Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs articles from January 2006

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs archives from January 2006

Russian oil and gas challenges.
January 1, 2006... January 3, 2006 Summary Russia is a major player in world energy markets. It has more proven natural gas reserves than any other country, is among the top ten in proven oil reserves, is the largest exporter of natural gas, the second...

Federal spending by agency and budget function, FY2001-FY2005.
January 1, 2006... January 9, 2006 Summary This report provides federal spending data by agency and by budget function for fiscal year 2001 through fiscal year 2005. The data, ranked by size, reveal the concentrated nature of federal spending. The...

Status of a member of the house who has been indicted for or convicted of a felony.
January 1, 2006... Summary There are no federal statutes or Rules of the House of Representatives that directly affect the status of a Member of Congress who has been indicted for a crime that constitutes a felony. No rights or privileges are forfeited under...

U.S. and international responses to the global spread of avian flu: issues for Congress.
January 1, 2006... Summary One strain of avian influenza currently identified in Asia and Europe is known as Influenza A/H5N1. Although it is a bird flu, it has infected a relatively small number of people--killing around 50% of those infected. Scientists...

U.S. nuclear cooperation with India: issues for Congress.
January 1, 2006... Summary On July 18, 2005, President Bush announced a global partnership with India to promote stability, democracy, prosperity and peace. The desire to transform relations with India, according to Administration officials, is "founded upon...

Gasoline prices: new legislation and proposals.
January 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Policy Options Oil-Related Issues Beyond the Energy Policy Act ANWR CAFE OCS Leasing Refinery Revitalization Price Gouging ...

Supreme court nominations, 1789-2005: actions by the senate, the judiciary committee, and the president.
January 1, 2006... Summary The process of appointing Supreme Court Justices has undergone changes over two centuries, but its most basic feature--the sharing of power between the President and Senate--has remained unchanged. To receive a lifetime appointment...

Congressional gifts and travel: legislative proposals for the 109th Congress.
January 1, 2006... Summary It has been a decade since the House and Senate examined their rules on the acceptance of gifts and travel expenses. Press accounts of alleged excesses in privately funded congressional travel and gifts, particularly from...

Energy: useful facts and numbers.(CRS Report for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
January 1, 2006... Summary Energy supplies and prices are a major economic factor in the United States, and energy markets are volatile and unpredictable. For both these reasons, energy policy is of frequent interest to the Congress. This report presents a...

HIV/AIDS international programs: appropriations, FY2003-FY2006.
January 1, 2006... Summary FY2006 Appropriations for Foreign Operations (P.L. 109-102), Labor/HHS/ Education (H.Rept. 109-300), Defense, and Agriculture (P.L. 109-97) provide more than $3.4 billion for international HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria...

Lobbying disclosure and ethics proposals related to lobbying introduced in the 109th Congress: a comparative analysis.
January 1, 2006... January 12, 2006 Summary The regulation of lobbying activities by lobbyists, and the actions that certain members of the executive branch and legislative branch may take in their interactions with lobbyists, are governed by laws and...

The Middle East peace talks.(CRS Issue Brief for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
January 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS U.S. Role Conference and Developments Madrid Bilateral Talks Israel-Palestinians Israel-Syria Israel-Lebanon ...

Reserve component personnel issues: questions and answers.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 18, 2006 Summary The term "Reserve Component" is often used to refer collectively to the seven individual reserve components of the armed forces: the Army National Guard of the United States, the Army Reserve, the Navy...

Stem cell research.(CRS Report for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
January 1, 2006... Updated January 11, 2006 Stem Cell Research Summary Embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into virtually any cell in the body, and they may have the potential to treat medical conditions such as diabetes and Parkinson's...

U.S. assistance to women in Afghanistan and Iraq: challenges and issues for Congress.(CRS Report for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
January 1, 2006... Summary This report reviews U.S. funding for programs directed toward women in Afghanistan and Iraq. Women in these two countries have faced particularly difficult conditions under the Taliban and Baathist regimes. Although there have been...

International population assistance and family planning programs: issues for Congress.
January 1, 2006... Summary Since 1965, United States policy has supported international population planning based on principles of volunteerism and informed choice that gives participants access to information on all methods of birth control. This policy,...

Broadband Internet regulation and access: background and issues.(CRS Issue Brief for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
January 1, 2006... Updated January 26, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS What Is Broadband and Why Is It Important? Broadband Technologies Cable Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) ...

Military forces: what is the appropriate size for the United States?
January 1, 2006... Summary For several years, some Members of Congress and many military analysts have argued that the U.S. Armed Forces are too small to adequately meet all the requirements arising after the Cold War, particularly with the advent of the...

Communications act revisions: selected issues for consideration.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 23, 2006 Summary The passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act (P.L.104-104) resulted in a major revision of the Communications Act of 1934 (47U.S.C. 151 et seq.) to address the emergence of competition in what were...

