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ATPA Renewal: Background and Issues

Description: The Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) extends special duty treatment to certain U.S. imports from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru that meet domestic content and other requirements. The purpose of ATPA is to promote economic growth in the Andean region and to encourage a shift away from dependence on illegal drugs by supporting legitimate economic activities. This report outlines the various aspects of the ATPA, including significant dates and modifications.
Date: March 9, 2011
Creator: Villarreal, M. Angeles
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Cote d'Ivoire's Post-Election Crisis

Description: This report discusses the recent political instability in Côte d'Ivoire, which has surfaced most recently in February 2011, and stems from a contested November 28, 2010, presidential election. This report discusses background information on Côte d'Ivoire's long struggle toward peace, political stability, and democratic governance. This report also addresses U.S. interests regarding Côte d'Ivoire's stability and democratic progress.
Date: March 9, 2011
Creator: Cook, Nicolas
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Kosovo: Current Issues and U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses the current political state of Kosovo, which, on February 7, 2008, declared its independence from Serbia. Since then, Serbia has contested Kosovo's declaration of independence, leading to parallel governing institutions and ongoing talks between the two nations. This report discusses challenges Kosovo faces regarding international recognition and the status of its ethnic minorities. This report also discusses Kosovo's relationship with the United States, and U.S. foreign a… more
Date: March 9, 2011
Creator: Woehrel, Steven
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Expedited or "Fast-Track" Legislative Procedures

Description: This report discusses expedited or "fast-track" legislative procedures, which are special procedures that Congress adopts to promote timely committee and floor action on a specifically defined type of bill or resolution.
Date: February 9, 2011
Creator: Davis, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

War in Afghanistan: Strategy, Operations, and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the ongoing U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, begun in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The report, which will be updated as events warrant, describe and analyzes several issues, including the key players in the war in Afghanistan; the strategic outlooks of the Afghan government, the U.S. government, and NATO; and the threats to the security and stability of the Afghan state and its people.
Date: March 9, 2011
Creator: Dale, Catherine
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

How Legislation Is Brought to the House Floor: A Snapshot of Recent Parliamentary Practice

Description: The House of Representatives has several different parliamentary procedures through which it can bring legislation to the chamber floor. Which will be used in a given situation depends on many factors, including the type of measure being considered, its cost, the amount of political or policy controversy surrounding it, and the degree to which Members want to debate it and propose amendments. This report provides a statistical snapshot of the forms, origins, and party sponsorship of these measu… more
Date: March 9, 2011
Creator: Davis, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Interagency Collaborative Arrangements and Activities: Types, Rationales, Considerations

Description: This report examines formal interagency collaborative arrangements and activities, which are intended to enhance joint efforts and cooperation among independent federal agencies with shared responsibilities and overlapping jurisdictions.
Date: May 9, 2011
Creator: Kaiser, Frederick M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Veterans and Homelessness

Description: This report discusses several issues relating to homelessness among veterans, which has become more prominent since the beginning of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Date: May 9, 2011
Creator: Perl, Libby
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

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

Description: This report discusses the current political state of Afghanistan, focusing particularly on the influence of the Taliban and other militant groups and on the leadership of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. This report also discusses the U.S.-Afghanistan relationship, in both the short and long term, and U.S. efforts under the Obama Administration to provide military, reconstructive, and stabilization aid.
Date: May 9, 2011
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Standard & Poor's Downgrade of U.S. Government Long-Term Debt

Description: This report discusses the lowering of the U.S. government debt credit rating by Standard & Poor's (S&P) on August 5, 2011. It discusses the reasons behind the lowered credit rating and implications for the U.S. economy, other debt markets, and banking regulations.
Date: August 9, 2011
Creator: Jickling, Mark
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: Background and Policy Issues

Description: This report provides an overview of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child's (CRC) background and structure and examines evolving U.S. policy toward the Convention, including past and current Administration positions and congressional perspectives. It also highlights issues for the 112th Congress, including the Convention's possible impact on federal and state laws, U.S. sovereignty, parental rights, and U.S. family planning and abortion policy. In addition, the report address… more
Date: June 9, 2011
Creator: Blanchfield, Luisa
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Southwest Border Violence: Issues in Identifying and Measuring Spillover Violence

