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Stem Cell Research
Embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into virtually any cell in the body, and they may have the potential to treat medical conditions such as diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. In August 2001, President Bush announced that for the first time federal funds would be used to support research on human embryonic stem cells, but funding would be limited to “existing stem cell lines.” The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry, which lists 78 stem cell lines that are eligible for use in federally funded research. However, only 22 embryonic stem cell lines are currently available. Scientists are concerned about the quality, and longevity of these stem cell lines.
USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization in Brief
No Description Available.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coverage of Contagious Diseases
The report is about The Americans with disabilities act (ADA) and the Coverage of contagious disease
LIHEAP and Residential Energy Costs
No Description Available.
Material Support of Terrorists and Foreign Terrorist Organizations: Sunset Amendments
No Description Available.
Social Security: The Trust Fund
The Social Security program is financed primarily through taxes, which are deposited in the U.S. Treasury and credited to the Social Security trust fund. Any revenues credited to the trust fund in excess of the costs (benefit payments and administrative costs) are invested in special U.S. obligations (debt instruments of the U.S. government).
A Sunset Commission for the Federal Government: Recent Developments
The sunset concept provides for programs and agencies to terminate automatically on a periodic basis unless explicitly renewed by law. In recent years bills to create a federal sunset commission, modeled on the sunset review process in Texas, have been introduced. President Bush called for creation of a federal sunset commission in his FY2006 budget submission. Bills reflecting an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) draft proposal have been introduced (S. 1399, H.R. 3276, H.R. 3277). This report will be updated as events warrant.
USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Proposals and Related Matters in Brief
No Description Available.
S. 219: The National Employee Savings and Trust Equity Guarantee Act
On July 26, 2005, the Senate Finance Committee approved S. 219, the “National Employee Savings and Trust Equity Guarantee (NESTEG) Act of 2005,” a bill to reform federal pension laws. This report summarizes the major provisions of the bill, as approved by the Committee.
The Capitol Visitor Center: An Overview
This report presents the cost of the center, the most extensive addition to the Capitol since the Civil War, and the largest in the structure’s more than 200-year history, is now estimated to be at least $555 million. The project is being financed with appropriated funds, and a total of $65 million from private donations and revenue generated by the sale of commemorative coins.
Digital Television: An Overview
This report provides an overview about Digital Television.Digital Television is a new telivision service representing the most significant development in telivision technology since the advent of color telivision.
The Digital TV Transition: A Brief Overview
Congressional policymakers are seeking a way to accelerate the nation’s transition to digital television and to expedite the transfer of radio frequency channels from the broadcast industry to public safety and commercial users no later than 2009. Broadcasters are holding spectrum in the 700MHz band (channels 52-69) that they would be required to relinquish after the transition to digital television (DTV) is achieved. Without a hard deadline, the transition to digital television has been postponed. Meanwhile, public safety officials want 700 MHz spectrum that has been assigned to them, but not delivered, in order to build new interoperable networks, while the commercial wireless industry would like access to the spectrum for new services.
Iraq: Recent Developments in Reconstruction Assistance
Large-scale reconstruction assistance programs are being undertaken by the United States following the war with Iraq. To fund such programs, in April 2003, Congress approved a $2.48 billion Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF) in the FY2003 Supplemental Appropriation. In November 2003, the FY2004 Supplemental Appropriation provided an additional $18.4 billion for the IRRF. The FY2005 Emergency Supplemental signed into law in May 2005 provides $5.7 billion in a new Iraqi Security Forces Fund for the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces.
Loss-of-Use Damages From U.S. Nuclear Testing in the Marshall Islands: Technical Analysis of the Nuclear Claims Tribunal’s Methodology and Alternative Estimates
No Description Available.
Military Service Records and Unit Histories: A Guide to Locating Sources
This report is a guide to locating individual service records and military unit histories from the American Revolution to the present. This guide provides referral information for locating individual service records of discharged and deceased veterans. It includes information regarding locating and obtaining active service records. Also included are relevant addresses and websites of government agencies, historical associations, and a select bibliography. This report will be updated as needed.
