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Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension : Questionnaire Responses from Partners and Stakeholders
This report describes the public agricultural, research, education, and extension system. Furthermore, the report summarizes the budgetary issues with the program in terms of under funding from both federal and state government. The report suggests that the need for this funding will be assessed by debating if the program is meeting its research challenges.
Alien Eligibility for Public Assistance
This report discusses how The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 has affected alien (illegal immigrants and nonimmigrants in the country) eligibility for federal, state, and local government assistance.
American Federalism, 1776 to 1997: Significant Events
This report identifies several significant eras and events in the evolution of American federalism and provides a capsule description or discussion of each. It should be noted that among experts in the field of federalism there may be a general consensus concerning the evolution of American federalism; however, the choice of events and scholarly interpretations of such events may vary and are by nature subjective.
Appropriations for FY2000: Interior 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 the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations.
Appropriations for FY2000: U.S. Department of Agriculture 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 the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Agriculture Appropriations.
Auburn Dam on the American River: Fact Sheet
For more than 30 years, Congress has debated constructing a dam on the American River near Auburn, California. The Army Corps of Engineers recently identified three alternatives for flood control, with the Division office's preferred plan calling for construction of a 508-foot-high detention dam. Currently, two bills address the issue: H.R. 3270 supports construction of the dam, while H.R. 2951 opposes construction of any structure on the North Fork of the American River.
Bosnia Implementation Force (IFOR) and Stabilization Force (SFOR): Activities of the 104th Congress
No Description Available.
Charter Schools: State Developments and Federal Policy Options
This report provides an overview and analysis of charter school legislation and related activity in the states, the federal Public Charter School program, and issues that have risen about the participation of charter schools in other federal education assistance programs.
Charter Schools: State Developments and Federal Policy Options
Charter schools are public elementary or secondary schools which are released from a variety of state, local, and possibly federal regulations in return for new forms of accountability in terms of outcomes for pupils. Approximately one-half of the states authorize the establishment of charter schools, and a federal Public Charter Schools (PCS) program provides start-up funds for such schools. The House has passed (H.R. 2616), and the Senate is considering (S. 1380) legislation to modify and expand the PCS program. This report provides background information on charter schools and their characteristics, plus discussion and analysis of current legislation regarding the PCS program. Issues have also arisen regarding the participation of charter schools in other federal aid programs.
China-U.S. Trade Issues
U.S.-China economic ties have expanded substantially over the past several years. China is now the third largest U.S. trading partner, its second largest source of imports, and its fourth largest export market. However, U.S.-China commercial ties have been strained by a number of issues, including a surging U.S. trade deficit with China, China's refusal to float its currency, and failure to fully comply with its World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments, especially its failure to provide protection for U.S. intellectual property rights (IPR). This report explores these issues in detail, especially concerning the lack of protection for U.S. IPR.
China's Changing Conditions
This report discusses congressional interest in the leadership change and economic transformation underway in China, which has grown substantially over the past two years. Leading congressional concerns focus on how economic conditions in China pose opportunities for U.S. enterprise and how the evolution of conditions in China foster U.S. security, economic, and political interests. Congressional concern with China grew in 1995 as a result of reports of the serious decline in the health of senior Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping.
China's Rising Power: Alternative U.S. National Security Strategies - Findings of a Seminar
Although recent development of China's wealth and power poses opportunities as well as challenges for U.S. policy, participants at a CRS seminar on dealing with China's rise focused on the challenges. China is seen as a very large, strategically located country undergoing rapid economic growth and social change, and ruled by authoritarian political leaders. Since the Maoist era, China has made great strides in conforming to many international norms, but a combination of rising Chinese power and nationalistic assertiveness poses serious problems for: U.S. security interests in Asia; U.S. efforts to curb trafficking in technology for weapons of mass destruction and conventional weapons; U.S. support for a smooth running market basedinternational economic systems; and U.S. backing of other international norms regarding human rights, environmental protection and other issues.
Chinese Missile and Nuclear Proliferation: Issues for Congress
The President has identified proliferation as a primary danger to U.S. security interests. China has contributed to the danger by providing nuclear weapons technology to Pakistan, and other nuclear technology to Iran and Algeria. China has also supplied CSS-2 intermediate-range ballistic missiles to Saudi Arabia, Silkworm anti-ship missiles to Iran and Iraq, and ballistic missile technology to Pakistan and perhaps Iran, North Korea, and others. China developed the mobile, solid-fuel M-9 and M-11 short-range ballistic missiles reportedly with Pakistan, Syria, and Iran as interested buyers.
