American Foreign Fighters and the Islamic State: Broad Challenges for Federal Law Enforcement (open access)

American Foreign Fighters and the Islamic State: Broad Challenges for Federal Law Enforcement

This report offers a framework for considering the challenges to domestic security posed by American fighters in the terrorist group known as the Islamic State (IS, previously referred to as ISIS or ISIL) and outlines some of the ways that U.S. law enforcement responds to such challenges.
Date: September 19, 2014
Creator: Bjelopera, Jerome P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
American Jihadist Terrorism: Combating a Complex Threat (open access)

American Jihadist Terrorism: Combating a Complex Threat

This report describes homegrown violent jihadists and the plots and attacks that have occurred since 9/11. It also outlines actions underway to build trust and partnership between community groups and government agencies and the tensions that may occur between law enforcement and engagement activities.
Date: February 19, 2014
Creator: Bjelopera, Jerome P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Child Welfare: Health Care Needs of Children in Foster Care and Related Federal Issues (open access)

Child Welfare: Health Care Needs of Children in Foster Care and Related Federal Issues

This report addresses Health Care needs of children in Foster Care and related federal issues regarding Child Welfare.
Date: November 19, 2014
Creator: Stoltzfus, Emilie; Baumrucker, Evelyne P.; Fernandes-Alcantara, Adrienne L. & Fernandez, Bernadette
System: The UNT Digital Library
Clean Coal Loan Guarantees and Tax Incentives: Issues in Brief (open access)

Clean Coal Loan Guarantees and Tax Incentives: Issues in Brief

This report discusses certain federal financial incentive mechanisms for "clean coal" commercial projects; namely, loan guarantees and tax incentives. At issue for Congress is the extent to which the private sector has used these financial toolsto develop the technology needed for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions while continuing to use available domestic coal reserves for electricity generation.
Date: August 19, 2014
Creator: Folger, Peter & Sherlock, Molly F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Congressional Commissions: Costs and Cost-Saving Strategies (open access)

Congressional Commissions: Costs and Cost-Saving Strategies

This report discusses the congressional commissions, which are temporary advisory bodies, usually established by statute, that provide independent advice to Congress, make recommendations for changes in public policy, study or investigate a particular problem or event, or perform a specific duty.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Glassman, Matthew E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Congressional Oversight Manual (open access)

Congressional Oversight Manual

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) developed the Congressional Oversight Manual over 30 years ago. Over the years, CRS has assisted many Members, committees, party leaders, and staff aides in the performance of the oversight function: the review, monitoring, and supervision of the implementation of public policy.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Dolan, Alissa M.; Halchin, Elaine; Garvey, Todd; Oleszek, Walter J. & Ginsberg, Wendy
System: The UNT Digital Library
Countering Violent Extremism in the United States (open access)

Countering Violent Extremism in the United States

This report provides examples of Administration "combating violent extremism" (CVE) activity and examines some of the risks and challenges evident in the "Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States" (SIP's) three objectives. The report also diagrams and briefly discusses the "future activities and efforts" outlined in the SIP for each of these three objectives.
Date: February 19, 2014
Creator: Bjelopera, Jerome P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances (open access)

Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances

This report provides information about the U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances on Cuba. Restriction on travel to Cuba has been a key and often contentious component in the U.S.
Date: August 19, 2014
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cybersecurity: Authoritative Reports and Resources, by Topic (open access)

Cybersecurity: Authoritative Reports and Resources, by Topic

This report provides information about the Authoritative Reports and Resources, by Topic on Cybersecurity. This report provides references to analytical reports on cybersecurity from CRS other government agencies etc.
Date: February 19, 2014
Creator: Tehan, Rita
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Defense Production Act of 1950: History, Authorities, and Reauthorization (open access)

The Defense Production Act of 1950: History, Authorities, and Reauthorization

This report examines some of the history of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA), focusing primarily on its creation and most recent legislative reauthorization. It also discusses the foremost active authorities of the DPA.
Date: June 19, 2014
Creator: Brown, Jared T. & Else, Daniel H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Department of Homeland Security: FY2015 Appropriations (open access)

Department of Homeland Security: FY2015 Appropriations

This report analyzes the FY2015 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security(DHS). While this report makes note of many budgetary resources provided to DHS, its primary focus is on funding approved by Congress through the appropriations process.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Painter, William L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
DHS Headquarters Consolidation Project: Issues for Congress (open access)

