WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (No. IF12317) on Feb. 2, 2023 by health policy analyst Kavya Sekar: * * * The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a committee of nonfederal experts who make recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the use of vaccines and related ag more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the biometric technologies and global security (No. IF11783) on Jan. 30, 2023, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Biometric Technologies and Global Security Biometric technologies use unique biological or behavioral attributes--such as DNA, fingerprints, cardiac signatures, voice or gait patterns, and facial or ocular measurements  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Chinese nuclear and missile proliferation (No. IF11737) on Feb. 1, 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 acquisiti more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Program (No. IF11331) on Feb. 1, 2023 by environmental policy specialist Richard K. Lattanzio. Here are excerpts: * * * The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program Emissions from diesel engines--especially particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides, and air toxics--have been shown to contribute to air pollution that adversely impac more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the foreign relations reauthorization (No. IF10293) on Jan. 31, 2023 by foreign affairs analyst Cory R. Gill: * * * Foreign Relations Reauthorization: Background and Issues Introduction The Constitution gives Congress the power to provide funding, authorize programs, and conduct oversight with respect to the implementation of foreign policy. In exercising these powers, Congress has enacted  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program (No. IF11889) on Feb. 1, 2023 by economic development policy specialist Joseph V. Jaroscak: * * * HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program: An Overview The Section 108 Loan Guarantee program (Section 108) is one of several Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs designed to support local community and economic development activities more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the immigration-related criminal offenses (No. IF11410) on Jan. 31, 2023 by legislative attorney Kelsey Y. Santamaria: * * * Immigration-Related Criminal Offenses The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) governs the admission, removal, and presence of individuals who are not citizens or nationals of the United States (i.e., "aliens" as defined in the INA). Congress has established criminal s more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the prospects for U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Energy Cooperation (No. IF10799) on Feb. 2, 2023 by Middle Eastern affairs 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 Energy and th more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Russia's War on Ukraine (No. IF12277) on Jan. 30, 2023. The white paper was written by Paul Belkin, European affairs analyst, Cory Welt, Russian and European affairs specialist, and Rebecca M. Nelson, international trade and finance specialist: * * * Russia's War on Ukraine: U.S. Policy and the Role of Congress On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a new undeclared war against Ukraine, a co more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the strategic nuclear forces (No. IF10519) on Feb. 2, 2023 by nonproliferation specialist Paul K. Kerr. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Strategic Nuclear Forces The Nuclear Triad Since the early 1960s, the United States has maintained a "triad" of strategic nuclear delivery vehicles. These include long-range land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), long-range submari more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. trade policy (No. IF10156) on Jan. 30, 2023. The white paper was written by Shayerah I. Akhtar and Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs, international trade and finance specialists, and Karen M. Sutter, Asian trade and finance specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Trade Policy: Background and Current Issues Congress has primary authority over U.S. trade policy through its constitutional  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the 2023 North American Leaders' Summit (No. IN12084) on Jan. 31, 2023 by M. Angeles Villarreal, international trade and finance specialist, and Clare Ribando Seelke, Latin American affairs specialist: * * * 2023 North American Leaders' Summit: Issues for the 118th Congress Mexico hosted the 10th North American Leaders' Summit (NALS) in Mexico City on January 9-10, 2023. President Joe Biden me more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the response to drought in the Colorado River Basin (No. IN11982) on Feb. 1, 2023 by natural resources policy specialist Charles V. Stern. Here are excerpts: * * * Responding to Drought in the Colorado River Basin: Federal and State Efforts The Colorado River Basin (Figure 1) covers more than 246,000 square miles in seven U.S. states and Mexico. Basin waters are managed and governed by multip more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the strategic nuclear forces (No. IN12085) on Feb. 2, 2023 by Ben Wilhelm, government organization and management analyst: * * * Testimonial