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Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy [Updated March 11, 2008]
From the Summary: "U.S. and outside assessments of the effort to stabilize Afghanistan are mixed and subject to debate; the Administration notes progress on reconstruction, governance and security in many areas of Afghanistan, particularly the east, where U.S. forces are in the lead. However, a November 2007 Bush Administration review of U.S. efforts in Afghanistan reportedly concluded that overall progress was inadequate, and a number of efforts to augment the U.S. stabilization effort are underway or under consideration. Outside assessments have tended toward more pessimism, emphasizing a growing sense of insecurity in areas previously considered secure, more suicide bombings, and growing aggregate poppy cultivation, as well as increasing divisions within the NATO alliance about the relative share of combat among the nations contributing to the peacekeeping mission. Both the official U.S. as well as outside assessments are increasingly pointing to Pakistan as failing -- either through lack of attention or deliberate strategy -- to prevent Taliban commanders from operating from Pakistan, largely beyond the reach of U.S./NATO-led forces in Afghanistan. […] The United States has given Afghanistan over $23 billion (appropriated, including FY2008 to date) since the fall of the Taliban, including funds to equip and train Afghan security forces. About $1.05 billion in economic aid is requested for FY2009. Breakdowns are shown in the several tables at the end of this paper. This paper will be updated as warranted by major developments. See also CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RS21922, 'Afghanistan: Government Formation and Performance', by Kenneth Katzman; and CRS Report RL32686, 'Afghanistan: Narcotics and U.S. Policy', by Christopher M. Blanchard."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2008-03-11
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China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues [Updated March 6, 2008]
From the Summary: "Congress has long been concerned about whether U.S. policy advances the national interest in reducing the role of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missiles that could deliver them. Recipients of China's technology reportedly include Pakistan and countries that the State Department says support terrorism, such as Iran and North Korea. This CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report, updated as warranted, discusses the security problem of China's role in weapons proliferation and issues related to the U.S. policy response since the mid-1990s. China has taken some steps to mollify U.S. concerns about its role in weapons proliferation. Nonetheless, supplies from China have aggravated trends that result in ambiguous technical aid, more indigenous capabilities, longer-range missiles, and secondary (retransferred) proliferation. According to unclassified reports to Congress by the intelligence community, China has been a 'key supplier' of weapons technology, particularly missile or chemical technology. […] Skeptics question whether China's cooperation in weapons nonproliferation has warranted President Bush's pursuit of closer bilateral ties. Some observers say that President Bush has not forcefully pressed PRC leaders on weapons nonproliferation as a priority issue, even while imposing numerous U.S. sanctions targeting 'entities' but not the PRC government. The 110th Congress has considered the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act of 2007 ('H.R. 1400; S. 970'). Since 2002, Bush has relied on China's 'considerable influence' on North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons, but Beijing has hosted the Six-Party Talks with limited leverage and results. China has evolved to vote for some U.N. [United Nations] Security Council sanctions against nuclear proliferation but also has pursued balanced positions on North Korea and Iran, including continued economic and energy deals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kan, Shirley
2008-03-06
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Afghanistan: Government Formation and Performance [Updated February 5, 2008]
From the Summary: "Post-Taliban Afghanistan has adopted a constitution and elected a president and a parliament; that body is emerging as a significant force and sometimes challenger to President Hamid Karzai. The central government's limited writ, which many Afghans believe should remain limited, and its perceived corruption, are helping sustain a Taliban insurgency. See CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL30588, 'Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy', by Kenneth Katzman."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2008-02-05
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Iraq: Government Formation and Benchmarks [Updated February 14, 2008]
From the Summary: "The current government is the product of a U.S.-supported election process designed to produce a democracy, although many now believe it produced a sectarian government incapable of reconciling Iraq's communities. This sentiment has grown to the point where some believe that the United States should seek a decentralized Iraq with substantial autonomy for each community. However, the Administration says that, partly as a result of the U.S. 'troop surge,' it is now seeing some concrete signs of political accommodation, most notably at local levels. See CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL31339, 'Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security', by Kenneth Katzman."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2008-02-14
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Environmental Activities of the U.S. Coast Guard [Updated January 28, 2008]
