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Methane and Other Air Pollution Issues in Natural Gas Systems

Description: This report provides information on the natural gas industry and the types of air pollutants in the sector, as well as the role of the federal government in regulating these emissions, such as provisions in the Clean Air Act and other statutes. It concludes with a brief discussion of a number of issues under debate, including 1) defining the roles of industry and local, state, and federal governments; 2) establishing comprehensive emissions data; 3) determining the proper control of pollutants … more
Date: November 5, 2018
Creator: Lattanzio, Richard K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Presidential Disability Under the Twenty-fifth Amendment: Constitutional Provisions and Perspectives for Congress

Description: This report provides a description and analysis of Sections 3 and 4 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, which deal with presidential disability or inability. It also reviews the history of presidential disability and earlier proposals to provide for such contingencies, provides a legislative history of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment and examines relevant legislative proposals pending in the 115th Congress.
Date: November 5, 2018
Creator: Neale, Thomas H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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EPA's Affordable Clean Energy Proposal

Description: This report provides background information about the Clean Air Act (CAA) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the power sector, and also highlights some of the major components of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) "Affordable Clean Energy Rule" (ACE) proposal.
Date: November 2, 2018
Creator: Shouse, Kate C.; Ramseur, Jonathan L. & Tsang, Linda
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Foreign Aid to the Palestinians

Description: This report discusses a number of issues regarding U.S. aid to the Palestinians that have relevance for Congress. Since the establishment of limited Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the mid-1990s, the U.S. government has committed more than $5 billion in bilateral economic and non-lethal security assistance to the Palestinians.
Date: November 2, 2018
Creator: Zanotti, Jim
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Afghanistan: Background and U.S. Policy: In Brief

Description: This report provides an overview of current political and military dynamics, with a focus on the Trump Administration's new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia, the U.S.-led coalition and Afghan military operations, and recent political developments, including prospects for peace talks and elections.
Date: November 1, 2018
Creator: Thomas, Clayton
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Internships, Fellowships, and Other Work Experience Opportunities in the Federal Government

Description: This report describes Internet resources on major internship, fellowship, and work experience programs within the federal government. It is intended as a selective guide for students of all levels: high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate.
Date: November 1, 2018
Creator: Bailey, Christina Miracle; Manning, Jennifer E. & Marchsteiner, Kathleen E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (VA MISSION Act; P.L.115-182)

Description: This report summarizes the major provisions of the John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (VA MISSION Act; P.L. 115-182, H.Rept. 115-671), including amendments made by the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2018 (S. 3479; P.L. 115-251).
Date: November 1, 2018
Creator: Panangala, Sidath Viranga; Colello, Kirsten J.; Elliott, Victoria L.; Hatch, Garrett & Heisler, Elayne J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Cuba: U.S. Policy in the 115th Congress

Description: This report examines U.S. policy toward Cuba in the 115th Congress in three sections: Cuba's political and economic environment; U.S. policy toward Cuba; and selected issues in U.S.-Cuban relations, including restrictions on travel and trade, funding for democracy and human rights projects in Cuba and for U.S. government-sponsored radio and television broadcasting, migration, anti-drug cooperation, U.S. property claims, and U.S. fugitives from justice in Cuba.
Date: October 31, 2018
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Deeming Resolutions: Budget Enforcement in the Absence of a Budget Resolution

Description: This report discusses deeming resolutions, which are used by Congress as a substitute when budget resolution bills are not passed. It provides historical notes about how frequently deeming resolutions have been used and how they have varied, and also alternate options for budgetary enforcement.
Date: October 29, 2018
Creator: Lynch, Megan S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: Selected Issues

Description: This report begins with a brief legislative and regulatory history of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, with a brief description of how the program works. It also describes several selected program issues that have received recent congressional and stakeholder attention, issues identified in reviews of the program, and issues that have been raised by researchers, analysts, and other entities outside of the government.
Date: October 29, 2018
Creator: Hegji, Alexandra
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Russian Compliance with the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report describes the current status of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty between Russia and the United States and highlights issues that Congress may address regarding compliance concerns with Russia. It provides a historical overview; outlines the provisions of the INF Treaty (highlighting those central to the discussion about Russia's current activities); reviews the publicly-available information about the potential Russian violation and Russia's possible motivations; a… more
Date: October 29, 2018
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's programs for procuring 8 National Security Cutters (NSCs), 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), and 58 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs). The Coast Guard's proposed FY2019 budget requests a total of $705 million in acquisition funding for the NSC, OPC, and FRC programs.
Date: October 26, 2018
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's program for acquiring new polar icebreakers -- previously known as the polar icebreaker (PIB) program and now called the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program. The proposed FY2019 budget requests $750 million in acquisition funding for the program. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Administration's FY2019 acquisition funding request for the PSC program, and, more generally, w… more
Date: October 26, 2018
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) FY2019 Appropriations: Independent Agencies and General Provisions

Description: This report provides an overview of funding under the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill including a breakdown of more than two dozen individual independent agencies, general government-wide provisions, and sanctions on Cuba.
Date: October 26, 2018
Creator: Webel, Baird; Christensen, Michelle D.; Dilger, Robert Jay; Moloney Figliola, Patricia; Garrett, R. Sam; Gnanarajah, Raj et al.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, and gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition strategies and proposed funding levels for the Aegis BMD program.
Date: October 26, 2018
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security: Raising or Eliminating the Taxable Earnings Base

Description: This report discusses the Social Security taxes that are levied on covered earnings up to a maximum level (base) set each year. It includes information about how the base has been determined demographically and how it has changed over time, as well as possible future implications and impacts of either raising or eliminating the base, with arguments for and against.
Date: October 26, 2018
Creator: Zhe, Li.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Role in the World: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report presents background information and issues for Congress on the overarching U.S. foreign policy issue of the U.S. role in the world. Certain statements and actions from the Trump Administration have led to uncertainty about the Administration's intentions regarding the future U.S. role, and have intensified an ongoing debate among foreign policy specialists, strategists, policymakers, and the public about what that role should be.
Date: October 26, 2018
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald & Moodie, Michael
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Asylum and Related Protections for Aliens Who Fear Gang and Domestic Violence

Description: This report examines asylum claims with specific focus on gang and domestic violence. It provides background on the topic and also outlines the U.S. Attorney General's decision in "Matter of A-B-," as well as recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in light of that ruling.
Date: October 25, 2018
Creator: Smith, Hillel R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background on issues affecting the Arctic region on a large number of topics including research, policy, and governance of the region. It also outlines specific issues for Congressional consideration such as transportation, pollution, affects on people and animals, and geopolitical concerns.
Date: October 25, 2018
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald; Comay, Laura B.; Folger, Peter; Frittelli, John; Humphries, Marc; Leggett, Jane A. et al.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The National Popular Vote (NPV) Initiative: Direct Election of the President by Interstate Compact

Description: This report monitors the National Popular Vote's (NPV) progress in the states. It includes sections that provide brief background on the electoral college, history of the National Popular Vote concept, more detail on the NPV initiative, pros and cons for the NPV, legal issues, and concluding observations.
Date: October 25, 2018
Creator: Neale, Thomas H. & Nolan, Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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