Congressional Research Service Reports - 46 Matching Results
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- Trade and Current Account Balances: Statistics
- No Description Available.
- Trade and Current Account Balances: Statistics
- No Description Available.
- Social Security: How is it Treated in Determining the Federal Budget?
- No Description Available.
- Trade Deficits and the Dollar: Bibliography-in-Brief, 1984-1987
- No Description Available.
- Trade Deficits and the Dollar: Bibliography-in-Brief, 1984-1987
- No Description Available.
- Campaign Financing
- 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 competition.
- Bank Failures: Recent Trends and Policy Options
- During the 1980s the U.S. banking industry has experienced a rapidly growing number of failures. Many factors have contributed to this trend including deregulation, technology, individual bank management, and economic conditions. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) handles insured bank failures. Congress has been monitoring the recent trend and is concerned with the FDIC’s ability to continue to perform its supervisory and insurance operations. The present situation, information on key factors affecting the banking industry, and the FDIC’s role when a bank fails is discussed in this report. The reference section of this issue brief contains a list of CRS products providing background on the FDIC and legislative issues relevant to the agency.
- Glass-Steagall Act: Commercial vs. Investment Banking
- This report discusses debate over reform of the Nation's financial structure in the 100th Congress includes re-examination of "the separation of banking and commerce." This separation was mandated by the Glass-Steagall Act (part of the Banking Act of 1933); and was carried forward into the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended in 1970 and thereafter. The resulting isolation of banking from securities was designed to (1) maintain the integrity of the banking system; (2) prevent self-dealing and other financial abuses; and (3) limit stock market speculation. By half a century later, the "wall" it created seemed to be crumbling, as bankers created new financial products resembling securities, and securities firms innovated new financial products resembling loans and deposits. The ongoing process of "financial deregulation" has evoked calls for Congress to give depository institutions new powers, especially in the securities field. Financial deregulation in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan has put additional pressure on Congress to re-examine this Act. Concerns over a seemingly fragile system of depository institutions persist, however, tending to place counter-pressure on Congress to maintain the Act.
- Multilateral Development Banks: Legislation Affecting U.S. Participation
- No Description Available.
- Multilateral Development Banks: Legislation Affecting U.S. Participation
- No Description Available.
- The Liability Insurance Crisis
- This report discusses liability insurance crisis, including complaints from businesses, professionals , and municipalities as well threat of lawsuits.
- The Liability Insurance Crisis
- This report discusses liability insurance crisis, including complaints from businesses, professionals , and municipalities as well threat of lawsuits.
- Persian Gulf Oil Trade: Numbers and Issues
- "This report is an overview of the role of Persian Gulf petroleum exporters in world oil supply" (p. iii).
- The Liability Insurance Controversy
- This report discusses liability insurance, as the primary method of managing business related risks that has been recognized as one of the foundations of American comnerce.
- The Liability Insurance Controversy
- This report discusses liability insurance, as the primary method of managing business related risks that has been recognized as one of the foundations of American commerce.
- Exchange Rates: The Dollar in International Markets
- Mainstream economic theory suggests that U.S. budget deficit was the main cause of the dollar appreciation between 1980 and early 1985. The high budget deficit forced the U.S. Government to compete against the private sector for available savings, raising interest rates in the United States. In response, net capital inflows to the United States increased, the demand for dollars on the foreign exchange market went up, and the dollar appreciated. Restrictive budgets and loose monetary policies abroad, both of which kept interest rates low abroad, also contributed to the dollar’s appreciation on over this period.
- Campaign Finance Reform: A Summary and Analysis of Legislative Proposals In the 98th and 99th Congresses
- This report summarizes and analyzes on a conceptual basis the 108 bills and major amendments offered in the 98th and 99th Congresses which proposed changes in the campaign finance laws governing Federal elections.
- Campaign Financing in Federal Elections: A Guide to the Law and Its Operation
- This report provides an introduction to the laws governing the financing of Federal election campaigns and presents data on campaign finance activity in the 1980’s.
- World Bank Legislation Before the 99th Congress
- The 99th Congress has before it several proposals to authorize additional U.S. contributions to multilateral development banks. These include potential subscriptions or contributions to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the African Development Fund (AFDF), and the special African aid facility of the International Development Association (IDA). There is no legislation now before Congress to authorize new contributions to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the regular budget of the IDA, or any of the other regional development banks. These have been dealt with in previous years. This paper provides some background on the World Bank and a summary of the pending legislation.
- World Bank Legislation Before the 99th Congress
- The 99th Congress has before it several proposals to authorize additional U.S. contributions to multilateral development banks. These include potential subscriptions or contributions to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the African Development Fund (AFDF), and the special African aid facility of the International Development Association (IDA). There is no legislation now before Congress to authorize new contributions to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the regular budget of the IDA, or any of the other regional development banks. These have been dealt with in previous years. This paper provides some background on the World Bank and a summary of the pending legislation.
- Conrail: Sell to Norfolk Southern Corporation or Sell to a Group of Investors?
- This issue brief discusses that possible forthcoming sale of a large, federally-owned railroad to the holding company of one of the Nation's largest railroads, or sale to a group of investors for later sale to the public through a stock offering.
- The Stability of the International Banking System
- No Description Available.
- The Stability of the International Banking System
- No Description Available.
- Financial Deregulation: Current Status and Legislative Issues
- This report reviews deregulation to date and its effects on financial markets. Current policy issues are also identified.
