Congressional Research Service Reports - 66 Matching Results
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- Financial Services and General Government (FSGG): FY2008 Appropriations
- 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 Defense. For both defense authorization and appropriations, this report summarizes the status of the bills, their scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity.
- How Long Can the Defense Department Finance FY2008 Operations in Advance of Supplemental Appropriations?
- No Description Available.
- Aviation Congestion and Delay: System-Wide and New York-Area Issues
- This report addresses System-Wide and New York-Area Issues of Aviation Congestion and Delay.
- How Long Can the Defense Department Finance FY2008 Operations in Advance of Supplemental Appropriations?
- No Description Available.
- Federal Advertising Law: An Overview
- This report provides a brief overview of federal law with respect to six selected advertising issues: alcohol advertising, tobacco advertising, the federal trade commission act, advertising by mail, advertising by telephone, and commercial e-mail.
- Is the U.S. Current Account Deficit Sustainable?
- No Description Available.
- Federal Home Loan Bank System: Policy Issues
- This report provides a short history and basic description of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, its responsibilities, and its ties to the government. It also discusses issues affecting the Banks and highlights the differences between the FHLB and the other two housing-related GSEs.
- Accounting and Management Problems at Freddie Mac
- This report summarizes the extent of accounting and management problems at Freddie Mac. The report highlights the issues of selecting policies to report constant earnings, and undertaking certain transactions for the sake of creating a facade of reported earnings. Finally, the report discusses the consequences of these problems by stating that many of the Freddie Mac's executives have been replaced, fines were issued, and a lawsuit occurred.
- Would a Housing Crash Cause a Recession?
- No Description Available.
- Biofuels in the 2007 Energy and Farm Bills: A Side-by-Side Comparison
- This report provides a side-by-side comparision of biofuels-related provisions of current law with comparable provisions in the House and 2007 Senate energy and farm bills.
- Analysis of the Proposed Tax Exclusion for Canceled Mortgage Debt Income
- Mortgage debt cancellation can occur when lenders restructure loans, reducing principal balances, or sell properties, either in advance, or as a result, of foreclosure proceedings. If a lender forgiver or cancels such debt, current tax law treats it as cancellation of debt (COD) income subject to tax. There are exceptions for taxpayers may exclude canceled mortgage debt income under existing law.
- Understanding Mortgage Foreclosure: Recent Events, the Process, and Costs
- This report provides a general analysis and overview of current foreclosure issues addressed in the bills cited above. It begins with a description of the behavior of aggregate foreclosure rates. The behaviors of foreclosure rates are placed in the context of activity in the housing and mortgage market to illustrate any relationships. The foreclosure process is then explained, first from the point of view of a traditional financial lending institution, and then from the viewpoint of securitization when loans are sold in secondary markets. Finally, this report collects information from other studies to obtain an estimate of the average foreclosure costs. A brief discussion of the effect uniform foreclosure legislation may have on costs follows.
- The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program: Current Issues, Legislation, and Background
- This report provides an overview of the current Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) of 2002, which creates a temporary three-year program to share future insured terrorism losses with the property-casualty insurance industry and commercials policyholders. The report also provides general background on the issue, and a summary of current legislation.
- Housing Issues in the 110th Congress
- This report examines housing-related issues that have become prominent in the 110th Congress. Possibly the most visible issue is the prevalence of subprime loans and growing mortgage default and foreclosure rates. Congress has responded with numerous hearings and legislative proposals both to change the way in which the lending and home-buying industry is regulated and to assist borrowers who are facing default and foreclosure.
- The United States as a Net Debtor Nation: Overview of the International Investment Position
- This report provides an overview of the international investment position and the United states as a net debtor nation.
- California Wildfires: The Role of Disaster Insurance
- This report discusses the tragic consequences of the wildfires that struck Southern California in October 2007, which have given renewed attention to the partnership between private providers of disaster insurance and the federal government. It also discusses the role of disaster insurance in that incident.
- FY2008 SCHIP Allotments
- This iss a report on the State Children's Health Insurance Program funds in the fiscal year 2008 through the fiscal yyear 2012.
- Student Loans, Student Aid, and FY2008 Budget Reconciliation
- This report reviews and briefly describes the major proposals contained in both the House-passed and Senate-passed versions of H.R. 2669 to achieve savings in mandatory spending through changes to federal student loan programs and to enhance student aid benefits or make other changes to existing federal student aid programs. It also reviews and describes the major changes enacted under P.L. 110-84 that are projected to achieve savings in mandatory spending and those that establish new or enhanced student aid benefits or that otherwise amend pre-existing federal student aid programs.
