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• U.S. Food and Agricultural Imports: Safeguards and Selected Issues [March 17, 2010]

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  This report discusses the congressional reforms on food import regulations in 2009. "The issue of import safety was the focus of numerous congressional hearings and bills in the 110th Congress, and remains high on the policy agenda of the 111th Congress. Attention is now focused on two pending food safety bills, which seek to address the safety primarily of foods regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The food inspection activities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which is responsible for meat and poultry safety, have not been targeted for changes by these bills. Both bills--H.R. 2749 by Representative Dingell, and S. 510 by Senator Durbin--seek tighter controls over imports, and both would require that imports be subject to certification systems whereby accredited third parties (such as foreign governments or others) might be tasked with assuring that imported food products meet U.S. food safety requirements. The bills variously would provide expedited entry for imports that meet additional standards; require preventive safety plans and more inspections, based on risk, of foreign as well as domestic facilities; and/or ban imports from foreign countries and facilities that refuse requests for U.S.-sponsored safety inspection, among other provisions. The House cleared H.R. 2749 on July 30, 2009, after it had been amended and passed by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health on June 10, 2009, and by the full committee on June 17, 2009. On the Senate side, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions reported an amended version of S. 510 on December 18, 2009."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Becker, Geoffrey S.

  2010-03-17
• Unemployment Insurance: Legislative Issues in the 112th Congress [October 11, 2011]

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  This report explores the programs financing unemployment benefits and necessary legislation to fund the included programs. "The 112th Congress may consider a number of issues related to currently available unemployment insurance programs: Unemployment Compensation (UC), the temporary Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08), and Extended Benefits (EB). With the national unemployment rate predicted to remain high into next year, the increased demand for regular and extended unemployment benefits will continue. At the same time, the authorization for several key unemployment insurance provisions is temporary and will end in the next year.[…] This report provides a brief overview of the three unemployment insurance programs--UC, EUC08, and EB--that may currently pay benefits to eligible unemployed workers. It summarizes unemployment insurance legislation in the previous (111th) Congress. This report also discusses relevant legislation introduced in the 112th Congress; specifically, H.R. 1745, S. 386, H.R. 650, H.R. 589, H.R. 1663, H.R. 235, S. 310, H.R. 569, H.R. 2001, H.R. 2120, H.R. 2137, H.R. 2731, H.R. 2806, H.R. 2868, a proposal outlined in the President's Budget Proposal FY2012, as well as the President's American Jobs Act of 2011 proposal (introduced in Congress as S. 1549, H.R. 12, and S. 1660). This report also discusses the implications to the UI programs in H.R. 2693, S.Amdt. 581 to S. 1323, and P.L. 112-25."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Isaacs, Katelin P., 1980-; Whittaker, Julie M.

  2011-10-11
• United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S. Policy [February 24, 2014]

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  "The UAE's [United Arab Emirates] relatively open borders and economy have won praise from advocates of expanded freedoms in the Middle East, but have also produced financial excesses, social ills such as human trafficking, and opportunity for UAE-based Iranian businesses to try to circumvent international sanctions. The social and economic freedoms have not translated into significant political change; the UAE government remains under the control of a small circle of leaders who allow citizen participation primarily through traditional methods of consensus-building. To date, these mechanisms, economic wealth, and reverence for established leaders have enabled the UAE to avoid wide-scale popular unrest. Since 2006, the government has increased formal popular participation in governance through a public selection process for half the membership of its consultative body, the Federal National Council (FNC). But, particularly since the Arab uprisings that began in 2011, there has been increased domestic criticism of the unchallenged power and privileges of the UAE ruling elite. The leadership has resisted any dramatic or rapid further opening of the political process and has suppressed Muslim Brotherhood-linked Islamists and secular opposition activists, drawing criticism from human rights groups. Very few policy changes are anticipated should UAE President Shaykh Khalifa bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan leave the scene unexpectedly. He suffered a stroke on January 24, 2014, leaving his younger brother Shaykh Mohammad bin Zayid, who already had substantial governing responsibilities, largely in charge."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth; Motivans, Mark

  2014-02-24
• Visa Waiver Program [February 12, 2014]

