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EU-U.S. Economic Ties: Framework, Scope, and Magnitude

Description: This report provides background information and analysis of the U.S.-EU (European Union) economic relationship related to the costs and benefits of closer U.S. economic ties with the EU. It examines the economic and political framework of the relationship and the scope and magnitude of the ties based on data from various sources. In addition, the report analyzes the implications these factors have for U.S. economic policy toward the EU.
Date: February 21, 2014
Creator: Cooper, William H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses the current state of Bahrain, which has undergone substantial political reforms since the late 1990s, but which still suffers from tension between the Shiite majority and the Sunni-led government. It focuses particularly on Bahrain's relationship with Iran and with the United States.
Date: February 14, 2014
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress and refers readers to more in-depth CRS reports on specific relevant topics.
Date: February 27, 2014
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S.-Japan Economic Relations: Significance, Prospects, and Policy Options

Description: This report discusses issues regarding U.S.-Japan economic relations, since the economic condition of each nation can affect the world economy and a U.S.-Japan bilateral economic relationship could influence economic conditions in other countries. U.S. and Japanese leaders have several options on how to manage their relationship, including stronger reliance on the World Trade Organization; special bilateral negotiating frameworks and agreements; or a free trade agreement.
Date: February 18, 2014
Creator: Cooper, William H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Career and Technical Education (CTE): A Primer

Description: This report discusses Career and Technical Education (CTE), often referred to as vocational education, that provides occupational and non-occupational preparation at the secondary, post-secondary, and adult education levels.
Date: February 10, 2014
Creator: Dortch, Cassandria
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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FY2014 Continuing Resolutions: Overview of Components

Description: This report summarizes the components of the four FY2014 continuing resolutions. They include P.L. 113-39 (Pay Our Military Act), P.L. 113-44 (Department of Defense Survivor Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014), P.L. 113-46 (Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014), and P.L. 113-73 (Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2014, and for Other Purposes).
Date: February 24, 2014
Creator: Tollestrup, Jessica
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Strategy: In Brief

Description: This report briefly analyzes the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Strategy (HSRS), which is the key strategic document released by the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force established by executive order. It also discusses overarching issues for Congress that may arise in oversight of the Hurricane Sandy recovery process and how lessons learned from Hurricane Sandy can be applied to future disasters.
Date: February 10, 2014
Creator: Brown, Jared T.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Multiyear Procurement (MYP) and Block Buy Contracting in Defense Acquisition: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and issues for Congress on multiyear procurement (MYP) and block buy contracting (BBC), which are special contracting mechanisms that Congress permits the Department of Defense (DOD) to use for a limited number of defense acquisition programs. Compared to the standard or default approach of annual contracting, MYP and BBC have the potential for reducing weapon procurement costs by several percent.
Date: February 7, 2014
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald & Schwartz, Moshe
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Representatives and Senators: Trends in Member Characteristics Since 1945

Description: This report provides profiles of Senators and Representatives in selected Congresses since 1945. It includes data based on Representatives and Senators serving on the first day of the 79th-113th Congresses for several demographic characteristics such as age (including the oldest and youngest Members of the House and Senate), sex, previous occupation, race and ethnicity, education, religion, and military service.
Date: January 27, 2014
Creator: Petersen, R. Eric; Brudnick, Ida A.; Garrett, R. Sam; Manning, Jennifer E.; Straus, Jacob R. & Wilhelm, Amber Hope
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Gangs in Central America

Description: This report describes the gang problem in Central America, discusses country approaches to deal with the gangs, and analyzes U.S. policy with respect to gangs in Central America.
Date: February 20, 2014
Creator: Seelke, Clare Ribando
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Community Development Block Grants: Recent Funding History

Description: This report is a review of the Community Development Fund (CDF) account's funding history from FY2000 to FY2013, as well as current funding in FY2014. It includes a discussion of the three primary components of the CDF account: (1) CDBG formula grants; (2) CDBG-related set-asides and earmarks; and (3) CDBGlinked supplemental and special appropriations. It is intended to provide recent historical background as the 113th Congress considers CDF funding levels and composition.
Date: February 6, 2014
Creator: Boyd, Eugene
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Education Sciences Reform Act

Description: This report discusses the Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA, Title I of P.L. 107-279) that established the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) as an independent research arm of the Department of Education (ED).
Date: February 14, 2014
Creator: Kuenzi, Jeffrey J. & Stoll, Adam
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress and refers readers to more in-depth CRS reports on specific relevant topics.
Date: February 14, 2014
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Crime and Forfeiture

Description: This report provides an overview of federal forfeiture law. It sketches the origins and general attributes of forfeiture, describes the distribution of the hundreds of millions of dollars it generates, and identifies some of the related constitutional issues.
Date: May 13, 2013
Creator: Doyle, Charles
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the sustainment and modernization of the Coast Guard's polar icebreaker fleet, which performs a variety of missions supporting U.S. interests in polar regions. The report is written in response to the Coast Guard's budget request for a new polar ice breaker (none are currently in operation).
Date: February 11, 2014
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), 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.
Date: February 25, 2014
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Critical Infrastructures: Background, Policy, and Implementation

Description: This report discusses the evolution of a national critical infrastructure policy and the institutional structures established to implement it. Critical infrastructure includes physical assets used to produce and distribute services such as electricity (including the power plants and electric grid), communications, and computers. The report highlights five issues of Congressional concern: identifying critical assets; assessing vulnerabilities and risks; allocating resources; information sharing;… more
Date: February 21, 2014
Creator: Moteff, John D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The FutureGen Carbon Capture and Sequestration Project: A Brief History and Issues for Congress

Description: This report briefly summarizes the history of FutureGen, discusses why it has gained interest and support from some members of Congress and the Administration while remaining in initial stages of development, and offers some policy considerations on barriers that challenge its further development as a model for a carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) program. A timeline history of FutureGen is included at the end of this report.
Date: February 10, 2014
Creator: Folger, Peter
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Key Issues for the 113th Congress

Description: This report provides an overview of U.S. policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean, including the Obama Administration's priorities; examines changes in the region's economic and political environment that affect U.S. relations with the region; and analyzes U.S. policy toward the region and various recommendations made by policy analysts and think tanks. The report then examines the role of Congress and congressional interests in Latin America, looking at selected regional and country issue… more
Date: February 15, 2014
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Debt Limit Since 2011

Description: This report discusses the federal debt increase. The accumulation of federal debt accelerated in the wake of the 2007-2008 financial crisis and subsequent recession. Rising debt levels, along with continued differences in views of fiscal policy, led to a series of contentious debt limit episodes in recent years.
Date: February 18, 2014
Creator: Austin, D. Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Legislative Actions to Repeal, Defund, or Delay the Affordable Care Act

Description: This report summarizes legislative and other actions taken to repeal, defund, or delay the Affordable Care Act (ACA) since the law's enactment. It includes some background on the ACA and four appendixes organizing relevant information.
Date: February 5, 2014
Creator: Redhead, C. S. & Kinzer, Janet
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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