Congressional Research Service Reports - 83 Matching Results

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The Market Structure of the Health Insurance Industry

Description: This report discusses whether or not the current health insurance market structure hinders the U.S. health system's ability to reach the policy goals of expanding health insurance coverage and containing health care costs. The report describes the forces that have shaped the health insurance industry. Reasons for high market concentration are discussed, along with profitability measures for the industry. Finally, options for Congress regarding the health insurance industry are analyzed.
Date: November 17, 2009
Creator: Austin, D. A. & Hungerford, Thomas L.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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FEMA Reorganization Legislation in the 109th Congress

Description: In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Members of Congress and others raised questions about the scope and reach of federal emergency management policies, the procedures used to administer federal statutory authorities, the qualifications of personnel, and other issues. Most of the questions focused on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the agency primarily responsible for coordinating federal and non-federal disaster response activities. This report provides information on provisi… more
Date: July 12, 2006
Creator: Bea, Keith & Hogue, Henry B.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Farm Commodity Legislation: Chronology, 1933-2002

Description: This report discusses legislation regarding commodities and price supports. Since 1933, Congress has required the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to administer various price and income support programs for U.S. farmers. Some standing authority for these programs is provided by three permanent laws, from 1938, 1948, and 1949. However, Congress frequently alters the basic provisions of these laws. The omnibus law now guiding farm support (through 2007) is the Farm Security and Rural Investm… more
Date: May 31, 2002
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Holocaust-Era Insurance Claims: Background and Proposed Legislation

Description: This report aims to inform consideration of H.R. 1746 and possible alternatives by providing: background on Holocaust-era compensation and restitution issues; an overview of the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims (ICHEIC), including criticism and support of its claims process and Administration policy on ICHEIC; and an overview of litigation on Holocaust-era insurance claims and the proposed legislation.
Date: July 21, 2008
Creator: Belkin, Paul; Carpenter, David H.; Rubin, Janice E. & Webel, Baird
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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War Bonds in the Second World War: A Model for Hurricane Recovery Bonds?

Description: Severe damage and dislocations resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have rekindled congressional interest in the concept of the sale of a Treasury security to finance recovery and relief operations. The question has been raised whether or not the issuance of war bonds during the Second World War serves as a good model for new “hurricane recovery bonds.” Two bills have been introduced that would permit the issuance of some form of hurricane relief bond: H.R. 3892 and H.R. 3935.
Date: October 20, 2005
Creator: Bickley, James M.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Historic Preservation: Background and Funding

Description: This report summarizes the federal role in historic preservation. It provides descriptions of and funding information for some of the major preservation programs, including the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Register for Historic Places. Some Members of Congress have given historic preservation programs close scrutiny and have recommended that historic preservation activities be supp… more
Date: January 22, 2007
Creator: Boren, Susan
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Historic Preservation: Background and Funding

Description: This report summarizes the federal role in historic preservation. It provides descriptions of and funding information for some of the major preservation programs, including the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Register for Historic Places. Some Members of Congress have given historic preservation programs close scrutiny and have recommended that historic preservation activities be supp… more
Date: January 5, 2005
Creator: Boren, Susan
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Historic Preservation: Background and Funding

Description: This report summarizes the federal role in historic preservation. It provides descriptions of and funding information for some of the major preservation programs, including the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Register for Historic Places.
Date: August 11, 2003
Creator: Boren, Susan
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Emergency Funding for Agriculture: A Brief History of Supplemental Appropriations, FY1989-FY2006

Description: From FY1989 through FY2006, 33 appropriations, authorization, or farm disaster acts added approximately $55.4 billion in supplemental funding for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. The two most recent supplemental appropriations were provided in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf of Mexico and in preparation for a possible U.S. outbreak of avian influenza. Some FY1989, the vast majority of the total supplemental funding has been paid directly to farmers, primarily … more
Date: July 3, 2006
Creator: Chite, Ralph M.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Africa Backgrounder: History, U.S. Policy, Principal Congressional Actions

Description: Congressional interest in Africa seems certain to continue, not only because the region is affected by a number of serious problems, some of which could have grave humanitarian consequences, but also because of the potential Africa offers for U.S. trade and investment should these problems ease. Africa's problems and prospects will likely assure continuing constituent interest as well, stimulated in part by the churches, relief organizations, and other non-governmental organizations active on A… more
Date: January 5, 2001
Creator: Copson, Raymond W.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Tibet: Problems, Prospects, and U.S. Policy

Description: This report consists of three free-standing parts: the first discusses current issues in Tibet, including the March 2008 Chinese crackdown against demonstrations in Lhasa and elsewhere; the second briefly reviews Tibet's historical and political status with respect to China — a basic source of controversy in many Sino-Tibetan problems; and the third reviews and analyzes U.S. relations with and congressional actions toward Tibet since the 1980s, including legislative initiatives.
Date: July 30, 2008
Creator: Dumbaugh, Kerry
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Alien Tort Statute: Legislative History and Executive Branch Views

Description: The report provides a historical overview of court decisions interpreting the Alien Tort Statute (ATS), also known as the Alien Tort Claims Act (ACTA). The report then provides an overview of the positions taken by the U.S. government in published opinions of the Attorney General and in court briefs related to ATS claims.
Date: October 2, 2003
Creator: Elsea, Jennifer K.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Declarations of War and Authorizations for the Use of Military Force: Historical Background and Legal Implications

Description: This report provides historical background on the enactment of declarations of war and authorizations for the use of force and analyzes their legal effects under international and domestic law. It also sets forth their texts in two appendices. Because the statutes that confer standby authority on the President and the executive branch potentially play such a large role in an armed conflict to which the United States is a party, the report includes an extensive listing and summary of the statute… more
Date: August 11, 2006
Creator: Elsea, Jennifer K. & Grimmett, Richard F.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Military Tribunals: Historical Patterns and Lessons

Description: This report summarizes the types of military tribunals that have functioned from the Revolutionary War to the present time, explaining the legislative enactments that have guided these tribunals and the judicial decisions that have reviewed their constitutionality.
Date: July 9, 2004
Creator: Fisher, Louis
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Commemorative Observances: A Chronological List

Description: Historically, national commemorative observances were recommended by Congress through the legislative process. This practice was discontinued by the House of Representatives in January 1995, although the Senate continues to issue sense of the Senate resolutions recommending the establishment of commemoratives. It has now become standard practice for special observances to be designated by a proclamation issued by the President. This report is a chronological list of these proclamations for 1997… more
Date: August 29, 2006
Creator: Frazier-Thompson, Judith B.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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A Parliamentary-Style Question Period: Proposals and Issues for Congress

Description: This report surveys how question periods are conducted in Britain and other parliamentary democracies, examines previous proposals for question periods in the United States, considers potential advantages and disadvantages of a question period, and outlines some legislative considerations for policymakers considering a question period for Congress.
Date: July 29, 2008
Creator: Glassman, Matthew E.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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