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: April 1, 2013
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nigeria: Current Issues and U.S. Policy (open access)

Nigeria: Current Issues and U.S. Policy

This report covers the recent economical and political development in Nigeria; elections, development challenges, reform initiatives, social issues, security concerns, and international relations in Nigeria. The report ends with some concerns for Congress, including U.S.-Nigerian trade issues, Nigerian counter-terrorism efforts, and U.S. assistance to Nigeria.
Date: April 24, 2013
Creator: Ploch, Lauren
System: The UNT Digital Library
Drought in the United States: Causes and Issues for Congress (open access)

Drought in the United States: Causes and Issues for Congress

This report provides information about the Causes and Issues for Congress on Drought in the United States. Drought has extended across two-thirds of the United States and had adversely affected agricultural producers.
Date: April 22, 2013
Creator: Folger, Peter; Cody, Betsy A. & Carter, Nicole T.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): A Summary of the Act and Its Major Requirements (open access)

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): A Summary of the Act and Its Major Requirements

None
Date: April 1, 2013
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
FHA-Insured Home Loans: An Overview (open access)

FHA-Insured Home Loans: An Overview

This report provides an overview on FHA-Insured Home Loans which discuses the basic feature of the FHA program to insure loans on single family loans and recent changes to the program.
Date: April 18, 2013
Creator: Jones, Katie
System: The UNT Digital Library
Economic Recovery: Sustaining U.S. Economic Growth in a Post-Crisis Economy (open access)

Economic Recovery: Sustaining U.S. Economic Growth in a Post-Crisis Economy

The 2007-2009 recession was long and deep, and according to several indicators was the most severe economic contraction since the 1930s (but still much less severe than the Great Depression). This report examines the state of the economy in light of the recession.
Date: April 18, 2013
Creator: Elwell, Craig K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Water Quality Issues in the 113th Congress: An Overview (open access)

Water Quality Issues in the 113th Congress: An Overview

None
Date: April 2, 2013
Creator: Copeland, Claudia
System: The UNT Digital Library
Armed Conflict in Syria: U.S. and International Response (open access)

Armed Conflict in Syria: U.S. and International Response

The popular-uprising-turned-armed-rebellion in Syria has entered its third year, and seems poised to continue, with the government and a bewildering array of militias locked in a bloody struggle of attrition. U.S. officials and many analysts believe that Asad and his supporters will ultimately be forced from power, but few offer specific, credible timetables for a resolution to the crisis. This report examines the current status of the conflict and discusses future policy considerations.
Date: April 22, 2013
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M. & Blanchard, Christopher M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Trade Agreements: Impact on the U.S. Economy (open access)

Trade Agreements: Impact on the U.S. Economy

None
Date: April 10, 2013
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Changes to the Residential Mortgage Market: Legislation, Demographics, and Other Drivers (open access)

Changes to the Residential Mortgage Market: Legislation, Demographics, and Other Drivers

This report provides an overview of the changing residential mortgage market, focusing on trends in housing prices, homeownership, mortgage characteristics, and financing. It also examines legislation and regulations designed to promote the efficient functioning of the mortgage market.
Date: April 16, 2013
Creator: Weiss, N. Eric
System: The UNT Digital Library
Social Security: Trust Fund Investment Practices (open access)

Social Security: Trust Fund Investment Practices

None
Date: April 1, 2013
Creator: unknown
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 and includes information on various cybersecurity topics
Date: April 10, 2013
Creator: Tehan, Rita
System: The UNT Digital Library
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations: A Summary of Congressional Action for FY2013 (open access)

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations: A Summary of Congressional Action for FY2013

This report discusses the funding for all components and functions of DHS such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE), the transportation security administration (TSA), Coast Guard (USCG) etc.
Date: April 22, 2013
Creator: Painter, William
System: The UNT Digital Library
Potential Employer Penalties Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) (open access)

Potential Employer Penalties Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)

None
Date: April 3, 2013
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Regulation of Broadcast Indecency: Background and Legal Analysis (open access)

Regulation of Broadcast Indecency: Background and Legal Analysis

None
Date: April 16, 2013
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Common Questions About Postage and Stamps (open access)

Common Questions About Postage and Stamps

This report provides information about the Common Questions About Postage and Stamps where congressional staff may learn more about these topics.
Date: April 19, 2013
Creator: Kosar, Kevin R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Latin America: Terrorism Issues (open access)

Latin America: Terrorism Issues

This is a report regarding U.S. attention to terrorism in Latin America, which has intensified in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The report talks about the 112th Congress's initiatives that have been introduced related to terrorism issues in the Western Hemisphere regarding Mexico, Venezuela, and the activities of Iran and Hezbollah.
Date: April 5, 2013
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P. & Beittel, June S.
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: April 4, 2013
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: FY2013 Appropriations (open access)

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: FY2013 Appropriations

This report will track and describe actions taken by the Administration and Congress to provide FY2013 appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) accounts. It also provides an overview of FY2012 appropriations for agencies and bureaus funded as a part of the annual appropriation for CJS.
Date: April 24, 2013
Creator: James, Nathan; Williams, Jennifer D. & Sargent, John F., Jr.
System: The UNT Digital Library
FutureGen: A Brief History and Issues for Congress (open access)

FutureGen: A Brief History and Issues for Congress

This report briefly summarizes the history of FutureGen, discusses why it has gained interest and support from some Members of Congress and the Administration while remaining in initial stages of development, and offers some policy considerations on barriers that challenge its further development as a model for a carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) program.
Date: April 3, 2013
Creator: Folger, Peter
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress on the Navy's irregular warfare (IW) and counterterrorism (CT) operations. The Navy's IW and CT activities pose a number of potential oversight issues for Congress, including the definition of Navy IW activities and how much emphasis to place on IW and CT activities in future Navy budgets.
Date: April 25, 2013
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Foreign Investment and National Security: Economic Considerations (open access)

Foreign Investment and National Security: Economic Considerations

This report assesses recent international developments as the leaders from a number of nations work to reach a consensus on an informal set of best practices regarding national restrictions on foreign investment for national security purposes. This report also provides one possible approach for assessing the costs and benefits involved in using national policies to direct or to restrict foreign direct investment for national security reasons.
Date: April 4, 2013
Creator: Jackson, James K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress (open access)

Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress

This report provides an overview of current issues surrounding alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles - issues discussed in further detail in other CRS reports referred to in each section.
Date: April 4, 2013
Creator: Yacobucci, Brent D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Federal Communications Commission: Current Structure and Its Role in the Changing Telecommunications Landscape (open access)

The Federal Communications Commission: Current Structure and Its Role in the Changing Telecommunications Landscape

The report discusses the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and related congressional actions in the 112th Congress.
Date: April 17, 2013
Creator: Figliola, Patricia Moloney
System: The UNT Digital Library