Endangered Species: Difficult Choices (open access)

Endangered Species: Difficult Choices

This report discusses issues debated in the 108th Congress while is considering various proposals to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). Major issues in recent years have included changing the role of science in decision-making, changing the role of critical habitat, reducing conflicts with Department of Defense activities, incorporating further protection for property owners, and increasing protection of listed species, among others. In addition, many have advocated including significant changes to ESA regulations made during the Clinton Administration in the law itself.
Date: September 5, 2001
Creator: Buck, Eugene H.; Corn, M. Lynne & Baldwin, Pamela
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Endangered Species: Difficult Choices (open access)

Endangered Species: Difficult Choices

This report discusses issues debated in the 107th Congress while is considering various proposals to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). Major issues in recent years have included changing the role of science in decision-making, changing the role of critical habitat, reducing conflicts with Department of Defense activities, incorporating further protection for property owners, and increasing protection of listed species, among others. In addition, many have advocated including significant changes to ESA regulations made during the Clinton Administration in the law itself.
Date: September 5, 2003
Creator: Buck, Eugene H.; Corn, M. Lynne & Baldwin, Pamela
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (open access)

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is an area rich in fauna, flora, and oil potential, where development has been debated for over 36 years. Current law forbids oil and gas leasing. This report discusses debate over whether or not to open the ANWR up for development and includes discussion of various legislative options under consideration.
Date: September 5, 1996
Creator: Corn, M. Lynne; Kumins, Lawrence C. & Baldwin, Pamela
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Airport Improvement Program (open access)

Airport Improvement Program

This issue brief discusses the Airport Improvement Program and its complement, the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC). After a brief history of federal support for airport construction and improvement, the report describes AIP funding, its source of revenues, funding distribution, the types of projects the program funds, AIP and PFC policy issues, and the allowable use of AIP funds for airport security purposes.
Date: September 5, 2002
Creator: Kirk, Robert S.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Environmental Protection Agency's FY2003 Budget (open access)

The Environmental Protection Agency's FY2003 Budget

On April 9, 2001, the President requested $7.3 billion in discretionary budget authority for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for FY2002, $512.0 million (or 7%) less than the FY2001 funding level of $7.8 billion. The request would not have continued funding of about $500 million for activities earmarked for FY2001, and contained provisions shifting more enforcement responsibilities to the states. Popular wastewater infrastructure funding, state roles, and the future of Superfund were some of the predominant topics. On July 17, the House Appropriations Committee recommended $7.545 billion,$229 million more than requested (H.R. 2620, H. Rept. 107-159).
Date: September 5, 2002
Creator: Lee, Martin R.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
References for Congressional Offices: Print, Online, and Services (open access)

References for Congressional Offices: Print, Online, and Services

None
Date: September 5, 2002
Creator: Leary, Stephen
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, H.R. 1036 and S. 659, 108th Congress: Legal Analysis (open access)

Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, H.R. 1036 and S. 659, 108th Congress: Legal Analysis

None
Date: September 5, 2003
Creator: Cohen, Henry
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defense Acquisition Reform: Status and Current Issues (open access)

Defense Acquisition Reform: Status and Current Issues

The end of the Cold War and its impact on defense spending has created a strong need to reform Department of Defense’s (DOD) acquisition system. With procurement spending down, DOD expects to depend on savings from acquisition reform to help finance future force modernization. Policymakers believe that DOD should use more commercial products because, in many instances, they cost less and their quality is comparable to products built according to DOD military specifications. Many such reform proposals are based on recognition that DOD regulatory barriers and a Cold War acquisition “culture” have inhibited the introduction of commercial products.
Date: September 5, 2002
Creator: Grasso, Valerie Bailey
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance (open access)

War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance

Two separate but closely related issues confront Congress each time the President introduces armed forces into a situation abroad that conceivably could lead to their involvement in hostilities. One issue concerns the division of war powers between the President and Congress, whether the use of armed forces falls within the purview of the congressional power to declare war and the War Powers Resolution. The other issue is whether Congress concurs in the wisdom of the action. This issue brief does not deal with the substantive merits of using armed forces in specific cases, but rather with the congressional authorization for the action and the application and effectiveness of the War Powers Resolution.
Date: September 5, 2003
Creator: Grimmett, Richard F.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (open access)

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

None
Date: September 5, 2002
Creator: Stoltzfus, Emilie
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Clean Air Act Issues in the 107th Congress (open access)

