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| Date March 24, 2008 |
Report No. 98-826 |
Title
Order Code 98-826 GOV Updated March 24, 2008 Engrossment, Enrollment, and Presentation of Legislation R. Eric Petersen Analyst in American National Government Government and Finance Division Engrossment, enrollment, and presentation of legislation are components of the legislative process1 that attest to the accuracy of bill texts, confirm House and Senate action, and confirm delivery of the bills ...
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| Date March 21, 2008 |
Report No. RL33804 |
Title
Order Code RL33804 Rural Education and the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP): Overview and Policy Issues Updated March 21, 2008 Jeffrey J. Kuenzi Specialist in Social Legislation Domestic Social Policy Division Rural Education and the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP): Overview and Policy Issues Summary Advocates for rural local educational agencies (LEAs) maintain that these ...
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| Date March 21, 2008 |
Report No. RL33434 |
Title
Order Code RL33434 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education: Background, Federal Policy, and Legislative Action Updated March 21, 2008 Jeffrey J. Kuenzi Specialist in Education Policy Domestic Social Policy Division Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education: Background, Federal Policy, and Legislative Action Summary There is growing concern that ...
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| Date March 21, 2008 |
Report No. RL33774 |
Title
Order Code RL33774 Federal Buildings Funding Limitations and Their Implications Updated March 21, 2008 Clay H. Wellborn Specialist in American National Government Government and Finance Division Federal Buildings Funding Limitations and Their Implications Summary The General Services Administration (GSA), through its Public Buildings Service (PBS), is the primary federal real property and asset ...
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| Date March 21, 2008 |
Report No. RL33963 |
Title
Order Code RL33963 High School Graduation, Completion, and Dropouts: Federal Policy, Programs, and Issues Updated March 21, 2008 Jeffrey J. Kuenzi Specialist in Education Policy Domestic Social Policy Division High School Graduation, Completion, and Dropouts: Federal Policy, Programs, and Issues Summary This report discusses federal policy, programs, and issues related to high school graduation, ...
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| Date March 21, 2008 |
Report No. RL30834 |
Title
Order Code RL30834 K-12 Teacher Quality: Issues and Legislative Action Updated March 21, 2008 Jeffrey J. Kuenzi Specialist in Education Policy Domestic Social Policy Division K-12 Teacher Quality: Issues and Legislative Action Summary The quality of elementary and secondary school teachers is increasingly recognized as a critical element in improving education. Policymakers seeking to address ...
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| Date March 21, 2008 |
Report No. RL31882 |
Title
Order Code RL31882 Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants (Title II, Part A of the Higher Education Act): Overview and Reauthorization Issues Updated March 21, 2008 Jeffrey J. Kuenzi Specialist in Education Policy Domestic Social Policy Division Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants (Title II, Part A of the Higher Education Act): Overview and Reauthorization Issues Summary The Teacher Quality Enhancement ...
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| Date March 21, 2008 |
Report No. RL34119 |
Title
Order Code RL34119 Impact Aid for Public K-12 Education: Reauthorization Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Updated March 21, 2008 Rebecca R. Skinner and Richard N. Apling Specialists in Education Policy Domestic Social Policy Division Impact Aid for Public K-12 Education: Reauthorization Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Summary Administered by the U.S. Department of ...
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| Date March 21, 2008 |
Report No. RL32368 |
Title
Order Code RL32368 The General Services Administration and Federal Real Property Management: Overview and Current Legislation Updated March 21, 2008 Stephanie Smith Analyst in American National Government Government and Finance Division The General Services Administration and Federal Real Property Management: Overview and Current Legislation Summary The General Services Administration (GSA), ...
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| Date March 20, 2008 |
Report No. RS21442 |
Title
Order Code RS21442 Updated March 20, 2008 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicle R&D: FreedomCAR and the President s Hydrogen Fuel Initiative Brent D. Yacobucci Specialist in Energy and Environmental Policy Resources, Science, and Industry Division Summary FreedomCAR and the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative are two complementary government-industry research and development (R&D) policy initiatives that promote ...
