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open access

Access to Broadband Networks: The Net Neutrality Debate

Description: This report discusses the current debate over "net neutrality." While there is no single accepted definition of "net neutrality," most agree that any such definition should include the general principles that owners of the networks that compose and provide access to the Internet should not control how consumers lawfully use that network, and they should not be able to discriminate against content provider access to that network.
Date: July 22, 2013
Creator: Gilroy, Angele A.
open access

Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance

Description: This report discusses the current political state of Afghanistan, as well as the Afghan government. This report also discusses Afghanistan's relationship with the United States, particularly U.S. efforts to urge President Hamid Karzai, to address corruption within the Afghan government. The report also includes discussion of election fraud and corruption in Afghanistan.
Date: November 22, 2013
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
open access

Agricultural Disaster Assistance

Description: This report has four sections. The first describes recent developments in weather and policy. The second provides an overview of the current U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance programs: federal crop insurance, Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) payments, and emergency disaster loans. The third section discusses the now-expired disaster programs under the 2008 farm bill, specifically Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE) and four other smal… more
Date: January 22, 2013
Creator: Shields, Dennis A.
open access

Armed Conflict in Syria: U.S. and International Response

Description: The popular-uprising-turned-armed-rebellion in Syria has entered its third year, and seems poised to continue, with the government and a bewildering array of militias locked in a bloody struggle of attrition. U.S. officials and many analysts believe that Asad and his supporters will ultimately be forced from power, but few offer specific, credible timetables for a resolution to the crisis. This report examines the current status of the conflict and discusses future policy considerations.
Date: April 22, 2013
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M. & Blanchard, Christopher M.
open access

Assistance to Firefighters Program: Distribution of Fire Grant Funding

Description: This report discusses the firefighting activities that are traditionally the responsibility of states and local communities. The report also talks about the funding for firefighters, which is provided mostly by state and local governments. However, during the 106th Congress, many in the fire community asserted that local fire departments require and deserve greater support from the federal government.
Date: February 22, 2013
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
open access

Azerbaijan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests

Description: This report covers the recent history of Azerbaijan and the purposes for U.S. assistance, according to the Obama Administration. Azerbaijan has been a useful ally since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, granting over-flight rights to the U.S. and approving numerous landings in their civilian airport.
Date: February 22, 2013
Creator: Nichol, Jim
open access

China's Currency Policy: An Analysis of the Economic Issues

Description: Report that provides an overview of the economic issues surrounding the current debate over China's currency policy. It identifies the economic costs and benefits of China's currency policy for both China and the United States, and possible implications if China were to allow its currency to significantly appreciate or to float freely. It also examines proposed legislation in the 111th Congress that seek to address China's currency policy.
Date: July 22, 2013
Creator: Morrison, Wayne M. & Labonte, Marc
open access

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
open access

Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods and the WTO Trade Dispute on Meat Labeling

Description: This report covers the dispute between the U.S and its neighbors Canada and Mexico, who say that the recent country-of-origin labeling (COOL) system implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is unfair and does not meet its original objectives. The dispute was brought before the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute panel and found to be valid. The report ends with a discussion of options for the U.S. in regards to modifying COOL to follow WTO rulings.
Date: April 22, 2013
Creator: Jurenas, Remy & Greene, Joel L.
open access

Cybersecurity: Authoritative Reports and Resources

Description: This report provides links to selected authoritative resources related to cybersecurity issues. This report includes information on Legislation, Executive Orders and Presidential Directives, Data and Statistics, Cybersecurity Glossaries", Reports by Topic, Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports, White House/Office of Management and Budget reports, Military/DOD, Cloud Computing, Critical Infrastructure, National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC), Cybercrime/Cyberwar, … more
Date: May 22, 2013
Creator: Tehan, Rita
open access

The Debt Limit: History and Recent Increases

Description: This report discusses how the total debt of the federal government can increase, an historical overview of debt limits, and how the current economic slowdown has led to higher deficits and thereby a series of debt limit increases, as well as legislation related to these increases.
Date: May 22, 2013
Creator: Austin, D. Andrew & Levit, Mindy R.
open access

Defense Surplus Equipment Disposal: Background Information

Description: This report discusses the Department of Defense (DOD) policy via the Defense Utilization and Marketing Service (DRMS) for disposing of government equipment and supplies considered surplus or deemed unnecessary to the agency's currently designated mission. The report focuses on DRMS background, as well as the most recent DRMS policy modifications.
Date: August 22, 2013
Creator: Bailey Grasso, Valerie
open access

Expiring Unemployment Insurance Provisions

Description: This report discusses several key provisions related to extended federal unemployment benefits that are temporary and, therefore, scheduled to expire. This report describes the consequences of these expirations for the financing and availability of unemployment benefits in states. It also summarizes the last three laws that have extended these expiring provisions: P.L. 112-240, P.L. 112-96, and P.L. 112-78.
Date: November 22, 2013
Creator: Isaacs, K. P.
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