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The U.S. Nuclear Weapons Complex: Overview of Department of Energy Sites
This report summarizes the operations at each of the U.S. nuclear energy sites. The nuclear weapons complex consists primarily of nine government-owned, contractor-operated sites in seven states, and a...
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Questioning Judicial Nominees: Legal Limitations and Practice
This report examines the relevant considerations for questioning judicial nominees. It describes applicable canons of judicial ethics that may discourage judicial nominees from answering certain...
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Role of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Environmental Justice
This report explains what environmental justice means and how it is implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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Potential WTO Implications of USDA's Proposed Response to Trade-Retaliation
This report briefly discusses the World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments that are relevant to U.S. domestic support programs and how the newly-announced U.S. trade retaliation assistance program...
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The Nordic Countries and U.S. Relations
This report provides an overview of U.S. relations with the five Nordic countries -- Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden -- which share deep historical, linguistic, and cultural ties and many...
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Iran's Threats, the Strait of Hormuz, and Oil Markets: In Brief
This report discusses the how the exchange of threats between members of the governments of Iran and the United States, have again raised the specter of an interruption of shipping through the Strait...
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Proposed U.S.-EU Trade Negotiations: Hitting Pause on a Trade War?
This report discusses the announcement by the United States and European Union (EU) that they are at a "new phase" in their relationship for "freer, fairer, and more reciprocal trade." The announcement...
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Al Qaeda and Islamic State Affiliates in Afghanistan
This report outlines major terrorist groups affiliated and allied with Al Qaeda (AQ) and the Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIS, ISIL, or by the Arabic acronym Da'esh) and the complex, often...
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Senate Confirmation Votes on U.S. Supreme Court Nominations: Overview
This report provides an overview of several issues related to final confirmation votes by the Senate on Supreme Court nominations.
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Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations
This report provides information and analysis on Turkish relations with the United States, Russia, Syria, and Kurdish groups. Domestic issues in Turkey include economic issues and President Erdogan's...
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Proposals to Impose Sanctions on Russian Sovereign Debt
This report discusses proposals to impose sanctions on Russian sovereign debt. The U.S. already imposes sanctions on Russia for aggression against Ukraine, election interference, malicious cyber...
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Defense Primer: Geography, Strategy, and U.S. Force Design
This report describes how world geography influences U.S. military strategy. Of particular importance to U.S. policymakers is preventing the emergence of a regional hegemony in one part of Eurasia or...
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Cuba: U.S. Policy in the 115th Congress
This report examines U.S. policy toward Cuba in the 115th Congress in three sections: Cuba's political and economic environment; U.S. policy toward Cuba; and selected issues in U.S.-Cuban relations,...
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Calling Balls and Strikes: Ethics and Supreme Court Justices
This report examines questions related to the integrity and independence of the Supreme Court, and Congress's potential role in regulating the ethics of the Supreme Court Justices. For example: What...
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Toward the Creation of a U.S. "Space Force"
This report discusses the possibility of a new military service branch -- the Space Force -- with the goal of asserting "American dominance in space."
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Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF): Cartel Lite?
This report discusses the functions of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), which was founded for the purpose of maximizing the value of natural gas; developing short-, medium-, and long-term...
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Costs of Government Interventions in Response to the Financial Crisis: A...
This report summarizes government assistance programs and presents how much the programs ultimately cost (or benefit) the taxpayers based on straightforward cash accounting as reported by the various...
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Buy America and the Electric Bus Market
This report discusses a current controversy over how Buy America (which requires that federally-funded highway, public transportation, aviation, and intercity passenger rail projects use U.S.-made...
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Fiscal Year 2019 Defense Appropriations Bill: An Overview of S. 3159, as...
This report provides an overview of the appropriations and provisions of the FY2019 Defense Appropriations Bill.
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The "Flores Settlement" and Alien Families Apprehended at the U.S. Border:...
This report answers frequently asked legal questions pertaining to the Flores Settlement and the settlement's impact on the detention of alien families apprehended at or near the U.S. border. In...
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Federal Role in U.S. Campaigns and Elections: An Overview
This report provides a resource for understanding the current campaigns and elections regulatory structure. It addresses those areas of law and public policy that most directly and routinely affect...
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Defense Primer: Department of the Navy
This report provides basic information on the Department of the Navy, which includes both the Navy and the Marine Corps. It also describes the Coast Guard's relationship to the Department.
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Securities Regulation and Initial Coin Offerings: A Legal Primer
This report discusses the principles that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and courts use to determine whether a transaction qualifies as an offering of "securities" under the Securities...
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Turkey's Currency Crisis
This report discusses the currency crisis in Turkey, implications for the Turkish and U.S. economies, and questions for Congress to consider.
