Congressional Research Service Reports - 190 Matching Results
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- The Advanced Spectroscopic Portal Program: Background and Issues for Congress
- This report provides an overview of the Advanced Spectroscopic Portal (ASP) program's history and outlines issues for Congress as the program moves forward. The ASP is an improved type of radiation detection device, meant to serve as part of new and existing programs to protect against terrorist nuclear or radiological attack.
- Afghanistan: Government Formation and Performance
- This report discusses the current political state of Afghanistan, as well as the Afghan government. This report also discusses Afghanistan's relationship with the United States, particularly U.S. efforts to urge President Hamid Karzai to address corruption within the Afghan government.
- Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses the current political state of Afghanistan, focusing particularly on the influence of the Taliban and other militant groups and on the leadership of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. This report also discusses the U.S.-Afghanistan relationship and U.S. efforts under the Obama Administration to provide military, reconstructive, and stabilization aid.
- Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Set to Expire February 28, 2010
- The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) provides a statutory framework by which government agencies may, when gathering foreign intelligence investigation, obtain authorization to conduct electronic surveillance or physical searches, utilize pen registers and trap and trace devices, or access specified business records and other tangible things. This report discusses three sunsetting amendments of FISA which include the "Lone Wolf" provision, "roving" wiretaps, and access to business records.
- The America COMPETES Act and the FY2009 Budget
- This report consists of the America competes act and the FY2009 budget.
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA, P.L. 111-5): Title V, Medicaid Provisions
- In addition to reducing some taxes and funding infrastructure projects, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provisions were designed to provide: temporary support to families and individuals by increasing unemployment compensation benefits; financial assistance for individuals to maintain their health coverage under provisions in the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA); temporary increases in Medicaid matching rates; and increases in disproportionate share hospital allotments. This report is a summary of ARRA's Medicaid provisions.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act: Application to the Internet
- This report explains the American with Disabilities Act that provides nondiscrimination protection in employment, public services, public accomodations, and services operated by private entities, transportation, and telecommunications for individuals with disabilities.
- Analysis of Selected Legislative Proposals Addressing Guantanamo Detainees
- This report discusses the approaches that selected legislative proposals take regarding Guantanamo detainees.
- The Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory
- This report discusses the issues involved with determining whether the Arecib Ionospheric Observatory is more cost-effective than replacing it with newer, available technology. The Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory is a radio and radar telescope located in Barrio Esperanza, Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
- The Army's Future Combat System (FCS): Background and Issues for Congress
- This report describes the Future Combat System (FCS) program, which was to be the Army's major research, development, and acquisition program consisting of 14 manned and unmanned systems linked by an extensive communications and information network.
- Authority of State Legislatures to Accept Funds Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- This report analyzes the language contained in § 1607 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act),1 which provides that federal funds can be made available to a state by the federal government either after certification by a governor that such money will be requested and spent or after the adoption of a concurrent resolution by a state legislature. This report evaluates the authority of state legislatures to, by concurrent resolution, provide for the acceptance of federal funds.
- Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC): Transfer and Disposal of Military Property
- This report provides an overview of the various authorities available under the current law and describes the planning process for the redevelopment of base realignment and closure (BRAC) properties.
- Border Security: Barriers Along the U.S. International Border
- This report analyzes the barriers that are currently being constructed and maintained along the border by the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), including historical and future cost estimates and the policy issues involved. Because the current debate has largely focused on the deployment of fencing to the border, this report will focus on the policy issues surrounding the construction of border fencing.
- Brazil’s WTO Case Against the U.S. Cotton Program: A Brief Overview
- This report provides a brief overview of Brazil's case against the U.S. cotton program, the evolution and current status of the case, and the potential role for congress.
- Broadband Infrastructure Programs in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
- The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $7.2 billion primarily for broadband grant programs to be administered by two separate agencies: the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the Department of Commerce and the Rural Utilities Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This report is over the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the implementation of the Broadband programs, and issues related to the implementation.
