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Background Ozone: Challenges in Science and Policy [Updated January 31, 2019]
"Exposure to ozone, a common air pollutant, has been linked to early death, plant and crop damage, and damage to property. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone to protect human health and welfare with, by law, a 'margin of safety.' States that contain areas with ozone concentrations above these standards must develop plans to reduce emissions and improve air quality. However, states have direct control only over emission sources located within their borders. [...] Some Members of Congress have expressed interest in adverse health effects that occur at or below the current standard, challenges some nonattainment areas may have in meeting current standards, and particularly the responsibilities for meeting the health standard, given interstate and international transport. EPA's review of the ozone NAAQS is underway and set to be completed in 2020, with background ozone contributions suggested as a topic to be addressed. Congress may have an interest in better understanding scientific capabilities, needs, and efforts to improve understanding of contributions from background sources, as well as options for regulatory responses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thompson, Tammy M
2019-01-31
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Asylum and Related Protections for Aliens Who Fear Gang and Domestic Violence [January 15, 2019]
From the Document: "Over the past year, non-U.S. nationals (aliens) from Central America (primarily Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala) have comprised an increasingly larger share of asylum applicants in the United States. And more recently, a 'caravan' of thousands of individuals from Honduras has been traveling north across the Guatemala-Mexico border, with many reportedly seeking to escape widespread gang and domestic violence in Honduras. Previously, federal courts and immigration authorities have considered when such circumstances may raise a viable claim for asylum or other forms of relief from removal. In June 2018, Attorney General (AG) Jeff Sessions ruled in Matter of A-B- that aliens who fear gang or domestic violence in their home countries generally do not qualify for asylum based on those grounds--a ruling that is binding upon immigration authorities within both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The decision may foreclose some claims of relief by asylum seekers, and subject more aliens apprehended along the border to expedited removal in lieu of the more formalized removal process available to aliens whose asylum claims are deemed sufficiently credible to warrant further review."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Hillel R.
2019-01-15
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Armenia's Velvet Revolution [January 16, 2019]
"In December 2018, snap parliamentary elections strengthened the legitimacy of Armenia's new prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, who came to power in May 2018 in what supporters called a 'velvet revolution.' The elections unseated a semi-autocratic ruling party that had governed Armenia for almost 20 years but now failed to enter parliament. Armenia, a small, landlocked country in the South Caucasus (population 3 million), is dependent on Russia for security, trade, and investment, but it also seeks closer relations with the United States and Europe. Whether Armenia's change of government will lead to further integration with the West is unclear. For now, Armenia's government says it intends to retain its security alliance and economic partnership with Russia while pursuing Western-leaning democracy and governance reforms."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Welt, Cory
2019-01-16
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Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies [Updated January 16, 2019]
"Successive Administrations have identified Iran as a key national security challenge, citing Iran's nuclear and missile programs as well as its long-standing attempts to counter many U.S. objectives in the region. The Trump Administration has defined Iran and its regime as a particularly significant threat to U.S. national security, accusing the regime of 'destructive behavior at home and abroad.' Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, in his February 13, 2018, annual worldwide threat assessment testimony before Congress, assessed that 'Iran will seek to expand its influence in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, where it sees conflicts generally trending in Tehran's favor' and 'Iran will develop military capabilities that threaten U.S. forces and allies in the region.' Successive National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAAs) have required an annual report on Iran's military power, which has in recent years contained assessments of Iran similar to those presented publicly by the intelligence community."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2019-01-16
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues in the 115th Congress [Updated January 22, 2019]
"Geographic proximity has ensured strong linkages between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean, based on diverse U.S. interests, including economic, political, and security concerns. The United States is a major trading partner and the largest source of foreign investment for many countries in the region, with free-trade agreements enhancing economic linkages with 11 countries. The region is a large source of U.S. immigration, both legal and illegal; proximity and economic and security conditions are major factors driving migration. Curbing the flow of illicit drugs has been a key component of U.S. relations with the region for more than three decades and currently involves close security cooperation with Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. U.S. support for democracy and human rights in the region has been long-standing, with particular current focus on Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; DeBruyne, Nese F. . . .
