Kazakhstan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests (open access)

Kazakhstan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests

Kazakhstan is an important power in Central Asia by virtue of its geographic location, large territory, ample natural resources, and economic growth, but it faces ethnic, political, and other challenges to stability. This report discusses U.S. policy and assistance. Basic facts and biographical data are provided. Related products include CRS Report RL33458, Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests.
Date: June 20, 2008
Creator: Nichol, Jim
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Buy American Act: Requiring Government Procurements to Come from Domestic Sources (open access)

The Buy American Act: Requiring Government Procurements to Come from Domestic Sources

The Buy American Act is the major domestic preference statute governing procurement by the federal government. Essentially it attempts to protect domestic labor by providing a preference for American goods in government purchases. In the 110th Congress a new reporting requirement was added to the Buy American Act. The Buy American Improvement Act of 2007 would make statutory the definition of "American made," increase the domestic content requirement from 50% to 75%, and place limits upon the "inconsistent with the public interest" and "use outside of the United States" exceptions to the act.
Date: August 29, 2008
Creator: Luckey, John R.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Points of Order in the Congressional Budget Process (open access)

Points of Order in the Congressional Budget Process

The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 created a process that Congress uses each year to establish and enforce the parameters for budgetary legislation. This report summarizes points of order under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended, as well as related points of order established in the budget resolutions adopted by Congress in 2007 and 2008, the Rules of the House for the 110th Congress, and the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990. In addition, it describes how points of order are applied and the processes used for their waiver in the House and Senate.
Date: June 23, 2008
Creator: Saturno, James V.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
House Committees: Categories and Rules for Committee Assignments (open access)

House Committees: Categories and Rules for Committee Assignments

Both House and party rules detail procedures for committee assignments. House rules address the election and membership of committees, especially limitations on membership. The Democratic Caucus and Republican Conference rules designate categories of committees (shown below) and specify service limitations in addition to those in the House rules.
Date: March 20, 2008
Creator: Schneider, Judy
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Privacy: An Abbreviated Outline of Federal Statutes Governing Wiretapping and Electronic Eavesdropping (open access)

Privacy: An Abbreviated Outline of Federal Statutes Governing Wiretapping and Electronic Eavesdropping

It is a federal crime to intentionally wiretap or electronically eavesdrop on the conversation of another without a court order or the consent of one of the parties to the conversation. Statutory exceptions to these general prohibitions permit judicially supervised wiretapping or electronic eavesdropping conducted for law enforcement or foreign intelligence gathering purposes. Similar regimes - proscriptions with exceptions for government access under limited circumstances - exist for telephone records, e-mail and other forms of electronic communications.
Date: September 2, 2008
Creator: Stevens, Gina Marie & Doyle, Charles
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
House Committees: Assignment Process (open access)

House Committees: Assignment Process

Committee assignments often determine the character of a Member's career. They are also important to the party leaders who organize the chamber and shape the composition of the committees. House rules identify some procedures for making committee assignments; Republican Conference and Democratic Caucus rules supplement these House rules and provide more specific criteria for committee assignments. This report describes these procedures and the basic functions of committee assignment in the House of Representatives.
Date: February 25, 2008
Creator: Schneider, Judy
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Statutory Offices of Inspector General: Past and Present (open access)

Statutory Offices of Inspector General: Past and Present

Statutory offices of inspector general (OIG) consolidate responsibility for audits and investigations within a federal agency. Established by public law as permanent, nonpartisan, independent offices, they now exist in more than 60 establishments and entities, including all departments and largest agencies, along with numerous boards and commissions. Various initiatives and proposals in the 110th Congress are designed to strengthen the IGs' independence, add to their reports, and create new posts in the Intelligence Community.
Date: September 25, 2008
Creator: Kaiser, Frederick M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Privacy: An Overview of Federal Statutes Governing Wiretapping and Electronic Eavesdropping (open access)

Privacy: An Overview of Federal Statutes Governing Wiretapping and Electronic Eavesdropping

This report provides an overview of federal law governing wiretapping and electronic eavesdropping. It also appends citations to state law in the area and contains a bibliography of legal commentary as well as the text of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This report also includes a brief summary of the recently expired Protect America Act, P.L. 110-55 and of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008, P.L. 110-261 (H.R. 6304).
Date: September 2, 2008
Creator: Stevens, Gina & Doyle, Charles
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Background and Legislative Issues (open access)

