President Bush has highlighted Social Security reform as a top priority during his second term. The President has not presented a detailed plan for reform. Rather, he has put forth guidelines for Congress to consider in the development of legislation to create personal accounts within a program in need of “wise and effective reform.” The President has acknowledged that other changes would be needed to address the system’s projected long-range funding shortfall. In recent years, reform ideas have ranged from relatively minor changes to the current pay-as-you-go social insurance system to a redesigned program based on personal savings and investments modeled after IRAs and 401(k)s.

This report is a guide to one of the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and the Senate Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant.

This report provides background information for medicaid reforms and discuses proposals for reform.

Report discussing the legal and policy issues regarding the Great Lakes region of the United States. According to the Summary: "This report describes the characteristics of the Great Lakes, the interests they support, and possible threats to lake levels. It analyzes the current laws and policies that regulate the diversion, withdrawal, and consumptive use of water from the Great Lakes. Also included is a discussion of the draft Agreement and Compact and the various positions voiced by interest groups. This report concludes with a general discussion on the relationship between compacts, federal law, and the Congress."

This report is an overview of appropriations for selected programs of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for assistance to state and local first responders: firefighters, emergency medical personnel, emergency managers, and law enforcement officers. It covers only programs that are intended to help state and local recipients enhance their preparedness for terrorist attacks and that are administered by the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), within the Office for State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP).

Letter from Congressman Wally Herger to Anthony Principi requesting that two Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) commissioners visit Naval Support Activity Corona, California, and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Division.

A letter in support of keeping Cannon Air Force Base open.

Letter from Dottie Lee to James H. Bilbray voicing her concern regarding the proposed closure of Cannon Air Force Base.

Executive Correspondence: Letter from Pennsylvania Senators Rick Santorum and Arlen Specter and Reps Tim Murphy and Melissa Hart dtd 13JUN05 s site visit to Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station.

Executive Correspondence: Letter from Col. Mark L. Stephens, ANG to Brad McRee and Dave Van Saun dtd 15JUN05 concerning the realignment of the 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, OH.

Executive Correspondence: Letter from Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Reps Norm Dicks and Adam Smith to Chairman Principi dtd 17JUN05 concerning the realignment of McChord AFB.

Executive Correspondence: Letter from Hawaii Senator Daniel K. Inouye to BRAC Chairman dtd 15JUN05 concerning the closure of Eielson AFB, Alaska.

Executive Correspondence: Letter from Alaska State Rep. Bob Lynn to Commission dtd 25MAY05 concerning National Guard Kulis Airbase, Anchorage.

Executive Correspondence: Letter from Alaska State Rep. Mike Kelly to Commission dtd 16JUN05 concerning the closure of Eielson AFB.

Executive Correspondence: Letter from Minnesota Rep. Collin C. Peterson to Commission dtd 17JUN05 concerning the realignment of Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota.

Community Briefing to Community Briefing to Commission, Rock Island Arsenal, Quad Cities (Illinois/Iowa). Contains community input on the DoD recommendations to the commission.

Iowa Governor Vilsack's talking points presented at the BRAC Commission St. Louis Regional Hearing June 20, 2005. Focused on Rock Island Arsenal.

JOINT STATEMENT BY SEN. TERRY LINK, 30TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, REP. EDDIE WASHINGTON, 60TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, AND LEON ROCKINGHAM, MAYOR, CITY OF NORTH CHICAGO BEFORE THE REGIONAL HEARING OF THE DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE AND REALIGNMENT COMMISSION ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI JUNE 20, 2005. Focused on the downsizing of Great Lakes Naval Training Station.

Statement of Mayor of Springfield Illinois Tim Davlin before the Commission at St. Louis Regional Hearing. Focused on representing the individuals, families, and the communities of Illinois that will be affected by the relocation of assets from the 183rd Air National Guard unit based at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport.

Document from Naval Air Station Brunswick officials requesting to have the site kept fully operational. Document includes a booklet, a relative summary analysis of base assets, and economic impact statement for the surrounding community.

Collection of BRAC related news clippings and articles. Produced for the BRAC Commission.

This document contains important information on standing operating procedures related to controls necessary to safeguard the BRAC 2005 deliberative data, documents,decisions, and recommendations for the HSA JCSG.

Statement prepared for the St. Louis Regional Hearing outlining the state response to the proposed realignment of Rock Island Arsenal.

Opening Remarks by Senator Charles E. Grassley BRAC Regional Hearing in St. Louis, June 20, 2005. Statement generally focused on the realignment of Rock Island Arsenal.