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Introduction Transnational terrorists and criminals may collaborate, appropriate shared tactics, and otherwise benefit from interaction, resulting in bolstered capabilities, enhanced organizational infrastructure, improved access to resources, and expanded geographic reach. Historical examples also indicate that terror... | This report provides an overview of transnational security issues related to patterns of interaction among international terrorist and crime groups. In addition, the report discusses the U.S. government's perception of and response to the threat. It concludes with an analysis of foreign policy options. In recent years,... |
Introduction Introduced in various incarnations in every congressional session since the 103 rd Congress, the proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA; H.R. 1755 / S. 815 in the 113 th Congress) would prohibit discrimination based on an individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity by p... | Introduced in various incarnations in every congressional session since the 103rd Congress, the proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA; H.R. 1755/S. 815 in the 113th Congress) would prohibit discrimination based on an individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity by public and private... |
Introduction Congress has considered, at various points in time, numerous pieces of legislation that relate to genetic and genomic technology and testing. These include bills addressing genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment; precision and personalized medicine; the patenting of genetic material; the... | Congress has considered, at various points in time, numerous pieces of legislation that relate to genetic and genomic technology and testing. These include bills addressing genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment; precision medicine; the patenting of genetic material; and the oversight of clinical lab... |
Introduction Income in retirement comes from several sources. Most workers participate in the Social Security system, which pays retirement income as early as 62 years old. Retirement income security can also be provided by non-government sources, such as employer-sponsored pensions and participant-initiated retirement... | Preparing for financial security in retirement continues to be a concern of working Americans and policymakers. Although most Americans participate in the Social Security system, Social Security is likely to be only a part of income in retirement. A recent Gallup poll indicated that while 34% of working Americans expec... |
Background Since the mid-1950s, Congress has added numerous provisions to the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) that authorize education and training programs for various health, medical, and nursing professionals. The programs, consolidated in Title VII and Title VIII of the PHSA, provide grants, scholarships, and loan... | The Public Health Service Act (PHSA) establishes authority for the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop and implement workforce programs authorized in Title VII (health and medicine) and Title VIII (nursing). These programs, administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), pro... |
Introduction Over the past several decades, sustainable energy and environmental issues have gained an increasing level of attention in international humanitarian and development assistance, as countries have tried to integrate poverty reduction and economic growth initiatives with a shared concern for the global envir... | One in five people worldwide lack access to electricity. This is among the many challenges that financial institutions face when providing assistance to lower-income countries in order to promote economic and social development. Access to modern energy sources has the potential to substantially increase worldwide econo... |
Introduction Concerns about hate crimes have become increasingly prominent among policymakers at all levels of government in recent years. A hate crime is defined as "[a] criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by the offender's bias against a race, religion, disability, ethnic/natio... | Federal and state legislators recognize the special concerns and effects of hate crimes. Although there is some federal legislation in place, many states have enacted some form of ethnic intimidation law or bias-motivated sentence-enhancement factors in attempts to curtail hate crimes. Several United States Supreme Cou... |
Introduction The 107 th Congress considered and approved reauthorization legislation to amend and extend through FY2007 the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA). The ESEA (and, therefore, the SDFSCA) is likely to be considered for reauthorization ... | The No Child Left Behind Act (P.L. 107-110) amended and reauthorized through FY2007 the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA) within the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as Part A of Title IV, 21st Century Schools. The act is likely to be considered for reauthorization by the 110th Congre... |
Introduction Since the beginning of the 112 th Congress, convened in January 2011, the House and Senate have observed a ban on earmarks, formally known as congressionally directed spending. The ban has led to changes in the way transportation funding decisions are made. This report explains what earmarks are and discus... | In the 112th Congress, which convened in January 2011, the House and Senate began observing an earmark ban. Earmarks—formally known as congressionally directed spending—directed a significant amount of federal transportation spending prior to the ban. This report discusses how federal highway, transit, rail, and aviati... |
Introduction On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig was nearing completion of BP's deepwater oil well when an uncontained release of hydrocarbons (oil and natural gas) caused explosions and fire, resulting in 11 crew member fatalities. The incident produced the largest oil spill that has occurred in ... | The 2010 Deepwater Horizon incident produced the largest oil spill that has occurred in U.S. waters, releasing more than 200 million gallons into the Gulf of Mexico. BP has estimated the combined oil spill costs—cleanup activities, natural resource and economic damages, potential Clean Water Act (CWA) penalties, and ot... |
Introduction The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is the lead federal law enforcement agency charged with administering and enforcing federal laws related to firearms and explosives commerce. ATF is also responsible for investigating arson cases with a federal nexus, and criminal cases involvin... | The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is the lead federal agency charged with administering and enforcing federal laws related to firearms and explosives commerce. ATF is also responsible for investigating arson cases with a federal nexus, and criminal cases involving the diversion of alcohol an... |
Layers of the Internet Many may consider the Internet and World Wide Web (web) to be synonymous; they are not. Rather, the web is one portion of the Internet, and a medium through which information may be accessed. In conceptualizing the web, some may view it as consisting solely of the websites accessible through a t... | The layers of the Internet go far beyond the surface content that many can easily access in their daily searches. The other content is that of the Deep Web, content that has not been indexed by traditional search engines such as Google. The furthest corners of the Deep Web, segments known as the Dark Web, contain conte... |
Most Recent Developments The FY2008 agriculture appropriations bill was combined with 10 other appropriations bills into the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 ( P.L. 110-161 ). The consolidated bill passed the House on December 17, 2007, the Senate on December 18, 2007, and was signed by the President on December 2... | The agriculture appropriations bill includes all of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), except the Forest Service, plus the Food and Drug Administration. Jurisdiction for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) remains with the House agriculture appropriations subcommittee, but was moved to the Senate fi... |
