Communications Act Revisions: Selected Issues for Consideration (open access)

Communications Act Revisions: Selected Issues for Consideration

This report provides an overview of selected topics which the 109th Congress may address in its examination of telecommunications issues. The issues included in this report cover: broadband Internet regulation and access; broadcast indecency; digital television transition; Federal Communications Commission structure and reform; intercarrier compensation; media ownership rules; municipal deployment of broadband; public safety communications, the “savings clause” and monopoly issues; spectrum auctions; and universal service fund reform.
Date: January 23, 2006
Creator: Gilroy, Angele A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Officials: Process for Adjusting Pay and Current Salaries (open access)

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Officials: Process for Adjusting Pay and Current Salaries

This report includes four tables which provide the January 2004, January 2005, and January 2006 salaries for federal officials and members of the SES, and for employees in SL, ST, and GS-15 positions in the Washington, DC, and the “Rest of the United States” locality pay areas.
Date: January 23, 2006
Creator: Schwemle, Barbara L.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
China's Trade with the United States and the World (open access)

China's Trade with the United States and the World

This report provides a quantitative framework for policy considerations dealing with U.S. trade with China. It provides basic data and analysis of China’s international trade with the United States and other countries. Since Chinese data differ considerably from those of its trading partners (because of how entrepot trade through Hong Kong is counted), data from both PRC sources and those of its trading partners are presented. Charts showing import trends by sector for the United States highlight China’s growing market shares in many industries and also show import shares for Japan, Canada, Mexico, the European Union, and the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN ).
Date: January 23, 2006
Creator: Lum, Thomas & Nanto, Dick K.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress (open access)

Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress

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.
Date: January 23, 2006
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iraq: U.S. Military Operations (open access)

Iraq: U.S. Military Operations

The major challenges to coalition forces are now quelling a persistent Iraqi resistance movement and training sufficient Iraqi forces to assume responsibility for the nations domestic security. This report discusses military planning and operations in Iraq.
Date: January 23, 2006
Creator: Bowman, Steven R.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress (open access)

Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress

None
Date: January 23, 2006
Creator: Manyin, Mark E.; Chanlett-Avery, Emma & Cooper, William H.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nuclear Arms Control: The Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (open access)

Nuclear Arms Control: The Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty

None
Date: January 23, 2006
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nuclear Weapons: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (open access)

Nuclear Weapons: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

None
Date: January 23, 2006
Creator: Medalia, Jonathan
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Tactical Aircraft Modernization: Issues for Congress (open access)

Tactical Aircraft Modernization: Issues for Congress

None
Date: January 23, 2006
Creator: Bolkcom, Christopher
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The United States and Europe: Possible Options for U.S. Policy (open access)

The United States and Europe: Possible Options for U.S. Policy

None
Date: January 23, 2006
Creator: Archick, Kristin
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nigeria in Political Transition (open access)

Nigeria in Political Transition

None
Date: February 23, 2006
Creator: Dagne, Ted
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Military Medical Care Services: Questions and Answers (open access)

Military Medical Care Services: Questions and Answers

None
Date: March 23, 2006
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Tsunamis: Monitoring, Detection, and Early Warning Systems (open access)

Tsunamis: Monitoring, Detection, and Early Warning Systems

This report discusses proposals for international tsunami early warning systems and examines U.S. policy regarding tsunamis.
Date: February 23, 2006
Creator: Morrissey, Wayne A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. and International Responses to the Global Spread of Avian Flu: Issues for Congress (open access)

U.S. and International Responses to the Global Spread of Avian Flu: Issues for Congress

None
Date: February 23, 2006
Creator: Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji & Chanlett-Avery, Emma
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Libya: Legislative Basis for U.S. Economic Sanctions (open access)

Libya: Legislative Basis for U.S. Economic Sanctions

This report discusses U.S. laws and executive orders that impose economic sanctions currently in place against Libya, including whether they can be changed by executive action, and exemptions to the sanctions that could make foreign assistance available.
Date: January 23, 2006
Creator: Rennack, Dianne E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Lobbying Reform: Background and Legislative Proposals, 109th Congress (open access)

Lobbying Reform: Background and Legislative Proposals, 109th Congress

This report discusses numerous measures related to the reform of lobbying activities, including lobbying disclosure laws, campaign finance provisions, and congressional ethics and procedural rules have been introduced in the House and Senate in the 109th. This report describes action taken on three measures that have received committee consideration and have been subsequently reported either to the House or Senate.
Date: March 23, 2006
Creator: Petersen, R. Eric
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Exon-Florio National Security Test for Foreign Investment (open access)

