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GOVERNMENT - Congressional Research Service Newsletter for 2023-06-04 ( 39 items ) |
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on Brief Overview of FEMA's Public Assistance Program (10)
WASHINGTON, June 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11529) on a brief overview of Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance program on May 31, 2023, by Erica A. Lee, emergency management and disaster recovery analyst.
Here are excerpts:
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A Brief Overview of FEMA's Public Assistance Program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) program provides financial and direct assistance (e.g., sup more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Program (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12414) on the Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART program on May 26, 2023, by natural resources policy specialists Charles V. Stern and Anna E. Normand.
Here are excerpts:
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Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Program
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), an agency within the Department of the Interior (DOI), combines funding for multiple agency-wide programs promoting water conservatio more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on CFIUS Executive Order on Evolving National Security Risks (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12415) on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. executive order on evolving national security risks on May 26, 2023.
The white paper was written by legislative attorney Stephen P. Mulligan, international trade and finance specialist Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs and Asian trade and finance specialist Karen M. Sutter:
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CFIUS Executive Order on Evolving National Security Risks an more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on Environmental Reviews & Permitting (10)
WASHINGTON, June 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12417) on environmental reviews and permitting on May 31, 2023, by legislative attorney Kristen Hite.
Here are excerpts:
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Environmental Reviews and Permitting: Pending Legislation
Overview of the Review Process Under the National Environmental Policy Act
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 4321 et seq.) mandates environmental review of many agency actions, more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on Identifying and Remediating Conflicts of Interest in Executive Branch (10)
WASHINGTON, May 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11904) on identifying and remediating conflicts of interest in the Executive Branch on May 30, 2023, by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus:
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Financial Disclosure: Identifying and Remediating Conflicts of Interest in the Executive Branch
When taking an official action (e.g., making decisions or recommendations), American public servants are expected to put the government's interests more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on Introduction to Tort Law (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11291) on introduction to Tort Law on May 26, 2023, by legislative attorney Andreas Kuersten:
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Introduction to Tort Law
The appropriate scope and content of tort law often provoke debate inside and outside of Congress. This In Focus surveys basic tort law principles and identifies pertinent legal considerations for Congress.
What Is Tort Law?
A tort is an act or omission that cause more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on Medical Product Regulation (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11083) on medical product regulation on May 26, 2023, by health policy specialists Amanda K. Sarata and Hassan Z. Sheikh.
Here are excerpts:
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Medical Product Regulation: Drugs, Biologics, and Devices
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the safety and effectiveness of drugs, biologics, and devices ("medical products") pursuant to its authorities under the Federal Food, more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on Office of Government Ethics (10)
WASHINGTON, May 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10634) on the Office of Government Ethics on May 30, 2023, by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus.
Here are excerpts:
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Office of Government Ethics: A Primer
The Ethics in Government Act of 1978, as amended (5 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.13121-13126), created the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) to provide "overall direction of executive branch policies related to preventing conflicts of intere more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on Paraguay (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12207) on Paraguay on May 26, 2023, by Latin American affairs analyst June S. Beittel:
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Paraguay: An Overview
Paraguay is a landlocked country in South America bordered by Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. The United States has had close relations with Paraguay for decades, providing assistance to counter corruption and spur trade and economic development. The United States and Paragua more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on Role of Designated Agency Ethics Officials (10)
WASHINGTON, May 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12019) on the Role of Designated Agency Ethics Officials on May 30, 2023, by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus.
Here are excerpts:
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Executive Branch Ethics and Financial Disclosure Administration: The Role of Designated Agency Ethics Officials (DAEOs)
When acting in an official capacity, federal public servants are expected to put the government's interests ahead of their own. Fe more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on Temporary Commemorative Works in District of Columbia (10)
WASHINGTON, May 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12416) on temporary commemorative works in the District of Columbia on May 30, 2023, by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus.
Here are excerpts:
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Temporary Commemorative Works in the District of Columbia
The District of Columbia, especially the area around the National Mall, is widely known for its monuments and memorials. These permanent commemorative works, which are located on f more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on U.S. Army's Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense System (10)
WASHINGTON, May 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12397) on the U.S. Army's maneuver short-range air defense system on May 30, 2023, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feicker.
