Congressional Research Service Reports - 1,358 Matching Results
Search Results
- America COMPETES Acts: FY2008-FY2013 Funding Tables
- This report tracks historical federal funding associated with the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMEPETES) Reauthorization Act of 2010, which are set to expire in 2013.
- An Analysis of Congressional Reductions in the Defense Budget; Fiscal Years 1971-1976
- This report documents the Department of Defense tabular data, which demonstrates a budget cut for the fiscal years 1971-1976.
- Analysis of the Proposed Tax Exclusion for Canceled Mortgage Debt Income
- Following the financial crisis, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 was passed in the House of Representatives. This bill would exclude canceled qualified residential debt from income, not allowing taxpayers who do not qualify for the existing exceptions to exclude canceled mortgage debt income. This report provides an overview of the act, legislative developments, analysis, and related policy options.
- Andean-U.S. Free-Trade Agreement Negotiations
- In November 2003, the Bush Administration announced that it intended to begin negotiations on a free-trade agreement (FTA) with these nations, which would reduce and eliminate foreign barriers to trade and investment, support democracy, and fight drug activity. This report briefly discusses this announcement, as well as the major issues and concerns relating to negotiation, and the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), the FTA's predecessor.
- Animal Agriculture: Current Issues
- A variety of animal agriculture issues, including low livestock prices, the impact of consolidation in the meat packing industry, trade, and the environmental impacts of large feedlots, generated interest in the 106th and 107th Congresses. This report addresses this issues in detail.
- Animal Waste and Hazardous Substances: Current Laws and Legislative Issues
- This report is about the animal sector of agriculture and rise of concerns over the management of animal wastes and potential impacts on environmental quality.
- Animal Waste and Water Quality: EPA Regulation of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)
- This report provides background on the 2002 rules, the previous Clean Water Act rules and the Clinton Administration proposal, and perspectives of key interest groups on the proposal and final regulations.
- Animal Waste and Water Quality: EPA’s Response to the Waterkeeper Alliance Court Decision on Regulation of CAFOs
- This report is on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed regulations that would revise a 2003 Clean Water Act rule governing waste discharges.
- Anthrax-Contaminated Facilities: Preparations and a Standard for Remediation
- This report provides background information on the 2001 anthrax incidents and federal preparedness plans, but it focuses primarily on preparations for future remediations and considerations for setting a remediation standard.
- Antipoverty Effects of Unemployment Insurance
- This report examines the antipoverty effects of unemployment insurance benefits during the past recession and the economic recovery.
- Appropriations Bills: What Are “General Provisions”?
- The report's content includes the annual appropriations act. Consisting of two parts- paragraphs providing funding, and general provisions focusing on non-funding as well as funding issues.
- Appropriations for FY2002: Treasury, Postal Service, Executive Office of the President, and General Government
- Appropriations are one part of a complex federal budget process that includes budget resolutions, appropriations (regular, supplemental, and continuing) bills, rescissions, and budget reconciliation bills. This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress passes each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government.
- Appropriations for FY2003: Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies
- Appropriations are one part of a complex federal budget process that includes budget resolutions, appropriations (regular, supplemental, and continuing) bills, rescissions, and budget reconciliation bills. This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress passes each year. It is designed to supplement information provided by the House and Senate Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Subcommittees.
- Appropriations for FY2004: Energy and Water Development
- Appropriations are one part of a complex federal budget process that includes budget resolutions, appropriations (regular, supplemental, and continuing) bills, rescissions, and budget reconciliation bills. This Report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress passes each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water.
- Appropriations for FY2004: Legislative Branch
- This report is a guide to the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (P.L. 108-83).
- Architect of the Capitol: Appointment, Duties, and Current Issues
- This report discusses the responsibilities of the AOC, traces the statutory evolution of the office, summarizes the status of current and recent projects, and reviews selected issues before the 110th congress.
- Architect of the Capitol: Appointment Process and Current Legislation
- This report discusses the history of the selection of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) and recent legislation. An Appendix provides websites for brief biographical information about each of the 10 individuals who have served as Architect of the Capitol.
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR): Controversies for the 109th Congress
- This report provides information about Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and controversies for the 109th congress.
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR): Controversies for the 109th Congress
- 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.
- The Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory
- This report discusses the issues involved with determining whether the Arecib Ionospheric Observatory is more cost-effective than replacing it with newer, available technology. The Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory is a radio and radar telescope located in Barrio Esperanza, Arecibo, Puerto Rico. In 2005-2006, NSF's Division of Astronomical Sciences (AST) conducted a Senior Review of its portfolio of facilities and reported that the scientific value of the Arecibo was modest when compared to other existing and proposed projects and recommended decreasing the telescope's annual $12.0 million budget to $9.0 million in FY2009, and securing partnerships for the remaining necessary funding.
- Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response
- This report discusses the ongoing conflict in Syria and past and current U.S. policies regarding the conflict and U.S. involvement in it. Topics covered include U.S. military aid and humanitarian assistance to groups in Syria, proposed legislation related to Syria n Congress, current U.S. policy aims, and recent events in Syria both diplomatically and militarily.
- Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests
- The United States recognized the independence of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia when the former Soviet Union broke up at the end of 1991. The United States has fostered these states' ties with the West in part to end their dependence on Russia for trade, security, and other relations. This report discusses the relationships between the United States and each of these three nations, as well as these three nations' political and economic conditions. The report also discusses key related issues in the second session of the 111th Congress, including Armenia's independence and economic development, Azerbaijan's energy development, and Georgia's recovery from Russian's August 2008 military incursion.
- Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests
- No Description Available.
- Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Security Issues and Implications for U.S. Interests
- The report discusses the overview of U.S. Policy. It also points out Internal security problems and Progress, U.S. Policy and Issues.
- Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict
- This report presents an overview of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. This is a clash between the principles of territorial integrity and self-determination that is occurring in the Caucasus, creating the longest inter-ethnic dispute in the former Soviet Union. The report includes the background and analysis of history, warfare and peace process in the region. The report discusses the Armenian and Azerbaijani perspective, the role and views of others (Iran, Turkey, Russia), as well as the U.S. policy regarding the conflict.
- Arms Control and Strategic Nuclear Weapons: Unilateral vs. Bilateral Reductions
- This report contains the unilateral and bilateral reductions on the arms control and strategic nuclear weapons.
- Army Futures Command (AFC)
- This report summarizes the issue of development of major combat systems for the Army and the proposed solution: Army Futures Command. The report ends with possible issues for Congress to consider.
- The Army's Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV): Background and Issues for Congress
- This report provides background information on the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) and it discusses the Army's proposed replacement to the Vietnam-era M-113 personnel carriers, which are still in service in a variety of support capacities in Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs).
- ARPA-E and the FY2016 Budget Request
- This budget and appropriations tracking report describes selected major items from the Administration's FY2016 budget request for ARPA-E and tracks legislative action on FY2016 appropriations to the agency. It also provides selected historical funding data.
- Arsenic in Drinking Water: Recent Regulatory Developments and Issues
- This report discusses issues regarding the arsenic’s health effects and how to reduce the uncertainty in assessing health risks associated with exposure to low levels of arsenic. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the current standard of 50 parts per billion (ppb) in 1975. . This report reviews EPA efforts to develop a new arsenic rule and summarizes key provisions and subsequent events.
- Arts and Humanities: Background on Funding
- This report
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Indonesia "Summit" in 1994
- This report discusses the Ministerial and Leaders' Meetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, set to be held in Indonesia. APEC is a consultative body with membership of seventeen Pacific Basin economies that includes both China and Taiwan. The body is working toward trade liberalization (but not a free-trade area) in the most dynamic economic region of the world.
- The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meetings in Vladivostok, Russia: A Preview
- Russia will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation's (APEC) week-long series of senior-level meetings in Vladivostok on September 2-9, 2012. The main event for the week will be the 20th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held September 8-9, 2012. This report looks at the main points of this meeting as they relate to the U.S.
- Assistance to Firefighters Program
- This article talks about the Assistance to Firefighters Program (FIRE) act and how the program assists local fire deparments by issuing federal grants for equipment, training and other firefighter related needs. It also mentions other firefighter related acts.
- Assistance to Firefighters Program: Distribution of Fire Grant Funding
- This report discusses the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, also known as fire grants of the FIRE Act grant program, which was established by Title XVII of the FY2001 National Defense Authorization Act. The program provides federal grants directly to local fire departments and unaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations to help address a variety of equipment, training, and other firefighter-related and EMS needs. This report also discusses the possible reauthorization of AFG and the related Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters (SAFER) program. Current debates on the issue revolve around a competition for funding between career/urban/suburban departments and volunteer/rural departments. Complicating the issue is the recent economic downturn, which has left many local communities increasingly hard pressed to allocate funding for their local fire departments.
- Attempt To Commit A Federal Crime: S. 171, A Proposed General Statute
- There is no general federal statute proscribing criminal attempts; the federal criminal statutes are written in such a manner so as to include only the attempt to commit a specific substantive crime or substantive offense. Therefore, a specific in intent crime would require that the offender specifically intended to devise a scheme intended to commit the crime. The government, on the other hand, must present proof by inferences from the circumstances that the offender possessed the specific intent to commit the crime. This approach to the law has led to a patchwork of attempt statutes- leaving gaps in coverage, and failing to satisfactorily define exactly what constitutes an attempt in all circumstances an attempt in all circumstances. It is also the intent of the legislation to fill the gaps found in the current attempt statutes. This report will be updated if legislative activity warrant.
