Electricity: The Road Toward Restructuring (open access)

Electricity: The Road Toward Restructuring

The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA) and the Federal Power Act (FPA) were enacted to eliminate unfair practices and other abuses by electricity and gas holding companies by requiring federal control and regulation of interstate public utility holding companies. Comprehensive energy legislation has passed the House and Senate. The House passed H.R. 6 on April 11, 2003. On July 31, 2003, the Senate suspended debate on S. 14, inserted the text of H.R. 4 (107th Congress) as a substitute, and passed H.R. 6. A conference agreement was reached November 17, 2003, and passed by the House the next day. H.R. 6 includes an electricity title that would, in part, repeal PUHCA, would prospectively repeal the mandatory purchase requirement under PURPA, and would create an electric reliability organization. On June 15, 2004, H.R. 4503, a comprehensive energy policy bill, passed the House.
Date: March 14, 2003
Creator: Abel, Amy & Parker, Larry
System: The UNT Digital Library
Supreme Court: Church-State Cases, October 1983 Term (open access)

Supreme Court: Church-State Cases, October 1983 Term

This report provides an assessment of Supreme Court cases from the 1983-85 Term that involve issues involving the free exercise of religion. It provides a detailed review of the case Lynch v. Donnelly, and brief descriptions of twelve other cases that have not been reviewed.
Date: December 14, 1983
Creator: Ackerman, David M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Declarations of War and Authorizations for the Use of Military Force: Historical Background and Legal Implications (open access)

Declarations of War and Authorizations for the Use of Military Force: Historical Background and Legal Implications

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. Because the statutes that confer standby authority on the President and the executive branch potentially play such a large role in an armed conflict to which the United States is a party, the report includes an extensive listing and summary of the 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.
Date: January 14, 2003
Creator: Ackerman, David M. & Grimmett, Richard F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Israel: Background and U.S. Relations (open access)

Israel: Background and U.S. Relations

This report explores the history of U.S.-Israeli relationships and current Israeli issues such as border security, defense, Israel-Palestinian conflicts, economy, and democracy.
Date: February 14, 2011
Creator: Addis, Casey L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
European Union–U.S. Trade and Investment Relations: Key Issues (open access)

European Union–U.S. Trade and Investment Relations: Key Issues

None
Date: February 14, 2008
Creator: Aheam, Raymond J.; Fischer, John W.; Goldfarb, Charles B.; Hanrahan, Charles E.; Eubanks, Walter W. & Rubin, Janice E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Future of the Eurozone and U.S. Interests (open access)

The Future of the Eurozone and U.S. Interests

This report details the consequences of the European financial crisis of 2010 beginning with the economic fallout of the Greek economy. It then highlights six factors that would be instrumental regarding the "Eurozones" future.
Date: September 14, 2010
Creator: Ahearn, Raymond J.; Jackson, James K.; Nelson, Rebecca M. & Weiss, Martin A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S.-European Union Relations and the 2007 Summit (open access)

U.S.-European Union Relations and the 2007 Summit

This report evaluates the results of the annual U.S.-EU summit on April 30, 2007, in Washington, DC.
Date: May 14, 2007
Creator: Ahearn, Raymond; Archick, Kristin & Belkin, Paul
System: The UNT Digital Library
Pesticides Regulation: Current Issues (open access)

Pesticides Regulation: Current Issues

None
Date: May 14, 1984
Creator: Aidala, James V.
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S.-U.K. Free Trade Agreement: Prospects and Issues for Congress (open access)

U.S.-U.K. Free Trade Agreement: Prospects and Issues for Congress

This report discuses the prospects of a free trade agreement between the U.K. and the U.S. after Brexit and potential issues that might be addressed in such an agreement. Congress's role in free trade agreements is also discussed.
Date: April 14, 2017
Creator: Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias
System: The UNT Digital Library
Biological Opinions for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: A Case Law Summary (open access)

Biological Opinions for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: A Case Law Summary

This report provides a case law summary about Biological Opinions for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Date: January 14, 2015
Creator: Alexander, Kristina
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Lacey Act: Protecting the Environment by Restricting Trade (open access)

The Lacey Act: Protecting the Environment by Restricting Trade

This report looks at the history and applications of the Lacey Act, which allows the U.S. to enforce the laws of other countries.
Date: January 14, 2014
Creator: Alexander, Kristina
System: The UNT Digital Library
Whales and Sonar: Environmental Exemptions for the Navy's Mid-Frequency Active Sonar Training (open access)

Whales and Sonar: Environmental Exemptions for the Navy's Mid-Frequency Active Sonar Training

