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• HIV/AIDS International Programs: Appropriations, FY2003-FY2006 [Updated July 26, 2005]

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  "House-passed appropriations for Foreign Operations (H.R. 3057), Labor/Health and Human Services (Labor/HHS, H.R. 3010), and Agriculture (H.R. 2744) would provide a total of just over $3.2 billion for international HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria programs, compared with an Administration request of just under $3.2 billion. The Senate-passed version of H.R. 3057 and the reported version of the Labor/HHS appropriations (S.Rept. 109-103) would provide more than $3.4 billion. House-passed legislation would contribute $400 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, while Senate bills would provide $500 million. The Administration's request represented a 9% increase over the estimated amount to be provided in FY2005. For additional information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Issue Brief IB10050, AIDS in Africa; and CRS Report RL31712, 'The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria: Background and Current Issues.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Copson, Raymond W.

  2005-07-26
• Pakistan: Chronology of Recent Events [Updated July 25, 2005]

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  "This report provides a reverse chronology of recent events involving Pakistan and Pakistan-U.S. relations. Sources include, but are not limited to, the U.S. Department of State, 'New York Times', 'Washington Post', 'Dawn' (Karachi), 'Daily Times' (Lahore), 'News International' (Karachi), and major newswires. For a substantive review, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Issue Brief IB94041, 'Pakistan-U.S. Relations'. This report will be updated regularly."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kronstadt, K. Alan

  2005-07-25
• Middle East Peace Talks [Updated July 25, 2005]

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  "After the first Gulf war, in 1991, a new peace process was begun, with Israel and the Palestinians discussing a five-year period of interim self-rule leading to a final settlement. Israel and Syria discussed Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights in exchange for peace. Israel and Jordan discussed relations. Israel and Lebanon focused on Israel's withdrawal from its self-declared security zone in south Lebanon and reciprocal Lebanese actions. On September 13, 1993, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) signed a Declaration of Principles (DOP), providing for Palestinian empowerment and some territorial control. Israeli Prime Minister Rabin and King Hussein of Jordan signed a Peace Treaty on October 26, 1994. Israel and the Palestinians signed an Interim Self-Rule in the West Bank/Oslo II accord on September 28, 1995. Israel continued implementing it despite the November 4 assassination of Prime Minister Rabin. Israel suspended talks with Syria after terror attacks in February/March 1996. They resumed in December 1999, but were postponed indefinitely after January 2000. Israel withdrew from south Lebanon on May 24, 2000. The Palestinians and Israelis signed additional incremental accords in 1997, 1998, and 1999. From July 11 to 24, 2000, President Clinton held a summit with Israeli and Palestinian leaders at Camp David, but they did not succeed in producing a framework accord on final status issues. A Palestinian uprising or 'intifadah' began in September. Ariel Sharon was elected Prime Minister of Israel on February 6, 2001. He said that the results of Camp David and afterwards were null and void."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Migdalovitz, Carol

  2005-07-25
• Terrorist Screening and Brady Background Checks for Firearms [July 25, 2005]

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  "This report analyzes the issues underlying the Terrorist Apprehension and Record Retention Act of 2005 (S. 578/H.R. 1225). Related proposals include H.R. 1168 and H.R. 1195. These bills address terrorist screening and Brady background checks for firearms transfer and possession eligibility. Historically, terrorist watch list checks were not part of the firearms background check process implemented pursuant to the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (hereafter, the Brady Act). Such watch lists were not checked, because being a known or suspected terrorist is not a disqualifying factor for firearm transfer/possession eligibility under current federal or state law. Nevertheless, if a person is a known or suspected terrorist, it suggests that there may be an underlying factor (e.g., illegal immigration or fugitive status) that could bar him from legal firearms possession. For a time, moreover, Brady background check records for approved firearm transfers were destroyed almost immediately, precluding the opportunity to use the background check system to screen for known and suspected terrorists."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.

