Congressional Research Service Reports - 287 Matching Results
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- Hemispheric Free Trade: Status, Hurdles, and Opposition
- No Description Available.
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Reauthorization Legislation: An Overview
- This report provides an overview of IDEA and its reauthorization and describes the IDEA Amendments of 1997.
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Reauthorization Legislation: An Overview
- CRS Report for Congress entailing information about The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) reauthorization legislation. Topics include, legislation within the 105th Congress, local relief, educational improvements, allocation formulas, etc..
- English as the Official Language of the United States: An Overview
- No Description Available.
- English as the Official Language of the United States: An Overview
- This report provides background on contemporary efforts to declare English the official language, a review of selected issues raised by official English proposals in Congress, and a summary of arguments that have been advanced in favor of and in opposition to such proposals.
- Comparison of Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Americans with Disabilities Act; Age Discrimination in Employment Act; Title IX of Education Amendments of 1972; and Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- No Description Available.
- Federal Land Management: Appeals and Litigation
- The Forest Service in the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Land Management in the Department of the Interior each currently have a system of administrative appeals for moat agency land management decisions. Critics assert that administrative and judicial appeals are stopping or unacceptably slowing the decision-making processes and the use of federal lands and resources; that many appeals are "frivolous" and brought for the purpose of frustrating rather than improving land management actions, and that appeals greatly increase the costs of management
- The Abandoned Mine Land Fund: Grants Distribution and Issues
- The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA, P.L. 95-87), enacted in 1977, established reclamation standards for all coal surface mining operations, and for the surface effects of underground mining. It also established the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) program to promote the reclamation of sites mined and abandoned prior to the enactment of SMCRA. To finance reclamation of abandoned mine sites, the legislation established fees on coal production. These collections are divided into federal and state shares; subject to annual appropriation, AML funds are distributed annually to states with approved reclamation programs. This report describes the distribution of these funds and the various issues that arise from said distribution.
- Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
- No Description Available.
- Agricultural Exports: Technical Barriers to Trade
- Technical barriers to trade (TBTs) are widely divergent measures that countries use to regulate rnarkets, protect their consumers, and preserve natural resources, but which can also discriminate against imports in favor of domestic products. Most TBTs in agriculture are sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures designed to protect humans, animals, and plants from contaminants, diseases, and pests. In the wake of new trade agreements aimed at reducing tariffs, import quotas, and other trade barriers, TBTs have become more prominent concerns for agricultural exporters and policymakers.
- China's Most-Favored-Nation Status: U.S. Wheat, Corn, and Soybean Exports
- No Description Available.
- Agriculture and Fast Track Trade Legislation
- This report considers the issue of new "fast track" in Congress. The report discusses that the new legislation could be used to negotiate new trade deals with countries in Latin America and Asia. Moreover, the report summarizes the agricultural debates on the issue.
- Agriculture and Fast Track Trade Legislation
- Senate and House committees in October reported legislation for new fast track authority enabling the Administration to negotiate trade agreements with foreign countries and to submit them to Congress for consideration under expedited procedures. Many agricultural and food industry interests are among the export-dependent enterprises that support new fast track authority, arguing that foreign trading partners will not seriously negotiate with an Administration that lacks it. However, some agricultural groups argue that fast track provides them with inadequate opportunities for dealing with their issues, and that it ultimately will lead to new agreements that benefit foreign more than U.S. producers, at least in some commodity sectors. Neither bill was taken to the floor in 1997 because of insufficient votes for passage in the House. However, the President is expected to seek approval in 1998.
- Fast Track for Trade Agreements: Procedural Controls for Congress and Proposed Alternatives
- This report contains the procedural controls for Congress and proposed alternatives of the fast track for trade agreements.
- Fast Track for Trade Agreements: Procedural Controls for Congress and Proposed Alternatives
- This report discusses the fast track trade procedures in the Trade Act of 1974 operate as procedural rules of the House and Senate, and the statute itself declares them to be enacted as an exercise of the constitutional authority of each house to determine its own rules. These procedures prevent Congress from altering an implementing bill or declining to act, but permit it to enact or reject the bill. By these means Congress retains authority to legislate in the areas covered, yet affords the President conditions for effective negotiation.
- Environmental Protection: How Much it Costs and Who Pays
- This report discusses a recurring issue in environmental policy: the cost of pollution control imposed on individuals, businesses, and governments.
