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

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

Iran: U.S. concerns and policy responses.(CRS Report for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
May 1, 2006... Updated May 12, 2006 Summary According to an Administration national security strategy document released on March 16, 2006, the United States "may face no greater challenge from a single country than Iran." To date, the Bush...

Gasoline prices: new legislation and proposals.(CRS Issue Brief for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
May 1, 2006... Updated May 11, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Legislative Activities Why Are Prices So High? Crude Oil Prices How Oil and Gasoline Prices Are Determined ...

U.S.-European Union trade relations: issues and policy challenges.(CRS Issue Brief for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
May 1, 2006... Updated May 1, 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....

U.S. and international responses to the global spread of avian flu: issues for Congress.(CRS Report for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
May 1, 2006... Summary There are many strains of avian influenza virus infecting poultry. Influenza A/H5N1 is a strain of influenza currently spreading throughout the world. Although it is a bird flu, it has infected a relatively small number of people...

Pakistan: chronology of recent events.(CRS Report for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)(Calendar)
May 1, 2006... Summary This report provides a chronology of recent events involving Pakistan and Pakistan-U.S. relations. Sources include, but are not limited to, major newswires, the U.S. Department of State, and Pakistani news outlets. For a...

Russia.(CRS Report for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
May 1, 2006... Updated May 8, 2006 Summary Vladimir Putin won reelection as President in March 2004, in an exercise in "managed democracy" in which he took 71% of the vote and faced no serious competition. The pro-Putin Unified Russia party...

U.S. public diplomacy: background and the 9/11 commission recommendations.(CRS Report for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
May 1, 2006... Updated May 1, 2006 Summary While the 9/11 terrorist attacks rallied unprecedented support abroad for the United States initially, they also heightened the awareness among government officials and terrorism experts that a significant...

Intelligence issues for Congress.(CRS Issue Brief for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
May 1, 2006... Updated May 9, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Intelligence Community The "INTs"--Intelligence Disciplines Integrating the "Ints Intelligence Budget Process ...

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

Clean Air Act issues in the 109th Congress.(CRS Issue Brief for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
May 1, 2006... Updated May 3, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Revision of the Particulate Standards Clear Skies/Multi-Pollutant Legislation Mercury from Power Plants New Source Review...

Social Security reform.(CRS Issue Brief for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
May 1, 2006... Updated May 1, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Basic Debate Push for Major Reform Arguments for Retaining the Existing System Specific Areas of Contention ...

Immigration legislation and issues in the 109th Congress.(CRS Report for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
May 1, 2006... Updated May 12, 2006 Summary Security concerns are figuring prominently in the development of and debate on immigration legislation in the 109th Congress. In May 2005, the REAL ID Act became law as Division B of P.L. 109-13. It...

Immigration related border security legislation in the 109th Congress.(CRS Report for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
May 1, 2006... Summary Border security is considered a central aspect of the United States' overall homeland security. Securing the border involves controlling the official ports of entry (POE) through which legitimate travelers and commerce enter the...

U.S. Immigration Policy on permanent admissions.(CRS Report for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
May 1, 2006... Updated May 12, 2006 Summary When President George W. Bush announced his principles for immigration reform in January 2004, he included an increase in permanent immigration as a key component. President Bush has stated that...

Israel: background and relations with the United States.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 18, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Historical Overview of Israel Government and Politics Overview Current Political Situation Economy Overview ...

Emergency supplemental appropriations for Hurricane Katrina relief.
May 1, 2006... Summary In response to the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, the 109th Congress enacted two FY2005 emergency supplemental appropriations bills (P.L. 109- 61 and P.L. 109-62), which together provide $62.3 billion for...

Global climate change.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 12, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Global Climate Change Science Greenhouse Gases: Sources and Trends Climate System Response The Policy Context ...

Renewable energy: tax credit, budget, and electricity production issues.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 25, 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...

