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Declarations of War and Authorizations for the Use of Military Force: Historical Background and Legal Implications

Description: This report provides historical background on the enactment of declarations of war and authorizations for the use of force and analyzes their legal effects under international and domestic law. It also sets forth their texts in two appendices. The report includes an extensive listing and summary of statutes that are triggered by a declaration of war, a declaration of national emergency, and/or the existence of a state of war. The report concludes with a summary of the congressional procedures a… more
Date: January 11, 2013
Creator: Elsea, Jennifer K. & Weed, Matthew C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Congressional Salaries and Allowances

Description: This report provides basic information on congressional salaries and allowances and recent developments. First, the report briefly summarizes the current salary of Members of Congress; limits or prohibitions on their outside earned income, honoraria, and tax deductions; options for life and health insurance; and retirement benefits. Second, the report provides information on allowances available to Representatives and Senators to support them in their official and representational duties.
Date: January 15, 2013
Creator: Brudnick, Ida A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Comprehensive Immigration Reform in the 113th Congress: Major Legislative Proposals

Description: For several years, some Members of Congress have favored "comprehensive immigration reform", a label that commonly refers to omnibus legislation that includes increased border security and immigration enforcement, expanded employment eligibility verification, revision of nonimmigrant visas and legal permanent immigration, and legalization for some unauthorized immigrants residing in the country. This report provides a detailed discussion of major legislation related to these issues.
Date: June 6, 2013
Creator: Rosenblum, Marc R. & Wasem, Ruth Ellen
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Administrative Appeals in the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service

Description: This report describes Congressional interest in the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) appeal process due to rumors that it affects the BLM's capacity to handle various resources. Moreover, the report defines what an administrative appeal is, and describes the process required to undertake one. The report also lists the various types of administrative appeals.
Date: September 16, 2013
Creator: Alexander, Kristina
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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H.R. 1549: Helping Sick Americans Now Act

Description: This report contains information on the Helping Sick Americans Now Act, which provides funding for the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan and eliminates the requirement that eligible individuals be uninsured for at least six months before being allowed to participate in the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, as well as other changes to the Affordable Care Act.
Date: April 25, 2013
Creator: Lister, Sarah A.; Fernandez, Bernadette & Mach, Annie L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Comprehensive Immigration Reform in the 113th Congress: Short Summary of Major Legislative Proposals

Description: For several years, some Members of Congress have favored "comprehensive immigration reform", a label that commonly refers to omnibus legislation that includes increased border security and immigration enforcement, expanded employment eligibility verification, revision of nonimmigrant visas and legal permanent immigration, and legalization for some unauthorized immigrants residing in the country. This report provides a discussion of major legislation related to these issues.
Date: June 6, 2013
Creator: Rosenblum, Marc R. & Wasem, Ruth Ellen
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Comprehensive Immigration Reform in the 113th Congress: Major Provisions in Senate-Passed S. 744

Description: For several years, some Members of Congress have favored "comprehensive immigration reform", a label that commonly refers to omnibus legislation that includes increased border security and immigration enforcement, expanded employment eligibility verification, revision of nonimmigrant visas and legal permanent immigration, and legalization for some unauthorized immigrants residing in the country. This report provides a detailed discussion of major legislation related to these issues.
Date: July 9, 2013
Creator: Rosenblum, Marc R. & Wasem, Ruth Ellen
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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"First Day" Proceedings and Procedural Change in the Senate

Description: In the early weeks of the 112th Congress, the Senate considered proposals to change its Standing Rules, as well as proposals to alter other practices and procedures. Three resolutions that proposed to amend the Senate rules (S.Res. 8, S.Res. 10, as amended, and S.Res. 21, as amended) received votes, but none were agreed to. These three resolutions proposed a variety of changes, chiefly focused on the operation of the Senate's cloture rule (Rule XXII). The proceedings on these measures occurred … more
Date: January 18, 2013
Creator: Heitshusen, Valerie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Venezuela: Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the current Congressional issues in relation to Venezuela. For more than a decade, Venezuela has experienced significant political changes under the rule of populist President Hugo Chávez, and for a number of years there has been concern about the deterioration of democratic institutions and threats to freedom of expression in the country.
Date: January 10, 2013
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Military Commissions Act of 2009 (MCA 2009): Overview and Legal Issues

Description: This report provides a background and analysis comparing military commissions as envisioned under the revised Military Commissions Act (MCA) to those established by the MCA 2006. After reviewing the history of the implementation of military commissions in the armed conflict against Al Qaeda and associated forces, the report provides an overview of the procedural safeguards provided in the MCA. Finally, the report provides two charts comparing the MCA as amended by the MCA 2009 to the original M… more
Date: May 13, 2013
Creator: Elsea, Jennifer K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Insourcing Functions Performed by Federal Contractors: Legal Issues

Description: "This report provides a brief overview of key legal issues related to recent insourcing initiatives. While agencies are prohibited by federal law and policy from contracting out functions that are "inherently governmental," other functions could potentially be contracted out. There has long been debate over both general government policies promoting the use of the private sector to perform "commercial functions," and whether specific functions should be performed by government personnel or cont… more
Date: February 22, 2013
Creator: Manuel, Kate M. & Maskell, Jack
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Sessions, Adjournments, and Recesses of Congress

Description: This report first describes how pertinent rules and practices regulate the daily sessions of Congress and their adjournments and recesses, including discussion of the "legislative day." It then develops a corresponding discussion for the annual sessions of Congress, which addresses, among other things, the use of "pro forma sessions." The report clarifies certain situations in which terms may simultaneously apply in different ways in relation to the daily session and to the annual session. Fina… more
Date: February 27, 2013
Creator: Beth, Richard S. & Tollestrup, Jessica
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Procedural Analysis of Private Laws Enacted:1986-2013

Description: This report examines the broad distinctions among private laws in terms of their subject matter, introduction, sponsorship and co-sponsorship, referral, method of consideration, amendment, and reconciling of differences between the chambers' versions of the bill.
Date: April 9, 2013
Creator: Davis, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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