This report discusses the AIDS issues in Africa and the Bush administration call to double U.S. international funding for AIDS.

This is one report in the series of reports that discuss the campaign finance practices and related issues. Concerns over financing federal elections have become a seemingly perennial aspect of our political system, centered on the enduring issues of high campaign costs and reliance on interest groups for needed campaign funds. The report talks about the today’s paramount issues such as perceived loopholes in current law and the longstanding issues: overall costs, funding sources, and competition.

In response to the foreign challenge in the global marketplace, the United States Congress has explored ways to stimulate technological advancement in the private sector. The government has supported various efforts to promote cooperative research and development activities among industry, universities, and the federal R&D establishment designed to increase the competitiveness of American industry and to encourage the generation of new products, processes, and services. Among the issues before Congress are whether joint ventures contribute to industrial competitiveness and what role, if any, the government has in facilitating such arrangements.

This report discusses policy options for Congress regarding gas prices. The high price of gasoline was an important consideration during the debate on major energy legislation, which ended with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, H.R. 6 (P.L. 109-58). However, prices continued to surge, due to a large number of factors, such as the effects of Hurricane Katrina on Gulf Coast refineries, an increased world demand for crude oil, and inadequate U.S. refinery capacity.

This report provides background information and analysis regarding oil related issues and issues beyond the Energy Policy Act.

This report summarizes the debate over government policy on industrial competitiveness and technological advancement and its connection to the U.S. economy. It also discusses congress' approach in the previous years on this topic, and the policy changes that have been implemented in recent years.

None

None

This report includes information regarding ocean commissions. Ocean policy review, further outlook, and legislation are among topics discussed in this report.

None

None

In 2003 the United States incurred a merchandise trade deficit of $535.7 billion on a Census basis and $549.4 billion on a balance-of-payments basis (BoP). A surplus in services trade of $60 billion gave a deficit of $489.3 billion on goods and services (BoP) for the year, 17% higher than 2002. Year-to-date (January-October 2004), the trade deficit in goods and services, at $500.5 billion, is 21% higher compared to the same period in 2003.

This report includes information regarding various United States space programs.

None