WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet on economic forecasts and projections (No. R47295) on Feb. 15, 2023, by research librarian Ben Leubsdorf: * * * SUMMARY Economic projections (also called forecasts) are predictions about the future behavior of economic and financial indicators. They can help lawmakers in assessing the likelihood of key events such as recessions, addressing budget and economic challenges, and estimating the effects of pol more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet on Europe - Parliamentary & Presidential Elections (No. R46858) on Feb. 13, 2023, by research librarian Sofia Plagakis. Here are excerpts: * * * Europe: Fact Sheet on Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Contents Introduction ... 1 European Elections in 2023 ... 2 European Parliamentary and Presidential Elections ... 4 Figures Figure 1. European Elections Scheduled for 2023 ... 3 Tables T more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Al Shabaab (No. IF10170) on Feb. 14, 2023, by African affairs specialist Lauren Ploch Blanchard: * * * Al Shabaab Al Shabaab (Harakat Al Shabaab Al Mujahidin, Mujahidin Youth Movement) is a Somalia-based insurgent and terrorist group that U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in 2022 labeled "the largest, wealthiest, and most lethal Al Qaeda affiliate in the world today." AFRICOM reports that th more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Bureau of Reclamation - Fiscal 2023 budget and appropriations (No. IF12127) on Feb. 15, 2023, by natural resources policy specialist Charles V. Stern. Here are excerpts: * * * Bureau of Reclamation: FY2023 Budget and Appropriations Overview The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), part of the Department of the Interior, is responsible for the construction and operation of hundreds of  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on commemorative coins (No. IF10262) on Feb. 16, 2023, by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus. Here are excerpts: * * * Commemorative Coins: An Overview Commemorative coins are produced by the U.S. Mint pursuant to an act of Congress. These coins celebrate and honor American people, places, events, and institutions. Although they are considered legal tender, they are not minted for general cir more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Community Oriented Policing Services Program (No. IF10262) on Feb. 17, 2023, by acting section research manager Nathan James. Here are excerpts: * * * Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program Background Under the initial authorization for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program (Title I of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, P.L. 103-3 more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the design of U.S. paper currency (No. IF11414) on Feb. 13, 2023, by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus and emergency management and homeland security policy analyst Shawn Reese. Here are excerpts: * * * Design of United States Paper Currency Paper money has officially been part of United States currency since the Continental Congress authorized a $2 note in June 1776. These first notes we more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (No. IF10691) on Feb. 17, 2023, by acting section research manager Nathan James. Here are excerpts: * * * The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program is a Department of Justice (DOJ) formula grant program. The JAG program allocates funds to the 50  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the expiration and cancellation of unobligated funds (No. IF12329) on Feb. 15, 2023, by Taylor N. Riccard, government organization and management analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Expiration and Cancellation of Unobligated Funds Unless Congress chooses to intervene, appropriated funds that have not been obligated may expire and be cancelled according to procedures that are outlined in statu more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on global women's issues (No. IF11804) on Feb. 17, 2023. The white paper was written by international relations specialist Luisa Blanchfield, international humanitarian policy specialist Rhoda Margesson and acting section research manager Tiaji Salaam-Blyther: * * * Global Women's Issues: Background and Selected U.S. Efforts For several decades, Congress has considered or enacted legislation  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on heavy-duty vehicles, air pollution and climate change (No. IF12043) on Feb. 14, 2023, by environmental policy specialist Richard K. Lattanzio. Here are excerpts: * * * Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Air Pollution and Climate Change In August 2021, the Biden Administration announced plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other air pollutants from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and engine more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Inflation Reduction Act (No. IF12258) on Feb. 15, 2023, by energy policy analyst Martin C. Offutt. Here are excerpts: * * * The Inflation Reduction Act: Financial Incentives for Residential Energy Efficiency and Electrification Projects Introduction P.L. 117-169, commonly known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), includes a number of provisions affecting energy use in the bu more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the international discussions concerning lethal autonomous weapon systems (No. IF11294) on Feb. 14, 2023, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * International Discussions Concerning Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems Lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS), or weapons designed to independently select and engage targets without the need f more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the retirement income security (No. IF12330) on Feb. 17, 2023. The white paper was written by social policy analyst Zhe Li, income security specialist Paul S. Davies and income security analyst Elizabeth A. Myers. Here are excerpts: * * * Retirement Income Security: Issues and Policies Older Americans are an economically diverse group with differing degrees of retirement preparedness. Medi more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on selected contraceptive services (No. IF11109) on Feb. 17, 2023, by Bryce H. P. Mendez, defense health care policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Health Primer: Selected Contraceptive Services The Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 114-92, Sec.718) requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to make contraceptive services available to all female active duty se more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Taiwan's political and security issues (No. IF10275) on Feb. 17, 2023, by Asian affairs specialist Susan V. Lawrence and Asian affairs analyst Caitlin Campbell. 