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Corporate Tax Reform: Issues for Congress (open access)

Corporate Tax Reform: Issues for Congress

This report provides an overview of corporate tax issues and discusses potential reforms in the context of these issues, with particular attention to some of the research concerning large behavioral responses and their implications for revenue and distribution. The first section reviews the size and history of the corporate income tax, and discusses an important issue that has been given little attention by those who propose deep cuts in the corporate tax: its role in preventing the use of the corporate form as a tax shelter by wealthy business owners. This section also discusses the potential effect of behavioral responses on corporate tax revenues. The second section examines the role of the corporate tax in contributing to a progressive tax system and discusses claims that the burden falls on workers. The third section reviews arguments relating to efficiency and revenue yield, and traditional criticisms of the corporate tax as one that causes important behavioral distortions. One aspect of this discussion is the question of how the tax might be viewed differently in a more global economy. The final section examines options for reform.
Date: September 22, 2017
Creator: Gravelle, Jane G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies (open access)

Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies

This report gives a overview of Iran's defense policies and programs and foreign policy. Regions covered are the Near East, South and Central Asia,Russia, Europe, East Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the United States. Iran's nuclear programs and security issues are also discussed.
Date: September 22, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
National Flood Insurance Program Borrowing Authority (open access)

National Flood Insurance Program Borrowing Authority

This report evaluates the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) borrowing authority to receive loans from the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury), particularly in the context of major floods, and discusses the current financial situation of the NFIP as it begins to pay claims from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
Date: September 22, 2017
Creator: Horn, Diane P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Littoral Combat Ship/Frigate (LCS, FFGX) Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Littoral Combat Ship/Frigate (LCS, FFGX) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship/Frigate (LCS/FFG(X)) program, a program to procure a total of 40, and possibly as many as 52, small surface combatants (SSCs), meaning LCSs and frigates. A total of 29 LCSs have been procured through FY2017. For FY2018, the Navy is requesting the procurement of two more LCSs, which would be the 30th and 31st. The program presents several oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on the LCS/FFG(X) program will affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the shipbuilding industrial base.
Date: September 22, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Wastewater Infrastructure: Overview, Funding, and Legislative Developments (open access)

Wastewater Infrastructure: Overview, Funding, and Legislative Developments

This report discusses federal funding for wastewater treatment through the State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (SRF) program and several other programs as well as current and future funding for the programs.
Date: September 22, 2017
Creator: Ramseur, Jonathan L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Canada's October 2015 Elections (open access)

Canada's October 2015 Elections

This report discusses the political climate in Canada, leading up to Canada's next election, scheduled for October 19, 2015. The outcome of the election may have implications for the United States, which is Canada's largest trading partner, largest energy consumer, and NATO ally.
Date: September 22, 2015
Creator: Meyer, Peter J. & Fergusson, Ian F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Clean Air Issues in the 114th Congress: An Overview (open access)

Clean Air Issues in the 114th Congress: An Overview

This report discusses EPA regulations to reduce GHG emission from fossil-fueled power plants, which EPA refers to as electric generating units (EGUs). It also points out Emissions of other pollutants from power plants.
Date: September 22, 2015
Creator: McCarthy, James E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Congressional Redistricting: Legal and Constitutional Issues (open access)

Congressional Redistricting: Legal and Constitutional Issues

This report discusses the congressional redistricting that is the drawing of district boundaries from which the people choose their representatives to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Date: September 22, 2015
Creator: Whitaker, L. Paige
System: The UNT Digital Library
DOT's Federal Pipeline Safety Program: Background and Key Issues for Congress (open access)

DOT's Federal Pipeline Safety Program: Background and Key Issues for Congress

This report reviews the history of federal programs for pipeline safety, significant safety issues, and recent developments focusing on key issues for Congress.
Date: September 22, 2015
Creator: Parfomak, Paul W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Finding Quotes for Speeches: Fact Sheet (open access)

Finding Quotes for Speeches: Fact Sheet

This report provides sources for finding quotes. The resources are divided into three categories: (1) General Quotations, (2) Americana, and (3) Religion.
Date: September 22, 2015
Creator: Crane-Hirsch, Audrey C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Legal Issues with Federal Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food: In Brief (open access)

Legal Issues with Federal Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food: In Brief