Introduction Juvenile offenders of federal criminal law are primarily the responsibility of state juvenile court authorities. The Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act permits federal delinquency proceedings when state courts cannot or will not accept jurisdiction or in the case of a limited number of crimes when there is a... | Federal authorities have three options when a juvenile violates federal criminal law. First, they can refer the juvenile to state authorities. Second, they can initiate federal delinquency proceedings. Third, they can petition the federal court to transfer the juvenile for trial as an adult. The Federal Juvenile Delinq... |
Background Over the past decade, global health has become a priority in U.S. foreign policy, and U.S. appropriations for health-related efforts have more than tripled. Some observers expect the 112 th Congress to debate the appropriate funding level for ongoing global health programs, to consider ways to make U.S. glob... | Over the past decade, global health has become a priority in U.S. foreign policy, and U.S. funding for related efforts has more than tripled. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), an important focus of U.S. global health assistance, may come under scrutiny as the 112th Congress debates spending levels for ongoing global ... |
Overview1 As Congress exercises oversight and prepares to consider programs for Lebanon in the coming year, uncertainty about Syria's future is now raising questions about how unrest there may affect the security and stability of Lebanon. While many analysts posit that the government of Syrian President Bashar Al Asad... | As Congress exercises oversight and prepares to consider programs for Lebanon in the coming year, some observers have expressed fear that Syrian instability may negatively affect Lebanon. Syria exerts a strong political influence on Lebanon and Syrian business interests remain prominent in the Lebanese economy. Both Le... |
Statute and Rules The receipt of "gifts" by Members and staff of the House of Representatives and of the Senate, including the receipt or acceptance of payment or reimbursement of travel expenses from outside, private, third-party sources, is generally restricted by the operation of federal statutory law, as applied by... | While the acceptance by Members of Congress and staff of personal gifts from most outside, private sources is significantly regulated and restricted by internal congressional rules, Members of the House and Senate may still generally accept from some private sources—other than those who are registered lobbyists or regi... |
Real Estate Price Volatility and Appraisal Regulation Appraisers provide an estimate of the value of real estate prior to the completion of a sale or refinance of the property. Lenders typically rely on independent real estate appraisers because the property serves as collateral for the loan used to finance the transac... | Real estate appraisers attempt to measure the value of a property that is being purchased or refinanced. In mortgage contracts, the property serves as collateral for the loan. Banks and their regulators may rely on the appraisal to reduce the potential losses if the borrower fails to repay the loan. Property purchasers... |
Most Recent Developments On February 12, 2003, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Resolutions, 2003, P.L.108-7 . The bill includes funding for USAID global health activities at the following levels: Table 1. Child Survival and Health (CSH) Programs Fund HIV/AIDS Activities. The omnibus bill appropriates a... | Global health has become a major focus of the U.S. foreign assistance program. Congressional proponents of more health assistance have successfully increased appropriations aboveAdministration requests in recent years. Some have challenged the Administration's FY2003 budgetproposal during the foreign operations debate,... |
Introduction The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a broad civil rights statute prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities. As stated in the act, its purpose is "to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities... | The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a broad civil rights statute prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination by public accommodations, which are defined to include movie theaters, but the statute does not include specific language on closed ca... |
From the Mainland to Taiwan With the victory of Mao Tse-tung and his Communist Party military forces on mainland China in 1949, the remnants of the government of America's former World War II ally, the Republic of China (ROC) led by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, fled to the island of Taiwan off the south China coast. ... | In 1979, official U.S. relations with Taiwan (the Republic of China) became a casualty of the American decision to recognize the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) as China's sole legitimate government. Since then, U.S. unofficial relations with Taiwan have been built on the framework of the Taiwan Rela... |
Introduction and Overview of the VA Health Care System The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), operates the nation's largest integrated direct health care delivery system. While Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are also publicly fu... | In general, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), provides a majority of medical services to veterans within its health care system. However, in some instances, such as when a clinical service cannot be provided by a VA medical center, when a veteran is unable to acc... |
Introduction HOPE VI is a public housing reform program. Through HOPE VI, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides funds to rehabilitate or demolish public housing and replace it with housing that serves both the poor as well as the middle class. In order to understand HOPE VI and its issues, it i... | The Revitalization of Distressed Public Housing program, referred to as HOPE VI, has been credited with eliminating and replacing some of the most dangerous and dilapidated public housing in the country with new mixed income communities. However, the program has come under scrutiny for slow expenditure of funds and for... |
Introduction The U.S. electric grid consists of over 700,000 miles of transmission lines and over 55,000 substations linking over 7,000 power plants to around 150 million customers. Likewise, the U.S. energy pipeline network is composed of over 2.9 million miles of pipeline transporting natural gas, oil, and hazardous ... | While physical threats to the U.S. power grid and pipelines have long worried policymakers, cyber threats to the computer systems that operate this critical infrastructure are an increasing concern. Cybersecurity risks against the power and pipeline sectors are similar, as both use similar control systems, and there ap... |
Background Canada and the United States have open borders for waste shipments, and waste has flowed across the border in both directions for years. The federal government does not report data regarding such shipments, but information is available from Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, and fro... | Private waste haulers and Canadian cities—including the city of Toronto—ship large quantities of waste to the United States. About four million tons (as many as 400 truckloads a day) have been shipped annually since 2004, according to receiving states. Nearly three-quarters of this waste has gone to two large landfills... |
