Latest content added for UNT Digital Library Searchhttps://digital2.library.unt.edu/search/?t=fulltext&fq=str_year%3A2006&sort=added_a&display=grid2006-02-24T11:56:50-06:00UNT LibrariesThis is a custom feed for searching UNT Digital Library SearchCongressional Oversight2006-02-14T16:06:08-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8097/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8097/"><img alt="Congressional Oversight" title="Congressional Oversight" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8097/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Congressional oversight of policy implementation and administration, which has occurred throughout the U.S. government experience under the Constitution, takes a variety of forms and utilizes various techniques. These range from specialized investigations by select committees to annual appropriations hearings, and from informal communications between Members or congressional staff and executive personnel to the use of extra congressional mechanisms, such as offices of inspector general and study commissions. Oversight, moreover, is supported by a variety of authorities—the Constitution, public law, and chamber and committee rules—and is an integral part of the system of checks and balances between the legislature and the executive</p>Intelligence Issues for Congress2006-02-14T16:08:09-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8098/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8098/"><img alt="Intelligence Issues for Congress" title="Intelligence Issues for Congress" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8098/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>To address the challenges facing the U.S.
Intelligence Community in the 21st Century,
Congressional and executive branch initiatives
have sought to improve coordination among
the different agencies and to encourage better
analysis. In December 2004, the Intelligence
Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (P.L.
108-458) was signed, providing for a Director
of National Intelligence (DNI) with substantial
authorities to manage the national intelligence
effort. The legislation calls for a separate
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.</p>Military Retirement: Major Legislative Issues2006-02-14T16:11:38-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8099/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8099/"><img alt="Military Retirement: Major Legislative Issues" title="Military Retirement: Major Legislative Issues" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8099/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Report on the military retirement system, including benefits, disability, budget, costs, cash bonuses, and more.</p>Lebanon2006-02-14T16:15:59-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8100/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8100/"><img alt="Lebanon" title="Lebanon" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8100/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>The United States and Lebanon continue
to enjoy good relations. Prominent current
issues between the United States and Lebanon
include progress toward a Lebanon-Israel
a peace treaty, U.S. aid to Lebanon, and Lebanon’s capacity to stop Hizballah militia attacks on Israel. The United States supports
Lebanon’s independence and favored the end
of Israeli and Syrian occupation of parts of
Lebanon. Israel withdrew from southern
Lebanon on May 23, 2000, and Syria completed withdrawing its forces on April 26,
2005.</p>Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues2006-02-14T16:17:09-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8101/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8101/"><img alt="Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues" title="Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8101/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Syria, governed by President Hafiz
al-Asad from 1970 until his death in June
2000, is a prominent player in the Middle East
scene. Within the region, a number of borders
disputes, problems of resource allocation, and
political rivalries have caused frequent tensions between Syria and its neighbors. In
particular, the Syrian Golan Heights territory,
which Israel has occupied since 1967, has
been one of the most intractable issues in the
Arab-Israeli dispute.</p>Russia2006-02-14T16:17:46-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8102/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8102/"><img alt="Russia" title="Russia" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8102/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Vladimir Putin won reelection as Russian
President in March 2004, in an exercise in
“managed democracy” in which he took 71%
of the vote and faced no serious competition.
The pro-Putin Unified Russia party similarly
swept the parliamentary election in December
2003 and controls more than two-thirds of the
seats in the Duma. Also in March, Putin
replaced long-serving Premier Kasyanov with
a little-known bureaucrat, Mikhail Fradkov,
indicating Putin’s intent to take the reins of
the government even more completely into his
own hands.</p>Space Stations2006-02-14T16:18:23-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8103/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8103/"><img alt="Space Stations" title="Space Stations" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8103/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>congress continues to debate NASA’s
International Space Station (ISS), a permanently occupied facility in Earth orbit where
astronauts live and conduct research.
Congress appropriated approximately $35
billion for the program from FY1985-2005.