- Environmental Protection: How Much it Costs and Who Pays
- A recurring issue in environmental policy is the cost of pollution control imposed on individuals, businesses, and government. To inform policymakers about these costs, a number of surveys and analyses have been conducted over the years. consistent, basic sources have been an annual survey of costs to manufacturers, conducted by the Bureau of Census(BOC), and an annual analysis of total costs, prepared by the Bureau of Economic Analysis(BEA). Overall, the BEA analysis showed the nation spent $122 billion for pollution abatement and control in 1994, or about 1.76% of Gross Domestic Product. Personal consumption expenditures for pollution control were $22 billion, government 435 billion, and business $65 billion. These 1994 data represent the end of the annual series; the BOC survey and BEA analysis have been discontinued
- Air Quality: EPA's Proposed New Ozone and Particulate Matter Standards
- This report discusses the contentious issue of enforcing stringent national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone and particulate matter (PM), the opponents of which decry as harmful to the economy. The report discusses actions undertaken by the EPA, President Clinton's support of the NAAQSs, and the criticisms of opponents.
- Analysis of Ten Selected Science and Technology Policy Studies
- Since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, a number of reports have been prepared on a broad range of science and technology (S&T) policy issues, most notably dealing with national research and development (R&D) goals, priorities, and budgets, and university-government-industry relationships. This report discusses and analyzes ten of these S&T reports.
- DOE Laboratory Restructuring Legislation in the 104th Congress
- Interest in restructuring (including eliminating) the Department of Energy (DOE) and its laboratories has increased since the end of the Cold War, and especially since the beginning of the 104th Congress. A number of non-legislative proposals and activities to this end are reviewed, including DOE's own proposals for "alignment and downsizing" of the Department and its laboratories.
- American Federalism, 1776 to 1997: Significant Events
- This report identifies several significant eras and events in the evolution of American federalism and provides a capsule description or discussion of each. It should be noted that among experts in the field of federalism there may be a general consensus concerning the evolution of American federalism; however, the choice of events and scholarly interpretations of such events may vary and are by nature subjective.
- The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997: An Overview
- No Description Available.
- Dolphin Protection and Tuna Seining
- From its inception in 1972, one of the goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was to reduce the incidental mortality of dolphins in the ETP tuna fishery. Regulations promulgated under MMPA authority set standards for tuna seining and motivated technological improvements that reduced dolphin mortalities in this fishery -- by 1977, annual dolphin mortality by U.S. tuna seiners had declined to about 25,450 animals. Despite the extensive mortalities, no ETP dolphin population has been listed as endangered or threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. However, two ETP dolphin stocks were listed as depleted under the MMPA.
- Pfiesteria
- Congress, federal agencies, and affected states are seeking to better understand Pfiesteriapiscicida (a recently identified species of dinoflagellate) and related species, whose blooms release toxins that can harm fish and possibly human health under certain conditions. Although menhaden, an industrial fish used primarily in fishmeal and oil production, is the dominant species observed to have been killed by these organisms, consumers have reduced their purchases of Chesapeake Bay seafood after extensive media coverage highlighted toxic events. Both the water and lipid-soluble toxins of Pfiesteria and related species have been blamed for adverse health effects in people who have come in contact with affected waters.
- Pfiesteria
- Congress, federal agencies, and affected mid-Atlantic states are seeking to better understand Pftesteria piscicida, a recently identified species of dinoflagellate algae that appears to have harmful effects on both fish and human health, and to determine how best to mitigate its impacts. While individual states seek to address concerns, Congress and federal agencies are considering how best to assist state efforts. Issues of likely interest to Congress include water quality management, agriculture and its possible role in the problem, human health effects, and impacts on fisheries.
- New Welfare Law: Comparison of the New Block Grant Program with Aid to Families with Dependent Children
- No Description Available.
- New Welfare Law: Comparison of the New Block Grant Program with Aid to Families with Dependent Children
- No Description Available.
- The New Welfare Law: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- No Description Available.
- The New Welfare Law: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- No Description Available.
- Prescription Drug User Fee Act of 1992: Effects on Bringing New Drugs to Market
- No Description Available.
- Prescription Drug User Fee Act of 1992: Effects On Bringing New Drugs To Market
- This report goes into detail about the Prescription Drug User Fee Act of 1992. It relays the benefits of the act, as well as discuss the flaw in regards to other forms of drug development.
- Business and Labor Spending in U.S. Elections
- Federal election law has long prohibited corporate and union spending in federal elections, but distinctions in statutes and judicial rulings have opened avenues by which these groups have been able to spend money in the electoral process. Business groups make particular use of political action committee (PAC) donations to candidates and soft money donations to parties. Unions made prominent use of issue advocacy in 1996, but labor’s political strength lies in exempt activity communications with members. This report explains these tools and their use in today’s elections.
