CRS Reports

Tax Credit Bonds: Overview and Analysis

Tax Credit Bonds (TCBs) are a type of bond that offers the holder a federal tax credit instead of interest. This report explains the tax credit mechanism and describes the market for the bonds. It also discusses related pieces of legislation and what the most common uses of the proceeds from TCBs are.

Apr 16, 2009

The U.S.-EU Beef Hormone Dispute

Mar 19, 2009

Medicare Primer

This report provides an overview of Medicare, the nation's federal insurance program, which pays for covered health care services of qualified beneficiaries.

Mar 10, 2009

The United Arab Emirates Nuclear Program and Proposed U.S. Nuclear Cooperation

This report provides background information on the UAE nuclear program, reviews developments to date, analyzes proposed nuclear cooperation with the United States, and discusses relevant legislative proposals and options.

Mar 10, 2009

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act

This report provides a summary and explanation of the provisions in the HITECH Act, which is intended to promote the widespread adoption of health information technology (HIT) for the electronic sharing of clinical data among hospitals, physicians, and other health care stakeholders. It gives an overview of prior actions taken by Congress and the Administrations to promote HIT, and briefly describes efforts by the 109th and 110th Congresses to enact comprehensive HIT legislation.

Feb 23, 2009

U.S. - EU Poultry Dispute

This report discusses the European Union (EU) refusal to accept U.S. imports of poultry treated with antimicrobial rinses. Prior to 1997, when the prohibition took effect, U.S. exports of broiler and turkey meat to the 15 countries that then constituted the EU were reported to total nearly 32,000 MT with a value of $44.4 million.

Feb 4, 2009

The Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF): State Insolvency and Federal Loans to States

Jan 21, 2009

Assistance to North Korea

Dec 24, 2008

A U.S.-centric Chronology of the International Climate Change Negotiations

This document provides a U.S.-centric chronology of the international policy negotiations to address climate change. It covers the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992, the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, the Marrakesh Accords of 2001, and the Bali Action Plan of 2007 that mandates the current negotiations toward a new agreement by the end of 2009 on commitments for the period beyond 2012. Today's negotiations under the Bali Action Plan focus on four elements: mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions; adaptation to impacts of climate change; financial assistance to low income countries; and technology development and transfer. For U.S. legislators, important issues include the compatibility of any international agreement with U.S. domestic policies and laws; the adequacy of appropriations, fiscal measures and programs to achieve any commitments under the agreement; and the desirable form of the agreement and related requirements for potential Senate ratification and federal implementing legislation.

Dec 23, 2008

Congressional Commissions: Overview, Structure, and Legislative Considerations

Dec 19, 2008

PILT (Payments in Lieu of Taxes): Somewhat Simplified

Dec 19, 2008

An Overview of the HOME Investment Partnership Program

Dec 16, 2008

Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations

This report provides a brief overview of Iran's nuclear program and describes the legal basis for the actions taken by the IAEA board and the Security Council. It will be updated as events warrant.

Dec 4, 2008

Military Retirement: Background and Recent Developments

This report discusses the military retirement system. The system currently includes monthly compensation for qualified active and reserve retirees, disability benefits for those deemed medically unfit to serve, and a survivor annuity program for the eligible survivors of deceased retirees.

Nov 17, 2008

Legislative Branch: FY2009 Appropriations

Oct 31, 2008

U.S. Foreign Aid to the Palestinians

U.S. aid to the Palestinians has fluctuated considerably over the past three years, largely due to Hamas's changing role within the Palestinian Authority (PA). Since Hamas's forcible takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, the U.S. has dramatically boosted aid levels to bolster the PA and President Mahmoud Abbas vis-à-vis Hamas. Because of congressional concerns that, among other things, U.S. funds might be diverted to Palestinian terrorist groups, much of this assistance is subject to legislative restrictions. Experts advise that PA stability hinges on, now more than ever, improved security, economic development, Israeli cooperation, and the continuation of high levels of foreign assistance.

Oct 8, 2008

Interim Continuing Resolutions (CRs): Potential Impacts on Agency Operations

Oct 6, 2008

Proxy Voting and Polling in Senate Committee

Sep 16, 2008

Entitlements and Appropriated Entitlements in the Federal Budget Process

Entitlements are programs that require payments to persons, state or local governments, or other entities if specific eligibility criteria established in the authorizing law are met. Entitlement payments are legal obligations of the federal government, and eligible beneficiaries may have legal recourse if full payment under the law is not provided. This report provides a brief explanation of spending for entitlements, including so-called appropriated entitlements, and discusses the congressional procedural constraints on legislation affecting such entitlement spending.