The initial FY2006 ISS request was $2.180
billion: $1.857 billion for construction and
operations and $324 million for research to be
conducted by ISS crews. In a July budget
the amendment, NASA transferred $168 million
for ISS Crew/Cargo Services to another part
of the NASA budget and reduced the ISS
request commensurately. The FY2006 appropriations act that includes NASA (P.L. 109-
108) cut $80 million from the originally submitted budget, and NASA now plans to spend
$306 million, instead of $324 million, on ISS
research in FY2006.</p>Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-20052006-02-14T16:20:47-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8104/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8104/"><img alt="Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-2005" title="Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-2005" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8104/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest award for military valor. Since its
inception in 1863, 3,461 Medals of Honor have been awarded to a total of 3,442
individuals (there have been 19 double recipients). In 1979, the Senate Veterans’
Affairs Committee issued the committee print, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-
1978, which lists recipients and provides the full text of the citations describing the
actions that resulted in the awarding of the Medal. This report describes and
discusses changes to the list of recipients of the Medal since the release of the
committee print. For further information, see CRS Report 95-519, Medal of Honor:
History and Issues, by David F. Burrelli. This report will be updated as new
recipients are named.</p>Iraq: Oil-for-Food Program, Illicit Trade, and Investigations2006-02-14T16:28:22-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8105/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8105/"><img alt="Iraq: Oil-for-Food Program, Illicit Trade, and Investigations" title="Iraq: Oil-for-Food Program, Illicit Trade, and Investigations" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8105/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>The “oil-for-food” program (OFFP) was the centerpiece of a long-standing U.N.
Security Council effort to alleviate human suffering in Iraq while maintaining key
elements of the 1991 Gulf war-related sanctions regime. In order to ensure that Iraq
remained contained and that only humanitarian needs were served by the program,
the program imposed controls on Iraqi oil exports and humanitarian imports. All
Iraqi oil revenues legally earned under the program were held in a U.N.-controlled
escrow account and were not accessible to the regime of Saddam Hussein.</p>Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales Since 19902006-02-14T16:30:04-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8106/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8106/"><img alt="Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales Since 1990" title="Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales Since 1990" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8106/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>This report, updated as warranted, discusses U.S. security assistance to Taiwan,
or the Republic of China (ROC), including policy issues for Congress and legislation.
The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), P.L. 96-8, has governed U.S. arms sales to Taiwan
since 1979 when the United States recognized the People’s Republic of China (PRC)
instead of the ROC. Two other relevant parts of the “one China” policy are the
August 17, 1982, U.S.-PRC Joint Communique and the “Six Assurances” made to
Taiwan. U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have been significant. In addition, the United
States has expanded military ties with Taiwan after the PRC’s missile firings in
1995-1996. However, there is no defense treaty or alliance with Taiwan.</p>Kosovo and U.S. Policy2006-02-14T16:30:58-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8107/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8107/"><img alt="Kosovo and U.S. Policy" title="Kosovo and U.S. Policy" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8107/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>In 1998 and 1999, the United States and its NATO allies attempted to put an end
to escalating violence between ethnic Albanian guerrillas and Yugoslav/Serb forces
in Yugoslavia’s Kosovo province. These efforts culminated in a 78-day NATO
bombing campaign (Operation Allied Force) against Serbia from March until June
1999, when then-Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic agreed to withdraw his forces
from the province. Since then, Kosovo has been governed by a combination of the U.N.