2019-01-22
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Federal Role in Voter Registration: The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and Subsequent Developments [Updated January 23, 2019]
"Historically, most aspects of election administration have been left to state and local governments, resulting in a variety of practices across jurisdictions with respect to voter registration. States can vary on a number of elements of the voter registration process, including whether or not to require voter registration; where or when voter registration occurs; and how voters may be removed from registration lists. The right of citizens to vote, however, is presented in the U.S. Constitution in the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-sixth Amendments. Beginning with the Voting Rights Act (VRA) in 1965, Congress has sometimes passed legislation requiring certain uniform practices for federal elections, intended to prevent any state policies that may result in the disenfranchisement of eligible voters. The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) was enacted in 1993 and set forth a number of voter registration requirements for states to follow regarding voter registration processes for federal elections."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eckman, Sarah J.
2019-01-23
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Congressional Member Organizations (CMOs) and Informal Member Groups: Their Purpose and Activities, History, and Formation [Updated January 23, 2019]
From the Introduction, "Several hundred informal Member organizations exist within the House of Representatives, Senate, or between both the chambers; these organizations typically reflect Members' shared legislative objectives or representational interests. These groups may commonly be described as congressional caucuses, working groups, or task forces, but in this report, will be identified, collectively, as informal Member organizations, to avoid confusion with official party caucuses. An additional distinction between informal Member organizations may be drawn. In the House of Representatives, some groups may register with the Committee on House Administration to form a Congressional Member Organization (CMO). CMOs registered with the Committee on House Administration can include groups exclusively for House Members or bicameral groups that include House Members and Senators. Informal Member organizations that are not registered with the Committee on House Administration are called informal Member groups; these include groups exclusive to the Senate, which does not have any formal registration process for informal Member organizations. These distinctions are described in greater detail in the sections below. The Appendix provides some considerations for House Members seeking to form a CMO. Some of these considerations that are not exclusive to the House process, such as determining a group's objective and possible membership, may also be of interest to Senators or House Members seeking to form an informal Member group."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eckman, Sarah J.
2019-01-23
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Economics of Federal User Fees [January 22, 2019]
"The federal government collects various fees from businesses and households. Choosing to raise public funds via user fees, as opposed to other means such as taxes, has important administrative and economic consequences. Many fees stem from 'business-like activities,' in which the government provides a service or benefit in return for payment. For example, many national parks charge entry fees, which then help fund maintenance projects. Such fees and charges that result from voluntary choices, such as entering a national park, are distinguished from taxes-- which stem from the government's sovereign power to compel payments. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) defines a user fee as a 'fee assessed to users for goods or services provided by the federal government. User fees generally apply to federal programs or activities that provide special benefits to identifiable recipients above and beyond what is normally available to the public.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Austin, D. Andrew
2019-01-22
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U.S.-Proposed Missile Technology Control Regime Changes [January 10, 2019]
"In March 2018, the United States submitted a proposal to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) partners that would relax the regime's export guidelines for certain Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Advocates of altering the guidelines to ease such exports argue that increasing competition from foreign UAS manufacturers is undermining the competitive advantage of their U.S. counterparts. Other observers have emphasized the need to maintain the MTCR's standards, which are widely regarded as effective. [...] Congress has frequently expressed interest in issues concerning UAS development and use, as well as missile proliferation, and also conducts oversight of U.S. UAS exports."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.
