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- Federal Recess Judges
- This report discusses the recess clause and takes a look at the history of recess appointments. Under Article II of the Constitution, the President is empowered "to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session." Presidents have used the recess appointment power on more than 300 occasions to place judges on the district, appellate, and U.S. Supreme Court level. This practice slowed after the 1950s, but recent recess appointments to federal appellate courts (the Fourth, Fifth, and Eleventh Circuits) have revived a number of constitutional issues.
- Current Legal Status of the FCC’s Media Ownership Rules
- This report discusses the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) media ownership regulations, which place limits on the number of broadcast radio and television outlets one owner can possess in a given market and place cross-ownership restrictions on these outlets and on the cross-ownership of broadcast properties and newspapers.
- Federal Conspiracy Law: A Sketch
- This is a brief discussion of the common features of federal conspiracy law that evolved over the years, with passing references to some of the distinctive features of some of the statutory provisions.
- Supreme Court: Length of the Scalia Vacancy in Historical Context
- This report provides data and analysis related to the potential length of the current vacancy on the Supreme Court caused by the death of Antonin Scalia on February 13, 2016. Specifically, this report provides the number of days the Scalia vacancy will have existed on specified future dates if a nominee has not been confirmed.
- International Insurance Issues and H.R. 5143
- This report discusses the international response to the financial crisis, which included the creation of a Financial Stability Board (FSB) largely made up of various national financial regulators and the increased focus by the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS).
- Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA): Major Issues
- This report discusses the functions of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA) and major topics of debate regarding those functions and its funding.
- Human rights in China
- This report presents various studies about human rights in China by U.S-Chinese affairs.
- The Comprehensive Employmment and Training Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-203)
- A report on The Comprehensive Employmment and Training Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-203), As amended by title I of the emergency jobs and unemployment assistance act of 1974 (P.L. 93-567): A brief summary
- Guides to Audiovisual Material and Their use
- This report is about the guides to audiovisual material and their use.
- The Interstate Commerce Commission's Regulatory Policy, and Its Effect on Surface Carriers: Bibliography,1958-1970
- This report discusses the regulatory policy on interstate commerce commission. It also points out the impact on surface carriers generally and on the established of rates and on restrictions of entry specifically.
- Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (P. L. 92-203): History and Analysis
- This report discusses the history of Alaskan indigenous peoples claims to their traditional lands under Russian and U.S. administration and the Alaska Native Claim Settlement Act of 1971 which gave formal land rights to the Alaskan indigenous peoples for their traditional lands.
- Impeachment Defense Counsel for the President
- This report discuses the rules and procedures governing a Presidential impeachment trial and the formats of past impeachment trials.
- Federal and State Provisions Concerning Election Crimes, Offenses, and Corrupt Practices
- This report provides a listing of federal and state laws related to the prosecution and punishment of election related crimes and political corruption.
- Addition to the Major Issue File
- This report discusses the lists of those new issue briefs that have been added to the major issues file since the last issue of the CRS update.
- Introduction to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress
- This report introduces the main steps through which a bill (or other item of business) may travel in the legislative process--from introduction to committee and floor consideration to possible presidential consideration.
- What is the Proposed U.S.-EU Insurance Covered Agreement?
- This report discusses arrangement between the United States and European Union (EU), on the first insurance "covered agreement."
- Sanctuary Jurisdictions: Congressional Action and President Trump's Interior Enforcement Executive Order
- This report discusses President Trump's executive order (EO) "Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States" issued on January 25, 2017, which seeks, among other things, to penalize "sanctuary jurisdictions." The term refers to states and localities that limit their cooperation with federal agencies on immigration law enforcement.
- President Trump's Executive Order on Suspending Entry of Select Foreign Nationals: The Seven Countries
- This report the executive order (EO) entitled "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorists Entry Into the United States." Invoking Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) §212(f), the President barred citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the United States for 90 days, with limited exceptions for those traveling on diplomatic and certain other types of visas.
