The European Union (EU), comprised of 15 member states (countries), is one of the United States’ chief agricultural trading partners and also a major competitor in world markets. Both heavily support their agricultural sectors, with a large share of such support concentrated on wheat, feed grains, cotton, oilseeds, sugar, dairy, and tobacco. However, the EU provides more extensive support to a broader range of farm and food products. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the EU and United States in 2001 together accounted for nearly two-thirds of all government support to agriculture among the major developed economies. However, EU agricultural spending generally is much higher than in the United States. Information comparing how the U.S. and EU governments support their producers is expected to be of interest to policymakers while negotiations are underway among world trading partners to further reform agricultural trade.

The European Union’s (EU’s) Emissions Trading System (ETS) is a cornerstone of the EU’s efforts to meet its obligation under the Kyoto Protocol. It covers more than 11,500 energy intensive facilities across the 25 EU member countries, including oil refineries, power plants over 20 megawatts (MW) in capacity, coke ovens, and iron and steel plants, along with cement, glass, lime, brick, ceramics, and pulp and paper installations. Covered entities emit about 45% of the EU’s carbon dioxide emissions. The trading program does not cover emissions of non-CO2 greenhouse gases, which account for about 20% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions. A final consideration for the ETS is its suitability for directing long-term investment toward a low-carbon future — the ultimate goal of any climate change program.

The European Parliament (EP) is one of the three key institutions of the European Union (EU), and the only EU institution whose members are directly elected. This report discusses the construction and history of the EP, its role in functions of the EU as well as internationally, various international supports and criticisms of the EP, and the EP's ties with the U.S. Congress.

The 785-member, directly elected European Parliament (EP) is a key institution of the 27-member European Union (EU). Once limited to being a consultative assembly, the EP has accumulated more power over time. Currently, it plays a role in the EU's legislative and budgeting processes, and exercises general supervision over other EU bodies. Ties between the EP and the U.S. Congress are long-standing, and EPCongressional exchanges are expected to continue in the second session of the 110th Congress.

The European Union (EU) views the enlargement process as a historic opportunity to promote stability and prosperity in Europe. Although the EU maintains that the enlargement door remains open, "enlargement fatigue" has become a serious issue in Europe and some experts believe that EU enlargement may be reaching its limits. The status of EU enlargement is one of many transatlantic issues likely to be of interest to the second session of the 110th Congress. This report lists the various nations admitted to the European Union within the past several years and analyzes the enlargement issue in general.

This report describes the European Union (EU), its evolution, governing institutions, trade policy, and efforts to forge common foreign and defense policies. The report also addresses the EU-U.S. and EU-NATO relationships, which may be of interest to the second session of the 110th Congress. It will be updated as events warrant. For more information, see CRS Report RS21344, European Union Enlargement, by Kristin Archick, and CRS Report RL34381, European Union-U.S. Trade and Investment Relations: Key Issues, coordinated by Raymond Ahearn.

In December 2007, leaders of the European Union (EU) signed the Lisbon Treaty, which seeks to reform the EU's governing institutions and decisionmaking processes to enable a larger EU to operate more effectively. This new treaty represents the latest stage in a reform process begun in 2002 and essentially replaces the proposed EU "constitution" that foundered after French and Dutch voters rejected it in referendums in 2005. In June 2008, Irish voters rejected the Lisbon Treaty, and have thrown its future into doubt. This report provides background information on EU reform efforts and possible implications for U.S.-EU relations that may be of interest in the second session of the 110th Congress.

Photograph of the Karlskirche in Vienna, Austria. In the foreground, a black sculpture is visible in a pool of water. The left side of the church facade is visible in the background. The Karlskirche was designed by the architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach.

Letter from D. W. Kempner to Eduard Sacher discussing his plans to stay two days longer at the hotel in Vienna.

Letter from D. W. Kempner to Grand Hotel De L'Europe discussing hotel arrangements on the arrival of the family.

Letter from D. W. Kempner to Grand Hotel DeL'Europe discussing a confirmation of a reservation to stay at the hotel.

Letter from D. W. Kempner to Mrs. David F. Weston explaining that neither him nor Dan had persuaded Gladys to give up her trip with Mrs. Weston. Mr. Kempner mentions that Gladys is a woman in her sixties and can make up her own mind.

Letter from Daniel W. Kempner to Grandhotel Am See discussing hotel reservations for his trip.

Letter from D. W. Kempner to Lee Guth of the Continental American Travel Agency, New York, confirming receipt of an itinerary dated July 10 for a trip to Europe and asking for final confirmation on the rooms at two hotels.

Letter from Daniel W. Kempner to Schloss Mittersill Club discussing plans to stay in a hotel in Europe.

Letter from H. Baumgartner to Continental-American Travel discussing the reservation of two rooms at the Grandhotel Am See for the Kempner family.

Letter to Cecile from her father about Aunt Jeane travelling to New York, US relations with Korea, Germany, Austria, Japan, Russia, Russia's actions, politics, economics, possible travel, and other personal matters.

Letter from Jeane B. Kempner to Miss Lee Guth discussing her opinions on the hotels seen in her itinerary, requesting the best hotel in Salzburg, Austria and asking when to purchase boat tickets for the return from her trip.

Photograph of Lt. Albert Gaynes standing on the wooden posts of a half made sign in Brenner, Austria. It reads: "You are now entering Austria thru the courtesy of the". A house, a car, and a mountain are visible in the background.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story about a family three crossing the border into Austria behind freight packages and the father accidently smother the child.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story about Dr. Walter Tkack who says that he considered hospitalization for president Nixon first when Nixon told him about leg swelling in Austria.

This report provides a background of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) financial crisis and the issues for Congress.

Photograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "Lisa Zwiebel and Gus Hernandez stnd in front of St. Stephen's cathedral in the inner city of Vienna, preparing to march through the streets to the closing ceremonies at Hapsburg Palace."

Photograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "Piedmont director Jay Smith, third from left, sits with other directors during award ceremonies at Sofiencall Opera House."