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Background and Legislative Issues

This report outlines challenges faced by Tajikistan since its five-year civil war ended in 1997. It discusses U.S. policy and assistance. Basic facts and biographical information are provided. This report may be updated. Related products include CRS Report RL33458, Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests, updated regularly.
Date: May 22, 2008
Creator: Langton, Danielle
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Background and Legislative Issues (open access)

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Background and Legislative Issues

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)1 was established in 1969 and began operations in 1971 to promote and assist U.S. business investment in developing nations. OPIC is a U.S. government agency that provides project financing, investment insurance, and other services for U.S. businesses in 154 developing nations and emerging economies. OPIC is currently authorized through March 9, 2009 under the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 (P.L. 110-329).
Date: October 20, 2008
Creator: Langton, Danielle
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Tajikstan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests (open access)

Tajikstan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests

This report outlines challenges faced by Tajikistan since its five-year civil war ended in 1997. It discusses U.S. policy and assistance. Basic facts and biographical information are provided. This report may be updated. Related products include CRS Report RL33458, Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests, updated regularly.
Date: July 10, 2008
Creator: Nichol, Jim
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections (open access)

Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections

This fact sheet tracks the current heads of government in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and provides the dates of the last and next election for head of government. It also provides the national independence date for each country.
Date: August 26, 2008
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P. & Gomez-Granger, Julissa
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections (open access)

Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections

This fact sheet tracks the current heads of government in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and provides the dates of the last and next election for head of government. It also provides the national independence date for each country.
Date: June 2, 2008
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P. & Gomez-Granger, Julissa
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S.-Latin America Trade: Recent Trends (open access)

U.S.-Latin America Trade: Recent Trends

After Congress passed Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation in August 2002 (P.L. 107-210), the United States implemented free trade agreements (FTAs) with Chile, the Dominican Republic, the Central American countries, and Peru. The United States has also concluded FTAs with Colombia and Panama, which await congressional action.1 Talks on the region-wide Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), by contrast, have stalled. The 110th Congress may consider implementing legislation for one or both of the pending bilateral agreements. This report provides an analytical overview of U.S.-Latin American trade data and trends in support of congressional interest in U.S.- Latin American trade relations.
Date: July 18, 2008
Creator: Hornbeck, J. F. & Cid, Marisabel
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Reserve Interest Rate Changes: 2001-2008 (open access)

Federal Reserve Interest Rate Changes: 2001-2008

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decided at its scheduled meeting held on October 29 to lower the target rate for federal funds to 1% from 1½% set at its unscheduled meeting of October 8, 2008. In making its decision to reduce the target, the FOMC stressed the following factors: (1) the pace of economic growth appears to have slowed markedly owing importantly to a softening of consumer spending; (2) business equipment spending and industrial production have weakened; (3) economic slowdowns abroad have dampened the prospects for U.S. exports; (4) intensified strains in financial markets are also likely to further reduce spending; and (5) inflation prospects have improved due to declines in energy and other commodity prices. The next schedule meeting of the FOMC is set for December 11, 2008.
Date: October 29, 2008
Creator: Labonte, Marc & Makinen, Gail E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Outer Continental Shelf: Debate Over Oil and Gas Leasing and Revenue Sharing (open access)

Outer Continental Shelf: Debate Over Oil and Gas Leasing and Revenue Sharing

Oil and gas leasing in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) has been an important issue in the debate over energy security and domestic energy resources. The Department of the Interior (DOI) released a comprehensive inventory of OCS resources in February 2006 that estimated reserves of 8.5 billion barrels of oil and 29.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Congress has imposed moratoria of the OCS since 1982 through the annual Interior appropriation bills. Proponents of the moratoria contend that offshore drilling would pose unacceptable environmental risks and threaten coastal tourism industries. This report analyzes this issue in-depth, including budgetary information and relevant legislation.
Date: January 22, 2008
Creator: Humphries, Marc
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
United States Fire Administration: An Overview (open access)

United States Fire Administration: An Overview

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) - which includes the National Fire Academy (NFA) - is currently an entity within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The objective of the USFA is to significantly reduce the nation's loss of life from fire, while also achieving a reduction in property loss and non-fatal injury due to fire. This report describes and analyzes the Administration's FY2009 budget proposal, as well as related information and legislation.
Date: June 26, 2008
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Outer Continental Shelf: Debate Over Oil and Gas Leasing and Revenue Sharing (open access)

