CRS Reports

France: Factors Shaping Foreign Policy, and Issues in U.S.-French Relations

This report examines the key factors that shape French foreign policy. From that context, it analyzes some of the reasons for the tensions in and the accomplishments of U.S.-French relations.

Jan 10, 2005

An Overview of the Section 8 Housing Program

Jan 10, 2005

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program provides monetary assistance to individuals unemployed as a direct result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefits. DUA is funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). DUA is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) through each state’s UC agency. In the 109th Congress, P.L. 109-176 was signed into law on March 6, 2006, extending the duration of DUA benefits from 26 to 39 weeks for victims of the Hurricane Katrina and Rita disasters.

Jan 10, 2005

Availability of Legislative Proposals in the House of Representatives (The "Three-Day Rule")

House rules govern the length of time legislative proposals must be available to Members prior to being considered on the floor. For measures reported from committee, the committee report must have been available for three calendar days. Conference reports must also have been available for three calendar days, and special rules for considering measures for one legislative day. The House, however, also has several means by which it can choose to waive these availability requirements and call up, debate, and vote on a measure in a single calendar day, even if the text of the measure was not made available prior to consideration.

Jan 10, 2005

V-22 Osprey Tilt-Rotor Aircraft

Jan 7, 2005

Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity

Jan 5, 2005

Digital Surveillance: The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act

Dec 29, 2004

Defense Transformation: Background and Oversight Issues for Congress

Dec 20, 2004

Dispute Settlement in the World Trade Organization: An Overview

Dec 17, 2004

The U.N. Population Fund: Background and the U.S. Funding Debate

Dec 16, 2004

Iraq: Post-Saddam National Elections

This report discusses United States and United Nations preparations for Iraq’s planned elections for a transitional National Assembly, scheduled for January 30, 2005. Elections preparations are significantly hindered by continuing insurgency and threats of a boycott by many of Iraq’s Sunni Arabs.

Dec 16, 2004

Water Infrastructure Project Earmarks in EPA Appropriations: Trends and Policy Implications

Dec 15, 2004

Appropriations for FY2005: Legislative Branch

Congress agreed to a 1.2% increase in its budget authority for FY2005, appropriating $3.57 million, subject to a 0.80% rescission. Although legislative branch agencies requested an overall 12.5% increase, the chairmen and some members of the House and Senate Subcommittees on Legislative Branch indicated early in budget discussions the probability of a fairly flat FY2005 budget. Subsequently, during markup the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations approved a freeze on FY2005 legislative branch budget authority. The House bill ( H.R. 4755 ) contained a -0.1% change from FY2004, excluding Senate items; the Senate's version of H.R. 4755 , amended to contain the language of S. 2666 , contained a +0.33% change, excluding House items. Both bills fell below the 1.3% increase agreed to earlier this year by the House and Senate for discretionary agencies and programs under jurisdictions of the House and Senate Subcommittees on Legislative Branch. Among elements under consideration during discussions on the FY2005 budget were impact of a flat budget funded at the FY2004 level with additional appropriations to pay for mandatory expenses (annual salary increases and related increased personnel costs), and for costs of goods and services increased due to inflation; impact of a budget funded at the FY2004 level with no additional funds for mandatory expenses and inflationary increases; impact of a tight budget on funding to equip and startup the Capitol Visitors' Center (CVC) (the House bill did not contain funds, while the Senate bill contained $7.6 million; conferees authorized a transfer up to $10.6 million to the CVC; impact of funding restrictions on implementation of additional security enhancements within and around the Capitol complex, including funding for the Capitol Police; elimination of the Joint Economic Committee (proposed but postponed in House Subcommittee markup; not considered in full committee markup); authorization for the Government Accountability Office (GAO), formerly named the General Accounting Office, to study statutory jurisdictions of the joint economic and taxation committees to determine possible overlap (included in the House bill, but specifically not supported in the Senate bill); elimination of the Capitol Hill mounted police force (adopted during House Subcommittee markup, but supported in Senate report language); and extension of dental and vision benefits to Members and House employees (proposed for employees but postponed during House Subcommittee markup); considered and agreed to in full committee markup (applicable to both employees and Members).

Dec 13, 2004

Northern Ireland: The Peace Process

This report provides background information regarding political violence and the peace process in Northern Ireland. It includes further information about the devolved government and recurrent crises (1999-2002, 2003-2007 and 2008-2010), implementation of police reforms, recent events and ongoing challenges, relevant U.S. policy, and recent legislation.

