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• Latin America: Terrorism Issues [January 14, 2005]

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  "In the aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C., U.S. attention to terrorism in Latin America intensified, with an increase in bilateral and regional cooperation. Latin American nations strongly condemned the attacks, and took action through the Organization of American States (OAS) to strengthen hemispheric cooperation. In June 2002, OAS members signed an Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism. President Bush submitted the convention to the Senate in November 2002 for its advice and consent, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a public hearing on June 17, 2004. In its annual report on worldwide terrorism, the State Department highlights threats in Colombia, Peru, and the tri-border region of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The State Department also has designated four terrorist groups (three in Colombia and one in Peru) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, and Cuba has been listed as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1982."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2005-01-14
• Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons and Missiles: Status and Trends [Updated January 14, 2005]

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  "The United States has long recognized the dangers inherent in the spread of nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) weapons, and missiles. Despite the preeminence of U.S. military power, or perhaps because of it, these weapons continue to pose very serious threats to the United States and its foreign interests. NBC weapons could be delivered by means ranging from ships or trucks that terrorist groups might employ, to aircraft, cruise or ballistic missiles of states. This report, which analyzes NBC weapons programs around the globe and potential threat patterns, is updated as needed...The status of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and missiles worldwide has changed only slowly over time. In absolute numbers, stockpiles are actually decreasing. Some U.S. and foreign analysts emphasize the positive impact of the demise of the Soviet Union and progress made in U.S.-Russian arms control and international arms control. Others emphasize the negative impact of the nuclear tests by India and Pakistan; missile tests by North Korea, Iran, India, and Pakistan; continuing transfers of dangerous technology particularly by China, Russia, and North Korea; and a growing interest in WMD among terrorists. This report provides background and analysis on U.S. policies regarding these complex national security issues. It focuses on the current threat and trends in nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and missiles."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Squassoni, Sharon A.

  2005-01-14
• Venezuela: Political Conditions and U.S. Policy [Updated January 14, 2005]

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  "The United States traditionally has had close relations with Venezuela, but there has been friction in relations with the Chávez government. The Bush Administration expressed strong support for the work of the OAS in resolving the crisis, welcomed the May 2003 political accord, and supported its implementation. After the recall referendum, the Administration congratulated the Venezuelan people for their commitment to democracy and commended the work of the OAS and Carter Center. At the same time, U.S. officials stressed the importance of reconciliation on the part of the government and the opposition in order to resolve their political differences peacefully. A dilemma for U.S. policymakers has been how to press the Chávez government to adhere to democratic principles without taking sides in Venezuela's polarized political conflict. Since Venezuela is a major supplier of foreign oil to the United States, a key U.S. interest has been ensuring the continued flow of oil exports at a reasonable and stable price. Despite friction in U.S.-Venezuelan relations and despite past threats by President Chávez to stop selling oil to the United States, Venezuela has remained a steady supplier of oil to the United States."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2005-01-14
• U.S. Treatment of Prisoners in Iraq: Selected Legal Issues [Updated January 14, 2005]

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  "Photographs depicting the apparent abuse of Iraqi detainees at the hands of U.S. military personnel at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq have resulted in numerous investigations, congressional hearings, and prosecutions, raising questions regarding the applicable law. The international law of armed conflict, in particular, those parts relating to belligerent occupation, applies in Iraq. The four Geneva Conventions of 1949 related to the treatment of prisoners of war (POW) and civilian detainees, as well as the Hague Regulations define the status of detainees and state responsibility for their treatment. Other international law relevant to human rights and to the treatment of prisoners may also apply. For example, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment." The U.N. Declaration on Human Rights and the U.N. Convention Against Torture (CAT) is also relevant. Federal statutes that implement the relevant international law, such as the War Crimes Act of 1996 and the Torture Victim Protection Act, as well as other criminal statutes with extraterritorial application may also come into play. Finally, the law of Iraq as amended by regulations issued by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) may apply in some circumstances."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Elsea, Jennifer

  2005-01-14
• Monitoring Foreign Students in the United States: The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) [Updated January 14, 2005]

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  "There has been increased interest in monitoring foreign students while maintaining the long tradition of permitting international scholars to study in the United States. There are three main avenues for students from other countries to temporarily come to the United States to study, and each involves admission as a nonimmigrant. The three visa categories used by foreign students are: F visas for academic study; M visas for vocational study; and J visas for cultural exchange. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented an electronic foreign student monitoring system."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Siskin, Alison

