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Appropriations are one part of a complex federal budget process that includes budget resolutions, appropriations (regular, supplemental, and continuing) bills, rescissions, and budget reconciliation bills. This Report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress passes each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Legislative Branch Appropriations.

The House of Representatives uses this parliamentary device to take procedural advantage of a somewhat different set of rules governing proceedings in the Committee than those governing proceedings in the House. The purpose is to expedite legislative consideration. This report briefly reviews the history of the Committee of the Whole, describes the current procedure associated with it, and identifies its procedural advantages.

This report discusses the need for cooperation between law enforcement and intelligence agencies and for human intelligence (humint), the use of agents to gather information, to counter terrorism and the risks associated with humint. Updated May 27, 2003.

In this report several other Clean Water Act issues are likely to receive congressional attention, through oversight hearings and possibly in legislative proposals. Among the topics of interest is whether and how the Administration will revise the current program for restoration of pollution-impaired waters (the Total Maximum Daily Load, or TMDL program), in view of controversy over regulatory changes made during the Clinton Administration and continuing disagreement among states, cities, industry, and environmental advocates about program effectiveness and efficiency.

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This issue brief views reorganization and management as involving the alteration of the program administrative structure and operations of the executive branch for reasons of efficiency, economy, and direction. The underlying issue is who reorganizes or sets management policy—Congress or the President— and by what authority and, also, for what purpose?

The United States recognized the independence of all the former Soviet republics by the end of 1991, including the South Caucasus states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The United States has fostered these states' ties with the West in part to end the dependence of these states on Russia for trade, security, and other relations. The FREEDOM Support Act of 1992 provides authorization for assistance to the Eurasian states for humanitarian needs, democratization, and other purposes. In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, the Administration appealed for a national security waiver of the prohibition on aid to Azerbaijan, in consideration of Azerbaijan's assistance to the international coalition to combat terrorism. Azerbaijani and Georgian troops participate in stabilization efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Armenian personnel serve in Iraq.

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Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) (P.L. 105-220), the country’s chief job training legislation, authorizes several job training programs, including Youth, Adult, and Dislocated Worker Activities; Job Corps; Youth Opportunity Grants; and programs for Native Americans, migrant and seasonal farmworkers, and veterans. The funding authorization for WIA programs expires on September 30,2003. On May 8, 2003, the House passed H.R. 1261, the Workforce Reinvestment and Adult Education Act of 2003. In addition to reauthorizing the Title I job training programs, the bill would also reauthorize the adult education and literacy programs and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This report focuses on provisions related to the Title I programs.

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Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the confidentiality of information associated with family violence centers.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Human Services to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to relating to insurance coverage of commercial motor carriers.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the financing, construction, operation of, and records regarding venue projects in certain counties.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the publication of state agency Internet addresses in telephone directories.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to license fees for certain nursing and convalescent homes

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the effect of a criminal conviction on licensing and regulation of a mortgage broker or loan officer.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to an examination requirement for mortgage broker and loan officer license applicants.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the definition of a financial institution for purposes of law governing savings banks.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to obtaining criminal history record information on an applicant for or holder of a mortgage broker or loan officer license.