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The article discusses U.S. government's financial assistance for the insurance firm American International Group (AIG), as of March 2009. The topics discussed include downgrade of AIG's credit rating in 2008, AIG's business of credit default swaps, and the loan offered to AIG from U.S. Federal Reserve. Also discussed is the Commercial Paper Funding Facility (CPFF) announced by U.S. Federal Reserve.

The article presents the report "Financial Regulatory Reform: Analysis of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) as Proposed by the Obama Administration and H.R. 3126" released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) as of July 17, 2009. It mentions the U.S. Representative Barney Frank's CFPA Act of 2009 and objectives of the President's White Paper such as raising international regulatory standards. Also mentions that the Act will not preempt consumer protection laws.

The article presents the report "The U.S. Newspaper Industry in Transition" by the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) as of July 8, 2009. Topics discussed include the U.S. Supreme Court case United States v. Citizen Publishing Co. dealing with joint operating agreement, decline in sales of printed news papers due to entrance of internet, and newspaper firms that declared bankruptcy include Philadelphia Newspapers LLC, Star Tribune Holdings Co., and Sun-Times Media Group Inc.

The article focuses on the nanotechnology industry in the U.S. and the country's competitiveness in the said field. It discusses several indicators of U.S. competitiveness in the said field including research and development investments, scientific patents, and patents. It mentions efforts of the federal government to support the field including the $8.4 billion fund it provided for nanotechnology research and development (R&D), investments in infrastructure, and addressing regulatory issues.

The article presents a research paper that discusses the U.S. policy related information regarding Nanotechnology. The topics discussed include federal research and development (R&D) in nanotechnology, environmental, health, and safety concerns facing nanotechnology, and attitude of public towards nanotechnology. It also mentions about nanomanufacturing and the U.S. competitiveness in the field in terms of fund allocation, publication of scientific papers, and patents filed.

The article focuses on the finance and economy of occupying Wall Street in New York City. Topics discussed include financial and real economy of goods and services of Wall Street, political statements regarding the fundamental costs of finance, and the conflict between the real economy and the paper profits from financial speculation.

The article focuses on a report related to the sustainability of U.S current account deficit (CAD) released by the U.S Congressional Research Service, a public policy research arm of the U.S Congress, as of April 2, 2010. Topics discussed include decline in the share of CAD in U.S gross domestic product, large share of capital inflows from foreign central banks and rise in the demand of U.S Department of Treasury's bonds.

The article discusses the issues related to China's currency as of April 2009. The topics discussed include China's accumulation of foreign reserves, purchase of U.S. Treasury securities by China, and a paper issued by China Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People's Bank of China, on replacement of U.S. dollar as international currency, and undervaluation of Chinese currency and its implications for U.S. trade deficit with China.

The article focuses on a report released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) as of December 4, 2008 on the financial crisis in August 2007 in the U.S. Topics discussed include Federal Reserve's (Fed) effort to expand lending to the banking system and then extension to lending to non-bank financial firms, Fed's role in acquisition of investment firm Bear Stearns by financial services firm JPMorgan Chase and Fed's assistance to financial firm American International Group.

The article focuses on a report released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) as of October 23, 2008 financial turmoil that began in August 2007 in the U.S. and Federal policy response. Topics discussed include introduction of new tools to improve financial crisis such as term security lending facility, Federal Reserve's (Fed) role in the JPMorgan Chase Acquisition of brokerage firm Bear Stearns and Fed's loan to financial institution American International Group (AIG).

The article presents the report "The U.S. Financial Crisis: Lessons From Sweden" released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) as of September 29, 2008. Topics discussed include banking and exchange rate crisis faced by Sweden, establishment of the U.S. Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, and comparison between economies of Sweden and the U.S.

The article focuses on nanotechnology industry and policy in the U.S. It discusses the structure and funding for the National Nanotechnology Initiative, which was launched by former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 2000 to advance the state of nanoscale science, technology and engineering in the U.S. It highlights issues within the field including the nanotechnology competitiveness of the U.S., global funds for research and development (R&D), and the decline of peer-reviewed scientific papers.

The article focuses on two surveys conducted by local election officials (LEOs) in 2004 and 2006. Topics discussed include election reforms, election procedures, and voting systems. Also mentioned the implementation of Help America Vote Act of 2002 and the aid of Congressional Research Service (CRS) journal for the surveys.

