Advanced search Help
Resource Type or Special Collection is CRS Reports
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Taiwan: Issues for Congress [October 30, 2017]
"Taiwan, which officially calls itself the Republic of China (ROC), is an island democracy of 23 million people located across the Taiwan Strait from mainland China. It is the United States' tenth-largest trading partner. Since January 1, 1979, the U.S. relationship with Taiwan has been unofficial, a consequence of the Carter Administration's decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and break formal diplomatic ties with self-ruled Taiwan, over which the PRC claims sovereignty. The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA, P.L. 96-8; 22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.), enacted on April 10, 1979, provides a legal basis for the unofficial U.S.- Taiwan relationship. It also includes commitments related to Taiwan's security. The PRC considers unofficiality in the U.S.-Taiwan relationship to be the basis for the U.S.-PRC relationship. Some Members of Congress have urged the executive branch to re-visit rules intended to distinguish the unofficial U.S.-Taiwan relationship from official U.S. relationships with diplomatic partners, in order to accord Taiwan greater dignity and respect."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lawrence, Susan V.; Morrison, Wayne M.
2017-10-30
-
Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress [October 24, 2017]
"This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the sustainment and modernization of the Coast Guard's polar icebreaker fleet. The Coast Guard's proposed FY2018 budget requests $19 million in acquisition funding for a new polar icebreaker that the Coast Guard wants to begin building in FY2019. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Administration's FY2018 acquisition funding request for a new polar icebreaker, and, more generally, whether to approve, reject, or modify the Coast Guard's overall plan for sustaining and modernizing the polar icebreaking fleet. Congress's decisions on this issue could affect Coast Guard funding requirements, the Coast Guard's ability to perform its polar missions, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2017-10-24
-
Comparison of the Bills to Extend State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Funding [November 3, 2017]
"The State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a means-tested program that provides health coverage to targeted low-income children and pregnant women in families that have annual income above Medicaid eligibility levels but have no health insurance. CHIP is jointly financed by the federal government and the states, and the states are responsible for administering CHIP. In statute, FY2017 is the last year a federal CHIP appropriation is provided. Federal CHIP funding was not extended before the beginning of FY2018. As a result, states do not currently have FY2018 CHIP allotments, and states are funding their CHIP programs with unspent federal CHIP funds from prior years. Some states are expected to exhaust this funding within the first quarter of FY2018."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mitchell, Alison; Baumrucker, Evelyne P.; Dabrowska, Agata . . .
2017-11-03
-
Niger: Frequently Asked Questions About the October 2017 Attack on U.S. Soldiers [October 27, 2017]
"A deadly attack on U.S. soldiers in Niger and their local counterparts on October 4, 2017, has prompted many questions from Members of Congress about the incident. It has also highlighted a range of broader issues for Congress pertaining to oversight and authorization of U.S. military deployments, evolving U.S. global counterterrorism activities and strategy, interagency security assistance and cooperation efforts, and U.S. engagement with countries historically considered peripheral to core U.S. national security interests."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Arieff, Alexis; Blanchard, Lauren Ploch; Feickert, Andrew . . .
2017-10-27
-
Vacancies Act: A Legal Overview [October 30, 2017]
"The Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 (Vacancies Act) generally provides the exclusive means by which a government employee may temporarily perform the nondelegable functions and duties of a vacant advice and consent position in an executive agency. Unless an acting officer is serving in compliance with the requirements of the Vacancies Act, any attempt to perform the functions and duties of that office will have no force or effect. The Vacancies Act limits a government employee's ability to serve as an acting officer in two primary ways. First, the Vacancies Act provides that only three classes of people may serve temporarily in an advice and consent position. As a default rule, the first assistant to a position automatically becomes the acting officer. Alternatively, the President may direct either a senior official of that agency or a person serving in any other advice and consent position to serve as the acting officer. Second, the Vacancies Act limits the length of time a person may serve as acting officer: a person may serve either (1) for a limited time period running from the date that the vacancy occurred or (2) during the pendency of a nomination to that office. The Vacancies Act is primarily enforced when a person who has been injured by an agency's action challenges the action based on the theory that it was taken in contravention of the Act."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brannon, Valerie C.
