WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fiscal 2023 appropriations (No. IF11106) on March 15, 2023, by natural resources policy analyst Anna E. Normand. Here are excerpts: * * * Army Corps of Engineers: Continuing Authorities Programs The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) undertakes water resource development projects pursuant to authorizing statutes and receipt of appropriations. The more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Army Security Force Assistance Brigades (No. IF10675) on March 23, 2023, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert: * * * Army Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFABs) What Is Security Force Assistance (SFA)? Security Force Assistance (SFA) is defined as "unified action to generate, employ, and sustain local, host nation or regional security forces in support of a legitim more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Army's Multi-Domain Task Force (No. IF11797) on March 16, 2023, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * The Army's Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) The Significance of the Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) Congress has expressed concern about the threat to U.S. national security posed by Russia and China. The Army believes that in order to address thi more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Bank Failures and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (No. IF10055) on March 23, 2023, by financial economics analyst Raj Gnanarajah. Here are excerpts: * * * Bank Failures and the FDIC This In Focus provides an introduction to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC's) process for resolving failing FDIC-insured banks. It also identifies policy issues Congress may consider  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Coast Guard Waterways Commerce Cutter program (No. IF11672) on March 23, 2023, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Coast Guard Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Coast Guard's Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) program envisages procuring 30 replacements for the Coast Guard's 35 aging river buoy t more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the coins and medals celebrating the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence (No. IF11926) on March 20, 2023, by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus. Here are excerpts: * * * Coins and Medals Celebrating the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence On July 4, the United States celebrates the anniversary of the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence with a federal holi more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Compacts of Free Association (No. IF12194) on March 17, 2023, by Asian affairs specialist Thomas Lum. Here are excerpts: * * * The Compacts of Free Association Overview The Compacts of Free Association govern the relationships between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and Republic of Palau. The Marshall Islands, Mic more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Department of the Navy (No. IF10484) on March 23, 2023, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke: * * * Defense Primer: Department of the Navy One Military Department with Two Military Services The Department of the Navy (DON) is a single military department that includes two military services--the Navy and the Marine Corps. As such, DON has a single civilian leader, the Secretary o more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Director of National Intelligence (No. IF10470) on March 16, 2023, by Michael E. DeVine, intelligence and national security analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) As provided in statute, the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) oversees the integration of the intelligence functions of the 18 statutory elements of the Intelligence Community (IC) more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Environmental Protection Agency's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (No. IF11754) on March 20, 2023, by environmental policy analyst Angela C. Jones. Here are excerpts: * * * EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) requires certain facilities to report their emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). I more PR

WASHINGTON, March 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Federal Employees' Retirement System Cost-of-Living-Adjustment & Equal COLA Act (No. IF12354) on March 21, 2023, by income security specialist Katelin P. Isaacs: * * * The FERS Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) and the Equal COLA Act (H.R. 866) The Equal COLA Act, H.R. 866, was introduced on February 8, 2023. This bill, which has also been introduced in prior Congresses, would make chang more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the geography, strategy and U.S. force design (No. IF10485) on March 23, 2023, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke: * * * Defense Primer: Geography, Strategy, and U.S. Force Design World geography is an influence on U.S. strategy, which in turn helps shape the design of U.S. military forces. World Geography and U.S. Strategy Most of the world's people, resources, and economic act more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the HIV/AIDS in the Military (No. IF11238) on March 20, 2023, by Bryce H. P. Mendez, defense health care policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * HIV/AIDS in the Military In various chapters of Title 10, U.S. Code, Congress has codified a number of broad authorities for the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish certain accession and retention standards for servicemembers. These authorit more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the judiciary budget request, fiscal 2024 (No. IF12353) on March 20, 2023, by American national government analyst Barry J. McMillion. Here are excerpts: * * * Judiciary Budget Request, FY2024 Overview The FY2024 judiciary budget request seeks $9.14 billion in discretionary appropriations (an increase of 8.0% over the FY2023 enacted level), and $796.1 million in mandatory appropriations u more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the National Security Implications of Fifth Generation Mobile Technologies (No. IF11251) on March 14, 2023, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * National Security Implications of Fifth Generation (5G) Mobile Technologies The fifth generation (5G) of mobile technologies will increase the speed of data transfer and improve bandwidth o more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Navy Next-Generation Logistics Ship (No. IF10250) on March 23, 2023, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy Next-Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy's Next-Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) program envisages procuring new medium-sized at-sea resupply ships for the Navy. The Navy's propose more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (No. IF12352) on March 17, 2023, by health policy analyst Nora Wells: * * * The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) Information technology (IT), or the use of devices like computers for the handling of electronic data, has existed for decades, but has only recently become accessi more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the overview of the 2018 Farm Bill energy title programs (No. IF10288) on March 9, 2023, by Kelsi Bracmort, natural resources and energy policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Overview of the 2018 Farm Bill Energy Title Programs Congress has long encouraged the production of renewable energy and products derived from agriculture-based feedstock in pursuit of various policy goals. The more PR

