Congressional Research Service Reports - 105 Matching Results

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Social Security, Saving, and the Economy
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Iraq Reconstruction Resources: Fact Sheet
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Iraq Reconstruction Resources: Fact Sheet
No Description Available.
Budget Reconciliation Legislation: Development and Consideration
This report is about development and consideration in budget reconciliation legislation.
Energy Policy: The Continuing Debate
This report includes background and analysis of the debate on energy policy. Non-tax energy production initiatives, nuclear energy, and energy restructuring are also among topics discussed in this report.
Campaign Finance and Prohibiting Contributions by Tax-Exempt Corporations: FEC v. Beaumont
This report provides an analysis of the Court's decisions, including a brief discussion of possible implications for a pending Supreme Court case, McConnell v. FEC, which involves the constitutionality of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA).
Accounting Reform After Enron: Issues in the 108th Congress
This report discusses the anxieties within Congress in the wake of the Enron scandal. Moreover, the report notes that the 108th Congress is not likely to pass legislative reform as extreme as the 107th Congress, but will still confront issues of accounting reform. The report also highlights what the 108th Congress plans to reform.
Accounting Problems Reported in Major Companies Since Enron
This report questions the increase in corporate accounting restatements made since the 1980s and early 1990s following the wake of the collapse of Enron. Moreover, the report summarizes the accounting problems of major corporations that have been reported since Enron. Finally, the report wonders if these issues are standard within American companies or if they have all only been isolated issues.
Mergers and Consolidation Between Banking and Financial Services Firms: Trends and Prospects
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Mergers and Consolidation Between Banking and Financial Services Firms: Trends and Prospects
No Description Available.
Auditing and Its Regulators: Reforms 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
The Enron Collapse: An Overview of Financial Issues
This report briefly examines the accounting system that failed to provide a clear picture of the firm’s true condition, the independent auditors and board members who were unwilling to challenge Enron’s management, the Wall Street stock analysts and bond raters who missed the trouble ahead, the rules governing employer stock in company pension plans, and the unregulated energy derivatives trading that was the core of Enron’s business. The report also describes related legislation that has received floor or committee action and will be updated regularly.
Export-Import Bank: Background and Legislative Issues
This report discusses the Export-Import Bank (Ex-In Bank), the chief U.S. government agency that helps finance American exports of manufactured goods and services with the objective of contributing to the employment of U.S. workers.
Export-Import Bank: Background and Legislative Issues
This report discusses the Export-Import Bank (Ex-In Bank), the chief U.S. government agency that helps finance American exports of manufactured goods and services with the objective of contributing to the employment of U.S. workers.
The African Union
This report summaries the history of the African Union (AU) from the Organization of African unity (OAU) and the functionality of the AU. Specifically, the report claims that the main difference between the AU and the OAU is that the AU places more emphasis on economic growth and development.
Financial Management in the Federal Government: Efforts to Improve Performance
This report provides an overview of efforts to reform and improve financial management in the federal government in the last 25 years. The Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act of 1982, generally regarded as the first of these efforts, was intended to strengthen internal controls and accounting systems. The Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 followed and created a new leadership structure for financial management, including two new positions in the Office of Management and Budget and 24 chief financial officer (CFO) and deputy CFO positions in the major executive departments and agencies. Other provisions in the CFO Act as originally enacted addressed the improvement of financial management systems, requirements for audited financial statements and management reporting, and changes in audits and reporting requirements for government corporations.
The New York Stock Exchange: Governance and Market Reform
As the world’s largest stock exchange and a key part of the U.S. economy, the NYSE is a central focus of Congress’s oversight of financial markets. This report sets out the basic issues in NYSE governance and market structure.
Industry Trade Effects Related to NAFTA
This report will look at the broad effect of NAFTA on the U.S. economy and the trade-related effects at the industry level.
Market Dynamics and Public Policy Issues in the Video Programming Industry
This report is to describe the market dynamics driving vertical and horizontal consolidation in the video programming industry, to show the potential benefits and harm to consumers from such consolidation, and to identify potential public policy issues that may be raised by the consolidation.
The Argentine Financial Crisis: A Chronology of Events
Argentina’s current crisis resulted from a confluence of events, some external to Argentina’s policy process, others directly related to its political and economic choices. The following is a summary of these events from before Argentina’s adoption of the currency board in 1991 to developments in early 2002.
The Financial Crisis in Argentina
This report discusses the social and political situation in Argentina, more specifically political and financial crisis that ended the presidency of Fernando de la Rua on December 20, 2001. This report concludes with the May 25, 2003 inauguration of President Kirchner.
Electronic Banking: The Check Truncation Issue
If all checks were replaced by electronic transactions, the exact cost savings would still be unknown, because estimates of the cost of using a check and the number of checks written each year remain in dispute. Consequently, estimates of cost savings range from $1.4 billion annually for truncation alone to $68 billion for replacing checks with electronic payments. A significant part of the savings comes from eliminating the handling, sorting, and physically transporting of checks to the paying bank. To clear checks electronically, banks must negotiate processing agreements thatmake it unnecessary to physically present the paper check. Since the benefits are not uniformly dispersed among the participants, banks have found it difficult to obtain these agreements, thus constraining the widespread adoption of electronic check clearing.
Electronic Banking: The Check Truncation Issue
If all checks were replaced by electronic transactions, the exact cost savings would still be unknown, because estimates of the cost of using a check and the number of checks written each year remain in dispute. Consequently, estimates of cost savings range from $1.4 billion annually for truncation alone to $68 billion for replacing checks with electronic payments. A significant part of the savings comes from eliminating the handling, sorting, and physically transporting of checks to the paying bank. To clear checks electronically, banks must negotiate processing agreements thatmake it unnecessary to physically present the paper check. Since the benefits are not uniformly dispersed among the participants, banks have found it difficult to obtain these agreements, thus constraining the widespread adoption of electronic check clearing.