  2005-07-25
• Long-Range Fifty Caliber Rifles: Should They Be More Strictly Regulated? [Updated July 25, 2005]

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  From the Document: "In the 109th Congress, legislation has been introduced to more strictly regulate certain .50 caliber rifles, some of which have been adopted by the U.S. military as sniper rifles. These rifles are chambered to fire a relatively large round that was originally designed for the Browning Machine Gun (BMG). Gun control advocates have argued that these firearms have little sporting, hunting, or recreational purpose. They maintain that these rifles could be used to shoot down aircraft, rupture pressurized chemical tanks, or penetrate armored personnel carriers. Gun control opponents counter that these rifles are expensive, cumbersome and rarely, if ever, used in crime. Furthermore, they maintain that these rifles were first developed for long-range marksmanship competitions and, then adopted by the military as sniper rifles. Related amendments may be offered during Senate-consideration of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (S. 397). The issue for Congress is whether to regulate these firearms more stringently based on their destructive potential in a post-9/11 environment. And if regulation is pursued, what measures seem most effective and appropriate. This report will be updated as needed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.

  2005-07-25
• Military Base Closures and Affected Defense Department Civil Service Employees [July 22, 2005]

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  "As a step in the 2005 round of the base realignment and closure (BRAC) process, the Department of Defense (DOD) has announced recommendations to close or realign a number of U.S. military installations. DOD estimated that the recommended realignments and closures would eliminate approximately 18,000 civilian positions and significantly restructure support functions. If the President and Congress proceed with implementation of the BRAC process, there will likely be several implications and options for affected DOD civil service employees, relating to reductions in force (RIFs); several types of transition assistance; DOD's National Security Personnel System (NSPS); and labor-management relations. This report will be updated if major changes occur in the BRAC process regarding DOD civil service employees."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Schwemle, Barbara L.; Brass, Clinton T.

  2005-07-22
• U.S.-China Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: Issues for U.S. Policy [Updated July 21, 2005]

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  "The extent of U.S.-China counter-terrorism cooperation has been limited, but the tone and context of counter-terrorism helped to stabilize--even if it did not transform--the bilateral relationship. Congress has oversight over the trend toward closer ties with China as well as a range of policy options. These options cover law-enforcement cooperation; designations of terrorist organizations; release of detained Uighurs from Guantanamo Bay prison; weapons nonproliferation; waivers of sanctions for the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown to export security equipment (e.g., for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing); the Container Security Initiative (CSI); military-to-military contacts; and China's influence on Central Asia through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). On July 19, 2005, the House passed an amendment to H.R. 2601 to express concerns that China and other SCO countries called for a deadline for U.S. deployments in Central Asia. The House passed H.R. 2601 on July 20. This report will be updated as warranted."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kan, Shirley

  2005-07-21
• Global Climate Change: The Kyoto Protocol [Updated July 21, 2005]

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  From the Summary: "Negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) were completed December 11, 1997, committing the industrialized nations to specified, legally binding reductions in emissions of six 'greenhouse gases.' This treaty would commit the United States, if it were to ratify the Protocol, to a target of reducing greenhouse gases by 7% below 1990 levels during a 'commitment period' between 2008-2012. Because of the fact that 'sinks,' which remove and store carbon from the atmosphere, are counted and because of other provisions discussed in this report, the actual reduction of emissions within the United States that would be required to meet the target was estimated to be lower than 7%. The United States signed the Protocol on November 12, 1998. However, the Clinton Administration did not submit the Protocol to the Senate for advice and consent, acknowledging that one condition outlined by S.Res. 98, passed in mid-1997 -- meaningful participation by developing countries in binding commitments limiting greenhouse gases -- had not been met. In late March 2001, the Bush Administration rejected the Kyoto Protocol. The United States continued to attend the annual conferences of the parties (COPs) to the UNFCCC, but did not participate in Kyoto Protocol-related negotiations. In February, 2002, President Bush announced a U.S. policy for climate change that will rely on domestic, voluntary actions to reduce the 'greenhouse gas intensity' (ratio of emissions to economic output) of the U.S. economy by 18% over the next 10 years. [...] This report is intended to provide background on the Kyoto Protocol and its terms. It will be updated annually or as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Fletcher, Susan R.

