Congressional Research Service Reports - 6,056 Matching Results
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- Federal Prison Industries
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- Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 110th Congress
- Aquaculture — the farming of fish, shellfish, and other aquatic animals and plants in a controlled environment — is expanding rapidly abroad, with more modest advances in the United States. This report discusses the federal laws and regulations that guide the management of resources in open ocean and near-shore coastal areas.
- Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) Status for Russia and U.S.-Russian Economic Ties
- This report discusses the issues surrounding whether or not the U.S. should grant Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) following its accession into the World Trade Organization (WTO). The change in Russia's trade status will require legislation to lift the restrictions of Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 as they apply to Russia, which includes the "freedom-of-emigration" requirements of the Jackson-Vanik amendment.
- Walter Reed Army Medical Center: Realignment Under BRAC 2005 and Options for Congress
- This report details the BRAC Commission recommendation to create the WRNMMC, and the concomitant realignment of the WRAMC. It describes the concerns raised by the community before the BRAC Commission regarding the closure of the WRAMC main post and explains each of the 13 parts of the overall recommendation.
- Fusion Centers: Issues and Options for Congress
- Although elements of the information and intelligence fusion function were conducted prior to 9/11, often at state police criminal intelligence bureaus, the events of 9/11 provided the primary catalyst for the formal establishment of more than 40 state, local, and regional fusion centers across the country. This report contains information on potential risks of fusion centers, evolution of the concept of fusion centers, characteristics of state and regional fusion centers, challenges and potential options as relating to fusion centers for Congress, and related information.
- The Constitutionality of Regulating Political Advertisements: An Analysis of Federal Election Commission v. Wisconsin Right to Life, Inc.
- On June 25, 2007, in a 5-4 decision, the Sumpreme Court in Wisconsin Right to Life, Inc. v. FEC affirmed a lower court ruling, finding that a provision of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, prohibiting corporate or labor union treasury funds from being spent on advertisements broadcast within 30 days of a primary or 60 days of a general election, was unconstitutional as applied to ads that Wisconsin Right to Life, Inc. sought to run. In later decisions, it was ruled that advertisements that may reasonably be interpreted as something other than as an appeal to vote for or against a specific candidate are not the functional equivalent of express advocacy and, therefore, cannot be regulated. This report examines and analyzes these decisions and how they effect campaign law.
- FY2007 Supplemental Appropriations for Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Other Purposes
- This report contains information on federal appropriations for the fiscal year 2007 in the area of defense, foreign affairs, and related subjects.
- Hedge Funds: Should They Be Regulated?
- In view of the growing impact of hedge funds on a variety of financial markets, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in October 2004 adopted a regulation that requires hedge funds to register as investment advisers, disclose basic information about their operations, and open their books for inspection. The regulation took effect in February 2006, but on June 23, 2006, a court challenge was upheld and the rule was vacated. S. 1402 and H.R. 2586 would reinstate the SEC's authority. H.R. 2683 would require defined benefit pension plans to disclose investments in hedge funds. In December 2006, the SEC proposed raising the "accredited investor" standard - to be permitted to invest in hedge funds, an investor would need $2.5 million in assets, instead of $1 million.
- Federal Sentencing Guidelines: Background, Legal Analysis, and Policy Options
- This report provides a legal analysis of the recent Court ruling as well as background information on federal sentencing guidelines.
- Gasoline Price Increases: Federal and State Authority to Limit ‘Price Gouging’
- During the 2005 hurricane season, gasoline prices rose sharply, both in directly affected areas and elsewhere in the country, and attention turned to the causes underlying these sharp increases. Although gasoline prices have fluctuated since then, Congres continues to consider legislation on fuel pricing, including provisions addressing price gouging. In the 110th Congress, bills have been introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives that would adopt federal provisions on price gouging of gasoline and other fuels.
- Immigration: Policy Considerations Related to Guest Worker Programs
- This report provides an overview of the policy considerations related to guest worker programs on immigration.
- India-U.S. Relations
- This report focuses on the India-U.S. relations.
- Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues for the 110th Congress. June 2007
- This report provides an overview of U.S. relations with Latin American and the Caribbean, focusing on the role of Congress and congressional concerns.
- Haiti: Developments and U.S. Policy Since 1991 and Current Congressional Concerns
- This report outlines Congressional concerns regarding Haiti including fostering democratic development, stability, and security; the cost and effectiveness of U.S. aid; protecting human rights; combating narcotics trafficking; addressing Haitian migration; and alleviating poverty. Bills addressing those concerns have been introduced in the 110th Congress.
- Elections in France, 2007
- This report discusses about the election in France. It further discusses about the election of 2007 and Implications for the United States.