Introduction The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq., henceforth the Stafford Act) confers upon the President a broad set of authorities "to alleviate the suffering and damage" of affected tribal, state, and local governments, as well as individual citizens, from disa... | The Public Assistance Grant Program (PA Program) is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and combines the authorities of multiple sections of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 93-288, as amended, the Stafford Act). The PA Program is only available for st... |
Refundable Tax Credits Tax credits reduce a taxpayer's tax liability dollar-for-dollar, up to the value of the credit. Refundable credits, unlike nonrefundable credits, can be larger than a taxpayer's income tax liability, with the taxpayer receiving the difference as a cash payment from the IRS in the form of a tax re... | The question is frequently asked whether aliens who enter or remain in the United States in violation of federal immigration law (called unlawfully present aliens for purposes of this report) are permitted to claim refundable tax credits. There is no general provision in the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) prohibiting unla... |
Introduction Over the past 15 years, the U.S. current account has moved from a small surplus to a deficit that in 2005 was nearly $800 billion. The final tally for 2006 has not been completed, but preliminary data suggests the deficit will grow to near $900 billion. The current account deficit has increased also as a s... | Despite the huge increase in U.S. external debt, the investment income component of the current account has remained in surplus. The size of this surplus has varied, hitting a low of $4 billion in 1998 and a high of $37 billion in 2003, but over the past 25 years, the surplus has remained between $15 billion and $30 bi... |
Major Developments in 20081 June 2008 Summit Against a backdrop of the expanding and deepening of U.S.-Vietnam relations, in late June, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with President Bush. Since 2005, the United States and Vietnam have held annual visits between President B... | After communist North Vietnam's victory over U.S.-backed South Vietnam in 1975, U.S.-Vietnam relations remained essentially frozen until the mid-1990s. Since then, bilateral ties have expanded remarkably, to the point where the relationship has been virtually normalized. Indeed, since 2002, overlapping strategic and ec... |
Most Recent Developments Rescission and Reallocation Package Adopted. ThePresident signed the FY2006 Department of Defense appropriations bill into law, P.L. 109-148 , onDecember 30, 2005. It contained a reallocation of $29 billion in Hurricane Katrina recovery funds,as well as a 1% across-the-board rescission for all ... | In February 2005, a House Appropriations Committee reorganization plan abolished theVeterans Affairs, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and IndependentAgencies Subcommittee, sending HUD to a new Treasury, Transportation, Judiciary, Housing andUrban Development, District of Columbia and Related Agencies... |
Introduction The 115 th Congress states that tax reform is a priority. In recent years, the focus of individual income tax reform has been on reducing the number of statutory tax brackets as part of a base broadening, rate reducin g tax reform. On June 24, 2016, Republicans released a tax reform blueprint, "A Better Wa... | Tax reform is a stated priority of the 115th Congress. In June 2016, Ways and Means Committee Republicans released the "Better Way" tax reform blueprint. The proposal seeks to make the individual income tax system "simpler, flatter, and fairer" by consolidating the number of individual income tax brackets. Looking at s... |
Introduction The United States has maintained foreign aid programs in Latin America and the Caribbean since the 1940s, although funding levels were minimal until the early 1960s. U.S. objectives have varied over the years. Recent programs are meant to address poverty, health, economic growth, counternarcotics, and trad... | Trends in U.S. assistance to the Latin America and Caribbean region generally reflect the trends and rationales for U.S. foreign aid programs globally. Aid to the region increased during the 1960s with the Alliance for Progress, and during the 1980s with aid to Central America. Since 2000, aid levels have increased, es... |
Introduction From the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s, economic and trade relations between the United States and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam) remained virtually frozen, in part a legacy of the Vietnam War. On May 2, 1975, after North Vietnam defeated U.S. ally the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), Preside... | The year 2015 was a memorable year in U.S.-Vietnam relations, marking the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, the 20th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations, the first U.S. visit by a Chairman of the Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) (in July), and the conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Par... |
Introduction Sharp increases in U.S. oil exports in recent years has led to perceptions that these exports are not in the national interest, and have drawn Congressional attention. Oil exports from the United States, which averaged 1.4 million barrels daily (mbd) in 2007, and have increased to a daily average of 1.9 mb... | Concern about exports of United States crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel and home heating oil periodically draws Congressional attention to the level of these exports, recently observed to increase from 1.4 million barrels daily in 2007, to nearly 1.9 mbd during January-September 2008. Some policymakers have suggested t... |
Background Industry observers have raised concerns about perceived gaps in food import safety over the past few years. One particular area of concern focuses on imported goods that are released into the United States market after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detains them under an import alert. Generally, thes... | Industry observers have raised concerns about perceived gaps in food import safety over the past few years. One particular area of concern focuses on imported goods that are released into the United States market after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detains them under an import alert. Generally, these goods may... |
Introduction The federal government consumed roughly 57.4 million megawatt-hours (0.1958 quads) of electricity to operate all of its U.S. facilities in FY2007 (the latest information available), making it the single largest U.S. electric consumer. The Department of Defense (DOD) alone consumed more than half, some 29 ... | The federal government purchases roughly 57 million megawatt-hours of electricity annually (based on FY2007 data, the latest information available), making it the single largest U.S. energy consumer. The Department of Defense (DOD) alone consumes over 29 million megawatt-hours. The federal Power Marketing Administratio... |
Introduction Policymakers have expressed concern about the ability of small and young firms, in particular, to secure equity financing for growth and job creation. Indeed, over the past decade, many sources have reported a precipitous decline in the number of initial public offerings (IPOs) in the United States—particu... | Over the past decade, many sources have reported a precipitous decline in the number of initial public offerings (IPOs) in the United States. These statistics raise several questions: what has caused such a decline? What are the implications for the U.S. economy, and particularly for job creation? At the same time as I... |
Introduction Congress has established statutory offices of inspectors general (IGs) in many executive and legislative branch agencies, as well as two special IGs for programs and operations funded with amounts appropriated for the reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan. The four principal responsibilities of IGs are: (... | This report discusses the Special Inspector General provisions in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA), which was enacted as P.L. 110-343 on October 3, 2008. This act created a Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP). Under EESA, TARP funds may be used by the Secreta... |
