Abortion: Legislative Response (open access)

Abortion: Legislative Response

The primary purpose of this issue brief is to focus on the current legislative action in the 107th Congress with respect to abortion; however, understanding that legislation requires a review of the U. S. Supreme Court’s leading decisions concerning a woman’s right to choose whether to terminate her pregnancy. For a detailed discussion of the case law, see CRS Report 95-724, Abortion Law Development: A Brief Overview.
Date: July 19, 2002
Creator: Lewis, Karen J.; Shimabukuro, Jon O. & Ely, Dana
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Partial-Birth Abortion: Recent Developments in the Law (open access)

Partial-Birth Abortion: Recent Developments in the Law

None
Date: July 19, 2002
Creator: Shimabukuro, Jon O.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Medicare Prescription Drug and Reform Legislation (open access)

Medicare Prescription Drug and Reform Legislation

This report describes the major features of S. 1, as ordered reported, and the measure to be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee, H.R. 2473, as ordered reported.
Date: June 19, 2003
Creator: O'Sullivan, Jennifer; Chaikind, Hinda Ripps; Tilson, Sibyl L.; Boulanger, Jennifer & Morgan, Paulette C.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Food Biotechnology in the United States: Science, Regulation, and Issues (open access)

Food Biotechnology in the United States: Science, Regulation, and Issues

This report discusses the science of food biotechnology, and the federal structure by which it is regulated. Because U.S. farmers are adopting this technology at a rapid rate, some observers advocate a more active role for the federal government to ensure that farmers have equal access to this technology. Others believe that federal officials should play a more active role in protecting the environment, funding more research, and participating in international trade negotiations to ensure that trade continues to expand for genetically engineered crops. Trading partners often label food products that have been genetically modified as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Many of those partners have labeling requirements for GMOs to allow consumers the “right to know” their food content.
Date: January 19, 2001
Creator: Vogt, Donna U. & Parish, Mickey
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Agroterrorism: Options in Congress (open access)

Agroterrorism: Options in Congress

Although U.S. intelligence agencies have not identified any terrorist acts targeting agricultural production (i.e., agroterrorism) in the United States to date, the events of September 11, 2001 have awakened the nation to their possibility. Some experts estimate that a single agroterrorist attack using a highly contagious livestock disease could cost between $10 billion and $30 billion to the U.S. economy. This report examines the potential threats to America’s agriculture from a deliberate biological attack, describes the current defense structure and capabilities available to respond to agroterrorism, and analyzes current congressional proposals to address the threat of biological weapons to U.S. agriculture.
Date: December 19, 2001
Creator: Segarra, Alejandro E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Air Quality and Electricity: Initiatives to Increase Pollution Controls (open access)

Air Quality and Electricity: Initiatives to Increase Pollution Controls

This report discusses air quality initiatives (such as the Ozone Transport Rule) that primarily focus on reducing and enforcing emissions from coal-fired electric generating utilities in the Midwest and South. The report also addresses various legislative activity that focuses on multi-pollutant strategies as an alternative to these piecemeal initiatives.
Date: March 19, 2002
Creator: Parker, Larry & Blodgett, John E.
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: June 19, 2002
Creator: Buck, Eugene H.; Corn, M. Lynne & Baldwin, Pamela
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR): Controversies for the 108th Congress (open access)

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR): Controversies for the 108th Congress

This report discusses the ongoing debate about whether or not to approve energy development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Current law forbids energy leasing in the Refuge. This report addresses several legislative options on the issue, as well as policymakers' arguments for and against development, especially in the wake of increasing terrorism since 2000-2001.
Date: August 19, 2003
Creator: Corn, M. Lynne; Gelb, Bernard A. & Baldwin, Pamela
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Education for the Disadvantaged: ESEA Title I Reauthorization Issues (open access)

Education for the Disadvantaged: ESEA Title I Reauthorization Issues

This issue brief covers only Parts A and E of ESEA Title I. Part A of Title I, grants to LEAs, constitutes over 90% of total Title I funding, while Part E authorizes program evaluation and demonstration projects of innovative practices, including the Comprehensive School Reform Program. Other Parts of Title I authorize the Even Start program of joint services to young disadvantaged children and their parents (Part B), plus aid for the education of migrant (Part C) and neglected or delinquent youth (Part D).
Date: April 19, 2002
Creator: Riddle, Wayne C.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Budget for Fiscal Year 2001 (open access)

The Budget for Fiscal Year 2001

On December 15, 2000, Congress reached an agreement with the President and passed the remaining appropriations (H.R. 4577; H.Rept. 106-1033) for fiscal year (FY) 2001. The legislation, including tax cuts ($31.5 billion over 10 years), completes budget action in the 106th Congress for FY2001. The action followed extended disagreements over appropriations, which resulted in a series of continuing resolutions on appropriations that funded those parts of the government not covered by regular appropriations or permanent funding during the fall. The fiscal year had begun with only 2 of the 13 regular appropriations enacted into law.
Date: April 19, 2001
Creator: Winters, Philip D.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Higher Education Act: Reauthorization Status and Issues (open access)

The Higher Education Act: Reauthorization Status and Issues

This report provides an overview of postsecondary education (institutions and students), an overview of the Higher Education Act (HEA) with a focus on its most significant programs and provisions, and a discussion of major issues that have been, or may be, of interest to the Congress during the HEA reauthorization process.
Date: August 19, 2002
Creator: Stedman, James B.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Higher Education Act: Reauthorization Status and Issues (open access)

