Congressional Research Service Reports - 5,339 Matching Results
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- Government Reorganization for Environmental Affairs During the 92nd Congress, 1st Session
- This report discusses government reorganization of environmental affairs departments undertaken during the 1st session of the 92nd Congress.
- Electric Transmission: Approaches for Energizing a Sagging Industry
- This report discusses factors that have contributed to the lack of new transmission capacity and some of the resulting issues.
- Electricity Restructuring Background: Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA)
- This report provides background information on PUHCA, including its history and impact. It also discusses how PUHCA reform fits into the current electric utility industry restructuring debate. This report will be updated as events warrant. For related information on electricity restructuring, see the CRS Electronic Briefing Book.
- Energy Policy Act of 2005, P.L. 109-58: Electricity Provisions
- No Description Available.
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions Standard Market Design Activities
- No Description Available.
- Electricity: The Road Toward Restructuring
- The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA) and the Federal Power Act (FPA) were enacted to eliminate unfair practices and other abuses by electricity and gas holding companies by requiring federal control and regulation of interstate public utility holding companies. Comprehensive energy legislation has passed the House and Senate. The House passed H.R. 6 on April 11, 2003. On July 31, 2003, the Senate suspended debate on S. 14, inserted the text of H.R. 4 (107th Congress) as a substitute, and passed H.R. 6. A conference agreement was reached November 17, 2003, and passed by the House the next day. H.R. 6 includes an electricity title that would, in part, repeal PUHCA, would prospectively repeal the mandatory purchase requirement under PURPA, and would create an electric reliability organization. On June 15, 2004, H.R. 4503, a comprehensive energy policy bill, passed the House.
- State-by-State Comparison of Selected Electricity Restructuring Provisions
- Since 1996, twenty-one states have restructured their electricity markets. While the extent of this restructuring varies by state, four issues have generally been considered by all state legislatures: stranded costs, aggregation, universal service, and public benefits. This report compares the treatment of these issues in the restructuring legislation of the twenty-one states. Using information collected directly from the relevant state laws and the rules promulgated by state public utility commissions, this report provides a state-by-state comparison of the restructuring provisions relating to the four issues.
- Global Climate Change: Selected Legal Questions About the Kyoto Protocol
- This report addresses legal issues after the United States signed the Kyoto Protocol to the UnitedNations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The protocol is not yet in effect internationally and cannot be legally binding on the U.S. unless and until the Senate gives its advice and consent.
- Prayer and Religion in the Public Schools: What is, and is not, Permitted
- This report summarizes what religious activities are, and are not, permitted in public schools as a result of the decisions of various acts and their interpretation in subsequent litigation.
- Suits Against Terrorist States
- No Description Available.
- Declarations of War and Authorizations for the Use of Military Force: Historical Background and Legal Implications
- This report provides historical background on the enactment of declarations of war and authorizations for the use of force and analyzes their legal effects under international and domestic law. It also sets forth their texts in two appendices. Because the statutes that confer standby authority on the President and the executive branch potentially play such a large role in an armed conflict to which the United States is a party, the report includes an extensive listing and summary of the statutes that are triggered by a declaration of war, a declaration of national emergency, and/or the existence of a state of war. The report concludes with a summary of the Congressional procedures applicable to the enactment of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of force and to measures under the War Powers Resolution.
- Lebanon: Background and U.S. Relations
- This report provides an overview of Lebanese politics, recent events in Lebanon, and current issues in U.S.-Lebanon relations and will be updated to reflect major developments.
- Lebanon: Background and U.S. Relations
- This report provides an overview of Lebanese politics, recent events in Lebanon, and current issues in U.S.-Lebanon relations.
- U.S. Security Assistance to Lebanon
- This report discusses key issues facing U.S. policy makers and members of Congress when considering U.S. security assistance in the context of U.S. policy toward Lebanon. These key issues include assessing the effectiveness of U.S. assistance programs, assessing overall U.S. policy toward Lebanon, and managing relations with other external actors.
- Hezbollah: Background and Issues for Congress
- Report that discusses Lebanon's Hezbollah, a Shiite Islamist militia, political party, social welfare organization, and U. S. State Department-designated terrorist organization. The report also discusses recent Hezbollah-related conflicts, Hezbollah's relationship with other Lebanese political parties, and U. S. policy regarding Hezbollah.
- Iran: Regional Perspectives and U.S. Policy
- This report provides a description of Iran's neighbors' policies and interests, options for Congressional consideration, and an analysis of potential regional implications.
