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State Marijuana Legalization Initiatives: Implications for Federal Law Enforcement

Description: Report that provides a background on federal marijuana policy as well as an overview of state trends with respect to marijuana decriminalization and legalization--for both medical and recreational uses. It then analyzes relevant issues for U.S. federal law enforcement as well as for the criminal organizations involved in producing, distributing, and profiting from the black market sale of marijuana. This report also outlines a number of related policy questions that Congress may confront.
Date: July 25, 2013
Creator: Finklea, Kristin & Sacco, Lisa N.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Background and Legislative Issues

Description: This report provides: (1) a background on Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) origins and program operations; (2) discussion of the international development finance context; and (3) analysis of key issues for Congress related to OPIC.
Date: September 25, 2013
Creator: Akhtar, Shayerah I.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Tajikistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests

Description: This report outlines the severe challenges faced by Tajikistan since its five-year civil war ended in 1997, including such problems as deep poverty and poor governance. The report discusses U.S. policy and assistance. Basic facts and biographical information are provided. This report may be updated.
Date: September 25, 2013
Creator: Nichol, Jim
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Unfunded Mandates Reform Act: History, Impact, and Issues

Description: Report that examines debates over what constitutes an unfunded federal mandate and the implementation of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) of 1995.
Date: January 25, 2011
Creator: Dilger, Robert Jay & Beth, Richard S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Guam: U.S. Defense Deployments

Description: Report that provides a basic overview of the island of Guam, including population and location, as well as the strategic significance of Guam for boosting U.S. deterrence and power projection in Asia.
Date: October 25, 2012
Creator: Kan, Shirley A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Army Drawdown and Restructuring: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the new defense strategy, which was unveiled by senior DOD leadership based on a review of potential future security challenges, current defense strategy, and budgetary constraints. This strategy will rebalance the Army's global posture and presence, emphasizing where potential problems are likely to arise, such as the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East
Date: October 25, 2013
Creator: Feickert, Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Cybersecurity: Authoritative Reports and Resources

Description: This report provides links to cybersecurity hearings and legislation under consideration in the 113th Congress and those considered in the 112th Congress, as well as executive orders and presidential directives, data and statistics, glossaries, and authoritative reports.
Date: October 25, 2013
Creator: Tehan, Rita
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests

Description: This report discusses the history and political background of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia since their breakaway from the former Soviet Union at the end of 1991. It looks at key issues for the 112th Congress including economies, energy, regional politics, local crime, and terrorism.
Date: October 25, 2013
Creator: Nichol, Jim
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Introducing a Public Advocate into the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act's Courts: Select Legal Issues

Description: This report explores government surveillance act and other difficult constitutional issues prompted by the idea of including a new adversary in established under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) FISA court proceedings.
Date: October 25, 2013
Creator: Nolan, Andrew; Thompson, Richard M., II & Chu, Vivian S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Disability Retirement for Federal Employees

Description: This report describes recent trends in the number of civil service annuitants and the financial status of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
Date: March 25, 2014
Creator: Isaacs, Katelin P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Legislative Research for Congressional Staff: How to Find Documents and Other Resources

Description: This report is one of a series of reports on legislative process and research; it is intended to serve as a finding aid to sources of information, such as documents, news articles, analysis, contacts and services, used in legislative research.
Date: March 25, 2014
Creator: Cornell, Ada S.; Hanson, Laura A. & Greene, Michael
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Marijuana: Medical and Retail -- An Abbreviated View of Selected Legal Issues

Description: This report discusses the federal law regarding marijuana that is classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. The federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) outlaws the possession, cultivation, or distribution of marijuana except for authorized research.
Date: March 25, 2014
Creator: Garvey, Todd & Doyle, Charles
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Marijuana: Medical and Retail -- Selected Legal Issues

Description: This report discusses state medical marijuana laws that grants registered patients, their doctors, and providers immunity from the consequences of state law.
Date: March 25, 2014
Creator: Garvey, Todd & Doyle, Charles
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Senate Consideration of Presidential Nominations: Committee and Floor Procedure