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 Chin more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant (No. IF10036) on Feb. 15, 2023, by social policy specialist Gene Falk. Here are excerpts: * * * The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant Introduction The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant was created in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA, P more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset (No. IF10203) on Feb. 13, 2023, by social policy analyst Zhe Li. Here are excerpts: * * * Social Security: The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) Background Social Security is a work-related, federal insurance program that provides monthly cash benefits to workers and their eligib more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on closing the incident period for the Stafford Act Declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic (No. IN12106) on Feb. 10, 2023. The white paper by Diane P. Horn, flood insurance and emergency management specialist, and Erica A. Lee and Elizabeth M. Webster, emergency management and disaster recovery analysts: * * * Closing the Incident Period for the Stafford Act Declaration for the COVID-19 Pandemic more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Department of Defense supplemental funding for Ukraine (No. IN12107) on Feb. 13, 2023, by defense budget specialist Brendan W. McGarry. Here are excerpts: * * * Department of Defense Supplemental Funding for Ukraine: A Summary Of the $113 billion in FY2022 and FY2023 emergency supplemental funding that Congress has appropriated to date in response to Russia's renewed invasion of Ukraine, more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- 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. 14, 2023. The white paper was written by health policy analyst Hassan Z. Sheikh, immigration policy specialist Audrey Singer, legislative attorney Kelsey Y. Santamaria and emergency management and disaster recovery analysts Elizabeth M. Webster and Erica A. Lee: * * * Effects of Terminating  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on Finland and Sweden seek membership to NATO (No. IN11949) on Feb. 14, 2023. The white paper was written by European affairs specialist Kristin Archick, European affairs analyst Paul Belkin and Russian and European affairs analyst Andrew S. Bowen. Here are excerpts: * * * NATO: Finland and Sweden Seek Membership On June 29, 2022, heads of state and government from NATO's 30 member states (see more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Offshore Wind Regulatory Framework (No. IN12096) on Feb. 10, 2023, by natural resources policy specialist Laura B. Comay and Legislative Attorney Adam Vann: * * * Offshore Wind Regulatory Framework: New Developments On January 30 and January 31, 2023, the Department of the Interior (DOI) published two rulemaking actions affecting wind energy and other renewable energy projects on the U.S. more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Strategic Petroleum Reserve crude oil sales (No. IN12110) on Feb. 16, 2023, by energy policy specialist Phillip Brown and research assistant Claire Mills. Here are excerpts: * * * Strategic Petroleum Reserve Crude Oil Sales: Buyers and Exports In January 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) concluded the largest emergency drawdown of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (S more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on Turkey - Possible U.S. F-16 Sale (No. IN12111) on Feb. 14, 2023 by Middle Eastern affairs specialists Jim Zanotti and Clayton Thomas. Here are excerpts: * * * Turkey (Turkiye): Possible U.S. F-16 Sale In January 2023, media sources - citing unnamed U.S. officials - reported that the Biden Administration has provided informal notification to Congress about possible F-16 sales for Turkey (Turk more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on Venezuela (No. IN12112) on Feb. 17, 2023, by Latin American affairs specialist Clare Ribando Seelke: * * * Venezuela: Issues for the 118th Congress U.S. policy toward Venezuela may be shifting amid growing recognition that an array of sanctions and international support for an interim government since 2019 have failed to dislodge authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro. Within Venezuela, the U more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (No. IN11965) on Feb. 15, 2023, by natural resources policy specialist Nicole T. Carter and Anna E. Normand analyst Anna E. Normand. Here are excerpts: * * * Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA 2022) Recent Congresses have biennially considered omnibus legislation authorizing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) civil works activities, ty more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the ATF's bump-stock ban (No. LSB10920) on Feb. 15, 2023, by legislative attorney Whitney K. Novak: Here are excerpts: * * * Is ATF's Bump-Stock Ban Lawful? Circuit Courts Are Split Congressional interest in "bump-stock" devices - accessories that allow rifles to effectively mimic the firing capabilities of a fully automatic weapon - grew after authorities discovered that the perpetrat more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the constitutional authority (No. LSB10487) on Feb. 15, 2023, by legislative attorney Whitney K. Novak: * * * Congress and Law Enforcement Reform: Constitutional Authority Incidents involving the use of force by law enforcement, such as the 2020 death of George Floyd and the 2023 death of Tyre Nichols, have generated heightened interest in the issue of reforming the policing practices o more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on medication abortion (No. LSB10919) on Feb. 14, 2023, by legislative attorney Jennifer A. Staman: * * * Medication Abortion: New Litigation May Affect Access After the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, there has been increasing focus on federal and state regulation of medication abortion--a pregnancy termination method involving the use of prescrip more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the recent appellate decisions of interest to lawmakers, Feb. 6-12, 2023 (No. LSB10918) on Feb. 14, 2023, by legislative attorneys Hannah-Alise Rogers and Alexander H. Pepper: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (Feb. 6-Feb. 12, 2023) February 14, 2023 The federal courts issue hundreds of decisions every week in cases involving diverse more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47414) on Feb. 8, 2023, entitled "The 574 Federally Recognized Indian Tribes in the U.S." by legislative attorney Mainon A. Schwartz. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY A federally recognized Tribe is one that is generally "eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians." Federal recognition (also called federal acknowledgment)  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47407) on Feb. 3, 2023, entitled "Congressional Commissions: Overview and Considerations for Congress" by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congressional advisory commissions are formal groups established to provide independent advice; to make recommendations for changes in public policy; to study or investigate a particular problem, issue, or event; or to commemora more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47407) on Feb. 3, 2023, entitled "Congressional Commissions: Overview and Considerations for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Cataloging Congressional Commissions This report attempts to identify all congressional commissions enacted into law between the 101st Congress and the end of the 117th Congress. Methodology To identify congressional commissions, CRS searched Congress.gov for te more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47424) on Feb. 14, 2023, entitled "Federal Telehealth Flexibilities in Private Health Insurance During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: In Brief" by health care financing analyst Katherine M. Kehres. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Telehealth Coverage in Private Health Insurance ... 1 Federal Telehealth Flexibilities for Private Health Insurance Coverage Introduced During the COVID-19 Public  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45323) on Jan. 31, 2023, entitled "Federalism-Based Limitations on Congressional Power: An Overview." The report was written by legislative attorneys Kevin J. Hickey, Bryan L. Adkins, Whitney K. Novak and Jay B. Sykes: * * * SUMMARY The U.S. Constitution establishes a system of dual sovereignty between the states and the federal government. Although the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution designates more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45323) on Jan. 31, 2023, entitled "Federalism-Based Limitations on Congressional Power: An Overview:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Treaty Power At least since the Supreme Court's 1920 ruling in Missouri v. Holland,/142 courts have recognized that Congress has considerable power, even beyond the scope of its Article I enumerated powers, when legislating to implement a treaty ratified pursuant to more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45323) on Jan. 31, 2023, entitled "Federalism-Based Limitations on Congressional Power: An Overview:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Federalism Limitations Based on the Tenth and Eleventh Amendments Along with the limitations derived from Congress's enumerated powers, the Supreme Court has recognized federalism doctrines that affirmatively prohibit Congress from taking certain actions, even when  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47404) on Jan. 31, 2023, entitled "Immigration Relief for Noncitizen Crime Victims." The report was written by immigration policy analyst Abigail F. Kolker, social policy analyst Emily J. Hanson and domestic security specialist Kristin Finklea. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Noncitizens (referred to as aliens in immigration law), like citizens, may be victims of crime in the United States. Nonciti more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47409) on Feb. 6, 2023, entitled "Insulin Coverage Under Private Health Insurance and Medicare Part D: In Brief." The report was written by health policy analyst Hassan Z. Sheikh and health care financing analysts Katherine M. Kehres and Suzanne M. Kirchhoff. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Insulin ... 1 Insulin Development ... 3 Insulin Pricing ... 5 Insulin Biosimilar Pricing ... 6 Insul more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47405) on Jan. 31, 2023, entitled "Oil and Gas Technology and Geothermal Energy Development" by energy policy analyst Morgan Smith. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The U.S. energy industry is undergoing a decades-long transition that includes increased production of shale oil and natural gas, decreased reliance on coal-fired power plants, increased investment and deployment of renewable energy (RE) t more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47405) on Jan. 31, 2023, entitled "Oil and Gas Technology and Geothermal Energy Development:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Geothermal Capacity and Costs While geothermal energy currently produces 0.4% of U.S. electricity,/45 the United States produces the largest amount of geothermal electricity worldwide/46 and DOE projects that EGS could provide 60 gigawatts (GW) of electricity capacity by 20 more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RS21900) on Feb. 2, 2023, entitled "The Protection of Classified Information: The Legal Framework" by Legislative Attorney Jennifer K. Elsea: * * * Summary This report provides an overview of the relationship between executive and legislative authority over national security information. It summarizes the current laws that form the legal framework protecting classified information, including current exe more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RS21900) on Feb. 2, 2023, entitled "The Protection of Classified Information: The Legal Framework:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Penalties for Unauthorized Disclosure In addition to administrative penalties agencies may employ to enforce information security, there are several statutory provisions that address the protection of classified information as such, but only certain types of information more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL34619) on Feb. 2, 2023, entitled "Use of the Capitol Rotunda, Capitol Grounds and Emancipation Hall: Concurrent Resolutions, 101st to 117th Congresses" by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Capitol Rotunda and the Capitol Grounds have been used as the setting for a variety of events, ranging from memorial ceremonies and the reception of foreign dignitaries to th more PR