World Trade Organization Negotiations: the Doha Development Agenda.(International organization overview)
May 1, 2006... Updated May 15, 2006 Summary The World Trade Organization was established in 1995 and is the principal international organization governing world trade. It has 150 member countries, representing over 95% of world trade. On...

United Nations system funding: Congressional issues.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 11, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS U.N. System Financing U.N. Assessed Budgets Scale of Assessments U.N. Reform U.S. Role in U.N. Reform Task...

United Nations peacekeeping: issues for Congress.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 11, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Current Funding Situation Basic Information Other Peacekeeping Issues A Peacekeeping Response to International...

U.S. trade deficit and the impact of rising oil prices.
May 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 fallen slightly. The combination of sharply rising prices and a slightly lower level of...

Trade negotiations during the 109th Congress.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 10, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS U.S. Negotiating Strategy TPA Notification and Consultation Requirements Before the Start of Negotiations During...

Saudi Arabia: current issues and U.S. relations.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 8, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Current Issues Royal Succession September 11 Terrorist Attacks and Aftermath Allegations Saudi Responses ...

Pakistan-U.S. relations.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 9, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Setting and Regional Relations Regional Relations Pakistan-India Rivalry Afghanistan The China Factor ...

Net Neutrality: background and issues.
May 1, 2006... Summary As the 109th Congress continues to debate telecommunications reform, a major point of contention is the question of whether action is needed to ensure unfettered access to the Internet. The move to place restrictions on the owners...

The Middle East peace talks.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 18, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS U.S. Role Conference and Developments Madrid Bilateral Talks Israel-Palestinians Israel-Syria ...

Iraq: U.S. Military Operations.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 9, 2006 Summary Iraq's chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons programs, together with Iraqi long-range missile development and support for Al Qaeda terrorism, were the primary justifications put forward for military...

Iraq: recent developments in reconstruction assistance.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 5, 2006 Summary Large-scale 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 and Reconstruction...

Iraq: post-Saddam governance and security.(Saddam Hussein)
May 1, 2006... Updated May 16, 2006 Summary Operation Iraqi Freedom succeeded in overthrowing Saddam Hussein, but Iraq remains unstable because of Sunni Arab resentment and a related insurgency, compounded by burgeoning sectarian violence. According...

Energy policy: conceptual framework and continuing issues.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 11, 2006 Summary In the spring of 2006, crude oil prices were exceeding $70/barrel (bbl) in response to tight markets and uncertainty over the security of world oil supply. On August 8, 2005, the 109th Congress--during its...

China-U.S. trade issues.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 16, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS U.S. Trade with China Major U.S. Exports to China Major U.S. Imports from China Major U.S.-China Trade Issues China's...

China's economic conditions.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 15, 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's...

Central Asia: regional developments and implications for U.S. interests.
May 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Historical Background Overview of U.S. Policy Concerns Post-September 11 and Afghanistan Support for Operation Iraqi Freedom Fostering...

Campaign finance.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 4, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Evolution of the Current System Campaign Finance Practices and Related Issues Enduring Issues: Overall Costs, Funding Sources,...

Avian influenza: agricultural issues.
May 1, 2006... Summary A strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) has spread throughout Asia since 2003, infecting mostly poultry but also a limited number of humans. The virus reached Europe in 2005, and the Middle East and Africa in 2006....

Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: political developments and implications for U.S. interests.
May 1, 2006... updated May 9, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Overview of U.S. Policy Concerns Post-September 11 Operations in Iraq Obstacles to Peace and Independence Regional...

Alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles: issues in Congress.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 8, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Congressional Interest Legislative Background Current Issues Fuel Tax Incentives Ethanol and MTBE Issues in...

AIDS in Africa.(CRS Issue Brief for Congress: Received through the CRS Web)
May 1, 2006... Updated May 5, 2006 CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Characteristics of the African Epidemic Transmission Women Prevalence Trends Highest Rates Children Orphans ...

Afghanistan: post-war governance, security, and U.S. policy.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 4, 2006 Summary Afghanistan's planned political transition was completed with the convening of a parliament in December 2005, but insurgent threats to Afghanistan's government persist and are even growing in some southern...

