WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12465) on 5G Fund for Rural America on July 31, 2023, by telecommunications policy analyst Jill C. Gallagher: * * * 5G Fund for Rural America: Current Status and Issues On October 27, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the 5G Fund for Rural America (5G Fund). The FCC directed that $9 billion over the next 10 years from the Universal Service Fund (USF) be used for t more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12389) on artificial intelligence in federal election campaigns on Aug. 4, 2023, by legislative attorney L. Paige Whitaker: * * * Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Federal Election Campaigns: Legal Background and Constitutional Considerations for Legislation Introduction Federal campaign finance law does not specifically regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in political campai more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10666) on the Bahamas on Aug. 8, 2023, by Latin American affairs analyst Karla I. Rios. Here are excerpts: * * * The Bahamas: An Overview Political Environment The Bahamas, a Caribbean nation of some 700 islands off the southeast coast of the United States, has been a stable parliamentary democracy since its independence from the United Kingdom (UK) in 1973. The country's bicameral legi more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12469) on China and the Middle East and North Africa on Aug. 4, 2023. The white paper was written by Asian affairs analysts Ricardo Barrios and Caitlin Campbell, Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard and international trade and finance analyst Michael D. Sutherland. Here are excerpts: * * * China and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) The People's Republic of C more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10484) on the Department of the Navy on Aug. 4, 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 of t more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10683) on the DHS's cybersecurity mission on Aug. 9, 2023, by cybersecurity policy specialist Chris Jaikaran: * * * DHS's Cybersecurity Mission - An Overview After a cyberattack, much attention is paid to who the responsible party could be. But helping organizations protect themselves, respond to and recover from incidents is vital to the resiliency of the nation. The U.S. Department of H more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12463) on family office regulation in light of the Archegos fallout on Aug. 8, 2023, by financial economics specialist Eva Su: * * * Family Office Regulation in Light of the Archegos Fallout In late March 2021, Archegos Capital Management and its investment bank financiers started liquidating huge stock positions, causing significant turbulence in capital markets. The stock sell-offs led more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10732) on the federal assistance for wildfire response and recovery on Aug. 11, 2023, by natural resources policy analyst Anne A. Riddle: * * * Federal Assistance for Wildfire Response and Recovery Wildfires are unplanned fires. Wildfires may be caused by natural phenomena (i.e., lightning strikes) or by deliberate or accidental human activities. Wildfires occur naturally, and many ecos more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12472) on the federal student loans on Aug. 10, 2023, by social policy analyst Alexandra Hegji: * * * Federal Student Loans: Return to Repayment In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, since March 2020, the accrual of interest, monthly payments, and involuntary collections have been paused on most federal student loans. The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA; P.L. 118-5) specifies that more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10485) on geography, strategy and U.S. force design on Aug. 4, 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 acti more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12373) on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity on Aug. 10, 2023. The white paper was written by Asian Affairs specialist Mark E. Manyin and international trade and finance specialists Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs and Kyla H. Kitamura. Here are excerpts: * * * Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) In May 2022, the United States and 13 partners launched the In more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10247) on Indonesia on Aug. 1, 2023, by Asian affairs specialist Ben Dolven. Here are excerpts: * * * Indonesia Overview With over 279 million citizens, Indonesia is the most populous country in Southeast Asia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, and the world's third-largest democracy (after India and the United States). It has the world's 16th largest economy and the 10t more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12471) on the Intelligence Community's Foreign Malign Influence Center on Aug. 9, 2023, by Michael E. DeVine, intelligence and national security analyst: * * * The Intelligence Community's Foreign Malign Influence Center (FMIC) Foreign Malign Influence Congress defines foreign malign influence in 50 U.S.C. Sec.3059(f)(2) as a "hostile effort undertaken by, at the direction of, or on beha more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10404) on Iraq on Aug. 1, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard. Here are excerpts: * * * Iraq The Republic of Iraq is strategically located in the central Middle East region (Figure 1) and has large energy