Introduction This report provides a summary of some of the issues regarding the creation of a national land parcel database, or cadastre. The report identifies some of the perceived needs for a national cadastre, legislative and administrative options that could lead to a national land parcel database, and some of the ... | The federal government's efforts to coordinate its geospatial activities, through the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) and the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), include a strong emphasis on land parcel data. Land parcel databases (or cadastres) describe the rights, interests, and v... |
Recent Developments On December 16, 2014, the President signed into law the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of FY2015 ( P.L. 113-235 ), which included $3.066 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and a $500 million loan comm... | On March 4, 2014, the Obama Administration released its FY2015 budget request, which included $2.870 billion for activities under the Community Development Fund (CDF) administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including $2.8 billion for formula grants. On June 5, 2014, the Senate Appropriati... |
Introduction USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) is part of the Agency's Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA). Unlike its counterparts at USAID, its mission is neither humanitarian nor development-oriented. OTI's activities are overtly political, based on the idea that in the mid... | The Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was created in 1994 to bridge the gap between emergency disaster relief programs and long-term development assistance. The program is relatively small, with regular appropriations averaging $40-$60 million annually and a... |
Introduction In 1986, the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) was enacted to fund U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE or the Corps) activities related to the routine operation and maintenance (O&M) of harbors, namely the dredging of harbor channels to their authorized depths and widths. This tax is assessed on the value of i... | In 1986, Congress enacted the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) to recover operation and maintenance (O&M) costs at U.S. coastal and Great Lakes harbors from maritime shippers. O&M is mostly the dredging of harbor channels to their authorized depths and widths. The tax is levied on importers and domestic shippers using coas... |
Background Combating terrorism has emerged as one of the most important U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities. The number of terrorist groups is reportedlygrowing and the technology to inflict mass casualties is becoming more readily available. The United States andother cooperating nations confront four... | On June 5, 2000, the National Commission on Terrorism (NTC), a congressionallymandated bi-partisan body, issueda report providing a blueprint for U.S. counter- terrorism policy with both policy and legislative recommendations.The report could be significant in shaping thedirection of U.S. policy and the debate in Cong... |
Recent Developments On June 29, the Guardian Council confirmed the validity of the election outcome despite ongoing complaints of irregularities from reformist candidates Mir Hussein Musavi and Mehdi Karrubi. In its official letter to the Interior Minister, the Council acknowledged "minor violations that happen in ever... | On June 12, 2009, following a heated campaign between reformist candidate Mir Hussein Musavi and incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranians turned out in record numbers to vote in the presidential election. Shortly after the polls closed, the Interior Minister announced that President Ahmadinejad had been reelec... |
Introduction Since the early 1980s, the periodic debate over reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs has been primarily about money and its distribution. In each of the five reauthorizations that took place during that period (1982, 1987, 1991, 1998, and 2005), the federal fuel taxes and other source... | The law authorizing federal surface transportation programs expired at the end of FY2009, but Congress has failed to enact a new authorization. Surface transportation programs continue to operate on the basis of authority provided in extension legislation. This situation should not be a surprise to those familiar with ... |
Genetically Engineered Foods "Genetic engineering" refers to the scientific methods "use[d] to introduce new traits or characteristics to an organism. " These procedures can create a tolerance to herbicides, promote resistance to viruses, increase yields, and alter acidic content. "Genetically engineered foods" (GE foo... | Genetically engineered (GE) foods, sometimes referred to as genetically modified foods (GMO foods), are foods that are derived from scientific methods used to introduce new traits or characteristics to an organism. The labeling of GE foods has been the subject of debate among members of the general public and federal a... |
Overview Congress has historically recognized the importance of teacher quality in improving the academic performance of elementary and secondary school students. The latest amendments to the Higher Education Act (HEA) align with past efforts to improve quality through support and accountability for teacher preparation... | Congress has historically recognized the importance of teacher quality in improving the academic performance of elementary and secondary school students; however, federal policy has only recently begun to address the impact of teacher compensation systems on both quality and performance. Growing concern about the domin... |
Introduction Federal rulemaking is an important mechanism through which the federal government implements policy. Federal agencies issue regulations pursuant to statutory authority granted by Congress. Therefore, Congress may have an interest in performing oversight of those regulations, and measuring federal regulator... | Federal rulemaking is an important mechanism through which the federal government implements policy. Federal agencies issue regulations pursuant to statutory authority granted by Congress. Therefore, Congress may have an interest in performing oversight of those regulations, and measuring federal regulatory activity ca... |
Introduction On February 13, 2016, Justice Antonin Scalia unexpectedly passed away at the age of 79, vacating a seat on the Supreme Court that he had held for nearly 30 years. A vacancy on the Supreme Court that arises during a presidential election year is a relatively rare occurrence, with the last such vacancy arisi... | On February 13, 2016, Justice Antonin Scalia unexpectedly passed away at the age of 79, vacating a seat on the Supreme Court that he had held for nearly 30 years. Supreme Court vacancies that arise in presidential election years rarely occur, and have in the past led to a seat on the Court staying open for extended per... |
The Succession Question Transfer of supreme political power in Russia can be a dicey business. Under the tsars, succession to the throne often was accompanied by intrigue and bloodshed. This held true during the communist period as well, although it became less deadly after Stalin. In December 1991, Yeltsin effectively... | First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev, President Putin's chosen successor and long-time protege, was elected President on March 2, 2008, as expected, with about 70% of the vote. There was little real opposition. Medvedev had previously announced that if elected, he would propose Putin as Prime Minister and Putin ... |
