WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R43977) on Aug. 12, 2024, by senior technical information specialist Gary Sidor: * * * Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month Speech Resources: Fact Sheet Introduction May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. It is a time to recognize the contributions and achievements of Americans of Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Island descent. This guide is designed to assist congressional offices wit more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R43978) on Aug. 12, 2024, by senior technical information specialist Gary Sidor: * * * Older Americans Month Speech Resources: Fact Sheet Introduction May is Older Americans Month (OAM) - a time some celebrate and pay tribute to older people across the country. Since 1992, the Administration on Aging (AOA) has selected an annual theme for OAM. The May 2024 theme is Powered by Connection, which enco more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12738) on Aug. 14, 2024, by defense policy analyst Daniel M. Gettinger. Here are excerpts: * * * Aerial Targets Congress has required the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct realistic testing of certain weapon systems. The U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy have acquired a portfolio of subscale and full-scale "aerial targets" in part to meet this requirement. Aerial targets simulate more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12035) on Aug. 9, 2024, by Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analyst: * * * China's Global Investments: Data and Transparency Challenges During the past 20 years, the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) has significantly increased its investment overseas. In 1999, China launched its "Go Global Strategy" to support the expansion of Chinese firms abroad and ma more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12710) on Aug. 12, 2024, by energy policy specialists Martin C. Offutt and Corrie E. Clark. Here are excerpts: * * * DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Appropriations, FY2025 The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is responsible for renewable energy and end-use energy efficiency technology development. Other activit more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12739) on Aug. 14, 2024, by legislative attorney Milan N. Ball: Here are excerpts: * * * The Illegality Doctrine and 501(c)(3) Organizations Courts and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have long recognized an implied requirement that organizations exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3) must not have an illegal purpose. As explained by the Supreme Court more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12119) on Aug. 9, 2024, by Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analyst: * * * Industrial Policy and International Trade Supply-chain vulnerabilities revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic have intensified debate in Congress about the proper role of the government in the U.S. economy. The debate also reflects growing concerns about how some foreign governments use state su more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10803) on Aug. 13, 2024, by foreign affairs specialist Michael A. Weber. Here are excerpts: * * * Global Human Rights: International Religious Freedom Policy For decades, U.S. policymakers have sought to promote religious freedom abroad, reflective both of a general interest in promoting human rights through U.S. foreign policy, as well as the emphasis on religious freedom in U.S. domest more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11035) on Aug. 9, 2024, by Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analyst: * * * Managed Trade and Quantitative Restrictions: Issues for Congress Background Congress plays a prominent role in shaping U.S. trade policy, due in part to trade policy's impact on the overall health of the U.S. economy and specific sectors, the success of U.S. businesses and workers, and Am more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12667) on Aug. 15, 2024, by natural resource policy specialist Eva Lipiec. Here are excerpts: * * * National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) FY2025 Budget Request and Appropriations The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is an agency in the Department of Commerce whose mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts; more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12528) on Aug. 9, 2024, by Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs): An Overview U.S. exporters' access to foreign markets increasingly depends on compliance with a diverse array of non-tariff measures (NTMs) that governments have designed to achieve various public policy objectives. As tariffs on international more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12737) on Aug. 12, 2024, by American national government specialist Garrett Hatch: * * * Presidential Transitions: Facilities and Related Services Provided by the General Services Administration In order to "minimize disruptions that might be occasioned by ... transitions in the office of President," the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 (PTA; P.L. 82-277), as amended, authorizes the G more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11836) on Aug. 14, 2024, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security analyst: * * * Defense Primer: Quantum Technology Quantum technology translates the principles of quantum physics into technological applications. In general, quantum technology has not yet reached maturity; however, it could hold significant implications for the future of military sensing, encryption,  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12629) on Aug. 12, 2024, by Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs, international trade and finance specialist, and Karen M. Sutter, Asian trade and finance specialist: * * * Regulation of U.S. Outbound Investment to China Introduction The U.S. government has generally supported an open investment environment at home and abroad to promote U.S. economic growth, sustain the U.S. position as a premier  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12666) on Aug. 9, 2024, by Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analyst: * * * Section 301 Investigation: China's Maritime, Shipbuilding and Logistics Policies On April 17, 2024, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it had initiated a new investigation pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. This investigation focuses on more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12481) on Aug. 15, 2024, by Asian affairs analyst Caitlin Campbell. Here are excerpts: * * * Taiwan: Defense and Military Issues U.S. policy toward Taiwan (which also calls itself the Republic of China or ROC) has long prioritized the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The United States supports Taiwan's efforts to deter the People's Republic of China (PRC or C more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12740) on Aug. 15, 2024, by defense policy analyst Jennifer DiMascio. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) What Are Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)? The U.S. Air Force is developing a new type of semiautonomous, uncrewed aircraft (UAV) called Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The Air Force contends that CCA is being created as a so-called "loyal w more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12397) on Aug. 13, 2024, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Army's Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) System Background The Army is developing a new maneuver short-range air defense system, or M-SHORAD, to perform short-range air defense (SHORAD). The Army defines SHORAD as capabilities that provide air defense against low-altit more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12305) on Aug. 15, 2024, by foreign assistance analyst Nick M. Brown and foreign assistance and foreign policy Emily M. McCabe: * * * Background Congress has enacted five emergency supplemental funding measures to address Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. These include * the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (FY2022 USAA, P.L. 117-103, Div. N); * the Additional Ukraine  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11580) on Aug. 9, 2024, by Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Government Procurement and International Trade The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that U.S. companies and the federal government rely heavily on global supply chains. This has prompted congressional interest in better understanding the role of international trade in more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10958) on Aug. 9, 2024, by Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Trade Debates: Select Disputes and Actions Introduction During the Trump Administration, the United States and some of its major trading partners engaged in a contentious "war" of words over trade--one that tipped over into action in 2018, mostly in the form of inc more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12327) on Aug. 9, 2024, by Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Trade Policy: Future Direction and Key Economic Debates Congress plays a major role in shaping U.S. trade policy through the exercise of its constitutional authorities. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the "Power To lay and collect Taxe more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN11790) on Aug. 8, 2024, by senior research librarian Carla Y. Davis-Castro. Here are excerpts: * * * Afro-descendants of Latin America: Selected Resources The United Nations (UN) estimates that approximately "200 million people identifying themselves as being of African descent live in the Americas." Congress has long demonstrated interest in the status of Afro-descendants abroad through more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12403) on Aug. 14, 2024. The white paper is written by legislative attorney Mainon A. Schwartz and American national government analysts Sarah J. Eckman: * * * Decennial Census and Apportionment: Frequently Asked Questions Every 10 years, the U.S. Constitution requires administration of a national census - an "actual Enumeration" - conducted "in such Manner as [Congress] shall by Law dir more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12324) on Aug. 14, 2024, by Congress and legislative process analyst Drew C. Aherne. Here are excerpts: * * * Omnibus Appropriations: Overview of Recent Practice Congress makes decisions on discretionary spending through the annual appropriations process, which currently consists of the development and consideration of 12 regular appropriations bills for each fiscal year. Historically, r more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12396) on Aug. 12, 2024, by American national government specialist R. Sam Garrett: * * * Recent Developments in the Democratic Presidential Nominating Process On July 21, President Joseph Biden announced that he would no longer seek the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination. This CRS Insight discusses selected issues that could be of interest to Congress as the party approaches the Dem more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12396) on Aug. 9, 2024, by Andres B. Schwarzenberg, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) During the past 50 years, the United States has played a prominent role in developing international trade rules on government procurement. Most U.S. free trade agreements include government procurement obligations. The most no more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL31675) on Aug. 13, 2024, entitled "Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process" by nonproliferation specialist Paul K. Kerr. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY This report reviews the process and procedures that apply to congressional consideration of foreign arms sales proposed by the President. This includes consideration of proposals to sell major defense equipment, defense articles and servic more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48156) on Aug. 15, 2024, entitled "Biden Administration's Student Loan Debt Relief Rulemaking" by social policy specialist Alexandra Hegji and legislative attorney Sean M. Stiff. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Outstanding Higher Education Act (HEA) Title IV federal student loan debt exceeds $1.6 trillion and is owed by about 45 million borrowers. In August 2022, the Biden Administration ann more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48156) on Aug. 15, 2024, entitled "Biden Administration's Student Loan Debt Relief Rulemaking:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * The Proposed Regulations In the April 17, 2024, NPRM, ED proposes new forms of student loan debt relief. These provisions would form a new Subpart G in ED's debt collection regulations, Part 30 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations./60 Under the proposed  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48156) on Aug. 15, 2024, entitled "Biden Administration's Student Loan Debt Relief Rulemaking:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Proposed Waiver of Commercially Held FFEL Program Loans (Proposed 34 C.F.R. Sec. 682.403) Congress terminated authority to guarantee new loans under the FFEL program as of July 1, 2010,/193 but borrowers of outstanding FFEL program loans remain responsible for mak more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47679) on Aug. 14, 2024, 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 c more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47679) on Aug. 14, 2024, 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. The agreements discussed below may be considered hybrid trade a more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47676) on Aug. 13, 2024, 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? ... 2 DRF Structure ... 2 Major Disasters Category ... 2 DRF Base Category ... 3 DRF Appropriations ... 3 Annual and Supplemental ... 3 Continuing Re more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48153) on Aug. 13, 2024, entitled "Marginal Effective Tax Rates on Investment and the Expiring 2017 Tax Cuts" by economic policy senior specialist Jane G. Gravelle and economics specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY P.L. 115-97, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), made significant changes impacting taxes on new investment. Some provisions enacted by the TCJA, such more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48153) on Aug. 13, 2024, entitled "Marginal Effective Tax Rates on Investment and the Expiring 2017 Tax Cuts:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * METRs Across Tax Regimes This section presents METR across four different tax regimes: (1) 2017 before the TCJA took effect; (2) 2018, a year that the tax provisions under TCJA were most favorable; (3) tax rules for 2024 under the TCJA; and (4) 2027 more PR