WASHINGTON, May 25 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12408) on adverse effect wage rate methodology for temporary employment of H-2A nonimmigrants in the U.S. on May 23, 2023, by labor policy specialist Sarah A. Donovan: * * * Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Methodology for Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants in the United States Introduction The H-2A visa program allows for the temporary admission of foreign workers to the United S more PR

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10238) on Cambodia on May 23, 2023, by Asian affairs specialist Thomas Lum. Here are excerpts: * * * Cambodia Overview The Department of State refers to the Kingdom of Cambodia, located in mainland Southeast Asia, as "strategically significant." Bilateral relations have become strained during the past decade, particularly as Cambodia's relationship with the People's Republic of China (P more PR

WASHINGTON, May 25 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12410) on the Council of the Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency Integrity committee on May 24, 2023, by Ben Wilhelm, government organization and management analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Oversight of Inspectors General: The CIGIE Integrity Committee The role of inspectors general (IGs) in the federal government makes it particularly important that they operate with integr more PR

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10799) on commercial space launch and the April 2023 Starship mishap on May 19, 2023, by Daniel Morgan, science and technology policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Commercial Space Launch and the April 2023 Starship Mishap The commercial space industry, including the launch sector, has been expanding rapidly (see Figure 1). A mishap during a test of a new rocket in April 2023 has more PR

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10645) entitled "Dispute Settlement in WTO and U.S. Trade Agreements" on May 23, 2023, by Christopher A. Casey and Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs, international trade and finance specialists. Here are excerpts: * * * Dispute Settlement in the WTO and U.S. Trade Agreements Since the 1980s, Congress has consistently declared that a principal trade negotiating objective of the United States is  more PR

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12407) on experimental populations under the Endangered Species Act on May 23, 2023, by legislative attorneys Erin H. Ward and Benjamin M. Barczewski: * * * Experimental Populations Under the Endangered Species Act Section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 1531 et seq.) allows for the establishment of experimental populations of endangered or threatened species more PR

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12411) on fusion energy on May 24, 2023, by Daniel Morgan, science and technology policy specialist: * * * Fusion Energy The federal government has supported fusion energy research and development (R&D) for decades. In recent years, congressional interest in fusion has grown in response to scientific progress by fusion researchers, the emergence of a growing commercial fusion industry, an more PR

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12405) on introduction to cryptocurrency on May 23, 2023, by financial economics analyst Paul Tierno: * * * Introduction to Cryptocurrency Cryptocurrencies (or crypto) are digital financial instruments exchanged and recorded on public ledgers (known as blockchains) that do not require central intermediaries (e.g., commercial banks, central banks) for clearing and settlement. Users and tra more PR

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12406) on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fiscal 2024 budget request and appropriations on May 22, 2023, by natural resources policy analyst Eva Lipiec. Here are excerpts: * * * National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) FY2024 Budget Request and Appropriations The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is an agency in the Department of Com more PR

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12404) on nonfederal levee safety on May 22, 2023, by natural resources policy specialist Nicole T. Carter and flood insurance and emergency management specialist Diane P. Horn. Here are excerpts: * * * Nonfederal Levee Safety: Primer, Status, and Considerations This In Focus discusses nonfederal levees, the evolution of federal efforts to enhance nonfederal levee safety since 2007, and more PR

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12411) on offshore energy on May 25, 2023, by transportation policy specialist John Frittelli: * * * Offshore Energy: Vessel and Crew Nationality Requirements Introduction The 118th Congress is debating whether to further restrict foreigners from working in the U.S. offshore energy sector (i.e., oil, gas, and wind). The offshore wind industry asserts that proposed restrictions in H.R. 2 more PR

WASHINGTON, May 25 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10644) on the Palestinians on May 24, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Jim Zanotti. Here are excerpts: * * * The Palestinians: Overview, Aid, and U.S. Policy Issues The Palestinians are an Arab people whose origins are in present-day Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Their ongoing disputes and interactions with Israel raise significant issues for U.S. policy (see "U.S. Policy I more PR

WASHINGTON, May 25 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12409) on place-based economic development on May 24, 2023, by economic development policy analyst Adam G. Levin. Here are excerpts: * * * What Is Place-Based Economic Development? The Economic Development Administration (EDA) defines economic development as creating "the conditions for economic growth and improved quality of life by expanding the capacity of individuals, firms, and comm more PR

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10799) on prospects for U.S.-Saudi nuclear energy cooperation on May 19, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard and nonproliferation specialist Paul K. Kerr: * * * Prospects for U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Energy Cooperation Overview The 118th Congress may engage the Biden Administration with regard to U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia's National Project for Atomic Ene more PR

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12402) on the Small Business Administration's Small Business Development Centers program on May 19, 2023, by R. Corinne Blackford, small business and economic development policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * The SBA's Small Business Development Centers Program Overview The Small Business Administration's (SBA) Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide free counseling, trai more PR

