Congressional Research Service Reports - 859 Matching Results
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- How Can the Results of a Presidential Election Be Contested?
- This report discusses methods of contesting presidential election results on the basis of miscounts or fraud.
- When Does Sovereign Immunity Protect Property Owned by State Sponsors of Terrorism?
- This report discusses sovereign states' immunity from suits and attachments by U.S. nationals except under very specific circumstances, as well as legal interpretations and cases involving immunity rules. It particularly describes state-sponsored terrorism and the effect of The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), which was proposed to allow U.S. nationals to file civil suits in U.S. courts against foreign nations for aiding and abetting acts of terrorism under a new exception to the general rule of immunity.
- Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress
- This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress, and refers readers to more in-depth CRS reports on specific Arctic-related issues. Some general issues include Arctic territorial disputes; commercial shipping through the Arctic; Arctic oil, gas, and mineral exploration; endangered Arctic species; and increased military operations in the Arctic, which could cause the region in coming years to become an arena of international cooperation or competition.
- DOJ Brings Forfeiture Action to Seize and Return $1 Billion Embezzled Malaysian Government Assets
- This report discuses the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) civil forfeiture action against $1 billion worth of assets bought with money embezzled from the government of Malaysia by high-level officials in Malaysia from 2009 to 2015.
- The Federal Anti-Nepotism Statute: Limits on Appointing, Hiring, and Promoting Relatives
- This report discusses laws governing the hiring of family members in the executive branch and ant-nepotism efforts.
- "Nosal" Parts 1 & 2: Password Sharing May Be a Federal Crime & Circuit Split on Restitution for Attorney's Fees
- This report discusses the case of "Nosal v. United States" and charges against Nosal for fraud, stealing trade secrets, and access without authorization charges under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). The charges under the CFAA are discussed in-depth along with implications for consensual password sharing being covered under the act. Restitution of attorneys fees in the case by Nosal are also discussed.
- [Not Over 'Til It's Over: TransCanada Denial of Keystone XL Permit]
- This report discusses the TransCanada announcement that they planned to sue the United States under NAFTA agreements for rejecting the permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline. It also describes a suit in U.S. District Court regarding its view that the executive branch and the President don't have power over cross-border petroleum trade since Congress has passed general legislation regarding such matters as well as legislation approving the Keystone XL Pipeline which was vetoed by the President.
- Dude, Where's My Jurisdiction? Congressional Efforts to Strip Federal Courts of Jurisdiction
- This report discusses Congress' right to strip federal courts of jurisdiction at any time including during litigation. It specifically discusses the case of "Patchak v. Jewell" concerning the Department of Interior's right to hold land in trust for a Native American tribe which led to Congress using their right to strip courts of jurisdiction to end the case.
- Friended but not Friends: Federal Ethics Authorities Address Role of Social Media in Politics
- This report discusses rules governing acceptance of gifts by government employees and how social media and the concept of being "friends" on a social media network effect the personal friendship clause of the gift ethics rules.
- Legal Status of CEQ's Final Guidance on Climate Change in Environmental Reviews under NEPA
- This report discusses the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) guidance document for federal agencies on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and considering the effects an action may have on climate change.
- Can the President Withdraw from the Paris Agreement?
- This report discusses legal rules governing the ability of the President to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and other similar agreements.
- FATCA Reporting on U.S. Accounts: Recent Legal Developments
- This report discusses the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FACTA) intended to curb tax evasion through the use of offshore accounts and its requirement to for foreign banks to report information on their U.S. citizen account holders to the IRS. It starts with an overview of the foreign financial instituition (FFI) reporting requirements and examines the role of the intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) in implementing them. The report then discusses the confidentiality protections provided to the information reported by FFIs and litigation in which plaintiffs have raised concerns about privacy and the use of IGAs. It ends with a summary of FATCA legislation introduced in the 114th Congress.
- DC Circuit Holds An Agency Official's Private Email Account Not Beyond the Reach of FOIA
- This report discusses the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision in "Competitive Enterprise Institute v. Office of Science and Technology Policy" stating that emails pertaining to work in personal email accounts are accessible under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
- "Smith v. Obama": A Servicemember's Legal Challenge to the Campaign Against the Islamic State
- This report discuses the case of "Smith v. Obama" where a military officer sued President Obama for overstepping his bounds as President by waging war on the Islamic State without a Congressional declaration of war. The case was dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction by the court.