and local Kosovar governing structures. The U.N. Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK),
under the terms of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244, retains ultimate political
authority in the province. A NATO-led peacekeeping force, KFOR, is charged with
providing a secure environment. In May 2001, UNMIK issued a “Constitutional
Framework” for Kosovo that provided for an elected provisional legislature and
government with limited powers but did not address Kosovo’s final status.</p>Digital Television: An Overview2006-02-14T16:35:11-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8108/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8108/"><img alt="Digital Television: An Overview" title="Digital Television: An Overview" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8108/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Digital television (DTV) is a new television service representing the most significant development in television technology since the advent of color television in the 1950s. DTV can provide sharper pictures, a wider screen, CD-quality sound, better color rendition, and other new services currently being developed. A successful deployment of DTV requires: the development by content providers of compelling digital programming; the delivery of digital signals to consumers by broadcast television stations, as well as cable and satellite television systems; and the widespread purchase and adoption by consumers of digital television equipment. A key issue in the Congressional debate over the digital transition has been addressing the millions of American over-the-air households whose existing analog televisions will require converter boxes in order to receive digital signals when the analog signal is turned off.</p>Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance2006-02-14T16:36:43-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8109/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8109/"><img alt="Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance" title="Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8109/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Operation Iraqi Freedom succeeded in overthrowing Saddam Hussein, but Iraq remains violent and unstable because of Sunni Arab resentment and a related insurgency, as well as increasing sectarian violence. According to its November 30, 2005, “Strategy for Victory,” the Bush Administration indicates that U.S. forces will remain in Iraq until the country is able to provide for its own security and does not serve as a host for radical Islamic terrorists. This report discusses the background of the issue and examines several security challenges, response, and other policy options for the U.S.</p>Chemical Facility Security2006-02-14T16:38:09-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8110/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8110/"><img alt="Chemical Facility Security" title="Chemical Facility Security" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8110/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Facilities handling large amounts of potentially hazardous chemical (i.e., chemical facilities) might be of interest to terrorists, either as targets for direct attacks meant to release chemicals into the community or as a source of chemicals for use elsewhere. For any individual facility, the risk is very small, but the risks may be increasing -- with potentially severe consequences for human health and the environment. Congress might choose to rely on existing efforts in the public and private sectors to improve chemical site security over time. Alternatively, Congress could expand existing environmental planning requirements for chemical facilities to require consideration of terrorism. Congress might also enact legislation to reduce risks, either by "hardening" defenses against terrorists or by requiring industries to consider use of safer chemicals, procedures, or processes.</p>China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues2006-02-14T16:39:37-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8111/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8111/"><img alt="China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues" title="China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8111/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Congress has long been concerned about whether U.S. policy advances the national interest in reducing the role of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missiles that could deliver them. China has taken some steps to mollify U.S. concerns about its role in weapons proliferation. Skeptics question whether China's cooperation in weapons nonproliferation has warranted President Bush's pursuit of stronger bilateral ties. This report discusses the national security problem of China's role in weapons proliferation and issues related to the U.S. policy response, including legislation, since the mid-1990s.</p>Iraq: Recent Developments in Reconstruction Assistance2006-02-14T16:40:41-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8112/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8112/"><img alt="Iraq: Recent Developments in Reconstruction Assistance" title="Iraq: Recent Developments in Reconstruction Assistance" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8112/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Following years of authoritarian rule and economic sanctions, the United States
and the international community agreed in the spring of 2003 that efforts should be
made to introduce economic reform and democratic government to post-war Iraq.
More recently, the Bush Administration has asserted a “victory” strategy composed
of eight objectives, five of which are to: transition Iraq to security self-reliance, help
Iraqis form a national compact for democratic government, help Iraq build
government capacity and provide essential services, help Iraq strengthen its economy,
