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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.

Presidential elections were held on October 9, 2004, with heavy turnout and minimal violence. Karzai won with about 55% of the vote. In a climate of escalating insurgent violence in Afghanistan, parliamentary and provincial elections are to be held on September 18, 2005; district elections are put off until 2006. See CRS Report RL30588, Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy.

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Restrictions on travel to Cuba have been a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate the communist government of Fidel Castro for much of the past 40 years. Under the Bush Administration, enforcement of U.S. restrictions on Cuba travel has increased, and restrictions on travel and on private remittances to Cuba have been tightened. Several legislative initiatives have been introduced in the 109th Congress that would ease restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba. These bills would, among other things, lift overall restrictions on travel to Cuba, lift the overall embargo, and ease restrictions on exporting agricultural commodities to Cuba.

Honduras faces enormous challenges in the areas of crime and human rights and improving overall economic and living conditions in one of the hemisphere’s poorest countries. The United States has a close relationship with Honduras, characterized by significant foreign assistance, an important trade partnership, a military presence in the country, and cooperation on a range of transnational issues. Honduras signed the original U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) in May 2004 and an expanded U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) in August 2004. The Honduran Congress approved the agreement on March 3, 2005, by a vote of 124-4. The Bush Administration views DR-CAFTA as a means of solidifying democracy in Honduras and promoting safeguards for environmental protection and labor rights in the country

Presidential elections were held on October 9, 2004, with heavy turnout and minimal violence. Karzai won with about 55% of the vote. In a climate of escalating insurgent violence in Afghanistan, parliamentary and provincial elections are to be held on September 18, 2005; district elections are put off until 2006. See CRS Report RL30588, Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy.

This report discusses legislative initiatives regarding the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for individuals, which was originally enacted to ensure that all taxpayers, especially high-income taxpayers, paid at least a minimum amount of federal taxes.

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This report provides an overview of the regulatory actions leading up to and an analysis of the Supreme Court’s decision in National Cable & Telecommunications Association v. Brand X Internet Services. It also provides a discussion of the possible legal and economic implications of the Court’s decision.

DISREGARD RESTRICTION HEADER AND FOOTER - Briefing Includes: Present for information: Timeline Update; Present for review: Topics for Discussion, Review and Assessment of Candidate Recommendations, SECARMY BRAC Brief to SECDEF, Army Justification for CRs that do not Save Money, Final Army Candidate Recommendations/Integration Results, Quantitative Roll-Up of Candidate Recommendations to Date; Recommendations; Way Ahead

DISREGARD RESTRICTION HEADER AND FOOTER - Briefing Includes: Present for information: Timeline Update; Present for review: Topics for Discussion, Review and Assessment of JCSG Candidate Recommendations, Final Review of Candidate Recommendations, EOH Forum Brief, Quantitative Roll-Up of Candidate Recommendations to Date, Recommendations; Way Ahead

DISREGARD RESTRICTION HEADER AND FOOTER - Briefing Includes: Present for information: Timeline Update; Present for review: Topics for Discussion, Review and Assessment of JCSG Candidate Recommendations, Quantitative Roll-Up of Candidate Recommendations to Date; Recommendations; Way Ahead

DISREGARD RESTRICTION HEADER AND FOOTER - Briefing Includes: Present for information: Timeline Update; Present for review: Topics for Discussion, Quantitative Roll-Up of Candidate Recommendations to Date; Recommendations; Way Ahead

Executive Correspondence – Letter dtd 07/05/2005 to Chairman Principi from Representatives Pallone, Corzine, Lautenberg, Holt, Andrews, Smith, Pascrell, Rothman, Payne, and Menendez requesting that the Commission hold a hearing to analyze the overall effect of the 2005 BRAC (especially Fort Monmouth) to national security.

Executive Correspondence – Letter dtd 07/01/2005 to Commission House Liaison Deirdre Walsh from Representative Sherwood Boehlert (24th, NY) enclosing petitions of constituents in favor of retaining DFAS Rome.

Coalition Correspondence – Letter dtd 06/28/05 from Chancellor Kirwan of the University System of Maryland submitting comments and expressing strong support for the 2005 BRAC recommendations.

Coalition Correspondence – Letter dtd 07/01/05 to Chairman Principi from the California Society of Pathologists strongly criticizing DoD’s BRAC recommendation as regards The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

Coalition Correspondence – Letter dtd 06/29/05 to the Commission from the Greater Harford Committee, Inc. in Bel Air MD expressing strong support for the DoD’s BRAC recommendations.

Coalition Correspondence – Letter dtd 06/30/05 to Chairman Principi from UMASS President Jack Wilson expressing strong support for DoD’s recommendations concerning Hanscom AFB and Soldier Systems Center – Natick.

Coalition Correspondence – Letter dtd 06/30/05 to Chairman Principi from James Brett of the New England Council expressing opposition to DoD BRAC recommendations concerning Submarine Base New London, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Otis ANG Base, and NAS Brunswick.

Coalition Correspondence – Letter dtd 06/29/05 to chairman Principi from Cheshire CT Chamber of Commerce President James Miele expressing the Chamber’s concern regarding the proposed closure of Submarine Base New London.

Coalition Correspondence – Letter dtd 06/30/05 to Chairman Principi from Mass Software Council President Joyce Plotkin expressing strong support for DoD’s recommendations concerning Hanscom AFB and Soldier Systems Center – Natick.