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| Date March 20, 2008 |
Report No. 98-472 |
Title
Order Code 98-472 GOV Updated March 20, 2008 The Congressional Budget Process Timetable Bill Heniff Jr. Analyst on the Congress and Legislative Process Government and Finance Division The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Titles I-IX of P.L. 93-344, 2 U.S.C. 601688) established the congressional budget process, which coordinates the legislative activities on the budget resolution, appropriations ...
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| Date March 20, 2008 |
Report No. RS20368 |
Title
Order Code RS20368 Updated March 20, 2008 Overview of the Congressional Budget Process Bill Heniff Jr. Analyst on the Congress and Legislative Process Government and Finance Division The congressional budget process, in the broadest sense, consists of the consideration and adoption of spending, revenue, and debt-limit legislation within the framework of an annual concurrent resolution on the ...
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| Date March 20, 2008 |
Report No. 98-151GOV |
Title
Order Code 98-151 GOV Updated March 20, 2008 . CRS Repor for Congress House Committees: Categories and Rules for Committee Assignments Judy Schneider Specialist on the Congress Government and Finance Division Introduction Both House and party rules detail procedures for committee assignments. House rules address the election and membership of committees, especially limitations on membership. The ...
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| Date March 19, 2008 |
Report No. RL34418 |
Title
Order Code RL34418 Estate and Gift Tax Revenues: Past and Projected in 2008 March 19, 2008 Nonna A. Noto Specialist in Public Finance Government and Finance Division Estate and Gift Tax Revenues: Past and Projected in 2008 Summary Data on both past revenues and revenue projections regarding the estate tax should be interpreted with awareness of the year-to-year changes in estate tax law from 1997 ...
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| Date March 19, 2008 |
Report No. RS22845 |
Title
Order Code RS22845 March 19, 2008 North Korea s Abduction of Japanese Citizens and the Six-Party Talks Emma Chanlett-Avery Analyst in Asian Affairs Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Summary The admission by North Korea in 2002 that it abducted several Japanese nationals most of them nearly 30 years ago continues to affect significantly the Six-Party Talks on North Korea s nuclear ...
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| Date March 19, 2008 |
Report No. RL30600 |
Title
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) repeals the estate tax in 2010. During the phase-out period, the new law increases the exempt amount to $3.5 million by 2009 and lowers the top rate to 45% by 2007. The federal gift tax remains though the rate is reduced to the top personal income tax rate and the exemption is ...
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| Date March 19, 2008 |
Report No. RS22019 |
Title
Order Code RS22019 Updated March 19, 2008 IRAs and Other Savings Incentives: A Brief Overview Jane G. Gravelle Senior Specialist in Economic Policy Government and Finance Division Summary Several types of savings are eligible for beneficial treatment under the individual income tax, and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) have received considerable attention. Pension savings are actually more ...
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| Date March 18, 2008 |
Report No. RL33998 |
Title
Order Code RL33998 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG): FY2008 Appropriations Updated March 18, 2008 Garrett L. Hatch Coordinator Government and Finance Division The annual consideration of appropriations bills (regular, continuing, and supplemental) by Congress is part of a complex set of budget processes that also encompasses the consideration of budget resolutions, revenue and debt ...
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| Date March 18, 2008 |
Report No. RL33899 |
Title
Order Code RL33899 Modifying the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT): Revenue Costs and Potential Revenue Offsets March 18, 2008 Jane G. Gravelle Senior Specialist in Economic Policy Government and Finance Division Modifying the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT): Revenue Costs and Potential Revenue Offsets Summary Congress enacted the precursor to the current individual alternative minimum tax (AMT) in the ...
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| Date March 18, 2008 |
Report No. RS20921 |
Title
Order Code RS20921 Updated March 18, 2008 Semipostal Stamps: Authorization, Revenue, and Selection Process Kevin R. Kosar Analyst in American National Government Government and Finance Division Pamela A. Hairston Information Research Specialist Knowledge Services Group Summary Semipostal stamps, postage sold at a premium to raise funds for particular causes, have only recently been authorized by ...
