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).
-
Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues [Updated June 9, 2003]
"Although U.S.-Syrian relations improved somewhat in the 1990s, further strains appeared after the breakdown in Syrian-Israeli negotiations in 2000 and Syria's opposition to a U.S. military campaign in Iraq. Members of Congress have periodically introduced legislation to tighten U.S. sanctions against Syria or to condition relaxation of existing restrictions on further changes in Syrian policy. Recent U.S. Administrations, though not inclined to lift sanctions on Syria at this time, tend to believe it is in U.S. interests to encourage Syria to play a positive role in the Arab-Israeli peace process and support other U.S. initiatives. The issue for U.S. policy makers is the degree to which the United States should work for better relations with Syria in an effort to enlist Syrian cooperation on regional issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Prados, Alfred B.
2003-06-09
-
War On Drugs: Legislation in the 108th Congress and Related Developments [Updated June 9, 2003]
"In recent years, Congress has taken an increasingly punitive stance toward drug addicts and casual users alike. A different approach has been taken by certain countries in Europe and elsewhere that are experimenting with less restrictive policies such as decriminalization and 'harm reduction' measures. The 108th Congress will receive strong encouragement from the Executive Branch to continue the all-out war on drugs. [...] Other drug control issues likely to be taken up in the first session include the drug control budget for FY2004 and confirmation by the Senate of a new head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) due to the move of the previous DEA administrator to the position of Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security in the new Department of Homeland Security. Other issues could also be the subject of congressional studies, investigations, and oversight hearings, if not legislation. These include state ballot initiatives regarding medical marijuana and drug treatment in lieu of incarceration, the effects of state budget deficits on the states' drug control efforts, and the impact of the anti-terrorism effort on the drug war. Other current developments concerning the war on drugs, both in the Executive Branch and elsewhere, are of likely interest to the 108th Congress. These include the President's drug-control strategy for FY2004, the success of the drug war as measured by national surveys of drug use, and actions taken by DEA against industrial hemp products and medical marijuana providers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eddy, Mark
2003-06-09
-
Transportation Issues in the 108th Congress [Updated June 9, 2003]
"This issue brief identifies key transportation issues facing the 108th Congress. The Administration has requested $53.9 billion for the Department of Transportation for FY2004, or 4% less than comparable funding for FY2003 ($56.1 billion, excluding funds for programs transferred to the Department of Homeland Security in FY2003). Authorizing legislation for the existing federal highway and transit programs will expire at the end of FY2003. The Administration has now released its reauthorization proposal, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003 (SAFETEA), H.R. 2088 and S. 1072. The proposal calls for only minimal increases in program spending over the next six years, and calls for a decrease in year-over-year spending in FY2004. Reauthorization will be considered in the 1st Session of the 108th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Harrison, Glennon J.
2003-06-09
-
Terrorism and National Security: Issues and Trends [Updated June 6, 2003]
"International terrorism has long been recognized as a serious foreign and domestic security threat. This issue brief examines international terrorist actions and threats and the U.S. policy response. Available policy options range from diplomacy, international cooperation, and constructive engagement to economic sanctions, covert action, physical security enhancement, and military force. A modern trend in terrorism is toward loosely organized, self-financed, international networks of terrorists. Another trend is toward terrorism that is religiously- or ideologically-motivated. Radical Islamic fundamentalist groups, or groups using religion as a pretext, pose terrorist threats of varying kinds to U.S. interests and to friendly regimes. A third trend is the apparent growth of cross-national links among different terrorist organizations, which may involve combinations of military training, funding, technology transfer, or political advice. Looming over the entire issue of international terrorism is a trend toward proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). For instance, Iran, seen as the most active state sponsor of terrorism, has been aggressively seeking a nuclear arms capability, and North Korea has both admitted to having a clandestine program for uranium enrichment and claimed to have nuclear weapons. (See CRS [Congressional Research Service] Issue Brief IB91141, 'North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Program'.) Indications have also surfaced that Al Qaeda has attempted to acquire chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons. As a result, stakes in the war against international terrorism are increasing and margins for error in selecting appropriate policy instruments to prevent terrorist attacks are diminishing."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Perl, Raphael