and help Iraq strengthen the rule of law and promote civil rights. To meet these ends, a large-scale reconstruction assistance program has been undertaken by the United States in Iraq. This report describes recent developments in this assistance effort.</p>Energy: Useful Facts and Numbers2006-02-14T16:41:07-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8113/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8113/"><img alt="Energy: Useful Facts and Numbers" title="Energy: Useful Facts and Numbers" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8113/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Energy supplies and prices are a major economic factor in the United States, and energy markets are volatile and unpredictable. For both these reasons, energy policy is of frequent interest to the Congress. This report presents a statistical view of the supply and consumption of various forms of energy. After an introductory overview of aggregate energy consumption, the report presents detailed analysis of trends and statistics regarding specific energy sources: oil, electricity, natural gas, and coal. A section on trends in energy efficiency is also presented.</p>Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses2006-02-14T16:47:23-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8114/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8114/"><img alt="Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses" title="Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8114/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>The Bush Administration has pursued several avenues to attempt to contain or
end the potential threat posed by Iran, at times pursuing limited engagement directly
or through allies, and at other times leaning toward pursuing efforts to change Iran’s
regime. Over the past two years, the Administration has focused primarily on
blunting Iran’s nuclear program by backing diplomatic efforts by European nations
and Russia to negotiate permanent curbs on it. International concerns on nuclear
issues and other strategic issues have been heightened by the accession of Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, a hardliner, as president. He advocates a return to many of the original
principles of the Islamic revolution as set down by the late Ayatollah Ruhollah
Khomeini. Some advocate military action against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, but
others believe that continued diplomacy, combined with offers of economic rewards
or threats of international sanctions is the only viable option. Still, others believe
that only an outright replacement of Iran’s regime would diminish the threat posed
by Iran to U.S. interests.</p>Post-War Iraq: Foreign Contributions to Training, Peacekeeping, and Reconstruction2006-02-14T16:48:54-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8115/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8115/"><img alt="Post-War Iraq: Foreign Contributions to Training, Peacekeeping, and Reconstruction" title="Post-War Iraq: Foreign Contributions to Training, Peacekeeping, and Reconstruction" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8115/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>"This report tracks important changes in financial and personnel pledges from foreign governments [to the reconstruction and stabilization of Iraq]" (p. 1).</p>Navy Attack Submarine Force-Level Goal and Procurement Rate: Background and Issues for Congress2006-02-14T16:55:40-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8116/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8116/"><img alt="Navy Attack Submarine Force-Level Goal and Procurement Rate: Background and Issues for Congress" title="Navy Attack Submarine Force-Level Goal and Procurement Rate: Background and Issues for Congress" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8116/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>The Navy is currently procuring one Virginia (SSN-774) class attack nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) per year. Each submarine currently costs about $2.4
billion. The FY2007-FY2011 Future Years Defense Plan (FYDP) to be submitted
in February 2006 reportedly will propose maintaining the one-per-year procurement
rate through FY2011, and then increasing the rate to two per year in FY2012.</p>Venezuela: Political Conditions and U.S. Policy2006-02-14T16:57:37-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8117/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8117/"><img alt="Venezuela: Political Conditions and U.S. Policy" title="Venezuela: Political Conditions and U.S. Policy" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8117/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Under the populist rule of President Hugo Chávez, first elected in 1998,
Venezuela has undergone enormous political changes, with a new constitution, a new
the unicameral legislature, and even a new name for the country, the Bolivarian Republic
of Venezuela. Although Chávez remained widely popular until mid-2001, his
popularity eroded considerably after that, amid concerns that he was imposing a
leftist agenda. In April 2002, massive opposition protests led to the ouster of Chávez
from power for a brief period, but the military restored him to power after an interim
the government resorted to such hardline measures as dismantling the National Assembly
and suspending the Constitution.</p>Homeland Security Department: FY2006 Appropriations2006-02-14T17:05:34-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8118/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8118/"><img alt="Homeland Security Department: FY2006 Appropriations" title="Homeland Security Department: FY2006 Appropriations" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8118/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>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 Homeland Security. It summarizes the status of the bill,
its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as
events warrant. The reports lists the key CRS staff relevant to the issues covered and related
CRS products.</p>U.S. Assistance to the Former Soviet Union2006-02-14T17:05:55-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8119/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8119/"><img alt="U.S. Assistance to the Former Soviet Union" title="U.S. Assistance to the Former Soviet Union" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8119/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Since 1992, the United States has provided more than $26 billion in assistance to the 12 states of the former Soviet Union (FSU). It continues to provide nearly $2 billion annually. This report describes the broad framework of U.S. assistance programs and policies in the region and then focuses on the FREEDOM Support Act (FSA) account under the foreign operations budget which, encompassing all U.S.
