Congressional Research Service Reports - 366 Matching Results

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Appropriations for FY1999: Defense: This report is a guide to appropriations of Defense for FY1999.
Appropriations for FY1999: Legislative Branch: Appropriations are one part of a complex federal budget process that includes budget resolutions, appropriation bills, rescissions, and budget reconciliations bills. This report is over the LEgislative branch appropriations for the fiscal year 1999.
Appropriations for FY2000: Military Construction: This paper reviews the appropriations and authorization process for military construction. This report is categorized into seven categories (l) Most recent developments, (ll) Background, (lll) Status, (lV) Key Policy Issues, (V) History and Context, (Vl) Major Funding Trends, (Vll) Legislation
Disaster Mitigation Bills in the 106th Congress: H.R. 707, S. 1691 Compared: The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act authorizes the President to declare that an emergency or major disaster exists that overwhelms state and local resources. Legislation before the 106th Congress (H.R. 707 and S. 1691) would, among other matters, amend the Act to: (1) fund hazard mitigation projects designed to reduce future disaster losses; (2) add conditions to assistance; and (3) consolidate provisions governing the distribution of aid to disaster victims. This report compares provisions of the two bills, and will be updated as legislative action occurs.
Amtrak: Background and Selected Public Policy Issues: This report discusses the financial troubles of Amtrak, its request for federal financial operating assistance, the Amtrack Reform and Accountability Act of 1997, Amtrak's Strategic Business Plan for FY1999-2002, Amtrak's operating losses, and other rail passenger services that might emerge in the absence of Amtrak, should the company fail.
The Clean Water Action Plan: Background and Early Implementation: October 1997, Vice President Gore directed federal agencies to develop a Clean Water Initiative to improve and strengthen water pollution control efforts. The multi-agency plan was released on Feb. 19, 1998, and identifies more than 100 key actions. Most are existing activities, now labeled as part of the Initiative. The President's FY1999 budget requested $2.2 billion for five departments and agencies ($568 million more than in FY1998) to fund implementation. By October 1998, Congress passed bills to fund the plan, but appropriations provided $1.8 billion, or less than 15%, of the requested increases. In the meantime, however, federal agencies are beginning or accelerating activities to carry out the actions under the Plan.
Federal Indian Law: Sources of General Information: This is a list with a short description of the main reference sources in Federal Indian law. This information is to provide aid to those who would like to further pursue research in Indian law. The government publications are available in U.S. Government Depository Libraries; the other publications should be available in a university law library.
Mandates Information Act: Action in the 106th Congress: No Description Available.
Foreign Assistance and Commercial Interests: The Aid for Trade Debate: With the end of the Cold War and of a period during which foreign assistance was motivated frequently by East-West security and political considerations, a debate has emerged over setting a new foreign aid rationale. The debate has included calls advocating a much more direct use of America foreign assistance to support U.S. commercial interests, especially for programs administered by the Agency for International Development (AID). Proponents assert that the active promotion of the U.S. trade position should be one of the top U.S. foreign policy interests and, therefore, the foreign aid program should be used on behalf of that purpose. They argue that the United States should increase assistance in the form of capital projects that can provide opportunities for American exporters, reduce cash transfer aid that in some cases is spent on non-U.S. products, and strengthen "Buy America" provisions in foreign aid laws.
Endangered Species Act Amendments: An Analysis of S. 1180 and H.R. 2351: Because of wide-spread interest in possible amendments to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), CRS has received numerous requests for an analysis and critique of S.1180 and H.R. 2351. This report analyzes those bills. HR. 2351 was introduced on July 31, 1997 and S. 1180 on September 16, 1997. Each bill is discussed under various topic headings. The Senate bill will be described first, since it has been reported.