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  "The visa waiver program (VWP) allows nationals from certain countries to enter the United States as temporary visitors (nonimmigrants) for business or pleasure without first obtaining a visa from a U.S. consulate abroad. Temporary visitors for business or pleasure from non-VWP countries must obtain a visa from Department of State (DOS) officers at a consular post abroad before coming to the United States. Concerns have been raised about the ability of terrorists to enter the United States under the VWP, because the VWP bypasses the first step by which foreign visitors are screened for admissibility to enter the United States. Nonetheless, there is interest in the VWP as a mechanism to promote tourism and commerce. In addition to increasing tourism, the inclusion of countries in the VWP may help foster positive relations between the United States and those countries, facilitate information sharing, and ease consular office workloads abroad. As of January 2014, 37 countries participate in the VWP. In FY2012, there were 19.1 million visitors who entered the United States under this program, constituting 40% of all overseas visitors."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Siskin, Alison

  2014-02-12
• Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act: Overview and Issues [February 20, 2014]

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  "Members of the uniformed services and U.S. citizens who live abroad are eligible to register and vote absentee in federal elections under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA, P.L. 99-410) of 1986. The law was enacted to improve absentee registration and voting for this group of voters and to consolidate existing laws. Since 1942, a number of federal laws have been enacted to assist these voters: the Soldier Voting Act of 1942 (P.L. 77-712, amended in 1944), the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955 (P.L. 84-296), the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975 (P.L. 94-203; both the 1955 and 1975 laws were amended in 1978 to improve procedures), and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986. The law is administered by the Secretary of Defense, who delegates that responsibility to the director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) at the Department of Defense (DOD). Improvements to UOCAVA were necessary as the result of controversy surrounding ballots received in Florida from uniformed services and overseas voters in the 2000 presidential election. The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2002 (P.L. 107-107) and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-252) both included provisions concerning uniformed services and overseas voting. The Ronald W. Reagan Defense Authorization Act for FY2005 (P.L. 108-375) amended UOCAVA as well, and the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for FY2007 (P.L. 109-364) extended a DOD program to assist UOCAVA voters."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Coleman, Kevin J.

  2014-02-20
• Unemployment Insurance: Programs and Benefits [February 12, 2014]

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  "Several types of benefits may be available to unemployed workers to provide them with income support during a spell of unemployment. The federal-state Unemployment Compensation (UC) program may provide income support through the payment of UC benefits for up to a maximum of 26 weeks in most states. Prior to its expiration on December 28, 2013 (December 29, 2013, in New York State), the temporary Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08) program provided additional unemployment benefits of up to 47 weeks, also depending on state economic conditions. Unemployment benefits may be extended for up to 13 or 20 weeks by the permanent Extended Benefit (EB) program under certain state economic conditions. Certain groups of workers who lose their jobs because of international competition may qualify for income support through Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) programs. Unemployed workers may be eligible to receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits if they are not eligible for regular UC and if their unemployment may be directly attributed to a declared major disaster. Former U.S. military servicemembers may be eligible for unemployment benefits through the unemployment compensation for ex-servicemembers (UCX) program. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-164) provides that ex-servicemembers be treated the same as other unemployed workers with respect to benefit levels, the waiting period for benefits, and benefit duration."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Whittaker, Julie M.; Isaacs, Katelin P., 1980-

  2014-02-12
• Vulnerable Youth: Employment and Job Training Programs [September 16, 2015]

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  "In an increasingly global economy, and with retirement underway for the Baby Boomer generation, Congress has indicated a strong interest in ensuring that today's young people have the educational attainment and employment experience needed to become highly skilled workers, contributing taxpayers, and successful participants in civic life. Challenges in the economy and among certain youth populations, however, have heightened concern among policymakers that some young people may not be prepared to fill these roles. The employment levels for youth under age 25 have declined markedly in recent years, including in the wake of the 2007 - 2009 recession. Certain young people -- such as high school dropouts, current and former foster youth, and other at-risk populations -- face challenges in completing school and entering the workforce. While the United States has experienced a dramatic increase in secondary school attendance in the past several decades, approximately 7% of youth ages 18 to 24 have not attained a high school diploma or its equivalent."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Fernandes-Alcantara, Adrienne L.

