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Congressional Research Service Reports
- Export-Import Bank: Background and Legislative Issues
- This report discusses the Export-Import Bank (Ex-In Bank), the chief U.S. government agency that helps finance American exports of manufactured goods and services with the objective of contributing to the employment of U.S. workers. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs5547/
- Export-Import Bank: Background and Legislative Issues
- This report discusses the Export-Import Bank (Ex-In Bank), the chief U.S. government agency that helps finance American exports of manufactured goods and services with the objective of contributing to the employment of U.S. workers. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs5548/
- Auditing and Its Regulators: Reforms After Enron
- Auditors are regulated by both governmental agencies and professional organizations, though many now question whether this oversight is adequate. Enron’s auditor, Arthur Andersen, has been investigated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), several congressional committees, and other agencies, and it is facing numerous law suits. A federal jury convicted the firm on obstruction of justice charges on June 15, 2002. Other corporations and their auditors are also under scrutiny. Numerous accounting and audit reforms have been proposed, including some by the accounting industry. The House passed an audit reform bill (H.R. 3763) on April 24, 2002. The Senate passed an amended version of its bill (S. 2673) on July 15th. The SEC published proposed reform rules June 26th; on the 28th it required top executives in companies with revenues exceeding $1.2 billion to personally certify that filed reports are complete and accurate digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs4672/
- The Enron Collapse: An Overview of Financial Issues
- This report briefly examines the accounting system that failed to provide a clear picture of the firm’s true condition, the independent auditors and board members who were unwilling to challenge Enron’s management, the Wall Street stock analysts and bond raters who missed the trouble ahead, the rules governing employer stock in company pension plans, and the unregulated energy derivatives trading that was the core of Enron’s business. The report also describes related legislation that has received floor or committee action and will be updated regularly. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs4673/
- U.S. Direct Investment Abroad: Trends and Current Issues
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs9018/
- Mixing Banking and Commerce Using Federal Deposit Insurance: Industrial Banks and Nonbank Banks
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs58/
- The Depreciating Dollar: Economic Effects and Policy Response
- This report discusses the trend of depreciation of the dollar since 2002. This raises concern among some in Congress and the public that the dollar's decline is a symptom of broader economic problems, such as a weak economic recovery, rising public debt, and a diminished standing in the global economy. However, a falling currency is not always a problem, but possibly an element of economic adjustments that are, on balance, beneficial to the economy. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc86664/
- Export-Import Bank: Background and Legislative Issues
- The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank), an independent federal government agency, is the official export credit agency of the United States. It helps finance American exports of manufactured goods and services, with the objective of contributing to the employment of U.S. workers, primarily in circumstances when alternative financing is not available. Ex-Im Bank also may assist U.S. exporters to meet foreign, officially sponsored, export credit competition. Ex-Im Bank's main programs are direct loans, loan guarantees, working capital guarantees, and export credit insurance. Ex-Im Bank transactions are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The Bank operates under a renewable charter, the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945, which requires that all of the Bank's financing have a reasonable assurance of repayment and directs the Bank to supplement, and to not compete with, private capital. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83851/
- Standard & Poor's Downgrade of U.S. Government Long-Term Debt
- This report discusses the lowering of the U.S. government debt credit rating by Standard & Poor's (S&P) on August 5, 2011. It discusses the reasons behind the lowered credit rating and implications for the U.S. economy, other debt markets, and banking regulations. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc93897/
- Reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank: Issues and Policy Options for Congress
- This report provides background information and potential issues and options for Congress relating to the reauthorization of Ex-Im Bank. The scope of this report is limited to Ex-Im Bank reauthorization issues. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc93876/
- Export-Import Bank: Background and Legislative Issues
- The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank, EXIM Bank, or the Bank), an independent federal government agency, is the official export credit agency (ECA) of the United States. It helps finance U.S. exports of manufactured goods and services, with the objective of contributing to the employment of U.S. workers, primarily in circumstances when alternative financing is not available. Members of the 112th Congress may examine issues related to the Ex-Im Bank that center on the economic rationale for the Bank; the impact of the Bank on the federal budget and U.S. taxpayers; the Bank's support for specific types of business or industries; the current balance between the Bank's advancement of U.S. commercial interests and other U.S. policy goals; the competitive position of the Bank compared to foreign ECAs; and the Bank's organizational structure. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc85401/
- Regulation of Debit Interchange Fees
