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Protecting Consumers and Businesses from Fraudulent Robocalls

Description: This report discusses efforts by Congress and the Federal Communications Commision (FCC) to combat robocall scams and prevent them from reaching consumers. It includes an overview of what robocalls are, their legitimate uses, regulation, and complaint procedures for consumers.
Date: October 10, 2018
Creator: Figliola, Patricia Moloney
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Religious [Intolerance] in Indonesia

Description: This report discusses the increasing religious intolerance in Indonesia. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, and it has long been known for its moderate interpretations of Islam. The text outlines background, information about Muslim groups, foreign influence, religious schools, government actions, and responses by Indonesia and the U.S.
Date: October 10, 2018
Creator: Mackey, Wil & Dolven, Ben
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

SBA Veterans Assistance Programs: An Analysis of Contemporary Issues

Description: This report provides an overview of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs to provide training and other assistants to veterans seeking civilian employment. It includes sections discussing SBA programs, an economic profile of veteran-owned businesses, veterans' employment and business development programs, veterans' access to capital, federal contracting goals for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and the military reservist economic injury disaster loan program.
Date: October 10, 2018
Creator: Dilger, Robert Jay & Lowry, Sean
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Temporary Protected Status: Overview and Current Issues

Description: This report describes Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the context of humanitarian responses to migration and also briefly describes one alternative -- Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) -- including the historical use of these mechanisms. It also provides data on the countries currently designated for TPS, outlines past legislation to provide lawful permanent resident status to certain TPS-designated foreign nationals, and provides examples of activity in the 115th Congress related to TPS.
Date: October 10, 2018
Creator: Wilson, Jill H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Can the President Pardon Contempt of Court? Probably Yes.

Description: This report provides a brief background of contempt of court, explores the various arguments regarding whether a pardon can relieve an individual of criminal liability for contempt, and discusses potential congressional responses to the perceived abuse of the pardon power.
Date: August 10, 2018
Creator: Thompson, Richard M., II
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Military Child Development Program: Background and Issues

Description: This report traces the development of DOD-sponsored childcare services and discusses these issues in greater depth in order to support Members of Congress in their oversight role. The next section gives an overview of DOD's justification for the CDP program and demand for services. Next is a discussion of current CDP components, policies, and funding. This is followed by the legislative history of DOD-sponsored childcare in the military. The final section discusses issues and options for Congre… more
Date: August 10, 2018
Creator: Kamarck, Kristy N.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act: History, Impact, and Issues

Description: This report examines debates over what constitutes an unfunded federal mandate and UMRA's implementation. It focuses on UMRA's requirement that CBO issue written cost estimate statements for federal mandates in legislation, its procedures for raising points of order in the House and Senate concerning unfunded federal mandates in legislation, and its requirement that federal agencies prepare written cost estimate statements for federal mandates in rules.
Date: August 10, 2018
Creator: Dilger, Robert Jay
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Mongolia

Description: This report provides an overview of U.S.-Mongolia relations and the politics and economy of Mongolia.
Date: July 10, 2018
Creator: Lum, Thomas & Dolven, Ben
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Iran: U.S. Economic Sanctions and the Authority to Lift Restrictions

Description: This report identifies the legislative bases for sanctions imposed on Iran, and the nature of the authority to waive or lift those restrictions. It includes two tables that present legislation and executive orders that are specific to Iran and its objectionable activities in the areas of terrorism, human rights, and weapons proliferation.
Date: May 10, 2018
Creator: Rennack, Dianne E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and an FY2019 Budget Resolution

Description: This report discusses the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA 2018, P.L. 115-123) and the inclusion in it of an FY2019 budget resolution. The report then discusses the differences between a traditional budge resolution and a substitute budget resolution like the one found in the BBA.
Date: April 10, 2018
Creator: Lynch, Megan S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Smart Grid: Status and Outlook

Description: This report discusses the effort to build a "smart" electricity grid across the the U.S. which can be run with digital technologies that control most of the major functions of a power plant. The current state of the movement and concerns regarding cyber-security are also discussed.
Date: April 10, 2018
Creator: Campbell, Richard J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Tort and Litigation Reform in the 115th Congress

Description: This report discusses "tort reform" which refers to whether (and to what extent) legislatures should limit lawsuits concerning negligence, personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability, and other similar causes of action. The report surveys several major tort and litigation reform bills pending in the 115th Congress and discusses some of the legal issues raised by each bill.
Date: April 10, 2018
Creator: Lewis, Kevin M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Trade Promotion Authority (TPA): Frequently Asked Questions

Description: This report discusses the Trade Promotion Authority program which allows the President to request an expedited procedure for an international trade deal that meets certain requirements. The report answers a variety of frequently asked questions regarding TPA's functions and purpose and Congressional power over it.
Date: April 10, 2018
Creator: Fergusson, Ian F. & Davis, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel

Description: This report provides an overview of U.S. foreign assistance to Israel. It includes a review of past aid programs, data on annual assistance, and analysis of current issues.
Date: April 10, 2018
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

When the City Goes Broke: Pensions, Retirees, and Municipal Bankruptcies

Description: This report first explains how, under current bankruptcy law, Chapter 9 (municipalities) debtors have significant freedom to modify their outstanding pension obligations through the bankruptcy process. The report then explores proposals to alter the legal principles governing the adjustment of municipal pensions in bankruptcy.
Date: April 10, 2018
Creator: Lewis, Kevin M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Attorney General's Memorandum on Federal Marijuana Enforcement: Possible Impacts

Description: This report discusses Attorney General Jeff Sessions' memorandum on federal marijuana enforcement policy sent to all U.S. Attorneys that immediately rescinds guidance documents specific to marijuana enforcement. It provides background on the memorandum, the relevant regulations, and implications of withdrawing previous guidance.
Date: January 10, 2018
Creator: Garvey, Todd & Yeh, Brian T.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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