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Report No.
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| Date May 10, 2016 |
Report No. IN10488 |
Title
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating medical devices a wide range of products used to diagnose, treat, monitor, or prevent a disease or condition. Problems related to medical devices can have serious consequences for patients. Defective devices, such as artificial hips and pacemakers, have caused severe patient injuries and deaths. FDA's premarket review process ...
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| Date May 9, 2016 |
Report No. R43696 |
Title
Agricultural Exports and 2014 Farm Bill Programs: Background and Current Issues Mark A. McMinimy Analyst in Agricultural Policy May 9, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R43696 Agricultural Exports and 2014 Farm Bill Programs: Background and Issues Summary U.S. agricultural exports have long been a bright spot in the U.S. balance of trade, with exports exceeding imports in ...
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| Date May 6, 2016 |
Report No. RS21519 |
Title
Legislative Procedures for Adjusting the Public Debt Limit: A Brief Overview Bill Heniff Jr. Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process May 6, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RS21519 Legislative Procedures for Adjusting the Public Debt Limit: A Brief Overview Summary Nearly all of the outstanding debt of the federal government is subject to a statutory limit, which is ...
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| Date May 6, 2016 |
Report No. DELIVERY |
Title
CRS Reports & Analysis Legal Sidebar Delivery Drones: Coming to the Sky Near You? 05/06/2016 Can you prevent a drone from flying over your house to deliver a package to your neighbor? Until now, that question has been of purely theoretical interest. However, the Senate recently passed a bill that could significantly change the operational landscape for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones) and ...
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| Date May 6, 2016 |
Report No. GARLAND-GUNS |
Title
CRS Reports & Analysis Legal Sidebar What, If Anything, Has Judge Garland Said About the Second Amendment and Guns? 05/06/2016 When President Obama nominated D.C. Circuit Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, there was speculation on his views of the Second Amendment. Judge Garland s views in this area of law are of interest, particularly because the Supreme Court declared that the Second ...
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| Date May 5, 2016 |
Report No. IF10403 |
Title
May 5, 2016 Efforts to Address the Safety of FDA-Regulated Food Imports High-profile foodborne outbreaks and incidents involving imported foods have generated growing concerns about whether current federal programs sufficiently ensure the safety of these imports. Safety concerns have been associated with imported products from China, Mexico, and nations in Central and South America, Southeast Asia ...
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| Date May 4, 2016 |
Report No. R43976 |
Title
Funding of Presidential Nominating Conventions: An Overview R. Sam Garrett Specialist in American National Government Shawn Reese Analyst in Emergency Management and Homeland Security Policy May 4, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R43976 Funding of Presidential Nominating Conventions: An Overview Summary During the 113th Congress, legislation (H.R. 2019) became law (P.L. 113- ...
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| Date May 4, 2016 |
Report No. RS22771 |
Title
Congressional Franking Privilege: Background and Recent Legislation Updated May 4, 2016 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov RS22771 Congressional Franking Privilege: Background and Recent Legislation Summary The congressional franking privilege, which dates from 1775, allows Members of Congress to transmit mail matter under their signature without postage. Congress, ...
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| Date May 3, 2016 |
Report No. R44488 |
Title
Overview of Commercial (Depository) Banking and Industry Conditions Updated May 3, 2016 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R44488 Overview of Commercial (Depository) Banking and Industry Conditions Summary A commercial bank is an institution that obtains either a federal or state charter that allows it to accept federally insured deposits and pay interest to depositors. ...
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| Date May 3, 2016 |
Report No. RL34458 |
Title
Franking Privilege: Mass Mailings and Mass Communications in the House, 1997-2015 Updated May 3, 2016 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov RL34458 Franking Privilege: Mass Mailings and Mass Communications in the House, 1997-2015 Summary Despite significant reductions in congressional mail postage costs over the past 25 years, critics continue to raise concerns about the ...
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| Date May 3, 2016 |
Report No. RL34274 |
Title
Franking Privilege: Historical Development and Options for Change Updated May 3, 2016 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov RL34274 Franking Privilege: Historical Development and Options for Change Summary The franking privilege, which allows Members of Congress to transmit mail matter under their signature without postage, has existed in the United States since colonial ...
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| Date May 3, 2016 |
Report No. R42066 |
Title
Synthetic Drugs: Overview and Issues for Congress Updated May 3, 2016 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R42066 Synthetic Drugs: Overview and Issues for Congress Summary Synthetic drugs, as opposed to natural drugs, are chemically produced in a laboratory. Their chemical structure can be either identical to or different from naturally occurring drugs, and their effects ...
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| Date May 3, 2016 |
Report No. IF10402 |
Title
May 3, 2016 Runaway and Homeless Youth: Recent Federal Support and FY2016 Appropriations Introduction Youth under age 25 are considered to be homeless or runaways if they cannot remain in a safe environment with a relative and lack safe alternative living arrangements, or leave home while under the age of 18 without the permission of their relatives. Since the 1970s, the federal government has ...
