The Chained Consumer Price Index: What Is It and Would It Be Appropriate for Cost-of-Living Adjustments? (open access)

The Chained Consumer Price Index: What Is It and Would It Be Appropriate for Cost-of-Living Adjustments?

This report provides technical and logistical information on how the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) is constructed and reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Date: May 8, 2013
Creator: Whittaker, Julie M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Securing U.S. Diplomatic Facilities and Personnel Abroad: Background and Policy Issues (open access)

Securing U.S. Diplomatic Facilities and Personnel Abroad: Background and Policy Issues

This report provides background information on the authorities, regulations, and procedures in place at the Department of State regarding diplomatic security. It also describes several areas of potential congressional interest, including the Accountability Review Board process, whose conclusions the Secretary of State is required to report to Congress, and discussion of embassy security funding trends. It also examines the September 11, 2012, attack in Benghazi, Libya, as well responses to date by Congress and by the Department of State.
Date: May 7, 2013
Creator: Tiersky, Alex & Epstein, Susan B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy (open access)

Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

This report discusses the current political state of Afghanistan, focusing particularly on the influence of the Taliban and other militant groups and on the leadership of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. This report also discusses the U.S.-Afghanistan relationship, in both the short and long term, and U.S. efforts under the Obama Administration to provide military, reconstructive, and stabilization aid.
Date: May 20, 2013
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cybersecurity: Authoritative Reports and Resources (open access)

Cybersecurity: Authoritative Reports and Resources

This report provides links to selected authoritative resources related to cybersecurity issues. This report includes information on Legislation, Executive Orders and Presidential Directives, Data and Statistics, Cybersecurity Glossaries", Reports by Topic, Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports, White House/Office of Management and Budget reports, Military/DOD, Cloud Computing, Critical Infrastructure, National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC), Cybercrime/Cyberwar, International, Education/Training/Workforce, and Research and Development (R&D)
Date: May 24, 2013
Creator: Tehan, Rita
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: May 3, 2013
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Haiti Under President Martelly: Current Conditions and Congressional Concerns (open access)

Haiti Under President Martelly: Current Conditions and Congressional Concerns

This report gives an overview of the current government in Haiti and status of recovery efforts following the 2010 earthquake. The main priorities for U.S. policy regarding Haiti are to strengthen fragile democratic processes, continue to improve security, and promote economic development. Other concerns include the cost and effectiveness of U.S. aid; protecting human rights; combating narcotics, arms, and human trafficking; and alleviating poverty.
Date: May 10, 2013
Creator: Taft-Morales, Maureen
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2014 (open access)

Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2014

This report provides government-wide, multi-agency, and individual agency analyses of the President's FY2014 request as it relates to R&D and related activities.
Date: May 23, 2013
Creator: Sargent, John F., Jr.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Financial Stability Oversight Council: A Framework to Mitigate Systemic Risk (open access)

Financial Stability Oversight Council: A Framework to Mitigate Systemic Risk

This report describes the mission, membership, and scope of the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC). It provides an analysis of several major policy issues related to the FSOC that may come before the 113th Congress.
Date: May 21, 2013
Creator: Murphy, Edward V.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and presents potential issues for Congress concerning the Navy's ship force-structure goals and shipbuilding plans, including the planned size of the Navy, the rate of Navy ship procurement, and prospective affordability. Congressional decisions on Navy shipbuilding programs can substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.
Date: May 24, 2013
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
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 Arctic-related issues.
Date: May 24, 2013
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
501(c)(4)s and Campaign Activity: Analysis Under Tax and Campaign Finance Laws (open access)

501(c)(4)s and Campaign Activity: Analysis Under Tax and Campaign Finance Laws

This report discusses 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, including the requirements necessary to maintain 501(c)(4) status and the requirements for annual reporting to the Internal Revenue Service and Federal Election Commission.
Date: May 17, 2013
Creator: Lunder, Erika K. & Whitaker, L. Paige
System: The UNT Digital Library
The U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW): Issues in the U.S. Ratification Debate (open access)

The U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW): Issues in the U.S. Ratification Debate

This report addresses CEDAW's background, objectives, and structure and provides an overview of U.S. policy toward the Convention. It examines issues that have been raised in the U.S. ratification debate, including the treaty's impact on U.S. sovereignty, the effectiveness of the Convention, and its possible use as an instrument of U.S. foreign policy. It also describes controversial provisions and CEDAW Committee recommendations addressing the role of women in society and women's equal access to education and healthcare.
Date: May 7, 2013
Creator: Blanchfield, Luisa
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Federal Budget: Issues for FY2014 and Beyond (open access)

