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Automatic Continuing Resolutions: Background and Overview of Recent Proposals
This report provides background on the historical frequency of federal funding gaps and shutdowns. It also discusses features of Automatic Continuing Resolutions (ACRs), arguments for and against ACRs, relevant Congressional actions, and proposals in the 112th through 114th Congresses.
Date:
August 20, 2015
Creator:
Tollestrup, Jessica
System:
The UNT Digital Library
California Drought: Hydrological and Regulatory Water Supply Issues
This report provides a summary of California's 2012-2015 drought including: comparisons, where applicable, to previous droughts; a summary of the key regulatory requirements that at certain times limit water deliveries (or exports) from the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers' Delta; and a brief discussion of California water rights with their relation to different types of federal contracts and their associated water allocations.
Date:
August 14, 2015
Creator:
Cody, Betsy A.; Folger, Peter & Brown, Cynthia
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Pairing in Congressional Voting: The House
This report discusses the practice of "pairing" for votes in the House of Representatives. Under certain procedural circumstances, a Member who is absent during a vote on the House floor may arrange with a Member on the opposite side of a specific question (who will be present) to announce that the Member who is present is forming a "pair" with the absent Member, thus allowing the absent Member to have his intended vote recorded.
Date:
August 25, 2015
Creator:
Davis, Christopher M.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Health Insurance: Small is the New Large
This report discusses aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that expand the definition of small employer to include employers with 100 or fewer employees. States must implement the expanded definition for plan years beginning in 2016, but have the option of implementing the expanded definition prior to the deadline.
Date:
August 26, 2015
Creator:
Mach, Annie L.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress
This report discusses the process of naming Navy ships, which have traditionally been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy. Rules for giving certain types of names to certain types of Navy ships have evolved over time.
Date:
August 26, 2015
Creator:
O'Rourke, Ronald
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Gold King Mine Spill May Renew Interest in "Good Samaritan" Legislation
This report discusses legislation related to an accidental spill from the Gold King Mine, a long-abandoned gold mine site in Colorado, which released acid mine drainage (AMD) wastewater into a tributary of the Animas River and downstream to the San Juan River. The proposed legislation would authorize Good Samaritan remediation, in which third parties who have no history of polluting at a particular site or legal responsibility for its pollution step forward to clean up AMD or other historic mine residue of pollution.
Date:
August 27, 2015
Creator:
Copeland, Claudia
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Medal of Honor: History and Issues
This report briefly describes the history of the Medal of Honor (MoH) as well as the criteria and rules used in awarding the medal. It also lists the benefits that are made available to MoH recipients and describes the process involved in reconsidering an individual for receipt of the medal (including what assistance a Member may provide in this process).
Date:
August 18, 2015
Creator:
Torreon, Barbara Salazar
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Oman: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy
This report describes the relationship between the United States and the Sultanate of Oman, especially with respect to Oman's support of U.S. efforts toward peace in the Middle East, the U.S. free trade agreement with Oman, and Oman's relatively close relations with Iran.
Date:
August 6, 2015
Creator:
Katzman, Kenneth
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Types of Committee Hearings
This report describes the four types of congressional committee hearings: legislative, oversight, investigative, and confirmation. Hearings may be held on Capitol Hill or elsewhere (e.g., a committee member's district or state, or a site related to the subject of the hearing). These latter hearings are often referred to as field hearings.
Date:
August 10, 2015
Creator:
Heitshusen, Valerie
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Argentina: Background and U.S. Relations
This report provides background on the political and economic situation in Argentina and U.S.-Argentine relations. Argentina, a South American country with a population of almost 42 million, has had a vibrant democratic tradition since its military relinquished power in 1983. Argentina has Latin America's third-largest economy and is endowed with vast natural resources. Agriculture has traditionally been a main economic driver, but the country also has a diversified industrial base and a highly educated population.
Date:
August 11, 2015
Creator:
Sullivan, Mark P.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
The Iran Hostages: Efforts to Obtain Compensation
This report provides background information regarding the 1979-1981 Iran Hostage Crisis, and discusses the Hostage Relief Act.
Date:
August 4, 2015
Creator:
Elsea, Jennifer K.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Who Is a "Veteran"?--Basic Eligibility for Veterans' Benefits
This report examines the basic eligibility criteria for Veterans' Administration (VA) benefits, including the eligibility of members of the National Guard and reserve components.
