This report is on Ban of Use of Polygraph Evidence Does not amount to Abridgment of Military Defendant's Right to Present a Defense.

This report discusses these shortages, and what the "oil for food" program, established by the U.N. Security Council, is doing to alleviate them.

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This report discusses the U.S. policy on Taiwan, which is governed by the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), the 3 U.S. joint communiqués with China, and the so-called "Six Assurances" on Taiwan.

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This report provides information about the Possible Missile Technology Transfers from U.S. Satellite Export Policy of China. this report discusses security concern,policy changes, and a chronology of major developments since 1988.

With enactment of P.L. 105-178 (H.R. 2400), the Transportation Equity Act for the 21 Century (TEA-21), Congress limited authority of the Department of Veterans st Affairs (VA) to grant service-connected compensation to veterans who, after the enactment date, claim that their smoking-related illnesses are traceable to tobacco use that began during their military service. P.L. 105-178's prohibition on most smokingrelated VA claims is the resolution of an issue with potentially explosive federal costs. Subsequent technical amendments included in P.L. 105-205, the Internal Revenue Service reform legislation, removed the implication that smoking may have been misconduct, and made other minor clarifications.

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This report contains a chronological list of commemorative observances during 1997 and 1998.

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This report analyzes most of the provisions of H.R 2493, which addresses the grazing programs of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service (FS).

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 ("the Act") (P.L. 105-258, October 14, 1998) takes effect May 1, 1999. The Act requires the Federal Maritime Commission to have implementing regulations in place by January 1, 1999.

The chairmen of three subcommittees with jurisdiction over Superfund have introduced comprehensive reauthorization bills: Senator Bob Smith introduced S. 8 (the reported version is used here), Representative Sherwood Boehlert introduced H.R. 2727 (the subcommittee-approved version of March 11, 1998, is used here) and Representative Michael Oxley introduced H.R. 3000. This report compares the three bills, focusing on four disputed issues: liability, remedy selection, the role of the states, and natural resource damages.

NATO named three candidate states for membership at its summit in July 1997. The U.S. Senate must give its advice and consent to revise the North Atlantic Treaty and admit new members. Key arguments favoring U. S . approval of enlargement include the need to bring stability in central Europe; building a strong transatlantic link with new European democracies, and extending collective defense to countries that remain concerned about a potential Russian threat. Key arguments against NATO expansion include the concern that it will exacerbate tensions with Russia; result in substantial costs and risks that the allies are unwilling to share and the American people are unwilling to shoulder alone; and dilute the mission, political likemindedness, and military effectiveness of the alliance.

This report provides an overview of the proposed amendment regarding interim alternative educational placements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Report discussing the legislation proposal to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

On February 25, 1998, the Supreme Court ruled that federal credit unions may not consist of more than one occupational group having a single common bond. On April 1, the House passed H.R. 1151 (H.Rept. 105-472), which grandfathers existing credit unions and sets standards for future multi-group credit unions.

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Historically, national commemorative observances were recommended by Congress through the legislative process. This practice was discontinued by the House of Representatives in January 1995, although the Senate continues to issue sense of the Senate resolutions recommending the establishment of commemoratives. It has now become standard practice for special observances to be designated by a proclamation issued by the President. This report is a chronological list of these proclamations for 1997 and 1998, indicating the proclamation number and its Federal Register citation

On March 30, 1998, the House considered four campaign reform bills under a suspension of rules, focusing on the comprehensive H.R. 3581, offered that day for the Republican leadership by Mr. Thomas; it failed passage on a 74-337 vote. (The bill was similar to H.R. 3485, also by Mr. Thomas, reported by the House Oversight Committee March 18.1) The bill generating the most publicity in the 105th Congress has been S. 25 (McCain-Feingold),2 introduced on March 19 as H.R. 3526 by Messrs. Shays and Meehan. This report summarizes and compares H.R. 3581, H.R. 3526, and current law.