- Burma Sanctions: Background and Options
- This report provides background information on existing Burma Sanctions and possible future options. It details U.S sanctions on Burma
- Campaign Finance: Developments in the 110th Congress
- Recent events suggest continued congressional interest in campaign finance policy. This report provides an overview and analysis of 110th Congress legislation addressed in hearings or that has passed at least one chamber. The report also discusses two policy developments: Federal Election Commission nominations and a recent Supreme Court ruling that could affect future political advertising. As of the writing of this report, approximately 50 bills devoted largely to campaign finance have been introduced in the 110th Congress, but none have become law. This report contains a brief historical overview, campaign finance legislation in the 110th Congress, and recent developments.
- Income and Poverty Among Older Americans in 2006
- This report provides an overview of the income and poverty among older Americans in 2006.
- Legal Issues Related to Prescription Drug Sales on the Internet
- This report provides a legal analysis of issues related to prescription drug sales on the Internet, including issues involving online pharmacies and physicians who prescribe medications over the Internet. This report also provides an overview of the various federal and state laws that regulate this field, including laws and regulations covering prescription drugs, controlled substances, doctors, and pharmacies.
- Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) and Related Funding Programs: FY2007 Assistance
- This report is about the Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) and related Funding Programs in the fiscal year 2007.
- The Gas to Liquids Industry and Natural Gas Markets
- This report analyzes the development of an industry, GTL, which may grow into a formidable competitor to LNG for worldwide natural gas supplies.
- Gasoline Prices: Legislation in the 110th Congress
- This report provides information related to the high prices of Gasoline and discusses Legislation in the 110th Congress.
- Financial Services and General Government (FSGG): FY2008 Appropriations
- This report is a guide to a new appropriations bill that Congress is considering for the first time this year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Financial Services and General Government. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity.
- Student Loans, Student Aid, and FY2008 Budget Reconciliation
- This report reviews and briefly describes the major proposals that would change the federal student loan programs to achieve savings in mandatory spending and the proposals that would enhance student aid benefits or result in changes to existing federal student aid programs.
- Risk Management and Critical Infrastructure Protection: Assessing, Integrating, and Managing Threats, Vulnerabilities and Consequences
- This report is meant to support congressional oversight by discussing, in more detail, what this task entails and issues that need to be addressed. In particular, the report defines terms (e.g., threat, vulnerability, and risk), discusses how they fit together in a systematic analysis, describes processes and techniques that have been used to assess them, and discusses how the results of that analysis can inform resource allocation and policy.
- Social Security Administration: Administrative Budget Issues
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the Social Security program (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance, or OASDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, and provides administrative support to Medicare and several other federal programs. Total SSA spending in FY2006 was about $597 billion, 98% of which was mandatory spending on benefit payments. This report focuses on SSA’s spending for administrative expenses, which is discretionary and amounts to 2% of SSA’s total spending. This funding is provided in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
- Trade Promotion Authority (TPA): Issues, Options, and Prospects for Renewal
- This report presents background on the development of TPA, a summary of the major provisions under the recently expired authority, and a discussion of the issues that have arisen in the debate over TPA renewal. It also explores the policy options available to Congress and will be updated as the congressional debate unfolds.
- Walter Reed Army Medical Center: Realignment Under BRAC 2005 and Options for Congress
- This report details the BRAC Commission recommendation to create the WRNMMC, and the concomitant realignment of the WRAMC. It describes the concerns raised by the community before the BRAC Commission regarding the closure of the WRAMC main post and explains each of the 13 parts of the overall recommendation.
- The African Development Bank Group
- This report discusses the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, which is a regional development bank (RDB) "dedicated to combating poverty and improving the lives of people of the continent." It comprises three lending facilities: the market rate facility, the AfDB; a concessional lending facility, the African Development Fund; and a trust fund established by Nigeria to lend to low-income African countries. The Bank has 53 African members, as well as 24 non-regional members, including the United States.
- Student Loans, Student Aid, and FY2008 Budget Reconciliation
- This report reviews and briefly describes the major changes proposed in H.R. 2669 to federal student loan and other federal student aid programs that would achieve savings in mandatory spending or that would result in changes to existing federal student aid programs.
- Taxation of Hedge Fund and Private Equity Managers
- This report provides background on hedge funds and private equity and summarizes the tax issues.
- Hedge Funds: Should They Be Regulated?
