This report is on Are High-Interest Rates a Threat to Sustained Economic Recovery?

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This report includes background, issues, and legislation regarding safe drinking water.

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This report gives an overview of international policy and Approaches related to Drug Control.

The 109th congress is considering the issues related to the public lands managed by the Bureau of the Land Management (BLM) and the national forest managed by the Forest Service,

This report includes background and analysis of energy policy. Points of discussion include the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, nuclear energy, and renewable energy and fuels.

This report includes information related to energy efficiency, including history, various bills and budgets, and conservation. Climate change and energy security related to energy efficiency are also discussed in this report.

This report includes discussion of congressional issues regarding tactical aircraft modernization. Major tactical aircraft programs, affordability, and service roles are among topics discussed in this report.

This report includes information regarding strategic petroleum reserve. Background, purchases of crude oil, and drawdown capability are among topics discussed in this report.

This report brief discusses the history, current posture, and outlook for federal energy tax policy.

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This report provides an overview of key environmental issues that are receiving or may receive attention in the 109th Congress.

This report includes information regarding congressional issues of United Nations system funding. Topics of discussion include United Nations assessed budgets, voluntary programs, and peacekeeping operations.

This report contains the political developments and implications for U.S. interests with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

This report contains information regarding the Safe Drinking Water Act. Amendments to the act, drinking water infrastructure funding, and drinking water security are among topics discussed in this report.

This report includes information regarding various agriculture issues surrounding mad cow disease. Topics of discussion include risk analysis, previous and current safeguards, as well as trade implications.

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This report includes information involving major legislative issues regarding military retirement. Key elements and issues, budgeting and costs, and concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation are among topics discussed in this report.

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In the 108th Congress, debate over energy efficiency programs has focused on budget, oil, natural gas, and electricity issues, and provisions in the omnibus energy policy bill, S. 2095, H.R. 6, and S. 14/S. 1149. The Bush Administration’s FY2005 budget request for the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Energy Efficiency Program sought $875.9 million, including $543.9 for R&D and $332.0 million for grants. In the first session, the omnibus energy bill (H.R. 6) had several significant tax and regulatory measures for energy efficiency. It did not pass the Senate due to concerns about cost and an MTBE “safe harbor” provision.

In approving the FY2001 agriculture appropriations act, Congress codified the lifting of unilateral sanctions on commercial sales of food, agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical products to Iran, Libya, North Korea, and Sudan, and extended this policy to Cuba (as enacted in by the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000, or TSRA). Congressional opponents of TSRA's prohibitions on private U.S. financing of agricultural sales, public financing of eligible exports, and tourist travel to Cuba have introduced bills since 2000 to repeal these provisions. Though several amendments to repeal or relax TSRA provisions relative to Cuba were adopted by committees or passed during floor debate, all were dropped in conference action. Administration officials continually signal to conferees they will advise the President to veto any bill that would change TSRA's prohibitions against Cuba.

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