Congressional Research Service Reports - 111 Matching Results
Search Results
- China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities — Background and Issues for Congress
- This report provides information about the Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities and Issues for Congress on China Naval Modernization since Concern has grown in congress about the china military modernization.
- Congressional Budget Actions in 2007
- During the first session of the 110th Congress, the House and Senate considered many different budgetary measures. This report describes House and Senate action on major budgetary legislation within the framework of the congressional budget process and other procedural requirements.
- Critical Infrastructures: Background, Policy, and Implementation
- The Nation's health, wealth, and security rely on the production and distribution of certain goods and services. The array of physical assets, functions, and systems across which these goods and services move are called critical infrastructures. This report discusses in more detail the evolution of a national critical infrastructure policy and the institutional structures established to implement it. The report highlights five issues of Congressional concern: identifying critical assets; assessing vulnerabilities and risks; allocating resources; information sharing; and, regulation.
- 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.
- Conventional Warheads for Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues for Congress
- This report provides information about the Background and Issues for Congress on Conventional Warheads for Long-Range Ballistic Missiles.
- Defense: FY2008 Authorization and Appropriations
- This report provides information about the FY2008 Authorization and Appropriations on defense. This report act as a guide to one of the regular appropriation bills that Congress considered each year.
- AIDS in Africa
- This report discusses the AIDS issue in Africa and the Bush administration's call to increase U.S. international funding for AIDS.
- Committee of the Whole: An Introduction
- The Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, more often referred to as the “Committee of the Whole,” is the House of Representatives operating as a committee on which every Member of the House serves. The House of Representatives uses this parliamentary device to take procedural advantage of a somewhat different set of rules governing proceedings in the Committee than those governing proceedings in the House. The purpose is to expedite legislative consideration. This report briefly reviews the history of the Committee of the Whole, describes the current procedure associated with it, and identifies its procedural advantages.
- Senate Rule XIV Procedures for Placing Measures Directly on the Senate Calendar
- When a Senator introduces a bill or joint resolution, the measure is usually referred to committee, pursuant to provisions of Senate Rules XIV, XVII, and XXV. This report describes the Senate Rule XIV, para. 2, which requires that bills and resolutions have three readings before passage, and that they be read twice before being referred to committee.
- Agricultural Issues in the 110th Congress
- This report considers the issues the 110th Congress was confronted with in relation to agriculture and the issues inherited from the 109th Congress. The report also includes details about the upcoming farm bill and the usual problems that are examined with the creation of a new farm bill.
- U.S.-Funded Assistance Programs in China
- This report discusses United States foreign operations appropriations for the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which primarily support democracy-related programs, particularly rule of law training, and support Tibetan communities. The U.S. Congress has played a leading role in providing funding for such programs, which has grown from $10 million in FY2002 to $23 million in FY2006. Major funding areas include legal training, legal aid, criminal defense, labor rights, and non-governmental organization (NGO) development in China, monitoring human rights conditions in the PRC from outside China, and preserving Tibetan culture.
- Spectrum Use and the Transition to Digital TV
- This report examines Spectrum use in the United States and the transition to digital TV. Like most of the world, The United States, is moving to replace current television technology with a new, technically superior format generally referred to as digital television (DTV). As part of this transition, Congress has acted to move television broadcasters out of radio spectrum currently used for the old, analog technology. The vacated radio frequencies are now scheduled for release in accordance with provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171), which sets a February 2009 date for the release of the spectrum.
- Senate Committee Hearings: The “Minority Witness Rule”
- This report discusses the "minority witness rule." When a Senate committee, other than the Appropriations Committee, holds a hearing, the minority party members of the panel have the right to call witnesses of their choosing to testify during at least one day of that hearing.
- 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.
- China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities — Background and Issues for Congress
- This report provides information about the Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities and Issues for Congress on China Naval Modernization since Concern has grown in congress about the china military modernization.
- Senate Committee Hearings: Preparation
- Committee hearings allow Senators an opportunity to gather information on, and draw attention to, legislation and issues within a committee’s purview, conduct oversight of programs or agencies, and investigate allegations of wrongdoing. This report contains a checklist that identifies many of the tasks that need to be performed by a full committee and, in most cases, subcommittees in advance of a hearing. Some of the tasks are required by Senate or committee rules; others are common committee practice. Some tasks are usually the responsibility of the committee’s majority staff, some are shared by majority and minority staff, and some are performed by a Senator’s personal office staff.
- Homeland Security Department: FY2008 Appropriations
- This report describes the FY2008 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security. The Administration requested a net appropriation of $35.5 billion in net budget authority for FY2008. This report is a guide to one of the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Homeland Security.
