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A Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment: Background and Congressional Options
This report provides an overview of the issues and options that have been raised during prior consideration of proposals for an amendment to the constitution regarding the balancing of the U.S. government.
Date:
August 3, 2011
Creator:
Saturno, James V. & Lynch, Megan Suzanne
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Its Role in U.S. Trade Policy
This report looks at the background of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) in the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which was created by Congress. It then discusses how the 112th Congress is considering legislative action to extend the TAA - including two issues: how necessary or appropriate the extension is, and whether or not three proposed bills should be voted upon separately.
Date:
August 11, 2011
Creator:
Hornbeck, J. F. & Rover, Laine Elise
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Standard & Poor's Downgrade of U.S. Government Long-Term Debt
This report discusses the lowering of the U.S. government debt credit rating by Standard & Poor's (S&P) on August 5, 2011. It discusses the reasons behind the lowered credit rating and implications for the U.S. economy, other debt markets, and banking regulations.
Date:
August 9, 2011
Creator:
Jickling, Mark
System:
The UNT Digital Library
The National Guard State Partnership Program: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
This report traces the origin and development of the State Partnership Program (SPP), which is a Department of Defense (DOD) security cooperation program run by the National Guard; summarizes its unique aspects; and outlines its statutory basis, funding mechanisms, organization, and activities. It details recent legislative and executive branch actions. It also explores issues that may merit congressional attention and provides options for policymakers who may be interested in modifying the program.
Date:
August 15, 2011
Creator:
Kapp, Lawrence & Serafino, Nina M.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Army Corps Fiscal Challenges: Frequently Asked Questions
This report looks at issues in funding all of the Army Corps requests for the fiscal year. The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for much of the federal water resources infrastructure in the United States. The Corps is faced with more demands for building and maintaining its projects than available federal funding allows. At issue for Congress is deciding how to tackle Corps fiscal challenges during a tight fiscal climate and under earmark moratoriums.
Date:
August 18, 2011
Creator:
Carter, Nicole T. & Stern, Charles V.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Congressional Primer on Major Disasters and Emergencies
This report covers the role of the government in disaster management. While the disaster response and recovery process is fundamentally a relationship between the federal government and the requesting state government, there are roles for congressional offices to play in providing information to the federal/state response and recovery teams in their respective states and districts. Congressional offices also serve as a valuable source of accurate and timely information to their constituents.
Date:
August 31, 2011
Creator:
McCarthy, Francis X. & Brown, Jared T.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
The Debt Limit: History and Recent Increases
This report discusses how the total debt of the federal government can increase, an historical overview of debt limits, and how the current economic slowdown has led to higher deficits and thereby a series of debt limit increases, as well as legislation related to these increases.
Date:
August 3, 2011
Creator:
Austin, D. Andrew & Levit, Mindy R.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress
This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress, and refers readers to more in-depth CRS reports on specific Arctic-related issues. Congressional readers with questions about an issue discussed in this report should contact the author or authors of the section discussing that issue. The authors are identified by footnote at the start of each section.
Date:
August 8, 2011
Creator:
O'Rourke, Ronald
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Army Corps of Engineers Water Resource Projects: Authorization and Appropriations
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers attracts congressional attention because its projects can have significant local and regional economic benefits and environmental effects, in addition to their water resource development purposes. This report provides an overview of the Corps civil works program. It covers the congressional authorization and appropriation process, the standard project development process, and other Corps activities and authorities. It also includes an Appendix on the evolution of Corps civil works missions and authorities and a description of the limits on the Corps' role in levee accreditation and improvements for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Date:
August 19, 2011
Creator:
Carter, Nicole T. & Stern, Charles V.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
U.S.-Mexican Security Cooperation: The Mérida Initiative and Beyond
Increasing violence perpetrated by drug trafficking organizations and other criminal groups is threatening citizen security and governance in Mexico. Escalating violence has increased U.S. concerns about stability in Mexico, a key political and economic ally, and about the possibility of violence spilling over into the United States. In recent years, U.S.-Mexican security cooperation has increased significantly, largely as a result of the development and implementation of the Mérida Initiative, a counterdrug and anticrime assistance package for Mexico and Central America that was first proposed in October 2007. This report looks at the funding and Congressional oversight for this Initiative.
Date:
August 15, 2011
Creator:
Ribando Seelke, Clare & Finklea, Kristin M.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Central America Regional Security Initiative: Background and Policy Issues for Congress
This report examines the extent of the security problems in Central America, the current efforts being undertaken by Central American governments to address them, and U.S. support for Central American efforts through the Central America Regional Security Initiative. It also raises potential policy issues for congressional consideration such as funding levels, human rights concerns, and how CARSI relates to other U.S. government policies.