From the Summary: "The U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG's) environmental activities focus on prevention programs, accompanied by enforcement and educational activities. An important component is maritime oil spill prevention, which includes inspection of U.S. and foreign-flagged ships to ensure compliance with U.S. laws and international agreements. As required by the Oil Pollution Act and the Superfund law, the USCG's pollution preparedness and response activities aim to reduce the impact of oil and hazardous substances spills. USCG's National Pollution Funds Center manages the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, paying certain spill-related costs and certifying that vessels show evidence of financial responsibility. Another prevention effort, minimizing marine debris, addresses commercial items (e.g., lost nets and fishing lines), as well as trash from recreational fishing and boating (e.g., beverage cans, bottles, and pieces of foam plastic). The Administration estimates that the marine environmental protection mission will receive $372 million in FY2008, an increase of $31 million from the enacted amount estimated for FY2007."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Reisch, Mark
2008-01-28
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U.S.-Funded Assistance Programs in China [Updated January 28, 2008]
From the Summary: "United States foreign assistance to the People's Republic of China (PRC) primarily supports democracy-related programs, particularly rule of law training, and assists Tibetan communities. The U.S. Congress has played a leading role in providing funding for democracy programs, which has grown from $10 million in FY2002 to an estimated $23 million in FY2007. Major program areas include legal training, legal aid, criminal defense, labor rights, and civil society development in China, monitoring human rights conditions in the PRC from outside China, and preserving Tibetan culture. This report will be updated annually."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2008-01-28
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Tax Credits for Hybrid Vehicles [Updated February 7, 2008]
From the Summary: "Hybrid vehicles are propelled by a standard gasoline (or diesel) internal combustion engine in combination with an electric motor (and battery storage system), which improves fuel economy. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 replaced a $2,000 deduction for hybrids with a system of tax credits that vary according to fuel efficiency and estimated lifetime fuel savings, compared with a 2002 comparable gasoline-only model. These credits, which range from $250 to $3,400 per vehicle, went into effect on January 1, 2006, and are available through December 31, 2009. However, there is an approximately 60,000-per-manufacturer limit on the number of hybrid vehicles that would qualify for the full credit. Toyota reached its limit in the second quarter of 2006, and the credits for those vehicles are being phased out and will not be available after October 1, 2007. Honda reached its limit in the third quarter of 2007. U.S. manufacturers (primarily General Motors and Ford) produce mostly SUV hybrids, which have seen slower demand. The tax credits for hybrids were enacted to promote energy conservation in the transportation sector by encouraging the demand for fuel-efficient alternative-technology vehicles. The 60,000-vehicle limit was imposed to limit the benefits accruing to foreign hybrid manufacturers, which currently dominate the hybrid market."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lazzari, Salvatore
2008-02-07
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Veterans Affairs: The U.S. Court Appeals for Veterans Claims - Judicial Review of VA Decision Making [Updated March 4, 2008]
From the Summary: "Congress, through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), extends various benefits to veterans and certain of their family members. Sometimes veterans may not agree with the VA's initial decisions concerning the award and/or the amount of these benefits. Within the VA, there is an extensive appeal/review process that concludes with the decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA). Final decisions of the BVA may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), which is an independent federal court, entirely separate from the VA. This report examines the historical and legislative background of the CAVC and its current operation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weimer, Douglas Reid
2008-03-04
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Haiti: Developments and U.S. Policy Since 1991 and Current Congressional Concerns [Updated May 4, 2006]
"Following elections that were widely heralded as the first free and fair elections in Haiti's then-186-year history, Jean-Bertrand Aristide first became Haitian President in February 1991. He was overthrown by a military coup in September 1991. For over three years, the military regime resisted international demands that Aristide be restored to office. In September 1994, after a U.S. military intervention had been launched, the military regime agreed to Aristide's return, the immediate, unopposed entry of U.S. troops, and the resignation of its leadership. President Aristide returned to Haiti in October 1994, under the protection of some 20,000 U.S. troops, and soon disbanded the Haitian army. U.S. aid helped train a professional, civilian police force. Critics charged Aristide with politicizing that force and engaging in corrupt practices Elections held under Aristide and his successor, Rene Preval (1996-2000), including the one in which Aristide was reelected in 2000, were marred by alleged irregularities, low voter turnout, and opposition boycotts. Efforts to negotiate a resolution to the electoral dispute frustrated the international community for years. Tension and violence continued throughout Aristide's second term, culminating in his departure from office in February 2004, after the opposition repeatedly refused to negotiate a political solution and armed groups took control of over half the country. Aristide claimed that he was still the elected president and that the United States forced him from office, a charge the Bush Administration denies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Taft-Morales, Maureen
