Sensitive Covert Action Notifications: Oversight Options for Congress (open access)

Sensitive Covert Action Notifications: Oversight Options for Congress

With Congress considering a possible change regarding sensitive covert action policy, this memorandum describes the statutory provision authorizing Gang of Eight notifications, reviews the legislative history of the provision, and examine both the impact of such notifications on congressional oversight as well as options that Congress might consider to possibly improve oversight.
Date: July 7, 2009
Creator: Cumming, Alfred
System: The UNT Digital Library
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2010 Budget and Appropriations (open access)

State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2010 Budget and Appropriations

The annual State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies appropriations bill is the primary legislative vehicle through which Congress reviews the U.S. international affairs budget and influences executive branch foreign policy making in general. On May 7, 2009, President Obama submitted a budget proposal for FY2010 that requests $53.9 billion for the international affairs budget. This report analyzes the FY2010 request, recent-year funding trends, and congressional action for FY2010. To date, this includes the introduction and committee approval of H.R. 3081, the House State-Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for FY2010.
Date: July 7, 2009
Creator: Epstein, Susan B.; Nakamura, Kennon H. & Lawson, Marian Leonardo
System: The UNT Digital Library
Yemen: Background and U.S. Relations (open access)

Yemen: Background and U.S. Relations

With limited natural resources, a crippling illiteracy rate, and high population growth, Yemen faces an array of daunting development challenges that some observers believe make it at risk for becoming a failed state in the next few decades. As the country's population rapidly rises, resources dwindle, and terrorist groups take root in the outlying provinces, the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress are left to grapple with the consequences of Yemeni instability. As President Obama and the 111th Congress reassess U.S. policy toward the Arab world, the opportunity for improved U.S.-Yemeni ties is strong, though recurring tensions over counterterrorism cooperation and lack of U.S. interest in Yemen within the broader foreign policy community persist.
Date: July 7, 2009
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2006: A Fact Sheet on Department of Defense Authority to Train and Equip Foreign Military Forces (open access)

Section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2006: A Fact Sheet on Department of Defense Authority to Train and Equip Foreign Military Forces

Section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2006 provides the Secretary of Defense with authority to train and equip foreign military and foreign maritime security forces. This authority expires in FY2011. As of early July 2009, FY2009 project approvals are being finalized. This report addresses FY2009 project approvals as well as FY2010 project proposals and requests.
Date: July 7, 2009
Creator: Serafino, Nina M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Tort Reform Legislation: Constitutionality and Summaries of Selected Statutes (open access)

Federal Tort Reform Legislation: Constitutionality and Summaries of Selected Statutes

This report considers the constitutionality of federal tort reform legislation, such as the products liability and medical malpractice reform proposals that have been introduced for the last several Congresses. Tort law at present is almost exclusively state law rather than federal law, although, as noted in the appendix to this report, Congress has enacted a number of tort reform statutes.
Date: July 7, 2008
Creator: Cohen, Henry & Burrows, Vanessa K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Lobbying Regulations on Non-Profit Organizations (open access)

Lobbying Regulations on Non-Profit Organizations

Public charities, religious groups, social welfare organizations, and other nonprofit organizations which are exempt from federal income taxation are not generally prohibited from engaging in all lobbying or public policy advocacy activities merely because of their tax-exempt status. There may, however, be some lobbying limitations on certain organizations, depending. This report discusses this issue at length, including related legislation, relevant passages in the Internal Revenue Code, and other regulatory information.
Date: May 7, 2008
Creator: Maskell, Jack H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Alert Systems for Missing Adults in Eleven States: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Alert Systems for Missing Adults in Eleven States: Background and Issues for Congress

This report discusses the emerging development of nationwide alert systems to recover missing adults, such as those with mental impairment (such as Alzheimer's disease), developmental disabilities, or suicidal tendencies. This report provides an overview of such alert systems in 11 states: Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia. This report also provides a discussion of issues for Congress to consider with respect to the federal role, if any, in developing state alert programs for missing adults.
Date: May 7, 2009
Creator: Fernandes, Adrienne L. & Colello, Kirsten J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Inequality in the Distribution of Income: Trends and International Comparisons (open access)

Inequality in the Distribution of Income: Trends and International Comparisons

This report examines the distribution of income in the United States, including factors that may help explain it, how it has changed over time, and how it compares with those of other countries.
Date: October 7, 2005
Creator: Cashell, Brian W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The USDA’s Authority to Recall Meat and Poultry Products (open access)

The USDA’s Authority to Recall Meat and Poultry Products

This report provides an overview of the USDA's authority to regulate meat, poultry, and their products. Specifically, the report discusses the requirements of USDA inspections and import regulations, as well as the USDA's role in product recalls. This report also addresses some of the issues that arise when considering possible changes to recall authority and reviews proposed legislation regarding the role of the USDA in the recall process. The Appendix of this report provides information regarding recent recalls and the significance of the recall data.
Date: January 7, 2008
Creator: Brougher, Cynthia & Becker, Geoffrey S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Automobile and Light Truck Fuel Economy: The CAFE Standards (open access)

