House Committee Funding Requests and Authorizations, 104th-109th Congresses (open access)

House Committee Funding Requests and Authorizations, 104th-109th Congresses

Under House Rule X, clause 6, each standing and select committee of the House (except the Appropriations Committee) is required to submit an operating budget request for its necessary expenses over the two years of a Congress. Each committee chair normally introduces a House resolution to provide his or her committee with the requisite funds for the two years of the Congress.
Date: May 3, 2005
Creator: Petersen, R. Eric
System: The UNT Digital Library
Trade Negotiations in the 109th Congress (open access)

Trade Negotiations in the 109th Congress

None
Date: May 3, 2005
Creator: Fergusson, Ian F. & Sek, Lenore
System: The UNT Digital Library
Housing Issues in the 109th Congress (open access)

Housing Issues in the 109th Congress

This report discusses the budget request for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which would be a decrease of $2.8 billion, or almost 9%, from FY2005.
Date: May 4, 2005
Creator: Bourdon, E. Richard; Foote, Bruce E.; McCarty, Maggie; Boyd, Eugene & Jackson, Pamela J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Minimum Wage, Overtime Pay, and Child Labor: Inventory of Proposals in the 109th Congress to Amend the Fair Labor Standards Act (open access)

Minimum Wage, Overtime Pay, and Child Labor: Inventory of Proposals in the 109th Congress to Amend the Fair Labor Standards Act

This report discusses potential changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act that may occur during the 109th Congress.
Date: May 4, 2005
Creator: Whittaker, William G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress (open access)

Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress

This report, which will be updated regularly, examines issues in U.S.-Cuban relations and tracks legislative initiatives on Cuba in the 109th Congress. The 109th Congress will likely continue an active interest in Cuba concerning human rights, debate over economic sanctions (especially on travel), food and agricultural exports to Cuba, terrorism issues, Radio and TV Marti, bilateral anti-drug cooperation, and migration issues.
Date: May 5, 2005
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Legislation in the 109th Congress (open access)

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Legislation in the 109th Congress

This report reviews the status of energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation introduced during the 109th Congress. Action in the second session has focused on appropriations bills; the first session focused on omnibus energy policy bill H.R. 6 and several appropriations bills. this report describes several major pieces of legislation, including the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Transportation Equity Act. For each bill listed in this report, a brief description and a summary of action are given, including references to committee hearings and reports. Also, a selected list of hearings on renewable energy is included.
Date: May 6, 2005
Creator: Sissine, Fred
System: The UNT Digital Library
Gun Legislation in the 109th Congress (open access)

Gun Legislation in the 109th Congress

Congress continues to debate the efficacy and constitutionality of federal regulation of firearms and ammunition. It is a contentious debate, with strong advocates for and against the further federal regulation of firearms.
Date: May 6, 2005
Creator: Krouse, William J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Selected Environmental Issues Related to the Omnibus Energy Bill (H.R. 6), 109th Congress (open access)

Selected Environmental Issues Related to the Omnibus Energy Bill (H.R. 6), 109th Congress

None
Date: May 6, 2005
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
The “Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005” in the 109th Congress (open access)

The “Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005” in the 109th Congress

This report discusses about Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005
Date: May 11, 2005
Creator: Jeweler, Robin
System: The UNT Digital Library
Pay Equity Legislation in the 109th Congress (open access)

Pay Equity Legislation in the 109th Congress

This report discusses the gender wage gap and the efforts to close the gap through acts, such as Equal Pay Act (EPA), and the work to strengthen anti-discrimination laws and add additional measures to ensure gender equality in the work force. The report discusses the opposition who believes the gap will close on its own as women continue to work their way up in the workforce.
Date: May 11, 2005
Creator: Dale, Charles V. & Levine, Linda
System: The UNT Digital Library
Hydropower Licenses and Alternative Licensing Conditions in H.R. 6, 109th Congress (open access)

Hydropower Licenses and Alternative Licensing Conditions in H.R. 6, 109th Congress