  2005-01-14
• Tracking Current Federal Legislation and Regulations: A Guide to Basic Sources [Updated January 13, 2005]

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  "By using a variety of basic printed, online, and telephone sources, constituents can track federal legislation and regulations at the local level. Those who prefer weekly overviews would be interested in such publications as 'CQ Weekly, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Newsweek, Time, and U.S. News and World Report. For daily coverage, helpful printed sources are the Congressional Record, CQ Today (formerly CQ Daily Monitor), the Federal Register, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and the Los Angeles Times.' Databases such as THOMAS, GPO [Government Printing Office] Access, the websites of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, LexisNexis, and WESTLAW would also be useful. The 'Code of Federal Regulations, the Index to the Code of Federal Regulations, and the CIS/Index to Publications of the United States Congress' provide access by subject to regulatory and legislative publications. Telephone sources such as Capitol Hill's bill status office, the White House's office of the executive clerk, and the office of the 'Federal Register' can give brief information on legislative and regulatory developments too new to have been captured by standard online or printed sources. Capsule descriptions of directories and other media sources are provided, as is a bibliography. Annotations for each source contain publisher contact information. This report will be updated yearly."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Davis, Carol D.

  2005-01-13
• El Salvador: Political, Economic, and Social Conditions and Relations with the United States [January 13, 2005]

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  "Tony Saca, a businessman from the conservative National Republican Alliance (ARENA) party, was inaugurated as president for a five-year term in June 2004. President Saca faces the challenges of restarting a stagnating economy, passing legislation in a polarized political environment, and combating gang violence. Although 70% of Salvadorans approve of his overall job performance, a majority disprove of his decision to maintain a contingent of 380 Salvadoran soldiers in Iraq. The United States is working with President Saca to combat narco-trafficking, to resolve immigration issues, and to promote free trade, possibly through the proposed United States- Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). On December 17, 2004, El Salvador became the first country in Central America to ratify DR-CAFTA. On January 6, 2005, the U.S. government extended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) of undocumented Salvadoran migrants living in the United States until September 9, 2006. This report will be updated as events warrant. For further information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL32322, 'Central America and the Dominican Republic in the Context of the Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) with the United States.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seelke, Clare Ribando

  2005-01-13
• U.S. Nuclear Weapons: Changes in Policy and Force Structure [Updated January 13, 2005]

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  "During the Cold War the United States maintained a triad of ICBMs, SLBMs, and heavy bombers in a strategic nuclear arsenal of more than 10,000 warheads. During the 1990s, the United States reduced the size of this arsenal to around 7,000 warheads , but maintained all three legs of the triad. The Bush Administration has announced that the United States will further reduce its arsenal to between 1,700 and 2,200 operationally deployed warheads, but that it will not eliminate many delivery vehicles while reducing its force and it will retain many nondeployed warheads in storage as a responsive force that could be added to the deployed forces if conditions warranted. The Bush Administration has also announced that it will expand and enhance the infrastructure that supports U.S. nuclear weapons, so that the United States could respond to unexpected changes in the status of its arsenal or the international security environment. Analysts and observers have identified several issues raised by the Administrations Nuclear Posture Review. These include the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. national security policy, how to make the U.S. nuclear deterrent credible, the relationship between the U.S. nuclear posture and the goal of discouraging nuclear proliferation, plans for strategic nuclear weapons, and the future of non-strategic nuclear weapons."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Woolf, Amy F.

  2005-01-13
• Treatment of 'Battlefield Detainees' in the War on Terrorism [Updated January 13, 2005]

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  "This report provides an overview of the law of war and the historical treatment of wartime detainees, in particular the United States' practice for determining their status, and describes how the detainees' status might affect their rights and treatment. The report also reviews the current status of petitions for habeas corpus filed on behalf of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay and summarizes activity of the 108th Congress related to detention in connection with the war against terrorism."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Elsea, Jennifer

  2005-01-13
• Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress [Updated January 13, 2005]

