WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12486) on Central America - expiration of targeted sanctions authority on Sept. 6, 2023, by Peter J. Meyer, Latin American and Canadian affairs specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Central America: Expiration of Targeted Sanctions Authority Central America (see Figure 1) has received considerable attention from U.S. policymakers over the past decade, as it has become a major transit co more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10464) on the Congressional representatives to the U.N. General Assembly on Aug. 31, 2023, by international relations specialist Luisa Blanchfield and foreign policy legislation Matthew C. Weed. Here are excerpts: * * * United Nations Issues: Congressional Representatives to the U.N. General Assembly The annual session of the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly is held at U.N. Headq more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12485) on the Controlled Environment Agriculture production on Aug. 31, 2023, by agricultural policy specialist Renee Johnson: * * * Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Production The 2018 farm bill (Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, P.L. 115-334) expanded support for "urban agriculture and innovative production methods like indoor and rooftop farming." In a Joint Explanatory St more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10166) on environmental provisions in Free Trade Agreements on Sept. 1, 2023, by environmental policy specialist Richard K. Lattanzio and international trade and finance analyst Christopher A. Casey: * * * Environmental Provisions in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) Linkages between trade and environmental protection have long been a concern to some U.S. policymakers and stakeholders. The c more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12193) on farm and food support under USDA's Section 32 account on Sept. 5, 2023, by agricultural policy specialist Jim Monke. Here are excerpts: * * * Farm and Food Support Under USDA's Section 32 Account Congress created a mandatory appropriation in 1935 - the Funds for Strengthening Markets, Income, and Supply (Section 32 of the act of August 24, 1935; 7 U.S.C. 612c). The funds supp more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12472) on the federal student loans on Sept. 1, 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, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12026) on FEMA's Emergency Food and Shelter Program on Aug. 31, 2023, by Elizabeth M. Webster, emergency management and disaster recovery analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * FEMA's Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) provides supplemental grants to local government and nonprofit organizatio more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10613) on the Foreign Terrorist Organization on Sept. 1, 2023, by terrorism and national security specialist John W. Rollins. Here are excerpts: * * * Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) The Foreign Terrorist Organization List Congress has shown recurring interest in the administration of the State Department's FTO list and its application to groups that the U.S. government considers  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10660) on the Kingdom of Bhutan on Sept. 6, 2023, by Asian policy analyst Maria A. Blackwood and research assistant Joseph O. Yinusa. Here are excerpts: * * * The Kingdom of Bhutan Background The Kingdom of Bhutan is a small, landlocked Himalayan country situated between India and the People's Republic of China (PRC, or China). The mountainous kingdom is about half the size of Indiana, more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12217) on the legal framework for federal methane regulation on Sept. 5, 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, Sept. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10529) on role of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in environmental justice on Sept. 7, 2023, by environmental policy analyst Angela C. Jones: * * * Role of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Environmental Justice The role of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in environmental justice is rooted in multiple executive orders (E.O.s) and implemented through a wi more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11175) on the U.S.-Mexico trade relations on Sept. 1, 2023, by international trade and finance specialist M. Angeles Villarreal. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-Mexico Trade Relations The U.S.-Mexico economic and trade relationship is of interest to Congress because of Mexico's proximity to the United States, the extensive bilateral trade and investment relationship under the U.S.-Mexico- more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10997) on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement on Sept. 5, 2023, by M. Angeles Villarreal, international trade and finance specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Trade Agreement Overview The 118th Congress, in both legislative and oversight capacities, may be active in numerous trade policy issues related to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA),  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12231) entitled "Banks' Unrealized Losses, Part 1: New Treatment in the 'Basel III Endgame' Proposal" on Sept. 1, 2023, by macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte. Here are excerpts: * * * Banks' Unrealized Losses, Part 1: New Treatment in the "Basel III Endgame" Proposal On July 27, 2023, the federal banking regulators released a proposed rule that would amend bank capital rules fo more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12232) entitled "Banks' Unrealized Losses, Part 2: Comparing to SVB" on Sept. 1, 2023, by macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte. Here are excerpts: * * * Banks' Unrealized Losses, Part 2: Comparing to SVB Part 1 of this two-part Insight discusses a new proposed rule that would require all banks with over $100 billion in assets to include unrecognized gains and losses on available  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12233) on evolution of emergency management on Sept. 1, 2023, by William L. Painter, homeland security and appropriations specialist: * * * HSA@20 Episode Companion: Evolution of Emergency Management This Insight accompanies the "Evolution of Emergency Management" episode of The Homeland Security Act at 20 podcast series and includes background information on the issues discussed during t more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11035) on