Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on the military, environment, energy, and much more. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by Open CRS and Secrecy News:

• Egypt: Background and U.S. Relations
• Political Transition in Tunisia
• National Security Letters: Proposals in the 112th Congress
• Murder or Attempted Murder of a Member of Congress and Other Federal Officials and Employees: Implications in Federal Criminal Law and Procedure of Events in Tucson
• The U.S. Foreign-Born Population: Trends and Selected Characteristics
• The Obama Administration’s Open Government Initiative: Issues for Congress
• Implication’s of Egypt’s Turmoil on Global Oil and Natural Gas Supply
• Israel’s Offshore Natural Gas Discoveries Enhance Its Economic and Energy Outlook
• Global Natural Gas: A Growing Resource
• The Army’s Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) and Early Infantry Brigade Combat Team (E-IBCT) Programs
• Cuba: Issues for the 112th Congress
• Mexico’s Drug Trafficking Organizations: Source and Scope of the Rising Violence
• Is Biopower Carbon Neutral?
• Violence Against Members of Congress and Their Staff: Selected Examples and Congressional Responses
• The Obama Administration’s Feed the Future Initiative
• Egypt: The January 25 Revolution and Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy
• Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Set to Expire February 28, 2011
• Intelligence Identities Protection Act
• Closing the Guantanamo Detention Center: Legal Issues
• Nanotechnology and Environmental, Health, and Safety: Issues for Consideration
• Foreign Aid: An Introduction to U.S. Programs and Policy
• Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes, and Effects
• Reaching the Debt Limit: Background and Potential Effects on Government Operations
• 401(k) Plans and Retirement Savings: Issues for Congress
• Abortion Services and Military Medical Facilities
• Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians
• Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance
• Africa: U.S. Foreign Assistance Issues
• China-U.S. Trade Issues
• Clean Air Issues in the 112th Congress
• Continuing Resolutions: Latest Action and Brief Overview of Recent Practices
• Emergency Communications: Broadband and the Future of 911
• Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity
• International Trade and Finance: Key Policy Issues for the 112th Congress
• Internet Domain Names: Background and Policy Issues
• Iran Sanctions
• Litigation Seeking to Establish Climate Change Impacts as a Common Law
• Multilateral Development Banks: How the United States Makes and Implements Policy
• Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
• Private Health Insurance Premiums and Rate Reviews
• Reauthorizing the Office of National Drug Control Policy: Issues for Consideration
• Reform of U.S. International Taxation: Alternatives
• Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA): A Summary of the Act and Its Major Requirements
• Somalia: Current Conditions and Prospects for a Lasting Peace
• Sudan: The Crisis in Darfur and Status of the North-South Peace Agreement
• Temporary Extension of Unemployment Benefits: Emergency Unemployment
• The Bush Tax Cuts and the Economy
• The Employee Free Choice Act
• The Federal Food Safety System: A Primer
• Trafficking in Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean
• U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress
• U.S.-China Relations: Policy Issues
• Unauthorized Alien Students: Issues and "DREAM Act" Legislation
• Upcoming Rules Pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on the foreign relations, veterans affairs, immigration, and much more. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by Open CRS and Secrecy News:

• Project Bioshield: Authorities, Appropriations, Acquisitions, and Issues for Congress
• Department of Defense Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan: Background and Analysis
• U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress
• Costs of Major U.S. Wars
• Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians
• Afghanistan: U.S. Foreign Assistance
• Argentina's Defaulted Sovereign Debt: Dealing with the "Holdouts"
• Brazil's WTO Case Against the U.S. Cotton Program
• China-U.S. Trade Issues
• Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
• Conversion from the National Security Personnel System to Other Pay Schedules: Issues for Congress
• Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive
• Financing the U.S. Trade Deficit
• Foreign Investment in U.S. Securities
• From Solicitor General to Supreme Court Nominee: Responsibilities, History, and the Nomination of Elena Kagan
• Guantanamo Detention Center: Legislative Activity in the 111th Congress
• Honduran-U.S. Relations
• Instability and Humanitarian Conditions in Chad
• Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks
• Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress
• Organized Retail Crime
• Security Assistance Reform: "Section 1206" Background and Issues for Congress
• Spectrum Policy in the Age of Broadband: Issues for Congress
• State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2011 Budget and Appropriations
• Thailand: Background and U.S. Relations
• The "Volcker Rule": Proposals to Limit "Speculative" Proprietary Trading by Banks
• The 2010 Oil Spill: Criminal Liability Under Wildlife Laws
• The Americans with Disabilities Act and Emergency Preparedness and Response
• The New START Treaty: Central Limits and Key Provisions
• The SBA Disaster Loan Program: Overview and Possible Issues for Congress
• The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S. Policy
• Trade Law: An Introduction to Selected International Agreements and U.S. Laws
• U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress
• U.S.-Latin America Trade: Recent Trends and Policy Issues
• Veterans Affairs: "Gray Area Retirees"--Issues and Related Legislation
• Veterans Affairs: Benefits for Service-Connected Disabilities

