Congressional Research Service Reports - 192 Matching Results
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- Application of Religious Law in U.S. Courts: Selected Legal Issues
- The report is categorized into three categories: (I) Religious Law and Its Application in U.S. Courts, (II) First Amendments Issues Related to Prohibition on Religious Laws in Courts and (III) Selected Proposed Prohibitions on Application of Religious Law.
- Military Justice: Courts-Martial, An Overview
- This report gives a detailed overview of the military court-martial system, including a discussion of the three types of court-martials: summary, special, and general. It includes a chart showing procedural safeguards in federal and military courts.
- Attempt: An Abridged Overview of Federal Criminal Law
- This report is an abridged version of CRS Report R42001, Attempt: An Overview of Federal Criminal Law, by Charles Doyle, without the footnotes, attributions, citations to authority, or appendix found in the longer report.
- Attempt: An Overview of Federal Criminal Law
- It is not a crime to attempt to commit most federal offenses. Unlike state law, federal law has no generally applicable crime of attempt. Congress, however, has outlawed the attempt to commit a substantial number of federal crimes on an individual basis. In doing so, it has proscribed the attempt, set its punishment, and left to the federal courts the task of further developing the law in this area. This report gives a background on, defines, explores defenses of, the sentencing of, and relations of other offenses to attempts of federal crimes.
- Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS): Background and Funding
- The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program was created by Title I of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-322). The mission of the COPS program is to advance community policing in all jurisdictions across the United States. Legislation introduced in the 111th Congress would reauthorize the COPS program through FY2014 and reestablish COPS as a multi-grant program. This report provides an overview and analysis of issues Congress might choose to consider when taking up legislation to reauthorize the COPS program.
- Crimes of Violence Committed Against Federal Officials or Employees: A Brief Overview of Federal Criminal Law
- This report discusses Dozens of federal statutes outlaw homicide, assault, and threats under varying jurisdictional circumstances.
- 1099 Information Reporting Requirements and Penalties as Modified by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010
- This report discuses the 2010 expansion of reporting requirements listed in IRC (Internal Revenue Code) 6041. The controversy in these expansions lies in the burden the expansion imposes on small businesses. The report also describes the pieces of legislation that have amended IRC 6041, and the implications of that legislation along with the consequences of IRC 6041.
- ”Dirty Bombs”: Background in Brief
- This report examines the legislation and oversight by Congress to protect the United States against terrorist threats, especially from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons. Radiological dispersal devices (RDDs) are one type of CBRN weapon. Explosive-driven "dirty bombs" are an often-discussed type of RDD, though radioactive material can also be dispersed in other ways. This report also provides background for understanding the RDD threat and responses.
- International Criminal Court Cases in Africa: Status and Policy Issues
- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has, to date, opened cases exclusively in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Statute of the ICC, also known as the Rome Statute, entered into force on July 1, 2002, and established a permanent, independent Court to investigate and bring to justice individuals who commit war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. As of October 2010, 114 countries-including 31 African countries, the largest regional block-were parties to the Statute. The United States is not a party. This report provides background on current ICC cases and examines issues raised by the ICC's actions in Africa.
- International Criminal Court Cases in Africa: Status and Policy Issues
- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has, to date, opened cases exclusively in Africa. Cases concerning 25 individuals are open before the Court, pertaining to crimes allegedly committed in six African states: Libya, Kenya, Sudan (Darfur), Uganda (the Lord's Resistance Army, LRA), the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. This report provides background on current ICC cases and examines issues raised by the ICC's actions in Africa.
- The Origination Clause of the U.S. Constitution: Interpretation and Enforcement
- Article I, Section 7, clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution is known as the Origination Clause because it provides that "All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives." The meaning and application of this clause has evolved through practice and precedent since the Constitution was drafted. The Constitution does not provide specific guidelines as to what constitutes a "bill for raising revenue." This report analyzes congressional and court precedents regarding that constitutes such a bill. Second, this report describes the various ways in which the Origination Clause has been enforced. Finally, this report looks at the application of the Origination Clause to other types of legislation.
- Congressional Lawmaking: A Perspective On Secrecy and Transparency
- The objectives of this report are four-fold: first, to outline briefly the historical and inherent tension between secrecy and transparency in the congressional process; second, to review several common and recurring secrecy/transparency issues that emerged again with the 2011 formation of the Joint Select Deficit Reduction Committee; third, to identify various lawmaking stages typically imbued with closed door activities; and fourth, to close with several summary observations.
- Selected Theories of Constitutional Interpretation
- This report examines theories of constitutional interpretation, the role of the judiciary in this interpretation, and constitutional protections for fundamental rights.
- International Monetary Fund: Selecting a Managing Director
- This report provides information on the IMF management selection process and discusses some of the related debate.