- Business and Labor Spending in U.S. Elections
- Federal election law has long prohibited corporate and union spending in federal elections, but distinctions in statutes and judicial rulings have opened avenues by which these groups have been able to spend money in the electoral process. Business groups make particular use of political action committee (PAC) donations to candidates and soft money donations to parties. Unions made prominent use of issue advocacy in 1996, but labor’s political strength lies in exempt activity communications with members. This report explains these tools and their use in today’s elections.
- Campaign Financing: Highlights and Chronology of Current Federal Law
- This report provides a summary of major provisions of federal law and a chronology of key legislative and judicial actions.
- Campaign Financing: Highlights and Chronology of Current Federal Law
- Current law governing financial activity of campaigns for federal office is based on two principal statutes: the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1971, as amended in 1974, 1976, and 1979, and the Revenue Act of 1971. These laws were enacted to remedy widely perceived shortcomings of existing law, the Corrupt Practices Act of 1925, and in response to reports of campaign finance abuses over the years, culminating in the 1972-1974 Watergate scandal. This report provides a summary of major provisions of federal law and a chronology of key legislative and judicial actions.
- Congressional Campaign Spending: 1976-1996
- This report presents data on costs of congressional campaigns, in both aggregate and (mean) average terms. The data in this report reflect spending by congressional candidates from funds donated by individuals, political action committees (PACs), parties, and candidates.
- Congressional Campaign Spending: 1976-1996
- The data in this report reflect spending by congressional candidates from funds donated by individuals, political action committees (PACs), parties, and candidates. Thus, it includes expenditures under candidate control and does not reflect spending on their behalf, with or without their cooperation, by parties, PACs, and other groups.
- Out-of-State Money in the Congressional Elections of 1992, 1994, and 1996: Trends and Policy Issues
- No Description Available.
- Free and Reduced-Rate Television Time for Political Candidates
- This report provides an overview of free and reduced-rate TV time and discusses the policy, constitutional, and legal issues it raises.
- Free and Reduced-Rate Television Time for Potential Candidates
- This report provides an overview of free and reduced-rate TV time and discusses the policy, constitutional, and legal issues it raises.
- Appropriations for FY1998: U.S. Department of Agriculture and Related Agencies
- No Description Available.
- Food and Agriculture Provisions in the FY1997 Supplemental Appropriations Act
- This report addresses Food and Agriculture provisions in the FY1997 Supplemental Appropriations Act.
- Food and Agriculture Provisions in the FY1997 Supplemental Appropriations Act
- Report providing an overview of provisions and funding related to food and agriculture program as a part of a supplemental appropriations bill (P.L. 105-18, H.R. 1871).
- Federal Statutes Allowing Consumers "Cooling Off" Periods to Rescind Contracts
- No Description Available.
- Tobacco Advertising: Whether the FDA's Restrictions Violate Freedom of Speech
- This report considers whether the provisions of the FDA's final rule restricting the advertising of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products violates the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech.
- Tobacco Advertising: Whether the FDA's Restrictions Violate Freedom of Speech
- No Description Available.
- Congressional Primary Dates, 1998
- This report lists the dates of 1998 primary elections and, where applicable, runoff primary dates for the states and the District of Columbia.
- Peacekeeping Options: Considerations for U.S. Policymakers and the Congress
- This report provides a frame of reference for considering the relative merits of using these organizations in peace and security operations. It first reviews the types of actions and activities available to deal with situations ranging from low-level tension to open conflict to post-conflict transition. It then examines, for each of the organizations, the major considerations, i.e., effectiveness, advantages, and disadvantages, and other important issues for U.S. policy makers in their use.
- Attorneys' Fees in the State Tobacco Litigation Cases
- Some states have hired private attorneys to file complaints against the tobacco companies in court to recover Medicaid costs towards treating citizens for tobacco related illnesses. This report mentions the fee agreements between the states and private counsel.
- Attorneys' Fees in the State Tobacco Litigation Cases
- In the past few years, many states have filed complaints against the tobacco industry in state court to recover Medicaid costs paid by the states to treat their citizens for tobacco related illnesses. The states are also attempting to recover other damages, such as punitive damages, against the tobacco industry. For various reasons, the states have hired private attorneys to assist the state Attorneys General in prosecuting these cases. In most cases, the retention of private counsel has included a fee agreement specifying the amount of compensation that these attorneys will receive for their services. These agreements are not uniform among the states, but most tend to provide some form of contingency fee arrangement. Some of these states have developed a sliding scale contingency fee schedule which varies with the amount of time spent on the litigation and whether a trial has begun. This report briefly summarizes the different fee agreements that the states have with private counsel.