Congressional Research Service Reports - 48 Matching Results
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- The Railway Fireman Manning Dispute: History and Issues, 1959-1970
- This report addresses the railway fireman manning dispute: its history and issues spanning from 1959 to 1970.
- Brownouts -- what they are, their effects, and what to do about them
- This report addresses brownouts - what they are, their effects, and what to do about them.
- The Legislative Scene; A Descriptive List of Selected Newsletters, Journals, and other Periodical Publications Covering Congressional Activities
- This is a list or publications that track the various activities of Congress.
- House Rules Manual: Summary of Contents
- This report provides a brief summary of the contents of the "House Rules and Manual" that governs the procedures of the House of Representatives.
- Proposals to Reform “Holds” in the Senate
- “Holds” are an informal senatorial custom unrecognized in Senate rules or precedents. They allow Senators to give notice to their respective party leader that certain measures or matters should not be brought up on the floor. This report examines, over a more than three-decade period, a wide range of proposals to reform holds.
- Pay-As-You-Go Procedures for Budget Enforcement
- “Pay-as-you-go” (PAYGO) procedures play an important role in enforcing budget policies with respect to the consideration of revenue and direct spending legislation. Generally, the purpose of PAYGO procedures is to discourage or prevent the enactment of legislation that would cause, or increase, a deficit or reduce a surplus.
- The United States as a Net Debtor Nation: Overview of the International Investment Position
- This report outlines concerns about the US net international investment position because of the role foreign investors are playing in US capital markets and the potential for large outflows of income and services payments. Some observers also argue that the US reliance on foreign capital inflows leaves the economy vulnerable to financial crises.
- Major Leadership Election Contests in the House of Representatives, 94th-111th Congresses
- This report contains data on votes for Speaker of the House for the 94th through 110th Congresses and elections in party conferences or caucuses for major leaders within each party for the 94th through 111th Congresses. It reflects actual balloting on the House floor for Speaker and in the Democratic Caucus and Republican Conference for other positions.
- China-U.S. Relations in the 109th Congress
- This report discusses the U.S. concern about China that appeared driven by security calculation at the Pentagon and in congress. It also points out key issues, Hong Kong Governance and Major Legislation.
- Campaign Finance: Potential Legislative and Policy Issues for the 111th Congress
- This report discusses selected campaign finance policy issues that may receive attention during the 111th Congress such as the electronic filing of senate campaign finance reports, bundling, hybrid advertising, joint fundraising committees, 527 Organizations and more.
- Financial Regulatory Reform and the 111th Congress
- Financial regulatory reform is being discussed in the 111th Congress, the continuation of a policy debate that began before the September 2008 financial disruption. This report reviews issues related to financial regulation. It provides brief descriptions of comprehensive reform bills in the 111th Congress that addresses these issues.
- Drought in the United States: Causes and Issues for Congress
- This report provides information about the Causes and Issues for Congress on Drought in the United States. Drought has extended across two-thirds of the United States and had adversely affected agricultural producers.
- Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress
- This report provides information on the 33 Asian Pacific Americans who have served in the United States Congress from 1903 to the present, including 13 Resident Commissioners from the Philippine Islands.
- Chemical Facility Security: Regulation and Issues for Congress
- This report provides information about the Regulation and Issues for Congress in Chemical Facility Security. The proposed security regulations will preempt local and facility submission.
- Health Care Spending: Context and Policy
- The United States spends a large and growing share of national income on health care. In 2006, health spending is expected to approach $2.2 trillion and account for more than 16% of gross domestic product. This report contains information on the background of the healthcare industry in the United States, key issues for Congress in this policy area, and three policy directions to consider: changing health care, changing federal programs, and changing tax policy.
- The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Legislation in the 113th Congress
- The earned income tax credit is a refundable tax credit available to eligible workers earning relatively low wages. Under current law, the earned income tax credit is calculated based on a recipient's earnings, using one of eight different formulas, which vary depending on several factors, including the number of qualifying children a tax filer has and their marital status. This report discusses and analyzes legislative proposals introduced in the 113th Congress that propose modifying the earned income tax credit.
- Women in the United States Congress: 1917-2011
- This report identifies the names, committee assignments, dates of service, and (for Representatives) congressional districts of the 276 women who have served in Congress.
- The Global Peace Operations Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress
- This report provides The Background and Issues for Congress on Global Peace Operations Initiative where the Unites Sates have provided considerable support to implement several peace processes.
