Aviation War Risk Insurance: Background and Options for Congress (open access)

Aviation War Risk Insurance: Background and Options for Congress

This report discusses aviation war risk insurance that provides coverage for hostile acts of violence against airlines, such as terrorism, hijackings, and sabotage.
Date: September 5, 2014
Creator: Elias, Bart; Tang, Rachel Y. & Webel, Baird
System: The UNT Digital Library
Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798-2014 (open access)

Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798-2014

This report lists hundreds of instances in which the United States has used its Armed Forces abroad in situations of military conflict or potential conflict or for other than normal peacetime purposes. It was compiled in part from various older lists and is intended primarily to provide a rough survey of past U.S. military ventures abroad, without reference to the magnitude of the given instance noted.
Date: September 15, 2014
Creator: Torreon, Barbara Salazar
System: The UNT Digital Library
The "Islamic State" Crisis and U.S. Policy (open access)

The "Islamic State" Crisis and U.S. Policy

This report discusses the problems facing Iraq as the Islamic State (IS, aka the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ISIL/ISIS) gains power in the region. IS is a transnational Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group that has expanded its control over areas of northwestern Iraq and northeastern Syria since 2013, threatening the security of both countries and drawing increased attention from the international community. The Islamic State has thrived in the disaffected Sunni Muslim-inhabited areas of Iraq and in the remote provinces of Syria torn by the civil war. The Islamic State's tactics have drawn the ire of the international community, increasing U.S. attention on Iraq's political problems and on the civil war in Syria.
Date: October 22, 2014
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth; Blanchard, Christopher M.; Humud, Carla E. & Margesson, Rhoda
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Military Commissions Act of 2009 (MCA 2009): Overview and Legal Issues (open access)

The Military Commissions Act of 2009 (MCA 2009): Overview and Legal Issues

This report provides a background and analysis comparing military commissions as envisioned under the revised Military Commissions Act (MCA) to those established by the MCA 2006. After reviewing the history of the implementation of military commissions in the armed conflict against Al Qaeda and associated forces, the report provides an overview of the procedural safeguards provided in the MCA. Finally, the report provides two charts comparing the MCA as amended by the MCA 2009 to the original MCA enacted in 2006 and to general courts-martial.
Date: March 7, 2014
Creator: Elsea, Jennifer K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Military Commissions Act of 2009 (MCA 2009): Overview and Legal Issues (open access)

The Military Commissions Act of 2009 (MCA 2009): Overview and Legal Issues

This report provides a background and analysis comparing military commissions as envisioned under the revised Military Commission ACT (MCA) to those established by the MCA 2006. The report provides an overview of the procedural safeguards provided in the MCA. Finally, the report provides two charts comparing the MCA as amended by the MCA 2009 to the original MCA enacted in 2006 and to general courts-martial.
Date: August 4, 2014
Creator: Elsea, Jennifer K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Qualifications of Members of Congress (open access)

Qualifications of Members of Congress

This report discusses the qualifications required to hold the office of U.S. Senator or Representative to Congress that are established and set out within the U.S. Constitution.
Date: July 10, 2014
Creator: Maskell, Jack
System: The UNT Digital Library
Detention of U.S. Persons as Enemy Belligerents (open access)

Detention of U.S. Persons as Enemy Belligerents

This report analyzes the existing law and authority to detain U.S. persons, including American citizens and resident aliens, as well as other persons within the United States who are suspected of being members, agents, or associates of Al Qaeda or possibly other terrorist organizations as "enemy combatants."
Date: January 23, 2014
Creator: Elsea, Jennifer K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Status of a Member of the House Who Has Been Indicted for or Convicted of a Felony (open access)

Status of a Member of the House Who Has Been Indicted for or Convicted of a Felony

This report summarizes the potential consequences, with respect to congressional status, that may result when a sitting Member of the House of Representatives is indicted for or is convicted of a felony.
Date: May 8, 2014
Creator: Maskell, Jack
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses (open access)

Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses

This report discusses the reasons that Iran is considered a threat to U.S. security, including Iran's nuclear program, involvement with terrorist organizations, and involvement with neighboring countries' local governments. The report also discusses ways which the U.S. hopes to modify Iran's behavior with sanctions, and the effectiveness of these sanctions.
Date: July 25, 2014
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Voting Rights Act of 1965: Background and Overview (open access)

The Voting Rights Act of 1965: Background and Overview

This report provides background information on the historical circumstances that led to the adoption of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), a summary of its major provisions, and a brief discussion of the U.S. Supreme Court decision and related legislation in the 113th Congress.
Date: July 1, 2014
Creator: Coleman, Kevin J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Voting Rights Act of 1965: Background and Overview (open access)

The Voting Rights Act of 1965: Background and Overview

This report provides background information on the historical circumstances that led to the adoption of the VRA, a summary of its major provisions, and a brief discussion of the U.S. Supreme Court decision and related legislation in the 113th Congress.
Date: July 22, 2014
Creator: Coleman, Kevin J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Land Ownership: Overview and Data (open access)

Federal Land Ownership: Overview and Data

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Date: December 29, 2014
Creator: Vincent, Carol Hardy; Hanson, Laura A. & Bjelopera, Jerome P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iraq Crisis and U.S. Policy (open access)

