This report gives an economic analysis of usury ceilings, laws which set the maximum legal rate of interest to be charged on particular types of loans. It provides a brief overview of recent Federal l e g i s l a t i o n dealing with usury, with special emphasis on the Federal authorities mandated by P.L. 96-221, and the effectiveness of Federal preemption of State usury laws.

This report provides background information and a general overview of the role of human rights in U.S. foreign policy. It includes a discussion of some traditional arguments about how international human rights concerns might be integrated with other foreign policy factors. It also includes a discussion of the definition of human rights, of U.S. international obligations to promote human rights, and the apparatus and procedures available to the U.S. Government for implementing human rights policy. Particular attention is paid to congressional actions, not only in debating and holding hearings on human rights issues, but especially in enacting laws to assure that U.S. foreign policy formulation and practice include consideration of the status of human rights in other countries.

This report concerns the 97th Congress reviewing proposals for substantive amendments to the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the re-authorization of the CAA.

"Enterprise zones" as a concept originated in England in the late 1970s. The idea is to free certain specified urban areas of taxes and government regulations to encourage private business investment and create new jobs. Empirical evidence to support the concept is lacking. This paper contains a discussion of the concept of enterprise zones, without reference to any legislative proposals in the United States. Analyses of legislation will appear as prime sponsors introduce new bills.

This paper sets forth questions that a congressional office needs to consider in the process of closing down. These include statutory and non-statutory matters such as staff, the franking privilege, retirement benefits for Members and staff, allowances, and the disposition of congressional papers, and other office items.

This bibliography provides the reader an overview of the growth, development, responsibilities, and duties of personal staffs of Senators and Representatives and the staffs of congressional committees, as seen and studied by academicians, journalists, former Members of the House and Senate, and former staff members.

This report presents a general analysis of personal staff functions in a congressional office. Because there is little specific information from Congress and other sources regarding staff job descriptions and because congressional office organization patterns very significantly, this report focuses on the staff functions that are common to all offices regardless of organizational structure or job title: office management; mail; projects; casework; legislation; schedulng and personal services; press and public relations; and political functions.

It is the purpose of this paper to present the range of viewpoints concerning the causes of inflation. Inflation is defined and distinguished from changes' in relative prices. The Monetarist, Post-Keynesian, and neo-Keynesian positions are discussed to illustrate the variety of perceptions as to the sources of sustained increases in the general price level.

This research guide identifies the information sources for the issue of social security financing as well as for a number of specific topics related to this subject.

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This report discusses magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generation, which is a method for converting heat directly into electrical energy without the use of a rotating electrical power generator.

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This report gives details aboutpublic opinions on abortion.

This report lists books, pamphlets, and organizations that provide information on numerous aspects of employment abroad such as resume writing, living conditions overseas, and etc.

This issue brief contains a discussion of the evolution of existing child and family related social services programs.

Debate over natural gas pricing has included the consideration of a windfall profit tax, with the oil windfall profit tax as a possible guide to what might be levied on natural gas at the wellhead. This report reviews the issues surrounding the enactment of the crude oil windfall profit tax, spells out its provisions, and provides data on the revenues collected and anticipated.

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This report highli8hts some of the major issues of recruiting, retention, and quality raised by the transition to an All-Volunteer Force (AVF) and efforts to maintain it in the 1970s and 1980s. The strategic and political basis of current military manpower policy provides the framework for a discussion of quantitative, qualitative, and analytical and administrative issues regarding the A'TF.

This report includes Congressional Research Service Studies in the Public Domain.

This report is on The Legislative Scene: Selected News Letters, Journals, and Other Periodical Publications Covering Congressional Activities.

The improved political relationship between the United States and the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.), initiated by the Nixon Administration and furthered by the Carter Administration's decision to establish diplomatic relations, has spurred a rapid increase in Sino-U.S. trade. While still small relative to overall U.S. foreign trade, the volume of trade represents an abrupt shift from the no-trade policy that had been pursued since 1950. Despite the rapid expansion, outstanding issues remain as serious barriers to normalized trade. Resolution of those issues may require concession or accommodations by the Chinese leadership as well as action by both the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch. However, the development of a new approach to foreign economic relations by the post-Mao Chinese leadership and the establishment of diplomatic relations have laid the ground work for a further expansion of commercial relations.

This report reviews the history of public land disposal and the location and uses of present Federal Public Lands. Land disposal policies and practices of agencies of the Department of Agriculture, Defense and the Interior, and of the General Services Administration are discussed.

The days in which the Federal Government provided cheap land for the taking are gone. Nevertheless, interest in obtaining Federal lands remains high, and it is still possible to obtain parcels of public lands under certain circumstances. The land disposal practices of the principal Federal land management agencies are summarized in this report.