2006-05-04
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Freedom of Speech and Press: Exceptions to the First Amendment [Updated June 2, 2006]
"The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that 'Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press....' This language restricts government both more and less than it would if it were applied literally. It restricts government more in that it applies not only to Congress, but to all branches of the federal government, and to all branches of state and local government. It restricts government less in that it provides no protection to some types of speech and only limited protection to others. This report provides an overview of the major exceptions to the First Amendment- of the ways that the Supreme Court has interpreted the guarantee of freedom of speech and press to provide no protection or only limited protection for some types of speech. For example, the Court has decided that the First Amendment provides no protection to obscenity, child pornography, or speech that constitutes 'advocacy of the use of force or of law violation ... where such advocacy is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action.' The Court has also decided that the First Amendment provides less than full protection to commercial speech, defamation (libel and slander), speech that may be harmful to children, speech broadcast on radio and television, and public employees' speech."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cohen, Henry, 1949-
2006-06-02
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Defense: FY2007 Authorization and Appropriations [Updated June 16, 2006]
"On June 12, the Senate began floor debate on its version of the FY2007 defense authorization, S 2766. A debate over Iraq policy began on June 15 and may continue in action on the bill next week. The House passed its version of the authorization, H.R. 5122, on May 11. Both the House and the Senate bills authorize $513 billion for national defense, equal to the Administration request, including $50 billion in emergency funding for operations in Iraq and elsewhere at the start of the fiscal year. Meanwhile, the House has begun action on defense-related appropriations bills. The House passed the Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs appropriations bill, H.R. 5385, on May 19. It provides $58.1 billion for Department of Defense programs, including military construction and defense health, $825 million below the Administration request. On June 13, the full Appropriations Committee marked up its version of the defense appropriations bill, unnumbered as yet. It is expected on the House floor the week of June 19. It provides $377.6 billion for programs under the subcommittees jurisdiction, $4.1 billion below the request."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Daggett, Stephen
2006-06-16
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Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 109th Congress [Updated June 9, 2006]
"Security concerns are figuring prominently in the development of and debate on immigration legislation in the 109th Congress. In May 2005, the REAL ID Act became law as Division B of P.L. 109-13. It contains a number of immigration and identification document-related provisions intended to improve homeland security. Among these are provisions to make changes to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) with respect to asylum and other forms of relief from removal; to expand the terrorism-related grounds for alien inadmissibility and deportation; and to set standards for state-issued drivers' licenses and personal identification cards, if such documents are to be accepted for federal purposes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wasem, Ruth Ellen; Siskin, Alison; Bruno, Andorra
2006-06-09
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U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel [Updated December 15, 2006]
From the Summary: "This report provides an overview of U.S. foreign assistance to Israel. It includes a review of past aid programs, data on annual assistance figures, and an analysis of current issues. The report will be updated annually to reflect developments over the previous year. Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance since World War II. From 1976-2004, Israel was the largest annual recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, having recently been supplanted by Iraq. Since 1985, the United States has provided nearly $3 billion in grants annually to Israel. Strong congressional support for Israel has resulted in Israel's receiving benefits that may not be available to other countries. For example, Israel can use U.S. military assistance both for research and development in the United States and for military purchases from Israeli manufacturers. In addition, all U.S. foreign assistance earmarked for Israel is delivered in the first 30 days of the fiscal year. Most other recipients normally receive their aid in staggered installments. The United States gives all Economic Support Funds (ESF) directly to the government of Israel as a cash transfer grant rather than allocating funds for specific development projects. The Administration requested $120 million in economic aid and $2.34 billion in military assistance for Israel in fiscal year 2007. With continued conflict on Israel's borders, the 110th Congress may address issues concerning U.S. foreign assistance to Israel. According to various Israeli media sources, the Israeli government may request that the United States increase the annual percentage of U.S. military aid used for weapons procurement within Israel. Additional funding also may be sought for joint U.S.-Israeli anti-missile and rocket systems to counter Hezbollah and Hamas rockets attacks against Israeli cities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell
2006-12-15
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Iraq's Debt Relief: Procedure and Potential Implications for International Debt Relief [Updated December 6, 2006]
From the Summary: "Following the ouster of the Saddam Hussein regime in spring 2003, Iraq's external debt was estimated to be $125 billion. Reducing this debt to a sustainable level has been a priority of the U.S. government. Since 2003, debt relief negotiations have taken place in a variety of fora and led to the cancellation of a significant amount of Iraq's external debt. Iraq's external debt comprised four components: Paris Club bilateral debt ($37.15 billion), non-Paris Club bilateral debt ($67.4 billion), commercial debt ($20 billion) and multilateral debt ($0.5 billion). Debt relief negotiations first led to an 80% reduction of the Paris Club debt. The Paris Club agreement also set the terms for non-Paris Club and commercial debt cancellation levels. A provision of the Paris Club agreement is that Iraq cannot accept a debt cancellation agreement with other creditors on less favorable terms than those reached with the Paris Club. Thus, Iraq is expected to receive no more than an 80% cancellation from all of its creditors. Negotiations with non-Paris Club creditors are ongoing, and resolution of the commercial debt is largely complete. The negotiations and process of providing debt relief to Iraq may shed some light on the approaches bilateral and corporate creditors take toward providing international debt relief to middle-income countries who would not be eligible for the debt relief already provided to the poorest countries. In light of Iraq's experience, three new precedents appear to have taken shape: (1) a willingness by the international community to grant a stay on the enforcement of creditor rights to collect unpaid sovereign debt; (2) an increased flexibility in Paris Club debt relief decisions; and (3) an unwillingness by successor regimes to claim that their debt is odious and repudiate it."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weiss, Martin A.
2006-12-06
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Port and Maritime Security: Potential for Terrorist Nuclear Attack Using Oil Tankers [Updated December 19, 2006]
From the Summary: "While much attention has been focused on threats to maritime security posed by cargo container ships, terrorists could also attempt to use oil tankers to stage an attack. If they were able to place an atomic bomb in a tanker and detonate it in a U.S. port, they would cause massive destruction and might halt crude oil shipments worldwide for some time. Detecting a bomb in a tanker would be difficult. Congress may consider various options to address this threat. S. 12, Targeting Terrorists More Effectively Act of 2005, included a Tanker Security Initiative (sec. 325). This report will be updated as needed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Medalia, Jonathan E.
2006-12-19
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Conditions on U.S. Aid to Serbia [Updated December 18, 2006]
From the Summary: "Since FY2001, Congress has conditioned U.S. aid to Serbia on a presidential certification that Serbia has met certain conditions, including cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The 110th Congress may consider similar certification provisions in the FY2008 foreign aid bill. Supporters of aid conditionality say such provisions may have spurred Serbia's cooperation with the Tribunal. Although the certification process continues to enjoy support in Congress, the Administration appears to favor ending it soon. This report will be updated as events warrant. For more information on Serbia and Montenegro, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL30371, 'Serbia and Montenegro: Current Situation and U.S. Policy,' by Steven Woehrel."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woehrel, Steven J.
2006-12-18
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America COMPETES Act: Programs, Funding, and Selected Issues [Updated February 8, 2008]
From the Summary: "On August 2, 2007, Congress passed the America COMPETES Act (H.R. 2272), which the President signed into law (P.L. [Public Law] 110-69) on August 9, 2007. The act responds to concerns that the United States may not be able to compete economically with other nations in the future due to insufficient investment today in science and technology research and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce development. A similar concern had led President Bush to announce the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) in January 2006 during his State of the Union address. […] At the heart of the America COMPETES Act is the goal of maintaining the United States as the leader in the global economy. Three broad trends influence today's globalization of the economy. The first is technology, which has sharply reduced the cost of communication and transportation that previously divided markets. The second is a dramatic increase in the world supply of labor producing goods and services traded internationally. The third is government policies that have reduced barriers to trade and investment. As Congress deliberates the FY2009 budget, the programs authorized by the America COMPETES Act will likely be considered during the appropriations process. Unlike the previous fiscal year, Congress has now authorized the America COMPETES Act programs. How the act is funded and the programs implemented remains to be determined as the second session of the 110th Congress proceeds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stine, Deborah D.
