Congressional Research Service Reports - 178 Matching Results
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- The Federal Budget: Overview and Issues for FY2015 and Beyond
- This report provides an overview of federal budget issues, focusing on recent fiscal policy changes. It discusses the major policy proposals contained in the President's FY2015 budget and the House and Senate budget resolutions and also addresses major short- and long-term fiscal challenges.
- The Federal Budget: Issues for FY2011, FY2012, and Beyond
- The federal budget is central to Congress's ability to exercise its "power of the purse." Over the last several fiscal years the imbalance between spending and revenues has grown as a result of the economic downturn and policies enacted in response to financial turmoil. In FY2010, the last completed fiscal year, the U.S. government spent $3,456 billion (23.8% of GDP) and collected $2,162 billion in revenue (14.9% of GDP), resulting in a budget deficit of $1,294 billion (8.9% of GDP).
- State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2011 Budget and Appropriations
- This report analyzes the FY2012 request, recent-year funding trends, and congressional action related to FY2011 State-Foreign Operations legislation.
- 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.
- Selected Agency Budget Justifications for FY2015
- This report provides a convenient listing of online FY2015 agency budget justification submissions for all 15 executive branch departments and 9 selected independent agencies.
- FY2015 Budget Documents: Internet and GPO Availability
- This report provides brief descriptions of the budget volumes and related documents, together with Internet addresses, Government Printing Office (GPO) stock numbers, and prices for obtaining print copies of these publications. It also explains how to find the locations of government depository libraries, which can provide both printed copies for reference use and Internet access to the online versions.
- Trends in Discretionary Spending
- This report discusses historical, current, and projected discretionary spending trends. It also describes how current discretionary spending trends reflect national priorities. Discretionary spending is provided in, and controlled by, annual appropriations acts, which fund many of the routine activities commonly associated with such federal government functions as running executive branch agencies, congressional offices and agencies, and international operations of the government.
- Fact Sheet: The FY2013 State and Foreign Operations Budget Request
- On February 13, 2012, the Obama Administration submitted its FY2013 budget request, including $54.7 billion in new budget authority for State Department, Foreign Operations, and Related Appropriations. Of the total request, $18.6 billion is for programs funded through the State operations and related agencies, and $36.1 billion is for foreign operations. This fact sheet provides a brief overview of the request. A full CRS report on FY2013 State and Foreign Operations budget and appropriations issues is planned to follow initial congressional consideration of appropriations legislation.
- Biennial Budgeting: Options, Issues, and Previous Congressional Action
- Proponents of biennial budgeting have generally advanced three arguments-that a two-year budget cycle would (1) reduce congressional workload by eliminating the need for annual review of routine matters; (2) reserve the second session of each Congress for improved congressional oversight and program review; and (3) allow better long-term planning by the agencies that spend federal funds at the federal, state, or local level.
- Financial Services and General Government (FSGG): FY2011 Appropriations
- This report discusses the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) FY2011 appropriations bill, which includes funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President (EOP), the judiciary, the District of Columbia, and 26 independent agencies, including the Small Business Administration and the United States Postal Service.
- Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: FY2011 Appropriations
- This report provides an overview of actions taken by Congress to provide FY2011 appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS). It also provides an overview of FY2010 appropriations for agencies and bureaus funded under the CJS bill.
- Overview of Health Care Changes in the FY2015 House Budget
- This report summarizes the proposed changes to Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance as described in H.Con.Res. 96 and accompanying documents, including the committee report and Chairman Ryan's Path to Prosperity report.
- Federal Aid to State and Local Governments: Select Issues Raised by a Federal Government Shutdown
- This report explores two grant-administration issues specifically affected by the federal shutdown. It gives an overview of federal aid to state and local governments, characteristics of federal grants and methods for disbursing the funds, grant administration issues affected by a lapse in federal funding, and potential legislative options to reduce the impact of future government shutdowns.
- Federal Funding Gaps: A Brief Overview
- The interval during the fiscal year when agency appropriations are not enacted into law, either in the form of a regular appropriations act or a continuing resolution, is referred to as a funding gap. When a funding gap occurs, the federal government begins a shutdown of the affected agencies, entailing the prompt furlough of non-emergency personnel and curtailment of agency activities. This report discusses the funding gaps that occurred between FY1977-FY2010, as well as the events surrounding them and related legislation.