Here are excerpts:
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U.S. Army's Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) System
Background
The Army is procuring and continuing to develop a new maneuver short-range air defense system, or M-SHORAD. This system would perform short-range air def more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on U.S. Army's Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense System (10)
WASHINGTON, June 2 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12397) on the U.S. Army's Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense system on June 1, 2023, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert.
Here are excerpts:
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U.S. Army's Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) System
Background
The Army is procuring and continuing to develop a new maneuver short-range air defense system, or M-SHORAD. This system would perform short-range air def more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on U.S. Farm Commodity Support - Base Acres & Payment Yields (10)
WASHINGTON, June 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11529) entitled "U.S. Farm Commodity Support: Base Acres and Payment Yields" on May 31, 2023, by agricultural policy analyst Stephanie Rosch and research associate Christine Whitt.
Here are excerpts:
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U.S. Farm Commodity Support: Base Acres and Payment Yields
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 farm bill; P.L. 115-334) reauthorized the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and the Ag more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (10)
WASHINGTON, June 2 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11436) on the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation on June 1, 2023, by Nick M. Brown, foreign assistance and foreign policy analyst, and Shayerah I. Akhtar, international trade and finance specialist.
Here are excerpts:
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U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
DFC is a U.S. government agency that uses financial tools to promote private investment in l more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on Wildfire Statistics (10)
WASHINGTON, June 2 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10244) on wildfire statistics on June 1, 2023, by natural resources policy specialist Katie Hoover and senior research librarian Laura A. Hanson.
Here are excerpts:
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Wildfire Statistics
Wildfires are unplanned fires, including lightning-caused fires, unauthorized human-caused fires, and escaped fires from prescribed burn projects. States are responsible for responding to wildfires t more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues Insight White Paper on 2023 Hurricane Outlooks & 2022 Hurricane Season Review (10)
WASHINGTON, June 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12167) on 2023 hurricane outlooks and 2022 hurricane season review on May 30, 2023, by natural resources policy analyst Eva Lipiec.
Here are excerpts:
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2023 Hurricane Outlooks and 2022 Hurricane Season Review
Many in Congress have expressed interest in increasing understanding of tropical cyclones and improving forecasts to help their constituents prepare for the yearly hurricane se more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues Insight White Paper on CBP One Application (10)
WASHINGTON, June 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12166) on the CBP One Application on May 30, 2023, by immigration policy analyst Abigail F. Kolker and domestic security specialist Kristin Finklea:
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CBP One Application: Evolution and Functionality
In October 2020, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched CBP One, a mobile application and portal for the public to interact with CBP. Its functions differ depending on user type more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues Insight White Paper on Circumvention Inquiry Into Solar Imports (10)
WASHINGTON, May 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN11946) on circumvention inquiry into solar imports on May 30, 2023, by Liana Wong and Christopher A. Casey, international trade and finance analysts, and Manpreet Singh, industrial organization and business analyst.
Here are excerpts:
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Circumvention Inquiry into Solar Imports
On April 1, 2022, the Commerce Department initiated an inquiry into whether Chinese-manufactured crystalline more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues Insight White Paper on Discretionary Spending Caps in Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (10)
WASHINGTON, June 2 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12168) on discretionary spending caps in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 on June 1, 2023, by public finance specialist Grant A. Driessen and Congress and legislative process specialist Megan S. Lynch.
Here are excerpts:
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Discretionary Spending Caps in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA; H.R. 3746), as passed by the House on May 31, more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues Insight White Paper on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Provisions in H.R. 3746 (10)
WASHINGTON, June 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12165) on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Provisions in H.R. 3746, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 on May 31, 2023, by nutrition assistance policy specialist Randy Alison Aussenberg.