2019-01-10
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Role of the House Minority Leader: An Overview [Updated January 25, 2019]
"The minority leader of the modern House is the head of the 'loyal opposition.' As the minority party's nominee for Speaker at the start of a new Congress, the minority leader traditionally hands the gavel to the Speaker-elect, who is usually elected on a straight party-line vote. The speakership election illustrates the main problem that confronts the minority leader: the subordinate status of the minority party in an institution noted for majority rule. As David Bonior, D-MI [Democrat-Michigan], explained: 'This body, unlike the other, operates under the principle that a determined majority should be allowed to work its will while protecting the rights of the minority to be heard.' Minority party lawmakers are certain to be heard, but whether they will be heeded is sometimes another matter. Thus, the uppermost goal of any minority leader is to recapture majority control of the House."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Oleszek, Mark J.
2019-01-25
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Redirecting Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Resources During National Emergencies [January 28, 2019]
"In January 2019, news outlets reported that the Trump Administration was investigating redirecting U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) civil works funds to construct physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. USACE is an agency in the Department of Defense (DOD) that performs both military and civil works activities. Section 923 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (WRDA 1986; 33 U.S.C. §2293) provides the Secretary of the Army authority to redirect civil works resources in the event of a declared war or national emergency that requires or may require use of the Armed Forces. [...] This CRS product provides a primer on the authority to redirect civil works resources, USACE civil works funding, and the legislative history of 33 U.S.C. §2293. It also discusses ways other than 33 U.S.C. §2293 that USACE has been or could be involved in wall or fence construction along the U.S.-Mexico border."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.
2019-01-28
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Possible Second U.S.-North Korea Summit: What Diplomacy Has and Hasn't Achieved [January 23, 2019]
"In late January 2019, President Donald Trump said he would meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un 'probably at the end of February.' The summit would be the second between the two leaders, following their summit in Singapore in June 2018. As of January 22, the White House has not detailed the substance of the planned meeting. Washington and Pyongyang appeared to reach few substantive agreements ahead of the last summit, which Trump described as a 'getting to know you' occasion. If the Trump-Kim summit occurs, it would continue the high-level diplomacy that Pyongyang has orchestrated since early 2018. Over the past year, Kim has held three summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, four with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and one with President Trump."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manyin, Mark E.; Chanlett-Avery, Emma
2019-01-23
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World Oil Market and U.S. Policy: Background and Select Issues for Congress [Updated February 4, 2019]
"The international oil market has influenced U.S. domestic and foreign policy decisions for decades. The United States plays a significant role in the world oil market, not only as the top consumer of crude oil and petroleum products, but also as the largest producer. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimated that the United States surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia as the world's number one crude oil producer in 2018. U.S. production is at an all-time high as a result of technological advancements and policy. Despite the recent surge in U.S. oil production, the United States remained a net importer of oil in 2018. [...] This report provides an introduction to the U.S. and world oil markets, with an overview of supply and demand, price considerations, and trade flows. The report also includes analysis on selected examples of international conditions that in the past have affected policy decisions in the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Greenley, Heather L.
2019-02-04
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U.S.-European Relations in the 116th Congress [February 4, 2019]
"Since the end of the Second World War, successive U.S. Administrations and many Members of Congress have supported a close U.S. partnership with Europe. Often termed the 'transatlantic relationship', the U.S.-European partnership encompasses NATO, the European Union (EU), and extensive bilateral political and economic ties. Over the past 70 years, political tensions, trade disputes, and changes in the security landscape have tested U.S.-European relations. Despite periodic difficulties, U.S. and European policymakers have valued the transatlantic partnership as serving their respective geostrategic and economic interests."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Archick, Kristin
2019-02-04
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Venezuela: U.S. Recognizes Interim Government [Updated February 6, 2019]
