This report provides an overview of appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The first portion of this report provides an overview and historical context for reviewing DHS appropriations, highlighting various aspects including the comparative size of DHS components, the amount of non-appropriated funding the department receives, and trends in the timing and size of the department's appropriations legislation.

In the wake of the tragic shootings in Tuscon, AZ, which resulted in the hospitalization of Representative Gabrielle Giffords, as well as 6 fatalities and 13 wounded, the 112th Congress could reexamine certain issues and legislation related to gun control and firearms. This report provides basic firearms-related statistics, an overview of federal firearms law, and a summary of legislative action in the 111th Congress.

This purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the role, purposes, and results of the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC) in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) and examine U.S. interests, policy issues, options, and legislation.

This report provides an overview on FHA-Insured Home Loans which discuses the basic feature of the FHA program to insure loans on single family loans and recent changes to the program.

The 2007-2009 recession was long and deep, and according to several indicators was the most severe economic contraction since the 1930s (but still much less severe than the Great Depression). This report examines the state of the economy in light of the recession.

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)/Frigate program, a program to procure a large number of LCSs and modified LCSs. Congress's decisions on the LCS/Frigate program will affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the shipbuilding industrial base.

This report discusses the current security climate in Europe following recent incidences of terrorism. The report also addresses potential policy responses and challenges.

This report is part of a suite of reports that discuss appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2016. It specifically discusses appropriations for the components of DHS included in the third title of the homeland security appropriations bill--the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), the Office of Health Affairs (OHA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

This report discusses the Weapons Activities section of the annual Energy and Water Development appropriations bill which funds the maintenance of U.S. nuclear warheads and related infrastructure. The report provides an overview of the programs funded through the bill and the FY2019 budget request.

This report provides an overview of the FY2018 legislative branch appropriations bill and compares funding levels from previous years to FY2018.

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's program for acquiring new polar icebreakers.

This report discusses the ongoing conflict in Syria and U.S. policy regarding the conflict and potential resolutions. It includes information on the recent U.S., French, and British joint missile strike in response to the the use of chemical weapons in Douma, Syria by Syrian government forces.

This report provides an overview of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), first discussing eligibility requirements for the credit, followed by how the credit is computed and paid. The report then provides data on the growth of the EITC since it was first enacted in 1975. Finally the report concludes with data on the EITC claimed on 2015 tax returns, examining EITC claims by number of qualifying children, income level, tax filing status, and location of residence.

This report examines trends in the duration of unemployment benefits and then reviews a wide range of approaches for speeding the return to work. The report emphasizes measures that have recently been considered by lawmakers or have been tried on an experimental basis, particularly if evaluations of their impacts on duration of Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefit receipt are available.

This report discusses the current political state of Afghanistan, as well as the Afghan government. This report also discusses Afghanistan's relationship with the United States, particularly U.S. efforts to urge President Hamid Karzai to address corruption within the Afghan government.

This report provides general information about ricin, identifies historical examples of its use, discusses its potential as a bioterror weapon, and summarizes how its possession is currently regulated.

This report provides historical background on the enactment of declarations of war and authorizations for the use of force and analyzes their legal effects under international and domestic law. It also sets forth their texts in two appendices. The report includes an extensive listing and summary of statutes that are triggered by a declaration of war, a declaration of national emergency, and/or the existence of a state of war. The report concludes with a summary of the congressional procedures applicable to the enactment of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of force and to measures under the War Powers Resolution.

This report provides a convenient listing of online FY2015 agency budget justification submissions for all 15 executive branch departments and 9 selected independent agencies.

This report discusses methods of temporarily filling presidentially appointed positions which require the advice and consent of the Senate through the use of special hiring rules for vacancies under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, recess appointments, consultants, or interim appointments of personnel who were the next level down from the vacant position.

This report discusses the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requirements for state created plans that are used instead of the general federal requirements. A state plan from California that exceeds the federal requirements and a proposed state plan from Arizona that does not meet federal requirements are discussed as examples of different types of state plans.

This report discusses the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) a federal program which offers loan repayment and scholarships to physicians and other health professionals who agree to work at an approved clinic in a under-served area for at least two years. The report summarizes the National Health Service Corps's (NHSC) recruitment and retention programs, and the NHSC's funding trends from FY2010 through FY2017.

This report provides a basic framework for understanding how and why exchange rates could respond to a Border-Adjusted Tax (BAT). It first describes a BAT(which does not tax exports) and uses several examples to illustrate how one works. It then summarizes the standard economic theory of how exchange rates should respond to a BAT, as well as the arguments against the theoretical predictions. Finally, this report reviews the existing literature that has empirically investigated the relationship between exchange rates and BAT systems in other countries.

This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), a relatively inexpensive Navy surface combatant equipped with modular "plug-and-fight" mission packages. The Navy's proposed FY2012 budget requests funding for the procurement of four LCSs. Current issues for Congress concerning the LCS program include changes or potential changes to the composition of LCS mission modules announced by the Navy in January 2011, the combat survivability of the LCS, and hull cracking on LCS-1. Congress's decisions on the LCS program could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the shipbuilding industrial base.

This report addresses structure and funding of the Adoption Incentives Program along with re-authorization issues regarding Child Welfare.