- United States Fire Administration: An Overview
- 23722The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) - which includes the National Fire Academy (NFA) - is currently an entity within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The objective of the USFA is to significantly reduce the nation's loss of life from fire, while also achieving a reduction in property loss and non-fatal injury due to fire. In the 112th Congress, debate over the USFA budget focuses on whether the USFA is receiving sufficient funding to accomplish its mission, given that appropriations for USFA have consistently been well below the agency's authorized level. An ongoing issue is the viability and status of the USFA and National Fire Academy within the Department of Homeland Security.
- The Debt Limit: History and Recent Increases
- This report discusses how the total debt of the federal government can increase, including 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.
- FY2013 Defense Budget Request: Overview and Context
- This report analyzes President Obama's FY2013 defense budget request and the long-term deficit reduction issues relevant to congressional discussion of that request. Congressional action on the FY2013 defense budget will be analyzed in a separate report.
- An Overview of Tax Provisions Expiring in 2012
- A number of tax provisions either expired in 2011 or are scheduled to expire at the end of this 2012. As Congress decides whether to extend these provisions, it may consider the estimated revenue losses associated with their extension as well as other factors when evaluating tax policy. In the 112th Congress, Members have yet to consider legislation that would extend all of the provisions discussed in this report, although legislation to extend certain provisions has been considered.
- Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response: The SAFER Grant Program
- The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Act (the "SAFER Act") was enacted by the 108th Congress as part of the FY2004 National Defense Authorization Act. This report describes the SAFER Act in brief, discusses possible budgetary modifications to the SAFER Act that are being considered due to the recent economic downturn, and explores related issues for the 112th Congress as they consider reauthorization.
- The Technology Innovation Program
- The Technology Innovation Program (TIP) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was established in 2007 to replace the Advanced Technology Program (ATP). This effort is designed "to support, promote, and accelerate innovation in the United States through highrisk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need," according to the authorizing legislation. Grants are provided to small and medium-sized firms for individual projects or joint ventures with other research organizations.
- Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities: A Summary and Issues for the 111th Congress
- This report summarizes several emergency management and homeland security programs, and identifies and analyzes potential issues for the 111th Congress. These issues include the purpose and number of assistance programs; the evaluation of the use of grant funding; the determination of eligible grant recipients; the programs' funding amounts; and the programs; funding distribution methodologies.
- Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2012
- This report summarizes budgetary decisions relating to research and development funding for FY2012.
- Department of Transportation (DOT): Fiscal Year 2017 Appropriations
- This report outlines the Department of Transportation's (DOT) appropriations for fiscal year 2017 and highlights selected areas of funding such as intercity passenger rail, Highway trust funding solvency, TIGER grants, and Essential Air Service (EAS).
- FY2015 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations: Fact Sheet
- This report will track and describe actions taken by the Administration and Congress to provide FY2015 appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) accounts.
- Congressional Budget Resolutions: Historical Information
- This report looks at the history and processes of budget resolution in Congress.
- Past Government Shutdowns: Key Resources
- This report provides an annotated list of historical documents and other resources related to several past government shutdowns. The report also includes links to full-text documents when available. There is limited information and guidance related to shutdowns, and it is difficult to predict what might happen in the event of one, but information about past events may help inform future deliberations.
- The Crime Victims Fund: Federal Support for Victims of Crime
- This report provides background and funding information for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) programs and the Crime Victims Fund (CVF).
- Department of Education Funding: Key Concepts and FAQ
- Analyzing the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) budget requires an understanding of a broad range of federal budget and appropriations concepts. This report provides an introduction to these concepts as they are used specifically in the context of the congressional appropriations process for ED.
- Comparing DHS Component Funding, FY2018: In Brief
- This report compares the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) request and actual funding in FY2018 with last years budget.
- Legislative Branch: Fiscal Year 2018 Appropriations
- This report provides an overview of the FY2018 legislative branch appropriations bill and compares funding levels from previous years to FY2018.
- Federal Research and Development (R&D) Funding: Fiscal Year 2019
- This report discusses President Trump's budget request for federal research and development funding for FY2019, recent trends in funding levels, and different departments research funding levels.
- Fiscal Year 2018 Defense Appropriations Act: An Overview
- This report provides an overview of the appropriations and provisions of the FY2018 Defense Appropriations Act.
- Defense Authorization and Appropriations Bills: FY1961-FY2018
- This report is a research aid that lists the DOD authorization bills (Table 1 and Table 2) and appropriations bills (Table 3 and Table 4) for FY1961-FY2018. This report includes all the pertinent information on the passage of these bills through the legislative process: bill numbers, report numbers, dates reported and passed, recorded vote numbers and vote tallies, dates of passage of the conference reports with their numbers and votes, vetoes, substitutions, dates of final passage, and public law numbers. Significant definitions are also included. This report will be updated as legislative activity warrants.
- Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: FY2013 Appropriations
- This report will track and describe actions taken by the Administration and Congress to provide FY2013 appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) accounts. It also provides an overview of FY2012 appropriations for agencies and bureaus funded as a part of the annual appropriation for CJS.
- FY2011 Appropriations in Budgetary Context
- This report compares the various funding levels that have been considered during the 112th Congress with H.R. 1473, a compromise reached just before the expiration on April 8 of the sixth continuing resolution (CR). H.R. 1473 provides discretionary budget authority to run the federal government for the remainder of FY2011, and includes both discretionary and mandatory spending reductions.
- State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2016 Budget and Appropriations
- This report provides an overview of the FY2016 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) request, a discussion of key issues and historic context, and account-by-account funding comparisons with FY2014 actuals and FY2015 estimates.
- The Budget Control Act and Trends in Discretionary Spending
- This report mostly discusses trends in outlays (disbursements from the U.S. Treasury).
- Actual Farm Bill Spending and Cost Estimates
- This report discusses the budget for the 2008 Farm Bill, and its reauthorization. Moreover, the report discusses the increasing level of demand for fiscal constraint and the current large budget deficits.
- Congress and the Budget: 2016 Actions and Events
- This report seeks to assist in (1) anticipating what budget-related actions might occur within the upcoming year, and (2) staying abreast of budget actions that occur this year. It provides a general description of the recurrent types of budgetary actions, and reflects on current events that unfold in each category during 2016.
- Navy LPD-17 Flight II (LX[R]) Amphibious Ship Program: Background and Issues for Congress
- This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the LPD-17 Flight II amphibious ship program, previously known as the LX(R) program.
- Energy and Water Development Appropriations: Nuclear Weapons Activities
- This report discusses the Weapons Activities section of the annual Energy and Water Development appropriations bill which funds the maintenance of U.S. nuclear warheads and related infrastructure. The report provides an overview of the programs funded through the bill and the FY2019 budget request.
- Balanced Budget Amendments
- This report discusses proposed balanced budget amendments to the Constitution and their content.
- SBA's Office of Inspector General: Overview, Impact, and Relationship with Congress
- This report examines the Small Business Administration(SBA), Office of the Inspector General (OIG's) statutory authorities; reporting requirements; funding ($26.9 million in FY2018, including $7 million in supplemental appropriations for overseeing SBA disaster assistance); staffing and organizational structure; and recent activities (audits, investigations, etc.). It also examines the SBA OIG's impact on monetary savings, SBA programs and operations, and legislation affecting the agency. The report concludes with observations concerning the SBA OIG's relationship with Congress.
- Federal Public Transportation Program: In Brief
- This report provides a brief description of the Federal Public Transportation Program and its functions and funding.
- Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Documents: Internet and GPO Availability
- This report provides brief descriptions of the FY2019 budget volumes and related documents, together with internet addresses, Government Publishing Office (GPO) stock numbers, and prices for obtaining print copies of these publications. It also explains how to find the locations of government depository libraries, which can provide both printed copies for reference use and internet access to the online versions.
- Navy John Lewis (TAO-205) Class Oiler Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress
- This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the John Lewis (TAO205) class oiler shipbuilding program.
- Millennium Challenge Corporation
- This report provides an overview of the Millennium Challenge Corporation's (MCC) functions, funding, and success rate. The MCC provides economic assistance through a competitive selection process to developing nations that demonstrate positive performance in three areas: ruling justly, investing in people, and fostering economic freedom.
- Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress
- This report presents background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy's Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and Zumwalt (DDG-1000) class destroyer programs. The Navy's proposed FY2019 budget requests funding for the procurement of three DDG-51s. Decisions that Congress makes concerning destroyer procurement could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.
- Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress
- This report presents background information and issues for Congress concerning the Navy's force structure and shipbuilding plans. The current and planned size and composition of the Navy, the rate of Navy ship procurement, and the prospective affordability of the Navy's shipbuilding plans have been oversight matters for the congressional defense committees for many years. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's proposed FY2019 shipbuilding program and the Navy's longer-term shipbuilding plans.
- Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA): Issues and Options for Congress
- This report provides background information about the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) system, describes the major issues WMATA currently faces, and discusses possible approaches for addressing these issues.