- Accountable Care Organizations and the Medicare Shared Savings Program
- This report describes the problem of fragmented health care in the United States. The issues the report pinpoints are that it is more costly and of lower quality. The report addresses these issues by summarizing the integrated care delivery model in Medicare. Moreover, the report outlines the two pieces of this program as Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Finally, the report discusses the mechanics of these programs to relieve the two issues identified.
- 1099 Information Reporting Requirements and Penalties as Modified by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010
- This report discuses the 2010 expansion of reporting requirements listed in IRC (Internal Revenue Code) 6041. The controversy in these expansions lies in the burden the expansion imposes on small businesses. The report also describes the pieces of legislation that have amended IRC 6041, and the implications of that legislation along with the consequences of IRC 6041.
- The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant: An Introduction
- This report provides a nontechnical introduction to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant.
- Health Care: Constitutional Rights and Legislative Powers
- This report analyzes constitutional and legal issues pertaining to a right to health care, as well as the power of Congress to enact and fund health care programs.
- U.S. Immigration Policy on Temporary Admissions
- This report begins with a discussion of the policy tensions surrounding temporary admissions. It follows with a synthesis of the nonimmigrant categories according to the purpose of the visa. It discusses the periods of admission and length of stay and then summarizes grounds for inadmissibility and removal as well as reasons for termination of status. It also describes the circumstances under which nonimmigrants may work in the United States. The second portion of the report analyzes trends in temporary migration. It describes changes over time in nonimmigrant visas issued and nonimmigrant admissions. Various data on nonimmigrants who establish residence in the United States are also discussed. The report concludes with two detailed tables analyzing key admissions requirements across all nonimmigrant visa types.
- Federal Agency Actions Following the Supreme Court’s Climate Change Decision: A Chronology
- This report presents a chronology of major federal agency actions related to environmental concerns following the decision of Massachusetts v. EPA; it particularly looks at actions of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In Massachusetts v. EPA, the Supreme Court held that greenhouse gases (GHGs), widely viewed as contributing to climate change, constitute “air pollutants” as that phrase is used in the Clean Air Act (CAA).
- Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy in Bahrain.
- Chapter 9 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code: “Municipal Bankruptcy”
- This report is categorized into four categories: (I) Who can file under chapter 9?, (II) What are the Benefits of Chapter 9 for the Municipal Debtor?, (III) Notable Chapter 9 Cases and (IV) Recent Developments.
- Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy in Bahrain.
- Government Access to Phone Calling Activity and Related Records: Legal Authorities
- This report summarizes legal authorities regarding access by the government, for either foreign intelligence or law enforcement purposes, to information related to telephone calling patterns or practices.
- Advertising by the Federal Government: An Overview
- This report looks at what government agencies are spending on advertising, including the difficulties of estimating advertising expenditures and the restrictions on government advertising.
- Responsibility Determinations Under the Federal Acquisition Regulation: Legal Standards and Procedures
- This report discusses the standards and procedures that federal agencies use in making responsibility determinations under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). It discusses (1) how responsibility determinations relate to other mechanisms that the government relies upon to ensure that contractors are responsible and otherwise eligible for federal contracts; (2) the performance-related and collateral standards used in making responsibility determinations; (3) the procedures for making responsibility determinations; and (4) recently enacted or proposed amendments to the standards or procedures for responsibility determinations.
- Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 111th Congress
- This report synthesizes the multi-tiered debate over immigration reform into key elements: legal immigration; legalization; immigration control; refugees, asylees, and humanitarian migrants; and alien rights, benefits, and responsibilities. It delineates the issues for the 111th Congress on permanent residence, temporary admissions, border security, worksite enforcement, employment eligibility verification, document fraud, criminal aliens, and the grounds for inadmissibility.
- The National Directory of New Hires
- This report details the National Directory of New Hires - including its background, how data is managed in the directory, and concerns regarding the directory.
- Numerical Limits on Employment-Based Immigration: Analysis of the Per-Country Ceilings
- The report opens with brief explanations of the employment-based preference categories and the per-country ceilings governing annual admissions of LPRs. The focus is on the major employment-based preference categories. The report continues with a statistical analysis of the pending caseload of approved employment-based LPR petitions.
- Homeland Security Department: FY2012 Appropriations
- This report describes the FY2012 appropriations for the department of homeland security (DHS).
- Qualifications for President and the "Natural Born" Citizenship Eligibility Requirement
- This report discusses the history of the qualifications clause in the Federal Convention of 1787, the Common Law meaning of the term "Natural Born" citizen or subject, and common understanding in 18th Century of the term "Natural Born" citizen.
- Upcoming Rules Pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
- This report examines the most recent edition of the Unified Agenda, published on December 20, 2010. The report identifies upcoming proposed and final rules listed in the Unified Agenda that are expected to be issued pursuant to PPACA. The report also briefly discusses the long-term actions listed in the Unified Agenda, as well as some options for congressional oversight over the PPACA rules.
