Congressional Research Service Reports - 119 Matching Results
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- The U.S. Postal Service's Financial Condition: Overview and Issues for Congress
- This report provides an overview of the U.S. Postal Service's (USPS's) financial condition, recent legislation to alleviate the USPS's financial challenges, and possible issues for the 111th Congress. Since 1971, the USPS has been a self-supporting government agency that covers its operating costs with revenues generated through the sales of postage and related products and services.
- Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress
- This report presents information on Senators, Representatives, and Delegates, including party affiliations, length and dates of service, and committee assignments.
- Abortion Services and Military Medical Facilities
- The purpose of this report is to describe and discuss the provisions for providing abortion services to military personnel, their dependents and other military health care beneficiaries at military medical facilities. The report describes the history of these provisions, with particular emphasis on legislative actions. Finally, this report discusses a number of proposals to modify the law as well as other related legislative and administrative actions.
- FY2010 Supplemental Appropriations for Agriculture
- This report is categorized into two categories: (I) Agriculture in the Tax Extenders Bill (H.R. 4213) and (II) Agriculture in the Supplemental Appropriations Bill (H.R. 4899).
- International Population Assistance and Family Planning Programs: Issues for Congress
- This report provides the issues for congress on the international population assistance and family planning programs.
- Iran Sanctions
- This report focuses on the United States' relationship with Iran and how the Obama Administration is handling prior administrations' economic sanctions against Iran. However, with subsequent negotiations yielding no firm Iranian agreement to compromise regarding their nuclear program, the Administration has focused on achieving the imposition of additional U.N., U.S., and allied country sanctions whose cumulative effect would be to compel it to accept a nuclear bargain.
- International Criminal Court Cases in Africa: Status and Policy Issues
- This report provides background on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its investigations in Africa, with an overview of cases currently before the Court. The report also 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.
- Coal Mine Safety and Health
- This report discusses actions taken by 111th Congress to reduce fatalities within the coal mining industry and reviews congressional mandates to accommodate for a safer working environment.
- CRS Issue Statement on Canada
- This report discusses about the CRS Issue on Canada. It points out about U.S. and Canada's cooperation in international security and Political Issue, both bilaterally and through numerous international organizations.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Immigration Fees and Adjudication Costs: Proposed Adjustments and Historical Context
- This report discusses the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service's (USCIS) newly proposed fee schedule for immigration services. Issues for Congress to consider might include how USCIS fees have been computed and justified; whether anticipated revenue from revised fees will cover agency costs; how fiscal shortfalls might be funded; and what impact higher fees might have on the applicant pool.
- U.S. Sanctions on Burma
- This report provides a brief history of U.S. policy towards Burma and the development of U.S. sanctions, a topical summary of those sanctions, and an examination of additional sanctions that have been considered, but not enacted, by Congress, or that could be imposed under existing law or executive orders. The report concludes with a discussion of options for Congress.
- The Exon-Florio National Security Test for Foreign Investment
- This report covers the recent background of the Exon-Florio provision with special regards to issues faced in the 112th Congress. The Exon-Florio provision grants the President the authority to block proposed or pending foreign acquisitions of "persons engaged in interstate commerce in the United States" that threaten to impair the national security.
- Telework for Executive Agency Employees: A Side-by-Side Comparison of Legislation Pending in the 111th Congress
- This report discusses legislation (S. 707 and H.R. 1722) designed to foster the development of telework in executive agencies of the federal government.
- America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (H.R. 5116) and the America COMPETES Act (P.L. 110-69): Selected Policy Issues
- This report provides background information on P.L. 110-69 and H.R. 5116, includes information about related legislative activity in the 111th Congress, and analyzes four policy issues addressed by these measures: (1) STEM Education, (2) Federal Research Programs and Activities, (3) Broadening Participation, and (4) Funding. It also discusses selected policy concerns identified in the debate about U.S. competitiveness and describes how H.R. 5116 responds to those concerns.
- Tax Credit Bonds: Overview and Analysis
- Almost all state and local governments sell bonds to finance public projects and certain qualified private activities. Most of the bonds issued are tax-exempt bonds because the interest payments are not included in the bondholder's (purchaser's) federal taxable income. In contrast, Tax Credit Bonds (TCBs) are a type of bond that offers the holder a federal tax credit instead of interest. This report explains the tax credit mechanism and describes the market for the bonds.
