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Department of Labor's 2016 Fiduciary Rule: Background and Issues

Description: This report discusses fiduciary standard with respect to his or her advice, an individual had to, which include: (1) make recommendations on investing in, purchasing, or selling securities or other property, or give advice as to the value (2) on a regular basis (3) pursuant to a mutual understanding that the advice (4) will serve as a primary basis for investment decisions, and (5) will be individualized to the particular needs of the plan regarding such matters as, among other things, investme… more
Date: July 3, 2017
Creator: Topoleski, John J. & Shorter, Gary
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

U.S. Climate Change Regulation and Litigation: Selected Legal Issues

Description: This report provides a brief history of U.S. climate change regulation, reviews the different types of regulation and legal actions that have been pursued in the national debate over greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, examines selected legal issues and next steps in related litigation, and addresses what these legal and regulatory developments mean for Congress. President Trump's Executive Order of March 28, 2017 requiring agencies to reconsider their policies related to climate change is also dis… more
Date: April 3, 2017
Creator: Tsang, Linda
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Cuba Sanctions: Legislative Restrictions Limiting the Normalization of Relations

Description: This report provides background information on the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), and discusses U.S. trade negotiating objectives, procedures for congressional-executive notification and consultation, and expedited legislative procedures.
Date: February 3, 2017
Creator: Rennack, Dianne E. & Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Factors Related to the Use of Planned Parenthood Affiliated Health Centers (PPAHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

Description: Recent debates about federal funding for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliated health centers have raised questions about the services that such centers provide and the availability of alternative facilities to provide similar services to a similar population. This report provides background information and data that may be useful for policymakers evaluating these recent debates.
Date: December 3, 2015
Creator: Heisler, Elayne J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Iran Sanctions

Description: This report analyzes U.S. and international sanctions against Iran and provides some examples, based on open sources, of companies and countries that conduct business with Iran.
Date: November 3, 2015
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Multilateral Development Banks: U.S. Contributions FY2000-FY2015

Description: This report shows in tabular form how much the Administration requested and how much Congress appropriated for U.S. payments to the multilateral development banks (MDBs) since 2000. It also provides a brief description of the MDBs and the ways they fund their operations.
Date: November 3, 2015
Creator: Nelson, Rebecca M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Essential Air Service (EAS)

Description: This report discusses Congress' establishment of the Essential Air Service (EAS), a program to ensure that small communities that were served by certificated air carriers before the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 would continue to receive scheduled passenger service, with subsidies if necessary. Deregulation gave airlines almost total freedom to determine which domestic markets to serve and what airfares to charge, which raised the concern that communities with relatively low passenger level… more
Date: September 3, 2015
Creator: Tang, Rachel Y.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Federal Tactical Teams

Description: This report provides a brief overview of the development of tactical teams at the state and local level and the concerns raised by their expansion. It then discusses the composition of these teams in the federal government. It concludes with a discussion of potential issues for policymakers to consider if they take up legislation or conduct oversight related to how the federal government uses tactical teams.
Date: September 3, 2015
Creator: James, Nathan
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Foreign Affairs Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO): Background and Current Status

Description: Some members of Congress are examining foreign affairs funding designated as Overseas Contingency Operations because of its possible use for the overseas Ebola crisis, efforts to combat the Islamic State, and other budgetary reasons. This report contains information on the background of overseas contingency operations and current funding and issues.
Date: March 3, 2015
Creator: Epstein, Susan B.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Many Aspects of the Affordable Care Act Would Not Be Affected by King v. Burwell

Description: This report briefly discusses the possible effects of the King v. Burwell case on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) law. The case examines whether or not the ACA allows the IRS to make premium tax credits available to residents of states that decline to establish health insurance exchanges.
Date: March 3, 2015
Creator: Barry, Matthew B.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Alien Removals and Returns: Overview and Trends

Description: This report provides an overview of the statutory framework for alien removal and briefly describes the standard removal process. It also describes several streamlined forms of removal, and two alternative forms of removal (often referred to as returns) that exempt aliens from certain penalties associated with formal removal: voluntary departure and withdrawal of petition for admission. In addition, the report discusses recent trends in removals and returns, and concludes with a summary of pote… more
Date: February 3, 2015
Creator: Siskin, Alison
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Terminating Contracts for the Government's Convenience: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Description: This report provides answers to 12 questions regarding termination for convenience -- the exercise of the government's right to bring to an end the performance of all or part of the work provided for under a contract prior to the expiration of the contract "when it is in the Government's interest" to do so -- frequently asked by congressional committees and staff. These questions and their answers address everything from the contractual and other bases for the government's right to terminate to… more
Date: February 3, 2015
Creator: Manuel, Kate M.; Lunder, Erika K. & Liu, Edward C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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EPA's Proposed Greenhouse Gas Regulations for Existing Power Plants: Frequently Asked Questions

Description: This report summarizes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) proposal regarding greenhouse gas regulations. In addition to discussing details of the proposed rule, the report addresses a number of questions regarding the reasons for the proposal; the EPA's authority under Section 111 of the CAA; the EPA's previous experience using that authority; the steps the agency must take to finalize the proposed rule; and various other background questions.
Date: July 3, 2014
Creator: McCarthy, James E.; Meltz, Robert; Leggett, Jane A.; Ramseur, Jonathan L. & Dolan, Alissa M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Maritime Territorial and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Disputes Involving China: Issues for Congress

Description: This report presents policy and oversight issues for Congress arising from maritime territorial disputes involving China in the South China Sea (SCS), East China Sea (ECS), and an additional dispute over whether China has a right under international law to regulate U.S. and other foreign military activities in its maritime Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Date: July 3, 2014
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Unaccompanied Alien Children: Potential Factors Contributing to Recent Immigration

Description: This report begins by describing the recent surge in unaccompanied child apprehensions. It discusses several factors widely associated with out-migration from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The report then discusses three broad factors that may be attracting migrants to the United States: economic and educational opportunity, family reunification, and U.S. immigration policies. It concludes with caveats on the attribution of causes to this situation.
Date: July 3, 2014
Creator: Kandel, William A.; Bruno, Andorra; Meyer, Peter J.; Seelke, Clare Ribando; Taft-Morales, Maureen & Wasem, Ruth Ellen
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Domestic Federal Law Enforcement Coordination: Through the Lens of the Southwest Border

Description: This report discusses the law enforcement task forces and intelligence information sharing centers. The report focuses on those task forces and information sharing efforts that respond to federal counterdrug and counterterrorism priorities in the Southwest border region.
Date: June 3, 2014
Creator: Bjelopera, Jerome P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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