The War in Yemen: A Compilation of Legislation in the 115th Congress (open access)

The War in Yemen: A Compilation of Legislation in the 115th Congress

This report provides a summary of all legislative proposals that the 115th Congress has considered to date regarding the conflict in Yemen. Proposed stand-alone legislation, resolutions, and amendments to wider bills [National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2810; P.L. 115-91) and Defense appropriations (H.R. 3219/Division I, H.R. 3354)] reflect a range of congressional perspectives and priorities. This product will be updated during the second session of the 115th Congress to reflect new legislative proposals.
Date: December 20, 2017
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M. & Blanchard, Christopher M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Net Neutrality Debate: Access to Broadband Networks (open access)

The Net Neutrality Debate: Access to Broadband Networks

This report discusses the net neutrality debate and the recent ruling by the FCC to repeal a rule which classified internet providers as telecommunication providers and thus required them to provide equal service to all. It also discusses Congressional activity in the 115th Congress regarding the issue.
Date: December 20, 2017
Creator: Gilroy, Angele A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2018 Appropriations (open access)

Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2018 Appropriations

This report focuses on FY2018 appropriations and FY2019 advance appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It includes an overview of the VA, a description of the appropriations, other funding developments through the Veterans Choice Program (VCP), presidential budget requests, and congressional actions.
Date: December 20, 2017
Creator: Panangala, Sidath Viranga
System: The UNT Digital Library
TPP Countries Near Agreement without U.S. Participation (open access)

TPP Countries Near Agreement without U.S. Participation

This report discuses the negotiations between the signatory countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) after the U.S. withdrawal in January 2017 and possible effects of the implementation of an agreement without the U.S. on the U.S. economy and their image in Asia.
Date: November 20, 2017
Creator: Fergusson, Ian F. & Williams, Brock R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms: Causes, Challenges, and Policy Considerations (open access)

Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms: Causes, Challenges, and Policy Considerations

This report addresses the conditions and activities that contribute to the occurrence of freshwater harmful algal blooms (HABs), steps that Congress and federal agencies--particularly EPA--and their partners are taking to address and mitigate their occurrence, and the current knowledge gaps on this issue. This report is focused on freshwater HABs, not marine or coastal HABs or issues associated with HABs in drinking water supplies.
Date: June 20, 2017
Creator: Gatz, Laura
System: The UNT Digital Library
Lebanon (open access)

Lebanon

This report provides an overview of Lebanon and current issues of U.S. interest. It provides background information, analyzes recent developments and key policy debates, and tracks legislation, U.S. assistance, and recent congressional action. Topics discussed include politics, security challenges, Hezbollah and its wars and power, economic issues, and refugees in Lebanon from Syria.
Date: September 20, 2017
Creator: Humud, Carla E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Turkey: Erdogan's Referendum Victory Delivers "Presidential System" (open access)

Turkey: Erdogan's Referendum Victory Delivers "Presidential System"

This report discuses the Turkish referendum results regarding creating a presidential system through the abolishment of the position of prime minister and a strengthening of the power of the presidency. Possible irregularities, reactions of other countries to the results, and possible effects of the changes on Turkish government and President Erdogan's power are also discussed.
Date: April 20, 2017
Creator: Zanotti, Jim & Thomas, Clayton
System: The UNT Digital Library
Confederate Symbols: Relation to Federal Lands and Programs (open access)

Confederate Symbols: Relation to Federal Lands and Programs

This report focuses primarily on Confederate symbols administered by three federal entities-- NPS, the VA, and DOD. Each of these entities manages multiple sites or programs that involve Confederate symbols. The report begins with a discussion of recent legislative proposals, and then discusses the agencies' current policies with respect to Confederate symbols, along with issues for Congress.
Date: September 20, 2017
Creator: Comay, Laura B.; Szymendara, Scott D.; Torreon, Barbara Salazar; DeBruyne, Nese F. & Hanson, Laura A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Normalization of the Federal Reserve's Balance Sheet (open access)

Normalization of the Federal Reserve's Balance Sheet

This report answers questions about the Federal Reserve's (Fed's) September 20 announcement that it would begin to normalize its balance sheet in October by gradually reducing its asset holdings.
Date: September 20, 2017
Creator: Labonte, Marc
System: The UNT Digital Library
Mandatory Arbitration and the Federal Arbitration Act (open access)