- The Middle East: Selected Key Issues and Options for the 112th Congress
- This report provides an overview of key issues, relating to the Middle East including the war in Afghanistan, terrorism, foreign assistance, democracy promotion, a summary of past congressional action on these issues, and options for congressional consideration during the 112th Congress.
- Europe: Rising Economic Nationalism?
- No Description Available.
- European Trade Retaliation: The FSC-ETI Case
- No Description Available.
- Globalization, Worker Insecurity, and Policy Approaches
- This report discusses the trends driving global economic integration, sources of worker insecurity and policy approaches. There appears to be a range of views on the merits of each of these policy approaches and the extent to which they can be designed and implemented in a way that would reduce worker insecurity without undermining the benefits of globalization.
- International Trade and Finance: Key Policy Issues for the 112th Congress
- Report concerning a variety of issues faced by the 112th Congress. Topics include trade negotiations with South Korea, Panama, Colombia, and China, export controls and sanctions, and international financial institutions.
- International Trade and Finance: Key Policy Issues for the 112th Congress
- This report highlights major international trade and finance issues Congress may address this year.
- International Trade and Finance: Key Policy Issues for the 112th Congress
- The 112th Congress, in both its legislative and oversight capacities, faces numerous international trade and finance issues. In addition to the broader congressional oversight of the economic and political context of the current U.S. participation in the global economy, this report highlights major international trade and finance issues Congress may address this year and next.
- International Trade and Finance: Key Policy Issues for the 112th Congress
- This report examines the trade relations between the United States, the European Union, and China.
- Trade and the Americas
- No Description Available.
- Trade and the Americas
- No Description Available.
- Trade Primer: Qs and As on Trade Concepts, Performance, and Policy
- The 112th Congress has a full legislative and oversight agenda on international trade. The agenda may include considering legislation to implement pending free trade agreements with Panama, South Korea, and Colombia, enhanced enforcement of U.S. trade agreements, as well as oversight of the World Trade Organization's Doha Round and trade relations with China. This report provides information and context for many of these topics. The report is divided into four sections in a question-and-answer format: trade concepts, U.S. trade performance, formulation of U.S. trade policy, and trade and investment issues.
- Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation: Background and Analysis
- This report discusses commercial ties between the United States and the 27-member European Union. While ties between the U.S. and EU are substantial, growing, and mutually beneficial, differences in regulatory approaches limit an even more integrated marketplace from developing. To deal with this situation, a variety of government-to-government efforts have been created to dismantle existing regulatory barriers and to prevent new ones from emerging.
- U.S.-EU Trade and Economic Relations: Key Policy Issues for the 112th Congress
- U.S. and European private stakeholders, concerned about slow growth, job creation, and increased competition from emerging economies, have urged Brussels and Washington to strengthen transatlantic trade and economic ties by reducing or eliminating remaining trade barriers and by cooperating more closely in addressing global economic challenges. A select group of these issues are examined in this report.
- U.S.-European Union Trade Relations: Issues and Policy Challenges
- No Description Available.
- U.S.-European Union Trade Relations: Issues and Policy Challenges
- No Description Available.
- The German Economy and U.S.-German Economic Relations
- This report discusses Germany's recent trends in economic performance and trade relations with the U.S. This report elaborates on these themes in three parts: historical economic performance; reform challenges facing German political leaders; and selected U.S.-German economic policy differences.
- Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation: A Possible Role for Congress
- This report focuses on the creation of the Transatlantic Economic Council; the role of legislatures in the regulatory process; and the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue and its new role as an advisor to transatlantic regulatory efforts.
- The Future of the Eurozone and U.S. Interests
- Seventeen of the European Union's 27 member states share an economic and monetary union (EMU) with the euro as a single currency. These countries are effectively referred to as the Eurozone. What has become known as the Eurozone crisis began in early 2010 when financial markets were shaken by heightened concerns that the fiscal positions of a number of Eurozone countries, beginning with Greece, were unsustainable. This report provides background information and analysis on the future of the Eurozone in six parts, including discussions on the origins and design challenges of the Eurozone, proposals to define the Eurozone crisis, possible scenarios for the future of the Eurozone, and the implications of the Eurozone crisis for U.S. economic and political interests.
