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Clean Water Act Issues in the 109th Congress

Description: Congress has recently focused legislative attention on narrow bills to extend or modify selected Clean Water Act (CWA) programs, rather than taking up comprehensive proposals. In the 109th Congress, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has approved S. 1400, a bill authorizing $20 billion in federal grants to capitalize state clean water infrastructure loan programs. Also, a House committee has approved bills to reauthorize several Clean Water Act programs: H.R. 624 would provide $1… more
Date: June 2, 2005
Creator: Copeland, Claudia
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Haiti: Developments and U.S. Policy Since 1991 and Current Congressional Concerns

Description: President Jean-Bertrand Aristide first assumed office in February 1991, following elections that were widely heralded as the first free and fair elections in Haiti's then-186-year history. He was overthrown by a military coup in September 1991. The U.S. involved itself in this by cutting off aid to the government, imposing trade embargoes, and military intervention among other things. This report contains information on the Haitian government and U.S. Congressional concerns.
Date: June 2, 2005
Creator: Taft-Morales, Maureen
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for the 109th Congress

Description: The United States and Mexico have a special relationship as neighbors and partners under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The friendly relationship has been strengthened by President Bush’s meetings with President Fox. This report, covering trade, migration/border, drug trafficking, and political issues, will be updated on a regular basis.
Date: June 2, 2005
Creator: Storrs, K. Larry
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Congressional Oversight of Judges and Justices

Description: 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 … more
Date: May 31, 2005
Creator: Bazan, Elizabeth B. & Rosenberg, Morton
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Membership of the 109th Congress: A Profile

Description: 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.
Date: May 31, 2005
Creator: Amer, Mildred L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Changing Senate Rules: The "Constitutional" or "Nuclear" Option

Description: This report indicates possible attempts to curtail the use of filibusters in the Senate, perhaps in the 109th Congress. Some have suggested that proponents of this idea may invoke something called the “nuclear” or “constitutional” option in Senate floor procedure to try to end a filibuster without the need for 60 votes or to amend the cloture rule (Rule XXII) itself. This report presents several possible scenarios that would require one or more of the Senate’s precedents be overturned or interp… more
Date: May 26, 2005
Creator: Palmer, Betsy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues for the 109th Congress

Description: two decades in terms of political and economic development. While the region overall experienced an economic setback in 2002-2003, by the end of 2004, it had rebounded with an estimated growth rate of 5.5% for the year, surpassing even the most optimistic predictions. Nevertheless, several nations face considerable challenges that could threaten political stability, including persistent poverty, violent guerrilla conflicts, autocratic leaders, drug trafficking, and increasing crime.
Date: May 26, 2005
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.; Hornbeck, J. F.; Ribando, Clare; Sek, Lenore; Storrs, K. Larry; Taft-Morales, Maureen et al.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Defense Authorization and Appropriations Bills: A Chronology, FY1970-FY2006

Description: The passage of the Department of Defense authorization and appropriations bills through Congress often does not follow the course laid out in textbooks on legislative procedure. This report is a research aid, which lists the DOD authorization bills ad appropriation bills. This includes all the pertinent information on the passage of these bills through the legislative process: bill numbers, report numbers, dates reported and passed, recorded vote numbers and vote tallies, dates of the passage o… more
Date: May 23, 2005
Creator: Carter, Linwood B. & Coipuram, Thomas, Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005

Description: Intellectual property legislation that came close to enactment during the 108th Congress has been enacted. The Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005 was signed into law on April 27, 2005. Among the issues addressed are unauthorized distribution of pre-release commercial works, the marketing of devices for home use to edit objectionable content from DVDs, the preservation of the nation's film heritage, and use by libraries and archives of "orphan works."
Date: May 20, 2005
Creator: Jeweler, Robin
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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House and Senate Chaplains

Description: The official clergy of Congress are the two chaplains — one in the House, the other in the Senate. They are among the elected officers of their respective houses. At the beginning of each Congress, the House chaplain is elected for a two-year term. The Senate chaplain does not have to be reelected at the beginning of a new Congress. This fact sheet is one of a series on the legislative process. For more information on the legislative process.
Date: May 20, 2005
Creator: Amer, Mildred L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Points of Order in the Congressional Budget Process

