Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Proposals (open access)

Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Proposals

Report that contains information on the legislative branch agency heads' appointment processes, length of tenures (if terms are set), reappointment or removal provisions (if any), salaries and benefits, and most recent appointments.
Date: June 12, 2013
Creator: Brudnick, Ida A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Brief Overview of Business Types and Their Tax Treatment (open access)

A Brief Overview of Business Types and Their Tax Treatment

Report that provides a general overview of the tax treatment of the major business types, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, C corporations, subchapter S corporations, and limited liability companies.
Date: June 12, 2013
Creator: Keightley, Mark P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress (open access)

Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress

Report that discusses the process of naming Navy ships, which have traditionally been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy.
Date: June 12, 2013
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) (open access)

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)

This report gives a brief overview of P.L. 110-49, the Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007. Although both the President and Congress are directly involved in formulating the scope and direction of U.S. foreign investment policy, this law broadens Congress' oversight role; it also explicitly includes the areas of homeland security and critical infrastructure as separately-identifiable components of national security that the President must consider when evaluating the national security implications of a foreign investment transaction.
Date: June 12, 2013
Creator: Jackson, James K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Israel: Background and U.S. Relations (open access)

Israel: Background and U.S. Relations

This report describes issues related to U.S. aid provided to Palestine to support prevention/combating against terrorism, creating coexistence with Israel and self-governance, and meeting humanitarian needs. In includes introductory and historical background as well as in-depth analysis of the types of U.S. bilateral aid to Palestine, U.S. contributions to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the near East (UNRWA), and the issues involved in determining future aid.
Date: June 12, 2013
Creator: Zanotti, Jim
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress (open access)

U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress

This report discusses policy issues regarding military-to-military contacts with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and provides a record of major contacts and crises since 1993. The first part of this report discusses policy issues regarding such contacts. The second part provides a record of such contacts since 1993, when the United States resumed exchanges after suspending them in response to the Tiananmen Crackdown in 1989.
Date: June 12, 2014
Creator: Kan, Shirley A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Offender Reentry: Correctional Statistics, Reintegration into the Community, and Recidivism (open access)

Offender Reentry: Correctional Statistics, Reintegration into the Community, and Recidivism

This report provides background information regarding the prison population in the United States that has been growing steadily for more than 30 years. The report presents correctional system statistics and discusses the federal government's involvement in offender reentry programs and the Second Chance Act (P.L. 110-199) that was enacted on April 9, 2008.
Date: June 12, 2014
Creator: James, Nathan
System: The UNT Digital Library
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act: History, Impact, and Issues (open access)

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act: History, Impact, and Issues

This report examines debates regarding what constitutes an "unfunded federal mandate" and the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995's (UMRA) implementation, requirements, and costs. It also assesses UMRA's impact on federal mandates and arguments concerning UMRA's future.
Date: June 12, 2014
Creator: Dilger, Robert Jay & Beth, Richard S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The "Deeming Resolution": A Budget Enforcement Tool (open access)

The "Deeming Resolution": A Budget Enforcement Tool

Report that gives an overview of the "deeming resolution" (referring to legislation deemed to serve as an annual budget resolution for purposes of establishing enforceable budget levels for a budget cycle). It includes background information and a breakdown of House and Senate action on deeming resolutions, broken down by fiscal year for the cycles when there was no agreement on a budget resolution.
Date: June 12, 2013
Creator: Lynch, Megan Suzanne
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Chained Consumer Price Index: What Is It and Would It Be Appropriate for Cost-of-Living Adjustments? (open access)

The Chained Consumer Price Index: What Is It and Would It Be Appropriate for Cost-of-Living Adjustments?

Report that provides technical and logistical information on how the Chained Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) is constructed and reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It explains methodological and statistical differences between the standard Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the C-CPI-U. It then addresses a key impediment to moving to the C-CPI-U.
Date: June 12, 2013
Creator: Whittaker, Julie M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The June 12 Trump-Kim Jong-un Summit (open access)

The June 12 Trump-Kim Jong-un Summit

This report covers the June 12, 2018 meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. During the meeting the two discussed North Korea's nuclear program, building a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, and the future of U.S. relations with North Korea.
Date: June 12, 2018
Creator: Manyin, Mark E. & Nikitin, Mary Beth D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Ebola: Democratic Republic of Congo (open access)

Ebola: Democratic Republic of Congo

This report discusses an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 8, 2018. As of June 10, 2018, WHO reported a total of 55 cases, including 28 deaths.
Date: June 12, 2018
Creator: Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji & Chavers, Monyai L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Presidential Nominating Process and the National Party Conventions, 2012: Frequently Asked Questions (open access)

The Presidential Nominating Process and the National Party Conventions, 2012: Frequently Asked Questions