The Higher Education Act: Reauthorization Status and Issues

This report discusses the funding authorizations for programs in the Higher Education Act (HEA). This legislation, administered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), authorizes the federal government’s major student aid programs, as well as other significant initiatives.
Date: March 19, 2003
Creator: Stedman, James B.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Population Assistance and Family Planning Programs: Issues for Congress (open access)

Population Assistance and Family Planning Programs: Issues for Congress

None
Date: May 19, 2003
Creator: Nowels, Larry
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Preventing Federal Government Shutdowns: Proposals for an Automatic Continuing Resolution (open access)

Preventing Federal Government Shutdowns: Proposals for an Automatic Continuing Resolution

None
Date: May 19, 2000
Creator: Keith, Robert
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal R&D, Drug Discovery, and Pricing: Insights from the NIH-University-Industry Relationship (open access)

Federal R&D, Drug Discovery, and Pricing: Insights from the NIH-University-Industry Relationship

Interest in methods to provide drugs at lower cost, particularly for the elderly, has rekindled discussion over the role the federal government plays in facilitating the creation of new pharmaceuticals for the marketplace. This report explores the issue of whether or not the substantial federal investment in health-related research and development (R&D) entitles the public to commensurate consideration in prices charged for any resulting drugs. It is intended to provide the reader with an understanding of the rationale for government support of R&D and subsequent efforts to facilitate private sector commercialization of new technologies generated from such work. Concerns surrounding innovation in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology are discussed within the broader context of the federal role in facilitating technological progress.
Date: June 19, 2000
Creator: Schacht, Wendy H.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Grants to State and Local Governments: A Brief History (open access)

Federal Grants to State and Local Governments: A Brief History

This report discusses the history of the federal grants-in-aid system, which predates the Constitution. he grants-in-aid system assumed its current form when President Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated his New Deal programs. Since Roosevelt, the grants-in-aid system has expanded, especially in the number and dollar amount of categorical grant programs.
Date: February 19, 2003
Creator: Canada, Ben
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
First Responder Initiative: Policy Issues and Options (open access)

First Responder Initiative: Policy Issues and Options

This report discusses a new block grant program proposed by the Bush Administration called the “First Responder Initiative” to help state and local first responders prepare for possible terrorist attacks
Date: March 19, 2003
Creator: Canada, Ben
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
First Responder Initiative: Policy Issues and Options (open access)

First Responder Initiative: Policy Issues and Options

This report provides background information and policy analysis pertinent to proposals to restructure first responder assistance programs. Specifically, this report provides information on existing programs, appropriations, legislation in the 108th Congress, and selected policy issues. This report does not discuss all relevant policy issues, but, rather, those issues that may be germane to any significant restructuring of existing programs.
Date: June 19, 2003
Creator: Canada, Ben
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Argentina's Sovereign Debt Restructuring (open access)

Argentina's Sovereign Debt Restructuring

The U.S. Congress has held numerous hearings to evaluate the causes and ongoing repercussions of Argentina’s financial crisis. This report analyzes Argentina’s debt situation in support of this interest and will be updated periodically.
Date: October 19, 2004
Creator: Hornbeck, J. F.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Sequestration Process (open access)

The Sequestration Process

None
Date: March 19, 2001
Creator: Heniff, Bill, Jr.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Discretionary Spending Limits (open access)

Discretionary Spending Limits

Discretionary spending limits are statutory caps on the level of budget authority and outlays determined through the annual appropriations process. They were initially established by the Budget Enforcement Act (BEA) of 1990 (Title XIII of P.L. 101-508) as part of an agreement between Congress and President George Bush to reduce the deficit. Twice since, they were extended to enforce agreements between Congress and President Bill Clinton, most recently to achieve a surplus.
Date: March 19, 2001
Creator: Heniff, Bill, Jr.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Industrial Competitiveness and Technological Advancement: Debate Over Government Policy, November 19, 2002 (open access)

Industrial Competitiveness and Technological Advancement: Debate Over Government Policy, November 19, 2002

This report discusses congressional interest in the pace of U.S. technological advancement due to its influence on U.S. economic growth, productivity, and international competitiveness. The proper role of the federal government in technology development and the competitiveness of U.S. industry continues to be a topic of congressional debate.
Date: November 19, 2002
Creator: Schacht, Wendy H.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Industrial Competitiveness and Technological Advancement: Debate Over Government Policy, March 19, 2003 (open access)

Industrial Competitiveness and Technological Advancement: Debate Over Government Policy, March 19, 2003

This report discusses congressional interest in the pace of U.S. technological advancement due to its influence on U.S. economic growth, productivity, and international competitiveness. The proper role of the federal government in technology development and the competitiveness of U.S. industry continues to be a topic of congressional debate.
Date: March 19, 2003
Creator: Schacht, Wendy H.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Electronic Signatures: Technology Developments and Legislative Issues (open access)

Electronic Signatures: Technology Developments and Legislative Issues

Electronic signatures, a means of verifying the identity of the user of a computer system to control access or authorize a transaction, are increasingly being used in electronic commerce. Several technologies can be used to produce electronic signatures, the most prominent being digital signatures, which use cryptographic techniques to provide data integrity and nonrepudiation. Legislation enacted in the 106th Congress enables the legal recognition of electronic signatures in interstate commerce. Other legislation introduced but not enacted was intended to promote federal agency use of electronic signatures to enable electronic filing of information.
Date: January 19, 2001
Creator: Nunno, Richard M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library