the national security review bodies - creating new review systems on Sept. 6, 2023, by legislative attorney Stephen P. Mulligan: * * * National Security Review Bodies (Part II): Creating New Review Systems Some observers and Members of Congress have advocated for new or expanded national security review frameworks to examine transactions that may not be subject to existin more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11034) on the national security review bodies - legal context and comparison on Sept. 6, 2023, by legislative attorneys Stephen P. Mulligan and Chris D. Linebaugh: * * * National Security Review Bodies (Part I): Legal Context and Comparison Federal law creates several frameworks that allow the United States to review the national security risks posed by some private commercial tran more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11036) on overview of select No Surprises Act litigation on Sept. 7, 2023, by legislative attorney Wen W. Shen: * * * Overview of Select No Surprises Act Litigation The No Surprises Act (NSA), part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260), established various consumer protections related to surprise billing--i.e., circumstances where individuals receive large, un more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11032) on the recent appellate decisions of interest to lawmakers, Aug. 28 - Sept. 4, 2023, on Sept. 5, 2023. The white paper was written by deputy assistant director Michael John Garcia and legislative attorneys Peter J. Benson and Alexander H. Pepper: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (August 28, 2023-September 4, 2023) The fe more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11031) on veterans disability benefits and secret military programs on Aug. 31, 2023, by legislative attorney Kate R. Bowers: * * * Supreme Court Narrows Dormant Commerce Clause and Upholds State Animal Welfare Law On May 11, 2023, the Supreme Court upheld a California rule (Proposition 12) banning the in-state sale of whole pork meat from pigs that had been "confined in a cruel ma more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11033) on the Supreme Court's narrow construction of federal criminal laws on Sept. 5, 2023, by legislative attorney Dave S. Sidhu: * * * The Supreme Court's Narrow Construction of Federal Criminal Laws: Historical Practice and Recent Trends Criminal law marks a boundary between conduct that society deems permissible and behavior that it deems worthy of punishment. Those who cross  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11030) on veterans disability benefits and secret military programs on Aug. 31, 2023, by legislative attorney Andreas Kuersten: * * * Taylor v. McDonough: Veterans Disability Benefits and Secret Military Programs On June 15, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit decided Taylor v. McDonough. The case involved a veteran (Mr. Taylor) who had a service-connected disab more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47678) on Sept. 1, 2023, entitled "Comparing DHS Component Funding, FY2024: In Brief" by William L. Painter, homeland security and appropriations specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 FY2024 DHS Appropriations Overview ... 2 Annual Appropriations ... 2 DHS Budgetary Resources: Beyond the Score ... 2 DHS Appropriations: Comparing Scores ... 10 Emergency-Designated F more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47679) on Sept. 1, 2023, entitled "Congressional and Executive Authority Over Foreign Trade Agreements" by legislative attorney Christopher T. Zirpoli: * * * SUMMARY This report examines the constitutional powers of Congress and the President to make foreign trade agreements, the respective roles the legislative and executive branches have played in recent trade agreements, and legal debates concernin more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47679) on Sept. 1, 2023, entitled "Congressional and Executive Authority Over Foreign Trade Agreements:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Recent Hybrid Trade Agreement Practice This section summarizes legal characteristics of selected recent and potential hybrid trade agreements and congressional responses to those agreements. As discussed below, much of the recent practice and debate regarding hyb more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47676) on Sept. 1, 2023, entitled "Disaster Relief Fund State of Play: In Brief" by William L. Painter, homeland security and appropriations specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 What Is the DRF Used For? ... 1 DRF Structure ... 2 DRF Appropriations ... 3 Annual and Supplemental ... 3 Continuing Resolutions ... 4 DRF Funding and Obligation Levels ... 4 When the more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47667) on Sept. 1, 2023, entitled "Immigration Crimes: Improper Entry and Reentry" by legislative attorney Kelsey Y. Santamaria. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congress has established a comprehensive framework governing the admission and removal of aliens (a term defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act [INA] as "any person not a citizen or national of the United States"). These rules are but more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47667) on Sept. 1, 2023, entitled "Immigration Crimes - Improper Entry and Reentry:" (Continued from Part 1 of 4) * * * Prohibited Conduct Improper Entry, 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1325(a) Section 1325(a) makes it a crime for an alien to enter or attempt to enter the United States in an improper manner. The statutory language provides that: 'Any alien who (1) enters or attempts to enter the United States at an more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47667) on Sept. 1, 2023, entitled "Immigration Crimes - Improper Entry and Reentry:" (Continued from Part 2 of 4) * * * Illegal Reentry, 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1326(a) Under Section 1326(a), it is a felony offense for an alien to reenter or attempt to reenter, or to be found in, the United States without authorization to enter the United States after having been "denied admission, excluded, deported, or remov more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47667) on Sept. 1, 2023, entitled "Immigration Crimes - Improper Entry and Reentry:" (Continued from Part 3 of 4) * * * Select Considerations Regarding Asylum Some defendants charged with improper entry offenses have claimed that prosecutions brought against them conflict with principles of asylum established by international treaty obligations and federal statute./224 Asylum is a humanitarian-based  more PR