WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R47655) on 1963 March on Washington for jobs and freedom by senior knowledge services librarian Elizabeth C. Larson: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 History ... 1 Commemorations ... 1 Legislation ... 1 Sample Congressional Speeches and Recognitions ... 2 Presidential Proclamations and Remarks ... 2 Selected Resources ... 2 Contacts Author Information ... 3 * * * Introduction Thi more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11009) on Brunei Darussalam on Aug. 18, 2023, by research assistant Joseph O. Yinusa and Asian affairs specialist Ben Dolven. Here are excerpts: * * * Brunei Darussalam The State of Brunei Darussalam (Brunei) is located on the northwest coast of the Island of Borneo, and is bordered and bifurcated by eastern Malaysia. Brunei has a land mass of 2,226 square miles (slightly smaller than D more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10177) on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. on Aug. 3, 2023, by Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs, international trade and finance specialist, and Karen M. Sutter, Asian trade and finance specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is an interagency committee chaired b more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10116) on Crisis in Mali on Aug. 15, 2023, by African affairs specialist Alexis Arieff. Here are excerpts: * * * Crisis in Mali Once seen as a regional democratic leader, Mali has become an epicenter of conflict and instability over the past decade. Insurgent groups affiliated with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State operate widely and have spread across Mali's borders. Other armed groups, e more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12477) on the FDA's oversight of hemp-derived compounds on Aug. 18, 2023, by agricultural policy specialist Renee Johnson. Here are excerpts: * * * FDA's Oversight of Hemp-Derived Compounds In January 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement that the agency would "work with Congress" to develop "a new regulatory pathway" for cannabidiol (CBD), a hemp-based cannabi more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12440) on Internal Revenue Service appropriations, fiscal 2024 on Aug. 18, 2023, by public finance analyst Gary Guenther. Here are excerpts: * * * Internal Revenue Service Appropriations, FY2024 Overview of the IRS Budget The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has two primary responsibilities: (1) collecting most of the revenue to fund federal government agencies and programs, and (2) enf more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12473) on Light Detection and Ranging on Aug. 14, 2023, by Karen M. Sutter, Asian trade and finance specialist, and Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-China Competition in Emerging Technologies: LiDAR The governments of the United States and the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) have both identified strategic and  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10894) on Moldova on Aug. 14, 2023, by European affairs analyst Sarah E. Garding and Russian and European affairs specialist Cory Welt. Here are excerpts: * * * Moldova: An Overview Moldova is one of three post-Soviet states - together with Ukraine and Georgia - that seeks greater integration with the West in the face of Russian resistance and territorial occupation. Many Members of Con more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12475) on outreach for socially disadvantaged producers by agricultural policy specialist Renee Johnson. Here are excerpts: * * * Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged Producers (2501 Program) The 2018 farm bill (Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, P.L. 115-334) reauthorized and expanded support for socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers (SDFRs) within programs administered by the U more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11009) on SBA's Women-Owned Small Business Contracting Program on Aug. 18, 2023, by R. Corinne Blackford, small business and economic development policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SBA's Women-Owned Small Business Contracting Program Program Background The Small Business Administration's (SBA's) WomenOwned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program is designed to provide gr more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11633) on summer food for children on Aug. 15, 2023, by social policy analyst Kara Clifford Billing. Here are excerpts: * * * Summer Food for Children: An Overview of Federal Aid Introduction Since the late 1960s, the federal government has provided assistance for summer meals served to children through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provides funding for meals served by more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12200) on the U.S. Marine Corps Marine Littoral Regiment on Aug. 17, 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." As  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11123) on the U.S.-UK trade relations on Aug. 17, 2023, by Shayerah I. Akhtar, international trade and finance specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-UK Trade Relations The United Kingdom (UK) is a major U.S. trade and economic partner. U.S.-UK trade and investment ties - given their scope, size, and economic and political significance - are of congressional interest. In the 118th Co more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12474) on the UPS-Teamsters labor dispute and Taft-Hartley's national emergency provisions on Aug. 16, 2023, by legislative attorneys Madeline W. Donley and Jon O. Shimabukuro. Here are excerpts: * * * The UPS-Teamsters Labor Dispute and Taft-Hartley's National Emergency Provisions Introduction On July 25, 2023, the United Parcel Service (UPS) and the International Brotherhood of Teams more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12222) on artificial intelligence and campaign finance policy on Aug. 15, 2023, by American national government specialist R. Sam Garrett: * * * Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Campaign Finance Policy: Recent Developments No federal statute or regulation specifically addresses artificial intelligence (AI) in political campaigns. The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) and Federal Electi more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12222) on artificial intelligence and campaign finance policy on Aug. 16, 2023, by American national government specialists R. Sam Garret: * * * Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Campaign Finance Policy: Recent Developments No federal statute or regulation specifically addresses artificial intelligence (AI) in political campaigns. The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) and Federal Electi more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12218) on August 2023 wildfires in Hawaii on Aug. 14, 2023. The white paper was written by Linda R. Rowan, natural resources and earth sciences analyst, Anne A. Riddle, natural resources policy analyst, and Erica A. Lee, emergency management and disaster recovery analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * August 2023 Wildfires in Hawaii Impacts of August Wildfires Due to dry and windy condition more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12220) on broadcasting federal criminal proceedings on Aug. 14, 2023, by American national government analyst Sarah J. Eckman and legislative attorney Joanna R. Lampe: * * * Broadcasting Federal Criminal Proceedings The August 1, 2023, criminal indictment of former President Donald Trump has prompted public discussion of whether federal criminal proceedings can be televised or otherwise b more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12221) on defense industrial base policy on Aug. 15, 2023, by defense infrastructure policy analyst Luke A. Nicastro. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2024 NDAA: Defense Industrial Base Policy Background The defense industrial base (DIB) is the network of organizations, facilities, and resources that supplies the U.S. government - particularly the Department of Defense (DOD) - with materials, more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12225) on Department of Defense acquisition policy on Aug. 17, 2023, by defense infrastructure policy analyst Alexandra G. Neenan. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2024 NDAA: Department of Defense Acquisition Policy Introduction The Defense Acquisition System (DAS) is the process through which the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) develops and buys goods and services from contractors. The pro more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12223) on the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act on Aug. 16, 2023, by financial economics specialists Paul Tierno and Eva Su: * * * An Overview of H.R. 4763, Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act The House Committee on Financial Services on July 26, 2023, and the House Committee on Agriculture on July 27, 2023, ordered to be reported to the more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12224) entitled "Mitigation Funding from the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund" on Aug. 15, 2023, by Diane P. Horn, flood insurance and emergency management specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Mitigation Funding from the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund In 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began offering a new form of Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12226) on the debate over extending the Section 199A deduction for qualified business income on Aug. 18, 2023, by public finance analyst Gary Guenther. Here are excerpts: * * * The Debate over Extending the Section 199A Deduction for Qualified Business Income The 2017 tax law (P.L. 115-97, commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act or TCJA) made significant changes to the taxation of bu more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11010) on Mountain Valley Pipeline litigation tests Congress's power to limit federal court jurisdiction on Aug. 17, 2023, by legislative attorney Joanna R. Lampe: * * * Mountain Valley Pipeline Litigation Tests Congress's Power to Limit Federal Court Jurisdiction The Mountain Valley Pipeline (Pipeline), currently under construction, is planned as a 303-mile natural gas transmissio more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11020) on online age verification, part I on Aug. 17, 2023, by attorney-advisor Eric N. Holmes: * * * Online Age Verification (Part I): Current Context For almost as long as the internet has existed, journalists and lawmakers have sounded alarms over children's ability to access harmful material online. The targeted material has expanded over the years, with pornography being a pri more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11021) on online age verification, part I on Aug. 17, 2023, by attorney-advisor Eric N. Holmes: * * * Online Age Verification (Part II): Constitutional Background This Legal Sidebar is the second installment in a three-part series on efforts to require online services to verify the ages of their users. Part I discussed the common elements of online age verification laws, using enac more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11022) on online age verification, part I on Aug. 17, 2023, by attorney-advisor Eric N. Holmes: * * * Online Age Verification (Part III): Select Constitutional Issues This Legal Sidebar is the third installment in a three-part series on efforts to require online services to verify the ages of their users. Part I provided an overview of elements common in age verification laws. Part more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11019) on the recent appellate decisions of interest to lawmakers, Aug. 7 - Aug. 11, 2023, on Aug. 14, 2023. The white paper was written by section research manager Juria L. Jones and legislative attorneys Michael D. Contino, Jason O. Heflin and Alexander H. Pepper: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (August 7, 2023-August 11, 202 more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11023) entitled "Supreme Court Limits States' Ability to Challenge Immigration Enforcement Policies" on Aug. 18, 2023, by legislative attorney Hillel R. Smith: * * * Supreme Court Limits States' Ability to Challenge Immigration Enforcement Policies The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is one of the key agencies responsible for the enforcement of federal immigration laws agains more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11017) entitled "Supreme Court Rules Bankruptcy Code Abrogates Tribal Sovereign Immunity" on Aug. 4, 2023, by legislative attorneys Michael D. Contino and Mainon A. Schwartz: * * * Supreme Court Rules Bankruptcy Code Abrogates Tribal Sovereign Immunity On June 15, 2023, the Supreme Court decided Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians v. Coughlin (Lac du Flambeau). T more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43738) on Aug. 17, 2023, entitled "Fire Management Assistance Grants: Frequently Asked Questions." The report was written by flood insurance and emergency management specialist Diane P. Horn, natural resources policy analyst Anne A. Riddle and American national government specialist Bruce R. Lindsay. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary Section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47654) on Aug. 17, 2023, entitled "Immigration Options for Immigration Parolees" by immigration policy specialist Andorra Bruno: * * * SUMMARY Since 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has granted immigration parole through special initiatives to more than 350,000 persons from Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Ukraine, and Venezuela. Parole under these initiatives generally has  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41909) on Aug. 17, 2023, entitled "Multiyear Procurement and Block Buy Contracting in Defense Acquisition: Background and Issues for Congress" by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary Multiyear procurement (MYP) and block buy contracting (BBC) are special contracting mechanisms that Congress permits the Department of Defense (DOD) to use for a limited number of def more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41909) on Aug. 17, 2023, entitled "Multiyear Procurement and Block Buy Contracting in Defense Acquisition - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Issues for Congress Potential issues for Congress concerning MYP and BBC include whether to use MYP and BBC in the future more frequently, less frequently, or about as frequently as they are currently used; and whether to c more PR