  2015-09-16
• U.S. Trade in Services: Trends and Policy Issues [September 22, 2015]

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  "'Services' refers to a growing range of economic activities, such as audiovisual; construction; computer and related services; energy; express delivery; e-commerce; financial; professional (such as accounting and legal services); retail and wholesaling; transportation; tourism; and telecommunications. Services have become an important priority in U.S. trade flows and trade policy and of global trade in general, accounting for $710.6 billion of U.S. exports and 80% of U.S. jobs. The types and volume of services that can be traded, however, are limited by their intangibility (as compared to goods), the requirement for direct buyer-provider contact, and other unique characteristics. […] The United States is the world's largest exporter of services (14.3% of the global total in 2013) and the largest importer (9.8% of the global total in 2013). Rapid advances in information technology and the related growth of global value and supply chains have reduced barriers to trade in services, making an expanding range of services tradable across national borders. A number of economists have argued that 'behind the border' barriers imposed by foreign governments prevent U.S. trade in services from expanding to their full potential. […] Congress and U.S. trade negotiators face other issues, including how to balance the need for effective regulations with the objective of opening markets for trade in services; ensuring adequate and accurate data to measure trade in services to better inform trade policy; and determining whether further international cooperation efforts are needed to improve the regulatory environment for services trade beyond initial market access. This report provides background information and analysis on these and other emerging issues and U.S. international trade in services, in general. "

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Fefer, Rachel F.

  2015-09-22
• Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act: Overview and Issues [July 30, 2015]

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  "Members of the uniformed services and U.S. citizens who live abroad are eligible to register and vote absentee in federal elections under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA, P.L. 99-410) of 1986. The law was enacted to improve absentee registration and voting for this group of voters and to consolidate existing laws. Since 1942, a number of federal laws have been enacted to assist these voters: the Soldier Voting Act of 1942 (P.L. 77-712, amended in 1944), the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955 (P.L. 84-296), the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975 (P.L. 94-203; both the 1955 and 1975 laws were amended in 1978 to improve procedures), and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986. The law is administered by the Secretary of Defense, who delegates that responsibility to the director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) at the Department of Defense (DOD). Improvements to UOCAVA were necessary as the result of controversy surrounding ballots received in Florida from uniformed services and overseas voters in the 2000 presidential election. Both the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2002 (P.L. 107-107) and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-252) included provisions concerning uniformed services and overseas voting. The Ronald W. Reagan Defense Authorization Act for FY2005 (P.L. 108-375) amended UOCAVA as well, and the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for FY2007 (P.L. 109-364) extended a DOD program to assist UOCAVA voters."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Coleman, Kevin J.

  2015-07-30
• U.S. Agricultural Trade with Cuba: Current Limitations and Future Prospects [October 1, 2015]

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  "After more than half a century during which trade relations between the United States and Cuba have evolved from a tight economic embargo to a narrow window of trade in U.S. agricultural and medical products, the diplomatic initiative that President Obama announced in December 2014 to restore more normal relations with Cuba has raised the possibility that bilateral relations could move toward an expansion in commercial opportunities. Many U.S. agricultural and food industry interests believe the Cuban market could offer meaningful export expansion potential for their products--but only if a number of restrictions under the U.S. embargo on trade with Cuba were to be removed. Among the measures most often cited as inhibiting exports of U.S. products, while simultaneously benefiting foreign competitors, are a prohibition on the provision of private financing and credit on sales to Cuba; denial of access to U.S. government credit guarantees and export promotion programs; the ban on general tourism to Cuba; and the general prohibition on U.S. imports of Cuban goods. Some Members of Congress have introduced legislation in the 114th Congress that would ease U.S. economic sanctions on Cuba. These bills span a broad range of approaches, from a narrow focus on removing the ban on providing private financing and credit for the sale of agricultural goods to Cuba to far broader legislative initiatives that seek to lift the Cuban embargo altogether."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McMinimy, Mark A.

  2015-10-01
• Veterans' Benefits: Pension Benefit Programs [September 9, 2015]

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  "This report discusses selected veteran pension programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): [1] The Improved Disability Pension makes payments to certain low-income veterans. In FY2013, the program paid an average benefit of about $11,300 to about 310,000 beneficiaries. [2] The Improved Death Pension makes payments to certain low-income spouses or children of deceased veterans. In FY2013, the program paid an average benefit of about $7,000 to about 210,000 beneficiaries. [3] The Medal of Honor Pension makes payments to veterans who were awarded the Medal of Honor. Fewer than 100 veterans qualify for that pension. This report also discusses the eligibility criteria and current benefit levels of these programs and provides data on the number of pension beneficiaries and average annual benefit amounts for FY1999 through FY2013."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Davis, Carol D.; Szymendera, Scott