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10799) on strategic nuclear forces on May 19, 2023, by nonproliferation specialist Paul K. Kerr. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Strategic Nuclear Forces The Nuclear Triad Since the early 1960s, the United States has maintained a "triad" of strategic nuclear delivery vehicles. These include long-range land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), long-range submarine- more PR

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12411) on venture capital operations and regulation on May 25, 2023, by financial economics specialist Eva Su. Here are excerpts: * * * Venture Capital Operations and Regulation Venture capital (VC) funds are sources of startup financing for early-stage, high-growth firms, such as technology startups. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as of the second quarter of  more PR

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN11829) on debt limit suspensions on May 19, 2023, by economic policy analyst D. Andrew Austin. Here are excerpts: * * * Debt Limit Suspensions From 2013 until 2019, Congress chose to suspend the statutory limit on the amount of federal debt outstanding for set periods of time, rather than increase the limit by a dollar amount. On October 14, 2021, however, Congress chose to increase the d more PR

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12164) entitled "Overview of Tribal Child Support Enforcement Program Financing" on May 22, 2023, by social policy specialist Jessica Tollestrup: * * * Overview of Tribal Child Support Enforcement (CSE) Program Financing All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and certain tribal nations operate Child Support Enforcement (CSE) programs pursuant t more PR

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN11982) on responding to drought in the Colorado River Basin on May 23, 2023, by natural resources policy specialist Charles V. Stern. Here are excerpts: * * * Responding to Drought in the Colorado River Basin: Federal and State Efforts The Colorado River Basin (Figure 1) covers more than 246,000 square miles in seven U.S. states and Mexico. Basin waters are managed and governed by multipl more PR

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47560) on May 18, 2023, entitled "Agricultural Conservation: FY2023 and FY2024 Appropriations" by Megan Stubbs, agricultural conservation and natural resources policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Agriculture appropriations bill funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) except for the U.S. Forest Service. The FY2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 117-328, Division A) inc more PR

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44954) on May 18, 2023, entitled "Chevron Deference: A Primer" by legislative attorney Benjamin M. Barczewski: * * * SUMMARY When Congress delegates regulatory functions to an administrative agency, that agency's ability to act is governed by the statutes that authorize it to carry out these delegated tasks. In the course of its work, an agency must interpret these statutory authorizations to determine  more PR

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44954) on May 18, 2023, entitled "Chevron Deference - A Primer:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Chevron Step Two If a court determines at step one that the statute is ambiguous or silent on the particular issue in question, the Chevron framework next requires consideration of whether the agency's construction of the statute is "reasonable."/110 Under Chevron's step two analysis, if Congress has de more PR

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44954) on May 18, 2023, entitled "Chevron Deference - A Primer:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * The Major Questions Doctrine Questions about the future of Chevron have become even more urgent in light of recent cases applying an alternative tool of statutory interpretation, the "major questions doctrine."/227 Under that doctrine, the Court has sometimes declined to defer to an agency interpretatio more PR

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47574) on May 25, 2023, entitled "Debt Limit Policy Questions: What Are the Potential Economic Effects of a Binding Federal Debt Limit?" by public finance specialists Brendan McDermott and Grant A. Driessen. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Federal law prohibits the "face amount of obligations whose principal and interest are guaranteed by the United States Government" from exceeding the statutory debt more PR

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45825) on May 18, 2023, entitled "Federal Preemption: A Legal Primer." The report was written by legislative attorneys Bryan L. Adkins, Alexander H. Pepper and Jay B. Sykes. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Constitution's Supremacy Clause provides that federal law is "the supreme Law of the Land" notwithstanding any state law to the contrary. This language is the foundation for the doctrine of fe more PR

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45825) on May 18, 2023, entitled "Federal Preemption - A Legal Primer:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * "Requirements," "Laws," "Regulations," and "Standards" Federal statutes frequently preempt state "requirements," "laws," "regulations," and/or "standards" concerning subjects of federal regulatory concern./97 These preemption clauses have raised the question of whether they encompass state common  more PR

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44759) on May 19, 2023, entitled "Lebanon: Background and U.S. Relations" by Middle Eastern affairs analyst Carla E. Humud. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Lebanon: Background and U.S. Relations Since having its boundaries drawn by France after the First World War, Lebanon has struggled to define its national identity. Its population then included Christian, Sunni Muslim, and Shi'a Muslim communities more PR

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44759) on May 19, 2023, entitled "Lebanon - Background and U.S. Relations:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Refugees and Lebanese Policy Refugees from Syria The outbreak of conflict in Syria in 2011 led to a surge of Syrian refugee arrivals in Lebanon. By 2014, Lebanon had the highest per capita refugee population in the world, with refugees equaling one-quarter of the resident population./43 Thos more PR