- Head Start: Background and Issues
- Head Start is a federal program that has provided comprehensive early childhood development services to low-income children since 1965. Services provided to preschool-aged children include child development, educational, health, nutritional, social and other activities, intended to prepare low-income children for entering kindergarten. This report provides an overview of Head Start, along with a list of its issues.
- Indonesia: Domestic Politics, Strategic Dynamics, and American Interests
- This report surveys key aspects of Indonesia's domestic politics and strategic dynamics in addition to provide general background information on Indonesia. It also provides an overview of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Indonesia.
- Libya: Background and U.S. Relations. June 2007
- This report provides background information on Libya and U.S.-Libyan relations.
- Legal Issues Raised by Provision in House Energy Bill (H.R. 6) Creating Incentives for Certain OCS Leaseholders to Accept Price Thresholds
- This report looks at several of the legal issues arguably raised by one such proposal, which on January 18, 2007, passed the House of Representatives as section 204 of H.R.6, the House energy bill.
- Abortion Law Development: A Brief Overview
- This report summarizes the history of legislation on abortion. Moreover, the report discusses the conflict that surrounds the history of the court cases and how it has effected legislation passed since Roe v. Wade. The report also covers how Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton did not cover a variety of issues that have since been raised by states seeking to restrict abortion.
- Abortion: Legislative Response
- The primary focus of this issue brief is legislative action with respect to abortion. However, discussion of those legislative proposals necessarily involves a brief discussion of the leading U.S. Supreme Court decisions concerning a woman’s right to choose whether to terminate her pregnancy. For a more detailed discussion of the relevant case law, see CRS Report 95-724, Abortion Law Development: A Brief Overview.
- Telecommunications Act: Competition, Innovation, and Reform
- In 1996, Congress enacted comprehensive reform of the nation’s statutory and regulatory framework for telecommunications by passing the Telecommunications Act, which substantially amended the 1934 Communications Act. The general objective of the 1996 Act was to open up markets to competition by removing unnecessary regulatory barriers to entry. This report discusses the history of the law and examines current issues.
- Central Bank Independence and Economic Performance: What Does the Evidence Show?
- The report discusses about keeping an economy growing over the long run at rates sufficient to provide full employment for labor and capital with low inflation or a stable price level that has been an important goal for economic policy.
- Congressional Budget Actions in 2007
- During the first session of the 110th Congress, the House and Senate considered many different budgetary measures. This report describes House and Senate action on major budgetary legislation within the framework of the congressional budget process and other procedural requirements.
- Follow-On Biologics: Intellectual Property and Innovation Issues
- Biologics, which are sometimes termed biopharmaceuticals or biotechnology drugs, have begun to play an increasingly important role in U.S. health care. Not only are sales of biologics growing rapidly, some experts estimate that in coming years half of all newly approved drugs will result from biotechnology. This report contains information on marketing approval issues, intellectual property issues, and innovation issues as related to biologics.
- Exporting Software and the Extraterritorial Reach of U.S. Patent Law: Microsoft Corp. v. AT&T Corp.
- Generally speaking, United States patent law does not have extraterritorial effect. The exception, however, is § 271(f) of the Patent Act, which makes it an act of patent infringement to manufacture within the United States the components of a patented invention and then export those disassembled parts for combination abroad into an end product. This report discusses Microsoft Corp. v. AT&T Corp. (550 U.S. ___ , No. 05-1056, decided April 30, 2007), in which the U.S. Supreme Court held that software companies are not liable for patent infringement under § 271(f) when they export software that has been embodied in machine-readable, physical form (a CD-ROM, for example), with the intent that such software be copied abroad for installation onto foreign-manufactured computers.
- Veterans and Homelessness
- The first part of this report defines the term "homeless veteran". The second part summarizes the available research regarding the over representation of both male and female veterans, who are present in greater percentages in the homeless population than their percentages in the general population. The third section of this report discusses nine programs. Lastly, it discusses three emerging issues.
- Broadband Internet Regulation and Access: Background and Issues
- This report discusses broadband Internet, examining what it is and the various technologies that allow for its transmission. Broadband or high-speed Internet access is provided by technologies that give users the ability to send and receive data at volumes and speeds far greater than access over traditional telephone lines; it also provides a continuous, "always on" connection (no need to dial-up) and a "two-way" capability, that is, the ability to both receive (download) and transmit (upload) data at high speeds.
- The “Farm Bill” in Brief
- This report discusses the farm bill, which renewed about every five years, governs federal farm and food policy. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171) is the most recent omnibus farm bill, covering a wide range of programs including commodity price and income support, farm credit, agricultural conservation, research, rural development, and foreign and domestic food programs, among others.
- Border Security: The San Diego Fence
- This report outlines the issues involved with DHS's construction of the San Diego border fence and highlights some of the major legislative and administrative developments regarding its completion.
