WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet on the Women's History Month speech resources (No. R45125) on Feb. 13, 2023, by senior knowledge services librarian Elizabeth C. Larson: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 History ... 1 Legislation ... 1 Related CRS Products ... 2 Sample Speeches and Recognitions ... 2 Presidential Proclamations ... 2 Statistics ... 3 Historical Resources ... 3 Contacts Author Information ... 4 * * *  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (No. IF10348) on Feb. 21, 2023, by Asian affairs specialist Ben Dolven. Here are excerpts: * * * The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Overview The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is Southeast Asia's primary multilateral organization, a 10member grouping of nations with a combined population of 660 million and a combined more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Burma - background and U.S. relations (No. IF12331) on Feb. 21, 2023, by Asian affairs specialist Ben Dolven. Here are excerpts: * * * Burma: Background and U.S. Relations Overview Burma (also known as Myanmar) is a multi-ethnic Southeast Asian nation of 57.5 million that has been under some degree of military rule since 1962 and under an authoritarian military junta since a February 2021  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the China-Russia relations (No. IF12100) on Feb. 24, 2023, by Russian and European affairs analyst Andrew S. Bowen and Asian affairs analyst Ricardo Barrios: * * * China-Russia Relations The People's Republic of China (PRC or China) and the Russian Federation (Russia) maintain a strategic and multifaceted relationship with extensive military, diplomatic, and economic connections. Although th more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Farm Bill (No. IF12047) on Feb. 22, 2023, by agricultural policy specialists Renee Johnson and Jim Monke. Here are excerpts: * * * Farm Bill Primer: What Is the Farm Bill? The farm bill is an omnibus, multiyear law that governs an array of agricultural and food programs. It provides an opportunity for policymakers to comprehensively and periodically address agricultural and food issues. more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Farm Bill Primer - budget dynamics (No. IF12233) on Feb. 22, 2023, by agricultural policy specialist Renee Johnson. Here are excerpts: * * * Farm Bill Primer: Budget Dynamics Congress may consider a new farm bill in 2023 because provisions authorized in the 2018 farm bill (P.L. 115-334) begin expiring at the end of FY2023. From a budgetary perspective, many farm bill programs are assume more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the FEMA's Emergency Food and Shelter Program (No. IF12026) on Feb. 22, 2023, by Elizabeth M. Webster, emergency management and disaster recovery analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * FEMA's Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) provides supplemental grants to local government and nonprofit organiz more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on hate crimes (No. IF12333) on Feb. 23, 2023, by legislative attorney Peter G. Berris: * * * Hate Crimes: Key Federal Statutes The Federal Bureau of Investigation characterizes hate crimes as offenses like murder, assault, or arson that are committed because of a particular bias such as prejudice based on the race or gender of the victim. Federal prosecutors have a number of statutory options  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on New Zealand (No. IF10389) on Feb. 21, 2023, by Asian affairs specialist Bruce Vaughn. Here are excerpts: * * * https://crsreports.congress.gov Updated February 21, 2023 New Zealand Congress has taken an interest in how the United States and New Zealand work together in bilateral, regional, and global contexts to address common concerns in the areas of defense, foreign affairs, and trade.  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the payment for order flow (No. IF12332) on Feb. 22, 2023, by financial economics specialist Gary Shorter: * * * Payment for Order Flow: The SEC Proposes Reforms The past few years saw an unprecedented surge in retail investor securities trading at major discount broker-dealers such as Robinhood, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, and E*Trade. Among the driving factors are the zero trading commi more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the prior converted cropland under the Clean Water Act (No. IF11136) on Feb. 24, 2023, by Laura Gatz, environmental policy specialist, and Megan Stubbs, agricultural conservation and natural resources policy specialist: * * * Prior Converted Cropland Under the Clean Water Act For decades, the value of wetlands and efforts to protect them have been recognized in different ways through nation more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Russia's war on Ukraine - financial and trade sanctions (No. IF12062) on Feb. 22, 2023. The report was written by Rebecca M. Nelson, international trade and finance specialist, and Christopher A. Casey and Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analysts. Here are excerpts: * * * Russia's War on Ukraine: Financial and Trade Sanctions In February 2022, Russia launched a ne more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the seasonal fruit and vegetable competition in U.S.-Mexico trade (No. IF11701) on Feb. 22, 2023, by agricultural policy specialist Renee Johnson. Here are excerpts: * * * Seasonal Fruit and Vegetable Competition in U.S.-Mexico Trade As part of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) negotiation, the United States attempted to resolve ongoing trade imbalances with Mexico for seas more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the sovereign debt concerns in developing countries (No. IF11880) on Feb. 21, 2023, by Martin A. Weiss, international trade and finance specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Sovereign Debt Concerns in Developing Countries The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has had significant economic and financial consequence for low-income countries. The Wo more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Syria and U.S. policy (No. IF11930) on Feb. 24, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs analyst Carla E. Humud. Here are excerpts: * * * Syria and U.S. Policy Since 2011, conflict between the government of Syrian President Bashar al Asad and opposition forces seeking his removal has displaced roughly half of the country's population and killed over half a million people. Five countries operate in o more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (No. IF10981) on Feb. 23, 2023, by American national government analyst Karen L. Shanton: * * * The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC): An Overview The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is an independent federal agency that is charged with helping voters participate in the electoral process and election officials improve