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Whales and Sonar: Environmental Exemptions for the Navy's Mid-Frequency Active Sonar Training

Description: This report discusses laws related to the protection of marine mammals when using mid-frequency active sonar including the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). The report discusses each of the laws generally, and then reviews the litigation surrounding the Navy's compliance with these laws in the context of using the sonar for training purposes off California's coast.
Date: November 14, 2008
Creator: Alexander, Kristina
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Selected Privileges and Courtesies Extended to Departing and Former Senators

Description: This report provides information on selected privileges and courtesies (with the exception of federal health insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits) extended to departing and former Senators. Some are derived from law and Senate Rules, but most are courtesies that have been extended as a matter of custom.
Date: September 14, 2004
Creator: Amer, Mildred
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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International Criminal Court Cases in Africa: Status and Policy Issues

Description: This report provides background on current International Criminal Court (ICC) cases and examines issues raised by the ICC's actions in Africa, including the potential deterrence of future abuses and the potential impact on African peace processes.
Date: July 14, 2009
Creator: Arieff, Alexis; Margesson, Rhoda & Browne, Marjorie Ann
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Act of 1974

Description: This report provides an outline of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) a summary of Federal programs that relate to SIDS and SIDS research, and of the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Act of 1974.
Date: May 14, 1974
Creator: Arnold, Penelope S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Debt Limit Since 2011

Description: This report discusses the federal debt increase, which can increase when the government sells debt to the public to finance budget deficits and acquire the financial resources needed to meet its obligations (increasing debt held by the public), or when the federal government issues debt to certain government accounts in exchange for their reported surpluses (increasing debt held by government accounts).
Date: March 14, 2017
Creator: Austin, D. A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Discretionary Budget Authority by Subfunction: An Overview

Description: President Obama's FY2013 budget submission was released on February 13, 2012. This report provides a graphical overview of historical trends in discretionary budget authority (BA) from FY1976 through FY2011, enacted levels for FY2012 spending, and the levels consistent with the President's proposals for FY2013 through FY2017. Spending caps and budget enforcement mechanisms established in the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011 will probably strongly affect the FY2013 budget cycle. This report may … more
Date: February 14, 2012
Creator: Austin, D. Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Running Deficits: Positives and Pitfalls

Description: The FY2009 federal deficit swelled to $1.414 trillion, or nearly 10% of gross domestic product (GDP), due to the economic recession. The size of recent deficits has added to longstanding concerns regarding the federal government's long-term fiscal condition. However, deficit finance can serve as an important policy tool. This report discusses how deficit finance can help governments manage their economies and how large and persistent deficits can lead to severe economic problems.
Date: September 14, 2010
Creator: Austin, D. Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Trends in Mandatory Spending: In Brief

Description: This report describes mandatory spending, its composition and growth over time, and possible mandatory spending in coming decades, as well as relevant policy options.
Date: September 14, 2018
Creator: Austin, D. Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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FY2011 Appropriations in Budgetary Context

Description: This report compares the various funding levels that have been considered during the 112th Congress with H.R. 1473, a compromise reached just before the expiration on April 8 of the sixth continuing resolution (CR). H.R. 1473 provides discretionary budget authority to run the federal government for the remainder of FY2011, and includes both discretionary and mandatory spending reductions.
Date: April 14, 2011
Creator: Austin, D. Andrew & Belasco, Amy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Trade Law: An Introduction to Selected International Agreements and U.S. Laws

Description: This report is an introductory overview of the legal framework governing trade-related measures. The agreements and laws selected for discussion are those most-commonly implicated by U.S. trade interests, but there are U.S. trade laws and obligations beyond those reviewed in this report.
Date: January 14, 2011
Creator: Barbour, Emily C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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H.R. 2: The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009

Description: This report summarizes changes to current law across the major provisions of H.R. 2 that would occur if The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) were enacted.
Date: January 14, 2009
Creator: Baumrucker, Evelyne P.; Herz, Elicia J.; Peterson, Chris L.; Tilson, Sibyl & Gravelle, Jane G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act: A Summary of Superfund Cleanup Authorities and Related Provisions of the Act

Description: This report discusses the background and current status of CERCLA (the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980), which was a response to a growing desire for the federal government to ensure the cleanup of the nation's most contaminated sites to protect the public from potential harm. Concerns for Congress include funding for this act; most funding comes from potentially responsible parties (PRPs), but some also comes from the CERCLA established Hazardous S… more
Date: June 14, 2012
Creator: Bearden, David M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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National Environmental Education Act of 1990: Overview, Implementation, and Reauthorization Issues

Description: This report presents an overview of the National Environmental Education Act of 1990, discusses appropriations, examines Environmental Protection Agency (EPA's) implementation of the act, and analyzes potential issues for reauthorization that may be considered in the 109th Congress.
Date: March 14, 2005
Creator: Bearden, David M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Farm Commodity Programs: A Short Primer

Description: This report briefly discusses programs designed to provide income support, price support, and/or supply management for approximately 20 specified agricultural commodities. USDA farm support programs represent the heart of U.S. farm policy, by virtue of their longevity – they have existed since the early 1930s – and their cost.
Date: September 14, 2001
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Food and Agricultural Imports: Safeguards and Selected Issues

Description: This report discusses the food and agricultural imports, federal oversight responsibilities, international trade considerations, and legislative proposals. The report includes list of tables with leading suppliers of U.S. agriculture and seafood imports, and imported meat and poultry products presented for inspection.
Date: August 14, 2008
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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