"Many in Congress are closely following events in Venezuela, given recent political developments that have led the United States and other governments to recognize an interim government. On January 23, 2019, amid widespread protests against the authoritarian government of President Nicolás Maduro, the president of Venezuela's democratically elected, opposition-controlled National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, declared himself interim president of Venezuela until new presidential elections are convened. The United States, Canada, and more than 35 other countries have recognized Guaidó as the interim president. The situation remains volatile. Maduro retains control of most of the military, even as domestic protests and international pressure mount against him. The United States has blocked the Maduro government from accessing revenue from the state oil company and agreed to provide humanitarian aid at Guaidó's request."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2019-02-06
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What Happens If the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Lapses? [Updated January 14, 2019]
"This Insight provides a short overview of what would happen if the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) were not to be reauthorized by May 31, 2019, and allowed to lapse. [...] The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is authorized by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (Title XIII of P.L. 90-448, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§4001 et seq.). The NFIP does not contain a single comprehensive expiration, termination, or sunset provision for the whole of the program. Rather, the NFIP has multiple different legal provisions that tie to the expiration of key components of the program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2019-01-14
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Buprenorphine and the Opioid Crisis: A Primer for Congress [August 3, 2018]
"Buprenorphine is one of three medications currently used in medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorders. As such, buprenorphine's effectiveness, safety, and availability are of considerable interest to policymakers seeking to address the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States. During the 115th Congress, committees have held hearings on opioid-related topics such as implementation of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA, P.L. 114198), the effects of the opioid crisis on families, and opioid use among veterans. Members have introduced more than 150 bills related to opioids. Congressional actions taken in recent years to address the opioid crisis have included attempts to increase access to buprenorphine."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Duff, Johnathan H.
2018-08-03
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Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs: FY2019 Budget and Appropriations [August 9, 2018]
"The Trump Administration submitted to Congress its FY2019 budget request on February 12, 2018. The proposal includes $41.86 billion for the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS). Of that amount, $13.26 billion would be for State Department operations, international broadcasting, and related agencies, and $28.60 billion for foreign operations. With the enactment of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA; P.L. 115-123, February 9, 2018), which raised discretionary spending limits set by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA; P.L. 112-25), the Administration's FY2019 foreign affairs funding request is entirely within enduring (base) funds; no Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding is in the SFOPS request for the first time since FY2012."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.; Lawson, Marian Leonardo; Gill, Cory R.
2018-08-09
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Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) in the United States [August 9, 2018]
"Carbon capture and sequestration (or storage)--known as CCS--is a process that involves capturing man-made carbon dioxide (CO2) at its source and storing it permanently underground. (CCS is sometimes referred to as CCUS--carbon capture, utilization, and storage.) CCS could reduce the amount of CO2--an important greenhouse gas--emitted to the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants and other large industrial facilities. The concept of carbon utilization has gained interest within Congress and in the private sector as a means for capturing CO2 and converting it into potentially commercially viable products, such as chemicals, fuels, cements, and plastics, thereby reducing emissions to the atmosphere and helping offset the cost of CO2 capture. Direct air capture is also an emerging technology, with the promise to remove atmospheric CO2 directly and reduce its concentration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin)
2018-08-09
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Iran's Threats, the Strait of Hormuz, and Oil Markets: In Brief [August 6, 2018]
"The exchanges of threats between members of the governments of Iran and the United States, including the presidents of both countries, have again raised the specter of an interruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz (the Strait), a key waterway for the transit of oil and natural gas to world markets. In the first half of 2018, approximately 18 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil and condensate, almost 4 million bpd of petroleum products, and over 300 million cubic meters per day in liquefied natural gas (LNG) exited the Strait. Iran accounted for about 10% of oil and 0% of the natural gas through the Strait. In a speech on July 22, Iranian President Rouhani stated, 'We are the…guarantor of security of the waterway of the region throughout the history. Don't play with the lion's tail; you will regret it.' (Western reporting took the reference to the waterway to mean the Strait of Hormuz, which is the narrow waterway that forms the entrance to the Persian Gulf from the Gulf of Oman and ultimately the Arabian Sea."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ratner, Michael
