Congressional Research Service Reports - 105 Matching Results

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Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses Afghanistan's government and political structure, ongoing security and defense issues, U.S. assistance to the Afghan military, U.S. humanitarian and economic aid, human rights issues, regional relations, and economic development.
Date: October 2, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth & Thomas, Clayton
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Blue Slip Process for U.S. Circuit and District Court Nominations; Frequently Asked Questions

Description: This report answers frequently asked questions about the blue-slip process of gaining the approval of senators from the home states of federal district and circuit court nominees before the process moves to the Senate floor. The report provides historical information and analysis as to how blue slips have been used in the past for judicial nominations, with a focus on the various blue slip policies used during recent presidencies. This report also discusses potential changes that might occur in… more
Date: October 2, 2017
Creator: McMillion, Barry J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Economic Impact of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma

Description: This report discusses the economic impact of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in affected areas and to the U.S. economy as a whole.
Date: October 2, 2017
Creator: Stupak, Jeffrey M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses Libya's political situation of local politicians and armed militias controlling power and attempts to establish a stable central government since the 2011 uprising that overthrew Muammar al Qadhafi. U.S. relations and economic and security assistance to efforts to form a representative central government in Libya and combat Islamic extremism are also discussed.
Date: October 2, 2017
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress on the Navy's irregular warfare (IW) and counterterrorism (CT) operations. The Navy's IW and CT activities pose a number of potential oversight issues for Congress, including how much emphasis to place on IW and CT activities in Navy budgets, particularly in a context of constraints on Navy budgets and Navy desires to devote resources to developing "high end" combat capabilities for countering improved conventional mi… more
Date: October 2, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy John Lewis (TAO-205) Class Oiler Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the John Lewis (TAO205) class oiler shipbuilding program, a program to build a new class of 20 fleet oilers for the Navy. The TAO-205 program was previously known as the TAO(X) program. The first ship in the program was funded in FY2016 at a cost of $674.2 million. The Navy's proposed FY2018 budget requests $466.0 million in procurement funding for the second ship, which the Navy wants to procure in FY2018, and $75.1 million… more
Date: October 2, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Transport Agencies Withdraw Proposed Sleep Apnea Rules

Description: This report discusses the withdrawing of a proposed rule by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that would have required long-haul truck drivers and railroad engineers to be screened for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The risks of OSA, current regulations and safety requirements, and recent accidents involving drivers with OSA are also discussed.
Date: October 2, 2017
Creator: Peterman, David Randall
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Iran: Politics, Human Rights, and U.S. Policy

Description: This report outlines Iran's political structure and current leaders, human rights issues, and past and current U.S. relations with Iran.
Date: October 3, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
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. The Navy's proposed FY2018 budget requests funding for the procurement of two DDG-51s, and authority for a new multiyear procurement (MYP) contract covering DDG-51s to be procured in FY2018-FY2022. Decisions that Congress makes concerning destroyer procurement could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding require… more
Date: October 3, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program. A total of 29 LCSs have been procured through FY2017. For FY2018, the Navy is requesting the procurement of 30th and 31st LCSs. The LCS program presents several oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on the program will affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the shipbuilding industrial base.
Date: October 3, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Puerto Rico and Electric Power Restoration from Hurricane Maria

Description: This report discusses the mass power outage in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria and challenges and efforts to get repair work under way. As of October 3, 2017 only 5.4 % of customers had their power back from the storm which it on September 20, 2017.
Date: October 3, 2017
Creator: Campbell, Richard J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Defense Primer: A Guide for New Members

Description: This report discusses series of short primers developed by CRS to give Members of Congress an overview of key aspects of the Department of Defense and how Congress exercises authority over it. A consolidated list of these primers is contained in this report, along with links to each document.
Date: October 4, 2017
Creator: Kapp, Lawrence
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Department of the Interior Secretarial Order 3356