2003-06-06
-
Israel: U.S. Foreign Assistance [June 6, 2003]
"Israel is not economically self-sufficient, and relies on foreign assistance and borrowing to maintain its economy. Since 1985, the United States has provided $3 billion in grants annually to Israel. Since 1976, Israel has been the largest annual recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, and is the largest cumulative recipient since World War II. In addition to U.S. assistance, it is estimated that Israel receives about $1 billion annually through philanthropy, an equal amount through short- and long- term commercial loans, and around $1 billion in Israel Bonds proceeds. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu told a joint session of Congress on July 10, 1996, that Israel would reduce its need for U.S. aid over the next four years. In January 1998, Finance Minister Neeman proposed eliminating the $1.2 billion economic aid and increasing the $1.8 billion in military aid by $60 million per year during a 10-year period beginning in the year 2000. The FY1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 appropriations bills included cuts of $120 million in economic aid and an increases of $60 million in military aid for each year."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
2003-06-06
-
Pakistan-U.S. Relations [Updated June 5, 2003]
"Major areas of U.S. concern regarding Pakistan include regional terrorism; weapons proliferation; the ongoing Kashmir dispute and Pakistan-India tensions; human rights protection; and economic development. A U.S.-Pakistan relationship marked by distance and discord was transformed by the September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and the ensuing enlistment of Pakistan as a keyallyinU.S.-led anti-terrorism efforts. Top U.S. officials regularly praise Pakistan for its ongoing cooperation, although there exist renewed doubts about Islamabad's commitment to core U.S. concerns in the region. A potential Pakistan-India nuclear arms race continues to be the focus of U.S. nonproliferation efforts in South Asia. Attention to this issue intensified following nuclear tests by both countries in May 1998. South Asia is viewed by many analysts as a potential arena for the use of such weapons, as both countries have institutionalized nuclear command structures and deployed nuclear-capable ballistic missiles. India and Pakistan have fought three full-scale wars since 1947."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2003-06-05
-
E-Commerce Statistics: Explanation and Sources [Updated June 4, 2003]
From the Summary: "The value of e-commerce transactions, while still small relative to the size of
the U.S. economy, continues to show strong growth despite a recent economic
downturn. Congress will play a vital role in many e-commerce policy issues,
including Internet taxation, encryption and electronic authentication (i.e., digital signatures), intellectual property protection (i.e., patent or copyright infringement), computer network security, and privacy safeguards for individuals and organizations, as well as consideration of how European Union (EU) and World Trade Organization (WTO) policies may affect U.S. e-commerce activities. This report addresses the complexities of measuring e-commerce growth and provides background information on government and private firms' methods for estimating it. This report will be updated periodically."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tehan, Rita
2003-06-04
-
Iraq War: Defense Program Implications for Congress [June 4, 2003]
The recent war against Iraq may have implications for various defense programs of interest to Congress. This report surveys some of those potential implications, and will be updated periodically as new information becomes available. Three cautionary notes associated with post-conflict "lessons-learned" reports apply to this report: Information about the Iraq war is incomplete and imperfect, so early lessons are subject to change. Each war is unique in some ways, so observers should avoid "overlearning" the lessons of the Iraq war. And potential U.S. adversaries can derive lessons from the Iraq war and apply them in future conflicts against U.S. forces, possibly devaluing U.S.-perceived lessons. It can also be noted that some persons or organizations offering purported lessons of the Iraq war may have a financial, institutional, or ideological stake in the issue. Many observers have concluded that the Iraq war validated the Administration's vision for defense transformation, or major parts of it. Other observers disagree. The issue is potentially significant because implementing the Administration's vision could affect the composition of U.S. defense spending, and because the Administration may invoke the theme of transformation to help justify or seek rapid congressional consideration of legislative proposals, including proposals that could affect Congress' role in conducting oversight of defense programs.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bowman, Steve; Best, Richard A.; Bolkcom, Christopher C.
