Category «Congress»

Saudi Arabia: Background and U.S. Relations

CRS – Saudi Arabia: Background and U.S. Relations, Christopher M. Blanchard, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs. February 12, 2014. “In spite of apparent differences of opinion over regional developments, U.S.-Saudi security cooperation continues to anchor official bilateral relations as it has for decades, bolstered by major new arms sales, continued security training arrangements, enhanced counterterrorism cooperation, and shared concerns about Iran and …

Subjects: Congress, Defense, Government Documents

A Guide to U.S. Military Casualty Statistics

A Guide to U.S. Military Casualty Statistics: Operation New Dawn, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Hannah Fischer, Information Research Specialist, February 19, 2014. “This report presents statistics regarding U.S. military casualties in the active Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF, Afghanistan), as well as operations that have ended: Operation New Dawn (OND, Iraq) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF, …

Subjects: Congress, Defense, Government Documents, Health Care

AG Holder Urges Congress to Create National Standard for Reporting Cyberattacks

“In a video message released today, Attorney General Eric Holder called on Congress to create a strong, national standard for quickly alerting consumers whose information may be compromised by cyberattacks. This legislation would strengthen the Justice Department’s ability to combat crime, ensure individual privacy, and prevent identity theft, while also helping to bring cybercriminals to …

Subjects: Congress, Cybercrime, E-Commerce, Economy, Legal Research

Release of Federal Reserve Financial Crisis Documents Shines Light on Government Response

CNNMoney: “If it wasn’t already obvious, it certainly is now: The Federal Reserve didn’t see the Great Recession coming until it was in the thick of the crisis. “I think there are a lot of indications that we may soon be in a recession,” former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told his colleagues in January 2008, …

Subjects: Congress, Economy, Financial System, Government Documents, Knowledge Management, Legal Research, Legislation

“Leahy Law” Human Rights Provisions and Security Assistance: Issue Overview

CRS – “Leahy Law” Human Rights Provisions and Security Assistance: Issue Overview. Nina M. Serafino, Coordinator, Specialist in International Security Affairs; June S. Beittel, Analyst in Latin American Affairs; Lauren Ploch Blanchard, Specialist in African Affairs; Liana Rosen, Analyst in International Crime and Narcotics. January 29, 2014. “Congressional interest in the laws and processes involved in conditioning U.S. assistance to foreign …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Defense, Government Documents, Legislation

CRS – Independence of Federal Financial Regulators

Independence of Federal Financial Regulators. Henry B. Hogue, Specialist in American National Government; Marc Labonte, Specialist in Macroeconomic Policy; Baird Webel, Specialist in Financial Economics. February 12, 2014 “This report discusses institutional features that make federal financial regulators (as well as other independent agencies) relatively independent from the President and Congress. These characteristics are diverse, their relationship to independence sometimes subtle, and they are …

Subjects: Congress, Economy, Financial System, Government Documents

Independent Assessment of the Afghan National Security Forces

Independent Assessment of the Afghan National Security Forces. This assessment, tasked by the United States Congress, was made by analysts in CNA’s Center for Strategic Studies. This report (DRM-2014-U-006815-Final) is approved for distribution: January 2014. “We conclude that the security environment in Afghanistan will become more challenging after the drawdown of most international forces in 2014, and that the …

Subjects: Congress, Defense, Government Documents

CRS – The Debt Limit Since 2011

The Debt Limit Since 2011. D. Andrew Austin, Analyst in Economic Policy. February 12, 2014. “The Constitution grants Congress the power to borrow money on the credit of the United States—one part of its power of the purse—and thus mandates that Congress exercise control over federal debt. Control of debt policy has at times provided Congress with a means …

Subjects: Congress, Economy, Financial System, Government Documents, Legal Research

The Corporate Income Tax System: Overview and Options for Reform

The Corporate Income Tax System: Overview and Options for Reform, Mark P. Keightley, Specialist in Economics; Molly F. Sherlock, Specialist in Public Finance. February 14, 2014 “Many economists and policymakers believe that the U.S. corporate tax system is in need of reform. There is, however, disagreement over why the corporate tax system needs to be reformed, and what specific policy …

Subjects: Congress, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation

CRS – Unemployment Insurance: Programs and Benefits

Unemployment Insurance: Programs and Benefits. Julie M. Whittaker, Specialist in Income Security, Katelin P. Isaacs, Analyst in Income Security. February 12, 2014 “Several types of benefits may be available to unemployed workers to provide them with income support during a spell of unemployment. The federal-state Unemployment Compensation (UC) program may provide income support through the payment of UC benefits for …

Subjects: Congress, Economy, Financial System, Government Documents

Federal Government’s Track Record on Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure

The Federal Government’s Track Record on Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure – A report prepared by the Minority Staff of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Sen. Tom Coburn, MD, Ranking Member. February 4, 2014. “In the past few years, we have seen significant breaches in cybersecurity which could affect critical U.S. infrastructure. Data on the nation’s weakest …

Subjects: Congress, Cybercrime, Defense, Government Documents, Internet, Knowledge Management

Intelligence Community: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Reporting, Planning for Use of Contract Personnel

CIVILIAN INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Reporting on and Planning for the Use of Contract Personnel, GAO-14-204: Published: Jan 29, 2014. Publicly Released: Feb 13, 2014. “Collectively, CIA, ODNI, and the departments responsible for developing policies to address risks related to contractors for the other six civilian IC elements have made limited progress in developing …

Subjects: Congress, Defense, Government Documents, Knowledge Management

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