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Port Security Grant Program: Risk Model, Grant Management, and Effectiveness Measures Could Be Strengthened

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "From fiscal years 2006 through 2010, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded nearly $1.7 billion dollars to port areas through its Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) to protect critical maritime infrastructure and the public from terrorist attacks. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)--a DHS component agency--is the agency responsible for distributing grant funds. GAO was asked t… more
Date: November 17, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Persian Gulf: Implementation Gaps Limit the Effectiveness of End-Use Monitoring and Human Rights Vetting for U.S. Military Equipment

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The United States has authorized billions of dollars in arms sales and exports to six Persian Gulf countries--Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, regional tensions and civil conflicts have raised concerns about the security and use of arms sold or exported to these countries. The Departments of Defense (DOD) and State (State) established end-use monit… more
Date: November 17, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Postal Service: Action Needed to Maximize Cost-Saving Potential of Alternatives to Post Offices

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Declines in mail volume have brought the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to the brink of financial insolvency. Action to ensure its financial viability is urgently needed. Visits to post offices have also declined, and in an effort to cut costs, USPS is considering closing nearly half of its 32,000 post offices by 2015. In their place, alternatives to post offices, such as the Internet, self-service kiosks, … more
Date: November 17, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Troubled Asset Relief Program: Treasury Continues to Face Implementation Challenges and Data Weaknesses in Its Making Home Affordable Program

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Two years after the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) first made available up to $50 billion for the Making Home Affordable (MHA) program, foreclosure rates remain at historically high levels. Treasury recently introduced several new programs intended to further help homeowners. This report examines (1) the status of three of these new programs, (2) characteristics of homeowners with first-lien modi… more
Date: March 17, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Electronic Prescribing: CMS Should Address Inconsistencies in Its Two Incentive Programs That Encourage the Use of Health Information Technology

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Congress established two CMS-administered programs--the Electronic Prescribing Program and the Electronic Health Records (EHR) Program--that provide incentive payments to eligible Medicare providers who adopt and use health information technology, and penalties for those who do not. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 required GAO to report on the Electronic Prescribing Prog… more
Date: February 17, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Coast Guard: Security Risk Model Meets DHS Criteria, but More Training Could Enhance Its Use for Managing Programs and Operations

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the nation's ports and waterways have been viewed as potential targets of attack. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has called for using risk-informed approaches to prioritize its investments, and for developing plans and allocating resources that balance security and the flow of commerce. The U.S. Coast Guard--a DHS component and the lead feder… more
Date: November 17, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Higher Education: Use of New Data Could Help Improve Oversight of Distance Education

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "As the largest provider of financial aid in higher education, with about $134 billion in Title IV funds provided to students in fiscal year 2010, the Department of Education (Education) has a considerable interest in distance education. Distance education--that is, offering courses by the Internet, video, or other forms outside the classroom--has been a growing force in postsecondary education and there… more
Date: November 17, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Income Security: Older Adults and the 2007-2009 Recession

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The recession of 2007 to 2009 has been the most severe in this country since the 1930s. After adjusting for inflation, gross domestic product declined by 5.1 percent and the national unemployment rate peaked at 9.5 percent. While the recession officially ended in June 2009, our economy has experienced a weak recovery, with unemployment still above 9 percent. While the recession has affected all age grou… more
Date: October 17, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Drinking Water: Unreliable State Data Limit EPA's Ability to Target Enforcement Priorities and Communicate Water Systems' Performance

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The nation's drinking water is among the safest in the world, but contamination has occurred, causing illnesses and even deaths. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has authorized most states, territories, and tribes to take primary responsibility for ensuring that community water systems provide safe water. EPA needs complete and accurate data on systems'… more
Date: June 17, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Nuclear Fuel Cycle Options: DOE Needs to Enhance Planning for Technology Assessment and Collaboration with Industry and Other Countries

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "More demand for electricity and concerns about greenhouse gas emissions have increased interest in nuclear power, which does not rely on fossil fuels. However, concerns remain about the radioactive spent fuel that nuclear reactors generate. The Department of Energy (DOE) issued a research and development (R&D) plan to select nuclear fuel cycles and technologies, some of which reprocess spent fuel and re… more
Date: October 17, 2011
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program. Issues for Congress concerning the Aegis BMD program include whether to approve, reject, or modify MDA and Navy funding requests for the program, and whether to provide MDA or the Navy with additional direction concerning the program. Congress's decisions regarding the Aegis BMD program could substantially affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, U.S. Navy ship… more
Date: March 17, 2011
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Kaesong North-South Korean Industrial Complex