Assessments of the U.S. effort to stabilize Afghanistan are mixed and subject to debate. The political transition was completed with the convening of a parliament in December 2005; a new constitution was adopted in January 2004, successful presidential elections were held on October 9, 2004, and parliamentary elections took place on September 18, 2005. The parliament has become an arena for factions that have fought each other for nearly three decades to debate and peacefully resolve differences. Afghan citizens are enjoying personal freedoms forbidden by the Taliban. Women are participating in economic and political life, including as ministers, provincial governors, and parliament leaders. However, the insurgency led by supporters of the Taliban movement and Al Qaeda continues to challenge U.S. and other NATO forces, particularly in the south. Contributing to the violence is popular frustration with lack of economic development, official corruption, and the failure to extend Afghan government authority into rural areas. Narcotics trafficking is resisting counter-measures and funding insurgent activity. The Afghan government and some U.S. officials blame Pakistan for failing to prevent Taliban commanders from operating from Pakistan, largely beyond the reach of U.S./NATO-led forces in Afghanistan. Yet, U.S. and NATO commanders pre-empted an anticipated 2007 "spring offensive" by the Taliban with an increase in force levels, accelerated reconstruction efforts, and combat operations. The Taliban has responded by shifting toward the use of suicide bombings, kidnappings, and other tactics used by insurgents in Iraq. U.S. and NATO forces have also killed a few key Taliban battlefield leaders in 2007, and pro- Taliban insurgent leader Gulbuddin Hikmatyar declared in July 2007 that he is considering a cease-fire with the government. Taliban leaders have rejected, thus far, Afghan President Hamid Karzai's September 2007 offer of talks. To help stabilize Afghanistan, the United States and partner countries are deploying a 41,000 troop NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) that now commands peacekeeping throughout Afghanistan, and running regional enclaves to secure reconstruction (Provincial Reconstruction Teams, PRTs), as well as building an Afghan National Army. Approximately 27,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan, of which all but about 12,000 are under NATO/ISAF command. To build security institutions and assist reconstruction, the United States has given Afghanistan over $21 billion since the fall of the Taliban, including funds to equip and train Afghan security forces. Breakdowns are shown in the several tables at the end of this paper. Pending legislation, H.R. 2446, would reauthorize the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the elections reform in the U.S. Topics include the voting systems and election administration, alternative methods for voting such as absentee voting, early voting, and internet voting, and the grant programs under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) like Election Administration Improvements, Payments to Assure Accessibility, and Student Programs. State implementation of the HAVA is also mentioned.

