The United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S. Policy (open access)

The United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S. Policy

This report discusses the current political and economic landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its relationship with the U.S. The UAE has been a significant U.S. partner in Gulf security for more than two decades, and the alliance has deepened further in recent years in order to address multiple regional threats.
Date: June 22, 2018
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity (open access)

Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity

This report discusses the various industrial uses for hemp, a variety of Cannabis sativa of the same plant species as marijuana. It compares hemp with marijuana and discusses global production, legal status, and recent legislative activity.
Date: June 22, 2018
Creator: Johnson, Renée
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Global Health Assistance: FY2001-FY2019 Request (open access)

U.S. Global Health Assistance: FY2001-FY2019 Request

This report outlines U.S. funding for global health by agency and program. Congress may debate several pressing global health issues, including strengthening health systems, bolstering pandemic preparedness, considering the FY2019 budget request, protecting life in global health assistance, and authorizing the extension of PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief).
Date: June 22, 2018
Creator: Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations: Fiscal Year 2018 (open access)

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations: Fiscal Year 2018

This report provides an overview and analysis of FY2018 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The primary focus is on Congressional direction and funding provided through the appropriations process, but also notes funding made available to DHS outside this process (e.g., user fees and trust funds). It includes an appendix with definitions of key budget terms, and lists other Congressional Research Service reports that provide context and additional details regarding specific component appropriations and issues.
Date: May 22, 2018
Creator: Painter, William L.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Primer on U.S. Immigration Policy (open access)

A Primer on U.S. Immigration Policy

This report provides a broad overview of U.S. immigration policy. The first section addresses policies governing how foreign nationals enter the United States either to reside permanently or to stay temporarily. The second section discusses enforcement policies for excluding foreign nationals from admission into the United States, as well as for detaining and removing those who enter the country unlawfully or who enter lawfully but subsequently commit crimes that make them deportable. The third section addresses policies for unauthorized aliens residing in the United States.
Date: June 22, 2018
Creator: Kandel, William A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
FEMA and SBA Disaster Assistance for Individuals and Households: Application Process, Determinations, and Appeals (open access)

FEMA and SBA Disaster Assistance for Individuals and Households: Application Process, Determinations, and Appeals

This report provides an overview of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Individual Assistance (IA) program and the Small Business Administration's (SBA's) Disaster Loan Program. It includes discussions about how declarations put the programs into effect, the application process for both programs, the criteria used by FEMA and the SBA to determine assistance, and the FEMA and SBA appeal processes. The report concludes with policy observations and considerations for Congress.
Date: June 22, 2018
Creator: Lindsay, Bruce R. & Reese, Shawn
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Debates over Exchange Rates: Overview and Issues for Congress (open access)

Debates over Exchange Rates: Overview and Issues for Congress

This report provides information on current debates over exchange rates in the global economy. It offers an overview of how exchange rates work; analyzes specific disagreements and debates; and examines existing frameworks for potentially addressing currency disputes. It also lays out some policy options available to Congress.
Date: June 22, 2018
Creator: Nelson, Rebecca M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process (open access)

Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process

This report reviews the process and procedures that currently apply to congressional consideration of foreign arms sales proposed by the President. This includes consideration of proposals to sell major defense equipment, defense articles and services, or the re-transfer to third party states of such military items.
Date: October 22, 2018
Creator: Kerr, Paul K.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
China's Currency Policy (open access)

China's Currency Policy

This report provides an overview of the economic issues surrounding the current debate over China's currency policy. It identifies the economic costs and benefits of China's currency policy for both China and the United States, and possible implications if China were to allow its currency to significantly appreciate or to float freely.
Date: October 22, 2018
Creator: Morrison, Wayne M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program. A total of 32 LCSs have been procured through FY2018. For FY2019, the Navy is requesting the procurement of the 33rd LCS. The LCS program presents several oversight issues for Congress.
Date: October 22, 2018
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Object Type: Report
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 issues for Congress on the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) program. The Navy's proposed FY2019 budget requests nearly $7.2 billion in procurement and advance procurement (AP) funding for the program.
Date: October 22, 2018
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy LPD-17 Flight II (LX[R]) Amphibious Ship Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy LPD-17 Flight II (LX[R]) Amphibious Ship Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the LPD-17 Flight II amphibious ship program, previously known as the LX(R) program. The Navy had planned to procure the first LPD-17 Flight II ship in FY2020. Congress, as part of its action on the Navy's proposed FY2018 budget, accelerated the procurement of the first LPD17 Flight II ship to FY2018. The Navy's FY2019 budget submission programs the procurement of the second LPD17 Flight II ship for FY2020.
Date: October 22, 2018
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Congress Considers Possible Responses to the Killing of a Saudi Journalist (open access)

Congress Considers Possible Responses to the Killing of a Saudi Journalist

This report discusses the potential responses by Congress regarding the killing of prominent Saudi Arabian journalist and former diplomatic advisor Jamal Khashoggi.
Date: October 22, 2018
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
CFIUS Reform: Foreign Investment National Security Reviews (open access)