Afghanistan: elections, constitution, and government.
May 1, 2006... Summary In 2004 and 2005, Afghanistan adopted a permanent constitution and elected a president and a parliament. The parliament is emerging as a significant force in Afghan politics, as shown in debates over a new cabinet and the 2006...

Border security and military support: legal authorizations and restrictions.
May 1, 2006... Summary The military generally provides support to law enforcement and immigration authorities along the southern border. Reported escalations in criminal activity and illegal immigration, however, have prompted some lawmakers to...

U.S. Army's modular redesign: issues for Congress.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 5, 2006 Summary In what the Army describes as the "most significant Army restructuring in the past 50 years," it is redesigning its current 10 active duty division force to a 42 or 43 brigade combat team (BCT) force by...

Taiwan: major U.S. arms sales since 1990.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 5, 2006 Summary This report, updated as warranted, discusses U.S. security assistance to Taiwan, or Republic of China (ROC), including policy issues for Congress and legislation. The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), P.L. 96-8,...

France: factors shaping foreign policy, and issues in U.S.-French relations.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 19, 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....

FY2006 supplemental appropriations: Iraq and other international activities; additional Hurricane Katrina relief.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 23, 2006 Summary On February 16, 2006, the Administration submitted two separate FY2006 supplemental appropriations requests. The first, totaling $72.4 billion, would fund ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan...

China and Falun Gong.
May 1, 2006... May 25, 2006 Summary In 1999, the "Falun Gong" movement gave rise to the largest and most protracted public demonstrations in China since the democracy movement of a decade earlier. The People's Republic of China (PRC) government,...

"Boutique Fuels" and reformulated gasoline: harmonization of fuel standards.
May 1, 2006... Summary The current system of gasoline standards in the United States is complex. Because of federal and state programs to improve air quality, and local refining and marketing decisions, suppliers of gasoline face many different standards...

Intelligence issues for Congress.
May 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Intelligence Community The "INTs"--Intelligence Disciplines Integrating the "Ints Intelligence Budget Process The 9/11 Investigations...

Trade, trade barriers, and trade deficits: implications for U.S. economic welfare.
May 1, 2006... Summary This report provides an overview of the economics of international trade that may be helpful for consideration of many recurring international economic policy issues. It is intended as a general explanation of mainstream economic...

Iraq: elections, government, and constitution.
May 1, 2006... Summary Elections in 2005 for a transition government (January 30, 2005), a permanent constitution (October 15), and a permanent (four year) government (December 15) were concluded despite insurgent violence, progressively attracting Sunni...

Same-sex marriages: legal issues.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 22, 2006 Summary Massachusetts became the first state to legalize marriage between same-sex couples on May 17, 2004, as a result of a November 2003 decision by the state's highest court that denying gay and lesbian couples...

The budget for fiscal year 2007.
May 1, 2006... Summary The Senate passed its version of the fiscal year (FY) 2007 budget resolution (S.Con.Res. 83) on March 16, 2006. After extended delays, the House passed its resolution on May 18. The extensive differences between the Senate and...

Environmental protection issues in the 109th Congress.
May 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...

Nonimmigrant overstays: brief synthesis of the issue.(Department of State, Department of Homeland Security )
May 1, 2006... Summary As the 109th Congress debates immigration control (i.e., border security and interior enforcement) and legal reform (i.e., temporary and permanent admissions), concerns arise over the capacity of the Department of Homeland Security...

Foreign operations (house)/state, foreign operations, and related programs (senate): FY2007 appropriations.
May 1, 2006... Summary The annual Foreign Operations appropriations bill in the House, and the State, Foreign Operations measure in the Senate are the primary legislative vehicles through which Congress reviews the U.S. international affairs budgets and...

Defense: FY2007 authorization and appropriations.
May 1, 2006... Summary The House passed its version of the FY2007 defense authorization bill, H.R. 5122, on May 11. The bill authorizes $513 billion for national defense, including $50 billion in emergency funding for operations in Iraq and elsewhere in...

