Congressional Research Service Reports - 67 Matching Results

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Human Rights in U.S. Foreign Relations: Six Key Questions in the Continuing Policy Debate

Description: This report provides background information and a general overview of the role of human rights in U.S. foreign policy. It includes a discussion of some traditional arguments about how international human rights concerns might be integrated with other foreign policy factors. It also includes a discussion of the definition of human rights, of U.S. international obligations to promote human rights, and the apparatus and procedures available to the U.S. Government for implementing human rights poli… more
Date: December 10, 1981
Creator: Bite, Vita
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Palestinians and Middle East Peace: Issues for the United States

Description: The United States began contacts with the PalestineLiberationOrganization (PLO)in December 1988, after the PLO accepted Israel’s right to exist, accepted U.N. Resolutions 242 and 338 that call for an exchange of land for peace, and renounced terrorism. The United States continues its contacts with the PLO and the Palestinian Authority elected in January 1996 and is an active broker in the continuing Middle East peace process.
Date: December 5, 2001
Creator: Mark, Clyde R.
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Global Climate Change: The Kyoto Protocol

Description: This report discusses the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that was completed December 11, 1997, committing the industrialized nations to specified, legally binding reductions in emissions of six “greenhouse gases.”
Date: December 17, 2001
Creator: Fletcher, Susan R.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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First Responder Initiative: Policy Issues and Options

Description: This report discusses the “First Responder Initiative,” a proposed block grant program to help state and local first responders prepare for possible terrorist attacks. Under the Administration proposal, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would administer the program, which, if approved, would provide $3.5 billion to states and localities.
Date: December 11, 2002
Creator: Canada, Ben
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Homeland Security: 9/11 Victim Relief Funds

Description: In the first days following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, an unprecedented number of Americans contributed over $2.7 billion in donations to assist in the relief of victims. According to a 2004 Rand Corporation study, that money amounted to only a modest share (7%) of the $38.1 billion “quantified benefits” provided to victims of the terrorist attacks. The Rand Study reported that payments worth $19.6 billion (51%) were disbursed by insurers and $15.8 billion (42%) were disbursed… more
Date: December 10, 2004
Creator: Wolfe, M. Ann
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Trade Negotiations During the 109th Congress

Description: This report discusses trade issues in the 109th Congress. For over 50 years, U.S. trade officials have negotiated multilateral trade agreements to achieve lower trade barriers and rules to cover international trade. During the 108th Congress, U.S. officials negotiated and Congress approved four bilateral free-trade agreements with Australia, Chile, Morocco, and Singapore.
Date: December 16, 2004
Creator: Fergusson, Ian F. & Sek, Lenore M.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Trafficking in Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean

Description: This report describes the nature and scope of the problem of trafficking in persons in Latin America and the Caribbean. The report then describes U.S. efforts to deal with trafficking in persons in the region, as well as discusses the successes and failures of some recent country and regional anti-trafficking efforts. The report concludes by raising several issues for policy consideration that may be helpful as the 109th Congress continues to address human trafficking as part of its authorizati… more
Date: December 15, 2005
Creator: Ribando, Clare
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Organization of American States: A Primer

Description: This report provides a background on the Organization of American States (OAS), which is an international organization based in Washington, D.C., comprised of 35 Western Hemisphere states. The OAS works to promote democracy, protect human rights, preserve security, expand trade, and address cross-cutting issues of hemispheric concern.
Date: December 20, 2005
Creator: Ribando, Clare
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Burma: Economic Sanctions

Description: This report provides background information on existing economic sanctions against Burma and possible options to expand sanctions.
Date: December 14, 2007
Creator: Niksch, Larry A. & Weiss, Martin A.
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Ocean Piracy and Its Impact on Insurance

Description: This report examines the issue of piracy off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. The report looks into the impact of such piracy on the insurance industry and explains the available options for Congress to mitigate piracy's negative effects on the industry.
Date: December 3, 2008
Creator: King, Rawle O.
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S.-Iraw Withdrawal/Status of Forces Agreement: Issues for Congressional Oversight

Description: This report begins by discussing the historical legal framework governing U.S. military operations in Iraq. The report then provides a general background as to the contents of agreements traditionally considered Status of Forces Agreements (SOFAs). Finally, the report discusses specific aspects of the SOFA, highlighting issues that may require continued congressional oversight.
Date: December 12, 2008
Creator: Mason, R. Chuck
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Strategic Arms Control After START: Issues and Options

Description: This report provides background information about the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and reviews the discussions about a possible successor to START. It also presents a range of alternatives that the United States and Russia might consider if they choose to follow START with a new framework for the arms control process.
Date: December 23, 2008
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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A U.S.-centric Chronology of the International Climate Change Negotiations

Description: This document provides a U.S.-centric chronology of the international policy negotiations to address climate change. It covers the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992, the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, the Marrakesh Accords of 2001, and the Bali Action Plan of 2007 that mandates the current negotiations toward a new agreement by the end of 2009 on commitments for the period beyond 2012. Today's negotiations under the Bali Action Plan focus on four elements: mitigation of gre… more
Date: December 23, 2008
Creator: Leggett, Jane A.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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European Union Enlargement: A Status Report on Turkey's Accession Negotiations

Description: This report provides a brief overview of the European Union's (EU) accession process; Turkey's path to EU membership; the impact of the Cyprus problem; and a review of the United States' interest in Turkey's future in the European Union.
Date: December 1, 2009
Creator: Morelli, Vincent & Migdalovitz, Carol
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Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Background and Legislative Issues

Description: The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) was established in 1969 and began operations in 1971 as a development agency to promote and assist U.S. business investment in developing nations. Today, OPIC is a U.S. government agency that provides project financing, investment insurance, and other services for U.S. businesses in over 150 developing nations and emerging economies. To date, OPIC has funded, guaranteed, or insured over $180 billion in investments.
Date: December 1, 2009
Creator: Ilias, Shayerah
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation: A Possible Role for Congress

Description: 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.
Date: December 1, 2009
Creator: Ahearn, Raymond J. & Morelli, Vincent
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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United Nations System Funding: Congressional Issues

Description: This report tracks the process by which Congress provides the funding for U.S. assessed contributions to the regular budgets of the United Nations, its agencies, and U.N. peacekeeping operation accounts, as well as for U.S. voluntary contributions to U.N. system programs and funds. It includes information on the President's request and the congressional response, as well as congressional initiatives during this legislative process. Basic information is provided to help the reader understand thi… more
Date: December 4, 2009
Creator: Browne, Marjorie Ann & Nakamura, Kennon H.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Strategic Arms Control After START: Issues and Options

Description: The United States and Soviet Union signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty in 1991; it entered into force in December 1994 and expired in December 2009. This report provides background information about the START Treaty and reviews the discussions about a possible successor to START. It also presents a range of alternatives that the United States and Russia might consider if they choose to follow START with a new framework for the arms control process.
Date: December 7, 2009
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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