Congressional Research Service Reports - 1,798 Matching Results
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- The Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF): State Insolvency and Federal Loans to States
- This report summarizes how insolvent states may borrow funds from the federal account within the Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF) to meet their unemployment compensation (UC) benefit obligations.
- Health Insurance Exchanges Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- This report outlines the required minimum functions of state health insurance exchanges and explains how exchanges are expected to be established and administered under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The coverage offered through exchanges is discussed, and the report concludes with a discussion of how exchanges will interact with selected other ACA provisions.
- Nuclear Power Plant Security and Vulnerabilities
- This report discusses the physical security at nuclear power plants and concerns of radiological sabotage, a deliberate act against a plant that could directly or indirectly endanger public health and safety through exposure to radiation.
- Iran Sanctions
- This report analyzes U.S. and international sanctions against Iran and provides examples of companies and countries that conduct business with Iran, based on a wide range of open-source reporting.
- Cooperative R&D: Federal Efforts to Promote Industrial Competitiveness
- Report regarding the ways the United States Congress has explored to stimulate technological advancement in the private sector.
- Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
- Report that looks at the workings, and pros and cons, of a system established by Congress to facilitate the transfer of technology research and development (R&D) funding to the private sector and state and local governments.
- Industrial Competitiveness and Technological Advancement: Debate Over Government Policy
- Report that covers legislative activity in the past and present regarding private-sector technological development. It also looks at the future of Congressional action towards mandated specific technology development.
- War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance
- Report that gives a summary of the usage of the War Powers Resolution (WPR) and various issues related to proposals to modify or repeal the resolution. The report summarizes most recent developments and background, and gives an overview of United Nations actions, and WPR activities in former Yugoslavia/Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq (post-1991), Haiti, and Somalia.
- Social Security Reform: Current Issues and Legislation
- Report that looks at the Social Security debate, Social Security future projections, and public opinion on Social Security reform. It also looks at past reform measures, from the 109th-112th Congress, none of which received congressional action.
- The Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program: Background, Funding, and Activities
- Report discussing the federal government's role in the country's information technology (IT) research and development (R&D) activities.
- Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
- Report that provides background information and potential issues for Congress on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and concerns Congress has for complications within the LCS program.
- Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
- Report that discusses the funding for the growth of the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program. The Aegis BMD program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations.
- Yemen: Background and U.S. Relations
- Report that provides an overview and analysis of U.S.-Yemeni relations amidst evolving political change in Yemeni leadership, ongoing U.S. counterterrorism operations against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) operatives at large in Yemen's hinterlands, and international efforts to bolster the country's stability despite an array of daunting socio-economic problems.
- House Committee Chairs: Considerations, Decisions, and Actions as One Congress Ends and a New Congress Begins
- Report that addresses some of the critical matters a House committee chair confronts from the time of the early organization meetings in November to approximately the spring district work-period in March or April.
- Potential Trade Effects of Adding Vietnam to the Generalized System of Preferences Program
- Report that looks at the effects of adding Vietnam to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) as a "developing country."
- How Measures Are Brought to the House Floor: A Brief Introduction
- Report that presents a brief description of the five parliamentary methods used to bring proposed legislation to the House floor for consideration. These methods allow for consideration as a privileged matter, under the limited privilege of a special calendar or day, under suspension of the rules, under the terms of a special rule, or by unanimous consent.
- The First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the Senate Floor
- Report that describes the well-established routine that occurs on the opening day of a new Congress.
- U.S. Direct Investment Abroad: Trends and Current Issues
- Report that provides a brief overview of how foreign investments can affect the U.S.
- Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) Status for Russia and U.S.-Russian Economic Ties
- Report that discusses the issues surrounding whether or not the U.S. should grant Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) following its accession into the World Trade Organization (WTO).
- Oman: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy
- Report that describes the relationship between the United States and the Sultanate of Oman, especially with respect to Oman's support of U.S. efforts toward peace in the Middle East, the U.S. free trade agreement with Oman, and Oman's relatively close relations with Iran, the last of which seems incongruous with the other positive aspects of Oman's relationship with the U.S.
- The Peace Corps: Current Issues
- Report regarding the President's annual funding request for the Peace Corps, efforts to reauthorize the Peace Corps, and related issues. Current issues include the extent to which there is available funding for Peace Corps expansion, whether the Peace Corps has the institutional capacity to expand, and whether volunteers are able to function in a safe and secure environment.
- Foreign Direct Investment in the United States: An Economic Analysis
- Report containing information regarding foreign direct investments, including the foreign acquisition of American firms.
- The Project BioShield Act: Issues for the 112th Congress
- Report that provides a brief overview of the authorities established by the Project BioShield Act of 2004, discusses the availability of Project BioShield appropriations, identifies the medical countermeasures obtained through Project BioShield, reviews the relationship between Project BioShield and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), reviews policy issues and options faced by congressional policymakers, and reviews current Project BioShield-related legislation.
- Drug Testing and Crime-Related Restrictions in TANF, SNAP, and Housing Assistance
- Report that describes and compares the drug- and crime-related policy restrictions contained in selected federal programs that provide assistance to low-income individuals and families: the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps), and the three primary federal housing assistance programs (the public housing program, the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, and the project-based Section 8 rental assistance program).
- The U.S. Income Distribution and Mobility: Trends and International Comparisons
- Report that looks at the growing income disparity and the decreasing financial mobility in the United States.
