The 2017 National Security Strategy: Issues for Congress (open access)

The 2017 National Security Strategy: Issues for Congress

This report discusses the 2017 National Security Strategy (NSS) document released by the Trump Administration on December 18, 2017, and its major themes.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: McInnis, Kathleen J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Basic Concepts and Technical Considerations in Educational Assessment: A Primer (open access)

Basic Concepts and Technical Considerations in Educational Assessment: A Primer

This report discusses assessments mandated by federal education policy and discusses the purpose of assessments, types of tests, technical considerations in assessment, and using assessment results appropriately. A glossary containing definitions of commonly used assessment and measurement terms is provided at the end of this report. The glossary provides additional technical information that may not be addressed within the text of the report.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: Skinner, Rebecca R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Deduction for Out-of-Pocket Teacher Expenses (open access)

The Deduction for Out-of-Pocket Teacher Expenses

This report discusses the tax deduction for out-of-pocket teacher expenses and the proposals to eliminate or increase it that were made in the House and Senate draft tax bills. The final bill left the deduction at its current rate.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: Sherlock, Molly F. & Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Division A of H.R. 3922: The CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act (open access)

Division A of H.R. 3922: The CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act

This report summarizes provisions in Division A of the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act that would extend funding for certain public health programs and provide offsets for these funding extensions. CRS Report R44989, Comparison of the Bills to Extend State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Funding, summarizes provisions in Division B.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: Heisler, Elayne J.; Fernandes-Alcantara, Adrienne L.; Fernandez, Bernadette & Lister, Sarah A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
EPA's Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants: Frequently Asked Questions (open access)

EPA's Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants: Frequently Asked Questions

This report answers some frequently asked questions regarding the EPA Clean Power Plan and its repeal in progress. It also provides background information, discusses the statutory authority under which EPA promulgated the rule, and describes the rule's current status as of November 2017. The report also summarizes the provisions of the Clean Power Plan rule as it was finalized on August 3, 2015 and options that Congress has to influence EPA's action.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: McCarthy, James E.; Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Leggett, Jane A.; Tsang, Linda & Shouse, Kate C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
"Extraordinary Measures" and the Debt Limit (open access)

"Extraordinary Measures" and the Debt Limit

This report discusses the U.S. government debt limit and the use of extraordinary measures by the U.S. Treasury to delay implementation of the debt limit by Congress.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: Driessen, Grant A. & Hughes, Joseph S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
What Happens if H.R. 1 Conflicts with U.S. Tax Treaties? (open access)

What Happens if H.R. 1 Conflicts with U.S. Tax Treaties?

This report discusses what happens if a new U.S. tax law contradicts existing U.S. international tax treaties, with considerations for Congress.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: Lunder, Erika K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Congressional Commissions: Costs and Cost-Saving Strategies (open access)

Congressional Commissions: Costs and Cost-Saving Strategies

This report discusses the congressional commissions, which are temporary advisory bodies, usually established by statute, that provide independent advice to Congress, make recommendations for changes in public policy, study or investigate a particular problem or event, or perform a specific duty.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Glassman, Matthew E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Congressional Oversight Manual (open access)

Congressional Oversight Manual

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) developed the Congressional Oversight Manual over 30 years ago. Over the years, CRS has assisted many Members, committees, party leaders, and staff aides in the performance of the oversight function: the review, monitoring, and supervision of the implementation of public policy.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Dolan, Alissa M.; Halchin, Elaine; Garvey, Todd; Oleszek, Walter J. & Ginsberg, Wendy
System: The UNT Digital Library
Department of Homeland Security: FY2015 Appropriations (open access)

Department of Homeland Security: FY2015 Appropriations

This report analyzes the FY2015 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security(DHS). While this report makes note of many budgetary resources provided to DHS, its primary focus is on funding approved by Congress through the appropriations process.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Painter, William L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
DHS Headquarters Consolidation Project: Issues for Congress (open access)

DHS Headquarters Consolidation Project: Issues for Congress

The purpose of this report is to outline the policy considerations to be evaluated in deciding whether to continue funding the consideration of the remaining DHS headquarters functions at St. Elizabeth's, and to explore some of the benefits and consequences of several possible ways forward.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Painter, William L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Financial Aid for Students: Online Resources (open access)

Financial Aid for Students: Online Resources

This report identifies various online sources for planning and acquiring funds for postsecondary education.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Monagle, Laura L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
FY2015 Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations: Fact Sheet (open access)

FY2015 Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations: Fact Sheet

None
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Perl, Libby; Jones, Katie & McCarty, Maggie
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Global Health Security Agenda and International Health Regulations (open access)

The Global Health Security Agenda and International Health Regulations

None
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji
System: The UNT Digital Library
Guinea: In Brief (open access)

Guinea: In Brief

This report gives an overview of Guinea, its background, economy, and relations with the United States
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Arieff, Alexis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Introduction to Financial Services: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) (open access)

Introduction to Financial Services: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

None
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Latin America and the Caribbean: Key Issues for the 113th Congress. December 2014 (open access)

Latin America and the Caribbean: Key Issues for the 113th Congress. December 2014

This report provides an overview of U.S. policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean during the 113th Congress, including the Obama Administration's priorities.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nanotechnology: A Policy Primer (open access)

Nanotechnology: A Policy Primer

None
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) program. The Navy's proposed FY2015 budget requests $5,883.6 million in procurement, advance procurement (AP), and Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) funding for the program. Decisions that Congress makes on procurement of Virginia-class boats could substantially affect U.S. Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
A New Authorization for Use of Military Force Against the Islamic State: Comparison of Proposals in Brief (open access)

A New Authorization for Use of Military Force Against the Islamic State: Comparison of Proposals in Brief

This report discusses executive authority to authorize force in the crisis involving the Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIL or ISIS), which raised significant concerns for the United States.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Weed, Matthew C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Options for Establishing a Temporary Advisory Body (open access)

Options for Establishing a Temporary Advisory Body

None
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Premium Tax Credits and Federal Health Insurance Exchanges: Questions and Answers (open access)

Premium Tax Credits and Federal Health Insurance Exchanges: Questions and Answers

Legal challenges that may have a substantial impact on the implementation and operation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) concern whether premium tax credits are available for millions of individuals participating in federally administered health insurance exchanges. The Supreme Court has decided to weigh in on this issue in King v. Burwell. This report provides background on provisions of ACA relevant to this issue. It then answers questions concerning the legal challenges and potential implications of the Court's decision in King.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Staman, Jennifer A.; Lunder, Erika K. & Shedd, Daniel T.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Senate Committees: Categories and Rules for Committee Assignments (open access)

Senate Committees: Categories and Rules for Committee Assignments

This report outlines information about the senate Rule XXV and party conference rules that address committee assignments.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Schneider, Judy
System: The UNT Digital Library
Senate Standing Committees’ Rules on Legislative Activities and Executive Business: Analysis for the 113th Congress (open access)