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Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables

Description: This report discusses recent fiscal year Congressional pay raise freezes and provides: historical tables on the rate of pay for Members of Congress since 1789; details on enacted legislation with language prohibiting the automatic annual pay adjustment since the most recent adjustment; the adjustments projected by the Ethics Reform Act as compared with actual adjustments in Member pay; and Member pay in constant and current dollars since 1992.
Date: January 9, 2018
Creator: Brudnick, Ida A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables

Description: Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. Prior to 1969, Congress did so by enacting stand-alone legislation. Stand-alone legislation may still be used to raise Member pay but two other methods-including an automatic annual adjustment procedure and a commission process-are now also available. This report contains information on the pay procedure and recent adjustments. It also contains historical information on the rate of pay for Members of Con… more
Date: February 9, 2011
Creator: Brudnick, Ida A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2010

Description: The U.S. Constitution, in Article I, Section 6, authorizes compensation for Members of Congress "ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States." Throughout American history, Congress has relied on three different methods in adjusting salaries for Members. Standalone legislation was last used to provide increases in 1990 and 1991. It was the only method used by Congress for many years. The second method, under which annual adjustments took effect automatically unless disa… more
Date: February 9, 2011
Creator: Brudnick, Ida A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Media Adoption by Members of Congress: Trends and Congressional Considerations

Description: This report examines Member adoption of social media platforms outside of Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, such as Instagram, Flickr, and Google+, which have each been adopted by at least 2.5% of Representatives and Senators. It discusses the possible implications of the adoption of social media, including managing multiple platforms, the type of content and posting location, the allocation of office resources to social media communications, and archiving social media content.
Date: October 9, 2018
Creator: Straus, Jacob R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Authorization of Appropriations: Procedural and Legal Issues

Description: This report provides a brief explanation of the distinction between authorized and unauthorized appropriations, and its significance for understanding how appropriations and other legislation work in conjunction to determine how agencies may spend appropriated funds.
Date: September 9, 2014
Creator: Tollestrup, Jessica & Yeh, Brian T.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Budget Enforcement Procedures: The Senate Pay-As-You-Go (PayGO) Rule

Description: This report discusses the Senate pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rule, which generally requires that any legislation projected to increase direct spending or reduce revenues must also include equivalent amounts of direct spending cuts, revenue increases, or a combination, so that the legislation does not increase the on-budget deficit in the current fiscal year, the budget year, a six-year period, or an 11-year period (the latter two periods beginning with the current fiscal year). This update includes … more
Date: January 9, 2018
Creator: Heniff, Bill, Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Cybersecurity: Selected Issues for the 115th Congress

Description: This report covers a variety of topics related to cybersecurity in order to provide context and a framework for further discussion on selected policy areas. These topics include cybersecurity incidents, major federal agency roles and responsibilities, recent policy actions by Congress and the White House, and descriptions of policy issues that may be of interest for the 115th Congress.
Date: March 9, 2018
Creator: Jaikaran, Chris
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Procedural Analysis of Private Laws Enacted:1986-2013

Description: This report examines the broad distinctions among private laws in terms of their subject matter, introduction, sponsorship and co-sponsorship, referral, method of consideration, amendment, and reconciling of differences between the chambers' versions of the bill.
Date: April 9, 2013
Creator: Davis, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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House Office of Congressional Ethics: History, Authority, and Procedures

Description: This report describes the history and rationale behind the creation of the House Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), its operations, and its relationship with the House Committee on Ethics, and potential options available for Congress if further amendments to the House ethics process are desired.
Date: February 9, 2017
Creator: Straus, Jacob R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Expedited or "Fast-Track" Legislative Procedures

Description: This report discusses expedited or "fast-track" legislative procedures, which are special procedures that Congress adopts to promote timely committee and floor action on a specifically defined type of bill or resolution.
Date: February 9, 2011
Creator: Davis, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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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
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Impeachment: An Overview of Constitutional Provisions, Procedure, and Practice

