Defense Primer: A Guide for New Members (open access)

Defense Primer: A Guide for New Members

This report describes the power of the Congress over the armed forces, including the power to "to raise and support Armies," "to provide and maintain a Navy," "to make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces" and "to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States...", as well as references to other reports on related topics.
Date: March 3, 2017
Creator: Kapp, Lawrence
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Land Ownership: Overview and Data (open access)

Federal Land Ownership: Overview and Data

This report provides data and an overview of the land owned by federal government, which is roughly 640 million acres, about 28% of the 2.27 billion acres of land in the United States.
Date: March 3, 2017
Creator: Hardy Vincent, Carol
System: The UNT Digital Library
What Is the Effect of Enacting a Congressional Review Act Resolution of Disapproval? (open access)

What Is the Effect of Enacting a Congressional Review Act Resolution of Disapproval?

This report discusses the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which provides Congress with a set of special parliamentary procedures to consider legislation to overturn federal regulations.
Date: March 3, 2017
Creator: Carey, Maeve P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (open access)

WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement

This report provides an overview of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), its provisions, and the United States' implementation and role in capacity building. It also provides options for Congress to consider in relation to the TFA.
Date: March 3, 2017
Creator: Fefer, Rachel F. & Jones, Vivian C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Encryption: Selected Legal Issues (open access)

Encryption: Selected Legal Issues

This report first provides background to the ongoing encryption debate, including a primer on encryption basics and an overview of Apple, Google, and Facebook's new encryption policies. Next, it provides an overview of the Fifth Amendment right to be free from self-incrimination.
Date: March 3, 2016
Creator: Thompson, Richard M., II & Jaikaran, Chris
System: The UNT Digital Library
Health Care for Dependents and Survivors of Veterans (open access)

Health Care for Dependents and Survivors of Veterans

This report discusses the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), which is primarily a health insurance program where certain eligible dependents and survivors of veterans receive care from private sector health care providers. The report provides information regarding eligibility requirements, available benefits, and payment structures.
Date: March 3, 2016
Creator: Panangala, Sidath V.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Heroin Production in Mexico and U.S. Policy (open access)

Heroin Production in Mexico and U.S. Policy

This report discusses Mexico's role as an illicit drug suppler to the U.S, specifically focusing on Heroin production and trafficking.
Date: March 3, 2016
Creator: Ribando Seelke, Clare & Rosen, Liana W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
House Committee Chairs: Considerations, Decisions, and Actions as One Congress Ends and a New Congress Begins (open access)

House Committee Chairs: Considerations, Decisions, and Actions as One Congress Ends and a New Congress Begins

This report covers the period from the House's early organization meetings in November to approximately March or April following the convening of a new Congress.
Date: March 3, 2016
Creator: Schneider, Judy & Koempel, Michael L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations (open access)

Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations

This report provides a brief overview of Iran's nuclear program. Several U.N. Security Council resolutions required Iran to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA's) investigation of its nuclear activities, suspend its uranium enrichment program, suspend its construction of a heavy-water reactor and related projects, and ratify the Additional Protocol to its IAEA safeguards agreement.
Date: March 3, 2016
Creator: Kerr, Paul K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations (open access)

Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations

This report provides a brief overview of Iran's nuclear program and describes the legal basis for the actions taken by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board and the Security Council.
Date: March 3, 2016
Creator: Kerr, Paul K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nominations to the Supreme Court During Presidential Election Years (1900-Present) (open access)

Nominations to the Supreme Court During Presidential Election Years (1900-Present)

This report provides data and analysis related to nominations made to the Supreme Court during presidential election years from 1900 to the present.
Date: March 3, 2016
Creator: McMillion, Barry J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA): Resources for Frequently Asked Questions (open access)

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA): Resources for Frequently Asked Questions