  2015-09-09
• U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation Following 'El Chapo' Guzmán's Escape [July 21, 2015]

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  "The escape of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán on July 11, 2015, from a maximum security federal prison near Mexico City stunned Mexico. The mechanics of the escape--through a mile-long tunnel accessed by a shower stall in his cell--has added to the lore of the notorious drug trafficker who heads Mexico's dominant Sinaloa drug trafficking organization (DTO). Guzman's escape for a second time--he escaped from another Mexican prison in 2001--has underscored the weak justice, law enforcement, and penal systems in Mexico and the entrenched corruption in the country. This incident has raised serious concerns about the security strategy of President Enrique Peña Nieto, and some observers note that it could set back U.S.-Mexican security cooperation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Beittel, June S.; Seelke, Clare Ribando; Rigby, William A.

  2015-07-21
• U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues [November 3, 2015]

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  "During the Cold War, the U.S. nuclear arsenal contained many types of delivery vehicles for nuclear weapons, including short-range missiles and artillery for use on the battlefield, medium-range missiles and aircraft that could strike targets beyond the theater of battle, short-and medium-range systems based on surface ships, long-range missiles based on U.S. territory and submarines, and heavy bombers that could threaten Soviet targets from their bases in the United States. The short-and medium-range systems are considered non-strategic nuclear weapons and have been referred to as battlefield, tactical, and theater nuclear weapons. The long-range missiles and heavy bombers are known as strategic nuclear delivery vehicles. {…] This report reviews the ongoing programs that will affect the expected size and shape of the U.S. strategic nuclear force structure. It begins with an overview of this force structure during the Cold War, and summarizes the reductions and changes that have occurred since 1991. It then offers details about each category of delivery vehicle--land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and heavy bombers--focusing on their current deployments and ongoing and planned modernization programs. The report concludes with a discussion of issues related to decisions about the future size and shape of the U.S. strategic nuclear force."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Woolf, Amy F.

  2015-11-03
• U.S. Trade Concepts, Performance, and Policy: Frequently Asked Questions [November 5, 2015]

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  "Congress plays a major role in U.S. trade policy through its legislative and oversight authority. There are a number of major trade issues that are currently the focus of Congress. For example, bills were introduced in the 113th Congress to reauthorize Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), and the U.S. Export-Import Bank, and legislative action on these issues could be forthcoming in the 114th Congress. Additionally, Congress has been involved with proposed free trade agreements (FTAs), including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) involving the United States and 11 other countries and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the United States and the European Union (EU). Also of interest to Congress are current plurilateral negotiations for a Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) and an updated multilateral Information Technology (ITA) agreement in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Trade and investment policies of major U.S. trading partners (such as China), especially when they are deemed harmful to U.S. economic interests, are also of continued concern to Congress. Recent improved U.S. relations with Cuba have resulted in the introduction of several bills to boost bilateral commercial ties. The costs and benefits of trade to the U.S. economy, firms, workers, and constituents, and the future direction of U.S. trade policy, are the subject of ongoing debates in Congress. This report provides information and context for these and many other trade topics."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Morrison, Wayne M.; Bolle, Mary Jane; Jackson, James K., 1949- . . .

  2015-11-05
• U.S.-South Korea Relations [October 8, 2015]

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  "South Korea (known officially as the Republic of Korea, or ROK) is one of the United States' most important strategic and economic partners in Asia, and since 2009 relations between the two countries arguably have been at their most robust state in decades. Members of Congress tend to be interested in South Korea-related issues for a number of reasons. First, the United States and South Korea have been treaty allies since the early 1950s. The United States is committed to helping South Korea defend itself, particularly against any aggression from North Korea. Approximately 28,500 U.S. troops are based in the ROK and South Korea is included under the U.S. 'nuclear umbrella.' Second, Washington and Seoul cooperate in addressing the challenges posed by North Korea. Third, the two countries' economies are closely entwined and are joined by the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). South Korea is the United States' sixth largest trading partner and the United States is South Korea's second-largest trading partner. South Korea has taken the first steps toward possible entry into the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement negotiations. […] The United States and South Korea signed a new civilian nuclear cooperation agreement in mid- June 2015 to replace the existing agreement, which entered into force in 1974. The agreement, which provides the legal foundation for nuclear trade between the countries, automatically will go into effect in the fall of 2015 unless Congress disapproves it, a move that would be subject to presidential veto."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manyin, Mark E.; Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham . . .

  2015-10-08
• U.S. Trade in Services: Trends and Policy Issues [November 3, 2015]

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  "'Services' refers to a growing range of economic activities, such as audiovisual; construction; computer and related services; energy; express delivery; e-commerce; financial; professional (such as accounting and legal services); retail and wholesaling; transportation; tourism; and telecommunications. Services have become an important priority in U.S. trade flows and trade policy and of global trade in general, accounting for $710.6 billion of U.S. exports and 80% of U.S. jobs. The types and volume of services that can be traded, however, are limited by their intangibility (as compared to goods), the requirement for direct buyer-provider contact, and other unique characteristics. The Administration is currently negotiating three trade agreements that include services as a significant component. If negotiations are concluded, Congress will consider legislation to implement the agreements. […] Congress and U.S. trade negotiators face other issues, including how to balance the need for effective regulations with the objective of opening markets for trade in services; ensuring adequate and accurate data to measure trade in services to better inform trade policy; and determining whether further international cooperation efforts are needed to improve the regulatory environment for services trade beyond initial market access. This report provides background information and analysis on these and other emerging issues and U.S. international trade in services, in general."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Fefer, Rachel F.

  2015-11-03
• U.S.-Mexico Water Sharing: Background and Recent Developments [November 10, 2015]

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  "The United States and Mexico share the Colorado River and Rio Grande pursuant to binational agreements. Increasing water demands and reduced supplies deriving from drought and high heat increase the challenges and significance of treaty compliance. The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), a binational entity with a U.S. Section that operates under the foreign policy guidance from the U.S. Department of State, is charged with addressing issues that arise during application of these treaties."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Seelke, Clare Ribando; Shedd, Daniel T. . . .

  2015-11-10
• U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress [November 19, 2015]

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  "Special Operations Forces (SOF) play a significant role in U.S. military operations and, in recent years, have been given greater responsibility for planning and conducting worldwide counterterrorism operations. U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has about 66,000 Active Duty, National Guard, and reserve personnel from all four services and Department of Defense (DOD) civilians assigned to its headquarters, its four Service component commands, and eight sub-unified commands. […] The current Unified Command Plan (UCP) stipulates USSOCOM responsibility for synchronizing planning for global operations to combat terrorist networks. This limits its ability to conduct activities designed to deter emerging threats, build relationships with foreign militaries, and potentially develop greater access to foreign militaries. USSOCOM is proposing changes that would, in addition to current responsibilities, include the responsibility for synchronizing the planning, coordination, deployment, and, when directed, the employment of special operations forces globally and will do so with the approval of the Geographic Combatant Commanders, the Services and, as directed, appropriate U.S. government agencies. Further, the proposed changes would give broader responsibility to USSOCOM beyond counterterrorism activities, to include activities against other threat networks."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Feickert, Andrew

  2015-11-19
• U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation Following 'El Chapo' Guzmán's Escape [October 20, 2015]

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  "The escape of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán on July 11, 2015, from a maximum security federal prison near Mexico City stunned Mexico. The mechanics of the escape--through a mile-long tunnel accessed by a shower stall in his cell--has added to the lore of the notorious drug trafficker who heads Mexico's dominant Sinaloa drug trafficking organization (DTO). Guzmán's escape for a second time--he escaped from another Mexican prison in 2001--has underscored the weakness of Mexico's criminal justice system and the entrenched corruption in the country. Despite this incident, and human rights concerns that have resulted in a loss of some $5.5 million in U.S. assistance, U.S.-Mexican security cooperation continues. Mexico extradited 13 high-profile criminals to the United States in September 2015. Then, acting on U.S. intelligence, Mexican marines reportedly came close to recapturing Guzmán in mid-October in the northwestern Sierra Madre mountains."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Beittel, June S.; Seelke, Clare Ribando; Rigby, William A.

