WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12507) on assistance animals under three federal statutes on Oct. 10, 2023, by Legislative Attorney April J. Anderson: * * * Snakes on a Plane, in an Apartment, or at the Supermarket? Assistance Animals Under Three Federal Statutes People with disabilities commonly request permission to be accompanied by an assistance animal at a range of locations, from airplanes to supermarkets to apar more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10901) entitled "Child Soldiers Prevention Act: Security Assistance Restrictions" on Oct. 11, 2023, by foreign affairs analyst Michael A. Weber. Here are excerpts: * * * Child Soldiers Prevention Act: Security Assistance Restrictions The recruitment and use of children in armed conflict is broadly viewed as a human rights problem, a form of trafficking in persons, among the worst forms o more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11806) on citizenship and immigration statuses of the U.S. foreign-born population on Oct. 6, 2023, by immigration policy analyst Holly Straut-Eppsteiner. Here are excerpts: * * * Citizenship and Immigration Statuses of the U.S. Foreign-Born Population The U.S. foreign-born population consists of individuals living in the United States who were not U.S. citizens at birth. In 2022, accord more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12440) on commercial human spaceflight safety regulations on Oct. 13, 2023, by public finance analyst Gary Guenther. Here are excerpts: * * * Commercial Human Spaceflight Safety Regulations The Department of Transportation (DOT), acting through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has regulatory authority over commercial space launch and reentry, including for spacecraft with huma more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10484) on the Department of the Navy on Oct. 10, 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 more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10151) on the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act on Oct. 6, 2023, by natural resources policy specialist Carol Hardy Vincent. Here are excerpts: * * * Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act: Overview and Issues Overview The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA; 16 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.6801-6814) authorizes five agencies to charge and collect recreation fees on federal recre more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10485) on geography, strategy and U.S. force design on Oct. 12, 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 activity  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12440) on Hong Kong on Oct. 12, 2023, by public finance analyst Gary Guenther. Here are excerpts: * * * China Primer: Hong Kong Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (PRC, or China). The United Kingdom (UK) established Hong Kong as colony in 1841, and administered it until 1997 when the UK transferred it to the PRC. The PRC agreed that after the  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12440) on Internal Revenue Service appropriations, fiscal 2024 on Oct. 13, 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, Oct. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11531) on the National Security Space Launch on Oct. 10, 2023, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security analyst: * * * Defense Primer: National Security Space Launch Introduction The U.S. Department of Defense's (DOD's) Launch Enterprise consists of two programs: National Security Space Launch (NSSL), which acquires launch services for heavy and medium lift class nat more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10486) on the naval forces on Oct. 10, 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  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11544) on overview of assisted living facilities on Oct. 11, 2023, by health and aging policy specialist Kirsten J. Colello. Here are excerpts: * * * Overview of Assisted Living Facilities Assisted living is a term often applied to community-based residential settings that provide housing and meals (i.e., room and board), as well as various long-term services and supports (LTSS), to old more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10164) on Senegal on Oct. 10, 2023, by African affairs specialist Alexis Arieff. Here are excerpts: * * * Senegal Senegal's reputation as a stable democracy and cooperation on development and security underpin warm U.S.-Senegal relations. For U.S. policymakers, Senegal is increasingly an exception in a region beset by conflicts, military coups, and growing Russian influence. Senegal non more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10578) on U.S.