A number of congressional proposals to advance programs that reduce greenhouse gases have been introduced in the 110th Congress. Proposals receiving particular attention would create market-based greenhouse gas reduction programs along the lines of the trading provisions of the current acid rain reduction program established by the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. This paper presents a side-by- side comparison of the major provisions of those bills and includes a glossary of common terms. Although the purpose of these bills is to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs), the specifics of each differ greatly. Five bills (S. 280, S. 309, S. 485, H.R. 620 and H.R. 1590) cap greenhouse gas emission from covered entities at 1990 levels in the year 2020. However, S. 317 places its first emissions cap at 2001 levels in 2015 while S. 1766 targets reductions at 2006 levels in 2020. Likewise, five bills (S. 280, S. 317, S. 485, H.R. 620, and H.R. 1590 would establish cap-and-trade systems to implement their emission caps. In contrast, S. 1766 provides for two compliance systems - a cap-and-trade program and an alternative safety valve payment - and allows the covered entities to choose one or employ a combination of both. Finally, S. 309 provides discretionary authority to EPA to establish a cap-and-trade program to implement its emission cap. The differences continue with respect to entities covered under the programs. Three bills (S. 309, S. 485, H.R. 1590) provide discretionary authority to EPA to determine covered entities by applying cost-effective criteria to reduction options. In contrast, S. 317's emission cap is imposed solely on the electric generating sector. The other three bills (S. 280, S. 1766, H.R. 620) covered most economic sectors but not all (e.g., the agricultural sector). Thus, the overall reductions achieved by bills depends partly on the breadth of entities covered. Beyond the basics of these bills, each contain other important provisions. For example, S. 280 contains extensive provisions creating a new innovation infrastructure, while S. 1766 has several provisions to encourage foreign countries to undertake comparable control actions and potential consequences if they don't. Other provisions include mandatory greenhouse gas standards for vehicles (S. 309, S. 485, H.R. 1590), and a renewable portfolio standard for the electric generating sector (S. 309, S. 485, H.R. 1590). All bills contain some provisions for the periodic review of the program's adequacy in addressing climate change. This comparison should be considered a guide to the basic provisions contained in each bill. It is not a substitute for careful examination of each bill's language and provisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Issue Brief examines DOD's four largest tactical aircraft modernization programs. The background section provides a brief description of each program, and a discussion of how tactical aircraft fit into military air operations: the missions they typically perform and how they contrast to longer-range combat aircraft. The Analysis section examines a number of policy issues including affordability, capability required, force structure, service roles and missions, industrial base, and transformation. The paper concludes with a synopsis of recent congressional action on these programs. The Defense Department plans to buy the F-22 fighter for the Air Force, the F/A-18E/F fighter/attack plane for the Navy, and the V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft for the Marines and Air Force special operations, as well as pursue a joint-service program to develop a multirole Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft in three variants, some of which might be operational around 2012. Decisions in Congress and the Defense Department regarding these aircraft programs may have important long-term implications. The F/A-18E/F is in full-rate production. The V-22, and the F-22 are now in transition from research-development (R&D) to procurement and could remain in production for decades. The next-generation combat aircraft that are expected to result from joint-service efforts now getting underway through the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program might be in production through the 2020s. Decisions about the funding of these programs will influence which U.S. aircraft manufacturers survive in the aviation industry, and may well affect the division of combat roles and missions among the services in the next century. Congress has questioned these tactical aircraft modernization plans on grounds of affordability and requirements. Because of the lack of consensus about future threats and defense requirements, there has been increasing skepticism about the need for some of these aircraft programs on grounds of cost and affordability, military requirements and force levels, and effects on the defense industrial base. Debate has also emerged on the need to balance modernization needs with military transformation goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Issue Brief examines DOD's four largest tactical aircraft modernization programs. The background section provides a brief description of each program, and a discussion of how tactical aircraft fit into military air operations: the missions they typically perform and how they contrast to longer-range combat aircraft. The Analysis section examines a number of policy issues including affordability, capability required, force structure, service roles and missions, industrial base, and transformation. The paper concludes with a synopsis of recent congressional action on these programs. The Defense Department plans to buy the F/A-22 fighter for the Air Force, the F/A-18E/F fighter/attack plane for the Navy, and the V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft for the Marines and Air Force special operations, as well as pursue a joint-service program to develop a multirole Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft in three variants, some of which might be operational around 2012. Decisions in Congress and the Defense Department regarding these aircraft programs may have important long-term implications. The F/A-18E/F is in full-rate production. The V-22, and the F/A-22 are now in transition from research-development (R&D) to procurement and could remain in production for decades. The next-generation combat aircraft that are expected to result from joint-service efforts now getting underway through the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program might be in production through the 2020s. Decisions about the funding of these programs will influence which U.S. aircraft manufacturers survive in the aviation industry, and may well affect the division of combat roles and missions among the services in the next century. Congress has questioned these tactical aircraft modernization plans on grounds of affordability and requirements. Because of the lack of consensus about future threats and defense requirements, there has been increasing skepticism about the need for some of these aircraft programs on grounds of cost and affordability, military requirements and force levels, and effects on the defense industrial base. Debate has also emerged on the need to balance modernization needs with military transformation goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

