Congressional Research Service Reports - 814 Matching Results

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Post Office and Retail Postal Facility Closures: Overview and Issues for Congress

Description: The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced in May 2009 that it was considering the closure of 3,105 of its 4,851 post office branches and stations. Since the original announcement, the USPS has indicated that the number of possible closures may be more than 3,200. This report provides (1) information on this recent announcement; (2) historical data on the number of post offices and other retail postal facilities; (3) an explanation of the legal authorities relevant to retail postal facil… more
Date: July 23, 2009
Creator: Kosar, Kevin R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response: The SAFER Grant Program

Description: The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Act (the "SAFER Act") was enacted by the 108th Congress as part of the FY2004 National Defense Authorization Act. This report describes the SAFER Act in brief and discusses possible budgetary modifications to the SAFER Act that are being considered due to the recent economic downturn.
Date: June 23, 2009
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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China-U.S. Trade Issues

Description: U.S.-China economic ties have expanded substantially over the past three decades. With a huge population and a rapidly expanding economy, China is a potentially huge market for U.S. exporters. However, bilateral economic relations have become strained over a number of issues, which this report discusses at length. The current global economic crisis could further challenge China-U.S. economic ties. Several Members of Congress have urged the Obama Administration to take a more assertive approach … more
Date: June 23, 2009
Creator: Morrison, Wayne M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Oil Spills in U.S. Coastal Waters: Background, Governance, and Issues for Congress

Description: This report reviews the history and trends of oil spills in the United States; identifies the legal authorities governing oil spill prevention, response, and cleanup; and examines the threats of future oil spills in U.S. coastal waters.
Date: April 23, 2009
Creator: Ramseur, Jonathan L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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United States Fire Administration: An Overview

Description: The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) - which includes the National Fire Academy (NFA) - is currently an entity within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The objective of the USFA is to significantly reduce the nation's loss of life from fire, while also achieving a reduction in property loss and non-fatal injury due to fire. In the 111th Congress, debate over the USFA budget focuses on whether the USFA is receiving sufficient funding to a… more
Date: June 23, 2009
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Description: Asian Pacific Americans have served in both houses of Congress representing California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Oregon, Virginia, American Samoa, and Guam. They have served in leadership positions, including committee and subcommittee chairmanships. This report presents information on Senators, Representatives, and Delegates, including party affiliations, length and dates of service, and committee assignments.
Date: June 23, 2008
Creator: Tong, Lorraine H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The 2009 Influenza Pandemic: U.S. Responses to Global Human Cases

Description: This report discusses the April 2009 outbreak of the influenza strain known as H1N1, or commonly, swine influenza. This report describes the distribution of the virus and the statistics of affected areas, as well as international and U.S. efforts to treat infected persons, respond to outbreaks in various countries (such as Mexico and other Latin American nations), and prepare for a possible influenza pandemic.
Date: June 23, 2009
Creator: Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Foreign Science and Engineering Presence in U.S. Institutions and the Labor Force

Description: The increased presence of foreign students in graduate science and engineering programs and in the scientific workforce has been and continues to be of concern to some in the scientific community. Enrollment of U.S. citizens in graduate science and engineering programs has not kept pace with that of foreign students in those programs. Many in the scientific community maintain that in order to compete with countries that are rapidly expanding their scientific and technological capabilities, the … more
Date: July 23, 2008
Creator: Matthews, Christine M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Services Block Grant: (Title XX of the Social Security Act)

Description: The FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 110-161) maintains SSBG funding at $1.7 billion and maintains states' authority to transfer up to 10% of their Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants to the SSBG. The $1.7 billion in regular funds mirrors funding included in both the FY2007 and FY2006 laws, but exceeds the $1.2 billion that the President proposed for FY2008, and most recently, for FY2009. The FY2009 budget also includes a proposal to eliminate the SSBG in FY2… more
Date: June 23, 2008
Creator: Gish, Melinda
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Veterans Benefits: Merchant Seamen

