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Border Security: Immigration Enforcement Between Ports of Entry

Description: This report reviews efforts to combat unauthorized migration across the Southwest border in the nearly three decades since the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) initiated the modern era in migration control. In reviewing such efforts, the report takes stock of the current state of border security and considers lessons that may be learned about enhanced enforcement at U.S. borders.
Date: December 31, 2014
Creator: Seghetti, Lisa
open access

State Challenges to Federal Enforcement of Immigration Law: Historical Precedents and Pending Litigation

Description: This report provides an overview of prior and pending challenges by states to federal officials' alleged failure to enforce the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) or other provisions of immigration law. It begins by discussing the lawsuits filed by six states in the mid-1990s; Arizona's counterclaims to the federal government's suit to enjoin enforcement of S.B. 1070; and Mississippi's challenge to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative. It then describes the challenge … more
Date: December 31, 2014
Creator: Manuel, Kate M.
open access

U.S. Crude Oil Export Policy: Background and Considerations

Description: The crude oil export policy debate has multiple dimensions and complexities. As U.S. light tight oil (LTO) production has increased--along with additional oil supply from Canada--certain challenges have emerged that affect some oil producers and refiners. While the economic arguments both for and against U.S. crude oil exports are quite complex and dynamic, there are some fundamental concepts and issues that may be worth considering during debate about exporting U.S. crude oil. This report pro… more
Date: December 31, 2014
Creator: Brown, Phillip; Pirog, Robert; Vann, Adam; Fergusson, Ian F.; Ratner, Michael & Ramseur, Jonathan L.
open access

The ACA Medicaid Expansion

Description: This report provides an overview of the ACA Medicaid expansion, and the impact of the Supreme Court decision on the ACA Medicaid expansion. Then, the report describes who is covered under the expansion, the expansion rules, and how the expansion is financed. In addition, enrollment and expenditure estimates for the ACA Medicaid expansion are provided. Finally, the report reviews state decisions whether or not to implement the ACA Medicaid expansion, and the implications of those decisions on ce… more
Date: December 30, 2014
Creator: Mitchell, Alison
open access

Congressional Salaries and Allowances: In Brief

Description: This report provides basic information on congressional salaries and allowances and recent developments. First, the report briefly summarizes the current salary of Members of Congress; limits or prohibitions on their outside earned income, honoraria, and tax deductions; options for life and health insurance; and retirement benefits. Second, the report provides information on allowances available to Representatives and Senators to support them in their official and representational duties.
Date: December 30, 2014
Creator: Brudnick, Ida A.
open access

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

Description: The United States has led the international community in imposing economic sanctions on Iran, in an effort to change the government of that country's support of acts of international terrorism, poor human rights record, weapons and missile development and acquisition, role in regional instability, and development of a nuclear program. This report identifies the legislative bases for sanctions imposed on Iran, and the nature of the authority to waive or lift those restrictions.
Date: December 30, 2014
Creator: Rennack, Dianne E.
open access

Secret Sessions of the House and Senate: Authority, Confidentiality, and Frequency

Description: This report discusses secret, or closed, sessions of the House and Senate, which exclude the press and the public. They may be held for matters deemed to require confidentiality and secrecy--such as national security, sensitive communications received from the President, and Senate deliberations during impeachment trials. Although Members usually seek advance agreement for going into secret session, any Member of Congress may request a secret session without notice.
Date: December 30, 2014
Creator: Davis, Christopher M.
open access

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund: Programs and Policy Issues

Description: This report begins by describing the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund's (Fund's) history, current appropriations, and each of its programs. The next section of the report analyzes four policy considerations of congressional interest, regarding the Fund and the effective use of federal resources to promote economic development. Lastly, this report examines the Fund's programs and management to see if they represent an effective and efficient government effort to promote economic… more
Date: December 29, 2014
Creator: Lowry, Sean
open access

Contract Types: Legal Overview

Description: This report provides an overview of the various contract types (e.g., fixed-price, cost-reimbursement) used in federal procurement and the legal requirements and issues pertaining to each. The types of contracts used by federal agencies have long been of interest to Congress and the executive branch, as they have sought to ensure that the most appropriate type of contract is used to acquire particular supplies or services.
Date: December 29, 2014
Creator: Manuel, Kate M.
open access

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): A Primer on Eligibility and Benefits

Description: This report focuses on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility and the form and function of benefits. SNAP, formerly called the Food Stamp Program, is designed primarily to increase the food purchasing power of eligible low-income households to help them buy a nutritionally adequate low-cost diet.
Date: December 29, 2014
Creator: Aussenberg, Randy A.
open access

Maritime Territorial and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Disputes Involving China: Issues for Congress

Description: This report presents policy and oversight issues for Congress arising from maritime territorial disputes involving China in the South China Sea (SCS), East China Sea (ECS), and an additional dispute over whether China has a right under international law to regulate U.S. and other foreign military activities in its maritime Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Date: December 24, 2014
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
open access

Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a relatively inexpensive Navy surface combatant equipped with modular "plug-and fight" mission packages for countering mines, small boats, and diesel-electric submarines, particularly in littoral (i.e., near-shore) waters. This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Navy's LCS program.
Date: December 24, 2014
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
open access

State Sponsors of Acts of International Terrorism--Legislative Parameters: In Brief

Description: This brief report provides information on legislation that authorizes the designation of any foreign government as a state sponsor of acts of international terrorism. It addresses the statutes and how they each define acts of international terrorism; establish a list to limit or prohibit aid or trade; provide for systematic removal of a foreign government from a list, including timeline and reporting requirements; authorize the President to waive restrictions on a listed foreign government; and… more
Date: December 24, 2014
Creator: Rennack, Dianne E.
open access

China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report focuses on the potential implications of China's naval modernization for future required U.S. Navy capabilities. Other CRS reports address separate issues relating to China. This report is based on unclassified open-source information, such as the annual Department of Defense report to Congress on military and security developments involving China, an August 2009 report on China's navy from the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), published reference sources such as Jane's Fighting … more
Date: December 23, 2014
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
open access

Definitions of "Inherently Governmental Function" in Federal Procurement Law and Guidance

Description: This report surveys the definitions of inherently governmental function given in Policy Letter 11- 01, the FAIR Act, and other sources. It also notes specific functions that have been designated as inherently governmental or commercial by statute, regulation, policy, or Government Accountability Office (GAO) or judicial decision. Its primary focus is upon government-wide statutes, regulations, and policy documents, not agency-specific ones.
Date: December 23, 2014
Creator: Manuel, Kate M.
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