WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R44258) on Nov. 1, 2024, by reference librarian Audrey Celeste Crane-Hirsch: * * * Introduction Native American Heritage Month (also known as National American Indian Heritage Month) celebrates the contributions and achievements of Native Americans. November was first designated as National American Indian Heritage Month on August 3, 1990, by P.L. 101-343, To authorize and request the Presi more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11630) on Nov. 7, 2024, by financial economics analyst Karl E. Schneider. Here are excerpts: * * * Alternative Data in Financial Services Alternative data generally refers to information used to determine a consumer's creditworthiness that the national consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - have not traditionally used to calculate credit scores. more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10348) on Nov. 1, 2024, by Asian affairs specialist Ben Dolven. Here are excerpts: * * * The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Overview The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is Southeast Asia's primary multilateral organization, a 10-member grouping of nations with a combined population of 667 million and a combined annual gross domestic product (GDP) more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10214) on Nov. 4, 2024, by Asian policy analyst Maria A. Blackwood. Here are excerpts: * * * Bangladesh Bangladesh (East Pakistan until 1971) is a Muslim-majority South Asian nation bordering India and Burma (Myanmar) on the Bay of Bengal. The world's eighth most populous country, with approximately 169 million people, it has a land area about the size of Iowa. Its democratic sy more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10988) on Nov. 4, 2024, by Diane P. Horn, flood insurance and emergency management specialist: * * * A Brief Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the primary source of flood insurance coverage for residential properties in the United States. The NFIP has two main policy goals: (1) to provide access to primary flood i more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12807) on Nov. 6, 2024, by Legislative Attorney Andreas Kuersten: * * * The Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) The Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA), enacted in 1980, establishes uniform procedures for federal courts to determine the admissibility and manage the admission of classified information as evidence in federal criminal proceedings. This In Focus des more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12806) on Nov. 6, 2024, by senior research librarian Carol Canada: * * * Connecting Constituents with Federal Programs for Firefighters and Fire Departments This In Focus includes a list of selected federal agencies and programs that may support fire departments seeking funding for a variety of activities, including, but not limited to, equipment acquisitions, hiring, training, a more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12802) on Nov. 1, 2024, by senior research librarians Kathleen E. Marchsteiner and Maria Kreiser: * * * Connecting Grantseekers with Federal Assistance for Storm Shelters and Safe Rooms This In Focus describes selected federal assistance programs available to state, local, and tribal governments; nonprofit organizations; educational institutions; and property owners interested in more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11882) on Nov. 4, 2024, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security analyst: Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Directed-Energy Weapons Both the 2022 National Defense Strategy and the House Armed Services Committee's bipartisan Future of Defense Task Force Report have identified directed energy as a technology that could have a significant impact on U.S. n more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12611) on Nov. 1, 2024, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security specialist: * * * DOD Replicator Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction Replicator, unveiled on August 28, 2023, is a Department of Defense (DOD) initiative, led by DOD's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), to field thousands of uncrewed systems by August 2025. Replicator's firs more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11105) on Nov. 4, 2024, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security analyst: * * * Defense Primer: Emerging Technologies Both the 2022 National Defense Strategy and senior U.S. defense and intelligence officials have identified a number of emerging technologies that could have a disruptive impact on U.S. national security in the years to come. These technologies  more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12804) on Nov. 1, 2024, by social policy specialist Alexandra Hegji. Here are excerpts: * * * Federal Student Loan Program Models The federal government has played a central role in facilitating the making of loans to finance students' postsecondary education since at least 1958. The program models used to provide federal student loans have since changed considerably. The Highe more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12049) on Nov. 4, 2024, by Elizabeth M. Webster, emergency management and disaster recovery specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * FEMA's Individuals and Households Program (IHP) Following an incident, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may assist individuals with their recovery through the Individual Assistance (IA) program if the President authorizes such assistance  more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10576) on Nov. 7, 2024, by foreign affairs specialist Michael A. Weber: * * * Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Sanctions: The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (Global Magnitsky Act, Title XII, Subtitle F of P.L. 114328, as amended; 22 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.10101 et seq.) authorizes the President to impose economic sanc more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11459) on Nov. 1, 2024, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Hypersonic Boost-Glide Weapons The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is pursuing two types of hypersonic weapons technologies: boost-glide systems that place a maneuverable glide vehicle atop a ballistic missile or rocket booster, and cruise m more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12810) on Nov. 6, 2024, by Diane P. Horn, flood insurance and emergency management specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Issues for Reauthorization and Reform of the National Flood Insurance Program Floods are the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States; however, flood damage is not covered by homeowners insurance, and many flood victims are surprised to disc more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12808) on Nov. 7, 2024, by defense policy analyst Hannah D. Dennis. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (OUSD(P)) Background Congress established the position of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD-P) in 1978 (P.L. 95-140) and has expanded its role several times through legislation. The current Office of th more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11736) on Nov. 4, 2024, by legislative attorney Hillel R. Smith: * * * Reinstatement of Removal Orders: An Introduction Federal immigration laws establish removal processes for different categories of aliens who do not meet requirements governing their entry or continued presence in the United States. Many removable aliens found in the interior of the country are subject to "form more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12809) on Nov. 7, 2024, by public finance analyst Nicholas E. Buffie: * * * The Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit P.L. 117-169, commonly known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), enacted a new tax credit for the production of component parts and critical minerals used in clean energy equipment. The credit is referred to as either the Advanced Manufac more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12812) on Nov. 7, 2024. The white paper is written by Diane P. Horn, flood insurance and emergency management specialist, and Erica A. Lee and Elizabeth M. Webster, emergency management and disaster recovery specialists. Here are excerpts: * * * Simplifying FEMA's Assistance Programs: Selected Actions Taken and Potential Future Considerations Some Members of Congress, state, lo more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10213) on Nov. 4, 2024, by section research manager Colin Willett. Here are excerpts: * * * Sri Lanka: Background and Issues for Congress The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a constitutional democracy situated off the southeastern tip of India's Deccan Peninsula in the heart of the Indian Ocean. Located along key shipping lanes, Sri Lanka and its Port of Colombo--a more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12805) on Nov. 4, 2024, by defense policy analyst Jennifer DiMascio. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Air Force Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Fighter Background U.S. Air Force officials say they have paused a contract award for the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter as they rethink the aircraft's requirements. NGAD is an advanced fighter jet intended to replace th more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10183) on Nov. 1, 2024, by Emily M. McCabe, foreign assistance and foreign policy specialist and Nick M. Brown, foreign assistance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Foreign Assistance What Is U.S. Foreign Assistance? Foreign assistance is an instrument of U.S. foreign policy through which the U.S. government provides resources to strategically important countries, countrie more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12803) on Nov. 1, 2024, by defense policy analyst Jennifer DiMascio. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: United States Military Aviation Background Military aircraft provide the United States a range of military capabilities, including deterrence against attack, power projection, situational awareness, air defense, and logistical support to U.S. forces around the world. T more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12575) on Nov. 1, 2024. The white paper is written by international trade and finance specialists Shayerah I. Akhtar, Andres B. Schwarzenberg and Danielle M. Trachtenberg. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council: Background and Issues The U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) is a high-level forum between the United States and European Union (EU) that  more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10348) on Nov. 5, 2024. The white paper is written by Asian affairs specialists Mark E. Manyin and Caitlin Campbell and international trade and finance specialists Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs and Kyla H. Kitamura. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-Japan Relations Overview Japan, a U.S. treaty ally since 1952, is an important U.S. partner in several foreign policy areas, particularly more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10348) on Nov. 6, 2024. The white paper is written by Diane P. Horn, flood insurance and emergency management specialist, Erica A. Lee, emergency management and disaster recovery specialist, and Eva Lipiec and Anne A. Riddle, natural resources policy specialists: * * * Understanding Linked Climate and Weather Hazards and the Challenges to Federal Emergency Management The U.S. N more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12457) on Nov. 6, 2024, by immigration policy analyst Audrey Singer. Here are excerpts: * * * The Biden Administration's Revised Proclamation and Final Rule, "Securing the Border" On September 27, 2024, President Biden issued an updated proclamation to amend the June Proclamation that temporarily suspends and limits the entry of certain migrants at the Southwest land border (SWB) more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12455) on Nov. 4, 2024, by defense policy analyst Jennifer DiMascio and defense infrastructure policy analyst Alexandra G. Neenan: * * * Defense Implications of Challenges at Boeing The Boeing Company (Boeing), a supplier of equipment and services to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), has since 2018 faced challenges including labor actions, production delays, quality control pr more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12456) on Nov. 5, 2024, by Cory Welt, Russian and European affairs specialist: * * * Georgia: Incumbent Georgian Dream Claims Victory in Disputed Parliamentary Elections Georgia, a country in the Black Sea region that borders Russia and Turkey, held parliamentary elections on October 26, 2024. Georgia's governing party, Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia (GD), claimed victory. GD c more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN11897) on Nov. 1, 2024, by section research manager Kristin Archick: * * * Russia's War Against Ukraine: European Union Responses and U.S.-EU Relations The 27-member European Union (EU) has implemented various policy responses to Russia's war against Ukraine. EU actions and coordination with the United States are of interest to Congress given the EU's role as an important U.S. par more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11246) on Nov. 4, 2024, by deputy assistant director Michael John Garcia: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Circuit Splits from October 2024 The U.S. Courts of Appeals for the thirteen "circuits" issue thousands of precedential decisions each year. Because relatively few of these decisions are ultimately reviewed by the Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals are often t more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11243) on Oct. 31, 2024, by legislative attorney Jon O. Shimabukuro: * * * FLSA Exemptions and Burdens of Proof: E.M.D. Sales, Inc. v. Carrera On November 5, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral argument in E.M.D. Sales, Inc. v. Carrera, a case involving an employer's burden of proof when it asserts that an employee is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards  more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11244) on Oct. 30, 2024, by legislative attorney L. Paige Whitaker: * * * Election 2024: Recent Court Rulings on Voting and Counting Ballots Recent court rulings in various states have determined key issues relating to the voting process and the counting of ballots for the 2024 congressional and presidential elections. This Sidebar provides a brief overview of the legal lan more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11245) on Nov. 5, 2024, by legislative attorney Hillel R. Smith: * * * Supreme Court Rules That There Is No Constitutional Right to Having an Alien Spouse Admitted to the United States On June 21, 2024, the Supreme Court in Department of State v. Munoz rejected a U.S. citizen's legal challenge to the denial of her alien husband's application for a visa to enter the United S more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41449) on Nov. 1, 2024, entitled "Armed Career Criminal Act: An Overview" by Charles Doyle, American public law senior specialist: * * * Summary The Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), 18 U.S.C. Sec. 924(e), requires imposition of a mandatory minimum 15-year term of imprisonment for recidivists convicted of prohibited possession of a firearm under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 922(g), who have three prior state more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46413) on Nov. 1, 2024, entitled "Election Day - Frequently Asked Questions" by senior knowledge management librarian Caitlin Curran: * * * SUMMARY Election Day is the day legally established to select public officials in the United States. General elections for federal offices - President, Vice President, and U.S. Congress - are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-nu more PR