  2005-07-21
• Nuclear Weapons: The Reliable Replacement Warhead Program [Updated July 20, 2005]

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  "With the end of the Cold War, the nuclear weapons complex, like the rest of the defense establishment, faced turmoil. Budgets and personnel were reduced, design of new weapons ended, and a test moratorium began. For a time, the chief concern of DOE's nuclear weapons management was survival of the nuclear weapons complex. To address this concern and set a course for the nuclear weapons enterprise, Congress, in the FY1994 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 103-160), Section 3138, directed the Secretary of Energy 'to establish a stewardship program to ensure the preservation of the core intellectual and technical competencies of the United States in nuclear weapons, including weapons design, system integration, manufacturing, security, use control, reliability assessment, and certification.' Since then, the Clinton and Bush Administrations have requested, and Congress has approved, tens of billions of dollars for this Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP), which is presented in NNSA's budget as 'Weapons Activities."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Medalia, Jonathan E.

  2005-07-20
• Detainees at Guantanamo Bay [Updated July 20, 2005]

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  From the Document: "After the U.S. Supreme Court held that U.S. courts have jurisdiction to hear legal challenges on behalf of more than 500 persons detained at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in connection with the war against terrorism, the Pentagon established administrative hearings, called 'Combatant Status Review Tribunals' (CSRTs), to allow the detainees to contest their status as enemy combatants. This report provides an overview of the CSRT procedures and summarizes court cases related to the detentions and the use of military commissions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Elsea, Jennifer

  2005-07-20
• Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2006 [Updated July 20, 2005]

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  "The Bush Administration has requested $132.2 billion in federal research and development (R&D) funding for FY2006. This sum represents a $505 million increase over the FY2005 estimated funding level of $131.7 billion. In real dollars, total federal R&D would decline for the first time since FY1996. The proposed FY2006 R&D budget reflects the Administrations objective of constraining the growth of federal discretionary spending. For the first time since FY1995, funding for defense R&D (the sum of the Department of Defense's (DOD) and the Department of Energy's (DOE) defense R&D programs) would be flat with a requested $74.9 billion. This is due primarily to a proposed 21% reduction in DOD's science and technology programs. Funding for federal civilian R&D is proposed to increase $188 million to $57 billion, a 0.3% increase over the FY2005 estimated funding level. Most of this increase can be attributed to increases in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) budget and the Department of Transportation. Based on current funding proposals, most of the other civilian R&D agencies' budgets are proposed to decline, in real dollars, in FY2006."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Davey, Michael E. (Michael Earl), 1947-

  2005-07-20
• Africa, the G8, and the Blair Initiative [Updated July 20, 2005]

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  "Prior to the July 2005 G8 summit, Britains Prime Minister Tony Blair launched a major diplomatic effort to marshal the resources he sees as needed to eradicate extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. As summit chair, he focused the meeting, held at Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, July 6-8, on this initiative. Blair pushed for a substantial aid increase for Africa beginning in 2006, through an 'International Finance Facility' (IFF), and for 100% forgiveness of poor country debt to the international financial institutions. The IFF would have issued bonds to finance an additional $25 billion in annual aid to Africa for three to five years, followed by another $25 billion boost if African governments improved their managerial and administrative capabilities. IFF bonds would have been backed by a promise from the G7 leading economic powers to repay them after 2015. Poor country debts to the World Bank and the African Development Bank would have been repaid by the G7, while debts to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would have been paid by revaluing or selling IMF gold. Finally, Blair sought the removal of barriers to Africas exports."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Copson, Raymond W.

  2005-07-20
• Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implication for U.S. Interests [July 20, 2005]

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  "After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States recognized the independence of all the former Central Asian republics, supported their admission into Western organizations, and elicited Turkish support in countering Iranian influence in the region. Congress was at the forefront in urging the formation of coherent U.S. policies for aiding these and other Eurasian states of the former Soviet Union. Soon after the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001, all the Central Asian states offered overflight and other support to coalition anti-terrorist efforts in Afghanistan. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have hosted coalition troops and provided access to airbases. In 2003, Uzbekistan endorsed coalition military action in Iraq and Kazakhstan provided about two dozen troops for rebuilding. After September 11, 2001, U.S. policy emphasized bolstering the security of the Central Asian states to help them combat terrorism, proliferation, and arms trafficking. Other strategic interests include internal reforms (democratization, free markets, and human rights) and energy development."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nichol, James P.