- Auditing and Its Regulators: Proposals for Reform After Enron
- Auditors are regulated by both governmental agencies and professional organizations, though many now question whether this oversight is adequate. Enron’s auditor, Arthur Andersen, has been investigated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), several congressional committees, and other agencies, and it is facing numerous law suits. A federal jury convicted the firm on obstruction of justice charges on June 15, 2002. Other corporations and their auditors are also under scrutiny. Numerous accounting and audit reforms have been proposed, including some by the accounting industry. The House passed an audit reform bill (H.R. 3763) on April 24, 2002. The Senate passed an amended version of its bill (S. 2673) on July 15th. The SEC published proposed reform rules June 26th; on the 28th it required top executives in companies with revenues exceeding $1.2 billion to personally certify that filed reports are complete and accurate
- Authority to Enforce the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) in the Wake of the Homeland Security Act: Legal Issues
- For decades, the administrative authority to interpret, implement, enforce, and adjudicate immigration law within the U.S. lay almost exclusively with one officer: the Attorney General. The most general statement of this power was found in §103(a)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (INA), the statute that comprehensively regulates immigration law in the United States. With the transfer of nearly all immigration functions to the Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003, however, §103(a)(1) of the INA has necessarily required various modifications to clarify the respective authorities newly obtained by the Secretary of Homeland Security and retained by the Attorney General.
- Authorization and Appropriations for FY2003: Defense
- This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress passes each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water. It summarizes the current legislative status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related legislative activity. The report lists the key CRS staff relevant to the issues covered and related CRS products.
- Authorization For Use Of Military Force in Response to the 9/11 Attacks (P.L. 107-40): Legislative History
- In response to the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, the Congress passed legislation, S.J.Res. 23, on September 14, 2001, authorizing the President to "use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons..." The President signed this legislation into law on September 18, 2001. This report provides a legislative history of this statue, the "Authorization of Use of Military Force", which, as Congress stated in its text, constitutes the legislative authorization for the use of U.S. military force contemplated by the War Powers Resolution.
- Authorization of Use of U.S. Armed Forces Against Iraq: Side-by-Side Comparison of Selected Legislative Proposals
- This report presents a side-by-side comparison of Public Law 107-243 and selected alternative legislative proposals considered in 107th Congress related to Authorization of Use of U.S. Armed Forces Against Iraq.
- Automatic Enrollment in Section 401(k) Plans
- The reports is categorized into sic categories: (I) Types of Retirement Plans, (II) Enrollment Practices, (III) IRS Rulings, (IV) Policy Issues, (V) Plan Participation, and (VI) The Pension Protection Act.
- Automobile and Light Truck Fuel Economy: Is CAFE Up to Standards?
- This report discusses on refocusing on fuel economy: SUVs OPEC and Kyoto, Cafe in Congress and legislation.
- Automobile and Light Truck Fuel Economy: The CAFE Standards
- This report is on the Automobile and Light Truck Fuel Economy: The CAFE Standards.
- Average Farm Subsidy Payments, by State, 2002
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture makes direct subsidy payments through the Commodity Credit Corporation to farmers for commodity price and income support, certain conservation and environmental activities, and some disaster losses. In 2002, these direct farm subsidy payments amounted to $12.151 billion. This report examines the distribution of these payments among states, calculates the average size of payments going to recipient farms in each state, and distinguishes between payments received by farm operators and landlords. This information is intended to aid in policy debates about subsidizing some farms but not others, changing per-person payment limits, and the altering eligibility rules for landlords to receive payments.
- Aviation and Climate Change
- This report discusses the impact airplane gas emissions has on climate change and CO2 levels.
- Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses the current state of Bahrain, which has undergone substantial political reforms since the late 1990s, but which still suffers from tension between the Shiite majority and the Sunni-led government. This report focuses particularly on Bahrain's relationship with Iran and with the United States.
- Balancing Scientific Publication and National Security Concerns: Issues for Congress
- There is a lack of consensus regarding the best method of balancing scientific publishing and national security. The current federal policy, as described in National Security Decision Directive 189, is that fundamental research should remain unrestricted and that in the rare case where it is necessary to restrict such information, classification is the appropriate vehicle to do so. Other mechanisms restrict international information flow, where Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) control export of items and technical information on specific lists. Both EAR and ITAR contain a fundamental research exclusion, but this exclusion is lost if prepublication review of research results for sensitive information occurs.
- Balkan Cooperation on War Crimes Issues
- In early May 2006, assessments of insufficient Serbian cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) led the European Union (EU) to suspend association talks with Serbia. Later that month, the U.S. Secretary of State withheld certification of full Serbian cooperation with ICTY, leading to a partial suspension of U.S. bilateral assistance to Serbia. From late 2004 through early 2005, a combination of intensified international pressure and deadlines associated with Euro-Atlantic integration processes prompted a spate of transfers of indicted persons to the tribunal. Full cooperation with ICTY is a key prerequisite to further progress toward a shared long-term goal for the western Balkan countries: closer association with and eventual membership in the European Union and NATO.
- Balkan Cooperation on War Crimes Issues
- The report is about the Balkan Cooperation on War Crimes Issues.In early May 2006, assessments of insufficient Serbian cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) led the European Union (EU) to suspend association talks with Serbia. Later that month, the U.S. Secretary of State withheld certification of full Serbian cooperation with ICTY, leading to a partial suspension of U.S. bilateral assistance to Serbia.