is Issue Brief examines DOD's four largest tactical aircraft modernization programs. The background section provides a brief description of each program, and a discussion of how tactical aircraft fit into military air operations: the missions they typically perform and how they contrast to longer-range combat aircraft. The Analysis section examines a number of policy issues including affordability, capability required, force structure, service roles and missions, industrial base, and transformation. The paper concludes with a synopsis of recent congressional action on these programs. The Defense Department plans to buy the F/A-22 fighter for the Air Force, the F/A-18E/F fighter/attack plane for the Navy, and the V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft for the Marines and Air Force special operations, as well as pursue a joint-service program to develop a multirole Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft in three variants, some of which might be operational around 2012. Decisions in Congress and the Defense Department regarding these aircraft programs may have important long-term implications. The F/A-18E/F is in full-rate production. The V-22, and the F/A-22 are now in transition from research-development (R&D) to procurement and could remain in production for decades. The next-generation combat aircraft that are expected to result from joint-service efforts now getting underway through the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program might be in production through the 2020s. Decisions about the funding of these programs will influence which U.S. aircraft manufacturers survive in the aviation industry, and may well affect the division of combat roles and missions among the services in the next century. Congress has questioned these tactical aircraft modernization plans on grounds of affordability and requirements. Because of the lack of consensus about future threats and defense requirements, there has been increasing skepticism about the need for some of these aircraft programs on grounds of cost and affordability, military requirements and force levels, and effects on the defense industrial base. Debate has also emerged on the need to balance modernization needs with military transformation goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congress has long been concerned about challenges to U.S. security posed by the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missiles that could deliver them. Recipients of China's technology include Pakistan and countries that the State Department says support terrorism, like Iran, North Korea, and Libya. Policy issues have concerned summits, sanctions, and satellite exports. Since 1991, Beijing has taken steps to mollify concerns about its role in proliferation. Steps include the: 1991-1992 promise to abide by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR); March 1992 accession to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT); January 1993 signing and subsequent ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC); October 1994 statements on the MTCR and fissile material production; November 1995 white paper on arms control and disarmament; May 1996 reiteration on making only safeguarded nuclear transfers; July 1996 announcement of a moratorium on nuclear testing; signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in September 1996; October 1997 entry to the Zangger Committee; and November 2000 missile nonproliferation pledge. Nonetheless, as the Director of Central Intelligence reports, the PRC remains a "key supplier" of technology inconsistent with nonproliferation goals -- particularly missile or chemical technology transfers. China has aggravated trends that result in more ambiguous technical assistance, more indigenous capabilities, longer range missiles, and secondary (retransferred) proliferation. Some transfers raise questions about violations of the NPT and/or contradictions of the MTCR or U.S. laws, which may require sanctions. China is not in the MTCR, Nuclear Suppliers Group, nor Australia Group. Successive Administrations have pursued a policy of "engagement" with Beijing, while some have argued that the policy needs a tougher approach to advance non-proliferation interests. In 1998, President Clinton issued certifications to implement the 1985 Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. The Clinton Administration encouraged the PRC to join the MTCR and proposed to allow more PRC satellite launches. In November 2000, the State Department agreed to waive sanctions and consider new satellite exports in return for a missile non-proliferation pledge from China. Congress passed the Iran Non-proliferation Act (P.L. 106-178). Under this law, on June 14, 2001, January 16, and May 9, 2002, the Bush Administration imposed sanctions for PRC weapons proliferation in Iran. On September 1, 2001, the Administration imposed missile proliferation sanctions (denying satellite exports), after China apparently violated its November 2000 pledge and transferred technology to Pakistan. The 9/11 terrorist attacks added an urgent U.S. interest in weapons nonproliferation. New sanctions were imposed on July 9, 2002. See also CRS Report 96-767, Chinese Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction: Background and Analysis; and CRS Report 98-485, China: Possible Missile Technology Transfers From U.S. Satellite Export Policy - Actions and Chronology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congress has long been concerned about challenges to U.S. security posed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missiles that could deliver them. Recipients of China’s technology include Pakistan and countries that the State Department says support terrorism, like Iran, North Korea, and Libya. Policy issues have concerned summits, sanctions, and satellite exports. Since 1991, Beijing has taken steps to mollify concerns about its role in proliferation. Steps include the: 1991-1992 promise to abide by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR); March 1992 accession to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT); January 1993 signing and subsequent ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC); October 1994 statements on the MTCR and fissile material production; November 1995 white paper on arms control and disarmament; May 1996 reiteration on making only safeguarded nuclear transfers; July 1996 announcement of a moratorium on nuclear testing; signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in September 1996; October 1997 entry to the Zangger Committee; and November 2000 missile nonproliferation pledge. Nonetheless, as the Director of Central Intelligence reports, the PRC remains a “key supplier” of technology inconsistent with nonproliferation goals — particularly missile or chemical technology transfers. China has aggravated trends that result in more ambiguous technical assistance, more indigenous capabilities, longer range missiles, and secondary (retransferred) proliferation. Some transfers raise questions about violations of the NPT and/or contradictions of the MTCR or U.S. laws, which may require sanctions. China is not in the MTCR, Nuclear Suppliers Group, nor Australia Group. Successive Administrations have pursued a policy of “engagement” with Beijing, while some have argued that the policy needs a tougher approach to advance non-proliferation interests. In 1998, President Clinton issued certifications to implement the 1985 Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. The Clinton Administration encouraged the PRC to join the MTCR and proposed to allow more PRC satellite launches. In November 2000, the State Department agreed to waive sanctions and consider new satellite exports in return for a missile non-proliferation pledge from China. Congress passed the Iran Non-proliferation Act (P.L. 106-178). Under this law, on June 14, 2001, January 16, and May 9, 2002, the Bush Administration imposed sanctions for PRC weapons proliferation in Iran. On September 1, 2001, the Administration imposed missile proliferation sanctions (denying satellite exports), after China apparently violated its November 2000 pledge and transfers continued to Pakistan. The 9/11 terrorist attacks added an urgent U.S. interest in weapons nonproliferation. The PRC President is expected to visit in October. See also CRS Report 96-767, Chinese Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction: Background and Analysis; and CRS Report 98-485, China: Possible Missile Technology Transfers From U.S. Satellite Export Policy – Actions and Chronology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a report released by the U.S Congressional Research Service, a public policy research arm of the U.S Congress, as of April 2014 the administration of the election in the U.S. Topics discussed include the enactment of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), promotion of electronic voting system and challenges faced by commissioners during nomination process. Other topics include elimination of Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and voter registration in the U.S.