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S. Policy
- This report discusses the current political and economic landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its relationship with the U.S. The UAE has been a significant U.S. partner in Gulf security for more than two decades, and the alliance has deepened further in recent years in order to address multiple regional threats.
- Methane: An Introduction to Emission Sources and Reduction Strategies
- This report discusses the "Climate Action Plan" (CAP) announced by President Obama to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs), as well as to encourage adaptation to expected climate change.
- Airline Passenger Rights: The Federal Role in Aviation Consumer Protection
- This report examines aviation consumer protections following the 1978 elimination of most governmental control regarding airline business practices. It explains the roles of Congress and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in protecting airline consumers, and discusses some major passenger rights issues and related laws and regulations.
- Al Qaeda and U.S. Policy: Middle East and Africa
- This report examines the threat posed by Al Qaeda affiliates in the Middle East and Africa as described by U.S. officials and outside observers, as well as the U.S. approach to date in responding to the threat posed by individual groups.
- Department of Defense Contractor and Troop Levels in Iraq and Afghanistan: 2007-2016
- This report provides background information for Congress on the levels of Department of Defense (DOD) troop and contractor personnel deployed in support of prior and ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Coordinated Party Expenditures in Federal Elections: An Overview
- This report examines campaign finance law in the context of political party committee expenditures. It discusses relevant Supreme Court precedent and recent legislative activity.
- Repair, Modification, or Resale of Software-Enabled Consumer Electronic Devices: Copyright Law Issues
- This report provides a discussion and analysis of copyright law issues that may be implicated by the repair, modification, or resale of software-enabled consumer electronic devices. These issues include software licensing, fair use, the first sale doctrine, and the anti-circumvention provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
- U.S. Trade Deficit and the Impact of Changing Oil Prices
- This report provides an estimate of the initial impact of the changing oil prices on the nation's merchandise trade balance.
- Natural Gas Discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean
- This report discusses a series of large natural gas discoveries in the Levant Basin, the Eastern Mediterranean region. New gas reserves could change how energy is used in the region.
- Cybersecurity Issues and Challenges: In Brief
- This report discusses the federal role in cyber-security, which involves both securing federal systems and assisting in protecting non-federal systems.
- Introduction to FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- This report provides introductory information on key components of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), ranging from floodplain mapping to the standard flood insurance forms.
- The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)
- This report discusses the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) comprising nine members, two ex officio members, and other members as appointed by the President representing major departments and agencies within the federal executive branch. While the group generally has operated in relative obscurity, the proposed acquisition of commercial operations at six U.S. ports by Dubai Ports World in 2006 placed the group's operations under intense scrutiny by Members of Congress and the public.
- Zika Virus: Global Health Considerations
- This report discusses Zika, a virus that is primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes--the same mosquitoes that transmit dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever. It provides background and information about responses to the disease, which has been documented nearly worldwide.
- Legislative Options in the 114th Congress for Financing Water Infrastructure
- This report addresses several options considered by Congress to address the financing needs of local communities for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects and to decrease or close the gap between available funds and projected needs.
- U.S. Postal Service Rolls Back Its Prices
- This report discusses the USPS drop in the price of First-Class "Forever" (or equivalent domestic letter) postage.
- EPA Regulations: Too Much, Too Little, or On Track?
- This report provides background information on EPA regulatory activity during the Obama Administration. It examines major or controversial regulatory actions taken by or under development at EPA from January 2009 to late 2016, providing details on the regulatory action itself, presenting an estimated timeline for completion of rules not yet promulgated (including identification of related court or statutory deadlines), and, in general, providing EPA's estimates of costs and benefits, where available.
- U.S. International Corporate Taxation: Basic Concepts and Policy Issues
- This report provides a general introduction to the basic concepts and issues relevant to the U.S. international corporate tax system. The explanations provided in this report emphasize the underlying concepts of the international tax system and are intended to be as simplified as possible.
- The Selective Service System and Draft Registration: Issues for Congress
- This report is intended to provide Congress with information about how the Military Selective Service Act (MSSA), the Selective Service System (SSS), and associated requirements for registration have evolved over time. It explains why the United States developed the SSS, what the system looks like today, how constituents are affected by the MSSA requirements, and what the options and considerations may be for the future of the Selective Service.
