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Encryption: Frequently Asked Questions

Description: This report discusses encryption, which is a process to secure information from unwanted access or use. Encryption uses the art of cryptography to change information which can be read (plaintext) and make it so that it cannot be read (ciphertext).
Date: September 28, 2016
Creator: Jaikaran, Chris
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Department of Homeland Security Preparedness Grants: A Summary and Issues

Description: This report a brief summary of the development of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) role in providing homeland security assistance, a summary of the current homeland security programs managed by DHS, and a discussion of the following policy questions: (1) the purpose and number of programs; (2) the use of homeland security assistance program funding; and (3) the funding amounts for the programs.
Date: October 28, 2016
Creator: Reese, Shawn
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Social Security Retirement Age

Description: This report discusses the two important ages that may affect a worker's plans to claim Social Security retired-worker benefits. Workers may claim full Social Security benefits at the full retirement age (FRA), which is rising gradually to age 67 for workers who were born in 1960 or later. Retired workers may claim benefits as early as age 62, which is known as the early eligibility age (EEA). Social Security benefits are reduced, however, for every month that retired worker benefits are claimed… more
Date: October 28, 2016
Creator: Liou, Wayne
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide: Federal Assistance Programs

Description: This report provides an overview of the "digital divide," which is a term used to describe a perceived gap between those Americans who use or have access to telecommunications and information technologies and those who do not.
Date: December 28, 2016
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G. & Gilroy, Angele A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Political Status of Puerto Rico: Brief Background and Recent Developments for Congress

Description: This report provides policy and historical background about Puerto Rico's political status--a term of art referring to the relationship between the federal government and a territorial one. The report emphasizes recent developments that are likely to be most relevant for Congress. Congress has not altered the island's status since 1952, when it approved a territorial constitution.
Date: December 28, 2016
Creator: Garrett, R. Sam
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Federally Funded Academic Research Requirements: Background and Issues in Brief

Description: This report contains background information and selected issues on federal regulations and administrative requirements related to federally-funded academic research, including a general overview and discussion of select issues.
Date: February 28, 2017
Creator: Harris, Laurie A. & Gallo, Marcy E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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An Overview of Recent Tax Reform Proposals

Description: This report provides a review of legislative tax reform proposals introduced since the 113th Congress. Several proposals have already been introduced in the 115th Congress to replace the current income tax system.
Date: February 28, 2017
Creator: Keightley, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses the current political and economic landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its relationship with the U.S. The UAE has been a significant U.S. partner in Gulf security for more than two decades, and the alliance has deepened further in recent years in order to address multiple regional threats.
Date: February 28, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Advanced Gene Editing: CRISPR-Cas9

Description: This report describes a new gene editing technology, known as CRISPR-Cas9, with the potential to revolutionize genetic engineering and the biotechnology industry. The report then provides information on the potential economic benefits of the technology and identifies some issues for congressional consideration, including the regulation of current and future products, national security concerns, and ethical and societal issues surrounding the use of the technology.
Date: April 28, 2017
Creator: Gallo, Marcy E.; Sargent, John F., Jr.; Sarata, Amanda K. & Cowan, Tadlock
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Department of Defense Contractor and Troop Levels in Iraq and Afghanistan: 2007-2017

Description: This report provides background information for Congress on the levels of Department of Defense (DOD) troop and contractor personnel deployed in support of prior and ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Date: April 28, 2017
Creator: Peters, Heidi M.; Schwartz, Moshe & Kapp, Lawrence
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Softwood Lumber Dispute Lumbers On: Preliminary Countervailing Duties on Canadian Softwood Lumber Announced, Parts 1 & 2

Description: This report discusses countervaling duties which are charged on items entering the U.S. whose makers are supported by government subsidies in their country. Part 1 provides a general background on countervailing duties and the procedures that result in the imposition of these types of duties. Part II explores the Canadian softwood lumber dispute in more detail, providing a history of this thirty-year dispute and details about the status of the current countervailing duty investigation.
Date: April 28, 2017
Creator: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Climate Change: Frequently Asked Questions About the 2015 Paris Agreement

Description: This report discusses the frequently asked questions about the 2015 Paris Agreement (PA). The PA opened for signature by Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on April 22, 2016, at U.N. headquarters in New York City.
Date: June 28, 2017
Creator: Leggett, Jane A. & Lattanzio, Richard K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Help Wanted: Supreme Court Holds Vacancies Act Prohibits Nominees from Serving as Acting Officers

Description: This report discusses the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 and a recent Supreme Court case decision in "NLRB v SW General Inc." related to acting officials filling Presidential nominated positions under the Vacancies Act.
Date: June 28, 2017
Creator: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Reauthorization of the Perkins Act in the 115th Congress: Comparison of Current Law and H.R. 2353

Description: This report highlights the key provisions in the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 2353) and explains the major differences between it and current law. H.R. 2353 was passed by the House under suspension of the rules on June 22, 2017.
Date: June 28, 2017
Creator: Granovskiy, Boris
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Types of Committee Hearings

Description: This report describes the four types of congressional committee hearings; legislative, oversight, investigative, and confirmation and the rules governing them.
Date: June 28, 2017
Creator: Heitshusen, Valerie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses the current political and economic landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its relationship with the U.S. The UAE has been a significant U.S. partner in Gulf security for more than two decades, and the alliance has deepened further in recent years in order to address multiple regional threats.
Date: June 28, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Update: The Microsoft Ireland Decision: U.S. Appeals Court Rules that ECPA does not Require Internet Service Providers to Produce Electronic Communications Stored Overseas

Description: This report discusses the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in the case of "Microsoft Corporation v. United States" where the court ruled that the U.S. could not enforce a subpoena asking Microsoft to retrieve emails stored on a server in Ireland. On June 28, 2017 the United States filed for reversal of the decision through a writ of certiorari in the Supreme Court.
Date: June 28, 2017
Creator: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Honduras: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: This report analyzes political, economic, and security conditions in Honduras. It also examines issues in U.S.-Honduran relations that have been of particular interest to Congress, including foreign assistance, migration, security cooperation, human rights, and trade and investment.
Date: July 28, 2017
Creator: Meyer, Peter J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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NAFTA and Motor Vehicle Trade

Description: This report discusses the development of U.S. motor vehicle production under the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) and analyzes the North American motor vehicle market, including production, plant locations, and continental trade patterns. It summarizes the motor vehicle rules of origin in NAFTA and compares them with similar requirements in other trade agreements, and examines how the potential changes in NAFTA might affect the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts industries in the United… more
Date: July 28, 2017
Creator: Canis, Bill; Villarreal, M. Angeles & Jones, Vivian C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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