WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11274) on Nov. 15, 2024, by military personnel specialist Kristy N. Kamarck and research librarian Carly A. Miller. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Active Component Enlisted Retention Retention The term retention refers to the rate at which military personnel voluntarily choose to stay in the military after their obligated term of service has ended as determined by t more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12331) on Nov. 7, 2024, by Asian affairs specialist Ben Dolven. Here are excerpts: * * * Burma: Background and Issues for Congress Overview Burma (also known as Myanmar) is a multi-ethnic Southeast Asian nation of 57.5 million that has been under some degree of military rule since 1962 and under an authoritarian military junta since a February 2021 coup d'etat. The coup ended  more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11466) on Nov. 15, 2024, by defense infrastructure policy analyst Luke A. Nicastro and defense logistics and resource management policy analyst Cameron M. Keys. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Department of Defense Maintenance Depots Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.) Sec.2464 requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to "maintain a core logistics capability that i more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11677) on Nov. 15, 2024, by Christina L. Arabia, security assistance, security cooperation and global arms trade analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: DOD Title 10 Security Cooperation Security Cooperation Overview The Department of Defense (DOD) uses the term security cooperation (SC) to refer broadly to DOD interactions with foreign security establishments. SC a more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12818) on Nov. 15, 2024, by health care financing analyst Ryan J. Rosso: Here are excerpts: * * * Health Savings Account (HSA) Qualified Medical Expenses Section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) allows individuals to establish and contribute to a health savings account (HSA) while they are covered under certain high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). Individuals can withdr more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12815) on Nov. 12, 2024, by economic policy senior specialist Jane G. Gravelle and economics specialist Mark P. Keightley. Here are excerpts: * * * How the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (TCJA, P.L. 115-97) Changed Cost Recovery and the Tax Credit for Research Tax benefits for investments in research and development are of long-standing interest to Congress and the business community. more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12558) on Nov. 12, 2024, by government organization and management analyst Dominick A. Fiorentino and defense infrastructure policy analyst Alexandra G. Neenan. Here are excerpts: * * * Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contracts The federal government has multiple contracting methods for use in procuring goods and services, one of which is called an Indefinite Deliver more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12817) on Nov. 14, 2024, by defense infrastructure policy analyst Alexandra G. Neenan: * * * Defense Primer: Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) Introduction The Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) is the primary U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) process for determining military weapon systems requirements. According to the JCI more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11263) on Nov. 13, 2024, by defense infrastructure policy analyst Andrew Tilghman. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Military Installations Management The Department of Defense (DOD) and the three military departments - the Army, Navy, and Air Force - maintain distinctive organizational structures, policies, and programs for managing their installations. Section 2801 of more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11208) on Nov. 7, 2024, by foreign affairs analyst Jared G. Tupuola and Asian affairs specialist Thomas Lum. Here are excerpts: * * * The Pacific Islands: Background and Issues for Congress Overview The Pacific Islands region encompasses 14 Pacific Island countries (PICs), the U.S. state of Hawaii, and several U.S. territories, and spans nearly 15% of the Earth's surface. Suc more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12779) on Oct. 8, 2024, by telecommunications policy specialists Jill C. Gallagher and Amanda H. Peskin. Here are excerpts: * * * Restoration of Cell Phone Services: Hurricane Helene On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall near Perry, Florida. The hurricane caused flooding and damage to personal property and critical infrastructure, including roads, power, and co more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12798) on Nov. 15, 2024, by cybersecurity policy specialist Chris Jaikaran: * * * Salt Typhoon Hacks of Telecommunications Companies and Federal Response Implications In early October 2024, media outlets reported that People's Republic of China (PRC) state-sponsored hackers infiltrated United States telecommunications companies (including internet service providers). The U.S. go more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10834) on Nov. 15, 2024, by Marcy E. Gallo, science and technology policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Advances in science and technology (S&T) have long played a critical role in ensuring the technological preeminence of the U.S. military. For this reason, the Department of Defense (DOD) is the larges more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12816) on Nov. 12, 2024, by African affairs specialist Lauren Ploch Blanchard. Here are excerpts: * * * The War and Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan The conflict in Sudan that began in 2023 between rival elements of the security forces has fueled the world's largest displacement crisis and largest hunger crisis. The war has pushed over 11 million people from their homes. More than  more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12451) on Nov. 13, 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 bills would repe more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12458) on Nov. 13, 2024, by science and technology policy analyst Laurie Harris and senior research librarian Rachael D. Roan: * * * Artificial Intelligence: CRS Products Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies - including machine learning, generative AI, and facial recognition technologies - are demonstrating many potential benefits across a variety of sectors of t more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN11129) on Nov. 13, 2024, by Christopher A. Casey, international trade and finance analyst: * * * The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and Tariffs: Historical Background and Key Issues Updated November 13, 2024 President-elect Donald J. Trump has repeatedly expressed his intention to impose a 10-20% tariff on all imports. He has also asserted that he would impo more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN11532) on Nov. 13, 2024, by Bryce H. P. Mendez, defense health care policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * TRICARE Cost-Sharing Changes in 2025 The U.S. 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 TR more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48209) on Oct. 4, 2024, entitled "A Binding Debt Limit: Background and Possible Consequences" by economic policy analyst D. Andrew Austin. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY In September 2024, gross federal debt was about $35.3 trillion. Debt limit episodes have been a recurring feature of federal fiscal policy since 2001, when federal budget deficits returned after four years of surpluses. The more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48209) on Oct. 4, 2024, entitled "A Binding Debt Limit - Background and Possible Consequences:" (Continued from Part 1 of 4) * * * Treasury Actions in Select Debt Limit Episodes To date, the modern debt limit has not yet prevented Treasury from paying all federal obligations. During debt limit episodes in 1985, 1995-1996, 2002, 2003, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023, howeve more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48209) on Oct. 4, 2024, entitled "A Binding Debt Limit - Background and Possible Consequences:" (Continued from Part 2 of 4) * * * Treasury and Federal Reserve Contingency Planning Managing and mitigating risks is an integral part of any large financial institution, no less so for federal agencies responsible for core fiscal operations./127 During the 2011 and 2013 debt limit episodes, Treasu more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48209) on Oct. 4, 2024, entitled "A Binding Debt Limit - Background and Possible Consequences:" (Continued from Part 3 of 4) * * * Potential Economic and Financial Effects A binding debt limit would not only hinder federal finances and operations, but could also trigger severe economic and financial consequences. A 1979 GAO report noted that a federal default caused by a binding debt limit co more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RS22907) on Oct. 3, 2024, entitled "Cluster Munitions: Background and Issues for Congress" by nonproliferation specialist Paul K. Kerr and military grounds forces specialist Andrew Feickert: * * * Summary Cluster munitions are air-dropped or ground-launched weapons that release a number of smaller submunitions intended to kill enemy personnel or destroy vehicles. Cluster munitions were develope more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48211) on Oct. 4, 2024, entitled "Deferred Maintenance and Repair at Civilian Agencies: Causes, Risks and Policy Options" by American national government specialist Garrett Hatch. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Federal civilian agencies own more than 285,000 buildings and structures, which have been acquired over time to help the government achieve its objectives. As these assets age, thei more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48211) on Oct. 4, 2024, entitled "Deferred Maintenance and Repair at Civilian Agencies - Causes, Risks and Policy Options:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Considerations for Congress There may be opportunities for Congress to address the $80 billion DMR backlog and other related issues. The disposal of certain assets with high DMR liabilities, for example, might be incorporated into an e more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48024) on Oct. 10, 2024, entitled "Disaster Relief Fund State of Play: In Brief" by law librarian Calvin Gibson: * * * SUMMARY This report is designed to introduce congressional staff to examples of legal and nonlegal sources, including statutes, legislation, and dictionaries, for researching legal definitions. It includes governmental sources, such as the United States Code (U.S. Code), the C more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48196) on Oct. 3, 2024, entitled "Hydrogen Production: Overview and Issues for Congress" by energy policy analyst Lexie Ryan. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Various hydrogen production methods, or pathways, can use energy to extract hydrogen from feedstocks such as fossil fuels, biomass, and water. Hydrogen molecules can then be used in functional purposes. Today, hydrogen is predominantly more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48196) on Oct. 3, 2024, entitled "Hydrogen Production - Overview and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Producing Hydrogen from Water All commercial hydrogen production technologies use water, and some use water as a hydrogen feedstock. Several different production pathways can split water (H2O) into hydrogen and oxygen. These pathways may use different energy sources,  more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48215) on Oct. 8, 2024, entitled "Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing: Frequently Asked Questions" by natural resources policy specialists Caitlin Keating-Bitonti and Anthony R. Marshak. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Over the past two decades, successive U.S. Administrations and Congresses have recognized that illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing threatens national,  more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48215) on Oct. 8, 2024, entitled "Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing - Frequently Asked Questions:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Are Transnational Crimes Associated with IUU Fishing? IUU fishing, as well as some seafood industries, may be associated with other illegal activities, such as human and other forms of trafficking (e.g., arms, drugs, wildlife), labor exploitation, a more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48215) on Oct. 8, 2024, entitled "Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing - Frequently Asked Questions:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * What Actions Are U.S. Agencies Taking to Address IUU Fishing? Several federal departments and agencies, including DOD, the Department of State, NOAA, and the USCG, engage in various efforts to combat IUU fishing on the high seas and in the EEZs of pa more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R42972) on Oct. 8, 2024, entitled "Sequestration as a Budget Enforcement Process - Frequently Asked Questions" by Megan S. Lynch, congress and legislative process specialist: * * * Contents What Is a Sequester? ... 1 What Is the Purpose of a Sequester? ... 1 What Current Budget Requirements Are Enforced by Sequestration? ... 1 When Will a Sequester Occur? ... 2 How Is a Sequester Administe more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48224) on Oct. 11, 2024, entitled "Social Security Benefits and Price Indexing: Analysis of Selected Policy Options" by social policy analyst Barry F. Huston. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Under current law, Social Security benefits are indexed in two ways. For workers, the value of past earnings used to calculate initial benefits is linked to changes in average wages in the economy. This more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48224) on Oct. 11, 2024, entitled "Social Security Benefits and Price Indexing - Analysis of Selected Policy Options:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * The Effects of Selected Price Indexing Options on Social Security Benefits Changing any component of the current-law benefit computation process (i.e., that is wage indexed) to a slower-growing index (e.g., the CPI, which is a price index)  more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48224) on Oct. 11, 2024, entitled "Social Security Benefits and Price Indexing - Analysis of Selected Policy Options:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Selected Policy Considerations This section highlights selected issues that may arise from including more price-indexed mechanisms in the Social Security benefit calculation. First, this section addresses the possibility of price growth outp more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43792) on Oct. 3, 2024, entitled "State Minimum Wages: An Overview" by labor policy specialist Sarah A. Donovan and research librarian Ellen M. Lechman. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), enacted in 1938, is the federal law that establishes the general minimum wage that must be paid to all covered, nonexempt workers employed in a state or territory of the U more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47614) on Oct. 3, 2024, entitled "U.S. Marine Corps Force Design Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress" by military grounds forces specialist Andrew Feickert: * * * SUMMARY On March 23, 2020, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) announced a major force design initiative referred to as "Force Design 2030," which is now known as "Force Design." As part of this initiative, intended to occur over more PR