objectives in the region, has often been the means by which Congress has expressed its views and sought to influence policy.</p>Defense: FY2006 Authorization and Appropriations2006-02-14T17:11:21-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8120/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8120/"><img alt="Defense: FY2006 Authorization and Appropriations" title="Defense: FY2006 Authorization and Appropriations" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8120/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>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.</p>Communications Act Revisions: Selected Issues for Consideration2006-02-14T17:12:59-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8121/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8121/"><img alt="Communications Act Revisions: Selected Issues for Consideration" title="Communications Act Revisions: Selected Issues for Consideration" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8121/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>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.</p>Veterans' Medical Care: FY2006 Appropriations2006-02-14T17:15:13-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8122/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8122/"><img alt="Veterans' Medical Care: FY2006 Appropriations" title="Veterans' Medical Care: FY2006 Appropriations" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8122/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefits to veterans who
meet certain eligibility rules. Benefits to veterans range from disability compensation
and pensions to hospital and medical care. VA provides these benefits to veterans
through three major operating units: the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the National Cemetery Administration
(NCA). VHA is primarily a direct service provider of primary care, specialized care,
and related medical and social support services to veterans through an integrated
health care system.</p>Military Quality of Life/VA (House) and Military Construction/VA (Senate): FY2006 Appropriations2006-02-14T17:18:01-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8123/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8123/"><img alt="Military Quality of Life/VA (House) and Military Construction/VA (Senate): FY2006 Appropriations" title="Military Quality of Life/VA (House) and Military Construction/VA (Senate): FY2006 Appropriations" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8123/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>The structure of the Committees on Appropriations underwent significant
change with the beginning of the 109th Congress. As a result, jurisdictions over the
appropriations covered in this report, including military construction, military
housing allowances, military installation maintenance and operation, the Department
of Veterans Affairs, and other veteran-related agencies, rest in the House Committee
on Appropriations with the new Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and
Veterans Affairs</p>U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel2006-02-14T17:23:07-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8124/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8124/"><img alt="U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel" title="U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8124/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>This report provides an overview of U.S. foreign assistance to Israel. It includes
a review of past aid programs, data on annual assistance figures, and an analysis of
current issues. The report will be updated annually to reflect developments over the
previous year. For the most recent action on aid to Israel, see CRS Issue Brief
IB82008, Israel: Background and Relations with the United States, by Carol
Migdalovitz. For information on overall U.S. assistance to the Middle East, see CRS
Report RL32260, U.S. Foreign Assistance to the Middle East: Historical
Background, Recent Trends, and the FY2006 Request, by Jeremy M. Sharp.</p>Supreme Court Nominations, 1789-2005: Actions by the Senate, Judiciary Committee, and the President2006-02-14T17:24:08-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8125/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8125/"><img alt="Supreme Court Nominations, 1789-2005: Actions by the Senate, Judiciary Committee, and the President" title="Supreme Court Nominations, 1789-2005: Actions by the Senate, Judiciary Committee, and the President" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8125/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Report on the process of appointing Supreme Court Justices, including tables of Senate actions, Senate Judiciary Committee Actions, presidential actions, and more.</p>Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Legislation for Disaster Assistance: Summary Data FY1989 to FY20052006-02-14T17:24:18-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8126/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8126/"><img alt="Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Legislation for Disaster Assistance: Summary Data FY1989 to FY2005" title="Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Legislation for Disaster Assistance: Summary Data FY1989 to FY2005" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8126/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>This report provides summary information on emergency supplemental appropriations enacted after major disasters since 1989. More recently, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast of the United States on August 29, 2005, as a Category 3 hurricane after passing over South Florida as a Category 1 hurricane on August 25, 2005. In response, on September 2, 2005, President Bush signed into law a $10.5 billion supplemental appropriations measure, P.L. 109-61, which provided disaster assistance funds for the affected areas. On September 9, 2005, the President signed into law a second supplemental measure totaling $51.8 billion in appropriations, P.L. 109-62. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers most of these funds.</p>Federal Spending by Agency and Budget Function, FY2001-FY20052006-02-14T17:24:43-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8127/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8127/"><img alt="Federal Spending by Agency and Budget Function, FY2001-FY2005" title="Federal Spending by Agency and Budget Function, FY2001-FY2005" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8127/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>This report provides federal spending data by agency and by budget function for
