WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet on the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington (No. R44418) on Feb. 7, 2023, by Devon Galena, reference and digital services librarian: * * * Introduction Washington's Birthday, often informally referred to as Presidents' Day, is a federal holiday celebrating the birth of President George Washington on the third Monday in February. In some regions of the United States, the birth of President Ab more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Social Security retirement age (No. IF12323) on Feb. 9, 2023 by social policy analyst Zhe Li. Here are excerpts: * * * The Social Security Retirement Age: An Overview Introduction Social Security is a work-based federal insurance program that provides monthly cash benefits to workers and their eligible family members in the event of a worker's retirement, disability, or death. The Soci more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the accredited investor definition and private securities markets (No. IF11278) on Feb. 3, 2023, by financial economics analyst Eva Su. Here are excerpts: * * * Accredited Investor Definition and Private Securities Markets Companies turn to capital markets to raise funding from investors, a process referred to as a securities offering. Public securities offerings are open to a wide range of more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the cooperation among the U.S., Japan, India and Australia (No. IF11678) on Jan. 30, 2023. The white paper was written by Asian affairs specialists Emma Chanlett-Avery and Bruce Vaughn and South Asian affairs specialist K. Alan Kronstadt: * * * The "Quad": Cooperation Among the United States, Japan, India, and Australia Overview The Biden Administration has boosted the profile of the Quadri more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the COVID-related travel restrictions on arriving vaccinated and unvaccinated foreign nationals with valid documents (No. IF11510) on Feb. 8, 2023, by legislative attorney Kelsey Y. Santamaria: * * * COVID-Related Travel Restrictions on Arriving Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Foreign Nationals with Valid Documents In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the executive branch invoked statutory powe more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Department of Defense Civilian Employees (No. IF11510) on Feb. 6, 2023, by Alan Ott, defense and intelligence personnel policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Department of Defense Civilian Employees Background Congress established the current federal civil service, which is overseen by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), with the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities - administrative expenses (No. IF12165) on Feb. 1, 2023, by economic development policy analyst Julie M. Lawhorn. Here are excerpts: * * * Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities: Administrative Expenses Federal regional commissions and authorities (hereinafter regional commissions) are congressionally-chartered, federal-state partnership more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Forest Service - Fiscal 2023 appropriations (No. IF12141) on Feb. 10, 2023 by natural resources policy specialist Katie Hoover. Here are excerpts: * * * Forest Service: FY2023 Appropriations The Forest Service (FS) is responsible for managing 193 million acres of land in the National Forest System (NFS), conducting forestry research, and providing assistance to state, local, private, an more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the House Sergeant at Arms (No. IF11727) on Feb. 10, 2023 by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus. Here are excerpts: * * * House Sergeant at Arms: A Primer The Sergeant at Arms (SAA) is an elected officer of the House of Representatives and is the chamber's primary law enforcement official and protocol officer, responsible for maintaining security on the House floor and the House side of th more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on improving crime victimization data for noncitizen populations (No. IF12316) on Jan. 31, 2023, by social policy analyst Emily J. Hanson and immigration policy analyst Abigail F. Kolker: * * * Improving Crime Victimization Data for Noncitizen Populations Accurate and comprehensive crime data are vital to understanding the scope of criminal victimizations in the United States, including those a more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on India's domestic political setting (No. IF10298) on Feb. 1, 2023, by South Asian affairs specialist K. Alan Kronstadt. Here are excerpts: * * * India's Domestic Political Setting Overview India, the world's most populous democracy, is, according to its Constitution, a "sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic" where the bulk of executive power rests with the prime minister and his more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Iraq (No. IF10404) on Feb. 8, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard. Here are excerpts: * * * Iraq The Republic of Iraq is strategically located in the central Middle East region (Figure 1) and has large energy resources and a growing, diverse population. Its potential and regional influence make it a venue for competition between outside powers, including the U more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the IRS's General Welfare Exclusion (No. IF12326) on Feb. 9, 2023 by legislative attorney Milan N. Ball: * * * The IRS's General Welfare Exclusion The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has concluded that certain payments under legislatively