Search Results

open access

Federal Court Declines to Bar the Resettlement of Syrian Refugees in Texas

Description: This legal sidebar discusses a federal district court's decision to deny the State of Texas's request that the federal government and a private refugee relief organization be temporarily barred from resettling Syrian refugees within the state pending resolution of Texas's challenge to such resettlement.
Date: February 26, 2016
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The 2015 National Security Strategy: Authorities, Changes, Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the National Security Strategy (NSS), a document released by the Obama Administration which states that its purpose is to "set out the principles and priorities to guide the use of American power and influence in the world."
Date: February 26, 2016
Creator: Lucas, Nathan J. & McInnis, Kathleen J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Private Health Insurance Market Reforms in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Description: This report provides background information about the private health insurance market, including market segments and regulation. It then describes each ACA market reform, grouped under the following categories: obtaining coverage, keeping coverage, cost of purchasing coverage, covered services, cost-sharing limits, consumer assistance and other health care protections, and plan requirements related to health care providers.
Date: February 10, 2016
Creator: Mach, Annie L. & Fernandez, Bernadette
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The United Kingdom and the European Union: Stay or Go?

Description: This report briefly discusses the vote on whether or not the UK should exit the EU, which is set to take place on June 23, 2016.
Date: February 24, 2016
Creator: Mix, Derek E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Iran-North Korea-Syria Ballistic Missile and Nuclear Cooperation

Description: This report describes the key elements of a nuclear weapons program; explains the available information regarding cooperation among Iran, North Korea, and Syria on ballistic missiles and nuclear technology; and discusses some specific issues for Congress.
Date: February 26, 2016
Creator: Kerr, Paul K.; Hildreth, Steven A. & Nikitin, Mary Beth D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Intelligence Spending: In Brief

Description: This report examines intelligence funding over the past several decades, with an emphasis on the period from 2007-2016--the period in which total national and military intelligence program spending dollars have been publicly disclosed on an annual basis.
Date: February 16, 2016
Creator: Daugherty Miles, Anne
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

DOE's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE): A Primer, with Appropriations for FY2016

Description: This report discusses the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE), which is tasked with the lead role to address electric infrastructure needs and issues, such as: increased use of distributed (mostly renewable energy) resources, Internet-enabled demand response technologies, growing loads from electric vehicle use, continued expansion of natural gas use, and integration of energy storage devices.
Date: February 9, 2016
Creator: Sissine, Fred
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables

Description: This report provides historical tables on the rate of pay for Members of Congress since 1789; details on enacted legislation with language prohibiting the automatic annual pay adjustment since the most recent adjustment; the adjustments projected by the Ethics Reform Act as compared with actual adjustments in Member pay; and Member pay in constant and current dollars since 1992.
Date: February 23, 2016
Creator: Brudnick, Ida A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Renewed Crypto Wars?

Description: This report briefly examines renewed tensions between tech companies and the government regarding encryption "back doors" and how quickly-advancing technologies could impact law enforcement investigations.
Date: February 9, 2016
Creator: Finklea, Kristin
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Budget Reconciliation Process: Timing of Legislative Action

Description: This report discusses the budget reconciliation process that has been one of the chief tools used by Congress during the period covering from 1980 to the present to implement major changes in budget policy. Following a brief overview of the budget reconciliation process, this report provides information on the timing of House and Senate action on reconciliation measures.
Date: February 23, 2016
Creator: Lynch, Megan S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Legislative Branch: FY2016 Appropriations

Description: This report provides an overview of the consideration of FY2016 legislative branch appropriations, with subsections covering each action. It also addresses the FY2016 budget requests, hearings, and requested administrative language or other major funding issues for individual legislative branch agencies and entities.
Date: February 1, 2016
Creator: Brudnick, Ida A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Zika Virus: Global Health Considerations

Description: This report gives a brief overview of the Zika Vvrus, which typically causes mild symptoms, including fever, rash, and conjunctivitis. Health experts are uncertain whether Zika causes microcephaly, a potentially-severe birth defect involving brain damage.
Date: February 9, 2016
Creator: Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: An Overview

Description: This report provides a general overview of the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, which provides health insurance to federal employees, retirees, and their dependents. It describes the structure of FEHB, including eligibility for the program and coverage options available to enrollees, as well as premiums, benefits and cost sharing, and general financing of FEHB. The report also describes the role of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in administering the program.
Date: February 3, 2016
Creator: Blom, Kirstin B. & Cornell, Ada S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Additional U.S. Ground Troops to Counter the Islamic State? Five Questions

Description: This report briefly discusses various arguments regarding the introduction of additional ground forces to secure territory once it has been taken back from the Islamic State.
Date: February 17, 2016
Creator: McInnis, Kathleen J. & Feickert, Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Federal Freight Policy: In Brief

Description: This report discusses the federal role in freight system planning. The U.S. freight system is a complex network including four principal modes of transportation: The National Truck Network, railroads, barge and ship lines, and air carriers.
Date: February 5, 2016
Creator: Frittelli, John
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program: Background, Funding, and Activities

Description: This report discusses the federal government's role in the country's information technology (IT) research and development (R&D) activities. Support of IT R&D began because the government had an important interest in creating computers and software that would be capable of addressing the problems and issues the government needed to solve and study.
Date: February 16, 2016
Creator: Moloney Figliola, Patricia
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Army Corps of Engineers: Water Resource Authorizations, Appropriations, and Activities

Description: This report provides an overview of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works program, including congressional authorization and appropriations. Its civil works responsibilities are principally to support navigation, reduce flood and storm damage, and protect and restore aquatic ecosystems. The report also covers the standard project development process for Corps projects and other Corps activities and authorities.
Date: February 9, 2016
Creator: Carter, Nicole T. & Stern, Charles V.
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 (IAEA) board and the Security Council.
Date: February 8, 2016
Creator: Kerr, Paul K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Federal Grant Financial Reporting Requirements and Databases: Frequently Asked Questions

Description: This report provides an introduction to reporting requirements placed on federal grant recipients, including requirements that must be met to seek federal grant funds. It also describes the databases containing information about grant awards, the types of information collected on grant recipients, and the availability of that information to the public.
Date: February 11, 2016
Creator: Keegan, Natalie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), which is an Army-led, multi-service initiative to develop a family of light tactical vehicles as a successor to the High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs). It includes background information; a description of the JLTV program, program history, and program activities; information about the JLTV contract, Lockheed Martin's protest to the program, budgetary issues, and potential issues for Congress.
Date: February 18, 2016
Creator: Feickert, Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Saudi Arabia: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: This report discusses the kingdom of Saudi Arabia's relations with the United States; its stability, and its future trajectory are subjects of continuing congressional interest.
Date: February 5, 2016
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Brazil: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: This report discusses the current political and economic situation in Brazil and examines the U.S.'s commercial relationship with the country. The United States traditionally has enjoyed robust economic and political relations with Brazil on issues ranging from international development to climate change.
Date: February 11, 2016
Creator: Meyer, Peter J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Back to Top of Screen