Clearcutting in the National Forests: Background and Overview
This report provides background and an overview on clearcutting use in the National Forests and effects.
Community Services Block Grants: Background and Current Legislation
This report provides background on the CSBG and related activities, including information on funding, and tracks the progress of relevant legislation ad appropriations measures.
Community Services Block Grants: Background and Current Legislation
This report provides background on the Community Services Block Grants (CSBG) and related activities, including information on funding, and tracks the progress of relevant legislation and appropriations measures.
Commuter and Large Air Carriers: Is It Time For One Level of Safety?
No Description Available.
Comparison of Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Americans with Disabilities Act; Age Discrimination in Employment Act; Title IX of Education Amendments of 1972; and Rehabilitation Act of 1973
No Description Available.
Compensating Farmers for the Tobacco Settlement
This report discusses the ramifications of actions taken by lawmakers to reduce the consumption of tobacco in regards to tobacco farms and the farming industry.
Compensating Farmers for the Tobacco Settlement
The legislative proposals designed to reduce smoking, primarily by teenagers, are likely to have negative economic consequences for tobacco growers and tobacco-dependent communities. This report discusses the possibility of some kind of compensation to farmers as part of the settlement package legislation.
Conservation Spending in Agriculture: Trends and Implications
Conservation spending under various federal agricultural statutes has increased since the early 1980s, and the mix of activities that are funded has changed during this time period. These funds have become an increasingly important source of income to farmers. This report examines conservation program funding since FY1983 in the context of both changing conservation policies and programs, and other farm program sources of income to farmers. This report will be updated if events warrant. Conservation Spending in Agriculture: Trends and Implications
Executive Branch Reorganization
This issue brief views reorganization as involving the alteration and relocation of both programs and the administrative structure of the executive branch for reasons of efficiency, economy, and direction. The underlying issue is who reorganizes--Congress or the President--and by what authority and, also, for what purpose? Some other related administrative and management reforms are tracked as well.
The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996: An Overview
No Description Available.
FEMA and Disaster Relief
No Description Available.
FEMA and Disaster Relief
This document describes the aid of 3.1 billion President Clinton has requested for FEMA. Past funds were brought up throughout the year and shows how this number is low for the needs of FEMA. The document lists needs and what all FEMA helps along with assistance under the Stafford Act.
Fish and Wildlife Service: Compensation to Local Governments
The Refuge Revenue Sharing Fund (RRSF) was enacted in response to the concern of local governments regarding losses to their tax base due to the presence of federally owned land under the jurisdiction of the Fish and Wildlife Service. This report outlines recent history of RRSF payment levels. It examines the RRSF and describes how the fund differs in its treatment of reserved and acquired lands under the jurisdiction of FWS. The report also examines the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program in detail.
Foreign Policy Agency Reorganization in the 105th Congress
This report provides information about the Foreign Policy Agency Reorganization in the 105th Congress. This report also provides the background on foreign policy consolidation issues, discusses foreign policy implications, and tracks legislation.
German Unification
This is a report on German Unification and the poliitical transformations in Germany.
Government Performance and Results Act: Implementation During 1997 and Issues of Possible Concern, 105th Congress, Second Session
Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, P.L. 103-62, also called the “Results Act,” and GPRA. A government-wide performance plan was submitted with the President’s FY1999 budget. Congressional hearings have been held on implementation of GPRA, and the General Accounting Office and congressional groups have assessed initial activities. Most strategic plans have been criticized for not conveying required analyses of the linkage between strategic goals and annual goals and measures, of resources needed to achieve goals, of data systems capabilities, and of interagency coordination on similar programs.
Government Performance and Results Act: Implementation During 1997 and Issues of Possible Concern, 105th Congress, Second Session
Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, P.L. 103-62, also called the “Results Act,” and GPRA. A government-wide performance plan was submitted with the President’s FY1999 budget. Congressional hearings have been held on implementation of GPRA, and the General Accounting Office and congressional groups have assessed initial activities. Most strategic plans have been criticized for not conveying required analyses of the linkage between strategic goals and annual goals and measures, of resources needed to achieve goals, of data systems capabilities, and of interagency coordination on similar programs.
Grants and Foundations: Selected Print, Electronic, and Internet Sources on Government and Private Funding
This report describes more than 35 print, electronic, and Internet sources of information on financial support, and lists a few of the current general guides to writing grant proposals.
Habitat Modification and the Endangered Species Act: The Sweet Home Decision
This report discusses the Endangered Species Act, the regulation of the Fish and Wildlife Service defining "harm" for purposes of the "take" prohibitions of the Endangered Species Act.
