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Protecting Consumers and Businesses from Fraudulent Robocalls

Description: This report discusses efforts by Congress and the Federal Communications Commision (FCC) to combat robocall scams and prevent them from reaching consumers. It includes an overview of what robocallls are, their legitimate uses, regulation, and complaint procedures for consumers.
Date: January 5, 2018
Creator: Figliola, Patricia Moloney
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act: History, Impact, and Issues

Description: This report discusses the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), including debates over what constitutes an unfunded federal mandate and UMRA's implementation. It includes an overview of the topic, as well as information related to Congresional Procedure (under Title I) and federal rulemaking (under Title II), with tables and an appendix on UMRA's legislative history.
Date: January 5, 2018
Creator: Dilger, Robert Jay
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA): Overview of Workers' Compensation for Certain Private-Sector Maritime Workers

Description: This report discusses the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) which requires private companies to provide workers' compensation coverage for employees engaged in longshore, harbor, or other maritime occupations. Topics include: covered workers, excluded workers, benefits under the program, and legislative discussions regarding the program.
Date: January 5, 2018
Creator: Szymendara, Scott
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Drug Compounding: FDA Authority and Possible Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses legislation regulating the compounding of drugs by pharmacies to remove certain ingredients from a standard approved drug for patients with allergies, or for a medical clinic to keep on hand. It outlines various arguments for and against further regulation of the practice by the FDA and potential Congressional actions.
Date: January 5, 2018
Creator: Dabrowska, Agata
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Section 232 Investigations: Overview and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides an overview of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which provides the President with the ability to impose restrictions on certain imports based on an affirmative determination by the U.S. Department of Commerce that the product under investigation "is being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security." It also analyzes the Trump Administration's Section 232 investigations and acti… more
Date: July 5, 2018
Creator: Fefer, Rachel F.; Jones, Vivian C.; Hammond, Keigh E.; Murrill, Brandon J.; Platzer, Michaela D. & Williams, Brock R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Congressional Review Act: Determining Which "Rules" Must Be Submitted to Congress

Description: This report describes what types of agency actions can be overturned using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) by providing a close examination and discussion of the statutory definition of "rule." It also explains how Members can use the CRA to overturn agency rules that have not been submitted to Congress.
Date: July 5, 2018
Creator: Brannon, Valerie C. & Carey, Maeve P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Opioid Epidemic and the Food and Drug Administration: Legal Authorities and Recent Agency Action

Description: This report focuses on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a key player in federal efforts to curb the opioid epidemic. It provides an overview of FDA's role in approving new prescription drugs, including challenges of approval and regulation of opioid products; addresses FDA's multifaceted approach in responding, including recent agency action; and concludes with a discussion of selected opioid-related legislation in the 115th Congress.
Date: June 5, 2018
Creator: Staman, Jennifer A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's (ACA's) Risk Adjustment Program: Frequently Asked Questions

Description: This report provides responses to some frequently-asked questions (FAQs) about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) risk adjustment program. It includes background on the health insurance market, discusses why risk mitigation matters, and introduces the role of risk adjustment in risk mitigation. The report also describes the mechanics of the program and concludes with questions regarding the program's experience thus far and future changes to the program.
Date: October 5, 2018
Creator: Kehres, Katherine M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Agency Delay: Congressional and Judicial Means to Expedite Agency Rulemaking

Description: This report outlines the various tools that Congress can use to encourage agencies to act within a particular time frame. It then analyzes how those tools inform judicial analysis of challenges to agency actions as "unreasonably delayed" or "unlawfully withheld" under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and provides concluding remarks..
Date: October 5, 2018
Creator: Hickey, Kevin J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Trade Related Agencies: FY2019 Appropriations, Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS)

Description: This report provides an overview of the FY2019 budget request and appropriations for the International Trade Administration (ITA), the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), and the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). These three trade-related agencies are funded through the annual Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations act. This report also provides a review of these agencies' trade-related programs.
Date: October 5, 2018
Creator: Hammond, Keigh E. & Villarreal, M. Angeles
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Russian Compliance with the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report describes the current status of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and highlights issues that Congress may address as the United States pursues its compliance concerns with Russia. It starts with a historical overview and provides summaries of the provisions of the INF Treaty, Russia's concerns, and options that the United States has under the agreement, as well as a discussion of a potential Russian violation regarding development of a non-compliant missle.
Date: October 5, 2018
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Do Courts Have Inherent Authority to Release Secret Grand Jury Materials?

Description: This report discusses the issue of releasing secret grand jury material. Although a long-established principle that has been deemed essential to the grand jury's functioning and independence is that matters occurring before it are to be kept secret, the Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e) establishes exceptions.
Date: October 5, 2018
Creator: Foster, Michael A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The DOD's JEDI Cloud Program

Description: This report discusses the Deputy Secretary of Defense (DSD) Patrick Shanahan's memorandum calling for the accelerated adoption of a Department of Defense (DOD)-wide cloud computing system. Under the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) Cloud program, DOD seeks to "acquire a...cloud services solution that can support Unclassified, Secret, and Top Secret requirements," with a focus on commercially-available services.
Date: November 5, 2018
Creator: Peters, Heidi M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

SBA's Office of Inspector General: Overview, Impact, and Relationship with Congress

Description: This report examines the Small Business Administration(SBA), Office of the Inspector General (OIG's) statutory authorities; reporting requirements; funding ($26.9 million in FY2018, including $7 million in supplemental appropriations for overseeing SBA disaster assistance); staffing and organizational structure; and recent activities (audits, investigations, etc.). It also examines the SBA OIG's impact on monetary savings, SBA programs and operations, and legislation affecting the agency. The r… more
Date: April 5, 2018
Creator: Dilger, Robert Jay
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Tax Incentives for Opportunity Zones: In Brief

Description: This report discusses tax incentives for opportunity zones (OZ) which are low-income areas selected by state governors for revitalization efforts. This report briefly describes what census tracts are eligible to be nominated as an OZ by the "chief executive officer" (typically, the governor) of each state or territory, what types of entities can be certified as Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs), and the tax benefits of investments in QOFs.
Date: April 5, 2018
Creator: Lowry, Sean & Marples, Donald J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Abortion and Family Planning-Related Provisions in U.S. Foreign Assistance Law and Policy

Description: This report details legislation and policies that restrict or place requirements on U.S. funding of abortion or family planning activities abroad. The level and extent of federal funding for these activities is an ongoing and controversial issue in U.S. foreign assistance and has continued to be a point of contention during the 115th Congress.
Date: April 5, 2018
Creator: Blanchfield, Luisa
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The New START Treaty: Central Limits and Key Provisions

Description: This report discusses the New START Treaty signed by Russia and the United States in 2010 which will be abided by until at least 2021 by the United States. The main provisions of the agreement andits ratification process and implementation, and issues for congress to consider are discussed(
Date: February 5, 2018
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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