Sep 2, 2008

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is currently being developed by the Army and the Marine Corps as a successor to the 11 different versions of the High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) that have been in service since 1985. There are concerns about the affordability of JLTVs and its redundancy with other tactical wheeled vehicles.

Aug 28, 2008

Veterans' Benefits: The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program

This report describes Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Service (VR&E) program services available to veterans with service-connected disabilities and to their families. It provides a brief history of the program as well as information about eligibility and entitlement, the application process, and resources available through other agencies.

Aug 21, 2008

Nuclear Cooperation with Other Countries: A Primer

In order for the United States to engage in civilian nuclear cooperation with other states, it must conclude a framework agreement that meets specific requirements under section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act (AEA). The AEA also provides for exemptions to these requirements, export control licensing procedures, and criteria for terminating cooperation. Congressional review is required for section 123 agreements; the AEA establishes special "fast track" parliamentary procedures by which Congress may act on a proposed agreement.

Aug 12, 2008

The U.S. Secret Service: An Examination and Analysis of Its Evolving Missions

This report frames potential policy questions concerning the U.S. Secret Service's (USSS) mission and organization through an examination of the USSS history and its statutory authorities, mission, and present activities within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Jul 31, 2008

WTO Doha Round: Implications for U.S. Agriculture

Jul 24, 2008

P.L. 110-275: The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008

P.L. 110-275, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), is designed to avert a statutory Medicare reduction in payments for physicians and make other changes. MIPPA freezes physician fees at the June 2008 level until January 2009. In January 2009, fees will increase by 1.1%. In 2010, the statutory reduction will again apply, resulting in a 21% reduction in Medicare physician fees, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). CBO estimates that the physician payments provision costs $9.4 billion (over the 2008-2010 period). Other provisions in the Act will offset these and other costs, so that in total, the provisions in MIPPA will reduce deficits (or increase surpluses) by an estimated $0.1 billion over the 2008-2013 period and by less than an estimated $50 million over the 2008-2018 period. The main source for these offsets comes from reductions in spending for (1) the Medicare Advantage program and (2) the physician assistance and quality initiative (PAQI) fund. The Act also makes further changes to Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs under the Social Security Act. This report provides a description of the provisions of MIPPA. MIPPA became law on July 15, 2008, after Congress overrode a presidential veto on H.R. 6331. The bill was originally passed by the House on June 24, 2008, under suspension of the rules by a vote of 355 to 59. On July 9, 2008, the Senate passed the bill without amendment by unanimous consent and the bill was cleared for the White House. On July 15, 2008, President Bush vetoed the bill. On the same day, the House voted 383-41 to override the veto, and the Senate later voted 70-26 to override the veto.

Jul 23, 2008

Overview of Federal Housing Assistance Programs and Policy

Jul 22, 2008

Community Development Block Grants: Legislative Proposals to Assist Communities Affected by Home Foreclosures

In response to the rising number of home mortgage foreclosures, several bills have been introduced during the 110th Congress that would provide additional federal assistance to state and local governments with high concentrations of foreclosed homes, subprime mortgage loans, and delinquent home mortgages. At least one of these proposals, H.R. 3221, as passed by the Senate, includes provisions that would use the framework of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to channel an additional $4 billion in assistance to state and local governments. This provision faces an uncertain future; objections to it have been raised by the Bush Administration and others, contending that the assistance will result in the rescue of lenders and speculators.

Jul 15, 2008

Medicare Secondary Payer — Coordination of Benefits

Jul 10, 2008

FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: Overview and Issues

This report discusses Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), and "Project Impact," a FEMA pilot program. It provides an overview of PDM, legislative history, funding and mitigation studies related to Hurricane Katrina, issues for Congress, and overall observations.

Jun 26, 2008

Iran's Nuclear Program: Status

This report looks at the background of Iran's nuclear policy. It covers the current status of Iran's nuclear facilities and current controversy surrounding them, as well as the effects of international sanctions on Iran, recent sabotages on the Iran Enrichment Program, an estimated timeline of Iran's nuclear weapon capabilities, and whether or not Iran even has a nuclear weapons program.

