American Politics Commons^™

Wilderness: Overview And Statistics, Ross W. Gorte

Congressional Research Service Reports

Congress enacted the Wilderness Act in 1964. This Act created the National Wilderness Preservation System, reserved to Congress the authority to designate wilderness areas, and directed the Secretaries of Agriculture and of the Interior to review certain lands for their wilderness potential. The Act also designated 54 wilderness areas with 9 million acres of federal land. Congress began expanding the Wilderness System in 1968, and today, there are 708 wilderness areas, totaling more than 107 million acres, in 44 states. Numerous bills to designate additional areas and to expand existing ones are introduced and considered in every Congress.

The Wilderness …

The Wild And Scenic Rivers Act And Federal Water Rights, Cynthia Brougher

Congressional Research Service Reports

During the 1960s, support grew for the idea that the development of our nation’s rivers needed to be balanced by protecting certain rivers that possessed outstanding undeveloped qualities. This sentiment culminated in the enactment of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. Rivers may be designated for protection under the act by Congress or nominated for inclusion by a Governor and approved by the Secretary of the Interior. The act addresses the protection of the water flows of designated rivers, both expressly and by implication. This report examines the purposes, language, and legislative history of the act in order …

Active Military Sonar And Marine Mammals: Events And References, Eugene H. Buck, Kori Clavert

Congressional Research Service Reports

The deployment of active sonar by the U.S. Navy and its potential impacts on marine mammals has been an ongoing issue of intense debate; regulatory, legislative, and judicial activity; and international concern. Some peacetime use of military sonar has been regulated under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and other statutes due to concerns that active military sonars are operated at frequencies used by some cetaceans (i.e., whales, porpoises, and dolphins), and their highintensity sound pulses may travel long distances in the ocean. There is also concern that sonar transmissions of sufficiently high intensity might physically damage the hearing in …

Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics (Stem) Education: Background, Federal Policy, And Legislative Action, Jeffrey J. Kuenzi

Congressional Research Service Reports

There is growing concern that the United States is not preparing a sufficient number of students, teachers, and practitioners in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). A large majority of secondary school students fail to reach proficiency in math and science, and many are taught by teachers lacking adequate subject matter knowledge.

When compared to other nations, the math and science achievement of U.S. pupils and the rate of STEM degree attainment appear inconsistent with a nation considered the world leader in scientific innovation. In a recent international assessment of 15-year-old students, the U.S. ranked 28th in …

Alternative Fuels And Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues In Congress, Brent D. Yacobucci

Congressional Research Service Reports

Alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles are seen by proponents as integral to improving urban air quality, decreasing dependence on foreign oil, and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. However, major barriers — especially economics — currently prevent the widespread use of these fuels and technologies. Because of these barriers, and the potential benefits, there is continued congressional interest in providing incentives and other support for their development and commercialization.

In the 110th Congress, alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles have received a good deal of attention, especially in discussions over U.S. energy security. In his January 24, 2007, State of …

Soil And Water Conservation: An Overview, Tadlock Cowan, Renée Johnson

Congressional Research Service Reports

Soil and water conservation topics are prominent in discussions of policy options for the next farm bill, which the 110th Congress is considering. Major conservation topics include where to set overall funding levels and levels for each program; what should be the priorities for the conservation effort; and deciding whether any existing programs or activities should be modified or eliminated and whether new programs or activities should be added to the effort. Addressing these topics often pits supporters of commodity programs and the traditional farm program benefits against those who would like to see an expanded conservation effort.

The House …

Science And Technology Policymaking: A Primer, Deborah D. Stine

Congressional Research Service Reports

Scientific and technical knowledge and guidance influences not just policy related to science and technology, but also many of today’s public policies as policymakers seek knowledge to enhance the quality of their decisions. Science and technology policy is concerned with the allocation of resources for and encouragement of scientific and engineering research and development, the use of scientific and technical knowledge to enhance the nation’s response to societal challenges, and the education of Americans in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Science and engineering research and innovations are intricately linked to societal needs and the nation’s economy in areas such as …

Energy And Water Development: Fy2009 Appropriations, Carl E. Behrens

Congressional Research Service Reports

The Energy and Water Development appropriations bill provides funding for civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), the Department of Energy (DOE), and a number of independent agencies.

In considering the FY2009 budget, both the House and the Senate Appropriations Committees voted to report out an Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. However, neither bill reached the floor in either house. On September 24, 2008, the House passed H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009, which continued appropriations for Energy and Water Development, …

Wind Power In The United States: Technology, Economic, And Policy Issues, Jeffery Logan, Stan Mark Kaplan

Congressional Research Service Reports

Rising energy prices and concern over greenhouse gas emissions have focused congressional attention on energy alternatives, including wind power. Although wind power currently provides only about 1% of U.S. electricity needs, it is growing more rapidly than any other energy source. In 2007, over 5,000 megawatts of new wind generating capacity were installed in the United States, second only to new natural gas-fired generating capacity. Wind power has become “mainstream” in many regions of the country, and is no longer considered an “alternative” energy source.

