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Latin America and the Caribbean: Key Issues for the 113th Congress

Description: This report provides an overview of U.S. policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean, including the Obama Administration's priorities; examines changes in the region's economic and political environment that affect U.S. relations with the region; and analyzes U.S. policy toward the region and various recommendations made by policy analysts and think tanks. The report then examines the role of Congress and congressional interests in Latin America, looking at selected regional and country issue… more
Date: February 15, 2014
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP): Implementation and Status

Description: This report provides a brief outline of the programs created under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), changes made by Congress, and a summary of the current status and estimated costs of the program. It also provides an Appendix that contains detailed discussions of the individual TARP programs.
Date: January 15, 2014
Creator: Webel, Baird
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Role of Trade Secrets in Innovation Policy

Description: This report provides an overview of the law and policy of trade secrets. It discusses the role of trade secrets in six sections: Trade Secrets and Innovation Policy, An Overview of Trade Secret Law (Basic Principles, and Sources of Law), The Economic Espionage Act, Trade Secrets and Patents (Introduction to the Patent System, Trade Secrets and Patents Compared, and The Prior Commercial User Defense), Congressional Issues and Options, and Concluding Observations.
Date: January 15, 2014
Creator: Thomas, John R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Social Security Reform: Current Issues and Legislation

Description: This report discusses The Social Security reform, which is an issue of interest to policy makers that arises in various contexts, from improving retirement security to reducing federal budget deficits. The report looks at the Social Security debate, Social Security future projections, and public opinion on Social Security reform. It also looks at past reform measures, from the 109th-112th Congress, none of which received congressional action.
Date: January 15, 2014
Creator: Nuschler, Dawn
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The European Union: Questions and Answers

Description: This report provides a brief overview of the European Union (EU), an economic and political partnership between 27 sovereign member states. The report describes the formation of the EU, the three main institutions of the EU, and the EU's relationship with the United States.
Date: January 15, 2014
Creator: Archick, Kristin
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Follow-On Biologics: The Law and Intellectual Property Issues

Description: This report reviews the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCIA), within the context of intellectual property and innovation issues. It provides an introduction to the biologics industry, introduces the regulatory and intellectual property provisions of the BPCIA, considers the potential market for biosimilars and possible industry responses that may arise in the wake of this legislation, and closes with concluding observations.
Date: January 15, 2014
Creator: Thomas, John R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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National Environmental Policy Act: Little Information Exists on NEPA Analyses

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Governmentwide data on the number and type of most National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses are not readily available, as data collection efforts vary by agency. NEPA generally requires federal agencies to evaluate the potential environmental effects of actions they propose to carry out, fund, or approve (e.g., by permit) by preparing analyses of different comprehensiveness depending on the sig… more
Date: April 15, 2014
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Retirement Security: Trends in Marriage and Work Patterns May Increase Economic Vulnerability for Some Retirees

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Over the last 50 years, the composition and work patterns of the American household have changed dramatically. During this period, the proportion of unmarried and never-married individuals in the population increased steadily as couples chose to marry at later ages and live together prior to marriage. At the same time, the proportion of single-parent households more than doubled. These trends were more … more
Date: January 15, 2014
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

VA Surgical Implants: Shortcomings in Implant Purchasing and Tracking

Description: Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "GAO's work at four VAMCs found that these VAMCs did not always follow VHA requirements for documenting open-market purchases of surgical implants. Specifically:"
Date: January 15, 2014
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

National Flood Insurance Program: Progress Made on Contract Management but Monitoring and Reporting Could Be Improved

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made progress in improving its processes for monitoring NFIP contracts since GAO last reported on these issues in 2008 and 2011. For example, GAO recommended in 2011 that FEMA complete the development and implementation of its revised acquisition process to be consistent with a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directive. FEMA updated its contract m… more
Date: January 15, 2014
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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NASA: Assessments of Selected Large-Scale Projects

Description: Other written product issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) total portfolio of major projects saw cost and schedule growth that remains low compared to GAO's first review of the portfolio. Some projects in this year's portfolio launched within their cost and schedule baselines; however, several others are undergoing replans, which could temper the portfolio's positive performance. For example, the … more
Date: April 15, 2014
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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National Environmental Policy Act: Little Information Exists on NEPA Analyses

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Governmentwide data on the number and type of most National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses are not readily available, as data collection efforts vary by agency. NEPA generally requires federal agencies to evaluate the potential environmental effects of actions they propose to carry out, fund, or approve (e.g., by permit) by preparing analyses of different comprehensiveness depending on the sig… more
Date: April 15, 2014
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues

Description: This report reviews the ongoing programs and issues that will affect the expected size and shape of the U.S. strategic nuclear force structure. It includes an overview of this force structure during the Cold War summarizes the reductions and changes that have occurred since 1991, and offers details about each category of delivery vehicle--land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and heavy bombers--focusing on their current deployments… more
Date: May 15, 2014
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education: FY2014 Appropriations

Description: This report provides an overview of actions taken by Congress to provide FY2014 appropriations for the accounts funded by the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
Date: October 15, 2014
Creator: Lynch, Karen E.; Cornell, Ada S.; Szymendera, Scott D; McCallion, Gail & Bradley, David H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act: Innovation Issues

Description: This report provides an overview of the the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA). It begins by offering a brief overview of the patent system, then identifies and reviews the specific components of this legislation in greater detail. The report closes with further considerations.
Date: January 15, 2014
Creator: Thomas, John R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The 2013 Cybersecurity Executive Order: Overview and Considerations for Congress

Description: The federal role in cybersecurity has been a topic of discussion and debate for over a decade. Despite significant legislative efforts in the 112th Congress on bills designed to improve the cybersecurity of U.S. critical infrastructure (CI), no legislation on that issue was enacted in that Congress. This report discusses the ramifications of Executive Order 13636, which issued in February 2013 was an attempt to enhance security and resiliency of CI through voluntary, collaborative efforts invo… more
Date: December 15, 2014
Creator: Fischer, Eric A.; Liu, Edward C.; Rollins, John W. & Theohary, Catherine A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Radio Broadcasting Chips for Smartphones: A Status Report

Description: This report provides information on consumer and industry trends in radio and wireless network communications to give perspective on the proposal for widespread deployment of FM radio chips in smartphones as an emergency preparedness measure. It also provides a brief overview of the role of technology in disseminating emergency alerts and information.
Date: December 15, 2014
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Nuclear Energy Policy

Description: This report discusses nuclear energy issues currently facing Congress, such as federal incentives for new commercial reactors, radioactive waste management policy, research and development priorities, power plant safety and regulation, nuclear weapons proliferation, and security against terrorist attacks.
Date: October 15, 2014
Creator: Holt, Mark
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Conflict Minerals and Resource Extraction: Dodd-Frank, SEC Regulations, and Legal Challenges

Description: This report discusses the two sections of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Protection Act (Dodd-Frank) that require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC or Commission) to issue regulations to make public the involvement of U.S. companies in conflict minerals and in resource extraction payments.
Date: October 15, 2014
Creator: Seitzinger, Michael V. & Ruane, Kathleen Ann
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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