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The Federal Minimum Wage and American Samoa

Description: 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… more
Date: April 8, 2008
Creator: Whittaker, William G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Congressional Authority to Limit Military Operations

Description: This report begins by discussing constitutional provisions allocating war powers between Congress and the President, and presenting a historical overview of relevant court cases. It considers Congress's constitutional authority to end a military conflict via legislative action. The report discusses Congress's ability to limit funding for U.S. participation in hostilities, examining relevant court cases and prior measures taken by Congress to restrict military operations, as well as possible alt… more
Date: September 8, 2011
Creator: Elsea, Jennifer K.; Garcia, Michael John & Nicola, Thomas J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Congressional Appropriations Process: An Introduction

Description: Congress annually considers 11 or more appropriation measures, which provide funding for a variety of activities such as national defense, education, disaster assistance, crime programs, and general government operations, such as the administration of most federal agencies. This report details the rules and practices for the consideration of appropriations measures, referred to as the congressional appropriations process.
Date: December 8, 2006
Creator: Streeter, Sandy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Closing a Congressional Office: Overview and Guide to House and Senate Practices

Description: Turnover of membership in the House and Senate necessitates closing congressional offices. The closure of a congressional office requires an outgoing Member of Congress to evaluate pertinent information regarding his or her staff; the disposal of personal and official records; and final disposition of office accounts, facilities, and equipment. In the past several years, the House and Senate have developed extensive resources to assist Members in closing their offices. This report, which will b… more
Date: September 8, 2010
Creator: Petersen, R. Eric
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Legislative Branch Appropriations: Frequently Asked Questions

Description: This report responds to frequently asked questions about legislative branch appropriations. Frequently asked questions include the items that are funded within this bill; development, presentation, and consideration of the legislative branch budget requests; the legislative branch budget in historical perspective; and recent actions.
Date: August 8, 2017
Creator: Brudnick, Ida A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Pope Francis and Selected Global Issues: Background for Papal Address to Congress

Description: This report provides Members of Congress with background information on Pope Francis and a summary of a few selected global issues of congressional interest that have figured prominently on his agenda. The background section on Pope Francis includes a biographical sketch of his life as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, followed by a brief overview of his papacy thus far. The report then identifies some--but not all--of the global issues of concern to Pope Francis. Those include environmental stewardship, … more
Date: September 8, 2015
Creator: Ribando Seelke, Clare; Reese, Shawn; Straus, Jacob R.; Werner, James D. & Mix, Derek E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Environmental Protection Issues in the 108th Congress

Description: The 108th Congress has acted on a variety of disparate environmental measures; some of these represent proposals or issues that had been under consideration in the 107th Congress and earlier. Environmental issues considered by Congress tend to fall into several major categories: (1) funding issues — whether funding levels are adequate and focused on appropriate priorities; (2) expanding, renewing, or refocusing specific environment programs; (3) environmental issues that are important “subsets”… more
Date: May 8, 2003
Creator: Fletcher, Susan R. & Isler, Margaret M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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H.R. 1417: The Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004

Description: H.R. 1417, 108th Congress, first session, was introduced on March 25, 2003 and passed by the House on March 3, 2004. If enacted, this bill would make extensive changed to the procedural framework for adjudicating royalty rates for compulsory licenses under the Copyright Act. This report details the background and legislative action on the Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004.
Date: March 8, 2004
Creator: Jeweler, Robin
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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DR-CAFTA Labor Rights Issues

Description: This report provides information about the Labor Rights Issues for DR-CAFTA. Congress had linked labor protections to trade promotion vehicles for at least two decades with purposes in mind.
Date: July 8, 2005
Creator: Bolle, Mary Jane
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Senate Committee Rules in the 114th Congress: Key Provisions

Description: This report first provides a brief overview of Senate rules as they pertain to committee actions. It then provides tables that summarize selected, key features of each committee's rules in regard to meeting day, hearing and meeting notice requirements, scheduling of witnesses, hearing quorum, business quorum, amendment filing requirements, proxy voting, polling, nominations, investigations, and subpoenas. In addition, the report looks at selected unique provisions some committees have included … more
Date: February 8, 2016
Creator: Heitshusen, Valerie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Congressional Budget Actions in 1997

Description: In 1997, during the first session of the 105th Congress, the House and Senate will consider many different budgetary measures. Most of these measures will pertain to FY1998 and beyond, but some measures will make adjustments in the budget for the current fiscal year, FY1997. This issue brief describes House and Senate action on major budgetary legislation within the framework of the congressional budget process and other procedural requirements.
Date: January 8, 1997
Creator: Keith, Robert
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Congressional Franking Privilege: Background and Current Legislation

Description: The Congressional franking privilege, which dates from 1775, allows Members of Congress to transmit mail matter under their signature without postage. Congress, through legislative branch appropriations, reimburses the U.S. Postal Service for the franked mail it handles. This report contains information on member mail allowances, regulations, and legislation in the 110th Congress as related to Congressional franking.
Date: September 8, 2008
Creator: Glassman, Matthew E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Obtaining a Record Vote on the House Floor

Description: The House of Representatives uses two kinds of votes in which the names and positions of individual Members are recorded: (1) the recorded vote, used chiefly in Committee of the Whole, though also in order in the House, and (2) the yea and nay vote, in order only in the House proper. Both kinds together are referred to as record votes or, more informally, as “roll call votes,” and both are normally taken by electronic device. This report illustrates forms commonly used for obtaining each kind o… more
Date: December 8, 2006
Creator: Beth, Richard S.
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 options potentially available for Congress if further amendments to the House ethics process are desired.
Date: March 8, 2013
Creator: Straus, Jacob R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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