Pesticide Policy Issues: On August 3, 1996, President Clinton signed P.L. 104-170, which contains significant amendments to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Although it does not repeal the Delaney Clause, the new law removes pesticide residues from its purview. It requires EPA to set "safe" tolerances for residues of pesticides on both raw and processed food to provide "a reasonable certainty of no harm" from exposure to the pesticide residue, other dietary residues, and non-food sources. It also will expedite pesticide registration under FIFRA for minor uses; improve data collection on the effect of pesticides in children's diets; and prohibit states from regulating food based on pesticide residue concentrations below recently established federal tolerances.
Farm Commodity Programs: Sugar: This report discusses the federal sugar program, which authorized by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 seeks to ensure the viability of the U.S. sugar producing sector primarily by supporting the incomes of sugar beet and sugarcane producers and of those firms that process each crop into sugar.
Women in the United States Congress: This report revises an August 1995 CRS Report on Women in Congress and identifies the committee assignments, dates of service, and districts of the 176 women Members of Congress.
Economic Sanctions to Achieve U.S. Foreign Policy Goals: Discussion and Guide to Current Law: This report provides background on foreign policy sanctions. It addresses the following questions: Why do we apply sanctions? What objectives does the U.S. government seek to achieve when it imposes sanctions? Who imposes sanctions? What tools are available? How likely is it that sanctions will achieve the stated goal? What secondary consequences might sanctions have? What change is required for the sanctions to be lifted? Would multilateral sanctions be more desirable and achievable? The report also provides an uncomplicated map of where sanctions policies and options currently may be found in U.S. law.
Medical Savings Accounts: Legislation in the 105th Congress: No Description Available.
Consumer Proposals in the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1998: H.R. 3150, 105th Congress, 2d Session (1998): This report considers the legislative history of the current consumer bankruptcy scheme. It examines current consumer bankruptcy practice and surveys the consumer proposals set forth in Title I of H.R. 3150, with an emphasis on the likely impact of the bill on family support obligations.
Child Support Enforcement: New Reforms and Potential Issues: This report discusses the background, issues, enforcement and the reforms of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193), signed into law on August 22, 1996, and the major changes made to the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program.
Credit Union Common Bond Ruling: NCUA v. First National Bank and Trust Co._U.S._ (No. 96-843): On February 25, 1998, the Supreme Court ruled that federal credit unions may not consist of more than one occupational group having a single common bond. On April 1, the House passed H.R. 1151 (H.Rept. 105-472), which grandfathers existing credit unions and sets standards for future multi-group credit unions.
Violent and Abusive Behavior in Youth: A Public Health Problem: No Description Available.
Consumer Bankruptcy Reform: Proposals Before the 105th Congress: This report examines current consumer bankruptcy practice and the proposals set forth in the reform bills. Also considered are the legislative history of the current consumer bankruptcy scheme, and topics likely to be debated as Congress proceeds to consider consumer bankruptcy reform.
MTBE in Gasoline: Clean Air and Drinking Water Issues: No Description Available.
New Welfare Law: The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996: No Description Available.
Older Americans Act: 105th Congress Issues: No Description Available.
Endangered Species List Revisions: A Summary of Delisting and Downlisting: This report outlines the process and reasons for delisting or downlisting, and summarizes the 27 species delisted due to extinction, recovery, or data revision, and the 22 species that have been downlisted from endangered to threatened status due to stabilized or improving populations.
The Clean Water Action Plan: Background and Early Implementation: In October 1997, Vice President Gore directed federal agencies to develop a Clean Water Initiative to improve and strengthen water pollution control efforts. The multiagency plan was released on Feb. 19, 1998, and identifies nearly 100 key actions. Most are existing activities, now labeled as part of the Initiative. The President's FY1999 budget requests $2.2 billion for five departments and agencies to fund implementation of the Plan. While Congress is considering appropriations bills to fund the Plan, federal agencies are beginning or accelerating activities to carry out the actions under the Plan.