2017-10-30
-
Renegotiating NAFTA and U.S. Textile Manufacturing [October 30, 2017]
"When the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was negotiated more than two decades ago, textiles and apparel were among the industrial sectors most sensitive to the agreement's terms. NAFTA, which was implemented on January 1, 1994, has encouraged the integration of textile and apparel production in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For example, under NAFTA's 'yarn-forward' rule of origin, textiles and apparel benefit from tarifffree treatment in all three countries if the production of yarn, fabric, and apparel, with some exceptions, is done within North America. The United States maintains a bilateral trade surplus in yarns and fabrics with its NAFTA partners. In 2016, the United States had a $4.1 billion surplus in yarns and fabrics and a positive balance of around $720 million in made-up textile products (such as home textiles and furnishings) with Canada and Mexico. U.S. exports of yarns and fabrics shipped to Mexico and Canada were valued at close to $6 billion last year. In apparel, the United States had a trade surplus with Canada of $1.4 billion and a trade deficit with Mexico of $2.7 billion in 2016."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Platzer, Michaela D.
2017-10-30
-
The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB): Frequently Asked Questions [October 31, 2017]
"This report responds to frequently asked questions about the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), including the board's background, current status, controversial issues including legal challenges, and recent legislative efforts to repeal the IPAB"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2017-10-31
-
Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress [June 6, 2017]
"The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region's future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial interests in the region. The United States held the two-year, rotating chairmanship of the Arctic Council from April 24, 2015, to May 11, 2017. Record low extents of Arctic sea ice over the past decade have focused scientific and policy attention on links to global climate change and projected ice-free seasons in the Arctic within decades. These changes have potential consequences for weather in the United States, access to mineral and biological resources in the Arctic, the economies and cultures of peoples in the region, and national security. [...] The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region's future. Issues such as Arctic territorial disputes; commercial shipping through the Arctic; Arctic oil, gas, and mineral exploration; endangered Arctic species; and increased military operations in the Arctic could cause the region in coming years to become an arena of international cooperation or competition. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial political, economic, energy, environmental, and other interests in the region. Decisions that Congress makes on Arctic-related issues could significantly affect these interests"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2017-06-06
-
FY2018 Budget Documents: Internet and GPO Availability [June 01, 2017]
"Every year the President submits a series of volumes to Congress containing the President's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. The President's submission is required on or after the first Monday in January, but no later than the first Monday in February (31 U.S.C. §1105(a)). However, incoming presidential Administrations do not generally release multivolume budget sets in February. This year the President released a Budget Blueprint on March 16, 2017, and a full budget submission on May 23, 2017. This report provides brief descriptions of the budget volumes and related documents, together with Internet addresses, Government Publishing Office (GPO) stock numbers, and prices for obtaining print copies of these publications. It also explains how to find the locations of government depository libraries, which can provide both printed copies for reference use and Internet access to the online versions. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nagel, Jared C.
2017-06-01
-
Financial CHOICE Act (H.R. 10) and the Dodd- Frank Act [June 2, 2017]
"Representative Jeb Hensarling, chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, introduced the Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 (H.R. 10) on April 26, 2017. H.R. 10 was reported by the House Committee on Financial Services on May 25, 2017. The Rules Committee has scheduled a hearing on H.R. 10 on June 6, 2017. The bill as amended is a wide-ranging proposal with 12 titles that would alter many parts of the financial regulatory system. H.R. 10 is similar to, but has several major differences from, H.R. 5983 from the 114th Congress (called the Financial CHOICE Act of 2016). The next section highlights major proposals included in the bill, as introduced. It is not a comprehensive summary. For a more detailed analysis of H.R. 10, see CRS Report R44839, The Financial CHOICE Act in the 115th Congress: Selected Policy Issues, by Marc Labonte et al. In general, the changes proposed by the FCA can be divided into two categories: (1) changes to financial policies and regulations and (2) changes to the regulatory structure and rulemaking process."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2017-06-02
-
Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive [June 15, 2017]
"Six months into the year, a permanent solution that would end the island's division has remained elusive and, at the moment, stands teetering on the edge of reaching a historic agreement or ending this round of serious negotiations with yet another disappointing outcome, or as some suggest, a permanent end to the negotiations. [...] The United States has long maintained interest in a resolution of the Cyprus issue, in part because of the growing prospects that the Eastern Mediterranean, including Cyprus, can play an important role in contributing to regional stability and in energy development and supply. The Trump Administration has pledged continued support for the negotiations with the goal of a settlement, but the level of active engagement by the United States in the early part of the new Administration, as compared to U.S. engagement in 2016, has been slow to materialize. This may have been one reason why President Anastasiades, after his dinner at the UN in early June, travelled to Washington and met with Vice President Pence and others to seek assurance of U.S. support for the negotiations and for continued energy development. This report provides a brief overview of the history of the negotiations and a description of some of the issues involved in those talks."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morelli, Vincent L.
