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The Deduction for Out-of-Pocket Teacher Expenses

Description: This report discusses the tax deduction for out-of-pocket teacher expenses and the proposals to eliminate or increase it that were made in the House and Senate draft tax bills. The final bill left the deduction at its current rate.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: Sherlock, Molly F. & Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

"Extraordinary Measures" and the Debt Limit

Description: This report discusses the U.S. government debt limit and the use of extraordinary measures by the U.S. Treasury to delay implementation of the debt limit by Congress.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: Driessen, Grant A. & Hughes, Joseph S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

What Happens if H.R. 1 Conflicts with U.S. Tax Treaties?

Description: This report discusses what happens if a new U.S. tax law contradicts existing U.S. international tax treaties, with considerations for Congress.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: Lunder, Erika K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The 2017 National Security Strategy: Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the 2017 National Security Strategy (NSS) document released by the Trump Administration on December 18, 2017, and its major themes.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: McInnis, Kathleen J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Paris Agreement: U.S. Climate Finance Commitments

Description: This report discusses the commitment of the United States and other industrialized countries to provide financial assistance for global environmental initiatives, including climate change, through a variety of multilateral agreements.
Date: June 19, 2017
Creator: Lattanzio, Richard K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Energy and Water Development: FY2018 Appropriations

Description: This report discusses the Energy and Water Development appropriations bill that provides funding for civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps).
Date: July 19, 2017
Creator: Holt, Mark
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Basic Concepts and Technical Considerations in Educational Assessment: A Primer

Description: This report discusses assessments mandated by federal education policy and discusses the purpose of assessments, types of tests, technical considerations in assessment, and using assessment results appropriately. A glossary containing definitions of commonly used assessment and measurement terms is provided at the end of this report. The glossary provides additional technical information that may not be addressed within the text of the report.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: Skinner, Rebecca R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

EPA's Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants: Frequently Asked Questions

Description: This report answers some frequently asked questions regarding the EPA Clean Power Plan and its repeal in progress. It also provides background information, discusses the statutory authority under which EPA promulgated the rule, and describes the rule's current status as of November 2017. The report also summarizes the provisions of the Clean Power Plan rule as it was finalized on August 3, 2015 and options that Congress has to influence EPA's action.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: McCarthy, James E.; Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Leggett, Jane A.; Tsang, Linda & Shouse, Kate C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Division A of H.R. 3922: The CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act

Description: This report summarizes provisions in Division A of the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act that would extend funding for certain public health programs and provide offsets for these funding extensions. CRS Report R44989, Comparison of the Bills to Extend State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Funding, summarizes provisions in Division B.
Date: December 19, 2017
Creator: Heisler, Elayne J.; Fernandes-Alcantara, Adrienne L.; Fernandez, Bernadette & Lister, Sarah A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Softwood Lumber Imports From Canada: Current Issues

Description: This report discusses the softwood lumber (conifer wood) disputes between the U.S. and Canada. There have been five major disputes since the 1980s with the fifth dispute (Lumber V) having started in 2016 after the expiration of a 2006 softwood lumber agreement. The report provides background information on the dispute, summarizes the key issues leading to the tensions between the United States and Canada over softwood lumber, and examines current developments in Lumber V.
Date: May 19, 2017
Creator: Hoover, Katie & Fergusson, Ian F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Five-Year Program for Federal Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing: Status and Issues in Brief

Description: This report summarizes developments in the offshore oil leasing 2017-2022 program and considers selected congressional issues and actions related to the program. President Trump issued an executive order on April 28, 2017, directing the Secretary of the Interior to review and consider revising the 2017-2022 program. The 115th Congress could influence the five-year program by enacting legislation to alter the program, as well as by conducting oversight.
Date: May 19, 2017
Creator: Comay, Laura B.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Presidential Permit Review for Cross-Border Pipelines and Electric Transmission

Description: This report discusses the Presidential Permit review processes for cross-border energy infrastructure as implemented by these agencies: The Department of State for pipelines and similar facilities that transport liquids such as petroleum, petroleum products, and other hazardous liquids; The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for natural gas pipelines and associated facilities; and The Department of Energy (DOE) for electricity transmission lines and associated facilities. This report c… more
Date: April 19, 2017
Creator: Luther, Linda & Parfomak, Paul W.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2017 Appropriations

Description: This report provides an overview of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) appropriations for fiscal year 2017 which total $176.94 billion.
Date: September 19, 2017
Creator: Panangala, Sidath Viranga
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

"Chevron" Deference: A Primer

Description: This report discusses the Chevron decision (which set up the current process for judicial review of regulatory agencies), explains the circumstances in which the Chevron doctrine applies, explores how courts apply the two steps of Chevron, and highlights some criticisms of the doctrine, with an eye towards the potential future of Chevron deference.
Date: September 19, 2017
Creator: Brannon, Valerie C. & Cole, Jared P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Serbia: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: This report provides a brief overview of Serbia's political and economic systems and conditions, their relations with Kosovo, the EU, Russia, and the U.S. and efforts to increase border security in response to the refugee and migrant crisis of 2015 and to combat terrorism.
Date: September 19, 2017
Creator: Morelli, Vincent L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Supreme Court October Term 2017: A Preview of Select Cases

Description: This report highlights four of the notable cases of the new term that could impact the work of Congress: (1) Carpenter v. United States, which examines the limits the Fourth Amendment imposes on the warrantless collection of the historical cell phone location records of a criminal suspect; (2) Christie v. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), a case exploring whether Congress, by prohibiting a state from partially repealing a state law, impermissibly commandeers the powers of the st… more
Date: September 19, 2017
Creator: Nolan, Andrew; Brannon, Valerie C.; Garcia, Michael John; Harrington, Ben; Sykes, Jay B. & Whitaker, L. Paige
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Gun Control: Federal Law and Legislative Action in the 114th Congress

Description: This report provides background on the two major federal gun control statutory frameworks: the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA), as amended, and the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), as amended. It then provides analysis of the Senate amendments offered in the 114th Congress that would have addressed issues regarding expanding federal background check requirements to private non-licensed gun sellers in public places, allowing the Attorney General power to stop the sale of firearms or explosives… more
Date: April 19, 2017
Creator: Krouse, William J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

Description: This report provides an overview of Qatar's governmental structure and leaders, economy, human rights concerns, relations with other Middle Eastern countries, defense cooperation with the U.S., and the recent severing of relations with Qatar by Saudi Arabia and several of its allies such as Bahrain, the UAE, and Egypt over its ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and alleged state sponsorship of terrorism. The crisis and attempt at mediation by the U.S. and Kuwait are discussed.
Date: October 19, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

U.S. Role in the World: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report presents background information and issues for Congress on the overarching U.S. foreign policy issue of the U.S. role in the world. Certain statements and actions from the Trump Administration have led to uncertainty about the Administration's intentions regarding the future U.S. role, and have intensified an ongoing debate among foreign policy specialists, strategists, policymakers, and the public about what that role should be.
Date: September 19, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald & Moodie, Michael
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations in Brief

Description: This report provides information and analysis on Turkish interventions in Syria and relationship with Kurdish groups and how the United States's alliance with the Kurds in Iraq has strained relations between the two countries. Domestic issues in Turkey related to the recent constitutional referendum, President Erdogan's increasing authoritarianism, and their relations with Russia are also addressed.
Date: September 19, 2017
Creator: Zanotti, Jim & Thomas, Clayton
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

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

Description: This report provides a brief overview of Iran's nuclear program and describes the legal basis for the actions taken by the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) board and the Security Council. It will be updated as events warrant.
Date: September 19, 2017
Creator: Kerr, Paul K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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