Introduction Foreign assistance law requires Congress to authorize funding for programs before appropriated funds are spent. Through 1985, Congress regularly enacted new authorization legislation or amended the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the foundation of U.S. foreign aid policy, to update authorization time frame... | This report identifies the legislative origins of General Provisions that pertain to foreign aid in the current Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2010 (division F of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010; P.L. 111-117; 123 Stat. 3034 at 3312), as continued for Fiscal ... |
Background Within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aerial assets are operated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) Office of Air & Marine (A&M). CBP utilizes advanced technology to augment its U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents' ability to patrol the border. The technologies used include, but are... | Congress has expressed a great deal of interest in using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to surveil the United States' international land border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) utilizes advanced technology to augment its USBP agents' ability to patrol the border, including a fleet of six UAVs. This report exa... |
Background on Congressional Pensions The Civil Service Retirement Act of 1920 (P.L. 66-215) established a pension system for federal employees in the executive branch of government. Coverage under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) was extended to Congress in January 1942 by P.L. 77-411. That law was repealed j... | Prior to 1984, neither federal civil service employees nor Members of Congress paid Social Security taxes, nor were they eligible for Social Security benefits. Members of Congress and other federal employees were instead covered by a separate pension plan called the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). The 1983 amen... |
Introduction Rising food prices are having impacts across the world, but especially among poor people in the low-income developing countries. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), its index of food prices in March 2008 was 80 points higher than in March 2007, a rise of 57%. In 2007, t... | Rising food prices are having impacts across the world, but especially among poor people in low-income developing countries. Since 2000, a year of low food prices, wheat prices in international markets have more than tripled, corn prices have doubled, and rice prices rose to unprecedented levels in March 2008. Such inc... |
Introduction While the power to prescribe rules as to which aliens may enter the United States and which aliens may be removed resides solely with the federal government, the impact of alien migration—whether lawful or unlawful—is arguably felt most directly in the communities where aliens settle. State and local respo... | While the power to prescribe rules as to which aliens may enter the United States and which aliens may be removed resides solely with the federal government, the impact of alien migration—whether lawful or unlawful—is arguably felt most directly in the communities where aliens settle. State and local responses to unlaw... |
Introduction Threats of impending disastersâsuch as hurricanes, floods, volcanic eruptions, the movement of airborne hazardous material, or unstable conditions at nuclear power plantsâmay provide officials an opportunity to save lives by encouraging or mandating civilian evacuation. Evacuation has three basic compo... | When government officials become aware of an impending disaster, they may take steps to protect citizens before the incident occurs. Evacuation of the geographic area that may be affected is one option to ensure public safety. If implemented properly, evacuation can be an effective strategy for saving lives. Evacuation... |
Educational Attainment in Latin America Recent Developments As a whole, Latin American countries have made significant progress in improving their education systems, particularly in the last two decades. Governments have increased spending on education, expanded cooperation with the United States, the World Bank, and o... | The United States has long supported education programs in Latin America, and has a vested interest in promoting educational progress in the region. In the last 20 years, most Latin American countries have taken significant steps to improve their education systems, but major challenges remain. Those challenges include ... |
Background The seismic design criteria applied to siting commercial nuclear power plants operating in the United States received increased attention following the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station. Since the event, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake near Min... | The earthquake and subsequent tsunami that devastated Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station and the earthquake that forced the North Anna, VA, nuclear power plant's temporary shutdown have focused attention on the seismic criteria applied to siting and designing commercial nuclear power plants. Some Members o... |
Origins The African Union (AU) has its roots in the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the African Economic Community (AEC)Treaty of 1991. It came into force in 1994, following ratification by two-thirds of OAU member states. (1) The AEC Treaty set up asix-stage economic integration process leading to the anticipa... | In July 2002, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), founded in 1963 during thedecolonization era, was superseded by the African Union (AU). An AU Interim Commission, created to transfer theinstitutional andreal assets and liabilities of the OAU to the AU, and establish the AU's organizational structure, is the focal... |
The East Asia Summit: Background and Context Kishore Mahbubani, formerly a senior official in Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs andTrade, stated that history will view the EAS as the real beginning of the Pacific century. (3) The EAS is viewed asimportant not only because of its implications for regional trade bu... | The first East Asia Summit (EAS) met on December 14, 2005, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.It brought together the ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), [Brunei, Burma,Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam] as well as the"plus three" states [China, South Korea, and J... |
Introduction During the 1990s and early 2000s, Guinea was considered a locus of relative stability as civil conflicts raged in neighboring Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mali. However, Guinea subsequently came to be viewed as a potential source of regional instability due to its fractious and ... | Guinea is one of three countries most affected by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which has affected the country's economy, social relations, food security, and politics. A former French colony on West Africa's Atlantic coast with a population of about 11 million, Guinea is rich in natural resources, but poverty is ... |
Conflicts of Interest, Generally Principles Underlying Conflict of Interest Regulation The underlying principle of the financial conflict of interest laws adopted by Congress, and of the regulations promulgated in the executive branch, embodies the axiom "that a public servant owes undivided loyalty to the Government,"... | Congressional offices reviewing or conducting oversight concerning the operations of executive agencies and departments, reviewing executive branch nominees for high-level appointments, or responding to constituent inquiries or petitions, may often be confronted with issues and questions of possible "conflicts of inter... |
Background on Mexico Over the past two decades, Mexico has transitioned from a centralized political system dominated by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) to a true multiparty democracy. Since the PRI last governed in the 1990s, presidential power has become increasingly constrained by Mexico's Congress, its ... | The United States and Mexico have a close and complex bilateral relationship as neighbors and partners under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Although security issues have recently dominated the U.S. relationship with Mexico, analysts predict that bilateral relations may shift toward economic matters no... |