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| Date May 2, 2016 |
Report No. R44484 |
Title
Majority, Concurring, and Dissenting Opinions Authored by Judge Merrick Garland R. Chuck Mason, Coordinator Legislative Attorney May 2, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R44484 Majority, Concurring, and Dissenting Opinions Authored by Judge Merrick Garland Summary On March 16, 2016, President Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District ...
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| Date May 2, 2016 |
Report No. R44215 |
Title
DHS Appropriations FY2016: Security, Enforcement and Investigations Updated May 2, 2016 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R44215 DHS Appropriations FY2016: Security, Enforcement and Investigations Summary This report is part of a suite of reports that discuss appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2016. It specifically discusses ...
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| Date May 2, 2016 |
Report No. R44483 |
Title
China s Natural Gas: Uncertainty for Markets Michael Ratner Specialist in Energy Policy Gabriel M. Nelson Research Assistant Susan V. Lawrence Specialist in Asian Affairs May 2, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R44483 China s Natural Gas: Uncertainty for Markets Summary China could potentially be a much larger producer and consumer of natural gas than it is now. Despite China ...
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| Date May 2, 2016 |
Report No. R44485 |
Title
Older Americans Act: 2016 Reauthorization Kirsten J. Colello Specialist in Health and Aging Policy May 2, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R44485 Older Americans Act: 2016 Reauthorization Summary First enacted in 1965, the Older Americans Act (OAA) was created in response to concern by policymakers about a lack of community social services for older individuals. Since then, ...
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| Date May 2, 2016 |
Report No. R44511 |
Title
Patents and Prescription Drug Importation name redacted Visiting Scholar May 2, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R44511 Patents and Prescription Drug Importation Summary Prescription drugs often cost far more in the United States than in other countries. Some consumers have attempted to import medications from abroad in order to realize cost savings. The practice of importing ...
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| Date May 2, 2016 |
Report No. R43131 |
Title
Green Infrastructure and Issues in Managing Urban Stormwater Claudia Copeland Specialist in Resources and Environmental Policy May 2, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R43131 Green Infrastructure and Issues in Managing Urban Stormwater Summary For decades, stormwater, or runoff, was considered largely a problem of excess rainwater or snowmelt impacting communities. Prevailing ...
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| Date May 2, 2016 |
Report No. IN10457 |
Title
Summary: An apparent strong showing by supporters of President Hassan Rouhani might reflect broad support for the nuclear agreement between Iran and major international powers ("Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," JCPOA) that is providing significant sanctions relief. Iran's core national security goals are unlikely to change, and with runoffs still to come, any possible easing of social and ...
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| Date April 29, 2016 |
Report No. RS22665 |
Title
The Supreme Court s First Climate Change Decision: Massachusetts v. EPA name redacted Legislative Attorney April 29, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov RS22665 The Supreme Court s First Climate Change Decision: Massachusetts v. EPA Summary In 2007, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Massachusetts v. EPA, its first pronouncement on climate change and a singularly important ...
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| Date April 28, 2016 |
Report No. R42428 |
Title
The Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant: Background and Funding (name redacted ) Specialist in Social Policy April 28, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R42428 The Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant: Background and Funding Summary The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant program, authorized under Title V of the Social Security Act, is a ...
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| Date April 28, 2016 |
Report No. IN10389 |
Title
The Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015 (BBA 2015; P.L. 114-74) includes a number of provisions that alter the budget parameters established by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA; P.L. 112-25). These provisions (1) increase the discretionary spending caps for FY2016 and FY2017; (2) extend automatic direct spending reductions to FY2025; (3) establish non-binding targets for spending designated for ...
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| Date April 27, 2016 |
Report No. R44479 |
Title
Judge Merrick Garland: His Jurisprudence and Potential Impact on the Supreme Court Andrew Nolan, Coordinator Legislative Attorney Kate M. Manuel, Coordinator Legislative Attorney Brandon J. Murrill, Coordinator Legislative Attorney April 27, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R44479 Judge Merrick Garland: His Jurisprudence and Potential Impact on the Supreme Court Summary On ...
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| Date April 27, 2016 |
Report No. RL33263 |
Title
The Wetlands Coverage of the Clean Water Act (CWA): Rapanos and Beyond Claudia Copeland Specialist in Resources and Environmental Policy Alexandra M. Wyatt Legislative Attorney April 27, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL33263 The Wetlands Coverage of the Clean Water Act (CWA): Rapanos and Beyond Summary In 1985 and 2001, the Supreme Court grappled with issues as to the ...