- Uganda: Current Conditions and the Crisis in North Uganda
- This report provides the conditions and crisis in North Uganda.
- Patent Reform: Judicial Developments in Areas of Legislative Interest
- This report reviews the relationship between Congress and the courts in patent reform. It begins by offering a summary of the patent system. The report then discusses a number of topics that have been the subject of both judicial and legislative consideration. The current state of the law is then contrasted with legislative reform proposals before previous Congresses. The report closes with observations concerning the subtle interaction between legislative, administrative, and judicial actors within the patent system and their impact upon the U.S. innovation environment.
- Solar Projects: DOE Section 1705 Loan Guarantees
- This report discusses the solar energy initiative and the political implications. The objective of this report is to provide Congress with insight regarding solar projects supported by Department of Energy (DOE’s) loan guarantee program, the risk characteristics of these projects, and how other DOE loan guarantee projects are either similar to or different from the Solyndra solar manufacturing project.
- Egypt in Transition
- This report provides a brief overview of the transition underway and information on U.S. foreign aid to Egypt.
- Brief History of the Gold Standard in the United States
- This report discusses the gold standard, Basically Silver:1792-1834, Basically Gold: 1834-1862, Fiat Paper Money: 1862-1879, A true gold standard: 1879-1933, and Cutting the Links to gold: 1967-1973.
- The U.S. Postal Service and Six-Day Delivery: Issues for Congress
- This report will examine the history of six-day mail delivery and analyze potential effects of reducing USPS delivery from six to five days. It will then examine legislative options for the 111th Congress.
- Food Safety Issues for the 112th Congress
- This report looks at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It particularly looks at ways in which the 112th Congress may want to provide oversight for the Act.
- Food Safety on the Farm
- This report examines legislation enacted by the 111th Congress and oversight on this legislation by the 112th Congress in regards to food safety. Potential risks to the food supply, including bacteria, pesticide residues, animal drugs, and certain naturally-occurring contaminants are discussed.
- Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 112th Congress
- Report detailing issues and legislative concerns regarding immigration during the 112th Congress, with a focus on comprehensive reform.
- Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Its Role in U.S. Trade Policy
- This report discusses the role of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) in U.S. trade policy, from its inception as a legislative option in the early 1950s, to its core role as an alternative to import relief that many argue has served to promote the long-term U.S. trade liberalization agenda. It will also consider the extent to which TAA has been linked to both renewal of trade agreements authority, and passage of trade agreement implementing legislation.
- DNA Testing in Criminal Justice: Background, Current Law, Grants, and Issues
- This report provides an overview of how DNA is used to investigate crimes and help protect the innocent. It also reviews current statutory law on collecting DNA samples, sharing DNA profiles generated from those samples, and providing access to post-conviction DNA testing. The report also includes a summary of grant programs authorized by Congress to assist state and local governments with reducing DNA backlogs, provide post-conviction DNA testing, and promote new technology in the field. It also reviews select issues Congress might consider should it legislate or conduct oversight in this area.
- Federalism Issues in Surface Transportation Policy: Past and Present
- This report provides an historical perspective on contemporary federalism issues in surface transportation policy that are likely to be addressed by Congress during the 112th Congress, including possible devolution of programmatic responsibility to states and proposals to change state maintenance-of-effort requirements and state cost matching requirements.
- Tort Suits Against Federal Contractors: An Overview of the Legal Issues
- This report provides an overview of key legal issues that have been raised to date in recent tort suits against government contractors. Most of these issues pertain to jurisdiction, or the court’s power over the parties or subject matter of the case. A number of cases are pending that could affect courts’ treatment of the issues discussed here.
- Judicial Discipline Process: An Overview
- The first part of this report covers the process for handling complaints against federal judges and judicial discipline, which was enacted on November 2, 2002 as the Judicial Improvements Act of 2002. The second part of this report covers two impeachments during the 111th Congress, those of Judge Samuel B. Kent and Judge G. Thomas Porteous Jr.
- Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
- This report discusses the Coast Guard Polar icebreakers that performs a variety of mission supporting U.S. interests in polar region. It also points out the legislative activity in 112th congress.
- The Bayh-Dole Act: Selected Issues in Patent Policy and the Commercialization of Technology
- This report is categorized into Five categories: (I) Introduction, (II) An Historical Perspective, (III) Bayh-Dole Act and Related Law, (IV) Current Issues and Concerns, and (V) Concluding Observations.
- China/Taiwan: Evolution of the “One China” Policy—Key Statements from Washington, Beijing, and Taipei
- This report discusses the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979 that has governed U.S. policy in the absence of a diplomatic relationship or a defense treaty. It also points out U.S. Policy on "One China", Statement during George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush and Obama Administration.
- Desalination: Technologies, Use, and Congressional Issues
- This report discusses Desalination processes that generally treat seawater or brackish water to produce a stream of freshwater, and a separate, saltier stream of water that has to be disposed.