CRS Reports

Community Service Requirement for Residents of Public Housing

Jan 17, 2009

Health Insurance Continuation Coverage Under COBRA

This report provides background information on continuation health insurance under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) and on the COBRA population.

Jan 16, 2009

Issues in Green Building and the Federal Response: An Introduction

This report discusses what the concept of green building means, major federal policies and programs relating to green building, and associated issues, including some that may confront the 111th Congress.

Jan 16, 2009

Globalized Supply Chains and U.S. Policy

This report discusses the challenges and opportunities raised by the globalized world of business, in which production becomes fragmented into discrete activities that can be spread geographically within and across national borders while remaining integrated organizationally within a multinational company or network of companies. Such globalized production networks are called supply chains or value-added networks.

Jan 16, 2009

Federal Budget Process Reform in the 111th Congress: A Brief Overview

Jan 16, 2009

Medicare Trigger

Jan 15, 2009

Closing the Guantanamo Detention Center: Legal Issues

This report provides an overview of major legal issues likely to arise as a result of executive and legislative action to close the Guantanamo detention facility. It discusses legal issues related to the transfer of Guantanamo detainees, the continued detention of such persons in the United States, and the possible removal of persons brought into the country. It also discusses selected constitutional issues that may arise in the criminal prosecution of detainees, emphasizing the procedural and substantive protections that are utilized in different adjudicatory forums.

Jan 15, 2009

Mérida Initiative for Mexico and Central America: Funding and Policy Issues

In October 2007, the United States and Mexico announced the Mérida Initiative, a three-year program of U.S. assistance to Mexico and Central America to combat drug trafficking, gangs, and organized crime. This report provides an overview and discussion of the funding provided for Mérida, and presents several issues that Congress may consider as it oversees implementation of the Initiative and shapes its future direction.

Jan 13, 2009

The President's State of the Union Address: Tradition, Function, and Policy Implications

This report discusses the State of the Union address, which is a communication between the President and Congress in which the chief executive reports on the current conditions of the United States and provides policy proposals for the upcoming legislative year.

Jan 12, 2009

Title X of S. 22: San Joaquin River Restoration

Jan 9, 2009

Refugee and Asylum-Seeker Inflows in the United States and Other OECD Member States

Jan 6, 2009

Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Set to Expire February 28, 2010

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) provides a statutory framework by which government agencies may, when gathering foreign intelligence investigation, obtain authorization to conduct electronic surveillance or physical searches, utilize pen registers and trap and trace devices, or access specified business records and other tangible things. This report discusses three sunsetting amendments of FISA which include the "Lone Wolf" provision, "roving" wiretaps, and access to business records.

Jan 6, 2009

Water Quality Issues in the 111th Congress: Oversight and Implementation

Jan 6, 2009

Authority of the Senate to Exclude and Not Seat a Senator-Elect or Senator-Designate

Jan 5, 2009

Medicare: Part B Premiums

This report examines the history of the Medicare Part B Premium. The report considers issues including the changing factors that go into determining the premium. The report also discusses the comparative cost adjustment program, the Part B deductible, and the Part A premium.

Dec 29, 2008

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

A Low Carbon Fuel Standard: State and Federal Legislation and Regulations

On January 18, 2007, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued an executive order directing the California Environmental Protection Agency to establish a Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). The California LCFS would require a 10% reduction in the carbon intensity of fuels in the State of California by 2020. It would require fuel suppliers to reduce the expected lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from motor fuels, based on fuels’ energy content. In this way, the greenhouse gas intensity of transportation fuels would decrease, regardless of the growth in transportation or fuel demand. While California has not formally proposed regulations, the state Air Resources Board has released drafts of possible regulations. Several bills were introduced in the 110th Congress to establish a similar national LCFS. These bills varied based on their target dates and required reductions; some were stand-alone bills, while others were proposed as part of more comprehensive greenhouse gas legislation. None were adopted; one was discussed on the Senate floor. The establishment of a low carbon fuel standard could significantly affect fuel supplies and fuel prices. However, the details of any program are key to determining those effects. The stringency, scope, time frame, and flexibility of the program would determine its ultimate effects on both fuel markets and greenhouse gas emissions. The development of California’s rules could inform policymakers looking to establish a federal LCFS. However, the scope of a federal program—requiring compliance nationwide—would likely affect the fuel system in ways not comparable to California’s experience. If more low-carbon fuel is needed in California, supply can be shifted from other parts of the country not under an LCFS. If more low-carbon fuel is needed nationwide, higher production and/or imports would be necessary. If the requirements of a low carbon fuel standard get ahead of the necessary supply, conventional fuel supply would need to be curtailed, or the program would need to be delayed. It is likely that the proposals with later time frames would be less disruptive to the fuel supply.

Dec 23, 2008

Job Loss and Infrastructure Job Creation During the Recession

The report examines trends in employment and job loss since the start of the latest recession then focuses on job creation estimates associated with increased spending on infrastructure, placing a heavy emphasis on explaining the limitations with the methodology that is often utilized to develop the estimates.