- Senate Legislative Procedures: Published Sources of Information
- The Senate publishes its rules, precedents, and other related information so that Senators and their staff have convenient access to the Senate’s legislative procedures and can gauge how those procedures are likely to apply in various situations. Information about the Senate’s legislative procedures is published in four official documents. This report discusses these documents.
- Drinking Water State Revolving Fund: Program Overview and Issues
- The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 authorized a drinking water state revolving loan fund program to help public water systems finance infrastructure projects needed to comply with federal drinking water regulations and to protect public health.
- Follow-On Biologics: Intellectual Property and Innovation Issues
- Biologics, which are sometimes termed biopharmaceuticals or biotechnology drugs, have begun to play an increasingly important role in U.S. health care. Not only are sales of biologics growing rapidly, some experts estimate that in coming years half of all newly approved drugs will result from biotechnology. This report contains information on marketing approval issues, intellectual property issues, and innovation issues as related to biologics.
- Crime and Forfeiture
- This report provides information about Crime and Forfeiture. Forfeiture has been an effective law enforcement tool. Modern Forfeiture follows one of the two procedural routes.
- Climate Change Legislation in the 110th Congress
- This report provides information about the Climate Change Legislation in the 109th Congress.climate change and greenhouses were issues in the 109th congress as they have been in the past congress.
- Gasoline Price Increases: Federal and State Authority to Limit ‘Price Gouging’
- During the 2005 hurricane season, gasoline prices rose sharply, both in directly affected areas and elsewhere in the country, and attention turned to the causes underlying these sharp increases. Although gasoline prices have fluctuated since then, Congres continues to consider legislation on fuel pricing, including provisions addressing price gouging. In the 110th Congress, bills have been introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives that would adopt federal provisions on price gouging of gasoline and other fuels.
- Dairy Policy Issues
- This report provides information about the Dairy Policy Issues. Several dairy issues are considered by Congress, some of which effects the three major federal dairy policy tools. Federal milk marketing orders regulate the farm price of milk for roughly two-thirds of U.S Milk production.
- Emergency Contraception: Plan B
- This report discusses the FDA approval of Plan B as a prescription drug, as well as the more recent and controversial FDA approval of Plan B as an OTC drug. Legal issues regarding the recent FDA decision are also discussed as well as various state policies that affect access to emergency contraceptives. In addition, the report discusses the Department of Justice guidelines for the treatment of sexual assault victims, which have been criticized by numerous organizations because they do not mention offering emergency contraception to female rape victims. The DOJ guidelines were the focus of legislation introduced in the 109th Congress. Lastly, this report discusses the likely impact of the FDA Plan B OTC decision.
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Legislation in the 110th Congress
- This report reviews the status of energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation introduced during the 110th Congress. Most Senate action led to the Senate version of H.R. 6, an omnibus energy bill that the Senate passed on June 21, 2007. Most House action led to the omnibus energy bill H.R. 3221, which the House passed on August 4, 2007. A second area of focus has been on the funding-related bills for energy efficiency and renewable energy, especially H.R. 2641, the Energy and Water Appropriations bill for FY2008.
- Kosovo’s Future Status and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses the issue of Kosovo's future status; that is, whether it should become an independent country or continue to be part of Serbia, but with a large degree of autonomy. The future status of Kosovo is the most sensitive and potentially destabilizing political question in the Balkans. The United States and its main European allies are expected to recognize Kosovo's independence in early 2008, over the heated objections of Serbia and Russia. Several pieces of legislation on Kosovo's status were introduced in the first session of the 110th Congress. The second session of the 110th Congress may also consider legislation on Kosovo's status or Kosovo's post-status development.
- Kuwait: Security, Reform, and U.S. Policy
- This report examines Kuwait, which would be pivotal to any U.S. decision to wind down its military involvement in Iraq, has advanced its democratic development since the fall of Saddam Hussein, but it remains concerned about security threats emanating from a still unstable Iraq. In June 2006 parliamentary elections, women voted and ran for the first time, but none won.
- Maritime Security: Potential Terrorist Attacks and Protection Priorities
- This report outlines key dimensions of maritime terrorism and illustrates credible maritime attack scenarios based on actual past attacks. It also discusses the challenge to maritime security planners and how certain federal programs address this challenge.
- Women in the United States Congress: 1917-2007
- This report identifies the names, committee assignments, dates of service, and (for Representatives) districts of the 244 women who have served in Congress.
- District of Columbia Representation: Effect on House Apportionment
- This report shows the distribution of House seats based on the 2000 census for 435 seats and for 437 seats as specified in the proposal. The report also examines the impact of using the 2006 estimated population to allocate the 437 seats, including the single seat provided to the District.
