None

The protection of classified national security and other controlled information is of concern not only to the executive branch, which determines what information is to be safeguarded, for the most part,1 but also to Congress, which uses such information to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. As a result, Congress has established procedures and mechanisms to protect controlled information in its custody. These arrangements, however, differ between the House and the Senate and among panels in each chamber. The Senate, for instance, has established an Office of Senate Security to centralize responsibility for personnel and information security, whereas the House has not created a counterpart. Proposals to change the system, some of which could prove controversial or costly, usually seek to set uniform standards or increase requirements for access. This report will be updated as conditions require.

None

This report discusses the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) FY2011 appropriations bill, which includes funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President (EOP), the judiciary, the District of Columbia, and 26 independent agencies, including the Small Business Administration and the United States Postal Service.

This report lists the beginning and ending dates for "periods of war" found in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It also lists and differentiates other beginning dates given in declarations of war, as well as termination of hostilities dates and armistice and ending dates given in proclamations, laws, or treaties. The dates for the recent conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq including the campaign against the Islamic State are included.

None

This report is categorized into six categories: (I) Introduction, (II) FOIA History, (III) The George W. Bush Administration, (IV) 110TH Congress Legislative Reform Efforts, (V) The Obama Administration, and (VI) FOIA and the 111th Congress.

None

None

Because of its location and close cooperation with the United States, Kuwait is central to U.S. efforts to remain engaged in the northern Persian Gulf region following the completion of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq at the end of 2011. Kuwait's ruling elites have been in a power struggle for nearly six years, but Kuwait has not faced the mass popular unrest that other governments throughout the Middle East have faced in 2011-2012.This report discusses Kuwait's relations with other countries in the Middle East.

None

This report looks at how Article V of the Constitution allows Congress to propose amendments -- specifically the process of organizing an Article V Convention, a method that has never been used and which is only briefly outlined in the Constitution.

From 1789 through 2009, Presidents submitted 159 nominations to Supreme Court positions. Of these, 36 were not confirmed by the Senate. This report provides a summary of these unsuccessful nominations and the factors that lead to them.

None

None

As executive agencies implement the law on telework, Congress may wish to examine several issues, including the policies and guidance that the Office of Management and Budget and OPM, respectively, will be prescribing on the security of information and systems during telework, and the operation of executive agency telework programs. This report summarizes the provisions of P.L. 111-292 and identifies several possible issues for congressional oversight of telework. It will be updated as the law is implemented.

This report discusses House and Senate rules and guidelines, laws, and regulations affecting congressional casework, as well as the role of caseworkers.

None

This report provides a descriptive analysis of both nonmonetary and monetary burial benefits and national cemeteries. It addresses congressional and constituent issues.

This report contains a compilation of commissions and boards that demonstrates the range of alternative membership-appointment structures. It includes any statutorily created advisory entity (boards, advisory panels, etc.) whose membership scheme mandates the participation of Members of Congress either as potential members or as participants in the process of appointing the membership.

Existing U.S. sanctions on Burma are based on various U.S. laws and Presidential Executive Orders. This report provides a brief history of U.S. policy towards Burma and the development of U.S. sanctions, a topical summary of those sanctions, and an examination of additional sanctions that have been considered, but not enacted, by Congress, or that could be imposed under existing law or executive orders. The report concludes with a discussion of options for Congress.

This report provides historical background on the enactment of declarations of war and authorizations for the use of force and analyzes their legal effects under international and domestic law. It also sets forth their texts in two appendices. The report includes an extensive listing and summary of statutes that are triggered by a declaration of war, a declaration of national emergency, and/or the existence of a state of war. The report concludes with a summary of the congressional procedures applicable to the enactment of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of force and to measures under the War Powers Resolution.

A comprehensive test ban treaty, or CTBT, is the oldest item on the nuclear arms control agenda. Three treaties currently limit testing to underground only, with a maximum force equal to 150,000 tons of TNT. This report outlines the CTBT and related legislation.

None