Description: This report describes the process by which the Senate provides advice and consent on presidential nominations, including receipt and referral of nominations, committee practices, and floor procedure. The report was updated to reflect the changes resulting from Senate actions on November 21, 2013.
Date: November 25, 2013
Creator: Rybicki, Elizabeth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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How Measures Are Brought to the Senate Floor: A Brief Introduction

Description: This report discusses two basic methods that are used by the Senate to bring legislation to the floor for consideration. The Senate, at the majority leader's request, grants unanimous consent to take up a matter or agrees to his motion to proceed to consider it. Because the motion to proceed is subject to debate in most circumstances, it is less frequently used. Both methods are derived from the basic premise that the Senate as a body may decide what matters it considers.
Date: November 25, 2013
Creator: Davis, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Medicare Program Integrity: Contractors Reported Generating Savings, but CMS Could Improve Its Oversight

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) paid its Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPIC) about $108 million in 2012. ZPICs reported spending most of this funding on fraud case development, primarily for investigative staff, who in 2012 reported conducting about 3,600 beneficiary interviews, almost 780 onsite inspections, and reviews of more than 200,000 Medicare claims."
Date: October 25, 2013
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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United Nations: Lessons Learned from Oil for Food Program Indicate the Need to Strengthen UN Internal Controls and Oversight Activities

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "In 1996, the United Nations (UN) Security Council and Iraq began the Oil for Food program to address Iraq's humanitarian situation after sanctions were imposed in 1990. More than $67 billion in oil revenue was obtained through the program, with $31 billion in humanitarian assistance delivered to Iraq. The 2005 Defense Authorization Act mandated that GAO review the Oil for Food program. GAO reviewed how … more
Date: April 25, 2006
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Federal Facilities: Selected Facilities' Emergency Plans Generally Reflect Federal Guidance

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Federal agencies occupying facilities owned or leased by the General Services Administration (GSA) are responsible for preparing and maintaining occupant emergency plans (OEP), with assistance or guidance from the Federal Protective Service (FPS) and others, and the majority of selected federal facilities' OEPs GAO reviewed reflect federal guidance. As required by federal regulations, all 20 selected fa… more
Date: October 25, 2013
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Urban Partnership Agreements: Congestion Relief Initiative Holds Promise; Some Improvements Needed in Selection Process

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "As part of a broad congestion relief initiative, the Department of Transportation awarded about $848 million from 10 grant programs to five cities (Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle) in 2007 as part of the Urban Partnership Agreements (UPA) initiative. The UPA initiative is intended to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of comprehensive, integrated, and innovative approaches… more
Date: March 25, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Smithsonian Institution: Facilities Management Reorganization Is Progressing, but Funding Remains a Challenge

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum complex and research organization, with 18 museums and galleries, 10 science centers, and a zoological park. The age of the structures, past inattention to maintenance needs, and high visitation have left its facilities in need of revitalization and repair. Currently, the Smithsonian estimates $2.3 billion in costs for revitalization, construction, and maint… more
Date: April 25, 2005
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Medicare: Per Capita Method Can Be Used to Profile Physicians and Provide Feedback on Resource Use

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a program to give physicians confidential feedback on the Medicare resources used to provide care to Medicare beneficiaries. GAO was asked to evaluate the per capita methodology for profiling physicians--a method which measures a patient's resource use over a fixed period of ti… more
Date: September 25, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Missile Defense: Actions Needed to Improve Planning and Cost Estimates for Long-Term Support of Ballistic Missile Defense

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Defense (DOD) has spent a total of over $115 billion since the mid-1980s to develop a Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) comprised of land, air, and sea-based elements--such as missiles and radars--working together as an integrated system. Since the cost to operate and support a weapon system usually accounts for most of a system's lifetime costs, the resources needed to fund BMDS… more
Date: September 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Higher Education: Information Sharing Could Help Institutions Identify and Address Challenges Some Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Students Face

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "As a group, Asian American and Pacific Islanders represent about 5 percent of the U.S. population and hold about 8 percent of the college degrees. To better understand the educational attainment and average incomes of the subgroups that comprise this population, the Committee asked: 1) What are Asian American and Pacific Islander subgroups' educational attainment and household income levels? (2) What ch… more
Date: July 25, 2007
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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