WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 -- The Bipartisan Policy Center issued the following news release on Aug. 1, 2024: The Bipartisan Policy Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Cheryl Oldham as its new Executive Vice President of Human Capital. In this role, Oldham will oversee the strategic direction and execution of BPC's new portfolio of work focusing on education, post-secondary education, child care, paid family leave, child welfare, and workforce. "With 30 years of distinguished experience s more PR

WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12724) on July 30, 2024, by Ben Wilhelm, government organization and management analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Executive Orders and Presidential Transitions Since at least the Administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the concept of a President's first "100 days" has been a touchstone for evaluation of presidential effectiveness and places at least some pressure on incoming Administra more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11400) on July 31, 2024, by Christopher A. Casey, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Presidential Authority to Address Tariff Barriers in Trade Agreements The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate trade with foreign nations and to lay and collect duties. Since the 1930s, Congress has periodically authorized the President to negotiate trade more PR

WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12721) on July 30, 2024, by American national government specialist Henry B. Hogue: * * * Presidential Transitions: Executive Branch Political Appointment Status The status of incumbent political appointees during presidential transitions has often been of interest to Congress. In some instances, appointees of an outgoing President have continued to serve into a new Administration. These more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12726) on July 31, 2024, by American national government specialist Garrett Hatch. Here are excerpts: * * * Presidential Transitions: Executive Clemency In Section 2 of the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 (as amended; 3 U.S.C. 102 note), Congress declared that "[t]he national interest requires that [presidential] transitions ... be accomplished so as to assure continuity in the faith more PR

WASHINGTON, July 30 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45154) on July 29, 2024, entitled "Lame Duck Sessions of Congress, 1935-2022, 74th-117th Congresses" by Jane A. Hudiburg, Congress and legislative process analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary A "lame duck" session of Congress occurs whenever one Congress meets after its successor is elected but before the end of its own constitutional term. Under present conditions, any meeting of Congre more PR

WASHINGTON, July 30 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45154) on July 29, 2024, entitled "Lame Duck Sessions of Congress, 1935-2022, 74th-117th Congresses:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Comparing the Post-1935 Periods Comparing the two time periods reveals both similarities and differences between the 20th and 21st century lame duck sessions. Table 5 displays data on average calendar length of election breaks and lame duck sessions and num more PR