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| Date March 18, 2008 |
Report No. RS20609 |
Title
Order Code RS20609 Updated March 18, 2008 Economic Issues Surrounding the Estate and Gift Tax: A Brief Summary Jane G. Gravelle Senior Specialist in Economic Policy Government and Finance Division Summary Supporters of the estate and gift tax argue that it provides progressivity in the federal tax system, provides a backstop to the individual income tax and appropriately targets assets that are ...
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| Date March 18, 2008 |
Report No. RS21930 |
Title
Order Code RS21930 Updated March 18, 2008 Ethanol Imports and the Caribbean Basin Initiative Brent D. Yacobucci Specialist in Energy and Environmental Policy Resources, Science, and Industry Division Summary Fuel ethanol consumption has grown significantly in the past several years, and it will continue to grow with the establishment of a renewable fuel standard (RFS) in the Energy Policy Act of ...
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| Date March 18, 2008 |
Report No. 98-249 |
Title
Order Code 98-249 GOV Updated March 18, 2008 Former Presidents: Federal Pension and Retirement Benefits Stephanie Smith Analyst in American National Government Government and Finance Division Summary Congress enacted the Former Presidents Act (FPA) in 1958 to provide former Presidents an annual lifetime pension, currently $191,300, and office allowances administered by the General Services ...
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| Date March 18, 2008 |
Report No. 98-527 |
Title
Order Code 98-527 GOV Updated March 18, 2008 Federal Courthouse Construction Clay H. Wellborn Specialist in American National Government Government and Finance Division Summary The General Services Administration (GSA) is the primary federal real property agency, with responsibility for the design, construction, and maintenance of federal buildings and courthouses. The determination for new ...
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| Date March 17, 2008 |
Report No. RL34092 |
Title
Order Code RL34092 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: FY2008 Appropriations Updated March 17, 2008 William J. Krouse, Coordinator Specialist in Social Legislation Domestic Social Policy Division Edward Vincent Murphy, Coordinator Analyst in Financial Institutions Government and Finance Division M. Angeles Villarreal, Coordinator Analyst in International Trade and Finance Foreign ...
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| Date March 17, 2008 |
Report No. RL33170 |
Title
Order Code RL33170 Constitutionality of Applying the FCC s Indecency Restriction to Cable Television Updated March 17, 2008 Henry Cohen Legislative Attorney American Law Division Constitutionality of Applying the FCC s Indecency Restriction to Cable Television Summary Various federal officials have spoken in favor of extending the Federal Communication Commission s indecency restriction, which ...
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| Date March 17, 2008 |
Report No. RL33710 |
Title
Order Code RL33710 State Family and Medical Leave Laws Updated March 17, 2008 Jon O. Shimabukuro Legislative Attorney American Law Division Cassandra LaNel Foley Law Librarian Knowledge Services Group State Family and Medical Leave Laws Summary In 1993, Congress passed the Family and Medical Leave Act ( FMLA ) to balance the demands of the workplace with the needs of families. When the FMLA was ...
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| Date March 17, 2008 |
Report No. RS22835 |
Title
Order Code RS22835 March 17, 2008 The FY2009 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Jim Monke Specialist in Agricultural Policy Resources, Science, and Industry Division Summary The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requests $97 billion in budget authority for FY2009, including $76 billion in mandatory funds for food stamps, child nutrition, and farm subsidies. Discretionary ...
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| Date March 17, 2008 |
Report No. RS22836 |
Title
Order Code RS22836 March 17, 2008 Nicaragua: Political Situation and U.S. Relations Clare Ribando Seelke Analyst in Latin American Affairs Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Summary Nicaragua, the second poorest country in Latin America after Haiti, has had a difficult path to democracy, characterized by ongoing struggles between rival caudillos (strongmen), generations of dictatorial ...
