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Respirable Crystalline Silica in the Workplace: New Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards (open access)

Respirable Crystalline Silica in the Workplace: New Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards

This report discusses the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) newly published new standards regulating exposure to crystalline silica in the workplace. Under the new standards, the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for crystalline silica will be reduced to 50 µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter of air). Employers will be required to monitor crystalline silica exposure if workplace levels may exceed 25 µg/m3 for at least 30 days in a year and provide medical monitoring to employees in those workplaces. In the case of construction workers, medical monitoring is required only if the new standards require workers to wear respirators for at least 30 days in a year.
Date: May 31, 2017
Creator: Szymendara, Scott D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions Trends and Projections: Role of the Clean Power Plan and Other Factors (open access)

U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions Trends and Projections: Role of the Clean Power Plan and Other Factors

This report examines recent trends in U.S. GHG emissions, particularly CO2 emissions from electricity generation, and the factors that impact emission levels in that sector. In addition, this report examines the degree to which CPP implementation (or lack thereof) may impact CO2 emission levels from electric power plants. The first section provides an overview of various sources of GHG emissions in the United States. This includes an overview of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion and a closer look at CO2 emissions from electricity generation, which account for the second largest percentage of CO2 emission from fossil fuel combustion (1% percentage point behind the transportation sector). The second section examines projections of CO2 emissions in the electric power sector, with a particular focus on the role of the CPP and other factors. The final section highlights the challenges in making CO2 emission projections with a comparison of actual CO2 emissions with prior emission forecasts.
Date: May 31, 2017
Creator: Ramseur, Jonathan L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Unique Identification Codes for Federal Contractors: DUNS Numbers and CAGE Codes (open access)

Unique Identification Codes for Federal Contractors: DUNS Numbers and CAGE Codes

This report discusses systems used by the federal government to keep track of all the different government contractors through the use of unique identifying numbers. The first section provides basic information on the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) which is the current system that is slowly being phased out and the Commercial and Government Entity System and Codes (CAGE) which has been being implemented more recently. The final section discusses the federal government's reliance on DUNS, interest in and exploration of alternatives to DUNS, and government actions that possibly could pave the way for the adoption of an alternative system, or a hybrid system that includes DUNS. The CAGE system, which is an existing, federal government identification system, may be a candidate for either option.
Date: May 31, 2017
Creator: Halchin, L. Elaine
System: The UNT Digital Library
Advanced Pilot Training (T-X) Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Advanced Pilot Training (T-X) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report discusses the Advanced Pilot Training (T-X) aircraft, which may shift training from Field Training Units, where expensive fifth-generation aircraft are used, to less expensive trainer aircraft.
Date: March 31, 2017
Creator: Coral, Ceir
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Debt Limit Since 2011 (open access)

The Debt Limit Since 2011

This report discusses the federal debt increase, which can increase when the government sells debt to the public to finance budget deficits and acquire the financial resources needed to meet its obligations (increasing debt held by the public), or when the federal government issues debt to certain government accounts in exchange for their reported surpluses (increasing debt held by government accounts).
Date: January 31, 2017
Creator: Austin, D. A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran Sanctions (open access)

Iran Sanctions

This report analyzes U.S. and international sanctions against Iran and provides some examples, based on open sources, of companies and countries that conduct business with Iran.
Date: January 31, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Senate Select Committee on Ethics: A Brief History of Its Evolution and Jurisdiction (open access)

Senate Select Committee on Ethics: A Brief History of Its Evolution and Jurisdiction

This report briefly outlines the background of ethics enforcement in the Senate, including the creation of the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct and the subsequent renaming of the committee as the Select Committee on Ethics. This report examines the history and evolution of the Committee, including its jurisdiction and investigative procedure, and also provides a brief overview of the Senate Code of Conduct.
Date: January 31, 2017
Creator: Straus, Jacob R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. District Court Vacancies at the Beginning and End of the Obama Presidency: Overview and Comparative Analysis (open access)

U.S. District Court Vacancies at the Beginning and End of the Obama Presidency: Overview and Comparative Analysis

This report provides comparative historical data related to U.S. district court vacancies that existed at the beginning and end of the Obama presidency (as well as at the beginning and end of the presidencies of his two most recent predecessors, Presidents George W. Bush and Clinton).
Date: January 31, 2017
Creator: McMillion, Barry J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Extraterritorial Application of American Criminal Law (open access)

Extraterritorial Application of American Criminal Law

This report discusses the application of American criminal law outside the United States.
Date: October 31, 2016
Creator: Doyle, Charles
System: The UNT Digital Library
Display of the Confederate Flag at Federal Cemeteries in the United States (open access)