Subpoena Authority and Inspectors General On June 7, 2022, President Biden signed the Strengthening Oversight for Veterans Act of 2021 (P.L. 117136). This law authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) to issue subp more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the CRS Legal Products for the 118th Congress (No. LSB10889) on Jan. 31, 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, Feb. 2 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the effect of private immigration legislation and recent policy changes (No. LSB10909) on Feb. 1, 2023 by legislative attorney Hillel R. Smith: * * * The Effect of Private Immigration Legislation and Recent Policy Changes For many years, private immigration bills have served as the last step to prevent the removal of certain aliens (as defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the mandatory minimum sentence that is not mandatory under the First Step Act (No. LSB10910) on Feb. 2, 2023 by legislative attorney Dave S. Sidhu: * * * When Is a Mandatory Minimum Sentence Not Mandatory Under the First Step Act? For some federal crimes, Congress establishes maximum penalties and mandatory minimum penalties that form the outer bounds of permissible federal criminal sent more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the recent appellate decisions of interest to lawmakers, Jan. 22-29, 2023 (No. LSB10908) on Jan. 31, 2023 by legislative attorneys Hannah-Alise Rogers and Alexander H. Pepper: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (Jan. 22-Jan. 29, 2023) The federal courts issue hundreds of decisions every week in cases involving diverse legal disputes. Th more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41425) on Feb. 2, 2023, entitled "Commemorative Commissions: Overview, Structure and Funding" by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congress statutorily establishes commemorative commissions to oversee and coordinate the federal government's commemoration of a person or event. Typically, commemorative commissions coordinate celebrations, scholarly events, public gathe more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In report (No. R47070) on Jan. 23, 2023, entitled "Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs - Fiscal 2023 Budget and Appropriations" by Emily M. McCabe, foreign assistance and foreign policy analyst, and Cory R. Gill, foreign affairs analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Each year, Congress considers 12 distinct appropriations measures to fund federal programs and activities. One of these i more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In report (No. R47070) on Jan. 23, 2023, entitled "Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs - Fiscal 2023 Budget and Appropriations:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Foreign Operations Highlights SFOPS Foreign Operations accounts comprise the majority of U.S. foreign assistance included in the international affairs budget; the remainder is enacted in the Agriculture appropriations bill, whi more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47403) on Feb. 2, 2023, entitled "Flooding and Federal Projects: Exposures and Limits to Liability" by legislative attorney Kristen Hite: * * * SUMMARY Over the past century, the federal government has undertaken a number of civil works projects to prevent widespread flooding damage. Congress authorizes these flood control projects and generally delegates design and construction to federal agencies such more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47403) on Feb. 2, 2023, entitled "Flooding and Federal Projects: Exposures and Limits to Liability:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Intentional Flooding by Design In some situations, damage occurs where a government action was expected to lead to flooding. As with negligence claims, intentional torts may be subject to the FTCA's discretionary function exception and FCA immunity. Similarly, takings more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47396) on Jan. 24, 2023, entitled "Health Care Provisions of the Budget Reconciliation Measure P.L. 117-169." The report was written by health care financing analysts Katherine M. Kehres, Suzanne M. Kirchhoff and Cliff Binder; health care financing specialists Evelyne P. Baumrucker and Bernadette Fernandez; legislative attorney Edward C. Liu and Congress and legislative process specialist Megan S. Lynch more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47396) on Jan. 24, 2023, entitled "Health Care Provisions of the Budget Reconciliation Measure P.L. 117-169:" (Continued from Part 1 of 5) * * * Detailed Summary of Provisions The following sections contain detailed summaries for each of the health provisions in P.L. 117169, the budget reconciliation legislation often referred to as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The summaries are grouped by su more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47396) on Jan. 24, 2023, entitled "Health Care Provisions of the Budget Reconciliation Measure P.L. 117-169:" (Continued from Part 2 of 5) * * * Section 11003: Excise Tax Imposed on Drug Manufacturers During Noncompliance Periods Background IRC Subtitle D imposes various excise taxes on different entities, including public charities, private foundations, and pension plans that fail to meet certain r more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47396) on