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on arms sales, influenza, the Congressional Review Act, and other topics. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by OpenCRS and Secrecy News:

• Terrorist Attacks on Commercial Airlines: Federal Criminal Prohibitions
• Project BioShield: Authorities, Appropriations, Acquisitions, and Issues for Congress
• Charitable Contributions for Haiti’s Earthquake Victims
• U.S. and South Korean Cooperation in the World Nuclear Energy Market: Major Policy Considerations
• Argentina’s Defaulted Sovereign Debt: Dealing with the ‘Holdouts’
• Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder
• A U.S.-centric Chronology of the International Climate Change Negotiations
• Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance
• Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2010
• Guam: U.S. Defense Deployments
• Guantanamo Detention Center: Legislative Activity in the 111th Congress
• Iran's Nuclear Program: Status
• North Korea: Terrorism List Removal
• Private Security Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan: Legal Issues
• State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2010 Budget and Appropriations
• The Federal Budget: Current and Upcoming Issues
• The U.S. Postal Service's Financial Condition: Overview and Issues for Congress
• U.S. Periods of War
• Uruguay: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on the military, trade and legal issues. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by OpenCRS:

• Air Force C-17 Aircraft Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress
• Air Force Next-Generation Bomber: Background and Issues for Congress
• China-U.S. Trade Issues
• Closing the Guantanamo Detention Center: Legal Issues
• Cybersecurity: Current Legislation, Executive Branch Initiatives, and Options for Congress
• Defense: FY2010 Authorization and Appropriations
• DOD Leases of Foreign-Built Ships: Background for Congress
• Gun Trafficking and the Southwest Border
• Homeland Security Department: FY2010 Appropriations
• Income and Poverty Among Older Americans in 2008
• Intelligence Issues for Congress
• Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations
• Legal Ethics in Immigration Matters: Legal Representation and Unauthorized Practice of Law
• Legal Standing Under the First Amendment's Establishment Clause
• Long-Range Ballistic Missile Defense in Europe
• Methane Capture: Options for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction
• Navy Aegis Cruiser and Destroyer Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy CG(X) Cruiser Program: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress
• Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy LPD-17 Amphibious Ship Procurement: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
• Piracy off the Horn of Africa
• Senate Consideration of Treaties
• The Department of Defense's Use of Private Security Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan: Background, Analysis, and Options for Congress
• The European Union's Reform Process: The Lisbon Treaty
• The Haitian Economy and the HOPE Act
• The Proposed "Defund ACORN Act": Is It a "Bill of Attainder"?
• VH-71 Presidential Helicopter Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on foreign policy, economic issues, defense, and other topics. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your senator or representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by OpenCRS:

• Accelerated Vehicle Retirement for Fuel Economy: "Cash for Clunkers"
• Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance
• Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests
• ATPA Renewal: Background and Issues
• Burma: Economic Sanctions
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Global Health Programs: FY2001-FY2010
• China/Taiwan: Evolution of the "One China" Policy--Key Statements from Washington, Beijing, and Taipei
• Colombia: Issues for Congress
• Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances
• Defense: FY2010 Authorization and Appropriations
• Department of Defense Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan: Background and Analysis
• Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities: A Summary and Issues for the 111th Congress
• Foreign Aid Reform: Agency Coordination
• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): Issues for the 111th Congress
• FY2010 Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities
• Global Health: USAID Programs and Appropriations from FY2001 through FY2010
• Guantanamo Detention Center: Legislative Activity in the 111th Congress
• Indonesia: Domestic Politics, Strategic Dynamics, and American Interests
• International Violence Against Women: U.S. Response and Policy Issues
• Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations
• Iraq: Reconstruction Assistance
• Israeli-Arab Negotiations: Background, Conflicts, and U.S. Policy
• Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress
• Local and Regional Procurement for U.S. International Emergency Food Aid
• Mérida Initiative for Mexico and Central America: Funding and Policy Issues
• Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress
• Moldova: Background and U.S. Policy
• Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons
• Passports: Current Regulations
• Perchlorate Contamination of Drinking Water: Regulatory Issues and Legislative Actions
• Policy Challenges in International Migration
• Special Operations Forces (SOF) and CIA Paramilitary Operations: Issues for Congress
• Strategic Arms Control After START: Issues and Options
• Taiwan-U.S. Relations: Developments and Policy Implications
• The 2009 Influenza Pandemic: Selected Legal Issues
• The Army's M-4 Carbine: Background and Issues for Congress Andrew Feickert Specialist in Military Ground Forces
• The Democratic Party of Japan: Its Foreign Policy Position and Implications for U.S. Interests
• The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and All-Hazard Warnings
• The Federal Protective Service and Contract Security Guards: A Statutory History and Current Status
• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: Background and Policy Issues
• The United States and Europe: Current Issues
• U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress
• U.S.-China Counterterrorism Cooperation: Issues for U.S. Policy
• U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress
• Veterans' Benefits: Benefits Available for Disabled Veterans
• Veterans' Benefits: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for Survivors

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on the European Parliament, health reform, closing Guantanamo, strategic arms control, and other topics. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your senator or representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by OpenCRS:

• China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress
  
• China-U.S. Relations: Current Issues and Implications for U.S. Policy
• Closing the Guantanamo Detention Center: Legal Issues
  
• Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS): Current Legislative Issues
  
• Defense Acquisitions: How DOD Acquires Weapon Systems and Recent Efforts to Reform the Process
• The Democratic Republic of Congo: Background and Current Developments
  
• Disaster Relief Funding and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations
• East Asia’s Foreign Exchange Rate Policies
• The European Parliament
  
• The Export Administration Act: Evolution, Provisions, and Debate
  
• F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
• Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2010
  
• FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: Overview and Issues
• FY2009 Spring Supplemental Appropriations for Overseas Contingency Operations
• FY2010 National Defense Authorization Act: Selected Military Personnel Policy Issues
  
• Ghana: Background and U.S. Relations
• Greenhouse Gas Legislation: Summary and Analysis of H.R. 2454 as Passed by the House of Representatives
  
• Guinea's 2008 Military Coup and Relations with the United States
• Health Care Reform: An Introduction
  
• Human Rights in China: Trends and Policy Implications
• International Criminal Court Cases in Africa: Status and Policy Issues
  
• Iran Sanctions
• Iraq: Oil and Gas Legislation, Revenue Sharing, and U.S. Policy
  
• Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security
• Issues Regarding a National Land Parcel Database
  
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections
• Latin America: Terrorism Issues
• Navy F/A-18E/F and EA-18G Aircraft Procurement and Strike Fighter Shortfall: Background and Issues for Congress
  
• Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy Nuclear Aircraft Carrier (CVN) Homeporting at Mayport: Background and Issues for Congress
  
• Navy Nuclear-Powered Surface Ships: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
  
• Panama: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations
• Peru: Current Conditions and U.S. Relations
• Post Office and Retail Postal Facility Closures: Overview and Issues for Congress
• Private Health Insurance Provisions of H.R. 3200
  
• Saudi Arabia: Background and U.S. Relations
• Strategic Arms Control After START: Issues and Options
• Sudan: The Crisis in Darfur and Status of the North-South Peace Agreement
  