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  "As in past years, the main issue for U.S. policy toward Cuba in the 109th Congress will be how to best support political and economic change in one of world's remaining communist nations. Since the early 1960s, U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted largely of isolating the island nation through comprehensive economic sanctions. Another component of U.S. policy consists of support measures for the Cuban people, including private humanitarian donations and U.S.-sponsored radio and television broadcasting to Cuba. The Bush Administration has further tightened restrictions on travel for family visits, other categories of travel, and on sending private humanitarian assistance to Cuba. While there appears to be broad agreement on the overall objective of U.S. policy toward Cuba -- to help bring democracy and respect for human rights to the island -- there are several schools of thought on how to achieve that objective. Some advocate maximum pressure on the Cuban government until reforms are enacted; others argue for lifting some U.S. sanctions that they believe are hurting the Cuban people. Still others call for a swift normalization of U.S.-Cuban relations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2005-01-13
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues for the 109th Congress [Updated January 13, 2005]

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  "The Latin America and Caribbean region has made enormous strides over the past two decades in terms of political and economic development. While the region overall experienced an economic setback in 2002-2003, by the end of 2004, it had rebounded with an estimated growth rate of 5.5% for the year, surpassing even the most optimistic predictions. Nevertheless, several nations face considerable challenges that could threaten political stability, including persistent poverty, violent guerrilla conflicts, autocratic leaders, drug trafficking, and increasing crime."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Seelke, Clare Ribando; Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-

  2005-01-13
• Thailand: Background and U.S. Relations [January 13, 2005]

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  "Despite differences on Burma policy and human rights issues, shared economic and security interests have long provided the basis for U.S.-Thai cooperation. Bangkok and Washington coordinate closely on law enforcement, intelligence, and military operations. Thailand contributed troops and support for U.S. military operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq and was designated as a major non-NATO ally by President Bush in December 2003. Thailand's airfields and ports play a particularly important role in U.S. global military strategy, including serving as the primary hub of the relief effort for the Indian Ocean tsunami. The high-profile arrest of radical Islamic leader Hambali in a joint Thai-U.S. operation underscores Thailand's role in the U.S.-led war on terrorism. If negotiations for an FTA are successful, the current U.S.-Thai bilateral trade total of $20 billion could rise considerably."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Chanlett-Avery, Emma

  2005-01-13
• Air Cargo Security [Updated January 13, 2005]

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  "The air cargo system is a complex, multi-faceted network that handles a vast amount of freight, packages, and mail carried aboard passenger and all-cargo aircraft. The air cargo system is vulnerable to several security threats including potential plots to place explosives aboard aircraft; illegal shipments of hazardous materials; criminal activities such as smuggling and theft; and potential hijackings and sabotage by persons with access to aircraft. While it is generally agreed that full screening of all cargo placed on aircraft is not currently feasible, several procedural and technology initiatives have been proposed to enhance air cargo security and deter terrorist and criminal threats. Procedural initiatives include proposals to: expand the 'known shipper' program; increase cargo inspections; increase physical security of air cargo facilities; increase oversight of air cargo operations; provide security training for cargo workers; and tighten controls over access to aircraft during cargo operations. Technology being considered to improve air cargo security includes tamper-resistant and tamper-evident packaging and containers; explosive detection systems and other cargo screening technologies; blast-resistant cargo containers; and biometric systems for worker identification and access control."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Elias, Bartholomew

  2005-01-13
• Caribbean Basin Interim Trade Program: CBI/NAFTA Parity [Updated January 12, 2005]

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  "The entry into force, on January 1, 1994, of the North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA) has eliminated the advantage that the beneficiaries of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) and related provisions of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) had enjoyed in trade with the United States relative to Mexico, and gave Mexico an increasingly significant competitive edge over the CBERA countries. Beginning with the 103rd Congress, Congress considered legislation to provide, temporarily, to CBI beneficiary countries tariff and quota treatment equivalent to that accorded to Mexico under the NAFTA. Although at the time favorably reported in several instances, the parity legislation was not enacted. Diverse versions of House and Senate parity legislation were eventually reconciled in the conference report on comprehensive trade legislation, passed by both houses and signed by the President May 18, 2000 (Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act -- CBTPA; Title II, P.L. 106-200). Legislation enhancing and broadening the scope of the CBTPA preferential treatment was included in different versions in broader legislation considered in the 107th Congress, and was eventually passed by both houses, signed by the President August 6, 2002 (P.L.107-210) and implemented by Proclamation 7626. Legislation introduced in the 108th Congress as an amendment to CBERA to provide to Haiti substantially enhanced preference for exports of textile apparel to the United States died in committee. On the other hand, legislation to provide duty-free treatment to many categories of footwear imported from CBERA and CBTPA beneficiaries was enacted as part of a comprehensive trade bill."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Pregelj, Vladimir N.