Jan. 24, 2023, entitled "Health Care Provisions of the Budget Reconciliation Measure P.L. 117-169:" (Continued from Part 3 of 5) * * * Medicare Part D Program Changes Section 11201: Medicare Part D Redesign Background Medicare Part D provides a voluntary, outpatient prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries and is the primary source of drug coverage for dual-eligible individual more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47396) on Jan. 24, 2023, entitled "Health Care Provisions of the Budget Reconciliation Measure P.L. 117-169:" (Continued from Part 4 of 5) * * * Payment for Medicare Part B Biosimilar Biological Products Section 11402: Payment for Biosimilar Biological Products During Initial Period Background Biological products are medical products derived from living organisms, which can include animal cells and more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44770) on Jan. 24, 2023, entitled "History, Evolution and Practices of the President's State of the Union Address: Frequently Asked Questions" by senior research librarian Maria Kreiser and Congress and legislative process analyst Michael Greene: * * * Summary The State of the Union address is a communication from the President to Congress in which the chief executive reports on the current condition o more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47390) on Jan. 24, 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, Feb. 2 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47402) on Feb. 1, 2023, entitled "Mental Health Parity and Coverage in Private Health Insurance: Federal Requirements" by health care financing analyst Vanessa C. Forsberg. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 Legislative History ... 2 Benefit Coverage Requirements ... 2 Coverage of the Essential Health Benefits ... 3 Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Without Cost Sharing  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In report (No. R46462) on Jan. 23, 2023, entitled "Noncitizen Eligibility for Federal Housing Programs" by housing policy specialist Maggie McCarty and immigration policy analyst Abigail F. Kolker. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Noncitizen eligibility for federal housing programs varies based on the programs in question, the laws and regulations that govern them, the agency that administers them, the immigration more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In report (No. R46462) on Jan. 23, 2023, entitled "Noncitizen Eligibility for Federal Housing Programs:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Implementing Regulations The statutory restrictions on noncitizen eligibility for federal housing programs included in Section 214, PRWORA, and others laws require federal agencies to issue regulations and guidance to interpret and apply the provisions to specific programs. T more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47162) on Jan. 23, 2023, entitled "Overview of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Infrastructure Assistance" by natural resources policy analyst Anna E. Normand. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congress has authorized and appropriated funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) environmental infrastructure (EI) assistance for the design and construction of certain infrastructure in speci more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RS21852) on Jan. 30, 2023, entitled "The United Arab Emirates: Issues for U.S. Policy" by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Jeremy M. Sharp. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven principalities or "emirates." Its population is nearly 10 million, of which nearly 90% are expatriates from within and outside the region who work in its open economy. The UAE more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RS21852) on Jan. 30, 2023, entitled "The United Arab Emirates: Issues for U.S. Policy:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Foreign Policy and Defense Issues The United States is arguably the UAE's most important security partner (see below). U.S. troops are stationed on Emirati soil (at the invitation of the UAE government); the UAE military procures sophisticated U.S. military equipment; and the secu more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46681) on Jan. 24, 2023, entitled "USDA Nutrition Assistance Programs: Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic." The report was written by nutrition assistance policy specialist Randy Alison Aussenberg, social policy specialist Gene Falk and social policy analyst Kara Clifford Billings. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) programs are oft more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46681) on Jan. 24, 2023, entitled "USDA Nutrition Assistance Programs: Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a number of challenges for SNAP. To address the economic downturn and increased unemployment, the laws have included temporary benefit increases as well as a requirement for the par more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46681) on Jan. 24, 2023, entitled "USDA Nutrition Assistance Programs: Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Appropriation FFCRA provided a $500 million supplemental appropriation, available through FY2021, for WIC. Waivers In addition, FFCRA gave USDA further authority to gra more PR