Dec 23, 2008

Congressional Commissions: Overview, Structure, and Legislative Considerations

Dec 19, 2008

PILT (Payments in Lieu of Taxes): Somewhat Simplified

Dec 19, 2008

Aviation and Climate Change

Dec 16, 2008

An Overview of the HOME Investment Partnership Program

Dec 16, 2008

What is a Recession and Who Decided When It Started?

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) recently announced that the economy had reached a cyclical peak and that a recession had begun in December 2007. A recession is one of several discrete phases in the overall business cycle. The term may often be used loosely to describe an economy that is slowing down or characterized by weakness in at least one major sector like the housing market. When used by economists, “recession” means a significant decline in overall economic activity that lasts more than a few months. NBER business cycle dating committee is the generally recognized arbiter of the dates of the beginnings and ends of recessions. With all statistics it takes some time to compile the data, which means they are only available after the events they describe. Moreover, because it takes time to discern changes in trends given the usual month-to-month volatility in economic indicators, and because the data are subject to revision, it takes some time before the dating committee can agree that a recession began at a certain date. It can be a year or more after the fact that the dating committee announces the date of the beginning of a recession. Just as it took some time for the business cycle dating committee to determine when the recession began, it is likely to be some time after the fact that they determine when the recession has come to an end.

Dec 15, 2008

Federal Student Loans Made Under the Federal Family Education Loan Program and the William D Ford Federal Direct Loan Program: Terms and Conditions for Borrowers

Dec 15, 2008

Wild Horse and Burro Issues

Dec 15, 2008

Counting Electoral Votes: An Overview of Procedures at the Joint Session, Including Objections by Members of Congress

This report describes the steps which precede the joint session and the procedures set in the Constitution and statute by which the House and Senate jointly certify the results of the electoral vote. It also discusses the procedures set in law governing challenges to the validity of an electoral vote, and makes reference to the procedures followed during the joint session in 2005 by which the election of George W. Bush was certified.

Dec 8, 2008

Surface Transportation Program Reauthorization Issues for the 111th Congress

Dec 4, 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

Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes in the United States

Dec 2, 2008

Extending Unemployment Compensation Benefits During Recessions

Dec 2, 2008

Immigration-Related Worksite Enforcement: Performance Measures

Over the past few years, the media have been filled with reports about worksite enforcement operations, commonly referred to as immigration raids. These operations represent the public face of efforts by the Department of Homeland Security to curtail the employment of unauthorized immigrants. According to 2006 estimates, there are some 7.8 million unauthorized workers in the U.S. civilian workforce. Enforcement activity by the Department of Labor (DOL) is also relevant to a discussion of federal efforts to curtail unauthorized employment.

Dec 2, 2008

2006 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Fine Particulate Matter (PM25): Designating Nonattainment Areas)

Dec 1, 2008

Gas Hydrates: Resource and Hazard

Solid gas hydrates are a potentially huge resource of natural gas for the United States. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that there are about 85 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of technically recoverable gas hydrates in northern Alaska. Gas hydrates are both a potential resource and a risk, representing a significant hazard to conventional oil and gas drilling and production operations. This report addresses the issue of cost and method of recovering potential gas hydrates, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using gas hydrates as a potential energy source. Included is information on the Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act of 2000 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Nov 26, 2008

Sexual Harassment: Developments in Federal Law

Nov 26, 2008

The National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Particulate Matter (PM): EPA’s 2006 Revisions and Associated Issues

Nov 26, 2008

Speaking on the House Floor: Gaining Time and Parliamentary Phraseology

Nov 26, 2008

“Dear Colleague” Letters: Current Practices

Nov 25, 2008

Tax Basis: What Is It? Why Is It Important?

“Tax basis” is one factor used to determine the income tax consequences when an item is disposed of, whether by sale, abandonment, or contribution. The initial basis is usually cost; however, the basis of a gift is related to its basis in the donor’s hands, and the basis of inherited property is generally the property’s fair market value on the date of death. The taxpayer’s use of the item and subsequent events may require adjusting the original basis, which leads to the term “adjusted basis.” Adjustments may either increase or decrease the taxpayer’s basis in the property. On July 30, 2008, Congress passed the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008 as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-289). It includes a refundable credit for first-time homebuyers. Unlike other proposals for homebuyer tax credits considered by the 110th Congress (H.R. 5565; S. 12, S. 2566, S. 2734), taxpayers generally are not required to reduce their basis in their newly acquired property by the amount of the credit, but are required to pay the credit back. There is a provision for reducing the basis by the credit if the taxpayer sells the property before repaying the credit. In this case, the reduced basis is used to determine whether the taxpayer must repay the remaining credit. Other recently passed legislation requires reduction in the basis of a taxpayer’s principal residence if the taxpayer has cancelled mortgage debt that is excluded from gross income (P.L. 110-142). The Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) has a number of provisions that require taxpayers to reduce their basis in property and others that allow them to increase their basis in property.

