Congressional Research Service Reports - 68 Matching Results
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- Monopoly and Monopolization - Fundamental But Separate Concepts in U.S. Antitrust Law
- This report illustrates the difference between the concepts of “monopoly” and “monopolization” by touching on the monopoly/monopolization thinking in the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), as illustrated in (1) statements on merger enforcement made by recent antitrust enforcement officials (generally indicative of the agencies’ concerns about competitive conditions and the effect of various market transactions), (2) the 1992 Horizontal Merger Guidelines 2 and (3) some observations on the Government actions against the Microsoft and Intel Corporations.
- The Commerce Clause as a Limit on Congressional Power to Protect the Environment
- Several times during the 1990s the Supreme Court struck down federal enactments as exceeding Congress' power under the Commerce Clause or Tenth Amendment. This report briefly reviews three of these decisions -- United States v. Lopez, New York v. United States, and Printz v. United States. Its focus, however, is how these cases have played out in subsequent lower-court challenges to federal environmental laws. The report shows that Supreme Court rulings in favor of these states notwithstanding, such laws have generally, though not always, been found within Commerce Clause and Tenth Amendment limits.
- Environmental, Health, and Safety Tradeoffs: A Discussion of Policymaking Opportunities and Constraints
- This report discusses the implications of cost-benefit analysis and risk assessment in the context of congressional and administrative decision-making structures. It identifies constraints on flexible decision-making and some implications of trying to overcome them.
- 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.
- Appropriations for FY2000: Treasury, Postal Service, Executive Office of the President, and General Government
- This report discusses Treasury, Postal Service, Executive Office of the President, and General Government Appropriations for FY2000.
- Appropriations for FY2000: Legislative Branch
- This report addresses Legislative Branch Appropriations for FY2000 passed on June 10, 1999.
- Taxpayer Bill of Rights 3: 1998 Tax Law Part 3: Attorneys' Fees and Damages for IRS Abuses
- This report discusses the provisions expanding a court's authority to award attorney's fees and costs in certain cases and permitting a taxpayer to collect damages for negligent collection actions by IRS agents.
- Appropriations for FY2000: U.S. Department of Agriculture and Related Agencies
- This report discusses the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriations for FY2000.
- Women’s Health: Provisions of Selected Legislation, 1983-1998
- This report summarizes the major women's health provisions of selected legislation enacted from 1983 through 1998 that relate to women's health.
- Judicial Rulings on the War Power
- This report reviews the history of judicial rulings on the war power, starting with what the framers intended for "defensive actions" by the President and moving forward to summarize the principal Supreme Court and lower court decisions.
- The Mining Law Millsite Debate
- No Description Available.
- House Rules Affecting Committees
- This report identifies and summarizes these and other rules and directives affecting committee powers, authority, activities, and operations.
- Managed Care: Recent Proposals for New Grievance and Appeals Procedures
- This report discusses recent proposals for new grievance and appeals procedures in managed care plans. This report considers specifically the work of the President's Advisory Committee on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry, legislative proposals, and proposed regulations of the Department of Labor.
- Campaign Financing: Highlights and Chronology of Current Federal Law
- Current law governing financial activity of campaigns for federal office is based on two principal statutes: the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1971, as amended in 1974, 1976, and 1979, and the Revenue Act of 1971. These laws were enacted to remedy widely perceived shortcomings of existing law, the Corrupt Practices Act of 1925, and in response to reports of campaign finance abuses over the years, culminating in the 1972-1974 Watergate scandal. This report provides a summary of major provisions of federal law and a chronology of key legislative and judicial actions.
- The International Criminal Court Treaty: Description, Policy Issues, and Congressional Concerns
- This report discusses the events leading to the creation of a permanent international criminal tribunal and U.S. perspectives on the Court including: problematic provisions in the ICC Treaty, congressional considerations, and potential implications for U.S. foreign policy.
- The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA)
- The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) of 1930 was enacted in 1930 to promote fair trading practices in the fruit and vegetable industry. Sellers must ship the quantity and quality of produce specified in their contracts, and buyers must accept shipments that meet contract specifications. PACA protections benefit not only growers who are generally sellers , but also a range of parties who are both buyers and sellers, including truckers, packers, processors,
- Animal Agriculture: Issues for the 106th Congress
- This report discusses a variety of animal agriculture issues that generated debate during the 106th Congress, including low livestock prices, especially for hogs. Economic difficulties have revived questions such as the impacts of consolidation in the livestock industry, and the price effects of animal imports from Canada and Mexico. This report also discusses a number of legislative proposals to assist livestock producers and enforce sanitary and phytosanitary standards, as well as continuing trade disputes and negotiations with China, the European Union, New Zealand, and Australia.
