Executive Summaries of All CRS Reports

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy – 95-1013

An uprising against Bahrains Al Khalifa royal family that began on Februa ... http://p.ost.im/rfKSYQ

Funding of Risk Corridor Payments Under ACA § 1342 – M-012314

This memorandum responds to your request for an analysis of the following ... http://p.ost.im/rDRrkk

Tax Policy and Gasoline Prices – M-030811

This memorandum is written in response to your request for an analysis of ... http://p.ost.im/ram2bL

Answers to Questions on P.L. 111-347, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 – M-012011

This memorandum provides answers to the questions on P.L. 111-347, the Ja ... http://p.ost.im/rUy76w

The Federal Grand Jury – 95-1135

The federal grand jury exists to investigate crimes against the United St ... http://p.ost.im/rDqRcL

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

New Abortion Law Prohibits “Dismemberment Abortions” – NB201504176

A Kansas bill that prohibits the performance of dismemberment abortions w ... http://p.ost.im/rrbTAj

Supreme Court Again Considers Required Accommodations for Religious Beliefs in the Workplace – NB201504177

While the landmark 2014 decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. p ... http://p.ost.im/rhKTAA

Yates v. U.S.: Plain Text v. Context – NB201503173

A May 2014 Legal Sidebar opened with a question: Can a foot-and-a-half lo ... http://p.ost.im/rrv2rL

Separating Power Series: Presidential Influence v. Control Over Independent Agencies Continued – NB201503169

As described in the prior Sidebar, existing statutory provisions generall ... http://p.ost.im/rrQEQy

“Not a Couple of Bad Apples” – FDA Approves Genetically Engineered Apples and Potatoes – NB201504178

On March 20, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completed its ev ... http://p.ost.im/rSxWJQ

The “M” in MBank is Not for “Marijuana” – NB201504181

In mid-January, MBank, a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-ins ... http://p.ost.im/rhs28y

Appeals Court Affirms Dismissal of Challenge to 2012 Deferred Action Program – NB201504174

Yesterday, April 7, 2015, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fi ... http://p.ost.im/rhH4fy

Retroactivity of LWOP Sentencing for Juvenile Offenders Still in Flux – NB201503168

Tate was a juvenile convicted of second degree murder. He was sentenced t ... http://p.ost.im/rSVUJ5

The EPA and Army Corps’ Proposed Redefinition of “Waters of the United States”: Legal Background – NB201503172

From its earliest days, Congress grappled with how far geographically to ... http://p.ost.im/rBLVkG

Cybersecurity Doesn’t Trump National Interest in Labor Certifications – NB201504175

The national interest is not harmed by requiring an immigrant seeking wor ... http://p.ost.im/rhsJwb

Proposed Legislation Would Amend “Nonmanufacturer Rule” in Response to Rotech Decision – NB201504179

Among the provisions in the procurement reform legislation introduced in ... http://p.ost.im/rrHF59

Supreme Court Sends Pregnancy Discrimination Case Back to Lower Court – NB201503171

In a highly anticipated ruling in Young v. United Parcel Service, the Sup ... http://p.ost.im/rAk2DQ

Another Year, Another Hobby Lobby? Challenges to the Contraceptive Coverage Requirement by Religious Nonprofits Continue Winding Through the Courts – NB201504174

Leading to speculation that another significant Affordable Care Act (ACA) ... http://p.ost.im/rrnD34

Supreme Court Rules: Incorrect Standards Used in Upholding Alabama Redistricting Map Against Claim of Unconstitutional Racial Gerrymandering – NB201504180

The U.S. Supreme Court decided on March 25 that a lower court applied inc ... http://p.ost.im/rSCtXt

Rail Safety Efforts Miss Leading Cause of Fatalities – IN10257

As it debates reauthorization of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 ... http://p.ost.im/rhrj7H

H.R. 2: What Happens If the “Doc Fix” Expires Without New Legislation? – IN10255

On March 26, 2015, the House passed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthor ... http://p.ost.im/rrcRV2

Israel After the 2015 Elections: What Does Netanyahu’s Victory Mean for U.S. Policy? – IN10251

"The Israeli Knesset elections held on March 17, 2015, were a subject of ... http://p.ost.im/rhQj7L

Will the Lawful Collection of Genetic Information as Part of an Employer Wellness Program Remain Voluntary? – IN10253

"Since the passage of health reform, which encouraged use of wellness pro ... http://p.ost.im/rksKA8

The State of Federal Recordkeeping: Emails and Private Communication Devices – IN10254

"The use of private communications devices and computer servers by execut ... http://p.ost.im/rh9ggW

Queen-of-the-Hill and Amendments to the FY16 Budget Resolution in the House – IN10252

"A resolution reported by the House Rules Committee can be used to regula ... http://p.ost.im/rr9sUa

Draft Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement Reached in Burma – IN10256

Burma has endured more than six decades of low-grade civil war since its ... http://p.ost.im/rhDDYK

OSHA’s Proposed Crystalline Silica Standards – IN10258

On September 12, 2013, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ... http://p.ost.im/rSgaxj

Attribution in Cyberspace: Challenges for U.S. Law Enforcement – IN10259

Who did it? Attribution, some may argue, is a challenge "as old as crime ... http://p.ost.im/rS59sg

CHIP Extension in Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Bill – IN10247

FY2015 is the final year for which federal funding for the State Children ... http://p.ost.im/rAhXjd

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Overview of EPA and the Army Corps’ Proposed Rule to Define “Waters of the United States” – IF10125

