Congressional Research Service Reports - 55 Matching Results
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- Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians
- This report collects statistics from a variety of sources on casualties sustained during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), which began on October 7, 2001, and is ongoing. OEF actions take place primarily in Afghanistan; however, OEF casualties also includes American casualties in Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Yemen.
- 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. In 2005-2006, NSF's Division of Astronomical Sciences (AST) conducted a Senior Review of its portfolio of facilities and reported that the scientific value of the Arecibo was modest when compared to other existing and proposed projects and recommended decreasing the telescope's annual $12.0 million budget to $9.0 million in FY2009, and securing partnerships for the remaining necessary funding.
- Assistance to Firefighters Program: Distribution of Fire Grant Funding
- This report discusses the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, also known as fire grants of the FIRE Act grant program, which was established by Title XVII of the FY2001 National Defense Authorization Act. The program provides federal grants directly to local fire departments and unaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations to help address a variety of equipment, training, and other firefighter-related and EMS needs. This report also discusses the possible reauthorization of AFG and the related Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters (SAFER) program. Current debates on the issue revolve around a competition for funding between career/urban/suburban departments and volunteer/rural departments. Complicating the issue is the recent economic downturn, which has left many local communities increasingly hard pressed to allocate funding for their local fire departments.
- The Budget Control Act of 2011: Effects on Spending Levels and the Budget Deficit
- This report focuses on how the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA) will affect spending and the budget deficit through the "first round" effects, related to discretionary spending caps and student loan provisions, and the "second round" effects of additional deficit reduction, related to the work of the Joint Committee. The report also examines short and long run effects of deficit reduction on the economy.
- Child Support: An Overview of Census Bureau Data on Recipients
- This report provides an Overview of Census Bureau Data on Recipients for child support.
- Common-Law Climate Change Litigation After American Electric Power v. Connecticut
- This report discusses the congressional inaction on climate change that has led concerned parties to explore other ways to address climate change--including lawsuits seeking to establish climate change impacts as a common law nuisance.
- Corporate Tax Reform: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the arguments for lowering the corporate tax rate that includes the traditional concerns about economic distortions arising from the corporate tax and newer concerns arising from the increasingly global nature of the economy.
- The Debt Limit: History and Recent Increases
- This report discusses how the total debt of the federal government can increase, an 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.
- Department of Defense Trends in Overseas Contract Obligations
- The Department of Defense (DOD) has long relied on contractors to support military operations. Contractors provide the U.S. military with weapons, food, uniforms, and logistic services, and without contractor support, the U.S. would currently be unable to arm and field an effective fighting force. DOD spends more on federal contracts than all other federal agencies combined.
- Director of National Intelligence Statutory Authorities: Status and Proposals
- This report discusses the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) position created by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458). It includes an overview of the authorities granted to the DNI by legislation in 2004 and later as well as the varying opinions of Congress regarding new DNI authorities, as well as related legislation from FY2010 through FY2012.
- Disconnected Youth: A Look at 16- to 24-Year Olds Who Are Not Working or In School
- This report provides information about 16- to 24-Year Olds Who Are Not Working or In School on Disconnected Youth. Policymakers and youth advocates have begun to focus greater attention on young people who are not working or in school.
- Discretionary Funding in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- No Description Available.
- The Distribution of Household Wealth
- This report analyzes data on the trend in the distribution of wealth across U.S. households over the past two decades. It then turns to an examination of the roles of stock and home ownership in wealth accumulations since 1990, paying particular attention to their effects during the 2007-2009 recession. The report closes with a review of explanations for the accumulation and the distribution of wealth across households.
- The Economic Implications of the Long-Term Federal Budget Outlook
- This report analyzes the long-run path of the federal budget. It further discusses about the effects of Current policy on the economy and Inter-generational equity.
- Energy and Water Development: FY2011 Appropriations
- This report discusses the Energy and Water Development appropriations bill that provides funding for civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy (DOE), and a number of Independent agencies.
- Energy and Water Development: FY2012 Appropriations
- This report discusses the energy and water development appropriations bill that provides funding for civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy (DOE), and a number of independent agencies.