2017-06-15
-
European Security and Islamist Terrorism [June 8, 2017]
"The June 3, 2017 attack in London--in which eight people were killed and nearly 50 injured--was the third terrorist incident in the United Kingdom in the last few months. Five people were killed outside the UK parliament in March in a similar car and knife attack, and in May, a suicide bomber killed 22 people and wounded 116 at a music concert in Manchester. These incidents are among a string of terrorist attacks in Europe connected to or inspired by violent Islamist extremism, with many since 2014 linked to the Islamic State group (also known as ISIS or ISIL)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Archick, Kristin; Belkin, Paul; Mix, Derek E.
2017-06-08
-
U.S. Foreign Aid to the Middle East and North Africa: The President's FY2018 Request [June 8, 2017]
"For FY2018, the Trump Administration proposes to cut 12% of overall bilateral aid to the Middle East and North Africa (from FY2016 enacted levels), primarily by ending Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grants to Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, and Tunisia. However, these countries may continue to receive grant or loan aid from a proposed $200 million FMF 'global fund,' possibly convert from FMF grants to FMF loans beginning in FY2018, or receive no FMF assistance at all. U.S. security assistance to MENA [Middle East and North Africa] countries could also be channeled through Defense Department appropriations accounts rather than through State Department and Foreign Operations appropriations. If enacted, the Administration's FY2018 proposed cuts to FMF for the region would make the traditional recipients of FMF grants (Israel, Egypt, and Jordan) account for 100% of all regional FMF grant aid and 92% of all global grant FMF aid. While the President's FY2018 budget request claims that FMF loans will allow recipients to 'purchase more American-made defense equipment and related services than they would receive with the same amount of grant funding,' some lawmakers argue that converting FMF grants to loans would 'require poorer countries to reimburse the United States (which past experience has shown they are unable to do) for assistance that is in our security interest to provide to them.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell
2017-06-08
-
Financial CHOICE Act (H.R. 10) and the Dodd-Frank Act [June 12, 2017]
"Representative Jeb Hensarling, chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, introduced the Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 (H.R. 10) on April 26, 2017. H.R. 10 was passed by the House on June 8, 2017. The bill as passed is a wide-ranging proposal with 12 titles that would alter many parts of the financial regulatory system. H.R. 10 is similar to, but has several major differences from, H.R. 5983 from the 114th Congress (called the Financial CHOICE Act of 2016). The next section highlights major proposals included in the bill, as passed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2017-06-12
-
State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs: FY2017 Budget and Appropriations [May 26, 2017]
"On February 9, 2016, the Obama Administration submitted to Congress its FY2017 budget request totaling $52.78 billion in new budget authority for the State Department, Foreign Operations, and Related Appropriations (SFOPS) accounts. Of the total request, $17.05 billion was for State Operations and related agencies (a 3.6% increase over FY2016 estimates), and $35.74 billion was for Foreign Operations (-1.8% compared with FY2016 estimates that included emergency Ebola funds). On June 29, 2016, the Senate Appropriations Committee introduced and reported the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2017 (S. 3117/S.Rept. 114-290). It would have provided a total of $52.24 billion, after rescissions and including funds designated for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) […] In early May 2017, Congress passed a final appropriations bill, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31), that provides $53.23 billion in full-year funding through September 30, 2017. Together with the supplemental funds enacted in December (P.L. 114-254), total enacted SFOPS funding for FY2017 is $57.53 billion, an 8.8% increase over the FY2016 SFOPS funding level. The increase is entirely due to a 40% total increase in OCO funding. This report provides an overview and highlights of the request with an account-by-account comparison of the FY2017 request to the House and Senate committee-passed bills and FY2016 estimates [...]"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.; Lawson, Marian Leonardo; Gill, Cory R.