• Tactical Aircraft Modernization: Issues for Congress
• The United Arab Emirates Nuclear Program and Proposed U.S. Nuclear Cooperation
  
• U.S. Foreign Aid to the Palestinians
• U.S. Foreign Assistance to the Middle East: Historical Background, Recent Trends, and the FY2010 Request
  
• U.S. Military Stop Loss Program: Key Questions and Answers
• U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues
• V-22 Osprey Tilt-Rotor Aircraft: Background and Issues for Congress
• Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Agency Travel Card Programs
  
• The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN)
  
• Yemen: Background and U.S. Relations
  

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on Canada, military issues, carbon emissions, and much more. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your senator or representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by Secrecy News and OpenCRS:

• Access to Broadband Networks: The Net Neutrality Debate
• Advance Appropriations for Veterans' Health Care: Issues and Options for Congress
• Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
• Alert Systems for Missing Adults in Eleven States: Background and Issues for Congress
• Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC): Transfer and Disposal of Military Property
• Canada-U.S. Relations
• Cars and Climate: What Can EPA Do to Control Greenhouse Gases from Mobile Sources?
• Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests
• China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues
• China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities -- Background and Issues for Congress
• Closing the Guantanamo Detention Center: Legal Issues
• Coast Guard Deepwater Program: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress
• Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
• Concurrent Receipt: Background and Issues for Congress
• Controversies over Redefining "Fill Material" Under the Clean Water Act
• Costa Rica: Background and U.S. Relations
• Cuban Migration to the United States: Policy and Trends
• Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities: A Summary and Issues for the 111th Congress
• Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Prescription Drugs
• Factors Affecting the Demand for Long-Term Care Insurance: Issues for Congress
• FDA Tobacco Regulation: The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009
• France: Factors Shaping Foreign Policy, and Issues in U.S.-French Relations
• German Foreign and Security Policy: Trends and Transatlantic Implications
• Global Warming: The Litigation Heats Up
• Greeenhouse Gas Legislation: Summary and Analysis of H.R. 2454 as Reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce
• Gun Control: Statutory Disclosure Limitations on ATF Firearms Trace Data and Multiple Handgun Sales Reports
• Hiring and Pay Authorities for Federal Scientific and Technical (S&T) Personnel
• Immigration Policies and Issues on Health- Related Grounds for Exclusion
• Intellectual Property Rights and Access to Medicines: International Trade Issues
• International Criminal Court Cases in Africa: Status and Policy Issues
• Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses
• Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress
• Kyrgyzstans Closure of the Manas Airbase: Context and Implications
• Lebanon: Background and U.S. Relations
• Madagascar's 2009 Political Crisis
• Market-Based Greenhouse Gas Control: Selected Proposals in the 111th Congress
• Middle East Elections 2009: Lebanon, Iran, Afghanistan, and Iraq
• Military Aircraft, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Program: Background and Issues for Congress
• North Korea: Terrorism List Removal?
• North Korea's Nuclear Weapons: Technical Issues
• Oversight and Related Issues Concerning International Security Agreements Concluded by the United States
• Overview of the Air Carrier Access Act
• Rothe Development Corporation v. Department of Defense: The Constitutionality of Federal Contracting Programs for Minority-Owned and Other Small Businesses
• Russian Energy Policy toward Neighboring Countries
• Rwanda: Background and Current Developments
• Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America: An Overview and Selected Issues
• Senate Rejections and Committee Votes Other Than to Report Favorably, 1939-2009
• Service Piracy off the Horn of Africa
• Somalia: Current Conditions and Prospects for a Lasting Peace
• South Africa: Current Issues and U.S. Relations
• Summary of Waxman-Markey Draft Greenhouse Gas Legislation
• Tax Credit Bonds: Overview and Analysis
• Terrorism and Security Issues Facing the Water Infrastructure Sector
• The Department of Homeland Security Intelligence Enterprise: Operational Overview and Oversight Challenges for Congress
• The European Union: Questions and Answers
• The U.S. Mental Health Delivery System Infrastructure: A Primer
• U.S. Military Stop Loss Program
• U.S. Security Assistance to Lebanon
• VXX Presidential Helicopter: Background and Issues for Congress

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on broadband Internet access, Medicare, the financial crisis, and more. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your Senator or Representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by OpenCRS and Secrecy News:

• Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide: Federal Assistance Programs
• Credit for Military Service Under Civilian Federal Employee Retirement Systems
• Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative: Legal Authorities and Policy Considerations
• Medicare Primer
• Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies: Perspectives and Contemporary Developments
• Analysis of Legislative Proposals Addressing Guantanamo Detainees
• The Financial Crisis: Impact on and Response by the European Union
  
• Tax Reform: An Overview of Proposals in the 111th Congress
• The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): Summary of Actions in Support of Housing and Financial Markets
• North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons
• Japan’s Nuclear Future: Policy Debate, Prospects, and U.S. Interests
• The United Arab Emirates Nuclear Program and Proposed U.S. Nuclear Cooperation

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Department of Defense Releases Guantanamo Review

As you probably recall, President Obama's first executive order, made on January 22, 2009, was "Review and Disposition of Individuals Detained at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base Closure of Detention Facilities." The U.S. Department of Defense's report, Review of Department Compliance with President’s Executive Order on Detainee Conditions of Confinement, is now available on its website.

According to an article in this week's New York Times, some lawyers and human rights groups are critical of the review. For resources on different sides of the issues, see our guides to Crime & Justice and Human Rights.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress's request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week only brings us a lot of CRS reports, including ones Iraq, DTV, stimulus, and much more. While these reports are in the public domain there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your Senator or Representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by OpenCRS and Secrecy News:

• War in Afghanistan: Strategy, Military Operations, and Issues for Congress
• Homeland Security Intelligence: Perceptions, Statutory Definitions, and Approaches
• Israel and Hamas: Conflict in Gaza (2008-2009)
• Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Background and Current Developments
• The Special Inspector General (SIG) for the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP)
• Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Set to Expire in 2009
• Afghanistan: Presidential and Parliamentary Elections
• Africa Command: U.S. Strategic Interests and the Role of the U.S. Military in Africa
• Biofuels Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
• China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues
• Closing the Guantanamo Detention Center: Legal Issues
• Congress as a Consumer of Intelligence Information
• Emergency Spending: Statutory and Congressional Rules
• Fifth Summit of the Americas, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, April 2009: Background, Agenda, and Expectations
• Financial Turmoil: Federal Reserve Policy Responses
• Foreign Investment and National Security: Economic Considerations
• General Revenue Sharing: Background and Analysis
• H.R. 2: The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009
• Health and Safety Concerns Over U.S. Imports of Chinese Products: An Overview
• Health Insurance Continuation Coverage Under COBRA
• Housing for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS
• Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 110th Congress
• Intelligence Issues for Congress
• Intelligence Reform at the Department of Energy: Policy Issues and Organizational Alternatives
• Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses
• Iraq: Post-Saddam National Elections
• Iraq: Regional Perspectives and U.S. Policy
• Iraq: Summary of U.S. Casualties
• Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-War Governance
• Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress
• Lebanon: Background and U.S. Relations
• Long-Range Ballistic Missile Defense in Europe
• Meat and Poultry Inspection: Background and Selected Issues
• Merida Initiative for Mexico and Central America: Funding and Policy Issues
• Monetary Policy: Current Policy and Conditions
• National Security Strategy: Legislative Mandates, Execution to Date, and Considerations for Congress
• Pakistan-U.S. Relations
• Pension Issues: Lump-Sum Distributions and Retirement Income Security
• Refugee and Asylum-Seeker Inflows in the United States and Other OECD Member States
• Retirement Plan Participation and Contributions: Trends from 1998 to 2003
• Singapore: Background and U.S. Relations
• Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA): What Is It, and How Might One Be Utilized In Iraq?
• Thailand: Background and U.S. Relations
• The Department of Defense Role in Foreign Assistance: Background, Major Issues, and Options for Congress
• The Emoluments Clause: History, Law, and Precedents
• The Impact of Food Insecurity and Hunger on Global Health: Issues for Congress
• The President's State of the Union Address: Tradition, Function, and Policy Implications
• The Role of Public Works Infrastructure in Economic Stimulus
• The Transition to Digital Television: Is America Ready?
• U.S. Food and Agricultural Imports: Safeguards and Selected Issues
• U.S. International Trade: Trends and Forecasts
• U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues
• V-22 Osprey Tilt-Rotor Aircraft
• Veterans Benefits: Merchant Seamen

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Judge Orders Uighurs' Release from Guantanamo

On October 7 a federal judge ordered that 17 Chinese Muslims (known as Uighurs) detained at the Guantanamo Bay military prison be released into the United States by Friday, the Washington Post reported. You can read U.S. District Judge Ricardo M. Urbina's court opinion here. It was the first time a U.S. judge ordered a Guantanamo Bay prisoner to be released as well as the first instance in which a foreign national held at Guantanamo has been ordered transferred to the United States.

The U.S. Department of Justice is appealing the ruling. Yesterday it issued a press release contending that Judge Urbina's ruling "presents serious national security and separation of powers concerns and raises unprecedented legal issues."

If you need more resources on the subject, see our subject guides on Crime and Justice and Terrorism.

From the Congressional Research Service this week

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress's request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week only brings us a number of CRS reports on economic issues, national security, government employees, and much more. While these reports are in the public domain there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your Senator or Representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by OpenCRS:

• Brazil-U.S. Relations
• Taiwan: Recent Developments and U.S. Policy Choices
• China's Economic Conditions
• Colombia: Issues for Congress
• Nuclear Weapons: The Reliable Replacement Warhead Program
• China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities -- Background and Issues for Congress
• Older Workers: Employment and Retirement Trends
• Submission of the President's Budget in Transition Years
• A Joint Committee on Intelligence: Proposals and Options from the 9/11 Commission and Others
• Executive Branch Reorganization and Management Initiatives: A Brief Overview
• Outer Continental Shelf Leasing: Side-by-Side Comparison of Five Legislative Proposals
• Japan's Political Turmoil in 2008: Background and Implications for the United States
• Libya: Background and U.S. Relations
• Energy Tax Policy: History and Current Issues
• Peacekeeping and Conflict Transitions: Background and Congressional Action on Civilian Capabilities
• Temporary Protected Status: Current Immigration Policy and Issues
• Royalty Relief for U.S. Deepwater Oil and Gas Leases
• The Strategic Petroleum Reserve: History, Perspectives, and Issues
• Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act: Background and Issues
• Russia-Georgia Conflict in South Ossetia: Context and Implications for U.S. Interests
• Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes, and Effects
• Do Not Mail Initiatives and Their Potential Effects: Possible Issues for Congress
• Federal Funding Gaps: A Brief Overview
• Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies: FY2009 Appropriations
• The U.S. Financial Crisis: Lessons From Japan
• The U.S. Financial Crisis: Lessons From Chile
• Economic Stimulus Proposals for 2008: An Analysis
• The U.S. Financial Crisis: Lessons From Sweden
• Freedom of Speech and Press: Exceptions to the First Amendment
• Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response: The SAFER Grant Program
• Nuclear Weapons: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
• Safe Drinking Water Act: Selected Regulatory and Legislative Issues
• Taiwan-U.S. Relations: Recent Developments and Their Policy Implications
• The Resolution Trust Corporation: Historical Analysis
• U.S. Trade Deficit and the Impact of Rising Oil Prices
• Air Pollution from Ships: MARPOL Annex VI and Other Control Options
• Bisphenol A (BPA) in Plastics and Possible Human Health Effects
• Boumediene v. Bush: Guantanamo Detainees' Right to Habeas Corpus
• District of Columbia v. Heller: The Supreme Court and the Second Amendment
• Federal Deductibility of State and Local Taxes
• Federal Government Debt Collection: An Overview of the Treasury Offset and Federal Payment Levy Programs
• Federal Liability for Hurricane Katrina-Related Flood Damage
• Financial Market Intervention
• Guantanamo Detainees: Habeas Corpus Challenges in Federal Court
• Instability in Chad
• Israel: Background and Relations with the United States
• Navy Role in Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) -- Background and Issues for Congress
• Pay-for-Performance: The National Security Personnel System
• Reforming the Regulation of Government-Sponsored Enterprises in the 110th Congress
• Sovereign Wealth Funds: Background and Policy Issues for Congress
• Tax Expenditures and the Federal Budget
• Tax Issues Relating to Charitable Contributions and Organizations
• Tax-Exempt Section 501(c)(3) Hospitals: Community Benefit Standard and Schedule H
• The Defense Base Act (DBA): The Federally Mandated Workers' Compensation System for Overseas Government Contractors
• Topics in Aging: Income and Poverty Among Older Americans in 2007
• United States Military Casualty Statistics: Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom
• Vulnerability of Concentrated Critical Infrastructure: Background and Policy Options

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Congressional Research Service Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress's request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us CRS reports on the FISA, wind power, appropriations, and much more. While these reports are in the public domain there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your Senator or Representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by Secrecy News and OpenCRS:

• The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11
• Conventional Warheads For Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues for Congress
• Iran’s Economy
• The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: Comparison of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773 and the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773
• Awards of Attorneys’ Fees by Federal Courts and Federal Agencies
• Iran’s Nuclear Program: Status
• Boumediene v. Bush: Guantanamo Detainees’ Right to Habeas Corpus
• Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA): What Is It, and How Might One Be Utilized In Iraq?
• The National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility: Issues for Congress
• International Trade: Rules of Origin
• Defense: FY2009 Authorization and Appropriations
• Clean Water Act: Legislation Concerning Discharges from Recreational Boats
• Wind Power in the United States: Technology, Economic, and Policy Issues
• International Drug Control Policy
• Possible Federal Revenue from Oil Development of ANWR and Nearby Areas
• Veterans Benefits: An Overview
• Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies: FY2009 Appropriations

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Congressional Research Service Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress's request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us CRS reports on the medicaid, Iraq, food safety, and much more. While these reports are in the public domain there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your Senator or Representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by Secrecy News and OpenCRS:

• Medicaid and Graduate Medical Education
• Medicaid Financing
• Medicaid and Outpatient Hospital Services
• International Convention Against Doping in Sport: Issues for Congress
• An Emergency Communications Safety Net: Integrating 911 and Other Services
• High Agricultural Commodity Prices: What Are the Issues?
• Iraq: Summary of U.S. Casualties
• Nominations to Article III Lower Courts by President George W. Bush During the 110th Congress
• Russia's Economic Performance and Policies and Their Implications for the United States
• The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): Budget and Operations
• Climate Change: Comparison of S. 2191 as Reported (now S. 3036) with Proposed Boxer Amendment
• The Army's M-4 Carbine: Background and Issues for Congress
• Debt Limit: The Need for Increases
• The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan and Enhanced Base Security Since 9/11
• Pakistan-U.S. Relations
• Proposed Termination of Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) F136 Alternate Engine
• Wildfire Damages to Homes and Resources: Understanding Causes and Reducing Losses
• Climate Change: Current Issues and Policy Tools
• United Nations System Efforts to Address Violence Against Women
• Navy DD(X) and LCS Ship Acquisition Programs: Oversight Issues and Options for Congress
• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Legislation in the 110th Congress
• Foreign Medical Graduates: A Brief Overview of the J-1 Visa Waiver Program
• Financial Services and General Government (FSGG): FY2009 Appropriations
• Israel: Background and Relations with the United States
• Defense Acquisition: Use of Lead System Integrators (LSIs) -- Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress
• Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress
• U.S.-Russian Civilian Nuclear Cooperation Agreement: Issues for Congress
• Potential Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress
• Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-76: Implications for the Future
• Telework Legislation Pending in the 110th Congress: A Side-by-Side Comparison of Provisions
• Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA): What Is It, and How Might One Be Utilized In Iraq?
• Boumediene v. Bush: Guantanamo Detainees' Right to Habeas Corpus
• Natural Gas Markets: Overview and Policy Issues
• Food Safety Provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill
• National Security Strategy: Legislative Mandates, Execution to Date, and Considerations for Congress
• Tsunami Detection and Warnings for the United States
• The Fair Labor Standards Act: Continuing Issues in the Debate
• The Link Between Medicaid and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Recent History and Current Issues

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Supreme Court Rules on Guantanamo

The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday, in Boumediene v. Bush, that the current administration rules on dealing with detainees in Guantanamo are not valid. Want some reaction? Check these out:

• Press Briefing in Italy Bush responds briefly to the court's decision.
• "Administration Strategy for Detention Now in Disarray" from the Washington Post

Want more information on the Supreme Court? Check out the library's guide.

Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan interrogations and the FBI

The Department of Justice Inspector General released an audit of the FBI's involvement in interrogations at Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, and Iraq. This 438 page report, "A Review of the FBI's Involvement in and Observations of Detainee Interrogations in Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, and Iraq," outlines the actions of the FBI in regards to detainee interrogations. It details practices, discussions and much more.

Don't want to read 438 pages? Why not read a media summary, "Audit Finds FBI Reports Of Detainee Abuse Ignored: Tactics Continued Against Detainees" from the Washington Post or "Detainee Report Findings Detailed" from the Wall Street Journal.

Want more crime and justice resources? Check out the library guides.

Supreme Court Begins Term Today

The new term of the U.S. Supreme Court begins today. The Court's term begins on the first Monday in October. Some of the cases before the Court this term include:

• Guantanamo Detainees: Court will determine whether detainees can use U.S. civil courts to challenge indefinite incarceration (Boumediene v. Bush, 06-1195, Al-Odah v. U.S., 06-1196).
• Lethal Injections: Court will determine whether lethal injection violates the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment (Baze v. Rees, 07-5439).
• Voter Photo ID: Court will determine whether laws requiring voters to show photo identification to vote violates the Constitution. (Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, 07-21, Indiana Democratic Party v. Rokita, 07-25).
• Presidential Power: Court will hear a separation of powers case where they will determine whether the president has the power to set aside a state law to abide by international treaty in the case of a convicted Mexican national (Medellin v. Texas, 06-984).
  

Check out all the cases the Supreme Court will hear this season.

Read "Supreme Court to Take On Contentious Cases in New Term" from the Washington Post and "Lethal Injection, Child Porn, Guantanamo Bay on New Docket for Supreme Court" from FOX News.

Want more information on the Supreme Court? Check out the library's guide.

Guantanamo Bay detainees cases in the news

We have posted a few times on Guantanamo Bay on this blog, but I just ran into the latest information on the court fight (thanks to the Government News for Montana Blog).

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard the case Lakhdar Boumediene vs. George Bush and released their opinion yesterday. The 60-page opinion finds that detainees do not have the right to challenge their imprisonment in U.S. courts. This case will probably be appealed to the Supreme Court, who ruled that military commissions violated U.S. law and the Geneva convention last June (for more information, see the blog posting).

Want to learn more? Check out the Washington Post article "Guantanamo Detainees Lose Appeal."

Geneva Convention applied to detainees

The Department of Defense ("DOD") released a memo today entitled "Application of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions to the Treatment of Detainees in the Department of Defense" (link from the Washington Post). This memo now applies to all those captured in conflicts with Al Qaeda. This DOD dismissed, in a press release today, "news reports that the memo represents a sweeping reversal of DoD policy or that the Supreme Court decision extends full Geneva Convention protections to detainees. "The court did not say that full protections of the Geneva Conventions apply to al Qaeda or the Taliban," he [Deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, Bryan Whitman] said, but limited its ruling to Common Article 3." Want to read some of those reports? Check out the Washington Post article "Detainees to Get Protections Under Geneva Conventions" or the Guardian's (for a British prospective) article "U.S. Says Guantanamo inmates have Geneva rights."

Supreme Court Ruling on Guantanamo Bay Detainees

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled today that the military commissions set up to try Guantanamo detainees violated U.S. law and the Geneva Convention. Want to learn more about what this means? Check out the Washington Post article "Supreme Court Rejects War Crimes Trials." Want to learn more about the detainees at Guantanamo Bay? Check out the military's web site, detainees at Guantanamo Bay.