2018-08-06
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Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh: His Jurisprudence and Potential Impact on the Supreme Court [August 21, 2018]
From the Document: "On July 9, 2018, President Donald J. Trump announced the nomination of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) to fill retiring Justice Anthony M. Kennedy's seat on the Supreme Court of the United States. Nominated to the D.C. Circuit by President George W. Bush, Judge Kavanaugh has served on that court for more than twelve years. In his role as a Circuit Judge, the nominee has authored roughly three hundred opinions (including majority opinions, concurrences, and dissents) and adjudicated numerous high-profile cases concerning, among other things, the status of wartime detainees held by the United States at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; the constitutionality of the current structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; the validity of rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act; and the legality of the Federal Communications Commission's net neutrality rule. Since joining the D.C. Circuit, Judge Kavanaugh has also taught courses on the separation of powers, national security law, and constitutional interpretation at Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, and the Georgetown University Law Center."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nolan, Andrew; Lewis, Caitlain Devereaux
2018-08-21
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Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response [August 21, 2018]
"The Syria conflict, now in its eighth year, remains a significant policy challenge for the United States. U.S. policy toward Syria in the past several years has given highest priority to counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIL/ISIS), but also has included nonlethal assistance to opposition-held communities, support for diplomatic efforts to reach a political settlement to the civil war, and the provision of humanitarian assistance in Syria and surrounding countries. The counter-IS campaign works primarily 'by, with, and through' local partners trained, equipped, and advised by the U.S. military, per a broader U.S. strategy initiated by the Obama Administration and modified by the Trump Administration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humud, Carla E.; Blanchard, Christopher M.; Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham
2018-08-21
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Questioning Judicial Nominees: Legal Limitations and Practice [August 30, 2018]
"The U.S. Constitution vests the Senate with the role of providing 'advice' and affording or withholding 'consent' when a President nominates a candidate to be an Article III judge--that is, a federal judge entitled to life tenure, such as a Supreme Court Justice. To carry out this 'advice and consent' role, the Senate typically holds a hearing at which Members question the nominee. After conducting this hearing, the Senate generally either 'consents' to the nomination by voting to confirm the nominee or instead rejects the nominee."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lewis, Kevin M.; Brannon, Valerie C.
2018-08-30
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Securities Regulation and Initial Coin Offerings: A Legal Primer [August 31, 2018]
"Initial coin offerings (ICOs)--a method of raising capital in exchange for digital coins or tokens that entitle their holders to certain rights--are a hot topic among legislators, regulators, and financial market professionals. In response to a surge in the popularity of ICOs over the past 18 months, regulators in a number of countries have banned ICOs. Other foreign regulators have cautioned that unregistered ICOs may violate their securities laws, issued guidance clarifying the application of their securities laws to ICOs, or proposed new rules or legislation directed at regulating ICOs. ICOs have also attracted the attention of U.S. securities regulators. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cautioned that depending on their specific features, ICOs may qualify as offerings of 'securities' subject to federal regulation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sykes, Jay B.
2018-08-31
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Iran: Internal Politics and U.S. Policy and Options [August 23, 2018]
"Since the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, the United States and Iran have been estranged and at odds. During the 1980s and 1990s, U.S. officials identified Iran's support for militant Middle East groups as the primary threat posed by Iran to U.S. interests and allies. Iran's nuclear program took precedence in U.S. policy after 2002 as the potential for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon increased. In 2010, the Obama Administration orchestrated broad international economic pressure on Iran to persuade it to agree to strict limits on the program--pressure that contributed to the June 2013 election of the relatively moderate Hassan Rouhani as president of Iran and the negotiation of a nuclear agreement--the 'Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action' (JCPOA). The JCPOA exchanged sanctions relief for limits on Iran's nuclear program. The JCPOA reduced the potential threat from Iran's nuclear program, but did not contain strict or binding limits on Iran's ballistic missile program; its regional influence; its conventional military programs; and its human rights abuses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2018-08-23
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Federal Role in U.S. Campaigns and Elections: An Overview [September 4, 2018]