In April 2014, the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) and the Environmen ... http://p.ost.im/rr62X6

Cuba: President Obama’s New Policy Approach – IF10045

On December 17, 2014, President Obama announced major developments in U.S ... http://p.ost.im/rS4gDr

U.S. International Food Aid Programs – IF10194

For over six decades, the United States has played a leading role in glob ... http://p.ost.im/rM3A7R

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Al Murabitoun – IF10172

AQIM was formed when the Algerian Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat ... http://p.ost.im/rkbxBB

Army Corps of Engineers: FY2016 Appropriations – IF10176

The Energy and Water Development bill provides funding for the civil prog ... http://p.ost.im/rBctxh

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank – IF10154

On October 24, 2014, China launched a new development bank, the Asian Inf ... http://p.ost.im/rr49ud

California Drought: Water Supply and Conveyance Issues – IF10133

More than 93% of the state of California is experiencing severe drought, ... http://p.ost.im/rkcnHJ

Ansar al Sharia in Tunisia and the Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigade – IF10171

Ansar al Sharia in Tunisia (AAS-T) was founded in 2011, after the popular ... http://p.ost.im/rBHqcW

Monday, May 11, 2015

International Trade Agreements and Job Estimates – IF10161

The Obama Administration currently is negotiating two comprehensive and h ... http://p.ost.im/rBr3Fn

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank – IF10154

On October 24, 2014, China launched a new development bank, the Asian Inf ... http://p.ost.im/rk3rwR

U.S. Trade Policy: Background and Current Issues – IF10156

Congress plays a major role in U.S. trade policy through its legislative ... http://p.ost.im/rrxVWY

Somalia – IF10155

Somalia has long been characterized as the classic failed state, plagued ... http://p.ost.im/rrSDtE

Cybersecurity – IF10159

Information and communications technology (ICT) has evolved greatly over ... http://p.ost.im/rhR4eP

Introduction to Financial Services: “Regulatory Relief” – IF10162

The 114th Congress is considering legislation to provide regulatory relie ... http://p.ost.im/rBWewN

Cybersecurity and Information Sharing – IF10163

This In Focus summarizes the issues related to sharing information about ... http://p.ost.im/rBfvgc

Educational Accountability and Reauthorization of the ESEA – IF10157

Federal policies aiming to improve the effectiveness of schools have hist ... http://p.ost.im/rkAKPx

The Rule of Law in Mexico and the M̩rida Initiative РIF10160

Mexico, a top U.S. trade partner and political ally, has struggled to add ... http://p.ost.im/rhXsR9

A Snapshot of Student Loan Debt – IF10158

A growing reliance on federal student loans to finance increasingly costl ... http://p.ost.im/rhUPCk

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress – RL32665

The Navys proposed FY2016 budget requests funding for the procurement of ... http://p.ost.im/rhCnWV

Status of the Federal Perkins Loan Program: Frequently Asked Questions – R43959

The Federal Perkins Loan program authorizes the allocation of federal fun ... http://p.ost.im/rrnKDV

Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress – RL32109

The Navy has been procuring Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class Aegis destroyers ... http://p.ost.im/rBkEgg

Human Rights in China and U.S. Policy: Issues for the 114th Congress – R43964

This report examines human rights issues in the Peoples Republic of China ... http://p.ost.im/rrGJXT

Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress – RL32418

The Navy has been procuring Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered atta ... http://p.ost.im/rrsC5p

Transportation Security: Issues for the 114th Congress – RL33512

The nations air, land, and marine transportation systems are designed for ... http://p.ost.im/rrqEXW

Energy and Water Development: FY2016 Appropriations – R43966

The Energy and Water Development appropriations bill provides funding for ... http://p.ost.im/rhJser

Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress – RS20643

CVN-78, CVN-79, and CVN-80 are the first three ships in the Navys new Ger ... http://p.ost.im/rr6xaF

China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities-Background and Issues for Congress – RL33153

China is building a modern and regionally powerful Navy with a modest but ... http://p.ost.im/rry5AQ

The United Kingdom: Background and Relations with the United States – RL33105

Many U.S. officials and Members of Congress view the United Kingdom (UK) ... http://p.ost.im/rS8QwS

Congressional Membership and Appointment Authority to Advisory Commissions, Boards, and Groups – RL33313

Over the past several decades, Congress, by statute, has established a wi ... http://p.ost.im/rr6m6y

DOE’s Office of Science and the FY2016 Budget Request – R43963

The Department of Energys Office of Science conducts basic research in si ... http://p.ost.im/rk9Ya5

Social Security and Same-Sex Marriage: Frequently Asked Questions – R43961

In United States v. Windsor, the U.S. Supreme Court held that Section 3 o ... http://p.ost.im/rSx2fc

Yemen: Civil War and Regional Intervention – R43960

This report provides material on the latest crisis in Yemen and the U.S. ... http://p.ost.im/rhRDqG

Domestic Drones and Privacy: A Primer – R43965

It has been three years since Congress enacted the FAA Modernization and ... http://p.ost.im/rkRA6E

The United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S. Policy – RS21852

The UAE has been a significant U.S. partner in Gulf security for more tha ... http://p.ost.im/rhdFQ7

Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress – RL34391

The Coast Guards FY2013 budget initiated a new project for the design and ... http://p.ost.im/rh4gur

Health Care-Related Expiring Provisions, First Session of the 114th Congress – R43958

This report provides a list of selected health-related programs and activ ... http://p.ost.im/rhF8SB