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Blockchain: Background and Policy Issues

Description: This report explains the technologies which underpin blockchain digital financial ledgers, how blockchain works, potential applications for blockchain, concerns with it, and potential considerations for Congress.
Date: February 28, 2018
Creator: Jaikaran, Chris
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Education-Related Regulatory Flexibilities, Waivers, and Federal Assistance in Response to Disasters and National Emergencies

Description: This report is intended to inform Congress of existing statutory and regulatory provisions that may aid in responding to future disasters and national emergencies that may affect the provision of or access to education and highlight the actions of previous Congresses to provide additional recovery assistance. This report reflects the most recently available guidance, as of the date of publication, related to education-related disaster response and flexibilities. It will be updated should new or… more
Date: February 28, 2018
Creator: Granovskiy, Boris & Hegji, Alexandra
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Social Security Retirement Age

Description: This report discusses the social security retirement age and the differences in monthly benefits received by individuals taking social security early or after full retirement age (FRA). Increases in the retirement age and various proposals related to changes in the timing of benefits is also discussed.
Date: February 28, 2018
Creator: Nuschler, Dawn
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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State Minimum Wages: An Overview

Description: This report begins with a brief discussion of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) minimum wage coverage. It then provides a summary of state minimum wage laws, followed by an examination of rates and mechanisms of adjustments in states with minimum wage levels above the FLSA rate (Table 1 provides summary data). Next, the report discusses the interaction of federal and state minimum wages over time, and finally, the Appendix provides detailed information on the major components of minimum wage poli… more
Date: February 28, 2018
Creator: Bradley, David H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response

Description: This report discusses the ongoing conflict in Syria, recent developments in Syria such as the siege of Eastern Ghouta, and U.S. policy toward Syria and involvement in the conflict.
Date: February 27, 2018
Creator: Humud, Carla E.; Blanchard, Christopher M. & Nikitin, Mary Beth D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) which is a newly developed vehicle for the Army and Marine Corps. The major potential issues for Congress include whether an increase in endstrength and force structure might result in an increase in overall JLTV requirements, and possible effects of JLTV Foreign Military Sales.
Date: February 27, 2018
Creator: Feickert, Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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NAFTA Renegotiation and Modernization

Description: This report discusses the NAFTA renegotiation process and major topics of interest in the agreement as well as Congress's role in the negotiation and approval process.
Date: February 27, 2018
Creator: Villarreal, M. Angeles & Fergusson, Ian F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Farm Income Outlook 2018

Description: This report discusses the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) 2018 farm income outlook. The report incorporates USDA's initial February 7, 2018, farm income projections and its November 30, 2017, U.S. agricultural trade outlook update.
Date: February 27, 2018
Creator: Schnepf, Randy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel

Description: 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 analysis of current issues.
Date: February 26, 2018
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF): State Insolvency and Federal Loans to States

Description: This report discusses the Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF) and summarizes how insolvent states may borrow funds from the UTF loan account to meet their UC benefit obligations. It includes the manner in which states must repay federal UTF loans. It also provides details on how the UTF loans may trigger potential interest accrual and explains the timetable for increased net Federal Unemployment Taxes Act (FUTA) taxes if the funds are not repaid promptly.
Date: February 26, 2018
Creator: Whittaker, Julie M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The European Union: Questions and Answers

Description: This report serves as a primer on the EU. Despite the UK's vote to leave the EU, the UK remains a full member of the bloc until it completes withdrawal negotiations and officially exits the EU (expected to occur in March 2019). As such, this report largely addresses the EU and its institutions as they currently exist. It also briefly describes U.S.-EU political and economic relations that may be of interest in the 115th Congress.
Date: February 23, 2018
Creator: Archick, Kristin
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962

Description: This report outlines the contents of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 which is the bill that mandates that the Department of Commerce conduct studies of industries to determine whether foreign competition is harming national security and allows the President to impose tariffs or other restrictions on imports found to be threats to national security.
Date: February 23, 2018
Creator: Fefer, Rachel F. & Jones, Vivian C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Supreme Court to Hear Digital Privacy Case: Can the Government Obtain Emails Stored Abroad?

Description: This report discusses the upcoming Supreme Court case of "United States vs. Microsoft" which concerns whether the government can compel Microsoft to provide them emails stored abroad. This report provides background on the case, including an overview of the Stored Communications Act (SCA), discusses the specific issues presented by the Microsoft case, and explores the case's implications for Congress.
Date: February 23, 2018
Creator: Smith, Austin D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Bankruptcy and Student Loans

Description: This report discusses This report provides a comprehensive overview of the various legal issues related to whether, and under what circumstances, a debtor may discharge a student loan in bankruptcy. The report begins by providing general background on bankruptcy law and the principles governing the discharge of outstanding debt. In so doing, the report explains how and why the Bankruptcy Code generally makes student loans nondischargeable absent an "undue hardship." The report then describes th… more
Date: February 22, 2018
Creator: Lewis, Kevin M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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