This report discusses laws related to the protection of marine mammals when using mid-frequency active sonar including the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). The report discusses each of the laws generally, and then reviews the litigation surrounding the Navy's compliance with these laws in the context of using the sonar for training purposes off California's coast.
Date: November 14, 2008
Creator: Alexander, Kristina
System: The UNT Digital Library
House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: A Brief History of Its Evolution and Jurisdiction (open access)

House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: A Brief History of Its Evolution and Jurisdiction

This report provides a history of the creation and evolution of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Also known as the House Ethics Committee and the Committee on Standards, it was first established as a select committee in 1966. It became a standing committee in 1967. Since that time, it has undergone two major reorganizations, first in 1989, and again in 1997.
Date: July 14, 2004
Creator: Amer, Mildred
System: The UNT Digital Library
Selected Privileges and Courtesies Extended to Departing and Former Senators (open access)

Selected Privileges and Courtesies Extended to Departing and Former Senators

This report provides information on selected privileges and courtesies (with the exception of federal health insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits) extended to departing and former Senators. Some are derived from law and Senate Rules, but most are courtesies that have been extended as a matter of custom.
Date: September 14, 2004
Creator: Amer, Mildred
System: The UNT Digital Library
Major Leadership Election Contests in the Senate: A 27-Year Survey (open access)

Major Leadership Election Contests in the Senate: A 27-Year Survey

None
Date: November 14, 2001
Creator: Amer, Mildred L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Overview and Selected Issues (open access)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Overview and Selected Issues

This report provides a brief overview of the act with particular attention paid to issues of recent congressional concern, such as funding and private school enrollment.
Date: January 14, 2008
Creator: Apling, Richard N. & Jones, Nancy L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The European Parliament (open access)

The European Parliament

This report provides background on the Congress-EP relationship and the role of the TLD. It also explores potential future options should an effort to strengthen ties between the two bodies gain momentum.
Date: January 14, 2013
Creator: Archick, Kristin
System: The UNT Digital Library
Northern Ireland: Current Issues and Ongoing Challenges in the Peace Process (open access)

Northern Ireland: Current Issues and Ongoing Challenges in the Peace Process

This report describes the Peace Agreement in Northern Ireland, which is one of four component "nations" of the United Kingdom (UK). The conflict, often referred to as "the Troubles," has its origins in the 1921 division of Ireland and has reflected a struggle between different national, cultural, and religious identities.
Date: March 14, 2017
Creator: Archick, Kristin
System: The UNT Digital Library
Burundi’s Electoral Crisis: In Brief (open access)

Burundi’s Electoral Crisis: In Brief

This report provides context surrounding the ongoing political crisis in Burundi and analysis of U.S policy and related issues for congress
Date: May 14, 2015
Creator: Arieff, Alexis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Crisis in Mali (open access)

Crisis in Mali

This report provides an overview of recent developments in Bali, and discusses the current issues facing Bali, and U.S. policy and foreign assistance to Bali.
Date: January 14, 2013
Creator: Arieff, Alexis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Crisis in the Central African Republic (open access)

Crisis in the Central African Republic

This report provides background on the evolving political, security, and humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR), which began when a fractious rebel coalition seized control of the central government in March 2013. The report also describes U.S. policy responses and analyzes possible issues for Congress, including oversight of U.S. humanitarian assistance and support for international stabilization efforts in CAR.
Date: May 14, 2014
Creator: Arieff, Alexis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Western Sahara (open access)

Western Sahara

This report discusses how Morocco and the independence-seeking Popular Front for the Liberation of Saqiat al Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisario) have been vying for control of the Western Sahara, a former Spanish territory, since the 1970s. The report discusses recent settlement attempts, how the Western Sahara issue has affected Algerian-Moroccan bilaterial relations, Moroccan relations with the African Union, and regional cooperation on economic and security issues. The report additionally discusses the United States' involvement in and stance on the issue.
Date: April 14, 2013
Creator: Arieff, Alexis
System: The UNT Digital Library
International Criminal Court Cases in Africa: Status and Policy Issues (open access)

International Criminal Court Cases in Africa: Status and Policy Issues

This report provides background on current International Criminal Court (ICC) cases and examines issues raised by the ICC's actions in Africa, including the potential deterrence of future abuses and the potential impact on African peace processes.
Date: July 14, 2009
Creator: Arieff, Alexis; Margesson, Rhoda & Browne, Marjorie Ann
System: The UNT Digital Library
International Criminal Court Cases in Africa: Status and Policy Issues (open access)

International Criminal Court Cases in Africa: Status and Policy Issues

This report provides background on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its investigations in Africa, with an overview of cases currently before the Court. The report also examines issues raised by the ICC's actions in Africa, including the potential deterrence of future abuses and the potential impact on African peace processes.
Date: July 14, 2010
Creator: Arieff, Alexis; Margesson, Rhoda; Browne, Marjorie Ann & Weed, Matthew C.
System: The UNT Digital Library