"Since the 2016 election cycle, the policy community has focused on what roles the federal government plays--or could play--in protecting U.S. elections from foreign interference. Recent reports suggest that attempts to interfere with the 2018 election cycle also are under way. Congress is responsible for overseeing the federal presence in campaigns and elections, both with respect to traditional policy challenges and new ones. This report is intended to help Congress understand how the statutes and agencies it has created affect U.S. campaigns and elections. Currently, no single agency or statute provides overarching coordination. As this report shows, at least 22 congressional committees; 17 federal departments or independent agencies (plus the Intelligence Community and the federal judiciary); 9 federal statutes; and several constitutional provisions can affect the federal role in campaigns and elections."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-
2018-09-04
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India: Religious Freedom Issues [August 30, 2018]
"India is the world's second-most populous country with more than 1.3 billion people and is the birthplace of four major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. It is also home to about 180 million Muslims--only Indonesia and Pakistan have more. A small Christian minority includes about 30 million people. An officially secular nation with thousands of ethnic groups and 22 official languages, independent India has a long tradition of religious tolerance (with periodic and sometimes serious lapses). Religious freedom is explicitly protected under its constitution. Hindus account for a vast majority (nearly four-fifths) of the country's populace. Hindu nationalism has been a rising political force in recent decades, by many accounts eroding India's secular nature and leading to new assaults on the country's religious freedoms."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2018-08-30
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'Flores Settlement' and Alien Families Apprehended at the U.S. Border: Frequently Asked Questions [August 28, 2018]
"Reports of alien minors being separated from their parents at the U.S. border have raised questions about the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) authority to detain alien families together pending the aliens' removal proceedings, which may include consideration of claims for asylum and other forms of relief from removal. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) authorizes--and in some case requires--DHS to detain aliens pending removal proceedings. However, neither the INA nor other federal laws specifically address when or whether alien family members must be detained together. DHS's options regarding the detention or release of alien families are significantly restricted by a binding settlement agreement from a case in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California now called Flores v. Sessions. The 'Flores Settlement' establishes a policy favoring the release of alien minors, including accompanied alien minors, and requires that those alien minors who are not released from government custody be transferred within a brief period to non-secure, state-licensed facilities. DHS indicates that few such facilities exist that can house adults and children together. Accordingly, under the Flores Settlement and current circumstances, DHS asserts that it generally cannot detain alien children and their parents together for more than brief periods."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Peck, Sarah Herman; Harrington, Ben
2018-08-28
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U.S. - Taiwan Trade Relations [September 11, 2018]
"With a population of 23 million people, Taiwan has evolved to become a highly developed, dynamic, and globally competitive economy. In 2017, Taiwan's gross domestic product (GDP) on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis was $1.2 trillion, making it the world's 21st largest economy. Its per capita GDP on a PPP basis (a common measurement of living standards) was 15% greater than Japan's and about 75% of the U.S. level. In 2017, Taiwan was the world's 18th largest trading economy. The World Economic Forum ranked Taiwan as the world's 15th most competitive economy in 2017. Taiwan is a major global producer of information and communications technology (ICT) products (e.g., notebook PCs, tablets, smartphones, and computer peripherals) and semiconductors."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morrison, Wayne M.
2018-09-11
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Trump Administration Tariff Actions: Frequently Asked Questions [February 22, 2019]
From the Document, "The Constitution grants Congress the sole authority over the regulation of foreign commerce. Over the past several decades, Congress has authorized the President to adjust tariffs and other trade restrictions in certain circumstances through specific trade laws. Using these delegated authorities under three trade laws, President Trump has imposed increased tariffs, largely in the range of 10% - 25%, on a variety of U.S. imports to address concerns related to national security, injury to competing industries, and China's trade practices on forced technology transfer and intellectual property rights, among other issues. Several U.S. trade partners argue that these tariff actions violate existing U.S. commitments under multilateral and bilateral or regional trade agreements and have imposed tariffs on U.S. exports in retaliation. Congress continues to actively examine and debate these tariffs, and several bills have been introduced either to expand, limit, or revise existing authorities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Williams, Brock R.; Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D.; Fefer, Rachel F. . . .
2019-02-22
