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Oil Spills: Background and Governance

Description: This report reviews the history and trends of oil spills in the United States, and identifies the legal authorities governing oil spill prevention, response, and cleanup.
Date: June 16, 2015
Creator: Ramseur, Jonathan L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Cybersecurity and Information Sharing: Legal Challenges and Solutions

Description: While considerable debate exists with regard to the best strategies for protecting America’s various cyber-systems and promoting cybersecurity, one point of general agreement amongst cyber-analysts is the perceived need for enhanced and timely exchange of cyber-threat intelligence both within the private sector and between the private sector and the government. This report examines the various legal issues that arise with respect to the sharing of cybersecurity intelligence, with a special focu… more
Date: March 16, 2015
Creator: Nolan, Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Senate Committee Hearings: Preparation

Description: Committee hearings allow Senators an opportunity to gather information on—and draw attention to—legislation and issues within a committee’s purview, conduct oversight of programs or agencies, and investigate allegations of wrongdoing. This checklist identifies, primarily for staff, many of the tasks that need to be performed by a full committee and, in most cases, subcommittees in advance of a hearing. Some of the tasks are required by Senate or committee rules; others are common committee prac… more
Date: March 16, 2015
Creator: Heitshusen, Valerie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Abortion: Judicial History and Legislative Response

Description: This report discusses the judicial history of abortion and how legislatures respond to those decisions made by the court. The report tackles landmark cases such as Roe v. Wade as well as companion decisions such as Doe v. Bolton. The report highlights specifically how Congress has attempted to enact legislation that limits abortion practices.
Date: September 16, 2015
Creator: Shimabukuro, Jon O.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Economic Development Administration: FY2016 Appropriations

Description: This report discusses funding issues for the Economic Development Administration (EDA), which was created pursuant to the enactment of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, with the objective of fostering growth in economically distressed areas characterized by high levels of unemployment and low per-capita income levels.
Date: July 16, 2015
Creator: Boyd, Eugene
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Islamic State’s Acolytes and the Challenges They Pose to U.S. Law Enforcement: In Brief

Description: This report outlines the broad challenges for federal law enforcement agencies in identifying and confronting the challenges posed by the Islamic State in the United States. This report also highlights the interagency efforts taken in preempting terrorists in the screening processes, visa fraud, and stopping the radicalization of individuals.
Date: July 16, 2015
Creator: Bjelopera, Jerome P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Homeland Security Appropriations: FY2015 Action in the 114th Congress

Description: This report provides a brief outline of the FY2015 annual appropriations measure for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its enactment by the 114th Congress.
Date: March 16, 2015
Creator: Painter, William L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines: Process and Timing of FERC Permit Application Review

Description: This report provides an overview of the federal certification process for interstate natural gas pipelines. It discusses the length of the review for recent interstate gas pipeline applications--a topic of specific interest to Congress and industry. In this context, the report discusses the key provisions in H.R. 161 and their implications for gas pipeline certificate approval.
Date: January 16, 2015
Creator: Parfomak, Paul W.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Changes in the Purposes and Frequency of Authorizations of Appropriations

Description: This report discusses general principles in how the language concerning the purposes and frequency of authorizations of appropriations has changed over the past century. These general principles are illustrated through case studies on the authorizations of appropriations that were enacted during this period for three agencies: the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Peace Corps.
Date: January 16, 2015
Creator: Tollestrup, Jessica
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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International Drug Control Policy: Background and U.S. Responses

Description: The global illegal drug trade represents a multi-dimensional challenge that has implications for U.S. national interests as well as the international community. This report discusses U.S. international policy frameworks and approaches in response to the issue.
Date: March 16, 2015
Creator: Rosen, Liana W.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Offices and Officials in the Senate: Roles and Duties

Description: This report outlines the officers of the Senate, including brief information about the history of each office, examples of their roles and duties, and election or appointment information about the current incumbent.
Date: March 16, 2015
Creator: Brudnick, Ida A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Federal Communications Commission: Current Structure and Its Role in the Changing Telecommunications Landscape

Description: This report discusses current issues regarding the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is an independent federal agency charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. The mission of the FCC is to ensure that the American people have available--at reasonable cost and without discrimination--rapid, efficient, nation- and world-wide communication services, whether by radio, television, wire, satellite, or cable.
Date: March 16, 2015
Creator: Figliola, Patricia Moloney
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Domestic Human Trafficking Legislation in the 114th Congress

Description: This report discusses domestic human trafficking-related issues that have received legislative action or are of significant interest in the 114th Congress.
Date: April 16, 2015
Creator: Finklea, Kristin; Fernandes-Alcantara, Adrienne L. & Siskin, Alison
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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ARPA-E and the FY2016 Budget Request

Description: This budget and appropriations tracking report describes selected major items from the Administration's FY2016 budget request for ARPA-E and tracks legislative action on FY2016 appropriations to the agency. It also provides selected historical funding data.
Date: April 16, 2015
Creator: Gonzalez, Heather B.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Description: This report provides an overview of North American trade liberalization before NAFTA, an overview of NAFTA provisions, the economic effects of NAFTA, and policy considerations.
Date: April 16, 2015
Creator: Villarreal, M. Angeles & Fergusson, Ian F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Iraq: Politics, Security, and U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses the current political and social climate of Iraq, specifically in regards to the influence of the U.S. military presence over recent years. This report addresses planned and possible future efforts under the Obama Administration, including the scheduled gradual troops withdrawal.
Date: April 16, 2015
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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FEMA's Public Assistance Grant Program: Background and Considerations for Congress

Description: This report provides background on key elements of the FEMA's Public Assistance Program, such as the eligibility of applicants, the types of assistance available, and the methods FEMA uses for awarding grant assistance. The PA Program provides financial grant assistance to states, tribes, and local communities both in the response to and recovery from significant disasters.
Date: April 16, 2015
Creator: Brown, Jared T. & Richardson, Daniel J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Access to Broadband Networks: The Net Neutrality Debate

Description: This report discusses the current debate over "net neutrality." While there is no single accepted definition of "net neutrality," most agree that any such definition should include the general principles that owners of the networks that compose and provide access to the Internet should not control how consumers lawfully use that network, and they should not be able to discriminate against content provider access to that network.
Date: April 16, 2015
Creator: Gilroy, Angele A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Tax Havens: International Tax Avoidance and Evasion

Description: 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.
Date: January 16, 2015
Creator: Gravelle, Jane G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Senate Committee Hearings: Witness Testimony

Description: This report discusses rules regarding witness testimony before Senate committees. It includes brief descriptions of rules for oral testimony, questioning of witnesses, and hearing transcription.
Date: March 16, 2015
Creator: Heitshusen, Valerie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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