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Iran Sanctions

Description: This report focuses on the United States' relationship with Iran and how the Obama Administration is handling prior administration's economic sanctions against Iran. The Obama Administration's policy approach toward Iran has contrasted with the Bush Administration's by attempting to couple the imposition of sanctions to an active and direct U.S. effort to negotiate with Iran on the nuclear issue. That approach was not initially altered because of the Iranian dispute over its June 12, 2009, elec… more
Date: October 13, 2011
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance

Description: This report discusses the current political state of Afghanistan, as well as the Afghan government. This report also discusses Afghanistan's relationship with the United States, particularly U.S. efforts to urge President Hamid Karzai, to address corruption within the Afghan government. The report also includes discussion of election fraud and corruption in Afghanistan.
Date: October 11, 2011
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Foreign Aid to the Palestinians

Description: U.S. aid to the Palestinians has fluctuated considerably over the past three years, largely due to Hamas's changing role within the Palestinian Authority (PA). Since Hamas's forcible takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, the U.S. has dramatically boosted aid levels to bolster the PA and President Mahmoud Abbas vis-à-vis Hamas. Because of congressional concerns that, among other things, U.S. funds might be diverted to Palestinian terrorist groups, much of this assistance is subject to legisla… more
Date: October 7, 2011
Creator: Zanotti, Jim
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Pakistan-U.S. Relations: A Summary

Description: This report summarizes important recent developments in Pakistan and in Pakistan-U.S. relations. Obama Administration engagement with Pakistan has been seriously disrupted by recent events. A brief analysis of the current state of Pakistan-U.S. relations illuminates the main areas of contention and uncertainty. Vital U.S. interests related to links between Pakistan and indigenous American terrorism, Islamist militancy in Pakistan and Islamabad's policies toward the Afghan insurgency, Pakistan's… more
Date: October 21, 2011
Creator: Kronstadt, K. Alan
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Farm Safety Net Proposals for the 2012 Farm Bill

Description: This report discusses three proposals-one by the National Cotton Council, one by Representative Neugebauer, and another by a private crop insurance company-focus on modifications to crop insurance programs. The National Farmers Union proposes to replace existing farm programs with a combination of farmer-owned-reserves, increased loan rates, and set asides. A proposed new dairy program-the Dairy Security Act-would provide a voluntary margin insurance program and market stabilization activities … more
Date: October 6, 2011
Creator: Shields, Dennis A. & Schnepf, Randy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Budget Control Act: Potential Impact of Automatic Spending Reduction Procedures on Health Reform

Description: The Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA; P.L. 112-25) established new budget enforcement mechanisms for reducing the federal deficit by at least $2.1 trillion over the 10-year period FY2012-FY2021. The BCA places statutory limits, or caps, on discretionary spending for each of those 10 fiscal years, which will save an estimated $0.9 trillion during that period. In addition, it creates a Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (Joint Committee), which is instructed to develop legislation to redu… more
Date: October 17, 2011
Creator: Redhead, C. Stephen
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Interior Immigration Enforcement: Programs Targeting Criminal Aliens

Description: This report begins by defining and quantifying the criminal alien population, to the extent possible. The following sections describe current and historical programs designed in whole or in part to target this population, including CAP, Secure Communities, the § 287(g) program, and NFOP. After describing how these programs function and key differences among them, the report reviews their recent appropriations history and enforcement statistics.
Date: October 21, 2011
Creator: Rosenblum, Marc R. & Kandel, William A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Intelligence Appropriations Process: Issues for Congress

Description: The intelligence appropriations process remains complicated and not well understood, but intelligence is an important and sizable part of the federal budget and will undoubtedly be addressed as Congress considers various alternatives for spending. This report reviews the intelligence appropriations process, describes various changes that have been proposed, and analyzes the issues associated with the proposals.
Date: October 27, 2011
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Arsenal Act: Context and Legislative History

Description: This report describes the roles of the federal manufacturing arsenals during the years surrounding the enactment of the two sections of the Arsenal Act, one as part of the Army Appropriations Act for 1854, and the other within the Defense Act of 1920, also known as the Army Reorganization Act of 1920, and provides historical context. The report also shows the change in language between the sections' original enactment and today, and it provides details on the Army's policy in implementing the m… more
Date: October 28, 2011
Creator: Else, Daniel H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Synthetic Drugs: Overview and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the federal scheduling of controlled substances, including the temporary scheduling of substances. It also provides an overview of current trends in selected synthetic cannabinoids and stimulants. It concludes with a review of selected relevant legislation in the 112th Congress as well as issues for policymakers to consider.
Date: October 28, 2011
Creator: Sacco, Lisa N. & Finklea, Kristin M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Regulatory Incentives for Electricity Transmissions-Issues and Cost Concerns