2017-05-26
-
Five-Year Program for Federal Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing: Status and Issues in Brief [ May 19, 2017]
"Under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), as amended,1 the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) must prepare and maintain forward-looking five-year plans-referred to by BOEM as five-year programs-for proposed public oil and gas lease sales on the U.S. outer continental shelf (OCS). During the Obama Administration, BOEM released a leasing program for the period from mid-2017 through mid-2022.2 The program schedules 11 lease sales on the OCS during the five-year period: 10 in the Gulf of Mexico region (occurring twice each year), 1 in the Cook Inlet planning area of the Alaska region (scheduled for 2021), and none in the Atlantic or Pacific regions. Three sales proposed in earlier versions of the program-one in the Atlantic and two off Alaska-were not ultimately included in the program. On April 28, 2017, President Trump issued an executive order directing the Secretary of the Interior to review and consider revising the 2017-2022 program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Comay, Laura B.
2017-05-19
-
Army's Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV): Background and Issues for Congress [May 31, 2017]
"The Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) is the Army's proposed replacement for the Vietnam-era M-113 personnel carriers, which are still in service in a variety of support capacities in Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs). While M-113s no longer serve as infantry fighting vehicles, five variants of the M-113 are used as command and control vehicles, general purpose vehicles, mortar carriers, and medical treatment and evacuation vehicles. The AMPV is intended to be a non-developmental program (candidate vehicles will be either existing vehicles or modified existing vehicles--not vehicles that are specially designed and not currently in service). Some suggest a non-developmental vehicle might make it easier for the Army to eventually field this system to the force, as most of the Army's past developmental programs, such as the Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV), the Future Combat System (FCS), the Crusader self-propelled artillery system, and the Comanche helicopter, were cancelled before they could be fully developed and fielded [...] The FY2018 budget request for the AMPV requests $647.4 million for the production of 107 vehicles. A potential issue for Congress is whether the Administration's proposal to increase the size of the Army will translate into a requirement for additional AMPVs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2017-05-31
-
Net Neutrality: Back to the Future [May 30, 2017]
"On May 18, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to seek comment on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), captioned, 'In the Matter of Restoring Internet Freedom.' The NPRM proposes to reverse the FCC's decision in its 2015 Open Internet Order to reclassify broadband Internet access service (BIAS) from an information service to a telecommunications service under the Communications Act of 1934 (Communications Act). The NPRM, if adopted, would change the classification of these services for the second time in two years and would limit the extent of the FCC's authority to regulate BIAS providers. The proceeding also could alter or eliminate regulations concerning the management of BIAS (commonly referred to as 'net neutrality' regulations)." This report has been divided into two parts, both of which are included in this document.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2017-05-30
-
Iran: Politics, Human Rights, and U.S. Policy [June 2, 2017]
"Beginning in 2010, the United States 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 eventual negotiation of a 'Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action' (JCPOA). The JCPOA, which began formal implementation on January 16, 2016, exchanged broad sanctions relief for nuclear program limits intended to ensure that Iran would require at least a year to produce a nuclear weapon after a decision to do so. President Obama asserted that the implementation of the JCPOA presented an opportunity to construct a new and more positive U.S. relationship with Iran. However, Iran has continued to test ballistic missiles; maintained support for regional movements such as Hamas, Lebanese Hezbollah, and Houthi rebels in Yemen; arrested additional U.S.-Iran dual nationals; and conducted high speed intercepts of U.S. naval vessels in the Persian Gulf. The Trump Administration has characterized Iran as an adversary of the United States and stated a commitment to countering Iran's regional influence--although without taking steps that would conflict with U.S. commitments under the JCPOA. The Administration has not articulated a hope or intent to develop an improved relationship with Iran [...] The United States has supported programs to promote civil society in Iran, but successive U.S. Administrations, including the Trump Administration, have stopped short of adopting policies that specifically seek to overthrow Iran's regime."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2017-06-02
-
Federal Minimum Wage: In Brief [June 2, 2017]
From the Document: "The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), enacted in 1938, is the federal legislation that establishes the minimum hourly wage that must be paid to all covered workers. The minimum wage provisions of the FLSA have been amended numerous times since 1938, typically for the purpose of expanding coverage or raising the wage rate. Since its establishment, the minimum wage rate has been raised 22 separate times. The most recent change was enacted in 2007 (P.L. 110-28), which increased the minimum wage to its current level of $7.25 per hour. In addition to setting the federal minimum wage rate, the FLSA provides for several exemptions and subminimum wage categories for certain classes of workers and types of work. Even with these exemptions, the FLSA minimum wage provisions still cover the vast majority of the workforce. Despite this broad coverage, however, the minimum wage directly affects a relatively small portion of the workforce. Currently, there are approximately 2.2 million workers, or 2.7% of all hourly paid workers, whose wages are at or below the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Most minimum wage workers are female, are age 20 or older, work part time, and are in food service occupations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bradley, David H.
