Congressional Research Service Reports - 437 Matching Results
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- Brazil's October 2014 Presidential Election
- This report briefly discusses the results of Brazil's recent elections and potential policy shifts.
- Congress and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2016
- This report briefly discusses authorization legislation for the water resources activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) in 2016, which the 114th Congress is anticipated to consider. These issues span the agency's role in new and existing navigation improvements, coastal and riverine flood risk reduction, and environmental restoration and protection efforts.
- President Obama's $1 Billion Foreign Aid Request for Central America
- This report discusses the Obama Administration's recent request for over $1 billion in foreign assistance during FY2016 to support a whole-of-government "U.S. Strategy for Engagement in Central America."
- Electric Grid Physical Security: Recent Legislation
- This report briefly discusses legislative initiatives to address the physical safety of electrical transformers and 0other parts of the U.S. electric grid which are vulnerable to damage from theft, vandalism, or terrorist attacks.
- Federal Reserve Issues Final Rule on Emergency Lending
- This report briefly discusses major provisions of the Federal Reserve's (Fed's) Final Rule, governing emergency lending under Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act and implementing Section 1101 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank).
- Escalating Violence in El Salvador
- This report briefly discusses gangs and violence in El Salvador, and examines the U.S. policy response.
- North Korea's January 6, 2016, Nuclear Test
- This report provides a brief background about North Korea's announcement that it successfully tested a "hydrogen bomb" (its fourth nuclear test) on January 6, 2016. The official statement also called the device an experimental or "pilot H-bomb."
- China's Recent Stock Market Volatility: What Are the Implications?
- This report briefly discusses the background and implications of the rapid price increases experienced in China's two main stock markets, the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE), from about mid-2014 to mid-2015.
- The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016: Effects on Budgetary Trends
- This report discusses recent changes to the federal budget outlook and the effects of these amendments on recent budgetary trends using the CBO and JCT cost estimates for the legislation, the CBO budget forecast released in August 2015, and OMB historical data.
- Guatemala: One President Resigns; Another Elected, to Be Inaugurated January 14
- This report discusses the transfer of power to the newly-elected president of Guatemala and its context, following the resignation of the former president and vice-president, their arrest for government corruption, and the succeeding interim government.
- Taiwan's January 2016 Elections: A Preview
- This report briefly provides context for the January 16, 2016 presidential and legislative elections in Taiwan. The elections may determine whether an eight-year period of relative calm in relations between Taiwan (whose formal name is the Republic of China or ROC) and the People's Republic of China (PRC) continues, or comes to an end.
- U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation After "El Chapo" Guzmán's January 2016 Recapture
- This report discusses relations between the U.S. and Mexico following the escape and recapture of JoaquÃn "El Chapo" Guzmán from a maximum security federal prison near Mexico City in July 2015. One key concern for U.S. policymakers is whether the Mexican government will be able to hold Guzmán securely in the same prison from which he escaped and then extradite him swiftly to the United States--a source of tension in U.S.-Mexican relations. Another is whether Guzmán's recapture, which was supported by U.S. intelligence, will lead to closer security cooperation moving forward.
- The Fight Against Al Shabaab in Somalia in 2016
- This report discusses current efforts to counter Al Shabaab, a Somalia-based Al Qaeda affiliate.
- Iran-U.S. Air Service Not Imminent
- This report discusses the prospect of air travel between Iran and the U.S., which last operated during 1979, when the U.S. government imposed an embargo on flights following the Iran hostage crisis. Since then, travel and air cargo shipments between the two countries have been routed through third countries, and their extent has been limited by U.S. sanctions.
- Conflict and History at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
- This report briefly discusses the conflict at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) in January of 2016.
- Military Maternity and Parental Leave Policies
- This report briefly discusses the U.S. Department of Defense's (DOD) new policies for maternity and parental leave as part of the department's "Force of the Future" initiative.