Description: The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Titles I-IX of P.L. 93-344, as amended) created a process that Congress uses each year to establish and enforce the parameters for budgetary legislation. Enforcement is accomplished through the use of points of order, and through the reconciliation process. Points of order are prohibitions against certain types of legislation or congressional actions. These prohibitions are enforced when a Member raises a point of order against legislation that may violate … more
Date: May 19, 2005
Creator: Saturno, James V.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Revenue Reconciliation Directives to the Senate Finance Committee in Congressional Budget Resolutions

Description: During the more than 30 years that the congressional budget process has been in effect, the Senate Finance Committee has been subject to revenue reconciliation directives in a budget resolution on 18 occasions. Nine instances involved directives to reduce revenues, while the remaining nine instructed the committee to increase revenues. In all but three of the 18 instances, revenue reconciliation directives to the committee were accompanied by spending reconciliation directives.
Date: May 18, 2005
Creator: Keith, Robert
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Spending Reconciliation Directives to the Senate Finance Committee in Congressional Budget Resolutions

Description: During the more than 30 years that the congressional budget process has been in effect, the Senate Finance Committee has been subject to spending reconciliation directives in a budget resolution on 16 occasions. Fourteen instances involved directives to reduce spending, while the remaining two, for FY2002 and FY2004, instructed the committee to increase outlays (to accommodate related tax policy changes). In every instance but one, for FY1982, spending reconciliation directives to the committee… more
Date: May 18, 2005
Creator: Keith, Robert & Heniff, Bill, Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Congressional Authority Over the Federal Courts

Description: This report examines Congress' legislative authority with respect to the Judicial Branch. While Congress has broad power to regulate the structure, administration and jurisdiction of the courts, its powers are limited by precepts of due process, equal protection and separation of powers.
Date: May 16, 2005
Creator: Bazan, Elizabeth B.; Killian, Johnny H. & Thomas, Kenneth R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Congressional Authority Over the Federal Courts

Description: This report examines Congress' legislative authority with respect to the Judicial Branch. While Congress has broad power to regulate the structure, administration and jurisdiction of the courts, its powers are limited by precepts of due process, equal protection and separation of powers. This report addresses the constitutional foundation of the federal courts, and the explicit and general authorities of Congress to regulate the courts. It then addresses Congress’ ability to limit the jurisdict… more
Date: May 16, 2005
Creator: Bazan, Elizabeth B.; Killian, Johnny & Thomas, Kenneth R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Agricultural Issues in the 109th Congress

Description: A number of issues affecting U.S. agriculture are receiving attention during the 109th Congress. Some are related to new initiatives or to unfinished legislation from the 108th Congress; others have been the focus of ongoing congressional oversight. Although the current (2002) farm bill (P.L. 107-171) generally does not expire until 2007, the agriculture committees could begin hearings on a new measure later this year. Meanwhile, the agriculture committees are required by the adopted FY2006 bud… more
Date: May 13, 2005
Creator: Chite, Ralph M. & Becker, Geoffrey S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Energy Policy: Comprehensive Energy Legislation (H.R. 6) in the 109th Congress

Description: The House passed H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, on April 21, 2005 (249-183). The legislation includes a “safe harbor” provision to protect methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) refiners from product liability suits, which was retained after a close vote on an amendment to drop the language (213-219). In the 108th Congress, there was opposition to this provision in the Senate. It is unclear how its inclusion may affect Senate passage of an energy bill in the 109th Congress. House Republican… more
Date: May 13, 2005
Creator: Bamberger, Robert L. & Behrens, Carl E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Congressional Budget Actions in 2005

Description: During the first session of the 109th Congress, the House and Senate will consider many different budgetary measures. Most of them will pertain to fiscal year (FY) 2006 and beyond, but some will make adjustments to the budget for FY2005. As the session progresses, this report will describe House and Senate actions on major budgetary legislation within the framework of the congressional budget process and other procedural requirements.
Date: May 12, 2005
Creator: Heniff, Bill, Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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"Fast Track" Congressional Consideration of Recommendations of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission

Description: The recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission will automatically take effect unless, within a stated period after the recommendations are submitted to the House and Senate, Congress adopts a joint resolution of disapproval rejecting them in their entirety. Congressional consideration of this disapproval resolution is not governed by the regular rules of the House and Senate, but by special expedited or “fast track” procedures laid out in statute. This report des… more
Date: May 12, 2005
Creator: Davis, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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