WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet on the Lunar New Year (No. R46674) on Jan. 25, 2023, by Devon Galena, reference and digital services librarian: * * * Introduction The Lunar New Year is a major holiday celebrated in many parts of Asia and in Asian communities around the world. It marks the beginning of the year using the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. Typically, Lunar New Year is observed in late January or early February of th more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Chinese nuclear and missile proliferation (No. IF11737) on Jan. 23, 2023, by nonproliferation specialist Paul K. Kerr: * * * Chinese Nuclear and Missile Proliferation The U.S. government has continued to express concerns about China's record concerning the proliferation of nuclear- and missile-related technologies to other countries, with more recent focus on the threat of Chinese acquisitio more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Constitutional Authority Statements (No. IF12314) on Jan. 26, 2023, by legislative attorney Whitney K. Novak. Here are excerpts: * * * Constitutional Authority Statements: A Quick Guide House Rule XII, clause 7(c), requires that all bills or joint resolutions introduced in the House include a Constitutional Authority Statement (CAS). No statement is required for simple or concurrent re more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the foreign ownership and holdings of U.S. agricultural land (No. IF11977) on Jan. 24, 2023, entitled "Emergency Assistance for Agricultural Land Rehabilitation" by agricultural policy specialist Renee Johnson. Here are excerpts: * * * Foreign Ownership and Holdings of U.S. Agricultural Land The 117th Congress introduced a range of proposals to restrict foreign investment and ownership in  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on how consumer data affects competition through digital advertising (No. IF12314) on Jan. 26, 2023, by Clare Y. Cho, industrial organization and business analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * How Consumer Data Affects Competition Through Digital Advertising Digital advertising allows advertisers to send targeted ads, meaning different users viewing the same website or app at the same moment might more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the hypersonic missile defense (No. IF11623) on Jan. 24, 2023, entitled "Emergency Assistance for Agricultural Land Rehabilitation" by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Hypersonic Missile Defense: Issues for Congress The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Space Development Agency (SDA) are currently developing elements of a hypersonic  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on an introduction to trade secrets law in the U.S. (No. IF12315) on Jan. 27, 2023, by legislative attorney Christopher T. Zirpoli: Here are excerpts: * * * An Introduction to Trade Secrets Law in the United States Trade secrets - a form of intellectual property comprising many kinds of confidential information - are widely considered to be important assets for U.S. companies and the U.S. eco more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Internal Revenue Service's Free File Program (No. IF11808) on Jan. 26, 2023, by public finance analyst Gary Guenther: * * * The Internal Revenue Service's Free File Program (FFP): Current Status and Policy Issues The option to electronically file (e-filing) federal individual income tax returns began in 1986. Since then its usage has grown considerably. As of October 28, 2022, nearly 92% more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Middle East, North Africa and Afghanistan (No. IF12268) on Jan. 27, 2023. The white paper was written by African affairs specialist Alexis Arieff, Middle Eastern affairs analyst Carla E. Humud, and Middle Eastern affairs specialists Christopher M. Blanchard, Jeremy M. Sharp, Clayton Thomas and Jim Zanotti. Here are excerpts: * * * The Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan: Selected more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the military installations management (No. IF11263) on Jan. 23, 2023, by defense infrastructure policy analyst Andrew Tilghman. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Military Installations Management The Department of Defense (DOD) and the three military departments - the Army, Navy, and Air Force - maintain distinctive organizational structures, policies, and programs for managing thei more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the prospects for U.S.-Saudi nuclear energy cooperation (No. IF10799) on Jan. 23, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard and nonproliferation specialist Paul K. Kerr: * * * Prospects for U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Energy Cooperation Overview The 118th Congress may engage the Biden Administration with regard to U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia's National Project for Atomic more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Saudi Arabia (No. IF10822) on Jan. 27, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard. Here are excerpts: * * * Saudi Arabia Change, Continuity, and Controversy The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ruled by the Al Saud family since its founding in 1932, wields considerable global influence through its administration of the birthplace of the Islamic faith and by virtue of holdi more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the SEC's Proxy Advisory Firm Disclosure Reforms (No. IF11695) on Jan. 25, 2023, by financial economics specialist Gary Shorter: * * * The SEC's Proxy Advisory Firm Disclosure Reforms The boards of directors of public companies provide strategic planning and oversight. The boards, in turn respond to the views of shareholders and may vote on proposed corporate changes if the proposals gain a  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. direct financial support for Ukraine (No. IF12305) on Jan. 25, 2023, by Emily M. McCabe, foreign assistance and foreign policy analyst, and Nick M. Brown, foreign assistance analyst. 