2008-02-08
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International Illegal Trade in Wildlife: Threats and U.S. Policy [March 3, 2008]
From the Summary: "Global trade in illegal wildlife is a growing illicit economy, estimated to be worth at least $5 billion and potentially in excess of $20 billion annually. Some of the most lucrative illicit wildlife commodities include tiger parts, caviar, elephant ivory, rhino horn, and exotic birds and reptiles. Demand for illegally obtained wildlife is ubiquitous, and some suspect that illicit demand is growing. […] The role of Congress in evaluating U.S. policy to combat wildlife trafficking is broad. Potential issues for Congress include (1) determining funding levels for U.S. wildlife trade inspection and investigation; (2) evaluating the effectiveness of U.S. foreign aid to combat wildlife trafficking; (3) developing ways to encourage private-sector involvement in regulating the wildlife trade; (4) using trade sanctions to penalize foreign countries with weak enforcement of wildlife laws; (5) incorporating wildlife trade provisions into free trade agreements; and (6) addressing the domestic and international demand for illegal wildlife through public awareness campaigns and non-governmental organization partnerships. This report focuses on the international trade in terrestrial fauna, largely excluding trade in illegal plants, including timber, and fish."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wyler, Liana Sun; Sheikh, Pervaze A.
2008-03-03
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Global Climate Change: Three Policy Perspectives [Updated February 7, 2008]
From the Summary: "The 1992 U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change requires that signatories, including the United States, establish policies for constraining future emission levels of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2). The George H. W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush Administrations each drafted action plans in response to requirements of the convention. These plans have raised significant controversy and debate. This debate intensified following the 1997 Kyoto Agreement, which, had it been ratified by the United States, would have committed the United States to reduce greenhouse gases by 7% over a five-year period (2008-2012) from specified baseline years. Controversy is inherent, in part, because of uncertainties about the likelihood and magnitude of possible future climate change, the consequences for human wellbeing, and the costs and benefits of minimizing or adapting to possible climate change. Controversy also is driven by differences in how competing policy communities view the assumptions underlying approaches to this complex issue. […] An 'ecological lens' views environmental problems as the result of indifference to or disregard for the planet's ecosystem on which all life depends. The solutions to the problems lie in developing an understanding of and a respect for that ecosystem, and providing people with mechanisms to express that understanding in their daily choices. The implied governmental role would be to support ecologically based education and values, as well as to promote 'green' products and processes, for example through procurement policies and labeling requirements. Some initiatives are underway; all the perspectives are relevant in evaluating them and possible further policies. The purpose here is not to suggest that one lens is 'better' than another, but rather to articulate the implications of the differing perspectives in order to clarify terms of debate among diverse policy communities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Parker, Larry, 1954-; Blodgett, John E.
2008-02-07
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World Trade Organization: Background and Issues [Updated January 31, 2008]
From the Summary: "The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established on January 1, 1995, under an agreement reached during the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations. The Uruguay Round was the last of a series of periodic trade negotiations held under the auspices of the WTO's predecessor, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). […] Trade agreements administered by the WTO cover a broad range of goods and services trade and apply to virtually all government practices that directly relate to trade, for example tariffs, subsidies, government procurement, and trade-related intellectual property rights. The WTO agreements are based on the principle of non-discriminatory treatment among countries. Some exceptions however, such as preferential treatment for developing countries, are allowed. Other basic principles of the WTO are open information on rules and regulations, negotiated limits on trade barriers, and settlement of disputes under specific procedures. The 110th Congress may examine the relationship between the United States and the WTO in two ways. Congress may consider implementing legislation for a potential Doha Round agreement. U.S. Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) expired on July 1, 2007, however, Congress may extend or reauthorize TPA to consider such an agreement. Secondly, Congress may consider changes to U.S. laws in response to WTO dispute settlement procedures."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fergusson, Ian F.
