Intelligence Issues for Congress (open access)

Intelligence Issues for Congress

Report that gives an overview of current intelligence issues of interest to the 112th Congress. It includes background and analysis including most recent development, ongoing Congressional concerns, specific issues for the 112th Congress, and a summary of related legislation from the 109th through the 112th Congresses.
Date: January 20, 2011
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
System: The UNT Digital Library
United Nations System Funding: Congressional Issues (open access)

United Nations System Funding: Congressional Issues

Report that tracks the process by which Congress provides the funding for U.S. assessed contributions to the regular budgets of the United Nations, its agencies, and U.N. peacekeeping operation accounts, as well as for U.S. voluntary contributions to U.N. system programs and funds.
Date: January 14, 2011
Creator: Browne, Marjorie Ann
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

Report that provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program. Issues for Congress concerning the Aegis BMD program include whether to approve, reject, or modify MDA and Navy funding requests for the program, and whether to provide MDA or the Navy with additional direction concerning the program. Congress's decisions regarding the Aegis BMD program could substantially affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, U.S. Navy ship force levels and operating patterns, and the defense industrial base.
Date: January 21, 2011
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy CG(X) Cruiser Program: Background for Congress (open access)

Navy CG(X) Cruiser Program: Background for Congress

Report that provides background information on the U.S. Navy's CG(X) program as it existed prior to its proposed cancellation.
Date: January 13, 2011
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation and Security Issues (open access)

Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation and Security Issues

Report that discusses Pakistan's efforts to produce fissile material and other issues related to nuclear proliferation and improving its nuclear arsenal. It also discusses the steps Pakistan has taken to increase international confidence in its nuclear security.
Date: January 13, 2011
Creator: Kerr, Paul K. & Nikitin, Mary Beth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Executive Order 13438: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq (open access)

Executive Order 13438: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq

Report that provides a brief history of the development of presidential powers in peacetime. It discusses some of the issues that might be raised in light of the contrast between the executive order's broad language and its narrow aim. It examines the reach of the executive order and provides legal analyses of some of the constitutional questions raised in the courts by similar sanctions programs.
Date: January 14, 2011
Creator: Murphy, M. Maureen
System: The UNT Digital Library
Satellite Surveillance: Domestic Issues (open access)

Satellite Surveillance: Domestic Issues

Report that provides background on the development of intelligence satellites and identifies the roles various agencies play in their management and use. Issues surrounding the current policy and proposed changes are discussed, followed by a discussion of legal considerations.
Date: January 13, 2011
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr. & Elsea, Jennifer K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy LPD-17 Amphibious Ship Procurement: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress (open access)

Navy LPD-17 Amphibious Ship Procurement: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress

Report concerning the Navy's FY2011-FY2015 shipbuilding plan calls for procuring an 11th and final San Antonio (LPD-17) class amphibious ship in FY2012. This report discusses the procurement cost estimates of this ship, as well as related issues for Congress.
Date: January 21, 2011
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA): What Is It, and How Has It Been Utilized? (open access)

Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA): What Is It, and How Has It Been Utilized?

Report concerning multilateral and bilateral Status of Force Agreements (SOFAs). Topics include the common traits of SOFAs, historical examples, and current examples.
Date: January 5, 2011
Creator: Mason, R. Chuck
System: The UNT Digital Library
Intellectual Property in Industrial Designs: Issues in Innovation and Competition (open access)

Intellectual Property in Industrial Designs: Issues in Innovation and Competition

Report that identifies several current issues relating to intellectual property in industrial designs. It describes the different sorts of intellectual property protection that apply to industrial designs, and identifies current issues at the interface between intellectual property and industrial designs.
Date: January 5, 2011
Creator: Thomas, John R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Managing Disaster Debris: Overview of Regulatory Requirements, Agency Roles, and Selected Challenges (open access)

Managing Disaster Debris: Overview of Regulatory Requirements, Agency Roles, and Selected Challenges

Report that addresses the challenges in removing debris resulting from a "major disaster" or "emergency" declared by the President, as well as the role of federal agencies in debris removal.
Date: January 13, 2011
Creator: Luther, Linda
System: The UNT Digital Library
Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for Disaster Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Projects (open access)

Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for Disaster Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Projects

Report that discusses the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as it applies to projects for which federal funding to recover from or prepare for a disaster has been requested by local, tribal, or state grant applicants.
Date: January 13, 2011
Creator: Luther, Linda
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cellulosic Biofuels: Analysis of Policy Issues for Congress (open access)

