WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle Program (No. IF11876) on Jan. 10, 2023, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * The Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) Program Background The RCV is being developed as part of the Army's Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) family of vehicles. As originally planned, the Army intended to develop three RCV variants:  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (No. IF10154) on Jan. 19, 2023, by international trade and finance specialist Martin A. Weiss. Here are excerpts: * * * Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank In October 2013, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Bali, Indonesia, China proposed creating a new multilateral development bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Congress and the Freedom of Information Act (No. IF10281) on Jan. 9, 2023, by Benjamin M. Barczewski, legislative attorney, and Meghan M. Stuessy, government organization and management analyst: * * * Congress and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA, 5 U.S.C. Sec.552) is often referred to as the embodiment of "the people's right to know" about the  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Department of Defense contractors (No. IF10600) on Jan. 17, 2023, by defense acquisition policy analyst Heidi M. Peters. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Department of Defense Contractors Throughout its history, the Department of Defense (DOD) has relied on contractors to support a wide range of military operations. Within the defense policy community, the term contractor is co more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the foreign ownership of U.S. agriculture (No. IF12312) on Jan. 19, 2023, by agricultural policy specialist Renee Johnson: * * * Foreign Ownership of U.S. Agriculture: Selected Policy Options Congress continues to debate the role of foreign investment in the U.S. food and agriculture sector. Recently enacted appropriations directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand public  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Good Neighbor Authority on federal lands (No. IF11658) on Jan. 11, 2023 by natural resources policy analyst Anne A. Riddle. Here are excerpts: * * * The Good Neighbor Authority on Federal Lands The Good Neighbor Authority allows the Forest Service (FS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to authorize states, counties, and federally recognized Indian tribes to conduct certain project more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Interagency Working Group on coal and power plant communities and economic revitalization (No. IF12238) on Jan. 17, 2023, by economic development policy analyst Julie M. Lawhorn. Here are excerpts: * * * Interagency Working Group (IWG) on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization Congress has provided funding for communities to respond to regional economic challenges  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Kazakhstan (No. IF10251) on Jan. 11, 2023 by Asian policy analyst Maria A. Blackwood. Here are excerpts: * * * Kazakhstan Overview Kazakhstan, a U.S. partner in areas such as counterterrorism, regional security, and nuclear nonproliferation, is a strategically situated country with significant hydrocarbon and mineral resources. It shares borders with Russia to the north and China to the ea more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the listed chemicals and federal regulation of controlled substance precursors (No. IF12311) on Jan. 19, 2023, by legislative attorney Joanna R. Lampe: * * * Listed Chemicals and Federal Regulation of Controlled Substance Precursors The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) regulates pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical drugs and other substances that pose a risk of abuse and dependence. The CSA  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Marine Corps' Amphibious Combat Vehicle (No. IF11755) on Jan. 17, 2023, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * The Marine Corps' Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) Background The Marine Corps describes the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) as: '... The Corps' next-generation vehicle designed to move Marines from ship to shore (Figure 1). Designed to r more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the military departments (No. IF10550) on Jan. 9, 2023, by Alan Ott, defense and intelligence personnel policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: The Military Departments Military Departments The term military department refers to the executive functions of an armed service and the service's activities, installations, and field headquarters, all of which are under the contro more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on monetary policy (No. IF11751) on Jan. 9, 2023, by macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte. Here are excerpts: * * * Introduction to U.S. Economy: Monetary Policy The Federal Reserve (Fed), the nation's central bank, is responsible for monetary policy. This In Focus explains how monetary policy works. Typically, when the Fed wants to stimulate the economy, it makes policy more expansion more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the motor vehicle rules of origin (No. IF12082) on Jan. 12, 2023, by Liana Wong, international trade and finance analyst, and M. Angeles Villarreal, international trade and finance specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * USMCA: Motor Vehicle Rules of Origin The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), approved by Congress on January 16, 2020 (P.L. 116-113), entered into force on July 1,  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (No. IF12152) on Jan. 9, 2023, by research assistant Hibbah Kaileh and defense infrastructure policy analyst Luke A. Nicastro. Here are excerpts: * * * The Pacific Deterrence Initiative: A Budgetary Overview The Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) is a set of prioritized defense investments and activities established by Congress to enhance U.S. deterrence  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 -- 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. 18, 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. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on political warfare (No. IF11127) on Jan. 9, 2023, by Catherine A. Theohary, national security policy, cyber and information operations specialist, and Martin A. Weiss, international trade and finance specialist: * * * What Is "Political Warfare"? Background Military theorist Carl von Clausewitz wrote in his seminal book On War that "war is the continuation of politics by other means." Histor more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Reserve Forces (No. IF10540) on Jan. 17, 2023, by military personnel policy specialist Lawrence Kapp. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Reserve Forces The term reserve component (RC) refers collectively to the seven individual reserve components of the Armed Forces. Congress exercises authority over the reserve components under its constitutional authority "to raise and support A more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Russia's trade and investment role in the global economy (No. IF12066) on Jan. 17, 2023, by Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Russia's Trade and Investment Role in the Global Economy The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation (Russia) in February 2022 - and the expansion of U.S. and international sanctions that followed - has  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Small Business Administration's Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (No. IF12310) on Jan. 17, 2023, by economic development policy analyst Adam G. Levin. Here are excerpts: * * * The Small Business Administration's Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Small businesses and startups sometimes benefit from assistance growing their companies, including opportunities to raise capital, mentors more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on South Korea - background and U.S. relations (No. IF10165) on Jan. 10, 2023. The white paper was written by Asian affairs specialists Mark E. Manyin and Emma Chanlett-Avery and international trade and finance analyst Liana Wong. Here are excerpts: * * * South Korea: Background and U.S. Relations Overview South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea, or ROK) is one of the United States' mo more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Taiwan - political and security issues (No. IF10275) on Jan. 10, 2023, by Asian policy analyst Caitlin Campbell and Asian policy specialist Susan V. Lawrence. Here are excerpts: * * * Taiwan: Political and Security Issues Taiwan, which officially calls itself the Republic of China (ROC), is a self-governing democracy of 23 million people located across the Taiwan Strait from mainland China. more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Tajikistan (No. IF10290) on Jan. 12, 2023, by Asian policy analyst Maria A. Blackwood. Here are excerpts: * * * Tajikistan Overview Tajikistan is a landlocked Central Asian country that borders four other states, including China and Afghanistan, and maintains close ties with Russia. Formerly a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan became independent in 1991. The country's lo more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Turkmenistan (No. IF10303) on Jan. 12, 2023, by Asian policy analyst Maria A. Blackwood. Here are excerpts: * * * Turkmenistan Overview Turkmenistan is an authoritarian Central Asian country rich in hydrocarbons that borders the Caspian Sea and four other countries, including Afghanistan and Iran. Since becoming independent with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Turkmenistan's g more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. Air Force Pilot Training Transformation (No. IF12257) on Jan. 18, 2023, by national defense fellow Patrick Parrish and section research manager Nathan J. Lucas: * * * U.S. Air Force Pilot Training Transformation (PTT) U.S. military leaders have made the case to Congress that the U.S. Air Force is not producing enough pilots to meet its authorized personnel requirements (i.e., end s more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. Geological Survey - supplemental appropriations (No. IF12152) on Jan. 9, 2023, by natural resources policy analyst Anna E. Normand and natural resources and earth sciences analyst Linda R. Rowan. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): Supplemental Appropriations The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is a science agency in the Department of the Interior (DOI) that prov more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S.-China Relations (No. IF10119) on Jan. 9, 2023, by Asian affairs specialist Susan V. Lawrence and Asian trade and finance specialist Karen M. Sutter: * * * China Primer: U.S.-China Relations U.S.-China Competition Congress has intensified its legislative and oversight activity related to the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) in response to growing concerns about PRC actions  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S.-European relations in the 118th Congress (No. IF12302) on Jan. 9, 2023, by European affairs specialist Kristin Archick: * * * U.S.-European Relations in the 118th Congress An Evolving Relationship Since the end of the World War II, successive U.S. Administrations and many Members of Congress have supported a close U.S. partnership with Europe. Often termed the transatlantic relatio more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S.-Japan relations (No. IF10199) on Jan. 11, 2023. The white paper was written by Asian affairs specialists Emma Chanlett-Avery and Mark E. Manyin, Asian affairs analyst Caitlin Campbell and international trade and finance specialist Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-Japan Relations Overview Japan, a U.S. treaty ally since 1951, is a significant U.S. partner i more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Uyghurs (No. IF10281) on Jan. 6, 2023, by Asian affairs specialist Thomas Lum and Foreign affairs analyst Michael A. Weber. Here are excerpts: * * * China Primer: Uyghurs Uyghurs (also spelled "Uighurs") are a Muslim ethnic minority group living primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in the far northwest of the People's Republic of China (PRC or China). They have garn more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Uzbekistan (No. IF10302) on Jan. 10, 2023, by Asian policy analyst Maria A. Blackwood. Here are excerpts: * * * Uzbekistan Overview Uzbekistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia that became independent with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Because it has the largest population in the region and is the only country that borders all four other Central Asian states (Kazakhsta more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (No. IF11651) on Jan. 10, 2023, by Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) During the past 50 years, the United States has played a prominent role in developing international trade rules on government procurement. Most U.S. free trade agreements includ more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the "extraordinary measures" and the debt limit (No. IN10837) on Jan. 17, 2023, by public finance specialist Grant A. Driessen and public finance analyst Anthony A. Cilluffo. Here are excerpts: * * * "Extraordinary Measures" and the Debt Limit A joint resolution enacted in December 2021 (P.L. 117-73) increased the statutory debt limit to $31.38 trillion. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen infor more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the 2022 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (No. IN12079) on Jan. 19, 2023, by Taylor N. Riccard, government organization and management analyst: * * * The 2022 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS): Results and Issues for Congress Background The publication of the results of the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) in the 2022 Office of Personnel Management Federal Employee Viewpoint  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on a brief introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program in the 118th Congress (No. IN11049) on Jan. 12, 2023, by Diane P. Horn, flood insurance and emergency management specialist: * * * A Brief Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program in the 118th Congress Introduction The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is authorized by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (Tit more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the electric grid physical security (No. IN12074) on Jan. 9, 2023, by energy policy specialist Paul W. Parfomak: * * * Electric Grid Physical Security: Recent Developments On December 25, 2022, four electric power distribution substations in the Tacoma, WA, area were physically attacked, allegedly by two malicious individuals in a burglary scheme, causing millions of dollars in damage and cut more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the electronic records management and U.S. Secret Service (No. IN12007) on Jan. 19, 2023, by Shawn Reese, emergency management and homeland security policy analyst, and Meghan M. Stuessy, government organization and management analyst: * * * Electronic Records Management and U.S. Secret Service As part of its inquiry, the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capi more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Federal Aviation Administration's troubled NOTAM System (No. IN12078) on Jan. 19, 2023, by aviation policy specialist Bart Elias. Here are excerpts: * * * Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) Troubled NOTAM System Has Been on Congress's Radar for Years In the early morning of January 11, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system failed more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Fiscal 2023 NDAA - selective service and draft registration (No. IN11973) on Jan. 12, 2023, by military manpower specialist Kristy N. Kamarck. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2023 NDAA: Selective Service and Draft Registration Background Several provisions in the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)-reported National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA; S. 4543) would have more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works (No. IN11723) on Jan. 10, 2023, by natural resources policy specialists Nicole T. Carter and natural resources policy analyst Anna E. Normand. Here are excerpts: * * * Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Civil Works: Policy Primer Congress more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the military child care programs (No. IN11998) on Jan. 17, 2023, by military manpower specialist Kristy N. Kamarck and defense infrastructure policy analyst Andrew Tilghman. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2023 NDAA: Military Child Care Programs The Department of Defense (DOD) operates the largest employer-sponsored child care program in the United States, serving approximately 200,000 children  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on Netanyahu's return to power and new coalition partners (No. IN12071) on Jan. 9, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Jim Zanotti. Here are excerpts: * * * Israel: Netanyahu's Return to Power and New Coalition Partners On December 29, 2022, Israel's Knesset voted to reinstall Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu for a third stint as prime minister (his previous terms were 1996-1999 and more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the recent decisions affecting U.S. Engineering Biology (No. IN12073) on Jan. 9, 2023, by Todd Kuiken, science and technology policy analyst: * * * Convention on Biological Diversity: Recent Decisions Affecting U.S. Engineering Biology The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of the components of biologic more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on Russia's war against Ukraine - European Union responses and U.S.-EU relations (No. IN11897) on Jan. 17, 2023, by European affairs specialist Kristin Archick: * * * Russia's War Against Ukraine: European Union Responses and U.S.-EU Relations The 27-member European Union (EU) has implemented a wide range of policy responses to Russia's war against Ukraine, launched in 2022. EU actions and coor more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the temporary Federal Medical Assistance Percentage increase for Title IV-E Foster Care & Permanency Payments (No. IN11297) on Jan. 9, 2023, by social policy specialist Emilie Stoltzfus: * * * Temporary Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) Increase for Title IV-E Foster Care and Permanency Payments The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA, P.L. 116-127) authorizes temporaril more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Fifth Circuit considers Constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund (No. LSB10904) on Jan. 18, 2023, by legislative attorney Chris D. Linebaugh: * * * Fifth Circuit Considers Constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund In the case Consumers' Research v. FCC, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is considering whether the funding mechanisms for the Federal Communic more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the recent appellate decisions of interest to lawmakers, Jan. 3-Jan. 8, 2023 (No. LSB10894) on Jan. 9, 2023, by legislative attorneys Dave S. Sidhu and Jimmy Balser: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (Jan. 3-Jan. 8, 2023) The federal courts issue hundreds of decisions every week in cases involving diverse legal disputes. This Sideba more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the recent appellate decisions of interest to