Wind energy has become increasingly competitive with other power generation options. Wind technology has improved …

Grazing Fees: An Overview And Current Issues, Carol Hardy Vincent

Congressional Research Service Reports

Charging fees for grazing private livestock on federal lands is a long-standing but contentious practice. Generally, livestock producers who use federal lands want to keep fees low, while conservation groups and others believe fees should be increased. The formula for determining the grazing fee for lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service uses a base value adjusted annually by the lease rates for grazing on private lands, beef cattle prices, and the cost of livestock production. The collected fees are divided among the Treasury, states, and federal agencies. Fee reform was attempted but not adopted …

The Politic 2008 Winter, The Politic, Inc.

The Politic

No abstract provided.

2008: Assembly's Recommendation

CACTUS--Citizens' Assembly for Critical Thinking About the United States

The members of EKU's first CACTUS (Citizen's Assembly for Critical Thinking about the United States, POL 301) have carefully deliberated about the issue for electing the President and concluded that our current Electoral College is not the best electoral system for the United States.

Equality News (Winter 2008), Matthew R. Dubois

Equality news / EqualityMaine (2004-2008)

No abstract provided.

The Struggle For The Right To Vote, Minnesota State University Mankato

Elections/Voting

Bibliography and photographs of a display of government documents from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

2008 Mandate: Is It Time To Change The Way We Elect The President?

CACTUS--Citizens' Assembly for Critical Thinking About the United States

The 2008 Citizen's Assembly for Critical Thinking about the United States (CACTUS) must study models and proposals for electing the President of the United States and the Vice-President, and recommend whether the process, including the current "electoral college" method of electing these officials as described in the U.S. Constitution, Article II and Amendment XII, should be retained or another method should be adopted.

2008: Public Response Submissions

CACTUS--Citizens' Assembly for Critical Thinking About the United States

Is it time to change the way we elect the President?

Does the electoral college work?

Is it democratic?

Should there be a direct popular vote for the president?

Are "faithless electors" an accident waiting to happen?

Presidential Election Of 1980, José Villalobos

Selected Works Temporary Series

No abstract provided.

Immigration, José Villalobos

Selected Works Temporary Series

No abstract provided.

Issue Evasion, José Villalobos

Selected Works Temporary Series

No abstract provided.

Twenty-Sixth Amendment, José Villalobos

Selected Works Temporary Series

No abstract provided.

Printed Material: Hillary For President, Guidelines For Receiving Contributions, Hilary Clinton For President; Exploratory Committee

Saffy Collection - All Textual Materials

Informational flyer with guidelines for campaign donations. Hillary for President. No date given. Box 14 Folder 11

Leaflet: Hillary For President Exploratory Committee, 10 For 10 Donation Form, Hillary Clinton For President Exploratory Committee

Saffy Collection - All Textual Materials

Hillary Clinton for President Exploratory Committee 10 for 10 program donation form. No date given. Box 14 Folder 11

Electoral Poaching And Party Identification, Dan Kovenock, Brian Roberson

Economics Faculty Articles and Research

This article studies electoral competition in a model of redistributive politics with deterministic voting and heterogeneous voter loyalties to political parties. We construct a natural measure of `party strength' based on the sizes and intensities of a party's loyal voter segments and demonstrate how party behavior varies with the two parties' strengths. In equilibrium, parties target or `poach' a strict subset of the opposition party's loyal voters: offering those voters a high expected transfer, while `freezing out' the remainder with a zero transfer. The size of the subset of opposition voters frozen out and, consequently, the level of inequality in …

Issue Evasion, José Villalobos

Departmental Papers (PS)

No abstract provided.

Twenty-Sixth Amendment, José Villalobos

Departmental Papers (PS)

No abstract provided.

Immigration, José Villalobos

Departmental Papers (PS)

No abstract provided.

Debate Transcript, Belmont University

Debate '08

Full transcript of the town hall presidential debate between candidates Sen. John McCain (R-ARIZ.) and Sen. Barrack Obama (D-ILL.) hosted by Belmont University on October 7, 2008. Debate moderated by Tom Brokaw.

Obtained from http://www.belmontdebate08.com.

CQ Transcriptions/Morningside.

Honorary Host Committee, Belmont University

Debate '08

2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate Honorary Host Committee, for the debate hosted by Belmont University on October 7, 2008.

Listed as being "in formation 08/22/08".

Belmont Debate 08 Sponsors, Belmont University

Debate '08

List of sponsors for the Town Hall Presidential Debate at Belmont University on October 7, 2008.

Sponsors are separated into the following six tiers: President's Level, Candidate Level, Campaign Level, Delegate Level, Precinct Level, and Voter Level.

"08 Town Hall Presidential Debate" Artistic Rendering, Phil Ponder

Debate '08

Painting by Phil Ponder placing Belmont University buildings alongside other famous/important buildings in Tennessee.

Buildings from left to right: Tennessee Capitol, James K. Polk Home, The Hermitage (Home of President Andrew Jackson), Andrew Johnson Homestead, Belmont Mansion, Curb Event Center, Belmont Bell Tower, Gordon E. Inman Center for Health Science, Parthenon, Union Station, Ryman Auditorium, L&C Tower, Fort Nashbourough, AT&T Building.