- Clean Air Act Issues in the 105th Congress
- This Issue Brief discusses clean air issues that arose in the 105th Congress. CRS Issue Brief IB10004 addresses the 106th Congress.
- The Passenger Service Act, Domestic Ocean Passenger Services, and the 106th Congress
- The Passenger Service Act (PSA) requires that domestic ocean passenger transportation be provided only by ships that are U.S.-owned, U.S.-built and operated by U.S. crews. Proposed legislation to relax some PSA restrictions was introduced during the 105th Congress. Both the Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee and the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, have made recent public statements indicating their strong interets enacting changes to the passenger Service Act during the 106th Congress. This report will be updated as developments warrant.
- 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 FY2000: VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
- This report discusses Veterans Affairs(VA),Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and several Independent Agencies Appropriations for FY2000.
- Appropriations for FY2000: Defense
- This report lists the key CRS staff relevant to the issues covered and related CRS Products.
- Appropriations for FY2000: District of Columbia
- This report
- Appropriations for FY1999: Legislative Branch
- This report is a guide to appropriations of Legislative Branch.
- Appropriations for FY2000: Military Construction
- This paper reviews the appropriations and authorization process for military construction. This report is categorized into seven categories (l) Most recent developments, (ll) Background, (lll) Status, (lV) Key Policy Issues, (V) History and Context, (Vl) Major Funding Trends, (Vll) Legislation
- Disaster Mitigation Bills in the 106th Congress: H.R. 707, S. 1691 Compared
- The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act authorizes the President to declare that an emergency or major disaster exists that overwhelms state and local resources. Legislation before the 106th Congress (H.R. 707 and S. 1691) would, among other matters, amend the Act to: (1) fund hazard mitigation projects designed to reduce future disaster losses; (2) add conditions to assistance; and (3) consolidate provisions governing the distribution of aid to disaster victims. This report compares provisions of the two bills, and will be updated as legislative action occurs.
- Amtrak: Background and Selected Public Policy Issues
- This report discusses the financial troubles of Amtrak, its request for federal financial operating assistance, the Amtrack Reform and Accountability Act of 1997, Amtrak's Strategic Business Plan for FY1999-2002, Amtrak's operating losses, and other rail passenger services that might emerge in the absence of Amtrak, should the company fail.
- The Clean Water Action Plan: Background and Early Implementation
- October 1997, Vice President Gore directed federal agencies to develop a Clean Water Initiative to improve and strengthen water pollution control efforts. The multi-agency plan was released on Feb. 19, 1998, and identifies more than 100 key actions. Most are existing activities, now labeled as part of the Initiative. The President's FY1999 budget requested $2.2 billion for five departments and agencies ($568 million more than in FY1998) to fund implementation. By October 1998, Congress passed bills to fund the plan, but appropriations provided $1.8 billion, or less than 15%, of the requested increases. In the meantime, however, federal agencies are beginning or accelerating activities to carry out the actions under the Plan.
- Federal Indian Law: Sources of General Information
- This is a list with a short description of the main reference sources in Federal Indian law. This information is to provide aid to those who would like to further pursue research in Indian law. The government publications are available in U.S. Government Depository Libraries; the other publications should be available in a university law library.
- Mandates Information Act: Action in the 106th Congress
- No Description Available.
- Economic Sanctions to Achieve U.S. Foreign Policy Goals: Discussion and Guide to Current Law
- This report provides background on foreign policy sanctions. It addresses the following questions: Why do we apply sanctions? What objectives does the U.S. government seek to achieve when it imposes sanctions? Who imposes sanctions? What tools are available? How likely is it that sanctions will achieve the stated goal? What secondary consequences might sanctions have? What change is required for the sanctions to be lifted? Would multilateral sanctions be more desirable and achievable? The report also provides an uncomplicated map of where sanctions policies and options currently may be found in U.S. law.
- Environmental Risk and Cost-Benefit Analysis: A Review of Proposed Legislative Mandates, 1993-1998
- Between 1993 and 1998 Congress considered many proposals that aimed to increase or improve the use of risk analysis by federal agencies, especially in developing environmental rules. This report describes differences and similarities among selected provisions of key proposals: Senate-passed Johnston amendments to S. 171 and S. 2019 in the 103rd Congress; S. 343, as reported by the Committee on the Judiciary, in the 104th Congress; House-passed H.R. 9 in the 104th Congress; S. 981, as reported by the Committee on Governmental Affairs, in the 105th Congress, and S. 1728, as introduced, in the 105th Congress.