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR): Controversies for the 109th Congress
- This is a report by the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, specifically about the controversies for the 109th Congress.
- Membership of the 114th Congress: A Profile
- This report presents a profile of the membership of the 114th Congress (2015-2016). Statistical information is included on selected characteristics of Members, including data on party affiliation, average age, occupation, education, length of congressional service, religious affiliation, gender, ethnicity, foreign births, and military service.
- International Travel by Congress: Legislation in the 111th Congress, Background, and Potential Policy Options
- International travel by Members of Congress and their staff is an issue of longstanding interest among some members of the public, media outlets, and Members. Questions regarding the purposes and destinations of international travel by Congress frequently arise, as do questions about the ability to track the costs and benefits of such travel. This report provides information and analysis on the use of foreign currency expended in support of congressional travel to international destinations that is paid for with appropriated funds and authorized by the House or Senate; on measures related to international travel by Congress introduced in the 111th Congress, and administrative actions related to international travel taken by the House; and on potential options for Congress related to international travel by Members and staff. This report does not provide data on travel costs borne by executive agencies that support congressional travel, as those data are not publicly available.
- Navy Aegis Cruiser and Destroyer Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress
- The Navy has begun a multi-billion dollar program to modernize its 84 existing Aegis cruisers and destroyers over a period of more than 20 years. This report explores this program in detail, including the reasons for the program and the oversight issues it poses for Congress.
- Membership of the 111th Congress: A Profile
- This report presents a profile of the membership of the 111th Congress. Statistical information is included on selected characteristics of Members, including data on party affiliation, average age and length of service, occupation, religious affiliation, gender, ethnicity, foreign births, and military service.
- The Federal Budget: Current and Upcoming Issues
- This report examines changes to the Federal Budget for Fiscal Years 2008-2010. The report considers the factors that have an effect on various budgetary functions and decisions. The report specifically focuses on the effect of the 2007-2008 financial recession on the budget, but also considers more long-term fiscal issues such as health care for retiring Baby-Boomers.
- The U.S. Secret Service: An Examination and Analysis of Its Evolving Missions
- This report frames potential policy questions concerning the U.S. Secret Service's (USSS) mission and organization through an examination of the USSS history and its statutory authorities, mission, and present activities within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
- The First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the House Floor
- This report focuses on the floor activities of the House during its first formal session in a new Congress, and serves as a guide for those participating in or watching these proceedings.
- Party Leaders in the United States Congress, 1789-2014
- 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.
- Membership of the 113th Congress: A Profile
- This report presents a profile of the membership of the 113th Congress (2013-2014). Statistical information is included on selected characteristics of Members, including data on party affiliation, average age, occupation, education, length of congressional service, religious affiliation, gender, ethnicity, foreign births, and military service.
- 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.
- Cloture Attempts on Nominations
- This report discusses topics regarding cloture as a means to limit debate and overcome a possible filibuster.
- Protection of Classified Information by Congress: Practices and Proposals
- This report discusses safeguards in place to protect conterolled information and proposals for change of some of the mechanisms in place. Congress uses classified national security and other controlled information to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities, particularly overseeing the executive, appropriating funds, and legislating public policy.
- Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests
- This report discusses the U.S. policy toward the Central Asia. It provides background information and most recent developments in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. U.S. objectives have included promoting free markets, democratization, human rights, energy development, and the forging of East-West and Central Asia-South Asia trade links.
- Congressional Liaison Offices of Selected Federal Agencies
- This list of about 150 congressional liaison offices is intended to help congressional offices in placing telephone calls and addressing correspondence to government agencies. In each case, the information was supplied by the agency itself and is current as of the date of publication. Entries are arranged alphabetically in four sections: legislative branch; judicial branch; executive branch; and agencies, boards, and commissions.
- Federal Counter-Terrorism Training: Issues for Congressional Oversight
- This report is an overview of the major training activities and facilities of the federal departments and agencies that provide counter-terrorism training. It identifies some of the issues associated with the training, including the following: (1) possible duplication of federal counter-terrorism training programs; (2) determination of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) counter-terrorism training priorities; and (3) possible redundancy and coordination of DHS counter-terrorism training programs.