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| Date March 14, 2008 |
Report No. RL34223 |
Title
Order Code RL34223 The Law of Church and State: U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Since 2002 Updated March 14, 2008 Cynthia Brougher Legislative Attorney American Law Division The Law of Church and State: U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Since 2002 Summary The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides that Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free ...
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| Date March 14, 2008 |
Report No. RL33500 |
Title
Order Code RL33500 OMB and Risk Assessment Updated March 14, 2008 Curtis W. Copeland Specialist in American National Government Government and Finance Division OMB and Risk Assessment Summary On January 9, 2006, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a proposed bulletin on risk assessment for comment by the public and peer review by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). Risk ...
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| Date March 14, 2008 |
Report No. RL33939 |
Title
Order Code RL33939 The Rise of Senate Unanimous Consent Agreements Updated March 14, 2008 Walter J. Oleszek Senior Specialist Government and Finance Division The Rise of Senate Unanimous Consent Agreements Summary Unanimous consent agreements are fundamental to the operation of the Senate. The institution frequently dispenses with its formal rules and instead follows negotiated agreements ...
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| Date March 14, 2008 |
Report No. RL32603 |
Title
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress The current income tax system is criticized for costly complexity and damage to economic efficiency. Reform suggestions have proliferated, including a national retail sales tax, several versions of a value-added tax (VAT), the much-discussed Flat Tax on consumption (the HallRabushka tax), the USA proposal for a direct consumption tax, and revisions ...
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| Date March 14, 2008 |
Report No. RL32542 |
Title
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress After six years of continuous record-breaking profits, the effects of the deepening subprime mortgage foreclosures crisis have brought the record-breaking profit making streak to an abrupt end. On a year-over-year basis, net income of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)insured commercial and savings institutions declined by $40.2 billion ( ...
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| Date March 14, 2008 |
Report No. RL34255 |
Title
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress When the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (S. 1, 110th Congress) was signed into law on September 14, 2007, Section 512 of that statute specifically addressed the issue of secret holds. Holds are a longstanding custom of the Senate that enabled Members to provide notice to their party leader of their intent to object on the floor to taking ...
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| Date March 13, 2008 |
Report No. RL30705 |
Title
Order Code RL30705 Federal Grants to State and Local Governments: A Brief History Updated March 13, 2008 Natalie P. Love Analyst in American National Government Government and Finance Division Federal Grants to State and Local Governments: A Brief History Summary The historical origins of the federal grants-in-aid system predate the Constitution. Grants of land were provided under the Articles of ...
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| Date March 13, 2008 |
Report No. RL34392 |
Title
Order Code RL34392 Russia s 2008 Presidential Succession Updated March 13, 2008 Stuart D. Goldman Specialist in Russian and Eurasian Affairs Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Russia s 2008 Presidential Succession Summary First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev, President Putin s chosen successor and long-time protege, was elected President on March 2, 2008, as expected, with about ...
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| Date March 13, 2008 |
Report No. RS22831 |
Title
Order Code RS22831 March 13, 2008 Russia s March 2008 Presidential Election: Outcome and Implications Jim Nichol Specialist in Russian and Eurasian Affairs Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Summary This report discusses the campaign and results of Russia s March 2, 2008, presidential election and implications for Russia and U.S. interests. Popular outgoing President Vladimir Putin ...
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| Date March 13, 2008 |
Report No. RS22247 |
Title
Order Code RS22247 Updated March 13, 2008 Bulgaria: Current Issues and U.S. Policy Steven Woehrel Specialist in European Affairs Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Summary This short report provides information on Bulgaria s current political and economic situation, and foreign policy. It also discusses U.S. policy toward Bulgaria. This report will be updated as warranted. Political ...
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| Date March 13, 2008 |
Report No. RS22832 |
Title
Order Code RS22832 March 13, 2008 A Fact Sheet on the Economic Stimulus Rebate for Social Security and Veterans Benefit Recipients Janemarie Mulvey and Christine Scott Domestic Social Policy Division Summary The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-185) will provide a tax rebate to (1) taxpayers with a (net) federal tax liability and (2) certain other eligible individuals and families. For the ...