- Congress’s Contempt Power: A Sketch
- This report outlines the source of the contempt power, reviews major developments in the case law, and analyzes the procedures associated with each of the three different types of contempt proceedings.
- The Federal Minimum Wage and American Samoa
- This report discusses the federal minimum wage in American Samoa. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the minimum wage for the islands is fixed by a commission established by the Secretary of Labor. The minimum wage for fish processing is currently $3.26 an hour. Were Congress to extend the general (federal) minimum wage to American Samoa (and raise it to $7.25 an hour, as is currently proposed), the fish processing industry might absorb the increase, change the way it processes tuna, or migrate to other low-wage countries.
- Hearings in the U.S. Senate: A Guide for Preparation and Procedure
- This report discusses hearings in the U.S. Senate and is divided into four main sections. This introduction addresses the role of hearings in the committee process, types of hearings, and broad organizational issues.
- Secret Sessions of the House and Senate
- This report discusses the “Secret,” or “closed,” sessions of the House and Senate that exclude the press and the public.
- District of Columbia Voting Representation in Congress: An Analysis of Legislative Proposals
- This report provides a summary and analysis of legislative proposals that would provide voting representation in Congress to residents of the District of Columbia.
- Federal Pell Grant Program of the Higher Education Act: Background and Reauthorization
- This report reviews how the Federal Pell Grant program works and provides analysis of program funding, recipients (numbers and characteristics), and the role being played by the program in the distribution of federal student aid. It concludes with an examination of several Pell-related issues that may be considered by the Congress in the HEA reauthorization process.
- Committee System Rules Changes in the House, 110th Congress
- This fact sheet details changes in the committee system contained in H. Res. 6, the Rules of the House for the 110th Congress, agreed to by the House January 4, 2007. It contains information on changes in committee organization and structure, committee procedure, and earmark reform.
- 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.
- FY2007 Supplemental Appropriations for Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Other Purposes
- This report contains information on federal appropriations for the fiscal year 2007 in the area of defense, foreign affairs, and related subjects.
- Defense Acquisition: Use of Lead System Integrators (LSIs) — Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress
- Some in Congress have expressed concern about the government's use of private-sector lead system integrators (LSIs) for executing large, complex defense-related acquisition programs. LSIs are large, prime contractors hired to manage such programs.The 110th Congress has also introduced legislation to require the federal government to study the use of LSIs, and legislation wich would prohibit the use of LSIs for remaining contracts under the Deepwater Program. This report contains information on the background on LSIs, potential oversight issues for Congress, potential options for Congress, and legislative activity as related to this issue.
- District of Columbia: Appropriations for 2007
- The annual consideration of appropriations bills by Congress is a part of a complex set of budget processes that also encompasses the consideration of budget resolutions, revenue and debt-limit legislation, other spending measures, and reconciliation bills. This report is a guide to the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year.
- Data Security Breaches: Context and Incident Summaries
- This report discusses the Context and Incident Summaries on Data Security Breaches. Personal data security breaches are being reported with increasing regularity. A law implemented in July 2003 had increased awareness of these data security breaches.
- Coast Guard Deepwater Program: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress
- This report provides information about the Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress of Coast Guard Deepwater Program.
- Air Cargo Security
- The air cargo system is vulnerable to several security threats, including: potential plots to place explosives aboard aircraft; illegal shipments of hazardous materials; criminal activities such as smuggling and theft; and potential hijackings and sabotage by persons with access to aircraft. This report discusses legislative efforts currently underway to improve air cargo system security.
- Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress
- This report contains the Asian Pacific Americans in the United States congress.
- Criminal Restitution Proposals in the 110th Congress
- Restitution legislation in the 110th Congress falls into three categories. Some proposals, such as the gang crime bills, create new federal crimes or amend specific existing federal offenses and in doing so include restitution provisions particular to those offenses. Other proposals address a particular aspect of the law such as abatement which limits restitution collection after the defendant's death.
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Amendments: 110th Congress
- This report provides information about the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Amendments of 110th Congress where that statute specified nine categories of information that may be permissibly exempted from the rule of disclosure.
- Defense: FY2008 Authorization and Appropriations
- This report provides information about the FY2008 Authorization and Appropriations on defense. This report act as a guide to one of the regu;lar appropriation bills that Congress considered each year.
- Conservation Reserve Program: Status and Current Issues
- The Conservation Reserve Program, enacted in 1985, provides payments to farmers to take highly erodible or environmentally sensitive cropland out of production for ten years or more to conserve soil and water resources. It is the federal government's largest private land retirement program. This report contains information on how the program was made, enrolling in the program, program costs and benefits, and current issues.