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The White House and Congress for decades have used economic sanctions to punish or force other countries that violate US interests or values, but lawmakers are increasingly becoming convinced that such practices have little impact on other countries' behavior. Reports indicate that sanctions are often counterproductive in that they provoke nationalist backlash and isolates the US from its allies.

India's underground test detonation of a nuclear bomb in May 1998 brought discussion on ratification of a test ban treaty, economic sanctions against India and an open door to an arms race in the region. The US is India's largest trading partner and the ban may affect some of the US's largest companies including Boeing, Hewlett-Packard, Ford Motor Co., Enron Corp. and Motorola.

The Clinton administration and lawmakers from both parties favor renewing the research tax credit, but no action was taken and it expired on Jun 30, 1998. Business executives argue that such a measure is necessary to keep US companies competitive, and they have sent their representative to Congress to lobby for its renewal. Several other tax credits have expired or are scheduled to expire in 1999.

Republicans and Democrats differed over strategies for the future of Kosovo, Yugoslavia, in the aftermath of agreements for Yugoslavia to withdraw its troops from the area. Democrats praised Pres Bill Clinton for engineering a victory, and Republicans asked whether a victory had truly been one. Many Senators hesitated to commit substantial funds to reconstruct Yugoslavia, stating reconstruction should be a cooperative international effort.

The estimated 500,000 Kosovar refugees displaced during the Serbian conflict represent a serious humanitarian challenge. Some supplemental aid is expected from the US, as well as military personnel to support relief operations. The question is how quickly the refugees will be able to return home and what alternatives could be available. It is uncertain whether large numbers of Kosovars will seek asylum in the US and what the response would be.

The voting participation of members of Congress, measured by how often they vote on roll call votes, has increased in the 1990s, but this might be because they fear being criticized by campaign opponents for having a low voting rate. During the 1998 Senate race, Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato accused his opponent, Representative Charles E. Schumer, of missing more than 100 floor votes.

The illegal use and abuse of prescription drugs is escalating at an alarming rate. This is due to more aggressive marketing by drug companies, high potencies in some of the newer drugs, and the large volume of drugs produced.

Issues concerning the difficulties caused by the disparity between growing visitor numbers and the funding of state park systems are presented. The problems experienced at Angel Island, CA, are discussed.

The House of Representatives took historic action Oct. 8, 1998 and voted to initiate an impeachment inquiry against President Bill Clinton. The inquiry is based on alleged crimes Clinton committed while trying to conceal an affair he had with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. The inquiry stems from an investigative report by Independent Counsel Kenneth W. Starr, which outlines the president's alleged acts of perjury, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and abuse of power.

A bill authorizing $271.5 bil, plus $1.9 bil for peacemaking operations in Bosnia was cleared by Congress. The balanced-budget law passed in 1997 pre-empted controversy over the size of the 1999 defense budget until Congress completed work on the annual authorization bill.

Legislators attempted to pass a law that would make taking a minor across state lines for an abortion to avoid her state's notification laws or parental consent illegal. The legislation, however, failed in the Senate. The bill would involve one year of prison sentence and fines of as much as $100,000.

A number of large and small government appropriations bills were included in the passage of a $500 billion spending measure that exceeded budget limitations set in 1997. Republicans eagerly sought the president's signature on the measure which contained an increase in defense spending, anti-drug programs and in exchange withdrew their 'policy riders.' Clinton ended up receiving more in discretionary spending then he had requested in his February budget submission.

Discusses the implications of real estate development for community gardens across the U.S. as of March 2002. Protest staged by activists against a plan to sell the Joseph Daniel Wilson Memorial Garden in New York City for development; Importance of community gardens to the life of the neighborhood; History of community gardens in the country; Launch of an intensive fund raising campaign by the Trust for Public Land.

Presents news from the United States Congress in March 1999. Account on treaties awaiting action in the Senate; Efforts of Senator Strom Thurmond to push laws on labeling of alcoholic beverage bottles; Other measures debated upon by legislators.

Reports on legislation issues in the United States as of May 1999. Updates in banking legislation; List of emergencies that will be funded by the emergency supplemental appropriations bill; Update on the dispute between Republicans and Democrats over plans for a nuclear waste storage in Yucca Mountain in Nevada.

Presents information on special projects under the six year surface transportation authorization bill, approved by the United States House on April 1, 1998. Cost of the projects; Identification of the states where projects will be done; Examples of the kind of projects to be done.

Examines the legal backgrounds of 13 Republican members of the United States House Judiciary Committee who are conducting the impeachment trial of United States President Bill Clinton. Henry J. Hyde; F. James Sensenbrenner Jr.; Steve Buyer; Ed Bryant.

Reports that United States (US) President Bill Clinton has decided to ease the restrictions on travel, mail and financial transfers in Cuba but unable to call for a major review of the US embargo. Reason behind President Clinton's inability to address the issue of US embargo; Supporters of Clinton's decision; Steps taken by President Clinton to increase contacts with Cuba.

Presents information on economic sanctions imposed by the United States government on several countries. Discussion on the authority in which the sanctions were imposed; Details on sanctions against Angola in 1993 for the sale of petroleum, arms and military equipment; Information on sanctions against Cuba.

Reports on the problems faced by Stiltsville, Florida residents once their contract lease with the Biscayne Bay National Park expires in December 2000. Background information on the houses built in Stiltsville; Efforts made by residents to transfer the land back to Florida; Move of the state legislature to save the homes in Stiltsville.

Focuses on the battle over the name of the smallest state in the U.S., the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, as of June 1, 2000. Connotation of the name according to its opponents; Introduction of a bill by state Representative David Cicilline in relation to the state's name; Views of Cicilline on the impact of changing the state's name.

Discusses the problem faced by Lebanon Junction, Kentucky residents regarding their cemetery. Plan of the residents and city council members to no longer sell burial sites in their cemetery; Suggested solution to the problem.