U.S.-China economic ties have expanded substantially over the past several years. China is now the third largest U.S. trading partner, its second largest source of imports, and its fourth largest export market. However, U.S.-China commercial ties have been strained by a number of issues, including a surging U.S. trade deficit with China, China's refusal to float its currency, and failure to fully comply with its World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments, especially its failure to provide protection for U.S. intellectual property rights (IPR). This report explores these issues in detail, especially concerning the lack of protection for U.S. IPR.

This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant. The report lists the key CRS staff relevant to the issues covered and related CRS products.

None

In the aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C., U.S. attention to terrorism in Latin America intensified, with an increase in bilateral and regional cooperation. Latin American nations strongly condemned the attacks and took action through the Organization of American States (OAS) to strengthen hemispheric cooperation. In June 2002, OAS members signed an Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism. President Bush submitted the convention to the Senate in November 2002 for its advice and consent, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a public hearing on June 17, 2004. In its annual report on worldwide terrorism, the State Department highlights threats in Colombia, Peru, and the tri-border area of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The State Department also has designated four terrorist groups (three in Colombia and one in Peru) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Cuba has been listed as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1982.

This report provides information about the FY2006 Appropriations for State and Local Homeland Security. This report is a preliminary overview of the administration FY2006 budget request and congress proposed appropriations for selected programs of homeland security.

None

An examination of Justice O’Connor’s opinions reveals a gradual shift in perspective regarding the legal and constitutional standards to be applied in evaluating governmental affirmative action efforts, and the manner of their application in various legal and factual settings. This report briefly surveys decisions of retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor in affirmative action cases, an area where her opinions have frequently determined the outcome.

This report is a guide to one of the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Agriculture. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant. The report lists the key CRS staff relevant to the issues covered and related CRS products.

Collection of BRAC related news articles and clippings. Produced for Commission staff review.

Supplemental articles from the Marine Corps Times.

Community Correspondence - letters from 9 concerned citizens regarding the closure of Cannon AFB

Community Correspondence - Letter from Barrett G. Greene requesting that the Niagara Falls Air Force Reserve base be closed

Community Correspondence - Letters from 3 concerned citizens from the surrounding community of Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base in support of keeping the installation open.

Community Correspondence - 501 letters from concerned citizens of Cannon Air Force Base pleading with the commission to reconsider closing Cannon AFB.

Department of Defense Clearinghouse Response: DoD Clearinghouse response to an e-mail from the BRAC Commission regarding Air Force consideration of costs to other federal agencies.

Department of Defense Clearinghouse Resposne: DoD Clearinghouse response to a letter from the BRAC Commission regarding NI Industries at Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant.

Community Correspondence - 300 letters to the commission from Niagara Falls AFB expressing deep concern about the possible closure of the base.

Letters from citizens regarding concerns with the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission's (BRAC) decision to have 672 jobs realigned from Naval Support Activity Crane

Community Correspondence - 6 letters to the commission regarding Crane Naval Base and also thanking the commissioners for their attention during the hearings in St. Louis.

Department of Defense Clearinghouse Response: DoD Clearinghouse response to a letter from the BRAC Commission requesting breakout of criteria 1-4 scores for all four Naval Shipyards.

Community Correspondence - 9 Letters from a concerned citizen to each member of the commission regarding the New London Sub Base.

Community Correspondence - 23 letters from citizens employed in the private sector around Oceana expressing concern over the base's possible closure.

Community Correspondence from Citizens Concerning the Closure of Cannon AFB. 500 Letters

Community Correspondence from Citizens concerning the closure of Cannon AFB, NM. 469 Letters