- Finance and Adjustment: The International Debt Crisis, 1982-84
- This report provides an overview of the international debt problem which has significantly disturbed the international economic environment of the 1980s. It describes the characteristics of the less developed country (LDC) debt and discusses the role of major participants in the debt crisis. The study shows how the role of the participants has evolved during the crisis. Lastly, some of the issues arising from the debt crisis are discussed.
- High Interest Rates: Causes, Consequences, and Issues
- This paper reviews the causes of the steep interest rate escalation since 1978 and the persistence of high rates during the recent recession and revival.
- Grace Commission
- From Introduction: This report includes statements from the Grace Commission summarizing the 2,478 recommendations on ways to save $424 billion of "waste" in the Federal Government over three years, as outlined in the 656-page, two-volume Summary Report.
- The Divestiture of American Telephone and Telegraph Company: The Impact on Shareholders
- This report analyzes the impact which the divestiture of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) will have on the 3.2 million holders of AT&T stock. The method of distribution and the listing and trading mechanics of the shares as well as dividend and tax information are discussed. A brief analysis of initial stock performance based on the first two weeks of trading concludes the analysis.
- The General Motors-Toyota Joint Venture and Its Competitive Implications
- This report reviews the economics of joint ventures by focusing on their implication for market competition. It also reviews the legislative history of mergers and joint ventures with special emphasis on aspects of the law that are directed at reducing market concentration.
- Common Legal Questions and Answers Concerning Currency, Legal Tender and Money
- This report answers common legal questions relating to currency, legal tender, and money.
- Social Security Financing
- The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) program, the largest of the social security programs, will not have sufficient resources to meet its benefit payments on time in July 1983. Even if the program were permitted to continue to borrow from the other social security programs, the financial the shortfall would re-emerge in 1984.
- The Changing World of Financial Intermediaries and Related Institutions: Survey of Major Developments and Their Implications for Public Policy
- Inflation, high and variable interest rates, and new electronic technology have had a profound impact on financial institutions throughout the world. This report surveys how the various kinds of financial institutions in the United States have been affected by these developments, how they have reacted, what major legislative action has been taken, and what policy issues remain.
- P.L. 97-320, Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982: A Brief Explanation
- No Description Available.
- Foreign Investment in U.S. Industry
- Although the total amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the U.S. is small relative to U.S. direct investment abroad, it is growing rapidly and may have a large effect on some industries and geographic areas of the U.S. The two main issues raised by FDI in the U.S. are first, shall Congress require more extensive data collection efforts than are already underway, and second, should laws be enacted to limit foreign direct investment in the U.S. These two issues turn in substantial measure on whether the benefits of additional data collection and/or restrictions on FDI in the U.S. exceed the costs. This report discusses the legislative history of the issue, the magnitude and distribution of FDI in the U.S., the existing data collection efforts, the potential implications for the U.S., the motivations for FDI in the U.S., and U.S. policy regarding FDI.
- Bankruptcy and Business Failure Data
- The purpose of this report is to provide statistical data on the actual number of businesses that are filing for bankruptcy or ceasing operations. Tabular data of both a historical and current nature concerning business failures and bankruptcies is provided.
- The Sensitivity of Small Businesses to Interest Rates: A Cross-Sectional View
- No Description Available.
- Social Security Financing: A Guide to Sources of Information
- This research guide identifies the information sources for the issue of social security financing as well as for a number of specific topics related to this subject.
- An Economic Analysis and Brief Legislative Overview of Usury Ceilings
- This report gives an economic analysis of usury ceilings, laws which set the maximum legal rate of interest to be charged on particular types of loans. It provides a brief overview of recent Federal l e g i s l a t i o n dealing with usury, with special emphasis on the Federal authorities mandated by P.L. 96-221, and the effectiveness of Federal preemption of State usury laws.
- Land Disposal Policies of the Principal Federal Land Management Agencies
- This report reviews the history of public land disposal and the location and uses of present Federal Public Lands. Land disposal policies and practices of agencies of the Department of Agriculture, Defense and the Interior, and of the General Services Administration are discussed.
- Federal Reserve Membership and Monetary Control
- This report discusses the current state of monetary policy. Questions about the continued capability of the Federal Reserve System (FRS) to exercise effective monetary control were raised in connection with several developments over recent years that diminished, in relative terms, the deposit component of the stock of money over which the FRS maintained reserve requirement controls. The Monetary Control Act, Title 1 of P.L. 96-221 was designed to ensure that the FRS as ability to conduct monetary policy is not diminished. This Act, signed into law on Mar. 31, 1980, is one of the few major amendments to the original Federal Reserve Act of 1913.
- High Interest Rates: Causes and Effects
- This report describes the major market and policy forces that determine the general level of interest rates. The discussion is related to the recent economic experience of high interest rates and inflation, but may be generally applied to any economic environment.
- Interest Rates Causes and Effects
- This report describes about market and policy forces that describe the general level of interest rates and some rules that generally applicable to any economic environment.
- Foreign Ownership of Property in the United States: Federal and State Restrictions
- This report examines various legal issues raised by Federal and State laws restricting foreign ownership in U. S. property. The report examines the constitutional barriers to Federal and State laws restricting such ownership, and the possible constitutional predicates for Federal legislation regulating foreign ownership of property in the united States. The impact of treaties to which the United States is a party on both Federal and State restrictions on the rights of foreign persons to own U.S. property is also discussed.
- Health: Catastrophic Health insurance
- This report is about catastrophic health insurances.
- Gasoline: Public opinion on the shortage
- This report gives details about the opinion polls on the shortages and on the possible actions to meet the shortage can illuminate Public views on the debate.
- Government printing Reform
- This report is about Government Printing Reform, pursued through the recodification of the public printing chapters of title 44, U.S. code.