2003-06-04
-
First Responder Initiative: Policy Issues and Options [Updated June 4, 2003]
"In its FY2004 budget request, the Bush Administration proposed a new grant program called the 'First Responder Initiative' to help first responders prepare for possible terrorist attacks. Under the proposal, the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), within the Department of Homeland Security, would administer the $3.6 billion program. The programs primary purpose would be to improve the ability of first responders (including police, firefighters, emergency medical, and hazardous materials personnel) to respond to terrorist attacks involving weapons of mass destruction. The program would fund a range of activities in the areas of planning, training, exercises, and equipment. The Administration proposal is one of several proposals to restructure first responder preparedness grants before the 108th Congress. Introduced bills propose different methods of distribution, ranges of eligible activities, and matching requirements. Examples of introduced bills include H.R. 1389, H.R. 1449, S. 87/H.R. 1007, S. 466, and S. 930."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Canada, Ben
2003-06-04
-
U.S. Tobacco Production, Consumption, and Export Trends [Updated June 3, 2003]
"Examination of historical tobacco data reveals a declining long-term trend in the utilization of tobacco by U.S. manufacturers and leaf exporters. While world tobacco exports increased over the past two decades, U.S. leaf tobacco exports declined in relative and absolute terms. Cigarette manufacturers have been increasing the use of less expensive foreign tobacco and decreasing the use of more costly U.S.-grown tobacco. Now, actions taken as a result of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement between cigarette manufacturers and states' attorneys general are further diminishing the consumption of tobacco products in the United States. Cigarette exports also have been declining recently in contrast to a history of growth. […] The only growth market for U.S. tobacco since 1984 has been through the export of cigarettes. Cigarette exports climbed from less than 60 billion in the early 1980s to 244 billion in 1996. This market has since declined to 127 billion in 2002. The drop in cigarette exports is the equivalent of about 119 million pounds of U.S.-grown tobacco. […] The federal tobacco price support program keeps U.S. tobacco prices higher than they would otherwise be and encourages the use of less expensive foreign tobacco. Foreign producers have been increasing the quantity and improving the quality of their tobacco. In 2002, imported cigarette tobacco was delivered to the United States for about 40% of the cost of U.S.-grown tobacco."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Womach, Jasper
2003-06-03
-
Cuba: Issues for the 108th Congress [Updated June 3, 2003]
"Cuba remains a hard-line Communist state, with a poor record on human rights that has deteriorated significantly in 2003. Fidel Castro has ruled since he ousted the corrupt government of Fulgencio Batista from power in 1959. With the cutoff of assistance from the former Soviet Union, Cuba experienced severe economic deterioration from 1989 to 1993. There has been some improvement since 1994 as Cuba has implemented limited reforms. Since the early 1960s, U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted largely of isolating the island nation through comprehensive economic sanctions. The principal tool of policy remains comprehensive sanctions, which were tightened with the Cuban Democracy Act (CDA) in 1992 and the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act in 1996. 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. Since late 2001, U.S. companies have sold agricultural products to Cuba."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2003-06-03
-
Jordan: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues [Updated June 2, 2003]
"The death of King Hussein on February 7, 1999, removed a strong U.S. ally and force for stability; however, his son and successor, King Abdullah, has continued to follow the late King's moderate and pro-western policies. In recent years, Jordan has taken significant steps toward building democratic life, including a return to limited parliamentary democracy. Parliament has eased restrictions in laws affecting the press, but some remain. Several issues in U.S.-Jordanian relations are likely to figure in decisions by Congress and the Administration on future aid to and cooperation with Jordan. These include the stability of the Jordanian regime, democratic reform under way in Jordan, the role of Jordan in the Arab-Israeli peace process, Jordan's concerns over the U.S.-led campaign against Iraq in 2003, and its relations with other regional states. King Abdullah expressed Jordan's 'absolute condemnation' of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S. and was the first Arab head of state to visit President Bush after the attacks. Jordan sent military medical and mine clearing units to Afghanistan In December 2001 to support the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Prados, Alfred B.