- Broadband Infrastructure Programs in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
- This report provides information about the Broadband Infrastructure Programs in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Broadband funds are granted by the ARRA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
- Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide: Federal Assistance Programs
- This report provides an overview of the "digital divide", which is a term used to describe a perceived gap between those Americans who use or have access to telecommunications and information technologies and those who do not.
- Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service
- No Description Available.
- The Budget Resolution and Spending Legislation
- This report discusses the rules and practices that govern consideration of spending and other budgetary legislation under each congressional chamber's constitutional authority.
- The Buy American Act: Requiring Government Procurements to Come from Domestic Sources
- This report provides an overview of the Buy American Act, its exceptions, Amendments, and current legislation.
- Campaign Finance: Potential Legislative and Policy Issues for the 111th Congress
- This report discusses selected campaign finance policy issues that may receive attention during the 111th congress. Questions about the health of the presidential public financing system were especially prominent during the 2008 election cycle.
- Campaign Finance: Potential Legislative and Policy Issues for the 111th Congress
- This report provides an overview of selected campaign finance policy issues that have received legislative attention, or have otherwise been prominent, and which could receive attention during the 111th Congress.
- Carbon Tax and Greenhouse Gas Control: Options and Considerations for Congress
- This report begins with an overview of the fundamental choices involved between a cost (tax) and a quantity (cap) control instrument. This includes a discussion of policy tools that could be employed to bridge the gap between a carbon tax and a cap-and-trade program. Following this overview, the report analyzes the potential advantages and disadvantages of a carbon tax. In many cases, carbon tax attributes are compared with those of a cap-and-trade program. The next section discusses implementation issues for a carbon tax, including where to apply the tax, at what level to set the tax, and options for distributing the tax revenues. The final section provides conclusions.
- Cash Balance Pension Plans and Claims of Age Discrimination
- This report describes cash balance plans, discusses the claims that cash balance plans do and do not violate the pre-Act age discrimination provisions, and provides an overview of the pension protection act, as it applies to this issue.
- Child Nutrition and WIC Programs: A Brief Overview
- This report provides a brief overview on child nutrition and Women, Infants, and Children (the WIC program).
- China-U.S. Relations: Current Issues and Implications for U.S. Policy
- This report addresses relevant policy questions in current U.S-China relations, discusses trends and key legislation in the current congress, and provides a chronology of development and high-level exchanges.
- China-U.S. Trade Issues
- This report provides an overview of U.S.-China economic relations, surveys major trade disputes, and lists bills introduced in the 111th Congress that would impact bilateral commercial ties.
- China's Economic Conditions
- 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.
- Climate Change: Current Issues and Policy Tools
- This report introduces the reader to fundamentals of the climate change issue. Part One summarizes current understandings and controversies concerning the science, economics, international cooperation, and other aspects of the climate change policy problem. Part Two is a brief update on the status of domestic and international policies. Part Three outlines the policy toolbox seen as being available to policymakers to address the challenge as they define the emerging legislative agenda.
- Community Development Block Grants: Neighborhood Stabilization Program; Assistance to Communities Affected by Foreclosures
- Report regarding the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, P.L. 110-289, which allocates federal financial aid to all state and local governments with high amounts of foreclosed homes, subprime mortgage loans, and delinquent home mortgages. The report focuses on the assistance that aids in aquiring, rehabilitating, and reselling foreclosed and abandoned homes.
- Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative: Legal Authorities and Policy Considerations
- This report discusses the legal issues and addresses policy considerations related to the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative (CNCI). The CNCI establishes a multi-pronged approach the federal government plans to take in identifying current and emerging cyber threats; shoring up current and future telecommunications and cyber vulnerabilities; and responding to, or proactively addressing, entities that wish to steal or manipulate protected data on secure federal systems.
- Controversies over Redefining “Fill Material” Under the Clean Water Act
- This report discusses the 2002 rule, focusing on how it changes which material and types of activities are regulated under Section 404 and the significance of these issues, especially for the mining industry.
- Credit for Military Service Under Civilian Federal Employee Retirement Systems
- This report discusses the earned pension benefits under one of two retirement plans for the federal employees with permanent appointments.
