WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet on the Inauguration Day (No. R46639) on Jan. 4, 2023, by Maya V. Thomas, reference and digital services librarian: * * * Introduction Inauguration Day is a quadrennial legal holiday in the District of Columbia and neighboring parts of Maryland and Virginia, observed when the President and the Vice President are sworn into office on January 20. If January 20 falls on a Sunday, Inauguration Day is observed more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day speech resources (No. R44339) on Jan. 13, 2023, by Devon Galena, reference and digital services librarian. Here are excerpts: * * * Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet Introduction Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal holiday observed annually on the third Monday in January. It celebrates the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. in honor  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Afghan women and girls (No. IF11646) on Jan. 10, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs analyst Clayton Thomas: * * * Afghan Women and Girls: Status and Congressional Action Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, the already precarious status of Afghan women and girls has deteriorated dramatically. Increasing Taliban restrictions are severely reducing the ability of women to participate  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Army's Mobile Protected Firepower System (No. IF11859) on Jan. 5, 2023, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * The Army's Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) System What Is the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) System? The Army's MPF system is intended to address an operational shortfall in infantry units: 'Currently the Army's Infantry Brigade Comb more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the child welfare (No. IF10590) on Jan. 13, 2023, by social policy specialist Emilie Stoltzfus. Here are excerpts: * * * Child Welfare: Purposes, Federal Programs, and Funding The Work of Child Welfare Agencies Children depend on adults - usually their parents - to protect and support them. The broadest mission of public child welfare agencies is to strengthen families so that children ca more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Congressionally directed medical research programs funding for Fiscal 2023 (No. IF10349) on Jan. 12, 2023, by Bryce H. P. Mendez, defense health care policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs Funding for FY2023 Members of Congress are frequently lobbied to add funding to annual defense appropriation legislation for certain medical resear more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the defense support of civil authorities (No. IF11324) on Jan. 3, 2023, by military personnel policy specialist Lawrence Kapp. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Defense Support of Civil Authorities Introduction The U.S. military has a long history of providing support to civil authorities, particularly in response to disasters, but for other purposes as well. The Defense Department more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Water Infrastructure Programs and Fiscal 2023 Appropriations (No. IF12309) on Jan. 13, 2023, by environmental policy analyst Elena H. Humphreys and environmental policy specialist Jonathan L. Ramseur. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Infrastructure Programs and FY2023 Appropriations Many policymakers and stake more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on free speech (No. IF12308) on Jan. 10, 2023, by legislative attorney Victoria L. Killion. Here are excerpts: * * * Free Speech: When and Why Content-Based Laws Are Presumptively Unconstitutional The First Amendment's Free Speech Clause prohibits the government from suppressing or requiring adherence to particular ideas or messages. U.S. CONST. amend. I. The Supreme Court has recognized that  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the GDP and economic growth (No. IF10408) on Jan. 5, 2023, by macroeconomic policy analyst Lida R. Weinstock and economic specialist Mark P. Keightley. Here are excerpts: * * * Introduction to U.S. Economy: GDP and Economic Growth Economic activity and longer-term growth are of concern to policymakers due to the connection between the economy's performance and the overall well-being of Amer more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Indian Community Development Block Grant Program (No. IF11749) on Jan. 5, 2023, by economic development policy analyst Joseph V. Jaroscak. Here are excerpts: * * * The Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program: An Overview The Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program is a tribal economic development assistance program administered by the Department of Housi more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on inflation (No. IF10477) on Jan. 5, 2023, by macroeconomic policy analyst Lida R. Weinstock. Here are excerpts: * * * Introduction to U.S. Economy: Inflation What Is Inflation? Inflation is defined as a general increase in the price of goods and services across the economy, or, in other words, a general decrease in the value of money. Conversely, deflation is a general decrease in the price  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on an introduction to oversight of Offices of Inspector General (No. IF11869) on Jan. 12, 2023, by government organization and management analyst Ben Wilhelm: * * * An Introduction to Oversight of Offices of Inspector General Who watches the watchers? is a frequently posed question when people consider the role of oversight bodies, including offices of inspector general (OIGs). However, the or more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (No. IF11729) on Jan. 13, 2023, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Background The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles (FoV) is an Army-led, joint-service program designed to replace a portion of each service's light tactical wheeled vehicle fleets. The JLTV Fo more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Lebanese Hezbollah (No. IF10703) on Jan. 11, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs analyst Carla E. Humud. Here are excerpts: * * * Lebanese Hezbollah Hezbollah ("Party of God" also spelled Hizballah) is an Iran-backed Lebanese Shi'a militia and U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Formed in the wake of the 1982 Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon, the group has conducted nu more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the LGM-35A Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (No. IF11681) on