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Democratic Republic of Congo: Background and U.S. Policy (open access)

Democratic Republic of Congo: Background and U.S. Policy

This report reviews the status of the Democratic Republic of the Congo peace process, provides background on recent conflicts in the Congo, briefly summarizes the political history that led to these conflicts, and assesses prospects for the future. It also describes relevant U.S. policy and congressional involvement.
Date: February 24, 2014
Creator: Arieff, Alexis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests (open access)

Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests

This report discusses the history and political background of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia since their breakaway from the former Soviet Union at the end of 1991. It looks at key issues for the 112th Congress including economies, energy, regional politics, local crime, and terrorism.
Date: February 20, 2014
Creator: Nichol, Jim
System: The UNT Digital Library
Homelessness: Targeted Federal Programs and Recent Legislation (open access)

Homelessness: Targeted Federal Programs and Recent Legislation

This report describes existing federal programs that provide targeted assistance to homeless individuals and families, and discusses federal efforts to end homelessness. It also contains tables that outline funding levels for various related programs.
Date: February 3, 2014
Creator: Perl, Libby; Bagalman, Erin; Fernandes-Alcantara, Adrienne L.; Heisler, Elayne J.; McCallion, Gail; McCarthy, Francis X. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
FBI Director: Appointment and Tenure (open access)

FBI Director: Appointment and Tenure

This report reviews the legislative history surrounding the enactment of the 1968 and 1976 amendments to the appointment of the FBI Director, as well as information on the nominees to the FBI Directorship since 1972. It also provides a legal overview of the extension of a Director's tenure.
Date: February 19, 2014
Creator: Chu, Vivian S. & Hogue, Henry B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act: Selected Military Personnel Issues (open access)

FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act: Selected Military Personnel Issues

This report focuses exclusively on the annual defense authorization process and the interest Congress members have in the military.
Date: February 24, 2014
Creator: Jansen, Don J.; Burrelli, David F.; Kapp, Lawrence & Theohary, Catherine A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The European Parliament (open access)

The European Parliament

This report provides background on the Congress-European Parliament (EP) relationship and the role of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD). It also explores potential future options that coukd strengthen ties between the two bodies.
Date: February 4, 2014
Creator: Archick, Kristin
System: The UNT Digital Library
Saudi Arabia: Background and U.S. Relations (open access)

Saudi Arabia: Background and U.S. Relations

This report discusses the current state of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its relationship with the United States, and future initiatives to further develop U.S.-Saudi relations.
Date: February 12, 2014
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
EU-U.S. Economic Ties: Framework, Scope, and Magnitude (open access)

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

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.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy (open access)

Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy

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
System: The UNT Digital Library
Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress

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
System: The UNT Digital Library
Reducing Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Military Retirees and the Bipartisan Budget Act: In Brief (open access)

Reducing Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Military Retirees and the Bipartisan Budget Act: In Brief

This report discusses the reduction of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for military retirees through the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA). It includes an overview of the changes, demographics of military retirees, and potential effects of the changes.
Date: February 11, 2014
Creator: Belasco, Amy
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S.-Japan Economic Relations: Significance, Prospects, and Policy Options (open access)

U.S.-Japan Economic Relations: Significance, Prospects, and Policy Options

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.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Career and Technical Education (CTE): A Primer (open access)

Career and Technical Education (CTE): A Primer

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
System: The UNT Digital Library
FY2014 Continuing Resolutions: Overview of Components (open access)

FY2014 Continuing Resolutions: Overview of Components

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
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Strategy: In Brief (open access)

The Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Strategy: In Brief

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.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Multiyear Procurement (MYP) and Block Buy Contracting in Defense Acquisition: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Multiyear Procurement (MYP) and Block Buy Contracting in Defense Acquisition: Background and Issues for Congress

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
System: The UNT Digital Library
Reducing Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Military Retirees and the Bipartisan Budget Act: In Brief (open access)

Reducing Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Military Retirees and the Bipartisan Budget Act: In Brief

This report discusses the reduction of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for military retirees through the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA). It includes an overview of the changes, demographics of military retirees, and potential effects of the changes.
Date: February 19, 2014
Creator: Belasco, Amy & Kapp, Lawrence
System: The UNT Digital Library
Gangs in Central America (open access)

Gangs in Central America

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
System: The UNT Digital Library
Community Development Block Grants: Recent Funding History (open access)

Community Development Block Grants: Recent Funding History

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
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Education Sciences Reform Act (open access)

The Education Sciences Reform Act

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
System: The UNT Digital Library
Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress

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
System: The UNT Digital Library
Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress

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
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

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
System: The UNT Digital Library
Critical Infrastructures: Background, Policy, and Implementation (open access)

Critical Infrastructures: Background, Policy, and Implementation

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; and regulation.
Date: February 21, 2014
Creator: Moteff, John D.
System: The UNT Digital Library