- The EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement and Its Implications for the United States
- This report discusses the free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and the European Union (EU). It looks at various aspects of the South Korea-EU FTA (KOREU FTA) including economic ties, trade strategies, and an overview of the key provisions of the agreement focusing on manufactured goods, agriculture, services, and various other provisions of particular interest to U.S. policymakers and the U.S. business community. The report also gives an analysis of the potential economic imact of the KOREU FTA and potential implications of the agreement for the United States.
- The EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement and Its Implications for the United States
- This report is designed to shed some light on the KOREU FTA for Congress.4 It briefly reviews EU-South Korean economic ties and the respective EU and South Korean objectives regarding the KOREU FTA. It then discusses the KOREU FTA in general and examines some of its major provisions in more detail, with special focus on autos and some other manufacturing sectors, agriculture, services, and labor-areas of particular interest to U.S. policymakers and the U.S. business community. The report does not attempt to determine if one FTA is better than the other. Finally, the report analyzes the prospects for the KOREU FTA and the agreement's potential implications for the United States.
- The European Union: Leadership Changes Resulting from the Lisbon Treaty
- EU foreign policy decisions of a political or security-related nature require unanimous intergovernmental agreement among the 27 member states. In many other issues which may relate to external affairs, however, EU members have agreed to pool their decision-making sovereignty. A number of additional EU actors often have particular relevance in these matters.
- Financial Services and General Government Appropriations: FY2012 Budget Request Fact Sheet
- This report includes information about the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill and funding requests for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President (EOP), the judiciary, the District of Columbia, and 26 independent agencies. Among the independent agencies funded by the bill are the General Services Administration (GSA), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the United States Postal Service (USPS).
- Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Issues in the 112th Congress
- This report provides the information related to the fishery, aquaculture, and marine mammal issues in the 112th Congress
- Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Issues in the 112th Congress
- This report provides the information related to the fishery, aquaculture, and marine mammal issues in the 112th Congress
- Fund for "Gifts to the United States for Reduction of the Public Debt": Current Law and Proposed Legislation
- This report describes current law for the Public Debt Reduction Fund and discusses proposed legislation in order to evaluate four bills which have been introduced in the 112th Congress to add another method of making a contribution to reduce the national debt.
- Generalized System of Preferences: Background and Renewal Debate
- No Description Available.
- Government Collection of Private Information: Background and Issues Related to the USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization
- Congress enacted the USA PATRIOT Act soon after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The most controversial sections of the act facilitate the federal government's collection of more information, from a greater number of sources, than had previously been authorized in criminal or foreign intelligence investigations. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), and the national security letter (NSL) statutes were all bolstered. With the changes came greater access to records showing an individual's spending and communication patterns as well as increased authority to intercept e-mail and telephone conversations and to search homes and businesses.
- Guam: U.S. Defense Deployments
- This report discusses the strategic significance of Guam for defense buildup and the force relocation and deployments from the U.S. mainland. It also discusses the concerns and issues for congress, such as allies and partner, China, and legislation.
- Kenya: Current Conditions and the Challenges Ahead
- This report discusses the current political conditions of Kenya, which has long been an important ally of the United States. The report focuses particularly on the December 2007 elections, which many international observers have declared as rigged and deeply flawed. The report also discusses violence that erupted once election results were announced, as well as U.S. efforts to urge Kenya toward election reforms.
- Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress
- This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress on the Navy's irregular warfare (IW) and counterterrorism (CT) operations. News reports about the May 1, 2011, U.S. military operation in Pakistan that killed Osama Bin Laden state that the operation was carried out by a team of 20 to 25 Navy special operations forces, known as SEALs, specifically an elite unit known as Seal Team 6.
- Navy LPD-17 Amphibious Ship Procurement: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
- The Navy's FY2011-FY2015 shipbuilding plan calls for procuring an 11th and final San Antonio (LPD-17) class amphibious ship in FY2012. This report discusses the procurement cost estimates of this ship, as well as related issues for Congress.
- Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress
- This report discusses the process of naming Navy ships, which have traditionally been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy. Congress in recent years has proposed, and sometimes passed, legislation regarding the naming of specific ships.
