President's Selection of a Nominee for a Supreme Court Vacancy: Overview (open access)

President's Selection of a Nominee for a Supreme Court Vacancy: Overview

This report provides an overview of several issues related to the selection of a Supreme Court nominee by a President for a vacancy on the Court.
Date: June 27, 2018
Creator: McMillion, Barry J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
TRICARE Modernization: Eligibility for the Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (open access)

TRICARE Modernization: Eligibility for the Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program

This report discusses the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and the upcoming expansion of eligibility to certain TRICARE beneficiaries. TRICARE is the health care program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families.
Date: June 27, 2018
Creator: Mendez, Bryce H. P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Trump Administration's Reform Plan and Reorganization Recommendations (open access)

The Trump Administration's Reform Plan and Reorganization Recommendations

This report discusses the Trump Administration's "Delivering Government Solutions in the 21st Century: Reform Plan and Reorganization Recommendations" (the Reform Plan). The stated goal of the Reform Plan is to "improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of agencies."
Date: June 26, 2018
Creator: Hogue, Henry B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The G-7 Summit in Charlevoix, Canada: Changing U.S. Leadership in Global Forums (open access)

The G-7 Summit in Charlevoix, Canada: Changing U.S. Leadership in Global Forums

This report covers the 44th annual Group of 7 (G-7) summit on June 8-9. Seven of the world's largest advanced economies meet annually to discuss and coordinate economic and foreign policies, with the 2018 agenda focusing on economic growth, gender equality, jobs, and the environment.
Date: June 25, 2018
Creator: Nelson, Rebecca M.
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 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
Increase in Illicit Fentanyl Overdose Deaths (open access)

Increase in Illicit Fentanyl Overdose Deaths

This report discusses fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. The steep increase in overdose deaths involving fentanyl is seen as a "new chapter" in the opioid epidemic. Topics covered include the rise of fentanyl overdoses, availability of fentanyl, and policy considerations.
Date: June 6, 2018
Creator: Duff, Johnathan H. & Sacco, Lisa N.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Qatar and Its Neighbors: Disputes and Possible Implications (open access)

Qatar and Its Neighbors: Disputes and Possible Implications

This report discusses the dispute between Qatar and several of its Gulf State and Arab neighbors led by Saudia Arabia which has resulted in the isolation of Qatar by Saudia Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt. The Saudi-led coalition has accused Qatar of supporting terrorism because of their support for the Muslim Brotherhood. Potential implications of the dispute for the United States are then discussed.
Date: June 26, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth & Blanchard, Christopher M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Qatar and its Neighbors: Disputes and Possible Implications (open access)

Qatar and its Neighbors: Disputes and Possible Implications

This report discusses Qatar disputes with the governments of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Egypt.
Date: June 26, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth & Blanchard, Christopher M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Beef: It's What's for China (open access)

U.S. Beef: It's What's for China

This report discusses the opening of the Chinese market to U.S. beef imports under certain restrictions. The negotiation process and conditions of the agreement and China's current largest beef import partners are also discussed.
Date: June 22, 2017
Creator: Greene, Joel L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Out of Breath: Military Aircraft Oxygen Issues (open access)

Out of Breath: Military Aircraft Oxygen Issues

This report discusses hypoxia, caused by lack of oxygen, which has affected pilots of F-22, F/A-18, and T-45 aircraft in recent years.
Date: June 21, 2017
Creator: Gertler, Jeremiah
System: The UNT Digital Library
Dakota Access Pipeline: Siting Controversy (open access)

Dakota Access Pipeline: Siting Controversy

This report discusses the Dakota Access Pipeline including background on the project and information about siting approval, as well as opposition and litigation against the pipeline.
Date: June 15, 2017
Creator: Parfomak, Paul W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Violence Against Members of Congress and Their Staff: A Brief Overview (open access)

Violence Against Members of Congress and Their Staff: A Brief Overview

This report discusses questions about the personal security and safety of Members of Congress and their staffs.
Date: June 15, 2017
Creator: Petersen, R. Eric
System: The UNT Digital Library
The President's Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request for the National Science Foundation (open access)

The President's Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request for the National Science Foundation

This report discuses the Trump Administration's 2018 fiscal year budget request for the National Science Foundation which proposed significant funding cuts across the agency's major research, education, and construction accounts. Overall, the request includes $6.653 billion for NSF, $819 million (11%) below the FY2017 enacted amount of $7.472 billion (P.L. 115-31).
Date: June 14, 2017
Creator: Harris, Laurie A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
United Kingdom Election Result (open access)