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| Date April 27, 2016 |
Report No. IN10483 |
Title
CRS INSIGHT Dominican Republic: Update on Citizenship and Humanitarian Issues April 27, 2016 (IN10483) | Related Authors Clare Ribando Seelke Rhoda Margesson | Clare Ribando Seelke, Specialist in Latin American Affairs (cseelke@crs.loc.gov, 7-5229) Rhoda Margesson, Specialist in International Humanitarian Policy (rmargesson@crs.loc.gov, 7-0425) The Dominican government has long been criticized for ...
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| Date April 26, 2016 |
Report No. R43140 |
Title
The Buy American Act Preferences for Domestic Supplies: In Brief Kate M. Manuel Legislative Attorney April 26, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R43140 The Buy American Act Preferences for Domestic Supplies: In Brief Summary The Buy American Act of 1933 is the earliest and arguably the best known of various statutes regarding federal procurement of domestic products. ...
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| Date April 26, 2016 |
Report No. TE10010 |
Title
Statement of Michael Ratner Specialist in Energy Policy Before Committee on Energy and Natural Resources U.S. Senate Hearing on Challenges and Opportunities for Oil and Gas Development in Different Price Environments April 26, 2016 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov TE10010 Congressional Research Service 1 Chairman Murkowski, Ranking Member Cantwell, Senator Heinrich, ...
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| Date April 26, 2016 |
Report No. IF10145 |
Title
Updated April 26, 2016 The Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) International Environmental Assistance Many governments hold that environmental degradation and climate change pose international and trans-boundary risks to human populations, economies, and ecosystems. To confront these challenges, governments have negotiated various international agreements to protect the environment, reduce pollution, ...
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| Date April 25, 2016 |
Report No. R44280 |
Title
Securities and Exchange Commission s Administrative Forum: Background and Selected Legal Challenges (name redacted) Legislative Attorney April 25, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R44280 Securities and Exchange Commission s Administrative Forum Summary The Securities and Exchange Commission s (SEC s) increased use of its in-house administrative forum to resolve charges ...
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| Date April 25, 2016 |
Report No. IN10413 |
Title
CRS INSIGHT Climate Change Paris Agreement Opens for Signature April 25, 2016 (IN10413) | Related Author Jane A. Leggett | Jane A. Leggett, Specialist in Energy and Environmental Policy (jaleggett@crs.loc.gov, 7-9525) On April 22, 2016, 175 out of 196 Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change signed the new international Paris Agreement to address greenhouse-gas-induced ...
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| Date April 22, 2016 |
Report No. R43981 |
Title
The Affordable Care Act s (ACA) Employer Shared Responsibility Determination and the Potential Employer Penalty Updated April 22, 2016 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R43981 ACA: Employer Shared Responsibility Determinations and Potential Penalties Summary The Affordable Care Act (ACA) creates shared responsibilities for both employers and individuals with regard to ...
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| Date April 22, 2016 |
Report No. R43714 |
Title
Protection of Trade Secrets: Overview of Current Law and Legislation Brian T. Yeh Legislative Attorney April 22, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R43714 Protection of Trade Secrets: Overview of Current Law and Legislation Summary A trade secret is confidential, commercially valuable information that provides a company with a competitive advantage, such as customer lists, ...
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| Date April 22, 2016 |
Report No. R41212 |
Title
EPA Regulation of Greenhouse Gases: Congressional Responses and Options /name redacted/ Specialist in Environmental Policy April 22, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R41212 EPA Regulation of Greenhouse Gases: Congressional Responses and Options Summary In August 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated standards to limit emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) ...
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| Date April 22, 2016 |
Report No. RL33867 |
Title
Miscellaneous Tariff Bills: Overview and Issues for Congress Vivian C. Jones Specialist in International Trade and Finance April 22, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL33867 Miscellaneous Tariff Bills: Overview and Issues for Congress Summary U.S. importers often request that Members of Congress introduce bills seeking to temporarily suspend or reduce tariffs on certain ...
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| Date April 21, 2016 |
Report No. R43924 |
Title
Freedom of Information Act Legislation in the 114th Congress: Issue Summary and Side-bySide Analysis Wendy Ginsberg Analyst in American National Government April 21, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R43924 Freedom of Information Act Legislation in the 114th Congress Summary Congress is currently considering legislation that would make substantive changes to the Freedom of ...
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| Date April 20, 2016 |
Report No. R44473 |
Title
What s on Television? The Intersection of Communications and Copyright Policies name redacted Analyst in Telecommunications April 20, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R44473 What s on Television? The Intersection of Communications and Copyright Policies Summary In the 1940s and 1950s, watching television meant tuning into one of a few broadcast television stations, with the ...
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| Date April 20, 2016 |
Report No. IN10382 |
Title
CRS INSIGHT Escalating Violence in El Salvador April 20, 2016 (IN10382) | Related Author Clare Ribando Seelke | Clare Ribando Seelke, Specialist in Latin American Affairs (cseelke@crs.loc.gov, 7-5229) During 2015, El Salvador posted the world's highest homicide rate, 104 homicides per 100,000 people. Homicides, many gang-related, have trended further upward in 2016, with more than 2,000 killings ...
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| Date April 20, 2016 |
Report No. IF10393 |
Title
April 20, 2016 TPP: Rules of Origin Background What is the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)? The TPP is a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) among the United States and 11 Asia-Pacific countries that would reduce and eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers on goods, services, and agriculture, and establish trade rules and disciplines that expand on commitments at the World Trade Organization (WTO ...
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| Date April 20, 2016 |
Report No. IN10482 |
Title
CRS INSIGHT The World Drug Problem: UNGA Convenes for a Special Session April 20, 2016 (IN10482) | Related Policy Issues United Nations International Trafficking and Crime Related Author Liana W. Rosen | Liana W. Rosen, Specialist in International Crime and Narcotics (lrosen@crs.loc.gov, 7-6177) The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has convened in New York for a special session on "The World ...
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| Date April 20, 2016 |
Report No. IN10481 |
Title
CRS INSIGHT Negative Interest Rates April 20, 2016 (IN10481) | Related Author Marc Labonte | Marc Labonte, Specialist in Macroeconomic Policy (mlabonte@crs.loc.gov, 7-0640) What Are Negative Interest Rates? Typically, borrowers need to pay a positive interest rate to entice a saver or investor to lend their funds instead of spending them. Negative rates are the opposite savers who do not want to ...
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| Date April 19, 2016 |
Report No. R42138 |
Title
Border Security: Immigration Enforcement Between Ports of Entry Carla N. Argueta Analyst in Immigration Policy April 19, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R42138 Border Security: Immigration Enforcement Between Ports of Entry Summary Border enforcement is a core element of the Department of Homeland Security s effort to control unauthorized migration, with the U.S. Border ...
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| Date April 19, 2016 |
Report No. R44110 |
Title
The Islamic State s Acolytes and the Challenges They Pose to U.S. Law Enforcement Jerome P. Bjelopera Specialist in Organized Crime and Terrorism April 19, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R44110 The Islamic State s Acolytes and the Challenges They Pose to U.S. Law Enforcement Contents Broad Challenges for Federal Law Enforcement ...
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| Date April 19, 2016 |
Report No. TE10009 |
Title
Statement of Paul W. Parfomak Specialist in Energy and Infrastructure Policy Before Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security U.S. House of Representatives Hearing on Pipelines: Securing the Veins of the American Economy April 19, 2016 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov TE10009 Congressional Research Service 1 Good morning Chairman Katko, ...
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| Date April 19, 2016 |
Report No. T20160419 |
Title
Statement of Michael Ratner Specialist in Energy Policy Before Committee on Energy and Natural Resources U.S. Senate Hearing on Challenges and Opportunities for Oil and Gas Development in Different Price Environments April 19, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov Congressional Research Service 1 Chairman Murkowski, Ranking Member Cantwell, Members of the Committee, my name is ...
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| Date April 19, 2016 |
Report No. IN10479 |
Title
On April 17, 2016, in Doha, Qatar, at least 15 oil producing countries representing approximately 55% of global crude oil production gathered for a meeting with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to discuss an agreement among attendees to limit oil production to January 2016 levels in order to support prices. Countries represented at the meeting included most OPEC members ...
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| Date April 19, 2016 |
Report No. IN10480 |
Title
On April 19, the Senate passed H.R. 636 to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), other civil aviation programs, and Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) revenues through September 30, 2017. The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives, where a six-year FAA reauthorization bill, H.R. 4441, and a related bill on aviation research, H.R. 4489, were marked up and ordered ...
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| Date April 19, 2016 |
Report No. IF10392 |
Title
April 19, 2016 Foreign Military Sales Congressional Review Process Congressional Notification Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA; P.L. 90-629) governs congressional notification requirements for proposed Foreign Military Sales (FMS). This section requires the executive branch to notify the Speaker of the House, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the House Foreign Affairs ...
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| Date April 18, 2016 |
Report No. R44182 |
Title
DHS Appropriations FY2016: Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery William L. Painter, Coordinator Analyst in Emergency Management and Homeland Security Policy John D. Moteff Specialist in Science and Technology Policy Sarah A. Lister Specialist in Public Health and Epidemiology Bruce R. Lindsay Analyst in American National Government Francis X. McCarthy Analyst in Emergency Management ...
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| Date April 18, 2016 |
Report No. IF10353 |
Title
Updated April 18, 2016 Mosquitoes, Zika Virus, and Transmission Ecology The Zika virus is transmitted primarily by mosquitoes, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified some cases of human-to-human transmittal. The two species of mosquitoes most commonly associated with transmitting the virus are the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti, or YFM) and Asian tiger ...
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