DHS Headquarters Consolidation Project: Issues for Congress

The purpose of this report is to outline the policy considerations to be evaluated in deciding whether to continue funding the consideration of the remaining DHS headquarters functions at St. Elizabeth's, and to explore some of the benefits and consequences of several possible ways forward.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Painter, William L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Domestic Human Trafficking Legislation in the 113th Congress (open access)

Domestic Human Trafficking Legislation in the 113th Congress

This report discusses domestic human-trafficking-related issues that have received legislative action or are of significant congressional interest in the 113th Congress.
Date: May 19, 2014
Creator: Siskin, Alison
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Domestic Terrorist Threat: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

The Domestic Terrorist Threat: Background and Issues for Congress

This report focuses on how domestic terrorism is conceptualized by the federal government and issues involved in assessing this threat's significance.
Date: February 19, 2014
Creator: Bjelopera, Jerome P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
EPA Regulations: Too Much, Too Little, or On Track? (open access)

EPA Regulations: Too Much, Too Little, or On Track?

This report provides background information on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory activity during the Obama Administration to help address these issues. It examines major or controversial regulatory actions taken by or under development at EPA since January 2009, providing details on the regulatory action itself, presenting an estimated timeline for completion of the rule (including identification of related court or statutory deadlines), and, in general, providing EPA's estimates of costs and benefits, where available. The report includes tables that show which rules remain under development, and an appendix that describes major or controversial rules that are now final.
Date: March 19, 2014
Creator: McCarthy, James E. & Copeland, Claudia
System: The UNT Digital Library
Ethiopia: An Overview (open access)

Ethiopia: An Overview

This report gives an overview of Ethiopia's overview. It includes background, political issues, security concerns, economy, and U.S. foreign assistance
Date: August 19, 2014
Creator: Blanchard, Lauren Ploch
System: The UNT Digital Library
The European Parliament (open access)

The European Parliament

This report mainly discusses The European Parliament which is a key institution of 28 member European Union. The role of the European Parliament in the legislative has expanded steadily over time as the scope of EU policy has grown.
Date: May 19, 2014
Creator: Archick, Kristin
System: The UNT Digital Library
European Union Enlargement (open access)

European Union Enlargement

This report provides a brief overview of the European Union's (EU's) accession process and Turkey's path to EU membership. The U.S. Congress has had a long-standing interest in Turkey as a NATO ally and partner in regional foreign policy and energy security issues.
Date: February 19, 2014
Creator: Archick, Kristin & Morelli, Vincent L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
FBI Director: Appointment and Tenure (open access)

FBI Director: Appointment and Tenure

This report reviews the legislative history surrounding the enactment of the 1968 and 1976 amendments to the appointment of the FBI Director, as well as information on the nominees to the FBI Directorship since 1972. It also provides a legal overview of the extension of a Director's tenure.
Date: February 19, 2014
Creator: Chu, Vivian S. & Hogue, Henry B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Terrorism Investigations (open access)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Terrorism Investigations

This report provides background information on key elements of the FBI terrorism investigative process, based on publicly available information. This report sets forth possible considerations for Congress as it executes its oversight role, including the extent to which intelligence has been integrated into FBI operations to support its counterterrorism mission and the progress the Bureau has made on its intelligence reform initiatives.
Date: February 19, 2014
Creator: Bjelopera, Jerome P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Reserve: Oversight and Disclosure Issues (open access)

Federal Reserve: Oversight and Disclosure Issues

This report provides an overview of existing Fed oversight and disclosure practices. The report also considers the potential impact of greater oversight and disclosure on the Fed's independence and its ability to achieve its macroeconomic and financial stability goals.
Date: September 19, 2014
Creator: Labonte, Marc
System: The UNT Digital Library
Financial Aid for Students: Online Resources (open access)

Financial Aid for Students: Online Resources

This report identifies various online sources for planning and acquiring funds for postsecondary education.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Monagle, Laura L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Foreign Affairs Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO): Background and Current Issues (open access)

Foreign Affairs Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO): Background and Current Issues

Some members of Congress are examining foreign affairs funding designated as Overseas Contingency Operations because of its possible use for the overseas Ebola crisis, efforts to combat the Islamic State, and other budgetary reasons. This report contains information on the background of overseas contingency operations and current funding and issues.
Date: November 19, 2014
Creator: Epstein, Susan B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
FY2015 Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations: Fact Sheet (open access)

FY2015 Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations: Fact Sheet

None
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Perl, Libby; Jones, Katie & McCarty, Maggie
System: The UNT Digital Library