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 2 more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. funding of U.N. Peacekeeping (No. IF10597) on Jan. 20, 2023, by international relations specialist Luisa Blanchfield. Here are excerpts: * * * United Nations Issues: U.S. Funding of U.N. Peacekeeping The United States is the single largest financial contributor to United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping activities. Congress authorizes and appropriates U.S. contributions, and it has an  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. security assistance to Ukraine (No. IF12040) on Jan. 26, 2023. The white paper was written by Christina L. Arabia, security assistance, security cooperation and global arms trade analyst, Andrew S. Bowen, Russian and European affairs analyst, and Cory Welt, Russian and European affairs specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine The United States has b more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program (No. IN11515) on Jan. 19, 2023, by Diane P. Horn, flood insurance and emergency management specialist: * * * FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation: The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program Changes to Pre-Disaster Mitigation Funding The federal government has historically provided resources to assist in post-disa more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the FDA's Independent Evaluation of Its Food Safety Programs (No. IN12083) on Jan. 25, 2023, by agricultural policy analyst Amber D. Nair: * * * FDA's Independent Evaluation of Its Food Safety Programs The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has primary responsibility for the safety of about 78% of the U.S. food supply. The combined efforts of the food industry and government regulatory a more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Federal Reserve operating at a loss (No. IN12081) on Jan. 23, 2023, by macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte. Here are excerpts: * * * Why Is the Federal Reserve Operating at a Loss? The Federal Reserve (Fed) is self-funded and normally earns more income than needed to cover its expenses and capital transfers, remitting the difference to Treasury. For 2022, the Fed remitted $76 bi more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (No. IN11861) on Jan. 26, 2023, by Shawn Reese, emergency management and homeland security policy analyst: * * * Nonprofit Security Grant Program: Summary and Potential Issues for Congress Introduction On November 30, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin warning of domestic and international  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the tax credits for "clean electricity" - projected effects on CO2 emissions and the generation mix (No. IN12082) on Jan. 23, 2023, by public finance specialist Molly F. Sherlock. Here are excerpts: * * * Tax Credits for "Clean Electricity" - Projected Effects on CO2 Emissions and the Generation Mix Reducing greenhouse gas emissions was a key policy objective of recently enacted budget recon more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools (No. LSB10907) on Jan. 26, 2023, Legislative Attorney Abigail A. Graber: * * * Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools: the Supreme Court Considers a Futility Exception to IDEA Administrative Exhaustion This term, the Supreme Court considers the interplay between the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other federal laws protecting students more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the recent appellate decisions of interest to lawmakers, Jan. 17-22, 2023 (No. LSB10906) on Jan. 23, 2023, entitled "Emergency Assistance for Agricultural Land Rehabilitation" by legislative attorneys Dave S. Sidhu and Jimmy Balser: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (Jan. 17-Jan. 22, 2023) The federal courts issue hundreds of decision more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47397) on Jan. 25, 2023, entitled "The 1% Excise Tax on Stock Repurchases" by economic policy senior specialist Jane G. Gravelle: * * * SUMMARY The law commonly known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-169) includes a 1% excise tax on stock repurchases by publicly traded corporations. Stock repurchases are a way to distribute income to shareholders and, compared to dividends, have favorab more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In report (No. R47328) on Jan. 19, 2023, entitled "The 15% Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax" by Economic Policy Senior Specialist Jane G. Gravelle. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-169) imposes a corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) of 15% on the adjusted financial statement income of large corporations. Corporations would pay the larger of the minimum tax or the  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In report (No. R47328) on Jan. 19, 2023, entitled "The 15% Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Effects on Economic Incentives, Profit Shifting, and Distribution For firms that permanently are subject to the minimum tax, incentives to invest would depend on whether the investments are domestic or foreign, the type of investment, and the extent to which debt finance is used. Inve more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46950) on Jan. 18, 2023, entitled "Afghan Eligibility for Selected Benefits Based on Immigration Status: In Brief" by immigration policy analyst Abigail F. Kolker. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Tables Table 1. Eligibility for Selected Public Benefit Programs, Work Authorization, and Path to LPR Status for Selected Immigration Statuses ... 4 Contacts Author Information ... 6 * * * In light of  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47382) on Jan. 11, 2023, entitled "Congressional Control over the Supreme Court" by legislative attorney Joanna R. Lampe: * * * SUMMARY The Constitution's Framers structured the Constitution to promote the separation of powers and protect the federal courts from undue influence by Congress and the executive branch. Among the federal courts, the Constitution grants the Supreme Court special status. As a more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47382) on Jan. 11, 2023, entitled "Congressional Control over the Supreme Court:" (Continued from Part 1 of 4) * * * Changes to Supreme Court Justices' Tenure Among other provisions intended to safeguard judicial independence,/115 the Constitution guarantees that Supreme Court Justices "shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour."/116 Under prevailing interpretations of the Constitution and long- more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47382) on Jan. 11, 2023, entitled "Congressional Control over the Supreme Court:" (Continued from Part 2 of 4) * * * Other Structural Changes to the Supreme Court While Supreme Court expansion and the imposition of term limits are the proposals that have garnered the most attention in recent years, some commentators have proposed other structural reforms. Often, those reforms would involve changes to more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47382) on Jan. 11, 2023, entitled "Congressional Control over the Supreme Court:" (Continued from Part 3 of 4) * * * Limits on Jurisdiction Some Court reform proposals would limit the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, or of courts generally, over certain categories of cases, a practice sometimes called jurisdiction stripping./290 Often, such proposals aim to prevent courts from invalidating actions  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46273) on Jan. 23, 2023, entitled "Consideration of Privileged Nominations in the Senate" by Michael Greene, Congress and legislative process analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Privileged nominations are a subset of presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed positions that are eligible for consideration under procedures established by S.Res. 116 (112th Congress, 2011-2012). The vast majority more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44726) on Jan. 23, 2023, entitled "Constituent Services: Overview and Resources" by American national government analyst Sarah J. Eckman: * * * SUMMARY Constituent service encompasses a wide array of non-legislative activities undertaken by Members of Congress or congressional staff, and it is commonly considered a representational responsibility. Member offices vary in their priorities, activities, an more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44342) on Jan. 24, 2023, entitled "Consumption Taxes: An Overview" by public finance specialist Donald J. Marples. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Some argue that the current U.S. income tax code is overly complicated and unfair, restrains economic growth, and is in need of reform. One option for tax reform would be to tax consumption instead of income, which would represent a fundamental change in h more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45948) on Jan. 19, 2023, entitled "The Controlled Substances Act: A Legal Overview for the 118th Congress" by legislative attorney Joanna R. Lampe. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) establishes a unified legal framework to regulate certain drugs that are deemed to pose a risk of abuse and dependence. The CSA may apply to drugs that are medical or recreational, legall more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45948) on Jan. 19, 2023, entitled "The Controlled Substances Act: A Legal Overview for the 118th Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 4) * * * Registration Requirements Once a substance is brought within the scope of the CSA through one of the scheduling processes discussed above, almost any person or organization that handles that substance, except for the end user, becomes subject to a comprehensiv more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45948) on Jan. 19, 2023, entitled "The Controlled Substances Act: A Legal Overview for the 118th Congress:" (Continued from Part 2 of 4) * * * Legal Considerations for the 118th Congress Drug regulation has received significant attention from Congress in recent years. The opioid epidemic and various federal, state, and local efforts to respond to the crisis have raised a number of legal and policy qu more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45948) on Jan. 19, 2023, entitled "The Controlled Substances Act: A Legal Overview for the 118th Congress:" (Continued from Part 3 of 4) * * * Federal and State Marijuana Regulation Another topic that raised a number of legal considerations for the 117th Congress is the increasing divergence between federal and state marijuana regulation./293 As of January 2023, 21 states, two territories, and the Di more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 97-139) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Crime and Forfeiture:" (Continued from Part 1 of 9) * * * Administrative (Nonjudicial) Forfeitures In the interests of expediency and judicial economy, Congress has sometimes authorized the use of administrative forfeiture as the first step after seizure in "uncontested" civil forfeiture cases./74 It may be somewhat misleading to characterize administrative forfeitu more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 97-139) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Crime and Forfeiture:" (Continued from Part 2 of 9) * * * Disposition of Forfeited Assets Disposal of forfeited property is ordinarily a matter of statute. The pertinent statute may require that the proceeds of a confiscation be devoted to a single purpose, such as the support of education or deposit in the general fund. The statute may call for the destruction of pr more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 97-139) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Crime and Forfeiture:" (Continued from Part 3 of 9) * * * Constitutional Considerations At one time, it could safely be said that the Constitution afforded state and federal governments extraordinary latitude to enact and enforce forfeiture statutes; forfeiture often seemed unusual, sometimes severe, and occasionally unfair, yet with rare exceptions it was not uncons more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 97-139) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Crime and Forfeiture:" (Continued from Part 4 of 9) * * * Attachments 18 U.S.C. Sec. 981. Civil forfeiture (a)(1) The following property is subject to forfeiture to the United States: (A) Any property, real or personal, involved