Search Results

open access

TX Gender Project: Final Report

Description: This report documents the TX Gender Project funded through the 2016 Dean's Innovation Grant. The final report briefly describes the TX Gender Project activities, budget, outcomes, best practices, and sustainability.
Date: October 2017
Creator: Keralis, Spencer D. C.; Leuzinger, Julie & Rowe, Jennifer
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

The North Korean Nuclear Challenge: Military Options and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the North Korean nuclear threat and possible military options the U.S. could use to reduce or eliminate the threat. The report begins with a brief overview of the situation, nuclear capabilities of North Korea, and effects military action would have on the region and its stability. Seven military related options are discussed along with possible issues of interest to Congress.
Date: October 27, 2017
Creator: McInnis, Kathleen J.; Feickert, Andrew; Manyin, Mark E.; Hildreth, Steven A.; Nikitin, Mary Beth D. & Chanlett-Avery, Emma
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Workers' Compensation: Overview and Issues

Description: This report discusses workers' compensation programs including common elements and their history. Non-compulsory programs in Texas and Oklahoma are also discussed including the recent ruling that the system in Oklahoma violated their state constitution.
Date: October 18, 2017
Creator: Szymendara, Scott D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Wildfire Management Funding: Background, Issues, and Fiscal Year 2018 Appropriations

Description: This report provides an overview of the accounts that fund wildfire management activities and historical wildfire management appropriations data, as well as information on FY2018 appropriations. The Administration requested a combined $3.72 billion in FY2018, a 12% decrease from FY2017 enacted levels. On September 14, 2017, the Housed passed H.R. 3354, an omnibus measure covering all 12 appropriations bills, including the FY2018 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill. This bill would … more
Date: October 31, 2017
Creator: Hoover, Katie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Christian Holidays: Fact Sheet

Description: This report discusses major holidays in Christianity and their significance as well as how American Christians celebrate them. This fact sheet is designed to assist congressional offices with work related to Christian holidays. It contains sample speeches and remarks from the Congressional Record, presidential statements and remarks, and selected historical and cultural resources.
Date: October 31, 2017
Creator: Larson, Elizabeth C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the Coast Guard's plan build a new polar icebreaker to replace a nonoperational one. Costs, past and proposed appropriations, and the general icebreaker program are discussed.
Date: October 24, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Vacancies Act: A Legal Overview

Description: This report first describes how the Vacancies Act operates and outlines its scope, identifying when the Vacancies Act applies to a given office, how it is enforced, and which offices are exempt from its provisions. The report then explains who may serve as an acting officer and for how long, focusing on the limitations the Vacancies Act places on acting service. Finally, the report turns to issues of particular relevance to Congress, primarily highlighting the Vacancies Act's enforcement mechan… more
Date: October 30, 2017
Creator: Brannon, Valerie C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Presidential Appointments to Full-Time Positions in Executive Departments During the 114th Congress

Description: This report identifies all nominations submitted to the Senate during the 114th Congress for full-time positions in 15 executive departments. Information for each department is presented in tables. The tables include full-time positions confirmed by the Senate, pay levels for these positions, and appointment action within each executive department. Additional summary information across all 15 executive departments appears in the Appendix. During the 114th Congress, the President submitted 102 n… more
Date: October 31, 2017
Creator: Greene, Michael & Nagel, Jared C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Niger: Frequently Asked Questions About the October 2017 Attack on U.S. Soldiers

Description: This report provides background information in response to the following frequently asked questions regarding the October 4, 2017 attack on U.S. soldiers in Niger: What is the security situation in Niger?, How big is the U.S. military presence in Niger?, For what purposes are U.S. military personnel in Niger, and what role has Congress played in the U.S. military presence there?, Is the U.S. military presence in Niger related to the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF)?, What is … more
Date: October 27, 2017
Creator: Arieff, Alexis; Blanchard, Lauren Ploch; Feickert, Andrew; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Rollins, John W. & Weed, Matthew C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Payments for Affordable Care Act (ACA) Cost-Sharing Reductions

Description: This report discusses President Trump's announcement that the federal government would stop issuing cost-sharing reductions(CSRs) to insurers under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and potential implications for the insurance market and consumers.
Date: October 25, 2017
Creator: Fernandez, Bernadette
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Child and Dependent Care Tax Benefits: How They Work and Who Receives Them

Description: This report provides a general overview of the child and dependent care tax benefits, focusing on eligibility requirements and benefit calculation. The report also includes some summary data on these benefits which highlight some of the characteristics of claimants.
Date: October 26, 2017
Creator: Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress

Description: This report discusses the Navy's ship naming practices and the process of choosing new ship names. Methods of Congress expressing support for a name and recent legislation recommending the name "Los Alamos" for the Navy's next nuclear submarine are also included.
Date: October 27, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016: Background and Key Provisions