2017-06-02
-
Madagascar's Political Crisis [June 18, 2017]
"Madagascar, an Indian Ocean island country, ranks among the world's poorest countries, is the world's fourth largest island and is extremely biologically diverse, with thousands of unique species of flora and fauna. It has experienced political instability since early 2009, initiated by tensions between the country's last elected president, Marc Ravalomanana, and an opposition movement led by Andry Rajoelina, then the mayor of the capital city, Antananarivo. Mass protests in early 2009 and eventual military support for the ouster of President Ravalomanana culminated in his forced resignation from office. Rajoelina then seized power and, with other leaders, formed an interim self-declared transitional government, the High Transitional Authority (HAT, after its French acronym). Ravalomanana now lives in exile in South Africa."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Lauren Ploch; Cook, Nicolas
2017-06-18
-
President Trump's Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement Raises Legal Questions: Part 1 and 2
"On June 1, President Trump announced his long-anticipated decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement--an international agreement intended to reduce the effects of climate change by maintaining global temperatures 'well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels[.]' As analyzed in this earlier report and live CRS seminar, historical practice suggests it is within the President's constitutional authority to withdraw from the Paris Agreement without first receiving congressional or senatorial approval. However, legal questions remain as to how the Trump Administration will implement the withdrawal and what role the United States will play in future international climate meetings. This two-part Sidebar series analyzes legal questions arising from the President's announcement."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2017-06-09
-
Russia: Background and U.S. Policy [August 21, 2017]
Over the last five years, Congress and the executive branch have closely monitored and responded to new developments in Russian policy. These developments include the following: [1] increasingly authoritarian governance since Vladimir Putin's return to the presidential post in 2012; [2] Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region and support of separatists in eastern Ukraine; [3] violations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty; [3] Moscow's intervention in Syria in support of Bashar al Asad's government; [increased military activity in Europe; and cyber-related influence operations that, according to the U.S. intelligence community, have targeted the 2016 U.S. presidential election and countries in Europe.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Welt, Cory
2017-08-21
-
China-U.S. Trade Issues [August 26, 2017]
"Economic and trade reforms begun in 1979 have helped transform China into one of the world's biggest and fastest-growing economies. China's economic growth and trade liberalization, including comprehensive trade commitments made upon its entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, have led to a sharp expansion in U.S.-China commercial ties. Yet, bilateral trade relations have become increasingly strained in recent years over a number of issues, including China's: mixed record on implementing its WTO obligations; infringement of U.S. intellectual property (such as through cyber-theft of U.S. trade secrets and forced technology requirements placed on foreign firms); increased use of industrial policies to promote and protect domestic Chinese firms (especially state-owned firms); extensive trade and foreign investment restrictions; lack of transparency in trade rules and regulations; distortionary economic policies that have led to overcapacity in several industries; and its large merchandise trade surplus with the United States. China's economic and trade conditions, policies, and acts have a significant impact on the U.S. economy as whole as well as specific U.S. sectors and thus are of concern to Congress. This report provides an overview of U.S.-China commercial ties identifies major issues of contention, describes the Trump Administration's trade policies toward China, and reviews possible outcomes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morrison, Wayne M.