Nov 25, 2008

The Tax Exclusion for Employer-Provided Health Insurance: Policy Issues Regarding the Repeal Debate

Employer-provided health insurance is excluded from the determination of employees' federal income taxes, resulting in significant tax savings for many workers. The federal income tax exclusion -- the focus of this report -- is criticized for several reasons. These arguments about the exclusion merit careful consideration as Congress is starting to debate broad health care reform for the first time in 15 years. This report discusses this issue at length, including advantages and disadvantages to keeping the income tax inclusion as Congress undergoes the health policy reform process.

Nov 21, 2008

Nonmarital Childbearing: Trends, Reasons, and Public Policy Interventions

In 2006, a record 38.5% of all United States births were nonmarital births. Many of these children grow up in mother-only families. Although most children who grow up in mother-only families or step-parent families become well-adjusted, productive adults, the bulk of empirical research indicates that children who grow up with only one biological parent in the home are more likely to be financially worse off and have worse socioeconomic outcomes (even after income differences are taken into account) compared to children who grow up with both biological parents in the home. In recognition of the potential long-term economic and social consequences associated with nonmarital births, the federal government’s strategy with regard to nonmarital childbearing has been varied. The federal government recognizes that an effective approach for teenagers may be inappropriate for older women. Federal policy toward teens has primarily focused on pregnancy prevention programs, whereas federal policy toward older women has focused on healthy marriage programs. Federal income support programs are available to mothers of all age groups. In the U.S., nonmarital births are widespread, touching families of varying income class, race, ethnicity, and geographic area. Many analysts attribute this to changed attitudes about fertility and marriage. They find that many adult women and teenage girls no longer feel obliged to marry before, or as a consequence of, having children. With respect to men, it appears that one result of the so-called sexual revolution is that many men now believe that women can and should control their fertility via contraception or abortion and have become less willing to marry the women they impregnate. Factors that are associated with the unprecedented level of nonmarital childbearing include an increase in the median age of first marriage (i.e., marriage postponement), decreased childbearing of married couples, increased marital dissolution, an increase in the number of cohabiting couples, increased sexual activity outside of marriage, participation in risky behaviors that often lead to sex, improper use of contraceptive methods, and lack of marriageable partners. This report analyzes the trends in nonmarital childbearing, discusses some of the characteristics of unwed mothers, addresses some issues involving the fathers of children born outside of marriage, covers many of the reasons for nonmarital childbearing, examines the impact of nonmarital births on families and on the nation, and presents the public policy interventions that have been used to prevent nonmarital births or ameliorate some of the negative financial consequences that are sometimes associated with nonmarital childbearing. This report will not be updated.

Nov 20, 2008

The Motion to Recommit in the House of Representatives: Effects, Recent Trends, and Options for Change

This report provides an overview of House rules and precedents governing the motion to recommit, examines the use of the motion in the 110th Congress, and discusses arguments both favoring and opposing changing House procedures governing the motion. This report will be updated to reflect any changes in House rules governing the usage of the motion to recommit.

Nov 20, 2008

Debarment and Suspension of Government Contractors: An Overview of the Law Including Recently Enacted and Proposed Amendments

The amount spent on government contracts, coupled with widely reported contractors misconduct, has generated congressional interest in debarment and suspension. The 110th Congress enacted several bills addressing debarment and suspension, including the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act, and several others, all of which are detailed in this report.

Nov 19, 2008

Enforcement of Congressional Rules of Conduct: An Historical Overview

Nov 18, 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

Same-Sex Adoptions

Nov 13, 2008

Cellulosic Biofuels: Analysis of Policy Issues for Congress

This report discusses Cellulosic biofuels, which are produced from cellulose derived from renewable biomass. They are thought by many to hold the key to increased benefits from renewable biofuels because they are made from low-cost, diverse, non-food feedstocks, and could also potentially decrease the fossil energy required to produce ethanol, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Nov 7, 2008

NAFTA and the Mexican Economy

This report provides an overview of Mexico's motivations for entering the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Mexican economy, the economic effects of NAFTA in Mexico, and the views of NAFTA within Mexico. It also provides information on NAFTA's effect on Mexico's agricultural sector because this has been one of the more controversial issues surrounding NAFTA in Mexico.

Nov 4, 2008

Section 811 and Other HUD Housing Programs for Persons with Disabilities

This report describes how federal funds are used to develop housing designated for persons with disabilities. It also discusses current issues surrounding housing for persons with disabilities.

Nov 3, 2008

Recess Appointments Made by President George W. Bush, January 20, 2001- October 31, 2008

This report identifies recess appointments made by President George W. Bush from the time he took office on January 20, 2001, through October 31, 2008. Basic descriptive statistics regarding these appointments are also provided.

Nov 3, 2008