Mandatory Arbitration and the Federal Arbitration Act

This report examines the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) and reviews the Supreme Court's decisions involving the statute's preemption of state law requirements. The report also explores the Court's decisions involving mandatory arbitration agreements that prohibit a consumer or employee from maintaining a class or collective action. In its October 2017 term, the Supreme Court will consider three consolidated cases that challenge such agreements on the grounds that they violate the right to engage in "other concerted activities" under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
Date: September 20, 2017
Creator: Shimabukuro, Jon O. & Staman, Jennifer A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Insurance Regulation: Legislation in the 115th Congress (open access)

Insurance Regulation: Legislation in the 115th Congress

This report discusses insurance related legislation in the 115th Congress including H.R. 10, Title XI, which would merge and revamp the FIO and the independent insurance expert position on FSOC; S. 1463/H.R. 3110 which would alter the term of the FSOC independent insurance expert; H.R. 3363 which would add insurance claims adjusters to the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers licensing structure created by Congress in P.L. 114-1; and S. 1360 which would respond to the development of international standards by the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS).
Date: September 20, 2017
Creator: Webel, Baird
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress

This report presents background information and issues for Congress concerning the Navy's force structure and shipbuilding plans. The current and planned size and composition of the Navy, the rate of Navy ship procurement, and the prospective affordability of the Navy's shipbuilding plans have been oversight matters for the congressional defense committees for many years. The Navy's proposed FY2018 budget, as amended on May 24, 2017, requests the procurement of nine new ships, including one Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) class aircraft carrier, two Virginia-class attack submarines, two DDG-51 class destroyers, two Littoral Combat Ships (LCSs), one TAO-205 class oiler, and one towing, salvage, and rescue ship.
Date: September 20, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Workers' Compensation: Overview and Issues (open access)

Workers' Compensation: Overview and Issues

This report discusses workers' compensation in the United States beginning with a brief history of its origins and its elements. Costs, federal oversight of state programs, and Texas and Oklahoma's noncompulsory workers' compensation programs are also discussed.
Date: April 20, 2017
Creator: Szymendara, Scott D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Hurricanes and Electricity Infrastructure Hardening (open access)

Hurricanes and Electricity Infrastructure Hardening

This report discusses the measures undertaken by electric utilities to prevent or mitigate power outages resulting from severe weather events. Power lines and transformers used to provide electricity to customers are particularly susceptible to damage due to their exposure to the elements. The loss of life and extensive damage seen so far in the 2017 hurricane season has refocused the attention of Congress on the destructive potential of such storms. High winds, rain, and coastal surges can combine to create floods which exacerbate damage from hurricanes.
Date: September 20, 2017
Creator: Campbell, Richard J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The World Drug Problem: UNGA Convenes for a Special Session (open access)

The World Drug Problem: UNGA Convenes for a Special Session

This report discusses the U.N. special session on the problem of drug abuse in the world. The interests and outcomes of the U.S. and U.N are also discussed.
Date: April 20, 2017
Creator: Rosen, Liana W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
New Executive Order Directs Agencies to Revise or Rescind Climate Change Rules and Policies (open access)

New Executive Order Directs Agencies to Revise or Rescind Climate Change Rules and Policies

This report discusses Executive Order (EO) 13783 issued by President Trump which directs government agencies to "review, revise, or rescind" climate change related policies and regulations that "unduly burden domestic energy production or use." It also considers legal considerations and possible effects of the order.
Date: April 20, 2017
Creator: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Legislative Branch: FY2018 Appropriations (open access)

Legislative Branch: FY2018 Appropriations

This report discusses the the legislative branch appropriations bill (FY2018, which provides funding for the Senate; House of Representatives;Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Library of Congress (LOC), including the Congressional Research Service (CRS); Government Publishing Office (GPO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Open World Leadership Center; and the John C. Stennis Center.
Date: July 20, 2017
Creator: Brudnick, Ida A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Legislative Branch Appropriations: Frequently Asked Questions (open access)

Legislative Branch Appropriations: Frequently Asked Questions

This report responds to frequently-asked questions about legislative branch appropriations, including: items that are funded within this bill; development, presentation, and consideration of the legislative branch budget requests; the legislative branch budget in historical perspective; and recent actions.
Date: July 20, 2017
Creator: Brudnick, Ida A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Peace Corps: Current Issues (open access)

The Peace Corps: Current Issues

The report discusses the President's annual funding request for the Peace Corps, efforts to reauthorize the Peace Corps, and related issues. Current issues include the extent to which there is available funding for Peace Corps expansion, whether volunteers are able to function in a safe and secure environment, volunteer access to abortion, and other issues.
Date: July 20, 2017
Creator: Tarnoff, Curt
System: The UNT Digital Library