This report is categorized into seven categories: (I) The Issue, (II) Background, (III) The APEC Process and Activities, (IV) The Osaka Action Agenda, (V) The Manila Action Plan for APEC (MAPA), (VI) The 1997 Vancouver Meetings and (VII) Conclusion.

This report discusses the November 25, 1997 summit held by leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. The purpose of the summit was to further pursue the APEC agenda of endorsing a framework developed by APEC leaders' finance ministers to promote financial stability in the Asia-Pacific region and to supplement resources by the International Monetary Fund when necessary.

This report provides a summary of major provisions of federal law and a chronology of key legislative and judicial actions.

Current law governing financial activity of campaigns for federal office is based on two principal statutes: the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1971, as amended in 1974, 1976, and 1979, and the Revenue Act of 1971. These laws were enacted to remedy widely perceived shortcomings of existing law, the Corrupt Practices Act of 1925, and in response to reports of campaign finance abuses over the years, culminating in the 1972-1974 Watergate scandal. This report provides a summary of major provisions of federal law and a chronology of key legislative and judicial actions.

Congress, federal agencies, and affected states are seeking to better understand Pfiesteriapiscicida (a recently identified species of dinoflagellate) and related species, whose blooms release toxins that can harm fish and possibly human health under certain conditions. Although menhaden, an industrial fish used primarily in fishmeal and oil production, is the dominant species observed to have been killed by these organisms, consumers have reduced their purchases of Chesapeake Bay seafood after extensive media coverage highlighted toxic events. Both the water and lipid-soluble toxins of Pfiesteria and related species have been blamed for adverse health effects in people who have come in contact with affected waters.

President Clinton signed two reconciliation acts into law in August 1997 as part of a plan to balance the budget by FY2002. To ensure compliance with this goal, enforcement procedures were included in one of the acts in a title referred to separately as the Budget Enforcement Act (BEA) of 1997. The BEA of 1997 extends procedures under the Budget Enforcement Act (BEA) of 1990 through FY2002

This report contains the summary and legislative history of the Budget Enforcement Act of 1997.

The Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program is a health insurance program for federal employees, annuitants, and their dependents. This report contains background information, eligibility and participation, and financing.

The Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program is a health insurance program for federal employees, annuitants, and their dependents. This report contains background information, eligibility and participation, and financing.

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In 1997, during the first session of the 105th Congress, the House and Senate will consider many different budgetary measures. Most of these measures will pertain to FY1998 and beyond, but some measures will make adjustments in the budget for the current fiscal year, FY1997. This issue brief describes House and Senate action on major budgetary legislation within the framework of the congressional budget process and other procedural requirements.

This report provides a bibliography that describe general sources of support and a few of the current general guides to writing grant proposals.

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