Description: The American impeachment process places in the legislative branch the authority to remove the President, Vice President, and other federal civil officers in the executive and judicial branches upon a determination that such officers have engaged in treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. It is one of the checks and balances grounded in the American constitutional structure. This report summarizes impeachment proceedings in the 111th Congress, examines relevant constitutional pr… more
Date: December 9, 2010
Creator: Bazan, Elizabeth B.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses Congressional gold medals which are awarded by Congress periodically for distinguished contributions to the United States. The history, selection process, award designs and production process, and issues for Congress are discussed.
Date: February 9, 2018
Creator: Straus, Jacob R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Role of the Senate in Judicial Impeachment Proceedings: Procedure, Practice, and Data

Description: This report examines the history, practice, and procedures of the Senate in fulfilling its constitutional obligation to try and to vote whether to convict and impose judgment upon judges impeached by the House of Representatives. It includes an overview of the process, and sections that discuss rules governing Senate impeachment proceedings, organizing the Senate for trial, the role of the Presiding Officer, the use of an impeachment trial committee, deliberation and judgment by the full senate… more
Date: April 9, 2010
Creator: Smelcer, Susan Navarro
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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House Committee Reports: Required Contents

Description: This report discusses house rules and statutes that detail several substantive requirements for items to be included in reports accompanying bills reported from committees, as noted in this report.
Date: February 9, 2015
Creator: Schneider, Judy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Continuing Resolutions: Latest Action and Brief Overview of Recent Practices

Description: This report is divided into two segments. The first section provides the most recent information on the FY2011 continuing resolution. The second segment focuses on the (1) history and recent trends, including the nature, scope, and duration of CRs during the past 35 years; (2) CR types by duration; (3) major substantive legislative provisions included in some CRs; and (4) funding gaps.
Date: March 9, 2011
Creator: Streeter, Sandy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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How Legislation Is Brought to the House Floor: A Snapshot of Recent Parliamentary Practice

Description: The House of Representatives has several different parliamentary procedures through which it can bring legislation to the chamber floor. Which will be used in a given situation depends on many factors, including the type of measure being considered, its cost, the amount of political or policy controversy surrounding it, and the degree to which Members want to debate it and propose amendments. This report provides a statistical snapshot of the forms, origins, and party sponsorship of these measu… more
Date: March 9, 2011
Creator: Davis, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Statutory Qualifications for Executive Branch Positions

Description: This report provides background on the framework for constitutional appointments, discusses Congress's constitutional authority to set qualifications for appointees, discusses congressional practices in this area, and provides related analysis and options. It also includes two tables with examples of existing positions with qualification requirements.
Date: September 9, 2015
Creator: Hogue, Henry B.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Presidential Appointments, the Senate's Confirmation Process, and Changes Made in the 112th Congress

Description: This report provides information on presidential appointments in the executive and judicial branch including a brief background on advice and consent issues, an overview of the appointment process in both the executive and legislative branches, and a brief discussion of recent concerns about the system. Also, the report explores the events in the 112th Congress leading up to the introduction and passage of two measures purported to make the appointment process easier and quicker, and it conclu… more
Date: October 9, 2012
Creator: Carey, Maeve P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress

Description: The Navy is procuring a new type of surface combatant called the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The Navy wants to procure a total of 55 LCSs. This report details the 2007 restructuring of the LCS program, as well as various financial information relating to the program. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's plans for the LCS program. The LCS program raises potential oversight issues for Congress relating to various aspects of the program, all of which are explo… more
Date: December 9, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 112th Congress: Conflicting Values and Difficult Choices

Description: The Endangered Species Act has been one of the more contentious environmental laws. This may stem from its strict substantive provisions, which can affect the use of both federal and nonfederal lands and resources. This report discusses oversight issues and legislation introduced in the 112th Congress to address Endangered Species Act implementation and management of endangered and threatened species.
Date: May 9, 2012
Creator: Buck, Eugene H.; Corn, M. Lynne; Alexander, Kristina; Sheikh, Pervaze A. & Meltz, Robert
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)/Frigate Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), a relatively inexpensive Navy surface combatant equipped with modular "plug-and-fight" mission packages for countering mines, small boats, and diesel-electric submarines, particularly in littoral (i.e., near-shore) waters.
Date: February 9, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Assistance Programs in China

Description: This report examines U.S. foreign assistance activities in the People's Republic of China (PRC), particularly U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programming, foreign operations appropriations, policy history, and legislative background.
Date: May 9, 2013
Creator: Lum, Thomas
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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