2017-08-26
-
Corporate Expatriation, Inversions, and Mergers: Tax Issues [August 17, 2017]
"The U.S. corporate income tax is based on worldwide economic activity. If all of a corporation's economic activity is in the United States, then tax administration and compliance is relatively straightforward. Many corporations, however, operate in several jurisdictions, which creates complications for tax administration and compliance. Further, corporations may actively choose where and how to organize to reduce their U.S. and worldwide tax liabilities. Some of these strategies have been referred to as expatriation, inversions, and mergers. This report examines them in light of recent expansion of their use and growing congressional interest."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Marples, Donald; Gravelle, Jane
2017-08-17
-
Cuba Sanctions: Legislative Restrictions Limiting the Normalization of Relations [August 17, 2017]
"Since the early 1960s, U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted largely of isolating the island nation through comprehensive economic sanctions, including an embargo on trade and financial transactions. President John F. Kennedy proclaimed an embargo on trade between the United States and Cuba in February 1962, citing Section 620(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA), which authorizes the President 'to establish and maintain a total embargo upon all trade between the United States and Cuba.' At the same time, the Department of the Treasury issued the Cuban Import Regulations to deny the importation into the United States of all goods imported from or through Cuba. The authority for the embargo was later expanded in March 1962 to include the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rennack, Dianne E.; Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-08-17
-
Presidential Pardons: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) [August 28, 2017]
"Article I, § 2 of the United States Constitution provides the President the authority 'to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.' While the text makes it clear that the pardon power is limited to federal offenses ('offenses against the United States') and cannot be used to avoid impeachment, the terse, one-sentence provision offers little other guidance on the scope of the President's pardon authority. The Supreme Court has stated that the President's pardon power is near plenary, but the exercise of this authority may occasionally prompt questions regarding the power's compatibility with notions of fairness and the rule of law. Recently, some Members of Congress (see, e.g., here) and legal observers have raised or opined upon various, oftentimes difficult, legal questions pertaining to the pardon power, including whether the President can issue 'prospective' pardons; whether the President can pardon himself; and the extent to which Congress can regulate or respond to the exercise of the President's pardon authority. This Sidebar provides a general overview of the pardon power and briefly addresses a few frequently asked legal questions concerning its scope and application."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2017-08-28
-
Legislative Proposals Seek Statutory Protections Related to Removing a Special Counsel [August 22, 2017]
"Following Robert Mueller's appointment as Special Counsel to investigate (per the direction of the Deputy Attorney General) the 'Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election,' some Members of Congress have expressed various concerns about the independence of an investigation that has the possibility to implicate current or former executive branch officials. Most recently, new proposals--the Special Counsel Independence Protection Act (SCIPA, S. 1735/H.R. 3654) and the Special Counsel Integrity Act (SCIA, S. 1741)--have been introduced that would provide additional protections for a special counsel against removal by the President or the Attorney General."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2017-08-22
-
Allowances and Office Staff for Former Presidents, FY2016-FY2018 Appropriations [August 28, 2017]
"The Former Presidents Act (FPA), enacted on August 25, 1958 (3 U.S.C. §102 note), 'was designed to 'maintain the dignity' of the office of the President by providing former Presidents--and their spouses--a pension and other benefits to help them respond to post-presidency mail and speaking requests, among other informal public duties often required.' (See CRS Report RL34631, Former Presidents: Pensions, Office Allowances, and Other Federal Benefits.) The General Services Administration (GSA) administers the law. Five former Presidents receive pensions and benefits under the FPA: Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack H. Obama. According to GSA, 'In January 2017, the program began funding the pension for President Obama, and after July 21, 2017 … [began funding] payroll and benefits of his staff, office space, office furnishings, and other related expenses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwemle, Barbara L.
2017-08-28
-
Accounting and Auditing Regulatory Structure: U.S. and International [July 19, 2017]
"Accounting is commonly considered the language of finance. A common set of principles and rules help establish accounting standards. Accountants who audit financial statements (auditors) also adhere to a common set of audit principles and rules to examine financial statements. In the United States, accounting and auditing standards are promulgated and regulated by various federal, state, and self-regulatory agencies. Accounting and auditing standards are also influenced by practitioners from businesses, nonprofits, and government entities (federal, state, and local). Congress has allowed financial accounting and auditing practitioners to remain self-regulated while retaining oversight responsibility. At certain times, Congress has sought to achieve specific accounting- and auditing-based policy objectives by enacting legislation such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) and the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (FCRA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gnanarajah, Raj
2017-07-19