- United Arab Republic: Political and Economic Developments
- This report is about the Nile River and the civilization and its development
- The U.S. Postal Service and Six-Day Delivery: Issues for Congress
- This report will examine the history of six-day mail delivery and analyze potential effects of reducing USPS delivery from six to five days. It will then examine legislative options for the 111th Congress.
- Lobbying the Executive Branch: Current Practices and Options for Change
- This report outlines the development of registration requirements for lobbyists engaging executive branch officials since 1995. It also summarizes steps taken by the Obama Administration to limit and monitor lobbying of the executive branch; discusses the development and implementation of restrictions placed on lobbying for Recovery Act and Emergency Economic Stabilization Act funds; examines the Obama Administration's decision to stop appointing lobbyists to federal advisory bodies and committees; considers third-party criticism of current executive branch lobbying policies; and provides options for possible modifications in current lobbying laws and practices.
- Boumediene v. Bush: Guantanamo Detainees' Right to Habeas Corpus
- This report summarizes the Boumediene decision and analyzes several of its major implications for the U.S. detention of alien enemy combatants and legislation that limits detainees' access to judicial review.
- Energy Policy: Comprehensive Energy Legislation (H.R. 6, S. 10) in the 109th Congress
- Conferees on H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, began meeting July 14, 2005, and are predicting that the conference will be completed July 25. The Senate passed its version of the bill June 28, and the House passed its version April 21. The Senate and House bills are similar, but major differences exist, including the following areas: ethanol and methyl tertiary-butyl ether, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, electricity restructuring, renewable energy, climate change, tax provisions, outer continental shelf, and the siting of LNG terminals
- Energy Policy: Comprehensive Energy Legislation (H.R. 6, S. 10) in the 109th Congress
- Conferees on H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, began meeting July 14, 2005, and are predicting that the conference will be completed July 25. The Senate passed its version of the bill June 28, and the House passed its version April 21. The Senate and House bills are similar, but major differences exist, including the following areas: ethanol and methyl tertiary-butyl ether, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, electricity restructuring, renewable energy, climate change, tax provisions, outer continental shelf, and the siting of LNG terminals
- Fairness Doctorine: History and Constitutional Issues
- The Fairness Doctrine was a policy of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) that required broadcast licensees to cover issues of public importance and to do so in a fair manner. In 1987, after a period of study, the FCC repealed the Fairness Doctrine. The debate in Congress regarding whether to reinstate the doctrine continues today. This report covers the history of such debates.
- Energy Policy: Comprehensive Energy Legislation (H.R. 6, S. 10) in the 109th Congress
- Conferees on H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, began meeting July 14, 2005, and are predicting that the conference will be completed July 25. The Senate passed its version of the bill June 28, and the House passed its version April 21. The Senate and House bills are similar, but major differences exist, including the following areas: ethanol and methyl tertiary-butyl ether, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, electricity restructuring, renewable energy, climate change, tax provisions, outer continental shelf, and the siting of LNG terminals
- Energy Policy: Comprehensive Energy Legislation (H.R. 6, S. 10) in the 109th Congress
- Conferees on H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, began meeting July 14, 2005, and are predicting that the conference will be completed July 25. The Senate passed its version of the bill June 28, and the House passed its version April 21. The Senate and House bills are similar, but major differences exist, including the following areas: ethanol and methyl tertiary-butyl ether, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, electricity restructuring, renewable energy, climate change, tax provisions, outer continental shelf, and the siting of LNG terminals
- Petroleum Refining: Economic Performance and Challenges for the Future
- This report discusses the petroleum refining industry and its relation to the economy. Along with volatile changes in crude oil prices, the industry has faced evolving health, safety, and environmental requirements which have changed and multiplied product specifications and required capital investment in refineries.
- Transportation and Transportation Security Related Provisions of House and Senate Stimulus Legislation (H.R. 1)
- This report discusses the major transportation and transportation security-related provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1) as passed by the House on January 28, 2009, and the Senate on February 10, 2009. The report also discusses the major transportation provisions of the conference report on H.R. 1 (H.Rept. 111-16), which was passed by both the House and Senate on February 13, 2009, and signed by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009.