Dec 9, 2004

The Military Survivor Benefit Plan: A Description of Its Provisions

Dec 9, 2004

Spectrum Management: Special Funds

Dec 9, 2004

Military Benefits for Former Spouses: Legislation and Policy Issues

This report discusses the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA), which treats military personnel former spouses eligibility to receive certain military benefits or privileges.

Dec 9, 2004

China’s Currency Peg: A Summary of the Economic Issues

Dec 7, 2004

Election Reform: The Help America Vote Act and Issues for Congress

Dec 2, 2004

Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity

Dec 2, 2004

Pesticide Law: A Summary of the Statutes

Dec 2, 2004

The Toxic Substances Control Act: A Summary of the Act and Its Major Requirements

Dec 1, 2004

Racial Profiling: Legal and Constitutional Issues

Nov 21, 2004

Agricultural Credit: Institutions and Issues

Nov 18, 2004

The Federal Excise Tax on Gasoline and the Highway Trust Fund: A Short History

Nov 18, 2004

Navy Ship Deployments: New Approaches - Background and Issues for Congress

Nov 15, 2004

Potential Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress

Nov 8, 2004

Temporary Protected Status: Current Immigration Policy and Issues

Nov 4, 2004

Navy DD(X), CG(X), and LCS Ship Acquisition Programs: Oversight Issues and Options for Congress

Oct 28, 2004

The FCC's Political Broadcasting Regulations

This report provides an overview of the Federal Communication Commission's political broadcasting regulations, including general public interest obligations; the equal opportunity (equal time) regulations; and the various interpretations of the Fairness Doctrine, which is no longer enforced by the Commission. A brief section of frequently asked questions regarding political broadcasting is also provided.

Oct 27, 2004

Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for the 109th Congress

This report discusses the United States and Mexico relations and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The major issues discussed by Congress are trade, migration/border security, drug trafficking, and political issues.

Oct 26, 2004

Office of Legislative Counsel: House

Oct 25, 2004

Juvenile Delinquents and Federal Criminal Law: The Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act and Related Matters

Oct 25, 2004

Congressional Oversight Manual

Throughout its history, Congress has engaged in oversight of the executive branch — the review, monitoring, and supervision of the implementation of public policy. The first several Congresses inaugurated such important oversight techniques as special investigations, reporting requirements, resolutions of inquiry, and use of the appropriations process to review executive activity. Contemporary developments, moreover, have increased the legislature’s capacity and capabilities to check on and check the Executive. Public laws and congressional rules have measurably enhanced Congress’s implied power under the Constitution to conduct oversight.

Oct 21, 2004

Federal Funding for Unauthorized Aliens’ Emergency Medical Expenses

There has been interest in the amount of money spent, as well as the amount of federal funds available to provide emergency medical care to unauthorized (illegal) aliens in the United States. It is extremely difficult to ascertain the amount of money spent for emergency medical care for unauthorized aliens since most hospitals do not ask patients their immigration status. Additionally, prior to the passage of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-173) on December 8, 2003 there were no federal funds available for the specific purpose of reimbursing hospitals or states for emergency medical care provided to unauthorized aliens (undocumented immigrants). Although the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) barred unauthorized aliens from receiving most Medicaid benefits, they are eligible for emergency Medicaid services. Unauthorized aliens are also eligible for emergency medical services provided by the states. The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-173) signed into law on December 8, 2003 includes a provision, §1011, to provide reimbursement to states for emergency care afforded to unauthorized aliens. For each fiscal year FY2005-FY2008 the provision appropriates $250 million to states to be distributed based on estimates of the number of undocumented aliens residing in the state and on the number of apprehensions for the six states with the highest number of apprehensions. This program is similar to one created in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA97) which had expired. In addition, the Illegal Immigrant Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA) authorized reimbursement of public hospitals and certain nonprofit hospitals for emergency medical assistance to unauthorized aliens, and reimbursement of state and local governments for emergency ambulance services provided aliens injured while crossing U.S. borders while in custody. Neither program has been funded. However, in FY1998 Congress appropriated money for a pilot program in Nogales, Arizona to attempt to reimburse state and local governments for ambulance services. INS concluded from the pilot program that reimbursement for ambulance services was not a feasible program. H.R. 1515 would provide reimbursement for the costs of emergency medical care and ambulance services furnished to aliens paroled for medical reasons. The provisions in PRWORA which limited immigrant access to public benefits were the result of the desire that immigrants be self-sufficient and not rely on public resources to meet their needs. Additionally, proponents did not want the availability of public benefits to constitute an incentive for immigrants to migrate to the United States. Nonetheless, many contend that since the federal government is wholly responsible for establishing immigration policy, and for policing the borders to keep out unauthorized aliens the burden to pay for immigration related costs should be born by the federal government not the states. This report will be updated as needed.