The article focuses on the report "The Help America Vote Act and Election Administration: Overview and Issues" released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service as of March 12, 2014. Topics discussed include the enactment of the U.S. Help America Vote Act to reform the election process, controversy related to electronic voting machine, and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

The article discusses unconventional monetary policy options for the U.S. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in order to stabilize the falling economy of the U.S., as of February 2014. Topics discussed include change in communication policies and use of "quantitative easing," monthly purchases of treasury securities and mortgage-backed securities, as a tool to revive economy.

A report titled ""Hollowing Out" in U.S. Manufacturing: Analysis and Issues for Congress" and dated April 15, 2013 is presented. The topics discussed include chart depicting summary of several measurement issues affecting value added in manufacturing including misattribution of intellectual property exports and import price overstatement, and chart depicting U.S. trade in industrial process fees, and impact of globalization of supply chains on U.S. manufacturing sector.

The article discusses the security cooperation between the United States and New Zealand for rebalancing America's strategy of toward Asia, as of March 2013. The topics discussed include Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement negotiation, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's views on America's relation's with New Zealand. Also discussed are New Zealand Prime Minister John Key's efforts to develop bilateral ties with the U.S.

The article reports on job creation in the U.S. manufacturing industry as of June 2012. Topics discussed include revival of the sector and the global economic growth following the downturn in 2008-2009, introduction of bills in the U.S. Congress to improve vocational training in manufacturing skills, provide financial support for domestic production of solar energy systems and promote domestic research and development. Also mentions about the Bring Jobs Back to America Act.

The article focuses on the report "Job Creation in the Manufacturing Revival" released by Congressional Research Service, a public policy research arm of the U.S. Congress, as of July 1, 2011. Topics discussed include employment in the U.S. manufacturing sector, manufacturing output, and tables depicting manufacturing employment by the industry in the period 2001-2011, size distribution of factories, and manufacturing employment by establishment size.

The article focuses on a report of the U.S. Congressional Research Service titled "The Help America Vote Act and Elections Reform: Overview and Issues" published in June 2011. Topics discussed include the voting systems and election administration in the U.S., the electronic voting machine controversy and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

The article discusses the report titled "Trade Agreements: Impact on the U.S. Economy" released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service as of February 1, 2011. Topics discussed include economic models being used by the U.S. Congress for estimating the effects of trade agreements on the U.S. economy, negotiations of the U.S. with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for bilateral trade agreements, and free trade agreements of the U.S. with South Korea, Columbia, and Panama.