2003-06-02
-
Iraq: United Nations and Humanitarian Aid Organizations [Updated June 2, 2003]
"The war with Iraq, which began on March 19, 2003, has now moved into a new phase as a result of coalition forces controlling all of the major cites in Iraq and the end of the Iraqi political and military leadership. Currently, the main focus is the reconstruction of Iraq, providing humanitarian assistance, and establishing a new interim government. The United Nations (U.N.) and other international aid organizations, including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), are coordinating and providing humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, and the U.S. Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) is overseeing the reconstruction of Iraq. This report provides an annotated list of U.N. agencies that currently have programs in Iraq, key U.S. government agencies, and a sample list of major international and U.S.-based aid organizations that may provide humanitarian assistance to Iraq in the event of war. Internet links of the U.N. agencies and humanitarian aid organizations are also provided."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Coipuram, Tom
2003-06-02
-
HIV/AIDS International Programs: Appropriations, FY2002 - FY2004 [Updated May 30, 2003]
"The Administration's FY2004 request for international HIV/AIDS spending would commit $450 million to a new Global AIDS Initiative to be administered by the Department of State. This is the principal FY2004 component of the President's 5-year, $15 billion Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, announced in the State of the Union Message on January 28, 2003. The Administration is seeking $300 million for the President's Mother and Child HIV Prevention Initiative in FY2004, up from $200 million in the FY2003 request. The request for a contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria is $200 million, while Congress made available $350 million for the Global Fund in FY2003. On May 27, 2003, the President signed into law H.R. 1298 (P.L. 108-25), the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003, authorizing $3 billion per year for FY2004 through FY2008 (a total of $15 billion) to fight the three diseases. Of this amount, up to $1 billion is authorized for the Global Fund in FY2004."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copson, Raymond W.
2003-05-30
-
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Security Issues and Implications for U.S. Interests [Updated May 29, 2003]
"The South Caucasus region has been the most unstable in the former Soviet Union in terms of the numbers, intensity, and length of ethnic and civil conflicts.
Other emerging or full-blown security problems include crime, corruption, terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and narcotics trafficking. The regional governments have worked to bolster their security by combating terrorism, limiting political dissent they view as threatening, revamping their armed forces, and seeking outside assistance and allies. Most in Congress have supported U.S. assistance to bolster independence and reforms in the South Caucasus, but questions remain about the suitability, scope, emphasis, and effectiveness of U.S. involvement. Congressional support for the security of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh (NK; a breakaway region of Azerbaijan mostly populated by ethnic Armenians) led in 1992 to a ban on most U.S. government-to-government aid to Azerbaijan. Congress authorized a presidential waiver to the ban after the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, to facilitate U.S.-Azerbaijan anti-terrorism cooperation. Congressional support for U.S. engagement with the region was reflected in 'Silk Road Strategy' legislation in FY2000 (P.L.106-113) authorizing greater policy attention and aid for conflict amelioration, humanitarian needs, economic development, transport and communications, border control, democracy, and the creation of civil societies in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Congress regularly has earmarked foreign aid to Armenia, funded a border and customs security program for Georgia, and upheld a South Caucasus funding category to encourage conflict resolution, provide for reconstruction assistance, and facilitate regional economic integration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2003-05-29
-
Russia [Updated May 29, 2003]
"Vladimir Putin, catapulted into the Kremlin by Boris Yeltsin's resignation, was elected President on March 26, 2000 by a solid majority that embraced his military campaign in Chechnya. Parties backing Putin did well in the December 1999 Duma election, giving Putin a stable parliamentary majority as well. Putin's top priority is to revive the economy and integrate Russia into the global marketplace. He has also strengthened the central government vis-a-vis the regions and brought TV and radio under tighter state control. Federal forces have suppressed large-scale military resistance in Chechnya but face the prospect of prolonged guerilla warfare. The economic upturn that began in 1999 is continuing. The GDP [Gross Domestic Product] and domestic investment are growing after a decade-long decline, inflation is contained, the budget is balanced, and the ruble is stable. Major problems remain: one fourth of the population live below the official poverty line, foreign investment is very low, crime, corruption, capital flight, and unemployment remain high. Putin appears to seek simultaneously to tighten political control and introduce economic reforms."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Goldman, Stuart D. (Stuart Douglas), 1943-