Display of the Confederate Flag at Federal Cemeteries in the United States

This report discusses policies regarding the display of the Confederate Flag at national cemeteries. If a state observes a Confederate Memorial Day, National Park Service (NPS) cemeteries in the state may permit a sponsoring group to decorate the graves of Confederate veterans with small Confederate flags. Additionally, such flags may also be displayed on the nationally observed Memorial Day, to accompany the U.S. flag on the graves of Confederate veterans.
Date: August 31, 2016
Creator: Comay, Laura B.; Szymendera, Scott D. & Torreon, Barbara Salazar
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. The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region's future.
Date: May 31, 2016
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on China's naval modernization effort and its implications for U.S. Navy capabilities. The issue for Congress is how the U.S. Navy should respond to China's military modernization effort, particularly its naval modernization effort.
Date: May 31, 2016
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
DOD's Rotation to the Philippines (open access)

DOD's Rotation to the Philippines

This report briefly discusses the Department of Defense's (DOD's) announcement of its intention to "rebalance" by focusing more of its attention and activity on Asia. One goal is to influence the development of regional norms and rules, particularly as China exerts greater influence.
Date: May 31, 2016
Creator: Else, Daniel H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran Nuclear Agreement (open access)

Iran Nuclear Agreement

This report provides background on the agreement negotiated by Iran and six other countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany--collectively known as the P5+1) regarding Iran's nuclear program, and discusses the implications for U.S.-Iran relations.
Date: May 31, 2016
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth & Kerr, Paul K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations (open access)

Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations

This report provides a brief overview of Iran's nuclear program and describes the legal basis for the actions taken by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board and the Security Council.
Date: May 31, 2016
Creator: Kerr, Paul K.
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 maritime territorial and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) disputes in the East China (ECS) and South China Sea (SCS) involving China, with a focus on how these disputes may affect U.S. strategic and policy interests.
Date: May 31, 2016
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Offsets, Supplemental Appropriations, and the Disaster Relief Fund: FY1990-FY2013 (open access)

Offsets, Supplemental Appropriations, and the Disaster Relief Fund: FY1990-FY2013

This report discusses the history of the use of offsetting rescissions to pay for supplemental appropriations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) from FY1990 through FY2013.
Date: May 31, 2016
Creator: Painter, William L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Shift in the International Security Environment: Potential Implications for Defense--Issues for Congress (open access)

A Shift in the International Security Environment: Potential Implications for Defense--Issues for Congress

This report briefly describes the shift in the international security environment that some observers believe has occurred, and identifies some defense-related issues for Congress that could arise from it. Congress's decisions on these issues could have significant implications for U.S. defense capabilities and funding requirements.
Date: May 31, 2016
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on China's naval modernization effort and its implications for U.S. Navy capabilities. Decisions that Congress reaches on this issue could affect U.S. Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. defense industrial base.
Date: March 31, 2016
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Medicare Primer (open access)

Medicare Primer

This report provides a general overview of the Medicare program including descriptions of the program's history, eligibility criteria, covered services, provider payment systems, and program administration and financing.
Date: March 31, 2016
Creator: Davis, Patricia A.; Talaga, Scott R.; Binder, Cliff; Hahn, Jim; Kirchhoff, Suzanne M. & Morgan, Paulette C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iraq: Politics and Governance (open access)

Iraq: Politics and Governance

This report provides background and analysis on the politics of Iraq, including its communities, its governing personalities and factions, security forces and militias, and the government's human rights record. The report does not provide a detailed analysis of the U.S.-led campaign to defeat Islamic State forces in Iraq.
Date: December 31, 2015
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth & Humud, Carla E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Purple Heart: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

The Purple Heart: Background and Issues for Congress

This report explores the history of the Purple Heart and changes in eligibility over time as well as several current issues facing Congress.
Date: December 31, 2015
Creator: Burrelli, David F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Membership of the 114th Congress: A Profile (open access)

Membership of the 114th Congress: A Profile

This report presents a profile of the membership of the 114th Congress (2015-2016). Statistical information is included on selected characteristics of Members, including data on party affiliation, average age, occupation, education, length of congressional service, religious affiliation, gender, ethnicity, foreign births, and military service.
Date: October 31, 2015
Creator: Manning, Jennifer E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Expedited or “Fast-Track” Legislative Procedures (open access)

Expedited or “Fast-Track” Legislative Procedures

This report discusses the Expedited or "fast-tract" legislative procedures that are special procedures that congress adopts to promote timely committee and floor action on a specifically defined type of bill or resolution.
Date: August 31, 2015
Creator: Davis, Christopher M.
System: The UNT Digital Library