  2005-07-20
• Internet: An Overview of Key Technology Policy Issues Affecting Its Use and Growth [Updated July 20, 2005]

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  "The continued growth of the Internet for personal, government, and business purposes may be affected by a number of technology policy issues being debated by Congress. Among them are access to broadband (high-speed) Internet services, computer and Internet security, Internet privacy, the impact of 'spam,' concerns about what children may encounter (such as pornography) when using the Internet, management of the Internet Domain Name System, and government information technology management. This report provides overviews of those issues, plus appendices providing a list of pending legislation, a list of acronyms, a discussion of legislation passed in earlier Congresses, and a list of other CRS reports that provide more detail on these and related topics. Other issues that are not directly related to technology could also affect the use and growth of the Internet, such as intellectual property rights. They are not addressed in this report, but the list of CRS products in Appendix D includes reports on related topics. Because this report is updated only quarterly, it does not attempt to track legislation. For more timely information, see the other CRS reports identified in the following sections and in Appendix D."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Smith, Marcia S.

  2005-07-20
• Missile Defense: The Current Debate [Updated July 19, 2005]

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  "The United States has pursued missile defenses since the dawn of the missile age shortly after World War II. The development and deployment of missile defenses has not only been elusive, but has proven to be one of the most divisive issues of the past generation. The Bush Administration substantially altered the debate over missile defenses. The Administration requested significant funding increases for missile defense programs, eliminated the distinction between national and theater missile defense, restructured the missile defense program to focus more directly on developing deployment options for a 'layered' capability to intercept missiles aimed at U.S. territory across the whole spectrum of their flight path, adopted a new, untried development and acquisition strategy, announced U.S. withdrawal from the 1972 Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty, and is now deploying an initial national missile defense capability."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hildreth, Steven A.

  2005-07-19
• China-U.S. Trade Issues [Updated July 19, 2005]

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  "The continued rise in the U.S.-China trade imbalance, complaints from several U.S. manufacturing firms over the competitive challenges posed by cheap Chinese imports, and concerns that U.S. manufacturing jobs are being lost to Chinese competitors have led several Members to call on the Bush Administration to take a more aggressive stance against certain Chinese trade policies deemed to be unfair. For example, some Members argue that China's policy of pegging its currency (the yuan) to the U.S. dollar makes U.S. exports to China more expensive, and U.S. imports from China cheaper, than they would be if the yuan were fully convertible. A number of bills have been introduced to address China's currency peg, including some that would raise U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods by an additional 27.5% unless China appreciated its currency, and others that would apply U.S. countervailing laws (dealing with government subsidies) to nonmarket economies, such as China. In the House, many Members have called for a vote on a comprehensive bill dealing with various Chinese trade issues before a vote is taken on the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (or the DR-CAFTA). Two such comprehensive bills have been introduced: H.R. 3283 (English) and H.R. 3306 (Rangel)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Morrison, Wayne M.

  2005-07-19
• Stem Cell Research [Updated July 18, 2005]

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  "Embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into virtually any cell in the body, and they may have the potential to treat medical conditions such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease. In August 2001, President Bush announced that for the first time federal funds would be used to support research on human embryonic stem cells, but funding would be limited to 'existing stem cell lines.' The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry, which lists 78 stem cell lines that are eligible for use in federally funded research. However, only 22 embryonic stem cell lines are currently available. Scientists are concerned about the quality, and longevity of these stem cell lines. For a variety of reasons, many believe research advancement requires new embryonic stem cell lines, and for certain applications, stem cells derived from cloned embryos may offer the best hope for progress in understanding and treating disease. A significant cohort of pro-life advocates support stem cell research; those opposed are concerned that the isolation of stem cells requires the destruction of embryos. Some have argued that stem cell research be limited to adult stem cells obtained from tissues such as bone marrow. They argue that adult stem cells should be pursued instead of embryonic stem cells because they believe the derivation of stem cells from either embryos or aborted fetuses is ethically unacceptable. Other scientists believe adult stem cells should not be the sole target of research because of important scientific and technical limitations. Some scientists are exploring the possibility of obtaining human embryonic stem cells that bypass the destruction of living human embryos. The President's Council on Bioethics identified four potential alternative sources of human embryonic stem cells in a paper released in May 2005."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Johnson, Judith A. (Judith Ann), 1957-; Williams, Erin D.

