Congressional Research Service Reports - 214 Matching Results
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- Speechwriting in Perspective: A Brief Guide to Effective and Persuasive Communication
- “Rhetoric,” wrote Aristotle, “is the power of determining in a particular case what are the available means of persuasion.” This report reviews some effective means for the rhetoric of persuasive communication in speeches written by congressional staff for Senators and Representatives.
- Emergency Communications: The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and All-Hazard Warnings
- This report summarizes the technology and administration of EAS and the NOAA/NWS all-hazard network, new programs in DHS, and some of the key proposals for change.
- The Federal Communications Commission: Current Structure and its Role in the Changing Telecommunications Landscape
- This report provides an overview of the current structure of the federal communications commission and its role in the changing telecommunications landscape.
- Finding Quotes for Speeches: Fact Sheet
- This report provides sources for finding quotes. The resources are divided into three categories: (1) General Quotations, (2) Americana, and (3) Religion.
- Finding Quotes for Speeches: Fact Sheet
- This report provides sources for finding quotes. The resources are divided into three categories: (1) General Quotations, (2) Americana, and (3) Religion.
- Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide: Federal Assistance Programs
- This report provides information about the Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide through Federal Assistance Programs. Digital Divide has been used to characterize the gap between "information have and have-nots".
- Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide: Federal Assistance Programs
- This report provides information about the Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide through Federal Assistance Programs. Digital Divide has been used to characterize the gap between "information have and have-nots".
- Advertising Industry in the Digital Age
- This report discusses regulatory challenges faced by policymakers as the advertising industry enters a period of far-reaching change brought about by the economic downturn and structural shifts as consumers move to the Internet and other digital platforms for news, entertainment, and socializing.
- Speechwriting in Perspective: A Brief Guide to Effective and Persuasive Communication
- “Rhetoric,” wrote Aristotle, “is the power of determining in a particular case what are the available means of persuasion.” This report reviews some effective means for the rhetoric of persuasive communication in speeches written by congressional staff for Senators and Representatives.
- Post Office and Retail Postal Facility Closures: Overview and Issues for Congress
- The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced in May 2009 that it was considering the closure of 3,105 of its 4,851 post office branches and stations. Since the original announcement, the USPS has indicated that the number of possible closures may be more than 3,200. This report provides (1) information on this recent announcement; (2) historical data on the number of post offices and other retail postal facilities; (3) an explanation of the legal authorities relevant to retail postal facility closures; (4) a review of the retail postal facility closure processes, including data on public appeals of closures, and H.R. 658's proposed alterations to the processes; and (5) a concluding discussion that suggests observations and possible issues for Congress.
- Social Media in the House of Representatives: Frequently Asked Questions
- This report answers several questions about the regulation of social media accounts in the House of Representatives.
- Open Access Publishing and Citation Archives: Background and Controversy
- This report begins with an inventory of basic information: definitions and guides to histories of the growth of open access publishing and citation archives and descriptions of selected major open access activities. It moves on to summarize major points of difference between proponents and opponents of nongovernmental open access publishing and databases, and then highlights federal, including National Institutes of Health (NIH), open access activities and contentious issues surrounding these developments. The report also briefly describes open access developments in the United Kingdom (where a number of governmental and nongovernmental initiatives have occurred) and in the international arena. Finally, controversial issues which could receive attention in the 109th Congress are summarized.
- Social Media in the House of Representatives: Frequently Asked Questions
- This report answers several questions about the regulation of social media accounts in the House of Representatives, as social media accounts for official representational duties have increased.
- Testimonial Privileges Under Federal "Common Law"
- This report consists of testimonial privileges under federal common law
- Emergency Communications: The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and All- Hazard Warnings
- This report summarizes the technology and administration of EAS and some current proposals for an all-hazard network.
- Emergency Communications: The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and All-Hazard Warnings
- This report summarizes the technology and administration of EAS and the NOAA/NWS all-hazard network, and some of the key proposals for change.
- Funding Emergency Communications: Technology and Policy Considerations
- This report provides a summary of the technology and policy considerations on funding emergency communications.