- U.S.-Mexican Security Cooperation: the Mérida Initiative and Beyond
- This report provides a framework for examining the current status and future prospects for U.S.- Mexican security cooperation. It begins with a brief discussion of the threat that drug trafficking and related crime and violence pose to both nations, followed by an analysis of the evolution of the Mérida Initiative. The report then provides an overview of the Peña Nieto government's security strategy and how it is affecting the Mérida Initiative. The report then examines key aspects of the current U.S.-Mexican security strategy and concludes by raising policy issues that may affect bilateral efforts.
- The U.S. Postal Service's Financial Condition: Overview and Issues for Congress
- This report provides an overview of the U.S. Postal Service's (USPS's) financial condition, recent legislation to alleviate the USPS's financial challenges, and possible issues for the 111th Congress. It also addresses current legislation that aims to improve the USPS's financial condition--H.R. 22, S. 1507, and H.R. 5746.
- Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Selected Issues for Congress
- This report summarizes provisions of selected legislation - enacted and proposed - that address oil spill policy issues raised after the April 20, 2010, explosion and resulting oil spill at the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico. This report focuses primarily on oil spill policy matters that concern prevention, preparedness, response, and the liability and compensation framework.
- Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Selected Issues for Congress
- This report provides an overview of selected issues related to the Deepwater Horizon incident and is not intended to be comprehensive.
- Nuclear Energy Cooperation with Foreign Countries: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses broad themes related to U.S. nuclear cooperation with other countries.
- State and Local Economic Sanctions: Constitutional Issues
- This report considers the Constitutionality of states and localities enacting their own sanctions on foreign countries, particularly Iran and Sudan.
- Human Rights in China and U.S. Policy. July 2011
- This report examines human rights conditions in China, including the 2011 crackdown on rights activists and dissent.
- Iran Sanctions
- This report focuses on the United States' relationship with Iran and how the Obama Administration is handling prior administrations' economic sanctions against Iran. However, with subsequent negotiations yielding no firm Iranian agreement to compromise regarding their nuclear program, the Administration has focused on achieving the imposition of additional U.N., U.S., and allied country sanctions whose cumulative effect would be to compel it to accept a nuclear bargain.
- Fish and Wildlife Service: FY2012 Appropriations and Policy
- The annual Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriation funds agencies and program in three federal departments, as well as numerous related agencies and bureaus. Among the more controversial agencies represented in the bill is the Fish and Wildlife Service, in the Department of the Interior. This report analyzes the Fish and Wildlife Services funding levels contained in the FY2012 appropriations bill.
- International Criminal Court Cases in Africa: Status and Policy Issues
- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has, to date, opened cases exclusively in Africa. Cases concerning 25 individuals are open before the Court, pertaining to crimes allegedly committed in six African states: Libya, Kenya, Sudan (Darfur), Uganda (the Lord's Resistance Army, LRA), the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. This report provides background on current ICC cases and examines issues raised by the ICC's actions in Africa.
- The Debt Limit: CRS Experts
- This report contains the names and contact information for CRS experts on policy concerns relating to the debt limit and legislative proposals to raise the debt limit.
- The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant: An Introduction
- This report provides a nontechnical introduction to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant.
- Federal Pell Grant Program of the Higher Education Act: Background, Recent Changes, and Current Legislative Issues
- This report discusses The Federal Pell Grant program, authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. It also discusses about Program Funding, Current Legislative Issues and Budget Control Act of 2011.
- ACA: A Brief Overview of the Law, Implementation, and Legal Challenges
- This report summarizes the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the legal challenges it has faced. The report contains information on various lawsuits due to the ACA and provides the reasoning behind them as Congress violating its enumerated powers in the constitution. Moreover, the report covers the challenges of implementing the law.
- Burma's Political Prisoners and U.S. Sanctions
- This report discusses the current issues in Burma (Myanmar) in regards to political prisoners and the resulting U.S. sanctions against the nation. It includes an introduction and definitions; information about current estimates of prisoners and prisoner releases; the relation of political prisoners, parliamentary elections and national reconciliation; and U.S. sanctions and U.S. efforts regarding political prisoners, as well as relevant issues for Congress to consider.
- U.S. Postal Service: Background and Analysis of H.R. 2309 and S. 1789 in the 112th Congress
- This report looks at how the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has taken steps to save money. It also covers how bills H.R. 2309 and S. 1789 include major reforms, such as reductions in service, expansion of the USPS's authority to provide products and services, and alterations to the postal employees pension and healthcare plans.
- The Article V Convention for Proposing Constitutional Amendments: Historical Perspectives for Congress
- This report identifies and examines historical issues related to the Article V Convention, which allows amendments to be added to the Constitution via Congressional vote or votes by the people.
- Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers
- This report provides background on the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers (TAA) program. After a brief introduction, it discusses TAA eligibility and benefits as set by TAAEA. It then describes how the program is funded and administered. The report concludes by presenting data on recent application activity and benefit usage.
- Confirmation of U.S. Circuit and District Court Nominations in Presidential Election Years
- This report seeks to help inform the debate regarding how many U.S. circuit and district court nominations should be confirmed by year's end, and how late in the year the Senate should continue to confirm them. It includes analysis of the number and timing of circuit court and district court nominations confirmed by the Senate in presidential election years from 1980 to 2008, as well as a comparison of the processing of judicial nominations during these years, using various quantitative measures. It also relates the findings to the Senate's processing of judicial nominations in 2012, as of June 30.
- Fish and Wildlife Service: FY2013 Appropriations and Policy
- The annual Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriation funds agencies and program in three federal departments, as well as numerous related agencies and bureaus. Among the more controversial agencies represented in the bill is the Fish and Wildlife Service, in the Department of the Interior. This report analyzes the Fish and Wildlife Services funding levels contained in the FY2013 appropriations bill.
- Hydraulic Fracturing and Safe Drinking Water Act Issues
- This report reviews past and proposed treatment of hydraulic fracturing under the Safe Water Drinking Act, the principal federal statute for regulating the underground injection of fluids to protect groundwater sources of drinking water. It reviews current provisions for regulating underground injection activities, and discusses some possible implications of, and issues associated with, enactment of legislation authorizing the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate hydraulic fracturing under this statute.
- Iran Sanctions
- This report looks at the purposes and results of U.S. sanctions on Iran, which were initiated as a result of Iran's nuclear program and human rights issues. It ends by discussing future issues that Congress can consider regarding the sanctions.
- The Constitutionality of Federal Grant Conditions after National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius
- This report discusses about how in March 2010, Congress passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). It also points out how courts are to considered grant withdrawals below ten percent.
- Animal Waste and Hazardous Substances: Current Laws and Legislative Issues
- The report is categorized into four categories: (I) CERLA and EPCRA, (II) Enforcement Against AFO's, (III) Congressional Interest and (IV) Policy Issue.
- Cybersecurity: CRS Experts
- This report contains the table that provides names and contact information for CRS experts on policy issues related to cyber security bills currently being debated in the 112th Congress.
- Cuba: Issues for the 112th Congress
- Cuba remains a one-party communist state with a poor record on human rights. The country's political succession in 2006 from the long-ruling Fidel Castro to his brother Raul was characterized by a remarkable degree of stability. This report contains information on U.S. policy as related to Cuba, legislative action, and more related information.
- Animal Waste and Water Quality: EPA’s Response to the Waterkeeper Alliance Court Decision on Regulation of CAFOs
- In October 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a regulation to revise a 2003 Clean Water Act rule governing waste discharges from large confined animal feeding operations. This report details the original 2003 rule, the Waterkeeper Alliance Decision and the EPA's 2008 revised rule.
- Positive Train Control (PTC): Overview and Policy Issues
- This report gives and overview of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and discusses policy issues related to it. Congress passed the Act following several high-profile train accidents; it mandates positive train control (PTC) on many passenger and freight railroads by December 31, 2015.
- The Impact of Sequestration on Unemployment Insurance Benefits: Frequently Asked Questions
- This report provides brief answers to some frequently asked questions regarding sequestration and unemployment insurance benefits.
- Ecuador: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations
- This report provides a brief background on political and economic conditions in Ecuador under President Correa, and examines current U.S. relations with Ecuador.
- Comprehensive Immigration Reform in the 113th Congress: Short Summary of Senate- Passed S. 744
- Report that summarizes major immigration reform provisions of S. 744, as passed by the Senate.
- Foreign Surveillance and the Future of Standing to Sue Post-Clapper
- This report is categorized into three categories: (I) Background on the Doctrines of Constitutional and Prudential Standing, (II) Clapper v. Amnesty International, and (III) Future of Litigation Challenging the Foreign Surveillance Practices.
- U.S. Family-Based Immigration Policy
- Report that provides background information and discussion related to immigration issues.
- Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service
- This report discusses the community connect broadband grants, Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, Other Broadband Programs and pilot Broadband Loan and Grant Programs.
- Arms Control and Nonproliferation: A Catalog of Treaties and Agreements
- This report is categorized into six categories: (I) Introduction, (II) Arms Control Between the United States and States of the Former Soviet Union, (III) Multilateral Nuclear Nonproiferation Activities, (IV) Non-Nuclear Multilateral Endeavors, (V) Conventional Technology Controls and (VI) Weapons Control and Elimination Conventions.