the administrat more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the appointment of Black U.S. circuit and district court judges (No. IN12113) on Feb. 21, 2023, by American national government analyst Barry J. McMillion. Here are excerpts: * * * The Appointment of Black U.S. Circuit and District Court Judges: Historical Overview and Analysis This CRS Insight provides historical and statistical information related to the appointment of Black U.S. circuit a more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the FDA regulation of blood and blood products (No. IN12108) on Feb. 13, 2023, by health policy analyst Jared S. Sussman: * * * FDA Regulation of Blood and Blood Products: Recent Draft Guidance on Donor Eligibility The nation's blood supply is largely managed by a network of independent blood centers and the American Red Cross, with oversight from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA's more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the improved oversight of pathogen research (No. IN12109) on Feb. 15, 2023, by Todd Kuiken, science and technology policy analyst: * * * Improved Oversight of Pathogen Research: Recent Recommendations Introduction The United States has multiple, overlapping policies that guide oversight of pathogen research. These include, among others * Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laborato more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the proposed regulation of gas stoves (No. IN12115) on Feb. 23, 2023, by energy policy analyst Martin C. Offutt: * * * Proposed Regulation of Gas Stoves The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regulates energy consumption of conventional cooking products including gas stoves using authority under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA; P.L. 94-163), as amended. DOE issued a proposed rule on more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the two-year status update on E.O. 14008 (No. IN12116) on Feb. 24, 2023, by natural resources policy analyst Anne A. Riddle: * * * 30 by 30: A Two-Year Status Update on E.O. 14008 30 by 30 is a global initiative to conserve 30% of the Earth's lands and waters by 2030, which the concept's founding researchers propose would reduce threats to biodiversity, "avoid catastrophic climate change and  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Unemployment Insurance fraud (No. IN12117) on Feb. 24, 2023, by income security specialists Katelin P. Isaacs and Julie M. Whittaker: * * * Unemployment Insurance Fraud: Background and Recent Data This Insight provides background and recent data on fraud within the federal-state Unemployment Insurance (UI) system. Program integrity issues have long been of concern for the permanent-law UI more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the generative artificial intelligence and copyright law (No. LSB10922) on Feb. 24, 2023, by legislative attorney Christopher T. Zirpoli: * * * Generative Artificial Intelligence and Copyright Law Recent innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) are raising new questions about how copyright law principles such as authorship, infringement, and fair use will apply to content created or  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the qualified immunity and considerations for Congress (No. LSB10492) on Feb. 21, 2023, by legislative attorney Whitney K. Novak: * * * Policing the Police: Qualified Immunity and Considerations for Congress 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 raised questions regarding how existing law  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on regulating federal law enforcement (No. LSB10500) on Feb. 23, 2023, by legislative attorney Whitney K. Novak: * * * Regulating Federal Law Enforcement: Considerations for Congress 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 raised questions regarding Congress's authority to regulate law enforcem more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47434) on Feb. 24, 2023, entitled "Banking, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Regulation" by financial economics analysts Andrew P. Scott and Paul Tierno. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Financial data contains significant amounts of sensitive information, and ensuring the privacy of such data among financial institutions is a goal of many policymakers. In particular, Congress has demonstrated an intere more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45261) on Feb. 7, 2023, entitled "The Black Lung Program, the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund and the Excise Tax on Coal." The report was written by disability policy analyst Scott D. Szymendera, public finance specialist Molly F. Sherlock and public finance analyst Anthony A. Cilluffo. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The federal government pays benefits to coal miners affected by coal workers' pn more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45261) on Feb. 7, 2023, entitled "The Black Lung Program, the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund and the Excise Tax on Coal:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Black Lung Disability Trust Fund Revenues The primary revenue source for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund is a per-ton excise tax on coal. Historically, the coal excise tax has not generated enough revenue to meet the trust fund's obligation more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47422) on Feb. 13, 2023, entitled "Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools: In Brief" by education policy analyst Adam K. Edgerton. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grants are provided to institutions of higher education (IHEs) by the federal government to support or establish campus-based child care services that primarily serve the needs of low- more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43287) on Feb. 15, 2023, entitled "Columbia River Treaty Review" by Todd Kuiken, science and technology policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The Columbia River Treaty (CRT or Treaty) is an international agreement between the United States and Canada for the cooperative development and operation of the water resources of the Columbia River Basin to provide for flood control and electric po more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44623) on Feb. 16, 2023, entitled "Commemorative Coins: Background, Legislative Process and Issues for Congress" by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Commemorative coins are produced by the U.S. Mint pursuant to an act of Congress and are often proposed by Members of Congress as part of their representational duties. These coins are legal tender that celebrate and h more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44623) on Feb. 16, 2023, entitled "Commemorative Coins: Background, Legislative Process and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Disbursement of Surcharges As discussed above under "Authorizing Commemorative Coins," each authorizing statute sets a surcharge amount per coin and designates one or more recipient organizations to receive the surcharges. A designated recipient organiza more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47435) on Feb. 24, 2023, entitled "Banking, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Regulation" by transportation policy analyst Ben Goldman: * * * SUMMARY On February 3, 2023, a freight train carrying hazardous materials operated by Norfolk Southern Railway Corporation derailed in the town of East Palestine, OH. The derailment involved a fire and damaged several railcars, but no deaths or injuries were initial more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45546) on Feb. 6, 2023, entitled "Management of the Colorado River: Water Allocations, Drought and the Federal Role" by natural resources policy specialists Charles V. Stern and Pervaze A. Sheikh. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Colorado River Basin covers more than 246,000 square miles in seven U.S. states (Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California) and Mexico. Pursuan more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45546) on Feb. 6, 2023, entitled "Management of the Colorado River: Water Allocations, Drought and the Federal Role:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Drought and the Supply/Demand Imbalance The Colorado River Compact was based on the assumption (formed by the available record at the time) that average annual flows on the river were 16.4 MAF per year./68 As previously noted, from 1906 to 2022, obse more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43357) on Feb. 8, 2023, entitled "Medicaid: An Overview." The report was written by health care financing specialists Alison Mitchell and Evelyne P. Baumrucker, health care financing analyst Cliff Binder, senior research librarian Angela Napili, research librarian Sarah K. Braun and health and aging policy specialist Kirsten J. Colello. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary Medicaid is a means-tested ent more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43357) on Feb. 8, 2023, entitled "Medicaid: An Overview:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Beneficiary Cost Sharing Federal statutes and regulations address the circumstances under which enrollees may share in the costs of Medicaid, (1) in terms of participation-related cost sharing (e.g., monthly premiums), (2) point-of-service cost sharing (e.g., co-payments [i.e., flat dollar amounts paid direct more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47410) on Feb. 7, 2023, entitled "The Office of Science and Technology Policy: Overview and Issues for Congress" by Emily G. Blevins, science and technology policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) through the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-282) to "serve as a sour more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47410) on Feb. 7, 2023, entitled "The Office of Science and Technology Policy: Overview and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * National Science and Technology Council The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) is a cabinet-level body created by executive order to advise the President and coordinate science and technology policy. Composed of agency and department heads as more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 95-118) on Feb. 7, 2023, entitled "Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation: A Primer" by income security analyst Elizabeth A. Myers and income security specialist Elizabeth A. Myers. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is a government corporation established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA; P.L. 93-406). It was created to protect t more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 95-118) on Feb. 7, 2023, entitled "Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation - A Primer:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Pension Benefit Insurance Programs PBGC's single-employer and multiemployer insurance programs each operate differently, and PBGC maintains separate reserve funds for each program. Funds from the reserve of one program may not be used for the other program. In the single-employer pr more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RS22477) on Feb. 21, 2023, entitled "Sponsorship and Cosponsorship of House Bills" by Mark J. Oleszek, Congress and legislative process analyst: * * * SUMMARY A Representative who introduces a bill or resolution in the House is called its sponsor. Several Members together may submit a bill, but only the Member whose name appears first is considered its sponsor; the others are cosponsors. A bill can have more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45770) on Feb. 23, 2023, entitled "The U.S. Election Assistance Commission: Overview and Selected Issues for Congress" by American national government analyst Karen L. Shanton. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is an independent federal agency that is charged with helping voters participate in the electoral process and election officials improve the adminis more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45770) on Feb. 23, 2023, entitled "The U.S. Election Assistance Commission - Overview and Selected Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Structure The EAC consists of an appointed commission, a professional staff led by an executive director and general counsel, an OIG, three statutory advisory bodies, and one agency-created advisory body. Its primary oversight committees are the C more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47426) on Feb. 14, 2023, entitled "U.S.-Colombia Security Relations: Future Prospects in Brief" by Latin American affairs analyst June S. Beittel. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Colombia and the United States have a two-decade partnership concentrated on mutual security issues. An early focus on combating narcotics trafficking and counterterrorism broadened to include close cooperation on issues su more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47323) on Feb. 14, 2023, entitled "Using the Federal Income Tax System to Deliver Cash Assistance to Families: Policy Considerations" by public finance specialist Margot L. Crandall-Hollick and financial economics analyst Cheryl R. Cooper: * * * SUMMARY The central purpose of the federal income tax system is to collect revenue to fund the federal government's activities. Nonetheless, the income tax sys more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47323) on Feb. 14, 2023, entitled "Using the Federal Income Tax System to Deliver Cash Assistance to Families: Policy Considerations:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Issue 4: Data Used to Administer Tax Benefits Are Generally Annual Data from a Prior Year Like other provisions of the income tax, eligibility for and the amount of tax benefits a family receives in a given year are based on prior-ye more PR