Poland and Its Relations with the United States: In Brief (open access)

Poland and Its Relations with the United States: In Brief

This report provides an overview and assessment of some of the main dimensions of the topic of developments in Poland and its relations with the United States, which are of continuing interest to the U.S. Congress.
Date: September 30, 2015
Creator: Mix, Derek E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Poverty in the United States in 2014: In Brief (open access)

Poverty in the United States in 2014: In Brief

This report discusses poverty in United States that varies widely across the population according to age, education, family living arrangements, and area of residence, among other factors. The report elaborates on the poverty among selected groups, the geography of poverty, and the research supplemental poverty measure.
Date: September 30, 2015
Creator: Dalaker, Joseph
System: The UNT Digital Library
Emerging Markets: Is Slower Growth Temporary? (open access)

Emerging Markets: Is Slower Growth Temporary?

This report discusses the growing vulnerabilities Emerging market (EM) countries are facing due to declining global trade, depreciating currencies, sharply lower commodity prices, volatile equity markets, and deeper economic reforms.
Date: September 29, 2015
Creator: Jackson, James K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): FY2016 Appropriations (open access)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): FY2016 Appropriations

This report presents a discussion of the FY2015 enacted appropriations and requested funding for FY2016 for selected EPA programs and activities highlighted in the congressional debate.
Date: September 29, 2015
Creator: Esworthy, Robert & Bearden, David M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
EPA's New Ozone Standards: A Few Thoughts (open access)

EPA's New Ozone Standards: A Few Thoughts

This report discusses the EPA's review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). After several years of analysis, EPA proposed more stringent standards last November. This began a public comment period, leading toward the final decision.
Date: September 29, 2015
Creator: McCarthy, James E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Past Government Shutdowns: Key Resources (open access)

Past Government Shutdowns: Key Resources

This report provides an annotated list of historical documents and other resources related to several past government shutdowns. Sources for these documents and resources include the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Government Accountability Office (GAO), House and Senate Committees, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and Executive Office of the President.
Date: September 29, 2015
Creator: Nagel, Jared C. & Murray, Justin
System: The UNT Digital Library
Constitutional Implications of State GE Food Labeling Laws (open access)

Constitutional Implications of State GE Food Labeling Laws

This report analyzes three constitutional provisions relevant to state GE food labeling laws, the First Amendment, the Supremacy Clause, and the Commerce Clause, by explaining the wider legal background of GE labeling as well the court's analysis of these constitutional issues in GMA v. Sorrell.
Date: September 28, 2015
Creator: Lanza, Emily M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
FY2016 Extension of the Higher Education Act: An Overview (open access)

FY2016 Extension of the Higher Education Act: An Overview

None
Date: September 28, 2015
Creator: Smole, David P. & Hegji, Alexandra
System: The UNT Digital Library
Is Biopower Carbon Neutral? (open access)

Is Biopower Carbon Neutral?

This report discusses Biomass energy, or bioenergy, which may receive more attention from stakeholders as an alternative to fossil fuels because of its potential to minimize the environmental impacts of energy production, provide energy security, and promote economic development.
Date: September 28, 2015
Creator: Bracmort, Kelsi
System: The UNT Digital Library
Zivotofsky v. Kerry: The Jerusalem Passport Case and Its Potential Implications for Congress's Foreign Affairs Powers (open access)

Zivotofsky v. Kerry: The Jerusalem Passport Case and Its Potential Implications for Congress's Foreign Affairs Powers

This report briefly describes legislative efforts to modify U.S. policy with respect to Jerusalem, in particular multiple enactments of the passport provision. The report then summarizes the Supreme Court decision, including concurrences and dissents. Finally, the report concludes by suggesting possible implications of the decision with respect to Congress's authority to influence foreign affairs.
Date: September 28, 2015
Creator: Elsea, Jennifer K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the sustainment and modernization of the Coast Guard's polar icebreaker fleet, which performs a variety of missions supporting U.S. interests in polar regions.
Date: September 25, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Support for Reproductive Health Services: Frequently Asked Questions (open access)