- Unaccompanied Children from Central America: Foreign Policy Considerations
- This report examines policy considerations for Congress in response to the recent influx of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) from Central American countries being apprehended at the U.S. border. The report also discusses the current policy framework and the Obama Administration's diplomatic response.
- Export-Import Bank: Frequently Asked Questions
- This report addresses frequently-asked questions about the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank, grouped in the following categories: congressional interest and the Ex-Im Bank reauthorization debate; market context; international context; organizational structure and management; programs; statutory requirements and policies; risk management; budget and appropriations; implications of a sunset in authority; and historical and current approaches to reauthorization.
- Puerto Rico's Current Fiscal Challenges
- This report discusses multiple challenges the government of Puerto Rico faces in the fall of 2015. Concerns regarding the sustainability of Puerto Rico's public finances have intensified over the past year, despite several measures taken by the island's government to reduce spending, increase revenues, and restructure its obligations. The Puerto Rican government outlined a medium-term strategy to address those challenges in a fiscal plan put forth in mid-September 2015.
- U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emission Trends and the Role of the Clean Power Plan
- This report examines recent trends in U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions -- particularly CO2 emissions from electricity generation -- and the factors that impact emission levels in that sector. In addition, this report examines the degree to which Clean Power Plan (CPP) implementation (or lack thereof) may impact CO2 emission levels from electric power plants.
- Arms Control and Nonproliferation: A Catalog of Treaties and Agreements
- This report provides an overview of many of the key arms control and nonproliferation agreements and endeavors of the past 40 years, divided into three sections. The first describes arms control efforts between the United States and the states of the former Soviet Union. The second section describes multilateral nuclear nonproliferation efforts. The final section reviews treaties and agreements that address chemical, biological, and conventional weapons.
- Air Force B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber
- This report discusses the development of the new long-range bomber aircraft, the B-21 (previously known as LRS-B), and proposes to acquire 100 of them.
- Surveillance of Foreigners Outside the United States Under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)
- This report discusses the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-261), which created separate procedures for targeting non-U.S. persons and U.S. persons reasonably believed to be outside the United States under a new Title VII of FISA.
- The Internet Tax Freedom Act: In Brief
- This report discusses the Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA; P.L. 105-277) enacted in 1998, which implemented a three-year moratorium preventing state and local governments from taxing Internet access, or imposing multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce.
- Defense: FY2017 Budget Request, Authorization, and Appropriations
- This report discusses the current administration's request of $523.9 billion to cover the fiscal year 2017 discretionary "base budget" of the Department of Defense (DOD).
- Mens Rea Reform: A Brief Overview
- This report provides a brief background on the history of "mens rea," including an exploration of the Supreme Court's default mens rea rules; analyzes the various bills that intend to create new default rules; and applies these rules to various existing federal criminal offenses.
- The Electoral College: How It Works in Contemporary Presidential Elections
- This report provides information about the electoral college including its origins, who makes up the college today, the 2012 presidental election, and calls for the reform of the electoral college.
- Highway Bridge Conditions: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the nation's transportation infrastructure in general, and in particular the federal role in funding, building, maintaining, and ensuring the safety of roads and especially bridges in the United States.
- Revisiting U.S.-Mexico Sugar Agreements
- This report discusses negotiations of the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) with the government of Mexico regarding consideration of changes to two sugar suspension agreements made in December 2014.
- Dakota Access Pipeline: Siting Controversy
- This report discusses the Dakota Access Pipeline including background on the project and information about siting approval, as well as opposition and litigation against the pipeline.
- Stealing Trade Secrets and Economic Espionage: An Overview of the Economic Espionage Act
- This report discusses the theft of trade secrets, which is considered a federal crime when the information relates to a product in interstate or foreign commerce. Offenders face lengthy prison terms as well as heavy fines, and they must pay restitution.
- U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel
- This report provides an overview of U.S. foreign assistance to Israel. It includes a review of past aid programs, data on annual assistance, and an analysis of current issues.
- "Fiscal Space" and the Federal Budget
- This report discusses plans for the federal budget and the concept of "fiscal space," or the amount of room available for additional government borrowing.
- Saudi Military Campaign in Yemen Draws Congressional Attention to U.S. Arms Sales
- This report discusses the U.S.-Saudi military cooperation and the legislation seeking to condition or prohibit the sale or transfer of certain munitions after reports of Yemeni civilian casualties resulting from Saudi-led coalition military operations in Yemen