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Freedom of Speech and Press: Exceptions to the First Amendment

Description: The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press. . . .” This language restricts government both more and less than it would if it were applied literally. It restricts government more in that it applies not only to Congress, but to all branches of the federal government, and to all branches of state and local government. It restricts government less in that it provides no protection to some typ… more
Date: January 7, 2004
Creator: Cohen, Henry
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002: Summary and Comparison with Previous Law

Description: The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 was enacted on March 27, 2002 as P.L. 107-155. It passed the House on February 14, 2002, as H.R. 2356 (Shays- Meehan), by a 240-189 vote. Its companion measure, on which it was largely based, had initially been passed by the Senate in 2001 as S. 27 (McCain-Feingold). On March 20, 2002, however, the Senate approved the House-passed H.R. 2356 by a 60- 40 vote, thus avoiding a conference to reconcile differences between S. 27 and H.R. 2356. The two primar… more
Date: January 9, 2004
Creator: Cantor, Joseph E. & Whitaker, L. Paige
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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“Boutique Fuels” and Reformulated Gasoline: Harmonization of Fuel Standards

Description: This report discusses how gasoline composition is regulated,explains various federal and state gasoline standards,presents some of the key issues with federal RFG program and some of the problems associated with the boutique fuels issue and the potential effects of harmonization.Finally discusses the bills in the 108th Congress related to boutique fuels,RFG and harmonization.
Date: January 9, 2004
Creator: Yacobucci, Brent D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security: The Windfall Benefit Provision

Description: This report discusses the windfall elimination provision, which reduces the Social Security benefits of workers who also have pension benefits from employment not covered by Social Security. Its purpose is to remove an advantage these workers would otherwise receive because of Social Security's benefit formula that favors workers with smaller amounts of Social Security-covered career earnings. Opponents contend that the provision is basically inaccurate and often unfair. In both the 107th and 1… more
Date: January 9, 2004
Creator: Haltzel, Laura
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Bankruptcy Reform in the 108th Congress

Description: On March 19, 2003, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 975, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2003. H.R. 975, as introduced, was substantially similar to the legislation (H.R. 333) approved by both the House and the Senate during the 107th Congress, but omitted the Schumer Amendment which would have prevented the discharge of liability for willful violation of protective orders and violent protests against providers of “lawful services,” including reproductive … more
Date: January 29, 2004
Creator: Welborn, Angie A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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NAFTA at Ten: Lessons from Recent Studies

Description: This report provides an analytical summary of the economic lessons reached in support of Congress's role in the trade policy process, especially the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Date: February 13, 2004
Creator: Hornbeck, J. F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Highway and Transit Program Reauthorization Legislation in the 2nd Session, 108th Congress

Description: This report discusses significant legislative provisions in the two principal bills that are likely to be the subject of congressional discussion in the coming weeks and months to reauthorize federal highway, highway safety, and transit programs.
Date: February 26, 2004
Creator: Fischer, John W.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Campaign Financing

Description: This is one report in the series of reports that discuss the campaign finance practices and related issues. Concerns over financing federal elections have become a seemingly perennial aspect of our political system, centered on the enduring issues of high campaign costs and reliance on interest groups for needed campaign funds. The report talks about the today’s paramount issues such as perceived loopholes in current law and the longstanding issues: overall costs, funding sources, and competi… more
Date: March 18, 2004
Creator: Cantor, Joseph E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Campaign Finance: Constitutional and Legal Issues of Soft Money

Description: The term "soft money" generally refers to unregulated funds for election related activities that are not subject to the Federal Election Campaign Act's (FECA) source restrictions, contribution limits, and disclosure requirements. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, which amended FECA and became effective on November 6, 2002, restricts the raising and spending of soft money. This report contains information on a summary of campaign financing, recent developments, background and analysis,… more
Date: March 31, 2004
Creator: Whitaker, L. Paige
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Campaign Financing

Description: This report discusses concerns over financing federal elections, such as political action committees (PACs) and proposed reforms to campaign finance.
Date: May 21, 2004
Creator: Cantor, Joseph E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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