In the News  

Discusses validity of State parental involvement laws in the context of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, and other Supreme Court cases addressing a minor's right to choose whether to terminate her pregnancy. Considers common State parental involvement law provisions, such as judicial bypass procedures and exceptions for medical emergencies, and highlights pending Federal parental involvement legislation.

Designating first day of May of each year as Law Day, U.S.A.
"...to point out the contrast between freedom under law and governmental tyranny"

Examines impact of the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as "mad cow disease," in a U.S. dairy cow in Dec. 2003. Reviews price and trade effects of the BSE discovery; summarizes other countries experiences with BSE, including Canada; and describes progress of and prospects for beef trade with Japan and Korea.

Discusses use of lean finely textured beef (LFTB) in U.S. ground beef supply, in light of recent consumer backlash following media implication that there are food safety issues with LFTB due to use of ammonium gas as an antimicrobial intervention in LFTB production. Examines definitions of ground beef and LFTB, regulationand labeling requirements for ammonium hydroxide, media depiction of LFTB in the as "pink slime" and impacts, food safety concerns, and issues for Congress.

CRS Report. Discusses GPO Federal depository library program (FDLP), which provides free public access to Federal Government information. Discusses current proposals, actions, issues, and concerns related to transition to digital information; and examines their implications for FDLP.

Hearing to examine allegations of wasteful spending and employee misconduct at GSA Public Buildings Service (PBS) Oct. 2010 Western Regions' conference outside of Las Vegas, Nev., and to review GSA measures taken in response to findings of GSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report detailing results of its investigation into events at the conference.

Speeches in the Congressional Record on the Stand Your Ground legislation in Florida and other states.

Titanic disaster investigation. Apr. 19 and 20 hearings were held in New York City.
Note: This hearing is also in the Serial Set as 6167 S.doc.726

Hearing to examine hazing in the military, focusing on varied nature of hazing, military service branch policies and training to prevent it, and related investigation and enforcement issues.

CRS Report. Analyzes constitutional issues raised by passage of P.L. 111-148, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which requires individuals to purchase health insurance. Analyzes authority of Congress to pass a proposal to this effect; and considers how a court could analyze constitutional challenges to this type of proposal on grounds of due process, equal protection, takings clause, or the Federalist principle as enshrined in the Tenth Amendment. Assesses whether there must be exceptions to a requirement to purchase health insurance based on First Amendment freedom of religion. Summarizes legal challenges to the individual responsibility requirement.

CRS Report. Lists women elected and appointed to Congress, with party affiliations, States represented, dates served, Committee assignments, and chairmanships held, 1917-2012.

Hearing to examine developments and human rights situation in and U.S. policy toward Syria, in light of President Bashar al-Assad Government violent response to Syria pro-democracy movement.

Hearing before the Subcom on Primary Health and Aging to examine major current challenges in, and options for, providing oral health services to entire population.

CRS Report. Reviews provisions in P.L. 111-148, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, that require health plans and health insurers to cover certain recommended preventive health services, including contraceptive services, without cost sharing. Summarizes legal exemptions for religious organizations with objections to the requirements, and examines State court decisions upholding similar requirements....

Hearing of the House Judiciary Committee, Witnesses: Bishop William Lori, Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; Asma Uddin, Attorney, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty; Dr. Linda Rosenstock, M.D., M.P.H., Dean, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles; Jeanne Monahan, Director, Center for Human Dignity, Family Research Council

Hearing of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. Witness: Sandra Fluke.

CRS Report. Examines financial performance of five major oil companies between 2007-2011, analyzing oil prices, oil company revenues and profits, capital budgets, and returns to investors. Includes tables.

CRS Report. Analyzes current unrest in Syria and U.S. response to Syrian Government crackdown against demonstrators. Provides background information on U.S. sanctions against the Asad regime and its supporters.

Hearing before the Subcom on Privacy, Technology, and the Law to examine efficacy of the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPAA) of 1988 to protect consumer privacy in the face of new communications technologies in the 21st century.

Also considers H.R. 2471, to permit video tape service providers to obtain consumer's informed, written consent on an ongoing basis, including through the Internet.

Hearing on the Department of Health and Human Services' new directive obligating religious organizations employing or serving members of other faiths to provide contraception as part of their insurance coverage.

CRS Report. Discusses legislative history, provisions, interpretations, and implementation of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA), which mandates U.S. penalties against foreign companies determined to have invested in Iran energy sector; and identifies enhancements to ISA under P.L. 111-195, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act.

Hearing to examine outlook for the European debt crisis, and to review implications for the U.S. and global economy.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: Many economists agree that countries in the Eurozone are experiencing a recession, and increasing debts impact their ability to respond to the economic downturn. The financial situation in Europe has implications for the U.S. and other economies.