2003-05-29
-
AIDS in Africa [Updated May 29, 2003]
"Sub-Saharan Africa has been far more severely affected by AIDS than any other part of the world. The United Nations reports that 29.4 million adults and children are infected with the HIV virus in the region, which has about 10% of the world's population but more than 70% of the worldwide total of infected people. The overall rate of infection among adults in sub-Saharan Africa is 8.8%; compared with 1.2% worldwide. Twelve countries, mostly in east and southern Africa, have HIV infection rates of more than 10%, and the rate has reached 38.8% in Botswana. As of 2001, an estimated 21.5 million Africans had died of AIDS, including 2.2 million who died in that year. AIDS has surpassed malaria as the leading cause of death in Africa, and it kills many times more Africans than war. In Africa, 58% of those infected are women. Experts relate the severity of the African AIDS epidemic to the region's poverty. Health systems are ill-equipped for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Poverty forces many men to become migrant workers in urban areas, where they may have multiple sex partners. Poverty leads many women to become commercial sex workers, vastly increasing their risk of infection."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copson, Raymond W.
2003-05-29
-
Intelligence to Counter Terrorism: Issues for Congress [Updated May 27, 2003]
"The struggle against international terrorism places new and difficult demands on the U.S. Intelligence Community. Acquiring information about the composition, location, capabilities, plans, and ambitions of terrorist groups is an enormous challenge for intelligence agencies; meeting this challenge requires different skills than were needed to keep informed about the capabilities and intentions of Communist governments. At the same time, requirements continue for coverage of geopolitical developments around the world and other transnational issues such as narcotics smuggling. [...] For well over a decade international terrorism has been a major concern of the U.S. Intelligence Community. Collection assets of all kinds have long been focused on Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups. [...] Countering terrorism requires close cooperation between law enforcement and intelligence agencies; some terrorists will need to be brought to justice in courts, but others are dealt with by military forces or covert actions. [...] Military operations to counter terrorism will be dependent on the availability of precise, real-time intelligence to support bombing campaigns using precision guided munitions. The linkage between sensor and 'shooters' will be crucial as will access to global geospatial databases. As defense transformation progresses, Congress will also oversee the development of increased intelligence support to military operations including, especially, counterterrorist missions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Best, Richard A.
2003-05-27
-
Semiconductor Industry and South Korea's Hynix Corporation [Updated May 27, 2003]
In 2001, a trade dispute developed between the United States and South Korea
over allegations that the Seoul government was propping up Hynix Semiconductor
Inc., presently the world's third-largest producer of dynamic random access memory
(DRAM) semiconductor chips. Since late 2000, the entire semiconductor industry
has been mired in its worst slump ever, especially for manufacturers of DRAMs.
Where once there were many DRAM producers, now only four companies, two of
them from Korea, account for over 80% of worldwide sales. Global DRAM sales
had reached nearly $30 billion in 2000, but have declined by almost two-thirds since
then. The U.S. industry has been winnowed from over ten DRAM producers to one:
Micron Technology Inc., the world's second-largest producer.
Over the past two years, Micron, Members of Congress, and the Bush
Administration protested when Hynix's leading creditors - most of which are owned
by the Korean government - orchestrated a series of rescue packages that have kept
Hynix in business by enabling it to restructure its debt of 8.6 trillion won (more than
$7 billion). Critics of the support packages have argued that they amounted to
government-sponsored bailouts, and that by keeping Hynix in business they were
contributing to the oversupply of DRAM chips in world markets. In early December
2001, the impetus for the dispute was apparently reduced by the announcement that
Micron and Hynix had begun negotiating a possible strategic alliance. In April 2002,
the two sides announced that Micron would acquire Hynix's DRAM business.
Hynix's board, however, vetoed the deal.