The federal government debt: its size and economic significance.
January 1, 2006... Summary After being in surplus between FY1998 and FY2001, the federal budget has now registered deficits for the last four fiscal years. The budget, given current policies, is now projected to remain in deficit through FY2011. When the...

Renewable energy: tax credit, budget, and electricity production issues.
January 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Renewable Energy Concept Contribution to National Energy Supply Role in Long-Term Energy Supply History Tax Credits Public Utility...

Wireless technology and spectrum demand: advanced wireless services.
January 1, 2006... Summary Advances in wireless telecommunications technology are converging with Internet technology to foster new generations of applications and services. Presently, the United States and other countries are moving to third-generation (3G)...

Defense: FY2006 authorization and appropriations.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 20, 2006 Summary The House approved conference agreements on the FY2006 defense appropriations (H.R. 2863) and defense authorization (H.R. 1815) bills on December 19, 2005. The Senate approved both measures on December...

Recruiting and retention: an overview of FY2005 and FY2006 results for active and reserve component enlisted personnel.
January 1, 2006... Summary This report provides a brief overview of the recruiting and retention rates for Active and Reserve Component enlisted personnel during FY2005 and the first three months of FY2006. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World...

Clean air act issues in the 109th congress.
January 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Revision of the Particulate Standards Clear Skies/Multi-Pollutant Legislation Mercury from Power Plants MTBE and Ethanol Ozone Nonattainment Area...

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR): controversies for the 109th Congress.
January 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Legislative History of the Refuge Actions in the 109th Congress The Energy Resource Oil Natural Gas Advanced Technologies The...

U.S. assistance to North Korea: fact sheet.(CRS Report for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
January 1, 2006... Summary This report summarizes U.S. aid to the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea (DPRK, also known as North Korea). It will be updated periodically to track changes in U.S. provision of aid to North Korea. A more extended...

Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) and related funding programs: FY2006 assistance.
January 1, 2006... January 27, 2006 Summary In 2005, Congress considered a number of issues relating to the Andean region and drug trafficking, including continued funding for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) and conditions on U.S. assistance. In...

Forest fire/wildfire protection.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 18, 2006 Summary Congress continues to face questions about forestry practices, funding levels, and the federal role in wildland fire protection. Several recent fire seasons have been, by most standards, among the...

Fishery, aquaculture, and marine mammal legislation in the 109th Congress.
January 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Commercial and Sport Fisheries: Background and Issues Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization Pacific Salmon Miscellaneous Issues Aquaculture:...

Passenger rail security: overview of issues.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 20, 2006 Summary The July 2005 bombings of transit trains in London again demonstrated the vulnerability of passenger rail systems to terrorist attack. The number of riders and access points make it impractical to...

Mexico's importance and multiple relationships with the United States.
January 1, 2006... January 18, 2006 Summary This report provides information on the importance of Mexico to U.S. interests and catalogues the many ways Mexico and the United States interact. The report is a snapshot of the bilateral relationship at the...

Agricultural issues in the 109th Congress.
January 1, 2006... Summary A number of issues affecting U.S. agriculture are receiving attention in the 109th Congress. The conference agreement on the FY2006 omnibus budget reconciliation bill includes a net reduction in spending on U.S. Department of...

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 109th Congress: conflicting values and difficult choices.
January 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Overview Major Provisions of Domestic Law Listing Critical Habitat Prohibitions and Penalties Permits and Consultation ...

Agriculture in the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).
January 1, 2006... Updated January 12, 2006 Summary On August 2, 2005, President Bush signed into law the bill to implement the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement, or DR-CAFTA (P.L. 109-53, H.R. 3045). Drawing much attention during...

WTO Doha Round: the agricultural negotiations.(World Trade Organization)
January 1, 2006... Summary The pace of negotiations in the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations quickened in October 2005 as the December Hong Kong Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) approached. At Hong Kong, however, while...

U.S. agricultural policy response to WTO cotton decision.(World Trade Organization)
January 1, 2006... Summary In March 2005, a World Trade Organization (WTO) appellate panel ruled against the United States in a dispute settlement case (DS267) brought by Brazil against certain aspects of the U.S. cotton program. (1) To comply with the...

Exempting food and agriculture products from U.S. economic sanctions: status and implementation.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 20, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS 1999-2001 Changes in U.S. Policy Allowing Agricultural Sales to Sanctioned Countries Debate on Agricultural and Food...

The United States and Europe: possible options for U.S. policy.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 23, 2006 Summary The United States and Europe share a long and intertwined history, replete with many ups and downs. The modern transatlantic relationship was forged in the aftermath of World War II to deter the Soviet...

U.S.-European Union trade relations: issues and policy challenges.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 26, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Overview Closer Economic Ties Growing Strains Major Issues and Policy Challenges Complying With WTO Rulings ...

