WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12766) on Sept. 17, 2024, by telecommunications policy specialist Jill C. Gallagher: * * * 4.9 GHz Public Safety Band: Competing Views on Use During the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, public safety agencies experienced communication issues. In 2002, citing earlier congressional directives to reallocate spectrum from federal to nonfederal use, and in response to the 9/11 Commis more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12763) on Sept. 13, 2024, by legislative attorney Bryan L. Adkins: * * * Class Action Lawsuits: An Introduction The general rule in American litigation is that lawsuits are brought only on behalf of the named parties. The class action mechanism is an exception to that rule that permits one or more "named plaintiffs" (commonly known as "class representatives") to sue a defendant on their more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11477) on Sept. 13, 2024, by American national government analysts Sarah J. Eckman and Karen L. Shanton. Here are excerpts: * * * Early Voting and Mail Voting: Overview & Issues for Congress Although voting in person at a polling place on Election Day is the most widespread voting practice, states and localities also offer some or all eligible voters opportunities to vote without goin more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12768) on Sept. 19, 2024, by natural resources policy analyst Anthony R. Marshak. Here are excerpts: * * * Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM; Figure 1) is a systems-level management approach for living marine resources (LMRs) that accounts for an ecosystem's physical, biological, economic, and social components. This approach to fisheries m more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12764) on Sept. 13, 2024, by legislative attorney Bryan L. Adkins: * * * The Federal Arbitration Act and Class Action Waivers Arbitration agreements have become ubiquitous and are used in a wide range of contexts, including business-to-business contracts, employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements, and consumer contracts. For example, arbitration agreements can be found in  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12340) on Sept. 18, 2024, by telecommunications policy analyst Karla I. Rios: * * * Guatemala: An Overview Guatemala, the most populous country in Central America, has strived to consolidate its democracy since the 1990s. It has faced many political and social challenges, as well as human rights abuses and widespread impunity. Traditionally, the United States and Guatemala have had clos more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12767) on Sept. 18, 2024, by legislative attorney Hillel R. Smith: * * * Immigration Consequences of Unlawful Voting by Aliens Federal immigration laws provide that aliens who have illegally voted in the United States may be either denied admission to or removed from the country. They may also, depending upon their immigration status, face other adverse consequences, including being in more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12765) on Sept. 16, 2024, by Clare Ribando Seelke, in Latin American affairs specialist, and M. Angeles Villarreal, international trade and finance specialist: * * * Mexico: Key Issues for the Sheinbaum Administration and U.S.-Mexican Relations On October 1, 2024, Mexico - a top U.S. partner in trade, security, and migration matters - is scheduled to inaugurate Claudia Sheinbaum for a s more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11788) on Sept. 16, 2024, by military manpower specialist Kristy N. Kamarck. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Military Service Academies Overview The U.S. military service academies are tuition-free, four-year degree-granting institutions operated by the military departments. The academies are a major officer commissioning source, along with the Senior Reserve Officer Training more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12768) on Sept. 19, 2024, by natural resources policy specialist Laura B. Comay. Here are excerpts: * * * National Park Service: FY2025 Appropriations The National Park Service (NPS) administers the National Park System, which includes 431 units valued for their natural, cultural, and recreational importance. System lands cover 81 million federal acres and 4 million nonfederal acres. A more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12769) on Sept. 19, 2024, by financial economics analyst Anthony R. Marshak. Here are excerpts: * * * Overview of the Truth in Lending Act The Truth in Lending Act (TILA; 15 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.1601 et seq.) requires creditors to disclose standardized information for various financing products and offers additional consumer protections. TILA applies to most forms of consumer lending, includ more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12719) on Sept. 13, 2024, by American national government analysts R. Eric Petersen: * * * Smithsonian Institution: Selected Legislation, 118th Congress The Smithsonian Institution is a complex of museum, education, research, and revenue-generating entities primarily located in the Washington, DC, region, with additional facilities and activities across the United States and world. The more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12483) on Sept. 17, 2024, by nonproliferation specialist Paul K. Kerr: * * * U.S. Arms Transfer Restrictions and AUKUS Cooperation On September 15, 2021, Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States announced an "enhanced trilateral security partnership," named AUKUS after the participating countries. The partnership consists of two lines of effort, known as pillars: Pilla more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10715) on Sept. 13, 2024, by Latin American affairs specialist