Date:
August 19, 2015
Creator:
Szymendera, Scott D.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy
This report discusses the current state of reform and foreign policy in Bahrain. An uprising against Bahrain's Al Khalifa royal family that began on February 14, 2011, has not achieved the goals of Shiite oppositionists to establish a constitutional monarchy. Public unrest has diminished since 2012, but occasional large demonstrations, opposition boycotts of elections, and continued arrests of dissidents counter government assertions that Bahrain has "returned to normal."
Date:
August 19, 2015
Creator:
Katzman, Kenneth
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Selected Recently Expired Individual Tax Provisions ("Tax Extenders"): In Brief
This report briefly summarizes and discusses four items categorized as individual tax provisions that are regularly extended for one or two years (tax extenders). These items include deductions for elementary and secondary school teachers, deductions for state and local taxes, deductions for tuition and related expenses, and exclusions for employer-provided transit and parking benefits.
Date:
August 20, 2015
Creator:
Gravelle, Jane G.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Quorum Requirements in the House: Committee and Chamber
This report discusses minimum quorum requirements established by House Rule XI, clause 2 for eight areas of committee activity.
Date:
August 25, 2015
Creator:
Davis, Christopher M.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Farm Safety Net Programs: Background and Issues
This report discusses several programs operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that supplement the income of farmers and ranchers in times of low farm prices and natural disasters. Federal crop insurance, farm programs, and disaster assistance are collectively called the farm safety net.
Date:
August 21, 2015
Creator:
Shields, Dennis A.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
How Measures Are Brought to the Senate Floor: A Brief Introduction
This report discusses the two basic methods that are used by the Senate to bring legislation to the floor for consideration: The Senate, at the majority leader's request, (1) grants unanimous consent to take up a matter, or (2) agrees to his motion to proceed to consider it. Both methods are derived from the basic premise that the Senate as a body may decide what matters it considers. The Senate may also use the same two methods to bring up executive business (nominations and treaties).
Date:
August 5, 2015
Creator:
Davis, Christopher M.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Women in Combat: Issues for Congress
This report looks at the history of women in U.S. military roles and combat, and discusses key policy issues for Congress to consider including "gender-neutral" standards and selective service.
Date:
August 18, 2015
Creator:
Kamarck, Kristy N.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Agricultural Disaster Assistance
This report discusses several programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help farmers recover financially from natural disasters, including drought and floods. All the programs have permanent authorization, and only one requires a federal disaster designation (the emergency loan program). Most programs receive funding amounts that are "such sums as necessary" and are not subject to annual discretionary appropriations.
Date:
August 14, 2015
Creator:
Shields, Dennis A.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
House Committee Hearings: Arranging Witnesses
This report briefly discusses the selection of witnesses for House committee hearings. House committees and subcommittees pay careful attention to which viewpoints will be represented, who should testify, and the order and format for presenting witnesses. Witnesses do not have an inherent right to appear at a hearing but must be invited by a committee or subcommittee in order to testify; committees and subcommittees may also subpoena reluctant witnesses to appear at a hearing.
Date:
August 25, 2015
Creator:
Davis, Christopher M.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Amendments in the Senate: Types and Forms
This report briefly describes the various types of amendments that take place in the Senate. It has sections describing distinctions among amendments, degrees of amendments, forms of amendments, and the scope of amendments.
Date:
August 25, 2015
Creator:
Davis, Christopher M.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress
This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress on the Navy's irregular warfare (IW) and counterterrorism (CT) operations. The Navy's IW and CT activities pose a number of potential oversight issues for Congress, including how much emphasis to place on IW and CT activities in future Navy budgets. Congress's decisions regarding Navy IW and CT operations can affect Navy operations and funding requirements, and the implementation of the nation's overall IW and CT strategies.
Date:
August 28, 2015
Creator:
O'Rourke, Ronald
System:
The UNT Digital Library
House Committee Hearings: Scheduling and Notification
This report briefly discusses scheduling and notification requirements, and practices for House committee hearings.
Date:
August 25, 2015
Creator:
Davis, Christopher M.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Powering Africa: Challenges of and U.S. Aid for Electrification in Africa
This report discusses the Power Africa initiative; policy problems and challenges related to power sector development in Africa; long-term perspectives on energy poverty, need, and future development; and raises some possible oversight questions and issues for Congress.
Date:
August 17, 2015
Creator:
Cook, Nicolas; Campbell, Richard J.; Brown, Phillip & Ratner, Michael
System:
The UNT Digital Library