Electronic Banking: The Check Truncation Issue
If all checks were replaced by electronic transactions, the exact cost savings would still be unknown, because estimates of the cost of using a check and the number of checks written each year remain in dispute. Consequently, estimates of cost savings range from $1.4 billion annually for truncation alone to $68 billion for replacing checks with electronic payments. A significant part of the savings comes from eliminating the handling, sorting, and physically transporting of checks to the paying bank. To clear checks electronically, banks must negotiate processing agreements thatmake it unnecessary to physically present the paper check. Since the benefits are not uniformly dispersed among the participants, banks have found it difficult to obtain these agreements, thus constraining the widespread adoption of electronic check clearing.
Bankruptcy Reform in the 108th Congress
On February 27, 2003, House Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner introduced H.R. 975, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2003. Subcommittee hearings were held on March 4, and the legislation was marked-up and ordered to be reported by the full committee on March 12. This report provides an overview of selected major provisions of the legislation.
Bankruptcy Reform in the 108th Congress
On March 19, 2003, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 975, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2003. H.R. 975, as introduced, was substantially similar to the legislation (H.R. 333) approved by both the House and the Senate during the 107th Congress, but omitted the Schumer Amendment which would have prevented the discharge of liability for willful violation of protective orders and violent protests against providers of “lawful services,” including reproductive health services. As passed by the House, H.R. 975 was amended to add sections to, among other things, increase the cap on wage and employee benefit claims. The Senate did not consider H.R. 975 during the first session of the 108th Congress. This report provides an overview of selected major provisions of the legislation.
Bankruptcy Reform in the 108th Congress
On March 19, 2003, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 975, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2003. H.R. 975, as introduced, was substantially similar to the legislation (H.R. 333) approved by both the House and the Senate during the 107th Congress, but omitted the Schumer Amendment which would have prevented the discharge of liability for willful violation of protective orders and violent protests against providers of “lawful services,” including reproductive health services. As passed by the House, H.R. 975 was amended to add sections to, among other things, increase the cap on wage and employee benefit claims. The Senate did not consider H.R. 975 during the first session of the 108th Congress. This report provides an overview of selected major provisions of the legislation.
Consumer Bankruptcy and Household Debt
Financial distress is most common among lower-income families, but its incidence has grown in all income brackets. This trend suggests that explanations for the rise in consumer bankruptcy filings are more likely to be found in micro-analysis of individuals and groups of debtors than in macroeconomic indicators. This report presents statistics on bankruptcy filings, household debt, and households in financial distress.
Consumer Bankruptcy and Household Debt
Financial distress is most common among lower-income families, but its incidence has grown in all income brackets. This trend suggests that explanations for the rise in consumer bankruptcy filings are more likely to be found in micro-analysis of individuals and groups of debtors than in macroeconomic indicators. This report presents statistics on bankruptcy filings, household debt, and households in financial distress.
Consumer Bankruptcy and Household Debt
Financial distress is most common among lower-income families, but its incidence has grown in all income brackets. This trend suggests that explanations for the rise in consumer bankruptcy filings are more likely to be found in micro-analysis of individuals and groups of debtors than in macroeconomic indicators. This report presents statistics on bankruptcy filings, household debt, and households in financial distress.
Multilateral Development Banks: Issues for the 108th Congress
No Description Available.
Multilateral Development Banks: Issues for the 108th Congress
No Description Available.
Multilateral Development Banks: Issues for the 108th Congress
No Description Available.
Multilateral Development Banks: Issues for the 108th Congress
No Description Available.
Social Security Reform
No Description Available.
Social Security Reform
No Description Available.
Social Security Reform
No Description Available.
Social Security Reform
No Description Available.
Social Security Reform
No Description Available.
Social Security Reform
No Description Available.
Social Security Reform
No Description Available.
Social Security Reform
No Description Available.
Social Security: Taxation of Benefits
No Description Available.
Social Security: Taxation of Benefits
No Description Available.
Social Security: Taxation of Benefits
No Description Available.
Andean Regional Initiative (ARI): FY2002 Supplemental and FY2003 Assistance for Colombia and Neighbors
The report is about the FY2002 supplemental and FY2003 Assistance for Colombia and neighbors.
Enron and Stock Analyst Objectivity
Stock analysts provide research on companies and make recommendations on their stocks. When analysts are employed by brokerage firms and provide information for the firms’ retail and institutional clients, they are called sell-side analysts. Analysts who work specifically for institutional investors like mutual and pension funds are known as buy-side analysts. Because of their widespread presence in the national media, sell-side analysts’ recommendations have become part of the public domain and they can have significant influence on stock prices. This report examines the performance of the stock analysts in the Enron case.
The Vietnam-U.S. Textile Agreement
This report analyzes the bilateral textile agreement, U.S.-Vietnam trade in textiles and apparel, the arguments that have been raised for and against a textile agreement, and the debate surrounding a proposed labor provision.
Campaign Financing
This is one report in the series of reports that discuss the campaign finance practices and related issues. Concerns over financing federal elections have become a seemingly perennial aspect of our political system, centered on the enduring issues of high campaign costs and reliance on interest groups for needed campaign funds. The report talks about the today’s paramount issues such as perceived loopholes in current law and the longstanding issues: overall costs, funding sources, and competition.
Campaign Financing
This is one report in the series of reports that discuss the campaign finance practices and related issues. Concerns over financing federal elections have become a seemingly perennial aspect of our political system, centered on the enduring issues of high campaign costs and reliance on interest groups for needed campaign funds. The report talks about the today’s paramount issues such as perceived loopholes in current law and the longstanding issues: overall costs, funding sources, and competition.
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