Description: There has been an increase in the level of drug trafficking-related violence within and between the drug trafficking organizations in Mexico. This violence has generated concern among U.S. policy makers that the violence in Mexico might spill over into the United States. This report looks at the nature of the drug trafficking conflict and assessments of how the conflict could spill across the border.
Date: June 9, 2011
Creator: Finklea, Kristin M.; Krouse, William J. & Rosenblum, Marc R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Gun Control Legislation

Description: This report provides basic firearms-related statistics, an overview of federal firearms law, and a summary of legislative action in the 111th Congress. The report concludes with salient issues that have generated significant congressional interest, including the 1994-2004 LCAFD ban.
Date: June 9, 2011
Creator: Krouse, William J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Libya: Unrest and U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses the revolution and current conflict in Libya. The current crisis was triggered in mid-February 2011 by a chain of events in Benghazi and other eastern cities that quickly spiraled out of Qadhafi's control. Although Libyan opposition groups had called for a so-called "day of rage" on February 17 to commemorate protests that had occurred five years earlier, localized violence erupted prior to the planned national protests. As of April 25, U.S. and coalition officials stated … more
Date: September 9, 2011
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Coast Guard Deepwater Acquisition Programs: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's Deepwater acquisition programs for replacing and modernizing the service's aging fleet of deepwater-capable ships and aircraft. The Coast Guard's FY2012 budget appears to request $957.2 million in acquisition funding for Deepwater programs, including $271.6 million for aircraft, $512.0 million for surface ships and boats, and $173.6 million for other items. Congress's decisions on Deepwater acquis… more
Date: September 9, 2011
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Unauthorized Aliens' Access to Federal Benefits: Policy and Issues

Description: This report focuses on the policy and legislative debate surrounding unauthorized aliens' access to federal benefits. Federal law bars aliens residing without authorization in the United States from most federal benefits; however, there is a widely held perception that many unauthorized aliens obtain such benefits. The degree to which unauthorized resident aliens should be accorded certain rights and privileges as a result of their residence in the United States, along with the duties owed by s… more
Date: December 9, 2011
Creator: Wasem, Ruth Ellen
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Double-Dip Recession: Previous Experience and Current Prospect

Description: This report discusses factors suggesting an increased risk of a double-dip recession. It also discusses other factors that suggest economic recovery will continue. It presents the U.S. historical experience with double-dip recessions. It examines the role of deleveraging by households and businesses in the aftermath of the recent financial crisis in shaping the likely pace of economic recovery. The report concludes with a look at economic projections.
Date: December 9, 2011
Creator: Elwell, Craig K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Housing Counseling: Background and Federal Role

Description: This report describes the housing counseling industry in general, with a focus on Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s processes for certifying housing counseling agencies and distributing housing counseling funding. It also provides a brief overview of other sources of federal funding for housing counseling activities, including the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program, and discusses current issues surrounding housing counseling.
Date: June 9, 2011
Creator: Jones, Katie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

National Flood Insurance Program: Background, Challenges, and Financial Status

Description: This report provides an analysis of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and its financial status; summarizes the major challenges facing the program, including issues affecting its long-term financial solvency; presents some alternative approaches for managing and financing the flood losses; and describes pending legislation on this issue.
Date: May 9, 2011
Creator: King, Rawle O.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Unrest in Syria and U.S. Sanctions Against the Asad Regime

Description: This report analyzes the current unrest in Syria and the U.S. response to the Syrian government’s crackdown against demonstrators. It also provides background information on U.S. sanctions against the Asad regime and its supporters.
Date: November 9, 2011
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M. & Blanchard, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Small Business Administration Microloan Program

Description: This report describes the Microloan program's eligibility standards and operating requirements for lenders and borrowers and examines the arguments presented by the program's critics and advocates. It also examines changes to the program authorized by P.L. 111-240, the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.
Date: August 9, 2011
Creator: Dilger, Robert J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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