Search Results

open access

Constitutional Points of Order in the Senate

Description: This report explains Senate rules, precedents, and practices in regard to constitutional points of order that are not ruled on by the presiding officer but is instead submitted to the Senate for its decision, including an analysis of recent cases in which such a point of order has been raised, and will be updated as events warrant. The report identifies 16 constitutional points of order that have been raised and received a Senate vote since 1989. Ten of these cases were disposed of negatively.
Date: November 12, 2014
Creator: Heitshusen, Valerie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Congressional Commissions: Costs and Cost-Saving Strategies

Description: This report discusses the congressional commissions, which are temporary advisory bodies, usually established by statute, that provide independent advice to Congress, make recommendations for changes in public policy, study or investigate a particular problem or event, or perform a specific duty.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Glassman, Matthew E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Congressional Liaison Offices of Selected Federal Agencies

Description: This list of about 200 congressional liaison offices is intended to help congressional offices in placing telephone calls and addressing correspondence to government agencies. Entries are arranged alphabetically in four sections: legislative branch; judicial branch; executive branch; and agencies, boards, and commissions.
Date: December 17, 2014
Creator: Crane-Hirsch, Audrey C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Export-Import Bank Reauthorization: Frequently Asked Questions

Description: This report addresses frequently asked questions about Ex-Im Bank, grouped in the following categories: congressional interest and the Ex-Im Bank reauthorization debate; market context; international context; organizational structure and management; programs; statutory requirements and policies; risk management; budget and appropriations; implications of a sunset in authority; and historical and current approaches to reauthorization.
Date: August 1, 2014
Creator: Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias; Carpenter, David H.; Levit, Mindy R. & Taylor, Julia
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Debate

Description: This report discusses the ongoing debate regarding the Export-Import Bank of the United States, a federal government corporation which is the the official export credit agency (ECA) of the U.S. Government. The bank's statutory charter expires on September 30, 2014, meaning that its authority to obligations generally would cease and a wind-down of operations would be required. The report gives four possible scenarios for approaches Congress could take in regards to approaching the bank's future … more
Date: August 18, 2014
Creator: Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Limitations in Appropriations Measures: An Overview of Procedural Issues

Description: This report discusses internal congressional rules and procedures regarding money and policy decisions. It begins by explaining the contrasting procedural contexts that influence the consideration of limitation provisions in appropriations measures on the House and Senate floor. Next, it defines the two forms of limitations that have been allowed under House and Senate precedents, with examples of previous purposes that have been allowed. This report then proceeds to identify the variety of sub… more
Date: September 29, 2014
Creator: Tollestrup, Jessica
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Legislative Support Resources: Offices and Websites for Congressional Staff

Description: This report provides a brief list of telephone numbers, room numbers, and Internet addresses of use to new congressional staffers who work with legislative procedures and conduct legislative research. Internet access restrictions are noted. Some of the websites listed are available only to congressional offices; other sites are restricted further and are only available to House or Senate offices.
Date: September 26, 2014
Creator: Manning, Jennifer E. & Greene, Michael
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Legislative Procedure in Congress: Basic Sources for Congressional Staff

Description: Written for congressional staff, this report identifies and provides details on how to obtain official government sources of information on the legislative process and the rules and procedure of the House and Senate. The report provides references to selected CRS products and offers information on the CRS legislative institutes. A listing of selected supplementary materials is also provided.
Date: October 6, 2014
Creator: Manning, Jennifer E. & Greene, Michael
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Export-Import Bank Reauthorization: Frequently Asked Questions

Description: This report addresses frequently asked questions about Ex-Im Bank, grouped in the following categories: congressional interest and the Ex-Im Bank reauthorization debate; market context; international context; organizational structure and management; programs; statutory requirements and policies; risk management; budget and appropriations; implications of a sunset in authority; and historical and current approaches to reauthorization.
Date: August 1, 2014
Creator: Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias; Levit, Mindy R. & Taylor, Julia
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Party Leaders in the United States Congress, 1789-2014

Description: This report briefly describes current responsibilities and selection mechanisms for 15 House and Senate party leadership posts and provides tables with historical data, including service dates, party affiliation, and other information for each.
Date: July 31, 2014
Creator: Heitshusen, Valerie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Section 179 and Bonus Depreciation Expensing Allowances: Current Law, Legislative Proposals in the 113th Congress, and Economic Effects

Description: This report examines the current status, legislative history, and main economic effects (including their efficacy as an economic stimulus tool) of the Section 179 and bonus depreciation allowances. It also identifies legislative initiatives in the 113th Congress to modify either allowance.
Date: April 9, 2014
Creator: Guenther, Gary
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Generalized System of Preferences: Background and Renewal Debate

Description: This report presents, first, recent developments and a brief history, economic rationale, and legal background leading to the establishment of the GSP. Second, the report presents a discussion of U.S. implementation of the GSP. Third, the report presents an analysis of the U.S. program's effectiveness and the positions of various stakeholders. Fourth, implications of the expiration of the U.S. program and possible options for Congress are discussed.
Date: May 19, 2014
Creator: Jones, Vivian C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Export-Import Bank Reauthorization: Frequently Asked Questions

Description: This report addresses frequently asked questions about Ex-Im Bank, grouped in the following categories: congressional interest and the Ex-Im Bank reauthorization debate; market context; international context; organizational structure and management; programs; statutory requirements and policies; risk management; budget and appropriations; implications of a sunset in authority; and historical and current approaches to reauthorization.
Date: November 26, 2014
Creator: Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias; Carpenter, David H.; Levit, Mindy R. & Taylor, Julia
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Speaking on the House Floor: Gaining Time and Parliamentary Phraseology

Description: This report discusses the House rules and precedents that structure Members' opportunities to speak on the floor about pending legislation. Under some circumstances, Members arrange to speak on legislation by communicating with the leaders of the committee that reported the bill. Sometimes the arrangements can be made on the floor during the debate, and at other times they are made prior to floor consideration. The committee leaders from both sides of the aisle manage the consideration of a bil… more
Date: November 27, 2014
Creator: Rybicki, Elizabeth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Guide to Individuals Seated on the House Dais

Description: The House of Representatives meets in the House chamber of the Capitol. In the front of the chamber is a three-tiered, elevated dais. This report discusses the seating arrangements and traditions in regards to the dais.
Date: November 10, 2014
Creator: Heitshusen, Valerie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Back to Top of Screen