U.S.-EU cooperation against terrorism.(European Union)
January 1, 2006... Summary The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks gave new momentum to European Union (EU) initiatives to improve law enforcement cooperation against terrorism both among its 25 member states and with the United States. Washington has...

U.S. trade deficit and the impact of rising oil prices.
January 1, 2006... Summary Petroleum prices have risen sharply since early 2004. At the same time the average amount of imports of energy-related petroleum products has risen slightly. The combination of sharply rising prices and a slightly higher level of...

U.S. International Trade: data and forecasts.
January 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS U.S. Merchandise Trade Balance Merchandise Trade Balance in Volume Terms Current Account Balance Forecasts U.S. Bilateral and Sectoral Trade...

Trade negotiations during the 109th Congress.(Middle East, Egypt, South Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan )
January 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS U.S. Negotiating Strategy Notification and Consultation Requirements Before the Start of Negotiations During Negotiations Before Signing the...

Russia.(economic growth )
January 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Post-Soviet Russia and Its Significance for the United States Political Developments Chechnya Economic Developments Economic Reform ...

Post-war Iraq: foreign contributions to training, peacekeeping, and reconstruction.
January 1, 2006... Summary Securing foreign contributions to the reconstruction and stabilization of Iraq has been a major priority for U.S. policymakers since the launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. This report tracks important changes in...

Peacekeeping and related stability operations: issues of U.S. military involvement.
January 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS The Definitional Problem Current U.S. Military Participation in Peacekeeping and Related Stability Missions Reduced Numbers Serve in Peacekeeping...

Nuclear weapons: comprehensive test ban treaty.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 23, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS History National Positions on Testing and the CTBT The CTBT: Negotiations and Key Provisions Preparing for Entry...

Nuclear arms control: the U.S.-Russian agenda.
January 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS START I Treaty Provisions Ratification and Implementation Ratification Weapons Deactivation Monitoring and Verification ...

North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 17, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS The Second Bush Administration and the Six-Party Talks Background to the Six-Party Talks The Six-Party Talks Bush...

Nonstrategic nuclear weapons.
January 1, 2006... January 13, 2006 Summary During the Cold War, the United States and Soviet Union both deployed thousands of "nonstrategic" nuclear weapons that were intended to be used in support of troops in the field during a conflict. These...

NATO and the European Union.(North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
January 1, 2006... Updated January 3, 2006 NATO and the European Union Summary Since the end of the Cold War, both NATO and the European Union (EU) have evolved along with Europe's changed strategic landscape. While NATO's collective defense...

Monetary policy: current policy and conditions.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 27, 2006 Summary Monetary policy can be defined broadly as any policy relating to the supply of money. Since the main agency concerned with the supply of money is the nation's central bank, the Federal Reserve, monetary...

Middle East free trade area: progress report.(to fight against terrorism)
January 1, 2006... Updated January 27, 2006 Summary On May 9, 2003, the Bush Administration proposed the establishment of a U.S. Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA) within a decade (by about 2013). This proposal came a year and a half after the September...

Lebanon.(Lebanon-United States relations)
January 1, 2006... Updated January 19, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS United States and Lebanon Overview Lebanon: Demography and Politics Political Profile Sectarianism ...

Islamist extremism in Europe.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 6, 2006 Summary Although the vast majority of Muslims in Europe are not involved in radical activities, Islamist extremists and vocal fringe communities that advocate terrorism exist and reportedly have provided cover...

Islamic religious schools, madrasas: background.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 10, 2006 Summary Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the Islamic religious schools known as madrasas (or madrassahs) in the Middle East, Central, and Southeast Asia have been of increasing interest to...

Iraq: recent developments in reconstruction assistance.(Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund)
January 1, 2006... Updated January 4, 2006 Summary Large-scale reconstruction assistance programs are being undertaken by the United States following the war with Iraq. To fund such programs, in April 2003, Congress approved a $2.48 billion Iraq Relief...

Iraq: oil-for-food program, illicit trade, and investigations.
January 1, 2006... Summary The "oil-for-food" program (OFFP) was the centerpiece of a long-standing U.N. Security Council effort to alleviate human suffering in Iraq while maintaining key elements of the 1991 Gulf war-related sanctions regime. In order to...

Iraq: elections, government, and constitution.
January 1, 2006... Summary Elections for a transitional National Assembly and government (January 30, 2005), a permanent constitution (October 15), and a permanent (four year) Council of Representatives and government (December 15) have been concluded...

Iran: U.S. concerns and policy responses.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 20, 2006 Summary The Bush Administration has pursued several avenues to attempt to contain or end the potential threat posed by Iran, at times pursuing limited engagement directly or through allies, and at other times...

