Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy (open access)

Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

This report discusses the current political state of Afghanistan, focusing particularly on the influence of the Taliban and other militant groups, and on the leadership of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. This report also discusses the U.S.-Afghanistan relationship, in both the short and long term, and U.S. efforts under the Obama Administration to provide military, reconstructive, and stabilization aid.
Date: February 24, 2015
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Anthem Data Breach: How Safe Is Health Information Under HIPAA? (open access)

Anthem Data Breach: How Safe Is Health Information Under HIPAA?

This report discusses the implications of the recent data breach at Anthem Inc., which raised new concerns about the vulnerability of electronic health information. Security experts question whether the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy and security standards are sufficiently protective of sensitive patient information.
Date: February 24, 2015
Creator: Redhead, C. S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress

This report presents background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy's Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and Zumwalt (DDG-1000) class destroyer programs. The Navy's proposed FY2015 budget requests funding for the procurement of two DDG-51s. Decisions that Congress makes concerning these programs could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.
Date: February 24, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
The President's Immigration Accountability Executive Action of November 20, 2014: Overview and Issues (open access)

The President's Immigration Accountability Executive Action of November 20, 2014: Overview and Issues

This report discusses President Obama Immigration Accountability Executive Action which would revise some U.S. immigration policies and initiate several programs, including a revised border security policy for the Southwest border.
Date: February 24, 2015
Creator: Kandel, William A.; Bjelopera, Jerome P.; Bruno, Andorra & Siskin, Alison
System: The UNT Digital Library
The President's Immigration Accountability Executive Action of November 20, 2014: Overview and Issues (open access)

The President's Immigration Accountability Executive Action of November 20, 2014: Overview and Issues

This report discusses President Obama's Immigration Accountability Executive Action which revises some U.S. immigration policies and initiates several programs, including a revised border security policy for the Southwest border.
Date: February 24, 2015
Creator: Kandel, William A.; Bjelopera, Jerome P.; Bruno, Andorra & Siskin, Alison
System: The UNT Digital Library
Small Business Management and Technical Assistance Training Programs (open access)

Small Business Management and Technical Assistance Training Programs

None
Date: February 24, 2015
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
2013 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5): Designating Nonattainment Areas (open access)

2013 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5): Designating Nonattainment Areas

This report focuses on the EPA's (Environmental Protection Agency) revision of rules for designated areas for compliance with the NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standard) for PM2.5 (fine particulate mattter).The states and EPA must then identify areas that exceed the standard and require those areas to take steps to pollutants to meet the standard. This is then the subject of congressional oversight.
Date: March 24, 2015
Creator: Esworthy, Robert
System: The UNT Digital Library
Department of State and Foreign Operations Appropriations: A Fact Sheet on Legislation, FY1995-FY2015 (open access)

Department of State and Foreign Operations Appropriations: A Fact Sheet on Legislation, FY1995-FY2015

This report discusses the foreign affairs appropriations passed within the last 21 years; nearly all of them were passed within omnibus, consolidated, or full-year continuing resolutions, and usually after the start of the new fiscal year. Many foreign policy experts contend that stand-alone appropriation legislation would allow for a more rigorous debate on specific foreign policy activities. They also believe that the practice of delayed appropriations has constrained ongoing program operating levels and the ability to introduce or fund new programs that did not exist in the previous year's budget.
Date: March 24, 2015
Creator: Epstein, Susan B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Human Rights in China and U.S. Policy: Issues for the 114th Congress. March 2015 (open access)

Human Rights in China and U.S. Policy: Issues for the 114th Congress. March 2015

This report examines human rights issues in the People's Republic of China (PRC), including recent developments, ongoing rights abuses, and legal reforms.
Date: March 24, 2015
Creator: Lum, Thomas
System: The UNT Digital Library
Introduction to Financial Services: “Regulatory Relief” (open access)

Introduction to Financial Services: “Regulatory Relief”

None
Date: March 24, 2015
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Israel After the 2015 Elections: What Does Netanyahu's Victory Mean for U.S. Policy? (open access)

Israel After the 2015 Elections: What Does Netanyahu's Victory Mean for U.S. Policy?