- Proposed Budget Process Reforms in the Senate: A Brief Analysis of Senate Resolutions 4, 5, 6, and 8
- No Description Available.
- Appropriations for FY2000: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
- This report is a guide to appropriations of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education for FY2000.
- Appropriations for FY2000: Energy and Water Development
- This report summarizes the current legislative status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related legislative activity.
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: House and Senate Amendments to Juvenile Justice Legislation
- This report discusses legislative issues regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which provides federal funds to the states to assist them in providing an education for children with disabilities.
- Capital Gains Taxes, Innovation and Growth
- This study addresses the role of capital gains tax reductions in stimulating new firm formation, innovation, and growth through venture capital investments and tax-favored stock options.
- Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220
- This report is concerned with the federal adult education and literacy programs authorized by the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA). The report covers funding and spending in the program and how it is budgeted. The report also discusses the consequences of the AEFLA repealing the Adult Education Act (AEA) but continuing some of the programs that were under it.
- H.R. 853, The Comprehensive Budget Process Reform Act: Summary of Provisions
- This report discusses the Comprehensive Budget Process Reform Act of 1999, was introduced by Representative Jim Nussle on February 25, 1999, and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
- Clean Air Act Permitting: Status of Implementation
- The 1990 Clean Air Act amendments established an operating permit system that is affecting many new and existing sources of air emissions, as well as state and local air pollution control agencies. After delays and early missteps, the operating permit program is moving ahead. All state and local programs have received interim or full approval, and permits are being issued, although at a slower rate than anticipated. However, a number of issues exist. These include the effect of key federal regulations, not yet promulgated, on permit programs and regulated sources; adequacy of state resources; gaining full approval for those permit programs that now have interim approval; and oversight.
- Ocean Dumping Act: A Summary of the Law
- The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act has two basic aims: to regulate international ocean disposal of materials, into authorized related research. Permit and enforcement provisions of the law are often referred to as the Ocean Dumping Act. The basic provisions of the act have remained virtually unchanged since 1972, when it was enacted to establish a comprehensive waste management system to regulate disposal or dumping of all materials into marine waters that are within U.S. jurisdiction, although a number of new authorities have been added. This report represents a summary of the law, describing the essence of the statute.
- Nationwide Permits for Wetlands Projects: Permit 26 and Other Issues and Controversies
- Nationwide permits of the U.S Army Corps of Engineers authorize certain types of projects in wetlands and other waters and are a key means of minimizing the regulatory burden on landowners This report discusses the nationwide permits reissued in 1996, focusing on one of the most controversial permits (number 26), and a July 1998 proposal to modify nationwide permit 26 further. The revised permits and a federal court decision that invalidated certain Corps' regulations could be impetus for congressional activity. This report will be updated as developments warrant. Also see CRS Issue Brief 97014, Wetland Issues in the 105th Congress.
- Global Climate Change Policy: Domestic Early Action Credits
- This report discusses the global climate change policy and proposals to allow credit for early actions to reduce emissions.
- Preemption Language in Federal Environmental Statutes
- This report compiles the provisions in federal environmental statutes that explicitly state whether Congress intended to preempt state law.
- Government Performance and Results Act: Implementation and Issues of Possible Concern, 106th Congress
- Most federal agencies have submitted their second performance plans (for FY2000) that were mandated by the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, P.L. 103-62. The GAO and congressional groups have assessed implementation activities
- 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.
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
- This report gives an overview of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, which was intended to prohibit bribery of foreign officials by American corporations. It includes information about the original legislation, amendments in 1988, and amendments in 1998 that brought the legislation into conformance with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's agreement on bribery.
- Nuclear Sanctions: Section 102(b) of the Arms Export Control Act and Its Application to India and Pakistan
- No Description Available.
- Drug Certification of Mexico in 1999: Arguments For and Against Congressional Resolutions of Disapproval
- This report presents arguments for and against congressional resolutions to disapprove President Clinton’s February 26, 1999 certification of Mexico as a fully cooperative country in efforts to control illicit narcotics.1 These resolutions (H.J.Res. 35--Bachus, and H.J.Res. 43--Mica and Gilman) would disapprove the President’s certification, but would permit him to avoid withholding of assistance to Mexico if he determined that vital national interests required such assistance.
- Appropriations for FY2000: Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs
- This report addresses Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations for FY2000.