Automobile and Light Truck Fuel Economy: The CAFE Standards

This report discusses the current corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard of 35 miles per gallon (mpg), and the major issues on the CAFE debate. The report also offers an overview of Congressional interest in CAFE (1991-2005), and explains the CAFE and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.
Date: May 7, 2008
Creator: Yacobucci, Brent D. & Bamberger, Robert
System: The UNT Digital Library
Clean Air Issues in the 110th Congress: Climate Change, Air Quality Standards, and Oversight (open access)

Clean Air Issues in the 110th Congress: Climate Change, Air Quality Standards, and Oversight

This report provides a brief overview of the climate change issue as well as other Clean Air Act issues of interest in the 110th Congress.
Date: March 7, 2008
Creator: McCarthy, James E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Issues Affecting Tidal, Wave, and In-Stream Generation Projects (open access)

Issues Affecting Tidal, Wave, and In-Stream Generation Projects

This report provides an overview of developments and considerations regarding wave, tidal, and in-stream energy generation technology. It summarizes federal involvement in the regulation of this new industry and highlights current issues in the field.
Date: October 7, 2008
Creator: Lane, Nic
System: The UNT Digital Library
Managing the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Policy Implications of Expanding Global Access to Nuclear Power (open access)

Managing the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Policy Implications of Expanding Global Access to Nuclear Power

This report is intended to provide Members and congressional staff with the background needed to understand the current debate over proposed strategies to redesign the global nuclear fuel cycle. It begins with a look at the motivating factors underlying the resurgent interest in nuclear power, the nuclear power industry's current state of affairs, and the interdependence with the nuclear fuel cycle.
Date: March 7, 2008
Creator: Nikitin, Mary Beth; Parillo, Jill Marie; Squassoni, Sharon; Andrews, Anthony & Holt, Mark
System: The UNT Digital Library
Regulation of Energy Derivatives (open access)

Regulation of Energy Derivatives

This report analyzes the development of energy derivatives regulation.
Date: July 7, 2008
Creator: Jickling, Mark
System: The UNT Digital Library
Managing the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Policy Implications of Expanding Global Access to Nuclear Power (open access)

Managing the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Policy Implications of Expanding Global Access to Nuclear Power

This report discusses the current debate over proposed strategies to redesign the global nuclear fuel cycle. It begins with a look at the motivating factors underlying the resurgent interest in nuclear power, the nuclear power industry's current state of affairs, and the interdependence with the nuclear fuel cycle.
Date: March 7, 2008
Creator: Nikitin, Mary Beth; Parillo, Jill Marie; Squassoni, Sharon; Andrews, Anthony & Holt, Mark
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Enron Loophole (open access)

The Enron Loophole

This report discusses the Commodity Exchange Act that exempts certain energy derivatives contracts from regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Date: July 7, 2008
Creator: Jickling, Mark
System: The UNT Digital Library
Secretary of the Senate: Fact Sheet on Legislative and Administrative Duties (open access)

Secretary of the Senate: Fact Sheet on Legislative and Administrative Duties

None
Date: August 7, 2003
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Disaster Recovery Programs: Brief Summaries (open access)

Federal Disaster Recovery Programs: Brief Summaries

This report summarizes principal federal disaster assistance programs for possible use by Members of Congress and their staff in helping address the needs of constituents. This report includes a list of CRS reports about disaster assistance and assistance for victims of recent hurricanes. It also includes a list of federal agencies' websites established specifically to respond to disasters, offering updates on recovery efforts, and providing a catalog of federal assistance programs.
Date: February 7, 2007
Creator: Jordan, Mary
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 110th Congress: Conflicting Values and Difficult Choices (open access)

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 110th Congress: Conflicting Values and Difficult Choices

None
Date: June 7, 2007
Creator: Buck, Eugene H.; Corn, M. Lynne; Sheikh, Pervaze A.; Meltz, Robert & Alexander, Kristina
System: The UNT Digital Library
Royalty Relief for U.S. Deepwater Oil and Gas Leases (open access)

Royalty Relief for U.S. Deepwater Oil and Gas Leases

None
Date: December 7, 2007
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Election Reform and Local Election Officials: Results of Two National Surveys (open access)

Election Reform and Local Election Officials: Results of Two National Surveys

None
Date: February 7, 2008
Creator: Fischer, Eric A. & Coleman, Kevin J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP): Growth Models Under the No Child Left Behind Act (open access)

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP): Growth Models Under the No Child Left Behind Act

This report highlights the adequate yearly progress (AYP) concept of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The AYP is the standard of eligibility for grants, of which states must implement AYP policies in all public schools and local education agencies (LEAs). The standard primarily utilizes state test scores to measure the school's eligibility for funding, schools that do not meet AYP standard for two or more consecutive years face consequences. Finally, the report tackles the idea of growth models in reference to the AYP.
Date: September 7, 2006
Creator: Riddle, Wayne C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Biodiesel Fuel and U.S. Agriculture (open access)

Biodiesel Fuel and U.S. Agriculture

This report provides an overview of biodiesel fuel and agriculture in the United States.
Date: July 7, 2003
Creator: Schnepf, Randy
System: The UNT Digital Library