Congressional Research Service Reports - 308 Matching Results

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Nanotechnology: A Policy Primer

Description: This report provides an overview of: federal research and development (R&D) in nanotechnology; U.S. competitiveness; environmental, health, and safety (EHS) concerns; nanomanufacturing; and public understanding of and attitudes toward nanotechnology.
Date: January 19, 2011
Creator: Sargent, John F., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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A Federal Chief Technology Officer in the Obama Administration: Options and Issues for Consideration

Description: This report presents President Obama's vision for the chief technology officer (CTO) position. It also discusses the potential scope of the position's duties, articulates organizational precedents and challenges for the CTO, reviews some of the activities undertaken by Aneesh Chopra during his tenure as CTO, and identifies issues Congress may choose to consider if it opts to exert oversight or to develop legislation to create the position and/or office of the CTO.
Date: January 7, 2010
Creator: Sargent, John F., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Nanotechnology: A Policy Primer

Description: Nanoscale science, engineering and technology--commonly referred to collectively as nanotechnology--is believed by many to offer extraordinary economic and societal benefits. Congress has demonstrated continuing support for nanotechnology and has directed its attention primarily to three topics that may affect the realization of this hoped for potential: federal research and development (R&D) in nanotechnology; U.S. competitiveness; and environmental, health, and safety (EHS) concerns. This rep… more
Date: June 2, 2010
Creator: Sargent, John F., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Advanced Spectroscopic Portal Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The attacks of September 11, 2001, prompted an increased federal focus on protecting the United States against terrorist nuclear or radiological attack. Since that time, the federal government has expanded existing programs, developed new programs, and deployed new equipment at U.S. borders and elsewhere. The global nuclear detection architecture has multiple facets, including source security to make acquiring threat material more difficult, intelligence activities, law enforcement activities, … more
Date: May 21, 2010
Creator: Shea, Dana A.; Moteff, John D. & Morgan, Daniel
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program: Background, Funding, and Activities

Description: This report discusses background and funding for the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) program (previously known as the High-Performance Computing and Communications program, or HPPCC), which involves multiagency research and development (R&D) projects. It includes information about the program, background on federal technology funding, related activities in the 112th and 111th Congresses, and potential issues for Congress to address.
Date: March 22, 2011
Creator: Moloney Figliola, Patricia
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program: Background, Funding, and Activities

Description: In the early 1990s, Congress recognized that several federal agencies had ongoing high performance computing programs, but no central coordinating body existed to ensure long-term coordination and planning. To provide such a framework, Congress passed the High-Performance Computing and Communications Program Act of 1991 to enhance the effectiveness of the various programs. In conjunction with the passage of the act, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released Grand Challeng… more
Date: March 27, 2012
Creator: Figliola, Patricia Moloney
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program: Background, Funding, and Activities

Description: In the early 1990s, Congress recognized that several federal agencies had ongoing high performance computing programs, but no central coordinating body existed to ensure long-term coordination and planning. To provide such a framework, Congress passed the High-Performance Computing and Communications Program Act of 1991 to enhance the effectiveness of the various programs. In conjunction with the passage of the act, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released Grand Challen… more
Date: January 13, 2012
Creator: Moloney Figliola, Patricia
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Technology Innovation Program

Description: This report discusses the Technology Innovation Program (TIP) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is designed "to support, promote, and accelerate innovation in the United States through high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need," according to the authorizing legislation. Grants are provided to small and medium-sized firms for individual projects or joint ventures with other research organizations.
Date: February 22, 2010
Creator: Schacht, Wendy H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Big Data in U.S. Agriculture

Description: This report discusses big data within the context of agriculture. Many observers predict that the growth of big data will bring positive benefits through enhanced production, resource efficiency, and improved adaptation to climate change. While lauded for its potentially revolutionary applications, big data is not without issues. From a policy perspective, issues related to big data involve nearly every stage of its existence, including its collection (how it is captured), management (how it is… more
Date: January 6, 2016
Creator: Stubbs, Megan
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Technology Innovation Program

Description: This report discusses the Technology Innovation Program (TIP) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) which was established in 2007 to replace the Advanced Technology Program (ATP). TIP was designed "to support, promote, and accelerate innovation in the United States through high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need," according to the authorizing legislation. Grants are provided to small and medium-sized firms for individual projects or joint ventur… more
Date: June 14, 2010
Creator: Schacht, Wendy H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Internet Domain Names: Background and Policy Issues

Description: This report discusses the Domain Name System (DNS), which is the distributed set of databases residing in computers around the world that contain address numbers mapped to corresponding domain names, making it possible to send and receive messages and to access information from computers anywhere on the Internet.
Date: January 26, 2010
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Internet Domain Names: Background and Policy Issues

