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Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): Program Overview and Issues

Description: This report discusses the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) which is administered by the EPA and assists communities in building or restoring public water supply infrastructure to comply with federal standards for clean drinking water and public health safety. The report outlines the funding levels and sources for the program and recent appropriations to it. Proposals for funding for the DWSRF in the 115th Congress are also discussed.
Date: May 3, 2017
Creator: Tiemann, Mary
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Abortion and Family Planning-Related Provisions in U.S. Foreign Assistance Law and Policy

Description: This report details legislation and policies that restrict or place requirements on U.S. funding of abortion or family planning activities abroad. The level and extent of federal funding for these activities is an ongoing and controversial issue in U.S. foreign assistance and will likely continue to be a point of contention during the 114th Congress.
Date: May 17, 2016
Creator: Blanchfield, Luisa
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Transportation Security: Issues for the 114th Congress

Description: This report examines aviation, transit and passenger rail security, as well as port and maritime security. The difficulty and cost of protecting the transportation sector from attack raises a core question for policymakers, i.e., how much effort and resources to put toward protecting potential targets versus pursuing and fighting terrorists.
Date: May 9, 2016
Creator: Elias, Bart; Peterman, David R. & Frittelli, John
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Cuba: Issues for the 114th Congress

Description: This report is divided into three major sections analyzing Cuba's political and economic environment, U.S. policy, and selected issues in U.S.-Cuban relations.
Date: May 25, 2016
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
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Federal Reserve: Legislation in the 114th Congress

Description: This report analyzes provisions and the policy debate surrounding a number of bills that would affect the Federal Reserve's (Fed's) monetary policy, lender of last resort, and regulatory responsibilities. The Fed's responsibilities as the nation's central bank fall into four main categories: monetary policy, provision of emergency liquidity through the lender of last resort function, supervision of certain types of banks and other financial firms for safety and soundness, and provision of paym… more
Date: May 19, 2016
Creator: Labonte, Marc
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Status of the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa: Overview and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses ongoing efforts to control Ebola in West Africa, analyzes persistent challenges in fighting the spread of the disease, and tracks Ebola emergency funds. The 2014-2015 outbreak and spread of Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa became an international public health emergency that, in no small part due to international intervention, abated significantly by the end of 2015 and early 2016. The issue remains of interest toward the end of the 114th Congress for a number of reason… more
Date: May 25, 2016
Creator: Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji; Epstein, Susan B. & Skorupski, Bolko J.
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Research Tax Credit: Current Law and Policy Issues for the 114th Congress

Description: Technological innovation is a primary engine of long-term economic growth, and research and development (R&D) serves as the lifeblood of innovation. The federal government encourages businesses to invest more in R&D than they otherwise would in several ways, including a tax credit for increases in spending on qualified research above a base amount. This report describes the current status of the credit, summarizes its legislative history, discusses policy issues it raises, and describes legisla… more
Date: May 22, 2015
Creator: Guenther, Gary
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ESEA Reauthorization Proposals in the 114th Congress: Selected Key Issues

Description: Congressional Research Service (CRS) report entailing information about selected key issues in regards to ESEA Reauthorization Proposals in the 114th Congress. Topics include, accountability for student achievement, fiscal accountability, etc..
Date: May 14, 2015
Creator: Skinner, Rebecca R. & Kuenzi, Jeffrey J.
open access

Clean Air Issues in the 114th Congress: An Overview

Description: This report discusses regulatory actions that have recently received attention in the 114th Congress including EPA's proposed regulations on the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from power plants, and a proposed revision of the ambient air quality standard for ozone.
Date: May 12, 2015
Creator: McCarthy, James E.
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Proposed Amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in the 114th Congress: S. 697, S. 725, and a House Discussion Draft

Description: This report tracks the legislative status in the 114th Congress of proposals to amend Title I of the Toxic Substances Control Act and includes a discussion of selected issues that have received more attention. This report does not present a comprehensive analysis of all provisions of relevant legislation, nor is this report intended to provide a detailed analysis of precise language and its legal or regulatory interpretation.
Date: May 12, 2015
Creator: Yen, Jerry H. & Wyatt, Alexandra M.
open access

Insurance Regulation: Background, Overview, and Legislation in the 114th Congress

Description: This report discusses insurance regulatory issues addressed by legislation in the 114th Congress including the degree of the authority of the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) over insurers (H.R. 1478/S. 798), international insurance standards (S. 1086 and H.R. 2141), and the licensing of insurance agents and brokers (H.R. 26/P.L. 114-1).
Date: May 27, 2015
Creator: Webel, Baird
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"Regulatory Relief" for Banking: Selected Legislation in the 114th Congress

Description: This report discusses regulatory relief legislation for banks in the 114th Congress that, at the time this report was published, has seen floor action or has been ordered to be reported by a committee.
Date: May 14, 2015
Creator: Hoskins, Sean M.; Labonte, Marc; Murphy, Edward V. & Shorter, Gary
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Cuba: Issues for the 114th Congress

Description: This report is divided into three major sections analyzing Cuba's political and economic environment, U.S. policy toward Cuba, and selected issues in U.S.-Cuban relations. While legislative initiatives are noted throughout the report where appropriate, a final section of the report provides a listing of bills and resolutions introduced in the 114th Congress.
Date: May 20, 2015
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
open access

Selected Issues in Homeland Security Policy for the 114th Congress

Description: This report outlines an array of homeland security issues that may come before the 114th Congress. After a brief discussion of the definitions of homeland security, the homeland security budget, and the role of homeland security actors in the intelligence community, the report divides the specific issues into four broad categories: Counterterrorism and Security Management, Border Security and Trade, Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, and DHS Management Issues.
Date: May 19, 2015
Creator: Painter, William L.
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