Oct 18, 2004

Omnibus Appropriations Acts: Overview of Recent Practices

Oct 5, 2004

Critical Infrastructure and Key Assets: Definition and Identification

The National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets (NSPP) details a major part of the Bush administration’s overall homeland security strategy. Implementing this Strategy requires clear definition of “critical infrastructures” and “key assets.” Although the Strategy provides such definitions, the meaning of “critical infrastructure” in the public policy context has been evolving for decades and is still open to debate. Twenty years ago, “infrastructure” was defined primarily with respect to the adequacy of the nation’s public works.In the mid-1990's, however, the growing threat of international terrorism led policy makers to reconsider the definition of “infrastructure” in the context of homeland security. Successive federal government reports, laws and executive orders have refined, and generally expanded, the number of infrastructure sectors and the types of assets considered to be “critical” for purposes of homeland security. The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001(P.L. 107-56) contains the federal government’s most recent definition of “critical infrastructure.” The NSPP contains the most recent detailed list of critical infrastructures and assets of national importance. The list may continue to evolve, however, as economic changes or geopolitical developments influence homeland security policy. There is some debate among policy makers about the implications of an ambiguous or changing list of critical infrastructures. Ambiguity about what constitutes a critical infrastructure (or key resource) could lead to inefficient use of limited homeland security resources. For example, private sector representatives state that they need clear and stable definitions of asset criticality so they will know exactly what assets to protect, and how well to protect them. Otherwise, they risk protecting too many facilities, protecting the wrong facilities, or both. On the other hand, arbitrarily limiting the number of critical infrastructures a priori due to resource constraints might miss a dangerous vulnerability. Clear “criticality” criteria will also be important if federal agencies intend to implement and enforce any potential future security regulations related to critical infrastructure. This report will not be updated.

Oct 1, 2004

The Electoral College: How it Works in Contemporary Presidential Elections

The Constitution assigns each state a number of electors equal to the combined total of the state’s Senate and House of Representatives delegations; at present, the number of electors per state ranges from three to 55, for a total of 538. This report discuses constitutional origins, the electoral college today and explains the allocation of electors and electoral votes.

Sep 28, 2004

U.S.-Brazil WTO Cotton Subsidy Dispute

Sep 10, 2004

Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons

Sep 9, 2004

The Role of Designation of Critical Habitat under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)

Aug 27, 2004

An Overview of USDA Rural Development Programs

Aug 26, 2004

Farm Credit System

Aug 24, 2004

International Law and Agreements: Their Effect Upon U.S. Law

Aug 16, 2004

The U.S. Trade Deficit: Causes, Consequences, and Cures

Aug 12, 2004

North Korea: Terrorism List Removal?

Aug 12, 2004

Forestry Assistance Programs

This report describes the current forestry assistance programs funded through the State and Private Forestry (S&PF) branch of the Forest Service. Following a brief overview, the report presents basic information on the programs to assist forestry practices, forest protection, and rural economies — purposes of the programs, types of activities funded, eligibility requirements, and authorized program duration and funding level, with recent program appropriations.

Aug 10, 2004

The "Deeming Resolution": A Budget Enforcement Tool

“Deeming resolution” is a term that refers to legislation deemed to serve as an annual budget resolution for purposes of establishing enforceable budget levels for a budget cycle. A deeming resolution is used when the House and Senate are late in reaching final agreement on a budget resolution or fail to reach agreement altogether.

Aug 9, 2004

World Trade Organization Negotiations: The Doha Development Agenda

On November 9-14, 2001, trade ministers from WTO countries met in Doha, Qatar for their fourth Ministerial Conference. At that meeting, they agreed to a work program for a new round of multilateral trade negotiations to conclude by January 1, 2005. The work program folds on-going negotiations on agriculture and services into a broader agenda that includes industrial tariffs, topics of interest to developing countries, changes in WTO rules, and other provisions. Because of the influence that developing countries had in setting the work program, the round has become known as the Doha Development Agenda. Agriculture has been the linchpin in the Doha Development Agenda. U.S. goals were substantial reduction of trade-distorting domestic support; elimination of export subsidies, and improved market access. Industrial trade barriers and services are other market access topics in the negotiations.

Aug 6, 2004

Social Security Benefits for Noncitizens: Current Policy and Legislation

Jul 22, 2004