This report briefly discusses the implications of recent elections in Israel, which has leading candidates that openly differed on how to manage disagreements with the United States and the international community on various matters
Date: March 24, 2015
Creator: Zanotti, Jim
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress

This report presents background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy's Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and Zumwalt (DDG-1000) class destroyer programs. The Navy's proposed FY2016 budget requests funding for the procurement of two DDG-51s. Decisions that Congress makes concerning destroyer procurement could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.
Date: March 24, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Gerald R. Ford class aircraft carrier program. The Navy's proposed FY2016 budget requests a total of $2,633.1 million in procurement and advance procurement (AP) funding for the first three ships in the program. Congress's decisions on the Ford class program could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base.
Date: March 24, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)/Frigate Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)/Frigate Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)/Frigate program, a program to procure 52 LCSs and frigates. The first ship in the program was procured in FY2005, and a total of 23 have been procured through FY2015. The Navy's proposed FY2016 budget requests $1,437.0 million for the procurement of three more LCSs, or an average of $479.0 million each.
Date: March 24, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Ohio Replacement (SSBN[X]) Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Ohio Replacement (SSBN[X]) Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report focuses on the Ohio replacement program as a Navy shipbuilding program. The report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Ohio replacement program (ORP), a program to design and build a new class of 12 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy's current force of 14 Ohio-class SSBNs.
Date: March 24, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA): Compensation Related to Exposure to Radiation from Atomic Weapons Testing and Uranium Mining (open access)

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA): Compensation Related to Exposure to Radiation from Atomic Weapons Testing and Uranium Mining

This report discusses the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), which provides one-time benefit payments to persons who may have developed cancer or other specified diseases after being exposed to radiation from atomic weapons testing or uranium mining, milling, or transporting.
Date: March 24, 2015
Creator: Szymendera, Scott D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Senate Rules Affecting Committees (open access)

Senate Rules Affecting Committees

This report identifies and summarizes the provisions of the Senate's standing rules, standing orders, precedents, and other directives that relate to legislative activity in the Senate's standing committees. It covers four main issues: committee organization, committee meetings, hearings, and reporting.
Date: March 24, 2015
Creator: Heitshusen, Valerie
System: The UNT Digital Library
Seventh Summit of the Americas: In Brief (open access)

Seventh Summit of the Americas: In Brief

This report discusses the Summits of the Americas, which have been held roughly every three years since 1994 and serve as opportunities for the Western Hemisphere's leaders to engage directly with one another and discuss issues of collective concern. On April 10-11, 2015, President Obama is scheduled to attend the seventh Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Panama.
Date: March 24, 2015
Creator: Meyer, Peter J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Bangladesh (open access)

Bangladesh

This report discusses the ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh.
Date: April 24, 2015
Creator: Vaughn, Bruce
System: The UNT Digital Library
Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Research, Development, and Demonstration at the U.S. Department of Energy (open access)

Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Research, Development, and Demonstration at the U.S. Department of Energy

This report discusses research, development, and demonstration at the U.S. Department of Energy related to Carbon Capture and Sequestration.
Date: April 24, 2015
Creator: Folger, Peter
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cash Versus Accrual Accounting: Tax Policy Considerations (open access)

Cash Versus Accrual Accounting: Tax Policy Considerations

This report provides a brief explanation of cash and accrual accounting. It then examines the legislative history surrounding the Tax Reform Act of 1986, which set most of the current policies related to cash accounting for tax purposes.
Date: April 24, 2015
Creator: Gnanarajah, Raj & Keightley, Mark P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

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.
Date: April 24, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Civilian Nuclear Waste Disposal (open access)

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: April 24, 2015
Creator: Holt, Mark
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Community Health Center Fund: In Brief (open access)

The Community Health Center Fund: In Brief

The report discusses the Health Center Program, which is administered by the Health Resource and Services Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services, awards grants to outpatient health care facilities that provide care to medically under-served populations.
Date: April 24, 2015
Creator: Heisler, Elayne J.
System: The UNT Digital Library