Environmental Risk and Cost-Benefit Analysis: A Review of Proposed Legislative Mandates, 1993-1998: Between 1993 and 1998 Congress considered many proposals that aimed to increase or improve the use of risk analysis by federal agencies, especially in developing environmental rules. This report describes differences and similarities among selected provisions of key proposals: Senate-passed Johnston amendments to S. 171 and S. 2019 in the 103rd Congress; S. 343, as reported by the Committee on the Judiciary, in the 104th Congress; House-passed H.R. 9 in the 104th Congress; S. 981, as reported by the Committee on Governmental Affairs, in the 105th Congress, and S. 1728, as introduced, in the 105th Congress.
Proposed Budget Process Reforms in the Senate: A Brief Analysis of Senate Resolutions 4, 5, 6, and 8: No Description Available.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species: Its Past and Future: This report discusses the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It is divided into six sections: Introduction, Background, CITES and the Endangered Species Act, Implementation, Upcoming Events, and Appendices.
The Fair Labor Standards Act: Changes Made by the 101st Congress and Their Implications: Initially, in the 101st Congress, a measure to increase federal minimum wage (and to make numerous other changes in the FLSA) was passed by both the House and the Senate but, in June 1989, it was vetoed by President Bush. An effort by the House to override the President's veto was unsuccessful. Later, new legislation was introduced and approved both by the House and the Senate. On November 17, 1989, President Bush signed the bill (P.L. 101-107).
Appropriations for FY2000: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education: This report is a guide to appropriations of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education for FY2000.
Appropriations for FY2000: Energy and Water Development: This report summarizes the current legislative status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related legislative activity.
The Appropriations Process and the Congressional Budget Act: This report is a guide on the Appropriations Process and the Congressional Budget Act.
Israeli-Turkish Relations. July 1998: This report provides an overview of unprecedented developments in the relations between two important U.S. allies, Israel and Turkey.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: House and Senate Amendments to Juvenile Justice Legislation: This report discusses legislative issues regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which provides federal funds to the states to assist them in providing an education for children with disabilities.
Appropriations for FY1999: Military Construction: This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that congress passes each year. It summarizes the current legislative status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels and related legislative activity.
The Florida Bay Economy and Changing Environmental Conditions. May 1994: This report provides a brief overview of the resource conditions of Florida Bay and of the economy of the directly adjacent Monroe County.
Generalized System of Preferences: This report provides information about the Generalized System of Preferences which provides duty free treatment for products that are imported from some designated countries. The main purpose is to promote economic growth.
Foreign Military Troops in the United States: This report discusses to what extent and why military personnel and forces from foreign nations are sometimes stationed in the United States
Appalachian Development Highway Program: An Overview: The Appalachian Development Highway Program is a road building program that is intended to break Appalachia's regional isolation and encourage Appalachian economic development. Administered by the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Appalachian Development Highway Program is authorized to develop a network of 3,025 miles of corridor roads. This report details the program origins, administration and organization, spending history, and issues for Congress.
Capital Gains Taxes, Innovation and Growth: This study addresses the role of capital gains tax reductions in stimulating new firm formation, innovation, and growth through venture capital investments and tax-favored stock options.
Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220: This report is concerned with the federal adult education and literacy programs authorized by the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA). The report covers funding and spending in the program and how it is budgeted. The report also discusses the consequences of the AEFLA repealing the Adult Education Act (AEA) but continuing some of the programs that were under it.
H.R. 853, The Comprehensive Budget Process Reform Act: Summary of Provisions: This report discusses the Comprehensive Budget Process Reform Act of 1999, was introduced by Representative Jim Nussle on February 25, 1999, and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
Clean Air Act Permitting: Status of Implementation: The 1990 Clean Air Act amendments established an operating permit system that is affecting many new and existing sources of air emissions, as well as state and local air pollution control agencies. After delays and early missteps, the operating permit program is moving ahead. All state and local programs have received interim or full approval, and permits are being issued, although at a slower rate than anticipated. However, a number of issues exist. These include the effect of key federal regulations, not yet promulgated, on permit programs and regulated sources; adequacy of state resources; gaining full approval for those permit programs that now have interim approval; and oversight.
