WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12791) on Oct. 23, 2024, by aviation policy specialist Bart Elias and transportation and industry analyst Rachel Y. Tang. Here are excerpts: * * * The 2024 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024 (P.L. 118-63) was signed into law on May 16, 2024. The act provides key civil aviation authorizations, in more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12233) on Oct. 18, 2024, by agricultural policy specialist Jim Monke. Here are excerpts: * * * Farm Bill Primer: Budget Dynamics Congress is considering a new farm bill because provisions in the 2018 farm bill (P.L. 115-334) and its one year extension (P.L. 118-22, Division B, Sec.102) began expiring at the end of FY2024 (CRS Report R47659, Expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill and  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10238) on Oct. 23, 2024, by Asian affairs specialist Thomas Lum. Here are excerpts: * * * Cambodia Overview: U.S.-Cambodia Relations U.S.-Cambodia relations have become strained during the past decade, after former Prime Minister Hun Sen banned the main opposition party in 2017 and as Cambodia's relationship with the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) has grown closer.  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12790) on Oct. 23, 2024, by defense infrastructure policy analyst Andrew Tilghman: * * * Congressional Direction of Military Infrastructure Funding Congress has a variety of legislative and budgetary options for directing U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) infrastructure spending. During the past 10 years, Congress has used statutory provisions to direct infrastructure spending t more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11338) on Oct. 22, 2024, by foreign affairs analyst Cory R. Gill. Here are excerpts: * * * Diplomatic Security, Embassy Construction and the Role of Congress As the executive branch's lead foreign affairs agency, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) plans, constructs, and manages U.S. embassies, consulates, and other overseas posts and provides for the security of such posts and  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10261) on Oct. 18, 2024, by agricultural policy specialists Jim Monke and Renee Johnson. Here are excerpts: * * * Farm Bill Primer: Background and Status The farm bill is an omnibus, multiyear law that governs an array of agricultural and food programs. It provides an opportunity for policymakers to comprehensively and periodically address agricultural and food issues. The farm more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12793) on Oct. 23, 2024, by economic development policy analyst Adam G. Levin and Julie M. Lawhorn: * * * Federal Assistance for State and Local Entrepreneurship Development Policies and Recent Legislation Entrepreneurship is often considered an engine of economic growth. Congress has authorized over 10 federal agencies to administer a number of programs to address common challe more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11140) on Oct. 21, 2024, by economic development policy analyst Julie M. Lawhorn. Here are excerpts: * * * Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities: Overview of Structure and Activities Federal regional commissions and authorities address perceived regional economic underdevelopment. These organizations generally accommodate multileveled and multijurisdictional participatio more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12549) on Oct. 23, 2024, by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Jim Zanotti: * * * Hamas: Background, Current Status, and U.S. Policy Hamas (or the Islamic Resistance Movement) is a Palestinian Sunni Islamist military and sociopolitical movement, and a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO). Hamas's primary base of action and support is in the Gaza Strip, which it h more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10530) on Oct. 18, 2024, by Bryce H. P. Mendez, defense health care policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Military Health System The Department of Defense (DOD) administers a statutory health entitlement (under Title 10, Chapter 55, of the U.S. Code) through the Military Health System (MHS). The MHS offers health care benefits and services through its TRIC more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12789) on Oct. 22, 2024, by economics specialist Mark P. Keightley. Here are excerpts: * * * Key Issues in Tax Policy: The Mortgage Interest Deduction The mortgage interest deduction is of interest to policymakers due to its association with homeownership. The mortgage interest deduction is also of interest because it is one of the largest tax benefits available to homeowners  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12776) on Oct. 23, 2024, by natural resources policy specialists Anthony R. Marshak and Pervaze A. Sheikh. Here are excerpts: * * * The North Atlantic Right Whale: Conservation Trade-Offs with Selected Marine Sectors and Considerations for Congress The North Atlantic right whale (NARW; Eubalaena glacialis; Figure 1) is an endangered large whale species found in the Atlantic Oc more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12788) on Oct. 21, 2024, by Legislative Attorney Milan N. Ball: * * * The Public Policy Doctrine and 501(c)(3) Organizations The Supreme Court first applied the public policy doctrine to organizations exempt under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3) in a pair of cases, Bob Jones University v. United States and Goldsboro Christian Schools, Inc. v. United States, 461 U. more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12794) on Oct. 23, 2024, by economic development policy analyst Adam G. Levin: * * * The Role of Business Incubators and Accelerators in Entrepreneurship Support Business incubators and accelerators are entrepreneurship support programs designed to help startup businesses develop and grow. Incubators and accelerators are operated by a variety of entities, including for-profit bu more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12150) on Oct. 21, 2024, by Natalie R. Ortiz, government organization and management analyst: * * * Standardizing Federal Data: Categorizing Approaches Congress has at times enacted laws that specifically require federal agencies to use data standards, which establish rules to enhance the usability of data. This In Focus provides an overview of three topics related to data stan more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11732) on Oct. 23, 2024, by Shawn Reese, emergency management and homeland security policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Secret Service: Threats to and Assaults on Sitting Presidents and Vice Presidents Overview USSS has two mandated missions: (1) criminal investigations, and (2) protection