The proposed South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (KORUSFTA).
May 1, 2006... Summary On February 2, 2006, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Portman and South Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong, announced their two countries' intention to negotiate a Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (KORUSFTA). The...

North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
May 1, 2006... CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS The Second Bush Administration and the Six Party Talks Context and Results of the July-August and September 2005 Six Party Talks Background to...

Agriculture-based renewable energy production.
May 1, 2006... Summary Since the late 1970s, U.S. policy makers at both the federal and state levels have enacted a variety of incentives, regulations, and programs to encourage the production and use of agriculture-based renewable energy. Motivations...

Energy and water development: FY2007 appropriations.
May 1, 2006... Summary The Energy and Water Development appropriations bill in the past included funding for civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), most of the Department...

Homeland Security Department: FY2007 appropriations.
May 1, 2006... May 10, 2006 The annual consideration of appropriations bills (regular, continuing, and supplemental) by Congress is part of a complex set of budget processes that also encompasses the consideration of budget resolutions, revenue and...

U.S. international trade: data and forecasts.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 23, 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....

Periods of war.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 1, 2006 Summary Many wars or conflicts in United States history have a federally designated "periods of war" date for their beginning and ending. These dates are important for qualification for certain veterans' pension or...

Arab League boycott of Israel.(Israeli companies )
May 1, 2006... Updated May 19, 2006 Summary The Arab League has maintained an official boycott of Israeli companies and Israeli-made goods since the founding of Israel in 1948. The United States actively opposes the boycott and works on both...

Dispute settlement in the World Trade organization: an overview.
May 1, 2006... Summary Dispute resolution in the World Trade Organization (WTO) is carried out under the WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU), whose rules and procedures apply to virtually all WTO agreements. The DSU provides for consultations...

India: chronology of recent events.(Chronology)
May 1, 2006... Summary This report provides a reverse chronology of recent events involving India and India-U.S. relations. Sources include, but are not limited to, major newswires, the U.S. Department of State, and Indian news outlets. For a substantive...

Long-term growth of the U.S. economy: significance, determinants, and policy.
May 1, 2006... Summary The rate of long-term economic growth is the salient measure of the nation's ability to steadily advance its material living standard. The pace of long-term economic growth is likely to be a center of attention in the decades just...

Terrorism and security issues facing the water infrastructure sector.
May 1, 2006... Summary Damage to or destruction of the nation's water supply and water quality infrastructure by terrorist attack could disrupt the delivery of vital human services in this country, threatening public health and the environment, or...

Elections in States affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
May 1, 2006... Summary The aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita created staggering problems and challenging conditions for the people of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, as well as for the state and local governments there. Many problems...

The changing demographic profile of the United States.
May 1, 2006... Updated May 5, 2006 The Changing Demographic Profile of the United States Summary The United States, the third most populous country globally, accounts for about 4.6% of the world's population. Within the next few years, the U.S....

Nuclear command and control: current programs and issues.
May 1, 2006... Summary The Nuclear Command and Control System (NCCS) infrastructure supports the President and his combatant commanders when they direct nuclear forces. This report discusses the current role of the NCCS in light of the 2001 Nuclear...

Social unrest in China.
May 1, 2006... Social Unrest in China Summary In the past few years, the People's Republic of China (PRC) has experienced rising social unrest, including protests, demonstrations, picketing, and group petitioning. According to PRC official sources,...

Government access to phone calling activity and related records: legal authorities.
May 1, 2006... Summary Recent media disclosures regarding an alleged National Security Agency (NSA) program designed to collect and analyze information on telephone calling patterns within the United States have raised interest in the means by which the...

Iraqi civilian, police, and security forces casualty estimates.
May 1, 2006... Summary This report presents various estimates of Iraqi civilian, police, and security forces casualties. The Department of Defense (DOD) regularly updates total U.S. military deaths and wounded statistics from Operation Iraqi Freedom, as...