- This report provides a description of the debit payments process and network pricing, as well as an overview of the effects of the Durbin Amendement implemented by the Federal Reserve which includes a cap on the interchange fee for large issuers. In particular, the Durbin Amendment is discussed in light of comments by Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc98011/
- The United States as a Net Debtor Nation: Overview of the International Investment Position
- This report looks at international investing patterns and impacts, and ends with considerations on this topic for Congress. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc103183/
- Reduce, Refinance, and Rent? The Economic Incentives, Risks, and Ramifications of Housing Market Policy Options
- This report discusses the background of financial panic in September 2008, precipitated by the housing bubble of 2006. In particular, the report looks at options that the 112th Congress has regarding the housing market: (1) reducing mortgage principal for borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth, (2) refinancing mortgages for borrowers shut out of traditional financing methods, and (3) renting out foreclosed homes. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc96719/
- Agricultural Credit: Institutions and Issues
- The federal government has a long history of providing credit assistance to farmers by issuing direct loans and guarantees, and creating rural lending institutions. These institutions include the Farm Credit System (FCS), which is a network of borrower-owned lending institutions operating as a government-sponsored enterprise, and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which makes or guarantees loans to farmers who cannot qualify at other lenders. When loans cannot be repaid, special bankruptcy provisions help family farmers reorganize debts and continue farming (P.L. 109-8 made Chapter 12 permanent and expanded eligibility). S. 238 and H.R. 399 (the Rural Economic Investment Act) would exempt commercial banks from paying taxes on profits from farm real estate loans, thus providing similar benefits as to the Farm Credit System. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs9098/
- The Depreciating Dollar: Economic Effects and Policy Response
- This report discusses the trend of depreciation of the dollar since 2002. This raises concern among some in Congress and the public that the dollar's decline is a symptom of broader economic problems, such as a weak economic recovery, rising public debt, and a diminished standing in the global economy. However, a falling currency is not always a problem, but possibly an element of economic adjustments that are, on balance, beneficial to the economy. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc40236/
- Multilateral Development Banks: How the United States Makes and Implements Policy
- This report analyzes how the United States makes policy towards the multilateral development banks (MDBs) and identifies ways by which Congress can shape U.S. policy and influence the activities of the banks themselves. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc99020/
- Supervision of U.S. Payment, Clearing, and Settlement Systems: Designation of Financial Market Utilities (FMUs)
- This report outlines the changes to the supervision of key market infrastructure that are embodied in the Dodd-Frank Act. It is intended to be used as a reference for those interested in the financial system's "plumbing," and how the associated systems are currently overseen and regulated. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc122203/
- Currency Manipulation: The IMF and WTO
- This report describes how the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Trade Organization (WTO) deal with the issue of currency manipulation. It also discusses apparent discrepancies in their charters and ways those differences might be addressed. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc29750/
- Social Security, Saving, and the Economy
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs1929/
- Fair Trade in Financial Services: Legislation and the GATT
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs115/
- Currency Manipulation: The IMF and WTO
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Trade Organization (WTO) approach the issue of "currency manipulation" differently. The IMF Articles of Agreement prohibit countries from manipulating their currency for the purpose of gaining unfair trade advantage, but the IMF cannot force a country to change its exchange rate policies. The WTO has rules against subsidies, but these are very narrow and specific and do not seem to encompass currency manipulation. Several options might be considered for addressing this matter in the future, if policymakers deem this a wise course of action. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs10703/
- Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's Financial Problems: Frequently Asked Questions
- Recent turmoil in the housing and financial markets have caused concern over the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which are chartered by Congress as government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) and are widely believed to have an implicit guarantee from the federal government. The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) -- the GSEs safety and soundness regulator -- has repeated assurances that Fannie and Freddie have adequate capital, but as highly leveraged financial intermediaries, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have limited resources against losses. This report analyzes various aspects of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in relation to the financial turmoil that began in September 2008. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs10771/
- Securities Fees and SEC Pay Parity: H.R. 1088 and S. 143
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs2795/
- Securities Fees and SEC Pay Parity
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs2794/
- Out-of-State Money in the Congressional Elections of 1992, 1994, and 1996: Trends and Policy Issues
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs410/
- Environmental Protection: How Much it Costs and Who Pays
