Congressional Research Service Reports - 16 Matching Results

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Additional Standard Tax Deduction for the Elderly: A Description and Assessment

Description: This report briefly summarizes the history, reasoning, and current tax deductions (as of May 7th 2008) for the elderly. The report suggests that the current tax deduction for both the elderly and the blind will result in the loss of 9 billion in tax revenue. Moreover, the report suggests that corrections could be made with alternative solutions.
Date: May 7, 2008
Creator: Jackson, Pamela J. & Teefy, Jennifer
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Inflation: Causes, Costs, and Current Status

Description: This report discusses inflation including its causes and effect on the economy. In particular, it brings together broad knowledge from economists to discuss the real costs of inflation on the economy.
Date: May 6, 2008
Creator: Labonte, Marc & Makinen, Gail E.
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Current Economic Conditions and Selected Forecasts

Description: This report contains information regarding the Current Economic Conditions, Recent Macroeconomic Developments, Posture of Monetary and Fiscal Policy, Summary of Current Developments, Sources of GDP Growth, Economic Forecasts 2001, and Promotion of Economic Growth.
Date: May 20, 2008
Creator: Makinen, Gail E.
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Inflation: Core vs. Headline

Description: Inflation measures the rate of change in all prices. Maintaining low and stable inflation is one of the primary goals of macroeconomic policy. But how should inflation be measured? Policymakers, particularly at the Federal Reserve, often refer to core inflation in their policy decisions. Core inflation is commonly defined as a measure of inflation that omits changes in food and energy prices. However, several studies have failed to find core inflation to be a good forecaster of future inflatio… more
Date: May 1, 2008
Creator: Labonte, Marc
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Debt Limit: History and Recent Increases

Description: This report discusses how the total debt of the federal government can increase, a historical overview of debt limits, and how the current economic slowdown has led to higher deficits and thereby a series of debt limit increases, as well as legislation related to these increases.
Date: May 30, 2008
Creator: Austin, D. Andrew
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Broadband Internet Regulation and Access: Background and Issues

Description: This is one part in the series of reports that provide a background and analysis, and most recent developments regarding broadband or high-speed Internet access. The report starts out by answering questions; what is broadband and why is it important? This report also discusses broadband technologies, the status of broadband deployment and the related policy issues, as well as the legislation in congress.
Date: May 27, 2008
Creator: Gilroy, Angele A. & Kruger, Lennard G.
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Economic Slowdown: Issues and Policies

Description: This report first discusses the current state of the economy, including measures that have already been taken by the monetary authorities, and assesses the need for and potential consequences of fiscal stimulus. The second part of the report reviews the proposals discussed during debate on the recently enacted fiscal stimulus, both those adopted and those considered but not adopted. The various stimulus packages differed somewhat, and the report briefly describes those differences. This section… more
Date: May 2, 2008
Creator: Gravelle, Jane G.; Hungerford, Thomas L.; Labonte, Marc; Weiss, N. Eric & Whittaker, Julie M.
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Pattern of Interest Rates: Does it Signal an Impending Recession?

Description: The cyclical behavior of the economy is of great interest to Congress, yet the onset of an economic downturn is seldom recognized promptly. Policymakers frequently search for reliable recession predictors. The behavior of interest rates may provide advanced warning of an impending downturn. The easing of monetary policy in evidence since September 2007 is consistent with efforts to forestall or minimize an economic downturn. Economic growth has been low since the last quarter of 2007, and some … more
Date: May 5, 2008
Creator: Labonte, Marc & Makinen, Gail
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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China's Economic Conditions

Description: This report provides background on China's economic rise and current economic structure and the challenges China faces to keep its economy growing strong, and describes Chinese economic policies that are of concern to U.S. policymakers.
Date: May 13, 2008
Creator: Morrison, Wayne M.
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Outsourcing and Insourcing Jobs in the U.S. Economy: An Overview of Evidence Based on Foreign Investment Data

Description: Foreign direct investment is sparking a national debate. Local communities compete for investment projects, while many of the residents of those communities fear losing their jobs to foreign outsourcing. Some opponents argue that such job losses have disproportionately negative impact on local communities. Economists generally argue that free and unimpeded international capital flows have a positive impact on both domestic and foreign economies. This report provides an overview of CRS Report RL… more
Date: May 13, 2008
Creator: Jackson, James K.
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Lobbying Regulations on Non-Profit Organizations

Description: This report is intended to provide a brief overview of the various potential restrictions or regulations on lobbying activities of non-profit organizations. Public charities, social welfare organizations, religious groups, and other non-profit, tax-exempt organizations are not generally prohibited from engaging in all lobbying or public policy advocacy merely because of their tax-exempt status.
Date: May 7, 2008
Creator: Maskell, Jack H.
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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"Price Gouging," the Antitrust Laws, and Vertical Integration in the Petroleum Industry: How They Are Related

Description: This report, which may be updated to further reflect congressional action, attempts to provide the antitrust context for prohibited practices, such as "price gouging"; notes prior congressional action concerning vertical divestiture in the petroleum industry; and provides information on the state "divorcement" statutes.
Date: May 28, 2008
Creator: Rubin, Janice E.
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Outsourcing and Insourcing Jobs in the U.S. Economy: Evidence Based on Foreign Investment Data

Description: This report addresses the debate of job creation in the U.S. versus job outsourcing and its effects on the economy by analyzing the extent of direct investment into and out of the economy, the role such investment plays in U.S. trade, jobs, and production, and the relationship between direct investment and the broader economic changes that are occurring in the U.S. economy.
Date: May 13, 2008
Creator: Jackson, James K.
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Ecuador: Political and Economic Situation and U.S. Relations

Description: Ecuador has experienced ten years of political and economic instability. On January 15, 2007, Rafael Correa, a left-leaning, U.S.-trained economics, was inaugurated to a four-year presidential term, becoming the country's eighth president in ten years. President Correa has fulfilled his campaign pledge to call a constituent assembly to reform the country's constitution. U.S. officials have expressed concerns about President Correa's ties with Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and his stated policies on … more
Date: May 21, 2008
Creator: Seelke, Clare Ribando
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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China's Currency: A Summary of the Economic Issues

Description: Many Members of Congress charge that China's policy of accumulating foreign reserves (especially U.S. dollars) to influence the value of its currency constitutes a form of currency manipulation intended to make its exports cheaper and imports into China more expensive than they would be under free market conditions. Although China made modest reforms to its currency policy in 2005, Members contend the forms have not gone far enough and have warned of potential legislative action. This report su… more
Date: May 8, 2008
Creator: Morrison, Wayne M. & Labonte, Marc
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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