Jan. 10, 2023, by defense infrastructure policy analyst Alexandra G. Neenan and nonproliferation specialist Mary Beth D. Nikitin: * * * Defense Primer: LGM-35A Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile The LGM-35A Sentinel is expected to replace the Minuteman III (MMIII) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) in th more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the PATRIOT Air and Missile Defense System for Ukraine (No. IF12297) on Jan. 11, 2023, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * PATRIOT Air and Missile Defense System for Ukraine The PATRIOT air and missile defense (AMD) system is an integral component of U.S. air and missile defense. The system and its interceptors are both expensive and limited in su more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the regulatory framework (No. IF11065) on Jan. 5, 2023, by macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte. Here are excerpts: * * * Introduction to Financial Services: The Regulatory Framework This In Focus provides a brief introduction to the federal agencies that regulate U.S. financial markets. For more detail, see CRS Report R44918, Who Regulates Whom? An Overview of the U.S. Financial Re more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the removal of Inspectors General (No. IF11546) on Jan. 12, 2023, by government organization and management analyst Ben Wilhelm: * * * Removal of Inspectors General: Rules, Practice, and Considerations for Congress In 1978, Congress passed the Inspector General Act (IG Act; P.L. 95-452) with the intent to improve oversight within certain executive branch agencies. During the floor debate on  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Securities and Exchange Commission (No. IF11714) on Jan. 5, 2023, by financial economics specialist Gary Shorter: * * * Introduction to Financial Services: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) To help restore confidence in the securities markets in the wake of the stock market crash of 1929, Congress passed the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which authorized the creation of the  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Turkey-U.S. Relations - Timeline and Brief Historical Context (No. IF10487) on Jan. 12, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Jim Zanotti and acting section research manager Clayton Thomas: * * * Turkey (Turkiye)-U.S. Relations: Timeline and Brief Historical Context This timeline tracks major developments from the beginning of close U.S.-Turkey (Turkiye) ties after World War II to t more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Fiscal 2023 Appropriations (No. IF11324) on Jan. 10, 2023, by natural resources policy specialist Nicole T. Carter and natural resources policy analyst Anna E. Normand. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: FY2023 Appropriations Congress generally funds civil works activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in annual Energy an more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Supplemental Appropriations (No. IF11324) on Jan. 10, 2023, by natural resources policy specialist Nicole T. Carter and natural resources policy analyst Anna E. Normand. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Supplemental Appropriations The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a Department of Defense agency with civil works responsibili more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (No. IF11991) on Jan. 12, 2023, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * The U.S. Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) What Is the Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon? The Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) (Figure 1), with a reported range of 1,725 miles, consists of a ground-launched missile more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. direct financial support for Ukraine (No. IF12305) on Jan. 10, 2023, by foreign assistance analyst Nick M. Brown and foreign assistance and foreign policy analyst Emily M. McCabe. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Direct Financial Support for Ukraine Background In 2022, Congress enacted four emergency supplemental funding measures to address the crisis caused by Russia's February 2022 more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. government procurement and international trade (No. IF11580) on Jan. 10, 2023, by Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Government Procurement and International Trade The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that U.S. companies and the federal government rely heavily on global supply chains. This has prompted congressional int more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. international climate finance - Fiscal 2023 (No. IF12036) on Jan. 10, 2023, by environmental policy specialist Richard K. Lattanzio. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. International Climate Finance: FY2023 U.S. International Climate Finance Over the past several decades, to varying degrees, the United States has delivered financial and technical assistance for climate change activities more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement - Labor Provisions (No. IF11308) on Jan. 12, 2023, by M. Angeles Villarreal, international trade and finance specialist, and Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs, international trade and finance analyst: * * * USMCA: Labor Provisions The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) entered into force on July 1, 2020, replacing the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (No. IF10997) on Jan. 11, 2023, by M. Angeles Villarreal, international trade and finance specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Trade Agreement Overview The 118th Congress, in both legislative and oversight capacities, may be active in numerous trade policy issues related to the implementation of the United States-Mexico-Cana more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on understanding linked climate and weather hazards and the challenges to federal emergency management (No. IF12307) on Jan. 10, 2023. The white paper was written by natural resources policy specialist Katie Hoover, natural resources policy analyst Eva Lipiec, flood insurance and emergency management specialist Diane P. Horn and emergency management and disaster recovery analyst Erica A. Lee. He more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Fiscal2023 NDAA - TRICARE for Reservists (No. IN11991) on Jan. 12, 2023, by Bryce H. P. Mendez, defense health care policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2023 NDAA: TRICARE for Reservists Background Since September 11, 2001, Congress