  2005-01-12
• Nonproliferation and Threat Reduction Assistance: U.S. Programs in the Former Soviet Union [Updated January 12, 2005]

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  "Congress passed the Nunn-Lugar amendment, authorizing U.S. threat reduction assistance to the former Soviet Union, in November 1991, after a failed coup in Moscow and the disintegration of the Soviet Union raised concerns about the safety and security of Soviet nuclear weapons. The annual program has grown from $400 million in the DOD budget over $900 million across three agencies -- DOD ($409.2 million) DOE ($472.6 million) and the State Department ($70 million). It has also evolved from an emergency response to impending chaos in the Soviet Union, to a more comprehensive threat reduction and nonproliferation effort, to a broader program seeking to keep nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons from leaking out of the former Soviet Union and into the hands of rogue nations or terrorist groups. Analysts have debated numerous issues related to U.S. nonproliferation and threat reduction assistance. These include questions about the coordination of and priority given to these programs in the U.S. government, questions about Russia's willingness to provide the United States with access to its weapons facilities, questions about the President's ability to waive certification requirements so that the programs can go forward, and questions about the need to expand the efforts into a global program that receives funding from numerous nations and possibly extends assistance to others outside the former Soviet Union. This report complements CRS Report 97-1027 F, Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Programs: Issues for Congress and CRS Report RL31368, Preventing Proliferation of Biological Weapons: U.S. Assistance to the Former Soviet States. It will be updated as needed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Woolf, Amy F.

  2005-01-12
• Asian Soybean Rust: Background and Issues [January 12, 2005]

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  "On November 9, 2004, Asian soybean rust (ASR) was discovered in the United States in an experimental field in Louisiana. In the following three weeks, it was discovered in eight additional southern states -- Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Because ASR's arrival in the United States came late in the crop year, it is not thought to have had any measurable effect on 2004 soybean production. Furthermore, its detection has provided an early warning and has given the U.S. soybean sector time to prepare strategies to guard against possible ASR damage to the 2005 soybean crop. ASR is a harmful fungal disease that affects the growth of several commercial plants, most notably soybeans. The rust spores, once windborne, can spread rapidly and have been known to infect an entire region the same year the disease is first detected. ASR has reduced soybean yields by 10% to 80% in infected areas. The disease's rapid transmission rate coupled with an abundance of host species suggests that eradication would be unlikely once the fungus is established in the United States. As a result, the most effective treatment is thought to be the development and use of resistant plant varieties. However, no commercial U.S. soybean cultivar is resistant to or tolerant of ASR. In the short term, the only effective responses are costly fungicides and the use of early-maturing soybean cultivars."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Schnepf, Randall Dean, 1954-

  2005-01-12
• Egypt-United States Relations [January 11, 2005]

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  "U.S.-Egyptian relations are aimed at maintaining regional stability, improving bilateral relations, continuing military cooperation, and sustaining the March 1979 Egyptian- Israeli peace treaty. Experience gained from Egyptian-U.S. joint military exercises proved valuable in easing coordination during the February 1991 Desert Storm operation to reverse Iraqi aggression against Kuwait. Egypt is seen by U.S. policy makers as a leader and moderating influence among many Arab, African, Islamic, and Third World states. Among the current issues in U.S.-Egyptian relations are a shared concern about international terrorism. Egypt can claim some experience with the subject, having defeated domestic Islamic terrorists intent on overthrowing the Egyptian government. The two countries disagree over the speed and depth, but not the need for some of Egypt's economic reforms. Egypt and the United States agree on the importance of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, the need to continue current Arab-Israel peace talks, and the need for regional stability. The two nations agree on Egypt's need to introduce democratic reforms in Egypt, although critics argue that Egypt is not moving quickly enough toward full democracy or in improving the human rights situation. The United States has provided Egypt with an annual average of over $2 billion in economic and military foreign assistance since 1979. The United States will reduce Economic Support Funds (ESF) to about $400 million per year by 2008 in keeping with a plan to reduce aid to Israel. The Administration requested $575 million in economic grants and $1.3 billion in military grants for FY2004 for Egypt."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mark, Clyde R.