CRS Report. Provides overview of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Financial Protection Act, to consolidate many existing consumer financial protection responsibilities into one agency, and to implement and enforce Federal consumer financial law while ensuring that consumers can access financial products and services.

From the Congressional Record

CRS Report. Discusses steps involved in and issues relating to implementation of the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC), established to administer the Millennium Challenge Account to distribute U.S. foreign aid to and fund economic development in poverty stricken developing countries that meet and demonstrate a commitment to specified economic, humanitarian, and political criteria.

CRS Report. Examines current status of crisis in the Horn of Africa resulting from its worst drought in 60 years, regional conflicts, and conflict within states. Provides background on the region, which includes Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. Reviews international and U.S. humanitarian response to date, issues for Congress, and prospects.

CRS Report. Supplies brief answers to some frequently asked questions regarding the recess appointments clause in the Constitution, under which the President is allowed to fill certain vacancies without the consent of the Senate during a Congressional recess.

CRS Report. Reviews U.S. threat assessments and concerns regarding Iran. Examines regime structure, stability, and opposition in Iran; outcome of elections; human rights practices; strategic capabilities and weapons of mass destruction programs; and foreign policy and support for terrorist groups.

CRS Report. Discusses recent death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and succession of his son Kim Jong Un, and considers implications of these events on political stability of North Korea.

CRS Report. Reviews current issues and complaints regarding the nominating system for selecting party candidates for President. Covers 2008 election, evolution of the system, national party rules changes for 2012, current primary system, reform proposals, and legislative considerations for changing the system.

Continuation of hearings to examine the euro crisis and its effect on the U.S. economy.

In the Congressional Record

CRS Report. Discusses economic stimulus considerations related to temporary reduction in payroll tax for workers, in light of proposals to extend or modify temporary reduction in social security payroll taxes.

CRS Report. Discusses factors indicating increased risk of double-dip recession and other factors predicting continued economic recovery. Presents historical experience with double-dip recessions, and examines role of deleveraging household and business use of debt in aftermath of recent financial crisis in shaping the likely pace of economic recovery. Summarizes current economic projections.

CRS Report. Describes proposed TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline project, which would transport crude oil from Alberta, Canada to refineries in the Gulf Coast and Midwest region.

CRS Report. Examines trends in the distribution of household wealth, including mean and median household net worth, and the distribution of net worth, income, and household saving; and reviews efforts to explain the distribution of wealth.

Hearing before the Subcom on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security to examine the financial and societal costs of overmedicating America's foster children, focusing on potential strategies to improve HHS guidance on and State oversight of psychotropic prescriptions.

CRS Report. Presents brief analysis of the distribution of household income for 2009, and reviews absolute income and relative income of the middle class.

Hearing before the Subcom on Space and Aeronautics to examine U.S. planetary science

Thanksgiving holiday-related employment, volunteering, and time spent in other activities, various periods 2004-09.

CRS Report. Examines the "lone wolf" provision of P.L. 108-458, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, to allow law enforcement surveillance of foreign persons engaged in terrorism who may not be agents of foreign governments or terrorist groups.

Speeches from the Congressional Record on the STOCK Act (Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act).

Speeches in the Congressional Record on whether or not pizza should be considered a vegetable in school lunches.

Report on trends in the distribution of household income, 1979-2007. Data are from IRS and Census Bureau. The data may be used to study wealth distribution and income disparity in the U.S.

Hearing to examine trafficking in persons. Witnesses include: Luis C. Debaca (Ambassador-at-Large, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Department of State), Robert O. Blake (Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Department of State), and Joseph Y. Yun (Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs).

A speech in the Congressional Record by Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY)

CRS Report. Examines trends in the distribution of household wealth, including mean and median household net worth, and the distribution of net worth, income, and household saving; and reviews efforts to explain the distribution of wealth.

Hearing to examine the Eurozone crisis

Legislative History. Prohibits and establishes criminal and civil penalties for interstate and foreign trade in certain species of animals, including lions, tigers, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, and hybrids of those species.

CRS Report. Provides background on 2011 popular revolt against Muammar al Qadhafi and resulting armed conflict between opposition activists and Libya Government security forces. Assesses status of this conflict as of Sept. 9, 2011, and considers prospects and challenges for U.S. policy. Examines Libyan political dynamics, and profiles various opposition groups.

Hearing to examine examine trends and immigration policy options regarding foreign graduates of U.S. universities.

Hearing to examine the European debt and financial crisis, focusing on origins, options and implications for the U.S. and global economy

Speech in the Congressional Record by Rep. Kaptur (D-OH) introducing twelve bills addressing Wall Street Greed.

Speech in the Congressional Record by Rep. DeFazio (D-OR) on the protests on Wall Street.

CRS Report. Reviews current issues and complaints regarding the nominating system for selecting party candidates for President.

