WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction agreement (No. IF12283) on March 27, 2023, by natural resources policy analyst Caitlin Keating-Bitonti. Here are excerpts: * * * The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement (High Seas Treaty) On March 4, 2023, United Nations (U.N.) member countries finalized the text of an international legally binding instrument to address marine b more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (No. IF12241) on March 27, 2023, by health policy analyst Kavya Sekar: * * * The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the mpox outbreak, and other recent health crises, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has served as a face of the federal government's publ more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Deposit Insurance and the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank (No. IF12361) on March 27, 2023, by financial economics analyst Andrew P. Scott. Here are excerpts: * * * Deposit Insurance and the Failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank Congress created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in the wake of the Great Depression to limit the losses deposi more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Department of Energy Funding for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology programs fiscal 2022 (No. IF12163) on March 23, 2023, by energy policy analyst Martin C. Offutt. Here are excerpts: * * * Department of Energy Funding for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Programs FY2022 The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrogen Program, led by the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) w more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the implications of genetic sequencing (No. IF12356) on March 23, 2023, by Todd Kuiken, science and technology policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Digital Biology: Implications of Genetic Sequencing Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the molecule that carries genetic information of an organism. This genetic code is composed of nucleotide bases (A, T, C, and G). The sequence of these base more PR

WASHINGTON, March 30 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the import monitoring systems - steel and aluminum (No. IF12363) on March 28, 2023, by Christopher D. Watson, industrial organization and business analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Import Monitoring Systems: Steel and Aluminum Background Over the years, several domestic manufacturing industries have sought insulation from import competition--two of particular note include steel and alumin more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Department of Labor guidance and regulations on the exercise of shareholder rights by private-sector pension plans (No. IF12328) on March 27, 2023, by income security specialists John J. Topoleski and Elizabeth A. Myers: * * * Department of Labor Guidance and Regulations on the Exercise of Shareholder Rights by Private-Sector Pension Plans Introduction The fiduciary standards in the E more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- 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 March 27, 2023, by income security specialists John J. Topoleski and Elizabeth A. Myers: * * * Department of Labor Guidance and Regulations on Selecting Private-Sector Pension Plan Investments Introduction The fiduciary standards in the Employee Retirement Income Security  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the labor enforcement issues in U.S. free trade agreements (No. IF10972) on March 23, 2023, by Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Labor Enforcement Issues in U.S. FTAs Background Labor provisions in free trade agreements (FTAs) - both in the United States and globally - were first included in the North American Agreement on Labor C more PR

WASHINGTON, March 30 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Lebanon (No. IF11617) on March 28, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs analyst Carla E. Humud. Here are excerpts: * * * Lebanon Lebanon, a country of 5.5 million people, faces the worst economic crisis in its history in the absence of either a president or a fully functioning cabinet--analysts call this a "dual executive vacuum." Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees in the world per ca more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the naval forces (No. IF11531) on March 23, 2023, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security analyst: * * * Defense Primer: National Security Space Launch Introduction The U.S. Department of Defense's (DOD's) Launch Enterprise consists of two programs: National Security Space Launch (NSSL), which acquires launch services for heavy and medium lift class national security s more PR

WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the National Technology and Industrial Base (No. IF11311) on March 30, 2023, by defense infrastructure policy analysts Heidi M. Peters and Luke A. Nicastro: * * * Defense Primer: The National Technology and Industrial Base What Is the NTIB? The National Technology and Industrial Base (NTIB) consists of the people and organizations engaged in national security and dual-use research and develo more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the naval forces (No. IF10486) on March 23, 2023, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke: * * * Defense Primer: Naval Forces "Naval Forces" Refers to Both the Navy and Marine Corps Although the term naval forces is often used to refer specifically to Navy forces, it more properly refers to both Navy and Marine Corps forces, because both the Navy and Marine Corps are naval services. Fo more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Navy DDG(X) Next-Generation Destroyer program (No. IF11679) on March 23, 2023, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy DDG(X) Next-Generation Destroyer Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy's DDG(X) program envisages procuring a class of next-generation guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) to replace the Navy's Ticonderoga (CG more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Navy Next-Generation Attack Submarine program (No. IF11826) on March 23, 2023, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy Next-Generation Attack Submarine (SSN[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy wants to begin procuring a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), called the Next-Generation Attack Submarine o more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Navy TAGOS-25 Ocean Surveillance Shipbuilding program (No. IF11838) on March 23, 2023, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy TAGOS-25 (Previously TAGOS[X]) Ocean Surveillance Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy in FY2022 procured the first of a planned class of seven new TAGOS-25 class ocean surveillance  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 30 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs (No. IF10472) on March 28, 2023, by nonproliferation specialist Mary Beth D. Nikitin. Here are excerpts: * * * North Korea's Nuclear Weapons and Missile Programs Overview North Korea continues to advance its nuclear weapons and missile programs despite UN Security Council sanctions and high-level diplomatic efforts. Recent ballistic m more PR

WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities (No. IF12366) on March 30, 2023, by legislative attorney Abigail A. Graber: * * * Reasonable Accommodations for Employees with Disabilities Three federal laws provide the primary protections for employees and job applicants with disabilities. First, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 12111-1 more PR

WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Safe Drinking Water Act (No. IF12367) on March 30, 2023, by environmental policy analyst Elena H. Humphreys: * * * Safe Drinking Water Act: Proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for Specified PFAS Detections of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in public water supplies have heightened public and congressional interest in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper (No. IF11728) on March 28, 2023, by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus. Here are excerpts: * * * Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper: A Primer The Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper (Sergeant at Arms) is an elected officer of the Senate and is the chamber's primary law enforcement and protocol official, responsible for the protection, security,  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the Social Security taxable earnings base (No. IF12360) on March 27, 2023, by social policy analyst Zhe Li. Here are excerpts: * * * Social Security Taxable Earnings Base: An Overview Introduction Social Security payroll taxes are levied on covered earnings up to a maximum level set each year. This maximum is known as the contribution and benefit base and commonly referred to as the taxa more PR

WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on the U.S. Marine Corps Marine Littoral Regiment (No. IF12200) on March 28, 2023, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * The U.S. Marine Corps Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) Background On March 23, 2020, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) announced a major force design initiative planned to occur over the next 10 years referred to as "Force Design 2030." A more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper on Venezuela - political crisis and U.S. policy (No. IF10230) on March 27, 2023, by Latin American affairs specialist Clare Ribando Seelke: * * * Venezuela: Political Crisis and U.S. Policy Venezuela remains under the rule of authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro (2013-present), despite an array of sanctions and international support for an interim government from 2019 to 2022. Within Venezu more PR

WASHINGTON, April 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Bank Term Funding Program & other federal reserve support to banking system in turmoil (No. IN12134) on March 31, 2023, by macroeconomic policy specialists Lida R. Weinstock and Marc Labonte. Here are excerpts: * * * Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP) and Other Federal Reserve Support to Banking System in Turmoil On March 10 and 12, respectively, the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature more PR

WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Federal Emergency Management Agency Funeral Assistance for COVID-19 (No. IN11582) on March 24, 2023, by Elizabeth M. Webster, emergency management and disaster recovery analyst: * * * FEMA Funeral Assistance for COVID-19 Congress authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide Funeral Assistance for deaths associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pande more PR

WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Food and Shelter Program-Humanitarian Relief and the New Shelter and Services Program (No. IN12132) on March 30, 2023, by Elizabeth M. Webster, emergency management and disaster recovery analyst: * * * FEMA's Emergency Food and Shelter Program-Humanitarian Relief (EFSP-H) and the New Shelter and Services Program (SSP) In FY2019, Congress fi more PR

WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on Russia's war against Ukraine (No. IN11897) on March 30, 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 coordination with the United States are of interest  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and P.L. 115-174 - part 1 (No. IN12129) on March 28, 2023, by macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte. Here are excerpts: * * * Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and P.L. 115-174: Part 1 (Background and Policy Options) The recent failure of two large banks, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank, has raised questions about changes to lar more PR

WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper on the Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and P.L. 115-174 - part 2 (No. IN12130) on March 28, 2023, by macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte: * * * Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and P.L. 115-174: Part 2 (Issues Surrounding Their Failures) The recent failure of two large banks, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank, has raised questions about changes to large bank regulati more PR

WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the war crimes (No. LSB10861) on March 30, 2023. The white paper was written by legislative attorneys Jimmy Balser, Madeline W. Donley and Jon O. Shimabukuro: * * * The Railway Labor Act and Congressional Action The Railway Labor Act (RLA; 45 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 151 et seq.) governs disputes between railway carriers and labor unions. Beginning in 2019, labor unions representing railway em more PR

WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the recent appellate decisions of interest to lawmakers, March 20 - 26, 2023 (No. LSB10941) on March 27, 2023, by legislative attorneys Christopher T. Zirpoli and Juria L. Jones: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (Mar. 20, 2023-Mar. 26, 2023) The federal courts issue hundreds of decisions every week in cases involving diverse legal d more PR

WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on restricting TikTok - legal history and background (No. LSB10942) on March 28, 2023, by legislative attorneys Stephen P. Mulligan and Valerie C. Brannon. Here are excerpts: * * * Restricting TikTok (Part II): Legislative Proposals and Considerations for Congress This Legal Sidebar is the second installment in a two-part series on U.S. efforts to regulate the video-sharing application  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper on the war crimes (No. LSB10709) on March 15, 2023, by legislative attorney Jennifer K. Elsea: * * * War Crimes: A Primer The Russian invasion of Ukraine has given rise to numerous accusations of war crimes. This Legal Sidebar addresses the sources and content of the law of war, also known as the law of armed conflict or international humanitarian law (IHL) as it pertains to war crimes th more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL34273) on March 23, 2023, entitled "Federal Land Ownership: Acquisition and Disposal Authorities." The report was written by natural resources policy specialists Carol Hardy Vincent, Laura B. Comay, Katie Hoover and Christopher R. Field: * * * SUMMARY The federal government owns roughly 640 million acres, more than a quarter of the land in the United States. Four agencies - the Bureau of Land Manag more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47002) on March 24, 2023, entitled "Federal Public Transportation Program: In Brief" by transportation policy specialist William J. Mallett. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 What Is Public Transportation? ... 1 Funding the Federal Transportation Program ... 2 How Federal Dollars Are Distributed and Spent ... 4 Federal Public Transportation Programs ... 6 Urbanized Area F more PR

WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47319) on March 27, 2023, entitled "FY2023 District of Columbia Budget and Appropriations" by economic development policy analyst Joseph V. Jaroscak. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The District of Columbia (DC) government's local operating budget and much of its local legislation is subject to congressional approval, pursuant to the plenary legislative authority of Congress over the federal capital more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47260) on March 23, 2023, entitled "Intercity Passenger Rail: Federal Policy and Programs" by transportation policy analyst Ben Goldman. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The federal government has been involved in preserving and improving passenger rail service since 1970, when the bankruptcies of several major railroads prompted Congress to create Amtrak--officially, the National Railroad Passenger  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47484) on March 24, 2023, entitled "International Trade and Finance: Overview and Issues for the 118th Congress." The report was written by international trade and finance analysts Danielle M. Trachtenberg, Andres B. Schwarzenberg and Christopher A. Casey: * * * SUMMARY The congressional role in U.S. trade policy includes setting priorities for trade negotiations, requiring notification from or cons more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47486) on March 27, 2023, entitled "Introduction to the Farm Bill: Videos" by acting section research manager Frank Gottron: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 Overview Videos ... 1 CRS Video WVB00522, Introduction and Farm Bill Overview, by Jim Monke ... 1 CRS Video WVB00523, Farm Bill Budget, by Jim Monke ... 1 CRS Video WVB00544, Farm Bill Reauthorization: Nutrition and Farm Safety Net Prog more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47321) on March 23, 2023, entitled "Iran: Background and U.S. Policy" by Middle Eastern affairs specialists Carla E. Humud and Clayton Thomas. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congress has played a key role in shaping U.S. policy toward Iran, providing for extensive U.S. sanctions, providing aid and authorizing arms sales to partners threatened by Iran, seeking to influence negotiations over Iran's n more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47321) on March 23, 2023, entitled "Iran - Background and U.S. Policy:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Foreign Policy and Regional Activities/29 Iran's foreign policy appears to reflect overlapping and at times contradictory motivations. These include Threat Perception. Iran's leaders argue that the United States and its allies seek to overturn Iran's regime, claiming, for example, that the U. more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47482) on March 23, 2023, entitled "Middle East and North Africa-China Relations." The report was written by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard, Asian affairs analysts Caitlin Campbell and Ricardo Barrios, energy policy specialists Michael Ratner and Phillip Brown, and international trade and finance analyst Michael D. Sutherland. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The People' more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47482) on March 23, 2023, entitled "Middle East and North Africa-China Relations:" (Continued from Part 1 of 4) * * * Diplomatic Relations Until the late 1990s, PRC-MENA region diplomatic relations were limited in scope, and characterized by the PRC's global pursuit of diplomatic recognition and relations, MENA governments' concern over the PRC's Cold War-era support for revolutionary/nationalist mo more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47482) on March 23, 2023, entitled "Middle East and North Africa-China Relations:" (Continued from Part 2 of 4) * * * Security and Defense Relationships The United States remains the primary security partner of militarily capable and strategically located countries in the MENA region, such as Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. However, these and other MENA governments  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47482) on March 23, 2023, entitled "Middle East and North Africa-China Relations:" (Continued from Part 3 of 4) * * * Economic Relationships, Trade, and Investment Though China's defense relationships in the MENA region remain limited compared to the United States, its trade and investment relations with MENA countries have grown in the past decade. Trade Relationships China's total annual bilater more PR

WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43546) on March 27, 2023, entitled "Navy John Lewis (TAO-205) Class Oiler Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress" by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The Navy procured its first John Lewis (TAO-205) class oiler in FY2016, and a total of nine have been procured through FY2023. The first six were procured under a block buy contract authorized  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 98-279) on March 28, 2023, entitled "Sponsorship and Cosponsorship of Senate Bills" by Mark J. Oleszek, Congress and legislative process analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary A Senator who introduces a bill or resolution in the Senate is called its sponsor. Several Senators together may introduce a measure, but only the Senator whose name appears first on the bill is considered its sponsor; the ot more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46337) on March 23, 2023, entitled "Transfer of Defense Articles: U.S. Sale and Export of U.S.-Made Arms to Foreign Entities." the report was written by Christina L. Arabia, security assistance, security cooperation and the global arms trade analyst, and Nathan J. Lucas and Michael J. Vassalotti, section research managers. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY An extensive set of laws, regulations, poli more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46337) on March 23, 2023, entitled "Transfer of Defense Articles - U.S. Sale and Export of U.S.-Made Arms to Foreign Entities:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Sales and Exports of U.S. Defense Articles in International Agreements/31 The United States participates in two international agreements that affect the transfer of U.S. defense articles: the Missile Technology Control Regime and the Wassen more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46337) on March 23, 2023, entitled "Transfer of Defense Articles - U.S. Sale and Export of U.S.-Made Arms to Foreign Entities:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Interagency Relationships in Arms Sales The decision-making and execution involved in a transfer of defense articles or services includes myriad stakeholders, from the President and Congress to small, two-person Security Cooperation Organiz more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44000) on March 24, 2023, entitled "Turkey: Major Issues and U.S. Relations" by Middle Eastern affairs specialists Jim Zanotti and Clayton Thomas: * * * SUMMARY U.S. relations with Turkey (Turkiye) take place within a complicated geopolitical environment and with Turkey in economic distress. U.S.-Turkey tensions that worsened after a failed 2016 coup in Turkey - including ongoing disagreements over Sy more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44000) on March 24, 2023, entitled "Turkey - Major Issues and U.S. Relations:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Turkish Foreign Policy General Assessment Turkey's strategic orientation, or how it relates to and balances between the West and other global and regional powers, is a major consideration for the United States. Trends in Turkey's relations with the United States and other countries refl more PR