Bringing you the research that your taxes already paid for.

Business

Conversion from the National Security Personnel System to Other Pay Schedules: Issues for Congress

Posted Thu, 07/15/2010 - 00:00

Most federal employees (59.1%) are paid on the General Schedule (GS), a pay scale that consists of 15 pay grades in which an employee's pay increases are to be based on performance and length of service. Some Members of Congress, citizens, and public administration scholars have argued that federal employee pay advancement should be more closely linked to job performance than it currently is on the GS.

The Budget Reconciliation Process: The Senate's "Byrd Rule"

Posted Fri, 07/02/2010 - 00:00

Reconciliation is a procedure under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 by which Congress implements budget resolution policies affecting mainly permanent spending and revenue programs. The principal focus in the reconciliation process has been deficit reduction, but in some years reconciliation has involved revenue reduction generally and spending increases in selected areas. Although reconciliation is an optional procedure, it has been used most years since its first use in 1980 (20 reconciliation bills have been enacted into law and three have been vetoed).

The Haitian Economy and the HOPE Act

Posted Thu, 06/24/2010 - 00:00

In December 2006, the 109th Congress passed the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006 (HOPE I), which included special trade rules that give preferential access to U.S. imports of Haitian apparel. These rules were intended to promote investment in the apparel industry as one element of a broader economic growth and development plan.

Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan: Selected Freedom of Speech Scholarship

Posted Fri, 06/18/2010 - 00:00

President Obama has nominated his Solicitor General, Elena Kagan, to be the next Supreme Court Justice. If confirmed, she would fill the seat being vacated by Justice John Paul Stevens upon his retirement at the end of the 2009/2010 term. Prior to her term as Solicitor General, Ms. Kagan, in her capacity as an academic and scholar, wrote influential pieces analyzing free speech jurisprudence. In particular, Ms.

Item Veto and Expanded Impoundment Proposals: History and Current Status

Posted Fri, 06/18/2010 - 00:00

Conflicting budget priorities of the President and Congress accentuate the institutional tensions between the executive and legislative branches inherent in the federal budget process. Impoundment, whereby a President withholds or delays the spending of funds appropriated by Congress, provides an important mechanism for budgetary control during budget implementation in the executive branch; but Congress retains oversight responsibilities at this stage as well.

Disability Benefits Available Under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Veterans Disability Compensation (VDC) Programs

Posted Thu, 06/17/2010 - 00:00

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Veterans Disability Compensation (VDC)--administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) respectively--are two of the largest federal disability programs, but strongly differ along several dimensions, including the populations served, how each program defines a "disability," as well as varying eligibility requirements.

Comparison of the Current World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program and the World Trade Center Health Program Proposed by Title I of H.R. 847

Posted Tue, 06/15/2010 - 00:00

In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on New York City, Congress passed appropriations to provide limited health screening and treatment services to persons involved in rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations around the former site of the World Trade Center. This program, now known as the World Trade Center (WTC) Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program (MMTP), is not authorized in statute but rather relies on discretionary appropriations to provide services to eligible individuals.

FY2010 Supplemental for Wars, Disaster Assistance, Haiti Relief, and Court Cases Amy Belasco, Coordinator Specialist in U.S. Defense Policy and Budget Daniel H. Else Specialist in National Defense Bruce R. Lindsay Analyst in Emergency Management Policy Rh

Posted Fri, 06/11/2010 - 00:00

The Administration requested $63.4 billion in FY2010 supplemental appropriations: • $5.1 billion to replenish the U.S. Disaster Relief Fund administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); • $33 billion for the Department of Defense (DOD) primarily for deploying 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan; • $4.5 billion in war-related foreign aid to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan; • $2.8 billion for Haiti reconstruction and foreign aid in the wake of the earthquake; • $243 million for activities related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Intelligence Issues for Congress

Posted Fri, 06/11/2010 - 00:00

To address the challenges facing the U.S. intelligence community in the 21st century, congressional and executive branch initiatives have sought to improve coordination among the different agencies and to encourage better analysis. In December 2004, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (P.L. 108-458) was signed, providing for a Director of National Intelligence (DNI) with substantial authorities to manage the national intelligence effort. The legislation also established a separate Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Defense Logistical Support Contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan: Issues for Congress

Posted Wed, 04/28/2010 - 00:00

This report examines Department of Defense (DOD) logistical support contracts for troop support services in Iraq and Afghanistan administered through the U.S. Army's Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP), as well as legislative initiatives which may impact the oversight and management of logistical support contracts for the delivery of troop support services. LOGCAP is an initiative designed to manage the use of civilian contractors that perform services during times of war and other military mobilizations.