  2005-07-18
• Climate Change Legislation in the 109th Congress [Updated July 18, 2005]

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  Climate change and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are an issue in the 109th Congress, as they have been in past Congresses. Bills directly addressing climate change issues range from those focused primarily on climate change research to comprehensive emissions cap-and-trade programs for the six greenhouse gases covered under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Additional bills focus on GHG reporting and registries, or on power plant emissions of carbon dioxide as part of wider controls on pollutant emissions. This report briefly discusses the basic concepts on which these bills are based, and compares major provisions of the bills in each of the following categories: climate change research, technology deployment, GHG reporting and registries, and emissions reduction programs.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Yacobucci, Brent D.

  2005-07-18
• Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR): Controversies for the 109th Congress [Updated July 15, 2005]

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  "One major element of the energy debate is whether to approve energy development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in northeastern Alaska, and if so, under what conditions, or whether to continue to prohibit development to protect the area's biological resources, along with its recreational and subsistence values. The Refuge is an area rich in fauna, flora, and commercial oil potential. Sharp increases in gasoline and natural gas prices from late 2000 to early 2001, followed by terrorist attacks, and increases again in 2004-2005, have renewed the ANWR debate; however, its development has been debated for more than 40 years. Few onshore U.S. locations stir as much industry interest as the northern area of ANWR. At the same time, few areas are considered more worthy of protection in the eyes of conservation and some Native groups. Current law forbids energy leasing in the Refuge. On April 20, 2005, the House rejected the Markey/Johnson amendment (H.Amdt. 73) to strike the ANWR title from H.R. 6, the omnibus energy bill, which passed the House passed on April 22. The Senate version of H.R. 6 contained no ANWR title. On March 16, 2005, the Senate rejected the Cantwell amendment (striking language related to ANWR development, S.Amdt. 168, yeas 49, nays 51, Roll Call #52) to S.Con.Res. 18, the Senate budget resolution. The amendment would have struck §102(a)(4) instructing the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. As a result, development proponents may be able to include ANWR development in a reconciliation bill, since reconciliation bills are not subject to filibusters. In the end, the House and Senate approved a requirement that the House Resources and Senate Energy Committees achieve savings targets that would be difficult to meet without passing ANWR legislation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Corn, M. Lynne (Mary Lynne), 1946-; Gelb, Bernard A.; Baldwin, Pamela

  2005-07-15
• Hong Kong 2005: Changes in Leadership and Issues for Congress [Updated July 15, 2005]

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  From the Summary: "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has recently recovered from an economic downturn and the SARS [severe acute respiratory syndrome] virus outbreak of 2002-2003 which crippled trade and tourism. There has also been a major change in top government personnel, with the former Chief Executive, Tung Chee-Hwa, being replaced by Donald Tsang as the new Chief Executive of Hong Kong. The next major issue to be addressed in Hong Kong is the pace of further democratization and the extent to which the next elections for the Legislative Counsel will be based on direct elections of all seats or a larger portion thereof. Hong Kong continues to participate productively and constructively in numerous multi-lateral fora encompassing economic, security, and trade issues. Hong Kong maintains an active and independent voice in organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, Interpol, and the Financial Action Task Force. In addition, Hong Kong has to date been a very proactive partner with the United States in the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and continues to support anti-terrorism efforts through its law- enforcement and anti-money laundering efforts. The rule of law and the existence of an independent judiciary remain the main foundations of Hong Kong's vibrant economy. The legal system of Hong Kong also provides a model for the Mainland in regards to legal reforms and resources for the institution building necessary for such reforms to take root and hold."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Anderson, Severn

  2005-07-15
• India-U.S. Relations [Updated July 15, 2005]