provided social benefit programs that promote the general welfare are excludable from a recipient's gross income and thus are not subject to tax. The genera more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Internal Revenue Service's private tax debt collection program (No. IF10339) on Feb. 10, 2023 by public finance analyst Gary Guenther: * * * The Internal Revenue Service's Private Tax Debt Collection Program For the third time in its history, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is managing a program to collect certain delinquent individual income tax debt using private debt collection ag more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (No. IF11729) on Feb. 10, 2023 by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Background The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles (FoV) is an Army-led, joint-service program designed to replace a portion of each service's light tactical wheeled vehicle fleets. The JLTV FoV more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Department of Labor guidance and regulations on selecting private-sector pension plan investments (No. IF12328) on Feb. 10, 2023 by income security analyst Elizabeth A. Myers and income security specialist John J. Topoleski: * * * Department of Labor Guidance and Regulations on Selecting Private-Sector Pension Plan Investments Introduction The fiduciary standards in the Employee Retirem more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Libya and U.S. policy (No. IF11556) on Feb. 7, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard. Here are excerpts: * * * Libya and U.S. Policy Twelve years after a 2011 uprising that toppled longtime authoritarian leader Muammar al Qadhafi, Libya has yet to make a transition to stable governing arrangements. Elections and diplomacy have produced a series of interim govern more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the loss and damage associated with the effects of climate change (No. IF12324) on Feb. 9, 2023 by Jane A. Leggett, energy and environmental policy specialist: * * * Loss and Damage Associated with the Effects of Climate Change: Recent Developments Repeated scientific assessments have concluded, with increased confidence over time, that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with human ac more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the opioid block grants (No. IF12116) on Feb. 10, 2023 by health policy analyst Johnathan H. Duff. Here are excerpts: * * * Opioid Block Grants Beginning in the late 1990s, the United States experienced a significant increase in opioid-related drug overdose deaths, which rose from 8,050 in 1999 to 68,630 in 2020. To address the rising rates of opioid use and overdose deaths, Congress create more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on an overview of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (No. IF10492) on Feb. 7, 2023, by income security specialist John J. Topoleski and income security analyst Elizabeth A. Myers: * * * An Overview of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is a government corporation established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the rules and statutes relevant to safeguarding classified materials (No. IF12318) on Feb. 3, 2023, by legislative attorneys Jennifer K. Elsea and Andreas Kuersten: * * * Rules and Statutes Relevant to Safeguarding Classified Materials The discovery of classified documents at the homes, offices, or other facilities used by Presidents and former Presidents and Vice Presidents has spurred Depar more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the strong Dollar - implications for U.S. economy (No. IF12319) on Feb. 6, 2023, by macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte and macroeconomic policy analyst Lida R. Weinstock. Here are excerpts: * * * Strong Dollar: Implications for U.S. Economy Over the past decade the U.S. dollar has generally increased in value relative to other currencies, reaching new heights since the beginning of more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Title IX and athletics - legal basics (No. IF12325) on Feb. 9, 2023 by legislative attorney Jared P. Cole: * * * Title IX and Athletics: Legal Basics Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681. Although the statute does not mention  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. health care coverage and spending (No. IF10830) on Feb. 6, 2023, by Health Care Financing analyst Ryan J. Rosso. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Health Care Coverage and Spending In 2021, the United States had an estimated population of 327 million individuals. Most of those individuals had private health insurance or were covered under a federal program (such as Medicare or Medicaid) more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. Trade Policy - future direction and key economic debates (No. IF12327) on Feb. 9, 2023 by Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analyst: * * * U.S. Trade Policy: Future Direction and Key Economic Debates Congress plays a major role in shaping U.S. trade policy through the exercise of its constitutional authorities. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution gr more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S.-China relations (No. IF10519) on Feb. 2, 2023, by Asian affairs specialist Susan V. Lawrence: * * * 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 and intentions. Upon his election as House Speaker in th more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S.