Outer Continental Shelf: Debate Over Oil and Gas Leasing and Revenue Sharing

Oil and gas leasing in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) has been an important issue in the debate over energy security and domestic energy resources. The Department of the Interior (DOI) released a comprehensive inventory of OCS resources in February 2006 that estimated reserves of 8.5 billion barrels of oil and 29.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Congress has imposed moratoria of the OCS since 1982 through the annual Interior appropriation bills. Proponents of the moratoria contend that offshore drilling would pose unacceptable environmental risks and threaten coastal tourism industries. This report analyzes this issue in-depth, including budgetary information and relevant legislation.
Date: July 15, 2008
Creator: Humphries, Marc
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
United States Fire Administration: An Overview (open access)

United States Fire Administration: An Overview

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) - which includes the National Fire Academy (NFA) - is currently an entity within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The objective of the USFA is to significantly reduce the nation's loss of life from fire, while also achieving a reduction in property loss and non-fatal injury due to fire. This report describes and analyzes the Administration's FY2009 budget proposal, as well as related information and legislation.
Date: October 10, 2008
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Funding Gaps: A Brief Overview (open access)

Federal Funding Gaps: A Brief Overview

The interval during the fiscal year when agency appropriations are not enacted into law, either in the form of a regular appropriations act or a continuing resolution, is referred to as a funding gap. When a funding gap occurs, the federal government begins a shutdown of the affected agencies, entailing the prompt furlough of non-emergency personnel and curtailment of agency activities. This report discusses the funding gaps that occurred between FY1977-FY2008, as well as the events surrounding them and related legislation.
Date: September 24, 2008
Creator: Keith, Robert
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
House Committee Organization and Process: A Brief Overview (open access)

House Committee Organization and Process: A Brief Overview

Committees are integral to the work of Congress in determining the policy needs of the nation and acting on them. This report provides a brief overview of six features of the committee system in the House: organization, hearings, markup, reporting, oversight, and publications. Committees in the House have four primary powers: to conduct hearings and investigations, to consider bills and resolutions and amendments to them, to report legislation to the House for its possible consideration, and to monitor executive branch performance, that is, to conduct oversight.
Date: April 21, 2008
Creator: Schneider, Judy
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defense Surplus Equipment Disposal: Background Information (open access)

Defense Surplus Equipment Disposal: Background Information

The Department of Defense (DOD) through a Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) component called the Defense Utilization and Marketing Service (DRMS) has a policy for disposing of government equipment and supplies considered surplus or deemed unnecessary to the agency's currently designated mission. DRMS is charged with responsibility for property reuse (including resale), precious metal recovery, recycling, hazardous property disposal, and the demilitarization of military equipment.
Date: May 27, 2008
Creator: Grasso, Valerie Bailey
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Military Uniform Procurement: Questions and Answers (open access)

Military Uniform Procurement: Questions and Answers

Military uniforms are procured through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), an agency of the Department of Defense (DOD). DLA is DOD's largest combat support agency, providing worldwide logistics support for the United States (U.S.) military services, civilian agencies, and foreign countries. With headquarters in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, DLA operates three supply centers, one of which is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), in Philadelphia, PA. DSCP is responsible for procuring nearly all of the food, clothing, and medical supplies used by the military; about 90% of the construction material used by troops in the field, as well as repair parts for aircraft, combat vehicles, and other weapons system platforms.
Date: October 2, 2008
Creator: Grasso, Valerie Bailey
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defense Production Act: Purpose and Scope (open access)

Defense Production Act: Purpose and Scope

The Defense Production Act (DPA) was created at the outset of the Korean War to ensure the availability of the nation's industrial resources to meet the national security needs of the United States by granting the President powers to ensure the supply and timely delivery of products, materials, and services to military and civilian agencies. The DPA codifies a robust legal authority given the president to force industry to give priority to national security production and is the statutory underpinning of governmental review of foreign investment in U.S. companies. Since its enactment in 1950, the DPA has been time-limited, undergoing periodic amendment and reauthorization. In 2003, Congress reauthorized the DPA through September 30, 2008.
Date: June 23, 2008
Creator: Else, Daniel H.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library