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Endangered Species: Difficult Choices (open access)

Endangered Species: Difficult Choices

This report discusses issues debated in the 107th Congress while is considering various proposals to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). Major issues in recent years have included changing the role of science in decision-making, changing the role of critical habitat, reducing conflicts with Department of Defense activities, incorporating further protection for property owners, and increasing protection of listed species, among others. In addition, many have advocated including significant changes to ESA regulations made during the Clinton Administration in the law itself.
Date: February 4, 2003
Creator: Buck, Eugene H.; Corn, M. Lynne & Baldwin, Pamela
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Airport Improvement Program (open access)

Airport Improvement Program

This issue brief discusses the Airport Improvement Program and its complement, the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC). After a brief history of federal support for airport construction and improvement, the report describes AIP funding, its source of revenues, funding distribution, the types of projects the program funds, AIP and PFC policy issues, and the allowable use of AIP funds for airport security purposes.
Date: February 7, 2003
Creator: Kirk, Robert S.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Higher Education Act: Reauthorization Status and Issues (open access)

The Higher Education Act: Reauthorization Status and Issues

This report discusses the funding authorizations for programs in the Higher Education Act (HEA). This legislation authorizes the federal government’s major student aid programs, as well as other significant initiatives.
Date: February 5, 2003
Creator: Stedman, James B.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Economic Development Administration: Overview and Issues (open access)

Economic Development Administration: Overview and Issues

The Economic Development Administration (EDA), targeted for elimination or major “reinvention” early in the 104th Congress, gained a new lease on life in the waning days of the 105th. Having been kept alive via appropriations bills since its last authorizing legislation expired in 1982, P.L. 105-393 reauthorized the EDA and its programs for 5 years. On October 27, Congress approved a conference agreement recommending $286.7 million for EDAP and $28 million for S&E, for a totalFY2001 appropriation of$411.9 million for EDA. It became part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 4942, P.L. 106-553) signed into law on December 21, 2000.
Date: February 12, 2003
Creator: Mulock, Bruce K.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
China's Economic Conditions (open access)

China's Economic Conditions

China’s economy continues to be a concern to U.S. policymakers. On the one hand, China’s economic growth presents huge opportunities for U.S. exporters. On the other hand, the surge in Chinese exports to the United States has put competitive pressures on many U.S. industries. Many U.S. policymakers have argued that greater efforts should be made to pressure China to fully implement its WTO commitments and to change various economic policies deemed harmful to U.S. economic interests, such as its currency peg and its use of subsidies to support its SOEs. In addition, recent bids by Chinese state-owned firms to purchase various U.S. firms have raised concerns among Members over the impact such acquisitions could have on U.S. national and economic security.
Date: February 20, 2003
Creator: Morrison, Wayne M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Current Economic Conditions and Selected Forecasts (open access)

Current Economic Conditions and Selected Forecasts

This report begins with a comprehensive presentation of current economic conditions focusing on income growth, unemployment, and inflation. The posture of monetary and fiscal policy is surveyed as are the forecasts of economic activity. It concludes with data on the factors important for economic growth.
Date: February 24, 2003
Creator: Makinen, Gail
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Campaign Finance: Constitutional and Legal Issues of Soft Money (open access)

Campaign Finance: Constitutional and Legal Issues of Soft Money

Prior to enactment of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA), P.L. 107-155, the term “soft money” generally referred to unregulated funds, perceived as resulting from loopholes in the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), 2 U.S.C. §§ 431 et seq. Generally, the intent of BCRA, (effective Nov. 6, 2002), which amends FECA, is to restrict the raising and spending of soft money. This Issue Brief discusses constitutional and legal issues surrounding two major types of soft money that BCRA regulates: political party soft money and soft money used for issue advocacy communications. Corporate and labor union soft money, which FECA exempts from regulation and is not addressed by BCRA, is also discussed.
Date: February 12, 2003
Creator: Whitaker, L. Paige
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Congressional Authority to Standardize National Election Procedures (open access)

Congressional Authority to Standardize National Election Procedures

Recent events surrounding the Presidential election have led to increased scrutiny of voting procedures in the United States. This report focuses on the constitutional authority and limitations that might be relevant to attempts by Congress to standardize these and other procedures.
Date: February 14, 2003
Creator: Thomas, Kenneth R.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Electoral College: Reform Proposals in the 107th Congress (open access)

