Congressional Research Service Reports - 64 Matching Results
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- The 3.8% Medicare Contribution Tax on Unearned Income, Including Real Estate Transactions
- This reports summarizes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on unearned income and provides examples of how it is applied.
- The 2001 and 2003 Bush Tax Cuts and Deficit Reduction
- This report uses the context of the current and long-term economic environment to examine the tax cuts implemented by the George W. Bush Administration, including the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.
- The 2010 Decennial Census: Background and Issues
- This report summarizes the information and background of the 2010 census. The report outlines what the census is and why it is necessary. Moreover, it describes the new methods used and the issues encountered by using those methods.
- Affirmative Action and Diversity in Public Education: Legal Developments
- The first part of this report briefly reviews the judicial evolution of race-based affirmative action, particularly in relation to public education. The report then reviews major rulings involving challenges to the use of race-conscious admissions and hiring practices by public educational institutions, and concludes with a discussion of the implications for the future development of affirmative action law.
- 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.
- Algeria: Current Issues
- This report focuses on current political issues, as well as Algeria's economy, its foreign policy, and U.S.-Algeria relations. Key issues include reform efforts initiated after anti-government demonstrations in early 2011 and amid the regional tumult of the "Arab Spring"; terrorism and related security issues; human rights; national reconciliation following the "dark decade" of the 1990s Islamist insurgency; and activism in ethnic Berber areas.
- Army Drawdown and Restructuring: Background and Issues for Congress
- This is a report about Army Drwdown and Restructuring, specifically background and issues for congress.
- A Brief Overview of Actions Taken by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in Its First Year
- This report 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.
- Canadian Oil Sands: Life-Cycle Assessments of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- This report discusses basic methodology of life-cycle assessments and compares several publicly-available assessments of life-cycle emissions data for Canadian oil sands crudes against each other and against those of other global reference crudes. It also includes a survey of the scientific literature and the findings of the State Department's Keystone XL Project Envoronmental Impact Statement, and concludes with a discussion of tools for policymakers who are interested in using the assessments to investigate the potential impacts of U.S. energy policy choices onthe environment.
- Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests
- This report mainly focuses on Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests in Central Asia after the collapse of soviet union in 1991.
- Contemporary Developments in Presidential Elections
- This report considers contemporary developments in presidential elections. It emphasizes three topics chosen for their recurring importance and notable recent developments.
- Dairy Policy Proposals in the 2012 Farm Bill
- This report provides information about the Dairy Policy Proposals in 2012 Farm Bill. Dairy producers have argued that a simple price-based system failed to reflect the sharp increase in milk production costs.
- Defense Surplus Equipment Disposal: Background Information
- This report discusses the Department of Defense (DOD) policy via the Defense Utilization and Marketing Service (DRMS) for disposing of government equipment and supplies considered surplus or deemed unnecessary to the agency's currently designated mission. The report focuses on DRMS background, as well as the most recent DRMS policy modifications.
- Deregulating Genetically Engineered Alfalfa and Sugar Beets: Legal and Administrative Responses
- Monsanto Corporation, the developer of herbicide-tolerant varieties of genetically engineered alfalfa and sugar beet petitioned USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for the regulation of the items. Deregulation of genetically engineered plants is the final step in the commercialization process. Monsanto filed a petition for deregulation of its genetically engineered alfalfa in 2004, and for genetically engineered sugar beets in 2005.
- Economic Growth and the Unemployment Rate
- Issues concerning and which can be influenced by Congress regarding unemployment rates.
- Electricity Transmission Cost Allocation
- This report analyzes recent developments concerning transmission cost allocation leading up to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) Order No. 1000, as well as the contents of the order and their potential impact on the transmission planning process in the future.
- Elementary and Secondary Education Act Reauthorization: Data Options for the English Language Acquisition State Grants Formula (Title III-A)
- Congressional Research Service (CRS) report entailing information about data options for the English Language Acquisition State Grants Formula (Title III-A) in regards to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Topics include, additional LEP data considerations, census data, a description of allocations etc..
- Energy Tax Incentives: Measuring Value Across Different Types of Energy Resources
- This report provides an analysis of the value of energy tax incentives relative to primary energy production levels. This report also summarizes the results of recently published studies by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) evaluating energy subsidies across various technologies.
- EPA's Proposed Vessel General Permits: Background and Issues
- This report covers two proposed permit drafts by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding Vessel General Permits (VGPs): one for large vessels to replace the 2008 VGP (draft VGP), and one for smaller vessels that currently are covered by a congressionally-enacted temporary moratorium (draft sVGP).
- EPA's Proposed Vessel General Permits: Background and Issues
- In November 2011 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed two Clean Water Act permits to regulate certain types of discharges from vessels into U.S. waters. This report is an overview of the proposed permits and two key issues: inclusion of numeric performance standards to limit ballast water discharges from vessels, and controversies about the role of states in regulating vessel discharges.
- Export Clause: Limitation on Congress’s Taxing Power
- This report contains the export clause on the limitation on Congress's taxing power. It also discusses about Tax v. User Fee and Modern Application of the Clause.
- Farm Safety Net Proposals in the 112th Congress
- No Description Available.