- Agency Final Rules Submitted After May 16, 2016, May Be Subject to Disapproval in 2017 Under the Congressional Review Act
- This report briefly discusses The Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. §§801-808), enacted as part of the 104th Congress's (1995-1996) "Contract with America," which established a special parliamentary mechanism whereby Congress can disapprove a final rule promulgated by a federal agency. With a change in the occupancy of the White House taking place in 2017, some in Congress are paying renewed attention to a parliamentary mechanism that might enable a new Congress and new President to overturn agency final rules of the Obama Administration issued after mid-May 2016.
- Is Broadband Deployment Reasonable and Timely?
- This report briefly discusses the state of broadband Internet in America as determined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in its latest Broadband Progress Report.
- Zika Virus: Global Health Considerations
- This report gives a brief overview of the Zika virus, which typically causes mild symptoms, including fever, rash, and conjunctivitis. Health experts are uncertain whether Zika causes microcephaly, a potentially-severe birth defect involving brain damage.
- Aung San Suu Kyi's Party Takes Control of Parliament in Burma
- This report discusses politics and government in Burma following elections in November 2015. Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) has now assumed control of Burma's Union Parliament. The lower chamber (People's Assembly) and the upper chamber (National Assembly) took office on February 1 and 3, 2016, respectively.
- Renewed Crypto Wars?
- This report briefly examines renewed tensions between tech companies and the government regarding encryption "back doors" and how quickly-advancing technologies could impact law enforcement investigations.
- Zika Virus: Global Health Considerations
- This report gives a brief overview of the Zika Vvrus, which typically causes mild symptoms, including fever, rash, and conjunctivitis. Health experts are uncertain whether Zika causes microcephaly, a potentially-severe birth defect involving brain damage.
- China's Recent Stock Market Volatility: What Are the Implications?
- This report briefly discusses the consequences of rapid price increases from about mid-2014 to mid-2015 in China's two main stock markets, the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE).
- The Shutdown of the Joint North/South Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex
- This report briefly discusses the South Korean government's decision to shut down the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), which is an 11-year-old industrial park located in North Korea just across the demilitarized zone where more than 120 South Korean manufacturers employed over 50,000 North Korean workers.
- Appointment of African American U.S. Circuit and District Court Judges: Historical Overview and Current Data
- This report briefly provides historical and statistical information related to the appointment of African Americans as U.S. circuit and district court judges. Such information addresses ongoing congressional interest in the demographic characteristics of lower federal court judges.
- FY2016 Changes to DOD's 1033 Program
- This report briefly discusses the current status of the Department of Defense's (DOD's) 1033 Program, under which excess DOD property -- such as personal computers, vehicles, and firearms -- are made available to qualified federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
- Lead in Flint, Michigan's Drinking Water: Federal Regulatory Role
- This report discusses the federal regulatory role in regards to drinking water, more specifically in the context of the Flint water crisis. Lead exposure is a major public health concern, particularly because low-level exposures can impair the neurodevelopment of children. The main source of lead in drinking water is the corrosion of plumbing materials in the distribution system.
- Additional U.S. Ground Troops to Counter the Islamic State? Five Questions
- This report briefly discusses various arguments regarding the introduction of additional ground forces to secure territory once it has been taken back from the Islamic State.
- The United Kingdom and the European Union: Stay or Go?
- This report briefly discusses the vote on whether or not the UK should exit the EU, which is set to take place on June 23, 2016.
- Lead in Flint, Michigan's Drinking Water: Federal Regulatory Role
- This report discusses the federal regulatory role in regards to drinking water, more specifically in the context of the Flint water crisis. EPA's current Flint responses include providing technical assistance for water testing and treatment, conducting water monitoring, and identifying lead service line locations.
- Heroin Production in Mexico and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses Mexico's role as an illicit drug suppler to the U.S, specifically focusing on Heroin production and trafficking.
- Nominations to the Supreme Court During Presidential Election Years (1900-Present)
- This report provides data and analysis related to nominations made to the Supreme Court during presidential election years from 1900 to the present.
- The Proposed U.S. Foreign Assistance Initiative "Peace Colombia"
- This report briefly discusses Plan Colombia, a bilateral cooperation program aimed at improving Colombia's security and strengthening its democratic development.
