votes, line-item vetoes, publications, testimony, charts, and tables.
- Child Nutrition Legislation in the 104th Congress
- This report covers proposed and enacted legislative initiatives to change child nutrition programs (including the WIC program) during 1995 and 1996.
- Child Support: Changes Enacted or Proposed in the 103rd Congress
- No Description Available.
- China in Transition: Changing Conditions and Implications for U.S. Interests
- Americans disagree as to whether or not China poses a serious security concern for U.S. interests in peace and security in Asia and the Pacific. Many point to rising Chinese defense capabilities and assertive rhetoric to warn of Chinese military- backed expansion. Others judge that the main danger comes from China's weakness. They argue that the possibility of an emerging breakdown in government authority in China could prompt regional disorder and refugee flows seriously undermining Asian stability. Still others see the Chinese "threat" as grossly exaggerated. They stress that Beijing leaders are in control of the country and see their interests best served by accommodation to their richer and generally better armed neighbors.
- China's Prospects After Tiananmen Square: Current Conditions, Future Scenarios, and a Survey of Expert Opinion
- Since the violent military crackdown around Tiananmen Square, most Western observers have struggled to understand and explain three major questions concerning the Chinese situation: first, why a forward-looking and reform-minded Chinese leadership chose such violent force over a more accommodating approach toward the peaceful public protests of June 1989; second, how to assess current political and economic conditions in China in light of Tiananmen Square; and third, what the events of the last two years mean for China's future prospects.
- Committee System: Rules Changes in the House, 104th Congress
- This fact sheet details changes in the committee system contained in H. Res. 6, Rules of the House for the 104th Congress.
- Committee System: Rules Changes in the House, 105th Congress
- No Description Available.
- Committee System Rules Changes in the House, 106th Congress
- This fact sheet details changes in the committee system contained in H. Res. 5, the rules of the House for the 106th Congress
- Compendium of Precedents Involving Evidentiary Rulings and Applications of Evidentiary Principles from Selected Impeachment Trials
- This report is a compilation of evidentiary issues and rulings from the Senate impeachment trials of Judges Nixon, Hastings, Claiborne, Ritter, Louderback, and Swayne. A discourse on what evidentiary rules and principles are applicable in impeachment trials is appended.
- Congressional Budget Actions in 1997
- In 1997, during the first session of the 105th Congress, the House and Senate will consider many different budgetary measures. Most of these measures will pertain to FY1998 and beyond, but some measures will make adjustments in the budget for the current fiscal year, FY1997. This issue brief describes House and Senate action on major budgetary legislation within the framework of the congressional budget process and other procedural requirements.
- Cooperative Research and Development Agreements and Semiconductor Technology: Issues Involving the “DOE-Intel CRADA"
- This report provides information on the federal interest in cooperation R&D and the laws that shape such efforts.
- Country Applicability of the U.S. Most-Favored-Nation Status
- The United States accords permanent most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment to all its trading partners except six countries to which it is denied by law and 14 countries whose MFN status is temporary and subject to the conditions of Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974.
- Country Applicability of the U.S. Most-FavoredNation Status
- This report addresses country applicability of the U.S. Most-Favored-Nation status.
- Crime Control Assistance Through the Byrne Programs
- No Description Available.
- Defense Export Loan Guarantee Program (DELG)
- This report provides an overview of the Defense Export Loan Guarantee Program (DELG) which became operational on November 8, 1996. It discusses the major features of the program, which is aimed at assisting prospective foreign purchasers of U.S. defense equipment finance those purchase through private sector loans.
- Defense Industry in Transition: Issues and Options for Congress
- The U.S. government and the defense industry continued to adjust to the post-Cold War era. Complicating the transition was the restructuring of the U.S. and other industrialized economies, and questions concerning the future direction of U.S. defense policy. The 104th Congress grappled with how to ensure that the U.S. retained a smaller, but capable, defense industry.
- The Difference Between DOD Programs That Develop Dual-Use Technologies and DOD’s Dual-Use Technology Development Programs–A Fact Sheet
- No Description Available.
- Drug Control: International Policy and Options
- Over the past decade, worldwide production of illicit drugs has risen dramatically: opium and marijuana production has roughly doubled and coca production tripled. Street prices of cocaine and heroin have fallen significantly in the past 20 years, reflecting increased availability. Despite apparent national political resolve to deal with the drug problem, inherent contradictions regularly appear between U.S. anti-drug policy and other national policy goals and concerns. The mix of competing domestic and international pressures and priorities has produced an ongoing series of disputes within and between the legislative and executive branches concerning U.S. international drug policy. One contentious issue has been the Congressionally-mandated certification process, an instrument designed to induce specified drug-exporting countries to prioritize or pay more attention to the fight against narcotics businesses.
- Education Issues in the 105th Congress, 2nd Session
- This report provides a brief summary of education issues anticipated for the 2nd Session, as well as a synopsis of education activity during the 1st Session.
- Education Issues in the 105th Congress, 2nd Session
- Several education issues are being considered by the 105th Congress. Some of the congressional action results from expiring legislation, such as the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). Other action may occur because of debate over the appropriate federal role in education, including federal support for school reform or national testing. This report provides a brief summary of education issues anticipated for the 2nd Session, as well as a synopsis of education activity during the 1st Session.
- Electric Utility Restructuring: Overview of Basic Policy Questions
- No Description Available.
- Electric Utility Restructuring: Overview of Basic Policy Questions
- Proposals to increase competition in the electric utility industry involve segmenting electric functions (generation, transmission, distribution) that are currently integrated (or bundled) in most cases (both in terms of corporate and rate structures). This report identifies five basic issues this effort raises for the Congress to consider as the debate on restructuring proceeds.
- Electric Utility Restructuring: Overview of Basic Policy Questions
- Proposals to increase competition in the electric utility industry involve segmenting electric functions (generation, transmission, distribution) that are currently integrated (or bundled) in most cases (both in terms of corporate and rate structures). This report identifies five basic issues this effort raises for the Congress to consider as the debate on restructuring proceeds.
- Electricity Restructuring Background: Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA)
- This report provides background information on PUHCA, including its history and impact. It also discusses how PUHCA reform fits into the current electric utility industry restructuring debate. This report will be updated as events warrant. For related information on electricity restructuring, see the CRS Electronic Briefing Book.
- Endangered Species List Revisions: A Summary of Delisting and Downlisting
- This report outlines the process and reasons for delisting or downlisting, and summarizes the 27 species delisted due to extinction, recovery, or data revision, and the 22 species that have been downlisted from the endangered to threatened status due to stabilized or improving populations.
- Endangered Species List Revisions: A Summary of Delisting and Downlisting
- This report outlines the process and reasons for delisting or downlisting, and summarizes the 27 species delisted due to extinction, recovery, or data revision, and the 22 species that have been downlisted from endangered to threatened status due to stabilized or improving populations.