Clean Air Act Issues in the 107th Congress

In the early months of the 107th Congress, the most prominent air quality issue has been whether state and federal regulations designed to protect air quality have had a negative impact on energy production, and, if so, whether legislation should be enacted to temporarily or permanently relax such regulations. The early discussion focused primarily on California, but with the release of the Administration's energy policy recommendations in mid-May and subsequent congressional action, it has shifted to issues more national in scope.
Date: September 5, 2001
Creator: McCarthy, James E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Homeland Security: Human Resources Management (open access)

Homeland Security: Human Resources Management

This report provides information about the Human Resources Management of Homeland Security. It discusses the provisions as they related to federal labor resources management relations.
Date: September 5, 2002
Creator: Schwemle, Barbara L.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Child Support Enforcement: New Reforms and Potential Issues (open access)

Child Support Enforcement: New Reforms and Potential Issues

This report describes several aspects of the revised CSE program and discusses three issues that probably will be reexamined by the 107th Congress — CSE financing, parental access by noncustodial parents, and distribution of support payments.
Date: September 5, 2002
Creator: Solomon-Fears, Carmen
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Africa: U.S. Foreign Assistance Issues (open access)

Africa: U.S. Foreign Assistance Issues

This report discusses the issue of U.S. economic assistance to sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the importance of continued assistance in light of U.S. national security and also various U.S.-led efforts to promote reform amongst African citizens themselves. U.S. assistance finds its way to Africa through a variety of channels, including the USAID-administered DA program, food aid programs, and indirect aid provided through international financial institutions and the United Nations.
Date: September 5, 2003
Creator: Copson, Raymond W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for the 106th Congress (open access)

Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for the 106th Congress

The United States and Mexico have a special relationship under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which removes trade and investment barriers between the countries. The relationship has been strengthened by presidential visits, including President Clinton's February 1999 trip to Mexico and President Zedillo's June 2000 trip to the United States, and by regular contacts between cabinet-level officials. Major issues of concern to Congress are trade, immigration, drug trafficking, and political rights.
Date: September 5, 2000
Creator: Storrs, K. Larry
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
China-U.S. Trade Issues (open access)

China-U.S. Trade Issues

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.
Date: September 5, 2002
Creator: Morrison, Wayne M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Pakistan-U.S. Relations (open access)

Pakistan-U.S. Relations

None
Date: September 5, 2002
Creator: Kronstadt, K. Alan
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Homeland Security: Banking and Financial Infrastructure Continuity (open access)

Homeland Security: Banking and Financial Infrastructure Continuity

This report outlines the existing recovery modes to mitigate disasters in financial markets that events have tested in recent experience, and recovery arrangements.
Date: September 5, 2003
Creator: Jackson, William D.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Collective Bargaining and Homeland Security (open access)

Collective Bargaining and Homeland Security

This report discusses the personnel provisions of H.R. 5710, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and the President’s existing authority under 5 U.S.C. § 7103(b)(1) to exclude the employees of certain agencies from the ability to bargain collectively. H.R. 5710, described as a revised version of the original White House proposal to create a new Department of Homeland Security, was passed by the House on November 13, 2002. H.R. 5710 includes language related to the President’s authority under 5 U.S.C. § 7103(b)(1). In addition, the report reviews the concept of successorship, whereby a union may retain its status as the exclusive representative of employees acquired by a new employer.
Date: September 5, 2002
Creator: Shimabukuro, Jon O.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Recess Appointments of Federal Judges (open access)

Recess Appointments of Federal Judges

None
Date: September 5, 2001
Creator: Fisher, Louis
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 107th Congress (open access)

Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 107th Congress

This report presents the information related to the fishery, aquaculture, and marine mammal legislation enacted by the 107th congress
Date: September 5, 2002
Creator: Buck, Eugene H.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 108th Congress (open access)

Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 108th Congress

This report provides information about the Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 108th Congress. fish and marine are important resources in the open ocean and nearshore coastal areas.
Date: September 5, 2003
Creator: Buck, Eugene H.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
National Park Management and Recreation (open access)

National Park Management and Recreation

None
Date: September 5, 2003
Creator: Hardy-Vincent, Carol
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federalism, State Sovereignty and the Constitution: Basis and Limits of Congressional Power (open access)

Federalism, State Sovereignty and the Constitution: Basis and Limits of Congressional Power

This report discusses state and federal legislative power generally and focuses on a number of these "federalism" cases. Issues addressed include congressional power under the Commerce Clause and the Fourteenth Amendment; constitutional limits on congressional powers, such as the Tenth Amendment; and state sovereign immunity under the Eleventh Amendment.
Date: September 5, 2003
Creator: Thomas, Kenneth R.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library