2008-01-31
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Codes of Conduct for Multinational Corporations: An Overview [Updated January 30, 2008]
From the Summary: "The U.S. economy is growing increasingly interconnected with other economies around the world, a phenomenon often referred to as globalization. As U.S. businesses expand globally, however, various groups across the social and economic spectrum are growing concerned over the economic, social, and political impact of this activity. Over the past 15 years, multinational corporations and nations have adopted voluntary, legally enforceable, and industry-specific codes of conduct to address many of these concerns. Congress will continue to play a pivotal role in addressing the large number of issues regarding internationally applied corporate codes of conduct that remain to be negotiated. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K., 1949-
2008-01-30
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Navy Ship Deployments: New Approaches - Background and Issues for Congress [Updated February 1, 2008]
From the Summary: "The Navy has implemented new kinds of naval formations, more flexible forward deployment schedules, and a ship readiness plan (called the Fleet Response Plan, or FRP) for surge-deploying several aircraft carriers in a short period of time to respond to contingencies. The Navy has also forward-home-ported additional ships, experimented with long-duration deployments with crew rotation (which the Navy calls Sea Swap), investigated multiple-crewing of ships, and is experimenting with a new forward deployment concept called global fleet stations, or GFSs. These actions raise several potential issues for Congress. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2008-02-01
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Financial Action Task Force: An Overview [Updated January 30, 2008]
From the Summary: "The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, or the 9/11 Commission, recommended that tracking terrorist financing 'must remain front and center in U.S. counterterrorism efforts.' As part of these efforts, the United States plays a leading role in the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF). The independent, intergovernmental policy-making body was established by the 1989 G-7 Summit in Paris as a result of growing concerns among the Summit participants about the threat posed to the international banking system by money laundering. After September 11, 2001, the body expanded its role to include identifying sources and methods of terrorist financing and has adopted nine Special Recommendations on terrorist financing to track terrorists' funds. This report provides an overview of the Task Force and of its progress to date in gaining broad international support for its Recommendations. This report will be updated as warranted by events."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K., 1949-
2008-01-30
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President of the United States: Compensation [Updated January 28, 2008]
From the Summary: "The 'Constitution of the United States' provides that 'The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected....' The amount of compensation, which is not specified in the Constitution, is set and adjusted by Congress. The President currently receives a salary of $400,000 per annum, which became effective at noon on January 20, 2001, under P.L. [Public Law] 106-58. An expense allowance, currently set at $50,000, also is provided. This report discusses the President's compensation and the three most recent increases to the salary enacted in 1949 (81st Congress), 1969 (91st Congress), and 1999 (106th Congress). It will be revised as events dictate."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwemle, Barbara L.
2008-01-28
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Presidential Transitions: Background and Federal Support [Updated February 11, 2008]
From the Summary: "The Presidential Transition Act (PTA), as amended, authorizes funding for the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide suitable office space, staff compensation, and other services associated with the transition process. Section 5 of the PTA authorizes the President to include in his budget request for each fiscal year in which his regular term of office will expire, a proposed appropriation for carrying out the purposes of the act. The President's FY2009 budget requests $8,520,000 in funding for the upcoming presidential transition. Of this total, $1 million is provided for briefings and related transition services for incoming personnel associated with the new administration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Stephanie
2008-02-11
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Energy and Water Development: FY2007 Appropriations [Updated May 22, 2006]
"The Energy and Water Development appropriations bill in the past included funding for civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), most of the Department of Energy (DOE), and a number of independent agencies. For FY2006, the Congress reorganized the appropriations subcommittees and the content of the various appropriations bills to be introduced. In the case of Energy and Water Development, the only changes were the consolidation of DOE programs that had previously been funded by the Interior and Related Agencies bill. That organization was followed by the Administration in submitting its FY2007 budget request in February 2006. Key budgetary issues involving these programs include 1) the need to balance efforts by the Army Corps of Engineers to prevent storm damage in Louisiana with the rest of the agency's portfolio of authorized projects (Title I); 2) support of major ecosystem restoration initiatives, such as Florida Everglades (Title I) and California 'Bay-Delta' (CALFED) (Title II); 3) funding for the proposed national nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada (Title III: Nuclear Waste Disposal); and 4) the Administration's proposed Global Nuclear Energy Partnership to supply plutonium-based fuel to other nations (Title III: Nuclear Energy)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Behrens, Carl E.