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  "The end of the Cold War freed India-U.S. relations from the constraints of global bipolarity, but interactions continued for a decade to be affected by the burden of history, most notably the longstanding India-Pakistan rivalry and nuclear weapons proliferation in the region. Recent years, however, have witnessed a sea change in bilateral relations, with more positive interactions becoming the norm. India's swift offer of full support for U.S.-led counterterrorism operations after September 2001 was widely viewed as reflective of such change. Today, the Bush Administration vows to 'help India become a major world power in the 21st century.' Continuing U.S. interest in South Asia focuses on tension and conflict between India and Pakistan, a problem rooted in unfinished business from the 1947 Partition and competing claims to the former princely state of Kashmir. The United States strongly encourages maintenance of a cease-fire in Kashmir and continued, substantive dialogue between India and Pakistan."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kronstadt, K. Alan

  2005-07-15
• Defense: FY2006 Authorization and Appropriations [Updated July 15, 2005]

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  "Congressional action on the budget for a fiscal year usually begins following the submission of the President's budget at the beginning of each annual session of Congress. Congressional practices governing the consideration of appropriations and other budgetary measures are rooted in the Constitution, the standing rules of the House and Senate, and statutes, such as the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant. The report lists the key CRS staff relevant to the issues covered and related CRS products."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Daggett, Stephen

  2005-07-15
• War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance [Updated July 14, 2005]

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  "Two separate but closely related issues confront Congress each time the President introduces armed forces into a situation abroad that conceivably could lead to their involvement in hostilities. One issue concerns the division of war powers between the President and Congress, whether the use of armed forces falls within the purview of the congressional power to declare war and the War Powers Resolution. The other issue is whether Congress concurs in the wisdom of the action. This issue brief does not deal with the substantive merits of using armed forces in specific cases, but rather with the congressional authorization for the action and the application and effectiveness of the War Powers Resolution. [...] A longer-term issue is whether the War Powers Resolution is an appropriate and effective means of assuring congressional participation in actions that might get the United States involved in war. Some observers contend that the War Powers Resolution has not significantly increased congressional participation, while others emphasize that it has promoted consultation and served as leverage. Proposals have been made to strengthen, change, or repeal the resolution. None have been enacted to date."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Grimmett, Richard F.

  2005-07-14
• U.S. Assistance to the Former Soviet Union [Updated July 14, 2005]

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  "Three objectives have been most prominent in the U.S. assistance program to the region--facilitating the transition from authoritarianism to democracy, promoting the introduction and growth of free market economies, and fostering security by controlling the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and expertise. More recently, a fourth objective, very much encompassing the other three, has emerged--supporting the war on terror. A fifth objective of U.S. assistance, humanitarian relief, was mostly applied in the early 1990s in response to countries experiencing food shortages."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Tarnoff, Curt

  2005-07-14
• India: Chronology of Recent Events [Updated July 13, 2005]

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  "This report provides a reverse chronology of recent events involving India and India-U.S. relations. Sources include, but are not limited to, the U.S. Department of State, 'New York Times', 'Washington Post', 'Hindu' (Madras), 'Hindustan Times' (Delhi), 'Indian Express' (Bombay), and major newswires. For a substantive review, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Issue Brief IB93097, India-U.S. Relations. This report will be updated regularly."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kronstadt, K. Alan

  2005-07-13
• American War and Military Operations Casualties: Lists and Statistics [Updated July 13, 2005]

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  "This report is written in response to numerous requests for war casualty statistics and lists of war dead. It provides tables, compiled by sources at the Department of Defense, indicating the number of casualties among American military personnel serving in principal wars and combat actions. Wars covered include the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict, and the Persian Gulf War. Military operations covered include the Iranian Hostage Rescue Mission, Lebanon Peacekeeping, Urgent Fury in Grenada, Just Cause in Panama, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Restore Hope in Somalia, Uphold Democracy in Haiti, and the ongoing Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. For the more recent conflicts, starting with the Korean War, more detailed information on types of casualties, and when available, demographics have been included. This report also cites sources of published lists of military personnel killed in principal wars and combat actions. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Fischer, Hannah

  2005-07-13
• Transportation Security: Issues for the 109th Congress [Updated July 12, 2005]