The Federal Budget: Issues for FY2014 and Beyond

This report provides an overview of federal budget issues, focusing on recent fiscal policy changes. It also discusses the major policy proposals contained in the President's FY2014 budget and the House and Senate budget resolutions.
Date: May 9, 2013
Creator: Levit, Mindy R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
No-Fly Zones: Strategic, Operational, and Legal Considerations for Congress (open access)

No-Fly Zones: Strategic, Operational, and Legal Considerations for Congress

This report discusses the establishment of no-fly zones and several related issues for Congress surrounding the strategy, including international authorization, congressional authorization, operations, and costs of establishing and maintaining no-fly zones.
Date: May 3, 2013
Creator: Gertler, Jeremiah; Blanchard, Christopher M.; Dale, Catherine & Elsea, Jennifer K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Proposals to Eliminate Public Financing of Presidential Campaigns (open access)

Proposals to Eliminate Public Financing of Presidential Campaigns

This report discusses Presidential campaign funding and provides a brief policy overview and raises potential issues for congressional consideration.
Date: May 10, 2013
Creator: Garrett, R. S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Central America Regional Security Initiative: Background and Policy Issues for Congress (open access)

Central America Regional Security Initiative: Background and Policy Issues for Congress

This report examines the extent of the security problems in Central America, the current efforts being undertaken by Central American governments to address them, and U.S. support for Central American efforts through the Central America Regional Security Initiative. It also raises potential policy issues for congressional consideration such as funding levels, human rights concerns, and how CARSI relates to other U.S. government policies.
Date: May 7, 2013
Creator: Meyer, Peter J. & Ribando Seelke, Clare
System: The UNT Digital Library
Missing Adults: Background, Federal Programs, and Issues for Congress (open access)

Missing Adults: Background, Federal Programs, and Issues for Congress

The first section of this report discusses demographics and record keeping of missing adults and unidentified remains, as well as some of the factors that may contribute to the disappearance of adults. This section also discusses federally funded databases that are used to track data on missing adults and unidentified individuals. The second section of the report describes the federal programs and initiatives to assist in locating missing adults, including funding data where applicable. Finally, the third section discusses issues about the federal role in missing adult cases.
Date: May 7, 2013
Creator: Fernandes-Alcantara, Adrienne L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
FDA Final Rule Restricting the Sale and Distribution of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco (open access)

FDA Final Rule Restricting the Sale and Distribution of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco

None
Date: May 2, 2013
Creator: Redhead, C. Stephen & Smith, Jane M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The First Responder Network and Next-Generation Communications for Public Safety: Issues for Congress (open access)

The First Responder Network and Next-Generation Communications for Public Safety: Issues for Congress

This report provides information about The Issues for Congress on First Responder Network and Next-Generation Communications for Public Safety. new policy initiatives may be needed to identify critical gaps in communication infrastructure and the means to fund the investments needed to close the gaps.
Date: May 28, 2013
Creator: Lida, Moore K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Appropriations and Fund Transfers in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) (open access)

Appropriations and Fund Transfers in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)

This report provides information about the mandatory appropriations and fund transfers in patient protection and ACA.
Date: May 15, 2013
Creator: Redhead, C. Stephen
System: The UNT Digital Library
Congressional Gold Medals, 1776-2012 (open access)

Congressional Gold Medals, 1776-2012

This report responds to congressional inquiries concerning this process, and includes a historical examination and chronological list of these awards. It is intended to assist Members of Congress and staff in their consideration of future Gold Medal proposals, and will be updated as Gold Medals are approved.
Date: May 30, 2013
Creator: Glassman, Matthew E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Overview of the Federal Tax System (open access)

Overview of the Federal Tax System

None
Date: May 16, 2013
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Regulation of Chemicals in Commerce: An Overview of Issues for the 113th Congress (open access)

Federal Regulation of Chemicals in Commerce: An Overview of Issues for the 113th Congress

This report discusses the Concerns about the Complexity, cost, and delays in regulating chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that have prompted proposals to amend the 1976 statue.
Date: May 30, 2013
Creator: Schierow, Linda-Jo
System: The UNT Digital Library
Syria’s Chemical Weapons: Issues for Congress (open access)

Syria’s Chemical Weapons: Issues for Congress

None
Date: May 31, 2013
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library