This report examines the Hynix controversy. It assesses the status of the DRAM
industry and the impact of the issue on U.S.-Korea relations. The report will be
updated, especially as legal actions against Hynix proceed.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manyin, Mark E.
2003-05-27
-
Al Qaeda after the Iraq Conflict [May 23, 2003]
"The May 12, 2003, suicide bombings of three Western housing compounds in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia reopened questions about the strength and viability of Al Qaeda in the post-Iraq conflict environment. The apprehension of a number of senior Al Qaeda leaders in recent months, combined with the absence of major terrorist attacks during the military campaign in Iraq, had led some to believe that Al Qaeda was severely crippled and unable to launch major attacks. Others argued that the organization was in transition to a more decentralized structure, had gained new recruits, and might even be a growing threat. This report analyzes current viewpoints about the state of Al Qaeda and the threat it poses to the United States. It will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cronin, Audrey Kurth, 1958-
2003-05-23
-
Department of Homeland Security: Consolidation of Border and Transportation Security Agencies [Updated May 22, 2003]
"The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) transferred several border and transportation security agencies to the newly established Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which became operational March 1, 2003, consolidating some of them in a Directorate of Border and Transportation Security. The Act charges this new directorate with securing the borders; territorial waters; terminals; waterways; and air, land and sea transportation systems of the United States; and managing the nations ports of entry. As in the past, the challenge for policymakers is to provide a level of border and transportation security that is commensurate with a multitude of threats, while facilitating legitimate travel and commerce, as well as protecting civil liberties. The success of the Directorate will depend in large measure on the effective and expedited coordination of transferred agencies and programs; development of a unified strategic vision for departmental and directorate operations; leverage of new and existing technologies to improve threat detection, but facilitate legitimate cross border travel and trade; adequate funding and staffing; efficient deployment of resources; and successful implementation of recently enacted border, port, and transportation security-related legislation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lake, Jennifer E.
2003-05-22
-
Vaccine Policy Issues for the 108th Congress [Updated May 22, 2003]
"The President's decision to proceed with smallpox immunization of military personnel and front-line civilian public health workers has galvanized public and congressional attention to federal vaccine policy. The issues raised by smallpox vaccination are essentially the same as those for vaccines for seemingly more mundane diseases. Vaccines are biologics: their basic components begin as living material. They introduce dead or weakened viruses or bacteria into a person or animal to stimulate an immune reaction that the body will remember if assaulted by the same pathogen in the future. There is no central authority for vaccine policy within the federal government. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for the regulation of vaccines and other biologics. Also involved in vaccine activities are other components of the Department of Health and Human Services (e.g., the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Health Resources and Services Administration), and the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security. Concerned about bioterrorist attacks in the United States, the 107th Congress approved several bills that included vaccine-related issues. Dozens of other vaccine related bills did not pass; some issues will likely be revisited during the 108th. The issues can be characterized as availability, safety and effectiveness, and access."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thaul, Susan
2003-05-22
-
Cuba: Issues for the 108th Congress [Updated May 22, 2003]
"Cuba remains a hard-line Communist state, with a poor record on human rights that has deteriorated significantly in 2003. Fidel Castro has ruled since he ousted the corrupt government of Fulgencio Batista from power in 1959. With the cutoff of assistance from the former Soviet Union, Cuba experienced severe economic deterioration from 1989 to 1993. There has been some improvement since 1994 as Cuba has implemented limited reforms. Since the early 1960s, U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted largely of isolating the island nation through comprehensive economic sanctions. The principal tool of policy remains comprehensive sanctions, which were tightened with the Cuban Democracy Act (CDA) in 1992 and the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act in 1996. 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. Since late 2001, U.S. companies have sold agricultural products to Cuba."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2003-05-22
-
Budget for Fiscal Year 2004 [Updated May 22, 2003]
"The President's fiscal year (FY) 2004 budget included a deficit of $307 billion (an estimated 2.7% of gross domestic product, GDP). Under the President's proposals and estimates, the deficit would shrink through FY2008, the last year of the Administration's estimates, when it will reach $190 billion (1.4% of GDP). The proposals called for speeding up and making permanent many of the tax cuts enacted over the last two years, along with tax changes for economic stimulus, tax incentives, and expiring tax provisions. The tax proposals would reduce revenues an estimated $493 billion between FY2004 and FY2008 and by $1,461 billion between FY2004 and FY2013. The President would increase spending in some areas (health) and reduce it in others (natural resources and environment). Overall, the proposals would reduce outlays, when measured against the baseline estimates, by $40 billion in FY2004 and by $529 billion over the five years. [...] A conference report resolving the differences between the budget resolutions from the House (H.Con.Res. 95) and Senate (S.Con.Res. 23) cleared Congress on April 11. The agreement contained different sized tax-cut reconciliation instructions for the House Ways and Means Committee ($550 billion) and the Senate Finance Committee ($350 billion). An agreement within the Senate restricts the size of any tax cut emerging from a future conference committee on the tax cut to $350 billion. On May 9, the House passed its tax-cut reconciliation bill (H.R. 2); on May 9, the Senate passed its reconciliation bill (S. 1054, originally S. 2). Leadership agreement between the House and Senate puts the tax cut at $350 billion and resolves the other differences in the reconciliation bill. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Winters, Philip D.