Description: This report discusses Department of Interior Secretarial Order 3356 which was issued on September 15, 2017 and directs bureaus and offices that manage public lands to enhance opportunities for hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting while also promoting conservation activities on all public lands including National Monuments. Past orders and related legislation and reactions to the order are also discussed.
Date: October 4, 2017
Creator: Crafton, R. Eliot
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity in the Armed Services: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report starts by giving an overview of recent research on diversity and organizational management to demonstrate why organizations value diversity and what the findings on diversity mean in a military context. The next sections outline DOD's military personnel policies, processes and organizational structure for managing diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Following that, the report examines how the concept of diversity and inclusion has evolved over the history of the Armed Force… more
Date: October 4, 2017
Creator: Kamarck, Kristy N.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Farm Income Outlook for 2017

Description: This report discusses U.S. farm revenues and the overall health of the industry as indicated by the USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) national net farm income report for 2017 and outlooks for 2018.
Date: October 4, 2017
Creator: Schnepf, Randy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Assistance to Firefighters Program: Distribution of Fire Grant Funding

Description: This report discusses the federal government's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program to assist local fire and rescue organizations with needs such as equipment and training and upcoming consideration of its reauthorization along with funding levels for fiscal year 2018.
Date: October 5, 2017
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Attack on U.S. Soldiers in Niger: Context and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses an attack on U.S. Special Operation Forces assisting local military forces in Niger in counterterrorism efforts which killed four U.S. military personnel and wounded two as well as killing several Niger military personnel. The U.S. response to the attack, the growing threat of Islamic extremism and terrorism in the Sahel of Africa, and terrorism and political and social instability in Niger are also discussed.
Date: October 5, 2017
Creator: Arieff, Alexis
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The New START Treaty: Central Limits and Key Provisions

Description: This report discusses the new START treaty between the U.S. and Russia that limits each countries number of ballistic missiles and nuclear capable bombers. This treaty came into effect on February 5, 2011 and is a replacement for the original START treaty implemented in 1991. This report covers the treaties main rules and regulations, the ratification process, compliance assessment, and issues for Congress.
Date: October 5, 2017
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Options to Cease Implementing the Iran Nuclear Agreement

Description: This report analyzes some of the options the Trump Administration might use to end or alter U.S. implementation of the Iran Nuclear Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), if there is a decision to do so. These options, which might involve use of procedures in the JCPOA itself or the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (P.L. 114-17), are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Some potential implications of Administration decisions on the JCPOA are analyzed as well.
Date: October 5, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth; Kerr, Paul K. & Heitshusen, Valerie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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PILT (Payments in Lieu of Taxes): Somewhat Simplified

Description: This report discusses the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program that compensates local jurisdictions (generally counties) for lost tax property tax revenue due to the presence of federal lands in their county. It covers all NPS, NFS, and BLM lands, some National Wildlife Refuge lands, and a few military lands. The payment calculations are based on a complicated five part system and the program has been criticized for paying vastly different amounts to some counties with similar land amounts a… more
Date: October 5, 2017
Creator: Hoover, Katie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response: The SAFER Grant Program

Description: This report discusses federal grants to fire departments and firefighters under the SAFER Act and its reauthorizations and considerations for authorizing the program again in fiscal year 2018 and beyond.
Date: October 5, 2017
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Trends in the Timing and Size of DHS Appropriations: In Brief

Description: This report examines trends in the timing and size of homeland security appropriations measures. Figure 1 shows the history of the timing of the annual DHS appropriations bills as they have moved through various stages of the legislative process. Initially, DHS appropriations were enacted relatively promptly, as stand-alone legislation. However, the bill is no longer an outlier from the consolidation and delayed timing that has affected other annual appropriations legislation. FY2017 marked the… more
Date: October 5, 2017
Creator: Painter, William L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

What is the Farm Bill?

Description: This report outlines the different parts of the the Farm Bill and discusses real and projected costs of the programs included in the Farm Bill passed in 2014 and in effect through 2018.
Date: October 5, 2017
Creator: Johnson, Renée & Monke, Jim
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Wildfire Suppression Spending: Background, Issues, and Legislation in the 115th Congress

Description: This report provides background information and analysis of federal funding for wildfire suppression operations on federal lands or for fires that began on federal land. The report provides a discussion of the issues facing Congress and concludes by summarizing several legislative proposals under consideration by the 115th Congress.
Date: October 5, 2017
Creator: Hoover, Katie & Lindsay, Bruce R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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