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Agricultural Trade in the 106th Congress: A Review of Issues (open access)

Agricultural Trade in the 106th Congress: A Review of Issues

The 106th Congress considered a number of trade policy developments against a backdrop of weak foreign demand and large world supplies of agricultural commodities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that the value of U.S. agricultural exports fell between FY1996 (a record year) and FY1999 by almost $11 billion, to $49.2 billion. Agricultural exports did climb back to $50.9 billion in FY2000, and are now projected at $53 billion in FY2001. However, the pace of recovery concerned many agricultural groups and their supporters in Congress. Although they recognize that many world economic, farm production, political, and weather factors influence exports, many of these groups believe that the agricultural sector's future prosperity also depends upon such U.S. trade policies as: 1) encouraging China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), with its binding rules and responsibilities; 2) exempting agricultural exports from U.S. unilateral economic sanctions; 3) fully using export and food aid programs; and 4) aggressively battling foreign-imposed barriers to the movement of U.S. farm products. A few U.S. farm groups are wary of such approaches.
Date: December 29, 2000
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S.; Hanrahan, Charles E. & Jurenas, Remy
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Charitable Choice: Constitutional Issues and Developments Through the 106th Congress (open access)

Charitable Choice: Constitutional Issues and Developments Through the 106th Congress

This report is about the charitable choice of constitutional issues and developments through the 106th congress.
Date: December 27, 2000
Creator: Ackerman, David M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Environmental Reauthorizations and Regulatory Reform: From the 104th Congress through the 106th (open access)

Environmental Reauthorizations and Regulatory Reform: From the 104th Congress through the 106th

None
Date: December 27, 2000
Creator: Blodgett, John E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Agriculture and the 106th Congress: A Summary of Major Issues (open access)

Agriculture and the 106th Congress: A Summary of Major Issues

Most congressional interest in agriculture in the 106th Congress was focused on persistent low prices for major commodities and proposals to redress declining farm income. Six emergency farm aid bills were approved, increasing agricultural spending by nearly $27 billion for fiscal years 1999-2001. These bills provided disaster relief along with short term “market loss payments”to farmers to shore up farm income. Some longer term changes also were enacted as part of emergency farm legislation, which this report discusses in brief.
Date: December 15, 2000
Creator: Jones, Jean Yavis
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Economic Sanctions: Legislation in the 106th Congress (open access)

Economic Sanctions: Legislation in the 106th Congress

This report tracks legislation relating to the use of economic sanctions in pursuit of foreign policy or national security objectives. Separate sections are given to the areas of greatest activity: sanctions imposed against India and Pakistan; exemptions of food and medicine exports; and sanctions reform. A separate table is included listing sanctions measures that were introduced but received no consideration, including measures pertaining to export controls, nonproliferation, drug certifications, and the sanctions regimes leveled, or proposed to be leveled, against Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Serbia and Montenegro, and other countries.
Date: December 15, 2000
Creator: Rennack, Dianne E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 106th Congress (open access)

Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 106th Congress

This report briefs the Immigration legislation and issues in the 106th Congress.
Date: December 5, 2000
Creator: Wasem, Ruth Ellen; Bruno, Andorra; Krouse, William J. & Eig, Larry M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Agricultural Trade Issues in the 106th Congress (open access)

Agricultural Trade Issues in the 106th Congress

Agricultural interests have been following trade policy developments against a backdrop of weak foreign demand and large world supplies of agricultural products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that the value of U.S. agricultural exports fell between FY1996 (a record year) and FY1999 by almost $11 billion. USDA forecasts agricultural exports at $50.5 billion in FY2000 and $51.5 billion in FY2001. However, the projected agricultural trade surpluses for those years, of $11.5 billion and $12 billion, would be less than half the FY1996 surplus of $27.2 billion. Many agricultural groups and their supporters in Congress believe that the sector's future prosperity depends upon such U.S. trade policies as: 1) encouraging China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), with its binding rules and responsibilities; 2) exempting agriculture from U.S. unilateral economic sanctions; 3) fully using export and food aid programs; and 4) aggressively battling foreign-imposed barriers to the movement of U.S. farm products. A few U.S. farm groups are wary of such approaches.
Date: November 27, 2000
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S.; Hanrahan, Charles E. & Jurenas, Remy
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Term Limits for Members of Congress: Issues in the 106th Congress (open access)