2003-05-22
-
Border Security: Immigration Issues in the 108th Congress [Updated May 22, 2003]
"Enhancing border security has emerged as a significant policy issue after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Prior to the terrorist attacks, the priorities for border security policy were beginning to shift from immigration-related issues to issues related to facilitating legitimate cross-border commerce. Several bills have been introduced in the 108th Congress (S. 539/H.R. 1096 and S. 6) that would authorize funding for increased personnel and technological improvements. S. 539/H.R. 1096 would require ongoing training for immigration personnel on how to use the new technology, an update of a port infrastructure assessment study, and demonstration projects on new technology at ports of entry, among other things. Another piece of legislation (H.R. 853) would establish a northern border coordinator within the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security in the Department of Homeland Security, among other things. The northern border coordinator would serve as a liaison to the Canadian government on border security-related issues. Although the 107th Congress enacted several pieces of legislation that dealt with enhancing immigration-related border security, legislation to strengthen the nations borders had been enacted as early as the 104th Congress. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA; P.L. 104-208) contained several immigration-related border security provisions that addressed illegal immigration and the smuggling of humans into the United States through the southwest border. IIRIRA also contained a provision that required the electronic tracking of every alien arriving in and departing from the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seghetti, Lisa M.
2003-05-22
-
Terrorism and Security Issues Facing the Water Infrastructure Sector [Updated May 21, 2003]
This brief May 2003 CRS report for Congress covers terrorism and security issues facing water infrastructures. It addresses responses to security concerns and policy options available to Congress. Policymakers are considering a number of options, including enhanced physical security, better communication and coordination, and research. A key issue is how additional protections and resources directed at public and private sector priorities will be funded. In response, Congress has approved $410 million in funds for security at water infrastructure facilities (P.L. 107-117, P.L. 108-7, and P.L. 108-11) and passed a bill requiring drinking water utilities to conduct security vulnerability assessments (P.L. 107-188). Congress also created a Department of Homeland Security with responsibilities to coordinate information to secure the nation's critical infrastructure, including the water sector (P.L. 107-297).
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copeland, Claudia; Cody, Betsy A.