In the next ten years, nearly 20% of the nation’s nonfederal hydropower projects will require new federal licenses to continue operating. New licenses will establish facilities’ operating parameters for the next 30 to 50 years. These operating parameters will affect the total quantity and timing of electricity production. They will also affect flood control, irrigation, municipal and industrial water supplies, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, and transportation.
Date: May 12, 2005
Creator: Powers, Kyna
System: The UNT Digital Library
Agricultural Issues in the 109th Congress (open access)

Agricultural Issues in the 109th Congress

A number of issues affecting U.S. agriculture are receiving attention during the 109th Congress. Some are related to new initiatives or to unfinished legislation from the 108th Congress; others have been the focus of ongoing congressional oversight. Although the current (2002) farm bill (P.L. 107-171) generally does not expire until 2007, the agriculture committees could begin hearings on a new measure later this year. Meanwhile, the agriculture committees are required by the adopted FY2006 budget resolution to report legislation that reduces spending on mandatory food and agriculture support programs by $3 billion over the next five years. Other issues of importance to agriculture during the 109th Congress include the possible reauthorization of an expiring dairy support program; multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations; concerns about agroterrorism, food safety, and animal and plant diseases (e.g., “mad cow” disease and Asian soybean rust); high energy costs; environmental issues; and a number of agricultural marketing matters. This report will be updated if significant developments ensue.
Date: May 13, 2005
Creator: Chite, Ralph M. & Becker, Geoffrey S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Energy Policy: Comprehensive Energy Legislation (H.R. 6) in the 109th Congress (open access)

Energy Policy: Comprehensive Energy Legislation (H.R. 6) in the 109th Congress

The House passed H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, on April 21, 2005 (249-183). The legislation includes a “safe harbor” provision to protect methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) refiners from product liability suits, which was retained after a close vote on an amendment to drop the language (213-219). In the 108th Congress, there was opposition to this provision in the Senate. It is unclear how its inclusion may affect Senate passage of an energy bill in the 109th Congress. House Republicans have indicated that a compromise will be sought to satisfy the other body. Language in the House-passed bill would also authorize opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to exploration and development. An amendment to delete the ANWR provisions from H.R. 6 was defeated (200-231).
Date: May 13, 2005
Creator: Bamberger, Robert L. & Behrens, Carl E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 109th Congress (open access)

Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 109th Congress

This report provides the information related to the fishery, aquaculture, and marine mammal issues in the 109th Congress
Date: May 13, 2005
Creator: Buck, Eugene H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Homeland Security Grant Formulas: A Comparison of Formula Provisions in S. 21 and H.R. 1544, 109th Congress (open access)

Homeland Security Grant Formulas: A Comparison of Formula Provisions in S. 21 and H.R. 1544, 109th Congress

This CRS report summarizes and compares the pertinent parts of the two bills. Specifically, the report compares the homeland security assistance distribution formulas in S. 21 and H.R. 1544, presents estimated guaranteed amounts each state would receive under the House and Senate formulas , and a stepby-step process for distribution of federal homeland security assistance (Appendix A and B), as proposed by these two bills.
Date: May 13, 2005
Creator: Reese, Shawn
System: The UNT Digital Library
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Amendments: 109th Congress (open access)

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Amendments: 109th Congress

None
Date: May 16, 2005
Creator: Relyea, Harold C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Amendments:  109th Congress (open access)

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Amendments: 109th Congress

This report examines efforts to amend the FOI Act, and will be updated as events warrant.
Date: May 16, 2005
Creator: Relyea, Harold C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board: 109th Congress Proposed Refinements (open access)

Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board: 109th Congress Proposed Refinements

Among the recommendations made by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission) in its final report was the creation of a board within the executive branch to oversee adherence to guidelines on, and the commitment to defend, civil liberties by the federal government. This report examines the realization of this recommendation with the creation of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, and efforts in the 109th Congress to refine the mandate and the mission of the board (H.R. 1310). This report will be updated as events warrant.
Date: May 16, 2005
Creator: Relyea, Harold C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Adult Education and Literacy: Overview and Reauthorization Proposals of the 109th Congress (open access)