in a transaction or attempted transaction in violation of section 1956, 1957 or 1960 of this title, or any property traceable to such prop more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 97-139) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Crime and Forfeiture:" (Continued from Part 5 of 9) * * * Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims. Rule G. Forfeiture Actions in Rem (1) Scope. This rule governs a forfeiture action in rem arising from a federal statute. To the extent that this rule does not address an issue, Supplemental Rules C and E and the Fe more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 97-139) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Crime and Forfeiture:" (Continued from Part 6 of 9) * * * 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1956(c)(7). [Specified Unlawful Activity] (7) the term "specified unlawful activity" means- (A) any act or activity constituting an offense listed in section 1961(1) of this title except an act which is indictable under subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31; (B) with respect to a financial t more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 97-139) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Crime and Forfeiture:" (Continued from Part 7 of 9) * * * 28 U.S.C. Sec. 524(c). [Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Fund] (c)(1) There is established in the United States Treasury a special fund to be known as the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund (hereafter in this subsection referred to as the "Fund") which shall be available to the Attorney General more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 97-139) on Jan. 10, 2023, entitled "Crime and Forfeiture:" (Continued from Part 8 of 9) * * * 34 U.S.C. Sec. 20101. Crime Victims Fund (a) Establishment There is created in the Treasury a separate account to be known as the Crime Victims Fund (hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the "Fund"). (b) Fines deposited in Fund; penalties; forfeited appearance bonds Except as limited by subsection (c) more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45920) on Jan. 26, 2023, entitled "Discharge Procedure in the House" by Mark J. Oleszek, Congress and the legislative process: * * * Contents Basic Discharge Procedure ... 1 Consideration After Discharge ... 2 Discharge and Special Rules ... 2 Discharge of Rule for Reported Measure ... 3 Contacts Author Information ... 4 * * * The House discharge rule (Rule XV, clause 2) provides a means fo more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R42854) on Jan. 24, 2023, entitled "Emergency Assistance for Agricultural Land Rehabilitation" by Megan Stubbs, agricultural conservation and natural resources policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers several permanently authorized programs to help producers recover from natural disasters. Most of these programs offer financial assistance more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47388) on Jan. 18, 2023 entitled "Enforceable Spending Allocations in the Congressional Budget Process: 302(a)s and 302(b)s" by Drew C. Aherne, Congress and legislative process analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (the Budget Act) stipulates a system for enforcing the spending levels established in the budget resolution that focuses on the individual committee more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46858) on Jan. 23, 2023, entitled "Europe: Fact Sheet on Parliamentary and Presidential Elections" by research librarian Sofia Plagakis. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 European Elections in 2023 ... 2 European Parliamentary and Presidential Elections ... 4 Figures Figure 1. European Elections Scheduled for 2023 ... 3 Tables Table 1. European Parliamentary and President more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47258) on Jan. 25, 2023, entitled "FCC Spectrum Auction Authority: Background and Proposals for Extension" by telecommunications policy analyst Jill C. Gallagher and internet and telecommunications policy specialist Patricia Moloney Figliola. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Radio spectrum ("spectrum") is the continuum of frequencies allocated for radio transmissions and is a finite and valuable resou more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R40089) on Jan. 18, 2023, entitled "Foreign Assistance Act of 1961: Authorizations and Corresponding Appropriations" by foreign policy legislation specialist Dianne E. Rennack. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (P.L. 87-195; 22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) serves as the cornerstone for the United States' foreign assistance policies and programs. Written, passed, and signed int more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In report (No. R47394) on Jan. 23, 2023, entitled "Haiti: Recent Developments and U.S. Policy" by Latin American affairs specialist Clare Ribando Seelke and Latin American affairs analyst Karla I. Rios. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Haiti, located on the western third of the island of Hispaniola and bordering the Dominican Republic, is in the midst of interrelated political, security, and humanitarian crises. A more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In report (No. R47394) on Jan. 23, 2023, entitled "Haiti: Recent Developments and U.S. Policy:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * U.S. Policy and Issues for Congress U.S. policy goals in Haiti under the Biden Administration include supporting Haitian-led efforts to confront gangs and insecurity; resolving the political and constitutional crisis; reviving the economy; and addressing poverty and a lack of basic se more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47390) on Jan. 19, 2023, entitled "Kuwait: Issues for the 118th Congress" by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY U.S. relations with the State of Kuwait have remained close since the United States led a multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from Iraqi forces in 1991. Defense cooperation serves as the centerpiece of U.S.