- CRS Issue Statement on Abortion, Family Planning, and Reproductive Health
- The 111th Congress will likely consider a variety of issues involving family planning and reproductive health. Legislation related to family planning and Title X of the Public Health Service Act, including appropriations measures that could affect the funding of Title X family planning initiatives, is expected.
- CRS Issue Statement on Climate Change
- This report discusses the congressional activities that have included ratification of the UNFCCC (1992), enactment of implementing legislation and funding of research and development of climate change.
- Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances
- This report covers the contentious travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba from the 1960s to the present time. It includes background on the restrictions, enforcement of restrictions, and arguments for or against maintaining travel restrictions. It also provides background on relevant legislative initiatives during the 106th through the 111th Congresses.
- The Democratic Republic of Congo: Background and Current Developments
- This report discusses, in brief, the current political state of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the crisis situation in eastern Congo that has displaced more than 250,000 civilians. It also describes U.S., U.N., and other international efforts to aid in resolving the crisis.
- Department of Defense Fuel Spending, Supply, Acquisition, and Policy
- This report discusses various aspects of the Department of Defense's (DOD) fuel consumption and any resulting policy considerations for Congress.
- Desalination: Status and Federal Issues
- This report is categorized into three categories: (I) Desalination: The Federal Policy Context, (II) Desalination Adoption in the United States and (III) Federal Desalination Research.
- Digital Surveillance: The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act
- This report provides information about The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act on Digital Surveillance. CALEA is intended to preserve the ability of law enforcement officials to conduct electronic surveillance effectively and efficiently.
- Does the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Listing Provide More Protection of Polar Bear?: A Look at the Special Rules
- This report looks at the regulations surrounding the polar bear, which has been protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) since 1972. The report discusses the protections, prohibitions, and special rules for polar bears as well as exceptions to the rules, habitat issues, recovery plans, and other issues regarding polar bear protections.
- Drought in the United States: Causes and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses how drought is defined (e.g., why drought in one region of the country is different from drought in a different region), and why drought occurs in the United States. The report briefly describes periods of drought in the country's past that equaled or exceeded drought conditions experienced during the 20th century, including periods during earlier centuries where the American West was substantially drier, on average, than it is today.
- Drought in the United States: Causes and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses how drought is defined, and why drought occurs in the United States. How droughts are classified, and what is meant by moderate, severe, and extreme drought classification, are also discussed. The report concludes with a description of policy challenges for Congress, such as the existing federal/non-federal split in drought response and management, and the patchwork of drought programs subject to oversight by multiple congressional committees.
- The Economic Effects of Capital Gains Taxation
- This report discusses tax policy in relation to capital gains. Proposals dealing with the taxation of capital gains have ranged from the outright elimination of capital gains taxation to the reduction of capital gains tax rates for certain classes of taxpayers to the elimination of the preferential tax treatment.
- Egypt: Background and U.S. Relations
- This report provides an overview of Egyptian politics and current issues in U.S.-Egyptian relations. It briefly provides a political history of modern Egypt, an overview of its political institutions, and a discussion of the prospects for democratization in Egypt.
- Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification
- This report discusses E-Verify, a program in which participating employers submit information about their new hires (name, date of birth, Social Security number, immigration/citizenship status, and alien number, if applicable) from the I-9 form. This information is automatically compared with information in Social Security Administration and, if necessary, DHS databases to verify identity and employment eligibility.
- The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA): A Summary
- This report summarizes the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the major regulatory programs that mandate reporting by industrial facilities of releases of hazardous chemicals to the environment, as well as local planning to respond in the event of significant, accidental releases.
- Energy Provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5)
- No Description Available.
- Energy Provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5)
- This report discusses the energy appropriations in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA, P.L. 111-5). It includes background information, a summary of provisions, and detailed explanations of the relevant appropriations and tax provisions.
- Enforcing Immigration Law: The Role of State and Local Law Enforcement
- This report examines some of the policy and legal issues that may accompany an increased role of state and local law officials in the enforcement of immigration law.