Jun 23, 2008

Financial Services and General Government (FSGG): FY2009 Appropriations

This report is a guide to the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) FY2009 appropriations bill. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees. This report summarizes the funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President (EOP), the judiciary, the District of Columbia, and 22 independent agencies.

Jun 6, 2008

Health Care for Dependents and Survivors of Veterans

Jun 3, 2008

The U.S. Trade Situation for Fruit and Vegetable Products

This report presents recent trends in U.S. fruit and vegetable trade, and highlights some of the factors contributing to these trends. This summary excludes trade data for tree nuts and processed tree nut products. Although not presented here, U.S. exports and imports of tree nuts and processed tree nut products (excluding peanuts) have shown continued increases, with a growing trade surplus of $1.8 billion in 2006.

Apr 30, 2008

Earmark Disclosure Rules in the House: Member and Committee Requirements

Apr 29, 2008

Earmark Disclosure Rules in the Senate: Member and Committee Requirements

Apr 29, 2008

Financial Turmoil: Federal Reserve Policy Responses

Mar 28, 2008

Medicaid Provider Taxes

Mar 21, 2008

New Markets Tax Credit: An Introduction

Mar 3, 2008

The National Nanotechnology Initiative: Overview, Reauthorization, and Appropriations Issues

Feb 29, 2008

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response: The SAFER Grant Program

Feb 8, 2008

P.L. 110-173: Provisions in the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007

On December 29, 2007, the President signed S. 2499, the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-173). This Act was passed by the House on December 19, 2007, and by a voice vote in the Senate on December 18, 2007. The Act makes changes to the nation’s three major health programs, Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), as well as other federally funded programs. The most prominent provisions in the Act were to (1) suspend the Medicare physician payment cut scheduled to take effect and (2) provide SCHIP funding through March 2009. P.L. 110-173 mandates a 0.5% increase in the Medicare physician fee schedule for the six-month period from January 1, 2008, through June 30, 2008, and provides FY2008 and FY2009 SCHIP funding allotments through March 31, 2009. The Act also extends a number of expiring provisions and programs. These extensions affect Medicare plans and providers and Medicaid payments and programs. The Act also includes funding for some miscellaneous activities. The Act’s Medicare extensions include incentive payments for certain physicians, and extensions of current law provisions for Medicare Special Needs Plans and cost-based plans. A variety of extensions also affect how long-term care, rural, and acute care hospitals are paid or classified. Other extensions affect Medicare payments for certain services and providers, outpatient physical therapy services, speech language pathology services, certain pathology laboratories, brachytherapy services, and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. The Act also includes Medicaid provisions designed to extend certain payments and programs, such as Medicaid disproportionate hospital share (DSH) allotments for Tennessee and Hawaii, the Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) program, and the Qualifying Individual (QI) program, among other provisions. Miscellaneous provisions include using Medicare funds to make grants to State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, Area Agencies on Aging, and Aging and Disability Resource Centers. The Act also establishes the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) as a congressional agency. The Act provides a number of offsets to pay for the spending increases, including a reduction in the Medicare Advantage stabilization fund in 2012. The Act also includes provisions affecting Medicare’s responsibility as a secondary payer for covered services, Medicare payments for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs), payments for most Medicare part B drugs, payments for certain diagnostic laboratory tests, and Medicare Long-Term Care Hospitals. This report provides short descriptions of the provisions contained in P.L. 110-173.

Feb 7, 2008

Veterans’ Benefits: Pension Benefit Programs

Feb 6, 2008

The Paris Club and International Debt Relief

Jan 29, 2008

The Rate Reduction Tax Credit - “The Tax Rebate” - in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001: A Brief Explanation

Jan 22, 2008

Tax Cuts for Short-Run Economic Stimulus: Recent Experiences

Jan 22, 2008

Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)

This report looks at the background and current status of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), which was formed to increase international cooperation in interdicting shipments of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

Jan 16, 2008

Intellectual Property Rights and International Trade

Dec 20, 2007

Federal Land Ownership: Current Acquisition and Disposal Authorities

Dec 6, 2007

North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons: Latest Developments

Nov 21, 2007

Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation and Security Issues

Nov 9, 2007