  2015-10-20
• U.S.-Taiwan Relationship: Overview of Policy Issues [December 11, 2014]

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  "This CRS Report, updated through the 113th Congress, provides an overview with analysis of the major issues in U.S. policy on Taiwan. Taiwan formally calls itself the Republic of China (ROC), tracing its political lineage to the ROC set up after the revolution in 1911 in China. The ROC government retreated to Taipei in 1949. The United States recognized the ROC until the end of 1978 and has maintained a non-diplomatic relationship with Taiwan after recognition of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1979. The State Department claims an 'unofficial' U.S. relationship with Taiwan, despite official contacts that include arms sales. The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979, P.L. 96-8, has governed policy in the absence of a diplomatic relationship or a defense treaty. […] For decades, Taiwan has been of significant security, economic, and political interest to the United States. In 2013, Taiwan was the 12th-largest U.S. trading partner. Taiwan is a major innovator and producer of information technology (IT) products, many of which are assembled in the PRC by Taiwan-invested firms there. Ties or tension across the Taiwan Strait affect international security (with potential U.S. intervention). While the United States does not diplomatically recognize Taiwan, it is an important autonomous actor. […] Another approach has viewed closer cross-strait engagement as allowing U.S. attention to shift to expand cooperation with a rising China, which opposes U.S. arms sales to and other dealings with Taiwan. In any case, Washington and Taipei have put more efforts into their respective relations with Beijing, while contending that they have pursued positive, parallel U.S.-Taiwan cooperation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Morrison, Wayne M.; Kan, Shirley

  2014-12-11
• U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues [March 18, 2015]

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  "Even though the United States plans to reduce the number of warheads deployed on its long range missiles and bombers, consistent with the terms of the New START [Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty] Treaty, it also plans to develop new delivery systems for deployment over the next 20-30 years. The 114th Congress will continue to review these programs, and the funding requested for them, during the annual authorization and appropriations process. During the Cold War, the U.S. nuclear arsenal contained many types of delivery vehicles for nuclear weapons. The longer-range systems, which included long-range missiles based on U.S. territory, long-range missiles based on submarines, and heavy bombers that could threaten Soviet targets from their bases in the United States, are known as strategic nuclear delivery vehicles. At the end of the Cold War, in 1991, the United States deployed more than 10,000 warheads on these delivery vehicles. That number has declined to less than 2,000 warheads today, and is slated to decline to 1,550 warheads by 2018, after the New START Treaty completes implementation. [...] The Obama Administration completed a review of the size and structure of the U.S. nuclear force, and a review of U.S. nuclear employment policy, in June 2013. This review has advised the force structure that the United States will deploy under the New START Treaty. It is currently implementing the New START Treaty, with the reductions due to be completed by 2018. Congress will review the Administration's plans for U.S. strategic nuclear forces during the annual authorization and appropriations process, and as it assesses U.S. plans under New START and the costs of these plans in the current fiscal environment. This report will be updated as needed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Woolf, Amy F.

  2015-03-18
• U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications [February 10, 2015]

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  "During the 114th Congress, policy makers will likely maintain an interest in Mexico on issues related to cross-border trade and investment; Mexico's economic reform measures, especially in the energy sector; the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement negotiations; NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement] and WTO trade issues; and U.S.-Mexico border management. Congress may also take an active interest in ongoing bilateral efforts to promote economic competitiveness, increase regulatory cooperation, and pursue energy integration. Under the U.S.-Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue (HLED), which was launched in September 2013, the United States and Mexico are striving to advance economic and commercial priorities through annual meetings at the Cabinet level that also include leaders from the public and private sectors. Another bilateral initiative that may be of interest to policy makers is the High-Level Regulatory Cooperation Council (HLRCC), launched in February 2012, which is intended to help align regulatory principles. In addition, the two countries have a bilateral initiative for improving border management under the Declaration Concerning 21st Center Border Management that was announced in 2010. […] Policy makers may consider how a TPP would affect the U.S.-Mexico trade and investment relationship under NAFTA. Although nearly all U.S. trade with Mexico is now conducted duty and barrier free under NAFTA, the TPP negotiations may provide a venue for addressing issues that are not covered under the agreement. If approved, a TPP would not render NAFTA obsolete, but it could alter certain rules governing U.S.-Mexico trade since NAFTA entered into force. A TPP may have implications in several areas, including intellectual property rights protection, investment, state-owned enterprises, services trade, agriculture, government procurement, worker rights, and the environment."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Villarreal, M. Angeles; Flynn, Paul J.

  2015-02-10
• Voting Rights Act of 1965: Background and Overview [March 10, 2015]

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  From the report summary: "This report provides background information on the historical circumstances that led to the adoption of the VRA [Voting Rights Act], a summary of its major provisions, and a brief discussion of the U.S. Supreme Court decision and related legislation in the 113th and 114th Congresses. Two identical bills--H.R. 3899 and S. 1945--were introduced in the 113th Congress that would have amended the VRA to add a new coverage formula, among other provisions. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on S. 1945 on June 25, 2014. H.R. 885, an identical bill to the two 113th Congress bills, has been introduced in the 114th Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Coleman, Kevin J.