Description: This report will provide a brief overview of seamen of the U.S. merchant marine and World War II, post-war efforts for benefits for merchant seamen, the efforts by merchant seamen for recognition and legislation introduced int he 110th Congress.
Date: December 23, 2008
Creator: Scott, Christine & Weimer, Douglas Reid
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Biotechnology in Animal Agriculture: Status and Current Issues

Description: This report describes several scientifically-emerging animal biotechnologies that are raising a variety of questions concerning risks to humans, animals, and the environment, as well as ethical concerns. The report examines applications of the technologies and discusses major issues that may arise.
Date: September 23, 2008
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S. & Cowan, Tadlock
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Forestry in the 2008 Farm Bill

Description: This report discusses the forestry title and provisions introduced by the 2008 farm bill (P.L. 110-246, Food, Conservation, and Energy Act). It includes an overview of the 2008 forestry title (Title VIII) introduced by the farm bill, forestry provisions in other titles, and possible issues for a future farm bill related to forestry.
Date: June 23, 2008
Creator: Gorte, Ross W.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Possible Expiration (or Extension) of the 2002 Farm Bill

Description: This report discusses the 2002 farm bill (P.L. 107-171) that authorized an array of agricultural, rural, and nutrition programs. Many provisions of the 2002 farm bill were scheduled to expire in 2007. If a new farm bill or year-long extension were not enacted before the 2008 harvest, permanent law would have taken effect.
Date: July 23, 2008
Creator: Monke, Jim; Cowan, Tadlock; Hanrahan, Charles E. & Richardson, Joe
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Possible Federal Revenue from Oil Development of ANWR and Nearby Areas

Description: This report estimates the potential revenues to the United States Treasury from Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) oil development should Congress approve such development. It has been prepared according to key oil price assumptions. More specifically, estimates of potential federal revenues are based on market oil prices — the price at which the ANWR output would be sold — of $60, $80, $90, $100, and $125 per barrel.
Date: June 23, 2008
Creator: Lazzari, Salvatore
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Environmental Services Markets: Farm Bill Proposals

Description: This report discusses environmental services markets in relation to the farm bill (P.L. 110-234, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008), which covers a range of farm and forestry sector services associated with improved water and air quality, increased carbon storage, and habitat protection. It gives an overview of environmental services markets as well as benefits and barriers, how they are affected by Congressional action, and possible considerations.
Date: January 23, 2008
Creator: Johnson, Renée
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Possible Expiration (or Extension) of the 2002 Farm Bill

Description: This report provides background information regarding the 2002 farm bill (P.L. 107-171), and discusses discretionary programs in the farm bill that include some conservation programs, federal farm loan programs, rural development programs, agricultural research, some foreign food aid, and other programs.
Date: July 23, 2008
Creator: Monke, Jim; Cowan, Tadlock; Hanrahan, Charles E. & Richardson, Joe
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

What Is the “Farm Bill”?

Description: This report describes the Farm Bill (P.L. 110-246, Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, which was enacted into law on June 18, 2008.
Date: September 23, 2008
Creator: Johnson, Renée
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Department of Defense Fuel Costs in Iraq

Description: This report discusses the Department of Defense (DOD) fuel costs in Iraq. It analyzes the disparity between the higher price of fuel supplied to the United States Central Command compared to Iraq's civilian population that has been a point of contention.
Date: July 23, 2008
Creator: Andrews, Anthony & Schwartz, Moshe
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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9/11 Commission Recommendations: Intelligence Budget

Description: This report describes recommendations of the 9/11 Commission as pertains to the intelligence budget.
Date: October 23, 2004
Creator: Nicola, Thomas J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Dietary Supplements: Ephedra

Description: This report will attempt to clarify the current regulatory status of dietary supplement products containing ephedra.
Date: January 23, 2007
Creator: Porter, Donna V.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Middle East Peace Talks

Description: This report includes information regarding Middle East peace talks. The role of the United States, the Israel-Jordan peace treaty, and congressional aid are among topics discussed in this report.
Date: December 23, 2004
Creator: Migdalovitz, Carol
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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