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| Date March 12, 2008 |
Report No. RL34394 |
Title
Order Code RL34394 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Issues and Arguments Updated March 12, 2008 Jonathan Medalia Specialist in National Defense Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Issues and Arguments Summary The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty would ban all nuclear explosions. It was opened for signature in 1996. As of March 2008, 178 ...
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| Date March 12, 2008 |
Report No. RL30473 |
Title
Order Code RL30473 State Children s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP): A Brief Overview Updated March 12, 2008 Elicia J. Herz, Chris L. Peterson, and Evelyne P. Baumrucker Domestic Social Policy Division State Children s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP): A Brief Overview Summary The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA 97; P.L. 105-33) established the State Children s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) ...
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| Date March 12, 2008 |
Report No. RL33987 |
Title
Order Code RL33987 Genetic Nondiscrimination in Employment: A Comparison of Title II Provisions in S. 358 and H.R. 493, 110th Congress Updated March 12, 2008 Nancy Lee Jones Legislative Attorney American Law Division Genetic Nondiscrimination in Employment: A Comparison of Title II Provisions in S. 358 and H.R. 493, 110th Congress Summary H.R. 493, 110th Congress, the Genetic Information ...
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| Date March 12, 2008 |
Report No. RL30235 |
Title
Order Code RL30235 Minimum Wage in the Territories and Possessions of the United States: Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act Updated March 12, 2008 William G. Whittaker Specialist in Labor Economics Domestic Social Policy Division Minimum Wage in the Territories and Possessions of the United States: Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act Summary The minimum wage under the Fair Labor ...
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| Date March 12, 2008 |
Report No. RS22830 |
Title
Order Code RS22830 March 12, 2008 Genetic Ancestry Testing Amanda K. Sarata Analyst in Health Policy and Genetics Domestic Social Policy Division Summary Interest in genetic testing to determine ancestry has increased rapidly since its introduction in 2000. Many individuals are eager to learn more about their ancestors, and believe genetic testing will be able to provide information where other ...
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| Date March 11, 2008 |
Report No. RS22044 |
Title
Order Code RS22044 Updated March 11, 2008 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Services in Private Schools under P.L. 108-446 Nancy Lee Jones Legislative Attorney American Law Division Summary The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended by P.L. 108446, provides for services for children with disabilities in private schools. A child with a disability may be ...
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| Date March 11, 2008 |
Report No. RS22514 |
Title
Order Code RS22514 Updated March 11, 2008 Investment Advice and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 Jon O. Shimabukuro Legislative Attorney American Law Division Summary This report examines Section 601 of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, which amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act to allow for the provision of investment advice without fear of fiduciary liability. Prior to the ...
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| Date March 11, 2008 |
Report No. RL31856 |
Title
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Since 1902, Congress has authorized Puerto Rico to be represented in Washington, DC, by a Resident Commissioner. Although the office of territorial Delegate in Congress dates from the Congress of the Articles of Confederation, the office of Resident Commissioner was not established until after the Spanish-American War to provide representation for ...
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| Date March 11, 2008 |
Report No. RS22445 |
Title
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress The term international competitiveness has long been an important part of tax policy debates and most recently has been prominent in discussions about fundamental U.S. tax reform. For example, in Executive Order 13369, President Bush stated that one goal of reform should be to strengthen the competitiveness of the United States in the global market ...
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| Date March 10, 2008 |
Report No. RL31868 |
Title
Order Code RL31868 U.S. Circuit and District Court Nominations by President George W. Bush During the 107th-109th Congresses Updated January 23, 2007 Denis Steven Rutkus Specialist in American National Government Government and Finance Division Kevin M. Scott Analyst in American National Government Government and Finance Division Maureen Bearden Information Research Specialist Knowledge Services ...
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