lawmakers, Jan. 9-16, 2023 (No. LSB10903) on Jan. 18, 2023, by legislative attorneys Dave S. Sidhu and Jimmy Balser: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (Jan. 9-Jan. 16, 2023) The federal courts issue hundreds of decisions every week in cases involving diverse legal disputes. This Sidebar se more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the transgender students and school bathroom policies (No. LSB10902) on Jan. 17, 2023, by legislative attorney Jared P. Cole: * * * Transgender Students and School Bathroom Policies: Equal Protection Challenges Divide Appellate Courts The Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause prohibits states from denying individuals "the equal protection of the laws." Transgender students have more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46468) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "A Brief Overview of the Congressional Budget Process" by James V. Saturno, Congress and legislative process specialist: * * * SUMMARY Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress exercises the "power of the purse." This power is expressed through the application of several provisions. The power to lay and collect taxes and the power to borrow are among the enumerated powers  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL31943) on Jan. 9, 2023, entitled "Budget Enforcement Procedures: The Senate Pay-As-You-Go Rule" by Congress and legislative process analyst Bill Heniff Jr. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Senate pay-as-you-go, or PAYGO, rule prohibits consideration of legislation that is projected to increase on-budget deficits in any of the following four fiscal-year periods: (1) the current year; (2) the budge more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL31943) on Jan. 9, 2023, entitled "Budget Enforcement Procedures: The Senate Pay-As-You-Go Rule:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Legislative History of the Senate PAYGO Rule The Senate established the PAYGO rule in the FY1994 budget resolution in 1993. It has been modified and extended seven times in subsequent budget resolutions and once in a Senate simple resolution./16 Moreover, other propos more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47220) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Comparing DHS Component Funding, FY2023: In Brief" by William L. Painter, homeland security and appropriations specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents The FY2023 DHS Appropriations Process ... 1 Annual Appropriations ... 1 House Committee Action ... 2 Senate Committee Action ... 2 Continuing Resolutions ... 2 Consolidated Appropriations ... 4 DHS B more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41545) on Jan. 17, 2023, entitled "Congressional Careers: Service Tenure and Patterns of Member Service, 1789-2023" by American national government analyst Sarah J. Eckman and visual information specialist Amber Hope Wilhelm. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The average service tenure of Members of the Senate and House of Representatives has varied substantially since 1789. This report presents data o more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RS22005) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Crime and Forfeiture: In Short" by Charles Doyle, American public law senior specialist: * * * Summary Modern forfeiture is a creature of statute that calls for the confiscation of certain property related to a criminal offense. Forfeiture has long been a tool of law enforcement in the United States. Congress and state legislatures have authorized its use for over 2 more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47389) on Jan. 19, 2023, entitled "Cybersecurity: Bureau of Cyber Statistics" by cybersecurity policy specialist Chris Jaikaran. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The scope and scale of cyberattacks against the United States have been difficult to catalog and quantify. Most observers recognize the frequency, severity, and diversity of such attacks as increasing. A lack of uniform data on the attacks st more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47383) on Jan. 11, 2023 entitled "Federal Assistance for Nonfederal Dam Safety." The report was written by natural resources policy analyst Anna E. Normand, natural resources policy specialist Nicole T. Carter, flood insurance and emergency management specialist Diane P. Horn, agricultural conservation and natural resources policy specialist Megan Stubbs and natural resources and energy policy specialis more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47383) on Jan. 11, 2023 entitled "Federal Assistance for Nonfederal Dam Safety:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Federal Assistance for Nonfederal Dam Safety Projects Congress has created various federal programs that may be able to assist state, local, territorial, and tribal entities with their dam safety projects (see summary of selected programs in Table 1)./30 Some of these programs are bro more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45238) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "FEMA and SBA Disaster Assistance for Individuals and Households: Application Processes, Determinations and Appeals" by American national government specialist Bruce R. Lindsay and emergency management and disaster recovery analyst Elizabeth M. Webster. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The Small Business Administration's (SBA's) Disaster Loan Program and the Federal E more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45238) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "FEMA and SBA Disaster Assistance for Individuals and Households: Application Processes, Determinations and Appeals:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Stafford Act and SBA Disaster Declarations, and Designations Two declaration authorities put FEMA IA and the SBA Disaster Loan Program into effect: (1) the Stafford Act and (2) the Small Business Act. Stafford Act D more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44425) on Jan. 17, 2023, entitled "Health Insurance Premium Tax Credit and Cost-Sharing Reductions" by health care financing specialist Bernadette Fernandez. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary Certain individuals without access to subsidized health insurance coverage may be eligible for the premium tax credit (PTC) established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148, as a more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44736) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "The Holman Rule - House Rule XXI, Clause 2(b)" by James V. Saturno, Congress and legislative process specialist: * * * Summary Although congressional rules establish a general division of responsibility under which questions of policy are kept separate from questions of funding, House rules provide for exceptions in certain circumstances. One such circumstance allows  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45811) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress" by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The United States has actively pursued the development of hypersonic weapons--maneuvering weapons that fly at speeds of at least Mach 5 - as a part of its conventional prompt global strike program since the ear more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45811) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Russia Although Russia has conducted research on hypersonic weapons technology since the 1980s, it accelerated its efforts in response to U.S. missile defense deployments in both the United States and Europe, and in response to the U.S. withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Miss more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44381) on Jan. 9, 2023, entitled "Intelligence Community Spending Trends" by intelligence and national security analyst Michael E. DeVine and research librarian Sofia Plagakis. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The intelligence budget, as considered separate and distinct from the defense budget, dates to reforms initiated in the 1970s to improve oversight and accountability of the intelligence communit more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46240) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Introduction to Federal Budget Process" by James V. Saturno, Congress and legislative process. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress exercises the "power of the purse." This power is expressed through the application of several provisions. The power to lay and collect taxes and the power to borrow are among the enumerated powers of Co more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46240) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Introduction to Federal Budget Process:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Spending Legislation Congressional budgetary procedures distinguish between two types of spending: discretionary spending (which is controlled through the annual appropriations process) and direct spending (also referred to as mandatory spending, for which the level of funding is controlled  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46240) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Introduction to Federal Budget Process:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * The Annual Appropriations Process Discretionary spending is provided through a characteristically annual process in which Congress enacts regular appropriations measures./73 As an exercise of their constitutional authority to determine their rules of proceeding, both chambers have adopted ru more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R42072) on Jan. 9, 2023, entitled "Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes and Recent Actions" by Congress specialist Ida A. Brudnick. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The leaders of the legislative branch agencies and entities - the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Library of Congress (LOC), the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the Government Publishing Office (GPO,  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46816) on Jan. 11, 2023, entitled "The Minority Business Development Agency: An Overview of Its History and Programs" by economic development policy analyst Julie M. Lawhorn. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is the lead federal agency dedicated to assisting minority business enterprises (MBEs) in overcoming social and economic di more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46816) on Jan. 11, 2023, entitled "The Minority Business Development Agency: An Overview of Its History and Programs:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Agency Overview Mission and Structure MBDA's mission is to foster the economic growth and global competitiveness of MBEs. The agency's activities are designed to expand access to capital, markets, and contracts through public and private sector pro more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46688) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Pandemic Relief: The Emergency Rental Assistance Program." The report was written by public finance specialist Grant A. Driessen and housing policy specialists Maggie McCarty and Libby Perl. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY In response to concerns about the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on renters and their landlords, Congress created a $25 billion Emer more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46688) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Pandemic Relief: The Emergency Rental Assistance Program:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * ERA Program Parameters When P.L. 116-260 created the ERA program, it established parameters for how ERA-1 funds could and should be spent. Treasury issued Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding how certain aspects of the law are to be applied./22 For ERA-2 funding, P.L more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45242) on Jan. 9, 2023, entitled "Private Flood Insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program" by Diane P. Horn, flood Insurance and emergency management specialist, and Baird Webel, acting section research manager. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the main source of primary flood insurance coverage in the United States, collecting over $4.6 billion  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45242) on Jan. 9, 2023, entitled "Private Flood Insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Private Flood Insurance Outside the NFIP: Issues and Barriers One of the reasons that Congress created the NFIP in 1968 was the general unavailability of flood insurance from private insurers. Private flood insurance was offered between 1895 and 1927, but losses incur more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47379) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Resources for Financial Market Data" by research librarian Ben Leubsdorf: * * * SUMMARY The U.S. financial system contains large and active markets for stocks, bonds, and commodities, as well as digital assets (e.g., cryptocurrencies) and other financial instruments. This report describes authoritative, open-access sources for current and historical information about  more PR