Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Debate (open access)

Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Debate

This report discusses the ongoing debate regarding the Export-Import Bank of the United States, a federal government corporation which is the the official export credit agency (ECA) of the U.S. Government. The bank's statutory charter expires on September 30, 2014, meaning that its authority to obligations generally would cease and a wind-down of operations would be required. The report gives four possible scenarios for approaches Congress could take in regards to approaching the bank's future authorization status.
Date: August 18, 2014
Creator: Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Debt Limit Since 2011 (open access)

The Debt Limit Since 2011

This report discusses the federal debt increase. The accumulation of federal debt accelerated in the wake of the 2007-2008 financial crisis and subsequent recession. Rising debt levels, along with continued differences in views of fiscal policy, led to a series of contentious debt limit episodes in recent years.
Date: February 18, 2014
Creator: Austin, D. Andrew
System: The UNT Digital Library
Internships, Fellowships, and Other Work Experience Opportunities in the Federal Government (open access)

Internships, Fellowships, and Other Work Experience Opportunities in the Federal Government

This report describes Internet resources on major internship, fellowship, and work experience programs within the federal government. It is intended as a selective guide for students of all levels: high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate.
Date: November 18, 2014
Creator: Bailey, Christina M. & Manning, Jennifer E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
State Minimum Wages: An Overview (open access)

State Minimum Wages: An Overview

This report begins with a brief discussion of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) minimum wage coverage. It then provides a summary of state minimum wage laws, followed by an examination of rates and mechanisms of adjustments in states with minimum wage levels above the FLSA rate. The report also discusses the interaction of federal and state minimum wages over time.
Date: November 18, 2014
Creator: Bradley, David H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The No Fly List: Procedural Due Process and Hurdles to Litigation (open access)

The No Fly List: Procedural Due Process and Hurdles to Litigation

This report provides an overview of the operation of the government's watchlists, examine some of the legal issues implicated by challenges to the No Fly list, and describe recent case law on the matter.
Date: September 18, 2014
Creator: Cole, Jared P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S.-Japan Economic Relations: Significance, Prospects, and Policy Options (open access)

U.S.-Japan Economic Relations: Significance, Prospects, and Policy Options

This report discusses issues regarding U.S.-Japan economic relations, since the economic condition of each nation can affect the world economy and a U.S.-Japan bilateral economic relationship could influence economic conditions in other countries. U.S. and Japanese leaders have several options on how to manage their relationship, including stronger reliance on the World Trade Organization; special bilateral negotiating frameworks and agreements; or a free trade agreement.
Date: February 18, 2014
Creator: Cooper, William H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Air Quality Issues and Animal Agriculture: EPA’s Air Compliance Agreement (open access)

Air Quality Issues and Animal Agriculture: EPA’s Air Compliance Agreement

This report discusses a plan announced by EPA in January 2005, called the Air Compliance Agreement, that would produce air quality monitoring data on animal agriculture emissions from a small number of farms, while at the same time protecting all participants (including farms where no monitoring takes place) through a “safe harbor” from liability under certain provisions of federal environmental laws.
Date: August 18, 2014
Creator: Copeland, Claudia
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federalism Issues in Surface Transportation Policy: A Historical Perspective (open access)

Federalism Issues in Surface Transportation Policy: A Historical Perspective

This report provides a historical perspective on contemporary federalism issues in surface transportation policy, from the beginning of the nation through MAP-21. This analysis may prove useful as Congress debates legislation reauthorizing surface transportation programs during the 113th Congress.
Date: August 18, 2014
Creator: Dilger, Robert Jay
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Capital Offenses: An Abridged Overview of Substantive and Procedural Law (open access)

Federal Capital Offenses: An Abridged Overview of Substantive and Procedural Law

None
Date: November 18, 2014
Creator: Doyle, Charles
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Capital Offenses: An Overview of Substantive and Procedural Law (open access)

Federal Capital Offenses: An Overview of Substantive and Procedural Law

Murder, committed under any of more than 50 jurisdictional circumstances, is a federal capital offense. So are treason, espionage, and certain drug kingpin offenses. The Federal Death Penalty Act and related provisions establish the procedure that must be followed before a defendant convicted of a federal capital offense may be executed. This report is an overview of the law in the area.
Date: November 18, 2014
Creator: Doyle, Charles
System: The UNT Digital Library
Declarations of War and Authorizations for the Use of Military Force: Historical Background and Legal Implications (open access)

Declarations of War and Authorizations for the Use of Military Force: Historical Background and Legal Implications