Internet privacy: overview and legislation in the 109th Congress, 1st session.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 26, 2006 Summary Internet privacy issues encompass several types of concerns. One is the collection of personally identifiable information (PII) by website operators from visitors to government and commercial websites,...

Intelligence issues for Congress.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 11, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Intelligence Community The "INTs"--Intelligence Disciplines Integrating the "Ints Intelligence Budget Process ...

France: factors shaping foreign policy, and issues in U.S.-French relations.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 3, 2006 Summary The factors that shape French foreign policy have changed since the end of the Cold War. The perspectives of France and the United States have diverged in some cases. More core interests remain similar....

Energy efficiency: budget, oil conservation, and electricity conservation issues.(Department of Energy)
January 1, 2006... Updated January 20, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Energy Efficiency Concept History DOE's Strategic and Performance Goals Energy Efficiency in the 109th Congress ...

Energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation in the 109th Congress.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 19, 2006 Summary This report reviews the status of energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation introduced during the 109th Congress. Action in the first session focused on omnibus energy policy bill H.R. 6,...

China-U.S. relations: current issues and implications for U.S. policy.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 20, 2006 Summary Throughout much of the George W. Bush Administration, U.S.-China relations have remained unusually smooth and stable. But in the 109th Congress, U.S. policy toward China appears to be subject to...

China's economic conditions.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 12, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS An Overview of China's Economic Development China's Economy Prior to Reforms The Introduction of Economic Reforms ...

China and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missiles: policy issues.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 31, 2006 Summary Congress has long been concerned about whether U.S. policy advances the national interest in reducing the role of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction...

Alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles: issues in Congress.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 6, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Congressional Interest Legislative Background Current Issues Fuel Tax Incentives Ethanol and MTBE ...

Al Qaeda: statements and evolving ideology.(Osama Bin Laden enhances public relations)
January 1, 2006... Updated January 26, 2006 Summary Osama Bin Laden and the Al Qaeda terrorist network have conducted a sophisticated public relations and media campaign over the last ten years. Terrorism analysts believe that these messages have been...

AIDS in Africa.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 30, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Characteristics of the African Epidemic Transmission Women Prevalence Trends Highest Rates Children ...

Afghanistan: post-war governance, security, and U.S. policy.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 11, 2006. Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy Summary Afghanistan's political transition is proceeding, but insurgent threats to Afghanistan's government persist. A new constitution was...

Mexico-U.S. relations: issues for the 109th Congress.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 20, 2006 Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for the 109th Congress Summary The United States and Mexico have a special relationship as neighbors and partners under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The...

Border security: fences along the U.S. international border.(United States. Border Patrol)
January 1, 2006... Summary At the end of the first session of the 109th Congress, the House passed the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (H.R. 4437), which contains language that would require the Secretary of the...

Lobbyists and interest groups: sources of information.
January 1, 2006... Summary Lobbyists and interest groups play an active role in the American legislative process. Information on lobbyist registrations and on interest groups in general is available from a variety of online and printed sources, including...

The World Trade Organization: the Hong Kong Ministerial.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 20, 2006 Summary The World Trade Organization (WTO) held its 6th Ministerial summit in Hong Kong from December 13-18, 2005. WTO Ministerials are held every two years to bring together trade ministers from member states,...

Environmental protection issues in the 109th Congress.
January 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Environmental Protection Agency Appropriations Energy and Environment: The Energy Bill Clean Air Issues Clean Water Act Safe Drinking Water ...

Cuba: issues for the 109th Congress.
January 1, 2006... Summary Cuba under Fidel Castro remains a hard-line communist state with a poor record on human rights--a record that has worsened since 2003. Since the early 1960s, U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted largely of isolating the island...

Caribbean region: issues in U.S. relations.
January 1, 2006... Summary With some 34 million people and 16 independent nations sharing an African ethnic heritage, the Caribbean is a diverse region that includes some of the hemisphere's richest and poorest nations. The region consists of 13 island...

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR): controversies for the 109th Congress.(CRS Issue Brief for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
January 1, 2006... Updated January 31, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Legislative History of the Refuge Actions in the 109th Congress, First Session The Energy Resource Oil ...

U.S. foreign assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 3, 2006 Summary U.S. foreign assistance programs to developing nations began in earnest after the conclusion of World War II. Trends in U.S. assistance to the region generally reflect the trends and rationales for U.S....

Broadband Internet access and the digital divide: federal assistance programs.
January 1, 2006... Updated January 17, 2006 Summary The "digital divide" is a term that has been used to characterize a gap between "information haves and have-nots," or in other words, between those Americans who use or have access to...

An overview of the administration's strengthening America's communities initiative.("Strengthening America's Communities Initiative")
January 1, 2006... Updated January 26, 2006 Summary On February 7, 2005, the Bush Administration released its budget recommendations for FY2006. Included in the budget was a proposal that would consolidate the activities of at least 18 existing community...