- Offsets, Supplemental Appropriations, and the Disaster Relief Fund: FY1990-FY2013
- Report that discusses the recent history of offsetting rescissions in paying for supplemental appropriations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Relief Fund (DRF).
- Energy and Water Development: Fiscal Year 2013 Appropriations
- Report that discusses the FY2012 budget for energy and water development as approved by Congress, including how the funding will be used.
- Cybersecurity: Authoritative Reports and Resources
- Report that provides links to selected authoritative resources related to cybersecurity issues, including: legislation, hearings in the 112th Congress, data and statistics, and cybersecurity glossaries.
- Cybersecurity: Authoritative Reports and Resources
- Report that provides links to selected authoritative resources related to cybersecurity issues, including: legislation, hearings in the 112th Congress, data and statistics, and cybersecurity glossaries.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2013
- Report that looks at appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) FY 2013.
- Immigration of Foreign Nationals with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Degrees
- Report regarding renewed Congressional interest in facilitating the immigration of foreign professional workers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields.
- The First Responder Network and Next- Generation Communications for Public Safety: Issues for Congress
- Report that covers a background of provisions in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 for planning, building, and managing a new, nationwide, broadband network for public safety communications.
- Department of Defense Energy Initiatives: Background and Issues for Congress
- Report that provides background information and identifies issues for Congress on Department of Defense (DOD) energy initiatives.
- Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress
- Report that provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's programs for procuring eight National Security Cutters (NSCs), 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), and 58 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs).
- Defense: Fiscal Year 2013 Authorization and Appropriations
- Report that discusses FY2013 budget cuts for the Department of Defense (DOD), including the pros and cons.
- Climate Change and Existing Law: A Survey of Legal Issues Past, Present, and Future
- Report that surveys existing law for legal issues that have arisen, or may arise in the future, on account of climate change and government responses thereto.
- A Brief Overview of Actions Taken by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in Its First Year
- Report that looks at actions taken by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) during its first year. The CFPB exists to implement and enforce federal consumer financial laws, ensure consumer access to financial products and services, and ensure that the markets for consumer financial services and products are fair, transparent, and competitive.
- The Obama Administration's Proposal to Establish a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation
- Report that discusses the proposed creation of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI), which would help accelerate innovation and support manufacturing technology commercialization. It includes an overview of the topic as well as discussion on the Administration's proposal, preliminary activities, legislative status, and issues for consideration.
- Gifts to the President of the United States
- Report that addresses provisions of federal law and regulation restricting the acceptance of personal gifts by the President of the United States.
- Why Some Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Are Not Sold Domestically
- Report that discusses reasons why some fuel-efficient vehicles are not sold in the U.S.
- The Crime Victims Fund: Federal Support for Victims of Crime
- Report that provides background and funding information for Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) programs and the Crime Victims Fund (CVF). It describes the process through which CVF funds are allocated and explains how the CVF impacts the annual budget for Department of Justice (DOJ).
- 501(c)(3) Organizations: What Qualifies as "Educational"?
- Report that discusses the legal definition of the term "educational," as well as the constitutional implications of that definition.
- The Budget Control Act of 2011: Budgetary Effects of Proposals to Replace the FY2013 Sequester
- Report that provides information on the levels of deficit reduction if the Budget Control Act's (BCA) automatic cuts are implemented as under current law and contrasts that with the alternative proposals offered by some Members of Congress and President Obama. It also discusses specific determinations made by the Office of Management and Budget regarding the exempt/non-exempt status of certain programs, as well as a discussion of information to be disclosed regarding the FY2013 BCA sequester impact.
- Stealing Trade Secrets and Economic Espionage: An Overview of 18 U.S.C. 1831 and 1832
- Report that gives an overview of 18 U.S.C. 1832 (theft of trade secrets) and 18 U.S.C. 1831 (economic espionage). It also describes what constitutes as a stolen trade secret, and how such crimes are prosecuted.
- U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones: Background and Issues for Congress
- Report that provides a general perspective on the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) system. The first section discusses free trade zones worldwide. The second section focuses on the U.S. FTZ program --its history, administrative mechanism, structure, growth and industry concentration, and benefits and costs. The third section focuses on current issues for Congress relating to the U.S. FTZ program.
- Immigration Detainers: Legal Issues
- Report that surveys the various authorities governing immigration detainers, including the standard detainer form (Form I-247) sent by ICE to other law enforcement agencies. The report also discusses key legal issues raised by immigration detainers.
- Failure to Register as a Sex Offender: An Abridged Legal Analysis of 18 U.S.C. 2250
- Report that describes 18 U.S.C. 2250, which outlaws any individual convicted of a sex offense from not registering themselves in a jurisdiction which they live, work, or go to school. It describes elements of the law, and consequences for not following it.
- Failure to Register as a Sex Offender: An Abridged Legal Analysis of 18 U.S.C. 2250
- Report that describes 18 U.S.C. 2250, which outlaws any individual convicted of a sex offense from not registering themselves in a jurisdiction which they live, work, or go to school. It describes elements of the law, and consequences for not following it.
- Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act
- Report that discusses the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act in brief, especially as related to Congress's renewed interest in the Act due to the current financial crises and recession.
- The Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations and Issues for Congress
- Report that discusses the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), a free trade agreement that includes nations on both sides of the Pacific. Topics include similar trade partnerships, the importance of Asia to U.S. trade and security interests, and U.S. participation in the TPP.