- Implications of Iranian Elections
- This report briefly describes the Iranian election process and the implications of this Election's results. On February 26, 2016, Iran held elections for the 290-seat Majles (parliament) and for the 88-seat body called the "Assembly of Experts," which is empowered to choose a successor to the Supreme Leader and rewrite Iran's constitution.
- Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's State Visit, March 2016
- This report briefly discusses Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's scheduled visit to the United States on March,10 2016. It will be the first state visit by a Canadian leader since 1997, when then-President Clinton hosted then-Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
- The Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Leak: State and Federal Response and Oversight
- This report briefly discusses the large, uncontrollable natural gas leak in the Aliso Canyon Underground Storage Facility near the Porter Ranch community in Los Angeles County, California, which occurred between October 23, 2015, and February 11, 2016.
- The March 2016 Nuclear Security Summit
- This report discusses the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS), a biennial summit which aims to focus global attention at the highest level of government on the threat of nuclear terrorism.
- Nominations to the Supreme Court During Presidential Election Years (1900-Present)
- This report provides data and analysis related to nominations made to the Supreme Court during presidential election years from 1900 to the present.
- Nominations to the Supreme Court During Years of Divided and Unified Party Government
- This report provides data and analysis related to nominations made to the Supreme Court during years of unified and divided party government.
- Burma's Union Parliament Selects New President
- This report discusses implications of the Union Parliament's selection of Htin Kyaw, childhood friend and close advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi, to serve as the nation's first President since 1962 who has not served in the military.
- President Obama's Historic Visit to Cuba
- This report briefly discusses the details of President Obama's visit to Cuba. Before the trip, the White House set forth the goals of the visit, stating that the President would build on progress toward normalizing relations, including advancing commercial and people-to-people ties and expressing support for human rights.
- Additional U.S. Ground Troops to Counter the Islamic State? Five Questions
- This report addresses common questions regarding Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR)--the military campaign to counter the Islamic State (IS)--which has three primary components: coordinated air strikes, training and equipping local security forces, and targeted special operations based out of northern Iraq.
- European Security and Islamist Terrorism
- This report discusses challenges the European Union faces in light of the continuing threat of Terrorism at the hands of the Islamic State and the implications for U.S. policy.
- Congressional Efforts to Amend Title I of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
- This report examines selected differences between the House and the Senate legislation that would amend Title I of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA; 15 U.S.C. 2601-2629). Title I of TSCA is the principal federal statute that applies to the regulation of the lifecycle of commercial chemicals from their manufacture (defined to include importation) to disposal if elements of the lifecycle are found to present unreasonable risks.
- Discharging a Senate Committee from Consideration of a Nomination
- Some press reports have suggested that the full Senate could vote in relation to the nomination of Merrick B. Garland to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, even if the Senate Judiciary Committee does not act on the nomination. This report addresses questions concerning the exact nature of such a vote; it also explains the procedural steps that could be necessary to bring the nomination to a direct vote on the floor.
- Supreme Court Vacancies That Arose During One Presidency and Were Filled During a Different Presidency
- This report provides data and analysis related to Supreme Court vacancies since 1797 that arose during one presidency and were filled during a different presidency.
- Brazil in Crisis
- Brazil is in the midst of deepening economic and political crises that are closely intertwined and unlikely to be resolved quickly. This report briefly examines the political situation and discusses public opinion regarding the Rousseff Administration.
- U.S. Crude Oil Exports to International Destinations
- This report discusses the export of crude oil produced in the United States and policy considerations in the wake of a provision contained in P.L. 114-113 which repealed a 40-year prohibition on the export.
- Counting Casualties in Syria and Iraq: Process and Challenges
- This report discusses the difficulties of collecting war-related casualty data in Iraq and Syria and provides an overview of some of the current estimated figures available through selected organizations.
- U.S. Postal Service Rolls Back Its Prices
- This report discusses the USPS drop in the price of First-Class "Forever" (or equivalent domestic letter) postage.