fiscal year 2001 through fiscal year 2005. The data, ranked by size, reveal the
concentrated nature of federal spending. The largest four agencies (of 51 listed)
produce 83% of total outlays and the six largest (of 19) budget functions produce
86% of total outlays. Most of the spending by the largest agencies and within the
largest budget functions is either mandatory spending (such as Social Security,
Medicaid, and income support, among others), defense spending, or net interest
spending on federal debt.</p>Status of a Member of the House Who Has Been Indicted for or Convicted of a Felony2006-02-14T17:25:06-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8128/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8128/"><img alt="Status of a Member of the House Who Has Been Indicted for or Convicted of a Felony" title="Status of a Member of the House Who Has Been Indicted for or Convicted of a Felony" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8128/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>There are no federal statutes or Rules of the House of Representatives that
directly affect the status of a Member of Congress who has been indicted for a crime
that constitutes a felony. No rights or privileges are forfeited under the Constitution,
statutory law or the Rules of the House merely upon an indictment for an offense,
prior to an establishment of guilt under the judicial system. Thus, under House
Rules, an indicted Member may continue to participate in congressional proceedings
and considerations; under the Constitution, a person under indictment is not
disqualified from being a Member of or a candidate for re-election to Congress.
Internal party rules in the House, however, now require an indicted chairman or
ranking member of a House committee, or a member of the House party leadership,
to temporarily step aside from his or her leadership or chairmanship position.</p>The Republic of the Philippines: Background and U.S. Relations2006-02-14T17:25:42-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8129/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8129/"><img alt="The Republic of the Philippines: Background and U.S. Relations" title="The Republic of the Philippines: Background and U.S. Relations" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8129/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>This report discusses key issues in U.S.-Philippine relations and developments
in Philippine politics, economics, society, and foreign relations. Global terrorism
concerns have brought the United States and the Republic of the Philippines (RP)
closer together, but they also have produced some bilateral tensions and highlighted
weaknesses in Philippine economic, political, and military institutions. The RP faces
terrorist threats through alleged cooperation among three groups — Jeremiah Islamiah
(JI), the main Southeast Asian Islamic terrorist organization with ties to Al Qaeda;
Abu Sayyaf, a small, violent Muslim separatist group which operates in Mindanao
and the Sulu Archipelago in the southern Philippines; and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF), an armed separatist group with alleged ties to both JI and
Abu Sayyaf. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has strongly supported the U.S.-led
war on terrorism.</p>Lobbying Disclosure and Ethics Proposals Related to Lobbying Introduced in the 109th Congress: A Comparative Analysis2006-02-14T17:26:10-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8130/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8130/"><img alt="Lobbying Disclosure and Ethics Proposals Related to Lobbying Introduced in the 109th Congress: A Comparative Analysis" title="Lobbying Disclosure and Ethics Proposals Related to Lobbying Introduced in the 109th Congress: A Comparative Analysis" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8130/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>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.</p>USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 3199): A Legal Analysis of the Conference Bill2006-02-14T17:28:28-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8131/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8131/"><img alt="USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 3199): A Legal Analysis of the Conference Bill" title="USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 3199): A Legal Analysis of the Conference Bill" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8131/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Among other things, Title I makes permanent 14 USA PATRIOT Act sections
scheduled to expire on February 3, 2006, as well as the terrorism support amendments
scheduled to expire on December 31, 2006. It amends and postpones until December
31, 2009 the expiration of the act’s sections 206 and 215 relating to Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) orders for roving wiretaps and access to
business records. It extends the temporary FISA “lone wolf” provision to the same
date.</p>Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Officials: Process for Adjusting Pay and Current Salaries2006-02-14T17:28:45-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8132/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8132/"><img alt="Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Officials: Process for Adjusting Pay and Current Salaries" title="Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Officials: Process for Adjusting Pay and Current Salaries" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8132/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>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.</p>Protection of Classified Information by Congress: Practices and Proposals2006-02-14T17:29:07-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8133/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8133/"><img alt="Protection of Classified Information by Congress: Practices and Proposals" title="Protection of Classified Information by Congress: Practices and Proposals" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8133/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>The protection of classified national security and other controlled information is