WASHINGTON, March 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the overview of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act and emergency abortion services (No. IF12355) on March 21, 2023, by legislative attorney Jennifer A. Staman: * * * Overview of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) and Emergency Abortion Services The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA, largely codified in Section 1867 of the  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Philippines (No. IF10250) on March 21, 2023, by Asian affairs specialists Thomas Lum and Ben Dolven. Here are excerpts: * * * The Philippines Overview and Recent Developments The United States and the Republic of the Philippines maintain a deep relationship that includes a bilateral security alliance, extensive military cooperation, close people-to-people ties, and many shared strateg more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the repurposing 3.1-3.55 GHz spectrum (No. IF12350) on March 16, 2023, by telecommunications policy analyst Jill C. Gallagher. Here are excerpts: * * * Repurposing 3.1-3.55 GHz Spectrum: Issues for Congress Wireless technologies use radio waves, or frequencies, to transmit and receive voice and data signals. The radio spectrum is the range of frequencies used for wireless mobile, satellit more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the TRICARE Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration (No. IF12345) on March 14, 2023, by Bryce H. P. Mendez, defense health care policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Health Primer: TRICARE Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration Since the 1950s, Congress has enacted numerous Department of Defense (DOD) health entitlements and benefits under the TRICARE program to support service more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fiscal 2023 appropriations (No. IF12349) on March 16, 2023, by environmental policy analyst Angela C. Jones. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Environmental Protection Agency FY2023 Appropriations Enacted on December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328) provided funding for the Department of the Interior, Environment, and  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S.-South Korea FTA and Bilateral Trade Relations (No. IF10733) on March 17, 2023, by Liana Wong, international trade and finance analyst, and Mark E. Manyin, Asian affairs specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-South Korea (KORUS) FTA and Bilateral Trade Relations The U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement (KORUS FTA) entered into force in March 2012. The agreement has reduced and more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Water Resources Development Acts (No. IF11322) on March 14, 2023, by natural resources policy specialists Nicole T. Carter and Anna E. Normand: * * * Water Resources Development Acts: Primer The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a Department of Defense agency that develops water resource projects, principally to improve navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restor more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the challenges with identifying minors online (No. IN12055) on March 23, 2023, by Clare Y. Cho, industrial organization and business analyst: * * * Challenges with Identifying Minors Online Congress has enacted legislation to protect minors online, such as the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA). COPPA requires operators of online services that collect personal informati more PR

WASHINGTON, March 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the college and university endowments (No. IN12126) on March 22, 2023, by public finance specialist Molly F. Sherlock. Here are excerpts: * * * College and University Endowments: Payout Rates and Spending on Student Financial Aid Starting in 2018, certain private colleges and universities with endowments valued at $500,000 or more became subject to a 1.4% excise tax on total net investment  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Congressional Member organizations and informal Member groups (No. IN11036) on March 21, 2023, by American national government analyst Sarah J. Eckman: * * * Congressional Member Organizations (CMOs) and Informal Member Groups In addition to party organizations and committees, Members of the House and Senate often participate in informal Member organizations. Hundreds of informal Member  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the HSA@20 episode companion (No. IN12124) on March 20, 2023, by William L. Painter, homeland security and appropriations specialist, and Henry B. Hogue, American national government specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * HSA@20 Episode Companion: Government Reorganization This Insight accompanies the "Reorganization" episode of The Homeland Security Act at 20 podcast series and includes back more PR

WASHINGTON, March 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the military abortion policies (No. IN11960) on March 21, 2023, by military manpower specialist Kristy N. Kamarck and defense health care policy analyst Bryce H. P. Mendez. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2023 NDAA: Military Abortion Policies Background The June 24, 2022, Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health, which overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed states to further restri more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the National Flood Insurance Program Risk Rating 2.0 (No. IN11777) on March 17, 2023, by Diane P. Horn, flood insurance and emergency management specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * National Flood Insurance Program Risk Rating 2.0: Frequently Asked Questions This Insight answers some frequently asked questions about Risk Rating 2.0, which came into effect fully on April 1, 2022, changing th more PR