Ocean Dumping Act: A Summary of the Law: The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act has two basic aims: to regulate international ocean disposal of materials, into authorized related research. Permit and enforcement provisions of the law are often referred to as the Ocean Dumping Act. The basic provisions of the act have remained virtually unchanged since 1972, when it was enacted to establish a comprehensive waste management system to regulate disposal or dumping of all materials into marine waters that are within U.S. jurisdiction, although a number of new authorities have been added. This report represents a summary of the law, describing the essence of the statute.
Superfund: A Brief Comparison of the Chairmen's Bills: The chairmen of three subcommittees with jurisdiction over Superfund have introduced comprehensive reauthorization bills: Senator Bob Smith introduced S. 8 (the reported version is used here), Representative Sherwood Boehlert introduced H.R. 2727 (the subcommittee-approved version of March 11, 1998, is used here) and Representative Michael Oxley introduced H.R. 3000. This report compares the three bills, focusing on four disputed issues: liability, remedy selection, the role of the states, and natural resource damages.
Electricity Restructuring: Comparison of S.1401, H.R. 655, H.R. 1230, S. 722, H.R. 1960, and S. 2287: Once considered the nation's most regulated industry, the electric utility industry is evolving into a more competitive environment. At the current time, the focus of this development is the generating sector, where the advent of new generating technologies, such as gas-fired combined cycle, has lowered both entry barriers to competitors of traditional utilities and lowered the marginal costs of those competitors below those of some traditional utilities. This technological advance has been combined with legislative initiatives, such as the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT), to encourage the introduction of competitive forces into the electric generating sector. The questions now are whether further legislative action is desirable to encourage competition in the electric utility sector and how the transition between a comprehensive regulatory regime to a more competitive electric utility sector can be made with the least amount of economic and service disruption.
Brief Summaries of Federal Animal Protection Statutes: This report contains brief summaries of federal animal protection statutes, listed alphabetically. It does not include treaties, although it does include statutes enacted to implement treaties. It includes statutes concerning animals that are not entirely, or not at all, animal protection statutes. For example, it includes a statute authorizing the eradication of predators, because one of the statute's purposes is to protect domestic and "game, animals; and it includes statutes to conserve fish, although their ultimate purpose may not be for the fishes' benefit. It also includes statutes that allow the disabled to use service animals, and even includes statutes aimed at acts of animal rights advocates (the Animal Enterprise Protection Act of 1992, and the Recreational Hunting Safety and Preservation Act of 1994).
The 1995 Farm Bill: Research, Education, and Extension Issues: The House Agriculture Committee has proposed extending Title XVI of the 1990 farm act (P.L. 101-624) for two years. Currently, the title will expire at the end of 1995. The title includes funding authority for the U.s. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) in-house research programs, as well as federal support for cooperative research, higher education, extension programs in the States, and several research grant programs. This report discusses efforts underway to extend this title and reform future legislation. It also outlines federal spending in these areas.
Unfunded Mandate Reform Act: A Brief Summary: The Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995 (S. 1; H.R. 5) responds to the concerns of many State and local officials with regard to costs placed upon them by "unfunded mandates." Generally, unfunded mandates are responsibilities or duties placed on one level of government by another without paying the costs of carrying out such responsibilities or duties.
Export Administration Legislation: This report discusses briefly the major export control provisions that existed under EAA-1979 and the current authorities for regulating exports. It then summarizes the major export control provisions of the proposed EAA-1996 and discusses some aspects of the bill that may be debated in Congress and the press. Highlighted are implications for nonproliferation policy, for national security and foreign policy, and for business; other topics covered are foreign boycott provisions, criminal and civil penalties, and judicial review.

Congressional Research Service Reports - 366 Matching Results

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