- Retroactive Immunity Provided by the FISA Amendments Act of 2008
- This report discusses the various retroactive immunity mechanisms that were proposed to be included in the FISA Amendments Act, one of which was ultimately adopted, and their likely effect on lawsuits facing telecommunications providers.
- Organized Crime: An Evolving Challenge for U.S. Law Enforcement
- In the last two decades, organized crime has grown more complex, posing evolving challenges for U.S. federal law enforcement. These criminals have transformed their operations in ways that broaden their reach and make it harder for law enforcement to combat them. They have adopted more-networked structural models, internationalized their operations, and grown more tech savvy. They are a significant challenge to U.S. law enforcement. There still is no single agency charged with investigating organized crime in the way the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been designated the lead investigative agency for terrorism. Further, resources to tackle this issue are divided among many federal agencies. As such, Congress may exert its oversight authority regarding the federal coordination of organized crime investigations via the 2011 strategy. Policymakers may also debate the efficacy of current resources appropriated to combat organized crime.
- Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 112th Congress
- This report discusses immigration-related issues that have received legislative action or are of significant congressional interest in the 112th Congress.
- An Overview of the "Patent Trolls" Debate
- This report reviews the current debate and controversy surrounding "patent assertion entities" (PAEs) and their effect on innovation, examines the reasons for the rise in PAE litigation, and explores the legislative options available to Congress if it decides that these are issues that should be addressed.
- Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 112th Congress
- This report discusses immigration-related issues that have received legislative action or are of significant congressional interest in the 112th Congress.
- FY2010 Supplemental Appropriations for Agriculture
- This report is categorized into two categories: (I) Agriculture in the Tax Extenders Bill (H.R. 4213) and (II) Agriculture in the Supplemental Appropriations Bill (H.R. 4899).
- Aviation Security: Background and Policy Options for Screening and Securing Air Cargo
- This report discusses Background and Policy Options for Screening and Securing Air Cargo of Aviation Security.
- Food and Agriculture Issues in the 105th Congress
- This report examines various budget issues regarding food and agriculture in the 105th Congress, examining recent developments and then taking a look a the context of those developments.
- Debate and Motions on the House Floor: Allocation of Time
- This report addresses time limitations associated with selected House floor procedures.
- Debate and Motions on the House Floor: Allocation of Time
- This report addresses time limitations associated with selected House floor procedures.
- Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007: The Role of the Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate
- This report provides an overview of the role of the clerk of the house and secretary of the senate with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007.
- The HOPE NOW Alliance/American Securitization Forum (ASF) Plan to Freeze Certain Mortgage Interest Rates
- This report first examines the details of the ASF plan and then discusses the potential liability concerns that may arise for servicers who implement modifications under the plan.
- Horse Slaughter Prevention Bills and Issues
- This report is about the issues and bill on horse slaughter prevention.
- Horse Slaughter Prevention Bills and Issues
- This report provides evidence of a rise in state and local investigations for horse neglect and more abandoned horses since 2007.
- House Offset Amendments to Appropriations Bills: Procedural Considerations
- This report is an introduction to selected House rules and practices governing the consideration of offset amendments to appropriations measures considered in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.
- House Offset Amendments to Appropriations Bills: Procedural Considerations
- This report is an introduction to selected House rules and practices governing the consideration of offset amendments to appropriations measures considered in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.
- Food Safety Issues for the 112th Congress
- This report looks at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It particularly looks at ways in which the 112th Congress may want to provide oversight for the Act.
- Food Safety on the Farm
- This report examines legislation enacted by the 111th Congress and oversight on this legislation by the 112th Congress in regards to food safety. Potential risks to the food supply, including bacteria, pesticide residues, animal drugs, and certain naturally-occurring contaminants are discussed.
- Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- This report describes FSAs, the basis for their treatment, and data on their use.
- Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- This report describes FSAs, the basis for their tax treatment, and data on their use.
- The No Child Left Behind Act: An Overview of Reauthorization Issues for the 111th Congress
- This report provides an overview of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and discusses the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act.