Iraq Crisis and U.S. Policy

This report analyzes the offensive in northern and central Iraq led by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, aka ISIS) -- a Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group -- with a discussion of the offensive's implications, the U.S. response, and related issues.
Date: July 3, 2014
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth; Humud, Carla E.; Blanchard, Christopher M.; Margesson, Rhoda & Tiersky, Alex
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iraq Crisis and U.S. Policy (open access)

Iraq Crisis and U.S. Policy

This report provides an overview of the situation in Iraq and discusses the U.S. response, Syria and Iran dimension, and addresses selected additional issues raised by this crisis.
Date: July 21, 2014
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth; Humud, Carla E.; Blanchard, Christopher M.; Margesson, Rhoda & Tiersky, Alex
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Capital Offenses: An Overview of Substantive and Procedural Law (open access)

Federal Capital Offenses: An Overview of Substantive and Procedural Law

Murder, committed under any of more than 50 jurisdictional circumstances, is a federal capital offense. So are treason, espionage, and certain drug kingpin offenses. The Federal Death Penalty Act and related provisions establish the procedure that must be followed before a defendant convicted of a federal capital offense may be executed. This report is an overview of the law in the area.
Date: November 18, 2014
Creator: Doyle, Charles
System: The UNT Digital Library
Comparison of Rights in Military Commission Trials and Trials in Federal Criminal Court (open access)

Comparison of Rights in Military Commission Trials and Trials in Federal Criminal Court

This report provides a brief summary of legal issues raised by the choice of forum for trying accused terrorists and a chart comparing selected military commissions rules under the Military Commissions Act, as amended, to the corresponding rules that apply in federal court.
Date: March 21, 2014
Creator: Elsea, Jennifer K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Medal of Honor: History and Issues (open access)

Medal of Honor: History and Issues

This report briefly describes the history of the Medal of Honor and the criteria and rules used in awarding the medal.
Date: September 5, 2014
Creator: Burrelli, David F. & Torreon, Barbara S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Constitutional Analysis of Suspicionless Drug Testing Requirements for the Receipt of Governmental Benefits (open access)

Constitutional Analysis of Suspicionless Drug Testing Requirements for the Receipt of Governmental Benefits

This report gives an overview of the issues related to federal or state laws that condition the initial or ongoing receipt of governmental benefits on passing drug tests. These regulations are vulnerable to constitutional challenge, most often due to issues of personal privacy and Fourth Amendment protections against "unreasonable searches."
Date: January 29, 2014
Creator: Carpenter, David H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Political Question Doctrine: Justiciability and the Separation of Powers (open access)

The Political Question Doctrine: Justiciability and the Separation of Powers

This report provides an introduction to the origins of the political questions doctrine and discusses the modern application of the doctrine.
Date: December 23, 2014
Creator: Cole, Jared P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The "Islamic State" Crisis and U.S. Policy (open access)

The "Islamic State" Crisis and U.S. Policy

This report examines the current crisis in Iraq regarding the Islamic State, a transnational Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group that has expanded its control over areas of parts of Iraq and Syria since 2013. There is debate over the degree to which the Islamic State organization might represent a direct terrorist threat to the U.S. homeland or to U.S. facilities and personnel in the region.
Date: November 12, 2014
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth; Blanchard, Christopher M.; Humud, Carla E.; Margesson, Rhoda; Tiersky, Alex & Weed, Matthew C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Reserve Component Personnel Issues: Questions and Answers (open access)

Reserve Component Personnel Issues: Questions and Answers

This report provides insight to reserve component personnel issues through a series of questions and answers. This report is designed to provide an overview of key reserve component personnel issues.
Date: June 13, 2014
Creator: Kapp, Lawrence & Torreon, Barbara Salazar
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S.-Vietnam Relations in 2014: Current Issues and Implications for U.S. Policy (open access)

U.S.-Vietnam Relations in 2014: Current Issues and Implications for U.S. Policy

This report provides background information regarding the U.S. - Vietnam relations and current issues and implications. The report discuses how various issues (US interests, Vietnamese interests, economic ties, and human rights) can affect this burgeoning relationship.
Date: June 24, 2014
Creator: Manyin, Mark E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Grants to State and Local Governments: An Historical Perspective on Contemporary Issues (open access)

Federal Grants to State and Local Governments: An Historical Perspective on Contemporary Issues

This report provides a historical synopsis of the evolving nature of the federal grants-in-aid system, focusing on the role Congress has played in defining the system's scope and nature. It begins with an overview of the contemporary federal grants-in-aid system and then examines its evolution over time, focusing on the internal and external factors that have influenced congressional decisions concerning the system's development. It concludes with an assessment of the scope and nature of the contemporary federal grants-in-aid system and raises several issues for congressional consideration, including possible ways to augment congressional capacity to provide effective oversight of this system.
Date: April 15, 2014
Creator: Dilger, Robert Jay
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Domestic Terrorist Threat: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

The Domestic Terrorist Threat: Background and Issues for Congress

This report focuses on how domestic terrorism is conceptualized by the federal government and issues involved in assessing this threat's significance.
Date: February 19, 2014
Creator: Bjelopera, Jerome P.
System: The UNT Digital Library