Commttee Print. Republican Policy Committee paper critiquing the effects of Obama Administration economic policies since Inauguration Day, 2009.

CRS Report summarizing how social media have been used by emergency management officials and agencies, including lessons learned and best practices. Examines potential benefits and policy implications of using social media in the context of emergencies and disasters.

Hearing with the following witnesses: Chaired by: Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) Witnesses: Elliott Abrams, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, Council on Foreign Relations; James Phillips, Senior Research Fellow for Middle Eastern Affairs, The Heritage Foundation; Jonathan Schanzer, Vice President of Research, Foundation for Defense of Democracies; David Makovsky, Distinguished Fellow and Director of Project on the Middle East Peace Process, The Washington Institute

CRS Report. Provides background on disaster response, including disaster and emergency declarations, legislative framework for providing Federal assistance, and policies employed by executive branch to provide supplemental help to State and local governments during time of disasters.

Report on the News Interest Index, for Aug. 25-28, 2011.

Joint Resolution authorizing the President of the United States of America to proclaim I Am An American Day, for the recognition, observance, and commemoration of American citizenship

Committee Print. Designating September 17 through September 23 as Constitution Week

A committee print containing chronology of events of the morning of 9/11/2001.

A committee print with the Final report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the U.S. (9/11 Commission).

World Bank report, 2011 IIS 4530-S37.774 (PDF available)

2011 ASI 6742-5 (PDF Available)

Congressional Record announcements beginning August 12.

Hearing to examine humanitarian crisis in southern Sudan, focusing on ethnic cleansing developments in the Sudanese state of Southern Kordofan.

Hearing before the Subcom on African Affairs to examine international relief efforts to combat drought and famine in the Horn of Africa

CRS report answering frequently asked questions regarding DOD military funeral honors and military cemeteries, including eligibility criteria, required components of the honor detail, and details of the funeral ceremony.
This report is one in a series of updates.

More than 300 speeches on the debt ceiling.

Hearing on the July 1 oil spill in the Yellowstone River in Montana.

From the Congressional Record.

A resolution (in the Congressional Record) concerning efforts to provide humanitarian relief to mitigate the effects of drought and avert famine in the Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

CRS Report. Provides background on current controversies surrounding negative environmental impact of mountaintop coal mining on water supply and quality of valley rivers and streams.

Congressional Record, (short) speech by Rep. Cohen congratulating the team and relating that to the debt crisis.

CRS Report, Examines opportunities and challenges facing South Sudan in light of its upcoming declaration of independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011.

Hearing "Assessing the Consequences of the Failed State of Somalia"

CRS Report. Provides background on and history of Federal debt limit, and explains need to increase Federal debt limit. Examines Federal debt situation between 2002-2010 and efforts to resolve debt limit issue in 2002.

CRS Report. Provides overview of legislative procedures to adjust the public debt limit, including Gephardt rule procedures established under P.L. 96-78, P.L. 107-199, and budget reconciliation processes established under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Includes a list of public laws and Statutes at Large citations for laws adjusting the public debt limit, enacted from 1993-2010.

Hearing to examine wildfire management programs of the Federal land management agencies.

Hearing to look at the economic problems of the middle class.

CRS Report. Examines key legislation and policies that restrict or place requirements on U.S. funding of abortion or voluntary family planning activities as part of U.S. foreign assistance. Discusses when and how policies were introduced, and explains types of foreign aid to which they apply.

A hearing to examine what is often a devastating impact that juvenile diabetes has had on an estimated 3 million America children and their families and potential cures.

A 1944 map from the Serial Set showing irrigation projects on the Missouri and Souris Rivers in northwestern North Dakota and northeastern Montana. Power plants, canals, pumping plants, reservoirs, proposed reservoirs, and diversion dams shown. Drainage features, rail lines, counties, and towns noted. Public land survey grid is shown. Locator map provided.

CRS Report that discusses recent developments in Darfur region of Sudan related to Apr. 2010 elections and more.

Hearing to examine human trafficking prevention developments and strategies.

CRS Report. Examines Congressional-executive division of authority under the War Powers Resolution, including powers relating to military interventions and peacekeeping missions, UN actions, and U.S. involvement in Bosnia, Kosovo, Haiti, Iraq, and Somalia. Identifies instances of formally reported use of War Powers Resolution and issues before Congress.

CRS Report, Provides historical background on the political instability of Afghanistan, and reviews recent developments in Afghanistan's political transition to democracy.

Hearing with executives from Sony and Epsilon testifying on cyber crime and data security.

Serial Set. A moving tribute by a great orator on "Decoration Day" (25 Stat. 353) later known as Memorial Day.

Transmittal, dated May 18, 2011, of notice (text, p. 3-5), in accordance with the National Emergencies Act, extending beyond May 11, 2011, the national emergency declared in response to certain acts of the Government of Syria that pose a threat to national security, including support for terrorism, pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, and undermining of Iraq stabilization and reconstruction efforts.

A CRS Report from 5/20/2011, Examines status of 2011 Managing Director selection, following resignation of Dominique Strauss-Kahn in May 18, 2011.

Map (from the Serial Set) shows existing levees, proposed levees and levees to be removed for the flood control project.

CRS Report

May 12, 2011 hearing.

May 11, 2011 hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee detailing experiences of women who have joined the Peace Corps.

May 5 CRS Report.

Searches the Congressional Record May 1-5, 2011 for speeches about Osama bin Laden.

Map (from the Serial Set) shows Lower Mississippi River Basin, Cairo, Ill. to mouth of river. Areas noted are alluvial bottom land subject to overflow and the entire flooded area in 1927. Major drainage features are shown. Figure 1.

1931 Committee Print

Tornado damage and deaths, by storm intensity and State, annual rpt.

April 2011, CRS report detailing various demographics of the 112th Congress.

Tornadoes in Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama, storm characteristics, deaths and injuries, and Natl Weather Service forecast accuracy, Feb 2008

A subject search (international relations and revolutions) that captures CRS reports this year on the unrest in northern Africa.

April 13, 2011, hearing before the Subcom on Middle East and South Asia to examine political transitions in the Middle East.

April 12, 2011, hearing to examine financial literacy promotion, focusing on the Federal Government role in empowering Americans to make informed financial decisions.

April 7, 2011 CRS Report, providing background on hydraulic fracturing; reviews past and proposed treatment of hydraulic fracturing under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA),

There are more than a dozen CRS reports about Japan, the earthquake, following tsunami, and the nuclear plant crisis there. This search pulls all of them back for you.

Mar 24, 2011 report examining Congressional responses to National Football League (NFL) strikes in 1982 and 1987 as well as the 1994 Major League Baseball strike, in light of possible NFL lockout in 2011.

March 11 CRS Report; describes in detail how the government implements a shutdown (there is a contingency plan in place), and what services are affected.

Searches the Congressional Record from March 10-31, 2011 for references to Japan and brings back speeches about the earthquake, tsunami, and problems with nuclear plants in Japan.

On March 16 and 17 several hearings were held referencing the crisis in Japan. This search brings up those files.
A search for "nuclear and japan" brings up many more files, so might be interesting to those wanting everything available.

App. J-K. World nuclear power reactors, with tables showing number and net generation of units in operation and under construction or ordered, by country; and number and net generation of units in operation, by reactor type; as of Dec. 31, 2008. (p. 134-135)

The Bay of Senday (sic) and city of Sendai are just to the west of the "c" in Pacific.

March 10, 2011, hearing before House Homeland Security Committee on Islamic Radicalization in the U.S.

March 10, 2011, hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Feb 25 CRS Report providing background information on Libyan history and U.S.-Libya relations, in light of 2011 anti-government unrest and violence in Libya. Discusses current political and economic structure and dynamics; profiles Libyan military and weapons of mass destruction disarmament; reviews era of Libyan leader Muammar Al Qadhafi and his terrorist ties; and outlines current issues in U.S.-Libyan relations.

Transmittal, dated Feb. 21, 2011, of notice (text, p. 3), in accordance with the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the National Emergencies Act, providing for the blocking of property of certain individuals alleged to have engaged in activities that undermine democratic processes in Libya.

Table 10.9-10.12. Labor union members and membership rate, 1930-2006; work stoppages, workers involved, and days idle, 1927-2006; work injury rates in manufacturing and mining, 1972-2004; and Federal minimum wages in current and constant dollars, 1938-2006. (p. 224-228).

Data are for 2008-09. Union affiliation is union membership and representation and nonunion.

Jan 25 CRS Report providing overview of developments and issues in Egypt and U.S.-Egyptian relations, in light of current revolution in Egypt and public unrest elsewhere in the Arab world. Presents chronology of revolution, and summarizes U.S. response.

Jan 25 CRS Report, describes legislation introduced in the 112th Congress related to violence against members and Congressional staff, in light of recent attack in Tucson, Ariz.... Provides examples of violence in which members of Congress and Congressional staff were the apparent target, and reviews actions Congress has taken in response to those incidents.

Jan 13 CRS Report. Discusses changes in the apportionment of House of Representatives seats based on a Dec. 2010 release of year 2010 population figures. Provides list of States that will be losing or gaining seats, and reviews priority lists and seat assignments, options for States losing seats, and redistricting process.

In December 2010 and January 2011, CRS issued a number of briefing documents that talk about how Congress works, covering such basics as how to introduce legislation, examples of how bills and resolutions ar used, franking privileges, and more. The search on "rules and procedure" in the subect line brings these reports to light.