  2005-01-11
• How Measures Are Brought to the House Floor: A Brief Introduction [Updated January 11, 2005]

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  "This report presents a brief description of the five methods used to bring proposed legislation to the House floor for consideration. These methods allow for consideration as a privileged matter, under the limited privilege of a special calendar or day, under suspension of the rules, under the terms of a special rule, or by unanimous consent. This report will be updated to reflect any changes in the rules or practices of the House."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Saturno, James

  2005-01-11
• United Nations Peacekeeping: Issues for Congress [January 11, 2005]

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  "A major issue facing the United Nations, the United States, and Congress concerning United Nations peacekeeping is the extent to which the United Nations has the capacity to restore or keep the peace in the changing world environment. Associated with this issue is the expressed need for a reliable source of funding and other resources for peacekeeping and improved efficiencies of operation. For the United States, major congressional considerations on U.N. peacekeeping stem from executive branch commitments made in the U.N. Security Council. The concern with these commitments, made through votes in the Council, is the extent to which they bind the United States, both militarily and financially, to fund and to participate in some way in an operation. This includes placing U.S. military personnel under the control of foreign commanders. Since 1948, the United Nations (U.N.) has launched 59 peacekeeping operations, of which 16 are currently active. U.N. estimated peacekeeping expenditures went down from$3.4 billion in calendar year 1995 to $1.2 billion in 1997. Ongoing U.N. peacekeeping expenditures were estimated at $2.2 billion for the year starting on July 1, 2000, and $2.63 billion for the year starting on July 1, 2002. U.S. payments in calendar year 2000 were $518.6 million and $1.3 billion in CY2001. Peacekeeping has come to constitute more than just the placement of military forces into a cease-fire situation with the consent of all the parties. Military peacekeepers may be disarming or seizing weapons, aggressively protecting humanitarian assistance, and clearing land mines. Peacekeeping operations also now involve more non-military tasks such as maintaining law and order (police), election monitoring, and human rights monitoring."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Browne, Marjorie Ann

  2005-01-11
• Homeland Security Advisory System: Possible Issues for Congressional Oversight [Updated January 11, 2005]

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  "The Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS), established on March 12, 2002, is a color-coded terrorist threat warning system administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The system, which federal departments and agencies are required to implement and use, provides recommended protective measures for federal departments and agencies to prevent, prepare for, mitigate against, and respond to terrorist attacks. DHS disseminates HSAS terrorist threat warnings to federal departments, state and local agencies, the public, and private-sector entities. This dissemination of warnings is conducted through multiple communication systems and public announcements. HSAS has five threat levels: low, guarded, elevated, high, and severe. From March 2002 to the present, the HSAS threat level has been no lower than elevated, and has been raised to high six times. The first time it was raised to high was on September 10, 2002, due to the fear of terrorist attacks on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The most recent time it was raised to high was on August 1, 2004, due to intelligence regarding possible terrorist attacks on financial institutions in New York City, Washington, DC, and Newark, New Jersey."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Reese, Shawn

  2005-01-11
• China-U.S. Relations: Current Issues for the 108th Congress [Updated January 11, 2005]

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  "On December 29, 2004, China's official news agency, Xinhua, announced that the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) had voted unanimously to consider an anti-secession law, aimed at Taiwan independence advocates, to the full NPC at its March 2005 legislative session. State media also reported that former Party Secretary Jiang Zemin in March 2005 will ask the NPC to accept his resignation as chair of the state Central Military Commission -- a largely symbolic position. Jiang stepped down from the power-wielding Party Central Military Commission in September 2004 On December 27, 2004, the PRC published its fifth white paper on national security: "China's National Defense in 2004." The paper said that the Taiwan independence movement was the biggest threat to China's sovereignty and regional peace, and it vowed to prevent Taiwan independence at all costs. The paper also said that strengthening China's naval warfare and air capabilities were military priorities. On December 11, 2004, in elections for Taiwan's legislature, voters returned the opposition, the Nationalist Party (KMT), to a majority despite a strong push by President Chen Shui-bian's party, the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Observers believe that the DPP's failure to gain legislative control lessens the near-term chance of confrontation with Beijing. On December 3, 2004, in its biannual report on global foreign exchange, the U.S. Treasury Department did not find that China met the technical definition of currency manipulation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dumbaugh, Kerry

  2005-01-11
• Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: Selected Legislation from the 108th Congress [Updated January 11, 2005]