Term Limits for Members of Congress: Issues in the 106th Congress

None
Date: November 20, 2000
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Clean Air Act Issues in the 106th Congress (open access)

Clean Air Act Issues in the 106th Congress

The Clean Air Act and its 1990 amendments appear to have contributed to a marked improvement in air quality nationwide. Of nearly 100 metropolitan areas not meeting air quality standards for ozone in 1990, more than two-thirds now do so. Even greater progress has been achieved with carbon monoxide: 36 of 42 areas not in attainment in 1990 now meet the standard. Nevertheless, EPA remains concerned about air pollution. In 1997, the Agency promulgated major revisions to its air quality standards for ozone and particulates, an action that would require most states and urban areas to establish additional controls on a wide range of pollution sources. The revised standards were challenged by numerous parties and the courts have remanded the standards to EPA. Implementation is currently in limbo, pending resolution of appeals by the Supreme Court.
Date: November 14, 2000
Creator: McCarthy, James E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Veterans' Issues in the 106th Congress (open access)

Veterans' Issues in the 106th Congress

None
Date: November 11, 2000
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Food Safety Issues in the 106th Congress (open access)

Food Safety Issues in the 106th Congress

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released in September new estimates showing that each year in the United States 76 million people get sick, 325,000 are hospitalized, and 5,000 die from food-related illnesses. Food-borne illness is a serious public health problem. Often, people do not seek medical help and their illness is not officially reported. Yet, consumers have become aware of the serious consequences of illnesses linked to a growing variety of foods, produced domestically or imported. Consumers want the government to regulate the food supply, and industry is interested in producing foods that are safe at a reasonable price. As a result there is congressional interest in oversight and legislation in this area.
Date: November 7, 2000
Creator: Vogt, Donna U.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Airport and Airway Trust Fund Issues in the 106th Congress (open access)

Airport and Airway Trust Fund Issues in the 106th Congress

This report briefly discusses the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR21 or FAIR21), which helps ensure that all aviation trust fund receipts (including interest) are spent for aviation purposes on an annual basis.
Date: November 2, 2000
Creator: Fischer, John W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Superfund Reauthorization Issues in the 106th Congress (open access)

Superfund Reauthorization Issues in the 106th Congress

Two reauthorization bills have been reported in the House: the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee reported H.R. 1300 (H.Rept. 106-353, Part I), and the Commerce Committee reported H.R. 2580 (H.Rept. 106-775, Part I). The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has considered a brownfields bill, S. 2700. The outlook for passage of any of them is not bright.
Date: October 30, 2000
Creator: Reisch, Mark
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Major Tax Issues in the 106th Congress: A Summary (open access)

Major Tax Issues in the 106th Congress: A Summary

Taxes have been a major focus of congressional attention during the first half of 2000. In part, Congress has returned to many of the issues it addressed last year. In August, 1999, Congress passed a set of tax cuts with the Taxpayer Refund and Relief Act (H.R. 2488; TRRA). However, President Clinton vetoed the bill, arguing that the cuts were too large (an estimated $792 billion over 10 years), would drain funds from Social Security surpluses, and would force reductions in domestic spending. Early in 2000, Congress signaled its intention of revisiting tax cuts with passage on April 13 of a fiscal year (FY) 2001 budget resolution (H.Con.Res. 290) calling for a 5-year tax cut of $175 billion.
Date: October 19, 2000
Creator: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service. Government and Fiance Division.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 106th Congress (open access)

Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 106th Congress

In the months approaching China's resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997, policy analysts are trying to assess how the territory will fare under Chinese rule. The answer is important to U.S. interests because of the enormous U.S. economic presence in Hong Kong; because any adverse developments in Hong Kong are likely to affect U.S.-China relations; and because China's promise to give Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy under the "one-China, two-systems" policy has major implications for Taiwan. But given the political situation, the American ability to affect the course of events in Hong Kong seems marginal unless the U.S. decides to confront Beijing more directly. Developments in U.S.-China relations in 1994-1995 suggest Washington might be hesitant to do so.
Date: October 18, 2000
Creator: Wasem, Ruth Ellen; Bruno, Andorra; Krouse, William J. & Eig, Larry M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Renewal Communities and New Markets Initiatives: Legislation in the 106th Congress (open access)