resources and a growing, diverse population. Its potential and regional influence make it a venue for competition between outside powers, including the U more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12217) on the legal framework for federal methane regulation on Aug. 7, 2023, by legislative attorney Benjamin M. Barczewski: * * * The Legal Framework for Federal Methane Regulation Methane is a greenhouse gas with 25 times the warming capacity of carbon dioxide. Methane makes up about 11% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Primary sources of methane include oil and  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10316) on Malaysia on Aug. 10, 2023, by Asian affairs specialist Ben Dolven. Here are excerpts: * * * Malaysia Overview The Federation of Malaysia is a majority Muslim parliamentary democracy in Southeast Asia. It has an ethnically and religiously diverse population of 32.7 million, with a Malay majority and large ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities. Malaysia is considered a middle-in more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12436) on the National Park Service - fiscal 2024 appropriations on Aug. 11, 2023, by natural resources policy specialist Laura B. Comay. Here are excerpts: * * * National Park Service: FY2024 Appropriations The National Park Service (NPS) administers the National Park System, which includes 425 units valued for their natural, cultural, and recreational importance. System lands cover 81 more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10485) on naval forces on Aug. 4, 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. For furthe more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11679) on Navy DDG(X) next-generation destroyer program on Aug. 3, 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-47) cla more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11674) on Navy Light Replenishment Oiler on Aug. 1, 2023, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy Light Replenishment Oiler (TAOL) (Previously Next-Generation Logistics Ship [NGLS]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy's Light Replenishment Oiler (TAOL) program, previously called the Next-Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) pr more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11826) on Navy Next-Generation Attack Submarine program on Aug. 4, 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 or SSN(X) more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11838) on the Navy TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance shipbuilding program on Aug. 4, 2023, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy TAGOS-25 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 ships at a cost of $434.4 m more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12463) on the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Extension Act of 2018 on Aug. 4, 2023, by acting research assistant Catherine L. Able-Thomas and global health specialist Tiaji Salaam-Blyther. Here are excerpts: * * * PEPFAR Extension Act of 2018: Expiring Authorities Since the 108th Congress (2003-2004) enacted legislation to authorize multiyear funding for international HIV/AI more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12183) on procedures for declassifying intelligence of public interest on Aug. 10, 2023, by Michael E. DeVine, intelligence and national security analyst: * * * Procedures for Declassifying Intelligence of Public Interest The classification regime exists as a means of safeguarding sensitive intelligence sources and methods, or other kinds of sensitive national security information that  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12344) on Russia's Wagner Private Military Company on Aug. 1, 2023, by Andrew S. Bowen, Russian and European affairs analyst: * * * Russia's Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) Russia uses private military companies (PMCs) to project power globally. These outfits range in size and scope and act as an unofficial (albeit nominally illegal) tool of Russian foreign policy. The most prominen more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11714) on the Securities and Exchange Commission on Aug. 8, 2023, by financial economics specialist Eva Su. Here are excerpts: * * * Introduction to Financial Services: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Congress passed the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (P.L. 73-291) to create the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the wake of the stock market crash in 1929 to help r more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12400) on short selling on Aug. 8, 2023, by financial economics specialist Eva Su: * * * Short Selling: Background and Policy Issues Short selling generally involves the sale of a stock that the seller does not own (and instead borrows and must return at a later date) with an intent to profit if the stock declines in value. The practice has generated policy attention because of its risks  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11080) on Syria conflict overview on Aug. 3, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard. Here are excerpts: * * * Syria Conflict Overview: 2011-2021 Through 2021, conflict in Syria had persisted for a decade, and had displaced approximately half of the country's prewar population. This product provides a historical overview of the conflict through 2021. As of 202 more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12471) on tax proposals and the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger on Aug. 9, 2023, by economic policy senior specialist Jane G. Gravelle: * * * Tax Proposals and the PGA Tour-LIV Golf Merger In June 2023, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf announced a planned merger. The PGA Tour is the world's largest professional golf league, while LIV Golf is a newer league financed by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10253) on Thailand on Aug. 8, 2023, by Asian affairs specialists Emma Chanlett-Avery and Ben Dolven. Here are excerpts: * * * Thailand: Background and U.S. Relations Thailand is a long-time military ally and economic partner of the United States. The United States operates numerous regional offices from the Bangkok Embassy, one of the largest American diplomatic missions in the world.  