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148, as amended) has numerous provisions affecting private health insurance and public health coverage programs. This report provides resources to help congressional staff respond to constituents' frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the law. The report lists selected resources regarding consumers, employers, and other stakeholders, with a focus on federal sources. It also lists CRS reports that summarize the ACA's provisions.
Date: March 3, 2016
Creator: Napili, Angela
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Proposed U.S. Foreign Assistance Initiative "Peace Colombia" (open access)

The Proposed U.S. Foreign Assistance Initiative "Peace Colombia"

This report briefly discusses Plan Colombia, a bilateral cooperation program aimed at improving Colombia's security and strengthening its democratic development.
Date: March 3, 2016
Creator: Beittel, June S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Egypt: Background and U.S. Relations (open access)

Egypt: Background and U.S. Relations

This report provides an overview of the key issues for Congress related to Egypt and information on U.S. foreign aid to Egypt. It briefly provides a political history of modern Egypt, an overview of its political institutions, and a discussion of the prospects for democratization in Egypt, as well as addressing the following current topics: the Arab-Israeli peace process, Iraq, terrorism, democratization and reform, human rights, trade, and military cooperation.
Date: March 3, 2015
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Food Safety Issues: FDA Judicial Enforcement Actions (open access)

Food Safety Issues: FDA Judicial Enforcement Actions

This report is categorized into five categories: (I) FDA Enforcement Authority, (II) Injunctions, (III) Seizure, (IV) Criminal Prosecution and (V) Related Legislation in the 114th Congress.
Date: March 3, 2015
Creator: Lanza, Emily M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Foreign Affairs Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO): Background and Current Status (open access)

Foreign Affairs Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO): Background and Current Status

Some members of Congress are examining foreign affairs funding designated as Overseas Contingency Operations because of its possible use for the overseas Ebola crisis, efforts to combat the Islamic State, and other budgetary reasons. This report contains information on the background of overseas contingency operations and current funding and issues.
Date: March 3, 2015
Creator: Epstein, Susan B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Implementing the Affordable Care Act: Delays, Extensions, and Other Actions Taken by the Administration (open access)

Implementing the Affordable Care Act: Delays, Extensions, and Other Actions Taken by the Administration

This report discusses the health care reform, private health insurance provisions and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Date: March 3, 2015
Creator: Redhead, C. S. & Kinzer, Janet
System: The UNT Digital Library
Many Aspects of the Affordable Care Act Would Not Be Affected by King v. Burwell (open access)

Many Aspects of the Affordable Care Act Would Not Be Affected by King v. Burwell

This report briefly discusses the possible effects of the King v. Burwell case on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) law. The case examines whether or not the ACA allows the IRS to make premium tax credits available to residents of states that decline to establish health insurance exchanges.
Date: March 3, 2015
Creator: Barry, Matthew B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) and Marine Personnel Carrier (MPC): Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) and Marine Personnel Carrier (MPC): Background and Issues for Congress

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Date: March 3, 2015
Creator: Feickert, Andrew
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and presents potential issues for Congress concerning the Navy's ship force-structure goals and shipbuilding plans. The planned size of the Navy, the rate of Navy ship procurement, and the prospective affordability of the Navy's shipbuilding plans have been matters of concern for the congressional defense committees for the past several years.
Date: March 3, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
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

This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Gerald R. Ford class aircraft carrier program. The Navy's proposed FY2016 budget requests a total of $2,633.1 million in procurement and advance procurement (AP) funding for the first three ships in the program. Congress's decisions on the CVN-78 program could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base.
Date: March 3, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy LX(R) Amphibious Ship Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy LX(R) Amphibious Ship Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the LX(R) amphibious ship program, a Navy program to build a new class of 11 amphibious ships. The Navy wants to procure the first LX(R) in FY2020.
Date: March 3, 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. The Navy wants to procure the first Ohio replacement boat in FY2021, with advance procurement (AP) funding starting in FY2017.
Date: March 3, 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. 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: March 3, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library