Description: This report discuses Federal real property holdings and the disposition process for unneeded space. A new law called the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 (FASTA) now governs the process of disposal through a newly created Public Buildings Reform Board that reviews requests and provides funding for needed repairs before sale or lease of property. Various challenges addressed by the new system and those that remain are discussed.
Date: October 31, 2017
Creator: Hatch, Garrett
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB): Frequently Asked Questions

Description: This report responds to frequently asked questions about the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), including the board's background, current status, controversial issues including legal challenges, and recent legislative efforts to repeal the IPAB.
Date: October 31, 2017
Creator: Hahn, Jim; Davis, Christopher M. & Liu, Edward C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Jewish Holidays: Fact Sheet

Description: This report discusses major Jewish holidays and their significance as well as how American Jews celebrate them. This fact sheet is designed to assist congressional offices with work related to Jewish holidays. It contains sample speeches and remarks from the Congressional Record, presidential proclamations and remarks, and selected historical and cultural resources.
Date: October 31, 2017
Creator: Higgins, Molly
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Lasers, Railgun, and Hypervelocity Projectile: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and issues for Congress on three potential new weapons that could improve the ability of Navy surface ships to defend themselves against enemy missiles--solid state lasers (SSLs), the electromagnetic railgun (EMRG), and the hypervelocity projectile (HVP).The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's funding requests and proposed acquisition strategies for these three potential new weapons for the 2018 fiscal year. Congress… more
Date: October 17, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)

Description: This report discusses the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) which is a presidential advisory body consisting of nine cabinet members, two ex officio members, and other members appointed by the President to oversee direct investments by foreign countries in the United States. The President has the power to block a direct investment by another country if such an acquisition would pose a threat to U.S. national security. The basics of the committee's operations and laws … more
Date: October 11, 2017
Creator: Jackson, James K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report presents background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy's Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and Zumwalt (DDG-1000) class destroyer programs. The Navy's proposed FY2018 budget requests funding for the procurement of two DDG-51s, and authority for a new multiyear procurement (MYP) contract covering DDG-51s to be procured in FY2018-FY2022. Decisions that Congress makes concerning destroyer procurement could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding require… more
Date: October 3, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Poverty in the United States in 2016: In Brief

Description: This report discuses the poverty rate in the United States for 2016 as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. The Census Bureau releases poverty estimates every September for the prior calendar year. Hence, most of the comparisons discussed in this report are year-to-year comparisons. However, in addition to the most recent year's data, this brief will present a historical perspective as well as information on poverty for demographic groups (by family structure, age, race and Hispanic origin, and … more
Date: October 25, 2017
Creator: Dalaker, Joseph
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Assistance to Firefighters Program: Distribution of Fire Grant Funding

Description: This report discusses the federal government's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program to assist local fire and rescue organizations with needs such as equipment and training and upcoming consideration of its reauthorization along with funding levels for fiscal year 2018.
Date: October 5, 2017
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Farm Bill Primer Series: A Guide to Omnibus Legislation on Agriculture and Food Programs

Description: This report constitutes a guide to a series of two-page reports that examine the various programs and policies that comprise periodic omnibus legislation on farm and food policy, commonly known as "the farm bill." The current farm bill (P.L. 113-79) was signed into law in February 2014. Many of the programs authorized by the 2014 farm bill are scheduled to expire in 2018 unless Congress provides for an extension, or reauthorizes them. Without congressional action, key commodity support programs… more
Date: October 11, 2017
Creator: McMinimy, Mark A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Gun Control: "Bump-Fire" Stocks

Description: This report discusses "bump-fire" stocks for guns which allow less experienced users to shoot semiautomatic rifles more rapidly. "Bump-stocks" that contain a coiled spring are considered firearms by the ATF but other varieties of modified stocks that do not contain coiled springs are not classified as firearms and as such are unregulated. The shooter in the October 1, 2017 Las Vegas shooting used semiautomatic rifles with 'bump-stocks" which has led to renewed interest in their regulation in Co… more
Date: October 10, 2017
Creator: Krouse, William J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Army's Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) Program

Description: This report discusses the WIN-T communications program and network used by the Army for distributing information to the whole Army while in the field. There are two main stages of development and implementation the first being stationary command posts communication networks which is fully implemented and the second is equipping combat vehicles with mobile real-time communication devices to improve situational awareness and providing combat commanders with the same type of mobile communication a… more
Date: October 10, 2017
Creator: Feickert, Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses Afghanistan's government and political structure, ongoing security and defense issues, U.S. assistance to the Afghan military, U.S. humanitarian and economic aid, human rights issues, regional relations, and economic development.
Date: October 2, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth & Thomas, Clayton
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Back to Top of Screen