- Congressional Budget Actions in 2007
- During the first session of the 110th Congress, the House and Senate considered many different budgetary measures. This report describes House and Senate action on major budgetary legislation within the framework of the congressional budget process and other procedural requirements.
- The Alternative Minimum Tax for Individuals: Legislative Initiatives in the 110th Congress
- This report addresses the Legislative Initiatives in the 110th Congress of the Alternative Minimum Tax for Individuals.
- Generalized System of Preferences: Background and Renewal Debate
- This report presents, first, a brief history, economic rationale, and legal background leading to the establishment of the Generalized system of preferences.
- Grants Information for Constituents
- This report describes key sources of information on government and private grants for sale and community projects.
- Homeland Security Department: FY2008 Request for Appropriations
- This report describes the FY2008 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security. The Administration requested a net appropriation of $35.5 billion in net budget authority for FY2008. This report is a guide to one of the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Homeland Security.
- Brief Summaries of Federal Animal Protection Statutes
- This report contains brief summaries of federal animal protection statues, listed alphabetically. It includes statues concerning animals that are not entirely, or not at all, animal protection statues.
- BP Alaska North Slope Pipeline Shutdowns: Regulatory Policy Issues
- This report is categorized into four categories: (I) Introduction, (II) Federal Pipeline Safety Regulation, (III) Regulatory Policy Issues and (IV) Conclusion.
- Exemptions from Environmental Law for the Department of Defense: Background and Issues for Congress
- This report provides Background and Issues for Congress on Exemptions from Environmental Law for the Department of Defense. several environmental statutes contain national security exemptions which is a department of defense can obtain on a case by case basis.
- Maritime Security: Potential Terrorist Attacks and Protection Priorities
- This report outlines key dimensions of maritime terrorism and illustrates credible maritime attack scenarios based on actual past attacks. It also discusses the challenge to maritime security planners and how certain federal programs address this challenge.
- U.S.-European Union Relations and the 2007 Summit
- This report evaluates the results of the annual U.S.-EU summit on April 30, 2007, in Washington, DC.
- Foreign Students in the United States: Policies and Legislation
- This report examines various issues pertaining to foreign students in the United States. Since the Immigration Act of 1924, the United States has expressly permitted foreign students to study in U.S. institutions. Most foreign students are at least 18 years old and are enrolled in higher education programs. Foreign students are generally considered to enrich cultural diversity of the educational experience for U.S. residents as well as enhance the reputation of U.S. universities as world-class institutions. Concerns have arisen in recent years that have caused Congress to take a new look at the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provisions that govern their admission.
- Immigration Reform: Brief Synthesis of Issue
- This report synthesizes the major elements of immigration reform in the 110th Congress and provides references to other CRS reports that fully analyze these legislative elements.
- International Reaction to the Palestinian Unity Government
- This report discusses the new Palestinian unity government, which established in March 2007 complicates U.S. policy toward the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the peace process.
- Distributional Effects of Taxes on Corporate Profits, Investment Income, and Estates
- Recent tax reductions reduce the effective tax rate on capital income in several different ways. Taxes on capital arise from individual taxes on dividends, interest, capital gains, and income from non-corporate businesses. This report contains data on the distribution of income by type and class, shifting the incidence of taxes, the effect of the savings response, and related information.
- Wildfire Funding
- This report briefly describes the three categories of federal programs for wildfire protection. One is to protect the federal lands managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (FS), and by the U.S. Department of the Interior, whose wildfire programs are coordinated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). A second category assists state and local governments and communities in protecting nonfederal lands; these programs are used to reduce wildland fuels, to otherwise prepare for fire control, to contain and control wildfires, and to respond after severe wildfires have burned. A third category of federal programs supports fire research, fire facilities, and improvements in forest health. The last section of this report discusses the impact of high and rising wildfire costs.
- Fair Credit Reporting Act: Rights and Responsibilities
- This report discusses about the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) that establishes a consumer's right. It also consists of Permissible Uses of Consumer Credit Reports and Consumer Rights.
- Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 110th Congress
- Aquaculture — the farming of fish, shellfish, and other aquatic animals and plants in a controlled environment — is expanding rapidly abroad, with more modest advances in the United States. This report discusses the federal laws and regulations that guide the management of resources in open ocean and near-shore coastal areas.
- FY2007 Supplemental Appropriations for Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Other Purposes
- This report contains information on federal appropriations for the fiscal year 2007 in the area of defense, foreign affairs, and related subjects.
- Arsenic in Drinking Water: Regulatory Developments and Issues
- This report describes the Regulatory Developments and Issues related to Arsenic in Drinking Water.
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Legislation in the 110th Congress
- This report reviews the status of energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation introduced during the 110th Congress. Action has focused on legislation to increase funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy.