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CRS – Women in the United States Congress: 1917-2012 “Ninety-four women currently serve in the 112th Congress: 77 in the House (53 Democrats and 24 Republicans) and 17 in the Senate (12 Democrats and 5 Republicans). Ninety-two women were initially sworn in to the 112th Congress, two women Democratic House Members have since resigned, and …
CRS – Presidential Appointee Positions Requiring Senate Confirmation and Committees Handling Nominations, November 15, 2012 “This report identifies, by Senate committee, presidentially appointed positions requiring Senate confirmation based on referrals as of the date of passage of S. 679, which became P.L. 112-166 on August 10, 2012. This public law removed numerous presidentially appointed positions …
Presidential Reorganization Authority: History, Recent Initiatives, and Options for Congress, December 11, 2012: “On January 13, 2012, President Barack Obama announced that he would ask Congress to reinstate so-called presidential reorganization authority, and his Administration conveyed a legislative proposal that would renew this authority to Congress on February 16, 2012. Bills based on the proposed …
In Brief: Next Steps in the War in Afghanistan? Issues for Congress, Catherine Dale, Specialist in International Security. December 6, 2012 “While some basic parameters of U.S. Afghanistan policy appear to be set, particularly in the wake of the U.S. presidential elections, many issues concerning the extent of any further U.S. commitment and the forms …
“The Federal Trade Commission submitted written testimony to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights regarding the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the use of consumer reports in employment. The Fair Credit Reporting Act promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting agencies (CRAs). The FTC testimony describes some …
Counting Electoral Votes: An Overview of Procedures at the Joint Session, Including Objections by Members of Congress, November 30, 2012 “The Constitution and federal law establish a detailed timetable following the presidential election during which time the members of the electoral college convene in the 50 state capitals and in the District of Columbia, cast …
IMF Reforms: Issues for Congress, December 4, 2012 “In December 2010, the International Monetary Fund (IMF, the Fund)s Board of Governors, the institutions highest governing body, agreed to a reform package that addresses two major concerns about the institution: (1) that the size of the IMFs resources has not kept pace with increased economic activity …
Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables, Ida A. Brudnick, Specialist on the Congress. September 20, 2012 “Members of Congress last received a pay adjustment in January 2009. At that time, their salary was increased 2.8%, to $174,000 from $169,300. A provision in the FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act prohibited any pay adjustment …
Basic Federal Budgeting Terminology, November 26, 2012 Overview of the Authorization-Appropriations Process, November 26, 2012 Baselines and Scorekeeping in the Federal Budget Process, November 26, 2012 Budget Reconciliation Legislation: Development and Consideration, November 26, 2012 Entitlements and Appropriated Entitlements in the Federal Budget Process, November 26, 2012 Legislative Procedures for Adjusting the Public Debt Limit: …
Federal Debt and the Statutory Limit, November 2012: “The Congress has traditionally placed a limit on the total amount of debt that the Department of the Treasury can issue to the public and to other federal agencies. Lawmakers have enacted numerous increases to the debt limitcommonly known as the debt ceilingsome of which have been …
Roles and Duties of a Member of Congress: Brief Overview, R. Eric Petersen, Specialist in American National Government, November 9, 2012 “The duties carried out by a Member of Congress are understood to include representation, legislation, and constituent service and education, as well as political and electoral activities. The expectations and duties of a Member …
The fiscal cliff and beyond – Principles for upcoming budget debates, by Josh Bivens. November 15, 2012 “As policymakers begin negotiations on addressing the nations fiscal challenges, it is crucial that they clearly understand the economic context of the choices they face. The Economic Policy Institute has provided analyses and recommendations for specific actions regarding …