2003-05-21
-
Overview of the U.S. Public Health System in the Context of Bioterrorism [Updated May 21, 2003]
"The anthrax attacks in 2001, along with the events of September 11, have heightened concern about the nations ability to respond to bioterrorist attacks. The role of public health in bioterrorism preparedness and response is to plan and coordinate emergency medical and public health response capabilities, to detect, investigate and identify disease outbreaks using surveillance systems, epidemiology and laboratory services, to maintain healthy conditions by regulating environmental conditions, food and water safety to minimize disease threats, and to communicate rapidly and clearly with response partners, health practitioners, the media and the public. The capacity to fulfill these responsibilities depends on the strength of the infrastructure that supports the provision of public health services. The public health infrastructure is the organizations, people and data systems needed to assure the provision of essential public health services. Public health organizations exist at the federal, state and local level and interact with each other, the health care delivery system, public safety providers, private enterprises and volunteer organizations to provide public health services. Even before September 11 and the 2001 anthrax attacks, a consensus had emerged among public health experts that the public health system had deteriorated. A series of studies and reports cited outmoded technology and information systems, insufficient resources to combat emerging and drug-resistant diseases, a public health workforce with inadequate training to address new threats or to adapt to new ways of doing things, poor communication among responsible parties, and inadequate capacity in hospitals and laboratories to respond to a mass casualty event as the major challenges facing public health organizations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Harvey, Holly
2003-05-21
-
China's Economic Conditions [Updated May 21, 2003]
"Since the initiation of economic reforms in 1979, China has become one of the world's fastest growing economies. From 1979-2002, China's real annual GDP [Gross Domestic Product] averaged 9.3%; it rose by 8.0% in 2002. Many economists speculate that China could become the world's largest economy at some point in the near future, provided that the government is able to continue and deepen economic reforms, particularly in regards to its efficient state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and state banking system. Progress in reforming these sectors in recent years has been somewhat mixed. […] China's economy remained relatively healthy in 2002, despite economic slowdowns in other parts of the world. Foreign investment continued to pour into China, and the Chinese government effectively used public spending to boost the economy. However, painful economic reforms will be necessary to keep the economic strong in 2003 and beyond. In addition, the recent outbreak of a very contagious virus called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in China (which has subsequently spread to other countries as well) has raised serious health concerns over travel to and from China, and therefore could potentially have a negative short-term impact on the Chinese economy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morrison, Wayne M.
2003-05-21
-
Emergency Communications: Meeting Public Safety Spectrum Needs [Updated May 21, 2003]
"In evaluating the nation's emergency preparedness and response plans, Congress has reaffirmed its concern regarding the availability of spectrum to meet the wireless communications needs for public safety agencies. Many have voiced the need for a national plan for public safety telecommunications and spectrum management. This need is nested in the wider need for better policy and planning in spectrum management for all users and technologies. Provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) instruct the Department of Homeland Security to address some of the issues concerning public safety communications. Several important policy decisions regarding spectrum use by first responders and other public safety organizations are under consideration by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The timely clearing of analog television broadcast channels intended for public safety use is the objective of H.R. 1425 (Harman). Provisions that could significantly impact emergency communications are included in S. 930, H.R. 1449, and H.R. 105, among others. Future legislative initiatives in the 108th Congress could address the following areas: Interoperability. The ability to communicate effectively among wireless networks used for public safety depends on spectrum use and compatible technology. [...]. Spectrum Policy. Sufficient and appropriate spectrum is fundamental to the future of wireless communications for public safety. [...]. Technology. The availability of new broadband technologies has further increased the need for spectrum. [...]. This report focuses on key proposals for improving wireless telecommunications for public safety and recent actions to achieve this goal; the evolving role of the Department of Homeland Security is also discussed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moore, L. K. S. (Linda K. S.)
2003-05-21
-
Africa: U.S. Foreign Assistance Issues [Updated AMay 20, 2003]
"Amounts requested by the Bush Administration for assistance to Africa in FY2004 closely parallel amounts provided in FY2003. Child Survival and Health Assistance, combined with Development Assistance (DA), would total $1.041 billion under the FY2004 request, as compared with a projected $1.062 billion in FY2003. A number of African countries would receive additional assistance if the President's Global AIDS Initiative, to be administered by the Department of State, is funded by Congress. A few would also benefit if the Millennium Challenge Account proposal is approved. […] During April and May 2003, the U.S. Agency for International Development published fact sheets on the U.S. response to emergencies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, and Angola. To date in FY2003, the largest emergency expenditures have been $322 million to the combat the effects of drought in Ethiopia and $101 million to meet the complex emergency in Angola. On April 1, 2003, Andrew Natsios, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), testified that during the next five years, his agency would be 'renewing its leadership in agricultural development assistance.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copson, Raymond W.
2003-05-20
