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The Net Neutrality Debate: Access to Broadband Networks

Description: This report discusses the net neutrality debate and the recent ruling by the FCC to repeal a rule which classified internet providers as telecommunication providers and thus required them to provide equal service to all. It also discusses Congressional activity in the 115th Congress regarding the issue.
Date: December 20, 2017
Creator: Gilroy, Angele A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA): A Legal Overview

Description: This report examines the nature and scope of the current regulatory scheme, including the scope of FARA's application to agents of foreign principals; what the statute requires of those covered under the Act; exemptions available under the statute; and methods of enforcement. The report concludes by discussing various legislative proposals to amend FARA in the 115th Congress.
Date: December 4, 2017
Creator: Brown, Cynthia
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Human Rights in China and U.S. Policy: Issues for the 115th Congress

Description: This report discusses U.S. policy toward China in regards to the many human rights abuses found there. A selection of the top areas human rights violations in China are discussed such as internet control. religious freedom, the criminal justice system, family planning policies, and the persecution of ethnic minorities. This is followed by a discussion of U.S. efforts and policies aimed at ending or decreasing human rights abuses in China.
Date: July 17, 2017
Creator: Lum, Thomas
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Selected Homeland Security Issues in the 115th Congress

Description: This report outlines an array of homeland security issues that may come before the 115th 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 five broad categories: Counterterrorism and Security Management; Border Security and Trade; Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery; Cybersecurity; and DHS Management Issues. Each of… more
Date: May 11, 2017
Creator: Painter, William L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Senate Committee Rules in the 115th Congress: Key Provisions

Description: This report first provides a brief overview of Senate rules as they pertain to committee actions. The report then provides tables that summarize selected, key features of each committee's rules in regard to meeting day, hearing and meeting notice requirements, scheduling of witnesses, hearing quorum, business quorum, amendment filing requirements, proxy voting, polling, nominations, investigations, and subpoenas. In addition, the report looks at selected unique provisions some committees have i… more
Date: December 6, 2017
Creator: Heitshusen, Valerie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The War in Yemen: A Compilation of Legislation in the 115th Congress

Description: This report provides a summary of all legislative proposals that the 115th Congress has considered to date regarding the conflict in Yemen. Proposed stand-alone legislation, resolutions, and amendments to wider bills [National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2810; P.L. 115-91) and Defense appropriations (H.R. 3219/Division I, H.R. 3354)] reflect a range of congressional perspectives and priorities. This product will be updated during the second session of the 115th Congress to reflect new legis… more
Date: December 20, 2017
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M. & Blanchard, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Division A of H.R. 3922: The CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act

Description: This report summarizes provisions in Division A of the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act that would extend funding for certain public health programs and provide offsets for these funding extensions. CRS Report R44989, Comparison of the Bills to Extend State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Funding, summarizes provisions in Division B.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: Heisler, Elayne J.; Fernandes-Alcantara, Adrienne L.; Fernandez, Bernadette & Lister, Sarah A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The National Science Foundation: Fiscal Year 2018 Appropriations and Funding History

Description: This report describes selected items from the Trump Administration's FY2018 budget request for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and tracks legislative action on FY2018 appropriations to the agency. It also details selected measures proposed in the 115th Congress to authorize increases in NSF appropriations limits and presents information on historical funding for the agency.
Date: December 18, 2017
Creator: Harris, Laurie A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Campus-Based Financial Aid Programs: Background and Issues

Description: This report begins with a brief discussion of the history of each of the campus-based federal student aid programs (the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program, the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program, and the Federal Perkins Loan program) and the formula used to allocate funds among IHEs participating in them. This is followed by a discussion of institutional and student participation in the programs relative to participation in other federal aid programs. The report co… more
Date: November 21, 2017
Creator: Fountain, Joselynn H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the 115th Congress

Description: This report considers prominent topics in the 115th Congress's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization debate. Major issues discussed are financing, air traffic control privatization, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), the Essential Airline Service (EAS), foreign airlines, and certification reform.
Date: November 30, 2017
Creator: Elias, Bart & Tang, Rachel Y.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Five-Year Program for Federal Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing: Status and Issues in Brief