Adult Education and Literacy: Overview and Reauthorization Proposals of the 109th Congress

The 109th Congress is considering the reauthorization of federal adult education and literacy programs. The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) authorized these programs through FY2003. The primary AEFLA activity is a state grant program that supports education and literacy services for educationally disadvantaged adults. The AEFLA also authorizes national leadership activities in adult education and literacy, and the National Institute for Literacy. The FY2005 AEFLA appropriation is $585 million; the FY2006 budget request would reduce funding to $216 million. The AEFLA was enacted as Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), P.L. 105-220, on August 7, 1998.
Date: May 19, 2005
Creator: Irwin, Paul M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress (open access)

Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress

This report, which will be updated regularly, examines issues in U.S.-Cuban relations and tracks legislative initiatives on Cuba in the 109th Congress. The 109th Congress will likely continue an active interest in Cuba concerning human rights, debate over economic sanctions (especially on travel), food and agricultural exports to Cuba, terrorism issues, Radio and TV Marti, bilateral anti-drug cooperation, and migration issues.
Date: May 25, 2005
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Political Status of Puerto Rico:  Background, Options, and Issues in the 109th Congress (open access)

Political Status of Puerto Rico: Background, Options, and Issues in the 109th Congress

None
Date: May 25, 2005
Creator: Bea, Keith
System: The UNT Digital Library
Association Health Plans: Legislation in the 109th Congress (open access)

Association Health Plans: Legislation in the 109th Congress

An estimated 41.2 million people were without health insurance in 2001. Legislation under consideration by the 108th and earlier Congresses is intended to assist small employers in offering health insurance as a benefit to their workers. A new bill, H.R. 4281, introduced on May 5, 2004, The Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003 (H.R. 6601s. 545), and a number of bills from the earlier Congresses include provisions creating new groups for small firms to join or encouraging the growth of existing groups so that small employers can band together to offer coverage to their employees. Opponents of the AHP approach raise concerns that unintended negative consequences would arise, negating the benefits that the new groups would create. While the proposed AHPs are not likely to immediately undermine the small group market, they are likely to require additional features to significantly expand insurance coverage among the uninsured.
Date: May 26, 2005
Creator: Hearne, Jean P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues for the 109th Congress (open access)

Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues for the 109th Congress

two decades in terms of political and economic development. While the region overall experienced an economic setback in 2002-2003, by the end of 2004, it had rebounded with an estimated growth rate of 5.5% for the year, surpassing even the most optimistic predictions. Nevertheless, several nations face considerable challenges that could threaten political stability, including persistent poverty, violent guerrilla conflicts, autocratic leaders, drug trafficking, and increasing crime.
Date: May 26, 2005
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.; Hornbeck, J. F.; Ribando, Clare; Sek, Lenore; Storrs, K. Larry; Taft-Morales, Maureen et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Energy Policy: Comprehensive Energy Legislation (H.R. 6) in the 109th Congress (open access)

Energy Policy: Comprehensive Energy Legislation (H.R. 6) in the 109th Congress

The House passed H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, on April 21, 2005 (249-183). The legislation includes a “safe harbor” provision to protect methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) refiners from product liability suits, which was retained after a close vote on an amendment to drop the language (213-219). In the 108th Congress, there was opposition to this provision in the Senate. It is unclear how its inclusion may affect Senate passage of an energy bill in the 109th Congress. House Republicans have indicated that a compromise will be sought to satisfy the other body. Language in the House-passed bill would also authorize opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to exploration and development. An amendment to delete the ANWR provisions from H.R. 6 was defeated (200-231).
Date: May 31, 2005
Creator: Bamberger, Robert L. & Behrens, Carl E.
System: The UNT Digital Library