2,576 Matching Results

Results open in a new window/tab.

Contract Types: An Overview of the Legal Requirements and Issues (open access)

Contract Types: An Overview of the Legal Requirements and Issues

This report provides an overview of the various contract types (e.g., fixed-price, cost-reimbursement) used in federal procurement and the legal requirements and issues pertaining to each. Current congressional and public interest in contract types is, in part, an outgrowth of the reported increase in the use of cost-reimbursement contracts during the George W. Bush Administration1 and the Obama Administration's proposal to reduce by at least 10% the funds obligated in FY2010 by "high risk-contracting authorities," such as cost-reimbursement, time-and-materials, and labor-hour contracts.
Date: October 1, 2010
Creator: Manuel, Kate M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Homeland Security Department: FY2011 Appropriations (open access)

Homeland Security Department: FY2011 Appropriations

This report describes the FY2011 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Administration requested a net appropriation of $45.0 billion in budget authority for FY2011. This amounts to a $1.1 billion, or a 2.4% increase from the $43.9 billion enacted for FY2010. Total budget authority requested by the Administration for DHS for FY2011 amounts to $52.6 billion as compared to $51.7 billion enacted for FY2010.
Date: October 13, 2010
Creator: Haddal, Chad C.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Financial Services and General Government (FSGG): FY2011 Appropriations (open access)

Financial Services and General Government (FSGG): FY2011 Appropriations

This report discusses the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) FY2011 appropriations bill, which includes funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President (EOP), the judiciary, the District of Columbia, and 26 independent agencies, including the Small Business Administration and the United States Postal Service.
Date: October 14, 2010
Creator: Hatch, Garrett
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Public Schools: The Legal Issues (open access)

The Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Public Schools: The Legal Issues

Seclusion and restraint have been used in various situations to deal with violent or noncompliant behavior. Because of congressional interest in the use of seclusion and restraint in schools, including passage of H.R. 4247 and the introduction of S. 2860, 111th Congress, first session, this report focuses on the legal issues concerning the use of these techniques in schools, including their application both to children covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and to those not covered by IDEA.
Date: October 14, 2010
Creator: Jones, Nancy Lee & Feder, Jody
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Biomass: Comparison of Definitions in Legislation Through the 111th Congress (open access)

Biomass: Comparison of Definitions in Legislation Through the 111th Congress

This report discusses the use of biomass as an energy feedstock, which is emerging as a potentially viable alternative to address U.S. energy security concerns, foreign oil dependence, rural economic development, and diminishing sources of conventional energy. Biomass (organic matter that can be converted into energy) may include food crops, crops for energy (e.g., switchgrass or prairie perennials), crop residues, wood waste and byproducts, and animal manure. This report discusses legislation regarding biomass, the evolving definition of biomass, and the positions of supporters and detractors of biomass as an alternative energy source.
Date: October 28, 2010
Creator: Bracmort, Kelsi & Gorte, Ross W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Legal Issues Relating to the Disposal of Dispensed Controlled Substances (open access)

Legal Issues Relating to the Disposal of Dispensed Controlled Substances

Prescription drug abuse is the second-most common form of illicit drug abuse among teenagers in the United States, trailing only marijuana use. Prescription drug abuse has become a particular concern amongst federal policymakers. This report discusses this issue, including related pieces of legislation such as the Controlled Substances Act, the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, and the proper way to dispose of controlled substances.
Date: October 19, 2010
Creator: Yeh, Brian T.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
History of the Joint Committee on Reduction of Non-Essential Federal Expenditures (1941- 1974), with Observations on Oversight Today (open access)

History of the Joint Committee on Reduction of Non-Essential Federal Expenditures (1941- 1974), with Observations on Oversight Today

This report traces the history of the joint committee and describes the subject matter of some of its principal work products. The report concludes with some considerations involved with the creation of a committee - the purpose of which is to assist Congress in reducing federal spending - and with a brief examination of committee oversight authority extant in House and Senate committees and of alternative mechanisms for cutting spending.
Date: October 26, 2010
Creator: Koempel, Michael L.; Murray, Justin & Tabit, Brian P.J.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA): Congressional Interest and Executive Enforcement (open access)