- A recurring issue in environmental policy is the cost of pollution control imposed on individuals, businesses, and government. To inform policymakers about these costs, a number of surveys and analyses have been conducted over the years. consistent, basic sources have been an annual survey of costs to manufacturers, conducted by the Bureau of Census(BOC), and an annual analysis of total costs, prepared by the Bureau of Economic Analysis(BEA). Overall, the BEA analysis showed the nation spent $122 billion for pollution abatement and control in 1994, or about 1.76% of Gross Domestic Product. Personal consumption expenditures for pollution control were $22 billion, government 435 billion, and business $65 billion. These 1994 data represent the end of the annual series; the BOC survey and BEA analysis have been discontinued digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs435/
- Investing Social Security Funds in the Stock Market: Some Economic Considerations
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs7697/
- The Basel Accords: The Implementation of II and the Modification of I
- This report provides the basic information needed to understand the issues surrounding the proposed implementation of Basel II and the pending proposed modifications of Basel I in the United States. First, it gives a basic background on capital standards and how capital assessments were made before these accords. Second, it briefly explains how Basel I works. Third, it addresses the major problem with Basel I and the modifications being considered. Fourth, it describes the Basel II framework the United States may implement and the framework the EU is already implementing. The report concludes with a section on Congress and the Basel Accords. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs9275/
- Social Security Financing Reform: Lessons from the 1983 Amendments
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs484/
- Social Security, Saving, and the Economy
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs5320/
- Greece's Debt Crisis: Overview, Policy Responses, and Implications
- This report covers the sovereign debt crisis currently faced by the Eurozone which has culminated with Greece, which is at the center of the crisis, Ireland, and Portugal borrowing money from other European countries and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to avoid default. Topics covered include: the build-up of Greece's debt crisis, policy responses with limited success, and broader implications. Specific issues for Congress include how the U.S. economy and banking industry will be affect by these recent events. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc93837/
- Currency Manipulation: The IMF and WTO
- This report describes how the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Trade Organization (WTO) deal with the issue of currency manipulation. It also discusses apparent discrepancies in their charters and ways those differences might be addressed. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc31498/
- Multilateral Development Banks: Basic Background
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs6986/
- The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Proposed Quota Increase: Issues for Congress
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs689/
- Social Security: Summary of Major Changes in the Cash Benefits Program
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs6366/
- Social Security Reform
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs6036/
- Social Security Reform
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs6305/
- Social Security Reform
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs6302/
- Social Security Reform
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs6304/
- Social Security Reform
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs1302/
- Social Security: Taxation of Benefits
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs1303/
- Social Security Reform
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs1927/
- Social Security Reform
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs1926/
- A Reappraisal of Foreign Investment Policy
- The rise of the multinational corporation and the increased flow of capital across national borders have raised anew the question of how to treat foreign direct investment, both inward and outward. The U.S. government and, increasingly, other governments advocate that, with some exceptions, economic policies should be neutral in the treatment of investment, foreign and domestic, inward and outward. This report discusses the changing view of foreign investment, both nationally and internationally. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs140/
- Foreign Direct Investment in the United States: An Economic Analysis
- Foreign direct investment in the United States1 declined sharply after 2000, when a record $300 billion was invested in U.S. businesses and real estate. In 2007, according to Department of Commerce data, foreigners invested $237 billion. Foreign direct investments are highly sought after by many State and local governments that are struggling to create additional jobs in their localities. While some in Congress encourage such investment to offset the perceived negative economic effects of U.S. firms investing abroad, others are concerned about foreign acquisitions of U.S. firms that are considered essential to U.S. national and economic security. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs10607/
- H.R. 2415: Bankruptcy Reform in the Closing Days of the 106th Congress
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs1718/
- Comparison of Two Key Provisions in the Bankruptcy Reform Act Conference Report: The Homestead Exemption and Dischargeability of Liability for Abortion Clinic Violence
- This report examines two provisions in the Conference Report on the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2002, H.R. 107-617, 107th Cong., 2d Sess. (2002): the homestead exemption and dischargeability of liability for abortion clinic violence. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs2847/
- Two Key Provisions in the Bankruptcy Reform Act Conference Report: The Homestead Exemption and Dischargeability of Liability for Violations of Laws Relating to the Provision of "Lawful Goods and Services"
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs2848/
- Social Security Reform
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs6450/