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Nord Stream 2: A Geopolitical Lightning Rod
This report discusses the natural gas pipeline project, Nord Stream 2, that would allow Germany to increase the amount of natural gas it imports directly from Russia via the Baltic Sea, which has been...
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Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies
This report discusses Iran's foreign and defense policy and the reasoning behind it, as well as U.S. concerns regarding their power and nuclear weapon capability.
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The Islamic State and U.S. Policy
This report provides background on the Islamic State organization, discusses its goals, operations, and affiliates, reviews U.S. legislative and policy debates, and reviews relevant legislation from...
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CFIUS Reform: Foreign Investment National Security Reviews
This report discusses recent legislation, known as the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) of 2018. The legislation amends the current process for the Committee on Foreign...
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International Law and Agreements: Their Effect upon U.S. Law
This report provides an introduction to the roles that international law and agreements play in the United States. This includes the role of different branches of government play in navigating such laws.
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Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for...
This report discusses Congressional gold medals which are awarded by Congress for distinguished contributions to the United States. It describes the history, selection process, award designs and...
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Military Retirement: Background and Recent Developments
This report discusses the military retirement system, which includes monthly compensation for qualified active and reserve retirees, disability benefits for those deemed medically unfit to serve, and a...
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Water Infrastructure Financing: The Water Infrastructure Finance and...
This report discusses the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act which is planning to provide subsidized loans and credit assistance to water infrastructure projects through the EPA...
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Former Speakers of the House: Office Allowances, Franking Privileges, and...
This report discusses the allowance former Speakers of the House of Representatives were provided upon their departure. This allowance began in 1970 and was repealed with the passage of the legislative...
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U.S. Trade Debates: Select Disputes and Actions
This report discusses a number of significant trade disputes involving the United States over the past 100 years. It is a response to the 271 active trade disputes currently being addressed in the...
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Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Federal Civil Service Annuities
This report discusses cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). It includes the formulas used to calculate...
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Labor Enforcement Issues in U.S. FTAs
This report discusses labor enforcement in free trade agreements (FTAs), U.S. labor disputes, and issues for Congress to consider.
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Records, Papers, Decisions: Kavanaugh Records and the Presidential Records Act
This report discusses the release of records pertaining to Judge Brett Kavanaugh's tenure in the George W. Bush Administration and the Office of Independent Counsel Kenneth W. Starr, which have been...
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Categorical Exclusions, Metroplexes, and Aircraft Noise Complaints
This report discusses changes made by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to airspace and flight procedures to take advantage of new technologies deployed under NextGen, a comprehensive air...
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The Supreme Court's Overruling of Constitutional Precedent
This report examines how the Supreme Court determines whether to overrule its prior decisions on questions of constitutional law. It provides an overview of the doctrine of stare decisis, under which a...
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The European Union: Questions and Answers
This report serves as a primer on the EU. Despite the UK's vote to leave the EU, the UK remains a full member of the bloc until it completes withdrawal negotiations and officially exits the EU...
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Hostage-Taking Statute Covers Kidnapping for Ransom Abroad
This report discusses the U.S. Court of Appeals case United States v. Noel, in which Noel challenged his conviction for seizing an American citizen in Haiti to hold for ransom.
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U.N. Report Recommends Burmese Military Leaders Be Investigated and...
This report discusses the United Nations recommendations that the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate and prosecute "senior officials in the Tatmadaw" (Burma's military) for genocide, crimes...
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Iran Sanctions
This report discusses U.S. sanctions against Iran and the 2016 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement which led to the lifting of sanctions based on nuclear proliferation in Iran....
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Moldova: An Overview
This report discusses Moldova, one of three post-Soviet states, together with Ukraine and Georgia, seeking greater integration with the West as it copes with separatist territories occupied by Russian...
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U.S.-Taiwan Trade Relations
This report discusses Taiwan's economic situation and U.S.-Taiwan trade relations.
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Selected Legal Tools for Maintaining Government Contractor Accountability
This report analyzes a selection of the legal tools a procuring agency may use to hold contractors accountable. It assesses contractual remedies that procuring agencies could utilize, discusses...
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Iran's Nuclear Program: Status
This report looks at the background of Iran's nuclear policy including the current status of Iran's nuclear facilities, and current controversy surrounding them, as well as the effects of international...
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Saudi Arabia: Background and U.S. Relations
This report discuses Saudi Arabia's governmental structure, human rights issues, relations with countries in the region, defense policies, and U.S. relations with the country. Special focus is given to...
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Burma's Political Prisoners and U.S. Policy: In Brief
This report discusses the current issues in Burma (Myanmar) in regards to political prisoners and the resulting U.S. sanctions against the nation.
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Hong Kong: Recent Developments and U.S. Relations
This report discusses the government of Hong Kong and their relationship with the United States.
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