Description: This purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the role, purposes, and results of the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC) in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) and examine U.S. interests, policy issues, options, and legislation.
Date: March 17, 2011
Creator: Manyin, Mark E. & Nanto, Dick K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Honduran-U.S. Relations

Description: This report examines current political and economic conditions in Honduras as well as issues in Honduran-U.S. relations. For a more detailed examination of the Honduran political crisis, see CRS Report R41064, Honduran Political Crisis, June 2009-January 2010.
Date: February 17, 2011
Creator: Meyer, Peter J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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An Overview of Major Tax Proposals in the President's FY2012 Budget

Description: The Obama Administration released the President's FY2012 budget proposal on February 14, 2011. According to the Administration's estimates, the tax proposals in the budget would increase revenues $280 billion over the next 10 years. This report provides a broad overview of the provisions included in the President's FY2012 budget request.
Date: March 17, 2011
Creator: Keightley, Mark P.; Bickley, James M.; Guenther, Gary; Hungerford, Thomas L.; Maguire, Steven; Marples, Donald J. et al.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. National Science Foundation: Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)

Description: The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) was authorized by Congress in 1978, partly in response to concerns in Congress and the concerns of some in academia and the scientific community about the geographic distribution of federal research and development (R&D) funds. Some have questioned the length of time states should receive EPSCoR support. It continues to be called an experimental program after 28 years, and observers have… more
Date: March 17, 2011
Creator: Matthews, Christine M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Declarations of War and Authorizations for the Use of Military Force: Historical Background and Legal Implications

Description: This report provides historical background on the enactment of declarations of war and authorizations for the use of force and analyzes their legal effects under international and domestic law. It also sets forth their texts in two appendices. The report includes an extensive listing and summary of statutes that are triggered by a declaration of war, a declaration of national emergency, and/or the existence of a state of war. The report concludes with a summary of the congressional procedures a… more
Date: March 17, 2011
Creator: Elsea, Jennifer K. & Grimmett, Richard F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act: Overview and Issues

Description: This report discusses the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), under which members of the uniformed services and U.S. citizens who live abroad are eligible to register and vote absentee in federal elections. The report discusses recent improvements to UOCAVA, necessary as teh result of controversy surrounding ballots received in Florida from absentee voters in the 2000 presidential election. The report also discusses related legislation, such as the National Defense Aut… more
Date: February 17, 2011
Creator: Coleman, Kevin J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Tanzania: Background and Current Conditions

Description: This report discusses the current political climate in Tanzania, an important U.S. ally in Africa. The report also provides some general background information.
Date: February 17, 2011
Creator: Dagne, Ted
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Intelligence Issues for Congress

Description: To address the challenges facing the U.S. intelligence community in the 21st century, congressional and executive branch initiatives have sought to improve coordination among the different agencies and to encourage better analysis. In December 2004, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (P.L. 108-458) was signed, providing for a Director of National Intelligence (DNI) with substantial authorities to manage the national intelligence effort. The legislation also established a separ… more
Date: May 17, 2011
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Interagency Collaborative Arrangements and Activities: Types, Rationales, Considerations

Description: This report examines formal interagency collaborative arrangements and activities, which are intended to enhance joint efforts and cooperation among independent federal agencies with shared responsibilities and overlapping jurisdictions.
Date: May 17, 2011
Creator: Kaiser, Frederick M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Immigration Policy on Haitian Migrants

Description: The environmental, social, and political conditions in Haiti have long prompted congressional interest in U.S. policy on Haitian migrants, particularly those attempting to reach the United States by boat. While some observers assert that such arrivals by Haitians are a breach in border security, others maintain that these Haitians are asylum seekers following a decades old practice of Haitians coming by boat without legal immigration documents. Migrant interdiction and mandatory detention are k… more
Date: May 17, 2011
Creator: Wasem, Ruth Ellen
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses the current state of Bahrain, which has undergone substantial political reforms since the late 1990s, but which still suffers from tension between the Shiite majority and the Sunni-led government. This report focuses particularly on Bahrain's relationship with Iran and Bahrain's relationship with the United States.
Date: May 17, 2011
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Nigeria: Elections and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the political climate, development challenges and reform in Nigeria. The report also deliberates the social issues and security concerns of Nigeria. In addition, other issues are considered as Congress provides oversight for over $600 million in U.S. foreign assistance programs to Nigeria.
Date: May 17, 2011
Creator: Ploch, Lauren
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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