United Kingdom Election Result

This report discusses the United Kingdom's (UK's) election of June 8, 2017, which resulted in a hung parliament, an outcome in which no single party won a majority of seats in the 650-seat House of Commons.
Date: June 14, 2017
Creator: Mix, Derek E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Congress Faces Calls to Address Expiring Funds for Primary Care (open access)

Congress Faces Calls to Address Expiring Funds for Primary Care

This report discusses programs focused on expanding access to primary care services for populations that are typically underserved.
Date: June 13, 2017
Creator: Heisler, Elayne J. & Redhead, C. Stephen
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Financial CHOICE Act (H.R. 10) and the Dodd- Frank Act (open access)

The Financial CHOICE Act (H.R. 10) and the Dodd- Frank Act

This report discusses the Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 (H.R. 10), a bill that was passed by the House on June 8, 2017.
Date: June 12, 2017
Creator: Labonte, Marc
System: The UNT Digital Library
What is the Proposed U.S.-EU Insurance Covered Agreement? (open access)

What is the Proposed U.S.-EU Insurance Covered Agreement?

This report discusses the first insurance covered agreement between the United States and European Union (EU) that concluded on January 13, 2017.
Date: June 9, 2017
Creator: Webel, Baird & Fefer, Rachel F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
European Security and Islamist Terrorism (open access)

European Security and Islamist Terrorism

This report briefly discusses the current security climate in Europe, as well as policy considerations for the U.S. Over the last two years, European governments and the European Union (EU) have grown increasingly alarmed by the rise of the Islamic State terrorist organization, its ability to attract European citizens to join the fighting in the Syria-Iraq region, and its use of violent extremist propaganda to inspire others.
Date: June 8, 2017
Creator: Archick, Kristin; Belkin, Paul & Mix, Derek E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Foreign Aid to the Middle East and North Africa: The President's FY2018 Request (open access)

U.S. Foreign Aid to the Middle East and North Africa: The President's FY2018 Request

This report discusses U.S. economic and security assistance to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Date: June 8, 2017
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Implementation of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Amendments (P.L. 114-182) (open access)

Implementation of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Amendments (P.L. 114-182)

This report summarizes select EPA actions to implement the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) amendments over the past year since their passage on June 22, 2016 as a part of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for 21st Century Act (P.L. 114-182). Brief discussions and lists of various chemicals that are being evaluated or have been evaluated under the law are included.
Date: June 7, 2017
Creator: Yen, Jerry H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
When an Agency's Budget Request Does Not Match the President's Request: The Fiscal Year 2018 CFTC Request and "Budget Bypass" (open access)

When an Agency's Budget Request Does Not Match the President's Request: The Fiscal Year 2018 CFTC Request and "Budget Bypass"

This report discuses two competing 2018 fiscal year budget requests for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) from President Trump and from the CFTC themselves. The Presidential request is $250 million, which is the same amount the CFTC had the past year, while CFTC is requesting an additional $31.5 million in funding for a total request of $ 281.5 million. The process of submitting budgets to the President and Congress is discussed as well as ways to reconcile the two conflicting budget requests.
Date: June 7, 2017
Creator: Monke, Jim; Miller, Rena S. & Brass, Clinton T.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The President's Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request for the Department of Energy (open access)

The President's Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request for the Department of Energy

This report discusses President's Trump's 2018 fiscal year budget request for the Department of Energy. The FY2018 request is $28.0 billion which is $2.7 billion (8.8%) less than the FY2017 enacted appropriations of $30.7 billion. While this request would reduce the total budget for DOE, it would increase overall funding for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and increase funding for cleanup programs within the Office of Environmental Management. The request would reduce funding for the Offices of Science, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Nuclear Energy (NE), Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE), and Fossil Energy (including the Fossil Energy Research and Development [R&D] program). It would also reduce funding for the Advanced Research Projects AgencyEnergy (ARPA-E) to wind down operations in FY2018 for cessation of its functions in FY2019, and would eliminate funding for two programs within EERE--the Weatherization Assistance Program and State Energy Program--and two programs within the Loan Program Office--Title XVII Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program (Title XVII Loan Program) and Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program in FY2018.
Date: June 5, 2017
Creator: Clark, Corrie E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Ransomware Attacks Renew Foccus on HIPAA Security Sttandards (open access)

Ransomware Attacks Renew Foccus on HIPAA Security Sttandards

This report discuses ransomware attacks on healthcare facilities and safeguards against loss of information in such an attack through the proper implication of HIPAA regulations for patient privacy in electronic health records.
Date: June 5, 2017
Creator: Redhead, C. Stephen
System: The UNT Digital Library