This report discusses the Budget Control Act, which sets limits on defense spending between FY2012 and FY2021. The current debate in Congress has centered on whether to adjust the BCA defense caps upward; move base budget spending to accounts designated for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) that are not subject to spending limits; reduce the defense spending in the Administration's request to comply with BCA revised caps; or use some combination of these approaches, all in order to avoid a sequester.

This report provides information about the Congressional Liaison Offices of Selected Federal Agencies. This list of about 200 congressional Liaison is intended to help congressional offices in placing telephone calls and addressing correspondence to government agencies.

This report briefly discusses the current campaign finance environment and the implications of changes to campaign finance policy over the past several decades.

This In Focus discusses the Obama Administration's proposed changes to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education efforts.

This report gives a brief overview of the pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which as of May 15, 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported 168 cases.

This report provides an overview of the Indian Health Service's (IHS) budget request for the 2016 fiscal year along with funding history. This report includes a table which outlines collected and appropriated funds by fiscal year.

This report briefly highlights some of the major policy proposals included in a May 12, 2015 discussion draft released by Senator Richard Shelby that is scheduled for markup by the Senate Banking Committee. The draft encompasses a broad package of reforms to the financial regulatory system, including some changes to the Dodd-Frank Act (P.L. 111-203).

This report discusses issues regarding Iran's political history and structure. It also takes a look at economic and defense policy responses for Congress.

This report discusses current issues regarding the government and politics of Iran. Since the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, a priority of U.S. policy has been to reduce the perceived threat posed by Iran to a broad range of U.S. interests, including the security of the Persian Gulf region. In 2014, a common adversary emerged in the form of the Islamic State organization, reducing gaps in U.S. and Iranian regional interests, although the two countries have somewhat differing approaches over how to try to defeat the group.

This report discusses the legal background associated with the sunset of various provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act and of subsequent related legislation.

This report discusses the legal background associated with the sunset of various provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act and of subsequent related legislation.

This report provides information that can aid policy makers as they navigate through the many levels of responsibility of dealing with emergencies, and numerous policy pressure points, by having an understanding of the laws and administrative policies governing the disaster response and recovery process. The report also reviews the legislative framework that exists for providing federal assistance.

This report outlines an array of homeland security issues that may come before the 114th Congress. After a brief discussion of the definitions of homeland security, the homeland security budget, and the role of homeland security actors in the intelligence community, the report divides the specific issues into four broad categories: Counterterrorism and Security Management, Border Security and Trade, Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, and DHS Management Issues.

This report examines current conditions in El Salvador, as well as issues in U.S.-Salvadoran relations.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the issuance of specialty license plates to honor recipients of certain military medals.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 16 in Young County as the Texas Game Warden Joseph Marshall Evans Memorial Highway.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to painting and marking requirements for certain meteorological evaluation towers; creating an offense.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the eligibility of a landman for unemployment compensation.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to certain title insurance policy liability and reinsurance requirements.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to own risk and solvency assessment by insurers and insurance groups; providing a penalty.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the use of electronic processes by and electronic information submitted to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission; authorizing a fee.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the issuance of Texas Medical Center specialty license plates.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to collection and use of certain information reported to and by the Texas Department of Insurance and certain approval authority and hearings held in connection with reported information.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to a temporary restraining order for preservation of property and protection of the parties in a suit for the dissolution of marriage.