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Abortion: Legislative Response

Description: The primary focus of this issue brief is legislative action with respect to abortion. However, discussion of those legislative proposals necessarily involves a brief discussion of the leading U.S. Supreme Court decisions concerning a woman’s right to choose whether to terminate her pregnancy. For a more detailed discussion of the relevant case law, see CRS Report 95-724, Abortion Law Development: A Brief Overview.
Date: January 13, 2004
Creator: Lewis, Karen J.; Shimabukuro, Jon O. & Ely, Dana
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Agricultural Issues in the 109th Congress

Description: A number of issues affecting U.S. agriculture are receiving attention in the 109th Congress. The conference agreement on the FY2006 omnibus budget reconciliation bill includes a net reduction in spending on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) mandatory programs of $2.7 billion over five years, and the reauthorization of a dairy income support program. Other issues of importance to agriculture during the second session of the 109th Congress include the possible consideration of emergency farm … more
Date: January 13, 2006
Creator: Chite, Ralph M.
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Air Cargo Security

Description: The air cargo system is vulnerable to several security threats, including: potential plots to place explosives aboard aircraft; illegal shipments of hazardous materials; criminal activities such as smuggling and theft; and potential hijackings and sabotage by persons with access to aircraft. This report discusses legislative efforts currently underway to improve air cargo system security.
Date: January 13, 2005
Creator: Elias, Bartholomew
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Appropriations for FY2003: Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies

Description: Appropriations are one part of a complex federal budget process that includes budget resolutions, appropriations (regular, supplemental, and continuing) bills, rescissions, and budget reconciliation bills. This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress passes each year. It is designed to supplement information provided by the House and Senate Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Subcommittees.
Date: January 13, 2003
Creator: Epstein, Susan B.
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Border Security: Fences Along the U.S. International Border

Description: This report outlines the issues involved with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) completion of a three-tiered, 14-mile fence, along the border near San Diego, California. The state of California has delayed completion of the fence due primarily to legal and policy conflicts with its federally-approved, state-run Coastal Management Program. Current authorization for the fence only allows the waiver of the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. During the 108… more
Date: January 13, 2005
Creator: Nuñez-Neto, Blas & Viña, Stephen R.
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China's Holdings of U.S. Securities: Implications for the U.S. Economy

Description: This report examines the importance to the U.S. economy of China's investment in U.S. securities, as well as U.S. concerns over the possibility that China might unload a large share of those holdings, the likelihood that this would occur, and the potential implications such action could have for the U.S. economy. The report concludes that a large sell-off of Chinese Treasury securities holdings could negatively affect the U.S. economy, at least in the short-run. As a result, such a move could d… more
Date: January 13, 2009
Creator: Morrison, Wayne M. & Labonte, Marc
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Criminal Restitution in the 110th Congress: A Sketch

Description: Congress enacted two restitution provisions in the 110th Congress, one as part of the Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act of 2008, and the other as part of the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008. It also devoted considerable time and attention to other restitution proposals that did not see final action before the end of the Congress.
Date: January 13, 2009
Creator: Doyle, Charles
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Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress

Description: This report, which will be updated regularly, examines issues in U.S.-Cuban relations and tracks legislative initiatives on Cuba in the 109th Congress. The 109th Congress will likely continue an active interest in Cuba concerning human rights, debate over economic sanctions (especially on travel), food and agricultural exports to Cuba, terrorism issues, Radio and TV Marti, bilateral anti-drug cooperation, and migration issues.
Date: January 13, 2005
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
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Defense Cleanup and Environmental Programs: Authorization and Appropriations for FY2003

Description: The Department of Defense (DOD) administers five environmental programs in response to various requirements under federal environmental laws. These programs include environmental cleanup, environmental compliance, pollution prevention, environmental technology, and conservation. Additionally, the Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for managing defense nuclear waste and cleaning up contaminated nuclear weapons sites. The Administration requested a total of $11.17 billion for these program… more
Date: January 13, 2003
Creator: Bearden, David M.
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The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act and Recent Financial Turmoil: Issues and Analysis

Description: This report briefly introduces aspects of the current financial instability. Following this, it outlines the EESA legislation, the steps that Treasury has taken to implement EESA, and current legislation amending the EESA. The report concludes with a more in-depth analysis of the current financial instability, including potential causes of financial instability in general, some sources of the current instability, and how financial instability may spill over into the broader economy.
Date: January 13, 2009
Creator: Webel, Baird & Murphy, Edward V.
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Federal Prison Industries

Description: This report discusses about Impact of UNICOR on the Federal Prison System and Society, Recent Administration Efforts to Reform FPI, Legislative History, Legislation in the 111th Congress and Issues for Congress.
Date: January 13, 2009
Creator: James, Nathan
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Financial Market Intervention

Description: This report provides answers to some frequently asked questions concerning ongoing financial disruptions and the Troubled Asset Relief Program, enacted by Congress in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
Date: January 13, 2009
Creator: Murphy, Edward V. & Webel, Baird
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