Newly updated reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following.
Armed Conflict in Syria: U.S. and International Response, June 14, 2013
Syria’s Chemical Weapons: Issues for Congress, June 14, 2013
U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues, June 14, 2013
The Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations and Issues for Congress, June 17, 2013
New and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service that have been withheld by Congress from public distribution online include the following.
The United States and Europe: Responding to Change in the Middle East and North Africa, June 12, 2013
Israel: Background and U.S. Relations, June 12, 2013
U.S.-Mexican Security Cooperation: the Merida Initiative and Beyond, June 12, 2013
Foreign Assistance to North Korea, June 11, 2013
Cuba: U.S. Policy and Issues for the 113th Congress, June 12, 2013
Recess Appointments Made by President Barack Obama, June 11, 2013
A Brief Overview of Business Types and Their Tax Treatment, June 12, 2013
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), June 12, 2013
Terrorism and Transnational Crime: Foreign Policy Issues for Congress, June 11, 2013
New and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service that have not been made readily available to the public include the following.
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Background and Current Developments, June 10, 2013
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Countries: Comparative Trade and Economic Analysis, June 10, 2013
Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Research, Development, and Demonstration at the U.S. Department of Energy, June 10, 2013
Unapproved Genetically Modified Wheat Discovered in Oregon: Status and Implications, June 7, 2013
Social Security Reform: Legal Analysis of Social Security Benefit Entitlement Issues, June 7, 2013
Social Security: The Trust Fund, June 4, 2013
Budget Issues Shaping a Farm Bill in 2013, June 3, 2013
Earthquake Risk and U.S. Highway Infrastructure: Frequently Asked Questions, June 5, 2013
Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies: Perspectives and Contemporary Developments, June 7, 2013
Guatemala: Political, Security, and Socio-Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations, May 16, 2013
Gun Control Proposals in the 113th Congress: Universal Background Checks, Gun Trafficking, and Military Style Firearms, June 7, 2013
Homelessness: Targeted Federal Programs and Recent Legislation, June 7, 2013
Moldova: Background and U.S. Policy, June 5, 2013
The latest updates from the Congressional Research Service include the following items.
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): An Overview, June 4, 2013
International Climate Change Financing: The Climate Investment Funds (CIFs), June 3, 2013
International Environmental Financing: The Global Environment Facility (GEF), June 3, 2013
Iraq: Politics, Governance, and Human Rights, June 3, 2013
Crime and Forfeiture, May 13, 2013
New and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service that CRS is not authorized to release to the public include the following.
Closing the Guantanamo Detention Center: Legal Issues, May 30, 2013
“This report provides an overview of major legal issues likely to arise as a result of executive and legislative action to close the Guantanamo detention facility. It discusses legal issues related to the transfer of Guantanamo detainees (either to a foreign country or into the United States), the continued detention of such persons in the United States, and the possible removal of persons brought into the country. It also discusses selected constitutional issues that may arise in the criminal prosecution of detainees, emphasizing the procedural and substantive protections that are utilized in different forums (i.e., federal courts, court-martial proceedings, and military commissions).”
Bangladesh Apparel Factory Collapse: Background in Brief, May 23, 2013
“The April 24, 2013, collapse of an eight-story garment factory, called Rana Plaza, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, resulted in the deaths of more than 1,100 workers. It is reportedly now considered the deadliest accident in the history of the apparel industry…. This report provides an overview of the recent tragedy in Bangladesh and the Bangladesh economic environment and culture. It also notes the responses to the tragedy, to date, from Congress, the Administration, the ILO [International Labor Organization], the Bangladesh government, and the private sector. Finally, it raises some possible issues for Congress.”
Who Regulates Whom and How? An Overview of U.S. Financial Regulatory Policy for Banking and Securities Markets, May 28, 2013
“This report provides an overview of the regulatory policies of the agencies that oversee banking and securities markets and explains which agencies are responsible for which institutions, activities, and markets. Some agencies regulate particular types of institutions for risky behavior or conflicts of interest, some agencies promulgate rules for certain financial transactions no matter what kind of institution engages in them, and other agencies enforce existing rules for some institutions, but not for others. These regulatory activities are not necessarily mutually exclusive.”
Airline Passenger Rights: The Federal Role in Aviation Consumer Protection, May 20, 2013
“The deregulation of the airline industry in the United States in 1978 eliminated most governmental control over most business practices of airlines. However, the federal government continues to regulate certain practices for the protection of the airlines’ customers, in addition to its long-standing role in overseeing air safety…. This report examines aviation consumer protections in the post-deregulation era. It explains the roles of Congress and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in protecting airline consumers, and discusses some major passenger rights issues and related laws and regulations.”
International Food Aid Programs: Background and Issues, May 20, 2013
“For almost six decades, the United States has played a leading role in global efforts to alleviate hunger and malnutrition and to enhance world food security through the sale on concessional terms or donation of U.S. agricultural commodities. The objectives for foreign food aid include providing emergency and humanitarian assistance in response to natural or manmade disasters, and promoting agricultural development and food security. In its FY2014 budget submission to Congress, the Administration proposes major changes in the funding and structure of both emergency and development food aid programs (Food for Peace Title II)…. The Administration’s proposals will be fiercely debated as Congress takes up the President’s budget request.”