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  "The nation's air, land, and marine transportation systems are designed for accessibility and efficiency, two characteristics that make them highly vulnerable to terrorist attack. While hardening the transportation sector from terrorist attack is difficult, reasonable measures can be taken to deter terrorists. The focus of this issue brief is how best to construct and finance a system of deterrence, protection, and response that effectively reduces the possibility and consequences of another terrorist attack without unduly interfering with travel, commerce, and civil liberties. Aviation security has been a major focus of transportation security policy following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In the aftermath of these attacks, the 107th Congress moved quickly to pass the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA; P.L. 107-71) creating the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and mandating a federalized workforce of security screeners to inspect airline passengers and their baggage. The act gave the TSA broad authority to assess vulnerabilities in aviation security and take steps to mitigate these risks. The TSA's progress on aviation security has been the subject of considerable congressional oversight over the past three years. It is expected that aviation security policy and programs will continue to be of considerable interest in the 109th Congress. The July 2005 bombing of trains in London and the bombings of commuter trains and subway trains in Madrid and Moscow in 2004 highlighted the vulnerability of passenger rail systems to terrorist attacks. The volume of ridership and number of access points make it impractical to subject all rail passengers to the type of screening airline passengers undergo. Nevertheless, there are prudent steps that can be taken to reduce the risks, and consequences, of an attack. These include vulnerability assessments; emergency planning; and emergency response training and drilling of transit personnel, ideally in coordination with police, fire, and emergency medical personnel, as well as purchase of communication and safety equipment. Additional options include increasing the number of transit security personnel, installing video surveillance equipment in vehicles and stations, and conducting random inspections of platforms and trains using bomb-sniffing dogs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Frittelli, John

  2005-07-12
• U.S.-EU Cooperation Against Terrorism [Updated July 12, 2005]

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  "The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks gave new momentum to European Union (EU) initiatives to improve law enforcement cooperation against terrorism both among its 25 member states and with the United States. Washington has largely welcomed these efforts, recognizing that they may help root out terrorist cells and prevent future attacks. However, the United States and the EU continue to face several challenges as they seek to promote closer cooperation in the police, judicial, and border control fields. This report will be updated as needed. For more information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL31509, 'Europe and Counterterrorism: Strengthening Police and Judicial Cooperation.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Archick, Kristin

  2005-07-12
• Critical Infrastructures: Background, Policy, and Implementation [Updated July 12, 2005]

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  "The nation's health, wealth, and security rely on the production and distribution of certain goods and services. The array of physical assets, processes and organizations across which these goods and services move are called critical infrastructures (e.g. electricity, the power plants that generate it, and the electric grid upon which it is distributed). [...] Issues in critical infrastructure protection include how to integrate cyber and physical protection; mechanisms for sharing information between the government, the private sector, and the public; the need to set priorities; and, whether or not the federal government will need to employ more direct incentives to achieve an adequate level of protection by the private sector and states. This report will be updated as warranted."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Moteff, John D.

  2005-07-12
• U.S. Agricultural Policy Response to WTO Cotton Decision [July 11, 2005]

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  "On March 3, 2005, a World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Appeals Panel ruled against the United States in a dispute settlement case (DS267) brought by Brazil against certain aspects of the U.S. cotton program.1 The United States was given a July 1, 2005, deadline to bring certain cotton programs into compliance with WTO rules. On July 5, 2005, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced that the Administration was sending proposed statutory changes to Congress to comply with the WTO case including elimination of the Step 2 cotton program, removal of a 1% cap on fees charged under the GSM-102 export credit guarantee program, and termination of the GSM-103 export credit guarantee program. In light of USDA's proposed changes, and with the expectation that they will be fully implemented in an expeditious manner, Brazil has temporarily suspended its pursuit of WTO-sanctioned retaliatory trade measures against U.S. agricultural products. The U.S. National Cotton Council (NCC) has announced its opposition to the removal of the Step 2 cotton program. Modifications to or the elimination of the programs as suggested by USDA, ultimately will be decided by Congress. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Schnepf, Randall Dean, 1954-

  2005-07-11