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Campaign Finance: Potential Legislative and Policy Issues for the 111th Congress
This report discusses selected campaign finance policy issues that may receive attention during the 111th Congress such as the electronic filing of senate campaign finance reports, bundling, hybrid advertising, joint fundraising committees, 527 Organizations and more.
The Conforming Loan Limit
This report analyzes the implications of raising the conforming loan limit in high-cost areas.
Department of Defense Facilities Energy Conservation Policies and Spending
This report reviews energy conservation legislation and Executive Ordrs that apply to the Department of Defense, directives and instructions to the military departments and agencies on implementing the legislation and orders, Defense spending on facility energy over the last decade, annual Defense appropriations that fund energy-conservation improvements, and Defense energy conservation investments.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Drivers: Population, Economic Development and Growth, and Energy Use
The interactions of three variables underlie debates on the issue of climate change and what responses might be justified: the magnitude and rates of change of (1) population growth, (2) incomes, and (3) intensity of greenhouse gas emissions relative to economic activities. This report examines the interrelationships of the variables to explore their implications for policies that address climate change.
Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses
This report discusses the reasons that Iran is considered a threat to U.S. security, including Iran's nuclear program, involvement with terrorist organizations, and involvement with neighboring countries' local governments. The report also discusses ways which the U.S. hopes to modify Iran's behavior with sanctions, and the effectiveness of these sanctions.
Major Leadership Election Contests in the House of Representatives, 94th-111th Congresses
This report contains data on votes for Speaker of the House for the 94th through 110th Congresses and elections in party conferences or caucuses for major leaders within each party for the 94th through 111th Congresses. It reflects actual balloting on the House floor for Speaker and in the Democratic Caucus and Republican Conference for other positions.
Membership of the 111th Congress: A Profile
This report presents a profile of the membership of the 111th Congress. Statistical information is included on selected characteristics of Members, including data on party affiliation, average age and length of service, occupation, religious affiliation, gender, ethnicity, foreign births, and military service.
Membership of the 111th Congress: A Profile
No Description Available.
The U.S. Financial Crisis: The Global Dimension with Implications for U.S. Policy
No Description Available.
The Distribution of Income
No Description Available.
Federal Reserve Interest Rate Changes: 2001-2008
This report is categorized into three categories: (I) Rates Changes, (II) Understanding the Amendments and (III) Rationale for Changes.
Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress
No Description Available.
Nuclear Arms Control: The Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty
This report provides a brief overview of U.S. and Russian objectives when they began discussions on the 1994 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and a summary of how they resolved these differences when concluding the negotiations. It then describes the key provisions in the Treaty and presents illustrative forces that each side might deploy in the next 10 years. It offers a brief assessment of how each nation fared in achieving its objectives when negotiating this agreement and a summary of reaction from U.S. and Russian commentators. It concludes with a brief review of the issues raised during the Treaty's ratification debates.
Nuclear Weapons in U.S. National Security Policy: Past, Present, and Prospects
This report highlights the differences between the construct of tailored deterrence and the more general concept of strategic deterrence that guided U.S. nuclear policy during the Cold War. It then identifies a number of issues that Congress might address when it reviews these differences, including the question of whether detailed and tailored attack plans are more likely to enhance deterrence or more likely to lead to the early use of nuclear weapons, and the question of whether tailored deterrence provides any guidance about the future size and structure of U.S. nuclear forces.
School Construction, Modernization, Renovation, and Repair Issues: 110th Congress
No Description Available.
Medicare: Part B Premiums
This report examines the history of the Medicare Part B Premium. The report considers issues including the changing factors that go into determining the premium. The report also discusses the comparative cost adjustment program, the Part B deductible, and the Part A premium.
Assistance to North Korea
This report is categorized into five categories: (I) Introduction, (II) Congress' Role in U.S. Assistance to North Korea, (III) Energy Assistance, (IV) Food Assistance and (V) Other Forms of Assistance.
Consideration of Budgetary Legislation During Presidential Transition Years: A Brief Overview
This report examines the timing of presidential budget submissions during the past five transition years, including submissions by Presidents Jimmy Carter in 1977, Ronald Reagan in 1981, George H.W. Bush in 1989, Bill Clinton in 1993, and George W Bush in 2001 and the timeliness of House and Senate actions in those years regarding the consideration of Budgetary measures.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Perspective on the Top 20 Emitters and Developed Versus Developing Nations
This report uses the data compiled by World Resources Institute (WRI) to examine a pivotal and long-running issue surrounding U.S. climate change policy: the appropriate roles of developed and developing countries in addressing climate change.
The President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy: Issues for Congress
No Description Available.
Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
This report discusses the failing effort to stabilize Afghanistan. Specifically, the report points to Pakistan's inability to prevent Al Qaeda from entering Afghanistan and corruption in the new Afghan government. The future strategy of the U.S. in Afghanistan has been rendered unclear.
Carbon Control in the U.S. Electricity Sector: Key Implementation Uncertainties
This report discusses the congress's debate on a range of potential initiatives for reducing atmospheric CO2 from U.S. sources. It also points out the energy efficiency, Renewable energy, Advanced Coal Power and Carbon Capture and Sequestration.
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act: Preliminary Analysis of Oversight Provisions
This report provides a preliminary analysis of oversight provisions on the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act.
Federal Deposit and Share Insurance: Proposals for Change
This report contains the proposals for change on the federal deposit and share insurance.