Here are excerpts:
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Provisions in H.R. 3746, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
On May 29, 2023, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2 more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues Insight White Paper on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families & Work Requirements (10)
WASHINGTON, May 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12150) on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and work requirements on May 30, 2023, by social policy specialist Gene Falk:
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Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Work Requirements
The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (H.R. 3746), which embodies an agreement between President Biden and House Speaker McCarthy of budgetary and policy changes to accompany an increa more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues Legal Sidebar White Paper on Amgen V. Sanofi (10)
WASHINGTON, June 2 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB10971) on Amgen v. Sanofi on June 1, 2023, by legislative attorney Kevin J. Hickey:
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Amgen v. Sanofi: Supreme Court Holds Patents Claiming Antibody Genus Invalid as Not Enabled
In Amgen v. Sanofi, the Supreme Court held that Amgen's patent on a class of antibodies used to treat high cholesterol was invalid under patent law's enablement requirement. Justice Neil Gorsuch's unanim more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues Legal Sidebar White Paper on Debating Public Debt Clause (10)
WASHINGTON, June 2 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB10973) on debating the public debt clause on June 1, 2023, by legislative attorney Sean M. Stiff:
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Debating the Public Debt Clause
As early as June 5, 2023, according to Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, the federal government could face a "binding" statutory debt limit. If the debt limit were to bind, the Secretary would be unable to issue further debt beyond the $31.38 more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues Legal Sidebar White Paper on Montana's TikTok Ban & Pending Legal Actions (10)
WASHINGTON, June 2 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB10972) on Montana's TikTok ban and pending legal actions on June 1, 2023, by legislative attorney Madeline W. Donley and assistant director Sanchitha Jayaram:
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Montana's TikTok Ban and Pending Legal Actions
On May 17, 2023, Montana's governor signed into law a ban on TikTok's operations in the state. According to media reporting, while a number of states have some type of prosc more PR
Congressional Research Service Issues Legal Sidebar White Paper on Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers, May 22 - May 28, 2023 (10)
WASHINGTON, June 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB10970) on the recent appellate decisions of interest to lawmakers, May 22 - May 28, 2023, on May 30, 2023, by deputy assistant director Michael John Garcia and legislative attorney Jimmy Balser:
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Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (May 22-May 28, 2023)
The federal courts issue hundreds of decisions every week in cases involving dive more PR
Congressional Research Service: 'Comparison of Proposed Legislation Concerning Fentanyl-Related Substances' (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47572) on May 24, 2023, entitled "Comparison of Proposed Legislation Concerning Fentanyl-Related Substances" by legislative attorney Joanna R. Lampe and illicit drugs and crime policy analyst Lisa N. Sacco.
Here are excerpts:
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SUMMARY
On February 6, 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a temporary scheduling order that placed certain "fentanyl-related substances" (FRS) in Schedul more PR
Congressional Research Service: 'Department of State, Foreign Operations & Related Programs - FY2024 Budget & Appropriations' (Part 1 of 2) (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47579) on May 26, 2023, entitled "Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs: FY2024 Budget and Appropriations" by Emily M. McCabe, foreign assistance and foreign policy analyst, and Cory R. Gill, foreign affairs analyst.
Here are excerpts:
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SUMMARY
Each year, Congress considers 12 distinct appropriations measures to fund federal programs and activities. One of these is the Depar more PR
Congressional Research Service: 'Department of State, Foreign Operations & Related Programs - FY2024 Budget & Appropriations' (Part 2 of 2) (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47579) on May 26, 2023, entitled "Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs - FY2024 Budget and Appropriations:"
(Continued from Part 1 of 2)
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Foreign Operations Highlights
SFOPS Foreign Operations accounts comprise the majority of U.S. foreign assistance included in the international affairs budget; the remainder is enacted in the Agriculture appropriations bill, which provide more PR
Congressional Research Service: 'Funding & Financing Highways & Public Transportation Under Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act' (Part 1 of 3) (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47573) on May 24, 2023, entitled "Funding and Financing Highways and Public
Transportation Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" by transportation policy specialists Robert S. Kirk and William J. Mallett.
Here are excerpts:
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SUMMARY
Congress has long considered how to pay for investment in highway and public transportation infrastructure. Since 1956, federal surface transportation pro more PR
Congressional Research Service: 'Funding & Financing Highways & Public Transportation Under Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act' (Part 2 of 3) (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47573) on May 24, 2023, entitled "Funding and Financing Highways and Public
Transportation Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:"
(Continued from Part 1 of 3)
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Alternatives for Highway Trust Fund Revenue
The political difficulty of increasing motor fuel taxes has led to interest in alternative approaches for supporting the HTF. The following sections discuss some options.