WASHINGTON, March 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank failures (No. IN12125) on March 21, 2023, by financial economics analyst Andrew P. Scott and macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte: * * * Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank Failures This Insight discusses the sudden failure of two large banks - Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank - and the policy issues raised by their failure.  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the recent appellate decisions of interest to lawmakers, March 13 - 19, 2023 (No. LSB10939) on March 21, 2023, by legislative attorneys Christopher T. Zirpoli and Jimmy Balser: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (Mar. 13, 2023-Mar. 19, 2023) The federal courts issue hundreds of decisions every week in cases involving diverse legal dis more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on restricting TikTok - legal history and background (No. LSB10940) on March 23, 2023, by legislative attorney Stephen P. Mulligan: * * * Restricting TikTok (Part I): Legal History and Background The video-sharing platform TikTok has experienced a dramatic rise in users in the United States in recent years, while at the same time some Members of Congress and Biden Administration officials more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the revocation of supervised release (No. LSB10929) on March 13, 2023, by legislative attorney Dave S. Sidhu: * * * Can Retribution Justify the Revocation of Supervised Release? Courts Disagree. What are the legitimate reasons that a government may subject an individual to criminal punishment? Western penological theory and American legal history generally identify four principled base more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the role of Bridge Banks in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation receiverships (No. LSB10937) on March 20, 2023, by legislative attorney Michael D. Contino: * * * The Role of Bridge Banks in FDIC Receiverships The collapses of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank (Signature) bring to the fore the function of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in winding down a fa more PR

WASHINGTON, March 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the role of international tribunals in the response to the invasion of Ukraine (No. LSB10704) on March 22, 2023, by legislative attorney Stephen P. Mulligan. Here are excerpts: * * * The Role of International Tribunals in the Response to the Invasion of Ukraine The Ukrainian government and much of the international community contend that actions taken by Russian forces following its F more PR

WASHINGTON, March 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the state laws restricting or prohibiting abortion (No. LSB10779) on March 22, 2023, by law librarian Laura Deal. Here are excerpts: * * * State Laws Restricting or Prohibiting Abortion The Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overruled Roe v. Wade, providing states with greater discretion to restrict abortion access, including by limiting abortion more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the Supreme Court rules against IRS on foreign account reporting penalties (No. LSB10938) on March 20, 2023, by legislative attorney Alexander H. Pepper: * * * Supreme Court Rules Against IRS on Foreign Account Reporting Penalties Federal law requires U.S. persons with a financial interest in or signature or other authority over foreign financial accounts totaling more than $10,000 to  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the termination of Temporary Protected Status for certain countries (No. LSB10541) on March 8, 2023, by legislative attorney Hillel R. Smith: * * * Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Certain Countries: Recent Litigation Developments Certain aliens (as defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)) who otherwise are subject to removal from the United States may stay an more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47088) on March 20, 2023, entitled "The Executive Budget Process Timeline: In Brief" by Dominick A. Fiorentino, government organization and management. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 Development of the President's Budget ... 1 Submission and Justification of the President's Budget ... 2 Execution of Enacted Budgetary Legislation ... 3 Budget Process Timeline in the Conte more PR

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47470) on March 13, 2023, entitled "Membership of the 118th Congress: A Profile" by senior research librarian Jennifer E. Manning. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY This report presents a profile of the membership of the 118th Congress (2023-2024) as of March 10, 2023, or at the beginning of the 118th Congress (January 3, 2023), where noted. Statistical information is included on selected characterist more PR

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44065) on March 17, 2023, entitled "Overview of Health Insurance Exchanges" by health care financing specialist Vanessa C. Forsberg. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148, as amended) required health insurance exchanges to be established in every state. Exchanges are virtual marketplaces in which consumers and small business owners and empl more PR

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44065) on March 17, 2023, entitled "Overview of Health Insurance Exchanges:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Individual Exchanges Eligibility and Enrollment Consumers may purchase health insurance plans for themselves and their families in their state's individual exchange. Consumers may enroll as long as they (1) meet state residency requirements;/33 (2) are not incarcerated, except individuals  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44065) on March 17, 2023, entitled "Overview of Health Insurance Exchanges:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * SHOP Exchanges Eligibility and Enrollment Certain small businesses are eligible to use the SHOP exchanges. For purposes of SHOP eligibility, a small business, or small employer, is generally an employer with not more than 50 employees./89 States also may define small employer as having not more PR

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47477) on March 17, 2023, entitled "Reauthorization of Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act" by legislative attorney Edward C. Liu. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) generally addresses electronic surveillance and other methods of acquiring foreign intelligence information that are directed at targets outside the United St more PR

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47477) on March 17, 2023, entitled "Reauthorization of Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Title VII of FISA As discussed above, acquisitions that neither take place within the United States nor target a person who is in the United States generally fall outside the scope of FISA's definition of electronic surveillance. For example, the targetin more PR

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47476) on March 17, 2023, entitled "Transferring Fighter Aircraft to Ukraine: Issues and Options for Congress." The report was written by section research manager Nathan J. Lucas, national defense fellow Patrick Parrish and security assistance, security cooperation and the global arms trade analyst Christina L. Arabia. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Since Russia's renewed invasion of Ukraine bega more PR

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47476) on March 17, 2023, entitled "Transferring Fighter Aircraft to Ukraine - Issues and Options for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Potential Issues for Congress In evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of transferring U.S. and NATO military aircraft to Ukraine, Congress may consider five potential issues: adapting Ukrainian security institutions, training pilots, maintaining a more PR