Description: This report summarizes developments in the offshore oil leasing 2017-2022 program and considers selected congressional issues and actions related to the program. President Trump issued an executive order on April 28, 2017, directing the Secretary of the Interior to review and consider revising the 2017-2022 program. The 115th Congress could influence the five-year program by enacting legislation to alter the program, as well as by conducting oversight.
Date: May 19, 2017
Creator: Comay, Laura B.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Federal Role in Voter Registration: The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and Subsequent Developments

Description: This report first provides a brief background on the federal role in voter registration and the passage of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), followed by a discussion of the key components of NVRA. The implementation of NVRA, subsequent modifications to its provisions, and ongoing considerations related to federal voter registration are also discussed. The final sections of this report provide descriptions of types of common legislative proposals addressing voter registration, … more
Date: November 28, 2017
Creator: Eckman, Sarah J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Reauthorization of the Perkins Act in the 115th Congress: Comparison of Current Law and H.R. 2353

Description: This report highlights the key provisions in the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 2353) and explains the major differences between it and current law. H.R. 2353 was passed by the House under suspension of the rules on June 22, 2017.
Date: June 28, 2017
Creator: Granovskiy, Boris
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2017

Description: This report discusses resolutions of inquiry in the House of Representatives which allow the House to demand the President or an executive department head to furnish the House with specific factual information in the Administration's possession. Under the rules and precedents of the House of Representatives, such resolutions, if properly drafted, are given a privileged parliamentary status. Between 1947 and October 20, 2017, 313 resolutions of inquiry were submitted in the House of Representat… more
Date: November 9, 2017
Creator: Davis, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Unemployment Insurance: Legislative Issues in the 115th Congress

Description: This report provides short summaries of legislative proposals with respect to unemployment insurance (UI) programs. It also gives a brief overview of the UI programs that may provide benefits to eligible unemployed workers. In addition, it briefly summarizes UI proposals included in the President's budget for FY2018. President Trump signed H.J.Res. 42 on March 30, 2017 (P.L. 115-17). This Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution negated 20 C.F.R. Part 620. This now-negated rule had set out the… more
Date: May 30, 2017
Creator: Whittaker, Julie M. & Isaacs, Katelin P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Violence Against Members of Congress and Their Staff: Selected Examples and Congressional Responses

Description: This report discusses instances of violence against Members of Congress and their staffs, and provides brief descriptions of a selected list of incidents and previous legislation passed to increase security after attacks. It also includes a list of current legislative proposals in response to the June 14, 2017 attack on Republican Members of Congress at a Congressional baseball game practice in Alexandria, Virginia.
Date: August 17, 2017
Creator: Petersen, R. Eric & Manning, Jennifer E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP): Issues in Brief

Description: This report discusses the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program which is made up of four agencies (FEMA, The National Science Foundation, USGS, and National Institute of Standards and Technology) who are responsible for monitoring, reporting, and studying earthquakes and increasing resiliency to earthquakes through means such as stronger infrastructure, early warning systems, and recovery plans.
Date: October 12, 2017
Creator: Folger, Peter
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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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
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Insurance Regulation: Legislation in the 115th Congress

Description: This report discusses insurance related legislation in the 115th Congress including H.R. 10, Title XI, which would merge and revamp the FIO and the independent insurance expert position on FSOC; S. 1463/H.R. 3110 which would alter the term of the FSOC independent insurance expert; H.R. 3363 which would add insurance claims adjusters to the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers licensing structure created by Congress in P.L. 114-1; and S. 1360 which would respond to the developme… more
Date: September 20, 2017
Creator: Webel, Baird
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Wildfire Suppression Spending: Background, Issues, and Legislation in the 115th Congress

Description: This report provides background information and analysis of federal funding for wildfire suppression operations on federal lands or for fires that began on federal land. The report provides a discussion of the issues facing Congress and concludes by summarizing several legislative proposals under consideration by the 115th Congress.
Date: October 5, 2017
Creator: Hoover, Katie & Lindsay, Bruce R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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