- The Future of the Eurozone and U.S. Interests
- Seventeen of the European Union's 27 member states share an economic and monetary union (EMU) with the euro as a single currency. These countries are effectively referred to as the Eurozone. What has become known as the Eurozone crisis began in early 2010 when financial markets were shaken by heightened concerns that the fiscal positions of a number of Eurozone countries, beginning with Greece, were unsustainable. This report provides background information and analysis on the future of the Eurozone in six parts, including discussions on the origins and design challenges of the Eurozone, proposals to define the Eurozone crisis, possible scenarios for the future of the Eurozone, and the implications of the Eurozone crisis for U.S. economic and political interests.
- Biological Opinions for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: A Case Law Summary
- For decades biologists, water users, and lawmakers (both federal and state) have attempted to craft a system that meets the needs of California water users while ensuring sufficient usable water for fish. Under California's hybrid system of appropriate water rights, users are issued permits for water diverted from rivers and streams regardless of the users' proximity to the source of water. This report details the proceedings related to the long-term central valley project and state water project operations criteria and biological opinions regarding that plan.
- Biological Opinions for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: A Case Law Summary
- This report provides a case law summary about Biological Opinions for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
- The Gray Wolf and the Endangered Species Act (ESA): A Brief Legal History
- This report provides a brief history of the laws, regulations, and lawsuits related to the wolf's protected status. Fuller analyses of the concepts discussed in this report can be found in the companion report.
- The Lacey Act: Protecting the Environment by Restricting Trade
- This report looks at the history and applications of the Lacey Act, which allows the U.S. to enforce the laws of other countries.
- Endangered Species Act (ESA) Issues Regarding Columbia Basin Salmon and Steelhead
- The construction and operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) have reduced salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia Basin. This report discusses the federal regulation of this system under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
- Gray Wolves Under the Endangered Species Act: Distinct Population Segments and Experimental Populations
- This report looks at the distinct population segments (DPS) process as it is applied to the gray wolf. It also reviews experimental populations of wolves under the ESA and their protections.
- Members Who Have Served in the U.S. Congress 30 Years or More
- This report identifies those 224 Members of Congress whose service in the House or Senate, or both, has been 30 years or more. The information provided is current through January 3, 2006.
- Colleges and Universities Attended by Representatives of the 107th Congress
- This report identifies the colleges and universities attended by representatives and delegates in the 107th Congress grouped by state.
- Colleges and Universities Attended by Senators of the 107th Congress
- This report identifies the colleges and universities attended by Senators serving in the 107th Congress. Where available in published sources, the degrees earned are also listed.
- Congressional Ethics in the 98th Congress
- This report describes Congressional Ethics in the 98th Congress.
- Congressional Gifts and Travel: Legislative Proposals for the 109th Congress
- The House and Senate examined their rules on the acceptance of gifts and travel expenses. Press accounts of alleged excesses in privately funded congressional travel and gifts, particularly from lobbyists, have provided an impetus for proposed changes in the 109th Congress. This report provides an analysis of the proposals for change introduced or discussed in the 109th Congress and will be updated as events warrant.
- Membership of the 107th Congress: A Profile
- No Description Available.
- Appropriations for FY1999: An Overview
- This is a funding level summary of each of the 13 annual appropriation acts for FY1999 appears in the summaries of annual appropriations spending section of this report.
- Enron: A Select Chronology of Congressional, Corporate, and Government Activities
- This report presents basic background information on the collapse of the Enron Corporation, identifying public policy issues in financial market oversight. This report briefly summarizes some federal laws carrying criminal penalties which may be implicated in the events surrounding the collapse of the Enron Corp. This report compares the auditing and accounting reform measures passed by the House (H.R. 3763) and reported by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. This report compares the major provisions of three auditor and accounting reform proposals: H.R. 3763, S. 2673, and a rule proposed on June 20, 2002, by the SEC that would create a new auditor oversight board by using the SEC’s existing authority to regulate corporate accounting. The report focuses on Section 404(a) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the federal statute that regulates employer-sponsored pension plans. Section 404(a) is considered the “touchstone for understanding the scope and object of an ERISA fiduciary’s duties.”
- Nuclear Power Plant Design and Seismic Safety Considerations
- This report presents some of the general design concepts of operating nuclear power plants in order to discuss design considerations for seismic events. This report does not attempt to conclude whether one design is inherently safer or less safe than another plant. Nor does it attempt to conclude whether operating nuclear power plants are at any greater or lesser risk from earthquakes given recent updates to seismic data and seismic hazard maps.