-Mexico security cooperation on Oct. 10, 2023, by Latin American affairs specialist Clare Ribando Seelke: * * * U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation: From the Merida Initiative to the Bicentennial Framework Record drug overdose deaths in the United States and rising homicides in Mexico, most of which never lead to convictions, have led some in Congress to question the efficacy  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12021) on the Corps Water Infrastructure Financing Program on Oct. 6, 2023, by natural resources policy specialist Nicole T. Carter. Here are excerpts: * * * Corps Water Infrastructure Financing Program (CWIFP) In the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (WIFIA 2014, Title V, Subtitle C, of P.L. 113-121; 33 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.3901-3914, as amended), Congress authorized the  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12262) on Israel and Hamas - major conflict after surprise attacks on Oct. 10, 2023, by Middle Eastern affairs specialists Clare Ribando Seelke and Jeremy M. Sharp. Here are excerpts: * * * Israel and Hamas: Major Conflict After Surprise Attacks Overview On October 7, 2023, Gaza Strip-based militants led by the Palestinian Sunni Islamist group Hamas (a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12262) on military mental health strategy development and program assessment provisions on Oct. 11, 2023, by Bryce H. P. Mendez, defense health care policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2024 NDAA: Military Mental Health Strategy Development and Program Assessment Provisions Background Congress authorizes, through the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Department  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN10784) on National Flood Insurance Program borrowing authority on Oct. 11, 2023, by Diane P. Horn, flood insurance and emergency management specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * National Flood Insurance Program Borrowing Authority This Insight evaluates the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) borrowing authority to receive loans from the Treasury and the current financial situation of more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11056) on authority for sending seized ammunition to Ukraine on Oct. 13, 2023, by Charles Doyle, American public law senior specialist: * * * Legal Authority for Sending Seized Ammunition to Ukraine On October 4, 2023, the Administration announced that it had sent to Ukraine over one million rounds of ammunition, seized from a flagless vessel on its way from Iran to Yemen. The anno more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11057) on challenges to state laws banning certain medical treatments for transgender minors on Oct. 13, 2023, by legislative attorneys Christine J. Back and Jared P. Cole: * * * Appellate Courts Split on Legal Challenges to State Laws Banning Certain Medical Treatments for Transgender Minors Public debate and attention has focused on whether certain medical treatments should be av more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB10922) on generative artificial intelligence and copyright law on Sept. 29, 2023, by Legislative Attorney Christopher T. Zirpoli: * * * Generative Artificial Intelligence and Copyright Law Innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) are raising new questions about how copyright law principles such as authorship, infringement, and fair use will apply to content created or used by AI more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11055) on the recent appellate decisions of interest to lawmakers, Oct. 2 - Oct. 9, 2023, on Oct. 10, 2023, by deputy assistant director Michael John Garcia and legislative attorney Bryan L. Adkins: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (October 2, 2023 - October 9, 2023) The federal courts issue hundreds of decisions every week in c more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47747) on Oct. 6, 2023, entitled "Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide." The report was written by research librarians Ben Leubsdorf, Kathleen E. Marchsteiner and Carol Wilson. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Constitution allows Congress to admit "New States ... into this Union." By ratifying the Constitution in 1787-1790, the 13 original states - which declared more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47747) on Oct. 6, 2023, entitled "Admission of States to the Union - A Historical Reference Guide:" (Continued from Part 1 of 7) * * * Statehood Timelines Alabama * * * Alabama: 22nd State Alabama Territory created March 3, 1817 (3 Stat. 371) Enabling law enacted March 2, 1819 (3 Stat. 489) Alabama admitted December 14, 1819 (3 Stat. 608) * * * * September 3, 1783: United States acquire more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47747) on Oct. 6, 2023, entitled "Admission of States to the Union - A Historical Reference Guide:" (Continued from Part 2 of 7) * * * Hawaii * * * Hawaii: 50th State Hawaii Territory created April 30, 1900 (31 Stat. 141) Statehood law enacted March 18, 1959 (73 Stat. 4) Hawaii admitted August 21, 1959 (73 Stat. c74) * * * * July 7, 1898: The United States annexes the Republic of Hawaii. more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47747) on Oct. 6, 2023, entitled "Admission of States to the Union - A Historical Reference Guide:" (Continued from Part 3 of 7) * * * Maryland * * * Maryland: Seventh State Maryland ratified Constitution April 28, 1788 * * * * June 20, 1632: King Charles I grants the charter for the colony of Maryland to Cecil Calvert./293 * July 4, 1776: Maryland joins 12 other colonies in declaring ind more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47747) on Oct. 6, 2023, entitled "Admission of States to the Union - A Historical Reference Guide:" (Continued from Part 4 of 7) * * * New Jersey * * * New Jersey: Third State New Jersey ratified Constitution December 18, 1787 * * * * April 17, 1702: Queen Anne establishes British royal control over New Jersey./428 * July 4, 1776: New Jersey joins 12 other colonies in declaring independe more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47747) on Oct. 6, 2023, entitled "Admission of States to the Union - A Historical Reference Guide:" (Continued from Part 5 of 7) * * * Rhode Island * * * Rhode Island: 13th State Rhode Island ratified Constitution May 29, 1790 * * * * July 15, 1663: King Charles II grants a charter to create the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations./541 * July 4, 1776: Rhode Island joins 12 o more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47747) on Oct. 6, 2023, entitled "Admission of States to the Union - A Historical Reference Guide:" (Continued from Part 6 of 7) * * * Washington * * * Washington: 42nd State Washington Territory created March 2, 1853 (10 Stat. 172) Enabling and statehood law enacted February 22, 1889 (25 Stat. 676) Washington admitted November 11, 1889 (26 Stat. 1552) * * * * October 20, 1818: U.S. env more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 94-834) on Oct. 12, 2023, entitled "Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Federal Civil Service Annuities" by income security specialist Katelin P. Isaacs. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) are based on the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Ur more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43767) on Oct. 6, 2023, entitled "The Defense Production Act of 1950: History, Authorities and Considerations for Congress" by defense infrastructure policy analysts Alexandra G. Neenan and Luke A. Nicastro. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950 (P.L. 81-774, 50 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.4501 et seq.), as amended, confers upon the President a broad set of authorities  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43767) on Oct. 6, 2023, entitled "The Defense Production Act of 1950 - History, Authorities and Considerations for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Authorities Under Title III of the DPA Title III authorities are intended to help ensure that the nation has an adequate supply of, or the ability to produce, essential materials and goods necessary for the national defense. Using Ti more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43590) on Sept. 29, 2023, entitled "Federal Workforce Statistics Sources: OPM and OMB" by senior research librarian Carol Wilson. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary This report describes online tools, reports, and data compilations created by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that contain statistics about federal employees and the federal wor more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47745) on Sept. 29, 2023, entitled "Financial Services and General Government FY2023 Appropriations: Independent Agencies and General Provisions" by acting section research manager Baird Webel. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill includes funding for more than two dozen independent agencies, including: * Consumer Product S more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47745) on Sept. 29, 2023, entitled "Financial Services and General Government FY2023 Appropriations - Independent Agencies and General Provisions:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Independent Agencies Related to Personnel Management Appropriations The FSGG Appropriations Act includes funding for four agencies with personnel management functions: the Federal Labor Relations Authority, the  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47170) on Sept. 29, 2023, entitled "Financial Services and General Government FY2023 Appropriations: Overview" by acting section research manager Baird Webel. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) FY2023 Appropriations: Overview The Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill includes funding for the Department of the Treasu more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 98-411) on Oct. 2, 2023, entitled "Questions of Privilege in the House" by Elizabeth Rybicki, Congress and legislative process specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Questions of the Privileges of the House ... 1 Questions of Personal Privilege ... 1 Floor Action on Questions of Privilege ... 2 Contacts Author Information ... 2 Acknowledgments ... 2 Key Policy Staff ... 3 * more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47746) on Oct. 5, 2023, entitled "Social Security Administration: Fiscal 2024 Annual Limitation on Administrative Expenses Appropriation: In Brief" by income security analyst William R. Morton and senior research librarian Tamar B. Breslauer. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 Background on SSA ... 1 Overview of the Annual LAE Appropriation ... 1 FY2024 Budget Requests  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47687) on Oct. 6, 2023, entitled "Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations for FY2024" by housing policy specialist Maggie McCarty and transportation policy analyst David Randall Peterman. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The House and the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations subcommittees are more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47687) on Oct. 6, 2023, entitled "Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations for FY2024:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Department of Housing and Urban Development Overview HUD is the nation's housing agency. The programs and activities it administers are designed primarily to address housing problems faced by households with very low incomes or o more PR