Clare Ribando Seelke: * * * Venezuela: Overview of U.S. Sanctions Policy Since 2005, the United States has imposed targeted sanctions on Venezuelan individuals and entities that have engaged in criminal, antidemocratic, or corrupt actions. In response to increasing human rights abuses and corruption by the government of Pres more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12425) on Sept. 18, 2024, by Cameron M. Keys, defense logistics and resource management policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2025 Defense Appropriations: Summary of Funding Congress annually determines whether to authorize and/or appropriate funds for the Department of Defense and related activities at amounts greater than, less than, or equal to a presidential Administration's re more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12417) on Sept. 19, 2024, by immigration policy specialists Holly Straut-Eppsteiner and Audrey Singer. Here are excerpts: * * * The Impact of the "Securing the Border" Interim Final Rule on Migrant Encounters and Processing In FY2023, enforcement encounters by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Southwest border reached their highest  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN11748) on Sept. 13, 2024, by social policy specialist Jessica Tollestrup: * * * Overview of Child Support Enforcement (CSE) Access to Taxpayer Data and Recent Legislation (S. 3154 and H.R. 7906) Legislation has been introduced in the Senate (S. 3154, on October 26, 2023) and ordered reported from the House Ways and Means Committee, as amended (H.R. 7906, on July 24, 2024), that contains  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12422) on Sept. 16, 2024, by public finance analyst Nicholas E. Buffie. Here are excerpts: * * * Preliminary Data on the IRA Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit In August 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released preliminary 2023 data on the residential clean energy credit (RCEC) and the energy efficient home improvement credit (EEHIC). The credits were scheduled to expire  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12423) on Sept. 16, 2024, by public finance analyst Nicholas E. Buffie. Here are excerpts: * * * Preliminary Data on the IRA Residential Clean Energy Credit In August 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released preliminary 2023 data on the residential clean energy credit (RCEC) and the energy efficient home improvement credit (EEHIC). The credits were scheduled to expire at the en more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12421) on Sept. 16, 2024, by health policy analyst Alexandria K. Mickler. Here are excerpts: * * * Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023: Background and Current Status Maternal mortality is considered a sentinel health event--one that can signal the overall health status and the broader quality or effectiveness of a nation's health system. Despite global progress over  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12424) on Sept. 16, 2024, by social policy specialists Emilie Stoltzfus and Jessica Tollestrup: * * * Supporting America's Children and Families Act (H.R. 9076) As posted on the House document repository, the Supporting America's Children and Families Act (H.R. 9076, as amended) incorporates the text of two bills, each unanimously approved by the House Ways and Means Committee on July 24 more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12424) on Sept. 19, 2024, by social policy specialists Emilie Stoltzfus and Jessica Tollestrup: * * * Supporting America's Children and Families Act (H.R. 9076) On September 18, 2024, the House passed the Supporting America's Children and Families Act (H.R. 9076, as amended), 405-10. The House-passed bill incorporates the texts of two bills as unanimously approved by the House Ways and M more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11229) on Sept. 16, 2024, by legislative attorney Daniel T. Shedd: * * * SEC v. Jarkesy: Constitutionality of Administrative Enforcement Actions Congress frequently delegates to agencies the power to take enforcement actions against parties who do not comply with applicable statutes or regulations that the agencies administer. For decades, Congress has enacted statutes that author more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11228) on Sept. 16, 2024, by legislative attorneys Alexander H. Pepper and Jay B. Sykes: * * * Federal Courts Split on Legality of the FTC's Non-Compete Rule In April 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a rule prohibiting most employers from entering into or enforcing non-compete agreements with workers, subject to exceptions for the sale of a business and preexisting  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB10558) on Sept. 16, 2024, by section research manager Jonathan M. Gaffney: * * * Judicial Review Under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) Federal agencies administer a wide range of areas by adopting rules, adjudicating disputes and claims, and providing guidance on matters within their purview. Given the potential impact of these agency actions on individual rights, the Supre more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11227) on Sept. 16, 2024, by legislative attorney Dorothy C. Kafka: * * * Legal Effect of Marijuana Rescheduling on FDA's Regulation of Cannabis Cannabis and its derivatives are regulated under various federal laws, depending on the particular characteristics and uses of the substance or product. Currently, unless an exception applies, cannabis and its derivatives are legally clas more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11129) on Sept. 17, 2024, by legislative attorney Abigail A. Graber: * * * Religious Discrimination at School: Application of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Since the beginning of armed hostilities between Israel and Hamas on October 7, 2023, Congress has focused significant attention on the reaction of students and schools, colleges, and universities to events unfolding more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48189) on Sept. 19, 2024, entitled "Department of Homeland Security Appropriations - FY2025 State of Play" by William L. Painter, homeland security and appropriations specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 Quick Summary: FY2025 DHS Appropriations Current Status ... 