Most Recent Developments In August 2005, Pakistan held two-phase municipal-level elections in 110 districts. Althoughthe exercise ostensibly was a non-party affair, officials from the opposition Pakistan People's Partycomplained in July that President Musharraf was violating the code of conduct by urging voters tocast ... | Pakistan is a strategically important country and home to one of the world's largest Muslimpopulations. In October 1999, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Gen. Pervez Musharraf replaced PrimeMinister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup. Following the military overthrow of an electedgovernment, Islamabad faced considerable in... |
Sanctions in Place Today Effective September 21, 2004, when the President ended the national emergency between theUnited States and Libya, most economic sanctions that impeded trade and travel were lifted. Whatremains are restrictions mostly related to the United States having found that Libya is a state sponsorof acts... | This report discusses U.S. laws and executive orders that impose economic sanctionscurrently in place against Libya, including whether they can be changed by executive action, andexemptions to the sanctions that could make foreign assistance available. This report will be updatedas events warrant. |
Introduction Background on Retiree Health Benefits Employee benefits for retired workers are of particular interest to policy makers because of the large number of retired and retiring baby-boomers. Nevertheless, fewer firms offered health insurance for retired workers, their surviving spouses, and dependents in the re... | Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Associations (VEBAs) are tax-advantaged trust funds created to finance many aspects of employee welfare, including retiree health insurance benefits. This report shows that, under some circumstances, using VEBAs to fund retiree health insurance can benefit both firms and workers. Becaus... |
Puerto Rico's Fiscal Emergency The government of Puerto Rico currently faces a serious fiscal emergency that is the culmination of long-standing budgetary, economic, and financial challenges. While Puerto Rico has made a number of structural reforms and has increased tax rates in the past few years, it had been unable ... | The government of Puerto Rico faces severe fiscal challenges. A federal district court judge in late March 2016 held that the island's government was insolvent and unable to pay its obligations on time. Emergency legislation (Act 21 of 2016) enacted on April 6, 2016, stated that the Puerto Rican government's fiscal con... |
Introduction The Justiciability Doctrines Under Article III of the U.S. Constitution, the jurisdiction of federal courts is limited to actual, ongoing cases and controversies. From this constitutional requirement comes several "justiciability" doctrines that may be invoked in federal court actions that could prevent pl... | A case pending before a federal court may at some point in the litigation process lose an element of justiciability and become "moot." Mootness may occur when a controversy initially existing at the time the lawsuit was filed is no longer "live" due to a change in the law or in the status of the parties involved, or du... |
Recent Developments On February 9, 2016, the Obama Administration released its FY2017 budget request. According to the initial release, the Administration is requesting at least $925,000 in foreign aid for Brazil next year (see " U.S. Foreign Assistance and Trilateral Development Initiatives "). On January 19, 2016, th... | The United States traditionally has enjoyed robust economic and political relations with Brazil, which is the fifth most populous country and ninth-largest economy in the world. Brazil is recognized by the Obama Administration as a "major global player" and an "indispensable partner" on issues ranging from internationa... |
Introduction In December 2010, the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF, the Fund), the institution's highest governing body, agreed to a wide-ranging set of institutional reforms. If enacted, this reform package would increase the institution's core source of funding and expand the representation... | In December 2010, the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF, the Fund), the institution's highest governing body, agreed to a reform package that addresses two major concerns about the institution: (1) that the size of the IMF's resources has not kept pace with increased economic activity in the gl... |
The Reconciliation Process The purpose of the reconciliation process is to enhance Congress's ability to bring existing spending, revenue, and debt-limit laws into compliance with current fiscal priorities established in the annual budget resolution. When Congress adopts a budget resolution, it is agreeing upon budgeta... | The purpose of the reconciliation process is to enhance Congress's ability to bring existing spending, revenue, and debt-limit laws into compliance with current fiscal priorities established in the annual budget resolution. When Congress adopts a budget resolution, it is agreeing upon its budgetary goals for the upcomi... |
Trends in First Generation and Low-Income Enrollment The proportion of high school graduates whose parents do not have a college degree has declined over the last threedecades, according to data collected by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Census Bureau. (3) Over four out offive graduates in the class of ... | The Higher Education Act (HEA) supports several programs that provideservices and incentives to disadvantaged students to help increase their educational attainment. Foremost amongtheseprograms are the federal TRIO programs and the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for UndergraduateProgram(Gear Up). These program... |
Introduction In the wake of the worst U.S. financial crisis since the Great Depression, Congress passed and the President signed into law sweeping reforms of the financial services regulatory system through the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), P.L. 111-203 . Title X of the Dod... | In the wake of the worst U.S. financial crisis since the Great Depression, Congress passed and the President signed into law sweeping reforms of the financial services regulatory system through the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), P.L. 111-203. Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act is... |
Introduction Congress facilitated the development of railroads, especially railroads in the West, throughvarious forms of federal assistance. Primary among this assistance was the granting of rights of wayacross the public lands. Not all of these grants were the same, but some arguably contemplated aretained interest i... | During the drive to settle the western portion of the United States, Congress sought toencourage the expansion of railroads, at first through generous grants of rights of way and lands tothe great transcontinental railroads between 1862 and 1871, and later through the enactment of ageneral right of way statute. The 187... |
Overview of the TAG Program In September 2008, ongoing financial turmoil escalated into a financial panic—large financial institutions, such as Lehman Brothers and AIG, were failing, the stock market was falling, and credit markets seized up as lenders became unwilling to extend or roll over short-term loans. The feder... | The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC's) initial Transaction Account Guarantee (TAG) program provided unlimited deposit insurance for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts (NIBTAs). A NIBTA is an account in which interest is neither accrued nor paid and the depositor is permitted to make withdrawals at w... |