The Exon-Florio National Security Test for Foreign Investment

The proposed acquisition of major operations in six major U.S. ports by Dubai Ports World and of Unocal by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation sparked intense concerns among some Members of Congress and the public and has reignited the debate over what role foreign acquisitions play in U.S. national security. The United States actively promotes internationally the national treatment of foreign firms. Several Members of Congress have introduced various measures during the 2nd Session of the 109th Congress that can be grouped into four major areas: those that deal specifically with the proposed Dubai Ports World acquisition; those that focus more generally on foreign ownership of U.S. ports; those that would amend the CFIUS process; and those that would amend the Exon-Florio process.
Date: February 23, 2006
Creator: Jackson, James K.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Lobbying and Related Reform Proposals: Consideration of Selected Measures, 109th Congress (open access)

Lobbying and Related Reform Proposals: Consideration of Selected Measures, 109th Congress

This report discusses numerous measures related to the reform of lobbying activities, including lobbying disclosure laws, campaign finance provisions, and congressional ethics and procedural rules have been introduced in the House and Senate in the 109th. This report describes action taken on three measures that have received committee consideration and have been subsequently reported either to the House or Senate.
Date: March 23, 2006
Creator: Petersen, R. Eric
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. International Trade: Data and Forecasts (open access)

U.S. International Trade: Data and Forecasts

In 2005 the United States incurred a record merchandise trade deficit of $766 billion on a census basis and $782 billion on a balance-of-payments basis (BoP). A surplus in services trade of $58 billion gave a deficit of $724 billion on goods and services (BoP) for the year — up to $108 billion or 17.2% from the $618 billion deficit in 2004.
Date: May 23, 2006
Creator: Nanto, Dick K. & Lum, Thomas
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Border Security and Military Support: Legal Authorizations and Restrictions (open access)

Border Security and Military Support: Legal Authorizations and Restrictions

The military generally provides support to law enforcement and immigration authorities along the southern border. Reported escalations in violence and illegal immigration, however, have prompted some lawmakers to reevaluate the extent and type of military support that occurs in the border region. President Bush has reportedly announced an interest in sending National Guard troops to support the Border Patrol. Addressing domestic laws and activities with the military, however, might run afoul of the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits use of the armed forces to perform the tasks of civilian law enforcement unless explicitly authorized. There are alternative legal authorities for deploying the National Guard, and the precise scope of permitted activities and funds may vary with the authority exercised.
Date: May 23, 2006
Creator: Vina, Stephen R
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
FY2006 Supplemental Appropriations: Iraq and Other International Activities; Additional Hurricane Katrina Relief (open access)

FY2006 Supplemental Appropriations: Iraq and Other International Activities; Additional Hurricane Katrina Relief

This report discusses FY2006 supplemental appropriations for Iraq and other international activities, as well as Katrina hurricane relief.
Date: May 23, 2006
Creator: Irwin, Paul M. & Nowels, Larry
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Arctic Petroleum Technology Developments (open access)

Arctic Petroleum Technology Developments

This report discusses the ongoing debate about whether or not to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for energy development, specifically the North Slope of Alaska for petroleum exploration and development. This report discusses the arguments for and against such development, especially with regard to environmental impacts.
Date: January 23, 2006
Creator: Gelb, Bernard A.; Corn, M. Lynne & Twyman, Terry R.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Government Corporations: An Overview (open access)

Federal Government Corporations: An Overview

This report provides an overview of federal government corporations, a category currently consisting of some 18 corporate agencies performing functions assigned to them in law. A government corporation, as defined in this report, is an agency of government, established by Congress to provide a market-oriented public service and intended to produce revenues that meet or approximate its expenditures.
Date: March 23, 2006
Creator: Moe, Ronald C. & Kosar, Kevin R.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Lobbying, Ethics and Related Procedural Reforms: Comparison of Current Provisions of S. 2349 and H.R. 4975 (open access)

Lobbying, Ethics and Related Procedural Reforms: Comparison of Current Provisions of S. 2349 and H.R. 4975

This report provides context, comparison, and discussion of the issues addressed in the various legislative proposals addressing lobbying and lobbying-related laws and congressional Rules introduced thus far in the 109th Congress.
Date: March 23, 2006
Creator: Maskell, Jack; Petersen, R. Eric & Streeter, Sandy
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library