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  "In the 108th Congress, a number of intelligence reform bills were introduced, including some which pre-dated the release of the Final Report of the 9/11 Commission, while others emerged after its release. On December 17, 2004, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, P.L. 108-458 (S. 2845), was signed into law. It included several provisions related to FISA. In addition to P.L. 108-458, a variety of other bills were introduced with FISA-related provisions. The FISA provisions of some of these measures were part of larger intelligence reform proposals. Still others were more narrowly focused measures that would also have impacted FISA investigations in the post-9/11 environment. This report briefly discusses the FISA-related aspects of these proposals. For purposes of this report, the bills addressed are divided generally into two categories: intelligence reform or reorganization proposals that have FISA provisions, including P.L. 108-458 (S. 2845), H.R. 10, H.R. 4104, H.R. 5040, H.R. 5150, S. 6, S. 190, S. 1520, S. 2811, S. 2840, and Senator Pat Roberts' draft bill; and other FISA-related bills, including H.R. 1157, H.R. 2242, H.R. 2429, H.R. 2800, H.R. 3179, H.R. 3352, H.R. 3552, H.R. 4591, H.Amdt. 652 to H.R. 4574, S. 113, S. 123, S. 410, S. 436, S. 578, S. 1158, S. 1507, S. 1552, S. 1709, S. 2528, and S.Amdt. 536 to S. 113. For a more detailed discussion of FISA, see CRS Report RL30465, The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: An Overview of the Statutory Framework and Recent Judicial Decisions, while a discussion of the amendment in P.L. 108-458 to the FISA definition of agent of a foreign power may be found in CRS Report RS22011, Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004: 'Lone Wolf' Amendment to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bazan, Elizabeth B.

  2005-01-11
• Critical Infrastructure Protections: The 9/11 Commission Report and Congressional Response [Updated January 11, 2005]

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  "Many of the recommendations made in the 9/11 Commission's report dealt indirectly with critical infrastructure protection, especially as the goals of critical infrastructure protection have evolved to include countering the type of attack that occurred on September 11. However, relatively few of the recommendations addressed critical infrastructure protection specifically. Those that did called for using a systematic risk management approach for setting priorities and allocating resources for critical infrastructure protection. None of these recommendations advocated a change in the direction of, or the organizational structures that have evolved to implement, existing infrastructure protection policies. Nevertheless, the Commission's recommendations could speed up implementation in some areas, given the attention and renewed urgency expressed by the Commission."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Moteff, John D.

  2005-01-11
• Organization and Mission of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate: Issues During the 109th Congress [January 11, 2005]

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  "The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) vests in the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate (EPR) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authority to coordinate specified federal emergency management activities. The law consolidated many, but not all, federal emergency authorities and resources into EPR. This report briefly describes the entities that constitute EPR and identifies issues that may come before the 109th Congress. This report will be updated as significant events implementing the legislation occur."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bea, Keith

  2005-01-11
• Campaign Finance: Constitutional and Legal Issues of Soft Money [Updated January 10, 2005]

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  "Prior to enactment of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA), P.L. 107-155, the term 'soft money' generally referred to unregulated funds, perceived as resulting from loopholes in the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), 2 U.S.C. §§ 431 et seq. The general intent of BCRA, (effective November 6, 2002), which amends FECA, is to restrict the raising and spending of soft money. This Issue Brief discusses constitutional and legal issues surrounding two major types of soft money that BCRA regulates: political party soft money and soft money used for issue advocacy communications. Corporate and labor union soft money, which FECA exempts from regulation and is not addressed by BCRA, is also discussed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Whitaker, L. Paige

  2005-01-10
• Palestinians and Middle East Peace: Issues for the United States [Updated January 10, 2005]

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  "The United States began contacts with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in December 1988, after the PLO accepted Israel's right to exist, accepted U.N. Resolutions 242 and 338 that call for an exchange of land for peace, and renounced terrorism. The United States broke contact with the PLO in 1990 after a terrorist incident but reestablished contact before the 1991 Madrid conference. […] Israel and the Palestinians agreed to an Israeli withdrawal from Hebron in January 1997, and on October 23, 1998 signed the Wye agreement to meet previous commitments. The peace talks stalled at Camp David in July 2000, and remain suspended since the Palestinian uprising began in September 2000. The 'Road Map' of April 2003, provides for a three-phase, three-year, peace plan, but the plan has been stalled by a series of attacks and retaliations and by stated Israeli intentions to impose unilateral actions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mark, Clyde R.