The Electoral College: Reform Proposals in the 107th Congress

Seven proposals to reform the Electoral College system have been introduced to date in the 107th Congress. H.J.Res. 3 (Representative Green of Texas), and H.J.Res. 5 (Representative Delahunt) would eliminate the electoral college, substituting direct popular election of the President. H.J.Res. 1 (Representative Clyburn), H.J.Res. 18 (Representative Engel), and H.J.Res. 37 (Representative Clement) would incorporate the “district” method of awarding electoral votes, and H.J.Res. 17 (Representative Engel) would provide for proportional award of electoral votes. H.J.Res. 25 (Representative Leach) is a hybrid plan. These measures have been referred to the House Judiciary Committee and await further action.
Date: February 7, 2003
Creator: Neale, Thomas H.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Andean Trade Preference Act: Background and Issues for Reauthorization (open access)

The Andean Trade Preference Act: Background and Issues for Reauthorization

On December 4, 1991, President George Bush signed into law the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) to counter illicit drug production and trade in Latin America. For ten years, it has provided preferential, mostly duty-free, treatment of selected U.S. imports from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The goal of ATPA is to encourage increased exports, thereby promoting development and providing an incentive for Andean farmers and other workers to pursue economic alternatives to the drug trade. This report discusses the ATPA, its background, and issues regarding its potential reauthorization.
Date: February 21, 2002
Creator: Hornbeck, J. F.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Water Quality: Implementing the Clean Water Act (open access)

Water Quality: Implementing the Clean Water Act

None
Date: February 26, 2003
Creator: Copeland, Claudia
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Environmental Streamlining Provisions in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century: Status of Implementation (open access)

Environmental Streamlining Provisions in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century: Status of Implementation

This report describes the environmental documents required for highway projects, discusses the average amount of time to complete this documentation, summarizes the environmental streamlining provisions under TEA-21, and examines administrative and legislative actions taken to implement these requirements.
Date: February 6, 2003
Creator: Bearden, David M. & Luther, Linda G.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Remedies Available to Victims of Identity Theft (open access)

Remedies Available to Victims of Identity Theft

None
Date: February 7, 2003
Creator: Welborn, Angie A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Remedies Available to Victims of Identity Theft (open access)

Remedies Available to Victims of Identity Theft

None
Date: February 27, 2003
Creator: Welborn, Angie A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Kosovo and Macedonia: U.S. and Allied Military Operations (open access)

Kosovo and Macedonia: U.S. and Allied Military Operations

None
Date: February 25, 2003
Creator: Bowman, Steven R.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Military Pay and Benefits: Key Questions and Answers (open access)

Military Pay and Benefits: Key Questions and Answers

None
Date: February 3, 2003
Creator: Goldich, Robert L.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nuclear Nonproliferation Issues (open access)

Nuclear Nonproliferation Issues

None
Date: February 11, 2003
Creator: Behrens, Carl E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
United Nations Peacekeeping: Issues for Congress (open access)

United Nations Peacekeeping: Issues for Congress

None
Date: February 5, 2003
Creator: Browne, Marjorie Ann
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Middle East Peace Talks (open access)

The Middle East Peace Talks

None
Date: February 11, 2003
Creator: Migdalovitz, Carol
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Palestinians and Middle East Peace: Issues for the United States (open access)

Palestinians and Middle East Peace: Issues for the United States

None
Date: February 24, 2003
Creator: Mark, Clyde R.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict (open access)

Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict

This report presents an overview of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. This is a clash between the principles of territorial integrity and self-determination that is occurring in the Caucasus, creating the longest inter-ethnic dispute in the former Soviet Union. The report includes the background and analysis of history, warfare and peace process in the region. The report discusses the Armenian and Azerbaijani perspective, the role and views of others (Iran, Turkey, Russia), as well as the U.S. policy regarding the conflict.
Date: February 27, 2003
Creator: Migdalovitz, Carol
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iraq: Weapons Threat, Compliance, Sanctions, and U.S. Policy (open access)

Iraq: Weapons Threat, Compliance, Sanctions, and U.S. Policy

None
Date: February 19, 2003
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Bosnia: U.S. Military Operations (open access)

Bosnia: U.S. Military Operations

This report outlines U.S. military operations in Bosnia and discusses issues such as U.S. and Allied Participation in Bosnia Peacekeeping (IFOR/SFOR), duration, cost, arms control and military assistance. This report also includes most recent development, background analysis, and legislation.
Date: February 25, 2003
Creator: Bowman, Steven R.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The 0.38 Percent Across-the-Board Cut in FY2000 Appropriations (open access)

The 0.38 Percent Across-the-Board Cut in FY2000 Appropriations

This report outlines cuts made in the federal budget for FY2000. The 0.38% cut was expected to yield savings of $2.4 billion in budget authority and $1.4 billion in outlays for the fiscal year. Departments with cuts in excess of $100 million included the Departments of Defense, Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Education.
Date: February 25, 2000
Creator: Keith, Robert
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library