Chile: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations, May 28, 2013
Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Economic and Social Indicators, May 30, 2013
The 2013 Farm Bill: A Comparison of the Senate Agriculture Committee-Reported Bill (S. 954) with Current Law, May 30, 2013
Military Parents and Child Custody: State and Federal Issues, May 31, 2013
The Federal Minimum Wage: In Brief, May 30, 2013
Congressional Gold Medals, 1776-2012, May 30, 2013
Syria’s Chemical Weapons: Issues for Congress, May 31, 2013
The Pentagon’s reliance on contractors to support military operations has now become so extensive that some argue it should be… even more extensive!
These advocates “believe that DOD should be prepared to effectively award and manage contracts at a moment’s notice, anywhere in the world, in unknown environments, and on a scale that may exceed the total contract obligations of any other federal agency,” according to a new report from the Congressional Research Service.
As of March 2013, there were approximately 108,000 DoD contractor personnel in Afghanistan, CRS reports, representing 62% of the total force.
“Contractors provide a wide range of services, from transportation, construction, and base support, to intelligence analysis and private security,” CRS notes. “The benefits of using contractors include freeing up uniformed personnel to conduct combat operations; providing expertise in specialized fields, such as linguistics or weapon systems maintenance; and providing a surge capability, quickly delivering critical support capabilities tailored to specific military needs.”
But “Just as the effective use of contractors can augment military capabilities, the ineffective use of contractors can prevent troops from receiving what they need, when they need it, and can lead to the wasteful spending of billions of dollars. Contractors can also compromise the credibility and effectiveness of the U.S. military and undermine operations, as many analysts believe have occurred in recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
The new CRS report sifts through the implications of this situation, and proposes an oversight agenda for Congressional consideration. See Department of Defense’s Use of Contractors to Support Military Operations: Background, Analysis, and Issues for Congress, May 17, 2013.
Other new and updated CRS reports that Congress has directed CRS not to release to the public include the following.
Compounded Drugs, May 23, 2013
Financial Stability Oversight Council: A Framework to Mitigate Systemic Risk, May 21, 2013
Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2014, May 23, 2013
SBA Assistance to Small Business Startups: Client Experiences and Program Impact, May 22, 2013
501(c)(4)s and Campaign Activity: Analysis Under Tax and Campaign Finance Laws, May 17, 2013
Restrictions on Itemized Tax Deductions: Policy Options and Analysis, May 21, 2013
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: Lessons Learned and Issues for Policymakers, May 21, 2013
Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy, May 24, 2013
Congressional Primer on Major Disasters and Emergencies, May 24, 2013
Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes in the United States, May 22, 2013
“In 2009, China overtook the United States to become both the world’s largest producer of and market for motor vehicles,” a new report from the Congressional Research Service notes.
That is not altogether bad news. “Every year since 2010, General Motors has sold more cars in China (through exports and its joint ventures there) than in the United States,” CRS said. “On the other hand, China maintains a number of trade and investment barriers that affect trade flows in autos and auto parts.”
See U.S.-Chinese Motor Vehicle Trade: Overview and Issues, May 13, 2013
Other new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service that Congress has declined to make publicly available include the following.
Regulation of Fertilizers: Ammonium Nitrate and Anhydrous Ammonia, May 9, 2013
Haiti Under President Martelly: Current Conditions and Congressional Concerns, May 10, 2013
Women in Combat: Issues for Congress, May 9, 2013
The Peace Corps: Current Issues, May 10, 2013
Proposals to Eliminate Public Financing of Presidential Campaigns, May 10, 2013
The Federal Budget: Issues for FY2014 and Beyond, May 9, 2013
The latest reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following.
The Chained Consumer Price Index: What Is It and Would It Be Appropriate for Cost-of-Living Adjustments?, May 8, 2013
Proposed Cuts to Air Traffic Control Towers Under Budget Sequestration: Background and Considerations for Congress, May 7, 2013
Status of Federal Funding for State Implementation of Health Insurance Exchanges, May 8, 2013
The DHS S&T Directorate: Selected Issues for Congress, May 3, 2013
New and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service that Congress has not made available to the public include the following.
The U.S. Science and Engineering Workforce: Recent, Current, and Projected Employment, Wages, and Unemployment, May 6, 2013
Securing U.S. Diplomatic Facilities and Personnel Abroad: Background and Policy Issues, May 7, 2013
Tax Reform in the 113th Congress: An Overview of Proposals, May 6, 2013
Border Security: Immigration Enforcement Between Ports of Entry, May 3, 2013
Terrorist Watch List Screening and Background Checks for Firearms, May 1, 2013
Missing Adults: Background, Federal Programs, and Issues for Congress, May 7, 2013
Kosovo: Current Issues and U.S. Policy, May 7, 2013
Central America Regional Security Initiative: Background and Policy Issues for Congress, May 7, 2013
Expulsion, Censure, Reprimand, and Fine: Legislative Discipline in the House of Representatives, May 2, 2013
The theory and practice of no-fly zones, including questions of their legal authorization and financial cost, are reviewed in a newly reissued report from the Congressional Research Service. The report does not reference the current conflict in Syria. See No-Fly Zones: Strategic, Operational, and Legal Considerations for Congress, May 3, 2013.
Some of the other most recent CRS products (all of which are updates today) are these:
Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798-2013, May 3, 2013
Military Funeral Honors and Military Cemeteries: Frequently Asked Questions, May 3, 2013
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): An Overview, May 3, 2013
Child Support Enforcement Program Incentive Payments: Background and Policy Issues, May 2, 2013
Energy and Water Development: FY2013 Appropriations, April 25, 2013
Nuclear Energy: Overview of Congressional Issues, April 29, 2013