1 When Annual Appropriations Are Unresolved and the Fiscal Year Begins ... 1 If a Continuing Res more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47659) on Sept. 13, 2024, entitled "Expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill and Extension for 2024." The report is written by agricultural policy specialist Jim Monke, nutrition assistance policy specialist Randy Alison Aussenberg and agricultural conservation and natural resources policy specialist Megan Stubbs. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The farm bill is an omnibus, multiyear law that gove more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47659) on Sept. 13, 2024, entitled "Expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill and Extension for 2024:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Farm Commodity Support Programs Farm commodity programs in the farm bill (Title I) support farm income by making payments and reducing financial risks from uncertain weather and market conditions. They include the Marketing Assistance Loan (MAL) program, Loan Defic more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48188) on Sept. 18, 2024, entitled "Financial Services and General Government FY2025 Appropriations: Overview" by financial economics specialist Baird Webel. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill includes funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President, the judiciary, the District of Columbi more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46797) on Sept. 13, 2024, entitled "Finding Medicare Fee-For-Service Payment System Rules: Schedules and Resources" by senior research librarian Michele L. Malloy. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) program pays physicians, hospitals, and other health care facilities based on statutorily established payment systems, most of which are updated annually through  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45741) on Sept. 18, 2024, entitled "Memorials and Commemorative Works Outside Washington, DC: Background, Federal Role and Options for Congress" by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus and natural resources policy specialist Laura B. Comay. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congress frequently faces questions about whether and how to commemorate people and events that have influenced the natio more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48190) on Sept. 19, 2024, entitled "SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program: Structure and Current Issues" by R. Corinne Blackford, small business and economic development policy. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY To address discriminatory barriers in federal procurement markets for certain business owners, Congress has sought to help small "socially and economically disadvantaged" businesses more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48187) on Sept. 17, 2024, entitled "Social Security Administration: FY2025 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 FY2025 Budget Requests f more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48179) on Sept. 13, 2024, entitled "Tickets for Live Entertainment Events" by Clare Y. Cho, industrial organization and business policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Each year, millions of Americans purchase tickets for live entertainment events, such as concerts, theatrical performances, and sporting events. Tickets for live events initially are sold in the primary market, in more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48179) on Sept. 13, 2024, entitled "Tickets for Live Entertainment Events:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Selected Legislative Options Some Members of the 118th Congress have introduced bills related to ticketing for live events (see Appendix). In addition, the House passed its version of the Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act (TICKET Act; H.R. 3950) on May 15, 2024.  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43439) on Sept. 18, 2024, entitled "Worker Participation in Employer-Sponsored Pensions: Data in Brief and Recent Trends." The report is written by income security specialists John J. Topoleski and Elizabeth A. Myers and research assistant Sylvia L. Bryan. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY This report provides data on the percentage of U.S. workers who have access to, and who participate in more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48183) on Sept. 16, 2024, entitled "The Estate and Gift Tax: An Overview" by economic policy senior specialist Jane G. Gravelle. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The estate tax is imposed on bequests at death, whereas the gift tax applies to inter vivos (during life) gifts. A certain amount of combined estates and gifts - $5 million in 2011, indexed for inflation - is exempted from taxation  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48183) on Sept. 16, 2024, entitled "The Estate and Gift Tax - An Overview:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Issues and Options The estate tax is controversial, with both supporters, who would like the tax increased, and critics, who would like to maintain a small tax or eliminate it entirely. Progressivity is perhaps the principal justification advanced by supporters of the tax. The fili more PR