Humane Treatment of Farm Animals: Overview and Selected Issues
Animal protection activists in the United States are seeking modifications (or even curtailment) of many practices long considered acceptable and necessary to animal agriculture. Examples include rearing large numbers of livestock and poultry in close confinement; performing surgery such as tail-docking or beak trimming; housing layer hens in cages; and isolating veal calves in crates.
Ideas for Privatizing Social Security
This report summarizes the proposals that have emerged and the issues surrounding them.
Ideas for Privatizing Social Security
There has been considerable interest recently in privatizing Social Security. The ideas are wide-ranging: from adoption of a totally-revamped system of personal retirement accounts, similar to an approach taken by Chile in 1983, to permitting optional earmarking of a portion of existing payroll taxes for personal savings. This report summarizes the proposals that have emerged and the issues surrounding them.
The IIOD Service Academies: Issues for Congress
No Description Available.
Immigration-Related Welfare Provisions in 105th Congress Legislation
Report on immigration-related welfare issues, including statistics, restrictions, past acts, and more.
The International Criminal Court Treaty: Description, Policy Issues, and Congressional Concerns
This report discusses the events leading to the creation of a permanent international criminal tribunal and U.S. perspectives on the Court including: problematic provisions in the ICC Treaty, congressional considerations, and potential implications for U.S. foreign policy.
Iraq-Kuwait: The United Nations Response
This report discusses the ways in which the United Nations reacted to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on August 1-2, 1990.
ISTEA Reauthorization: Highway and Transit Legislative Proposals in the 105th Congress, 2nd Session
No Description Available.
ISTEA Reauthorization: Highway and Transit Legislative Proposals in the 105th Congress, 2nd Session
This report discusses the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), programs which are continuing to operate on the basis of limited interim financing enacted in the closing moments of the 1st Session.
Japan and an East Asian Trading Bloc
The 1990s are likely to be known as the decade of the trading blocs, although these neo-blocs differ considerably from those of the 1930s. Countries are linking to liberalize the flow of trade and investments across their borders without necessarily raising external barriers. The European Community and the European Free Trade Association are linking to create a European Economic Area, and the United States and Canada have joined in negotiations with Mexico to conclude a North America Free Trade Agreement. In Asia, nations have been studying the idea of a similar arrangement for themselves.
The Japan-United States Framework for Trade Negotiations
President Clinton proposed to Prime Minister Miyazawa the idea of a framework for U.S.-Japanese negotiations during their April 13, 1993 meeting in Washington. The two leaders agreed to instruct subordinates to prepare details of such a framework in time for presentation in July in Tokyo when the President would meet with the Prime Minister and the other G-7 leaders at the annual economic summit.
Japan's Banking Crisis: Causes and Probable Effects
Japan's banking sector currently is carrying between $400 billion and $800 billion in non-performing loans that threaten the solvency of certain financial institutions and weaken the Japanese financial system. This problem is of interest to the United States because the stability of Japan's banking system affects the health of that nation's economy, its rate of economic growth, and international capital flows. This, in turn, may affect American exports to, imports from, and investments in Japan. It also has affected Japanese investments in the United States and may affect the resolution of issues being negotiated or recently agreed to with that nation under the Framework Talks.
Kosovo Conflict Chronology: September 1998 - March 1999
No Description Available.
The Marshall Plan: Design, Accomplishments, and Relevance to the Present
No Description Available.
Mercosur: Formation, Status, Trade Effects, Policy Challenges, and U.S. Interests
This report examines Mercosur, the third largest preferential trading group in the world. Since its inception in 1991, Mercosur has made considerable progress in integrating the economies of its members. The integration --- an almost complete free trade area and a partial customs union --- has been accompanied by a significant increase in U.S. exports and investment to the region. In the future, Mercosur face challenges affecting the size of its membership, the depth of its integration, and the strength of its institutions.
Most-Favored-Nation Status Policy of the United States
While the United States accords most-favored-nation (nondiscriminatory) treatment to many foreign countries on the basis of bilateral trade treaties or agreements, and to many more by virtue of being a signatory of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, MFN treatment is applied mostly as a matter of statutory policy generally to all trading partners except those whose MFN status has been suspended by specific legislation. Virtually all suspensions have been carried out under the mandate of the Trade Agreements Extension Act of 1951.
Multiple-Group Federal Credit Unions: An Update
No Description Available.
Multiple-Group Federal Credit Unions: An Update
No Description Available.
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