"Fixing" t more PR
Congressional Research Service: 'Funding & Financing Highways & Public Transportation Under Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act' (Part 3 of 3) (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47573) on May 24, 2023, entitled "Funding and Financing Highways and Public
Transportation Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:"
(Continued from Part 1 of 3)
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Inflation and Reauthorization
In the 10 years prior to enactment of the IIJA, the inflation rate measured by the Consumer Product Price Indexes and the Gross Domestic Product Price Index (GDP-PI) was modest, usually near or be more PR
Congressional Research Service: 'Involuntary Civil Commitment - Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Protections' (Part 1 of 3) (10)
WASHINGTON, May 30 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47571) on May 24, 2023, entitled "Involuntary Civil Commitment: Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Protections" by legislative attorney Hannah-Alise Rogers:
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SUMMARY
Involuntary civil commitment refers to the forced hospitalization of persons with serious mental illness (SMI). While this process is generally governed by state law, it also implicates constitutional concerns and constraints under the F more PR
Congressional Research Service: 'Involuntary Civil Commitment - Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Protections' (Part 2 of 3) (10)
WASHINGTON, May 30 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47571) on May 24, 2023, entitled "Involuntary Civil Commitment - Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Protections:"
(Continued from Part 1 of 3)
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The Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause: Protections for People with Serious Mental Illness
The Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause48 provides certain protections against laws that restrict an individual's life, liberty, or property./49 While sta more PR
Congressional Research Service: 'Involuntary Civil Commitment - Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Protections' (Part 3 of 3) (10)
WASHINGTON, May 30 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47571) on May 24, 2023, entitled "Involuntary Civil Commitment - Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Protections:"
(Continued from Part 2 of 3)
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Substantive Due Process Protections for Individuals Subject to Involuntary Civil Confinement
This section discusses two types of constitutionally protected substantive due process rights that courts have recognized. The first is the liberty interest of all p more PR
Congressional Research Service: 'Oregon & California Railroad Lands - In Brief' (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R42951) on May 26, 2023, entitled "The Oregon and California Railroad Lands: In Brief" by natural resources policy specialist Katie Hoover.
Here are excerpts:
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Contents
Management of the O&C Lands and Resources ... 3
Federal Payments to the O&C Counties ... 4
Early Debates over the Payment System ... 5
O&C Act of 1937 Revenue Distribution ... 6
CBWR Payments ... 6
Safety Net Payments ... more PR
Congressional Research Service: 'U.S. Armed Forces Abroad - Selected Congressional Votes Since 1982' (Part 1 of 3) (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL31693) on May 26, 2023, entitled "U.S. Armed Forces Abroad: Selected Congressional Votes Since 1982" by senior research librarians Barbara Salazar Torreon and Carla Y. Davis-Castro.
Here are excerpts:
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SUMMARY
U.S. Armed Forces Abroad: Selected Congressional Votes Since 1982 This report summarizes selected congressional roll call votes related to instances in which U.S. Armed Forces have been sen more PR
Congressional Research Service: 'U.S. Armed Forces Abroad - Selected Congressional Votes Since 1982' (Part 2 of 3) (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL31693) on May 26, 2023, entitled "U.S. Armed Forces Abroad - Selected Congressional Votes Since 1982:"
(Continued from Part 1 of 3)
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Bosnia (1992-1998)
The civil war in the former Yugoslav Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina resulted in U.S. military participation in various efforts over several years to halt the fighting. The United States participated in both United Nations and NATO actions without more PR
Congressional Research Service: 'U.S. Armed Forces Abroad - Selected Congressional Votes Since 1982' (Part 3 of 3) (10)
WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL31693) on May 26, 2023, entitled "U.S. Armed Forces Abroad - Selected Congressional Votes Since 1982:"
(Continued from Part 2 of 3)
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War in Iraq and Afghanistan (2001-present)
U.S. military operations against Al Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan proceeded pursuant to the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force from October 2001 onward. U.S. military operations in Iraq proceeded pursua more PR
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