of concern not only to the executive branch, which determines what information is to
be safeguarded, for the most part,1
but also to Congress, which uses such information to
fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. As a result, Congress has established
procedures and mechanisms to protect controlled information in its custody. These
arrangements, however, differ between the House and the Senate and among panels in
each chamber. The Senate, for instance, has established an Office of Senate Security to
centralize responsibility for personnel and information security, whereas the House has
not created a counterpart. Proposals to change the system, some of which could prove
controversial or costly, usually seek to set uniform standards or increase requirements
for access. This report will be updated as conditions require.</p>Conditions on U.S. Aid to Serbia2006-02-14T17:29:59-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8134/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8134/"><img alt="Conditions on U.S. Aid to Serbia" title="Conditions on U.S. Aid to Serbia" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8134/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>In each of the past five fiscal years (FY2001-FY2005), Congress has conditioned U.S. aid to Serbia on a presidential certification that Serbia has met certain conditions, including cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The 1 Ogth Congress is considering similar certification provisions in the FY2006 foreign aid bill. Supporters of aid conditionality say such provisions may have spurred Serbia's cooperation with the Tribunal. While the certification process continues to enjoy support in Congress, the Administration appears to favor ending it soon, as well as shifting responsibility for prosecuting war crimes from the ICTY to local courts.</p>Kosovo's Future Status and U.S. Policy2006-02-14T17:30:12-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8135/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8135/"><img alt="Kosovo's Future Status and U.S. Policy" title="Kosovo's Future Status and U.S. Policy" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8135/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>The future status of Kosovo is perhaps the most sensitive and potentially
destabilizing political question in the Balkans. The Administration views “getting
Kosovo right” as key to integrating the Balkans into Euro-Atlantic institutions. This
report discusses the issue of Kosovo’s future status; that is, whether it should become
an independent country, or have some form of autonomy within Serbia. Talks on
Kosovo’s status could begin in January 2006 and is expected to be concluded by the
end of the year. The second session of the 109th Congress may consider legislation on
Kosovo’s status. This report will be updated as events warrant. For more on the current
the situation in Kosovo, see CRS Report RL31053, Kosovo and U.S. Policy, by Steven J.
Woehrel and Julie Kim.</p>The Environmental Opinions of Judge Samuel Alito2006-02-14T17:36:40-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8136/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8136/"><img alt="The Environmental Opinions of Judge Samuel Alito" title="The Environmental Opinions of Judge Samuel Alito" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8136/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>This report is based on a review of all the reported environmental decisions of the Third Circuit in which Judge Alito was on the three-judge panel that initially decided the case, or in the en banc group of judges that heard the case on review of the panel decision. It does not confine itself, as did the recently reported Washington Post study, to Third Circuit opinions in which there was a dissent.2 We construe “environmental” broadly to include insurance coverage, Fourth Amendment, and other issues arising in an environmental context — and included 34 decisions in our review.</p>Immigration: Selected Opinions of Judge Samuel Alito2006-02-14T17:37:22-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8137/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8137/"><img alt="Immigration: Selected Opinions of Judge Samuel Alito" title="Immigration: Selected Opinions of Judge Samuel Alito" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8137/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>This report discusses notable majority and dissenting opinions written by Judge Alito relating to immigration.</p>Federal Employees: Pay and Pension Increases Since 19692006-02-24T11:39:29-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8259/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8259/"><img alt="Federal Employees: Pay and Pension Increases Since 1969" title="Federal Employees: Pay and Pension Increases Since 1969" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8259/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Pay increases for current federal employees and cost-of-living adjustments
(COLAs) for retired federal employees often differ because they are based on