Description: This report discusses the Domain Name System (DNS), which is the distributed set of databases residing in computers around the world that contain address numbers mapped to corresponding domain names, making it possible to send and receive messages and to access information from computers anywhere on the Internet.
Date: April 5, 2010
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Technology Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs

Description: This report describes incentives and programs aimed at deploying alternative fuel and engines, such as tax deductions, federal grants for upgrading old cars, and mandates for biofuel use. The report lists incentives and programs by agency.
Date: June 2, 2015
Creator: Cunningham, Lynn J.; Cook, Beth; Canis, Bill & Yacobucci, Brent D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Semiconductor Manufacturing: Industry Trends, Global Competition, Federal Policy

Description: This report provides background information on the Zika virus, discusses challenges faced by governments and implementing partners in the Latin America and Caribbean region that are attempting to control the ongoing outbreak, and analyzes these above issues in the context of the U.S. Zika response.
Date: June 27, 2016
Creator: Platzer, Michaela D. & Sargent, John F., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Treasury Issues White Paper on Fintech and Marketplace Lending

Description: This report briefly discusses the context and contents of a white paper issued on May 10, 2016 by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The paper analyzes regulatory issues for the marketplace lending industry and offers several recommendations for industry and government responses.
Date: May 20, 2016
Creator: Murphy, Edward V.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Initiatives to Promote Global Internet Freedom: Issues, Policy, and Technology

Description: This report provides information regarding the role of U.S. and other foreign companies in facilitating Internet censorship by repressive regimes overseas. The report is divided into several sections: Examination of repressive policies in China and Iran, Relevant U.S. laws, U.S. policies to promote Internet freedom, Private sector initiatives, and Congressional action.
Date: April 5, 2010
Creator: Moloney Figliola, Patricia; Nakamura, Kennon H.; Addis, Casey L. & Lum, Thomas
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Cloud Computing: Constitutional and Statutory Privacy Protections

Description: This report first describes cloud computing and how it differs from traditional computing. It then describes how the Fourth Amendment and federal electronic privacy statutes apply to communications in the physical world, to Internet communications generally, and specifically to the cloud. Finally, this report surveys recent legislation and other various proposals designed to update the existing statutory framework.
Date: March 22, 2013
Creator: Thompson, Richard M., II
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Networking and Constituent Communications: Members' Use of Twitter and Facebook During a Two-Month Period in the 112th Congress

Description: This report examines Member adoption and use of two social networking services: Twitter and Facebook. The report analyzes data on Member use of Twitter and Facebook collected by an academic institution in collaboration with the Congressional Research Service during a two-month period between August and October 2011 and the adoption of both platforms as of January 2012.
Date: March 22, 2013
Creator: Glassman, Matthew E.; Straus, Jacob R. & Shogan, Colleen J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Information Warfare: The Role of Social Media in Conflict

Description: This report briefly discusses the use if social media as a tool of information warfare. The ability to rapidly disseminate graphic images and ideas to shape the public narrative transforms social media into a strategic weapon in the hands of terrorists, insurgent groups, or governments engaged in conflict.
Date: March 4, 2015
Creator: Theohary, Catherine A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Net Neutrality Debate: Access to Broadband Networks

Description: This report introduces the basics of the net neutrality debate over open access to the internet and discusses current court cases and legislation related to the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) 2015 Open Internet Order and its latest proposed revisions.
Date: September 8, 2017
Creator: Gilroy, Angele A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Court-Ordered Access to Smart Phones: In Brief

Description: This report specifically examines certain encryption issues that have been raised in the investigation of the December 2, 2015, terrorist attack in San Bernardino, CA. This report highlights certain issues that policymakers may examine as they follow the ongoing dispute between law enforcement and technology companies, and it focuses on questions related to the government's request.
Date: February 23, 2016
Creator: Finklea, Kristin; Thompson, Richard M., II & Jaikaran, Chris
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Is Broadband Deployment Reasonable and Timely?

Description: This report briefly discusses the state of broadband Internet in America as determined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in its latest Broadband Progress Report.
Date: February 6, 2016
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Dark Web

Description: This report illuminates information on the various layers of the Internet, with a particular focus on the Dark Web. It discusses both legitimate and illicit uses of the Dark Web, including how the government may rely upon it. Throughout, the report raises issues that policy makers may consider as they explore means to curb malicious activity online.
Date: March 10, 2017
Creator: Finklea, Kristin
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Internet Tax Freedom Act: In Brief

Description: This report discusses the Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA; P.L. 105-277) enacted in 1998, which implemented a three-year moratorium preventing state and local governments from taxing Internet access, or imposing multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce.
Date: April 13, 2016
Creator: Stupak, Jeffrey M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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