- Emergency Communications: The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and All- Hazard Warnings
- This report summarizes the technology and administration of EAS and some current proposals for an all-hazard network.
- Advertising by the Federal Government: An Overview
- A look at government agencies spending on advertising.
- Publishing Scientific Papers with Potential Security Risks: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the publication of federally-funded research results including positive aspects (wide dissemination that may drive innovation, job creation, technology development, and the advance of science), and the negatives (that some research results could also be used for malicious purposes). This report describes the underlying controversy, the potential benefits and harms of publishing these manuscripts, the actions taken by domestic and international stakeholders, and options to improve the way research is handled to minimize security concerns.
- Advertising by the Federal Government: An Overview
- This report looks at what government agencies are spending on advertising, including the difficulties of estimating advertising expenditures and the restrictions on government advertising.
- Post Office and Retail Postal Facility Closures: Overview and Issues for Congress
- This report provides information on the announcement that the United States Postal Service was considering the closure of 3,105 branches; historical data on the number of post offices and other retail postal facilities; an explanation of the legal authorities relevant to retail postal facility closures; a review of the retail postal facility closure processes, including data on public appeals of closures, and H.R. 658's proposed alterations to the processes; and a concluding discussion that suggests observations and possible issues for Congress.
- Social Media in the House of Representatives: Frequently Asked Questions
- This report answers several questions about the regulation of social media accounts in the House of Representatives.
- Journalists' Privilege: Overview of the Law and Legislation in the 110th and 111th Congresses
- This report gives an overview of the law regarding journalistic privilege. Included are the responses of the 110th and 111th Congresses regarding the law.
- Changing Postal ZIP Code Boundaries
- This report discusses the changing of ZIP Code system and the implications of such an action. The process places responsibility on district managers, rather than local postmasters, to review requests for boundary adjustment, to evaluate costs and benefits of alternative solutions to identified problems, and to provide a decision within 60 days.
- Advertising by the Federal Government: An Overview
- This report discusses government advertising that can be controversial if it conflicts with citizens' views about the proper role of government.
- The U.S. Postal Service and Six-Day Delivery: Issues for Congress
- This report will examine the history of six-day mail delivery and analyze potential effects of reducing USPS delivery from six to five days. It will then examine legislative options for the 111th Congress.
- Updating the Statutory Framework for Communications for the Digital Age: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the statutory framework for the communications sector that largely was enacted prior to the commercial development and deployment of digital technology, Internet Protocol (IP), broadband networks, and online voice, data, and video services.
- U.S. Postal Service: Background and Analysis of H.R. 2309 and S. 1789 in the 112th Congress
- This report looks at how the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has taken steps to save money. It also covers how bills H.R. 2309 and S. 1789 include major reforms, such as reductions in service, expansion of the USPS's authority to provide products and services, and alterations to the postal employees pension and healthcare plans.
- Emergency Communications: Policy Options at a Crossroads
- No Description Available.
- The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act
- President George W. Bush signed the Postal Enhancement and Accountability Act (P.L. 109-435) on December 20, 2006. This report briefly describes Congress’s pursuit of postal reform, summarizes the major provisions of the new postal reform law, and identifies possible P.L. 109-435 oversight issues for Congress.
- Facsimile Advertising Rules Under the Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005
- No Description Available.
- The First Responder Network (FirstNet) and Next-Generation Communications for Public Safety: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), which is a federal agency that includes private sector and other non-federal representation on its board of directors. FirstNet was created by Congress with provisions in Title VI (Spectrum Act) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-96) to ensure the deployment and operation of a nationwide, broadband network for public safety communications.
- The First Responder Network (FirstNet) and Next-Generation Communications for Public Safety: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), which is a federal agency that includes private sector and other non-federal representation on its board of directors. It examines the challenges for public safety leaders and policymakers in establishing the framework for a nationwide network that meets state, local, tribal and territorial needs for robust, interoperable emergency communications.
- The First Responder Network (FirstNet) and Next-Generation Communications for Public Safety: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), which is a federal agency that includes private sector and other non-federal representation on its board of directors. FirstNet was created by Congress with provisions in Title VI (Spectrum Act) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-96) to ensure the deployment and operation of a nationwide, broadband network for public safety communications.