changes in different economic variables. Increases in pay for civilian federal workers are indexed to wage and salary increases in the private-sector, as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI), while federal retirement and disability benefits are indexed to price increases as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This report discusses the procedures for determining such increases.</p>Renewable Energy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Electricity Production Issues2006-02-24T11:43:04-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8260/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8260/"><img alt="Renewable Energy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Electricity Production Issues" title="Renewable Energy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Electricity Production Issues" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8260/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Renewable energy is derived from resources that are generally not depleted by human use, such as the sun, wind, and water movement. This report discusses various aspects of policy regarding renewable energy including tax credits and budget legislation.</p>Gasoline Prices: New Legislation and Proposals2006-02-24T11:43:21-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8261/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8261/"><img alt="Gasoline Prices: New Legislation and Proposals" title="Gasoline Prices: New Legislation and Proposals" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8261/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>This report discusses policy options for Congress regarding gas prices. The high price of gasoline was an important consideration during the debate on major energy legislation, which ended August 8 as the President signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005, H.R. 6 (P.L. 109-58). However, prices continued to surge, spiking at the end of August when Hurricane Katrina shut down refining operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The continuing crisis renewed attention to some issues that were dropped or compromised in the debate over P.L. 109-58. A large number of factors combined to put pressure on gasoline prices, including increased world demand for crude oil and U.S. refinery capacity inadequate to supply gasoline to a recovering national economy. The war and continued violence in Iraq added uncertainty and a threat of supply disruption that added pressure particularly to the commodity futures markets.</p>Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR): Controversies for the 109th Congress2006-02-24T11:43:54-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8262/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8262/"><img alt="Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR): Controversies for the 109th Congress" title="Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR): Controversies for the 109th Congress" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8262/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>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.</p>Clean Air Act Issues in the 109th Congress2006-02-24T11:44:28-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8263/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8263/"><img alt="Clean Air Act Issues in the 109th Congress" title="Clean Air Act Issues in the 109th Congress" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8263/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Major amendments to the Clean Air Act were among the first items on the agenda of the 109th Congress, with S. 131 (the Clear Skies Act) scheduled for markup by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee March 9. The most prominent air quality issues discussed in this report are; Clear Skies / Multi-Pollutant Legislation, Mercury from Power Plants, New Source Review (NSR), MTBE and Ethanol, Ozone Nonattainment Area Deadlines, Conformity of Transportation Plans and SIPs, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.</p>Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 109th Congress2006-02-24T11:45:04-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8264/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8264/"><img alt="Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 109th Congress" title="Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 109th Congress" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8264/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>Fish and marine mammals are important resources in open ocean and nearshore coastal areas; many federal laws and regulations guide their management. This report discusses a variety of laws and legislation pertaining to this issue.</p>India-U.S. Relations2006-02-24T11:49:42-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8265/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8265/"><img alt="India-U.S. Relations" title="India-U.S. Relations" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8265/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>This report discusses issues regarding contemporary relations between India and the U.S. Continuing U.S. interest in South Asia focuses on ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, a problem rooted in unfinished business from the 1947 Partition and competing claims to the Kashmir region. The United States also seeks to curtail the
proliferation of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles in South Asia. U.S. concerns
about human rights issues related to regional dissidence and separatism in several
Indian states also continue.</p>Forest Fire/Wildfire Protection2006-02-24T11:52:11-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8266/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8266/"><img alt="Forest Fire/Wildfire Protection" title="Forest Fire/Wildfire Protection" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8266/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>This report provides historical background on wildfires, and describes concerns
about the wildland-urban interface and about forest and rangeland health. The report
discusses fuel management, fire control, and fire effects. The report then examines
federal, state, and landowner roles and responsibilities in protecting lands and
resources from wildfires, and concludes by discussing current issues for federal
wildfire management.</p>The Federal Government Debt: Its Size and Economic Significance2006-02-24T11:56:50-06:00https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8267/<p><a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8267/"><img alt="The Federal Government Debt: Its Size and Economic Significance" title="The Federal Government Debt: Its Size and Economic Significance" src="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8267/thumbnail/"/></a></p><p>This report explains the different measures of the U.S. government debt, discusses
the historical growth in the debt, identifies the current owners of the debt, presents
comparisons with government debt in other countries, and examines the potential
economic risks associated with a growing federal debt.</p>