Introduction The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has often been described as the most sweeping nondiscrimination legislation since the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It provides broad nondiscrimination protection in employment, public services, public accommodations, and services operated by private entities, transpor... | The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has as its purpose providing "a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities." In order to effectuate this purpose, the ADA and its regulations require reasonable accommodation or modifications in policies,... |
Overview1 Climate change is generally viewed as a global issue, but proposed responses typically require action at the national level. With the 1997 Kyoto Protocol now in force and setting emissions objectives for 2008-2012, countries that ratified the protocol are implementing strategies to begin reducing their emissi... | The European Union's (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is a cornerstone of the EU's efforts to meet its obligation under the Kyoto Protocol. It covers more than 10,000 energy intensive facilities across the 27 EU Member countries; covered entities emit about 45% of the EU's carbon dioxide emissions. A "Phase 1" tradi... |
Introduction P.L. 114-94 , the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, was signed by President Obama on December 4, 2015. The act reauthorizes federal highway and mass transit programs through the end of FY2020. It also authorizes to be appropriated about $305 billion for these programs, an increase of abou... | P.L. 114-94, the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, was signed by President Obama on December 4, 2015. The act reauthorizes federal highway and mass transit programs through the end of FY2020. It also authorizes to be appropriated about $305 billion for these programs, an increase of about 4.2% over cu... |
Introduction Black's Law Dictionary defines legislative history as "the background and events leading to the enactment of a statute, including hearings, committee reports, and floor debates." It also descri bes one of the primary reasons legal, policy, and legislative researchers investigate the legislative history of... | This report provides an overview of federal legislative history research, the legislative process, and where to find congressional documents. The report also summarizes some of the reasons researchers are interested in legislative history, briefly describes the actions a piece of legislation might undergo during the le... |
Introduction The medical device tax was one of a number of additional revenues proposed to offset the cost of the Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148 ). This excise tax is projected to raise $30.6 billion of excise tax collections over the next 10 fiscal years (FY2016-FY2025). After offsets due to the deductibility ... | The 2.3% medical device tax imposed by the Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148) in 2010 was one of a number of additional revenue-raising provisions to finance health reform. This tax, which took effect in January 2013, is projected to collect approximately $30.6 billion over the next 10 fiscal years (FY2016-FY2025)... |
Introduction Funding for federal programs that is provided through the annual appropriations process in regular appropriations acts is typically available for obligation during a single fiscal year, unless otherwise specified. This period of availability most often begins on the first day of the fiscal year of the appr... | Federal programs that are funded through the annual appropriations process in regular appropriations acts may typically obligate those funds during a period that starts at the beginning of that fiscal year. For certain programs, however, the period of availability for some or all of their funds may be delayed until aft... |
Background The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has monitored numerous recalls of meat and poultry products sold in the United States. The recalls have involved beef products possibly contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, beef and poultry products possibly contamin... | The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has monitored numerous recalls of meat and poultry products sold in the United States. The recalls have involved beef products possibly contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, beef and poultry products possibly contaminated with Salmonel... |
Introduction On March 21, 2012, the Supreme Court resolved a long-simmering issue of federal environmental enforcement. The issue in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency involved the "administrative compliance order" (ACO), a device frequently used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce statutes ... | On March 21, 2012, the Supreme Court resolved a long-simmering issue of federal environmental enforcement. The issue in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency involved the "administrative compliance order" (ACO), frequently used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce statutes it administers. The Co... |
Introduction The 1995 Dayton Peace Accords, brokered primarily by the United States, ended three yearsof war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which had cost hundreds of thousands of lives and created over2 million refugees and displaced persons. Under the Dayton Peace Accords, Bosnia-Herzegovinaremains an internationally rec... | The 1995 Dayton Peace Accords, brokered primarily by the United States, ended the war inBosnia, which had cost hundreds of thousands of lives and created over 2 million refugees anddisplaced persons. The Dayton Peace Accords also set up Bosnia's current political structure of twosemi-autonomous, ethnically-based "entit... |
Frequently Asked Questions This report addresses frequently asked questions related to the overtime provisions in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the overtime pay exemptions for executive, administrative, and professional employees (the "EAP" or "white collar" exemptions). For a broader overview of the FLSA, pl... | The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), enacted in 1938, is the main federal legislation that establishes general wage and hour standards for most, but not all, private and public sector employees. Among other protections, the FLSA establishes that covered nonexempt employees must be compensated at one-and-a-half times th... |
Background and Introduction1 Senate Amendment 5662, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2008, was submitted as an amendment intended to be proposed to H.R. 5151 on September 26, 2008; it includes nearly 150 public lands and natural resources bills. The amendment itself is a combination of two other packages of bi... | Senate Amendment 5662, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2008, was submitted as an amendment intended to be proposed to H.R. 5151 on September 26, 2008. Two existing packages have been paired to form S.Amdt. 5662: S. 3213 is a collection of over 90 individual bills which is on the Senate calendar, was combined ... |
Introduction Concerns that the economy might be heading toward a recession have led some policymakers to consider economic stimulus legislation. To judge the efficacy of such proposals, some policymakers have expressed a desire to look back at the economic effects of past policy changes. Proponents of the tax cuts pass... | Recession concerns have led policymakers to consider economic stimulus legislation. These proposals have raised questions about the economic effects of past policy changes. Congress enacted major tax cuts in 2001, 2002, and 2003. The acts reduced marginal income tax rates; reduced taxes on married couples, dividends, c... |
Introduction The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA) regulates robocalls. A robocall, also known as "voice broadcasting," is any telephone call that delivers a prerecorded message using an automatic (computerized) telephone dialing system, more commonly referred to as an automatic dialer or "autodialer." W... | The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA) regulates robocalls. A robocall, also known as "voice broadcasting," is any telephone call that delivers a prerecorded message using an automatic (computerized) telephone dialing system, more commonly referred to as an automatic dialer or "autodialer." Robocalls are ... |