House Standing Committee Chairs and Ranking Minority Members: Rules Governing Selection Procedures
This report summarizes those procedures and lists membership on each party's steering committee.
Job Loss and Infrastructure Job Creation During the Recession
The report examines trends in employment and job loss since the start of the latest recession then focuses on job creation estimates associated with increased spending on infrastructure, placing a heavy emphasis on explaining the limitations with the methodology that is often utilized to develop the estimates.
Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill: Structure, Content, and Process
No Description Available.
A Low Carbon Fuel Standard: State and Federal Legislation and Regulations
This report examines the merit and potential issues of adopting a Low Carbon Fuel Standard. The report uses California as a point of reference to compare to proposed federal standards.
A Low Carbon Fuel Standard: State and Federal Legislation and Regulations
This report analyzes the draft California standards, and discusses how those standards might work. Next, the report analyzes federal Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) legislation proposed in the 110th Congress. Finally, the report analyzes what effects an LCFS might have on state and national fuel supplies.
Strategic Arms Control After START: Issues and Options
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.
Trends in Discretionary Spending
No Description Available.
A U.S.-centric Chronology of the International Climate Change Negotiations
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 greenhouse gas emissions; adaptation to impacts of climate change; financial assistance to low income countries; and technology development and transfer. For U.S. legislators, important issues include the compatibility of any international agreement with U.S. domestic policies and laws; the adequacy of appropriations, fiscal measures and programs to achieve any commitments under the agreement; and the desirable form of the agreement and related requirements for potential Senate ratification and federal implementing legislation.
Veterans Benefits: Merchant Seamen
This report will provide a brief overview of seamen of the U.S. merchant marine and World War II, post-war efforts for benefits for merchant seamen, the efforts by merchant seamen for recognition and legislation introduced int he 110th Congress.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act: Exemptions to the Prohibition on Circumvention
This report reviews the statutory basis for the triennial exemptions, explains the Copyright Office's rulemaking process pursuant to 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), summarizes the exemptions granted and rejected in 2006, and describes public reactions to the 2006 exemptions.
Individual Retirement Accounts and 401(k) Plans: Early Withdrawals and Required Distributions
No Description Available.
”Carbon Leakage” and Trade: Issues and Approaches
This report discusses the risks accompanying establishment of carbon control policies, in the absence of similar policies among competing nations. It also points out the three basic approaches of trade-exposed industries.
Congressional Commissions: Overview, Structure, and Legislative Considerations
Congressional advisory commissions are formal groups established to provide independent advice; make recommendations for changes in public policy; study or investigate a particular problem, issue, or event; or perform a duty. This report provides an overview and analysis of congressional advisory commissions, information on the general statutory structure of a congressional commission, and a catalog of congressional commissions created since the 101st Congress.
F/A-22 Raptor
This report is categorized into three categories: (I) Introduction, (II) Key Issue and (III) Congressional Action. It also consist a figure for F-22A Weapons Loadout.
Food Safety on the Farm: Federal Programs and Selected Proposals
This report discusses bills introduced into the 110th Congress pertaining to food safety that could affect farmers and ranchers. Several of these bills would expressly have required enforceable on-farm safety standards. Others that focused primarily on post-harvest food safety measures nonetheless might have led to changes in on-farm practices if the regulated sectors (handlers and processors of agricultural products) placed new demands on their suppliers in order to comply. Similar proposals are re-emerging in the 111th Congress, where food safety reform is expected to be on the agenda.
Major Leadership Election Contests in the Senate, 94th-111th Congresses
No Description Available.
The Marines’ Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV): Background and Issues for Congress
No Description Available.
PILT (Payments in Lieu of Taxes): Somewhat Simplified
No Description Available.
Sino-Japanese Relations: Issues for U.S. Policy
No Description Available.
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions
No Description Available.
Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai, India, and Implications for U.S. Interests
This report examines the November 26, 2008 terrorist attack on Mumbai, India that left 174 people dead and hundreds more injured. The report assesses the resulting tension between India and Pakistan, due to possible links between the attackers and the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist group, who are believed to have past ties with Pakistan's military and intelligence services. The report also examines the implications of the attack on U.S. foreign policy.
Thailand: Background and U.S. Relations
No Description Available.
What Happens to SCHIP After March 31, 2009?
A report about the effects of the end of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
Brief Summaries of Federal Animal Protection Statutes
This report contains summaries of federal animal protection statutes, listed alphabetically. It does not include treaties, although it does include statutes enacted to implement treaties. It includes statutes concerning animals that are not entirely, or not at all, animal protection statutes. For example, it includes a statute authorizing the eradication of predators, because one of the statute's purposes is to protect domestic and "game" animals; and it includes statutes to conserve fish, although their ultimate purpose may not be for the fishes' benefit. It also includes statutes that allow the disabled to use service animals, and even includes statutes aimed at acts of animal rights advocates (the Animal Enterprise Protection Act of 1992, and the Recreational Hunting Safety and Preservation Act of 1994).
Filling Advice and Consent Positions at the Outset of a New Administration
In its 2004 report, the 9/11 Commission identified what it perceived were shortcomings in the appointment process during presidential transitions. This report examines the advice and consent appointment process during such transitional periods, including the selection and vetting of PAS positions, temporary staffing and differences in the length of the appointment process for cabinet members compared to sub-cabinet members.
Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress
This report covers the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and U.S.-Mexico drug trafficking. It also looks at migration, environmental issues, legislation in the 110th Congress, and the relationship between the Bush Administration and Mexico.
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