This report discusses the debate of labeling genetically engineered (GE) or genetically modified (GMO) food products and the inconsistency of jurisdiction surrounding the issue, considering the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) lack of formal regulations and policies on the labeling of GE food.
Date: September 22, 2015
Creator: Lanza, Emily M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System: A Brief Overview (open access)

The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System: A Brief Overview

This report gives a brief overview of the designation, management, and funding of rivers in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Date: September 22, 2015
Creator: Johnson, Sandra L. & Comay, Laura B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress

This report presents background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy's Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and Zumwalt (DDG-1000) class destroyer programs. The Navy's proposed FY2016 budget requests funding for the procurement of two DDG-51s, including the first of a new DDG-51 design variant called the Flight III design, which is to carry a new and more capable radar called the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR).
Date: September 22, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) class aircraft carrier program. Congress's decisions on the CVN-78 program could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base.
Date: September 22, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy LX(R) Amphibious Ship Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy LX(R) Amphibious Ship Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the LX(R) amphibious ship program, a Navy program to build a new class of 11 amphibious ships. The LX(R) program raises a number of oversight issues for Congress. Decisions Congress makes on the LX(R) program will affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.
Date: September 22, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Syrian Refugee Admissions to the United States (open access)

Syrian Refugee Admissions to the United States

This report discusses the U.S.'s plans to admit Syrian and other refugees in FY2016 and beyond. The Obama Administration initially proposed an overall refugee ceiling of 75,000 for FY2016 and held consultations with Congress on that proposal, as required by law.
Date: September 22, 2015
Creator: Bruno, Andorra
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Trade in Services: Trends and Policy Issues (open access)

U.S. Trade in Services: Trends and Policy Issues

This report provides background information and analysis on U.S. international trade in services. It analyzes policy issues before the United States, especially relating to negotiating international disciplines on trade in services and dealing complexities in measuring trade in services. The report also examines emerging issues and current negotiations.
Date: September 22, 2015
Creator: Fefer, Rachel F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Climate Summit 2014: Warm-Up for 2015 (open access)

Climate Summit 2014: Warm-Up for 2015

This report discusses Climate Summit 2014, its context, and its impact on future international climate initiatives.
Date: September 22, 2014
Creator: Leggett, Jane A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Customer Choice and the Power Industry of the Future (open access)

Customer Choice and the Power Industry of the Future

This report will begin to explore the issues, discussing what forms a transition from today's electric power grid to a grid of the future could take, and suggest questions that Congress may want to address. The United States seems to be at a turning point in the history of the electric power sector, some have advocated for the electric utility industry model to be reinvented under a "Utility 2.0" paradigm, wherein the modern needs of society for electric power and services become the driving force behind utility investments.
Date: September 22, 2014
Creator: Campbell, Richard J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive (open access)

Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive

This report provides a brief overview of the history of the reunification negotiations, a review of the negotiations since 2008, a description of some of the issues involved in the talks, and where things stand today.
Date: September 22, 2014
Creator: Morelli, Vincent
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive (open access)

Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive

This report discusses attempts to resolve the political division of Cyprus that have occurred over the last 45 years. Current issues include the Republic of Cyprus receiving EU presidency in July 2012 and a recent discovery of natural gas deposits off the southern coast of Cyprus.
Date: September 22, 2014
Creator: Morelli, Vincent
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effect of Firm Bankruptcy on Retiree Benefits, with Applications to the Automotive and Coal Industries (open access)

The Effect of Firm Bankruptcy on Retiree Benefits, with Applications to the Automotive and Coal Industries

This report begins with a discussion of whether bankrupt firms can invalidate previous commitments covering retiree pensions and health insurance. The report next discusses the specific protections accorded to retiree pensions and health insurance benefits. Certain types of pensions are guaranteed by a quasi-public agency, while no such guarantee exists for retiree health insurance. The report concludes with brief case studies of the bankruptcies of Old GM, Delphi, and Patriot.
Date: September 22, 2014
Creator: Rapaport, Carol
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Programs and Unaccompanied Alien Children (open access)

Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Programs and Unaccompanied Alien Children

This report addresses possible sources of federal support for schools and local educational agencies that have enrolled unaccompanied alien children.
Date: September 22, 2014
Creator: Skinner, Rebecca R. & Wasem, Ruth Ellen
System: The UNT Digital Library