- Federal Support for Academic Research
- This report is categorized into seven categories: (I) Introduction, (II) Higher Education and the Research Mission, (III) University Research-Industry Partnerships, (IV) The Changing Institutional Context of Research, (V) Distribution of Funding for Academic Research and Development, (VI) The National Academies' Committee on Research Universities and (VI) Policy Considerations.
- Federal Taxation of Aliens Working in the United States
- This report outlines issues regarding the taxation of aliens since several pieces of current legislation have been introduced that would impose restrictions for claiming child tax credits or for claiming credits and refunds. The report includes an overview of immigration status, resident or nonresident aliens, taxation of income for various classifications, and Social Security and medicare taxes.
- Free Trade Agreements: Impact on U.S. Trade and Implications for U.S. Trade Policy
- This report looks at how free trade areas (FTAs) affect U.S. trade in regards to trade policy, specifically tariffs. It looks closely at the Bush Administration's Trade Promotion Policy, and pending FTAs leftover from this administration. Additionally, it looks at the Obama Administration's work in the prospective Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP).
- Fukushima Nuclear Disaster
- The huge earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station on March 11, 2011, knocked out backup power systems that were needed to cool the reactors at the plant, causing three of them to undergo fuel melting, hydrogen explosions, and radioactive releases. Radioactive contamination from the Fukushima plant forced the evacuation of communities up to 25 miles away and affected up to 100,000 residents, although it did not cause any immediate deaths. Studies of the Fukushima disaster have identified design changes, response actions, and other safety improvements that could have reduced or eliminated the amount of radioactivity released from the plant. As a result, Fukushima has prompted a reexamination of nuclear plant safety requirements around the world, including in the United States.
- Health-Related Revenue Provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- This report summarizes the health-related revenue provisions in ACA, their effective dates, and, where data are available, potential impacts of these provisions.
- Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity
- This report describes Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity. Industry Hemp is a variety of cannabis Sativa and is of the same plant marijuana. However, Hemp is genetically different and distinguished by its use and chemical makeup. Precise data are not available in the U.S market for Hemp based products.
- How FDA Approves Drugs and Regulates Their Safety and Effectiveness
- This report describes how drugs are approved and come to market, including FDA's role in that process.
- Immigration of Foreign Nationals with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Degrees
- Report detailing immigration and work visas for persons with STEM degrees, including background, legal pathway, foreign student statistics, and more.
- Intelligence Authorization Legislation: Status and Challenges
- This report assesses the effects of the absence of intelligence authorization legislation subsequent to FY2005 and indicate the substantial but limited effects of the FY2010 Intelligence Authorization Act (P.L. 111-259)
- Iran Sanctions
- This report looks at the purposes and results of U.S. sanctions on Iran, which were initiated as a result of Iran's nuclear program and human rights issues. It ends by discussing future issues that Congress can consider regarding the sanctions.
- Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses
- No Description Available.
- Iran’s Nuclear Program: Tehran’s Compliance with International Obligations
- No Description Available.
- Length of Time from Nomination to Confirmation for “Uncontroversial” U.S. Circuit and District Court Nominees: Detailed Analysis
- No Description Available.
- Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy
- No Description Available.
- Madagascar's Political Crisis
- This report looks at political instability that has plagued the country since 2009. It address other concerns that Congress has about the country as well, specifically threats to Madagascar's unique ecosystem.
- Medicaid: A Primer
- No Description Available.
- Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Provisions in ACA: Summary and Timeline
- No Description Available.
- Medical Loss Ratio Requirements Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA): Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- Medical Malpractice: Overview and Legislation in the 112th Congress
- No Description Available.
- Midnight Rulemaking
- This report provides an overview of midnight rulemaking (regulations issued at the end of a presidential administration) and discusses actions that recent outgoing and incoming administrations have taken pertaining to midnight rules. It explains how an incoming President could change or eliminate midnight rules, and provides options for congressional oversight of midnight rules.
- Multilateral Development Banks: Overview and Issues for Congress
- This report provides an overview of the MDBs and highlights major issues for Congress. The first section discusses how the MDBs operate, including the history of the MDBs, their operations and organizational structure, and the effectiveness of MDB financial assistance. The second section discusses the role of Congress in the MDBs, including congressional legislation authorizing and appropriating U.S. contributions to the MDBs; congressional oversight; and U.S. commercial interests in the MDBs.
- Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- Navy Ohio Replacement (SSBN[X]) Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the Navy's plan to develop and design a class of 12 next-generation ballistic missile submarines, or SSBN(X)s, as replacements for the 14 Ohio class SSBNs currently in operation. The report explores certain related issues for Congress, including the affordability of the project and its potential impact on other Navy shipbuilding programs, alternatives to the program, and which shipyard or shipyards will build the proposed ships.
- 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.
- Nigeria: Current Issues and U.S. Policy
- This report covers the recent 2011 Nigerian elections, development challenges, reform initiatives, social issues, security concerns, and international relations in Nigeria. It ends with some concerns for Congress, including U.S.-Nigerian trade issues, Nigerian counter-terrorism efforts, and U.S. assistance to Nigeria.
- Peru in Brief: Political and Economic Conditions and Relations with the United States
- No Description Available.
- 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.