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11526) on the U.S.-Kenya trade negotiations on Aug. 8, 2023, by international trade and finance analyst Liana Wong and African affairs specialist Lauren Ploch Blanchard. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-Kenya Trade Negotiations The United States and Kenya began free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations in 2020 under then-President Donald Trump and then-President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya. The J more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11573) on the USDA's SECURE rule to regulate agricultural biotechnology on Aug. 4, 2023, by agricultural policy analyst Eleni G. Bickel. Here are excerpts: * * * USDA's SECURE Rule to Regulate Agricultural Biotechnology In May 2020, citing 30 years of evidence, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a final rule to revise its regulation of certain genetically engineered (GE)  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10230) on Venezuela on Aug. 7, 2023, by Latin American affairs specialist Laura B. Comay: * * * 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 Venezuela, the Unity Platform of opposition has adj more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10715) on Venezuela on Aug. 8, 2023, by Latin American affairs specialist Clare Ribando Seelke: * * * Venezuela: Overview of U.S. Sanctions For over 17 years, the United States has imposed sanctions in response to activities of the Venezuelan government and Venezuelan individuals. The earliest sanctions imposed related to Venezuela's lack of cooperation on antidrug and counterterrorism e more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12212) on expiration of 1915(l) Medicaid state plan option on Aug. 3, 2023, by health care financing analyst Megan B. Houston: * * * Expiration of 1915(l) Medicaid State Plan Option Background Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that finances the delivery of primary and acute medical services, as well as long-term services and supports, for a diverse low-income population, including more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12211) on harmonic dissonance - synching up cybersecurity regulations on July 31, 2023, by cybersecurity policy specialist Chris Jaikaran: * * * Harmonic Dissonance - Synching Up Cybersecurity Regulations On July 19, 2023, the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) announced that it will start a process to harmonize cybersecurity regulations and seek regulatory reciprocity. In this p more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12216) on HSA@20 Episode Companion - border enforcement on Aug. 7, 2023. The white paper by homeland security and appropriations specialist William L. Painter, immigration policy specialist Audrey Singer and domestic security specialist Kristin Finklea: * * * HSA@20 Episode Companion: Border Enforcement This Insight accompanies the "Border Enforcement" episode of The Homeland Security Act more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12210) on status of legislative activity on July 31, 2023, by defense budget specialist Brendan W. McGarry and Congress and legislative process specialist Valerie Heitshusen. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2024 NDAA: Status of Legislative Activity July 31, 2023 By law (31 U.S.C. Sec.1105(a)), the President is to send the annual federal budget request to Congress by the first Monday in Februar more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11015) on the recent appellate decisions of interest to lawmakers July 24 - July 30, 2023, on July 31, 2023. The white paper was written by legislative attorneys Justin C. Chung, Michael D. Contino and Alexander H. Pepper: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (July 24, 2023-July 30, 2023) The federal courts issue hundreds of decisio more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47638) on July 31, 2023, entitled "Consol-Type Perpetual Bonds and the Debt Limit: In Brief" by economic policy analyst D. Andrew Austin. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents "Consol" Bonds and Debt Instruments Without Maturity Dates ... 1 Long Bonds As a Solution to 18th Century Public Finance Challenges... 2 U.S. Treasury and Consol Bonds in the 19th Century... 3 Treasury Bonds and the Resumption  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43325) on July 31, 2023, entitled "The Renewable Fuel Standard: An Overview" by Kelsi Bracmort, natural resources and energy policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requires U.S. transportation fuel to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel each year. The RFS - established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58; EPAct05) and expanded in 2007 by t more PR