of persons and facilities. Criminal investigations focus primarily on financia more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10261) on Oct. 18, 2024, by Emily M. McCabe, foreign assistance and foreign policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Agency for International Development: An Overview Background The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead international humanitarian and development arm of the U.S. government. Established in 1961 to implement the Foreign Assistance more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12792) on Oct. 23, 2024, by economic development policy analyst Adam G. Levin. Here are excerpts: * * * Is U.S. Entrepreneurship Declining? Researchers note that "entrepreneurship has typically been defined as an action, process, or activity that involves the startup and growth of a new enterprise." Much research and data over the past two decades points to a decades-long slowd more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12150) on Oct. 21, 2024, by Andrew S. Bowen, Russian and European affairs analyst: * * * Ukrainian Military Performance and Outlook Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) have been increasingly challenged to defend against Russian advances, given ongoing disadvantages in personnel and a less developed defense i more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12107) on Oct. 23, 2024, by defense budget specialist Brendan W. McGarry. Here are excerpts: * * * Department of Defense Supplemental Funding for Ukraine: A Summary To date, Congress has appropriated $174.2 billion in emergency supplemental funding in response to Russia's 2022 renewed invasion of Ukraine. Of this amount, $110.7 billion (64%) was provided for the U.S. Department  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12447) on Oct. 21, 2024, by Cameron M. Keys, defense logistics and resource management policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2025 Budget Request: Department of Defense-Military (Subfunction 051) On March 11, 2024, the Biden Administration released an FY2025 budget requesting a total of $7.5 trillion in budget authority. Of this total, $850 billion (11.35%) covered discretio more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12450) on Oct. 23, 2024, by military personnel specialist Kristy N. Kamarck. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2025 NDAA: Selective Service Registration Proposals Background In deliberations around a National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025 NDAA), Congress is considering changes to Selective Service registration and associated penalties for failure to register ( more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12405) on Oct. 18, 2024, by defense budget specialist Brendan W. McGarry and Congress and legislative process specialist Valerie Heitshusen. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2025 NDAA: Status of Legislative Activity On March 11, 2024, President Joe Biden submitted initial documentation supporting the FY2025 budget request, including proposed funding for the U.S. Department of Defense more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12446) on Oct. 18, 2024, by Middle Eastern affairs specialists Jim Zanotti and Jeremy M. Sharp. Here are excerpts: * * * Israel and Hamas: Killing of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on October 17 that Israel's military killed top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Hamas is a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization supported by Iran. S more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN11980) on Oct. 22, 2024. The white paper is written by natural resources policy specialist Laura B. Comay, public finance specialist Donald J. Marples and deputy assistant director and specialist Corrie E. Clark: * * * Offshore Wind Provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act P.L. 117-169, commonly known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), addressed U.S. offshore wind de more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12448) on Oct. 21, 2024, by defense policy analyst Nicholas M. Munves. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2025 NDAA: Reserve Component End-Strength Background Under 10 U.S.C. Sec.115(a), Congress sets the maximum size (i.e., end-strength) of the active and reserve components of the Armed Forces annually, typically in a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Congress is also respons more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12451) on Oct. 24, 2024, by social policy analyst Zhe Li. Here are excerpts: * * * The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82): Background for Congress The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82) was introduced by Representative Garret Graves on January 9, 2023. (S. 597, a companion bill, was introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown on March 1, 2023.) The bill would rep more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12445) on Oct. 18, 2024, by military personnel analyst Kristy N. Kamarck and defense policy analyst Nicholas M. Munves: * * * U.S. Military Personnel and Hurricane Response Efforts Background On September 26, 2024 Hurricane Helene made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida at Category 4 strength. Subsequent heavy rains and flooding impacted Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolin more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12035) on Oct. 21, 2024, by American national government analyst Sarah J. Eckman: * * * Voter Registration: Overview of Federal Involvement and Policy Considerations Voter registration policies are largely determined by state and local governments, subject to certain federal requirements, many of which are found in the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) and the Help A more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11197) on Oct. 24, 2024, by legislative attorney Benjamin M. Barczewski and section research manager Jonathan M. Gaffney: * * * Corner Post and the Statute of Limitations for Administrative Procedure Act Claims On July 1, 2024, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Corner Post, Inc. v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, addressing when a plaintiff may bri more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11240) on Oct. 24, 2024, by section research manager Craig W. Canetti: * * * A Corporation's Obligation to Redeem Shares Is Not Necessarily a Liability That Reduces the Corporation's Value for Estate Tax Purposes On June 6, 2024, the Supreme Court unanimously held in Connelly v. United States that a family-owned corporation's contractual obligation to purchase, or "redeem, more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47676) on Oct. 9, 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 Resolutio more PR