Spectrum Use and the Transisition to Digital TV
No Description Available.
Surface Transportation: SAFETEA-LU
On August 10, 2005, President Bush signed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU or SAFETEA). This act reauthorizes federal surface transportation programs through the end of FY2009. The reauthorization was long overdue, given that the previous long term authorization, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) expired on September 30, 2003. Surface transportation programs continued to operate during this period, however, as a result of 11 extension acts.
Telecommunications Act: Competition, Innovation, and Reform
No Description Available.
Wireless Technology and Spectrum Demand: Advanced Wireless Services
No Description Available.
Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress
This report gives an overview of Cuba's issues for the 109th Congress. The contents include the most recent developments, political and economic conditions, U.S. policy towards Cuba, issues in the U.S.- Cuban relations, legislations approved in the 108th congress, and legislative initiatives in the 109th Congress.
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP): Might Growth Models Be Allowed Under the No Child Left Behind Act?
This report analyses the adequate yearly progress model under the No Child Left Behind Act in terms of the range of possible models that could be used to find that information, what current model being used as implemented by the Department of Education, educational growth models and alternatives, if such models are in line with the original intent of the No Child Left Behind Act, and more.
Military Quality of Life/VA (House) and Military Construction/VA (Senate): FY2006 Appropriations
The annual consideration of appropriations bills (regular, continuing, and supplemental) by Congress is part of a complex set of budget processes that also encompasses the consideration of budget resolutions, revenue and debt-limit legislation, other spending measures, and reconciliation bills. In addition, the operation of programs and the spending of appropriated funds are subject to constraints established in authorizing statutes. Congressional action on the budget for a fiscal year usually begins following the submission of the President’s budget at the beginning of each annual session of Congress. Congressional practices governing the consideration of appropriations and other budgetary measures are rooted in the Constitution, the standing rules of the House and Senate, and statutes, such as the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
Social Security Disability Insurance: The FiveMonth Waiting Period for SSDI Benefits
No Description Available.
Environmental Protection Agency: FY2006 Appropriations and Highlights
Title II of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY2006 (P.L. 109-54, H.R. 2361) provides $7.73 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), subject to an across-the-board rescission of 0.476%. Section 439 of Title IV indicates that the rescission is to be applied proportionately among each account, program, project, and activity specified in the law, accompanying reports, and the President’s budget request. The total FY2006 EPA appropriation includes an additional $80 million in unobligated funds “rescinded” from past appropriations, as noted in the following table. P.L. 109-54 provides more funding for EPA than the Administration’s FY2006 request of $7.52 billion, but less than the FY2005 appropriation of $8.03 billion.
Intellectual Property and Collaborative Research
This report reviews intellectual property laws and policies governing collaborative research. The report next surveys issues concerning the patent law standards for joint inventorship and joint ownership, and provides some concluding observations.
Intelligence Reform Implementation at the Federal Bureau of Investigation: Issues and Options for Congress
This report discusses arguments surrounding the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) intelligence and national security reforms following the September 11th Terrorist Attacks and provides options for Congress to address the FBI's reforms.
Internet—Protecting Children from Unsuitable Material and Sexual Predators: Historical Information Through the 106th Congress
No Description Available.
Legislative Approaches to Chemical Facility Security
This report discusses current chemical facility security efforts, issues in defining chemical facilities, policy challenges in developing chemical facility security legislation, and the various policy approaches.
Material Support of Terrorists and Foreign Terrorist Organizations: Expiring Amendments in Brief
No Description Available.
U.S. International Trade: Data and Forecasts
No Description Available.
Unocal: Legal Implications of Acquisition Bids by Chevron Corp. and China National Offshore Oil Corporation
No Description Available.
Argentina: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations
This report summarizes the economic and political crisis in Argentina and the policies implemented by President Nestor Kirchner, Argentina's President, winner of the 2003 election.