This report provides answers to frequently asked questions about the presidential nominating process, including how the delegates to the national conventions are chosen, the differences between a caucus and a primary, national party rules changes for 2012, and the national conventions themselves. It is not a comprehensive report on all aspects of the presidential nominating process.
Date: June 12, 2012
Creator: Coleman, Kevin J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and oversight issues for Congress on the Virginia class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) program. The two Virginia-class boats requested for procurement in FY2013 are the final two in a group of eight covered by a multiyear procurement (MYP) arrangement for the period FY2009-FY2013. Issues for Congress include whether or not to approve the MYP arrangement request, whether to restore procurement of a second Virginia-class boat in FY2014, and the Virginia-class procurement rate in general.
Date: June 12, 2012
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
National Flood Insurance Program: Background, Challenges, and Financial Status (open access)

National Flood Insurance Program: Background, Challenges, and Financial Status

In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to address the increasing costs of taxpayer-funded disaster relief for flood victims and the increasing amount of damage caused by floods. This report provides an analysis of the NFIP and its financial status; summarizes the major challenges facing the program, including issues affecting its long-term financial solvency; presents some alternative approaches for managing and financing the flood losses; and describes pending legislation on this issue.
Date: June 12, 2012
Creator: King, Rawle O.
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 discusses the Navy's plan to develop and design a class of 12 next-generation ballistic missile submarines, or SSBN(X)s, as replacements for the 14 Ohio class SSBNs currently in operation. The Navy's proposed FY2013 budget requests $564.9 million for continued research and development work on the Ohio replacement program (ORP), also known as the SSBN(X) program.
Date: June 12, 2012
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Drought in the United States: Causes and Issues for Congress (open access)

Drought in the United States: Causes and Issues for Congress

This report defines drought and discusses its background and cause in the United States. It looks in detail at the 2007-2009 California drought as well as drought in the American West in general. Lastly, it discusses the future of U.S. drought and how congressional policy can affect drought.
Date: June 12, 2012
Creator: Folger, Peter; Cody, Betsy A. & Carter, Nicole T.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Reduce, Refinance, and Rent? The Economic Incentives, Risks, and Ramifications of Housing Market Policy Options (open access)

Reduce, Refinance, and Rent? The Economic Incentives, Risks, and Ramifications of Housing Market Policy Options

This report discusses the background of financial panic in September 2008, precipitated by the housing bubble of 2006. In particular, the report looks at options that the 112th Congress has regarding the housing market: (1) reducing mortgage principal for borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth, (2) refinancing mortgages for borrowers shut out of traditional financing methods, and (3) renting out foreclosed homes.
Date: June 12, 2012
Creator: Hoskins, Sean M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Agriculture Issues in U.S.-EU Trade Negotiations (open access)

Agriculture Issues in U.S.-EU Trade Negotiations

This report briefly discusses the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) between the U.S. and the European Union (EU). The report also briefly notes the use of agricultural biotechnology.
Date: June 12, 2015
Creator: Johnson, Renée
System: The UNT Digital Library
Medicare Physician Payment Updates and the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) System (open access)

Medicare Physician Payment Updates and the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) System

None
Date: June 12, 2014
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
South Korea: Background and U.S. Relations (open access)

South Korea: Background and U.S. Relations

None
Date: June 12, 2015
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S.-Mexican Security Cooperation: The Mérida Initiative and Beyond (open access)

U.S.-Mexican Security Cooperation: The Mérida Initiative and Beyond

This report provides a framework for examining the current status and future prospects for U.S.- Mexican security cooperation. It begins with a brief discussion of the threat that drug trafficking and related crime and violence pose to both nations, followed by an analysis of the evolution of the Mérida Initiative. The report then provides an overview of the Peña Nieto government's security strategy and how it is affecting the Mérida Initiative. The report then examines key aspects of the current U.S.-Mexican security strategy and concludes by raising policy issues that may affect bilateral efforts.
Date: June 12, 2013
Creator: Ribando Seelke, Clare & Finklea, Kristin M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The United States and Europe: Responding to Change in the Middle East and North Africa (open access)

The United States and Europe: Responding to Change in the Middle East and North Africa

This report assesses some of the policy implications of recent and ongoing events in the Middle East region, provides an overview of U.S. responses to date, and explores select case studies to illustrate some key questions and dilemmas that Congress and the executive branch may face with regard to these issues and others in the future.
Date: June 12, 2013
Creator: Archick, Kristin & Mix, Derek E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Access to Broadband Networks: The Net Neutrality Debate (open access)

Access to Broadband Networks: The Net Neutrality Debate

This report discusses the continued debate amongst congressional policymakers regarding telecommunications reform. A major point of the ongoing discussion is whether action is needed to ensure unfettered access to the Internet.
Date: June 12, 2014
Creator: Gilroy, Angele A.
System: The UNT Digital Library