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA): Congressional Interest and Executive Enforcement

This report briefly discusses the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act of 1977 (FCPA), which was intended to prevent corporate bribery of foreign officials. Criticisms of the act's operation and scope began almost immediately after its passage and have continued. This report discusses these criticisms.
Date: October 21, 2010
Creator: Seitzinger, Michael V.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Status of the Basel III Capital Adequacy Accord (open access)

The Status of the Basel III Capital Adequacy Accord

The new Basel Capital Adequacy Accord (Basel III) is an agreement among countries' central banks and bank supervisory authorities on the amount of capital banks must hold as a cushion against losses and insolvency. Basel III is of concern to Congress mainly because it could put U.S. financial institutions at a competitive disadvantage in world financial markets. This report follows the basic elements of the Basel III documents on the types of capital requirements and their phase-in schedule, which were approved by the Basel member central bank governors on September 12, 2010. The elements are the new definition of Tier 1 capital, the minimum common equity capital, the capital conservation buffer, countercyclical capital buffer, liquidity coverage ratio, global leverage ratio, and wind-down government capital injections. The report concludes with some implications drawn from its content.
Date: October 28, 2010
Creator: Eubanks, Walter W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Proliferation Control Regimes: Background and Status (open access)

Proliferation Control Regimes: Background and Status

This report provides background and current status information on multilateral regimes established to restrict trade in nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and missile technologies, and to monitor their civil applications. Congress may consider the efficacy of these regimes in considering the potential renewal of the Export Administration Act, as well as other proliferation-specific legislation in the 111th Congress.
Date: October 18, 2010
Creator: Nikitin, Mary Beth; Kerr, Paul K. & Hildreth, Steven A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): A Private Cause of Action (open access)

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): A Private Cause of Action

This report discusses the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), the purpose of which is to provide for, strengthen, and expedite the national defense by protecting service members, enabling them to "devote their entire energy to the defense needs of the Nation." This report also discusses related legislation, such as the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010, which clarifies certain SCRA protections.
Date: October 29, 2010
Creator: Mason, R. Chuck
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Winter Fuels Outlook 2010-2011 (open access)

Winter Fuels Outlook 2010-2011

This report discusses findings gleaned through the Energy Information Administration's (EIA) publication titled Short-Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook (STEWFO) for the 2010-2011 winter heating season. STEWFO projects how much American consumers should expect to see heating expenditures rise during the 2010-2011 winter season. These findings take into account the currently slow economic growth, high unemployment numbers, and uncertainty regarding the federal funding of the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Date: October 29, 2010
Creator: Pirog, Robert
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The U.S. Oil Refining Industry: Background in Changing Markets and Fuel Policies (open access)

The U.S. Oil Refining Industry: Background in Changing Markets and Fuel Policies

This report begins by looking at the current production capacity of the oil refineries operating in the United States, and the sources and changes in crude oil supply. It then examines the changing characteristics of petroleum and petroleum product markets and identifies the effects of these changes on the refining industry. The report concludes with discussion of the policy and regulatory factors that are likely to affect the structure and performance of the industry during the next decade.
Date: October 29, 2010
Creator: Andrews, Anthony & Pirog, Robert
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Continuing Resolutions: Latest Action and Brief Overview of Recent Practices (open access)

Continuing Resolutions: Latest Action and Brief Overview of Recent Practices

This report is divided into two segments. The first section provides the most recent information on the FY2011 continuing resolution. The second segment focuses on the (1) history and recent trends, including the nature, scope, and duration of CRs during the past 35 years; (2) CR types by duration; (3) major substantive legislative provisions included in some CRs; and (4) funding gaps.
Date: October 1, 2010
Creator: Streeter, Sandy
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Unauthorized Alien Students: Issues and "DREAM Act" Legislation (open access)

Unauthorized Alien Students: Issues and "DREAM Act" Legislation

Supporters of comprehensive immigration reform have urged the President and Congress to pursue reform legislation. While legislative action on comprehensive reform does not appear likely during the remainder of the 111th Congress, there may be an effort to enact a measure, commonly referred to as the "DREAM Act," to enable certain unauthorized alien students to legalize their status. This report discusses the DREAM act and related issues.
Date: October 27, 2010
Creator: Bruno, Andorra
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Tariff Modifications: Miscellaneous Tariff Bills (open access)