-European relations in the 118th Congress (No. IF12302) on Feb. 6, 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 relation more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service (No. IN12087) on Feb. 3, 2023, by health services specialist Elayne J. Heisler and social policy specialist Jessica Tollestrup: * * * Advance Appropriations for the Indian Health Service The Indian Health Service (IHS) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the lead federal agency charged with improving the health o more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Atmospheric Rivers (No. IN12094) on Feb. 9, 2023 by natural resources policy analyst Eva Lipiec and natural resources policy specialist Nicole T. Carter. Here are excerpts: * * * Atmospheric Rivers: Background and Forecasting An atmospheric river (AR) consists of a long band of water vapor moving through the atmosphere, typically resulting in heavy precipitation over land (Figure 1). Imp more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the discretionary spending caps (No. IN12093) on Feb. 9, 2023 by Megan S. Lynch, Congress and legislative process specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Were the Discretionary Spending Caps Effective? The Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA, P.L. 112-25) was enacted after extended negotiations between congressional leaders and President Obama over increasing the statutory limit on the debt. The BC more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the effects of terminating the Coronavirus Disease 2019 PHE and NEA declarations (No. IN12088) on Feb. 3, 2023. The white paper was written by emergency management and disaster recovery analysts Elizabeth M. Webster and Erica A. Lee, health policy analyst Hassan Z. Sheikh, immigration policy specialist Audrey Singer and legislative attorney Kelsey Y. Santamaria: * * * Effects of Terminating th more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the effects of terminating the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Public Health Emergency and National emergencies Act declarations (No. IN12088) on Feb. 9, 2023. The white paper was written by emergency management and disaster recovery analysts Hassan Z. Sheikh and Erica A. Lee, immigration policy specialist Audrey Singer and legislative attorney Kelsey Y. Santamaria: * * * Effects of Terminating the  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the electric grid physical security (No. IN12074) on Feb. 7, 2023, by energy policy specialist Paul W. Parfomak: * * * Electric Grid Physical Security: Recent Developments On February 6, 2023, the Justice Department announced the arrest of two individuals for planning to attack five electric power transmission substations around Baltimore, MD, allegedly as part of a "racially or ethnically mot more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (No. IN12090) on Feb. 6, 2023, by environmental policy specialist Richard K. Lattanzio: * * * EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed H.R. 5376 (P.L. 117-169), a budget reconciliation measure commonly referred to as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). IRA contains eight titles, each with some provisions that  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Great Lakes Authority established and other updates (No. IN12089) on Jan. 31, 2023, by economic development policy analyst Julie M. Lawhorn. Here are excerpts: * * * Federal Regional Commissions: Great Lakes Authority Established and Other Updates For decades, Congress has indicated support for federal regional commissions and authorities (hereinafter "commissions") by providing appropria more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the inflation (No. IN12091) on Feb. 7, 2023, by macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte and macroeconomic policy analyst Lida R. Weinstock. Here are excerpts: * * * Will Inflation Continue to Fall? The U.S. economy has experienced high inflation since the spring of 2021, with disagreement over how long this trend will last. Policymakers have debated whether more contractionary fiscal and more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on Latin America and the Caribbean (No. IN12092) on Feb. 8, 2023, by Peter J. Meyer, Latin American and Canadian affairs specialist: * * * Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues for the 118th Congress According to the Biden Administration's National Security Strategy, "No region impacts the United States more directly than the Western Hemisphere." This assertion relates to the region's extensive more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Russia's war against Ukraine - European Union responses and U.S.-EU relations (No. IN11897) on Feb. 6, 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 coo more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on Xylazine - considerations for federal Control (No. IN12086) on Feb. 2, 2023, by Lisa N. Sacco, illicit drugs and crime policy analyst, and Hassan Z. Sheikh, health policy analyst: * * * Xylazine: Considerations for Federal Control Xylazine is a sedative drug used in veterinary medicine. It is not approved or intended for human consumption. Some drug users intentionally consume xylazine in comb more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Congress and police reform - current law (No. LSB10486) on Feb. 7, 2023, by legislative attorney Joanna R. Lampe: * * * Congress and Police Reform: Current Law In May and June 2020, protests erupted nationwide after the publication of video footage of a Minneapolis police officer pressing his knee into the neck of George Floyd, causing his death. That incident and others like it spar more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Congress and police reform - recent proposals (No. LSB10914) on Feb. 7, 