  2015-03-10
• Water Quality Issues in the 114th Congress: An Overview [January 21, 2015]

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  "Much progress has been made in achieving the ambitious goals that Congress established in 1972 in the Clean Water Act (CWA) to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters. However, long-standing problems persist, and new problems have emerged. Water quality problems are diverse, ranging from pollution runoff from farms and ranches, city streets, and other diffuse or 'nonpoint' sources, to toxic substances discharged from factories and sewage treatment plants. […] Programs that regulate activities in wetlands have been of particular interest recently, especially CWA Section 404, which has been criticized by landowners for intruding on private land-use decisions and imposing excessive economic burdens. Environmentalists view this regulatory program as essential for maintaining the health of wetland ecosystems, and they are concerned about court rulings that have narrowed regulatory protection of wetlands. […] On March 25, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers proposed a rule intended to clarify jurisdictional issues, but interpretive questions about the proposal remain controversial inside and outside of Congress. The agencies expect to issue a final rule by April 2015. […] House and Senate committees have approved bills to reauthorize CWA assistance on several occasions since the 107th Congress, but, for various reasons, no legislation other than appropriations was enacted. At issue has been the role of the federal government in assisting states and cities in meeting needs to rebuild, repair, and upgrade wastewater treatment systems, especially in light of capital costs that are projected to be nearly $300 billion over the next 20 years. […]"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Copeland, Claudia

  2015-01-21
• Veterans' Benefits: Pension Benefit Programs [February 13, 2015]

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  "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers several pension benefit programs for veterans as well as their surviving spouses and dependent children. The most current pension programs available (for those meeting the eligibility criteria on or after January 1, 1979) are the Improved Disability Pension for certain low-income veterans and the Improved Death Pension for certain low-income surviving spouses or children of veterans. There is also a special pension for Medal of Honor recipients. This report describes these programs, including the eligibility criteria and current benefit levels, and provides data on the number of pension beneficiaries and average annual benefit amounts for FY1999 through FY2013."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Moulta-Ali, Umar; Davis, Carol D.

  2015-02-13
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Trade Facilitation, Enforcement, and Security [May 18, 2015]

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  "International trade is a critical component of the U.S. economy, with U.S. merchandise imports amounting to $2.4 trillion and exports to $1.6 trillion in 2014. The efficient flow of legally traded goods in and out of the United States is thus a vital element of the country's economic security. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is the primary agency charged with monitoring, regulating, and facilitating the flow of goods through U.S. ports of entry (POEs). CBP's policies are designed to (1) ensure the smooth flow of imported cargo through U.S. POEs; (2) enforce trade and customs laws designed to protect U.S. consumers and business and to collect customs revenue; and (3) enforce import security laws designed to prevent weapons of mass destruction, illegal drugs, and other contraband from entering the United States--a complex and difficult mission. Congress has a direct role in organizing, authorizing, and defining CBP's international trade functions, as well as appropriating funding for and conducting oversight of its programs. In the Senate, on May 14, 2015, S. 1269 was incorporated into H.R. 644 (renamed the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015) and subsequently passed by a vote of 78-20. Bills introduced in the House include H.R. 1907 (Tiberi; introduced April 21, 2015); and H.R. 1916 (Levin; introduced April 21, 2015)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Jones, Vivian Catherine; Seghetti, Lisa M.

  2015-05-18
• Violence Against Women Act: Overview, Legislation, and Federal Funding [May 26, 2015]

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  "The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has been of ongoing interest to Congress since its enactment in 1994 (P.L. 103-322). The original act was intended to change attitudes toward domestic violence, foster awareness of domestic violence, improve services and provisions for victims, and revise the manner in which the criminal justice system responds to domestic violence and sex crimes. The legislation created new programs within the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Health and Human Services (HHS) that aimed to reduce domestic violence and improve response to and recovery from domestic violence incidents. VAWA primarily addresses certain types of violent crime through grant programs to state, tribal, and local governments; nonprofit organizations; and universities. VAWA programs target the crimes of intimate partner violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In 1995, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) was created administratively within DOJ to administer federal grants authorized under VAWA. In 2002, Congress codified the OVW as a separate office within DOJ. Since its creation, the OVW has awarded more than $6 billion in grants. While the OVW administers the majority of VAWA authorized grants, other federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (in HHS) and the Office of Justice Programs (in DOJ), also manage VAWA grants."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sacco, Lisa N.