has enacted a number of new or modified benefits tailored for certain Selected Reserve members (i.e., drilling reservists) and their dependent family  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the low-income housing tax credit (No. IN12070) on Jan. 6, 2023, by economics specialist Mark P. Keightley: * * * The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit: Lowering the 50% Bond Threshold to 25% This Insight explains a proposal from the 117th Congress pertaining to the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program that may be reintroduced in the 118th Congress: lowering the bond threshold on develop more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the recent trends in wages and productivity (No. IN12076) on Jan. 11, 2023, by macroeconomic policy analyst Lida R. Weinstock. Here are excerpts: * * * Recent Trends in Wages and Productivity Productivity growth is an important determinant in long-term wage growth. In 2022, labor productivity growth and real wage growth have been negative, a concern for many policymakers. This CRS Insight di more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Southwest Airlines disruptions and airline consumer protection rules (No. IN12077) on Jan. 11, 2023, by transportation and industry analyst Rachel Y. Tang: * * * Southwest Airlines Disruptions and Airline Consumer Protection Rules Southwest Airlines' extensive flight cancellations and significant delays over the December 2022 holiday period disrupted holiday travel and stranded numerous p more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the U.S. circuit court nominees confirmed during the 117th Congress, 2021-2022 (No. IN12069) on Jan. 5, 2023, by American national government analyst Barry J. McMillion. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Circuit Court Nominees Confirmed During the 117th Congress (2021-2022) This Insight provides information and analysis related to U.S. Courts of Appeals nominees confirmed during the 117th Congres more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the U.S. district court nominees confirmed during the 117th Congress, 2021-2022 (No. IN12068) on Jan. 5, 2023, by American national government analyst Barry J. McMillion. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. District Court Nominees Confirmed During the 117th Congress (2021-2022) This Insight provides information and analysis related to U.S. district court nominees confirmed during the 117th Congress more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the wage-price spiral in the U.S. (No. IN12075) on Jan. 11, 2023, by macroeconomic policy analyst Lida R. Weinstock. Here are excerpts: * * * Is the United States Experiencing a Wage-Price Spiral? Recent high inflation and nominal wage growth has sparked a debate about whether the United States is currently in a wage-price spiral. A wage-price spiral is said to occur when expectations of inf more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Nineteenth Amendment and Women's Suffrage Part 3 - The Reconstruction Era (No. LSB10898) on Jan. 13, 2023, by legislative attorney Brandon J. Murrill: * * * The Nineteenth Amendment and Women's Suffrage Part 3: The Reconstruction Era This Legal Sidebar is the third in a six-part series that discusses the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which recognized women's voting right more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Nineteenth Amendment and Women's Suffrage Part 4 - The Progressive Era and Ratification (No. LSB10899) on Jan. 13, 2023, by legislative attorney Brandon J. Murrill: * * * The Nineteenth Amendment and Women's Suffrage Part 4: The Progressive Era and Ratification This Legal Sidebar is the fourth in a six-part series that discusses the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which re more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the CRS legal products for the 118th Congress (No. LSB10889) on Jan. 5, 2023, by legislative attorney Valerie C. Brannon: * * * Regulating Big Tech: CRS Legal Products for the 118th Congress In recent years, some Members of Congress have expressed interest in expanding regulation of the major technology companies, often referred to as "Big Tech." Members have introduced a wide variety of more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Federal Trade Commission's Competition Rulemaking Authority (No. LSB10635) on Jan. 11, 2023, by legislative attorney Jay B. Sykes: * * * The FTC's Competition Rulemaking Authority On January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed a rule that would prohibit noncompete clauses in employment contracts. The proposal relies on the FTC's putative authority to issue rules def more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the new Federal Communications Commission rules ban authorizations for equipment posing national security risks (No. LSB10895) on Jan. 11, 2023, by legislative attorney Chris D. Linebaugh: * * * New FCC Rules Ban Authorizations for Equipment Posing National Security Risks On November 25, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released new rules restricting equipment that pose more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Nineteenth Amendment and Women's Suffrage Part 1 - introduction (No. LSB10896) on Jan. 13, 2023, by legislative attorney Brandon J. Murrill: * * * The Nineteenth Amendment and Women's Suffrage Part 1: Introduction This Legal Sidebar is the first in a six-part series that discusses the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which recognized women's voting rights. Shortly before El more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Nineteenth Amendment and Women's Suffrage Part 2 - the founding era and the Civil War (No. LSB10897) on Jan. 13, 2023, by legislative attorney Brandon J. Murrill: * * * The Nineteenth Amendment and Women's Suffrage Part 2: The Founding Era and the Civil War This Legal Sidebar is the second in a six-part series that discusses the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which recogn more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Nineteenth Amendment and Women's Suffrage Part 5 - Supreme Court interpretations (No. LSB10900) on Jan. 13, 2023, by legislative attorney Brandon J. Murrill: * * * The Nineteenth Amendment and Women's Suffrage Part 5: Supreme Court Interpretations This Legal Sidebar is the fifth in a six-part series that discusses the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which recognized women' more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Nineteenth Amendment and Women's Suffrage Part 6 - impacts beyond the Supreme Court (No. LSB10901) on Jan. 13, 2023, by legislative attorney Brandon J. Murrill: * * * The Nineteenth Amendment and Women's Suffrage Part 6: Impacts Beyond the Supreme Court This Legal Sidebar is the last in a six-part series that discusses the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which recognized w more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the recent appellate decisions of interest to lawmakers, Dec. 27, 2022-Jan. 2, 2023 (No. LSB10892) on Jan. 4, 2023, by legislative attorneys Jimmy Balser, Michael D. Contino and Alexander H. Pepper: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (Dec. 27, 2022-Jan. 2, 2023) The federal courts issue hundreds of decisions every week in cases involvin more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47380) on Jan. 11, 2023, entitled "Average Wage Growth and Related Economic Trends in 2022" by macroeconomic policy specialist Lida R. Weinstock. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The economy in 2022 has been marked by high inflation and a tight labor market. While year-over-year average hourly earnings growth has reached some of the highest levels seen in decades in nominal (not adjusted for inflation more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47381) on Jan. 11, 2023, entitled "A Comparison of Selected Official Wage Measures" by macroeconomic policy specialist Lida R. Weinstock. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The U.S government produces several different wage and wage-related measures, each with its own source data, methodology, and uses. Wages can be a catchall term for several different concepts, including actual wages, earnings, and co more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47275) on Jan. 4, 2023, on entitled "Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Supplemental Funding for Ukraine: In Brief" by Emily M. McCabe, foreign assistance and foreign policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Introduction In 2022, the Biden Administration submitted to Congress four emergency supplemental funding requests to address the crisis caused by Russia's renewed invasio more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47374) on Jan. 4, 2023, entitled "FDA Regulation of Medical Devices" by health policy specialist Amanda K. Sarata. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY FDA Regulation of Medical Devices Medical devices are an important part of health care service delivery, and developments in new technologies can improve their ability to diagnose and treat illness. The medical device industry produces a wide range of pro more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47374) on Jan. 4, 2023, entitled "FDA Regulation of Medical Devices:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Medical Device Regulatory Controls As required by the Medical Device Amendments (MDA), all medical devices are subject to basic regulatory requirements - general controls - intended to provide reasonable assurance of a device's safety and effectiveness. As the risk of the use of a device to a pati more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47374) on Jan. 4, 2023, entitled "FDA Regulation of Medical Devices:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Special Controls Special controls are the additional regulatory requirements put in place for moderate-risk (class II) devices because general controls do not provide reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. A special control is generally device-specific, and there must be sufficient infor more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46196) on Jan. 5, 2023, entitled "Solar Energy: Frequently Asked Questions." The report was written by energy policy analysts Ashley J. Lawson and Morgan Smith; public finance specialist Molly F. Sherlock, agricultural policy analyst Lisa S. Benson and industrial organization and business analyst Manpreet Singh. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Use of solar energy for electricity generation is growin more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46196) on Jan. 5, 2023, entitled "Solar Energy: Frequently Asked Questions:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * What State Policies Support Solar Energy Development?/69 Per the Federal Power Act, states have jurisdiction over most aspects of electricity generation and distribution./70 Consequently, many policies that affect the development of solar energy are implemented by states. This section discus more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. IF12307) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "U.S. Government Procurement and International Trade" by Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the global supply chain issues it brought to light revealed that the U.S. government relies heavily on foreign manufacturers and suppliers when procuring goods  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. IF12307) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "U.S. Government Procurement and International Trade:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * International Agreements and U.S. Application The United States has played a prominent role in the development of international trade rules on government procurement - multilaterally under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)/WTO and other international economic in more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. IF12307) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "U.S. Government Procurement and International Trade:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * U.S.-EU Procurement Market Issues Opening U.S. and EU procurement markets has been a major issue in transatlantic trade relations for more than four decades. The WTO GPA governs EU and U.S. firms' access to government procurement markets in the United States and the EU, as ther more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46196) on Jan. 5, 2023, entitled "Stafford Act and Selected Federal Recovery Programs for Civil Unrest: Historical Perspectives and Policy Observations." The report was written by American national government specialist Bruce R. Lindsay, flood insurance and emergency management specialist Diane P. Horn, economic development policy analysts Joseph V. Jaroscak and Julie M. Lawhorn; and emergency management more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46196) on Jan. 5, 2023, entitled "Stafford Act and Selected Federal Recovery Programs for Civil Unrest: Historical Perspectives and Policy Observations:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Policy Options and Considerations for Congress The following sections examine policy options and considerations that may be of interest to Congress when contemplating federal assistance for civil unrest. These policy more PR