Tariff Modifications: Miscellaneous Tariff Bills

This report discusses the current process by which duty suspension bills and other provisions are introduced, reviewed by several government agencies and committee staff, made available for public comment, and finally included in omnibus miscellaneous trade and technical corrections bills (MTBs) legislation reported out by the committees of jurisdiction.
Date: October 20, 2010
Creator: Jones, Vivian C.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Somalia: Current Conditions and Prospects for a Lasting Peace (open access)

Somalia: Current Conditions and Prospects for a Lasting Peace

This report discusses the political climate of Somalia, which has undergone extreme unrest for years. The report focuses on events since October 2002, including the formation of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in 2007 and the TFG's cooperation with the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) in 2008. The report also discusses the U.S. relationship with Somalia under the Obama Administration, including U.S. economic assistance given to Somalia and U.S. efforts to contain Somalian terrorist groups.
Date: October 8, 2010
Creator: Dagne, Ted
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations (open access)

Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations

This report provides an overview of Jordanian politics and current issues in U.S.-Jordanian relations. It provides a brief discussion of Jordan's government and economy and of its cooperation in promoting Arab-Israeli peace and other U.S. policy objectives in the Middle East.
Date: October 14, 2010
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nuclear Energy Policy (open access)

Nuclear Energy Policy

This report discusses nuclear energy issues currently facing Congress, such as federal incentives for new commercial reactors, radioactive waste management policy, research and development priorities, power plant safety and regulation, nuclear weapons proliferation, and security against terrorist attacks.
Date: October 21, 2010
Creator: Holt, Mark
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Sudan: The Crisis in Darfur and Status of the North-South Peace Agreement (open access)

Sudan: The Crisis in Darfur and Status of the North-South Peace Agreement

Sudan, geographically the largest country in Africa, has been ravaged by civil war intermittently for four decades, resulting in catastrophic civilian casualties and displacements. This report discusses the history of Sudan's civil unrest and the subsequent crisis in Darfur, as well as United Nations and United States aid and peacekeeping efforts and current related policy under the Obama Administration.
Date: October 8, 2010
Creator: Dagne, Ted
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. International Trade: Trends and Forecasts (open access)

U.S. International Trade: Trends and Forecasts

This report discusses the U.S. trade deficit in light of the 2008 global financial crisis, with emphasis on international trade and U.S. trade policy, most recent developments in trade of goods and service, trade forecasts for the future, and how issues such as the U.S. trade deficit and international trade, particularly with China, are commonly perceived.
Date: October 15, 2010
Creator: Nanto, Dick K. & Donnelly, J. Michael
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: An Overview and Resources for Outreach and Management (open access)

Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: An Overview and Resources for Outreach and Management

This report, which will be updated as warranted, describes statutory requirements for allocating congressional nominations to service academies. It also identifies the qualifications that must be met by potential nominees, as established by statute and each academy. Finally, sample documents that could be used by congressional offices at various stages of the nomination selection process are included.
Date: October 7, 2010
Creator: Petersen, R. Eric
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Uganda: Current Conditions and the Crisis in North Uganda (open access)

Uganda: Current Conditions and the Crisis in North Uganda

This report discusses the current political conditions of Uganda, which have long been ravaged by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), an armed rebel group backed by the government of Sudan. In particular, the report focuses on largely unsuccessful Ugandan efforts to resolve the conflict with the LRA, as well as talks with the U.S. under the Bush Administration and the recent suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, in July 2010.
Date: October 6, 2010
Creator: Dagne, Ted
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Coast Guard Deepwater Acquisition Programs: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress (open access)

Coast Guard Deepwater Acquisition Programs: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress

The term Deepwater refers to a collection of more than a dozen Coast Guard acquisition programs for replacing and modernizing the service's aging fleet of deepwater-capable ships and aircraft. Currently, there are plans to increase and enhance the Coast Guard's fleet through the Deepwater acquisition program. This report details the Coast Guard's budget requests and explains how the Coast Guard has improved its organization and management over the past several years.
Date: October 22, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library