Renewal Communities and New Markets Initiatives: Legislation in the 106th Congress

On May 23, 2000, President Clinton and Speaker Dennis Hastert announced a bipartisan agreement on a renewal communities and new markets legislative initiative which would provide tax credits and investment guarantees designed to draw equity capital into impoverished areas. Following two months of negotiations over the specific language of the initiative, H.R. 4923 was introduced on July 24, and passed by the House under suspension of the rules the following day
Date: October 12, 2000
Creator: Mulock, Bruce K.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Derivatives Regulation: Legislation in the 106th Congress (open access)

Derivatives Regulation: Legislation in the 106th Congress

The 106th Congress is considering a general overhaul of derivatives regulation. Pending legislation would codify the unregulated status of certain derivatives, exempt many other currently-regulated contracts from oversight by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and permit the trading of a new kind of contract: a futures contract based on the stock of an individual corporation. Derivatives legislation has been reported out of committee in both House and Senate. This report analyzes this legislation in the 106th Congress, and will be updated as developments warrant.
Date: October 10, 2000
Creator: Jickling, Mark
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Restructuring DOE and Its Laboratories: Issues in the 106th Congress (open access)

Restructuring DOE and Its Laboratories: Issues in the 106th Congress

A number of legislative proposals to restructure or eliminate the Department of Energy (DOE) and the DOE laboratories have been introduced since the end of the Cold War, especially since the beginning of the 104th Congress. This legislation has been introduced because of perceived major problems with DOE, including its overall mission. Sponsors state, for example, that about 85% of DOE's budget is for non-energy programs, even though the nation's dependency on foreign energy sources has increased since the establishment of the department. Also of concern is the department's failure to go far enough, in their view, in solving its long-term management problems, downsizing, and reducing budgets.
Date: October 6, 2000
Creator: Boesman, William C.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 106th Congress, First Session, Volume 146, Part 16 (open access)

Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 106th Congress, First Session, Volume 146, Part 16

The Congressional Record contains the records for sessions of the U.S. Congress including summaries of proceedings, letters, and speeches for the Senate and House of Representatives.
Date: October 2000
Creator: United States. Congress.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
School Facilities Infrastructure: Background and Legislative Proposals in the 106th Congress (open access)

School Facilities Infrastructure: Background and Legislative Proposals in the 106th Congress

Congressional Research Service (CRS) report entailing background information and legislative proposals in the 106th Congress in regards to school facilities and infrastructure. Topics include, legislative action, enrollment projections and construction, estimates of construction needs, etc..
Date: September 22, 2000
Creator: Boren, Susan
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Major Tax Issues in the 106th Congress: A Summary (open access)

Major Tax Issues in the 106th Congress: A Summary

None
Date: September 21, 2000
Creator: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service. Government and Fiance Division.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Community Development Block Grants: Funding and Other Issues in the 106th Congress (open access)

Community Development Block Grants: Funding and Other Issues in the 106th Congress

In this report Congress addresses a number of community development issues, including reauthorization of the CDBG and revision of the CDBG program definitions of entitlement communities and low- and moderate-income households. Congress also will consider legislation appropriating funds for the program for FY2001, including funding for a number of new initiatives proposed by the Clinton Administration.
Date: September 20, 2000
Creator: Boyd, Eugene
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Environmental Protection Issues in the 106th Congress (open access)

Environmental Protection Issues in the 106th Congress

This report discuses issues such as Reforming Superfund, defense cleanup compliance, funding measures, beach assessment, air-related risk management plans, and research received congressional attention in the 106th Congress, first session. In the remaining days, there may be action related on water quality programs involving specific water bodies, and funding of environmental programs.
Date: September 11, 2000
Creator: Lee, Martin R.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for the 106th Congress (open access)

Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for the 106th Congress

The United States and Mexico have a special relationship under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which removes trade and investment barriers between the countries. The relationship has been strengthened by presidential visits, including President Clinton's February 1999 trip to Mexico and President Zedillo's June 2000 trip to the United States, and by regular contacts between cabinet-level officials. Major issues of concern to Congress are trade, immigration, drug trafficking, and political rights.
Date: September 5, 2000
Creator: Storrs, K. Larry
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library