2023, by legislative attorney Joanna R. Lampe: * * * Congress and Police Reform: Recent Proposals In May and June 2020, protests erupted nationwide after the publication of video footage of a Minneapolis police officer pressing his knee into the neck of George Floyd, causing his death. That incident and others li more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the COVID-related restrictions on entry into the U.S. under Title 42 (No. LSB10874) on Feb. 6, 2023, by legislative attorney Kelsey Y. Santamaria: Here are excerpts: * * * COVID-Related Restrictions on Entry into the United States Under Title 42: Litigation and Legal Considerations In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, in March 2020 the executive branch invoke more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the recent appellate decisions of interest to lawmakers, Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2023 (No. LSB10913) on Feb. 7, 2023, by legislative attorneys Hannah-Alise Rogers and Alexander H. Pepper: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2023) The federal courts issue hundreds of decisions every week in cases involving diverse legal disputes. more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the recent developments in opioid regulation under the Controlled Substances Act (No. LSB10865) on Feb. 3, 2023, by legislative attorney Joanna R. Lampe: * * * Recent Developments in Opioid Regulation Under the Controlled Substances Act In recent years, policymakers have devoted significant attention to opioid regulation, seeking in particular to combat the epidemic of opioid misuse and  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the rescission of the migrant protection protocols - litigation developments (No. LSB10915) on Feb. 8, 2023, by legislative attorney Hillel R. Smith: * * * Rescission of the Migrant Protection Protocols: Litigation Developments Federal immigration laws set forth procedures applicable to aliens (as defined under federal law) seeking admission into the United States who have no legal basis more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Supreme Court's consideration of preemption under the National Labor Relations Act (No. LSB10912) on Feb. 7, 2023, by legislative attorney Jon O. Shimabukuro: * * * Supreme Court Considers Preemption Under the National Labor Relations Act On January 10, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in Glacier Northwest v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local Union No. 174, more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Third Circuit Dismisses Johnson & Johnson Bankruptcy and Novel Mass-Tort Approach (No. LSB10911) on Feb. 3, 2023, by legislative attorney Michael D. Contino: * * * Third Circuit Dismisses Johnson & Johnson Bankruptcy and Novel Mass-Tort Approach Introduction On January 30, 2023, the Third Circuit denied the efforts of Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc. (Old Consumer), a subsidiary of  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Title X parental consent for contraceptive services litigation (No. LSB10916) on Feb. 9, 2023 by legislative attorney Wen W. Shen: * * * Title X Parental Consent for Contraceptive Services Litigation: Overview and Initial Observations (Part 1 of 2) Enacted in 1970, the Title X Family Planning Program (Title X) is a federal program that provides grants to public and nonprofit agencie more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Title X parental consent for contraceptive services litigation (No. LSB10917) on Feb. 9, 2023 by legislative attorney Wen W. Shen: * * * Title X Parental Consent for Contraceptive Services Litigation: Overview and Initial Observations (Part 2 of 2) This two-part Sidebar series provides an overview of Deanda v. Becerra, a legal challenge concerning parental consent for contraceptives more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47415) on Feb. 9, 2023, entitled "Budget Process Reforms Included in Debt Limit Legislation" by Megan S. Lynch, Congress and legislative process specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The amount of money that Treasury may borrow is restricted by a statutory limit on the debt, which is currently set to reach its limit of $31.385 trillion sometime in 2023. In the past 40 years, 48 measures have be more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 98-228) on Feb. 3, 2023, entitled "House Voting Procedures: Forms and Requirements" by Jane A. Hudiburg, Congress and legislative process analyst: * * * Summary In the House, there are four forms of votes: voice vote, division vote, yea and nay vote, and recorded vote. In the Committee of the Whole, where much of the chamber's business is conducted, the forms are voice vote, division vote, and recorded v more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. LSB10915) on Feb. 8, 2023, entitled "Institutional Eligibility for Participation in Title IV Student Financial Aid Programs" by social policy analyst Alexandra Hegji: * * * SUMMARY Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) authorizes programs that provide financial assistance to students to aid them in obtaining a postsecondary education at qualifying institutions of higher education (IHEs). Title IV fi more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. LSB10915) on Feb. 8, 2023, entitled "Institutional Eligibility for Participation in Title IV Student Financial Aid Programs:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Program Integrity Triad Title IV of the HEA establishes the program integrity triad, which comprises three requirements to ensure program integrity in postsecondary education. The three requirements are state authorization, accreditation by an  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44245) on Feb. 9, 2023, entitled "Israel - Background & U.S. Relations in Brief" by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Jim Zanotti. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Israel has forged close bilateral cooperation with the United States in many areas. A 10-year bilateral military aid memorandum of understanding commits the United States to provide Israel $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing and to s more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44245) on Feb. 9, 2023, entitled "Israel - Background & U.S. Relations in Brief:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * The Abraham Accords In late 2020 and early 2021, Israel reached agreements to normalize or improve its relations with four members of the Arab League: the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. The Trump Administration facilitated each of these agreements, known as the Abraham Accords, and  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. LSB10915) on Feb. 8, 2023, entitled Points of Order in the Congressional Budget Process" by James V. Saturno and Megan S. Lynch, Congress and legislative process specialist: * * * SUMMARY The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Titles I-IX of P.L. 93-344, as amended) created an annual process that allows Congress to establish and enforce parameters for budgetary legislation. Budgetary decisions are enforce more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R40913) on Feb. 10, 2023, entitled "Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs" by senior research librarian Lynn J. Cunningham and research librarian Claire M. Jordan. Here are excerpts: * * * Energy is crucial to operating a modern industrial and services economy. Concerns about the availability and cost of energy and about environmental impacts of fossil energy u more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R40913) on Feb. 10, 2023, entitled "Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs:" (Continued from Part 1 of 4) * * * Other Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs 12. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) Administered by EERE Authority Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140), Title V, Subtitle E Ameri more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R40913) on Feb. 10, 2023, entitled "Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs:" (Continued from Part 2 of 4) * * * II. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1. Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities Program Administered by Rural Development (RD) Authority Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (P.L. 74-605) Grain Standards and Warehouse Improvement Act of 20 more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R40913) on Feb. 10, 2023, entitled "Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs:" (Continued from Part 3 of 4) * * * III. U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) Tax credits for biofuels and vehicles are covered in detail in CRS Report R42566, Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Technology Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs, by Lynn J. Cunningham et al. more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46402) on Feb. 10, 2023, entitled "The Section 199A Deduction: How It Works and Illustrative Examples" by public finance analyst Gary Guenther. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congress made numerous changes to the taxation of individuals and corporate and noncorporate businesses as part of P.L. 115-97 (commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act or TCJA). Among those changes was a permanent cut in th more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 98-778) on Feb. 3, 2023, entitled "Supermajority Votes in the House" by Jane A. Hudiburg, Congress and legislative process analyst: * * * Contents Constitutional Supermajority Requirements ... 1 Supermajority Requirements Under House Rules ... 1 Contacts Author Information ... 2 * * * The principle of majority rule dominates the work of the House of Representatives. This means that most questions more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47408) on Feb. 6, 2023, entitled "Waters of the United States: Frequently Asked Questions About the Scope of the Clean Water Act" by legislative attorney Kate R. Bowers and environmental policy specialist Laura Gatz. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congress established the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act (CWA), to restore and protect the quality of the nation's s more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47418) on Feb. 9, 2023, entitled "The Department of Education's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Improving Income-Driven Repayment for the Direct Loan Program: Frequently Asked Questions." Th report was written by social policy analyst Alexandra Hegji and education policy analysts Rita R. Zota and Kyle D. Shohfi. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY On January 11, 2023, the Department of Education (ED)  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47418) on Feb. 9, 2023, entitled "The Department of Education's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Improving Income-Driven Repayment for the Direct Loan Program: Frequently Asked Questions:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Changes Specific to the REPAYE Repayment Plan Who would be eligible for the modified version of the REPAYE repayment plan under the proposed rules? Eligibility for the modified ve more PR