U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress (open access)

U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress

The first part of this report discusses policy issues regarding such military-to-military (mil-to-mil) contacts. The second part provides a record of such contacts since 1993, when the United States resumed exchanges after suspending them in response to the Tiananmen Crackdown in 1989. Congress has exercised important oversight of the military relationship with China.
Date: June 17, 2008
Creator: Kan, Shirley A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Congressional or Federal Charters: Overview and Current Issues (open access)

Congressional or Federal Charters: Overview and Current Issues

This report is an overview and the then current issues related to Congressional or Federal Charters.
Date: June 16, 2008
Creator: Kosar, Kevin R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Closing a Congressional Office: Overview and Guide to House and Senate Practices (open access)

Closing a Congressional Office: Overview and Guide to House and Senate Practices

This report provides an overview of issues that may arise in closing a congressional office, and provides a guide to resources available through the appropriate support offices of the House and Senate.
Date: June 30, 2008
Creator: Petersen, R. Eric
System: The UNT Digital Library
Financial Services and General Government (FSGG): FY2009 Appropriations (open access)

Financial Services and General Government (FSGG): FY2009 Appropriations

This report is a guide to the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) FY2009 appropriations bill. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees. This report summarizes the funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President (EOP), the judiciary, the District of Columbia, and 22 independent agencies.
Date: June 6, 2008
Creator: Hatch, Garrett L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Federal Communications Commission: Current Structure and its Role in the Changing Telecommunications Landscape (open access)

The Federal Communications Commission: Current Structure and its Role in the Changing Telecommunications Landscape

This report provides an overview of the current structure of the federal communications commission and its role in the changing telecommunications landscape.
Date: June 3, 2008
Creator: Figliola, Patricia Moloney
System: The UNT Digital Library
Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E): Background, Status, and Selected Issues for Congress (open access)

Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E): Background, Status, and Selected Issues for Congress

This report provides an overview of Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) design. The report discusses the legislative origins and policy debates prior to ARPA-E authorization and Bush administration response to ARPA-E authorization.
Date: June 20, 2008
Creator: Stine, Deborah D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Credit Card Market: Recent Trends, Funding Cost Issues, and Repricing Practices (open access)

The Credit Card Market: Recent Trends, Funding Cost Issues, and Repricing Practices

This report examines developments in the revolving credit market, including recent trends in profitability, consumer usage, funding, and repricing practices.
Date: June 12, 2008
Creator: Getter, Darryl E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Great Lakes Water Withdrawals: Legal and Policy Issues. June 2008 (open access)

Great Lakes Water Withdrawals: Legal and Policy Issues. June 2008

This report describes the characteristics of the Great Lakes, the interests they support, and possible threats to lake levels.
Date: June 30, 2008
Creator: Sheikh, Pervaze A. & Brougher, Cynthia
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 110th Congress: Conflicting Values and Difficult Choices (open access)

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 110th Congress: Conflicting Values and Difficult Choices

None
Date: June 30, 2008
Creator: Buck, Eugene H.; Corn, M. Lynne; Sheikh, Pervaze A.; Meltz, Robert & Alexander, Kristina
System: The UNT Digital Library
Mental Health Parity: Federal and State Action and Economic Impact (open access)

Mental Health Parity: Federal and State Action and Economic Impact

None
Date: June 19, 2008
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: Overview and Issues (open access)

FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: Overview and Issues

This report discusses Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), and "Project Impact," a FEMA pilot program. It provides an overview of PDM, legislative history, funding and mitigation studies related to Hurricane Katrina, issues for Congress, and overall observations.
Date: June 26, 2008
Creator: McCarthy, Francis X.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Satellite Surveillance: Domestic Issues (open access)

Satellite Surveillance: Domestic Issues

This report provides background on the development of intelligence satellites and identifies the roles various agencies play in their management and use. Issues surrounding the current policy and proposed changes are discussed, including the findings of an Independent Study Group (ISG) with respect to the increased sharing of satellite intelligence data. There follows a discussion of legal considerations, including whether satellite reconnaissance might constitute a "search" within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment; an overview of statutory authorities, as well as restrictions that might apply; and a brief description of executive branch authorities and Department of Defense directives that might apply. The report concludes by suggesting policy issues Congress may consider as it deliberates the potential advantages and pitfalls that may be encountered in expanding the role of satellite intelligence for homeland security purposes.
Date: June 27, 2008
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr. & Elsea, Jennifer K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 110th Congress: Conflicting Values and Difficult Choices (open access)

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 110th Congress: Conflicting Values and Difficult Choices

This report will identify and discuss oversight issues and legislation introduced in the 110th Congress to address specific concerns related to how ESA is implemented and how endangered species are managed, and will be updated periodically to reflect legislative action.
Date: June 3, 2008
Creator: Buck, Eugene H.; Corn, M. L.; Sheikh, Pervaze A.; Meltz, Robert & Alexander, Kristina
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S.-Vietnam Relations: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

U.S.-Vietnam Relations: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides an overview of U.S. relations with Vietnam, including policy issues, the economic and political situation in Vietnam, and a list of pertinent legislation. The key issues in the relationship include how far to pursue strategic and military-to-military ties; whether to impose curbs on surges in imports of certain items from Vietnam; how much and what types of bilateral economic assistance to provide; whether and how to try to improve the human rights situation in Vietnam; and how to clear up legacy issues from the Vietnam war.
Date: June 19, 2008
Creator: Manyin, Mark E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Lebanon (open access)

Lebanon

This report provides an overview of Lebanese politics, recent events in Lebanon, and current issues in U.S.-Lebanon relations.
Date: June 12, 2008
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Reliable Replacement Warhead Program: Background and Current Developments (open access)

The Reliable Replacement Warhead Program: Background and Current Developments

This report describes the Life Extension Program (LEP), which is meant to replace and maintain aging nuclear warheads. It includes extensive background information, program developments, fiscal year actions from 2006-2009, various policy options and issues, and supplemental information about the topic.
Date: June 16, 2008
Creator: Medalia, Jonathan
System: The UNT Digital Library