Description: This report will focus on issues related to the need for transmission incentives, and consumer cost concerns related to these incentives. Given the changes that FERC cites in the electric industry, the question arises as to whether the need for transmission incentives continues. FERC is bound by EPACT to make incentives available, and is not proposing to end the incentives. However, with concerns raised over the effects of transmission incentives on consumer rates, implications of related feder… more
Date: October 28, 2011
Creator: Campbell, Richard J.
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. This report focuses particularly on Bahrain's relationship with the United States and with regional issues.
Date: October 6, 2011
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
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. This report focuses particularly on Bahrain's relationship with Iran and Bahrain's relationship with the United States.
Date: October 18, 2011
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Securing Nuclear Materials: The 2010 Summit and Issues for Congress

Description: The 2010 Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC, was part of President Obama's pledge to secure nuclear material around the world by 2013. Nuclear security measures refer to a wide range of actions to prevent theft or diversion of nuclear material or sabotage at an installation or in transit. Congress will continue to decide on funding for the U.S. domestic and international programs focused on nuclear material security and nuclear terrorism prevention. Congress is also likely to assess impl… more
Date: October 31, 2011
Creator: Nikitin, Mary Beth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2012 Budget and Appropriations

Description: This report focuses on the $59.65 billion requested for programs and activities funded through the State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill, which excludes some portions of the International Affairs request such as certain commissions and foreign food aid requested as part of other budget functions.
Date: October 6, 2011
Creator: Epstein, Susan B. & Lawson, Marian Leonardo
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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An Analysis of the “Buffett Rule”

Description: This report examines the Buffett rule, but uses a measure of income that captures the ability to pay taxes and incorporates the effect of the corporate income tax in addition to the individual income tax and the payroll tax. The Buffet rule states that "no household making over $1 million annually should pay a smaller share of its income in taxes than middle-class families pay" and is named after Warren Buffett, the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. The report includes figures, tables, and appe… more
Date: October 7, 2011
Creator: Hungerford, Thomas L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances

Description: This report discusses details of policy changes regarding travel to Cuba, which have been a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba's communist government since the early 1960s. In January 2011, the Obama Administration announced policy changes further easing restrictions on travel and remittances. In the first session of the 112th Congress, there were several attempts aimed at rolling back the Obama Administration's actions easing restrictions on travel and remittan… more
Date: October 12, 2011
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Agriculture in Pending U.S. Free Trade Agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama

Description: This report discusses pending U.S. free trade agreements (FTAs) with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama. The bills to implement these agreements will now be debated under trade promotion authority, or fast-track rules, designed to expedite congressional consideration. The report includes an overview of agricultural issues regarding FTAs and pending FTA partners, as well as a closer breakdown of the specific issues for each of the countries.
Date: October 6, 2011
Creator: Jurenas, Remy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Funding Emergency Communications: Technology and Policy Considerations

Description: This report identifies areas where changes in existing policies and practices may facilitate achievement of the important goals for emergency communications that Congress and others have identified. Why these goals have become important, and recent planning efforts to achieve these goals, is discussed first. Next, possible barriers to achieving these goals are identified and described. The conclusion revisits key options presently under consideration by Congress.
Date: October 4, 2011
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests

Description: This report discusses the current status of Central Asian states and U.S. policy, which has been aimed at facilitating their cooperation with U.S. and NATO stabilization efforts in Afghanistan and their efforts to combat terrorism, proliferation, and trafficking in arms, drugs, and persons. Congress will be considering an increase in support for the programs in Central Asia.
Date: October 12, 2011
Creator: Nichol, Jim
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Presidential Nominating Process: Current Issues

Description: This report discusses issues regarding the Presidential Nomination Process including information about the 2008 election, calendar changes from 1988 to 2008, changes to national party rules for 2012, an evaluation of the primary system, reform proposals, and legislative considerations.
Date: October 13, 2011
Creator: Coleman, Kevin J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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UNT Libraries Strategic Plan 2011-2015: A Plan to Advance the Strategic Research Value of the University of North Texas Libraries

Description: This report discusses the five-year strategic plan for the University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries to reach its goal of becoming a top tier research library by 2015. It includes an analysis of the status of the UNT Libraries in relation to the university campus strategic plan and to peer institutions. In addition, it provides an outline of the specific goals and targets adopted to reach top tier status, organized into five categories: Creative Partnerships, Innovative Services, Scholarly Ou… more
Date: October 2011
Creator: Halbert, Martin; Hartman, Cathy Nelson; Belden, Dreanna; Brannon, Sian; Jackson, Scott; Parks, Sue et al.
Partner: UNT Libraries
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Final Report: ASIS&T Task Force on Webinars

Description: This report was submitted to the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) Board of Directors. In June 2011, an ASIS&T Task Force on Webinars was appointed. This is the final report discusses the findings of this task force and recommendations.
Date: October 3, 2011
Creator: Neal, Diane Rasmussen; Abbas, June, 1964-; Alemneh, Daniel Gelaw; Garnett, Alex & Green, Remlee
Partner: UNT Libraries
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Environmental Justice: EPA Needs to Take Additional Actions to Help Ensure Effective Implementation

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for promoting environmental justice--that is, the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in developing, implementing, and enforcing environmental laws, regulations, and policies. In January 2010, the EPA Administrator cited environmental justice as a top priority for the agency. GAO was asked to examine (1) how EPA is implementing… more
Date: October 6, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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