  2005-01-10
• Nuclear Weapons: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty [Updated January 10, 2005]

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  "A comprehensive test ban treaty, or CTBT, is the oldest item on the nuclear arms control agenda. Three treaties currently limit testing to underground only, with a maximum force equal to 150,000 tons of TNT. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the United States conducted 1,030 nuclear tests, the Soviet Union 715, the United Kingdom 45, France 210, and China 45. The last U.S. test was held in 1992; the last U.K. test, in 1991. Russia claims it has not conducted nuclear tests since 1991. An article of May 2002 reported 'intelligence indicating that Russia is preparing to resume nuclear tests.' Russia rejected the charge. Since 1997, the United States has held 21 'subcritical experiments' at the Nevada Test Site, most recently on May 25, 2004, to study how plutonium behaves under pressures generated by explosives. It asserts these experiments do not violate the CTBT because they cannot produce a self-sustaining chain reaction. Russia has reportedly held some since 1998, including several in 2000. In May 1998, India and Pakistan each announced several nuclear tests and declared themselves nuclear weapons states. Each declared a moratorium on further tests, but separately stated, in the summer of 2000, that the time was not right to sign the CTBT."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Medalia, Jonathan E.

  2005-01-10
• Israeli-United States Relations [January 10, 2005]

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  "Israeli-U.S. relations are an important factor in U.S. policy in the Middle East, and Congress has placed considerable emphasis on the maintenance of a close and supportive relationship. The main vehicle for expressing support for Israel has been foreign aid; Israel currently receives about $3 billion per year in economic and military grants, refugee settlement assistance, and other aid. Congress has monitored aid closely along with other issues in bilateral relations, and its concerns have affected Administration's policies. U.S.-Israeli relations have evolved from an initial American policy of sympathy and support for the creation of a Jewish homeland in 1948 to an unusual partnership that links a small but militarily powerful Israel, dependent on the United States for its economic and military strength, with the U.S. superpower trying to balance competing interests in the region. Some in the United States question the levels of aid and general commitment to Israel, and argue that a U.S. bias toward Israel operates at the expense of improved U.S. relations with various Arab states. Others maintain that democratic Israel is a strategic ally; they further argue that U.S. relations with Israel strengthens the U.S. presence in the Middle East."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mark, Clyde R.

  2005-01-10
• Taiwan in 2004: Elections, Referenda, and Other Democratic Challenges [Updated January 10, 2005]

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  "In a low voter turnout in legislative elections on December 11, 2004, the opposition Nationalist Party (KMT) increased its legislative majority against the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). This means that DPP President Chen Shui-bian, who was reelected to a second term on March 20, 2004, again will not be able to count on legislative support for his policies in his second and final term. In both the presidential and legislative election campaigns, Chen emphasized gaining a separate international identity for Taiwan -- an emphasis to which Beijing strenuously objected as dangerously close to declaring Taiwan independence from China. While Chen's strategy appeared to gain the DPP electoral momentum in March, it may have had the opposite electoral effect in December. In response to his party's defeat at the polls, Chen resigned as DPP party chair on December 15, 2004. He is expected to have to moderate his policies and move closer to the political center for the rest of his term in order to regain public support and in an effort to ensure legislative support for his economic and other policy initiatives. Any move to dial down pro-independence rhetoric could ease tensions with Beijing and the concerns of U.S. policymakers."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dumbaugh, Kerry

  2005-01-10
• Information Sharing for Homeland Security: A Brief Overview [Updated January 10, 2005]

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  "In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, various recommendations and efforts have been made with the intention of improving information sharing among government entities at all levels within the United States, the private sector, and certain foreign governments, with a view to countering terrorists and strengthening homeland security. The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission) was among those to have most recently offered recommendations in this regard in its July 22, 2004, report. The types of information potentially within the scope of such sharing include raw data, which has undergone little or no assessment regarding its accuracy or implications; knowledge, which has been determined to have a high degree of reliability or validity; and intelligence, which has been carefully evaluated concerning its accuracy and significance, and may sometimes be credited in terms of its source. This report reviews some of the principal existing homeland security information sharing arrangements, as well as some projected arrangements in this regard, and discusses related policy, evaluations, and proposed legislation. It will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Relyea, Harold; Seifert, Jeffrey W.

  2005-01-10