- Pakistan-U.S. Relations: A Summary
- This report summarizes important recent developments in Pakistan and in Pakistan-U.S. relations. These include high-profile political assassinations earlier in 2011, the Raymond Davis affair involving a CIA operative accused of murder in the city of Lahore, and the May killing of Osama bin Laden in the military cantonment city of Abbottabad, among others. Obama Administration engagement with Pakistan has been seriously disrupted by recent events. A brief analysis of the current state of Pakistan-U.S. relations illuminates the main areas of contention and uncertainty. Vital U.S. interests related to links between Pakistan and indigenous American terrorism, Islamist militancy in Pakistan and Islamabad's policies toward the Afghan insurgency, Pakistan's relations with historic rival India, nuclear weapons proliferation and security, and the troubled status of Pakistan's domestic setting are reviewed. Ongoing human rights concerns are briefly summarized, and the report closes with discussion of U.S. foreign assistance to Pakistan.
- Pakistan-U.S. Relations: A Summary
- This report summarizes important recent developments in Pakistan and in Pakistan-U.S. relations. These include high-profile political assassinations in early 2011; the Raymond Davis affair involving a CIA operative accused of murder in the city of Lahore; and the May killing of Osama bin Laden in the city of Abbottabad, among others. The report also summarizes key issues in the bilateral relationship.
- Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) Status for Russia and U.S.-Russian Economic Ties
- The change in Russia's trade status will require legislation to lift the restrictions currently applied to Russia under Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974, which includes the "freedom-of-emigration" requirements of the Jackson-Vanik amendment. The process for Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is proceeding and may be completed soon. As a result, Members may confront the issue of whether to grant Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status during the 112th Congress.
- Political Transition in Tunisia
- This report discusses Tunisia's "Jasmine Revolution," the common term for President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's flight from the country following weeks of mounting anti-government protests. This report discusses how the Jasmine Revolution appears to have added momentum to anti-government sentiment in Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and other countries. This report discusses Tunisia's pro-democracy movement; concerns over potential instability in a previously secure, pro-Western area; and U.S.-Tunisian relations.
- Puerto Rican Statehood: Effects on House Apportionment
- This report looks at House of Representative distribution between states if Puerto Rico were to gain statehood.
- Qatar: Background and U.S. Relations
- This report presents an overview of Qatar's history and recent economic and political developments. The report discusses U.S. relations with Qatar, U.S. military cooperation and foreign assistance, political reform and elections, as well as human rights and social issues.
- Remote Gaming and the Gambling Industry
- No Description Available.
- The Republic of South Sudan: Opportunities and Challenges for Africa’s Newest Country
- No Description Available.
- Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011
- This report examines the use of resolutions of inquiry in the House of Representatives from 1947 to 2011. A resolution of inquiry is a measure that formally calls on the executive branch to provide specified factual information to Congress.
- The Role of Federal Gasoline Excise Taxes in Public Policy
- No Description Available.
- Russia's Accession to the WTO and Its Implications for the United States
- This report provides a brief overview of the WTO itself, the accession process in general, and the commitments that Russia has made to join the WTO. The report discusses U.S. policy on Russia's accession and the accession in the context of the U.S.-Russia economic relationship. It outlines the congressional role in the process and the potential impact of WTO accession for Russian trade with the United States.
- Serbia: Current Issues and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses the current state of Serbia. It is seeking to integrate into the European Union (EU), but its progress has been hindered by a failure to arrest remaining indicted war criminals, and by tensions with the United States and many EU countries over the independence of Serbia's Kosovo province. This report discusses these issues in addition to issues regarding U.S.-Serbia relations.
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
- No Description Available.
- Sri Lanka: Background and U.S. Relations
- No Description Available.
- Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response: The SAFER Grant Program
- 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, discusses possible budgetary modifications to the SAFER Act that are being considered due to the recent economic downturn, and explores related issues for the 112th Congress as they consider reauthorization.
- The State Secrets Privilege: Preventing the Disclosure of Sensitive National Security Information During Civil Litigation
- No Description Available.
- Status of Mexican Trucks in the United States: Frequently Asked Questions
- This report answers frequently asked questions regarding the current plan to permit Mexican trucks into the United States.
- A Sustainable Budget Deficit: Overview of Major Expiring Policies in 2011 and 2012 and Their Budgetary Impact
- No Description Available.
- Tax Gap: Should the 3% Withholding Requirement on Payments to Contractors by Government Be Repealed?
- No Description Available.