CFIUS Reform: Foreign Investment National Security Reviews

This report discusses recent legislation, known as the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) of 2018. The legislation amends the current process for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review -- on behalf of the President -- the national security implications of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States.
Date: August 22, 2018
Creator: Jackson, James K. & Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Texas Register, Volume 43, Number 25, Pages 3947-4262, June 22, 2018 (open access)

Texas Register, Volume 43, Number 25, Pages 3947-4262, June 22, 2018

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.
Date: June 22, 2018
Creator: Texas. Secretary of State.
Object Type: Journal/Magazine/Newsletter
System: The Portal to Texas History
ATF's Ability to Regulate "Bump Stocks" (open access)

ATF's Ability to Regulate "Bump Stocks"

This report discusses whether ATF has the right to regulate "bump stocks" for rifles which allow rifles to mimic the actions of an automatic weapon and recent proposed regulatory action by ATF.
Date: March 22, 2018
Creator: Peck, Sarah Herman
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Reserve: Legislation in the 115th Congress (open access)

Federal Reserve: Legislation in the 115th Congress

This report provides an overview of the Federal Reserve and legislation related to it proposed or passed during the 115th Congress.
Date: March 22, 2018
Creator: Labonte, Marc
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Bankruptcy Basics: A Primer (open access)

Bankruptcy Basics: A Primer

This report serves as a primer for Members and their staffs on the basics of U.S. bankruptcy law. The report provides a brief overview of the most essential concepts necessary for an informed understanding of the U.S. bankruptcy system
Date: March 22, 2018
Creator: Lewis, Kevin M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Department of Health and Human Services: Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request (open access)

Department of Health and Human Services: Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request

This report discusses the FY2019 appropriations request for the Department of Health and Human Services. The report begins by reviewing the department's mission and structure. Next, the report offers a brief explanation of the conventions used for the FY2018 estimates and FY2019 request levels in the budget documents released by the HHS and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The report also discusses the concept of the HHS budget as a whole, in comparison to how funding is provided to HHS through the annual appropriations process. The report concludes with a breakdown of the HHS request by agency, along with additional HHS resources that provide further information on the request. A table of CRS key policy staff is included at the end of the report.
Date: March 22, 2018
Creator: Lynch, Karen E. & Tollestrup, Jessica
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
It Belongs in a Museum: Sovereign Immunity Shields Iranian Antiquities Even When It Does Not Protect Iran (open access)

It Belongs in a Museum: Sovereign Immunity Shields Iranian Antiquities Even When It Does Not Protect Iran

This report discusses the Supreme Court's decision in the case of "Rubin v. Islamic Republic of Iran" where the court ruled that the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) did not permit U.S. victims of Iran-sponsored terrorist attacks to seize a collection of Persian antiquities on loan from Iran to a museum at the University of Chicago. The background of the case and case law about the FSIA is also discussed.
Date: March 22, 2018
Creator: Mulligan, Stephen P.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Bankruptcy and Student Loans (open access)

Bankruptcy and Student Loans

This report discusses This report provides a comprehensive overview of the various legal issues related to whether, and under what circumstances, a debtor may discharge a student loan in bankruptcy. The report begins by providing general background on bankruptcy law and the principles governing the discharge of outstanding debt. In so doing, the report explains how and why the Bankruptcy Code generally makes student loans nondischargeable absent an "undue hardship." The report then describes the various legal standards that courts have applied when determining whether a particular debtor is entitled to an undue hardship discharge. The report closes by describing various potential considerations for Congress, including ways in which Congress could alter the Bankruptcy Code's current treatment of student loans.
Date: February 22, 2018
Creator: Lewis, Kevin M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Fiscal Year 2019 Budget: Government Reorganization and Federal Workforce Reform (open access)

Fiscal Year 2019 Budget: Government Reorganization and Federal Workforce Reform

This report discusses the proposed FY2019 general U.S. budget and its plans for government reorganization and federal workforce reform.
Date: February 22, 2018
Creator: Schwemle, Barbara L. & Hogue, Henry B.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Domestic Food Assistance: Summary of Programs (open access)

Domestic Food Assistance: Summary of Programs

This report discusses food assistance programs which are administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) programs as well as nutrition programs administered by the Administration on Aging (AOA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Community Living (HHS-ACL).
Date: March 22, 2018
Creator: Aussenberg, Randy Alison & Colello, Kirsten J.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Unauthorized Childhood Arrivals: Legislative Activity in the 115th Congress (open access)

Unauthorized Childhood Arrivals: Legislative Activity in the 115th Congress

This report provides a summary of proposed legislation in the Senate regarding unauthorized childhood arrivals and DACA recipients in the United States and discusses some of the major issues surrounding the topic.
Date: March 22, 2018
Creator: Bruno, Andorra
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library