-Kuwaiti partnersh more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47391) on Jan. 19, 2023, entitled "Legal and Procedural Matters Related to Seating a Cherokee Nation Delegate in the House of Representatives." The report was written by Christina L. Arabia, security assistance, security cooperation and global arms trade analyst, Andrew S. Bowen, Russian and European affairs analyst, and Cory Welt, Russian and European affairs specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * SUM more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47391) on Jan. 19, 2023, entitled "Legal and Procedural Matters Related to Seating a Cherokee Nation Delegate in the House of Representatives:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Current Status of the Delegate Provision Both before and after the Hopewell Treaty, representatives from the Cherokee Tribe were present in Washington, D.C./66 One historian writes: "During the 1820s and 1830s Cherokee Deleg more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RS21282) on Jan. 25, 2023, entitled "Military Service Records, Awards and Unit Histories: A Guide to Locating Sources" by senior research librarian Barbara Salazar Torreon and research librarian Travis A. Ferrell. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary This guide provides information on locating military unit histories and individual service records of discharged, retired, and deceased military personnel. It more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41129) on Jan. 25, 2023, entitled "Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress" by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The Navy's Columbia (SSBN-826) class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) program is a program to design and build a class of 12 new SSBNs to replace the Navy's current force of 14 aging Oh more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41129) on Jan. 25, 2023, entitled "Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Issues for Congress Risk of Schedule Delay in Designing and Building Lead Boat Overview One oversight issue for Congress is the risk of a delay in designing and building the lead Columbia-class boat. As mentioned earlier, the s more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41129) on Jan. 25, 2023, entitled "Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Legislative Activity for FY2023 Summary of Congressional Action on FY2023 Funding Request Table 4 summarizes congressional action on the Navy's FY2023 procurement and advance procurement (AP) funding request for the Columbia-cla more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47054) on Jan. 13, 2023, entitled "Russia's 2022 Invasion of Ukraine: Related CRS Products" by research planning coordinator Zoe Danon and research librarian David A. Blum: * * * Contents Conflict Developments and Background Issues ... 1 U.S. and International Policy Responses ... 1 Sanctions Policy and the Russian Economy ... 1 Security and Defense Policy Areas ... 2 Foreign and Economic Polic more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL32254) on Jan. 25, 2023, entitled "Small Business Tax Benefits: Current Law" by public finance analyst Gary Guenther. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Small Business Tax Benefits: Current Law The federal tax burden on small firms and its effects on their formation and growth have long been matters of concern for Congress. This abiding interest has contributed to the enactment of targeted tax relief f more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL32254) on Jan. 25, 2023, entitled "Small Business Tax Benefits: Current Law:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Summary of Current Federal Small Business Tax Preferences Expensing Allowance for Certain Depreciable Business Assets Expensing is the fastest form of depreciation. It treats the cost of acquiring a depreciable asset (e.g., machine tool or patent) as a current expense rather than a capit more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. IF12305) on Jan. 25, 2023, entitled "The Strategic National Stockpile: Overview and Issues for Congress" by Frank Gottron, science and technology policy specialist, and Taylor R. Wyatt, public health emergency management analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) consists of drugs, vaccines, medical products, and ancillary supplies that can be deployed at the reque more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47340) on Jan. 18, 2023, entitled "Temporary Judgeships: Frequently Asked Questions' by American national government analyst Barry J. McMillion. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY This report provides data and analysis related to temporary judgeships authorized for the federal judiciary. A temporary judgeship is authorized by Congress to temporarily increase a court's size by adding one or more judgeshi more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44000) on Jan. 19, 2023, entitled "Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations In Brief" by Middle Eastern affairs specialists Jim Zanotti and Clayton Thomas. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY U.S. relations with Turkey (Turkiye) take place within a complicated geopolitical environment and with Turkey in economic distress. U.S.-Turkey tensions that worsened after a failed 2016 coup in Turkey - including ongo more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44000) on Jan. 19, 2023, entitled "Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations In Brief:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Turkish Foreign Policy General Assessment Turkey's strategic orientation, or how it relates to and balances between the West and other global and regional powers, is a major consideration for the United States. Trends in Turkey's relations with the United States and other countries  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47382) on Jan. 20, 2023, entitled "Unemployment Insurance: Legislative Issues in the 117th Congress, Second Session" by income security specialists Katelin P. Isaacs and Julie M. Whittaker: * * * SUMMARY The Unemployment Insurance (UI) system is a joint federal-state partnership that consists of two types of benefits: (1) permanently authorized programs including the Unemployment Compensation (UC) and  more PR