- The First Responder Network (FirstNet) and Next-Generation Communications for Public Safety: Issues for Congress
- This report provides and introduction to key provisions in the Spectrum Act to improve public safety communications and discusses planning authority, state and local participation, federal governance and other issues regarding the evolving network technologies.
- The First Responder Network (FirstNet) and Next-Generation Communications for Public Safety: Issues for Congress
- This report provides and introduction to key provisions in the Spectrum Act to improve public safety communications and discusses planning authority, state and local participation, federal governance and other issues regarding the evolving network technologies.
- The Army's Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) Program
- This report discusses the WIN-T communications program and network used by the Army for distributing information to the whole Army while in the field. There are two main stages of development and implementation the first being stationary command posts communication networks which is fully implemented and the second is equipping combat vehicles with mobile real-time communication devices to improve situational awareness and providing combat commanders with the same type of mobile communication abilities. The second stage is partially implemented and continues to be added to units each year. Related DOD reports and Congressional concerns are also addressed.
- Summary of the Proposed Rule for the Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information
- This report provides a summary of the proposed rule issued November 3, 1999 to protect the privacy of individually identifiable health information.
- Facsimile Advertising Rules Under the Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005
- No Description Available.
- Funding Emergency Communications: Technology and Policy Considerations
- No Description Available.
- Current Legal Status of the FCC’s Media Ownership Rules
- This report discusses the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) media ownership regulations, which place limits on the number of broadcast radio and television outlets one owner can possess in a given market and place cross-ownership restrictions on these outlets and on the cross-ownership of broadcast properties and newspapers.
- The First Responder Network (FirstNet) and Next-Generation Communications for Public Safety: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), which is a federal agency that includes private sector and other non-federal representation on its board of directors. FirstNet was created by Congress with provisions in Title VI (Spectrum Act) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-96) to ensure the deployment and operation of a nationwide, broadband network for public safety communications.
- Comparison And Analysis Of Alternative Proposals For Federal Student Assistance
- This report consists of comparison and analysis of alternative proposals for federal student assistance.
- The U.S. Postal Service and Six-Day Delivery: Issues for Congress
- This report will examine the history of six-day mail delivery and analyze potential effects of reducing USPS delivery from six to five days. It will then examine legislative options for the 111th Congress.
- The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act: Overview and Issues for Congress
- This report describes Congress's pursuit of postal reform, and summarizes the major provisions of the new postal reform law. The report also suggests PAEA-related oversight issues for Congress. President George W. Bush signed the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA; P.L. 109-435; 120 Stat. 3198) on December 20, 2006. The PAEA was the first broad revision of the 1970 statute that replaced the U.S. Post Office with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), a self-supporting, independent agency of the executive branch.
- English as the Official Language of the United States: Legal Background
- For over a decade, legislation that would either declare English the official language of the United States government or that would oppose such declarations has been introduced in Congress. This report discusses the legal effect of some of these congressional proposals, as well as current federal policy on foreign language assistance, the constitutional law implications of official English proposals, and legal issues regarding state laws on official English.
- Federal Advertising Law: An Overview
- This report provides a brief overview of federal law with respect to five selected advertising issues: alcohol advertising, tobacco advertising, the Federal Trade Commission Act, advertising by mail, and advertising by telephone. There are numerous federal statutes regulating advertising that do not fit within any of these categories; as random examples, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires disclosures in advertisements for prescription drugs ; the Truth in Lending Act governs the advertising of consumer credit ; and a federal criminal statute makes it illegal falsely to convey in an advertisement that a business is connected with a federal agency.
- Going to Conference in the Senate
- This report discusses the steps that the Senate must take, and one more step that it may take, as it arranges to send a bill to conference committee.
- Naming Post Offices Through Legislation
- This report describes how the practice of naming post offices through public law originated and how it is commonly done today. House and Senate practices for approving such legislation, and procedures followed by the U.S. Postal Service in organizing a dedication ceremony, are also described.