- Federal Counter-Terrorism Training: Issues for Congressional Oversight
- This report is an overview of the major training activities and facilities of the federal departments and agencies that provide counter-terrorism training. It identifies some of the issues associated with the training, including the possible duplication of federal counter-terrorism training programs; determination of Department of Homeland Security counterterrorism training priorities; and possible redundancy and coordination of DHS counter-terrorism training programs.
- Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the Japan - U.S. relations. The alliance, with its access to bases in Japan, where about 53,000 U.S. troops are stationed, facilitates the forward deployment of U.S. military forces in the Asia-Pacific, thereby undergirding U.S. national security strategy.
- Membership of the 109th Congress: A Profile
- This report presents a profile of the membership of the 109th Congress. Statistical information is included on selected characteristics of Members. This includes data on party affiliation; average age and length of service; occupation; religious affiliation; female and minority Members; foreign-born Members; and military service.
- Congressional Oversight of Judges and Justices
- This report addresses Congress’ oversight authority over individual federal judges or Supreme Court Justices. Congressional oversight authority, although broad, is limited to subjects related to the exercise of legitimate congressional power. First the report addresses the general powers and limitations on Congress’ oversight authority. Second, the report examines the Senate approval process for the nominations of individual judges or Justices, and the Senate’s ability to obtain information on judges or Justices during that process. The report also considers the limits of existing statutory authority for judicial discipline and how Congress has influenced such procedures. It discusses the issue of how far the congressional investigatory powers can be exercised regarding possible judicial impeachments. Finally, it treats investigations regarding the individual actions of a judge outside of the above contexts, such as how a judge imposes sentences under the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
- Legislative Procedure for Disapproving the Renewal of China's Most-Favored-Nation Status
- The continuation in effect of China's most-favored-nation status with the United States is contingent principally on the maintenance in force of the waiver of full compliance with the requirements of the freedom-of-emigration ("Jackson-Vanik") amendment of the Trade Act of 1974. Waivers and their underlying authority must be extended annually.
- HIV/AIDS International Programs: FY2003 Request and FY2002 Spending
- Supplemental Appropriations legislation for FY2002, currently before Congress, could increase spending for international HIV/AIDS programs beyond the amounts currently projected.
- Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress in the 1990s
- Japan-U.S. relations are more uncertain and subject to greater strain today than at any time since World War II. Longstanding military allies and increasingly interdependent economic partners, Japan and the United States have worked closely together to build a strong, multifaceted relationship based on democratic values and interests in world stability and development. But Japan today is our foremost economic and technological competitor. It consistently runs the largest annual international trade surplus with the U.S. ($59 billion in 1993). The end of the Cold War, lackluster international economic conditions, and the focus on economic issues in U.S. politics have raised new questions about the appropriate U.S. policy toward this Asian ally.
- Homeland Security: Intelligence Support
- Legislation establishing a Department of Homeland Security includes provisions for an information analysis element within the new department. This report examines the information analysis function and the sharing of information among federal agencies but does not address provisions in the proposed legislation governing the sharing of intelligence with state and local officials.
- Peacekeeping: Issues of U.S. Military Involvement
- No Description Available.
- Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress
- No Description Available.
- Congressional Budget Actions in 2002
- During the second session of the 107th Congress, the House and Senate will consider many different budgetary measures. Most of these measures will pertain to FY2003 (which will begin on October 1, 2002) and beyond, but some may make adjustments to the budget for FY2002. As the congressional session progresses, this issue brief will describe House and Senate action on major budgetary legislation within the framework of the congressional budget process and other procedural requirements.
- Senate Conferees: Their Selection and Authority
- No Description Available.
- Fast Track for Trade Agreements: Procedural Controls for Congress and Proposed Alternatives
- This report discusses the fast track trade procedures in the Trade Act of 1974 operate as procedural rules of the House and Senate, and the statute itself declares them to be enacted as an exercise of the constitutional authority of each house to determine its own rules. These procedures prevent Congress from altering an implementing bill or declining to act, but permit it to enact or reject the bill. By these means Congress retains authority to legislate in the areas covered, yet affords the President conditions for effective negotiation.
- Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress
- This report provides information on the 33 Asian Pacific Americans who have served in the United States Congress from 1903 to the present, including 13 Resident Commissioners from the Philippine Islands. These Resident Commissioners served from 1907-1946 while the Philippines were a U.S. territory and commonwealth (all were Philippine born). Information on Members and territorial delegates includes party affiliations, length and dates of service, and committee assignments.