Cellulosic Biofuels: Analysis of Policy Issues for Congress

Report that provides background on the current effort to develop industrial-scale, competitive technology to produce biofuels from cellulosic feedstocks.
Date: January 13, 2011
Creator: Bracmort, Kelsi; Schnepf, Randy; Stubbs, Megan & Yacobucci, Brent D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
United States Fire Administration: An Overview (open access)

United States Fire Administration: An Overview

Report that describes and analyzes the United States Fire Administration's (USFA) FY2011 budget proposal, as well as related information and legislation.
Date: January 3, 2011
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
VA-Home Loan Guaranty Program: An Overview (open access)

VA-Home Loan Guaranty Program: An Overview

Report containing a summary of the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program.
Date: January 12, 2011
Creator: Foote, Bruce E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defense Surplus Equipment Disposal: Background Information (open access)

Defense Surplus Equipment Disposal: Background Information

Report that discusses the Department of Defense (DOD) policy via the Defense Utilization and Marketing Service (DRMS) for disposing of government equipment and supplies considered surplus or deemed unnecessary to the agency's currently designated mission. The report focuses on DRMS background, as well as the most recent DRMS policy modifications.
Date: January 13, 2011
Creator: Grasso, Valerie Bailey
System: The UNT Digital Library
Military Uniform Procurement: Questions and Answers (open access)

Military Uniform Procurement: Questions and Answers

Report that concerning how military uniforms are procured, legal authority for procurement, military uniform vendors, and new initiatives affecting uniform procurement.
Date: January 14, 2011
Creator: Grasso, Valerie Bailey
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Report that provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the CVN-78 nuclear-powered aircraft carrier program.
Date: January 21, 2011
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran Sanctions (open access)

Iran Sanctions

Report that focuses on the United States' relationship with Iran and how the Obama Administration is handling prior administration's economic sanctions against Iran.
Date: January 11, 2011
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Trade Promotion Authority and Fast-Track Negotiating Authority for Trade Agreements: Major Votes (open access)

Trade Promotion Authority and Fast-Track Negotiating Authority for Trade Agreements: Major Votes

Report that profiles significant legislation, including floor votes, that authorized the use of presidential Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) --previously known as fast-track trade negotiating authority --since its inception in 1974. The report also includes a list of floor votes since 1979 on implementing legislation for trade agreements that were passed under TPA fast-track procedures.
Date: January 12, 2011
Creator: Smith, Carolyn C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
China's Currency: An Analysis of the Economic Issues (open access)

China's Currency: An Analysis of the Economic Issues

Report that provides an overview of the economic issues surrounding the current debate over China's currency policy. It identifies the economic costs and benefits of China's currency policy for both China and the United States, and possible implications if China were to allow its currency to significantly appreciate or to float freely. It also examines proposed legislation in the 111th Congress that seek to address China's currency policy.
Date: January 12, 2011
Creator: Morrison, Wayne M. & Labonte, Marc
System: The UNT Digital Library
Tunisia: Recent Developments and Policy Issues (open access)

Tunisia: Recent Developments and Policy Issues

Report that discusses Tunisia's "Jasmine Revolution," the common term for President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's flight from the country following weeks of mounting anti-government protests. This report discusses how the Jasmine Revolution appears to have added momentum to anti-government sentiment in Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and other countries. This report discusses Tunisia's pro-democracy movement; concerns over potential instability in a previously secure, pro-Western area; U.S.-Tunisian relations; and Tunisia's push for for a greater focus on trade.
Date: January 18, 2011
Creator: Arieff, Alexis
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Future of U.S. Trade Policy: An Analysis of Issues and Options for the 112th Congress (open access)

The Future of U.S. Trade Policy: An Analysis of Issues and Options for the 112th Congress

Report that discusses the trade issues that the 112th Congress could face and the political and economic context in which these issues are being debated.
Date: January 4, 2011
Creator: Cooper, William H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Inherently Governmental Functions and Other Work Reserved for Performance by Federal Government Employees: The Obama Administration's Proposed Policy Letter (open access)

Inherently Governmental Functions and Other Work Reserved for Performance by Federal Government Employees: The Obama Administration's Proposed Policy Letter

Report regarding the Office of Federal Procurement Policy's (OFPP) proposed policy letter on defining inherently governmental functions and other "work reserved for performance by federal government employees."
Date: January 3, 2011
Creator: Halchin, L. Elaine; Manuel, Kate M.; Reese, Shawn & Schwartz, Moshe
System: The UNT Digital Library