2006-05-22
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Defense: FY2007 Authorization and Appropriations [Updated May 31, 2006]
"The House passed its version of the FY2007 defense authorization bill, H.R. 5122, on May 11. The bill authorizes $513 billion for national defense, including $50 billion in emergency funding for operations in Iraq and elsewhere in the first months of the fiscal year. The Senate Armed Services Committee marked up its version of the bill, S. 2766, on May 4. It also authorizes $513 billion, including emergency funding. Senate floor action appears likely in June. House subcommittee markup of the defense appropriations bill is tentatively scheduled for June 7. The White House released its FY2007 budget request on February 6, 2006. The request included $513.0 billion in new budget authority for national defense, of which $50 billion was a placeholder for a later budget amendment for costs of overseas operations, $441.2 billion was for regular programs of the Department of Defense (DOD), $17.0 billion was for Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear weapons programs, and $4.8 billion was for defense activities of other agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Daggett, Stephen
2006-05-31
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Iraq: Recent Developments in Reconstruction Assistance [Updated May 5, 2006]
"Many reconstruction efforts on the ground are underway, but security concerns have slowed progress considerably. Of the nearly $29 billion in appropriated funds from all accounts directed at reconstruction purposes, close to 40% is targeted at infrastructure projects- roads, sanitation, electric power, oil production, etc. About 38% is used to train and equip Iraqi security forces. A range of programs- accounting for roughly 22% of appropriations- are in place to offer expert advice to the Iraqi government, establish business centers, rehabilitate schools and health clinics, provide school books and vaccinations, etc. Of the nearly $21 billion appropriated to the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund in the FY2003 and 2004 supplementals, $19.0 billion had been obligated and $14.3 billion spent by early May 2006."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tarnoff, Curt
2006-05-05
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Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11 [Updated June 14, 2006]
"If both houses of Congress pass the conference version of the FY2006 supplemental bill (H.R. 4939) Congress would have appropriated a total of about $437 billion for military operations, base security, reconstruction, foreign aid, embassy costs, and veterans' health care for the three operations initiated since the 9/11 attacks: Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) covering Afghanistan and other Global War on Terror (GWOT) operations, Operation Noble Eagle (ONE) providing enhanced security at military bases, and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Iraq. The $437 billion total does not include the $50 billion 'placeholder' figure for FY2007 war costs that is listed in the FY2007 budget because the Administration has not yet formally submitted its request. The Administration has not yet provided any information about what the $50 billion would include. DOD has not provided Congress with the costs of these three operations. Of the $437 billion likely to be appropriated through FY2006, CRS estimates that Iraq will receive about $319 billion (73%), OEF $88 billion (20%), and enhanced base security about $26 billion (6%), with about $4 billion that cannot be allocated based on available information (1%). About 91% of these funds are for DOD, about 8% are for foreign aid programs and embassy operations, about 1% is unallocated and less than 1% are for medical care for U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Belasco, Amy
2006-06-14
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Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Concerns in Agricultural Trade [June 15, 2006]
"Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures refer to any of the laws, rules, standards, and procedures that governments employ to protect humans, other animals, and plants from diseases, pests, toxins, and other contaminants. Examples of SPS measures include meat and poultry processing standards to reduce pathogens, residue limits for pesticides in foods, and regulation of agricultural biotechnology. SPS measures can be barriers to trade in agricultural, food, and other products, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and others. Notable U.S. disputes include a European Union (EU) ban on U.S. meats treated with growth-promoting hormones, which a WTO dispute panel ruled had not been supported by a risk assessment; and a recent EU moratorium on approvals of biotechnology products. Foreign countries often object to various U.S. SPS measures as well."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Becker, Geoffrey S.
2006-06-15