Introduction The economic downturn that began in December 2007 had a significant impact on U.S. manufacturing in general and automobile manufacturing in particular. The automotive industry underwent major restructuring in 2008 and 2009. To facilitate the restructuring, the U.S. government provided two U.S. automakers—G... | The Delphi Corporation is a parts and components supplier to auto makers that was created in 1999 as a spin-off from General Motors (GM). In May 2009, the pension plans of Delphi were terminated and responsibility for the payment of benefits to plan participants was turned over to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporati... |
Introduction and Overview The Energy and Water Development appropriations bill includes funding for civil works projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the Department of the Interior's Central Utah Project (CUP) and Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the Department of Energy (DOE), and a number of indep... | The Energy and Water Development appropriations bill provides funding for civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and Central Utah Project (CUP), and the Department of Energy (DOE), as well as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NR... |
Introduction The federal bureaucracy of the present day is the product of more than two centuries of legislative and administrative actions by successive generations of elected and appointed officials. As such, the diverse organizations and processes of the federal government are a consequence of the influence and deci... | The federal bureaucracy of the present day is the product of more than two centuries of legislative and administrative actions by successive generations of elected and appointed officials. As such, the diverse organizations and processes of the federal government are a consequence of the influence and decisions of thou... |
Introduction Under current tax law, firms may expense (or deduct as a current rather than a capital expense) up to $1 million of the total cost of new and used qualified assets they purchase and place in service in tax years beginning in 2018 under Section 179 of the federal tax code. They also have the option under Se... | Expensing is the most accelerated form of depreciation. Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Code allows a taxpayer to expense (or deduct as a current rather than a capital expense) up to $1 million of the total cost of new and used qualified depreciable assets it buys and places in service in 2018, within certain limit... |
Introduction Congress has seen a renewed interest in questions related to the market for private health insurance since the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148 , as amended). Recent health insurance marketplace changes include a different way to purchase health insurance (exchan... | Congress has seen a renewed interest in the market for private health insurance since the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148, as amended). This report provides an overview of private-sector (as opposed to government-provided) health insurance. It serves as an introduction to he... |
Introduction EPA regulatory actions to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using existing Clean Air Act authority have been the major focus of congressional interest in clean air issues in recent months. Members and Senators from both sides of the aisle have expressed concern that EPA is proceeding with regulations th... | EPA regulatory actions on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using existing Clean Air Act authority have been the main focus of congressional interest in clean air issues in recent months. Although the agency and the Obama Administration have consistently said that they would prefer that Congress pass legislation to addres... |
Introduction In 1978, Congress enacted the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) after conducting sweeping investigations into perceived electronic surveillance abuses by the executive branch. Among other things, FISA established the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), which reviews government applic... | In the past year, the decisions and functions of the courts established under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) have received much public attention. FISA established two courts—the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) and the FISA Court of Review—which have jurisdiction to review government app... |
Introduction This report, State E-Government Strategies: Identifying Best Practices and Applications, is based on research conducted in 2005-2006 under contract by the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs as a Policy Research Project (PRP). PRPs are designed to give students a realistic policy research experience... | Although electronic government ("e-government") is currently one of the leading approaches to government reform, a lack of coordination or communication between various initiatives increases the risk of creating more so-called "islands of automation" and "stovepipes" within and between levels of government. To address ... |
Introduction The United States and Europe share a long and intertwined history. (1) U.S.-European political,security, and economic relations that today comprise the broad transatlantic relationship have theirmodern origins in post-World War II efforts to deter the Soviet threat and bring security to Europe. NATO, which... | The United States and Europe share a long and intertwined history, replete with many upsand downs. The modern transatlantic relationship was forged in the aftermath of World War II todeter the Soviet threat and to promote security and stability in Europe. NATO and the EuropeanUnion (EU), the latest stage in a process o... |
Background General and Special Contracting Authorities Federal agencies rely on both their general contracting authorities and the special authorities of the Small Business Act when contracting with small businesses. The general contracting authorities—the Armed Services Procurement Act (ASPA) of 1947 and the Federal P... | This report discusses Washington-Harris Group, a protest filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) alleging, among other things, that an agency improperly awarded a "preference contract" to a service-disabled veteran-owned small business that proposed to subcontract a greater percentage of work on the contr... |
Introduction The Samoan archipelago, a series of sparsely populated islands in the south Pacific, is located about 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii. The area is divided into two parts: Western Samoa, formerly British and now independent; and American Samoa, a cluster of about half a dozen islands governed from Pago Pago... | In 1938, when the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was adopted, Congress appears to have given little consideration as to how its provisions might affect the various possessions and territories of the United States. The first off-shore jurisdiction to request exception from the FLSA was Puerto Rico, which, in 1940, alon... |
Recent Developments In mid-November 2010, during parliamentary consideration of a proposed petroleum revenue management bill being considered by parliament just prior to Ghana's expected initiation of large-scale oil production, traditional chiefs in Ghana's western region presented a petition calling for 10% of natio... | This report provides information on current developments in Ghana and Ghanaian-U.S. relations, which are close. Warm bilateral relations were signaled by President Barack Obama's July 2009 trip to Ghana. Ghana was chosen for his first travel as president to Africa because of its democratic and economic development succ... |
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