This report provides historical background on the enactment of declarations of war and authorizations for the use of force and analyzes their legal effects under international and domestic law. It also sets forth their texts in two appendices. The report includes an extensive listing and summary of statutes that are triggered by a declaration of war, a declaration of national emergency, and/or the existence of a state of war. The report concludes with a summary of the congressional procedures applicable to the enactment of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of force and to measures under the War Powers Resolution.
Date: April 18, 2014
Creator: Elsea, Jennifer K. & Weed, Matthew C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Poverty: Major Themes in Past Debates and Current Proposals (open access)

Poverty: Major Themes in Past Debates and Current Proposals

This report begins with an overview of trends affecting both the incidence of poverty and characteristics of the population, and highlights changing perceptions of the poor and causes of poverty. The report then provides a short history of key federal policies enacted over the past century to address poverty. To provide a framework for analyzing current and future proposals, the report then presents several overarching themes that have recurred in poverty policy debates over the course of this history.
Date: September 18, 2014
Creator: Falk, Gene & Spar, Karen
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Project BioShield Act: Issues for the 113th Congress (open access)

The Project BioShield Act: Issues for the 113th Congress

This report provides a brief overview of the Project BioShield authorities and appropriations, identifies the medical countermeasures obtained through Project BioShield, reviews the relationship between Project BioShield and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and discusses policy issues for congressional policy makers and related legislation in the 113th Congress.
Date: June 18, 2014
Creator: Gottron, Frank
System: The UNT Digital Library
Improper Payments in High Priority Programs: In Brief (open access)

Improper Payments in High Priority Programs: In Brief

This report provides a brief overview of the improper payments in high priority programs.
Date: August 18, 2014
Creator: Hatch, Garrett Leigh
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran Sanctions (open access)

Iran Sanctions

This report discusses the recent development regarding the negotiations with Iran about its nuclear program. It provides background information on Iranian nuclear program and debates the November 24 Joint Plan of Action Elements.
Date: March 18, 2014
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nuclear Cooperation with Other Countries: A Primer (open access)

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: September 18, 2014
Creator: Kerr, Paul K. & Nikitin, Mary Beth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Regular Vetoes and Pocket Vetoes: An Overview (open access)

Regular Vetoes and Pocket Vetoes: An Overview

This report provides an overview of the President's veto power, including regular vetoes and pocket vetoes.
Date: June 18, 2014
Creator: Kosar, Kevin R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) and the Federal Budget (open access)

Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) and the Federal Budget

This report briefly examines budgetary considerations regarding the Export-Import Bank, which finances and ensures U.S. exports of goods and services on a demand driven basis.
Date: July 18, 2014
Creator: Levit, Mindy R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Health Benefits for Members of Congress and Certain Congressional Staff (open access)

Health Benefits for Members of Congress and Certain Congressional Staff

This report summarizes the provisions of the final rule and describes how it affects current and retired Members and congressional staff. OPM has indicated that Members and congressional staff are still eligible for other health benefits related to federal employment, and these additional health benefits are outlined in this report. This report also discusses Members' and staff's eligibility for Medicare, which does not appear to be affected by the final rule.
Date: February 18, 2014
Creator: Mach, Annie L. & Cornell, Ada S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Laws Affecting the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) (open access)

Laws Affecting the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)

This report provides historical and background information that helps explain how Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) has evolved. It focuses solely on changes made to FEHBP through legislative action.
Date: February 18, 2014
Creator: Mach, Annie L. & Cornell, Ada S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Women in the United States Congress: Historical Overview, Tables, and Discussion (open access)

Women in the United States Congress: Historical Overview, Tables, and Discussion

This report discusses the impact of women in Congress and historical information, such as the number and percentage of women in Congress over time, means of entry to Congress, comparisons to international and state legislatures, records for tenure, firsts for women in Congress, women in leadership, and African-American and Asian-Pacific American women in Congress.
Date: February 18, 2014
Creator: Manning, Jennifer E.; Shogan, Colleen J. & Brudnick, Ida A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Unaccompanied Alien Children--Legal Issues: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (open access)

Unaccompanied Alien Children--Legal Issues: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

This report addresses the questions regarding the number of children arriving at the United States southern border, their reasons for coming to the United States, and current and potential responses of the federal government and other entities to their arrival
Date: July 18, 2014
Creator: Manuel, Kate M. & Garcia, Michael John
System: The UNT Digital Library
Whether Logging Road Runoff Requires a Clean Water Act Permit: Decker v. Northwest Environmental Defense Center (open access)

Whether Logging Road Runoff Requires a Clean Water Act Permit: Decker v. Northwest Environmental Defense Center

None
Date: February 18, 2014
Creator: Meltz, Robert
System: The UNT Digital Library
Mobile Technology and Spectrum Policy: Innovation and Competition (open access)

Mobile Technology and Spectrum Policy: Innovation and Competition

None
Date: July 18, 2014
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
System: The UNT Digital Library