Federal Support for Reproductive Health Services: Frequently Asked Questions

None
Date: September 25, 2015
Creator: Heisler, Elayne J.; Baumrucker, Evelyne P.; Jansen, Don J.; Lister, Sarah A. & Panangala, Sidath Viranga
System: The UNT Digital Library
The FY2016 Continuing Resolution (H.R. 719) (open access)

The FY2016 Continuing Resolution (H.R. 719)

This report discusses a resolution which would provide temporary funding to continue federal government operations through the beginning of the fiscal year, until annual appropriations acts could be enacted.
Date: September 25, 2015
Creator: Tollestrup, Jessica
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran's Foreign Policy (open access)

Iran's Foreign Policy

This report provides an overview of Iran's foreign policy, which has been a subject of numerous congressional hearings and of sanctions and other legislation for many years. The report contains some specific information on Iran's relations with these countries, but refers to other CRS reports for more detail, particularly on the views of individual countries towards Iran. The report also makes reference to Iran's efforts to utilize its ties to various countries to try to mitigate the effects of U.S. sanctions.
Date: September 25, 2015
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base.
Date: September 25, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
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. Congress's decisions regarding Navy IW and CT operations can affect Navy operations and funding requirements, and the implementation of the nation's overall IW and CT strategies.
Date: September 25, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Lasers, Railgun, and Hypervelocity Projectile: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Lasers, Railgun, and Hypervelocity Projectile: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on three potential new weapons that could improve the ability of Navy surface ships to defend themselves against enemy missiles--solid state lasers (SSLs), the electromagnetic railgun (EMRG), and the hypervelocity projectile (HVP).
Date: September 25, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Supreme Court: A Legal Analysis of Young v. United Parcel Service (open access)

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Supreme Court: A Legal Analysis of Young v. United Parcel Service

In 2015, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Young v. United Parcel Service. In the case, a United Parcel Service (UPS) worker named Peggy Young challenged her employer’s refusal to grant her a light-duty work assignment while she was pregnant, claiming that UPS’s actions violated the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). This report begins with a discussion of the facts in the Young case, followed by an overview of the PDA. The report then provides an analysis of the Young case, its implications, and a potential legislative response.
Date: September 25, 2015
Creator: Feder, Jody
System: The UNT Digital Library
Disparate Impact Claims Under the Fair Housing Act (open access)

Disparate Impact Claims Under the Fair Housing Act

This report discusses about the Fair Housing Act (FHA) that was enacted to provide within constitutional limitations, for fair housing throughout the United States.
Date: September 24, 2015
Creator: Carpenter, David H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Economic Effects of the FY2014 Shutdown (open access)

Economic Effects of the FY2014 Shutdown

This report provides an info-graphic discussing the economic effects of the FY2014 shutdown.
Date: September 24, 2015
Creator: Labonte, Marc & Momoh, Bisola
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Shift in the International Security Environment: Potential Implications for Defense--Issues for Congress (open access)

A Shift in the International Security Environment: Potential Implications for Defense--Issues for Congress

This report briefly describes the shift in the international security environment that some observers believe has occurred, and identifies some defense-related issues for Congress that could arise from it. Congress's decisions on these issues could have significant implications for U.S. defense capabilities and funding requirements.
Date: September 24, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)/Frigate Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)/Frigate Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)/Frigate program, a program to procure 52 LCSs and frigates. The Navy's proposed FY2016 budget requests the procurement of three more LCSs.
Date: September 23, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Ohio Replacement (SSBN[X]) Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Ohio Replacement (SSBN[X]) Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Ohio replacement program (ORP), a program to design and build a new class of 12 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy's current force of 14 Ohio-class SSBNs.
Date: September 23, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
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. 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: September 23, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library