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open access

Amendments in the Senate: Types and Forms

Description: The amending process is central to the consideration of legislation by the Senate. This report briefly describes the various types of amendments that take place in the Senate.
Date: May 19, 2003
Creator: Saturno, James V.
open access

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR): Controversies for the 108th Congress

Description: This report discusses the ongoing debate about whether or not to approve energy development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Current law forbids energy leasing in the Refuge. This report addresses several legislative options on the issue, as well as policymakers' arguments for and against development, especially in the wake of increasing terrorism since 2000-2001.
Date: August 19, 2003
Creator: Corn, M. Lynne; Gelb, Bernard A. & Baldwin, Pamela
open access

Campaign Finance Law: The Supreme Court Upholds Key Provisions of BCRA in McConnell v. FEC

Description: This report discusses the Supreme Court's decision in McConnell v. FEC. The court upheld against facial constitutional challenges key portions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA), (P.L. 107-155, commonly known as the McCain-Feingold or Shays-Meehan campaign finance reform law).
Date: December 19, 2003
Creator: Whitaker, L. Paige
open access

Energy Tax Incentives in the 108th Congress: A Comparison of the House and Senate Versions of H.R. 6 and the Senate Finance Committee Amendment

Description: This report discusses energy taxes incentives, which have long been an integral component of this nation’s energy policy. Efforts to significantly expand existing energy tax subsidies have been undertaken since the 106th Congress, but controversy over various non-tax energy policy provisions — corporate average fuel economy standards, the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, etc. — have helped stall the legislation.
Date: August 19, 2003
Creator: Lazzari, Salvatore
open access

Federal Grants to State and Local Governments: A Brief History

Description: This report discusses the history of the federal grants-in-aid system, which predates the Constitution. he grants-in-aid system assumed its current form when President Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated his New Deal programs. Since Roosevelt, the grants-in-aid system has expanded, especially in the number and dollar amount of categorical grant programs.
Date: February 19, 2003
Creator: Canada, Ben
open access

First Responder Initiative: Policy Issues and Options

Description: This report discusses a new block grant program proposed by the Bush Administration called the “First Responder Initiative” to help state and local first responders prepare for possible terrorist attacks
Date: March 19, 2003
Creator: Canada, Ben
open access

First Responder Initiative: Policy Issues and Options

Description: This report provides background information and policy analysis pertinent to proposals to restructure first responder assistance programs. Specifically, this report provides information on existing programs, appropriations, legislation in the 108th Congress, and selected policy issues. This report does not discuss all relevant policy issues, but, rather, those issues that may be germane to any significant restructuring of existing programs.
Date: June 19, 2003
Creator: Canada, Ben
open access

Hearings in the U.S. Senate: A Guide for Preparation and Procedure

Description: This report discusses hearings in the U.S. Senate and is divided into four main sections. This introduction addresses the role of hearings in the committee process, types of hearings, and broad organizational issues.
Date: August 19, 2003
Creator: Sachs, Richard C.
open access

The Higher Education Act: Reauthorization Status and Issues

Description: This report discusses the funding authorizations for programs in the Higher Education Act (HEA). This legislation, administered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), authorizes the federal government’s major student aid programs, as well as other significant initiatives.
Date: March 19, 2003
Creator: Stedman, James B.
open access

Highway Finance: RABA’s Double-edged Sword

Description: This report discusses a possible reduction in federal highway program spending. Congress has chosen to overrule provisions of law that would have reduced the FY2003 spending level to $23.2 billion, and has instead settled on $31.8 billion, the same as the FY2002 level.
Date: May 19, 2003
Creator: Fischer, John W.
open access

Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance and the McCarran-Ferguson Act

Description: This report provides an overview of the current medical malpractice insurance situation and insurance market structure, summarizes the provisions of both S. 352 and the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945, and examines arguments for and against modifying the McCarran-Ferguson Act.
Date: March 19, 2003
Creator: King, Rawle O.
open access

Medicare Prescription Drug and Reform Legislation

Description: This report describes the major features of S. 1, as ordered reported, and the measure to be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee, H.R. 2473, as ordered reported.
Date: June 19, 2003
Creator: O'Sullivan, Jennifer; Chaikind, Hinda Ripps; Tilson, Sibyl L.; Boulanger, Jennifer & Morgan, Paulette C.
open access

The Role of Information in Lending: The Cost of Privacy Restrictions

Description: This report examines the economics of information sharing in consumer credit markets by (1) explaining the role of information in the lending process; (2) describing the economic effects of credit reporting; and (3) outlining the potential economic benefits forgone by restricting consumer credit information.
Date: May 19, 2003
Creator: Nott, Loretta
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