Date:
August 30, 2011
Creator:
Meyer, Peter J. & Ribando Seelke, Clare
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Egypt in Transition
This report provides a brief overview of the transition underway after the resignation of Egyption president, Hosni Mubarak, as well as information on U.S. foreign aid to Egypt. U.S. policy toward Egypt has long been framed as an investment in regional stability, however, U.S. policy makers are now grappling with complex questions about the future of U.S.-Egypt relations.
Date:
August 23, 2011
Creator:
Sharp, Jeremy M.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress
This report focuses on the implications that certain elements of China's military modernization may have for future required U.S. Navy capabilities. The issue for Congress addressed in this report is: How should China's military modernization be factored into decisions about U.S. Navy programs? Congress's decisions on this issue could significantly affect future U.S. Navy capabilities, U.S. Navy funding requirements, and the U.S. defense industrial base, including the shipbuilding industry.
Date:
August 26, 2011
Creator:
O'Rourke, Ronald
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Civilian Nuclear Waste Disposal
This report looks at the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (NWPA), Yucca Mountain, and the Obama Administration's de-funding of Yucca Mountain. Federal policy is based on the premise that nuclear waste can be disposed of safely, but proposed storage and disposal facilities have frequently been challenged on safety, health, and environmental grounds. Most of the current debate surrounding civilian radioactive waste focuses on highly radioactive spent fuel from nuclear power plants.
Date:
August 30, 2011
Creator:
Holt, Mark
System:
The UNT Digital Library
China-U.S. Trade Issues
This report discusses the U.S.-China economic relationship and China's rapid expansion as a global economic market, both with respect to the current global economic crisis. It also examines major U.S.-China trade issues and related legislation.
Date:
August 29, 2011
Creator:
Morrison, Wayne M.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Lame Duck Sessions of Congress, 1935-2010 (74th-111th Congresses)
This report discusses how lame duck sessions occur, and the background of the lame duck sessions between 1940 and 2010. A “lame duck” session of Congress occurs whenever one Congress meets after its successor is elected, but before the term of the current Congress ends.
Date:
August 30, 2011
Creator:
Beth, Richard S. & Tollestrup, Jessica
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the modernization of the Coast Guard's polar icebreaker fleet, which performs a variety of missions supporting U.S. interests in polar regions.
Date:
August 5, 2011
Creator:
O'Rourke, Ronald
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Protection of Classified Information by Congress: Practices and Proposals
This report discusses safeguards in place to protect conterolled information and proposals for change of some of the mechanisms in place. Congress uses classified national security and other controlled information to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities, particularly overseeing the executive, appropriating funds, and legislating public policy.
Date:
August 31, 2011
Creator:
Kaiser, Frederick M.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Uzbekistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests
This report discusses U.S. policy and assistance regarding Uzbekistan, including basic facts and biographical information. Uzbekistan is a potential Central Asian regional power by virtue of its relatively large population, energy and other resources, and location in the heart of the region. It has failed to make progress in economic and political reforms, and many observers criticize its human rights record.
Date:
August 31, 2011
Creator:
Nichol, Jim
System:
The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Periods of War and Dates of Current Conflicts
This report lists the beginning and ending dates for "periods of war" found in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It also lists and differentiates other beginning dates given in declarations of war, as well as termination of hostilities dates and armistice and ending dates given in proclamations, laws, or treaties.
Date:
August 23, 2011
Creator:
Torreon, Barbara Salazar
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Tanzania: Background and Current Conditions
This report discusses the current political climate in Tanzania, an important U.S. ally in Africa. The report also provides some general background information.
Date:
August 31, 2011
Creator:
Dagne, Ted
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Nuclear Cooperation with Other Countries: A Primer
This report discusses section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act (AEA), the specific requirements of which must be met in order for the United States to engage in civilian nuclear cooperation with other states. The AEA also provides for exemptions to these requirements, export control licensing procedures, and criteria for terminating cooperation.
Date:
August 11, 2011
Creator:
Kerr, Paul K. & Nikitin, Mary Beth
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Clean Water Act Section 401: Background and Issues
This report is categorized into four categories: (I) Background, (II) Stakeholder Concerns and Other Court Rulings, (III) Section 401 and Land Runoff and (IV) Legislative Response.
Date:
August 30, 2011
Creator:
Copeland, Claudia
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Social Services Block Grant: Background and Funding
The Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) is a flexible source of funds that states may use to support a wide variety of social services activities. States have broad discretion over the use of these funds. This short report provides background information on the SSBG and tracks relevant legislation and appropriations measures.
Date:
August 10, 2011
Creator:
Lynch, Karen E.
System:
The UNT Digital Library