The article offers information related to explosion of the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig, which led to the largest oil spill in U.S. waters on April 20, 2010. Topics discussed include release of 200 million gallons of crude oil in the incident, impact of oil spill on the Gulf ecosystems or organisms, the U.S. Federal Government's oil budget estimates, and human intervention in the recovery process.

The article focuses on the legislative history of the Presidential Libraries Act of 1955 in the U.S., as of December 2010. Topics discussed include information related to existing presidential library facilities and their locations including Harry S. Truman Library located in Missouri and financial assistance from private organization for the construction of libraries. It also discusses legislative options for the act including endowment requirements for creation of centralized presidential library.

The article presents report titled "The European Union's Response to the 2007-2009 Financial Crisis" by the U.S. Congressional Research Service as of August 13, 2010. Topics discussed include effect of global financial crisis of 2007 on European Union, changes in financial regulatory of the European Union in the wake of 2007-2009 financial crisis and hedge funds and private equity regulations for tackling financial crisis.

The article focuses on the report "Ongoing Government Assistance for American International Group" by the U.S. Congressional Research Service as of March 18, 2010. Topics discussed include the U.S. government assistance for the financial service organization American International Group (AIG), the initiative taken by the U.S. Congress Office for intervention in AIG and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act for treasury assistance to AIG.

The article focuses on the report "Trade Agreements: Impact on the U.S. Economy" by the U.S. Congressional Research Service as of March 11, 2010. The report mentions the U.S. Congress role to evaluate the economic impact of trade agreements in the U.S. economy. It also informs about the Bilateral Free Trade Agreements of the U.S. with Australia, Colombia and Chile.

The article focuses on the report titled "Trade Agreements: Impact on the U.S. Economy" released by Congressional Research Service for U.S. Congress on February 4, 2010. Topics include development of economic models that utilize advanced techniques to assess the economic impact of trade agreements on the economy as a whole and on specific sectors within the economy, regional trade agreement comprising Free Trade Area of the Americas and estimation of the economic impact of trade agreements.

The article focuses on the report "Trade Agreements: Impact on the U.S. Economy" by the U.S. Congressional Research Service as of November 10, 2009. Topics discussed include the impact of trade agreements on the U.S. economy, role of the U.S. Congress in economic growth, and the U.S. Trade Promotion Authority. Also mentioned are the U.S. economic recovery, the effects of trade liberalization in agriculture and manufacturing sector, and bilateral trade agreements.

The article focuses on the report "Carbon Sequestration in Forests" by the U.S. Congressional Research Service as of August 6, 2009. Topics discussed include global climate change, reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, forestation. Also mentioned are measuring and altering carbon cycles, federal programs for protecting forests, and carbon storage.

The article presents the report on topic ethical issues of Stem Cell research released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) as of April 28, 2009. Topics discussed include how to treat the human embryonic stem cell research (ESR), a question before the U.S. Congress, prohibition of use of Department of Health Human Services (HHS) funds for the creation of human embryos, and expansion of federal funding for ESR.

The article focuses on a report of the U.S. Congressional Research Service discussing the U.S. policies towards Pakistan and its nuclear weapons as of April 2009. Topics discussed include Pakistan's fissile material production for weapons and weapons production facilities, minimum credible deterrent policy of Pakistan and Pakistan's response to the proliferation threat.

The article discusses the impact of U.S. trade agreements on its economy as of February 2009. The topics discussed include expiration of U.S. Trade Promotion Authority in 2007, trade barriers in manufacturing and agriculture, and the World Trade Organization meeting in Doha, Qatar, in November 2001. Also discussed is U.S. president Barack Obama's Enterprise for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) initiative.

The article discusses U.S. Congress' policy efforts in response to peacekeeping, stabilization and conflict transitions, as of February 2009. The topics discussed include U.S. Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act 2008, the role of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in rebuilding economies, and United States Institute of Peace 2004 report on building civilian capacity.

The article focuses on the growth of income inequality in the U.S. and factors that contributes to its growth. Factors that were mentioned include skill-biased technological changes, changes in institution, and tax policy such as the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Topics discussed include the relation between income inequality and income mobility, economic policies that affects income inequality such as government transfers, and the impact of rising income inequality on economic and health well-being.