- In view of the growing impact of hedge funds on a variety of financial markets, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in October 2004 adopted a regulation that requires hedge funds to register as investment advisers, disclose basic information about their operations, and open their books for inspection. The regulation took effect in February 2006, but on June 23, 2006, a court challenge was upheld and the rule was vacated. S. 1402 and H.R. 2586 would reinstate the SEC's authority. H.R. 2683 would require defined benefit pension plans to disclose investments in hedge funds. In December 2006, the SEC proposed raising the "accredited investor" standard - to be permitted to invest in hedge funds, an investor would need $2.5 million in assets, instead of $1 million.
- China’s Currency: Economic Issues and Options for U.S. Trade Policy
- The continued rise in China’s trade surplus with the United States and the world, and complaints from U.S. manufacturing firms and workers over the competitive challenges posed by Chinese imports have led several Members to call for a more aggressive U.S. stance against certain Chinese trade policies they deem to be unfair. This report examines China's currency policy its implications.
- Pension Funds Investing in Hedge Funds
- The proportion of U.S. corporate-defined benefit pension funds investing in hedge funds has increased to 24% in 2006, up from 19% in 2004 and 12% in 2000. Although statistics vary, total corporate pension fund assets allocated to hedge funds in 2006 was 2.1%. Because of hedge funds’ risky nature, rapid growth, lack of oversight, and recent losses, some wonder if they are appropriate investments for workers’ retirement funds. This report discusses concerns regarding hedge funds and examines possible policy options.
- Social Security Administration: Administrative Budget Issues
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the Social Security program (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance, or OASDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, and provides administrative support to Medicare and several other federal programs. Total SSA spending in FY2006 was about $597 billion, 98% of which was mandatory spending on benefit payments. This report focuses on SSA’s spending for administrative expenses, which is discretionary and amounts to 2% of SSA’s total spending. This funding is provided in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
- Foreign Direct Investment: Current Issues
- This report presents an overview of current issues related to foreign direct investment in the economy and the development of U.S policy toward inward and outward direct investment. It also assesses the role of foreign direct investment in the economy and the costs and benefits of direct investment.
- The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program: Current Issues and Background
- This report provides an overview of the current Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) program, how the program has changed over time, and general background on the issue.
- Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, or “Mad Cow Disease”): Current and Proposed Safeguards
- This report discusses the then Current and Proposed Safeguards related to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, or “Mad Cow Disease”) in the United States.
- The Mental Health Parity Act: A Legislative History
- This report provides a detailed history of mental health parity legislation, including a discussion of bills introduced in each Congress, and accompanying legislative action, including hearings, markups, and floor votes. This legislation is in response to concerns about the coverage of mental health benefits in group health plans, which is often much more restricted than the coverage of physical illness. Updated May 18, 2007.
- Campus-Based Student Financial Aid Programs Under the Higher Education Act
- This report begins by providing a brief description of each of the campus-based programs, including the terms under which financial aid is awarded to students and the procedures under which federal funds are allocated to institutions for that purpose. It then provides historical information on federal funds appropriated for each of the programs, an analysis of the number and types of students served, and selected program statistics.
- Gasoline Prices: Issues for the 110th Congress
- This report discusses the high prices of Gasoline and issues for the 110th Congress.
- United States’ Trade Remedy Laws and Non-market Economies: A Legal Overview
- This report contains an overview of the United States' trade remedy laws and non-market economies.
- Trade Remedy Legislation: Applying Countervailing Action to Nonmarket Economy Countries
- This report provides an overview on applying countervailing action to non market economy countries.
- Seafood Marketing: Combating Fraud and Deception
- This report reviews recent incidents of fraud and deception relating to seafood and examines several policy issues. Congress may become involved in oversight of how federal agencies are addressing these issues, and legislation related to these concerns may be introduced.
- Pandemic Flu and Medical Biodefense Countermeasure Liability Limitation
- This report analyzes Division C of the Department of Defense Emergency Supplemental Appropriations, P.L. 109-148, which was signed into law on December 30, 2005, and which limits liability with respect to pandemic flu and other public health countermeasures.
- Turkmenistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests
- This report examines the political, economic, and foreign policies of Turkmenistan, where a leadership succession unfolded in late 2006. The report discusses U.S. policy and assistance and provides basic facts and biographical information.
- Subprime Mortgages: Primer on Current Lending and Foreclosure Issues
- This report discusses the issue of subprime mortgages, which are loans extended to borrowers with weak credit profiles. Subprime mortgages entail higher risk of delinquency and default. Recent increases in subprime borrower foreclosures and lender bankruptcies have prompted concerns that some lenders’ underwriting guidelines are too loose and that some borrowers may not have fully understood the risks of the mortgage products they chose. Regulatory agencies are revisiting the guidance they provide lenders and are reevaluating required disclosures to consumers. In addition, Congress is holding hearings on the subject and may consider consumer protection legislation.