Capital Punishment: Selected Opinions of Justice O’Connor
This report consists of capital punishment with selected opinions of justice O'Connor.
Dispute Settlement in the World Trade Organization: An Overview
No Description Available.
Federal Financial Services Regulatory Consolidation: An Overview
This report provides an overview on Federal Financial Services Regulatory Consolidation.This provides an overview of the U.S federal financial services regulatory structure.
The First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the House Floor
The House of Representatives follows a well established routine on the opening day of a new Congress. The proceedings include election of the Speaker, swearing in its members, election of administrative officers, and adoption of rules of procedure. Also, resolutions assigning its members to committees may be adopted. The House must take these actions at the beginning of each new Congress because it is not a continuing body. Article 1, Section 2 of Constitution sets terms for Members of the House at two years. Thus, the House ends at the conclusion of each two-year Congress and must reconstitute itself at the beginning of a new Congress. This report focuses on the floor activities of the House during its first formal session in a new Congress, and serves as a guide for participating in or watching those proceedings.
The Higher Education Act: Reauthorization Status and Issues
This report provides an overview of post secondary education.
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies: FY2006 Appropriations
The annual consideration of appropriations bills (regular, continuing, and supplemental) by Congress is part of a complex set of budget processes that also encompasses the consideration of budget resolutions, revenue and debt-limit legislation, other spending measures, and reconciliation bills. This report is a guide to one of the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies. It summarizes the status of the Interior and Related Agencies appropriations bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant.
The Middle East Television Network: An Overview
No Description Available.
MTBE in Gasoline: Clean Air and Drinking Water Issues
No Description Available.
Al Qaeda: Profile and Threat Assessment
No Description Available.
Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues
This report includes information regarding U.S. relations and bilateral issues within Syria. External relations, Syria's role in Lebanon, and U.S. aid are among topics discussed in this report.
Airborne Laser (ABL): Issues for Congress
This report examines the airborne laser (ABL) program and budget status. It also examines a variety of related issues, including the questionable maturity of ABL technologies, the number of ABL platforms the United States should acquire, and to what degree the United STates should invest in alternative technologies in the event that the ABL may not prove successful. This report does not provide a detailed technical assessment of the ABL program (see CRS Report RL30185, The Airborne Laser Anti-Missile Program).
The Americans with Disabilities Act: The Opinions of Justice O’Connor
This report is on The Americans with Disabilities Act: The Opinions of Justice O’Connor.
Broadband over Powerlines: Regulatory and Policy Issues
This report consists of broadband over powerlines in regulatory and policy issues.
“Corps of Engineers Reform” in WRDA 2005
No Description Available.
Electric Utility Provisions in House-Passed H.R. 6, 109th Congress
This report describes Title XII of the House-passed H.R. 6 in the 109th Congress and other sections that deal with electric power issues. In part, Title XII would create an electric reliability organization (ERO) that would enforce mandatory reliability standards for the bulk-power system. All ERO standards would be approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Under this title, the ERO could impose penalties on a user, owner, or operator of the bulk-power system that violates any FERC-approved reliability standard.
Electric Utility Regulatory Reform: Issues for the 109th Congress
No Description Available.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Legislation in the 109th Congress
This report reviews the status of energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation introduced during the 109th Congress. Action in the second session has focused on appropriations bills; the first session focused on omnibus energy policy bill H.R. 6 and several appropriations bills. this report describes several major pieces of legislation, including the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Transportation Equity Act. For each bill listed in this report, a brief description and a summary of action are given, including references to committee hearings and reports. Also, a selected list of hearings on renewable energy is included.
The First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the Senate Floor
The Senate follows a well-established routine on the opening day of a new Congress. The proceedings include swearing in new members, administrative business, and election of the President pro tempore, the constitutionally mandated officer elected to preside over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President. Other first day activities are dependent on specific circumstances and do not occur on the first day of every new Congress. Once these proceedings are completed, the Senate may then turn to routine business. The Senate committee assignment process begins prior to the convening of a new Congress.
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