The article discusses the anticrime and counterdrug assistance proposed by the U.S. for Mexico and Central America. It mentions that the inadequate resources, weak judicial systems, and corruption are blocking the efforts of the Mexican and Central American government for the prevention of drug trafficking and organized crime. Moreover, the joint statement issued by the U.S. and Mexico for the announcement of the plan for the Mérida Initiative is also mentioned.

The article discusses a report on the efforts of U.S. regulators and policy makers to reduce the impact of the financial crisis as of March 1, 2008, focusing on the efforts of central bankers including the U.S. Federal Reserve to keep the downturn in U.S. subprime housing from developing into a financial crisis. It focuses on the tools used or developed by regulators to avert a full-blown financial crisis that would be expected to worsen the macroeconomic situations in the U.S.

The article focuses on the impact of trade agreements in the U.S. economy. It provides an overview of the major agreements in the country which include multilateral agreements, bilateral trade agreement, and regional trade agreement. Also discussed are the country' capital inflows, trade liberalization, and employment rate.

The European Union's (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is a cornerstone of the EU's efforts to meet its obligation under the Kyoto Protocol. It covers more than 11,500 energy intensive facilities across the 27 EU Member countries; covered entities emit about 45% of the EU's carbon dioxide emissions. A "Phase 1" trading period began January 1, 2005. A second, Phase 2, trading period will begin in 2008, covering the period of the Kyoto Protocol, with a third one planned for 2013. Several positives resulting from the Phase 1 "learning by doing" exercise may assist the ETS in making the Phase 2 process run more smoothly, including: (1) greatly improving emissions data, (2) encouraging development of the Kyoto Protocol's project-based mechanisms - Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI), and (3) influencing corporate behavior to begin pricing in the value of allowances in decision-making, particularly in the electric utility sector. However, several issues that arose during the first phase remain contentious as the ETS moves into Phase 2, including allocation schemes, shutdown credits and new entrant reserves, and others. In addition, the expansion of the EU and the implementation of the directives linking the ETS to the Kyoto Protocol project-based mechanisms created new issues to which Phase 2 has had to respond. The United States is not a party to Kyoto. However, almost three years of carbon emissions trading has given the EU valuable experience as it prepares for Kyoto. This experience, along with the process of developing Phase 2 NAPs, may provide some insight into cap-and-trade design issues currently being debated in the U.S. • The U.S. currently requires only electric utilities to monitor CO2. The EU- ETS experience suggests expanding similar requirements to all facilities covered under a cap-and-trade scheme would be pivotal for developing allocation systems, reduction targets, and enforcement provisions. • In the U.S. debate on comprehensive versus sector-specific reduction programs, the EU-ETS experience suggests that adding sectors to a trading scheme once established may be a slow, contentious process. • Like the EU-ETS, most U.S. industry groups either oppose auctions outright or want them to be supplemental to a base free allocation. The EU-ETS experience suggests Congress may want to consider specifying any auction requirement if it wishes to incorporate market economics more fully into compliance decisions. • EU-ETS analysis suggests the most important variables in determining Phase 1 allowance price changes were oil and natural gas price changes; an apparent linkage that raises possible market manipulation issues, particularly with the inclusion of financial instruments such as options and futures contracts. Congress may ultimately be asked to consider whether the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodities Futures Trading Commission should have regulatory and oversight authority over such instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the impact of the U.S. negotiation on the bilateral agreements with other countries to the country's economy. It states the major features of economic models being applied to figure the trade agreements results. It also evaluates the implications the various options for Congress that considers as assesses trade agreements .

The article discusses several election-reform issues that continue to arise in conjunction with subsequent federal elections despite the passage of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in the U.S. Attempts to address the issues legislatively took form in several bills introduced in the 109th Congresses. Some of the bills responded specifically to issues that arose from the passage of HAVA.

The article discusses the developments of the nuclear weapons program of North Korea. It notes that North Korea conducted a test-launched of seven ballistic missiles and an underground nuclear test on October 9, 2006. The U.S. and other countries condemned the test and the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution requiring North Korea to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction, refrain from nuclear or missile tests, and rejoin the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).