  2015-05-26
• U.S. Trade Deficit and the Impact of Changing Oil Prices [June 1, 2015]

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  "Imported petroleum prices fell from an average price of $91.23 per barrel of crude oil in 2014 to an average price of $46.47 per barrel in March 2015, or a drop of 45%. This represents the lowest price per barrel of crude oil since early 2009, when the global economy was slowing sharply. For a short time in 2009, the average price per barrel dropped below $40. The average price of an imported barrel of crude oil in 2014 fell 6% from the average price in 2013. Similarly, the volume of crude oil imports in the first three months of 2015 fell by 7.6% from the same period in 2014. The sharp decline in the average price of a barrel of crude oil combined with the drop in the amount, or the volume, of oil imports in the January-March period in 2015 compared with the same period in 2014 resulted in a drop of 48% in the value of imported crude oil and a sharp drop in the share of the total U.S. merchandise trade deficit that is associated with the trade deficit in energy imports. In general, market demand for oil remains highly resistant to changes in oil prices and reflects the unique nature of the demand for energy-related imports. Turmoil in the Middle East is an important factor that continues to create uncertainty in global petroleum markets and was one of the most important factors in causing petroleum prices to rise sharply in early 2011 and in 2012."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Jackson, James K., 1949-

  2015-06-01
• U.S.-Taiwan Relationship: Overview of Policy Issues [November 26, 2014]

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  "This CRS Report, updated through the 113th Congress, provides an overview with analysis of the major issues in U.S. policy on Taiwan. Taiwan formally calls itself the Republic of China (ROC), tracing its political lineage to the ROC set up after the revolution in 1911 in China. The ROC government retreated to Taipei in 1949. The United States recognized the ROC until the end of 1978 and has maintained a non-diplomatic relationship with Taiwan after recognition of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1979. The State Department claims an 'unofficial' U.S. relationship with Taiwan, despite official contacts that include arms sales. The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979, P.L. 96-8, has governed policy in the absence of a diplomatic relationship or a defense treaty. […] For decades, Taiwan has been of significant security, economic, and political interest to the United States. In 2013, Taiwan was the 12th-largest U.S. trading partner. Taiwan is a major innovator and producer of information technology (IT) products, many of which are assembled in the PRC by Taiwan-invested firms there. Ties or tension across the Taiwan Strait affect international security (with potential U.S. intervention). While the United States does not diplomatically recognize Taiwan, it is an important autonomous actor. […] Another approach has viewed closer cross-strait engagement as allowing U.S. attention to shift to expand cooperation with a rising China, which opposes U.S. arms sales to and other dealings with Taiwan. In any case, Washington and Taipei have put more efforts into their respective relations with Beijing, while contending that they have pursued positive, parallel U.S.-Taiwan cooperation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kan, Shirley; Morrison, Wayne M.

  2014-11-26
• U.S. Trade Concepts, Performance, and Policy: Frequently Asked Questions [January 30, 2015]

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  "Congress plays a major role in U.S. trade policy through its legislative and oversight authority. There are a number of major trade issues that are currently the focus of Congress. For example, bills were introduced in the 113th Congress to reauthorize Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), and the U.S. Export-Import Bank, and legislative action on these issues could be forthcoming in the 114th Congress. Additionally, Congress has been involved with proposed free trade agreements (FTAs), including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) involving the United States and 11 other countries and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the United States and the European Union (EU). Also of interest to Congress are current plurilateral negotiations for a Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) and a new multilateral Information Technology (ITA) agreement in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Trade and investment policies of major U.S. trading partners (such as China), especially when they are deemed harmful to U.S. economic interests, are also of continued concern to Congress. Recent improved U.S. relations with Cuba have resulted in the introduction of several bills to boost bilateral commercial ties. The costs and benefits of trade to the U.S. economy, firms, workers, and constituents, and the future direction of U.S. trade policy, are the subject of ongoing debates in Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Morrison, Wayne M.; Bolle, Mary Jane; Elwell, Craig Kent, 1947- . . .

  2015-01-30