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Internet Domain Names: Background and Policy Issues

Description: This report discusses the Domain Name System (DNS), which is the distributed set of databases that contain address numbers mapped to corresponding domain names, making it possible to send and receive messages and to access information on the Internet. The report includes background on the DNS and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) that manages the services, as well as related issues for the 113th Congress.
Date: May 23, 2014
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Individual Mandate Under ACA

Description: This report describes the individual mandate as established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111-148, as amended). The report also discusses the ACA reporting requirements designed, in part, to assist individuals in providing evidence of having met the mandate.
Date: May 5, 2014
Creator: Mach, Annie L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues

Description: This report reviews the ongoing programs and issues that will affect the expected size and shape of the U.S. strategic nuclear force structure. It includes an overview of this force structure during the Cold War summarizes the reductions and changes that have occurred since 1991, and offers details about each category of delivery vehicle--land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and heavy bombers--focusing on their current deployments… more
Date: May 15, 2014
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Tort Suits Against Federal Contractors: Selected Legal Issues

Description: This report provides background on, and analysis of, key legal issues that such suits present. It provides a broad overview of tort claims generally, discusses the primary mechanisms through which contractors have attempted to defend against tort liability, and examines indemnification agreements between the government and contractors.
Date: March 31, 2014
Creator: Perry, Rodney M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Securing U.S. Diplomatic Facilities and Personnel Abroad: Background and Policy Issues

Description: This report provides background information on the organization, practice, and funding of U.S. diplomatic security efforts. It also provides summary information on the September 11, 2012, attack on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, as well as on the subsequent Accountability Review Board.
Date: May 28, 2014
Creator: Tiersky, Alex & Epstein, Susan B.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Trade Promotion Authority (TPA): Frequently Asked Questions

Description: This report provides background information Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), and discusses U.S. trade negotiating objectives, procedures for congressional-executive notification and consultation, and expedited legislative procedures.
Date: April 21, 2014
Creator: Cooper, William H.; Fergusson, Ian F. & Beth, Richard S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Maritime Territorial Disputes in East Asia: Issues for Congress

Description: This report presents policy and oversight issues for Congress arising from maritime territorial disputes involving East Asia, East China Sea (ECS), and an additional dispute over whether China has a right under international law to regulate U.S. and other foreign military activities in its maritime Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Date: May 14, 2014
Creator: Dolven, Ben; Manyin, Mark E. & Kan, Shirley A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Congress's Contempt Power and the Enforcement of Congressional Subpoenas: Law, History, Practice, and Procedure

Description: This report examines the source of the contempt power, reviews the historical development of the early case law, outlines the statutory and common law basis for Congress's contempt power, and analyzes the procedures associated with inherent contempt, criminal contempt, and the civil enforcement of subpoenas. It also includes a detailed discussion of two recent information access disputes that led to the approval of contempt citations in the House against then-White House Chief of Staff Joshua B… more
Date: May 8, 2014
Creator: Garvey, Todd & Dolan, Alissa M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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State and Local "Sanctuary" Policies Limiting Participation in Immigration Enforcement

Description: This report discusses legal issues related to state and local measures that limit law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It includes legal background and select limitations on immigration enforcement including traditional "sanctuary" policies, declining to honor immigration detainers, shielding juveniles from federal detection, and modifying criminal sentences to avoid immigration consequences.
Date: March 28, 2014
Creator: Garcia, Michael John & Manuel, Kate M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Department of Homeland Security: FY2014 Appropriations

Description: This report provides an overview of appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The first portion of this report provides an overview and historical context for reviewing DHS appropriations, highlighting various aspects including the comparative size of DHS components, the amount of non-appropriated funding the department receives, and trends in the timing and size of the department's appropriations legislation.
Date: April 18, 2014
Creator: Painter, William L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), a relatively inexpensive Navy surface combatant equipped with modular "plug-and-fight" mission packages for countering mines, small boats, and diesel-electric submarines, particularly in littoral (i.e., near-shore) waters.
Date: April 14, 2014
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA): Resources for Frequently Asked Questions

Description: The report provides basic consumer sources, including broad overviews of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) law, and resources related to specific provisions. It also has links to contacts for specific questions (including websites, hotlines, and online chat assistance).
Date: April 23, 2014
Creator: Napili, Angela
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Millennium Challenge Corporation

Description: This report discusses the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which provides economic assistance through a competitive selection process to developing nations that are pursuing political and economic reforms in three areas: ruling justly, investing in people, and fostering economic freedom. It also discusses several concerns related to MCC implementation, including the level of funding to support MCC programs.
Date: April 8, 2014
Creator: Tarnoff, Curt
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy

Description: This report offers background information on Ukraine's current political and economic situation, as well as foreign policy towards NATO, the European Union, and Russia. It also discusses U.S. policy, U.S. aid to Ukraine, the congressional response, and other legislation.
Date: May 8, 2014
Creator: Woehrel, Steven
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Small Business Management and Technical Assistance Training Programs

Description: This report examines small business startups' experiences with the Small Business Administration's (SBA's) management and technical assistance training programs -- focusing on Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Women Business Centers (WBCs), and SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) -- the 7(a), 504/CDC, and Microloan lending programs; and the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) venture capital program.
Date: March 24, 2014
Creator: Dilger, Robert Jay
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report covers Special Operations Forces (SOF) budgets for FY2014 and expected uses of the bugeted money. SOF actions play a significant role in U.S. military operations, and the Administration has given U.S. SOF greater responsibility for planning and conducting worldwide counterterrorism operations.
Date: May 8, 2014
Creator: Feickert, Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

How Social Security Benefits Are Computed: In Brief

Description: This report discusses how Social Security benefits are currently computed, including information about eligibility, earnings, cost-of-living adjustments, factors that can affect benefit levels, and benefits for dependents.
Date: May 12, 2014
Creator: Meyerson, Noah P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report presents background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy's Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and Zumwalt (DDG-1000) class destroyer programs. Congress decisions concerning these programs could substantially affect Navy capabilities, funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.
Date: April 8, 2014
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Afghanistan: Drug Trafficking and the 2014 Transition

Description: This report describes key U.S. counternarcotics programs in Afghanistan in the context of the 2014 transition and analyzes policy issues related to these programs for Congress to consider as policy makers examine the drug problem in Afghanistan.
Date: May 9, 2014
Creator: Rosen, Liana & Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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