Congressional Research Service Reports - 35 Matching Results

Search Results

Results: 1 - 24 next
open access

Health Insurance: A Primer

Description: This report provides information related to health insurance. The content includes what it is, why is it needed, health insurance regulation, and how are private health benefits delivered and financed.
Date: January 8, 2015
Creator: Fernandez, Bernadette & Uberoi, Namrata K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Network for Manufacturing Innovation

Description: This report discusses the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2014 (RAMIA). RAMIA includes provisions authorizing the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Department of Energy, and other agencies to support the establishment of centers for manufacturing innovation, as well as establishing and providing for the operation of a Network for Manufacturing Innovation.
Date: January 8, 2015
Creator: Sargent, John F., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Federal Crop Insurance: Background

Description: This report provides a primer on the federal crop insurance program and highlights changes to the program by the 2014 farm bill.
Date: January 9, 2015
Creator: Shields, Dennis A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Small Business Administration and Job Creation

Description: The Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several programs to support small businesses, including loan guaranty programs, disaster loan programs, management and technical assistance training programs, and federal contracting programs. Congressional interest in these programs has increased in recent years, primarily because they are viewed as a means to stimulate economic activity, create jobs, and assist in the national economic recovery. This report examines the economic research on … more
Date: January 29, 2015
Creator: Dilger, Robert J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms: Economic, Program, and Policy Issues

Description: This report discusses the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs, which were authorized by Congress in the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to help workers and firms adjust to import competition and dislocation caused by trade liberalization. It provides information about TAAF program and policy issues, as well as legislation to reauthorize the TAAF program.
Date: January 30, 2015
Creator: Bolle, Mary Jane
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Small Business Administration Trade and Export Promotion Programs

Description: This report begins with the history, role, and scope of the Small Business Administration's (SBA's) export promotion activities, and the creation of the Office of International Trade (OIT). Next, quantitative data from SBA and qualitative data from other sources are used to provide performance analysis of SBA's international programs. This report concludes with a presentation of three issues for consideration during an era where concerns of fiscal responsibility and economic recovery are high p… more
Date: February 3, 2015
Creator: Lowry, Sean
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Legal Authorities Governing Federal Contracting and Subcontracting with Small Businesses

Description: This report provides an overview of the various legal authorities governing small business contracting and subcontracting, as well as the relationship between them. It also explains the roles of the Small Business Administration (SBA), procuring activities, Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), and other tribunals in implementing and construing the law governing federal contracting and subcontracting with small businesses.
Date: February 23, 2015
Creator: Manuel, Kate M. & Lunder, Erika K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Research Tax Credit: Current Law and Policy Issues for the 114th Congress

Description: This report describes the current status of the research tax credit, summarizes its legislative history, discusses policy issues it raises, and describes legislation to modify and extend it.
Date: March 13, 2015
Creator: Guenther, Gary
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Cybersecurity and Information Sharing: Legal Challenges and Solutions

Description: While considerable debate exists with regard to the best strategies for protecting America’s various cyber-systems and promoting cybersecurity, one point of general agreement amongst cyber-analysts is the perceived need for enhanced and timely exchange of cyber-threat intelligence both within the private sector and between the private sector and the government. This report examines the various legal issues that arise with respect to the sharing of cybersecurity intelligence, with a special focu… more
Date: March 16, 2015
Creator: Nolan, Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Small Business Administration Microloan Program

Description: This report describes the Microloan program's eligibility standards and operating requirements for lenders and borrowers and examines the arguments presented by the program's critics and advocates. It also examines changes to the program authorized by P.L. 111-240, the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.
Date: March 20, 2015
Creator: Dilger, Robert J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

State Children’s Health Insurance Program: An Overview

Description: This report describes the basic elements of CHIP, focusing on how the program is designed, who is eligible, what services are covered, how enrollees share in the cost of care, and how the program is financed. The report ends with a brief discussion of the future of CHIP.
Date: March 20, 2015
Creator: Baumrucker, Evelyne P. & Mitchell, Alison
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Cybersecurity

Description: This report details the information related to cybersecurity, its factors, legislative issues, and long-term challenges.
Date: March 23, 2015
Creator: Fischer, Eric A. & Theohary, Catherine A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

An Overview of Air Quality Issues in Natural Gas Systems

Description: This report provides information on the natural gas industry and the types and sources of air pollutants in the sector. It examines the role of the federal government in regulating these emissions, including the provisions in the Clean Air Act and the regulatory activities of EPA. It concludes with a brief discussion of the aforementioned outstanding issues.
Date: March 23, 2015
Creator: Lattanzio, Richard K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Cybersecurity Issues for the Bulk Power System

Description: This report provides information about the Cybersecurity Issues for the Bulk Power System . The cybersecurity of the electricity grid has been a focus of recent efforts to protect the integrity of the electric power system.
Date: April 16, 2015
Creator: Campbell, Richard J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Recent Activities and Ongoing Developments

Description: In the wake of the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010, federal agencies, state and local government agencies, and responsible parties faced an unprecedented challenge. An oil discharge continued for 87 days, resulting in the largest ever oil spill in U.S. waters.
Date: April 17, 2015
Creator: Ramseur, Johnathan L
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Federal Land Ownership: Acquisition and Disposal Authorities

Description: This report describes the primary authorities of the following agencies for acquiring and disposing of federal land. These four federal agencies--the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), all in the Department of the Interior (DOI), and the U.S. Forest Service (FS) in the Department of Agriculture--administer about 95% of those lands.
Date: May 19, 2015
Creator: Vincent, Carol H.; Corn, M. L.; Comay, Laura B. & Hoover, Katie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Research Tax Credit: Current Law and Policy Issues for the 114th Congress

Description: Technological innovation is a primary engine of long-term economic growth, and research and development (R&D) serves as the lifeblood of innovation. The federal government encourages businesses to invest more in R&D than they otherwise would in several ways, including a tax credit for increases in spending on qualified research above a base amount. This report describes the current status of the credit, summarizes its legislative history, discusses policy issues it raises, and describes legisla… more
Date: May 22, 2015
Creator: Guenther, Gary
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Small Business Administration Microloan Program

Description: The Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) Microloan program provides direct loans to qualified nonprofit intermediary lenders who, in turn, provide “microloans” of up to $50,000 to small businesses and nonprofit child care centers. It also provides marketing, management, and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and potential borrowers. This report opens with a discussion of the rationale provided for having a Microloan program, describes the program’s eligibility standards and operatin… more
Date: May 28, 2015
Creator: Dilger, Robert Jay
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Reform of U.S. International Taxation: Alternatives

Description: This report describes and assesses the principal prescriptions that have been offered for broad reform of the international system. It begins with an overview of current law and possible revisions. It then sets the framework for considering economic efficiency as well as tax shelter activities. Finally, it reviews alternative approaches to revision in light of those issues.
Date: June 3, 2015
Creator: Gravelle, Jane G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Cybersecurity Issues for the Bulk Power System

Description: This report provides information about the Cybersecurity Issues for the Bulk Power System . The cybersecurity of the electricity grid has been a focus of recent efforts to protect the integrity of the electric power system.
Date: June 10, 2015
Creator: Campbell, Richard J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Back to Top of Screen